Star wars, p.1
Star Wars, page 1
Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or ™ where indicated. All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Del Rey, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
Del Rey is a registered trademark and the Circle colophon is a trademark of Penguin Random House LLC.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Zahn, Timothy, author.
Title: Lesser evil / Timothy Zahn.
Other titles: Star Wars. Thrawn ascendancy. book 3, Lesser evil
Description: New York: Del Rey, [2021] | Series: Star Wars: Thrawn ascendancy; book 3
Identifiers: LCCN 2021039710 (print) | LCCN 2021039711 (ebook) | ISBN 9780593158326 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780593158333 (ebook) | ISBN 9780593496985 (international edition)
Subjects: LCGFT: Novels.
Classification: LCC PS3576.A33 L47 2021 (print) | LCC PS3576.A33 (ebook) | DDC 813/.54—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021039710
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021039711
Ebook ISBN 9780593158333
randomhousebooks.com
Book design by Elizabeth A. D. Eno, adapted for ebook
Cover art and design: Sarofsky
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
The Star Wars Novels Timeline
Dramatis Personae
Epigraph
Introduction
Prologue
Chapter One
Memories I
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Memories II
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Memories III
Chapter Six
Memories IV
Chapter Seven
Memories V
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Memories VI
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Memories VII
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Memories VIII
Chapter Fourteen
Memories IX
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Memories X
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Memories XI
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Memories XII
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Epilogue
Dedication
Star Wars Books by Timothy Zahn
About the Author
SENIOR CAPTAIN THRAWN | Mitth’raw’nuruodo—Trial-born
ADMIRAL AR’ALANI
THALIAS | Mitth’ali’astov—Trial-born
PATRIARCH THURFIAN | Mitth’urf’ianico—blood
MID CAPTAIN SAMAKRO | Ufsa’mak’ro—merit adoptive
SENIOR CAPTAIN ZIINDA | Irizi’in’daro—Trial-born
SUPREME GENERAL BA’KIF
CHE’RI—SKY-WALKER
THE MAGYS
SYNDIC THRASS | Mitth’ras’safis—cousin
CAPTAIN ROSCU | Clarr’os’culry—blood
PATRIACH LAMIOV | Stybla’mi’ovodo—blood
QILORI OF UANDUALON—Pathfinder navigator (non-Chiss)
GENERALIRIUS NAKIRRE—ruler of the Kilji Illumine
JIXTUS—Grysk
Nine Ruling Families
UFSA
IRIZI
DASKLO
CLARR
CHAF
PLIKH
BOADIL
MITTH
OBBIC
Chiss Family Ranks
BLOOD
COUSIN
RANKING DISTANT
TRIAL-BORN
MERIT ADOPTIVE
Political Hierarchy
PATRIARCH—head of the family
SPEAKER—head of the family’s delegation to the Syndicure
SYNDIC PRIME—head syndic
SYNDIC—member of the Syndicure, the main governmental body
PATRIEL—handles family affairs on a planetary scale
COUNCILOR—handles family affairs at the local level
ARISTOCRA—mid-level member of one of the Nine Ruling Families
Military Ranks
SUPREME ADMIRAL
SUPREME GENERAL
FLEET ADMIRAL
SENIOR GENERAL
ADMIRAL
GENERAL
MID ADMIRAL
MID GENERAL
COMMODORE
SENIOR CAPTAIN
MID CAPTAIN
JUNIOR CAPTAIN
SENIOR COMMANDER
MID COMMANDER
JUNIOR COMMANDER
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
LIEUTENANT
SENIOR WARRIOR
MID WARRIOR
JUNIOR WARRIOR
A long time ago, beyond a galaxy far, far away….
For thousands of years, it has been an island of calm within the Chaos. It is a center of power, a model of stability, and a beacon of integrity. The Nine Ruling Families guard it from within; the Expansionary Defense Fleet guards it from without. Its neighbors are left in peace, its enemies are left in ruin. It is light and culture and glory.
It is the Chiss Ascendancy.
“Prepare for breakout.” Senior Captain Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s voice echoed across the Springhawk’s bridge. “All officers and warriors stand prepared. We’re not here to start trouble, but I intend to be ready for it.”
First Officer Mid Captain Ufsa’mak’ro scowled to himself. Of course Senior Captain Thrawn didn’t plan to start trouble. He never did. Yet somehow trouble always seemed to happen.
If that pattern was determined to continue, it couldn’t have picked a better spot for it.
Bad enough that Zyzek was an alien system. Worse that Chiss records had nothing about it beyond its location and that it was a trading center for several of the small nations to the east and southeast of the Chiss Ascendancy. Even worse that Thrawn believed this to be the system where Captain Fsir and his fellow Watith had been recruited to launch their ambush attack on his ship.
Worst of all that no one else knew the Springhawk was here.
They should have gone straight back to the Ascendancy. They should have left the planet Hoxim and the skirmish Samakro had privately dubbed the Battle of the Three Families and headed back to Csilla for repairs, debriefing, and what was likely to be a memorable job of sweeping the whole mess out the door. All the other Chiss warships, the ones crewed exclusively by members of the Xodlak, Erighal, and Pommrio families, had done exactly that, making the slow jump-by-jump back home while their commanders no doubt struggled to write all this up in their logs.
But not the Springhawk. The hours Thrawn had spent studying the Watith freighter before its destruction had somehow convinced him that Zyzek was where Fsir had come from. From there, it was only a small leap of tactical logic to swinging by that system on their way home and taking a look.
Samakro understood the strategy. On one level, he even agreed with it. The Springhawk had Sky-walker Che’ri to speed it on its way through the twisting hyperspace pathways of the Chaos, while any observer who’d been lurking around to report on the battle would have some lesser navigator or none at all. The fact that Thrawn could get to Zyzek ahead of that news could be a major advantage in information gathering.
But that was one small plus, and it was piled on top of a whole stack of minuses.
“Breakout: Three, two, one.”
The star-flares collapsed into stars, and the Springhawk had arrived.
“Full scan,” Thrawn ordered. “Pay special attention to the ships in the various orbits. I’ll want as complete a catalog of ship types as possible, along with where in the orbital stack they are.”
“Yes, Senior Captain,” Mid Commander Elod’al’vumic acknowledged from the sensor station.
“Kharill, assist her with the cataloging,” Thrawn added.
“Yes, sir.” The voice of Senior Commander Plikh’ar’illmorf came over the speaker from secondary command. “Dalvu, mark which sectors you want us to handle from here.”
“Yes, Senior Commander,” Dalvu said. “Marking them now.”
“Watch for movement, either inward as an attempt to hide from us or outward in an attempt to flee,” Thrawn said. “We’re here to see if we can create a reaction.” He nodded toward the helm. “Azmordi, start moving us inward. Sky-walker Che’ri, stand ready in case we need to leave quickly.”
“Yes, sir,” Lieutenant Commander Tumaz’mor’diamir said from the helm.
“Yes, Senior Captain,” Sky-walker Che’ri’s caregiver Mitth’ali’astov echoed.
Samakro let his eyes sweep slowly across the bridge. Dalvu, Kharill, Azmordi. Officers he’d served with a long time, dating back to when he’d commanded the Springhawk and continuing through Thrawn’s current tenure as captain. He knew them and their abilities and trusted them with his life.
Thalias, on the other hand…
He focused on the caregiver as she turned back to the viewport, her hand resting reassuringly on Che’ri’s shoulder. Thalias was still far too much of a mystery to him, with uncertainties and doubts swirling around her.
Worse, from Samakro’s point of view, she carried the stench of family politics. Syndic Mitth’urf’ianico had done some fancy maneuvering in order to get her aboard the Springhawk, and Samakro still didn’t know what Thurfian’s game was.
But he would find out. He’d already planted the seeds, feeding Thalias a story and conspiracy theory that painted Thrawn in a bad light, a story he knew she would eventually spill to Thurfian or possibly to someone else. When she did—when she betrayed that confidence—he would finally have proof that she was a spy sent to destroy or at least damage the Springhawk’s commander. Then, maybe, he’d be able to convince Thrawn to get her off his ship.
Until then, all Samakro could do was watch her and guard as best he could against any mischief she might make.
We’re here to create a reaction. Unfortunately, Samakro had seen the kind of reaction Thrawn’s unexpected appearances tended to spark. Especially in potentially hostile territory and moving among large numbers of probably unfriendly ships.
But Thrawn was the Springhawk’s commander, and he’d given an order. Samakro’s job was to do everything in his power to carry it out.
And if part of his duty was to defend his ship to the death…well, he was prepared to do that, too.
* * *
—
“Conquest.”
Generalirius Nakirre gazed out the viewport of the Kilji war cruiser Whetstone at the dozens of trading ships orbiting the planet Zyzek. “Conquest.”
“An interesting concept, is it not?” the being known as Jixtus suggested.
Nakirre eyed his guest. It was unsettling having to deal with a being whose garments of robe, hood, gloves, and veil wrapped him in total concealment.
Especially given that such complete anonymity gave him a serious negotiating advantage over Nakirre and his Kilji vassals. Once Jixtus learned how to read the emotional responses reflected in the patterns of ripples and stretches that moved through the dark-orange Kilji skin, he would gain insight that went far deeper than Nakirre’s words.
But Nakirre had agreed to travel here with the alien, and the Kilji Overlords had affirmed his decision, and so here they were.
And truth be told, Jixtus did have some intriguing ideas on how the future of the Kilji Illumine could be shaped.
“People who would otherwise ignore the wisdom and guidance of the Kiljis would be encouraged to listen,” Jixtus continued. “People who would otherwise scorn and scoff at your philosophy could be silenced or sent where their rantings would not disturb or disrupt.”
“It would allow us to bring order,” Nakirre agreed, images of unprecedented stability running through his mind. Conquest.
“Exactly,” Jixtus said. “Order and enlightenment to billions who currently struggle and flail helplessly in darkness. As you well know, encouragement and persuasion—even passionate persuasion—can move a culture only so far. Conquest is the only way to bring Kilji insight to the whole of a region.”
“And you believe these beings are prepared to receive such insight?” Nakirre asked, sweeping his hand across the viewport at the merchant ships floating placidly in their orbits.
“Is there ever a time when enlightenment would not be beneficial?” Jixtus countered. “Whether they realize it or not, whether they accept it or not, the Kilji path is what will ultimately bring them prosperity and contentment. What purpose delay?”
“What purpose, indeed,” Nakirre agreed, gazing at the ships. So many merchants, so many nations, all standing helpless before the might of the Kilji Illumine. Which should he choose first?
“As I promised, we will guide you as to the nations most quickly and easily conquered,” Jixtus continued. “There are representative traders here from each of the four the Grysks feel are the most promising. We’ll speak with them in turn, perhaps sample the goods they’ve brought for sale. You will then—”
“Generalirius?” Vassal Two called from the sensor station. “A new ship has arrived. Unknown configuration.”
Nakirre looked at the visual display. The newcomer was indeed unlike any of the other ships already in orbit. Representatives of some new nation, no doubt, here to join in barter and trade.
Or perhaps not. The design of the craft was not that of a merchant. Its shape, the systematic groupings of bulges along its sides and shoulders, the distinctive sheen of a nyix-alloy hull…
“These are not traders,” he said. “That is a warship. Is it not?” he added, turning to look at Jixtus.
Only to find the Grysk silent and unmoving. The veiled face was turned toward the visual display, the robed figure as still as if the being hidden beneath the robe had turned to stone.
Usually Jixtus had a comment for everything. For once, he didn’t.
“If you’re concerned, you need not be,” Nakirre reassured him. The newcomer was about two-thirds the size of the Whetstone, probably no more than the equivalent of a Kilji picket cruiser, with a comparable ratio of weaponry. Should they choose to initiate combat, he had no doubt the Kiljis would win.
He could only hope they wouldn’t be so foolish. The destruction of their ship would mean those aboard would never hear the Kilji philosophy and thus could never achieve true enlightenment.
“Generalirius, the warship is broadcasting a message,” Vassal Four said. He touched a switch—
“—to all assembled merchants and traders,” a smooth, melodious voice came over the Whetstone’s bridge speaker, the Minnisiat trade language words articulated with clipped precision. “I am Senior Captain Thrawn of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet warship Springhawk. I have news for any Watith who may be present. Are there any of that species to whom I may speak?”
“Are there?” Nakirre asked, looking back at Jixtus.
Jixtus stirred, breaking whatever paralysis had overtaken him. “Are there what?” he asked, his voice odd.
“Are there any Watith?”
Jixtus seemed to gather himself together. “I don’t know. I didn’t notice any of their ships when we arrived, but I also wasn’t looking for them. I suggest we hold here and see if anyone answers him.”
“If no one else stands forth, I will speak with him,” Nakirre declared. “I would learn what news he bears.”
“I would advise against that,” Jixtus warned. “The Chiss are a devious species. He is likely asking that question in the hope of drawing you out into the open.”
“Drawing me out?” Nakirre asked. “How would he even know I’m here?”
“I didn’t mean you specifically, Generalirius,” Jixtus said. “But be assured he’s hunting for information. That’s what this particular Chiss does.”
