AU-verse post-mission with Thrawn and Hera

[grandadmiralartcritic]

As first engagements go, Thrawn has definitely experienced worse. Enemy routed, casualties comparatively minimal, and the damaged ships, at least, should be easily repairable.

The lost soldiers, however . . . that is a different story.

He strides along the slightly scorched corridor of the flagship, keeping a weather eye on the morale of the troops -- as well as their stress response and repair efficiency.

Many things will depend on it.

Comments

[for_everyone]

"They'll have to get used to it."

Hera doesn't need nor want this crew to become friendly with Thrawn. But they would have to speak to him. There was no avoiding it.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"It is regrettably unlikely to be a short campaign," Thrawn agrees.

[for_everyone]

They exit the hangar, stepping through the blast doors into the corridor again.

"And you might have to get used to their discomfort."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn clasps his hands behind his back again, falling into step with the General.

"It comes as no surprise to me. But I have yet to be attacked while going about my business, which says much for your command."

Unlike, for example, any part of the Imperial machine -- including the academies.

[for_everyone]

“We don’t usually attack our own.”

But it was something that had crossed Hera’s mind. Many in the Resistance were too young to have clear memories of the first war, but she knew this crew had been vetted to avoid anyone with any personal reason to hate Thrawn.

Other than the person in charge of it, she supposes.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Dryly --

"I rather doubt I count as one of your own."

[for_everyone]

"You doubt it," she repeats, faintly.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn raises one eyebrow.

"I am actually fairly certain, in most respects."

[for_everyone]

She leads away from the lift, down the corridor and through a door that leads to a flight of stairs.

"And what respects are those?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Mmmm."

Thrawn weighs his words carefully.

Then --

"By and large all of the emotional ones, which I understand. I do not expect that to change."

[for_everyone]

Hera shakes her head, grabbing hold of the railing to start up the stairs.

"We can talk about this later."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"As you will," Thrawn says, following her up.

"What is the next most pressing matter on the list?"

[for_everyone]

"The progress with the comms in medical."

She reaches the top of the stairs, turning into another corridor. "After that, you can return to the bridge if you want, I'll be back before we come out of the jump."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"I would prefer that," Thrawn acknowledges.

"Though for all I might try, I doubt I will be able to remain unobtrusive."

It's his eyes, probably.

[for_everyone]

"All right."

They're drawing closer to the medical bay, and are within a few doors of it when -

"One more thing -"

Hera stops, abruptly, turning on her heel to face Thrawn. Her voice is low, direct but not impatient.

"You don't need to personally fix every problem we have. Our crew can do their jobs."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn's expression remains composed.

"Understood."

He keeps his hands clasped behind his back.

"Do you have suggestions for how I may better integrate into this command?"

[for_everyone]

"Don't offer to do their job for them?"

Hera folds her arms, glancing away as she considers this.

"Your suggestions are fine. But they can do the work."

There are questions itching at her, like Were you fixing comms arrays on Star Destroyers? But she's strict about never mentioning the Empire while they're 'on-duty,' as much as the distinction exists, and she so pushes this to the back of her mind.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"So noted. Rest assured I shall not forget again."

There's a faint wry cast to his words, strongest on 'rest assured'.

Some emergencies require all hands, but hopefully he will not lead this fleet into one of those.

And so.

[for_everyone]

"All right."

Hera turns, and continues toward the medical bay.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn's thin smile appears again, fleetingly, and he follows Hera down toward medical.

If they are very fortunate, the problems with the comms there will be no more complicated to patch together than those on the flight deck.

If they are unfortunate . . . well . . .