AU where Thrawn gets captured

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Being a prisoner who has not tried to escape in at least a decade does give one several . . . . privileges. At least they are sold as privileges, and Thrawn supposes he will take that.

They've opened up access to additional files on his datapad, which gives him things to think about.

He is allowed to put holos of art on his walls, which also gives him things to ponder.

It's something. He does not, however, receive many visitors.

And Thrawn does not have it in himself to mourn that. So.

Comments

[for_everyone]

"That was thoughtful of them."

The collection of art holos doesn't bother her. But at the same time, she doubts she would ever feel comfortable adding to it.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn's smile this time is thin and humorless.

"They do seem to enjoy my 'party trick', as they call it."

[for_everyone]

Hera still doesn't smile.

"I never found it amusing."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"No."

Thrawn inclines his head in acknowledgment.

"But then, you were there."

[for_everyone]

She leans back, eyes glancing as though considering him.

"That does seem to be how it works," she agrees, quietly.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn merely quirks an eyebrow.

"I have also received some holos of recent sculptures from a few human-occupied worlds in the Outer Rim. The media tends to be stone or wood, often covered in sharp edges and jagged curves."

He shifts the position of his hands, folding left over right as opposed to what it was before.

"They are very . . . angry."

[for_everyone]

Hera takes a deep breath.

"If there's something you want me to know, you may have to come out and say it."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"In here as I am, there is not much news I am capable of receiving. But there do seem to be populations that are . . . less than pleased with their lot in these years. Most of them are human. Whether they are former Imperial sympathizers, or are worlds where a great many of the Imperial noncoms and support staff deemed not-guilty is -- beyond my purview at this time. I don't have much more to tell, but the rage and frustration seemed like they ought to be someone's concern. It is not, from my collection, a . . . "

He pauses, saying a phrase in Sy Bisti, then a word, then shaking his head.

" . . . fad. I believe that is the word in Aurebesh. Or close to it, at any rate."

[for_everyone]

Hera listens, her eyes steady, no particular expression on her face.

"Why are you telling me this?" It's calm, and even, no hint of surprise or disbelief in her tone.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"The Empire is dead, and for that I am not sorry."

It's true, particularly now. The past is past, and should be learned from, but not adhered to.

"This Republic is what replaced it, and I should prefer to shore that up rather than see it all fall to chaos again."

[for_everyone]

"All right."

She leans forward, folding her arms over the table.

"And how do you think the Republic should handle dissent?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Ah," Thrawn says after a moment, leaning back in his chair instead of sitting upright.

"I see."

[for_everyone]

Hera doesn't move.

"What do you see?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"My past history providing a filter through which my current concerns are being viewed, I suppose. Perhaps not unexpected, but certainly disappointing."

His mouth is pressed into a flat line.

"What you do with what I have tried to tell you is neither my business nor my problem. I simply do not wish your Republic to be surprised by the trouble that's approaching on your flank. Perhaps what concerns drive their anger deserve to be ameliorated. Perhaps not. I have no way to judge from in here."

[for_everyone]

Again, Hera waits, her face impassive.

And then, she says simply -

"I asked because I wanted to hear your perspective."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"And so you have, I think. Unless there is a particular point I failed to cover."

This is entirely possible, he supposes. His brief description was certainly . . . brief.

[for_everyone]

Finally, Hera does smile, very faintly.

"You haven't told me how you would respond."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Seek their grievances. See if they are being fomented from within or by agitators from without. Make your decisions then, when you know more."

He looks beyond her, for a moment, watching the flickering of a holo from one display of statuary to a light-sculpture shimmering in violent and blue.

"It is what I have done before, at any rate. Though I imagine you will find a great distaste for non-humans from out-system in amongst them. They've also taken pains to purge any contribution to style and form from schools of thought that did not originate among human cultures."

[for_everyone]

Hera, again, is silent for another moment, maybe thinking this over, or choosing her words.

Then, she looks back to him. "The Republic wanted to reduce its fleet, so I resigned. I was never elected to any position in it. Ryloth isn't a member of it."

Shaking her head very slightly, "You might not be talking to the right person."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"No? But you are better positioned than I to know who to talk to."

He raises one eyebrow just the tiniest bit.

"Or, perhaps, to suggest who else I might wish to talk to, to express my concerns to a useful party."

[for_everyone]

Hera finally looks down, her eyes dropping to the table. She takes another deep breath, let's it out.

"I think," she concedes, "I'm the most likely to listen to you."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

His smile is thin-lipped and humorless again.

"I thought that went without saying."

[for_everyone]

Her arms still crossed, Hera softly taps her fingers against the table. "I can talk to others who are in a position to respond."

After a pause, "And who may face less... resistance."

Or in other words, are human.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"You can, certainly," Thrawn says mildly. In this, at least, they agree.

"But will you?"

[for_everyone]

"Yes."

She gets that out of the way first.

"Why wouldn't I?"