[ Florian, in truth, has no real need to hear from Thrawn that he cares in return. He's seen it, in the trust regarding his people, both in sharing about them and in entrusting them to him should Thrawn disappear. In the way Thrawn reacted to his injury and transformation, in the way he's struggled with him the way that Thrawn would not if he was dismissed or if his words didn't matter. All throughout this, he has never doubted that there is a thread of more than just respect. His motivation in telling Thrawn is to ensure that that caring is understood to be mutual. It is not something he wants left to chance, especially when 'caring' is one of the few things he is exceptionally awful at conveying genuinely.
There are half a dozen people on this ship he would rip apart worlds for. He doubts even half of them know that. And in some ways, he feels that is for the best.
But Thrawn continues. And Florian listens. When Thrawn is done, he breathes in to answer.]
I do think ego is a problem of yours. [ No beating around that bush. ] But I don't think it is at the core of the matter, certainly not the beating heart of it. Merely what keeps the unfortunate engine of your destruction moving. To clarify: the engine but not the pilot.
[ He turns a hand. ]
I think you remained because you looked at the numbers and realized that with what you had gained, the return on your investment was far too low to be of use for your purposes in the time period you'd spent; admitting you had made a mistake was no matter of 'ego' but a loss of resources that could not be regained and thus you sought to find value in them through increased effort. It is, unfortunately, unsurprising in an Empire built as you say, perhaps even part of the design in the 'offer' made to you, a trap of sorts, to gain use of your tactical skills at a limited cost by backloading the greatest value on said return. A trap made for someone like you: someone who cares about his people more than whatever values he holds and is willing to forsake them in order to gain what he needs to protect them.
Except that a machine like that is never made to protect anyone, and it is built only to serve it's master, to only be able to serve it's master. Even at the cost of it's own destruction. It is a stupid animal.
[ He breathes out slowly before making sure he has Thrawn's eyes. ]
I do not think your people, those under your command or those within the Ascendancy, are even close to failed, however. They could have been, given your decisions in your world, but they are not and if you are willing to change your course, could end up in a better position than they once were.
[ A breath in again. ]
I am willing to offer you a trade, Thrawn. And I see this trade as the first step on this new course.
[ He turns a hand towards Thrawn. ]
My deal upon your graduation to use in your people's best interest, determined between the two of us, in exchange for your agreement to remain on board and, barring the uncontrollable, the first deal you earn to be used in replacement. Trust for trust.
Re: text
There are half a dozen people on this ship he would rip apart worlds for. He doubts even half of them know that. And in some ways, he feels that is for the best.
But Thrawn continues. And Florian listens. When Thrawn is done, he breathes in to answer.]
I do think ego is a problem of yours. [ No beating around that bush. ] But I don't think it is at the core of the matter, certainly not the beating heart of it. Merely what keeps the unfortunate engine of your destruction moving. To clarify: the engine but not the pilot.
[ He turns a hand. ]
I think you remained because you looked at the numbers and realized that with what you had gained, the return on your investment was far too low to be of use for your purposes in the time period you'd spent; admitting you had made a mistake was no matter of 'ego' but a loss of resources that could not be regained and thus you sought to find value in them through increased effort. It is, unfortunately, unsurprising in an Empire built as you say, perhaps even part of the design in the 'offer' made to you, a trap of sorts, to gain use of your tactical skills at a limited cost by backloading the greatest value on said return. A trap made for someone like you: someone who cares about his people more than whatever values he holds and is willing to forsake them in order to gain what he needs to protect them.
Except that a machine like that is never made to protect anyone, and it is built only to serve it's master, to only be able to serve it's master. Even at the cost of it's own destruction. It is a stupid animal.
[ He breathes out slowly before making sure he has Thrawn's eyes. ]
I do not think your people, those under your command or those within the Ascendancy, are even close to failed, however. They could have been, given your decisions in your world, but they are not and if you are willing to change your course, could end up in a better position than they once were.
[ A breath in again. ]
I am willing to offer you a trade, Thrawn. And I see this trade as the first step on this new course.
[ He turns a hand towards Thrawn. ]
My deal upon your graduation to use in your people's best interest, determined between the two of us, in exchange for your agreement to remain on board and, barring the uncontrollable, the first deal you earn to be used in replacement. Trust for trust.