Samakro took a deep breath. “All we know so far is that the hyperdrive failed, which is what stranded them here. At least this batch wasn’t murdered like the last group—looks like they ran out of air.” His lips compressed briefly. “Not the worst way to die, for what it’s worth.”

“It also means an intact ship and intact bodies,” Thalias said.

“Right,” Samakro said. “Hopefully, that’ll give us what we need to backtrack them the rest of the way to their system.”

“Mid Captain Samakro, this is the captain.” Thrawn’s voice came over the bridge speaker. “Is the examination room prepared?”

Samakro keyed the mic at his chair. “Yes, sir,” he confirmed. “We have four tables set up in Ready Room Two, and the medics and equipment are standing by.”

“Excellent,” Thrawn said. “Join me there, if you would.”

“On my way, sir.”

He got three steps toward the bridge hatch before Thalias caught up with him. “Where do you think you’re going?” Samakro asked, frowning at her.

“Ready Room Two,” Thalias said. “Whatever the captain’s found, it may impact on where we’re going and how Che’ri does her job. I need to know everything so that I can prepare her when the time comes.”

“Of course you do,” Samakro said sourly. “Fine. Lead the way.”

“Right,” Thalias said hesitantly. “Ah…”

“You don’t know where it is, do you?”

Thalias huffed out a breath. “No.”

“Didn’t think so,” Samakro said. “Follow me. And when we get there, stay out of the way. And don’t make a mess.”

The ready room was smaller than Thalias had expected, and with four tables plus the medical team crammed in the place was already crowded when she and Samakro arrived.

The medics, naturally, quickly moved out of the way to give the Springhawk’s first officer some space. Thalias, also naturally, had to work her way through them, avoiding elbows and glowers, until she reached a corner that wasn’t being used.

She was still fine-tuning her position when Thrawn and the bodies arrived.

There were four of them, as Thrawn had implied. Three were of the same species: medium height, with pronounced chest and hip bulges, their skin a light pink but with purple splotches around the eyes, all topped by feathery head crests. Their arms and legs were spindly but looked well muscled. They were dressed in clothing that was alien, but nevertheless with a style and detail that gave Thalias the impression of being someone’s finery.

The fourth body, in stark contrast, was tall and thin, with enlarged shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. Its skin was a pale gray, and across its temples was a crosshatch of green, red, and blue tattoo scars. It was dressed in a dark-red, totally utilitarian jumpsuit.