Not As Much of a Jerk As You Could Have Been AU

[for_everyone]

Hera left the bridge as they fell out of hyperspace near the edge of the Unknown Regions. It was their first opportunity to make contact with the rest of the Resistance in nearly three weeks, and she had decided to do so in her ready room, fully expecting back and forth with Admiral Ackbar and General Organa concerning her overtures toward the Chiss. It also meant that she took the very rare step of leaving Thrawn alone on her bridge.

It takes longer than expected for her to get a signal through to Leia. And when she finally does, she's quickly glad she chose to have this conversation in private.

It's nearly an hour before she has sent word back to the bridge. Coordinates, closest to the Reviya system, nearly on the edge of Wild Space. These are the only instructions, along with a note to Thrawn to join her as soon as possible.

Without a pause for confirmation, the officers move to their stations to calculate the jump.

Comments

[grandadmiralartcritic]

His mouth presses down into a thin line.

Silence.

Then --

"Will they be waiting at the rendezvous the bridge crew is calculating now?"

[for_everyone]

She opens her eyes, glancing up at him.

"Vice-Admiral Holdo launched their final cruiser into the pursuing fleet at light speed."

Hera falls silent for a few seconds. Like she still needs a moment to consider these words - it was a maneuver she had never even considered before. Not that she had ever had to.

"Much of their fleet was destroyed, and the Supremacy was heavily damaged and disabled. They've confirmed they're no longer being tracked."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"A fine tactic," Thrawn says, after another moment of almost admiring silence. "Though one with a high price."

He has been learning that, in certain circumstances, that is how you know said price is worth paying.

"Are we likely to be tracked, once we re-emerge into the Republic's space?"

[for_everyone]

"If we come across the First Order fleet."

She sighs, lifting releasing her chair and taking a step back from it. "But they've yet to build a presence in that edge of the galaxy."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"How much time would you say we have?"

Now only one eyebrow is raised.

"Before their presence finds its way into that quadrant?"

[for_everyone]

"Well..."

She takes another deep breath, lets it out.

"Their leader is dead."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Dare I hope that it's led to fractionation and internal strife?"

The dry tone to his voice suggests he knows that's a bit much. Fanatics, after all, are very desperate to be led.

[for_everyone]

"We don't know that yet."

With a look back to him, "But it seems that Ben Solo took his place."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Solo."

His voice is flat.

"That seems unfortunate in the extreme."

If he has the charisma of either parent . . .

[for_everyone]

Hera watches him for a few seconds, then glances away as she continues.

"As for us, now - there's General Organa, Admiral Statura, and me."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Better three than none," Thrawn murmurs.

"Will you seek to rebuild?"

If he were a betting man . . .

[for_everyone]

Again, she waits a few second before she answers.

"I'm not surrendering the galaxy to the First Order."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"And your compatriots agree."

That might almost not be a question.

"I am not certain how long such news as this might be kept from the Chiss, but there will be a lag in information. For what that might be worth."

[for_everyone]

She nods, her eyes falling. But she doesn't keep her mind on this for long.

"And what about you?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

What about me, he does not say.

"Is there no place to be had for such as I in this next stage of your Resistance?"

It seems a waste, were he even a little inclined to believing that to be true.

[for_everyone]

"Is that a place you want to be in?" she asks.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Were he to say 'no', is there a place for him out of it? Not that that matters.

It really has been a relief to be of use, lately. And even though their time in the Chiss Ascendancy was not the most comfortable he has ever been, still Thrawn was doing something. He has found that he misses it.

And so --

"We are certainly about to enter several situations in which I might be of great use," is his response.

It means yes, but --

"So, yes, General. I would prefer to continue offering my assistance to the Resistance."

He almost says Rebellion, but alas, one cannot turn back time.

[for_everyone]

Again she waits, as though she thinks he might continue.

But then Hera steps forward, again placing her hands on her desk.

"Then we have to tell the crew."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

We, she says. How . . . unexpected.

"If you think that preferable," he replies, inclining his head in a nod of acknowledgement.

"Do you wish for my participation in said announcement?"

[for_everyone]

"I'd rather they know before they see for themselves."

She takes a little longer on the second point. "And at this point I think it would be better if you did."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

He arches one eyebrow again, but it is sound strategy -- Hera is far from wrong.

"To show willing, and that I am in this with them, now?"

Differently than before, at any rate.

"I understand."

[for_everyone]

Raising her eyes to his, "Because we really are all rebels now."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

His smile is thin-lipped but not entirely unamused.

"There is that."

A pause, and he looks at her hands still resting on the back of the chair.

"Shall we, then?"

[for_everyone]

Eventually, they reach the rendezvous point.

Shuttles are sent out to collect survivors from the Corellian freighter waiting for them. General Organa is among those who transfer over. She smiles, gently, at Hera, and Hera has difficulty returning it. After Hera greets the other newcomers, senior crew begin to orient them onto the ship, while Generals Syndulla and Organa leave to talk alone in Hera's office.

It's a while before they come out. But eventually, General Organa exits first. She eyes Thrawn as she passes him, nodding once but not otherwise acknowledging him, before she meets with Commander Dameron at the end of the hall, and they move on, likely toward the mess. There hadn't been much food, or time for rest, on the Falcon.

Hera exits here office a short time later. She doesn't look at Thrawn, but she stops when she reaches him. Her eyes stay on the now empty space farther down the hall, and she tilts her head very slightly, likely she's making a decision.

Then, she asks, "Are you hungry?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn met General Organa's eyes as she nodded, but made no move of his own. It seemed . . . presumptuous.

Though when Hera emerges he does shift his gaze to her, hands clasped lightly behind his back.

"I believe it would be wise for me to eat just now, yes."

It's not an answer to the question that the Hera asked, certainly, but perhaps it is close enough.