QUOTES From OUTbound flight by timothy zhan
"I've known quite a few honorable soldiers," Maris said stiffly. "Besides, I've always had a good feel for people. I think this Mitth'raw-I think the commander can be trusted." She raised her eyebrows. "I don't think trying to con him would be a good idea, either."
"I command these warriors," Thrawn said, climbing into the vac suit with sure, practiced movements. "Part of my duty is to share in their danger."
Maris glanced at Qennto. "Be careful," she said, sounding almost embarrassed.
Thrawn gave her a small smile. "Don't worry," he said.
“...The government is too busy with its own intrigues to bother with little things like life-and-death situations," Maris said, a bitter edge to her voice.
"I see," Thrawn said. "Well. Let us continue our survey, and please inform me if you find anything else from your region of space."
He looked at Maris. "And as we search, perhaps you'll tell me more about these Jedi."
Maris: “May I ask which piece you've chosen?"
"Certainly not," he (Thrawn) admonished her with a smile. "You'll have to deduce that from my description
Can't they shoot between the bubbles?" Maris asked, her voice starting to shake. "There's room there. Can't they blast the hull without hitting the prisoners?"
"Again, not at their distance," Thrawn said. "I'm sorry."
"Then you have to call them back," Maris insisted. "If they keep firing, they'll be killing innocent people."
"Those people are already dead," Thrawn replied, his voice suddenly
harsh.
[...]
"Fire full missile bursts on my command," Thrawn said. His eyes
flicked to Maris-"And instruct the fighters to fire shock nets at the
war vessels' bridge and command sections at the moment of minimum visibility."
She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry I ...well, that I complained about that," she said. "I realize you didn't have any choice."
"Which doesn't necessarily make it easier to accept," Thrawn said. "It is, unfortunately, the sort of decision all warriors must make."
(Maris and Thrawn discuss his decision to attack Vagaari warships)
She pushed down the edges of the patch again; and then, with just a second of hesitation, she leaned over to lie chest-to-chest across his torso, pressing her stomach against the wound. "Go get help," she ordered, wrapping her arms tightly around Thrawn's back to hold herself in place. "Come on-this can't be doing his injuries any good."
(Maris saves Thrawn's life).
Thrass: "Jedi?"
"A class of beings unknown to us," Thrawn told him. "Ferasi has been trying to explain them to me."
Car'das looked at Maris in surprise. He hadn't realized she'd been having private chats with the commander.
She (Maris) took a deep breath. "I admire Commander Thrawn," she said. [...] "He's intelligent and noble, with an artistic sensitivity I haven't seen since I left school." [...] "His artistic sense is coupled with maturity and wisdom. I enjoy spending time talking with him."
Qennto: "So if these meetings are so innocent, why have you been hiding them?"
A muscle in Maris's cheek twitched. "Because I knew you'd react exactly like this."
“And this secrecy was all your idea, huh?"
She hesitated. "Actually, I believe Thrawn suggested it."
"I wanted to ask a favor of you," he said at last. "Whichever ship you choose to return on, I'd ask that you never tell Qennto or Ferasi what happened to Outbound Flight."
“Especially Ferasi?"
"Especially her," Thrawn said, his voice tinged with sadness. "There are all too few idealists in this universe, Car'das. Too few people who strive always to see only the good in others. I wouldn't want to be responsible for crushing even one of them."