“We need to know nothing of the kind,” Thurfian retorted. “What happens outside our borders is none of our business. As I thought was made clear to you the first time you meddled in that region’s affairs.”

“And when the Nikardun arrive in the Ascendancy?” Thrawn asked.

“If the Nikardun arrive in the Ascendancy,” Thurfian shot back.

“Exactly,” Zistalmu seconded. “Really, Captain Thrawn. Someone of your vaunted tactical expertise can surely see that if we were such an enticing target, they would have moved against us already. It seems obvious to me that the stories told about us out in the Chaos have warned them away.”

“Unless they’re waiting until they have enough strength to defeat us,” Ba’kif said.

“Fine,” Zistalmu said. “Let’s look at that possibility, shall we? You claim the Nikardun are subjugating other species and creating an empire. Correct?”

“We’ve seen evidence of such activity, yes,” Ba’kif said.

“And controlling a conquered species requires force and the presence of arms, does it not?”

Ar’alani felt a sour taste in her mouth. She could see where Zistalmu was going with this.

As, too, could Ba’kif. “It may require less than you imagine,” the general said. “If the planet is sufficiently subjugated, a few monitoring ships and a small ground contingent could easily suffice.”

“Especially if they utilize a system of hostages or extortion,” Ar’alani added.

“The point remains that as they move toward us, they continue to bleed ships and troops,” Zistalmu said. “So the longer they wait, the less likely they are to be a threat.”

Ba’kif shook his head. “It doesn’t always work that way.”

But it was a losing argument, Ar’alani could see from the expressions on the syndics’ faces. It might be a true argument, but it was also a losing one.

“Yet that, too, is a conversation for another day,” Thurfian said. “Since Captain Thrawn’s ship is still undergoing repairs, and Admiral Ar’alani’s is about to leave on a diplomatic mission, it would seem that nobody will be traveling to the Lioaoin Regime.”

“Excuse me?” Ba’kif said, shooting a look at Ar’alani. “What diplomatic mission is this?”

“The Ascendancy is sending a new ambassador to Urch, the capital of the Urchiv-ki,” Thurfian said. “As the Vigilant is one of the finest warships in the Expansionary Fleet, and as its commander is one of the fleet’s finest officers”—he inclined his head to Ar’alani—“it was decided that ship and commander would play host to Ambassador Boadil’par’gasoi.”

“I see,” Ba’kif said, his tone going frosty. “And when were we to be informed of this decision?”

“You’re being informed now, General,” Zistalmu said evenly. “The Vigilant will leave in three days.”

Ba’kif looked at Ar’alani. “Can you be ready that quickly?”