Miriah and Lana helped the med transport team with Theron, making sure he was stable as he was placed in their care. Miriah expected her friend to go with them, since she'd been parked in the medbay the whole way back to Odessen, but Lana remained at her side. Now, she looked into Lana's tired blue eyes. "Ready?" she asked, and Lana nodded. Miriah took Corso's hand, and they descended the ramp. Once Miriah's foot hit dirt, they heard the sound of almost five hundred troops snap smartly to attention. As far as they could see, there were uniformed soldiers saluting their Commander. Miriah took a deep breath and strode forward to where General Dinn stood, also at attention. Miriah returned the salute and when Solasta dropped her hand, the troops followed and the command went out for parade rest. "Sol, how are things, really?"
"We'll discuss it later. Now, the Alliance needs reassurance," Solasta replied, pointing to the holocam and podium that had been set up. Miriah swallowed hard but followed Lana to the podium.
"What a wonderful way to come home," she said, her voice magnified through the landing field. "Vinn Atrius and the Order of Zildrog has been defeated and Odessen is once again safe." Here, cheers met her statement, and Miriah allowed a small smile to cross her face. "We did sustain losses of equipment, but no lives. It means we have some challenges ahead, but the Alliance will carry on. We know now that our plans for keeping our residents safe works. We have learned that Theron Shan was in deep cover, working to intercept and get information to us about Zildrog." Lana let out a small gasp beside her, but Miriah kept her eyes forward. "Our Eternal Fleet is gone, as is the Gravestone, but we have all the information we need to build more ships with the Rakata and Iokath technology aboard. Today, the Alliance celebrates freedom from persecution by Zildrog!" The troops cheered her words, and Miriah stepped down from the platform. "Now, the work begins. Lana, we'll take a little time here to shake hands and such, but I'm thinking thirteen hundred for a debrief."
"Agreed," Lana said, typing furiously on her datapad. As they walked back to Solasta, Corso leaned toward his wife.
"Nice speech, darlin'. I believe it, too. We'll survive and come out stronger," he told Miriah, and she grinned up at him.
"Now, let's make our way in," Solasta said, and they walked through the troops, each line snapping to attention as Miriah passed. That never ceases to make me proud, she thought, and when she reached the hangar, she saw Devin standing with Aygo.
"Great job, son," she told him, and without a word he hugged her tightly.
"So glad you're home," Devin said, and turned to hug his dad. When they parted, Caly was there, wanting to see for herself that her parents were fine. They walked into the war room and Miriah thanked everyone personally for their service before heading down the hallway to her apartment. Caly hung back, waiting for the squadron to land, hungry to put her eyes on Torian.
Corso went to the kitchen to put on some caf as Aric and Maura put their gear bags in the hallway. Miriah went to the refresher and started her tub, her muscles sore and stiff. Corso knew she'd go there first, and when he had some food started for them, he found her, soaking in the hot water, the jets providing soothing bubbles. He had to grin, she looked so relaxed. "Darlin', I brought you some water," he said softly and was rewarded with her silver eyes blinking open.
"Thanks, sugar. I wanted to feel fresh going into this meeting," she said, taking the water bottle.
"I'll have some food ready when you get out," he told her, and kissed her forehead. She was standing when he left, so he knew she'd be ready soon, and hurried to the kitchen.
Caly was waiting when Torian hopped out of the small fighter, and he hugged her tightly to him. "Missed you," she sniffed, and he pulled her back to see her brilliant smile. He kissed her quickly, and pulled her into the hangar.
"I missed you, love. Let's get somewhere out of the crowds," he told her, taking her hand. They went to their pod, and there he pulled her into a long kiss, one that had them both struggling to break. "I know we have to wait, but I surely don't want to anymore. I want to marry you, to make sure that if something happens to me, you'll be taken care of." He kissed her again, and Caly melted under his passionate onslaught. "I'm going to talk to your parents again, very soon."
"Wow, Torian. I'm speechless," she finally managed to say.
"Say you'll marry me. Tomorrow," he urged, his eyes sparkling with the depth of his emotions.
"Of course," she said. "Are you sure?"
"More sure of this than anything in the galaxy," he assured her, hugging her against him again. He felt her shake, and thought she was crying. Oh no, he thought, it was too much. He gently pushed her back to look at her face, only to realize she was laughing.
"I can't wait!" she said happily, throwing her arms around his neck. "I love you, Torian."
"I love you, too." Now, to convince the Commander and Corso of that.
Lana had left Miriah in the war room, and her feet took her to the medcenter while her brain worked on all the things she had to do. She blinked when she saw Theron in the tank again, and Arcann, his lightsaber drawn, standing guard.
"I am hoping you do not wish to harm Theron," Arcann growled.
"I don't, at least, not now," Lana said. "Why are you guarding him?"
"Because Odessen considers him a threat, and he deserves a second chance. I am forever grateful for the one I was given, and I believe the Commander will grant Theron one, as well. Until then, he deserves to be safe." Arcann put his lightsaber back on his belt, but stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I appreciate you doing this," Lana said softly. "I hadn't thought about the possibility of someone trying to harm Theron while he's in this state." She took a step closer to peer at Theron's face. "I will arrange for a guard rotation. I'm sure you're needed at the settlement."
"That's a good plan. I will be here as well, since our crops are already in the ground." Lana only nodded, and turned to the elevator. "Lana, please tell the Commander of this."
"Absolutely," Lana replied, and started off. I know I should be relieved, after what Miriah said and now Arcann taking Theron's side, but I still cannot decide where I stand. She exited the elevator and walked right into Nico's chest.
"Good to see you back, safely," he murmured, and after a brief hug, stepped back.
"Nico, I'm so confused," Lana said, her eyes filling again. She would have sworn there were no possible tears left, but they continued to come. Nico pulled her into her office, knowing she wouldn't want the whole base to see her in this state.
"There's nothing to be confused about," he told her gently. "Someone who was very important to you has returned. You once loved him, so yeah, there's some feelings there. We have something pretty special, but I'm not threatened by Theron being back." Lana took comfort from his presence and his words, and finally got control of her tears.
"You're an amazing person, Nico. Yeah, I feel anger and confusion when I think about Theron, but when I think about you, I feel safe. Cared for." She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I'm glad we're okay."
"Of course we're okay." He pushed her hair back from her face. "You'll figure out whether you want to kill Theron or not in time." His comment made her giggle, which was his intent, and she rested against his chest, her mind not churning as it had been since she'd first seen Theron.
Miriah looked around the conference room. Her detail had met her as she'd exited the apartment and she almost laughed when she saw them. Now, she saw her leaders as well as part of her family, all gathered to figure out exactly what had happened and where to go from here. When she finished explaining what they'd learned and the demise of Zildrog, she looked at the stunned faces before her. "Now, we need to figure out the future."
"We have seven ships in production, three bombers, three fighters and a freighter," Aygo explained. "In a week, these ships will be finished, although one is designated as yours, Commander."
"No, it needs to be for our fleet," she said. "I have one, and that's enough. Supplies?" Miriah looked at Hylo Visz.
"We're fully stocked, with enough on hand for six months," she replied. "No issues there. We were using Fleet ships for sending materials and goods to other planets, but they can just as easily send their own ships. We've stopped accepting immigrants at this time."
"I hate that, but it's probably a good idea for the time being," Miriah said, and saw Lana nod. "At some point, we'll be approached about forming a partnership with either the Republic or the Empire, since we are now in a weakened position. How do we feel about that, and whom do we choose?"
Silence was immediate, and they all looked at one another. It was apparent that they had not considered anything like that. "What are we hearing from the other Alliance planets?" Miriah asked Lana.
"Zakuul is formally leaving the Alliance, according to their newly elected governor," she replied. "Only one other planet is considering leaving, that I've been contacted about." Miriah nodded, she'd felt that Zakuul would leave as soon as they had their own leadership, and wasn't bothered by it. She would be happy to never set foot on Zakuul again, personally.
"We need to have every planet's government pose the question to the people in an election, whether to stay in the Alliance or not. Also, we need input from them about the partnerships." Lana nodded, and started to compose the message.
"The holo from your speech is being received very favorably," Senya said. "The response has been one of unity and pride." Miriah smiled at Senya, it was good to have her back on Odessen.
"We'll bounce back from this," Miriah said, and murmurs of agreement came from every seat. "Let's get to work, then." Standing, she met and shook the hands of all of her advisers as they filed out.
Torian knew that the Commander was in a debrief, and instead of worrying about what he would say, he went to his commanding office for assignment. "Son, you're officially on protection detail, under the command of Aric Jorgan. It was a pleasure to have you with our unit, but you've been promoted."
"Thank you, sir. So I report to Jorgan now?"
"That's it. Stay in touch, eh?" Torian nodded and made his way outside, sitting on the nearest bench. He'd left Caly in an exhausted sleep, and now wondered what to do. Aric was in the debrief, and he knew they all had to be tired, too. What is going on, he wondered. The family should be safe now, with Theron in a kolto tank and Zildrog destroyed. The woman from the settlement is still in custody, he thought. I don't know what to think. If I can marry Caly, then we can start putting together a home and build our future. He was thinking about that when he smelled dinner being prepared in the mess hall and his stomach grumbled loudly. With a chuckle, he went inside and gathered food for himself and Caly, and made his way back to her.
Miriah made her way to her office and sat heavily in the padded chair. Corso saw her face and immediately crossed to her. "What's wrong, Mir? The meeting went well."
"Just tired. And I feel like I'm missing something," she replied, and gathered her hair in one hand, reaching in the desk drawer for a clip. "What would be your preference, if we needed to make a choice? Republic or Empire?"
Corso thought for a moment. "I'd think the Republic, just because the Empire's ways are so opposite from what we have here," he replied. "My concern would be what would happen to everyone here? If we choose the Republic, would our people here who came from the Empire go back?"
"Everyone here is Alliance, no matter what they were before. We don't intimidate or blackmail people into staying with us." Miriah sighed. "I think I'd choose the Republic, too. Just because it's the enemy we know." They both chuckled at that, and Lana smiled when she came in. Miriah noticed she looked settled and more normal than she had since Nathema.
"I had an idea that we might want to have another conference, if for no other reason than to assure the other representatives that the Alliance is alive and well," Lana said, and Miriah thought about it.
"You're probably right. Two weeks enough to put it together?"
"Should be just right. We have everything in place already, and since we've done it once, should be a lot easier this time."
"Perfect," Miriah said. "I'm going home, I'm tired."
"I won't be long," Lana said. "Nico is making dinner." Miriah smiled at her then, but said nothing. It was enough that Lana was happy.
Torian closed the door quietly. Caly was still sleeping, and he took the opportunity to just look at her. She was so relaxed, he thought. So peaceful. He saw her sketch pad beside her and the wedding dress she drawn there, and it made him pause. I don't want to rob her of the wedding she wants, he realized. The dress was elaborate, and would be beautiful, he knew. Her family would enjoy the celebration, and he suddenly felt he couldn't take that from them. He wanted it, too, if he were honest with himself.
Caly rolled over and opened her eyes. "I smell dinner, " she said with a smile, and Torian brought the bags over to the bed and sat, taking out containers. "Did you talk to Mom and Dad?"
"Caly, I think you should have the wedding you want to have. I was being selfish before," he confessed, and she frowned.
"I want the marriage, not the wedding," she said softly.
"I want you to be happy, and your family to be happy. I do plan to talk to them, but allow us enough time to have the wedding of your dreams," Torian said. "Is four months enough?"
"Plenty," she said, leaning over to kiss him. Now, to get the Riggs on board, he thought.
