Corso took the ship out of orbit and to the coordinates that Aric had chosen. Once the space anchor was set, he and Miriah took a shower together and settled in to sleep. Miriah slept, off and on, the whole first day they were on vacation, only waking to eat dinner with Corso. He had been worried at first, but then realized he was glad she was finally getting some rest. He had checked on her frequently, and when he went in with food, she woke, stretching and smiling at him. "Anything going on today?" she asked him, and he only kissed her.
"No communications, remember. We're just a big rock out here, nothing to interfere and no one to talk to," he told her, setting a tray across her lap. They ate together and danced, and loved each other the next day. On the third day, they talked for hours. About Caly's upcoming engagement, and when they would allow her to marry. The grandkids. The plans for the ranch on Dantooine. Everything they meant to talk about, but never found time for on Odessen. When they engaged the engines to go home, albeit at sublight speed, they had agreed it was a perfect break.
On Odessen, day one: Aric had heard from one of the troopers he had on Zakuul that they had spotted Missy and that they were moving to the swamp. They had already surveyed the landing site from the info taken from the ship Miriah had taken, but only saw the smashed vegetation. So far, trying to talk to the locals had been a bust, most either thankful that Vaylin was gone or too tired from actually working for a living to notice their surroundings. Aric had almost recalled them, but decided to let them remain for another day or two.
Lana had taken Miriah's absence in stride until one particularly obnoxious politician called, demanding to talk to Miriah. Lana was loathe to advertise that Miriah was off planet, and instead told her that she was in a meeting. She figured that would hold the woman, but she continued to call until Lana let it roll to message. She wouldn't say what she wanted, but she was becoming increasingly insistent. Lana figured it was a personal matter, but it was only a guess. Anyway, there was nothing to alarm Miriah about. She had left the office knowing that Odessen was fine.
Caly had started her internship, and was surprised when she saw how busy the morning shift was. She had made more omelets and breakfast dishes than she ever done, and by the end of the lunch shift, she was exhausted. She would only do those two meals for the first two weeks, and then the next two, the dinner shift. Even Hylo Visz has stopped by, and told her that her food was all her crews could talk about. Since the two cafes charged for meals, while the mess hall didn't, she was grateful her cooking had been received so well. She left with a big smile and aching legs, and told Torian she was going to soak at her parent's apartment. As she let the hot water soothe her, she thought about how it all had gone, and realized that there were a few ways she could think of to make the shift run easier, quicker. Everyone wanted their food hot and fast, and the manager of the facility had warned her that if she was good, they'd be busier than ever. She closed her eyes, pleased with the day.
Missy had settled into the nearby cantina, and now spent the day in their outdoor seating area, chatting to the other patrons. She'd heard stories of how the once-automated society now had to actually work for things, and there were decidedly two different schools of thought. Most were horrified that their world's wealth was taken by force from other worlds, and felt ashamed. Those were the ones who were having to learn new skills, to earn credits for food and shelter. They tended to feel grateful that the worlds who had been siphoned hadn't retaliated, and thought the Commander was a wise and generous person. The minority hated that they were having to work for their living, and Missy saw that a few were used to it, being in the underground of society before, but now they had a new chance. Some took it, and figured they were alive, and that was enough. Others took it personally, and hated the Commander. Missy's job was to find out if there were any that hated her enough to kill her, and to find Theron Shan. She figured she'd get at least one of them done.
On Odessen, Day two: Aric woke to urgent messages on his datapad. The patrol commander had located an informant who told him that the person who had put Miriah back on her ship was a Mandalorian. No one was sure if it was a male or female, but there were rumors that they were looking for Theron Shan as well. Aric rubbed his eyes, and stood, going for the caf he could smell brewing. A rogue Mandalorian? Well, not the first we've seen. The caf streamed into the thermal carafe and he took the whole thing out to the balcony. It's chilly, but I can definitely tell the seasons are changing, he thought. The birds were starting to sing, but the sun was still hidden for a bit longer. He wished he could tell Miriah what he'd learned, but he knew she and Corso had earned this break, and by his own orders, there would be no communication unless the situation was severe, and he figured this would wait. At least another day.
Lana had a restless night. She couldn't help but wonder if the politician who kept calling had something that needed an immediate resolution, and she told herself that if the woman called back, she'd explain that the Commander had taken some days with her husband, who had been sick recently. Maybe she'd understand, or even let Lana help her. She could only try, she told herself. She rolled over and punched her pillow. It was still early morning, and Lana hoped she'd be able to get a little more sleep, but it wasn't to be. She rose and decided to go to the cafe where Caly was cooking, get a great breakfast and maybe run into Nico. With a decided spring in her step, she showered and dressed, surprised to see a smile on her face in the mirror. I am happy, she realized, and rushed out the door, humming a little tune.
Caly had taken some time the evening before, at her parent's place, to bake five loaves of bread. This morning, she brushed melted butter over the slices and placed them on the grill to toast before making sandwiches with them, some with eggs and cheese and bantha bacon, some with her own recipe sausage patties that she had worked on for a couple of months now. The servers were reporting that they were being received well, and Caly grinned to herself. She had even seen Lana and Nico eating and laughing, and her heart swelled with pride. Nico had even ordered another sandwich to go, giving her a wave and a wink when he caught her eye. Torian had been sitting in the corner table, getting to hear what the customers said, and she couldn't wait to ask him what he'd heard. By afternoon, she was dragging, and Torian had gone to check on his apartment. When she emerged from the shower, she lay on the bed, still wrapped in a towel, too tired to care.
Missy had decided to check out the surrounding area today. Everywhere she went, she saw the rebuilding efforts. Wow, to have turned the Eternal Fleet on your own people, how crazy do you have to be to do that, she wondered. Still, spirits seemed good, and she now had a few escape routes mapped, just in case. She lifted her nose to the air and caught the scent of baked goods, then spotted the bakery down the street. Aric had set up an Alliance account for her, and given her the access codes before she left. She had protested, but he assured her that she was working for them now, and she had accepted. Now, she was happy she had. The hot, dark caf and glazed pastry hit the spot and she wandered out of the shop, happily licking sugar off her fingers. Not a bad assignment, she thought. Not bad at all.
On Odessen, day three: Aric strolled into the war room, immensely glad that Miriah and Corso would be back this evening. He'd almost broken his own rule about transmissions but Maura had given him that look, and he'd just taken a deep breath. He'd gotten more about the Mandalorian presence on Zakuul, and he was itching to fill them in. He'd been hearing great things about Caly's breakfasts in the smuggler cantina and he and Maura were headed there now. It really is convenient to be here inside the security, he thought. The apartment is just as big as our other one. We may as well just stay here. I'll have to bring it up with Maura. He spotted her waiting for him, and was glad she'd already ordered. There had been a crew just coming off a Fleet ship, and they were beginning to line up at the counter already. He bent to kiss his wife and then sat down, the scent of the hot sandwich waking his taste buds. It's going to be a great day, he thought, and took a bite. A great day, indeed.
Lana had finally gotten the politician to confide in her, and it was as she suspected. She wanted Miriah to perform her wedding ceremony on Odessen, and Lana had sent her a packet on the required paperwork and available times. Miriah always tried to accommodate these requests, so Lana knew to pencil it in for the date the politician had requested. Once Lana had given her all the information she required, the other woman was so thankful that she apologized for being short on that first day. Today, Lana was relaxed. Nico had made sure she slept well, and she knew Miriah would be home this evening. With a little luck, they'd have a peaceful day. A peaceful day is always a good day, she thought, and flicked on the lights of her office.
Caly finished the breakfast menu, and looked up to see the cafe owner. "Calypso, you are doing a great job here. Those breakfast sandwiches are wonderful, and I'd like to offer them in the promenade location. Can you go over there and teach them?" he asked, a wide smile on his face.
Caly was excited, this is what she wanted, to create, but her face fell as she took in his words. "I'm sorry, I can't," she told him, and when he saw her face, he realized what the problem was.
"I forgot, no going outside. I'll send them here instead. Just remember, don't share it with anyone else," he told her with a wink.
"Of course not," she replied, blushing. She watched him walk away and wondered if her lunch special would be as popular as the breakfast menu. She was planning to try her mother's tomato sauce recipe instead of using the jarred stuff, and with a determined stride, she went into the storage area to pull out her ingredients, the joy of her work making the time fly. She had been so tired yesterday, and then so embarrassed when Torian had walked in and she'd been practically naked, asleep. He'd reassured her that she was fine, but she felt her cheeks heat up just thinking about it. He was being a good sport, she thought, since the cooking had taken a lot of her time. She planned to make it up to him on her birthday. With that thought, she hummed as she crushed the fresh tomatoes in her hands, her mind and her hands in two different worlds.
Missy had gone back to the bakery early, and sighed now with her tummy full and her to go cup in her hand. Today she'd not stay out too long, since she had plans for the nightlife this evening. She waved at a woman she'd seen earlier in the week, and was gazing at the baby in her carrier. She really wanted one, one day. She strolled on, and was aware that she had a tail. She stopped a few times to window shop, and caught sight of him, a Rodian. She laughed to herself and ducked into a dress shop, greeting the shopkeeper and choosing a couple of dresses, then going into the changing area before ducking out the back. She made it back to her room after shaking him, and laughed out loud when she flopped on the bed. Someone knew she was here. That thought thrilled her and she curled up for a nap. Maybe the evening will be even more rewarding, she thought as she drifted into a donut induced sleep.
Miriah came up behind Corso as he transmitted the shield coordinates and her override code. "Sugar, this was a great idea. I hope you had as much fun as I did," she whispered to him.
Corso covered her hands with his. "Do you have any doubts? I think we probably have about a half hour before we land, if you want me to elaborate further."
Miriah giggled in his ear, her warm breath on his ear arousing him as much as her touch. "I'm not sure we have time for what I have in mind, but we will be in our own bed tonight."
"I'll hold you to that," he warned her, and kissed her hand. They glided through the atmosphere over Odessen and when the Dreamweaver touched down, they stood at the air lock, holding hands. When they exited, they were met with the combined gazes of Lana, Aric and Caly. They looked excited, not upset, Miriah thought, and took a step forward. Here we go.