He takes another half a minute to put his thoughts together.

"Which is not to say the current individuals are the problem, but the system . . . "

Thrawn shakes his head.

"It is very rigid. There is a great deal to be said for service to ones' fellows, but being fit only for a particular means of service, and relying on bloodlines and Houses rather than actual skill in matters . . . that seems foolhardy, indeed. Perhaps even dangerous."