Aric felt rather than saw the tension between Corso and Miriah as they exited the apartment. He sent Maura a curious glance, but his wife was more interested in talking with her sister, and he shrugged. Corso let the women walk a few steps ahead before meeting Aric's gaze. "She's snippy today, was ready early and wanted to get started," he explained, and Aric felt a little guilty for the extra caf he'd made for his thermal cup before they'd left. Only a little, though. His sleep was evening out, but he still had this gnawing fear that something else was coming.

Maura leaned close to Miriah. "I checked the droid's logs, no one even came near Caly last night," she told her, squinting her eyes at her younger sister. "What's up with you today?"

"Just tired of being babysat," she ground out, her jaw clenched. She had wanted to hit something when she had to wait this morning, and ached so badly to just lash out, but she knew everyone counted on her to keep the ship on an even keel, even when she wanted to rage and throw things. I need to do something for Cor, she thought. He didn't deserve to be harassed this morning. She glanced over her shoulder and met Aric's eyes before turning to take Corso's hand. He just threaded his fingers through hers, content that she was near and safe, and that thought humbled her.

Lana had gotten up early, feeling rested for a change, and made her way to breakfast. She'd just sat down when she got a message, and laughed to herself. Uhoh, the boss is in a bad mood, she thought, she's already messaging me for chocolate. She didn't mind, if Miriah needed a bit of superior grade cocoa, she'd make sure it was in supply. Lana sipped her caf and looked around at the beautiful day. It was a little cool at night, but the days were spectacular. This time a year ago, we were wondering where Arcann and Senya were, she thought. She'd spoken to Senya only yesterday, and could see that her friend was relaxed and doing well in her role as leader of Zakuul. She had readied her dishes to stand when she realized that she hadn't thought of Theron in almost a full day, and it made her shake her head. She wasn't sure at first if it was good or bad, then decided it was just a step. Yes, a step toward the future, she told herself, and the fist of sorrow around her heart loosened, just a little.

Lana had just picked up the package from the sweets vendor and turned to the base when her holo started to chime. She hurried to an outside table and placed her things on it to retrieve the device, and when she did, she saw the duty officer in front of her. After greeting her, he went on to tell her that they'd just received an encrypted transmission for the Commander, and Miriah had asked her to come to the conference room. Lana quickly gathered her belongings and hurried into the base, coming to a skidding stop outside the large, well secured room. Once all the proper locks and precautions were in place, she went to her spot beside Miriah and discreetly handed over the double wrapped package of candy, which earned her the first pleasant emotion she saw on her friend's face since she'd entered. Bad mood, indeed, Lana thought. I hope this doesn't make it worse.

Caly shook herself awake. Her biggest fear, that she wouldn't be able to sleep, hadn't been realized, but she sure wished she could lie back down. Now, she was going to be late if she didn't get a move on, and she quickly braided her hair. Declan had discovered how silky it felt and now if she didn't tie it out of the way, he was sure to have handfuls all day. She raced out of the base and waved at Lana before she realized the other woman was on a holo call, then jogged around the end of the promenade to the housing area. She met Devin just outside the house, and he pulled her into a hug. "Watch out for Mom," he told her, and got a hearty laugh.

"She took her pound of flesh from me last night," she said, and proceeded to tell her older brother and most trusted confidante of her evening. "So, she must still be upset."

"No, it's not that. I haven't bothered her, I can just feel the irritation," he replied, pulling her braid. "I'll be back mid afternoon, we're taking Merida for a checkup."

"Yeah, no worries. I'll make some of Mom's cookies, see if I can get them to come out as good as hers." After a brief hug, Devin went on his way to the temple and Caly inside, where Mia was feeding the baby and Declan was playing in the floor. This is what I want, one day, Caly thought. When she'd been growing up, she thought she wanted to be like her mother, an adventurer, or her aunt, a soldier. When she saw the scene before her, she knew in her heart that she wanted to be a mother. And a cook. And… she had to laugh at herself. She had always been told, all her life, that she could be anything she wanted. This was just the first time she knew exactly what that meant, and it eased some of the pain she'd felt since the evening before.

Aric nodded at the group and Miriah put in her security codes to bring the holo to life. When the image appeared, everyone gasped. The Chiss in the middle of the holo turned a full circle before he spoke. "Commander, I am Aristocra Saganu. I have some news you'll be interested in, someone you're looking for has been spotted among our people. I am approximately one and a half standard days travel away, and look forward to your answer to my request to meet." The broadcast message ended abruptly, but for almost a minute, no one spoke.

"So it's true," Lana finally murmured. "He's on a Chiss world."

"I'd bet the rest of that info was just as reliable," Miriah said, her eyes sad for her friend but she knew that Lana would not appreciate any show of support with so many around. "We'd better get ready," she said, standing up. "We can use our usual protocols, can't we? I mean, with ship movements and everything? And what are we projecting from the time of the message until landing?" She looked at Aric, who had his datapad in his hand.

"Should land about noon tomorrow," he replied. "And, no, we'll have to work up another set of protocols, since the ones we used before are know known outside of Odessen." Miriah stifled her sigh and turned to pick up her datapad.

"Let's get to work, then," she said, handing her datapad to Corso and cradling the chocolates, working her fingers in the end flap to pull out a piece, closing her eyes as it melted on her tongue.

Corso watched each movement, seeing the exact moment that Miriah gave herself to the endorphins flooding her brain. Her eyelids fluttered, her face flushed slightly and she licked her lips, not wanting to waste a single sliver. He had to turn away to keep from pulling her roughly against him right here, right now. When she sighed and he heard the paper rustle, he turned back to see her calm face smiling at him, and he leaned to kiss her. "Sorry about earlier," she whispered, and he just smiled at her, following her out and down to the offices. Some days, it's better to just be quiet and let her work it out, he mused, and he looked forward to later.

Miriah and Lana set up in the bigger office, and worked through the lunch that Corso and Aric had brought them back, going through the items from the day before, then getting into the upcoming meeting. Lana had done quite a bit of research on Copero, and was now briefing them on the Chiss. She had been talking for over an hour, and saw Miriah's energy waning. "Let's take a quick break before we finish up for the day, shall we?" Miriah nodded and made her way into the small refresher, taking her time and trying to get her headache to ease. She did some stretches, and was feeling a little better when she returned, but then she heard Aric muttering under his breath, something about details and notice, and felt her dark mood return.

Caly had made several dozen cookies by the time Torian had a few minutes to visit with her. Under Mia's watchful gaze, they sat outside, the afternoon warm enough for the babies to be outside for a bit. Declan was pulling himself to stand on Torian's knees, making them all laugh, when Devin arrived to take his girls to the medcenter. "I know what Mom said," he told his sister when she prepared to go back inside and let Torian leave. "But I trust that with your nephew with you, you'll take a few more minutes before everyone returns to their day?" At Caly's vigorous nod, they left, and Torian lifted the little boy high in his arms before returning him to his aunt.

"Great kids," he said, seeing Declan snuggle into Caly's neck. "And thank you for the cookies." He held several bags of them up. "I'll drop some off to General Dinn on my way home." He leaned over and kissed Caly then, just a quick touch of their lips, but it made them both want more. She gave him a sad smile instead. "Caly, honey, it's okay. Time is on our side."

"I know," she sighed. "Message me later?"

"Of course. If anyone's dining in the mess tonight, let me know, I'll join you. Okay?" With a quick nod of her head, Torian was off, and Caly had to admit that at least she knew he was safe rather than knowing nothing. She took Declan back inside, his short nap of the day coming up, and finished clearing the kitchen while he slept and she knew peace.

Miriah followed Aric and Corso out of the offices and to the military hangar, the goal to visualize the landing of what they all considered the unknown. Aric had his troops mapped out and the proper company commanders notified, and now that they'd arrived, walked to the opening, leaving the others at the middle, looking at all the details in his head. He'd gotten progressively agitated all through the day, and even now, Miriah's foul mood was feeding his anxiety. When she's like this, she's unpredictable, dangerous, he thought. He was turning to look outside again when he heard her voice. "Why are we going through all this? I am supposed to be in the safest part of the base, with people who have been checked and checked again. I do not see the need for the constant seclusion, the ever present guard detail, or the elaborate plans. Can't we just have a little trust?"

Aric took a deep breath but felt his claws descend, his heart beat accelerate, and forced himself to control his body as he turned to her, suddenly furious. "No! We do not! No less than three times now, I've watched attacks on you, Miriah!" He took a few steps toward her, aware that he was snarling now but not able to stop it. "I will not ever stand by again!" He stepped closer. "Did you personally know or trust the intel tech who gave out landing codes to Khomo? Or the advisor who killed himself rather than be known as traitor? Did you trust them?" He moved toward her, faster, his intent to scare her but he knew better, and wasn't surprised at all when she stood her ground, daring him to confront her. "I will keep you from harm, even if you don't want it, until I breathe my last breath!" He was so close to her now that her hair shifted under his breath, and still she stared in his eyes. The others in the military hangar, at least the ones who has seen Aric lose his temper, averted their gaze- the others, unable to. Miriah stared into the lazer green eyes that loomed before her for almost two whole minutes, no one moving or even blinking, before finally speaking.

"Okay, then." She turned and took Corso's arm, striding out with her head held high, leaving Aric to recover his temper. Maura raced on with them, and Aric watched, drained but glad he'd spoken his piece. He took a few deep breaths, looked around at the troops who suddenly found tasks to complete, and made his way to the apartment, wondering how mad Miriah was.