“The diplomatic office has no understanding of that which you speak,” a different Lioaoin voice came over the speaker. “But we welcome the friendship and mutual respect of the Chiss Ascendancy. Will you approach, Ambassador, that we may have a conversation? Or shall we send transport for you?”

Ilparg looked back at Ar’alani. “Admiral?” he prompted.

“Well, we’re definitely not moving any closer,” Ar’alani said. “And under the circumstances, we’re not letting you go in, either.”

“So we’re just leaving?”

“Why not?” Ar’alani said. “We’ve gotten what we came for.”

Ilparg frowned. “What exactly did we get?”

“The presence of a Nikardun ship,” Thrawn said.

“Which took no action against us,” Ilparg countered.

“And the fact that the Lioaoi don’t want to talk about Urch,” Ar’alani added.

Ilparg snorted. “I believe that’s what’s known as negative information.”

“It’s still information,” Ar’alani said. “Regardless, it’s all we’re going to get. So offer your apologies, say your farewells—feel free to translate that into diplomatic-speak—and we’ll be on our way.”

“A moment, Admiral,” Thrawn said thoughtfully. “With your permission, I’d like to run one additional experiment. Those nine gunboats seem unusually interested in us.”

Ar’alani turned her attention back to the group of small fighters they’d noted earlier. Their pincer formation had opened up a little, but otherwise nothing seemed to have changed.

She felt her eyes narrow as she saw what Thrawn was referring to. The formation had opened up because the gunboats had suspended the maneuver they’d been in the middle of and were now drifting, their thrusters quiet, the tidal effects of the planetary gravitational field slowly moving them apart. “At the very least they’re interested in being able to swing into action at a moment’s notice,” she said. “And in any direction.”

“Exactly,” Thrawn said. “And I see no reason other than the Vigilant why they should suddenly be so watchful.”

Ar’alani scratched at her cheek. The Nikardun Battle Dreadnought was making no move, but the fighters were in ready position. Someone hedging their bets?

Or was it something more interesting? Was it an indication that there were two different chains of command operating?

Either way, it was worth exploring further. “I trust whatever you have in mind won’t involve the discharge of weapons?”

“Not at all,” Thrawn assured her. “I’d simply like to tell them I’m here.”

“What do you expect that to accomplish?”

“I don’t know. That’s why it’s an experiment.”

She gave him her best strained-patience look. But Thrawn’s hunches were usually worth chasing down. “Very well. Helm, be ready to turn and get us out of here.”

“How quickly?” Octrimo asked.