Imperial Honor Chapter 12 of 13

 Trial and Error

As we were leaving the Detention Block, I remembered the information I wanted to tell Thrawn about Zak.

I took a couple large steps until I caught up with the Grand Admiral, and said, “Sir? May I have a word with you?”

“Of course,” Thrawn said. “Does something trouble you about the Senator?”

“Well, yes, but that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Thrawn took a quick glance at me without breaking stride. “What then?”

Lowering my voice, I said, “I have some information concerning Lieutenant Commander Orth.”

Thrawn stiffened slightly, and said, “This isn’t the place for that discussion, Major. Report to my office in an hour.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, and fell back to walk beside Colonel Arat.

Thrawn suddenly stopped, and spoke quietly with a Naval Trooper, as Arat and I continued to the turbolift.

As we waited, Arat said, “So you have found out what Orth is up to.”

I was a bit surprised. I hadn’t realized it was so widely known, or that I spoke that loudly.

Unsure how much I should say, I just shrugged. “Not quite.”

Arat looked at me as the doors opened, and we stepped into the turbolift. When I didn’t respond, Arat chided, “You can talk to me. Thrawn let me know what you were up to. What kind of officer would I be if I didn’t know what my junior officers were doing?”

I smiled, nodding. “Of course. I was just concerned about security. But I don’t know what he’s up to – just where he came from.”

“Oh?”

There was something a bit odd about his insistence, but I couldn’t tell a superior officer it was none of his business. But I could keep some of my information for Thrawn only.

The doors opened at that moment, and we stepped into the hall. Arat had to go the opposite direction I did, so as we started moving apart, I said, “Let’s just say he’s not from around here.”

He looked at me curiously, and I said, “If you’ll excuse me, I have to prepare for my meeting with the Grand Admiral.”

“Of course.” Was it my imagination, or did Arat look annoyed?

As I walked away, I could feel him watching me. A few seconds later, I turned back, and saw the hall was empty. I stared for a moment. I thought I would have heard his boot steps as he walked away.

For a moment, I looked around the hall, wondering how he slipped away so quickly. Then I turned, and headed back for my quarters.

While I didn’t feel responsible for what happened to Liea, I still felt dirty, as if I had been tricked. I take a long sonic shower, and then head for Thrawn’s office.

I went to the bridge, was told that I was expected by the guard on duty, and allowed to go straight to his office.

Once inside his office, I am struck by the silence of the room. As I approach, the only thing I hear is a little ‘tak-tak’ as Thrawn is imputing information onto his data pad.

Without looking up, Thrawn said, “So what have you found out about our curious Lieutenant Commander Orth?”

“I’m quite convinced he’s a shape shifter now,” I said. “When I was in the caves on Illum, I felt I was being followed . . .”