“Doesn’t mean they won’t have a quarrel with us,” Zistalmu said. “Particularly if they see Thrawn as a spy. But never mind them. What if these Nikardun of yours have taken over?”

“We’ve already seen they aren’t yet ready to engage the Ascendancy,” Ar’alani reminded him.

Thurfian snorted. “No need to engage us when they could simply vaporize the Garwian ship with Thrawn aboard and claim it was an accident.”

“All the more reason for the Vigilant to get there before that happens,” Ba’kif said grimly. “If you’ll excuse us, we need to get this mission under way.”

“Of course,” Thurfian said. “Just as soon as we resolve the issue of the Vigilant’s sky-walker.”

Ar’alani grimaced. She’d hoped they’d forgotten about that. “I promised Che’ri’s caregiver I’d take care of her,” she said. “I see no reason why I can’t continue to do that.”

“You don’t?” Thurfian asked. “The admiral and commander of a Nightdragon man-of-war, and you think you’ll have the time to cater to the needs of a child, too?” He shook his head. “No. We need to find a new caregiver before you can leave Csilla.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Ba’kif said. “All sky-walkers and caregivers are already committed to other ships.”

“Let me propose a solution,” Zistalmu offered. “My wife served as a caregiver for two years before we were married. Her record of that time is very clean. Reinstate her, and she and I can travel aboard the Vigilant together.”

“Thalias chose me,” Ar’alani said firmly. “As Che’ri’s official caregiver, she has final authority to shift that duty while she’s aboard my ship.”

“But she’s not aboard your ship now, is she?” Zistalmu countered.

“She was when she named me as her replacement,” Ar’alani said. “I have no intention of giving up that mandate, and you have no authority to take it from me.”

“I have every authority—”

“Enough,” Ba’kif cut in. “Syndic Zistalmu, how far away is your wife?”

“She can be here in two hours.”

“Call her now,” Ba’kif ordered. “Admiral, I agree that regulations support your position. But Syndic Thurfian is right to remind us of your other responsibilities. I’m therefore ruling that Syndic Zistalmu’s wife will share caregiver duty with you, and will take the primary position whenever you’re otherwise occupied. Any questions?”

Ar’alani suppressed a scowl. The last thing she wanted was a strange woman suddenly entering Che’ri’s life—the girl had enough problems socializing with other people as it was without disrupting things further.