Miriah crashed once she was home, falling asleep even before she'd undressed. Corso gently took off as many things as he could without waking her, and tucked her in. He hated to see her so worn out, but he knew it was useless to try and get her to slow down. He puttered around the apartment and finally sat on the sofa, clicking on the holo news. There, a reporter told of the agreement between the Alliance and Republic, and he again wondered if it would turn out to be as much of a benefit as he hoped it would. Restless, he made a trip through the apartment again before heading to the shower. When he had lingered under the water as long as he dared, he dressed for bed. Sliding under the covers, Miriah rolled toward him and he settled her against him, stroking the length of her ebony hair and seeing her face relaxed in sleep. She slowly blinked her eyes open and brought his head down to hers, her mouth seeking his, wanting more. They'd been very careful since Miriah's surgery, but he could never resist her desire for him, and it was some time later that they slept.
Aric was up early, and made his way out of the main hangar. Breathing deeply, he smelled spring in the air, even as his breath froze in a cloud around his face. It had been a much milder winter this year, he thought, closing his eyes. His ears heard the birds as they woke, the small animals who were foraging around the woodlands to his left, across the great gorge. He knew that Coleen would go back to teaching this week and that he and Maura would help as much as they could, but that his youngest daughter was about to feel a fatigue unique to parents galaxy wide. He grinned, Caitlin had overcome her early birth to hit all the normal ranges on her last checkup, and now recognized him when he picked her up. It's been a tough few months, he thought, but it's going to be better now. He only briefly thought of the pending transfer of someone he considered a true enemy back to her life of leisure in the Republic, not wanting to get too angry just yet. I will talk to Miriah this morning, he vowed to himself, and turned, grabbing breakfast for he and Maura at the cantina before he returned home.
Miriah was sitting at her desk when she heard the ringing of heavy boots making their way to her. She looked up to see Solasta, and briefly thought she saw steam coming from her friend's ears. "Commander, permission to take a squadron up and blast the transport that is taking a snake back to her nest," she growled, and Miriah felt the vibration of her anger.
"Sol, if it were that simple, I wouldn't be worried about sending her," Miriah sighed. "She has to be turned over, alive, to their vessel, or there will be no agreement."
Solasta sat in the chair across the desk, her elbows on her knees, her hand clasped and her head low. "She won't go away quietly. You know that. She'll pull strings and run her mouth and before you know it, she'll make another attempt on your life." Miriah could see her thoughts turning in her head and knew she wasn't the only one with questions.
Solasta stood, and Miriah saw her catch her lower back with her hand. At her questioning face, Solasta said, "Aissa's grandparents taught her to ride on her grandfather's back, like a veractyl, and now she wants to play all the time." Miriah bit back a laugh, she remembered the kids clamoring for rides on Corso's back, which he was happy to supply.
"Thanks, Sol," Miriah said softly, and the tall Cathar waved as she left the office. If only life were simple again, when the kids were small and loved spending time with us, she thought. Before all the stress and families and everything kept them all working so much that they hardly had time for each other now. She stood and before she could even say anything, Aric appeared with a fresh cocoa for her.
"Mir, I want to talk about Saresh," he started, but saw the grimace that crossed her face.
"Solasta beat you to it. Again, we cannot hand over a corpse, she must be given alive to the vessel that is sent to take her," she said, and saw the disappointment in Aric's eyes.
"There's already a fifty million credit bounty on her," he replied, and Miriah grinned despite herself.
"Wow, that might be worth breaking the treaty," she joked, but the smile stayed on her face as she sat. "What else is going on?"
"Riggsville is coming along very well, they project to be completed by the end of summer. Arcann is rotating out of our security to oversee the annex's prep and planting. That's really all I have." Aric sat back and wondered where Corso was, but didn't ask. "Need anything?"
"No, I'm good," Miriah replied. "Corso is retrieving the crown items for the royal wedding this afternoon. I'm guessing the security is all in place for that?"
"All good there. The Teth princess and her entourage are happy, and we'll be ready to escort you at two o'clock." Miriah did this only once before, but when a royal from an Alliance planet requested it, she would don the trappings of the Eternal Empire and play her role. At least this time she wouldn't have to perform the ceremony herself, they had brought their own official for that. The temple was secure, with many Jedi serving to keep everyone safe, and Miriah knew the media would cover the event. Maybe it's a chance to show the strength of the Alliance, she mused, and realized that Aric had stood.
"I'll see you in a bit then, I'm off to start getting ready," she told him, and he walked with her to the detail.
Corso waited at the elevator with the nondescript box in his hands, and a black padded case over his shoulder. He hated these events, mostly because he hated that Miriah was on display, but he recognized the importance of them. Maybe she should wear all of this when she hands Saresh over, he thought, and it made him smile. He was lost in thought when Devin appeared at his side.
"Mom ready for all this glitz?" he asked, and Corso hefted the box higher.
"I've got all the trappings from the bank," he replied, and Devin held out his hands for the box. Corso handed it over to him, and pulled the scepter in its protective cover to his front. "I hate transporting this stuff. If anyone knew..."
"I'm here, no one is getting close to you," Devin said. "Mia is so excited, she missed this before with the kids being so young."
"I'll be glad when it's over, all this pomp makes me nervous that we'll all miss something and Mir will be in someone's crosshairs," Corso grumbled, following Devin into the secure area.
"Uncle Aric has been all over the base today, making sure that doesn't happen. There are snipers on top of every building, and all of the detail guards are on duty today. We have thirty Jedi stationed all around the temple, too." Devin put the box on the entry table inside the apartment. "It's going to be fine, Dad. I promise."
Corso turned to hug his son. "Thanks, Dev. I appreciate you being in the right place at the right time," he told him, and Devin turned to leave.
"See you soon," he said, and left with a wave.
Corso knew Miriah was here, but detoured to the kitchen for a drink before seeking her out. He found her with Caly, who was doing her mother's hair. Both women hugged him, then returned to the task. He went to put on his own formal wear, still not happy about all of this. He made his way to the sofa, surfing through the holo net as he waited.
Caly pulled and twisted, amazed at the thickness of Miriah's hair. Once they were satisfied with it, Caly sat beside her mother as Miriah applied a touch of makeup. "This is so awesome," Caly said. "Last time was so beautiful, but I think this will be even more elaborate."
"I'm only doing a job," Miriah said, but she smiled. "Still, it's fun to get all dressed up and know that all you have to do is nod at the right time." They giggled, and Miriah realized she missed the lighthearted, relaxed times that had been absent for a few months. Caly helped her into the snow white dress, and when she had the dress on, Caly went to retrieve the crown. Fully dressed, she went out into the family room. The white dress had long sleeves that covered her hands, all but her fingertips. There were ornate clasps at the shoulders for the very long cloak that she would wear once she left the secure area. Caly had pulled the sides of her hair up, and the sparkling, jeweled crown sat securely on her head. Corso jumped up as he saw her, the sight of her so startling compared to her usual functional tunic and leggings. She wore flat shoes, since the bottom of the gown flared and her feet would be covered. She glided to the family room and Corso took her hand.
"Simply wonderful," he said, bringing her hand to his lips. Caly had put on her own gown, a deep purple that made her eyes an amber gold. When Corso handed Miriah the jeweled scepter, they were ready. As they exited the apartment, Miriah smiled at the detail, all in ceremonial armor, black plumes of feathers on their helmets, the Alliance green and black tartan tabbards in place. They made their way to the elevator, and Caly attached the heavy cape.
"Mom, how difficult is it to walk in this thing?" she asked, and Miriah laughed.
"It's like pulling a sled behind me," she admitted, and Corso squeezed her hand. They exited into the courtyard, and into the weak sunlight. She saw Aric waiting, his relay flashing as he checked in with his troops. He, too, was in his ceremonial uniform, as was Maura, who was standing beside him. They walked in front of the detail, and Caly and Corso were on either side of her. When the detail fell away at the temple entrance, Miriah was blinded by the holo cam lights, and had to take a moment to clear her vision. The Alliance anthem started, and she made her way alone up the center aisle of the temple. When she reached her chair, Corso stood beside her on her left and Lana, in a beautiful deep blue gown on her right. Once she was seated, the others sat. It would be a minute before the princess arrived, but her future prince was in his spot, and Miriah took a deep breath. The holocams she hadn't expected, but it made sense that the bride would want to broadcast to her world.
The wedding was perfect, and by the time Miriah had gotten to return home, she was tired. The heavy dress and cape were one thing, but the crown made her neck hurt. Corso put the items away as Miriah lay on the sofa with a heating pack. He joined her there, taking her socked feet in his hands. The images on the holo flickered past, and Miriah was almost asleep when she saw herself on the feed, and sat up suddenly.
"At a wedding today, Commander Riggs wore all the regalia of the Eternal Throne," the voice said. "As much as she states she is not the Empress of the Eternal Empire, she did seem to be used to wearing all the symbols of that throne." Miriah rolled her eyes as she saw herself take her seat. "Some would say that the same ideas behind Valkorion's reign are still in use." Now Miriah was getting angry, and sat forward on the sofa, Corso already calling Aric. "Sources tell us that the former Supreme Chancellor Saresh, who has remained a prisoner of the Alliance since she tried to take command there, will be released soon. We can only wonder in what shape Saresh might arrive home in."
"Okay, shut that down!" Miriah said, and stood to pace.
Aric was watching the same feed and was already calling for a security lockdown when Corso called. "I'm on it," he told his best friend and brother in law. "Stay put until I have every camera dismantled."
"Will do," Corso replied. "Aric, she's really mad, just warning you."
"I don't blame her," Aric said, and they signed off. Aric pulled on his boots and set out to the temple.
Inside the spy had to stifle giggles. He had sent all the footage he could splice to the galaxy news outlets, and now he saw the fruits of his efforts on the holo at the cantina. Around him, he could hear boos and shouts of how unfair the newscaster was being, but he didn't care. He knew from the influx of credits in his acct that his boss was pleased. That was the only thing that mattered, he reasoned. Against his own rules, he reached out with the force to see where the Commander was.
Devin felt the dark force and let his feet be led by his own force connection. He found himself outside the cantina, and pushed his way in. It was very crowded, since the wedding reception was taking place upstairs, but just as he felt he was getting close, the dark force disappeared and he was left looking at each patron. After an hour, he left, but only stepped outside.
The spy took a deep breath. His shielding had held, but he knew he was losing his ability to hold it, since he'd been doing so for the entire time that the Jedi had been standing near the bar. With a shaky breath, he made his way to his room, looking forward to being able to relax. He stepped outside and saw the tall Jedi again, just waiting outside. He nodded to the man and tried not to run as he crossed the courtyard.
Devin's eyes narrowed. He watched the man who had just exited walk away. There's something there, he thought, and turned into the secure area, hoping to find his uncle. He did, in the war room, and relayed his suspicions.
Aric sighed. He'd known, in the back of his mind, that there was more to the refugees than it appeared. He quietly dispatched an order to surveil the man, and knew they'd do a good job. He went toward the apartment, ready to handle his angry boss, hoping the news of the spy would help to settle that anger.