Treason (Star Wars: Thrawn #3)

by Timothy Zahn

“My point, Assistant Director,” Thrawn said quietly, “is that you may hide your contempt for the Emperor from Director Krennic and those hundred people you mention. But you will not be able to hide it from Lord Vader.” A fist seemed to close around Ronan’s heart. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he protested reflexively. “Of course you do,” Thrawn said. “You have three choices. You may return to Director Krennic and hope you can hide your true feelings from Lord Vader. Or you may resign from Stardust and travel as far away from the project as you can.” Ronan grimaced. Only he couldn’t. The mere suggestion that someone at his level wanted to leave would raise warning signals all the way to Wild Space and back. He would be taken in and questioned…and the end result would be the same. Which he had no doubt Thrawn knew perfectly well. “And my third choice?” he asked between stiff lips. “You travel with Admiral Ar’alani to the Chiss Ascendancy.” Ronan felt his mouth drop open. “What? Why in the galaxy would I do that?”