Thrawn Ascendancy Book 3: Lesser Evil

“I just wish I knew why every item the Defense Force could find an immediate use for takes forever to crack,” Ba’kif added.

“That does seem to be the way of the universe, doesn’t it?” Lamiov conceded. “That high-density electronics memory unit that was brought to us a hundred years ago was being utilized in questis storage bars within twelve months. The specialized cooking system someone found thirty years ago was on the market in five months.”

“But something that could upgrade a warship’s electrostatic barrier defenses by a thousand percent or more …” Ba’kif shook his head.

“Perhaps we’ll have better luck with this one,” Lamiov said, nodding to the lattice. “It’s a shame you couldn’t bring back the entire freighter.” He raised his eyebrows slightly in silent question.

“Yes,” Thrawn said simply. Either he’d missed the invitation in the Patriarch’s tone and expression, or he’d already decided not to provide any further details about what had happened to the freighter.

“We removed what appeared to be all of the equipment, plus as much of the lattice as we could,” Samakro added, also ignoring the unstated request. “Hopefully, it will be enough for you to work with.”

“We’ll do our best,” Lamiov assured him. “Is there anything more the techs should know?”

“I don’t believe so,” Thrawn said. “Mid Captain?”

“Nothing major that I can think of,” Samakro said. “I’ll note in passing that even though the freighter was part of an ambush, and therefore might be considered a type of warship, its hull was standard civilian design. No nyix, not even a nyix-alloy inner shell.”

“That could be significant,” Lamiov said.

“It could,” Samakro said. “My inclination is to put it down to the designers preferring to maintain the freighter illusion, and that it has nothing to do with the detector itself.”

“Probably,” Ba’kif agreed, his thoughts heading off in a new direction. Still, nyix had some unique characteristics, which was one reason it worked so well for warship hulls. If one or more of those features interfered with the advance-warning detector, that might provide some clues as to how the device worked.

“Regardless, I’ll make the techs aware of that,” Lamiov said. “And now, I believe the Council is expecting you on Csilla.”

“Yes,” Thrawn said. “But before we leave, Supreme General, I request your presence aboard the Springhawk. There’s another situation we need to discuss.”

“Can it wait?” Ba’kif asked.

Thrawn and Samakro exchanged looks. “Yes, sir, I suppose it can,” Thrawn said reluctantly. “For a time.”

“Then it waits,” Ba’kif said firmly. “I have only a few hours to discuss some pressing matters with Patriarch Lamiov before I also have to return. And as the Patriarch said, the Springhawk is already overdue back at Csilla for examination and whatever refitting and rearming are necessary.”

He raised his eyebrows toward Samakro. “At which point you, Mid Captain, are on my list of officers to speak with about the Hoxim incident. You’ll have until then to prepare your statement and organize any documents you might wish entered into the record.”

“Understood, Supreme General,” Samakro said. “Though if I may—” He glanced at Thrawn. “—I would urge you not to delay your trip to the Springhawk any longer than necessary.”

“I’ll take your suggestion under advisement,” Ba’kif said, frowning. Samakro’s expression was the standard neutral of an officer addressing a superior.

But there was also an unusually strong layer of tension beneath it. Whatever Thrawn wanted to discuss with Ba’kif, Samakro wasn’t looking forward to the conversation.

Even with that added level of intrigue, though, it would have to wait. Right now, Hoxim and its fallout were Ba’kif’s priority.

“I’ll see you back at Csilla, then,” he said, gesturing the two officers back toward the vault door. “Get started on the refit, and I’ll call when I’m ready for your interviews.”