for_everyone | (no subject)

The advantage of Hera's typical technique is that it's controlled, and understated. She draws as little attention as possible to the act while she's carrying it out, giving her time to plant evidence and leave the area before most have even realized what has happened. But, once in a while, a particular job calls for a little more showmanship than this. Her work is never supposed to leave any uncertainty as to what it means, and who is behind it. But sometimes, there can also be value in sheer brazenness.

Which means that Hera's most recent target, Captain Orfanidis, was stabbed in the chest in his own quarters aboard the ISS Laran. At least the follow-up requires slightly less work – Hera doesn't even bother hiding her weapon. She hopes they find it. She hopes they find her DNA on it. She hopes they know exactly who did this, and that they walk in fear of when she'll do it again.

But if she plans to do it again, it also means she has to get away. Which is why she waits just long enough to ensure Orfanidis is dead before she drops her blade, and checks her time, before she steps back out into the hall. The moment she does is just as the ship's assigned cleaning "staff" is passing through. They're all wearing shock collars, so that they don't need a monitor, and are dutifully keeping their eyes down. Already disguised accordingly, it's easy enough for Hera to step in among them, and walk with them as they pass through the staff quarters.

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Hera nods, also taking another sip of the tea.

Then, "Is there anything else you would have me keep in mind?"

There are many things he might say to that, but --

"Only that you might choose to think of this operation as a test."

This one will do.

It's not that different from how she chooses to think of most operations.

But she does ask, "What kind of test are you thinking of?"

"Command capabilities. The Rebellion's leadership would prefer to have more officers of that particular caliber to head cells. To spread their influence, as it were, and the disruption of which we are all so capable."

He returns his teacup to its saucer, then settles back into his chair.

"I understand."

It made sense. If she can ultimately gain the loyalty of someone who had so thoroughly scorned her, she should be able to do the same with a group already dedicated to their purpose.

"If that's where I'm needed."

"It may well be."

Thrawn steeples his fingers, gaze gone distant.

"I am not sure yet if it will be sooner than we fear, or later than we hope."

"I hope - long enough for me to finish my current assignment."

As that's what she should hope for.

"That would be preferable."

Thrawn's voice remains mild.

"But contingency plans will need to be put in place, regardless."

Hera nods.

She lifts her cup again, and after another small sip of tea -

"What were you thinking of?"

"One route where we take him with us, and finish the work along the way, and another where -- "

Were this someone else, perhaps he would be more delicate (or less so).

" -- he does not."

But it's only what she could have expected.

"I meant what I told him."

She blinks away long enough to set her cup back down, but then meets eyes again. "If it goes the wrong way, I'll take care of it."

Thrawn just nods, a quick, barely-there movement.

"Then the bulk of the planning should fall upon the course where we take him with us, and the question of how best to do that without allowing him the opportunity to . . . disseminate details we would rather he did not."

"He's guarded, and clearly used to isolation."

There's only the slightest pause after she says this, before she continues, "I don't think that will change quickly, even as he comes around to us."

"So judicious choice in his initial companions, much as we were already planning, and . . . "

Thrawn waits, as ever, for Hera to fill in the blanks.

Hera thinks over this, even reaching for a little of the food Thrawn has set out as she does.

"He responded to appeals about his position in the Empire. That's why I felt it was better to be patient in asking him to use his Betazoid abilities."

"Status first, and then the rest? Will following that protocol accelerate our projected timeline, do you think?"

Thrawn already knows his answer, but he is curious about Hera's assessment of the situation. For all that he taught her, she is still a different person.

That has always been for the best.

Edited 2018-07-23 21:26 (UTC)

"The more he feels like a tool in someone else's hands, the more he'll resist."

That wouldn't accelerate anything.

"Force might get him there faster, but it would be temporary, and the damage done irreparable. If he were more like a Terran, fear might work - but when you expect pain, you learn to wait it out."

"Mmm. I dislike using fear with allies, and he'd make a much better ally than a tool. You never can rely on the latter not to break."

For one.

"I agree," Hera answers.

"And I think he'll reach that once he sees helping us as something he wants, rather than a demand we've made in exchange for his life."

"An apt assessment," Thrawn agrees. "I shall read in those at my level that ought to know, if you'll do the same for those at yours? And, of course, those that are most likely to deal directly with our Betazoid. I am certain you have more awareness of who that might be than I do."

Or rather, they chose this relative division of labor some time ago, and the time has not quite come to adjust it. But probably soon.

Needs must, when the Rebellion calls. And it is a very needy beast, indeed.

Edited 2018-07-23 22:05 (UTC)

Hera simply nods again.

"Yes, sir."

Thrawn smiles faintly, regarding Hera over the tips of his fingers.

"Do you have any questions?"

Hera lowers her eyes, again taking some time to consider this.

"Do you have a specific goal in mind?" she asks. "For what you'd consider... satisfactory progress?"

"A greater comfort with his own Betazoid heritage, perhaps. Speaking about his mother would be a great step forward, I believe. Then, too, there is emotional bonding with the rest of the crew. Reciprocal loyalty may be the greatest binding we can put on him, without it feeling like that at all."

It is almost as if Thrawn has considered this before.

"That makes sense."

And she can work with it.

As she looks back up to him, "Do you know how often I'll likely have... additional assignments?"

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