Solasta rose from her cot and picking up Gursan's oversized shirt, pulled it over her head until the length of it fell low over her thighs as she crossed her tent to the desk where the holo-com was gently chiming to alert her of an incoming call. Already she could feel the shirt cling to her naked fur in the oppressive heat of the Zakuulan jungle.

Pressing the receive button, she was greeted by the image of her newest Executive Office, "Yes Lieutenant?"

Uldisa hesitated and blushed at the sight of her commanding officer half dressed, "You have a priority message from Odessen, ma'am"

"Thank-you Lieutenant, I'll take it here," said Solasta while she tried to stifle a yawn.

The image in the holo-com flickered and Uldisa's form was replaced by the image of a rather officious looking Imperial soldier in the War Room on Odessen, who could not hide his surprise at the sight of Solasta.

"Colonel Dinn, my apologies for waking you at this hour. The GEMINI Operation has completed with an unexpected outcome, and the Commander has recalled you and your squad to Odessen immediately."

Still half asleep Solasta mumbled, "Understood," before disconnecting and switching back to Uldisa who had been waiting on hold.

"Yes Colonel?"

"Wake the rest of the squad and get our ship ready, we've been recalled to Odessen. Wake Pashna and have him meet me in communications tent in fifteen minutes. I want to be in hyperspace in thirty, understood?" Solasta said.

"Yes ma'am," and the holo-com disconnected.

Solasta quietly dressed in the dark and wondered, what happened during the mission to intercept the Zakuul transport that would require us back on Odessen?

Crossing the compound to meet Pashna, Solasta could hear the camp coming to life in the dark, and the sounds of her ship being prepped for departure far off in the distance. Arriving at the Comm Tent she stepped inside to find Pashna still wearing his nightclothes and intently studying his hands as he wrung them nervously. At Solasta's approach he jumped to his feet and rushed towards her, "What's wrong? Why are you leaving in the middle of the night?"

Solasta gave a slight shrug and said, "I don't know Pashna, all I've been told is Commander Chantalle Riggs has called us to Odessen. I'll contact you once I know more, but until then you're in charge of the camp, understood?"

"Yes, yes, but contact us immediately, okay?" he said with a pleading look in his eyes.

"I promise to call once I know what's going on, now go back to bed Pashna," Solasta said trying to reassure the man, despite sharing his anxiety at this unexpected request.

Pashna pushed back the tent flap and stepped into the dark, and Solasta followed behind him while hooking a headset over her ear with one hand while checking the chrono on the wrist of the other. Pressing the relay to open her microphone she said, "Gear up in five, people," and strode purposefully towards her ship.

As the last of her squad raced up the ramp ahead of her, Solasta watched as the ground crew disconnected the power umbilicals before she walked up the ramp into the ship and closed the doors. Guiding the shuttle up through the atmosphere, the thermals of the conflicting tepid night and morning heat threw the ship around violently until it broke free of Zakuul's sky and made it's first, of many, hyperspace jumps to get to Odessen.

"Everyone may as well get some sleep. We've got a few hours ahead of us," called out Solasta to her crew, and setting the ship on auto-pilot stretched out to rest as well.


Approaching the hangars on Odessen, Solasta marveled at the void the Gravestone's absence created as they flew low and she guided the ship to the berth they had been assigned. Once the ship had settled on its struts she began powering down the engines while calling out, "secure the ship and wait for my update from the briefing."

Walking down the ship's ramp to the hangar deck, Solasta was met by Sarai, the matriarch of the Chantalle clan. Solasta canted her head forward, saying, "Zrtravejt ah shyah Rai, Khoro, [The sun rises upon you, Elder,]" to respectfully greet Sarai. In return, Sarai simply nodded and smiled a respectful close-lipped grin to her. A short distance behind Sarai stood Miriah's youngest, Calypso, who looked less a Kii [child] and more a Merai [young adult] since Solasta visited last, and appeared visibly bored with being in her grandmother's charge.

As the woman walked from the hangar to the War Room they made small chat about what was new on Odessen and how Solasta's new squad were shaping up. Sarai could hear the pride in Solasta's voice as she explained how far the Zakuulan refugees had progressed, and asked, "How has Aric's support with the training gone?"

"Major Jorgan's been a great help, we just wish he had more availability between missions," and leaning slightly towards Sarai as they walked, Solasta lowered her voice to say, "He's a natural teacher, but more than anything I think he just enjoys being in the field and training soldiers again," and both women chuckled as they continued.

Calypso followed behind them with an arm outstretched to let her fingertips lazily drag along the textured rock walls of the base.

Solasta had only spent brief amounts of time with Sarai during her visits to Odessen, but enjoyed being in her company immensely. She couldn't be sure if the overwhelming peace she felt in the presence of Sarai was trick of the Force, or if she simply missed the sagely advice that only time and experience could nourish, that her mother and now Sarai gave her.

Canting their heads to each other as they reached the War Room, Sarai and Calypso continued on through the large room while Solasta approached the large holo-table in the communication section. Opening the recorded message that had been sent by Lana from the Gravestone, Solasta quickly became aware of just how significantly the operation had concluded with an 'unexpected outcome'. There were considerable preparations that now had to be made for the impending attack, and it was anyone's guess on who would strike first.

Solasta contacted her ship and relayed a number of instructions to her squad, including an order to contact Pashna on Zakuul and share the update regarding the GEMINI operation. Keying the code for an encrypted channel she contacted Gursan's ship and waited.

After a few moments the image of Ypomeno appeared and he smiled before saying, "I'll get the Major for you."

As soon as the image of Gursan appeared, Solasta began speaking before he had a chance to say anything, "Gursan, one of the Alliance's advanced droids has gone rogue and there's a risk of an attack here. Can you and your squad start making your way here... just in case?"

"Consider us inbound, Hellcat. We'll send our ETA once we've recalculated our course. I'll see you soon," and they both lingered a moment to look at each other, before Gursan disconnected.

Hearing the sound of giggling from behind her, Solasta turned to see Calypso sitting in one of the high-back chairs at the communication terminals that ran along the wall next to the holo-table.

"Is that your boyfriend?" Calypso asked.

Solasta's eyes widened and defiantly she said, "That is not my boyfriend. Why would ask such a thing?"

Still giggling Calypso said, "You were making the same face Uncle Aric makes when he looks at Aunt Maura," and Calypso pursed her lips while mimicking the same slow eye blink that cathars make to show affection to each other.

Solasta canted her head down and sideways, embarrassed, when she realized that Calypso was right.

"He's just an old friend."


Sitting in a conference room Solasta reviewed the base's inventory using the multiple datapads that were spread out on the table, while Calypso dutifully documented where she said the supplies or resources needed to be directed to fortify the many bunkers that had been constructed into the base. Occasionally, Caly asked questions about why Solasta moved certain resources to certain locations, and Solasta patiently explained her reasoning and strategy for the decisions. The planning that she assumed the Jorgan's, Lana, and Theron had prepared was complete in all aspects, except for a few items that need updating based on changes to the base itself since their initial plans has been created.

At mid-day Lieutenant Uldisa appeared and asked Solasta if she wanted a tray from the mess hall, and looking at Calypso, Solasta asked, "Well, should we stop and have our lunch in the mess, or should we eat while we work?"

Calypso sat forward in her chair excitedly and had just opened her mouth to speak when Sarai's voice interrupted, "I'm sure Caly has detained your work long enough, Colonel."

"Nonsense, Master Chantalle. Miss Calypso has been invaluable with vetting my plans," said Solasta as she winked at Caly.

A soft smile formed over Sarai's serene expression, "I see. Well, if she should become a distraction to you, please send her to my apartment."

"Of course," and Solasta canted her head. Watching Sarai leave the room, Uldisa asked, "Should I bring two trays then, ma'am?"

"Please," said Solasta as she closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair.

Imitating Solasta, Calypso stretched out in her chair but stared up at the ceiling of roughly hewn rock instead. They were both silent for a few minutes before Calypso spoke, "Are your parents and family somewhere safe?"

"My parents died many years ago and I didn't know any of my family," said Solasta, not moving.

"Me too."

Solasta opened her eyes and looked at Calypso, "Your father was only hurt and should be healed by time your parents return, they're alive and will be home soon."

"No, my real parents died when I was a baby. I was adopted by my Mom and Dad after they found me on Oricon," said Calypso.

"Oh. I was adopted too. My real parents abandoned me and my siblings when we were just kitlings. My adoptive parents were already very old, and I don't think I was many seasons older than you are now when they passed into the Aether."

Calypso slouched sideways in her chair and rested her head on Solasta's arm. "I'm sorry you were abandoned, Colonel Dinn. Do you ever get mad that they left you, or wonder what your life would have been like if they didn't?"

"Nope, never. I have to believe they did what they thought was best. I grew up with parents who loved me, and your family love you very much too. Wishing on what could have been is a foolish game, Calypso. Live the life that the Gods, or Maker, or galaxy has picked for you," said Solasta, closing her eyes and resting her head again.

"Colonel Dinn, can I ask another question?"

Solasta let out a gentle snort and said, "When we're alone you can call me Miss Dinn or Solasta."

"Solasta, why did that Major call you Hellcat?"

"He just always has, Caly."

"But why?"

"It's a very long story and you're too young to hear it."

"Can I call you Hellcat too?"

"You may not call me Hellcat," and Solasta laughed.

After several more minutes of silence, Calypso asked, "Do you like that Major?"

"We've known each other a long time, so I suppose I like him."

"No, I didn't mean it like that. I meant-never mind," and the frustration in Caly's voice could heard clearly.

Solasta opened her eyes again and looked at the young girl slumped in her seat beside her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Calypso sat up and turned to face Solasta before blurting out, "There's a boy on the base who took something of mine and won't give it back. The other boys say it's because he likes me, but... I don't know if I like him."

"Well, whether or not this boy likes you, he shouldn't take anything that belongs to you," said Solasta.

"Is that what you do when you like someone? Do you take something of theirs?"

Solasta was about to say, "No, that's not how it works," but hesitated as she remembered how only eight months earlier she had rifled through Gursan's quarters on his ship looking for a shirt that she, for all purposes, had stolen. The same shirt that had sat folded in her locker for months. The shirt she found comfort in wearing to bed after the holo-calls and messages with Gursan had grown from weekly meetings to review dry intel reports, to almost daily occurrences of hour long non-military discussions.

Brushing the loose strands of hair from Caly's face, Solasta said, "Sometimes... but taking something that doesn't belong to you is never right. You really should be talking to your parents about this though."

Calypso shifted in her chair and sighed heavily, "I know, but they're too busy. I mean, I know how important they are to everyone here, and this just seems so... unimportant, ya'know? I know I can fix this without bothering them."

"I'm positive your parents would think this is more important than anything else that's going on right now," said Solasta.

Interrupting the conversation, Uldisa returned carrying the two trays with their lunches and slid them onto the conference table. As they sat and ate, Calypso told Solasta all about Dantooine, the ranch where she lived, and all the herds of Ronto's that her father had raised.

The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing a long list of changes that needed to be messaged to the various Quartermasters, Heads of Security, or Facility Coordinators, and Calypso carefully kept track of the list while Solasta prepared the requests and sent them out.

When Sarai returned again in the late afternoon to take Calypso home for her dinner, the young girl protested, "I'm too busy helping Colonel Dinn to come home right now."

"That's okay Caly, we've done all we can for today. Now we wait for the replies to all the messages we sent. If your Grandmother doesn't need you tomorrow, you are welcome to help me again," said Solasta.

A smile beamed across Calypso's face and she promised that she would be back first thing in the morning.


Sitting apart from everyone else in the Mess Hall, Solasta and her squad sat eating dinner and reporting their progress from that day. The armory and munition stores had been inventoried. The shuttles and fighters had been prepared for any air or orbital encounters, and the only thing missing was the Gravestone and her crew. Communications reported that the Gravestone would be arriving the next morning with some injured and a few new additions to the Alliance, and Gursan's ship was only a few hours away.

After everyone had eaten, the squad headed to the cantina for drinks, but Solasta returned to her ship.

Carrying one of the briefing room chairs outside the ship and placing on the hangar deck she sat and watched as the day's final light faded to reveal the stars. She listened as night insects collided with the overhead lighting and thought, what a curious child this Calypso is. So innocent, observant, and so full of questions.

Watching the deck crew scurry around preparing the berth next to her ship in anticipation for Gursan's arrival, Solasta began thinking back to her days at the academy and remembered how it always seemed like her and Gursan were assigned spots on the same training squads in the final months before graduating Basic Training.

Dwelling on this memory it slowly dawned on her, the squad exercises were randomly picked, so the only way we could have drawn spots on the same squad that regularly, was if Gursan was trading with the other cadets. But why? Outside of that one accident, which he admitted to watching over me when I was in the infirmary, or watching the HoloNet together in common lounge every evening, and eating in the mess together, we never spent any time together. We did study together in the library a lot I guess, and he did ask me to be his date for the graduation formal, but I studied for the Specialization Training entrance exams instead.

Watching Gursan's shuttle approach and land in the berth next to her, a realization crept over her like a low roll of thunder that approaches from the distance. For nearly two years at Carida Academy he had always been near her, but she had been too self absorbed in her training or cloaked in her sorrow, to notice him.

Caught in this revelation, she got up and walked towards his ship as the whine of the engines receded and the boarding ramp lowered. When the shuttle doors opened, Solasta's heart began pounding in anticipation, and she feared it would burst as she watched Gursan saunter down the ramp to greet her. For the first time she truly noticed the genuine joy in his smile at seeing her. It was the same smile he always wore when they spoke over the holo.

"Hey there Hellcat, uh... what's wrong?"

Solasta grabbed the front of his armor and pulled herself against him. Looking deep into his emerald eyes, she rubbed her nose against his before whispering, "Please tell me I'm not alone. Please... please tell me you feel this too."

Gursan wrapped his arms around Solasta and holding her close to him, he whispered, "I was serious when I said you left more than just a mark on me, Hellcat."

Closing her eyes, a gentle purr escaped Solasta as she rubbed her cheek against his. Resting her head on his shoulder, she pressed her body against his, and let go of a lifetime of guilt and regret in that moment.


Early the next morning, Calypso bounded into the hangar and raced forward when she noticed Solasta and Gursan walking towards her, their hands entwined and fingers locked. Rushing to them, her smile was infectious and both Gursan and Solasta couldn't help but smile back at her.

"See Miss Dinn, you do like him," Caly said rather factually.

Solasta reached into her pocket with one hand and pulled out something before kneeling before Calypso, and taking Caly's hand she turned the palm upwards, placing an item in it.

"You were right Miss Caly, and I want you to have this as my way of saying thank-you, if it's okay with your Mom and Dad."

Holding a gold pendant up before her wide eyes, Calypso asked, "What is it?"

"It's called the Pendant of Ro'ta. It's given to Cathar children when the become adults. It was mine, and I want you to have it."

"Thank-you, Colonel Dinn, but I didn't bring you anything..." Calypso said as her gaze drifted to her feet.

Solasta reached out and lifted Calypso's chin until their eyes met again, "you've already given me more than I could have imagined, thank-you."

The moment was interrupted by the sound of the Gravestone's engines roaring and the long shadow it cast over the valley outside the hanger as it returned. Calypso flashed a broad smile, and Solasta said, "Your Mom and Dad are home– go to them."

Calypso turned and ran to the gantry elevator that led to the Gravestone's berth.

Solasta stood and felt Gursan's arm reach around and rest on her waist, "So that was the warrior who tore down Colonel Dinn's impenetrable defenses?"