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Samakro didn’t have time for this.
The Springhawk was currently grounded in the farthest north region of this planet—he couldn’t recall the name—a cold and unforgiving wasteland. The hyperdrive had been damaged when the ship had been struck by a small meteor; they were fortunate that the damage wasn't worse. They were also fortunate that this planet was not farther from the Ascendancy than it could have been. However, they were still stuck until the Vigilant, the nearest ship available, could bring the parts needed to make the necessary repairs. Admiral Ar’alani had promised that they were coming to the Springhawk’s aid as quickly as possible, but Samakro knew it could still be hours before they arrived.
In addition to this, Sky-walker Che’ri had come down with some sickness while playing in the snow, because she didn't have a jacket made to withstand this cold climate. Samakro dreaded the jump-by-jumps that would be necessary to return home if Che’ri didn’t recover soon. He definitely wasn’t that concerned for her, though. Caregiver Thalias had said that she would be fine. The sickness was an inconvenience, nothing more. There was nothing to worry about.
Samakro was glad that he hadn’t come down with something too, when Che’ri hit him with a snowball. A snowball. She had snuck aboard the ship and onto the bridge with it in her hand, and pelted him in the back of the head in front of his subordinates. He had definitely not screeched as the cold liquid melted and slipped under his collar. No one but Che’ri had laughed outright, but Samakro knew that they were snickering to themselves as he stormed off the bridge to change his uniform.
Samakro was shaken from his musings by the door to the bridge opening. He turned to see Thrawn walking towards him.
“A moment if you will, Mid-Captain.” Thrawn tilted his head, indicating for Samakro to follow him off the bridge.
What did Thrawn want this time? There was nothing they could do, for the time being. They were stuck. Samakro followed him out of the bridge.
Thrawn led him outside the ship, into the freezing night. Samakro shivered as the wave of cold hit. "What is it?" He asked impatiently.
Thrawn nodded upward, and Samakro looked up to see bright green, purple and blue lights dancing across the sky.
“Wow.” He blinked a few times, wondering if he was dreaming. No, a particularly bright green flash confirmed that they were indeed real.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Thrawn commented quietly, sounding pleased at Samakro’s awe. “Light particles colliding with gases in this planet’s atmosphere. A completely natural occurrence, uninfluenced by the living.”
Samakro barely heard him. Natural or not, it was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. And possibly ever would see. “It’s— spectacular. It’s like nothing I’ve seen before.”
Thrawn nodded. “In a way it’s a shame that there’s no way to preserve it, but there’s also beauty in the impermanence. To stand here, now, bearing witness to something that few in the Ascendancy ever will. These lights may have danced here since the beginning of this world, and they may continue until the end. They have no concept of politics, war, order; they simply are.”
A flicker of blue gave way to purple swirls, and Samakro’s trance was broken by a small gasp behind him. He turned to see Thalias with Che’ri, who was bundled in a too-large but warm jacket. They were both looking up at the sky.
“What is she doing out here?” Samakro hissed at Thalias. “She is already sick!”
“She will live. We won’t stay out too long, but she may not get another opportunity like this,” Thalias retorted.
Samakro sighed. “Fine.” He turned back to the flickering lights. “For a little while.”