Corso looked around at the frenetic activity. The shuttles were being worked on and the mechanics yelling for parts and tools. Maybe I need to help them, he thought, but then realized that Miriah was further away from him every second. Lengthening his stride, he caught up to Aric as they got to the entrance of the large, rounded structure. "Looks like they know the Imps are here," he said softly, and Aric nodded. He'd seen the same thing, and stayed outside at the door as Miriah and Corso went in, Maura across from him. They'd only been standing there a minute when Maura pointed in the distance, and Aric saw the Imperial fighters, flying in formation. We need to get this going, he thought, and tried to steady himself, his first thought to grab Miriah and run to the ship.
Theron read the report that General Dinn shared with him. "I wish I could have gone along. Master Gnost-Dural is an old friend."
"What you told me a few days ago is why I brought you here. Do you think it's a coincidence that Vowrawn calls you by a name you were given after working with this Jedi, and now this same Jedi is at the heart of a colony the Empire wants destroyed?" she asked, and watched Theron's face as he thought about her statement.
"I… really don't know," he stammered. "I swear, I don't have any dealings with Vowrawn." He suddenly felt as if he were being interrogated, rather than working with the general, and the hammering of his heart made him a little lightheaded. "General Dinn, what are you trying to say?" They stared at each other, Solasta's pupils little slits of black in the brilliant yellow-green of her irises. Finally Solasta chuffed and sat down.
"I just want to make sure that there's not some long forgotten thread of connection here," she said, frowning. "Maybe that's what Vowrawn wants, for you to tell him about Gnost-Dural, to maybe try to turn him to the dark side if he manages to capture him?"
Theron took a deep breath, the first one since he'd been summoned to General Dinn's office. "Maybe, but I haven't been contacted again, so it's all conjecture at this point."
"Understood," Solasta replied. "Just keep me informed, Theron. I know you're doing your best to regain the trust of the Alliance, and I respect that. I'm only being cautious."
Theron nodded. "I get it. I'll let you know if anything comes through." He stood and made his way to the cantina, and almost ordered a drink before he sighed and just ordered lunch instead. I don't know if I'll ever feel totally comfortable here again, knowing that some will always view me as a traitor, he thought. Still, it's more of a home than I've ever had. Even Coruscant, with all the years I spent there, felt more like a post than home. The waitress brought his plate and he had to smile. Caly's influence remained, and the meal was delicious. Maybe I just need to keep my nose clean a little longer. He made his way to his apartment and was settling down for a nap when his old holo chimed.
Lana had worked so late the evening before that she just napped in front of the fireplace, much as Miriah had the day before. When Caly came in to start breakfast, she sat up, momentarily disoriented. She meant to go to the guest house, but was afraid to leave the holo unmanned. She was still lost in thought when Caly put a warm mug of spiced tea in her hand, and she blushed as she thanked the young woman. She'd just taken a sip when she heard Tali's voice, and smiled. The little girl ran to her, hugging her. "Mama, you slepted here? I missed you," she said, and Lana patted her back as Nico strolled to them.
"She woke up early and when you weren't in our bed, she panicked a little," he explained.
"We need a different plan," Lana said but when Tali sat back, she smiled at her daughter. "Maybe we need to move up here for the time being." Nico only kissed her, knowing she'd figure out how to make everything work, and made his way to the kitchen for caf. Tali remained in her lap, and when Nico walked away, she whispered to Lana.
"He missed you, too. His heart was small when I waked him up," she said, and Lana thought about that. Tali was definitely empathic, but she wondered if the little girl had somehow force detected Nico's emotional state. Hmm, she mused. I'll ask Mia what she feels from Tali. Maybe we have a healer in her. She rose, and they joined the group in the kitchen, Tali and Declan talking and giggling at the table. She approached Caly, who told her there was plenty of room for everyone in the ranch house, and felt more settled as she carried dishes to the table.
Theron gingerly picked up the holo and thumbed the switch. He almost passed out when he saw Jonas Balkar. "Jonas! It's been many years," he said and Jonas chuckled.
"It has, my friend. I hear your Commander is championing the Republic these days, trying to find a lost colony of Jedi." Theron nodded, but didn't say anything, not sure who he could trust anymore. "I'll stay in contact with you, let you know what's happening in the core worlds, if you'll do the same for me."
"I won't betray the Commander or the Eternal Alliance," Theron replied, his face serious.
"No, no. I wouldn't expect you to. Just, as long as Miriah Riggs is working with the Republic, we can keep each other in the loop, right?"
"Commander Riggs," Theron said, more firmly than he'd intended, but he saw Jonas' face sober.
"You're right. In any case, think about it, okay?" Theron nodded and the holo went quiet. I'm not sure I'm up for being a spy anymore, he thought, and quickly sent a note to General Dinn before trying to calm his racing heart.
Miriah entered the building and saw people scurrying around, but at the back of the room, a man directing them. He was now talking to a woman with particular tattoos, and Miriah recognized her as Magdalane's first padawan. She moved to them purposefully, and the woman spotted her first. "It's you! It's really you! Please, tell me what has become of my master?" she said, but the joy at seeing a familiar face infused her speech.
"Mags is on the ship, and I'm sure she'd love to see you," Miriah said, and chuckled as the woman ran past her. Nadia, that was her name, she thought, and she continued to the dark haired man. "Miriah Riggs, Commander of the Eternal Alliance," she said as she offered her hand. The man just stared at her, a look of wonder on his face, before reaching out to gently grasp her chin, turning her face side to side.
"I remember this face, I worked on this face," he said in a soft voice. "Besides, who could forget a face as beautiful as this?" Miriah felt Corso's hand at her back and when the man shifted his gaze to Corso, they both broke out in grins.
"Nice to see you again, Doc," Corso said, shaking the man's hand. "Mir, this is the medic who put you back together after Hoth." Corso's voice was warm but Miriah had no recollection of this man.
"Then I owe you my gratitude," Miriah said.
"Commander of what?" Doc asked, clearly not understanding the introduction. "No matter, this is an evacuation now. Civilians and non essentials are loading up first. Who calls a doctor 'non essential' when there's a fight brewing? If you asked me, the Jedi have lost their minds." He stretched and Miriah saw he looked tired, but his eyes never left her face.
"I'm looking for whomever is in charge," Miriah said. "Gnost-Dural. Do you know where I can find him?"
"Someone looking for me. What a strange day this has been," the Kel Dor Jedi said as he made his way to where Miriah stood, giving her slight bow. "Doc, how goes the shuttle preparations?"
"We'd be a lot further along if we hadn't scavenged the shuttles for parts for the colony's systems," Doc replied. "It's going to be hours before we can launch. This here is the Commander… of the … something or other."
"I am the Commander of the Eternal Alliance. We overthrew the Eternal Empire and now we're helping the Republic. Which means, helping you."
"Sounds like a lot's happened since we cut our communications," Doc said.
"Which helped keep us hidden all this time," Gnost-Dural added. "You defeated the Voidwolf and helped the Republic rebuild after the war on Corellia. I always hoped we could meet, so that I could document your accomplishments. It's probably time you had a chapter all your own, but that will have to wait." He moved over to lean on the map console. "The Sith are on our doorstep. I formed this colony to safeguard the Jedi and their teachings for the future. Now, we must abandon it to serve that same goal."
"Republic reinforcements are coming," Miriah said. "We just have to hold out until they get here."
"We welcome any help they can offer, but until they arrive, our mission must remain the same. We have to get these shuttles in the air as soon as possible."
"Where will you go?" Miriah asked softly.
"We'll find another remote planet, and continue to archive and teach the Jedi way," Gnost-Dural said, and Miriah could tell he felt defeated.
"We have a large temple on Odessen, as well as one on Dantooine," Miriah offered, and saw the old Jedi's head come up. "You are welcome to use them as your own."
"Odessen? Where is that?"
"Wild space. That's Alliance territory. I'll have the coordinates sent to you," Miriah said, and saw Corso out of the corner of her eye, tapping his datapad. "In the meantime, tell us how to help."
"Perimeter alarms," said a tall, dark skinned woman, approaching them. Miriah noted that she was dressed in armor, but wore a robe and lightsaber. "They're coming again. I'm just on my way to handle it."
"Take back up this time," Gnost-Dural said, but the woman shook her head.
"Back up?" She drew her lightsaber. "This is all the back up I need." Gnost-Dural shook his head and turned to Miriah.
"Commander, this is Tau Idair, our head of security. Would your group be wiling to join her, to give us time to complete our preparations?"
"Of course, that's why we came. You must have passed my head of security as you came in," Miriah said, and saw the woman nod.
"Wondered who they were, but it makes sense now. Let's get moving, this isn't a major push but enough to keep us from completing the preparations," Tau said, pointing to the map.
"Whatever you do, don't let this face get banged up. I sure do good work," Doc said, sauntering off to guide another group. Corso gave him a look, but realized the man was only referring to his skills. When he brought his attention to his wife again, she and this Idair woman were heading to the door, and he again had to hurry to catch up. Aric and Maura were introduced, and they all went to the ship for speeders and a crate of spare parts, hoping to help the evacuation.
Magdalane opened the air lock and was almost bowled over by Nadia's hug. "Oh Master! It's so wonderful to see you again!"
"Nadia!" Magdalane said with a smile. "You look amazing! I'm so glad you escaped the war!"
"Oh, I cannot even tell you how great it is to see you again. Where's Felix?" Nadia asked, but the instant shift in the force told her. "I'm so sorry," she breathed, taking Magdalane's hand.
"We're here to get your colony to safety," Mags said, her eyes sad but she was trying to push it away.
"I'm headed out to get our farm workers now," Nadia said. "I'll catch up to you later, okay?" Mags nodded, her throat tight, as the younger woman headed out and turned to wave. She could see Miriah enroute back to the ship and gathered her things to join the team. Felix, I will avenge you, she thought, and opened the compartment where the speeders were loaded. I surely will.
Lana broached the subject of a move with Nico while Tali napped. "I just want to be near enough to get any priority messages," she said, and Nico grabbed her hands, keeping them from waving around as they had been as she'd been talking.
"Lana, darling. It's a very good idea, and I'm sure Tali will be fine with it. She was most unhappy this morning to not find you," he told her, and, holding both her hands, kissed her softly.
"I should have done it when we first got here, but I wanted to give us all time to get used to being around each other all the time," Lana confessed. "And, I wanted Tali to have other children around."
"They'll still be around, just sleeping in different places. And, I'll get to keep you warm," he said, bending to kiss her again, laughing softly at her smile. They were interrupted by the holo chime, and Lana hurried over to it, pressing the receive button.
"We're here, and about to start out to what they call the farms. Apparently, we not only have to watch for Imperials, but for some kind of mutated bugs, like the ones on Taris."
"Geonosians," Lana said quietly, and saw Miriahi nod.
"The evacuation is underway. Please notify the temple on Odessen as well as Dantooine, in case the refugees want to go there. Otherwise, it's pleasantly warm right now, though I imagine it will be quite cool overnight. I'll check back in tomorrow."
"Very good, Commander. I look forward to when you tell me you're in flight home." Lana saw that Miriah was relaxed, and that Corso was as well, and took a deep breath as the image faded. Hurry back, she thought, and went to the guest house to gather her things.
Miriah turned to Corso. "We've got what we need?" she asked and he nodded. Packs were loaded and the team stood ready. "Let's get started, then."
