"Sounds complicated," Car'das commented.

"Sounds smart," Maris countered. "The Republic could use a lot more of that, instead of always going with straight bloodlines, or the highest bidder."

"Mm," Car'das said noncommittally. This was not the time to get into a discussion about Republic politics. "And you said there are nine of these Ruling Families?"

"There are nine at present," Thrawn said. "The number fluctuates with events and political fortunes. At various times over the centuries there have been as many as twelve and as few as three."

They reached the welcoming chamber to find it had already been configured for the new arrival. The wall and ceiling hangings were totally different from those featured for Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano's arrival, and to Car'das's eye the arrangement seemed less elaborate. Perhaps even a senior military officer didn't rank as highly as a distant relative of one of the Ruling Families.

"The ceremony will be considerably shorter and less formal than the last one you witnessed," Thrawn said as he gestured them into positions flanking him but two paces back. "You should be able to follow." He seemed to consider, then favored them with a small smile. "The admiral's appearance may surprise you a bit, as well," he added. "I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts later."

He turned toward the door and nodded to one of the warriors. With a melodious chiming that reminded Car'das of a water carillon, the door slid open and four black-clad Chiss warriors came through, taking up flanking positions on either side. Wondering what Thrawn had meant by their guest's appearance, Car'das straightened into his best approximation of military attention as a tall female Chiss stepped into view.

Only instead of the normal black uniform, she was dressed from collar to boots in dazzling white.

Car'das blinked in surprise as she strode past her escort into the welcoming chamber. Every Chiss warrior he'd seen up to now had invariably worn black, except for the clearly family-based guards who had accompanied Chaf'orm'bintrano. Was it because she was connected to the Defense Fleet instead of the Expansionary Fleet?

The admiral stepped to the center of the room and stopped. "In the name of all who serve the Chiss, I greet you, Admiral Ar'alani," Thrawn intoned, taking a step toward her.

"I accept your greeting, and greet you in return, Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo," the admiral responded. Her words were to Thrawn, but Car'das could tell that her eyes were on the two humans standing behind him. "Do you guarantee my safety, and the safety of my crew?"

"I guarantee your safety with my life and the lives of those of my command," Thrawn said, bowing his head low. "Enter in peace, and with trust."

Ar'alani bowed in return. "Who are these who stand behind you?" she asked, her tone subtly changed.

And with that, apparently, the ceremony was over. "Visitors from a distant world," Thrawn told her, half turning to gesture them forward. "Car'das and Ferasi, may I present Admiral Ar'alani."

"We are honored, Admiral," Car'das said in Cheunh, trying to duplicate the bow he'd just seen Thrawn make.

Ar'alani seemed to draw back. "Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano didn't tell me they spoke Cheunh," she said, an unpleasant edge to her tone.

"Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano didn't know," Thrawn countered politely. "He spent little time here, and showed no interest in learning about my guests."

Ar'alani's eyes flicked to him, came back to Car'das. "The report said there were three of them."

"The third is otherwise occupied," Thrawn said. "I can summon him if you wish."

Ar'alani lifted her eyebrows. "He is allowed to roam freely through an installation of the Chiss Expansionary Fleet?"

Thrawn shook his head. "All three are under constant surveillance."

"You are studying them, then?"

"Of course," Thrawn said, as if that was obvious.

Car'das suppressed a grimace. He'd known from the start that this was one of Thrawn's reasons for keeping him and the others around. But it was nevertheless a little discomfiting to hear it stated aloud.

"And what have you learned?" Ar'alani asked.

"A great deal," Thrawn assured her. "But this is neither the time nor the place to discuss it."

Ar'alani's eyes flicked to Thrawn's warriors, still standing at attention against the welcoming chamber walls. "Agreed," she said.

"I presume you'll wish to tour the captured vessel before you take it in tow," Thrawn went on. "I have a shuttle waiting."

"Good," Ar'alani said, reaching to her belt and touching the smoothly curved shape of a Chiss comlink fastened there. "Let me summon my passenger, and we'll go."

Thrawn's eves narrowed, and for the first time Car'das sensed a flicker of surprise in his face. "No passengers were mentioned."

"His presence is not officially sanctioned by the Defense Fleet," Ar'alani said. "I brought him here as a favor to the Eighth Ruling Family." Behind her, a young Chiss male stepped into view, his short robe and tall boots composed of a patchwork pattern of gray and burgundy, a slight smile on his face.

Thrawn stiffened. "Thrass!" he breathed. He stepped toward the other as he entered the chamber, meeting him halfway. Reaching out his right hand, he grasped the other's right arm at the elbow as the other gripped his in return. "Welcome," he said, smiling. "This is a surprise indeed."

"An achievement I have rarely achieved," the other said, inclining his head. He was still smiling, but Car'das could see hints of tension lines around his eyes as his gaze shifted over Thrawn's shoulder.

Thrawn obviously noticed the shift. "My guests," he said, releasing the other's arm and gesturing at the humans. "Car'das and Ferasi, K'rell'n traders from the Galactic Republic."

"Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano's description didn't do them justice," Thrass commented, looking them up and down. "Particularly the clothing."

"Their regular shipments of style-design from Csilla must have been delayed," Thrawn said drily. "Car'das and Ferasi: this is Syndic i'Vlitth'ras'safis of the Eighth Ruling Family." He smiled a little wider. "My brother."

"Yourbrother? " Maris breathed.

"Andthey speak Cheunh?" Mitth'ras'safis said, his tone darkening a little.

"After a fashion," Thrawn said. "Admiral Ar'alani and I were on our way to visit the captured pirate vessel. Would you care to accompany us?"

"That's the main reason I'm here," Mitth'ras'safis said.