"Not really," the other assured him. "The shield generator was simple enough to remove from one of the droidekas you provided for me. As I said at the time, we've had some experience with reversing the polarity of such devices." He gestured. "And it was easily predictable that Vicelord Kav would claim his chair and desk for his own, and thus position himself for his own destruction."
"I meant the risk you took with me," Doriana said. "The shield wouldn't have blockedmy shot."
"No, it wouldn't," Mitth'raw'nuruodo agreed. "But I had to be certain that you were someone I could trust."
Doriana frowned. "Why?"
For a moment Mitth'raw'nuruodo didn't answer. Then, leaning over, he picked up the blaster Doriana had discarded. "You and your Master, Darth Sidious, told me of a people you call the Far Outsiders gathering at the edge of the galaxy," he said, turning the weapon over in his hands. "Have you ever actually seen these beings?"
"As far as I know, we haven't," Doriana admitted.
"I thought not," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said, suddenly intense. "Butwe have."
A cold chill ran up Doriana's back. "Where?"
"At the far edge of the Chiss Ascendancy," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said, his voice dark and grim. "It was a small reconnaissance force, but it fought with a savage ferocity before it was finally repulsed."
"How many ships were there?" Doriana asked, his mind kicking into high speed. Darth Sidious coveted information of this sort. Enough of it might even persuade him to forgive Doriana the loss of his Trade Federation task force. "What sort of weaponry did they have? Do you have any combat data?"
"I have some," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said. "Admiral Ar'alani was in command of the force that ultimately drove them away. That's why she came personally to investigate Car'das and his companions. We wondered if the Republic they spoke of might be allied with the invaders."
"And that's also why she was willing to look the other way while you dealt with the Vagaari," Doriana said as a final nagging piece of the puzzle finally fell into place. "A two-front war would be exceptionally nasty."
"Correct," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said, and Doriana thought he could hear a note of approval at his quick deduction. "My actions were contrary to official Chiss policy, but she knew as well as I that the Vagaari had to be dealt with, as quickly and decisively as possible. I will speak to her; if she's willing, I'll provide you with copies of the information you seek."
"Thank you," Doriana said. "Now. A moment ago you spoke of trust between us. What exactly did you have in mind?"
"For the moment, nothing," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said. "Each of us has our own peoples to defend and our own politics to deal with. But in the future, who can tell? Perhaps someday our peoples will end up fighting side by side against this threat."
"I hope so," Doriana said. "I, for my part, intend to work with our leaders to prepare as best I can for that day."
"As will I," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said. "Though the obstacles at my end may be difficult to overcome."
Doriana thought about Lord Sidious and his hatred of non-humans. It wouldn't exactly be easy at his end, either. "I've seen you work military miracles," he said. "I'm sure you can work political ones, as well."
"Perhaps," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said. "My brother may be able to assist in that area when he returns." He stood up and held out the blaster. "At any rate, you and your ship are free to go."
Doriana waved away the proffered weapon. "Keep it, Commander," he said. "Think of it as a souvenir of our first victory together."
"Thank you," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said gravely, slipping the blaster into a pocket. "May it not be our last."
"Indeed," Doriana agreed. "Which reminds me. There's one other small matter I'd like to discuss with you…"
"You're joking," Car'das said, frowning at Thrawn. "He's offering me ajob? "
"Not just a job, but a highly placed leadership position," Thrawn said. "He wanted me to invite you to accompany him back to the Republic on theDarkvenge so that you could discuss it."
"This doesn't make any sense," Car'das protested. "I'm barely out of school. What kind of high-power position could I possibly be qualified for?"
"Age is not necessarily the best indicator of talent and ability," Thrawn pointed out. "In your case, he was highly impressed by the role you played in luring the Vagaari into position for the attack. You've shown yourself to be intelligent, resourceful, and able to remain cool under fire, qualities he prizes as well as I do."
Car'das rubbed his cheek thoughtfully. It was still ridiculous, of course. But it was also far too intriguing to simply dismiss out of hand. "Did he say what sort of job it would be?"
"I gather it would involve some of the same smuggling work you're doing with Captain Qennto," Thrawn said. "But beneath such surface activities, your primary task would be to create and operate a private information network for him."
Car'das pursed his lips. Smuggling alone he could take or leave, but this other part sounded a lot more interesting. "He's not expecting me to build this network on my own, is he?"
Thrawn shook his head. "He would begin by giving you several months of training and on-the-spot instruction. After that, you would have some of his contacts and resources in the Republic to draw on."
"Which I would guess are pretty impressive," Car'das said, thinking hard. It would mean no more of Qennto's casually lunatic way of dealing with clients and competitors. No more ships falling apart underneath him for lack of funds or interest. Best of all, no Hutts.
"It's your decision, of course," Thrawn said. "But I believe you have the necessary gifts to excel at such a job."
"And as an extra added bonus it would also enhance my usefulness as a possible future contact with the Republic?" Car'das asked wryly.
Thrawn smiled. "As I said, you have the necessary gifts."
"Well, it can't hurt to check it out." Car'das studied Thrawn's face. "Was there something else?"
To his surprise, the other actually hesitated. "I wanted to ask a favor of you," he said at last. "Whichever ship you choose to return on, I'd ask that you never tell Qennto or Ferasi what happened to Outbound Flight."
Car'das grimaced. He'd thought about that himself. Thought about it a lot, in fact. "Especially Ferasi?"