"Hmm," Thrawn says, refraining from lifting his hands to steeple his fingers in front of his mouth, as he might prefer.

"Information, on the whole. I have been . . . away from these corners of the galaxy for quite some time, and I should hate to -- "

How to put this?

" -- fatally misstep. I'm also curious as to how you and your former rebellion have fared, given this new Republic several people are talking about."