#vaders castle

"That's what I figured."

I try to breathe normally but the closer we get to the doors, the closer I get to simply bolting.

"Kat," the admiral says in a harsh snap. I look at him with wide eyes. "You have two options. Stay nervous and miss things or pull yourself together and represent Lord Vader."

I clear my throat, oddly comforted by his ultimatum. "Which one attracts the least attention?" I ask with a small snicker. Thrawn isn't one to joke, however.

"You are not here to shy away from attention. You are as much an alien to these people as I am. If you are going to flee, do it now."

I glare at him, and his eyes flick to me, revealing nothing. I straighten and purse my lips. "You're trying to tell me you don't want to turn around and claim to have a stomach bug, sir?" His lips waver ever so slightly.

"Every time," he admits.

"You are trying to get me annoyed, aren't you?"

"Your reaction is your own. I am simply trying to advise you."

I let out a little hmph. "I'm the advisor," I say with the same tone as him. Joking isn't as fun with someone so serious.

"You will tell me who people are before they speak to me, and you will tell me what is relevant." If he wants me to do this, we'll do it.

"Of course. You will introduce yourself as Darth Vader's chief of security."

"Don't you think people will find that unbelievable?"

"Yet it is the truth, and Vader's threat to the Second Sister is well known." Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.

"Am I going to be out of place because I'm not military?" I ask while eying his pristine white dress uniform. Honestly, I didn't know anything could be so white.

His lips turn up slightly. "I'm afraid you might not understand: Vader is not an official military person either." I frown. How could I not know that?

"He said he was the commander in chief."

"He is," Thrawn says cooly. "But he does what he wants and doesn't concern himself with the day-to-day running of the branches. His voice is as good as the Emperor's."

"Wait, that would mean..." I trail off.

"That under the right circumstances, an order from you could be seen as an order from our Emperor, yes."

I balk at him, my mouth open and my eyes wide. Boy, would my father be pissed.

He seems to take in my expression.

"I'm simply pointing out that, no, your official standing amidst the military sectors is not in question. Plus, this is not solely military. You will meet many politicians and people who spend time around them." We are almost to the door, so I figure I'm running out of time to ask questions.

"Am I supposed to be sly? Friendly? Stand-offish?"

"The second most powerful person in the galaxy relies on you."

I want to roll my eyes, as that is no answer at all.

"Understood," I mutter. He looks over at me wearing a sly grin and motions for me to enter before him with a slight bow. Is he reveling in my discomfort right now?

"My lady."