#springhawk

Creating logos for Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet Ships. Springhawk and Grayshrike are now joining Vigilant.

Samakro: But never to a friend's house, huh?

KHARILL!!

Zahn made a big deal about this flaw in Thrawn's plan and dangled the whole theme of sacrifices for the greater good over our head, then undermined all of that when Thrawn came up with another miracle solution. I get it. Beating seemingly impossible odds is his thing, and I love that, but could Zahn have switched it up a little?? Just put aside his protagonist bias for one second??? Not only is "Nobody Officer, left out to dry by his family, sacrifices himself not to get glory or prove himself to that family, but to protect every family and the Ascendancy as a whole" a better narrative, but it parallels Thrawn's overall narrative!

The intensity of the battle knowing that any mistake could result in the death of a friend or family member or the destruction of the entire Ascendancy. The heavy silence and Laknym's resolve in the face of Thawn's mistake and Lakinda's suggestion. All of that tension should have led to something great and terrible, but it all dissolved as Zahn had Thrawn pulled a Sky-Walker out of a hat instead giving the climax of that battle the justice it deserved. 

(Side-note, I absolutely loved Che'ri's moment on the bridge. She's awesome, and I hope I see her exploring Third Sight more in Lesser Evil, but still.)

After that, everything felt kind of hollow because it was just, "oh, Thrawn saves the day again, yippee," and the entire thing got swept under the rug. The Families and the Syndicure couldn't have swept it under the rug if someone—if Laknym had died.

Don't get me wrong, I love Laknym. As soon as Zahn suggested he might die, I knew I'd be devastated. He was this little spot of sunshine on the Springhawk, and his death would have hurt, which is precisely why Zahn should have done it. Not to make readers cry, but because it would have been so much more impactful if it did.

Imagine the Xodlak posthumously promoting Laknym and calling him a hero when the Council and/or Syndicure feeds them some lie about his noble death in battle. Imagine the crew of the Springhawk, who can't say a word, mourning together and watching in silent disgust as the Xodlak family glows for something Laknym didn't even do for them.

Imagine Thrawn coming face to face with his own failure and shortcomings. Imagine him knowing that his plan led to the death of someone he is responsible for and carrying that weight for the rest of his life, despite the countless lives saved.

Imagine Samakro and the crew also coming to terms with the fact that Thrawn doesn't always win, that some odds really are impossible, but still choosing to protect him and lie for him because he stood by their side and led them as they all lost that day for the greater good of the Ascendancy.