This time, it seemed as though even the colors of the holographic transmission symbolized the grief and mourning that had struck the Provisional Council of the New Republic.
Leia alternated her gaze between General Iblis, silent and sullen as if struck by a dusty sack, and Mon Mothma, staring blankly at a single point ahead of her…
Even Borsk Fey'lya appeared less abrasive and repugnant than his usual demeanor.
"Two days of searches by the First and Second Fleets have yielded nothing," the Corellian's voice sounded hollow.
And Councilor Organa-Solo was certain that this was not due to faulty communication equipment.
"Not the slightest lead?" Leia asked in a whisper, as if afraid to wake someone with the volume of her voice.
But it was all in vain—her children were on Coruscant, under the reliable protection of Winter, Chewbacca, and Wookiee guards.
Not to mention the heightened security measures around the entire Imperial Palace and Coruscant's orbit in particular.
Here, in her quarters on Sluis Van, she had no one to fear waking: Han hadn't slept in days, tirelessly inspecting the starships under repair.
Their numbers had grown in recent times—Admiral Argentis Duplex had brought his surviving starships from the battle against the forces of Imperial Space and the "Red Star" squadron. They were now being repaired, but the process would take considerable time.
The Sluissi had begun to openly grumble, especially in light of recent events that had spread across the galaxy like wildfire.
Another broadcast by Grand Admiral Thrawn on the HoloNet, in which he briefly but thoroughly explained to the populations of tens of thousands of planets how amateurishly the New Republic's forces had tried to lure him into a trap, the extent of the defeat suffered by General Antilles' fleet, and the losses incurred by the New Republic's warriors during the Battle of Brental IV.
Curiously, Thrawn had, for some reason, refrained from boasting about his successes at Rendili.
Perhaps if he had revealed that he had snatched the Lusankya from under the New Republic's nose, Coruscant would have ceased to be the capital of anything larger than a single sector.
"Scouts followed the possible exit points of the Lusankya from hyperspace based on its jump vector—and found nothing," General Bel Iblis intoned, as if reciting a mantra. "The ship has vanished from the galaxy's metrics."
"So, not a single outpost, spy, or observation post detected the Lusankya's movements?" Fey'lya's fur bristled at the nape, his eyes widening as if they might pop out.
"The enemy covered their tracks well," Bel Iblis admitted. "They struck the designated bases simultaneously, councilors. They crippled our early warning systems and then disappeared. How they did it remains unknown."
"They likely used regional routes," suggested Han, seated beside Leia.
"Perhaps," Bel Iblis agreed. "The ship isn't responding to communication system queries. We can't even determine who controls it at the moment. As I said, we have no idea where the super star destroyer is."
"Are you saying you used the Lusankya as bait for the Imperials, Isard, and Thrawn, but didn't bother equipping the starship with trackers or monitoring systems?" Fey'lya demanded. "Don't tell me you didn't consider this possibility, General!"
"The ship is equipped with tracking devices," Bel Iblis confirmed. "And they functioned reliably for three hours after the ship vanished from the Rendili shipyards. Either they were mechanically disabled, or other possibilities exist."
"Possibilities, General?" The hologram showed Fey'lya's fur rippling. "What possibilities are we discussing when a super star destroyer, costing our budget billions of credits and a sea of patience, goes missing?"
Leia placed her hand so that her nails slightly dug into Han's palm, sensing he was about to say something that might enrich the vulgar vocabularies of other sentients.
"Yes, Councilor," Bel Iblis replied calmly. "Possibilities. The ship could have been damaged during its capture and dropped out of hyperspace in interstellar void with nonfunctional systems. It could be near a star's corona or a black hole. It might have made a blind jump to a region beyond the Deep Core's light, where the HoloNet doesn't reach. It's also possible the equipment was deliberately dismantled by the enemy. There are many possibilities, and you know it. Right now, we're groping in the dark, knowing nothing about the ship's fate or the people aboard during the jump."
"It seems we already have an answer to what happened," Han couldn't hold back.
Mon Mothma looked at him with such a weary gaze, filled with pain and despair, that Leia's heart clenched.
In that brief moment, she understood the reason for the Provisional Council's stubbornness.
The very foundation of their refusal to accept the obvious.
The Rebel Alliance, and later the New Republic, had endured much.
Through victories and defeats, the loss of comrades in battle, and hypocritical betrayals.
But they had triumphed.
Not always, but defeats gave way to victories.
And now…
Not only did they live with the constant realization that they were being outplayed.
Always.
Everywhere.
At any time of day or night.
On any planet.
Every move they made was known to the enemy as if in advance.
Yes, it could be due to the spy still undiscovered in the Imperial Palace, but Leia strongly doubted their involvement in recent events.
Bel Iblis had only shared his intentions to eliminate several New Republic enemies with the Provisional Council. Never, nowhere (as far as she knew), and with no one else did he discuss the plan's details, except with his admirals. Each new phase was planned on a different ship, excluding personnel transfers between starships.
The logical connection didn't add up!
Those who discussed the operation against the Empire, Thrawn, and Isard were never privy to other Provisional Council plans, and vice versa.
Yet the information still reached Thrawn, at the very least!
And who could doubt he would exploit it to maximum advantage?
"There's no evidence confirming the Lusankya has been spotted in the Dominion," Bel Iblis stated.
"Do we even have agents there?" Fey'lya asked, inspecting his claws.
"That's known only to General Madine," Mon Mothma replied.
"Who isn't with us," the Bothan noted. "Dare I remind you, we claim Thrawn doesn't have the Lusankya, yet we also know he already possesses one super star destroyer, which he demonstrated at the Battle of Soullex. A coincidence that no one has seen it either?"
"Is it a coincidence that the fully operational Lusankya was lost at the Rendili shipyards, which were an Imperial world just months ago, and it was you who insisted the ship be repaired there?" Han snapped.
"Are you implying something, General Solo?" Fey'lya asked in a tone as if addressing a droid or a piece of furniture.
"No, Councilor, I'm stating it outright," the Corellian growled. "Thrawn told us he has the Lusankya. Wedge and Madine are either dead or captured. The Dominion's fleet is stronger by one super star destroyer and nearly a dozen lesser ships, and that doesn't make things any better for us."
"And what is this angry tirade supposed to tell me?" the Councilor asked.
"I believe Captain Solo is suggesting that Thrawn's actions, if he indeed has the ship, were planned in advance," Bel Iblis said. "The Lusankya was repaired by Rendili workers. They could have easily discovered and disabled the tracking devices over the course of their work."
"Are you suggesting the Rendili are complicit in the Lusankya's disappearance?" Fey'lya didn't shift his posture, but somehow the Bothan sat up straighter, his gaze turning sharper, more probing, and calculating.
"That possibility cannot be ruled out," Leia declared, striving to keep her voice steady.
Borsk fixed her with a long, piercing stare.
He undoubtedly understood what lay behind the words about Rendili treachery.
It was a veiled attack on him—after all, it was he who had brought Rendili and Bestine IV into the New Republic's fold.
If it turned out that the assumption was correct and the Rendili were indeed involved in Thrawn's plan to steal the ship, an awkward and highly dangerous situation would arise.
This wasn't just a blow to the Bothan's prestige, still reeling from his defeat at Ciutric IV, but a crisis for the New Republic.
Distrust, suspicions of sabotage… It could cost the young democracy dearly.
First and foremost, it would mean losing capable shipyards and skilled specialists.
Who, without doubt, could easily renounce their membership in the New Republic, adopting a neutral stance while raising prices for their services, as Kuat had done.
Or worse, they might defect to the Empire.
In that case, the New Republic's enemies would gain another fully equipped shipyard with complete production cycles—exactly what they lacked.
All it would take was for someone to voice such suspicions of collusion to steal the Lusankya to the leadership of Rendili StarDrive, which held significant influence over the system's government, and that would be it.
Leia entertained the possibility that the situation was far simpler than it seemed.
But she couldn't yet grasp why, preoccupied with weighing whether to propose an official investigation.
Alliances are built on trust, not fear and suspicion.
Such a crisis would be nearly impossible to overcome—unless the true culprit came forward, confessed, and fully revealed their scheme.
"General," she said hastily, addressing her husband's compatriot. "Tell me, could the tracking devices have been disabled by someone from the technical staff?"
The question caught Bel Iblis off guard, but not significantly.
"If they had a portable scanner and a couple of weeks to wander the ship's corridors, which lack proper atmosphere or gravity, then yes. Or, if the enemy possesses powerful sensor or communication systems capable of intercepting the ship's signals and pinpointing their source."
Leia's spirits sank.
"So, we're saying this could involve either lone actors or the entire corporation," Borsk Fey'lya said, grasping the subtext of the Alderaanian's questions.
"And that tells us precisely nothing," Han declared.
"Exactly," Bel Iblis agreed. "The agent could be any technician left on the ship. Suspecting any of them is a slippery slope, as investigating their backgrounds and identifying an agent, if one exists, can't be done discreetly or quickly. We'd need Rendili StarDrive's security files, and that's classified information."
"The corporation is surely interested in aiding our investigation," Mon Mothma stated. "A Republic warship stolen from their shipyards isn't the kind of publicity their leadership dreams of. Especially considering they clearly miscalculated the ship's and shipyards' protection."
"That's precisely why Rendili StarDrive approached me," Borsk Fey'lya announced unexpectedly, "with a proposal…"
"Who would've guessed," Han muttered under his breath, loud enough for everyone to pretend they hadn't heard.
"They'll conduct their own investigation," the Bothan continued unfazed, "and hand over the culprit, if one is found and tied to the corporation. All they ask is that we refrain from an official investigation on our part. Unnecessary publicity is the last thing they need…"
"Well, isn't that something," Bel Iblis grimaced. "They repaired our ship, adjusted estimates and costs along the way, ultimately lost it, and now ask us not to interfere while they try to save face…"
"Their proposal is worth considering to avoid losing the Rendili's trust," Mon Mothma declared. "I don't believe they're all complicit. If a conspiracy exists, it's likely not as large as we think. Probably lone actors or a small group of covert agents that neither Rendili's security nor our counterintelligence could identify."
"As I recall, to expedite repairs, the Rendili hired a large number of workers from outside their staff," Han scratched the back of his head. "Agents could be among them. Fooling standardized screening forms is no issue for seasoned Imperial operatives."
"It's also possible that Isard's sleeper agents were activated," Leia suggested.
And everyone present felt a sour, somber mood settle in.
After all, it was her they had intended to capture.
"And Rendili StarDrive isn't planning to build a replacement ship as compensation for the loss?" Bel Iblis asked, eyeing the Bothan keenly.
"It's doubly odd that they approached you directly, Councilor," Mon Mothma added, "instead of the Provisional Council."
From the expression frozen on the Bothan's face, it was clear these remarks caught him without answers from the arsenal he had prepared for this meeting.
But crossing the line into outright accusations of treason against Fey'lya was a risk even Leia—who was nearly certain the Bothan had been working with the Imperials either before or after Isard's capture—didn't dare take.
Making baseless accusations supported only by what could barely be called circumstantial evidence wasn't something the young woman was prepared to do.
The fact of Isard's capture and the deal with her, which led to even worse outcomes, were compelling arguments.
But they weren't enough to launch a full investigation.
Nothing Fey'lya had done warranted his removal from power.
Because the moment the reasons for distrusting the Bothan were voiced, questions would arise about everyone else.
About Bel Iblis, about Leia herself, Han, the children, Luke, Calrissian…
About anyone who had been captured by the Dominion and could have fallen victim to Isard's manipulations.
Not to mention that in such a situation, despite a closed tribunal hearing, the Provisional Council would have to reveal cards it had desperately tried to keep hidden from the public.
So far, the New Republic had only stated that the Lusankya had left Rendili, cloaking this half-truth with an outright lie about the ship's crew undertaking a secret mission.
It was a necessary measure that Leia disliked, but she heeded the advice of Karrde, Winter, and Calrissian.
Revealing the true state of affairs would break the New Republic's already fragile backbone.
And the enemies of democracy would seize the opportunity to reclaim more and more territories.
Fey'lya knew this perfectly well.
Bothans, more than anyone, could sense which way the wind was blowing and understood when their position was unassailable.
And since toppling Fey'lya would require sacrificing much of the Provisional Council, that idea had to be abandoned.
The Bothan met the former princess's eyes and gave a sly smile.
He hesitated for a few moments until Leia broke the silence:
"We can resolve this situation in a way that satisfies both us and the Rendili," Leia said.
She had lost this battle, of course, but she knew where to strike after conceding.
"I'd like to hear your proposal, Councilor Organa-Solo," Mon Mothma spoke before the Bothan could respond.
"Neither we nor the Rendili want the unflattering conclusions that would inevitably result from an investigation made public," Leia said. "Otherwise, Rendili StarDrive wouldn't have approached Councilor Fey'lya with a request to avoid public scrutiny and proceedings."
"Those who feel no guilt don't act this way," Bel Iblis grimaced.
"Most likely, that's exactly what they're assuming," Han chimed in. "If it turns out they employed Imperial agents or hired new workers who were such, Rendili's reputation would take a colossal hit."
"As would ours," the Bothan added, "when it becomes known that we lured Thrawn, or whoever captured the ship, into a trap. A trap he escaped, destroying one of our fleets, decimating two-thirds of another, and taking a super star destroyer to boot. Not to mention capturing high-ranking officers…"
"Publicity isn't in our interest either," Leia agreed. "Therefore, I propose a compromise. Per our agreement with Rendili, they are responsible for the security of all New Republic ships at their shipyards during construction and repair. The Empire's attack, repelled by our two patrol cruisers, constitutes a breach of contract. Both we and Rendili understand that the Lusankya was likely stolen by our enemies. For a change, let's take Thrawn at his word, until proven otherwise, that he was the one who did it. As such, Rendili StarDrive lost a New Republic Defense Force warship."
"Forgive me, Councilor, but I don't follow your point," Bel Iblis said.
"Compensation," Leia clarified.
A smirk appeared on Fey'lya's holographic face.
"You want to extract money from the Rendili in exchange for silence?" he asked, baring the tips of his pristine fangs.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm proposing," Leia said. "We invested enormous sums in the Lusankya—and lost them due to the contractor's failure. In such cases, even under Imperial law, compensation is warranted."
"We just discussed that an investigation benefits neither side," Fey'lya began.
"That's precisely why the Rendili will agree to a deal," Mon Mothma declared firmly. "We'll set the compensation amount equal to the Lusankya's value. The costs incurred for repairs will also be included."
"But that's billions," the Bothan waved his hands. "We'd strip them of all their profits, and they'd likely refuse to work with us further."
"Is that so important?" Leia asked. "Let's face it: the Lusankya is likely lost to us. Thrawn presumably has two Executors. Kaine has one. We're outnumbered. We've lost both the Lusankya and the Crimson Dawn. This may sound harsh, but why not build a ship like it ourselves?"
"And where?" Bel Iblis asked. "Our shipyards are known to the enemy. If their intelligence is as good as it seems, they'd learn the location of any new ship's construction instantly. With two super star destroyers, it wouldn't be difficult for them to attack…"
"That's why I propose entrusting the construction of a new ship to the Mon Calamari," Leia concluded. "Their sector is defended ten times better than Imperial fortress worlds. A large fleet as a defense force… Such defenses are nearly impossible to breach without catastrophic losses for the attacking fleet."
"Not to mention that the Mon Calamari are our long-standing allies and are already building starships to replace our aging fleet," Bel Iblis added. "But the idea of constructing a super star destroyer equivalent for our fleet… It somewhat contradicts the New Republic's doctrine. It may not be the most correct decision, but I won't dismiss it outright as wrong. Premature, perhaps. Large ships require vast sums, time, equipment, and crew. The Mon Calamari might not be able to handle such a project. Their new designs—MC90s and earlier MC80bs—would serve us far better. And they can be built much faster."
"But they're unlikely to stand toe-to-toe with multiple Executors," Han pointed out. "Especially if Thrawn is upgrading not just Victories and Imperials but every ship he has. In that case, the Lusankya and his second ship could become something far more dangerous than anything we've faced."
"Your aspirations are admirable, councilors," Borsk Fey'lya said in a caustic tone, "but I must note that you're spending money you don't actually have. Not to mention that the Rendili may not have the requested sum."
A remark not without merit.
Moreover, building a ship capable of matching the Lusankya or any other ship of its class could take considerable time.
"My proposal serves a single purpose," Leia explained. "We cannot allow the Imperials—be it Imperial Space, the Pentastar Alignment, the Dominion, or otherwise—to dominate in the realm of such ships. Our parity and truce were possible only because we had more ships. We could easily form battle groups to repel any invasion. The Imperials knew this and feared that any offensive would lead to defeat if we deployed the Crimson Dawn and Lusankya. Now, our available forces are depleted, and a string of defeats makes us an easy target. If we had our own super star destroyers, we could once again deter enemy attacks."
"That didn't stop Thrawn," Borsk Fey'lya declared. "On the contrary, I'd say our possession of super star destroyers and fast dreadnoughts spurred him to launch operations against us."
Han and Bel Iblis exchanged glances, and both Corellians fixed the Bothan with such a "heartfelt" stare that Leia inwardly cringed at the thought of what was coming.
Her firm grip on his hand didn't stop her husband.
"Be that as it may," Mon Mothma raised a hand, halting the brewing heated argument, "we must first address the issue of possible compensation from Rendili. But that doesn't mean we should simply abandon the search for the Lusankya. As long as there's even a sliver of a chance the ship hasn't fallen into enemy hands, we must keep looking."
"My people will continue the search," Bel Iblis assured her, and Leia knew a Corellian's word was unbreakable. "However, I'd like to raise an issue that still troubles us. My apologies, General Solo," he looked at Han, "but this is strictly for Provisional Council members."
"No offense taken," Han assured him. "I've been joining your discussions a bit too often as it is. My report on my part is done."
Leia watched her husband leave the room with a look full of gratitude.
Han, though impulsive, was understanding and knew when to leave her to her work.
It was one of the many facets she loved about him.
After the door closed behind Han, only four remained.
"Destroying a dozen and a half Imperial Space star destroyers will calm the populace for a time," Mon Mothma began.
"Admiral Duplex showed the Imperials we can fight," Bel Iblis continued. "But eleven star destroyers escaped the battlefield, and the intervention of the Red Star squadron disrupted the plan even in that regard."
"As I understand it, this victory came at a high cost?" Leia clarified.
"I wouldn't call it a victory," Fey'lya stated. "Defeating a small group of star destroyers is, of course, a success for our valiant forces, but it's not a triumph. We merely bought time and calmed the citizens. If you can call it calming, given Thrawn's latest video exposing the destruction of Rogue Squadron, the failure of the operation to capture him, the annihilation of General Antilles' fleet, and his capture… It's fortunate Thrawn didn't announce to the galaxy that we offered to trade the Lusankya for Jedi Skywalker. Given how widely our plans for that ship were publicized, a single clip from its bridge would be enough to spark unrest and cause new sectors to break away from us."
"That's odd," Leia said. "Thrawn never shied away from flaunting his achievements before. If he captured the Lusankya, why isn't he proclaiming it?"
"Perhaps the ship hasn't reached him yet," Mon Mothma suggested.
"Or perhaps the Grand Admiral doesn't intend to inform the galaxy that the Lusankya has changed hands," Bel Iblis said. "It's likely part of his next plan."
"If so, what's the plan?" Mon Mothma asked.
"He might be planning to assault Coruscant," Fey'lya speculated. "With two super star destroyers, a fast dreadnought, and a sizable number of other ships, he could easily seize the capital and hold it for as long as he needs."
"I don't think Coruscant is his target," Bel Iblis countered. "I'm firmly convinced he'll strike Sluis Van and Sullust, where we've concentrated all the captured Imperial ships previously used for cargo transport. It's such a tempting target that he won't resist the opportunity to attack and seize a large number of starships he needs. We're slowly whittling down his fleet. Not as much as we'd like, but still. He's losing heavy cruisers, and he has nowhere to get new ones—so he's been seizing our captured Imperial ships, which his crews and technicians are familiar with."
"He hasn't hesitated to take Mon Calamari ships either," the Bothan reminded.
"True, but he stopped doing that," Mon Mothma noted reasonably. "At Brental IV, his forces could have captured three to five MC80s but didn't board them."
"Likely because eleven Imperial star destroyers defected to his side," Bel Iblis suggested. "Whether that's the case or not, I'm already preparing a trap for him at Sluis Van."
"Are you certain that's the planet he'll attack?" Doubt crept into the Bothan's voice. "Sullust also has Imperial ships, and they're in better condition than those at Sluis Van."
"Yes, but Sluis Van's docks hold star destroyers, heavy cruisers, interdictors, and other large ships we possess," Bel Iblis said. "Sullust has light cruisers, Clone Wars veterans, corvettes, frigates, and other support ships. Thrawn is losing capital ships—it makes no sense for him to bolster his light forces when he's facing star cruisers. No, his target is Sluis Van."
"He could be deliberately misleading us to draw our ships away from his real target," Fey'lya pointed out.
"That's exactly why I've prepared a warm welcome for him," the Corellian smirked. "But I'd like to discuss something else. Lianna."
"Are you serious, General?" Fey'lya was astonished. "After all the losses we've suffered, you plan to attack a planet defended nearly as well as Coruscant?"
"Yes, I do," Bel Iblis said. "I would have done it earlier if Thrawn hadn't been confounding our plans. Or need I remind you, Councilor, that our successes determine the New Republic's future? The Battle of Brental IV will occupy our citizens' minds for a day, two, maybe five, but we need an unequivocal victory. An enemy surrender. Our ships are still blockading the planet's shipments. We know who will come to Lianna's aid and in what numbers. Cripple the Empire's main supplier of TIE-series craft, and we'll undermine their defensive capabilities. With each battle, their fighters will dwindle."
"I disagree with your reasoning, General," the Bothan declared. "Admiral Duplex's report shows that both the Imperials and the Dominion used Xg-1 gunboats against him, which, by the way, Cygnus Spaceworks hasn't mass-produced in ages. Where are they getting these ships? Are they building them or buying them? Is Lianna as vital to Thrawn and the other Imperial Remnants as we think?"
"Lianna is a significant industrial world in its own right," Mon Mothma stated. "Moreover, Lady Santhe has breached our contracts and accused us of piracy."
"Speaking of which, she's not the only one," Fey'lya bared his teeth. "Grand Moff Kaine also claims we're operating behind his supply lines."
"Another of Thrawn's ploys," Leia declared. "We've already concluded he uses ships previously captured from us for disinformation. Isn't it obvious that Lianna is his victim, not his ally?"
"Are you suggesting the Pentastar Alignment is also a victim?" Bel Iblis asked. "I doubt that. Kaine is many things, but not a fool. If his supplies were being stolen, his search parties ambushed, and Ubiqtorate bases attacked, he would have struck us by now. But he hasn't. So I lean toward the view that this is mere posturing. Likely, Kaine and Lady Santhe are supplying Thrawn with equipment this way, deflecting blame onto us and using such propaganda to turn their populations against us and tarnish our reputation in the public's eyes."
"Suppose so," Fey'lya narrowed his eyes. "But what do you propose, General?"
"An attack," Bel Iblis said confidently. "We'll take control of Lianna while Thrawn licks his wounds. After recent battles, he'll need at least two weeks to repair his ships. He'll use that time for his goals, and we'll use it for ours."
"I cannot agree to this," Leia stated. The holograms of the other three councilors looked at her with interest. "Don't forget, we're fighting someone who effectively used Prince-Admiral Krennel to goad us into attacking the Ciutric Hegemony, painting us as aggressors. Imagine for a moment that Lady Santhe truly isn't supporting him, neither openly nor directly. Why can't we consider that Thrawn is deliberately framing us as aggressors against Lianna to pull the same trick as with Krennel? We'll assume Santhe and Thrawn are allies and attack Lianna. It turns out Thrawn manipulated us all along, waiting for us to crush Lianna's defenses. Then, at the last moment, he arrives with his ships and destroys our fleet. We're the aggressors again, and he's blameless. Correct me, but does he need to fully repair his ships if our fleet is heavily damaged after battling Lianna's defenses? Especially considering that nearby Imperial Remnants would undoubtedly come to Lianna's aid?"
The three councilors fell silent for a few seconds, pondering the young woman's words.
Leia wasn't an expert in military strategy, but she understood one simple thing—the Force told her she was right.
And, after all, Thrawn had already used this trick on them once.
And they fell for it.
He built his career on tactics of ambush, provocation, disinformation, and manipulation.
Thus, the former princess believed the Grand Admiral would act exactly this way.
"It's logical," she said. "We know Thrawn wanted Lianna's orbital factories. Lady Santhe refused him. So he surrounded her with what seemed like our ambushes, souring our relations with Lianna and breaking contracts. Simultaneously, he deals us defeats, and we start facing a shortage of fighters. We turn to Santhe. Out of desperation, we're forced to attack her to gain fighter production. And Thrawn strikes our ships while we're busy destroying Lianna's defenses. He told Lady Santhe himself that when she begs for his protection, he'll arrive to eliminate the threat but take whatever he wants…"
"But in that case, Thrawn has about fifty Imperial-class star destroyers alone to counter the fleet we could send to Lianna," General Bel Iblis said. "Our estimates suggest he brought all his star destroyers to Brental and Sarapin, even the upgraded ones he'd be better off holding back for an attack on Sluis Van. He can't just conjure ships from nowhere, borrowing or stealing them…"
Leia felt a chill run down her spine.
She recalled Lady Santhe's words with stark clarity.
"Oh, no," she groaned.
"Leia, is something wrong?" Mon Mothma asked, puzzled by her reaction. "Are you overworked on Sluis Van? Or perhaps unwell?"
The Sluissi, irritably watching Thrawn strike blow after blow against the New Republic, had openly told Leia they doubted the New Republic's ability to protect them.
Since Coruscant used their shipyards for military purposes, Thrawn had clearly designated them as legitimate targets and made no secret of it.
The potential costs of repairs and other consequences of the Grand Admiral's strikes on Sluissi orbital industries led many to seriously question whether continued cooperation with the New Republic was worthwhile.
And, sadder still, they weren't the only ones.
Sullust, to a lesser extent, was contemplating the same.
The longer the conflict with the Dominion dragged on, the more effort Leia had to exert to keep allies from abandoning everything and declaring independence.
Grand Admiral Thrawn might not destroy hundreds of New Republic ships at once or conquer dozens of their planets in a day, but he achieved what few others could.
He outplayed his opponent ideologically.
"No," the councilor rasped. "I'm fine. I've realized why Thrawn hasn't announced his capture of the Lusankya. And why he doesn't need star destroyers to achieve his goals on Lianna. The Force told me…"
"Oh, those marvelous Jedi insights," Fey'lya scoffed with a mocking chuckle, but Bel Iblis and Mon Mothma regarded her words with utmost seriousness.
"Lady Santhe told me that during her meeting with Thrawn, he warned her that her refusal to sell him the orbital assembly plant would have consequences," Councilor Organa-Solo said. "According to him, when the New Republic attacks Lianna with its fleet led by the Lusankya, she'll beg him for help."
"And he'll get everything he wants from her," Mon Mothma noted. "We know this. But we don't have the Lusankya…"
Bel Iblis' hologram paled.
"But Thrawn does. Along with dozens of our star cruisers. With them, he can stage an attack on Lianna using his forces. Then he arrives and "drives off the New Republic." I'm certain that by then, Lianna's orbital defenses will be in ruins. And no one will stop the Grand Admiral from taking whatever he desires."
Leia felt her fingertips go numb.
All the secrets of the company created by the Sienar and Santhe families in the hands of a single Grand Admiral who found effective uses even for outdated star destroyers.
If Thrawn gets what he wants on Lianna, the New Republic faces a slaughter.
***
When the second—and evidently final—visitor to the interrogation cell entered, the duplicate Isard didn't react with a single movement or gesture to the appearance of the red-haired woman in a form-fitting combat suit.
Though they weren't personally acquainted, the original knew (to the extent of her capabilities) who this was and how dangerous she could be.
"One would expect Grand Admiral Thrawn to recruit a considerable number of talented sentients to work for him," the duplicate Iceheart said in a neutral tone, leaning back in her chair.
Clad in a red admiral's tunic without insignia, the woman crossed one leg over the other, then folded her arms across her chest, observing with interest what her uninvited interlocutor might do.
Calling her a "guest" wouldn't come easily.
"The same could be said of you," Mara Jade's voice carried a challenge, a provocation.
"That was my desire—to swear allegiance to the Grand Admiral and the Dominion."
"Just like that, of your own free will, without ulterior motives or another scheme to deceive everyone and come out on top?" A slender red eyebrow arched.
"Imagine that," the duplicate Isard replied calmly. "It's not every day you learn you're a clone of one of the galaxy's most bloodthirsty beings, and wherever you go, there's always a justice seeker ready to finish what the original couldn't," Isanne reflexively touched the scar on her face.
"Did Isard try to kill you?" Jade asked skeptically.
"There's hardly a sentient in the galaxy who can confidently say the Iceheart didn't hunt them," the duplicate Iceheart replied philosophically.
"Since she's hunting herself," Mara Jade smirked.
"You know Thrawn captured her, don't you?" Jade continued.
"I think you overestimate my importance in the Dominion," the clone said. "I work on strictly defined tasks. They don't keep me updated on the latest news. But thank you for informing me. I'm pleased."
"Really?" The redhead looked at her interlocutor skeptically. "I doubt you don't realize what they'll do to her."
"Oh, I can imagine it quite well," the woman laughed unexpectedly. "I'd offer a tidy sum to watch Shohashi deal with her."
"I doubt he'd remain indifferent if he saw two Isards at once," Jade snorted.
"Oh, not at all," the duplicate Iceheart assured her. "He'd kill us both. As would anyone else who suffered at Isard's hands. In such situations, establishing cause-and-effect is pointless. The truth is always nearby but out of reach for most."
For a time, both women sat in silence, studiously averting their gazes and pretending the standard cell's interior fascinated them so much they couldn't tear their eyes away.
One didn't need to be a Jedi to sense the awkwardness that gripped them both.
They sat like this for about five minutes before the duplicate Isard broke the silence:
"You realize that if we don't do what we were locked in here for, we're just wasting time?"
"I may be younger than your original, but I'm certainly not dumber," Mara Jade bared her teeth with a strained smile.
"I can see that," Isanne responded calmly to the jab. "I propose we clarify a few things. I'm a clone. I'm no more than three years old. I didn't choose to be born or not. I didn't choose my appearance, memories, or how I should live. That was done for me—by Isard. I have her memories. I feel no emotions toward you, neither negative nor positive. I know what you went through when Isard's operatives captured you and broke you in the Imperial Palace's dungeons. But I won't apologize for her actions or beg forgiveness. I'm not her. I owe you nothing, and I have no reason to apologize. I harbor no negativity toward you."
"Convenient logic," Jade snorted, casting an intrigued glance at the young woman before her. ""It wasn't me, it was the original." May I ask a personal question?"
"Why ask permission?" the clone grimaced. "Just ask. If I don't feel like answering, you'll know first."
Jade glanced at the left wall of the cell.
Shiny, with a mirror-like reflection, it clearly betrayed a one-way mirror, so one didn't need to be a Jedi to realize they were being watched.
Mara focused, shifting her Force awareness from the duplicate Iceheart to the space beyond the wall.
As expected, she found that despite the abundance of lifeforms around, there was absolutely no one in the observation room.
However, she didn't miss that the duplicate Iceheart's fingers were moving in a specific pattern.
"Don't flatter yourself. Top right corner."
That was the message the clone conveyed using the Stormtrooper Corps' sign language.
Following her interlocutor's tip, Mara immediately spotted a tiny holocamera lens in the indicated spot behind the seated Isard.
Well, logical.
Thrawn didn't stoop to spying through a one-way mirror—he was in an observation room several decks above, enjoying the feed from the cameras.
Mara didn't believe for a second that there were no surveillance devices behind her.
"You're younger than the original," Jade said. "Correct me, but at the time of your creation, you must have matched Iceheart's appearance exactly. And you'd age much faster…"
"That's a question for someone else," the clone replied. "Before Delak Krennel nearly killed me, my appearance was perfectly ordinary. Perhaps they tested some drug on me to slow aging slightly. It makes sense, considering the Grand Admiral's cloning facilities. I'm sure data on partial aging suppression came with the package."
"My opinion on rejuvenation wasn't consulted."
"Fine," Mara replied. "Let's get back to the main point of this meeting. Why are you here?"
"That's an imprecise question," Isard said. "I'm here because the guards brought me."
"Fine," Jade gritted her teeth with a strained smile. "Isard couldn't have created you with free thought. You must be programmed, like all clones. It's unlikely your programming is to aid the Grand Admiral in his endeavors."
"I was created as a contingency for saving the real Iceheart and activated for one purpose—to guard the Lusankya's prisoners, whom the real Isard hid before her defeat at Thyferra," the clone explained. "Fighting the programming is tough, but I manage."
With those words, the woman began unbuttoning her tunic without warning.
"I think a personal search is unnecessary," Mara said, embarrassed, looking away as the clone opened the top of her red tunic.
"Don't flatter yourself," the duplicate Isard advised, revealing a small medallion. "This is a gift from Grand Admiral Thrawn. It contains a crystal. I haven't figured out which one, but it positively affects my psychological stability and mental focus. I've noticed that while wearing it, thoughts of the programming don't plague me as often as before."
"Well, how about that," Mara shrugged, feeling, to her great and undisguised surprise, a pang of jealousy. "You must be a valuable asset to get Jedi crystals as gifts."
She sensed a faint, impersonal Force aura emanating from the medallion, so subtle it was lost in the duplicate Iceheart's overall emotional chill, which resembled a block of ice.
"It helps with work," the duplicate Isard said, closing her tunic. "Besides, you're hardly one to talk about gifts. That lightsaber on your belt is of a rather famous design. I'd wager it belonged to Master Windu of the Jedi Order."
"You've got a good memory," Jade commended. "Yes, the Grand Admiral gave it to me since my previous one was… lost."
"I use the original's memories," the clone reminded her. "But this is idle chatter."
"I wouldn't say that," Mara thought, not breaking her Force observation of her interlocutor's emotions.
And the results weren't encouraging.
This woman was calm, confident, and, for some reason, showed no inclination to betray.
"Fine, back to the interrogation," Jade agreed. "Are you helping Thrawn of your own free will?"
"Yes," she replied. "Just like you. He knows how to find the right motivations for recruitment. Now my question. Is your role with him the same as before?"
"You mean, am I still a Hand, as I was under Palpatine?" the redhead clarified.
"If you have other roles with Thrawn, feel free to be open," Mara sensed a slight ripple in her interlocutor's emotions, indicating keen interest in the topic.
Curious, why?
"I'm not going to," Jade indulged in the provocation with inner relish. "I'm the one conducting this interrogation."
"Don't take on more than you are," Isard advised. "This is a mutual interrogation, if you haven't noticed. I'm evaluating you, you're evaluating me. I assume we're both being evaluated from the outside."
"No doubt about that," Mara replied in the same sign language.
Isard didn't react, but her fingers moved too.
"Stop playing games. Time's short—we both have work to do."
"What's your role with Thrawn?" Jade asked, unwilling to simplify the dialogue. "The same as it was under Palpatine?"
Provocation was her style, and she had no intention of abandoning it.
Especially with the clone of the Iceheart.
Who acted as if she owned the place.
"I see where you're going," Mara inwardly smiled as she noted irritation in the clone's emotions. And it was personal. So, not as hardened as the original. "I'm a simple agent. An analyst. They give me a task, I complete it."
"That's it?" Mara raised an eyebrow. "No personal motives?"
"I'm loyal to Thrawn and work for him," the clone's voice took on a durasteel edge. "I'm quite satisfied with my position and the trust placed in me."
"Much like the real Isard had with Palpatine," Jade smiled, feeling some inner satisfaction as the woman across from her grew irritated. "You know, there were persistent rumors of a certain kind of relationship between those two. And that the Lusankya wasn't given to the Iceheart purely for exemplary service. And now I hear the Grand Admiral plans to hand that trophy to you…"
"Enough hints," the clone advised, and Mara sensed her calming down. "I have Isard's memories, and I understand what you're implying. No, if the Lusankya is placed under my command, it will be purely for operational necessity. No personal motives."
But she was clearly lying about that last part.
"You know, the Grand Admiral has three such ships," Mara continued in a syrupy tone. "One for you, one, I assume, for himself. And another… promised to me."
The clone stared at her silently.
"So don't think you're so special," Jade advised with a smile. "If Thrawn puts us on equal footing with the same reward, there's only one conclusion. We're equally useful to him. The difference is he recruited me deliberately, while you just… tagged along."
Isard glared at her for several seconds, giving Mara endless pleasure from the cocktail of negative emotions radiating from the duplicate Iceheart.
It reeked of the Dark Side, sure, but since when did women draw a line when dealing with others of their kind who acted deliberately provocative?
Mara faltered.
Deliberately.
Provocative.
Acted.
The sense of joy evaporated as if her emotional field had undergone decompression.
The duplicate Isard, however, smiled unabashedly.
Politely, correctly, without malice.
"Well, isn't that something," she said, watching Mara chew her lower lip. "Interesting, very interesting."
"I don't know what you've concocted in your head, but it's not what you think," Jade declared.
"Oh, denial," the duplicate Iceheart noted. "Predictable reaction."
"Shut up," Jade hissed. "I don't know what you're thinking, but it's clearly the fantasy of a defective clone's sick mind."
"Then why are you so worked up about it?" Isard asked. "My thoughts are my own. No one can restrict them."
"Don't play games with me, Isard, and don't even think you've outsmarted me anywhere," Jade advised. "The Force has plenty of ways to turn your brains to mush. I doubt you'd enjoy drooling and staring at a blank holoscreen for the rest of your days."
"As you say," Isard smiled again.
Mara felt dejected, seeing how triumphant the duplicate Iceheart looked at that moment.
"It'll be interesting with you," she signaled with sign language.
"Go to the Sith!" Mara replied.
"Well," the duplicate Isard said, as if drawing a line. "I've made my conclusions about you. Do you need more time to evaluate me?"
"No," Mara said dully.
"You're suitable," the women said simultaneously, without coordination.
Each had her own motives and judgments for saying so.
But their answers aligned.
Yet it didn't bring even a hint of a smile to either.
"It was nice chatting, Thrawn's Hand," the duplicate Iceheart said, rising from the table. "My opinion—you're a professional whose work will benefit the Dominion."
"I can't say the same," Mara declared. "We surely have enough agents to avoid keeping someone who looks like the galaxy's vilest woman alive."
The clone simply ignored her jab.
"I consider this conversation constructive," her interlocutor said, unfazed. "I'm certain future interactions of this kind will benefit us both. Sharing experience and perspectives is valuable in operational work. Though I won't insist on it. Good luck with your work."
"Hope you fall into a smelting vat," Mara said with a strained smile, leaving the interrogation room.
***
In the silence of the compartment temporarily serving as an observation post, rare but polite applause rang out.
"Bravo, Grand Admiral," said the woman in an orange prisoner's jumpsuit.
Her hair was gathered in a simple ponytail, and her mismatched eyes gleamed with mockery.
"Truly, there's no worse enemy for a genius than himself," the real Iceheart continued. "Pitting two operatives against each other to evaluate one another, making them believe they're both important to you, but setting them up to judge someone they both despise… That's so masculine. Not to say it's uncreative. Worthy of applause."
The prisoner clapped her hands a few more seconds.
"Now I'm even curious what you'll do with this," Isard asked with a polite smile.
In the light streaming from the holoscreen, in a room with the overhead lights off, the woman looked particularly grim.
"That knowledge won't be of use to you," I stated.
"On the contrary," the real Isard assured me. "I don't know if you noticed, but both are loyal to you personally. All that talk of the Dominion and such is mere chaff. Perhaps it started that way, but not anymore. By promising each of them an identical ship, you've just told two nexu females they're equally valuable to you. What follows… Well, I don't think it needs commentary."
"Indeed," I agreed, looking at the woman. "It doesn't. Especially not in your position."
"You won't execute me, Thrawn," Isard smirked. "I know too much of what you'd like to learn. So, let's discuss the terms of my confinement. I recall you have three Executors, correct? You've already given away two… By the way, I appreciate the gesture's grandeur. Palpatine only deemed one woman close to him worthy of such a ship. I could tell you right now the fate of one of those super star destroyers, but… In short, I'm willing to stay on the third and even assist you with information."
"A decent proposal," I agreed, subtly making a beckoning gesture with my hand.
The holoscreen's light illuminated me well, so the one watching from the shadows understood correctly.
"But I must decline," I said. "I don't need you alive."
"You think the clone will help you, but she won't," Isard assured me. "She doesn't know much of what I learned after Thyferra. That's highly valuable information…"
"My specialists will handle it," I said. "Your mnemo-copy data will soon be processed…"
The smile vanished from Isard's face.
"You copied me while I was injured," she realized.
"Yes," I confirmed. "No foresight is needed to know you'd barter for your life. But the problem is, it's no longer yours."
"That's why I'm proposing mutually beneficial cooperation…"
"I'm sorry, but I must refuse," I declared, rising from my chair and adjusting my tunic. "Your fate is beyond my purview."
"What the…?" Isard frowned, but was promptly knocked from her chair by a powerful right hook.
Hitting the floor, the woman sprang up, assuming a combat stance, scanning her surroundings.
The light panels began to glow brighter, dispelling the darkness…
The first thing she saw was a pair of guards by the door, which I approached accompanied by Rukh.
But another figure clearly caught her attention—a man in a naval officer's uniform.
"Good day, Director," Commodore Shohashi said calmly, shooting Iceheart in both legs.
The woman collapsed, and Erik kicked her face, knocking her onto her back, then rendered her arms useless with more shots.
He then approached a small repulsorlift cart, placed his blaster on it, and unhurriedly took a folded hazmat suit from the top panel, used by medics for handling hazardous diseases.
Light but durable, it protected against many things.
In Shohashi's case, it protected his uniform from stains.
Removing his tunic and donning the pristine suit, the man retrieved a cleaver with a half-meter blade and a heavy kitchen mallet for tenderizing meat from the cart's drawer.
He then stepped toward the helpless Isard.
"When he's done, collect biological samples," I ordered the guards.
"It will be done, Grand Admiral," the senior guard replied.
I left the shower room, where our little performance was staged, to the accompaniment of sounds confirming that Shohashi's nickname was well-earned.
I didn't envy Baron Fel in the slightest.
***
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