Crisis of Faith (9 page)

“There’s someone there I can contact,” Thrawn assured him. “Captain Gilad Pellaeon, currently in command of the ISD /Chimaera/. I worked with him before, back when Nuso Esva made his one incursion into Imperial space.”

“Yes, I remember,” Parck said grimly. “Candoras sector. I also remember that it was shortly afterward that Nuso Esva launched the Braccio campaign and ended up nearly destroying half a dozen species.”

“Your recollection is correct,” Thrawn said, frowning slightly. “Your point?”

“That Nuso Esva was a vengeful son of a space slug,” Parck said. “I don’t expect his followers to be any less so. It may not be a good time for you to reintroduce yourself to Imperial politics.”

Thrawn shook his head. “Don’t worry, Captain. Whatever followers Nuso Esva has left are few and scattered. Without his leadership, they’ll slink back into the shadows where they belong.”

“Perhaps,” Parck said. “It still might not be a bad idea for you to take a few additional precautions out there.”

“Your concern is touching,” Thrawn said. “Again, you have no need to worry. Captain Pellaeon is a competent commander, and he’s made the /Chimaera/ into one of the finest warships in the fleet.”

“What I meant—”

“And I’ve also made arrangements to have a bodyguard accompany me when I return to the Empire,” Thrawn continued. “Whatever vengeance Nuso Esva had planned, or thought he had planned, it will never reach me.”

“I hope not.” Parck took a deep breath. He still didn’t like this, but he knew better than to argue when Thrawn’s mind was made up. “With your permission, Admiral, I’ll go begin preparations to contact Captain Pellaeon and return you to the Empire.” He smiled slightly. “To /your/Empire.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Thrawn said quietly. “And don’t look so glum. This isn’t just the end of Nuso Esva.”

He smiled tightly. “It’s also the beginning. The beginning of victory.”

Thrawn