“I don’t know for certain,” Thrawn said. “But the lack of activity suggests that may be the case.” He shrugged slightly. “Besides, General Skywalker clearly cares about him or her. Raising the level of urgency should help him make up his mind.”

“So what answers are you looking for?” Skywalker said.

Thrawn touched the key. “I wish to more fully understand this conflict in which you’re embroiled. I wish answers of right and wrong, of order and chaos, of strength and weakness, of purpose and reaction.” Again, Thrawn looked at Che’ri; and then, suddenly, he straightened up a bit in his seat. “You asked my identity. I am now prepared to give it. I am Commander Mitth’raw’nuruodo, officer of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, servant of the Chiss Ascendancy. On behalf of my people, I ask your assistance in learning of this war before it sweeps its disaster over our own worlds.”

Che’ri frowned. Commander? She thought he was a senior captain. Had he been demoted?

Probably not. More likely he was just downplaying his rank for some reason, maybe so General Skywalker wouldn’t feel threatened by Thrawn’s more extensive military experience. Certainly Skywalker sounded a lot younger than Thrawn.

“I see,” Skywalker said. “Very well. On behalf of Chancellor Palpatine and the Galactic Republic, I accept your offer.”

“Excellent,” Thrawn said. “Perhaps you will begin by telling me the true story of your quest.”

“I thought you already knew. You know about Padmé’s ship.”

“The Nubian?” Thrawn shrugged. “The design and power system were unlike anything else I’ve seen in this region. Your craft displays similar characteristics. It was logical that one visiting stranger was seeking the other.”

“Ah. You’re right, the Nubian is one of ours. It carried a Republic ambassador who came here to collect information from an informant. When she failed to contact us, I was sent to look for her.”

Che’ri frowned. Was Duja the informant Skywalker was talking about? In that case, shouldn’t they tell him that she’d already left Batuu?

“I see,” Thrawn said. “Was this informant trustworthy?”

“Yes.”

“You are certain of that?”

“The ambassador was.”

“Then betrayal is unlikely. Has the informant contacted you?”

“No.”

“In that case, the most likely scenarios are accident or capture. We need to travel to the surface to determine which it was.”

“That’s where I was heading when you barged in,” Skywalker said. “You said you knew where her ship was?”

“I can send you the location,” Thrawn told him. “But it might be more convenient for you to first come aboard. I have a two-passenger shuttle in which we can travel together.”

“Thanks, but I’ll take my own ship in. Like I said, we might need Artoo down there.”

“Very well,” Thrawn said. “I’ll lead the way.”

“Fine. Whenever you’re ready.”