On Nirauan there's always something more than meets the eye.
Thrawn, as usual, thinking ahead and the return of Master Sergeant Smack and a small and homicidal hyperdrive theory specialist from the prompt WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP.
There is a saying, possibly everywhere in the galaxy, that the past is a closed door. You can't revisit it, nor reopen it to argue with what's on the other side. To extend the metaphor, the door is securely set into the walls of time, the structure of space and time and the places between them. Thrawn has experts in many subjects at his fingertips on Nirauan, among them young and brilliant hyperdive specialists amongst whom no theory is too wild to consider.
However, because the specialists are awkward when out of their element, Thrawn has forgone the normal reports in favor of eating a meal in the marines' cafeteria to receive updates from the individual specialists. The food is Chiss and plentiful, and the post-meeting conversations between high-flying young theoretician Dira Lithali and the firmly grounded, mission-oriented Master Chief Pras'mac'kas are interesting.
"-but traveling in space-time also means that at some point you could choose to go backward rather than forward-"
How she attached herself firmly to Master Chief Pras'mac'kas is a matter of puzzlement. She is not in need of protection, the cause and instigator of her trauma having been removed. However she is prone to giving layperson Chiss explanations for the ongoing research that are more understandable than the reports.
"-or you could even exit the timeline entirely and enter another universe's timeline-"
If Eli were a lothcat, his ears would be at full alert and with his attention diverted Thrawn steals some of his fried tubers. Eli's polymath talents do not simply encompass data sciences and encryption, but theoretical mathematics and physics. As Karyn Faro says, Eli is now a Prime Nerd Node.
"Alitha, that's… not possible. Surely. Someone would have done it by now." Smack protests, using the Chissed version of Dira Lithalis' name. "And this is one there's no possible way to test out either for traveling in time or for other realities."
"Well, there's no way in the here/now to measure it since we're living in it. Even if we're a derived or alternate timeline, it would seem to us that this is the way things have always been." Alitha is all but bouncing - as any of the specialists do when holding forth on their vocations. "You could go back in time, uncover some of the greatest archaeological mysteries, map the rise and fall of civilizations, or even witness the beginning of the universe!"
"But why not go forward in time and find out what will happen, then come back and prepare for it?" Sergeants are endlessly practical, even when infamously moon-eyed over tiny and homicidal human hyperdrive theory specialists. "Or even find ways to make sure that things go the right way?"
"Because the future isn't a certainly, not even one nanosecond the the next - there are just too many variables to get an answer." Eli interjects and Thrawn knows he's lost him for the day. "It's not just your personal timeline, but the timelines of everyone and everything around you."
"The future is always in motion," adds Bridger. "That's what the Jedi say."
Smack flaps a hand, waving away the Force. "Alitha, all these things are theory, but if you could go back in time and defuse one event-"
"That would simply create an alternate timeline - another universe - that splits off from that moment and then you'd live that timeline as your reality," Dira Lithalis explains. "Nothing would actually change. The event happened in one timeline, but not in the one you'd create."
"Then what good is any of this, Alitha? Other than to be on the lookout for anyone coming in and trying to meddle?" Smack pauses, considering that. "That's practical, if you can figure out what you're looking for."
"Theories are always good for something eventually, if not right this moment." The specialist gathers her tray and cup. "The hyperdrive tracker and comm system started as theories before I was born."
They did, and have come to fruition - the prototypes are being tested now. Thrawn is pleased with their progress. It will give them a distinct advantage over their enemies.
"All right, but that's a practical theory from the outset." Smack argues. "You have to sort out the potentially practicable from the currently impracticable, Alitha."
Humans, among their other chaotic delights, like to fling grenades. Having spent the better part of his life with them and being espoused to one, Thrawn knows this better than anyone currently in the room. In his decades, he's learned to spot the warning signs. The master sergeant of his phalanx is in for a wild, wild ride.
The pin is pulled. "Pras'mac'kas, I already have a set of criteria for that."
"And that is?" He doesn't even see it coming since it's landing in a Chiss blind spot.
She rests a hand that can easily kill and has on Smack's cheek with the gentleness of a feather and throws the grenade. "I would not wish to create an alternate timeline unless I could be sure you'd be in it."
With that, she gives Thrawn a stiffening to attention, then takes her tray and cup to the recycler and leaves. Grenade and then run. Thrawn looks at Eli, his lips twitching, and Eli looks back, all wide eyes under the silvering fringe of his hair.
"Well, I advised her to be direct," he drawls.
"I think she broke him." Thrawn protests, as Smack just sits there and blinks.
"Negative, sir. He's just been knocked offline. He'll reboot in a moment." Eli chuckles - possibly knowingly. After all, he's done the same to Thrawn.
Smack does indeed reboot and looks to Thrawn.
"Dismissed, Master Sergeant." Thrawn nods.
The breeze generated by the man's departure flutters the banners on the walls. He catches up with the small grenade-flinger at the door, his hand falling to her waist. "Dira'lith'ali…"
The past - at least for now - is still a closed door. The future is a door yet unknown. The present is going to be very interesting indeed. Thrawn looks at his questis, adding some refinement to his notes. Theory need not have immediate use, but there are several instances where a subtle change…
"Thrawn?"
"Yes, Eli?" He can hear the crossed arms and the raised eyebrow.
"Somewhere in the universe, I hypothesize that there is a big red button and under it is the warning plaque saying 'DO NOT PUSH' and directly under that an addendum that says, 'Mitth'raw'nuruodo, THIS MEANS YOU!'"
"That will indeed be a difficult hypothesis to hammer into a theory, Eli." He's not actually doing anything. This is well beyond his capabilities, but as a strategic possibility-
"The last thing I want to hear is a 'hm' followed by a click."
"Eli, you know I would never push that button-"
Unless he had a backup plan. He is, after all, a tactician. No door is ever truly closed.
