He dropped into step beside her. “Congratulations,” he said as they walked. “The Parala’s reputed to be an excellent ship.”

“So I’ve heard,” Ziara said. “Congratulations to you as well, by the way. Two ranks at once is almost unheard of.”

“So I’ve been told,” Thrawn said, his voice going distant. “Though of course what’s given can also be taken away.”

Ziara leaned forward to peer at his face. “Something wrong?”

He looked sideways at her, then turned to face forward again. “The Lioaoin Regime didn’t go into piracy simply because they were bored,” he said. “They clearly have a serious financial problem.”

“You suggesting we take up a collection?”

He shot her another look, this one carrying an edge of annoyance. “They won’t try it again with the Ascendancy,” he said. “But the problem remains, as does their chosen remedy. Once they’ve regrouped and replaced the ships you destroyed, they’ll be back, attacking merchants from other systems. What happens to those systems?”

Ziara shrugged. “They’ll have to deal with the Lioaoi on their own.”

“What if they aren’t strong enough to do so?” Thrawn persisted. “Are we supposed to just sit back and watch them suffer?”

Ziara looked him straight in the eye. “Yes.”

For a moment they locked gazes. Thrawn turned away first. “Because we don’t interfere in the affairs of others.”

“Would you rather the Ascendancy became guardians for the entire Chaos?” Ziara asked. “Because that’s where that path would take us. We would rescue one, then another, then a third, until finally we stood alone as bulwark against a thousand different aggressors. Is that what you think we should do?”

“No, of course not,” he said. “But there has to be a middle path.”

For a few steps they walked in silence. “If it helps, I understand what you’re saying,” Ziara said at last. “Tell you what. When you rise to rule the Aristocra and the Ascendancy, I’ll help you work out a solution.”

Thrawn gave a little snort. “There’s no need to be sarcastic.”

“Who says that was sarcasm?” Ziara asked. “The Mitth are an important family, and as General Ba’kif said you’re riding high in their estimation. The point is that non-intervention is the Ascendancy’s protocol at the moment. Unless or until that changes, we accept our orders and fulfill our duties.” She caught his arm, bringing him to a sudden stop, and gazed hard into his face. “And that’s all we do. Understood?”

A small smile touched his lips. “Of course, Senior Captain Ziara.”

“And don’t worry that your family’s influence was what jumped you those ranks,” she continued. “Don’t deny it—I saw it in your face. I’m sure the Mitth connection didn’t hurt, but the Council doesn’t do things just because some syndic wants them to. If they did, I’d have been jumped three ranks.”