There was a tone from the comm. Stepping to the console, Niriz keyed it on. "Niriz," he said.
"Hangar Bay Control, sir," a voice said. "Reporting as per orders that the Hopskip has just left."
"Thank you," Niriz said. "Signal the bridge to watch its vector when it jumps to lightspeed."
"Yes, sir."
Niriz keyed the comm off. "I gather the smugglers and their Rebel friends performed their part adequately?" Vader asked.
"Quite adequately," Thrawn assured him. "They provided the necessary excuse for me to move Thyne's men out and clear the way for the CorSec agents."
The unseen eyes behind the black mask seemed to bore into Thrawn's face. "And the other part of your plan?"
Thrawn cocked a blue-black eyebrow at Niriz. "Captain?"
"Yes, sir," Niriz said. "A homing device has been installed inside each of the hidden blasters they were smuggling."
"And the boxes repacked exactly as they were?"
"To the millimeter," Niriz confirmed. "They'll have no way of knowing the boxes were even opened, let alone tampered with."
The Dark Lord nodded. "Excellent," he said.
The comm pinged again. "Captain, this is the bridge. The Hopskip just jumped to lightspeed. Their vector's confirmed for the Shibric system."
"Thank you." Niriz looked at Thrawn, lifted his eyebrows.
The Grand Admiral nodded. "Have them prepare a course back to the Unknown Regions," he instructed. "Our task here is finished."
"Yes, sir." Niriz gave the order and keyed off the comm.
"Unless," Thrawn added, looking at Vader, "you'd like me to deal with Prince Xizor directly for you."
"It is indeed a tempting thought," Vader said, his voice dark with veiled menace. "One alien against another? But no. Xizor is mine."
"As you wish," Thrawn said. "Incidentally, I doubt that Shibric is the final destination for those Rebel blasters. From their vector, and other bits and pieces I gleaned along the trip, my guess is that their ultimate collection point will be somewhere in the Derra system."
"The homing devices will show us for certain," Vader said. "But the Derra system is rumored to have a strong Rebel presence. I'll make sure to have some forces waiting there."
"Very good," Thrawn said. "One final suggestion, and then I suspect we must both be on our separate ways. I understand the general in command of the Executor's ground forces resigned suddenly a month ago. I was able to watch the battle outside Thyne's stronghold for a while as I waited to make sure the smugglers escaped; and in my opinion the Imperial officer in command is being wasted in a garrison assignment."
"Your opinion carries considerable weight," Vader said. "As I'm sure you know. The officer's name?"
"Colonel Veers," Thrawn said. "From the level of his tactical skill, I'd also say he's long overdue for a promotion. Perhaps his political connections within the command structure leave something to be desired."
"Political connections do not concern me," Vader rumbled, stepping to the door. "I will see what I can do with this Colonel Veers. Thank you, Admiral."
"My pleasure, Lord Vader," Thrawn said with a respectful tilt of his head. "One favor for another. Perhaps we'll have the chance to work again together."
Once again, the hidden eyes seemed to probe the Grand Admiral's face. "Perhaps," he said. "Farewell, Admiral."
And with a swirl of his long cloak he was gone. "An interesting exercise," Thrawn commented, crossing to the R'alla bottle and refilling his and Niriz's glasses. "I don't know though. I sense that this Rebellion is more powerful and better organized than perhaps Lord Vader realizes. I hope our activities here will allow him to deliver a crushing blow against it."
His glowing red eyes glittered as he took a sip from his glass. "But that's not our concern, at least for now. Our concern is the Unknown Regions; and it's time we were getting back."
"Yes, sir." Niriz hesitated. "If I may be so bold, Admiral... your last comment implied that you received something in return for helping Vader against Thyne and Black Sun. May I ask what that favor was?"
"A very personal gift, Captain," Thrawn said. "Which was why I felt the need to personally orchestrate Thyne's destruction. Lord Vader has turned over to me command of a group of alien commandos who have proven themselves highly valuable to him over the years. While I won't have much use for them in the Unknown Regions, I have no doubt I'll eventually be returning to the Empire proper. At that time -- well, we shall see what they can do."
"I never heard of Vader employing aliens," Niriz said doubtfully. "Are you sure he's telling -- well --"
"The truth?" Thrawn smiled. "Indeed he is. Mark their name well, Captain: the Noghri. I guarantee you'll be hearing more of them."
He drained his glass and set it down. "But now to the bridge. The Unknown Regions are calling; and we have a great deal of work yet to do."
