It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason why I'm so openly watching Mara Jade as she strolls leisurely in my direction.
Is it because of her beauty? Yes, there's no doubt that this fact is noticeable. The girl really has an outstanding physique and knows how to present herself so that it doesn't seem vulgar, tacky, or outright cheap. Over the years in Palpatine's service, she has learned a lot. But I was no longer at the age to be "taken in" by cute faces, preferring to honor intelligence, wisdom, and determination in women.
And in a strange, almost mystical way, all of this was present in this young woman. So is that the reason? Or is it because, during my acquaintance with this character in the literary version of the Far, Far Away Galaxy, I was impressed by the heroine, and now I am only conjuring up an image that I've created? Which, by the way, may be fundamentally different from what I imagined based on what I read.
After all, if you think about it, books, comics, games, and other creative works about this universe do not form a continuous timeline of any particular character. No, each work is a set of separate episodes, some of which are connected to each other, while others are not. And what happened to the characters in the "gaps" is a mystery. What did they experience, how did it affect their character and inner world? A curious object for research. But I no longer have time to conduct it.
Is it because, in my attempts to recruit Mara Jade, I took a number of liberties, using unconfirmed "trump cards," as in the case of the dying Palpatine's mental command? "You will kill Luke Skywalker." Yes, this is a very big blunder that I made due to a desperate desire to "mess things up." A funny fact is that I started changing the cause-and-effect relationships of this world long before I made the final decision about what my future would be here. What was the reason for this behavior? A desire to stand out? Or to feel like a shaper of destinies, who can make events go as they are destined?
Or did I make a decision about my future almost as soon as I became aware of myself in this universe, galaxy, body, and later only logically justified this step? It's hard to say without psychoanalysis. And it's hardly necessary, because now a very important conversation will take place for me. A lot will depend on it. Including my future.
— Welcome to the Empire, Mara Jade, — I said when the girl approached my location and stopped at the foot of the steps. There are only a couple of meters between us. My hand automatically continued to stroke the back of the ysalamiri. What's convenient about the "Palpatine-style" chair? The fact that it's multifunctional. And it has a lot of secret compartments. In which there is something interesting, not to mention a small but powerful blaster. Something delivered to me by a special courier straight from the depths of Mount Tantiss. I wonder if there is a logical explanation for the fact that the room with this Palpatine trophy was discovered in the labyrinth under the mountain exactly as many days as it took for the base commandant, Pellaeon, to report this and other discoveries. I learned this information from the latter. And it was from me that the commandant received a clear and unambiguous order. And the courier arrived just in the narrow time slot between the interrogation-recruitment of Captain Hoffner and the arrival of Mara Jade. Is there some hidden intrigue of the Force in this, or is it just a simple mathematical calculation of reaction time?
— You are not the Empire, Grand Admiral, — the red-haired girl remarked a bit sharply. Her eyes flashed with challenge.
— A curious statement, — I allowed myself a restrained smile. — But not without truth. As you can see, what I control is the fleet and the base. All that the Imperial Ruling Council provided me in exchange for the fact that the political fragmentation of the Imperial Space will remain as it is at the moment.
— It's hard to imagine that a grand admiral would agree to such handouts, — she said defiantly... continuing to track my reaction.
— The best defense is offense, isn't it? — I asked a rhetorical question. — But that's not what I expected from the Emperor's Hand.
— I was her, — the girl reminded me. — But not anymore... If there is no Emperor, then there is no Hand.
— I see, — I crossed my legs. — Then why are you here, Mara Jade?
The girl momentarily, as if stumbling with her gaze, looked away, and...
And that's enough to understand the reason why she sent a distress signal from Myrkr. She is broken. She served a powerful state, a ruler whom she considered almost perfect. Then, when the second Death Star exploded, she lost everything. All at once. No opportunities or prospects. Only a top-level access code and a couple of tricks in reserve. Her attempts to return to the Empire were stopped by the director of Imperial Intelligence, Isard, for the latter's personal reasons. And Jade didn't even try anymore. Because for the Empire without Palpatine, she is no one. During the Imperial Civil War, which began after Palpatine's death and is still not over, she would most likely simply be eliminated as a likely hindrance, rather than being used for her intended purpose.
She started a new life. Which I have now completely uncompromisingly destroyed. Jade responded to the offer to return to the Empire, but now she is not sure if it is the right thing to do. Because her only motivation for returning is to be involved in something, preferably something she knows well and is good at. And now is a very dangerous moment - one careless word or expression could make her turn away from me, making her, if not a sworn enemy, then certainly not a friend. And that's the last thing I need.
— I served the Emperor, — the girl said, having obviously gathered her thoughts. — I worked for the benefit of the Empire. I wanted to continue doing what I do best. But I was wrong. The Empire is not what it used to be. And it is unlikely that there is a place for me in it.
A curious statement. And one could believe it if it weren't for one fact. Mara Jade has been "inside" this Empire for too short a time to judge what she just said. Yes, she had five and a half years to look at the situation from the "outside." But she's a professional. And people like her don't judge the contents by the cover. So her words are lies. A provocation. A test. An assessment of the reaction.
The girl is pretending. At least for now. Well, this is a game that two can play.
— The fact that you have not forgotten and continue to apply what the Emperor and imperial instructors taught you is, without a doubt, commendable, — I said, stroking the back of the ysalamiri. — But you are not on a mission, Mara Jade. And I am not the object of your mission. If you want to get answers to your questions, ask them. Within the permissible limits, I will be frank. But I will not lie to you either. I value you, your skills, and my time too much to act that way.
— A grand admiral who is ready to be frank? — the red-haired woman asked sarcastically. — That's something new. As far as I remember, the Emperor selected candidates for these positions according to completely different criteria.
— There was one criterion - effective service to the Empire, — I said in an even tone. — In your case, frankness equals effectiveness. You have already been used in the dark for a lot of time, not being told the whole truth, and outright lied to. Even your last employer turned out to be not quite who you thought he was. And you calmly left him. The logical decision would be to be frank with you, without compromising my plans, of course. Perhaps then you will find it the right decision to stand on the same side as me.
— With you? — the Emperor's Hand clarified. — Not with the Empire?
— Given that you have been in hiding for more than five years, not hurrying to return to service, it can be concluded that you are not on the same path with the current Empire, — I said. — But there is a chance that you and I can find a common language.
— What's the catch? — the woman asked warily. — The Thrawn I knew would never have put the question that way.
— Considering that all your knowledge about me is limited only to your presence at the secret ceremony of awarding me the rank of grand admiral, the stories about my actions by the Emperor, reports and summaries, it is truly amazing that you so easily draw conclusions about me, — the tone is calm, reasonable. No panic. Even if I made a mistake somewhere, and they had met before, Mara is a smart girl. She will figure out the reason for this particular version of events.
The girl was silent for a while. Then, shaking her head, she asked:
— What were you doing in the Unknown Regions?
— Carrying out the Emperor's mission, — I replied calmly.
— A cartographic expedition carried out by a grand admiral? — Jade smiled wryly. — You promised frankness, Thrawn.
— I promised it to you within the limits that it would not harm my plans, — I had to remind her. — I was given an order, and I carried it out. Until I realized that my absence would lead the Empire to ruin. Upon my return from the Unknown Regions, the Imperial Ruling Council gave me separate forces at my disposal, empowered me as Supreme Commander, and a number of conditions, under which I would receive all possible support.
— And in return, you don't interfere in their politics, — Jade recalled my own words. — Supreme Commander... If Vader were alive, he would not have allowed this.
— History has no subjunctive mood, Mara Jade, — I noted. — Darth Vader is dead, Emperor Palpatine is dead, the sphere of influence of the Empire has shrunk to a third of its former territories, and the Imperial Ruling Council and the leadership of other Imperial Remnants are so afraid of my interference in internal affairs that they implementation of my own plans, — I replied. The girl wrinkled her nose slightly, realizing that she would not get a better answer.
— Am I a part of your plans? — she asked after a few seconds of silence.
— If you wish to cooperate, — I confirmed.
— Well, yeah, — she smirked. — For you, I am one of those "valuable resources" that you intend to return to the bosom of the Empire.
— If you'd prefer I referred to your old position under Karrde directly, all you had to do was say so, — I clarified, avoiding the subtext of the question.
— You have already practically exposed me to "The Claw," — she said. — If before he only guessed about my past, then after the conversation at his base on Myrkr, he became certain.
— And he hurried to get rid of you, — I summed up. — Instead of understanding and making a balanced decision. Not the most rational and reasonable approach.
— You knew that the "Claw" was hiding the coordinates of the "Katana Fleet", — she stated. — You could have killed everyone on Myrkr and seized him, tortured him, and got the information you needed without bothering yourself with the search for Captain Hoffner and the payment of bonuses for him.
— In that case, a chain of events would have been triggered, the outcome of which would not have coincided with my plans. Any action must have a specific goal, and the result must exceed the negative consequences, — I stated. — The destruction of Karrde and his companions did not serve my plans. Nor did the forced capture and detention of you.
— And you think that by flattering me with a promise of frankness, but in response to my questions giving only vague hints, you will incline me to voluntary cooperation? — she shook her head. — No, Thrawn, that won't do.
— Then remember what you were taught, Mara Jade, — the unsolicited advice aroused poorly concealed indignation in her. — And start asking the right questions. The ones you really want to hear the answers to. Before I start asking them.
Mara Jade was silent. Considering. And she didn't dare to ask directly. Because that would mean going back to the past, to that very psychotraumatic situation for her. Well, if the mountain won't go to Muhammad...
— Have the visions returned? — I inquired. The girl was as if struck by an electric shock.
From under the mane of golden-red hair, two green lights stared at me, which could easily be the muzzle of a pair of blasters. If it wasn't for the ysalamiri, which was enjoying the scratching of its chin.
— From your reaction, I see that they have, — I continued in the same bored, mentoring tone, as if not noticing the emotions that flashed across her face. This is exactly how Thrawn would behave in my place. Would push her to the limit. — Based on the fact that Luke Skywalker is still alive, you are not in a hurry to fulfill the Emperor's last wish. But at the same time, you declare that without him you see no point in serving the Empire. The double standards in your performance, Mara Jade, are indeed curious.
— You wanted me to ask you "right" questions, — the former Emperor's Hand hissed like a snake. — Here it is. I want to know how you know about it. No spy could have found that out!
— And that's the right question, Mara Jade, — I allowed myself a modest smile. — I have sources of information. And one day, if we are on the same side, you will gain access to some of them. But in this case, it is just a conclusion based on the Emperor's maniacal desire to subdue, or eliminate Darth Vader's son.
— What?! — Jade gasped. — Luke Skywalker... he...
— The son of a fallen Jedi whom Emperor Palpatine turned to the Dark Side of the Force in the last hours of the Old Republic, — I said. — Anakin Skywalker was the name Darth Vader used in the past. Until the destruction of the first Death Star, the Emperor did not know that his student had offspring, — frankness is good where it cannot ruin your plans. In other cases, the use of vague language allows one to both tell the truth and hide its scope. And to switch attention from a sensitive moment to less "thin ice", a relatively shocking piece of news will do. Which, under the existing conditions of the girl's unstable psychological state, will fall on fertile ground. It is only necessary to consolidate the shock effect with equally vulnerable "revelations" for her. — Until the attack on the rebel base on Hoth, Vader himself did not know about this. The Emperor instructed him to capture Luke Skywalker in order to convert him to the Dark Side.
— But... why? — Jade asked in bewilderment. — Vader... is stronger.
— My knowledge of the Force is rather limited, — I embellished the degree of my awareness, — but I assume that a person who is sensitive to it and has only one cybernetic prosthetic instead of half of his body is much more powerful. Darth Vader was half cyborg. But, knowing the scale of the deceased Emperor's planning, I can only assume that young Skywalker was destined to be one of the Emperor's Hands — until he gained the same knowledge and power as Darth Vader himself. And then the son would eliminate the father. The Emperor would have gained a more capable servant.
— And when Vader and Skywalker turned against him, Palpatine was only able to kill Vader, as the weakest due to his prosthetics and armor, — Jade finished the thought. — And he assigned me to eliminate the son.
— As far as I know, you were supposed to eliminate Skywalker back at Jabba the Hutt's palace when the rebels were rescuing Captain Solo. But you failed, — Jade cast a hateful glance at me. — It's curious that the Emperor, understanding the degree of Skywalker's danger, sent only one of his Hands on this mission, while he could have used all the resources...
This time, she recovered from the shock of what she had heard enough to react:
— I was the only Hand of the Emperor!
— Are you sure about that? — I smiled sardonically. — Or do you prefer to indulge yourself with these hopes?
Jade pursed her lips, looking at me with such a devastating gaze that I involuntarily wanted to flinch. But I can't. Reputation obliges. I'll show weakness - and that is precisely weakness, and not show her that "frankness is just another exotic game of Thrawn with the brains of his interlocutors" - and the farce will be exposed.
— You're lying, — she said in a shaky voice.
— I keep my word and am frank with you, Mara Jade, — I looked at her with condescending, slightly indifferent pity. — There is no need to lie to you - this will become known someday. And you will not forgive me for such treatment of your person. I intend to enlist your support. Without lies. The Emperor told you that you were exceptional because you could hear his voice on the other side of the galaxy. But you were never the only Hand. The most receptive to his ability to transmit orders over long distances - yes, for sure. That is why he placed his last order in you - to destroy Skywalker. The last act of revenge, in which the Emperor was quite inventive. Won't you tell me how you managed to suppress his mental message in yourself for more than five years?
— I did everything to forget that I could feel the Force, — she said quietly. Her gaze faded. The anger was gone. Now, in front of me was not a predator ready to attack, confident in its exclusivity and superiority, but a battered woman who had just been made to understand that even the best years of her life had been filled with lies. Outright and blatant. — I stopped using it, I stopped thinking about his will - and the voice subsided, the visions disappeared. But after I was taken from Myrkr... They returned. With new strength, just as demanding, just as unscrupulous...
— In light of what has been said, have you ever wondered if the Emperor's message is not just a cry for help, not just an order, but a kind of way of programming you to perform a specific task? — I inquired. The answer was known to me long ago, but the effect will be much better if she figures it out herself.
Jade was in no hurry to answer, pondering what had been said. She was hardly taught many abilities of the Force, but she has some idea about it. And the more doubts settle in this red-haired head, the easier it will be for her to make the decision to join my side.
— The Emperor possessed exceptional abilities, — she said uncertainly. — I... I am not qualified to judge what I do not understand...
— But I will risk stepping onto an unfamiliar field, — Jade squinted. — There is a very talented, but mentally unstable ally in my circle. A dark Jedi named Joruus C'baoth.
— The Emperor and Vader killed all the Jedi, — the young woman noted uncertainly.
— Really? — I feigned surprise. — I remember that one of them, Obi-Wan Kenobi, managed to live nineteen years since Operation Knightfall. And was even found by Luke Skywalker. Kenobi was Darth Vader's teacher when he was a Jedi. Vader killed him on board the Death Star after the destruction of Alderaan. This one fact proves that the Emperor's and Vader's methods were not effective. Where one Jedi survived, another could be found. And maybe more. The Inquisitorius was founded from former Jedi. Vader had students sensitive to the Force. But in this case, these conclusions are not applicable to my ally. He is a clone.
— Jedi cannot be cloned, — Jade stated. — The Emperor said so...
— We first met at the opening of a new wing of the Imperial Palace, — I shamelessly exploited what I remembered from the books on the Expanded Universe of the Far, Far Away Galaxy, passing it off as Thrawn's memories. — The Emperor introduced you to me as one of his favorite dancers. And only at the secret ceremony, which we have already mentioned, did he tell me who you really were. But did he tell you how our first meeting with him took place?
— You were found by Voss Parck on one of the planets of the Unknown Regions, — she said. — And delivered to Palpatine. Who was so impressed with your skills that he allowed you to serve...
— Yes, that was our first meeting, — I confirmed. — But we met long before that moment. Some time before the start of the Clone Wars. Have you ever heard of Project "Outbound Flight"?
Jade nodded affirmatively:
— An expedition that was supposed to go beyond the known galaxy, — she said. — But they disappeared...
— They were destroyed, — I said calmly. — By me.
Jade's gaze filled with disbelief.
— But how... unit that discovered and destroyed a squad of ships that someone under the name Darth Sidious sent to destroy "Outbound Flight." This unit was commanded by Kinman Doriana.
— Palpatine's advisor, — Jade's voice sounded interested.
— Doriana connected me with Darth Sidious, under whose guise Palpatine was hiding before the destruction of the Old Republic. They told me about the danger of "Outbound Flight" and the Jedi on board. I entered into an agreement with them. I disarmed "Outbound Flight" and did not intend to destroy it at all, deciding to force them to turn back. But the leader of the expedition did not want to heed the voice of reason. This was the real Jorus C'baoth. Using the Force, he began to choke me, as Darth Vader had done to those who had been in the wrong. Seeing this, Kinman Doriana activated a weapon I had developed, and "Outbound Flight" turned into a collective grave. And I received an offer from Palpatine to join his service. Making sure that I was expelled from my homeland turned out to be easy. And only after that, Voss Parck found me. So, my current ally is a clone. But you should not disclose this information.
— But... how... cloning, — Mara Jade couldn't find what to say.
— The clone is insane, — I continued. — Perhaps that's how it was intended, perhaps these are side effects, but the fact remains. C'baoth considers himself the last Jedi in the galaxy, and therefore he is looking for students.
— I wouldn't want to be among them, — the girl shuddered. — But after all, cloning was banned after the Clone Wars!
— Do you really think that the Emperor cared about bans? — I was genuinely surprised. The girl slightly averted her gaze. — You were in his treasury, — she looked at me in surprise. — Mount Tantiss on the planet Wayland. There are a great many of Palpatine's trophies there. Including the means of creating clones. A copy of the real C'baoth was created there, and, apparently, left to guard this warehouse, full of beautiful works of art and technological achievements.
— I haven't been to Wayland as often as you think, — Jade shook her head. — If everything was as you say, then the Emperor would certainly have used the resources of his treasury to defeat the rebels.
— Do you think he would have used any opportunity to destroy his enemies? — I asked with a slight sneer on my lips. All I need to close the mousetrap is her correct reaction to my sneer. After all, she still does not believe that the Emperor, the very one who found her, trained her, named her his Hand, opened to her the secrets of the Force so that she would serve as a guide for his will, the one whom she almost deified, lied to her, looking her in the eyes year after year.
— Yes, — she said firmly. — I don't know what game you're playing, Thrawn, but lies don't suit you. Apparently, the Unknown Regions have changed you beyond recognition.
— Yes, the Unknown Regions change sentient beings, — I agreed, to let her feel a hint of triumph. — But maybe you should find Luke Skywalker and ask him who actually threw the Emperor into the ventilation shaft?
The eyebrows on her beautiful face furrowed. Doubts began to gnaw at the girl.
— What are you talking about? — she asked. — The Emperor showed me how Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker fought with lightsabers, and then turned their weapons against him. I saw the Emperor burn Vader with Force lightning, how Skywalker...
She broke off, obviously realizing that I was not just watching her with an indifferent gaze.
— Are you sure? — I clarified.
— Yes, — she said not too firmly.
— But I don't agree with you, — I said. — The experience of communicating with C'baoth's clone allows me to conclude that the followers of the Dark Side of the Force are able to manipulate the minds of their subordinates. To achieve their goals, they use any means. Including simple deception. It was not Luke Skywalker who killed the Emperor, but Darth Vader. The dark lord of the Sith stood next to the Emperor at the very moment when Palpatine was trying to kill Skywalker with lightning. For fighting Vader, but not killing him, in order, as I understand it, not to become the same as the Emperor's student. Based on the information I know about Darth Vader, he would not have allowed anyone to kill his child. And therefore it was Vader who lifted Palpatine, interrupted his attack, and threw him into the shaft.
— That... cannot be, — Jade said absentmindedly. — He wouldn't lie... Not to me...
— And how were you different from the others? — I shrugged. — Maybe better than the ancient Jedi Arden Lyn, whom the Emperor turned to his side and promised to resurrect her loved one who died more than twenty thousand years ago?
— Where did you get this information? — the tension in Jade's voice was obvious.
— When the deception was revealed, this woman joined forces with the rebellious Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin, — I replied, perfectly aware that the story of Lyn is the very key with which you can unlock all of Jade's doubts. — Do you remember for what merits Palpatine gave me the opportunity to become one of the twelve Grand Admirals?
— The effective destruction of Zaarin's rebellion, — Mara Jade said quietly.
— And it was entrusted to me because of the absolute effectiveness of my actions, — I continued to abuse the information that was not available to her. — Palpatine understood perfectly well how loyal I was to him, because in a way we both strove to protect the galaxy from a great threat. And he gave me a chance to prove to the whole Empire that even an exotic can be a great commander. After all, I would not ask questions - I would fulfill the order in the same way as before. Palpatine did not take into account only one thing - I wondered about the reasons for Zaarin's betrayal. Understanding the enemy is the key to victory. Zaarin was an excellent engineer and gave a lot to the Empire. His disappointment in the Emperor's politics made him an enemy. And the destruction of dissent could have prevented the negative consequences caused by the rebellion. During the investigation of Zaarin's betrayal, I learned about the existence of the Emperor's Hands. But not about you - our acquaintance took place later. About Arden Lyn and her story, — half-truth is not a lie. In fact, this is how I learned about the existence of the Emperor's Hands - first I started reading "The Thrawn Trilogy", then I tried to find out who these "Hands" were. And the direct connection between Arden Lyn and Zaarin allowed me to delve into the story of the rebellious Grand Admiral. And although I distort the facts somewhat, I did not promise her the truth - only the absence of lies. — Back then, this fact did not seem significant to me - as Emperor, Palpatine could afford a lot and it was not for me to judge him. And after I was awarded the rank of grand admiral, Palpatine decided to move me further away - to where I supposedly could not be reached by the political intrigues of the other grand admirals. In particular, Ruufaan Tigellinus. But the truth is different - Palpatine knew or guessed about what I had learned. And he took all possible steps to both preserve a valuable resource - me, and not allow me to repeat the fate of Zaarin if I learned more.
— I can't believe it, — Mara Jade admitted, swallowing. — He... he never lied...
— Do you think so? — how many times have I repeated this question? — I have something for you.
I took an information chip from my breast pocket and held it out to the girl. Jade slowly, as if her legs did not obey, approached and took the device.
— What is here? — she asked hoarsely.
— Names, — I replied. — Aralina Silk, Jeng Droga, Jallar Golleen, Shira Elan Colla Brie, better known as Lumiya, Maarek Stele, Roganda Ismaren, Sa Cuis, Sarcev Quest, Vess Kogo.
— Who are they? — the red-haired girl frowned.
— The Emperor's Hands, — I simply replied. The girl's eyes widened. — At least those whom he bothered to enter into the information database on Wayland. I will provide you with the equipment to verify the authenticity of these files.
The girl, tightly clenching the device in her hand, as if it were the greatest treasure.
— Did they all receive an order to kill Skywalker? — she asked, retreating to the place where she had stood before.
— I do not know this for sure, — I did not go too far with diluting the truth with my own conclusions. — However, Shira Brie tried to kill Skywalker - before you. But this also ended in failure for her. Roganda Ismaren is no more than a prominent woman whom the Emperor used as a gift for his close associates, and in this way she received information that she reported to Palpatine. Sarcev Quest is currently taking steps to strengthen his power over the Imperial Ruling Council, intending to seize power over the remnants of the Empire.
— I have heard some of these names, but I did not know... that they... are also Hands, — the girl was clearly trying to cope with her own confusion.
— Palpatine hid from you the fact that there were other Hands because he was playing on your sense of gratitude and self-deception of exclusivity, — I continued to press on a sore spot. — He knew perfectly well that among the other Hands there was hardly such loyalty, and therefore he used you to eliminate Luke Skywalker.
— Which may indicate that he still trusted me more than the others, — she unexpectedly said stubbornly.
— And yet you didn't even try to kill Skywalker, — I reminded her. — For five long years...
The girl looked at me with unprecedented malice.
— However, does it matter how you felt about Palpatine? — I asked a rhetorical question. — The answer to the question is more acute - how he felt about you.
The conversation was not going at all as I had planned. Mara Jade showed an enviable stubbornness, which was beginning to annoy me a little. If she really is so loyal to him, then she is more trouble than she is worth. It wouldn't take long to push the alarm button and let Rukh and the stormtroopers through the secret door behind my back. But trying to recruit her is still possible. It's just a pity that I'll have to play my trump cards.
— I still don't believe you, Thrawn, — she shook her head.
— It's your business, — I shrugged indifferently. — In the end, you can always take a ship and go to the Deep Core on the planet Byss and ask everything yourself. However, you won't be able to. Neither can I. We were not invited there. We have completely different roles.
— What do you mean by that? — how many times has she furrowed her brow during our conversation? But what you can't deny is that even in anger she is beautiful.
— The fact that Emperor Palpatine is using you, me, and a huge number of sentient beings throughout the galaxy so that we do all the dirty work for him and remove the most serious obstacles, such as Luke Skywalker and the strengthening of the New Republic, — I said with ostentatious indifference. Seeing that she continues to pierce me with a bewildered gaze, I added with a smirk:
— Haven't you understood yet? Emperor Palpatine is not dead. He was reborn in the body of a clone on the planet Byss and is gathering an army to destroy any dissent at its root. Once and for all.
***
Mara felt her throat tighten.
Palpatine is alive?! But how is this possible?!
— Thrawn, — she grated. — Don't joke like that. You are walking on very thin ice. I won't even need the Force to knock the nonsense out of you. If this is your trick again...
The Grand Admiral looked at her, tilting his head to the side. As if trying to understand from a different angle, whether she is a fool.
They were drilling each other with their eyes. And Mara was the first to look away, not being able to withstand the contrast: the grand admiral, sitting in a chair that looked like two drops of water to the one in which Palpatine was located in her visions...
The light blue skin of Thrawn's face and bare arms contrasted sharply with his snow-white uniform, the unbearable shimmer of auridium epaulettes, the blue-black hair and the scarlet fire of his piercing eyes.
— I don't know what game you're playing, Thrawn, but even for you this is too much, — she muttered, shaking her head and turning her back to the grand admiral. Squeezing the data chip in her hand, she strode away, feeling how she was leaving the zone of the ysalamiri's Force suppression. It is no coincidence that Thrawn settled down with the Hutt lizard! He is doing everything so that even with her meager powers she could not understand whether he is telling the truth or blatantly lying. — I don't remember you being cruel. A tough commander - yes, but to lie to me in the eyes like that...
— As I promised - I am speaking frankly with you, — Thrawn's voice is rich with overtones and so attractive that the girl did not immediately realize that she was paying attention to him again. Although she had just been about to get the hell out of here. She realized that she was taking a step forward when it was too late.
"You will kill Luke Skywalker..."
Mara shuddered all over her body. The voice that sounded in her head could only belong to one living being in the entire universe. She had heard this voice so often that she could not confuse it with any other.
The image of Thrawn seemed to dissolve. Now, in front of her on the throne, in the semi-dark compartment of the second Death Star, sat the Emperor. He was looking at her from under a lowered hood, his piercing, furious eyes burned with yellow fire, reaching into the very essence of her consciousness. She saw how dry old fingers dug into the armrests of the chair, how the black fabric of his cloak froze around his figure, like concentrated darkness...
She came to her senses only when she felt a sudden chill run through her body. She blinked - and the vision disappeared. But in front of her stood the grand admiral, holding the ysalamiri in his hands. Some five or six meters away, but he was standing, having risen from the throne, having descended the steps, having overcome the distance necessary for her to fall into the sphere of action of the lizard's natural ability...
— Another vision? — he asked. And his voice no longer seemed so cold. On the contrary, there were notes of... concern in it? No, it can't be. From anyone, but not from Thrawn. This is a cold, calculating killing machine in the guise of a blue-skinned humanoid. He knows no sympathy, no pity... Palpatine showed her more attention than Thrawn showed to anyone. No, she just imagined it.
— Everything is fine, — she muttered through her teeth. The Grand Admiral glanced at her indifferently, turned around, and slowly began to walk back. Mara, not wanting to experience a vision for the third time since leaving Myrkr, took a few cautious steps, stopping at the foot of the steps. — I want to know if you are telling the truth about the Emperor possibly being alive.
— He is alive, — Thrawn said calmly. — He is accumulating power on the planet Byss in the Deep Core, as I said.
— Then why aren't you at his side?
Somewhere in the back of her mind, the thought appeared that she had heard something about Byss before. But she couldn't recall what exactly. And she used to have a perfect memory.
— For the same reason that you remained in ignorance for five and a half years, — he said, stroking the lizard's belly. — I am as much of a resource for the Emperor as you are, and all the others who his emissaries have not visited.
— How do I know you're telling the truth? — she asked.
— No one is going to convince you of what you don't want to accept, — Thrawn shrugged. — I will only tell you what I know, share the conclusions and observations that I have made during my return from the Unknown Regions, and you will draw your own conclusions.
— Thank you for the permission, — Jade said sarcastically. Although she perfectly understood that Thrawn would not be moved by these verbal exercises.
— Until the discovery of the Emperor's vault in Mount Tantiss, I only knew of the existence of two Hands — you and Arden Lyn, — he said. — The latter presumably died during the campaign against Zaarin, you — disappeared. My agents were looking for any information about you, and as you can see, they found you. I propose that you come under my direct command, but the final choice remains with you. The only one. Everything is decided here and now — there will be no more offers.
— Tell me about Palpatine, — she demanded, barely restraining the rage that was raging inside her. If he had deceived her...
— Don't you dare dictate terms to me, — Thrawn said quietly, enunciating each word. And his "fatherly" tone almost made her heart jump out of her chest. — Even alone, we are in different weight categories.
— Exactly, — Jade continued to aggravate the situation. — I was his Hand. I spoke to him, and you, Grand Admirals, could only listen.
— And? — Thrawn's right eyebrow rose. — I understand that your memory is failing you due to overwhelming emotions, but there are lines that crossing them... is fraught with consequences. No matter how mythical importance you may console your ego with, it remains in the past.
Mara glared at him with a fierce look.
In response, Thrawn ignored her, merely shrugging.
Which infuriated her even more.
— Who is your source of information? — she demanded.
— If you really expect me to reveal him to you, then now it is clear why Palpatine left a woman to deal with Skywalker, who is unable to cast aside her fantasies and lives in illusions of the past, — he said, accompanying his words with a look full of disdainful disappointment.
Mara felt as if she had been doused with ice water.
How foolish! To come here, to come at the invitation, and to try to demand something, being essentially... no one.
If even a little of what he said is true, if the Emperor really lied to her, used her to get rid of Skywalker, and was also reborn, ignoring her existence... She was basically trampled on. And Thrawn just showed that he would throw her out of here by the scruff of her neck. Because she is nothing more than ballast right now.
— I... apologize for my rashness, — she said quietly, trying not to look at Thrawn, who was paying attention to stroking the ysalamiri. Oh, how much pleasure she would get from getting away from this red-haired, tailed creature. But she was afraid that the vision might overtake her again.
— For the first and last time, I will forgive you, Mara Jade, — Thrawn didn't even bother to look at her. Instead, he paid more attention to stroking the lizard's belly. — If you have calmed your inner demons and are ready to continue the dialogue, then we can proceed. If not, tell me where to deliver you, and a ship will be provided to you.
— Thank you, — the girl swallowed hard. — I think I'll stay. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
She felt the chip she was holding in her hand begin to dig into her skin. A little more effort, and the device will shatter into fragments.
— After discovering the Emperor's vault, I encountered a Jedi clone, — Thrawn continued his story as if nothing had happened. — He is firmly convinced that he flew to Wayland, fought the Keeper of the mountain, and defeated him. Can you recall anyone guarding the Emperor's vault?
— There was an automatic defense system there, — Jade scratched in her memory. — And the locals are so underdeveloped that they won't be able to get past the main gates even in the next couple of centuries.
Thrawn nodded silently, obviously in time with his thoughts.
— There are quite a few interesting things in the Emperor's vault, — he said. — However, a cursory examination of information from his library showed that some of the data has been destroyed. C'baoth explained that in the time that had passed since he killed the Keeper and until my arrival, others had come to Wayland, who wanted to enlist the help of the dark Jedi. However, not only for this — they were more interested in the vault. C'baoth killed them all — in the Emperor's favorite way, with lightning. Interesting, isn't it?
— What did these beings inside the mountain need? — Jade asked.
— They were cleaning up the Emperor's archives, — Thrawn explained. — A huge array of data is either damaged or specifically edited so that anyone who finds it will not have an idea of the power of these or other ships. Which, for the most part, have disappeared from the sight of not only the Empire, but also the New Republic. Cross-searches indicate that these were mainly Eclipse-class Star Destroyers, like the Sovereign, Vengeance, and Bellator, and the latest escort starships.
— How does this relate to your claim that Palpatine is alive? — Mara asked impatiently. Her inner world was now torn in two opposite directions. In one, she understood that Thrawn might be simply misleading her. For him, deceiving an opponent is nothing more than a tactical or strategic trick. He is a professional in such tricks. And if he tells her something, he understands that – maybe not immediately – this information can be verified. About the duel on board the second Death Star, about the cleaning of data in the secret vault of the Emperor, about the existence of other Hands, about the mental message of the Emperor... She can find out all this without any problems. She just has to nod her head, declare her loyalty to Thrawn, and he will allow her to get involved in his affairs. Maybe not immediately, but he will start to trust her. And having gained some power, she will be able to achieve more than just refusing and leaving.
And on the other hand... She assumed that she knew Thrawn well enough. And he was well aware of her abilities. He decided to play on something that had been unavailable to her for a long time. On honesty.
And the worst thing was that the more she believed in the first scenario, the more she was convinced that the second one looked the most optimal. Thrawn studies his enemy so thoroughly and so unusually that he is literally able to foresee his next moves. She had asked herself many times — could he be Force-sensitive? Just very well disguised... But over the long years of serving the Empire, she had never found any confirmation of this. Just like the Emperor himself. And he could hardly be deceived for such a long time... Maybe.
— According to my information, after the death of Palpatine's body aboard the second Death Star, only his physical embodiment died. I am not familiar with the abilities of Jedi or Sith, but looking at C'baoth, I am sure that death can still be cheated. The Emperor, and there is no one else, pulled off a trick with the resurrection of C'baoth, who was his adviser back in the Old Republic. He possibly used cloning technology even long before it was openly used to produce soldiers during the Clone Wars. He may have been helped in this, but knowing his character, I am sure that these were only the most trusted people in his entourage. Not servants — allies. How exactly he was able to resurrect C'baoth, who died long before today, what knowledge he used for this — I do not know. But a logical analysis shows that in fact, the resurrection of a dark Jedi is nothing more than a rehearsal before the triumphal return of the Emperor himself.
— These are just your speculations, — Mara Jade snorted. Somehow Thrawn isn't very convincing. Because he is not sure, or... She felt a thin stream of cold sweat trickle down her spine, between her shoulder blades. On the contrary, he is sure. He's just playing with her. He's making her relax so that he can shock her at once with a piece of information with arguments that will be impossible to dispute.
— Console yourself with illusions, Mara Jade, — Thrawn shrugged. — I am sure that such a great and powerful being as the Emperor will never, under any circumstances, accept defeat. He was excellent at weaving intrigues and surrounding his enemies and allies with a web of lies and half-truths in order to make them act the way he needed them to.
— But not by pretending to be dead, — she snorted. Thrawn's arguments are becoming more and more like speculation.
— And how is this method worse than others? — the Grand Admiral looked at her in surprise. — After all the conspiracies, intrigues, behind-the-scenes games at the court, imaginary allies and the betrayal of his own apprentice, why not go into the shadows, having the resurrection technology, honed on C'baoth? Slowly and carefully build up strength, calling to him those military leaders who seem reliable to him? Entire fleets disappeared from the face of the galaxy without the slightest mention of where they are and what their fate is. Judge for yourself. You imagine yourself the only one of the Emperor's Hands. You believe that he was only close enough to you in matters of his will. So much so that he entrusted you with the murder of Luke Skywalker in secret from Vader. Why?
— If we think in your categories — because he was not sure that Vader would not betray him at the most crucial moment, — Jade said after thinking. She said it without fully believing what she said. Although she clearly understood that... it was true. It's hard to explain why she thought that way. But she remembered perfectly that after Vader, with a whole fleet, missed Skywalker on Bespin, the Emperor... to put it mildly, was not thrilled. So why didn't he just play it safe and eliminate Skywalker before everything went wrong? Especially — on Jabba's territory... But...
Mara felt that she had found the answer.
— You understood, — Thrawn stated. — Palpatine, a master of intrigue and multi-step combinations, played several games at once. In one, he sends Vader after his son. To kill or deliver to subjugation. Either option would have suited him. The Dark Lord fails the mission on Hoth. And at the same time, he knows that Skywalker is his son. Given how deeply Palpatine was mired in his own intrigues, and his entourage was similar, it is logical to assume that Darth Vader is no longer as loyal as before. After all, he used to be a Jedi. I'm not well-versed in the history of the Order, but several cases of redemption definitely took place: fallen Jedi returned to the fold of their teachings. And if so, then there is no longer any faith in Vader. He is no longer a student, not an heir to the throne — he is a hypothetical threat. Therefore, Palpatine sends you to Tatooine. Just in time for the beginning of the rebels' operation to free Han Solo. And your task is one — to kill Skywalker. I don't know the details, — Thrawn looked at her, almost pinning her to the floor with his gaze. — Not yet. But I am sure that everything should have looked exactly as if Jabba had dealt with Skywalker. Suppose what the Sith Lord would have done when he found out that the king of the underworld had executed his child?
— If Vader had really started to stray from the path of the Sith, showing feelings for his son, he would have swept the Outer Rim with a firestorm, — Mara knew the Sith Lord's difficult character very well.
— Add to this the information that criminals often helped the Rebel Alliance, and their numerous bases were located at that time in the Outer Rim as well, — Thrawn continued her thought. Mara shuddered mentally — she had thought about it herself. If so, then... It's in the Emperor's style.
— In the same case, if Darth Vader remained loyal to the Emperor and the appearance of his son meant nothing to him, then with your hands, Palpatine simply got rid of the potential threat in the face of young Skywalker, — Thrawn said. — Darth Vader is competent enough for the tasks that Palpatine gave him. And if a candidate for his place does not want to take the Emperor's side, then why change Vader himself?
— But the Emperor forced Vader to bring Skywalker to him, — Mara Jade said. — Which of the two versions you have proposed does this event fall under?
— Under the third one, — Thrawn said calmly. — You failed on Tatooine. And he had to change his plans. By that time, he already had a plan to lure the Rebel Alliance to Endor for the final battle. The second Death Star was combat-ready and could easily kill the rebels' fleet. The Emperor gathered several Grand Admirals and trusted advisors on board. He brought a fleet, set a trap in which nothing could go wrong. But even in this case, he had insurance.
— In your words, he forced Skywalker to fight Vader, — the longer Mara listened to Thrawn, the more she understood that the Grand Admiral knew the Emperor very well. And what he was saying... could be true. But she needed to see for herself.
— Since you failed, he took matters into his own hands, — Thrawn shrugged. — If Skywalker had killed completed the logical chain.
— But, if, in your words, the Emperor was reborn, then why did he order me to kill Skywalker? — she asked. — He could have done it himself.
— How long do you think it takes to create a cloned body? — Thrawn inquired.
— On Kamino, they were grown in ten years, — she quickly found the answer in her memory.
— That's right, — the Grand Admiral nodded slightly. — And we will return to them sometime. But for your information, Kaminoan cloning technology is not the only one. In Mount Tantiss, you saw a whole cave full of cloning equipment. This is Spaarti technology, which allows you to create a fully combat-ready clone in one standard year. Didn't the Emperor tell you about this?
Mara barely audible grinded her teeth.
— No, — she answered. — So, you use Spaarti cloning cylinders?
Thrawn looked at her for a moment. Not as usual — with indifference. But with interest. The kind that a scientist has when studying a previously unknown species.
— Yes, — he answered. Mara felt her mouth go dry. Thrawn had just told her bluntly that he had something capable of turning the tide of the war between the Empire and the rebels... And he told her so simply, as if it were not a secret at all. He didn't even try to remain silent, referring to the fact that disclosing this information could somehow affect his plans... Did he really trust her that much!? Or... Everything inside her went cold.
If Thrawn had just revealed to her the secret of cloning cylinders, then... Perhaps he has something more terrible at his disposal than the technology of creating copies of sentient beings?
Since cloning cylinders are capable of producing copies in one standard year, and Thrawn has been involved in the affairs of the Empire for a year now... then he already has or is about to have an army of clones! That's why he needs ships! He doesn't need to spend a long time training personnel — he could have made so many clones that it would be enough to complete an entire fleet. That's why there are ysalamiri on the ships — so that no one can understand that under the same faceless helmets of stormtroopers there may be the same face! And this was not done to resist her — but to control that very dark Jedi! Whose power is probably enormous, since he is a product of Palpatine's work.
— And now, Mara Jade, — Thrawn said in an ingratiating voice, — think, if Palpatine kept such treasures in Mount Tantiss, then what is he hiding on Byss, where he didn't take you?
The girl felt that she was losing touch with reality. If you think for a minute that Thrawn is right, and everything that is happening here is just part of Palpatine's plan... If he is really alive... If he really singled her out among the other Hands... Why didn't he call her to him?!
— Are you wondering about the reasons for your being here, and not on Byss? — Thrawn seemed to pluck the question out of her head. Mara didn't bother to answer. And he didn't need it anyway.
— You're not there either, — Jade stated.
— Yes, we've already touched on this topic, — the Grand Admiral reminded her. — You and I are a resource. Like all those who remained in the galaxy and were not recalled to the Deep Core. Our task is to distract the New Republic, not to allow it to gain strength capable of hindering Palpatine's return and offering serious resistance. A destabilizing factor, nothing more. We are expendable, ideological followers of all the best that the Empire has to offer. At least, we were. The calculation was made on the fact that you, me, and other Imperials who have preserved the ideals and faith in the best that the Empire has given to the galaxy, will not calm down and will continue the war. I believe that this is why all the contents of Mount Tantiss have been left behind — as the necessary means to inflict damage on the enemy. The maximum possible. Byss and the planets of the Deep Core, as I understand it, have much greater military power potential than Mount Tantiss. Therefore, as already mentioned, we are assigned the role of mere active interference. Whether we die or survive during the period of weakening of the New Republic is not important in fact — the main thing is to inflict damage that the bureaucratic apparatus of the New Republic will not be able to cope with in a short time, and, therefore, after the attacks, the enemy will be maximally weakened and will offer minimal resistance. Its ships will need repairs, its experienced fighters will die in these battles, and the recruits will not be able to pose the same threat. And after us, the reborn Palpatine will come and restore his power. Only his emissaries are already operating throughout the galaxy, pulling all the necessary resources to him. As far as I know, Grand Moff Ardus Kaine has already been recruited by Palpatine's emissaries from Byss. As you may have noticed, the Five Star Collective is not conducting active campaigns. And meanwhile, it has huge mobilization and military resources. Imperial Space has also switched to defense. Just like the Ssi-ruuk Imperium, but I have no information about the connection between Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel and the Emperor. But there is information that he has prisoners from the Lusankya, whom Isard previously held. As far as I remember, you were familiar with her?
— And not in the best way, — Mara narrowed her eyes. — As the director of Imperial Intelligence, she was used to knowing everything about everyone. And she couldn't find a scrap of information about me, which drove her mad. She even once organized a hunt for me, interrogated me, but achieved nothing. I escaped.
— You were very lucky, — Thrawn noted. — Or you were just better than the Emperor's mistress could have imagined.
Mara raised her eyes in surprise.
— You...
— ... I do not intend to discuss the Emperor's personal life, — Thrawn said indifferently. — It is enough that you avoided the fate that Isard had prepared for you. The same Countess Iran Ryad was not so lucky. And as for confirming their relationship... Have you never wondered why Palpatine gave the first two Executor-class Star Destroyers to his apprentice and the director of Imperial Intelligence, Isard? The key moment in this question is precisely the "first" Star Destroyers.
The girl frowned unhappily and involuntarily shuddered. No, she hadn't thought about this until now. She hadn't even thought about it. Palpatine, during his lifetime, did not allow her to cross paths with the Ice Queen closely. It was unlikely that he thought they could become friends or something like that, but... He carefully guarded his secrets. He was a master at it.
"Red Star" is an aristocrat and an ace pilot, who formed a flight unit with her own funds, at the end of her life equipped with very expensive but no less effective TIE Defenders. And accused of treason by Isard. For which she was executed by Baron Fel's pilots. A dirty story, but it only confirmed the well-known fact throughout the Empire — to cross the path of the Ice Queen, as Isard was called, means death. Even if you are only doing your duty.
— So why do you continue to fight alone? — Mara clarified. — From your words, I understood that you only have an illusory support of the Empire. If Delak Krennel is not connected with the Emperor, to whom you, for some reason, do not want to join, then he could become your ally.
— I don't want to waste my time fighting Isard, — she was shocked once again during this conversation. — Oh, you're surprised. Did you think she died on Thyferra?
— The rebels trumpeted it all over the HoloNet, — Mara Jade whispered, feeling a salty taste of blood. It seems that she had bitten her lip. If only for a moment to imagine that Isard is alive...
— According to my information, Krennel only has a clone of Isard at his disposal, — Thrawn said calmly. — Her task is only to watch the prisoners. And at the right moment for the real Ice Queen — to divert the New Republic's attention from her goal.
— And what is her goal? — Mara Jade asked, hoping that Thrawn would not call her own name.
— Think about it, — Thrawn suggested. — The Ice Queen received something significant from Palpatine's hands, a symbol of her power, where she drove sentients mad, turning them into living weapons. And she lost it. And now she is horrified, because she knows what Palpatine will do to her upon his return if she does not return...
— The Lusankya, — Jade said. — Isard wants to get her own Executor-class Star Destroyer back.
— And present it as a gift to the reborn Palpatine, — Thrawn confirmed.
— And I thought you were obeying the Emperor because you had some common goals, — Mara squinted, trying to catch the Grand Admiral at his word.
— They still remain, — Thrawn said somehow even wearily. — Only Palpatine, as it turns out, was less concerned about the confrontation with the Far Outsiders than about the immediate power over the galaxy.
And this is completely new information. Mara had not even heard of anything like this in Palpatine's entourage.
— What are you talking about? — she asked.
— About a race of extragalactic invaders known to my people as the Far Outsiders, — Thrawn's gaze seemed to be directed at her, but it was as if he was looking through the former Hand of the Emperor. — Their technologies are based on organic matter, or something similar to it. They lost their galaxy and now intend to capture ours. This race worships cruel gods that are far from our understanding, and they put violence at the head of life. Violence, ritual sacrifices, slavery, or death for all of us.
— You talk as if you have already encountered them, — Mara Jade said.
— My people have had contact with them, — Thrawn replied, and his gaze became meaningful again. — Nothing good will come from an encounter with them.
— Is that why you decided to serve Palpatine? — she decided to clarify.
— Yes, — Thrawn agreed. — In order to protect my people. I wasn't very interested in the known part of the galaxy at that time. But having studied the Empire from the inside, I understand that it will become a useful, and perhaps the only, tool that will allow us to cope with this enemy with minimal casualties among the population of the galaxy. In the time we have left — ten to fifteen years — I hope to gather the remaining power of the Empire into a single fist. To form the best version of the Empire, uniting those peoples who wish to do so. And to protect them. As well as my homeland.
— Thrawn the altruist, — Mara grimaced. — It's hard to believe.
— You are free to believe whatever you want, Mara Jade, — Thrawn said. — As promised, I was frank with you.
— But you didn't even mention the reasons for your unwillingness to obey Palpatine again, — she noted. Somehow, there is no point in asking the Grand Admiral questions that are not related to the affairs of the Empire and to her personally. — Of course, if he is really alive. And I still doubt it — you have not given a single argument, not a single confirmation.
— I promised you frankness, Mara Jade, — Thrawn reminded her. — And I didn't assure you that I would provide evidence for my words.
— Well, yes, that would interfere with your plans, — the red-haired woman smiled theatrically. She had no doubts left — Thrawn was playing a double, and possibly a triple, game. With her, with his subordinates. With everyone. As always. Maybe everything new that she learned from him is true. But it is presented without a shred of facts. Only on the basis of Thrawn's authority, referring to his phenomenal talent to find the right answers to questions. Thrawn could unravel the enemy's plans and set a trap for him just by studying works of art, or from scraps of information, always accurately assessing the reaction and motives of the enemy.
— Including that, — Thrawn replied calmly. — I was honest with you, Mara Jade. I will not hide that I need you. As an ally who shares my goals. Someone who can be trusted. And Palpatine... I don't know what happened to him after his resurrection. But I am sure that he used Kamino technology for sure. Most likely, his clone or clones were created using Spaarti technology with an admixture of Sith metaphysics. And I already have the opportunity to observe what came of it — Joruus C'baoth. With all due respect to Palpatine, I do not intend to serve a madman who will have a weapon capable of destroying the galaxy in an instant or turning it into a place of settling old scores. History shows that Jedi and Sith destroy each other with enviable regularity, as soon as they come to power. And the galaxy plunges into the chaos of wars, changing irrevocably in the process. To take the side of the insane Palpatine means to participate in genocides and total cleansings. With the help of C'baoth, I have already confirmed the fact that the Emperor, concealing his Force sensitivity from most of his associates, influenced his army and fleet to make them more effective. Or — he was checking whether he could directly control his armed forces, the population of planets, systems, sectors, galaxies... Perhaps before I would have supported him, although we have repeatedly disagreed on the expediency of certain military techniques. I will not serve a madman. And I will not let him rule the galaxy. I am sure that he understands this — that is why I am here, and not on Byss. I also won't play the role of a buffer shield while waiting for a handout for good work. I agreed to serve a wise and respected politician, with a sharp mind and an enviable foresight. But what I see now and what, I suppose, will happen in a year or a year and a half, when he gains enough strength to settle scores with his enemies, is completely at odds with my goals.
— What are they? — the girl grimaced. — To wait and prepare for the arrival of very strange and disgusting, even by description, sentients? Or perhaps to believe that the most effective of the Grand Admirals suddenly decided that he was the one to build the "right Empire"? Thrawn, I had a better opinion of you. Maybe you are a brilliant military leader, maybe you are capable of defeating the New Republic, maybe you... Yes, anything. But you are not a politician, and especially not good at recruiting sentient beings. Five years ago, I would have followed you after all these stories about Palpatine's resurrection, about how he deceived me, about the invasion and your noble impulses, but now... I don't know what game you are playing. But I am sure that it is not without reason that you are trying to disorganize me and mix the facts, not allowing me to build a logical chain, smoothly flowing from one to another. I am familiar with this technique — a textbook one, I must say. I myself have used it many times in my work. But I expected more from you...
— What exactly? — a smirk appeared on Thrawn's lips.
Good question.
Which instantly knocked out all the irritation, indignation, and claims from her.
Why is she here? What did she want when she agreed to work for Thrawn?
His brilliant solution to problems? So he told her to her face that he had his own goals. And he is not on the same path with the Empire. Only they don't know it.
The resurrection of the past? To become needed again? To find a family, the Empire that was? So again — Thrawn made it clear that he would not do anything about this. He has an agreement with the Empire. He doesn't touch them, they help him as much as they can. And his words about the fact that someday, somewhere there will be a new Empire... We still need to live to see that. And it is not a fact that the resulting state will be exactly what she would like to serve.
Was she inspired by what the Grand Admiral said about Palpatine's resurrection? Yes... because she did not complete the task? Or because of her uselessness? Thrawn said that on Byss and in the Deep Core there are forces much more powerful than anything he has. Thrawn is sure that they are being used "blindly", like lambs to the slaughter. Maybe it's not like that, but... He has no facts to prove it, and she has none to refute it. He opposes his conclusions to her emotions and her feeling of attachment to the old. But the past cannot be returned...
She lives in the present. Thrawn lives in the present, but as always, he looks to the future. And no matter how much he boasted, she knows the Emperor better than all the rest of his... servants.
Thrawn is right. Palpatine, if he is really alive, will take revenge. He never forgave anyone for the insults inflicted on him. For some reason, she remembered the cruelty with which the employees of the bank were persecuted, where, due to a mistake, the Emperor's name was included in the list of debtors and in this capacity became known to a wide range of the population of the Imperial Center. The poor guys had to go into hiding, going down to the Lower Levels, where mutants, degraded sentients, and just bloodthirsty creatures live. And there was no news from them anymore. Mara didn't even want to think about what happened to them.
And again she was torn by contradictions. For the first time, the powerful offered to become equal to them. Not an assistant, not a servant — an ally. Thrawn's reputation spoke for itself — he doesn't betray his allies. Those whom he at least trusts. But... Does he trust her? Good question. Right now — he definitely doesn't trust her. If she agrees to go with him, she will face checks, tests, after completing which she will be able to earn his complete trust. And... she can do it. No problem. In six months, she had gained Karrde's complete trust in his organization. Thrawn... is an order of magnitude higher, but he himself said — Palpatine is planning to come forward in a year or a year and a half. It was rather strange to hear such an interpretation of time from him, he is usually as precise as a chronometer. Most likely, he himself does not know how much time he has in reserve.
He knows that Palpatine is using him. Palpatine probably knows that Thrawn has guessed everything. Why not strike now? Probably because he is not strong enough yet. Thrawn himself understands this. The Chiss is likely to get the maximum result of his activities as soon as possible and then go into the shadows. He is not an idiot to remain in Palpatine's sight, who would simply wipe everyone who could become an obstacle in his path from the face of the earth just for his own safety.
Does she belong to their number? It's hard to say... But probably, yes... She did not fulfill the Emperor's will. She did not kill Luke Skywalker. And even if she rushes to fulfill her task now, in order to appear in a better light by the time Palpatine returns, then... Will it help her? After all, she is just his servant, if we believe Thrawn's words — just one of many. And the more she understood the intricate web of information that he had dumped on her completely inconsistently, mixing it among herself... the more she believed Thrawn's words.
Palpatine is a powerful enough sentient to leave a message-order in her brain that drove her crazy after his death. A very remarkable punishment for a mistake, causing suffering because of non-compliance. Now these are just auditory and visual hallucinations. In the past, she almost went mad from the headaches and pressure on her brain that accompanied new and new manifestations of the Emperor's will with the same order.
"You will kill Luke Skywalker..."
The words she hates. And because of the pain they bring — she also hates Luke Skywalker. If Thrawn is right and Vader's son did not kill Palpatine, then... She was simply used. They fooled her and kicked her in the butt, forcing her to continue to serve. To do what she does best.
To be an expendable resource. Like all of them: the Empire, Thrawn, his people...
The girl looked at her palm with a lost look, in which she was clutching a chip with the names of the Emperor's Hands. Why did she take it? To make sure that Thrawn didn't deceive her? One might think that he wouldn't have found a way to hide the fact of falsification. With his brains...
Maybe she wanted to find them all and kill them? Because... Why? What did they do to her? Nothing.
Or did she panic? Was she confused by the realization of her non-exclusivity. Because of the resentment at how Thrawn just took her out of the world of dreams in which she lived, indulging herself in memories of the past...
She has lost everything. First, the Empire and the Emperor, whom she served faithfully. But she was able to find a replacement for them in the person of Karrde and his organization.
Now she doesn't have that either. And the ways into the semi-legal world are closed to her — through the efforts of Karrde, who succumbed to Thrawn's provocations.
She came to Thrawn in the hope that she would return to the Empire she had left. And here she was disappointed again.
Thrawn told her that the Emperor was alive. True or not, he wouldn't joke with such things. If he really has a dark Jedi on whom Palpatine tested the cloning technology, then there is every chance that Palpatine used the same technology to regain his body after death. If she remembered correctly, the Spaarti technology was used at the end of the Clone Wars to make up for the losses of the Grand Army of the Republic. And at the same time, they found out that clones suffer from mental and other disorders. "Cloning madness". Which manifested spontaneously, at different stages of the clones' existence...
Hutt! After all those conversations with Thrawn, she would have believed that the Grand Army of the Republic was created from clones because Palpatine wanted a mass testing of cloning technology, so that he could use it to live forever...
And then she became scared. Very, very scared.
When Palpatine reorganized the Old Republic into the Galactic Empire, he told the senators that it was destined to last for thousands of years. In history lessons, she didn't attach much importance to this phrase. But now... Knowing Palpatine, he wasn't going to give up the throne to anyone. Even the fact that Vader was his heir to this position was no more than a formality to appease the masses after a series of rebellions and assassination attempts on Palpatine's life.
And if Palpatine planned to rule for thousands of years... Then he didn't plan to die back then. But he taught her the opposite, directly contradicting it. Thrawn didn't use this as an example because he didn't know - the conversation was private. Many years ago...
Palpatine was already using her back then, clouding her mind. Just like he clouded the minds of the entire population of Imperial Center, and hid the "Lusankya" right in the city. A nineteen-kilometer-long *Super Star Destroyer*. On repulsor platforms... Testing if he could control the minds of planets, systems, sectors, the galaxy...
Controlling minds...
Mara raised her head, giving Thrawn a defiant look.
— Let's set aside your rhetoric, Grand Admiral. You have no proof, and after all these years, mere words, even from someone as intelligent as you, are not enough for me. If you really want me to become your ally, you have a way to prove your sincerity.
The Grand Admiral gave her a heavy, assessing look. Even without the Force, he seemed to run her over with a tank... But she withstood it with honor - in Palpatine's service, she had felt more intense gazes.
— You have set a condition for me, Mara Jade, — Thrawn said calmly, touching the button on the armrest with his thumb. — I warned you not to do this...
The girl felt a slight shiver. It seemed she had crossed the line. And now, looking at the Noghri - a killer, bodyguard, saboteur - appearing behind Thrawn, this people could fulfill any destructive role, she clearly realized that her path would end here and now.
There was no point in even trying to escape - the Noghri would catch up to her and finish her off. And if not him, then a legion of stormtroopers stationed on the planet. Or they would blow her up in the air. Or send bounty hunters after her...
The girl proudly raised her head, not wanting to appear a coward in her last moments and...
Felt the Force return to her.
"You will kill Luke Skywalker!"
The voice sounded so loud, so suddenly, that she fell to her knees. How?! Why?! Visions hadn't struck her so sharply, so painfully in the beginning and... It seemed that shades of madness had appeared in it. It was as if now not a recorded composition was playing in her mind, but she was personally attending a symphony orchestra performance...
— The ysalamiri no longer affect us, Mara Jade, — Thrawn's voice, subtle and attentive, sensitive and caring, sounded loudly, breaking through the echo of Palpatine's last order. — You can look into my mind and verify that everything I have said is true. Rukh will keep the ysalamiri away from you, but if you attempt to harm me, he will kill you on the spot.
Tears ran from her eyes. Her head was splitting, and phantom pains washed over her body in waves. It was as if all the time she had spent under the ysalamiri, the mental impulses had accumulated outside the bubble blocking the Force, and now they had all crashed down on her at once...
The girl looked up at Thrawn. He was sitting relaxed and ready to let her into the sanctum sanctorum - his mind. Did he know that even in the best years of her life she could not have penetrated the consciousness of another sentient being without destroying it? No, he couldn't know. No one but herself knew.
But he took this step. Candor not in words - but in action. An act that she could not have even expected from him.
And at that very moment, all her doubts disappeared.
— I... agree, — she said, not hearing her own voice, disoriented by the ringing in her ears. — I... will be your ally, Thrawn!
Suddenly it became cool and easy. Jade, still hearing the ringing in her ears, looked at the Grand Admiral. He was wouldn't miss from such close range, even if she had the Force.
— I offered you to be an ally, Mara Jade, — he said. — But you decided to break the rules I set. Allies don't do that.
— I'm not a good ally, — the former Hand of the Emperor tried to cheer herself up. — The voices in my head say one thing, the voices in life - another...
— The Emperor's last order, — Thrawn said as if in thought. — Yes, an unpleasant thing. I can rid you of it.
Is it worth being surprised by this? Or should one admire once again that Thrawn has everything under control, as always?
— You are not connected to the Force, Thrawn, — Mara reminded, barely getting to her feet. So as not to fall from dizziness, she looked at the gray floor of the Moff's reception hall. — You cannot help me.
— I cannot, — rumbled the Grand Admiral's voice almost in her ear. — But he can.
When she raised her gaze to the Supreme Commander of the Empire, she found that he was standing in front of her, on the last step. Sort of equal to her, but still... higher. Symbolic. Just like the fact that the Grand Admiral was holding a medium-sized silver cylinder in his hands, with a well-made handle and...
— A lightsaber? — Mara was surprised, recognizing the object.
— I am no longer offering you to be my ally, — Thrawn said. — You broke my conditions. But I still offer you to work for me. Do what you do best. Be my Hand, Mara Jade. Carry my word and the will of my Empire, which we will build together. Serve me, and all your fears will remain in the past. I will not abandon you in your hour of need, I will never betray you or let you be harmed. In exchange for this, I only need your loyalty. From now until your death.
— H-how will you rid me of Palpatine's order? — Mara Jade could only stammer, finally disoriented by the Grand Admiral's forceful rhetoric. Only an answer to the question she had asked separated her from agreeing to Thrawn's offer. The only one who dared to trust her.
— This is Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, — Thrawn explained. — I took it from the Emperor's treasury inside Mount Tantiss.
— And... how will it help me get rid of the delusion? — Vague suspicions began to arise in her head.
— You will fulfill Palpatine's last order, — Thrawn said firmly and confidently. Apparently something flashed across her face that made the Grand Admiral condescend to explain:
— Where I got this lightsaber, Luke Skywalker's right hand is also waiting for its time.
Mara Jade's eyes widened. Her right hand reached for the lightsaber, while her brain was building a logical chain.
Luke Skywalker's lightsaber. Luke Skywalker's hand. Inside Mount Tantiss. In the same place where the Spaarti cloning cylinders are.
Touching the cool metal with her hand, she moved the weapon to the side. Her thumb comfortably rested on the activation button.
With a hiss, a white-blue blade of pure energy popped out of the emitter. Strongly harmonizing with the skin color of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
— Your answer, Mara Jade? — came the voice of the creature that had destroyed her life only to offer her a new one. A creature that she could kill right now - she didn't even need the support of the Force. Yes, she would die - without the Force, she would not deflect all the Noghri's shots. She would be disintegrated due to a stray desire to kill...
But... why? After all, she was offered a solution to the problem. And they gave her what she had felt incomplete without for all these five and a half years...
She will kill Luke Skywalker. After all, he shouldn't be the real Luke Skywalker. She will save herself from the mental torture that the insane old man with a sick head and a maniacal desire for absolute power left her as punishment.
With a characteristic hiss, the blue energy blade retracted into the handle. The lightsaber took its place on her belt.
— I await orders, Grand Admiral Thrawn, — she said, looking into the eyes of the Supreme Commander of the Empire. And in them, she saw the old order burning in the flames of change. And the establishment of new ones. Strict, but fair. The birth of the New Empire.
On this day, the well-known history of a galaxy far, far away changed irrevocably. The Emperor's Hand ceased to exist.
Instead, the Thrawn's Hand was born.