Quickly, Che’ri turned back to her controls, the sudden movement hammering an extra jolt of pain into her head. Never show weakness, she’d been warned over and over again. A sky-walker never shows weakness. She’s always ready to continue on, cheerfully and efficiently, making one more journey, and one more after that, until her captain allows her to rest.

“No energy emissions,” the woman at the sensor station called. “No masses of refined metal, no indications of life activities. Planet seems dead.”

“Not surprising, given the environment,” Samakro said. “Scratch one more. On to the next system?”

There was a pause. Che’ri kept staring at the controls in front of her, hoping Thrawn would say no.

But she was sure he would say yes. No one had told her what this journey was all about, but they seemed to be looking for something important. A captain like Thrawn wouldn’t want to waste any time.

Could Che’ri navigate with an overload spell coming on? She’d never tried before. But she had a job to do, and there was no one else aboard who could do it. If Thrawn said they should go on—

“I think not,” Thrawn said. “The ship and warriors could use a few hours’ rest.”

Che’ri felt tears blurring her eyes. Tears of relief that she could rest. Tears of shame that she was too tired to go on.

Thrawn knew. She could hear it in his voice. He could say everyone else needed rest, but he knew. It was all on her. All on Che’ri. She was the reason they had to stop.

“Helm, bring us into high orbit over the planet,” the captain ordered.

“Yes, sir,” the man at the console next to Che’ri’s said.

She watched his fingers moving on the controls, fascinated despite her aches and blurry vision. She’d played some flying games on her questis, but watching someone doing it for real was a lot more interesting.

“Sensors, extend your search outward during the inbound,” Thrawn continued. “Once we’re in orbit, refine the search toward the planet.”

“Yes, sir,” the woman said.

“What are you expecting to find?” Samakro asked.

“Not expecting, Mid Captain,” Thrawn corrected. “Merely speculating.”

Che’ri frowned. Speculating? About what? She kept listening, hoping Samakro would ask.

But he didn’t. “Yes, sir,” was all he said. Che’ri heard his footsteps as he walked away.

“Thank you,” Thalias said quietly.

Che’ri squeezed her eyes tightly shut against the pain and shame, spilling the tears down her cheeks. Thalias knew, too. Did Samakro know?

Did everyone on the ship know?

There was a breath on Che’ri’s cheek, warming the tears. “Are you all right?” Thalias asked softly into her ear. “Shall I help you back to the suite?”

“Can I stay here a little longer?” Che’ri asked. “I can’t…I don’t want to be carried.”