Solasta hurried up the ramp and into the waiting shuttle, "My apologies for making you wait while I ran back to my tent for something," she said while keying the pad to close the door before she stowing her pack and the box that she ran back for, her formal dress uniform. Taking a seat beside Maura and strapping in, she smiled and said, "Ready." Moments later Aric finished the pre-flight checks before take-off and said, "Here we go."
As the shuttle lifted off and began pressing its ascent through the jungle canopy into the Zakuul sky, Solasta shifted in her seat, then shifted again, then again a third time. Noticing the other woman having difficulty with getting comfortable Maura asked, "Nervous?"
Surprised, and a little embarrassed, thinking nobody had seen her, Solasta said, "I guess. Ever since we left Coruscant I've expected to leave this planet in custody and heading to a court-martial for treason," and her eyes widened at the sound of Maura's snort.
"I can assure you, that will not happen," said Maura, stressing the word 'not', "Miriah will probably just hug you. This isn't the Republic; we operate with mutual respect for our common goal. Hell, even our bar fights end with everyone just sleeping it off."
The shuttle slipped into the hyperlane and Solasta relaxed in her seat, closing her eyes, to consider this odd but necessary arrangement with the Empire.
After several hours, and a number of hyperlane changes to be sure they weren't being followed, Aric plotted a course to Odessan and the ship settled in for its final leg of their trip. Standing and stretching before heading to the refresher, Solasta passed Maura who was in the small galley. "Want a caffa?" Maura asked.
"No thanks," said Solasta as she lingered in the doorway, "So, everyone just gets along, or what? They ignore each other to get the job done?"
"Pretty much, we don't even have detention cells," answered Maura as she searched the cupboards for something. Solasta frowned at the thought of this and continued to the refresher at the aft of the ship.
Maura returned to the cockpit carrying two caffa's and seeing Aric studying a display intently kissed him on the forehead as she put his drink down on the console beside him. "Solasta still seems to be working all this out," Maura said softly. This got Aric's attention and he looked at Maura, "This is a lot to take in for someone who's served the Republic their entire life. We at least had the opportunity go civilian first," and with a tone of confidence he said, "She's Havoc, she'll come around."
When Solasta returned to her seat she pulled out her data pad and got to work on a training regime for the exiles, a mini boot camp of sorts for the Zakuul citizens that would need to be transformed into soldiers in the coming weeks. Once they were ready she planned for Major Kanner to instruct on communications, Lieutenant Xaban on arms and marksmanship, Lieutenant Torg on demolitions, and Solasta would instruct hand-to-hand combat. Hours passed as they traveled and she worked until Maura said, "We're here. There's Odessan Solasta," as they approached a planet covered with wide blue oceans and land masses rich with lush looking green forests.
Aric set down inside the hanger that was carved into the rock face of a large plateau, and they collected their gear to head outside the ship. Stopping at the bottom of the ramp Solasta looked around in wonder when her eyes caught a small creature in the rafters dart behind a pillar and thought, "Did I just see a rakling?" Turning quickly to face Maura she reached out to touch the other woman's arm and asked, "Is there someplace I can cleanup and make myself look a little more presentable before meeting the Commander?"
"Of course," said Maura, leading Solasta through the Base to a room over the cantina while Aric headed to the War Room. "Present to the secure elevators in one hour," said Maura, and Solasta thanked her before walking through the door into her room.
Inside, her quarters were a small windowless space that had room for a refresher, locker, and a bed. Dropping her pack, she hopped in the refresher to wash quickly and was relieved to find the shower dispensed hot fresh water that didn't have a slight jungle and algae odour to it. Stepping out she dried quickly, brushed her hair back neatly, and clipped it into place with a gold barrette. Grabbing her pack and sitting on the bed, Solasta thought "An actual mattress, I'm in heaven." Cathar, being descended from felines were extremely resilient to sleeping on almost any surface or in any position, but still humanoid enough that the months of sleeping on a military cot had become uncomfortable.
One last look in the mirror that hung on the back of her door and Solasta was satisfied that everything was buttoned, or arranged properly, on her uniform before she made her way to the secured elevators to meet the Alliance Commander.
As she was being escorted into the War Room by a young Imperial Corporal she had to keep reminding herself that he, and the many Imperial Soldiers that they passed were allies, despite her instincts to start a fight. The young soldier led her to a large holo conference table inside the War Room and said, "Please wait here Colonel," before turning to walk to his station where he sat and began to work.
Solasta was impressed and became a little excited at the thought of meeting the Alliance Commander. She knew that Maura and Commander Miriah were sisters, and decided she should expect a tall and strong warrior who would have easily killed Valkorian while at the heart of the Eternal Fleet. If this Commander she was able to bring together both the Republic and Empire together and unite them under a singular cause of stopping Arcann, she must carry herself with a refinement and diplomacy that would put any of the Republic Senators on Coruscant to shame.
Hearing the secured elevator arrive Solasta stepped to the center of the room and stood to attention as Miriah entered with Maura and Aric.
Although Solasta's eye's remained forward, in her peripheral vision she could see that nobody else in the room had broken from what they were doing to stand and acknowledge the Alliance Commander, in fact most simply glanced at the petite woman whose long black hair seemed to blend perfectly into the military tunic that she wore with an elegance. When Miriah approached, Solasta saluted sharply but Miriah smiled and extended hand to Solasta, saying, "Colonel Dinn, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Solasta relaxed her shoulders and hesitantly broke her salute before slowly reaching to grip Miriah's outstretched hand to shake it, but Miriah pulled her into a firm hug instead. When they parted, Solasta could feel the wide smile across her face and said, "Maura told me you'd do that, and it's a distinct pleasure to meet you as well Commander," and canting her head forward she said, "Zrtravejt ah shyah Rai [The sun rises upon you]."
They chatted for several minutes and it was agreed that Maura and Aric would give Solasta a tour before they would all meet for dinner. As they turned to walk to the elevator Solasta was a little awestruck that Miriah had in fact been all that she had thought she would be muttered, "Dka... [Small...]," under her breath. Hearing Aric's snicker she hoped he was either the only one to hear her comment with his Cathar ears, or possibly the only other person who understood the word she spoke.
Solasta didn't know why, but she felt inexplicably comfortable with these people and at peace with herself as they toured the Alliance Base. The frustration, impatience, and anger that always seemed to be present just beneath the surface had melted away, and it seemed like for the first time in many years she simply felt content.
