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“I believe you will be of good service to my people,” Thrawn said.
“I’m quite content being your assistant, Admiral. It’s my place.”
“You have a brilliant mind, Eli, it will only go to waste under my command. Amongst the Chiss you will be able to utilize your abilities to their fullest extent.”
Eli blushed at his words. Compliments always made him uncomfortable. Especially from Thrawn.
“But I work well with you, sir. I don’t think I would get along well with your people—no offense.”
Thrawn tilted his head in the way Eli knew meant he was “Why is that, Lieutenant?”
“I thought they typically… react poorly to other species.”
“React poorly?”
“Kill.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Lysatra, sir. We had folk tales about your kind.” Eli looked away, feeling too hot. “Stories of red-eyed and blue-skinned people who abducted children to sacrifice them. I assumed the sacrificial part was exaggerated, but I wasn’t sure of the rest.”
Thrawn snorted. “That is nonsense. We do not sacrifice human children. My people may not be as friendly to other species as the rest of the galaxy is, but they will learn to adjust. They must adjust to survive.”
“I still don’t want to go.”
Thrawn didn’t acknowledge his protest. “I’ve arranged a shuttle for you to depart on in two days. I would advise you pack lightly and speak to no one about this.”
“Thrawn.”
“Eli.”
“I’d get homesick and lonely. I wouldn’t be of any use to them in that state.”
“You survived fine away from Lysatra.”
“That’s not the same.”
“How is it not?”
This time Eli didn’t respond.
“This is the best course of action for you and myself. This is what I want for you,” Thrawn said.
“Do you truly believe that?”
“Yes. I would not suggest it otherwise.”
“Then I’ll go.”