"Perhaps not now," Thrawn said. "But in the future, who knows?"

Mitth'ras'safis eyes narrowed. "Meaning. .?"

Thrawn shook his head. "You're gifted in many ways, my brother," he said. "But you have yet to develop the farsightedness you will need to survive the intrigues and conflicts of political life." He gestured toward Car'das and Maris. "We have been granted a rare opportunity: the chance to meet and interact with members of a vast but hitherto unknown political entity, people with insights and thoughts different from our own."

"Is that why you insist on bringing them along even when giving an admiral an official tour?" Mitth'ras'safis asked, eyeing Car'das doubtfully. "You think their thoughts will be of value?"

"All thoughts are worth listening to, whether later judged to be of value or not," Thrawn said. "But equally important are the social and intellectual bonds we are building between us. Someday, our Ascendancy and their Republic will make contact, and the friends and potential allies we create now may well define what direction that contact will take."

He looked at Car'das and Maris in turn. "I imagine both of them have already come to that same conclusion, though of course from their own point of view."

Car'das looked at Maris. Her slightly twisted lip was all the answer he needed. "Yes, actually, we have," he admitted.

"You see?" Thrawn said. "Already we understand each other, at least to a small extent."

"Maybe," Mitth'ras'safis said doubtfully.

"But you came here with specific business to discuss," Thrawn reminded him. "May my guests call you Thrass, by the way?"

"Absolutely not," Mitth'ras'safis said stiffly. He looked at Maris, and his expression softened a little. "Though I understand you saved my brother's life," he added reluctantly.

"I was glad I could help, Syndic Mitthrassafis," Maris said in Cheunh.

Mitth'ras'safis snorted and looked at Thrawn, and the hint of a wry smile finally touched his lips. "They reallyaren't very good at it, are they?"

"You could try Minnisiat," Thrawn offered. "They speak that better than they do Cheunh. Or you could use Sy Bisti, which I believe you also know."

"Yes," Mitth'ras'safis said, switching to an oddly accented Sy Bisti. "If that would be easier."

"Actually, we'd prefer you stick with Cheunh, if you don't mind," Car'das said in that language. "We could use the practice."

"That you could," Mitth'ras'safis said. He hesitated, then inclined his head. "And since you were both instrumental in saving my brother's life. . I suppose it would be all right for you to call me Thrass."

Maris bowed her head. "Thank you. We're honored by your acceptance."

"I just don't want to keep hearing my name mispronounced." Thrass turned back to Thrawn. "Now," he said, his tone hardening again. "What exactly do you think you're doing?"

"The job for which I was commissioned," Thrawn replied. "I'm protecting the Ascendancy from its enemies."

"Itsenemies," Thrass said, leaning on the word. "Notpotential enemies. Do you hear the difference?"

"Yes," Thrawn said. "And no."

Thrass lifted a hand, let it slap against his thigh. "Let me be honest, Thrawn," he said. "The Eighth Ruling Family is not happy with you."

"They sent you all the way here to tell me that?"

"This isn't a joking matter," Thrass bit out. "That pirate treasure ship was bad enough. But this last escapade was far and away over all the lines. And right under an admiral's nose, too."

"The Vagaari aren't pirates, Thrass," Thrawn said, his voice low and earnest. "They're a completely nomadic species-hundreds of thousands of them, perhaps millions. And sooner or later, theywill reach the Ascendancy's borders."

"Fine," Thrass said. "When they do, we'll destroy them."

"But why wait until then?" Thrawn pressed. "Why leave our backs turned while millions of other beings are forced to suffer?"

"The philosophical answer is thatwe don't force anyone to suffer," Thrass countered. "The practical answer is that we can't defend the entire galaxy."

"I'm not asking to defend the entire galaxy."

"Really? And where would you have us stop?" Thrass gestured toward the wall. "Ten light-years beyond our borders? A hundred? A thousand?"

"I agree we can't protect the entire galaxy," Thrawn said. "But it's foolhardy to always permit our enemies to choose the time and place of battle."

Thrass sighed. "Thrawn, you can't continue to push the lines this way," he said. "Peaceful watchfulness is the Chiss way, and the Nine Ruling Families won't stand by forever while you ignore basic military doctrine. More to the point, the Eighth Family has made it clear that they'll release you before they permit your actions to damage their standing."

"We were both born as commoners," Thrawn reminded him. "I can live that way again if I have to." His lips tightened briefly. "But I'll do what I can to assure that the Eighth Family doesn't release or rematch you on my account."

"I'm not worried about my own position," Thrass said stiffly.

"I'm trying to keep my brother from throwing away a fine and honorable career for nothing."

Thrawn's eyes took on a distant look. "If I do throw it away," he said quietly, "I guarantee that itwon't be for nothing."

For a long moment the two brothers gazed at each other in silence. Then Thrass sighed. "I don't understand you, Thrawn," he said. "I'm not sure I ever have."

"Then just trust me," Thrawn suggested.

Thrass shook his head. "I can trust you only as far as the Nine Ruling Families do," he said. "And that trust is strained to the breaking point. This latest incident. ." He shook his head again.

"Do you have to tell them?" Maris spoke up.

"With four warriors dead?" Thrass countered, turning his glowing eyes on her. "How do I keep that a secret?"

"It was a reconnaissance mission that got out of hand," Maris said. "Commander Thrawn didn't go there with any intention of fighting."

"Any mission to that region would have been pushing the lines," Thrass told her heavily. "Still, I can try to frame it in those terms." He looked back at Thrawn. "But it may be that nothing I say will make any difference. Action was taken, and deaths ensued. That may be all the Ruling Families will care about."

"I know you'll do what you can," Thrawn said