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Assistant: Title: The Things We Leave Behind
        Author: DistantStorm undefined 
        Chapter: 8/25 
        Summary: 9ABY: Newly retired General Hera Syndulla has decided it’s about time she found Ezra. After exhausting every viable lead she has, Chancellor Mon Mothma introduces her to someone who might be able to help. There's only one problem: That someone is Thrawn's former protégé.Meanwhile, in the Chaos that is the Unknown Regions, Thrawn and Ezra Bridger work together to defend the people of the galaxy from a terrible evil. Or: The one where the line between enemy and ally all depends on your point of view.
        Contents: Chapter 8: Uninhabited System A56-P90
    

    


  

  
  
    
    
  [9 ABY, Unknown Regions:

  Uninhabited System A56-P90]

“There it is,” Faro said, her eyes on the shimmer of a sleek black vessel emerging from hyperspace fifty kilometers out. “That’s an Ascendancy warship.”The jump coordinates had put them into this nameless system beyond the borders of any New Republic or Imperial map. The coordinates had, of course, come with their own map, but it was rather limited. Hera had suspected that was to prevent any issues with a controlled meeting, but they had ended up beating them there by nearly eight hours.The system was dead. No life signs, no inhabitable planets. No planetary masses at all. An asteroid field lay several hundred kilometers out from their endpoint, and Hera had tucked them into its outer edges for cover in the event their meet-up turned into a trap.“This is the Warship Steadfast to the light freighter Ghost. Acknowledge.” The voice was curt and tentative, all at once. Heavily accented, too. Faro met Hera’s eyes. Hera gave her a single nod and she answered,“Ghost acknowledges, Steadfast. We thought you’d be here already.”The officer on comms ignored Faro’s quip. “Permission has been granted to come aboard,” They said, their Basic showing its limits as they went on with awkward pronunciation. “Once inside, follow the lights to the designated landing pad.”The comm cut out almost immediately after Faro gave confirmation, leaving the two of them exchanging another, slightly more concerned glance. “They’re always that brusque, for what it’s worth,” Faro said, “Especially if they don’t know you.”“Uh huh,” Hera said, crossing her arms and looking out at the gleaming black-hulled ship. “That’s really reassuring.” She didn’t sound reassured, and she was certain Faro knew it. “I’m guessing I should also power down our weapons.”“Probably,” Faro agreed. “Can I—”“I’ll do it.”Faro held her hands up and away from the co-pilot’s console. They had been travelling together for weeks now and Faro hadn’t been allowed to run so much as a diagnostic while they were in hyperspace. There were rules about handling her ship. While she’d allowed a great many people to work on (and even pilot) her ship in the past, the Ghost was Hera’s baby. Her home, her refuge, hers.The former Imperial seemed to understand because she hadn’t put up a fuss. The weapons stations scattered around the ship were the only place she’d be allowed to take action, and only in the event of a crisis.Stuck in hyperspace for long stretches at a time made Hera regret that she hadn’t brought Chopper along. Her murderous, cranky astromech droid would be able to handle anything she’d asked of him, like babysitting Faro or watching over the ship while she and Faro went aboard the Chiss one.Hera deactivated the weapons systems one by one, her eyes drawn to the sturdy hull and heavy implacements on the Chiss vessel. It wasn’t quite as big as a star destroyer, but it was big enough to blow them away if it wanted to. They approached at a good clip, slowing to an appropriate cruising speed as they came in close range. Hera dipped the bow and sent them angling down to the Steadfast’s underbelly, sensors running a full sweep to detect any possible deception.None came. As they watched, the hangar’s opening unfurled from the ship’s hull, revealing a pale blue ray-shield large enough for her to guide the Ghost through. With the return of gravity she shifted power to repulsors, her eyes instantly drawn to the tracks of green light laid into the deck, leading her to a hex-shaped landing pad that pulsed faintly with light.She set the ship down beside a sleek black shuttle and set power to standby instead of completely powering down. Beside her, Faro watched, a slightly grim look on her face. It only lasted a second before she nodded in what Hera suspected was satisfaction. Apparently they both had some reservations. "If I say we're going," Hera began."Then we're going, Faro agreed.Still, Hera lingered behind Faro as they left the cockpit and headed down to the ramp. The woman had rather pointedly left the doors open to her borrowed cabin, her rucksack still unpacked, its paltry contents left on the bed.The only thing that she suspected Faro would want to bring — their only potential bargaining chip — was the personal holoprojector, which had been tucked into the pocket of Hera’s orange and brown jumpsuit for safekeeping. After their last chat, Faro had (albeit reluctantly) given her the device. Hera had only looked through most of it. There hadn’t been much, really, but Hera knew that evil or not, people were still people. It was still odd to include someone like Thrawn in all that, with all that he’d done.Faro waited for her at the top of the ramp, her earlier advice about the Chiss coming to mind. That had been their last conversation during their wait in the asteroid field. Respect, but pride. A unified front. They couldn’t show fear or weakness.Not that Hera was planning to. If this was a lead that would help her find Ezra, she’d do whatever it took to see it through.Side by side, they strode down the ramp and into the dimly lit but very active hangar.There were Chiss everywhere. Hera had expected it, but she was still caught off guard by the glowing eyes. The blue-toned skin was nothing, though now that she had seen more than a single Chiss it was apparent that the color of Thrawn’s skin — a reedy blue — was only one shade Chiss came in. The beings mulling about the hangar, and the group of weapon-toting Chiss on approach, were a myriad of blue colors. Some pale like blue milk, though they seemed to be slightly older, their hair like that of a human’s, streaked with gray, while others were almost ultramarine or indigo, their sink a bright, radiant blue that contrasted their eyes with a sort of artistry that almost made Hera snort from the sheer irony of it.If Faro was surprised, she hid it well. Like Hera, she had come out unarmed, her hands at her sides, and waited for the group of warriors to approach. They were checked for concealed weapons by officers who spoke some Sy Bisti but no Basic at all.When they were satisfied, the group parted.Further back, a single human stood alone; Pale-skinned and yellow-white haired with ice-blue eyes, wearing the same Chiss military uniform as the rest. There was no chance in hell that this man was Eli Vanto.That said,  judging by Faro’s clenched fists, the instant souring of her expression, she knew him. 
“Faro.”“I’m sorry,” Faro muttered to her as the Chiss finished patting down her legs. “This is about to be less than pleasant.”
“Danger?”
“I don’t know,” She fired back, taking care to keep her voice low.The man’s expression went from mild to dour in a heartbeat. “Oh, stop,” He said, his tone the haughty Imperial kind, meant to rankle. “No one forced you aboard and you can leave whenever you’d like.” He turned his head to the side and spoke in an oddly concussive-sounding language. His posture shifted to something self-important as he received a reply, then barked out what Hera could only presume was another order.Satisfied, he waved a hand and the Chiss around them stepped back. “Commodore Karyn Faro,” He said, studying her jacket. “You joined the Rebellion.”“Assistant Director Ronan,” She acknowledged, her voice deadpan. “Somehow you’re not dead.”“Thrawn was kind enough to offer me a career change before your people blew Director Krennic’s hard work to bits.” His eyes shifted to Hera with reproach, then back to Faro again.Hera froze, her mind working.Director Krennic’s project.Stardust.
  The Death Star.
This man was—Faro’s hand clamped around her arm. “Wait,” She hissed. Louder, she called out, “You’ll be pleased to know that the Empire used Krennic’s own project to blow him to bits.”“Yes,” The man muttered, “I heard. Hang them all. I heard Palpatine got himself blown up on a half-constructed second one.”“Thankfully.”He snorted. “Good riddance.” Again, his gaze drifted to Hera. “General Hera Syndulla,” He acknowledged, without the snobbery or Imperial haughtiness he’d displayed seconds earlier. This level of formality was almost Imperial, but different. “Welcome aboard the Steadfast.” He flicked his gaze to Faro, studying her jacket. “And you: You’re a commander?”“I was,” Faro said. “I’m retired. We both are.”“And I’m a grollock,” He quipped, sniffing delicately. “I doubt Commander Faro’s told you anything about me,” He said, taking three short strides closer to them. “My name is <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON>, former Deputy Director of the Stardust Project for the Galactic Empire, now serving the Chiss Ascendancy.”Hera wrapped her hand around Faro’s over her arm. “Did you know?” She growled at the human, her grip no doubt painful.“No,” Faro said. “I swear.” She looked at Hera, her dark brown eyes sharp and focused. She seemed just as caught off-guard as Hera was, but for different reasons, but began whispering an explanation. “He was on the mission when we ran into Vanto again. Thrawn sent them off to—”“Vanto is occupied at the moment,” Ronan said over Faro’s slightly manic rambling. “I was asked to greet you since I’m one of a very select few aboard the Steadfast that are comfortably fluent in Basic. If you'll come with me, we’ve set up refreshments and a place for you to rest while you wait for him to finish his business.”
★・・・★
The tension in Syndula’s shoulders almost matched Faro’s own. They sat at a conference table in a briefing room that was dark and cool-toned, not Imperial but far closer to Imperial standard than anything the Rebellion’s massive Mon Cala ships had to offer. Still, the chairs were cushy and whatever beverage they’d been left besides water—some kind of caf adjacent leaf drink, she assumed—smelled both comforting and invigorating, so she had helped herself.She also noted the presence of real food, not anything synthesized or else broken down into nutrient-forward, taste-aft slop. Syndulla had nibbled on a pastry that looked flaky and delicious, but Faro’s stomach was a bit too tumultuous to consider anything solid right now.Getting here had always been step one. Now that they had arrived, the uncertainties weighed upon her. She didn’t even know what kind of governing party the Chiss had. She thought Thrawn had mentioned some type of council, but for now, they’d likely be left with Ar’alani, assuming she was in command of the Steadfast as she had been the last time Faro had seen her.Considering Vanto was still here that was a likely conclusion, but not guaranteed one.“Any day now,” Syndulla murmured with a hint of sarcasm, reaching for the carafe set atop a thermal warmer. The humid, herbal smell wafted out as she poured herself a drink. “I thought they were expecting us,” She said.“Maybe there was a complication,” Faro suggested. After all, there were threats out here that nobody in the New Republic cared about. “But you’re right: I don’t like that they’ve kept us waiting.”Naturally because she’d said it, it was that moment that the door opened. They rose to their feet as two Chiss entered, surveying the room as if expecting their Human and Twi’lek guest had wrecked the place. One stepped to either side of the door and settled into parade rest, their sidearms belted to their hips and clearly visible.Ronan followed after that, but Faro only had eyes for Vanto, bringing up the rear.In that first instant, if she were still Imperial, she would have marched over to meet him, grabbed for his hand or hugged him. She remembered their last meeting; It had been brief, but she had seen the change in him, how he was driven to make it on his own but craved Thrawn’s validation and approval all the same. It had been so long since either of them had had Thrawn for guidance.Those dark, intelligent eyes scanned over them, over her: Surveying, assessing, and Faro couldn’t help but swallow hard under the scrutiny. It was so familiar, despite it being a human gaze and not those sometimes unreadable glowing eyes Thrawn would turn on her.“I have to admit that I’d been hoping you were someone else,'' said Vanto. His lips curled up into the ghost of a smile, “But it’s good to see you, Faro.”They clasped hands. His grip was firm. “D@mn good to see you too, Vanto,” She said, refusing to be more emotional than that. They were both older, a little rougher around the edges. The Galaxy wasn’t a kind place.Ronan spoke up. “Allow me to introduce you to Hera Syndulla.”Faro ignored his introduction. “Syndulla,” She said, taking a respectful step to the side so the Twi’lek could approach, “This is <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON>.” Then, nodding in Syndulla’s direction, she added, “Vanto, this is <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON>.”“I’ve seen your wanted poster,” He said breezily, while Ronan muttered something scathing in the background, “But that was a lifetime ago. Commander Eli Vanto.”“Hera Syndulla,” She repeated, offering him her hand.Their handshake was a bit rigid, more formal than Faro and Vanto’s had been. It was appropriate for two people from rival powers meeting each other for the first time. Faro watched on as the former general appraised him. Vanto let her look. Living with Chiss must have made it easier to bear. They were intense, if the two guards at the door were any indication. Syndulla wasn’t a slouch. Thrawn had found the younger woman to be quite a formidable adversary.If Vanto was as intelligent as Faro remembered, he would feel the same.
★・・・★
They were probably about the same age, Hera supposed, sizing Vanto up. There was a kindness in his eyes, so emotive like most humans, but also tempered. He was a petite man, similar in build to Ezra, medium height and solid but not particularly muscular. He held himself strong and proud, much like the Chiss that stood by the door, but there was something familiar about him that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.Near the door, the other one — Ronan — stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his face pinched and red with irritation. She’d gotten the feeling that he and Faro didn’t see eye to eye, that there was history, bad blood between them. It didn’t last. “Ronan,” Vanto said, tilting his head to regard the other human. “You and the warriors may go. I can take it from here.”“We will be outside, sir,” Said one of the guards in heavily accented Basic. The other nodded their agreement, before they both filed out.Ronan held Vanto’s gaze for a long moment before spinning on his heel and blustering away, his fingers seeming to swipe at an imaginary cape.“Apologies for him,” Vanto said when it was just the three of them. He took a seat and reached for a mug, pouring himself some of the hot drink that had been left for them. “He has his uses, but…”“I don’t know how in the hell Ar’alani didn’t toss him out an airlock,” Faro groused.Vanto hummed quietly, but didn’t offer a true response. Hera noted Faro’s mild concern, but before either of them could comment on his non-response, the man continued. “So,” He said. “You’re looking for Thrawn.”“Yes,” Hera said. “My people and I are looking for someone who disappeared with him—”

“Ezra Bridger,” Vanto interjected.“Yes, Ezra,” She repeated, “But we haven’t had much luck. Chancellor Mon Mothma suggested that Faro’s connections to Thrawn might be helpful to my cause and vice versa.”Vanto leaned back in his seat, thumb and forefinger stroking the stubble on his chin. He lifted his gaze to Faro who added, “Syndulla believes Bridger survived, and you and I both know Thrawn is d@mn-near impossible to kill. We need your help, Vanto.”“If he isn’t here, which he isn’t,” Vanto bit out, gruff, “Then I highly doubt Thrawn survived. Do you have proof to the contrary?”“Well,” Hera began, “Thrawn wasn’t really in control of the situation last time I saw him.” She tried to sound a little less contrite and sarcastic, but judging by Faro’s tense shoulders she probably missed the mark. “Ezra is a Jedi, not a soldier.”“Fair point,” He said, still stroking his chin ever so slowly. “My point is this, General—”“We’re not here on behalf of the New Republic,” She pointed out. Faro nodded in agreement.“I’m aware,” He said. “Vanto, Syndulla has other Jedi friends who have confirmed that Bridger isn’t dead.” Faro was beginning to sound disgruntled.“Good for him,” Vanto said. “Considering the fact that it was his purrgil trick that took the Chimaera into the Chaos,” He paused, taking a brief look between them as if daring them to contradict what he’d heard, “I’d reckon he’s got the best chance of any of them to survive. My point is that you’re going to need to use all those military skills you’ve honed over the years to have a chance at finding them. Even still,” He shook his head. “I don’t think you’ll like what you find.”“Maybe not,” Hera agreed. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”Vanto’s eyes honed in on Faro. “Are you?”“I am.”Vanto studied them, his eyes roving over them, looking for something, but Hera wasn’t sure exactly what that something was. Abruptly, he rose. “Ronan will give you what intel we have. It isn’t much, and like I said, I don’t think you’ll like what you find, assuming you find anything at all.”He strode over to the door and paused. “I wish you warrior’s luck on your journey,” He said, never turning back to face them. The hatch opened.Faro was on her feet before Hera could blink. “That’s it?” She demanded. “This is Thrawn we’re talking about. Thrawn,” She repeated, her throat working as she tried to keep desperation out of her voice. Hera had never seen the Human woman this close to unraveling. “I thought he meant something to you. I thought you’d want to find him.”She was still shaking her head, her shaking fists pressed against the table as Vanto spoke.“We are at war,” Vanto told her. “This is all we can offer. I’m sorry, Karyn.”“Then let me talk to Admiral Ar’alani,” Faro tried. “If you’re at war, wouldn’t finding Thrawn be—”Vanto turned back, his eyes cold and distant. “Ar’alani is dead,” He said, each word slow and enunciated, “And as I said, we are at war. We don’t have the resources to devote to finding Thrawn or assisting you. Data is all we can offer.”Hera had never seen such naked shock on Faro’s face before. She looked aghast. “When?”“Ten years ago,” He told her. He sounded tired. “Not more than a year after Thrawn’s disappearance.”Faro nodded in the way people who were struggling to process did, fast and jerky, without stopping until she next spoke. “Was it them?”Vanto nodded. “Are they the ones you’re at war with?”“They are.” Hera would be demanding an explanation as to who they were later, but she wasn’t about to interrupt. “Look,” Vanto continued, “I can’t drop everything to help you,” He looked between them and that odd sense of familiarity tugged at Hera again, “But if I can help, I will.”Vanto’s shoulders were squared as he turned away, his expression calm in the face of what struck her as a deep sense of loss, of tragedy. She thought of Faro’s defensiveness and the slight weight of the tiny holoprojector in her pocket. She thought of duty, having to finish the mission, no matter what she’d lost in the process.“Vanto.”He turned back to face her.“This belongs to you,” She said, holding out the tiny holoprojector. “Take it.”
★・・・★
Gone was the haughty, unpleasant man that had met them in the Chiss ship’s hangar. While Brierly Ronan would forever be the highest tier sleemo for falling in with Krennic and supporting the Death Star project, Hera was not above accepting the man’s help if it meant finding Ezra.Thankfully it seemed that Ronan took Vanto's orders, so it was actually Vanto rendering aid.  Ronan was business forward and actually helpful, something that seemed to surprise Faro."Take this," Ronan said, handing them a small case with two puck-like devices inside. "They're beacons designed to be used through hyperspace. Once activated," He mimicked twisting the top part of the puck, "It can discreetly use just about any long range comm device to ping location. It's experimental technology but so far the results have been good. Just keep it away from any weapons that require FTL energy."I don't think that'll be an issue," Faro groused, swiping the metal case from him. "All we have are lasers and ion cannons.""Understood." He pulled out a datapad-like device, keying something in before plucking the datastick attached to it out of one of the ports. "This is all the data Vanto wants you to have," He said, holding it out.When Hera reached for it, he held on to his end."This part of the Unknown Regions, the Chaos, is more dangerous than it has ever been," He told her. "Tread carefully and watch your backs.""What's that supposed to mean?" She asked.Ronan looked between Hera and Faro before relinquishing his hold. His voice dropped to a whisper. "It means that Thrawn wasn't in the Empire just to p@ss off you and your Rebel friends," He said primly. "Faro can tell you about the Grysks. I've already said too much." At his normal volume, he gestured to her ship. "Your ship has been refueled and the techs have updated your maps as Vanto requested. You shouldn't have any issues with jump-by-jump. Don't stop at any of the navigator concourses, and don't mention the Chiss wherever you do stop. People don't like us and we don't like them.""That's reassuring.""It's the truth," Ronan said. "Better that I tell you than you make unnecessary enemies." He paused, tension wrinkling his forehead before he huffed it all out in a single breath. "If you need to get a hold of Vanto but can't, my contact information is on that datastick as well. And if you find Thrawn, contact us. Vanto will come for him.""Yeah," Hera said, her eyes shifting to Faro. "I think that's a given."'
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