The flicker of the new message indicator on the datapad caught Solasta's attention as she listened to the ex-Imperial officer who was in charge of Colonial Security Services. Since the defeat of Vaylin and destruction of the Eternal Throne nearly two months earlier the swell of small communities that appeared around the main base on Odessen needed to be addressed, and the officer in charge was proposing to implement zoning changes and modify the security teams charged with keeping everyone safe. Even though Solasta appeared outwardly attentive and interested in the man's monotone droning, the small green beacon in the edge of her peripheral vision pulsed, beckoned, and had her silently screaming inside her head for the meeting to conclude so she could read the message she had been waiting all day to receive.
Upon accepting Commander Rigg's offer of a promotion to oversee Odessen's security Solasta was given considerable latitude with organizing the Military Forces and Civil Peacekeepers for planetary defenses, Customs for import and export trade, and Immigration Services for the steady flow of galactic citizens that arrived each day.
Her first two duties came naturally to her as a seasoned soldier, however the latter required a full measure of patience that ground against her Cathar nature.
For those who arrived on Odessen's doorstep many were seeking refuge from the ravages of the war that had toiled for so many years. Some simply sought a better life and opportunity in the Eternal Alliance, while others simply hoped to hide a past that often took lengthy coordinated inquiries between the Intel Communities from the Eternal Alliance, Republic, Imperials, or any one of the governments that had sworn a fealty to Commander Miriah, before those who were unwelcome could be weeded out.
Today's briefing had all of Solasta's Sections Heads present to report their department's progress. Additionally, she had representatives from the Intelligence and Naval Branch to report back to Theron and Lana, and Admiral Aygo, respectively. Both liaisons were welcomed at these meetings to broker the flow of information between Branches - as were the people she sent to the other Branch's meetings - since she had no interest in playing the spy game, and knew she had no business or desire to involve herself in Aygo's affairs.
Her team's efforts kept her busy enough - she and Gursan were both happy with the balance they had struck between their new work and home lives.
"...and finally, the small hamlet of farmers and craftsmen that have collected around Arcann will be getting three additional security details to patrol the edges of their properties to make for around-the-clock surveillance. I would like to request one additional team to patrol through the village and ask you reconsider my suggestions for a curfew and property inspections if my officers believe there is probable cause for suspicion."
Solasta's eager anticipation to read her datapad was immediately doused in cold water at this statement. Looking Colonel Boleme in the eyes she deadpanned, "You had better rethink your strategy, Colonel. Commander Riggs was adamant that the settlers in Arcann's community be given a balance of autonomy and security while they adjust to their new lives. They are to be made to feel every part welcome and included on Odessen."
"General, with respect. The man who was hellbent on destroying the galaxy simply does not turn farmer - there is more going on in that village and I intend to expose it before he has a chance to compromise the Alliance."
Solasta was about to speak but was interrupted when her datapad's alarm chimed to let those in the room know it was the top of the hour and their meeting was concluded. Her eyes darted to the pad before she looked around the table and said, "Meeting adjourned. Colonel Boleme, if you wish to continue our discussion you are welcome to stay behind."
A feeling of relief washed over Solasta as she watched Boleme pucker his face and scowl while he gathered his datapad and flexiplast sheets into a pile before carrying them out of her office. Sitting in her chair, she leaned back and forced a sharp chuff sound from herself as she rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumbs.
Oh, Boleme why do you insist on these fanciful theories? You are exceptionally capable and brilliant ninety-nine percent of the time, then every so often open you mouth and let stupid fly out unexpectedly. If Arcann were up to something, the Commander's son would know instantly - and that would be the end of poor Arcann.
Remembering her datapad, she shot upright in her seat and grabbed it from the tabletop like a child greedily grabs at gifts beneath the Life-Day tree. Unlocking the screen she opened her comm's and read.
:begin
Sol - ship is cleared for flight and is being prepped for departure. Confirm your leave for the next four days and we'll leave tomorrow night, instead of tonight. I've been asked to help Devin and Mia move tomorrow.
Love,
Your Kasi'rit
:end
Reclining in her chair again, she closed her eyes and growled low in her throat, disappointed at the change in plans.
Gursan's parents had finally agreed to leave Coruscant to join them on Odessen and move into the apartment that had been assigned to her and Gursan, which meant everything on the ship they had packed into boxes would need to be unpacked again. More than anything, she was looking forward to the time away from duty so she could relax in peace while they traveled through hyperspace, but now that would have to wait another day.
At least I can get the ship in order tomorrow before we pickup La'e s' Ba'e [Mother and Father], she thought.
Asleep on his back, arms and legs spread wide, Gursan snored loudly while Solasta laid wide awake beside him and waited to be sure he was soundly asleep.
Nudging him in the ribs with her elbow, she asked, "Can I load the ammo pack from a E-111 Stealth-X into a J-111 Enforcer?"
Gursan's snoring stopped and he licked his lips twice before murmuring, "No... don't go by the model numbers. Your E-111 is a Saboteur class rifle... only mix your ammo packs with other Saboteurs... like the D-212... Mmmm, now that's a sexy rifle."
Rolling onto his side, his breaths became slow and deep as he drifted back asleep while Solasta clasped her hands over her mouth to stifle the trill of laughter she fought to contain.
Creeping from bed, she picked up her clothes and kissed Gursan's forehead before silently padding out of their quarters. Dressing in the darkness next to the lounge in the common area of the ship, she grabbed her boots and slipped outside before putting them on. Riding her speeder under a full moon she sped from the outdoor shuttle pads where her ship was berthed and noticed the worn earthen speeder path was soon to be reconstructed by the large stacks of molded roadway tiles that dotted the shoulder of the path every few hundred meters.
Parking her speeder, she walked through the large blast doors into the shuttle bay, expecting it to be deserted and quiet. Instead she was met by the sounds of laughter, immediately followed by someone making a shushing sound, echoing in the large empty space of the hangar.
Solasta froze.
She didn't know why she did, but she did.
Focusing herself, she could feel her ears twitching in an effort to identify the sound makers and relaxed once she recognized Miriah and Corso's voices.
Why am I so uptight? What's so odd about me walking the base at a late hour anyway? she thought, and resumed walking in the direction of the hallway that would take her to the large courtyard inside the base.
Rounding the corner past the large power converter that had hidden her presence, Solasta stepped into the open across from the Dreamweaver, Miriah's freighter, and watched as the Riggs' spilled out of the hallway holding hands and laughing.
Crossing the hangar, they met each other part-way across the room and Solasta asked, "Commander, did you need your ship prepped? I was not aware that- "
"Nope, we're good," said Miriah, and they continued past her.
Solasta raised an eyebrow and frowned as she watched them walk into the Dreamweaver and the heavy airlock door cycled behind them. Once she realized what was going on, she could barely contain the grin on her face.
Continuing onto the mess hall she stepped inside and found the entire hall deserted. Looking behind the long row of serving stations Solasta spied one of the night servers, a human female wearing a clean and neatly pressed white kitchen uniform, sitting and reading something on a datapad. As Solasta got closer to the night server, she could see the dark crescents beneath her eyes, betraying the woman's fatigue and making her look many seasons older than she probably was.
"Excuse me, do you have any Gorak?"
Looking up at Solasta the server smiled weakly and said, "I think the chefs have some cleaned but it's hanging uncooked in the coolers. If you don't mind waiting, I can flash-fry some for you."
"No that's fine- I'll take it as-is and cook it myself tomorrow." Grinning and rolling her eyes to add an effect of aloofness she added, "I forgot to get some from the General Stores earlier and we have guests coming over tomorrow."
The night server disappeared into the kitchen and Solasta waited patiently until the woman reappeared with a tightly wrapped bundle in beige waxed butcher's paper.
"Here you go, General Dinn."
"Thank-you... Linet," said Solasta, reading the name tag that hung crooked on the woman's smock.
Carrying her package outside to the benches that lined the stretch of balcony overlooking the great chasm between the base and the grassy field of landing pads on the far side, Solasta picked a seat that was far enough away from the illumination of the lamp posts and waited several minutes to be sure she was alone before unwrapping her Gorak pieces.
Looking around quickly a second time, to be sure she was truly alone, she hefted a piece of the raw breast meat to her mouth and bit into the flesh, letting the raw juices dribble down the sides of her mouth.
Gursan woke in the morning and found Solatsa balled up beside him, the covers on her side kicked to foot of the bed as usual.
Showering and dressing, he checked on her again and noticed that she had stretched out and was sleeping on her side, facing the wall away from him.
"Caffa's made for whenever you get up," he said.
Solasta mumbled something incoherent before half raising a hand and letting it flop back onto the bed beside her.
Gursan was gone most of the day helping Aric, Corso, and Logan move Devin and Mia's belongings to their new house. As he hefted the crates from the grav-sled into their home he noted that the basic arrangement of the housing pods and layout of the houses itself was the same as the one he and Solasta has been assigned - that his parent would be moving into.
Shortly before the dinner hour he returned to the Rai' Enka'ri and found Solasta outside the ship's conference room, standing over a box of clothing that was still being unpacked. Walking up the ramp from the main door he had barely walked three steps into the common room when Solasta lifted her head and looked at him wide-eyed.
"You stink," she said bluntly.
"I've been outside in the sun all day helping Deviin and Mia move, of course I..."
Gursan's words trailed off and he stopped in his tracks as he watched Solasta's pupils dilate. She smacked her lips several times, like she had tasted something unpleasant, before doubling over and vomiting into the box of clothes at her feet.
"Are you okay? What's wrong, Hellcat?" Gursan exclaimed as he ran to her side.
"Wiping the gooey string of spittle the hung from her lip with the back of her hand she said, "I feel better now - my stomach has been upset all day with something I ate last night."
Looking into the box she sighed heavily. "Get the droid to wash these. I can't deal with this today," she mumbled as she wrapped her arms about her stomach and went back to their quarters.
Gursan got them away and safely into the hyperspace lane to Corellia as the ship's steward droid laundered the box of clothes. Solasta showered and laid down in bed, still feeling an uneasy rumbling in her stomach, and quickly fell asleep.
Hours later she woke and found herself in the fetal position, and the only sound to be heard was the soothing thrum of hyper-drive. Her eyes quickly adjusted to her darkened quarters as she stretched her legs out and rolled onto her back to see Gursan sitting up in bed next to her. Beneath his overhead reading lamp he held his datapad and appeared to be deep in concentration at what he read.
"Hey," she murmured.
Looking from his datapad to her, Gursan said, "You've been out for almost five hours. Feeling better?"
"Mhm-hmm."
Gursan switched off his light, slide down on the bed beside her, and no sooner had he got himself settled when Solasta rolled her body over his and straddled him.
In the dark Gursan could see the yellow halo's of her eyes burning brightly. If her slow rythmic purr didn't signal her intentions, the sounds of her claws ripping through his shirt material,and intentional raking of his flesh, certainly did.
