Chapter Text
"There is no such thing as luck or fate. Both are concepts that weak-minded beings dredge up from uncertainty and cling to whenever there is no current logical explanation for a specific circumstance. But there always is a perfectly logical reason, it might simply be difficult to uncover - history alone proves that. Identifying and examining these instances is sometimes trying and might even seem futile, but the results are just as valuable as they are challenging to compile.
For if one is able to see rationality and connection where others cannot, that information can easily be turned to devastating advantage.
Commander Vanto has proven to have an aptitude for seeing patterns that others do not. And not only is he capable of doing so – he is also willing to look for these patterns in the first place. For that particularly, he has earned my respect. Even quite some officers of the Chiss would pale in comparison to his skill and willingness to see – but of course, they as well as large numbers of my Imperial colleagues have always been extremely short-sighted and lack the vision of how to gather and wield such information.
The Jedi believed in fate – they call it the Force.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to glean much information about their religion. The topic is forbidden and hence research material is exceedingly sparse and troublesome to obtain for study.
I deeply regret not having asked General Skywalker about his principles and views on the matter, but there were more pressing issues to deal with at the time. Inquiring Lord Vader on the other hand would be severely ill-advised. Also, he no longer is a Jedi and the little I was able to learn about the Sith indicates they view the Force significantly more practical.
Decades ago, Maris Ferasi shared with me her opinions about the cult, but she herself neither was nor knew a Jedi personally and thus her insight was highly limited. Additionally, her positive perception was most likely distorted by media representation and what the Order wanted the public eye to see.
My personal experience with Jedi from that time on the other hand is quite disappointing and unpleasant.
Apparently, not only can the Jedi draw on the Force as a source for precognition - similar to the Third Sight of the ozyly-esehembo - and for some measure of telepathy and telekinesis, but they seem to believe the Force influences coincidence and chance.
That in itself is bizarre, especially considering they were wiped out almost completely – if it were true, would they not have benefitted from it?
I have found out that the Jedi even seemed to consider some events and specific courses of action fated: inevitable and unalterable in time as well as space.
That is of course ridiculous.
I have read about prophecies being made but unfortunately could not yet see one for myself. Naturally, if one gathers enough information and insight about a situation and all factors involved, one may make a reasonable prediction. I myself am working to perfect that art that allows me to win battles even before I meet my opponent on the battlefield.
However, there can only ever be an educated guess about the likelihood of specific occurrences, never absolute certainty. There is always a gamble and a risk of being mistaken and subsequent failure.
Therefore, one must never underestimate the importance of probability."
Today, Thrawn almost found himself questioning that certainty. He had been promoted again, and this time his new rank had come with command over an Imperial Star Destroyer.
The ISD Chimaera.
What were the chances?
If he had been a lesser man, he might have resorted to superstition. He might have blamed “fate”. But as it was, such a notion was utterly nonsensical to him. There always was a certain chance of coincidence, as slim as it was.
Nevertheless he found himself in his office later that day, sketching an all too familiar figure. It was unusual for an ISD to be anything but the drab grey colour of durasteel – in fact, it was unheard of – but he didn’t care particularly much. He was well aware by now that he was considered alien or unusual at best and ill-suited or an obscenity at worst iwithin the navy. It hardly mattered anymore.
A distinctive belly art for his ship might intimidate primitive species or individuals into submission without bloodshed.
It might serve as a signature of sorts.
It could serve him well for his opponents to realize just whom they were dealing with – he had made a name for himself, after all.
Thrawn tried very hard to ignore the nagging part of his conscience that told him those reasons where not why he had chosen this particular design.
