Miriah was pacing and rubbing her neck when Aric entered. "The media were to only get wedding footage!" she barked, whirling toward him. "And no one outside the immediate secure area should have known about Saresh being released!"
"I know, Mir. I agree. Devin has a suspicion on our mole, but I wanted to clear any further action with you," Aric told her, taking the offered beer from Corso. Miriah took the glass of wine he offered but put it on a side table.
"I want something done," she said, and Aric saw the fire in her eyes. "If Devin knows who..."
"He's not positive, but we've set up a stakeout on the suspect, and Devin is monitoring any dark force fluctuations. Even our former dark force users are pretty neutral now, so he should be able to pick up..." He trailed off as he saw Miriah's face.
"A Jedi?" she asked, incredulous.
"More accurately, a refugee," Aric said, and Miriah sank down beside Corso.
"So there was a plant," she said softly, and Corso took her hand. "You and Sol both said we needed to dig further, but all the background checks came back clean. What did we miss?"
"I wish I knew," Aric said, taking the side chair. "Devin's instincts are flawless, though. If he says someone is using dark force, it's just a matter of time until he catches them."
"I expected some sort of story, but this was not it," Miriah admitted.
"It was just a matter of time until the media found out about Saresh," Corso said softly, and Miriah nodded.
"I just wish the whole known galaxies hadn't seen me in the Eternal Empress role," she said, hanging her head over her knees. Corso took the opportunity to continue her neck massage, and saw her close her eyes.
"I can't wait for that Republic ship tomorrow," he said, and Aric raised his beer bottle toward his friend.
Saresh woke as usual and saw the female guard approaching the cell. It was a little early for shower time, but she decided it was fine and meekly followed to the refresher area. The guard handed her a kit from her pocket, and Saresh went into the refresher. Hmm, nice shampoo? And lotion? I must have done something right, she thought, closing her eyes as the hot water hit her skin. Say what you want about the Alliance, they know how to provide the basics at a higher level than most. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the flowery scent. When she had lingered as long as she dared, she stepped out and saw her fresh clothing, but it was different, too. Rubbing the lotion into her skin, she finally stepped over to unwrap the clothing bundle. Inside she saw the standard undergarments, but the dress was black instead of the usual gray, and there were shoes! Actual shoes! Leontyne almost laughed in glee. It has been years since I had anything but slippers to wear, she thought, and pulled the plain, flat shoes onto her feet. I feel like a new woman! Wearing an uncharacteristic smile, she exited the refresher, but her smile was immediately replaced by a scowl.
Solasta waited for the prisoner, and when the black-clad figure made her way out of the shower area, she straightened, her eyes glittering as Saresh frowned. "Let's go," Solasta growled, and with a cadre of troops, they escorted Leontyne Saresh out of the detention area. Solasta had wanted to make her wait there, but Miriah insisted that she be brought up to an interrogation room. The thought of getting to unleash her fury at the prisoner in the small, enclosed space made her grin, and she could smell the fear wafting from the twi'lek.
That Havoc traitor, Saresh thought. How could she be a general here? She went with the guards, and wondered why she was being moved. Have they another facility, she thought. Or am I going to die? The thought of being put to death didn't bother her so much as remembering the tall, young Jedi and what he'd done to another prisoner. That was when she truly knew fear. They continued on until they had deposited her in a small room. The door snicked shut, and Saresh had no doubt that it was locked. She sighed and sat back, trying to calm her nerves, wondering if she would ever see another day.
Solasta went into her office, Colonel Siovanna following. "Sir, the Commander sent word to feed the prisoner breakfast. The Republic ship is expected in a little over two hours now. She also said she would be down here shortly."
Solasta chuffed loudly. Lul ii iz'manyu dom tak prashim! (Feeding an enemy of the state!), but then she sighed and nodded, sending the colonel off to the task. She had been restless the night before, the news story adding to the unease she felt about letting Saresh go. She had read Aric's report of the spy, but knew that he and Devin had that well under control. Finally she sat at her desk and tried to center herself, breathing deeply and trying to relax her muscles. The scent of caf opened her eyes and she looked to see Miriah standing there with a grin on her face. Gratefully, she took the hot caf from Corso and let the caffeine infuse her, and felt a peace she hadn't in days.
"Let's go talk to our guest," Miriah said, her voice in that low tone that most avoided. Solasta took another sip of caf and stood, straightening her blouse. Aric stood outside the door, waiting for them.
"She's had food, and was taken to the facilities. Let's do this," he said, and opened the door with a sweep. Corso hung back, afraid that he'd lose his temper with Saresh, and watched through the glass, the speaker crackling to life as the group got into place. Miriah sat across from Saresh, her face neutral. She was flanked by Aric and Solasta, each trying to outdo the other in ferocious faces and low growls.
"What's happening," Saresh said, trying to keep the tremble from her voice, mostly succeeding.
"Today, you are going to be going home," Miriah replied, and saw the shock play over Saresh's face.
"I...what? Home?" she asked, puzzled and afraid to hope she'd ever be free again.
"You were a bargaining chip. We needed secure trade routes, and they wanted… you." Miriah saw her struggle with the idea.
"What do you want from me?" she asked, her eyes on the floor.
"I merely ask that you tell the truth. You tell them that you were treated as a prisoner, that you were given meals and snacks, and health care. We will not discuss your...transgressions while you were held here. Agreed?" Miriah waited until Saresh brought her eyes up, and saw the tears she struggled to hold back.
Saresh nodded. "You did treat me as well as any prisoner could expect."
"Your ride will be here in about an hour. Until then, you can remain here. I will not be going out with you, so this is farewell." Miriah stood, but when Saresh started to stand, Aric and Solasta both snarled loudly and she sat quickly instead. Miriah started toward the door, then turned back. "I can tell you this. Once you leave here, you are an enemy of the Alliance. We will not hunt you, but if you are ever caught in our space, you'll be considered kill on sight. Understood?" Saresh nodded, not trusting her voice around the lump in her throat. "Good." Miriah left, the Cathari following, and when the door closed again, Saresh crumpled in a heap on the table top, sobbing.
Corso hugged Miriah as soon as she was close enough. "You handled her perfectly," he told her.
"Sure did," Aric said, his good spirits restored now that he was out of the interrogation room. "Now, we have a spy to catch."
Magdalane had worked a little in the med center, but she found herself listless at times, downright spacey at others. She attributed it to low blood sugar, since she'd altered her eating pattern so much, but today she just had no energy at all. Dragging herself to the main desk, she collapsed into a chair and closed her eyes. "Sometimes the healer is the last one who receives attention," she heard Devin say, and smiled before she opened her eyes.
"Dev, how are you? The children and Mia well?" she asked, and he nodded.
"I wanted to touch base with you, just to see how things are going." He took the chair beside her and sighed. He'd paced and worried a good portion of the night, and now he was determined to hand Saresh over to the Republic with his presence as a warning.
"I'm just still regaining my strength, I guess. Some days are good, some are bad, but I love having everyone around me."
"We're always here for you," he told her, and she knew he was right. "I'm going to the send off party, care to come along?"
Mags considered it for a second, but shook her head. "You go ahead, I think I'll go do a little retail therapy."
"Ah, yes, the medicine of the female persuasion," he joked, and then laughed out loud when she used the force to make his chair twirl. He stood and hugged her. "See you soon," he said, and she nodded. He was one of the good ones, she thought, and with a lighter heart than she'd had only a few minutes ago, she left, heading toward the shops.
Lana had an early morning holo call from Nico, and he was all smiles. "The crew is relaxed, we've made better time, and so far, this is great," he told her.
"I'll let the Commander know that all is well," she told him. "You'll be home earlier than expected then?"
"This evening," he confirmed. "And then I'm off for almost a week for ship upgrades. Maybe it will be warm enough to take Tali outside for a bit, and we can maybe have a date night."
Lana laughed. "Maybe," she replied, smiling at him. They'd signed off and Lana stood, but she had to steady herself on the nightstand, her head spinning. After a few seconds, she felt fine. Strange, she thought, but quickly forgot it in getting Tali up and ready for school. Walking back in to the secure area, she was tempted by the food smells from the mess hall and hurried in, grabbing a hot biscuit filled with bantha bacon and egg, along with a hot tea for herself and a cocoa for Miriah. Rushing down the hallway to the offices, she smiled as she saw the boss at her desk. "Good morning, Commander. I have news from the trade routes," she said, handing over the cocoa.
"Things are going well?" she asked, then laughed. "Of course they are, you look relaxed."
"Nico says everything is great," Lana confirmed. "He'll be home for a bit after."
"Maybe you can take some time, enjoy having your family together," Miriah said, and Lana thought she saw a trace of sadness in her friend's eyes.
"We might, at that. Ready for the brief?" When Miriah sat back and sipped her cocoa, Lana took out her datapad and started with the rundown of the base overnight. When she finished, Miriah told her about the spy and she gasped out loud.
"I feel totally responsible, since I cleared them from the orbital station."
"Nonsense. We all were fooled. Now, we have to work on enough evidence to put it to rest."
Lana nodded. She yawned but went back to her office, ready to start putting together information for Devin, her heart light, looking forward to Nico being home.
Devin stood at the hangar door, and saw Solasta and Aric as they escorted Saresh to the opening. Even though most of the snow was gone, it was still cool out and they had left the main doors closed until the time came to take their prisoner out. Aric crossed to him. "They're on final, should be down in a couple minutes. Any more news on our subject?" Devin only shook his head, and Aric sighed. "No matter. We'll get to that shortly. Maybe meet this afternoon?"
"Sure, Uncle Aric. Or, how bout lunch at Mom's?"
"That works, too." They heard the whine of the landing ship and saw the doors start to open. Aric went back to Saresh's side. He saw Torian approaching as well, and had to hide his smile. The boy was becoming more and more like a son, and he was proud of how quickly Torian had learned security protocols. Once the sun shone into the opening, they all started forward, and Devin emerged from the shadows. They saw Saresh wince and slow when she saw him, and Aric saw Devin's lips twitch as he tried not to smile. They stopped as the Republic colonel came forward, handing Aric a datapad. He used his thumb to authenticate the documents, and Saresh was escorted onto the ship. The ground crew hurried around the ship, refueling and doing minor adjustments, and in less than half an hour, they were airborne again, and Odessen was quiet. Torian stood by Aric, staring up into the sky.
"How many tracking devices do you figure were on that ship," Aric asked, and heard Torian snicker.
"At least six. I put two on, and saw the other four. May the best hunter win." Aric clapped the younger man on the back and they made their way into the base.
Miriah lay on the sofa after lunch, snuggled in Corso's arms. She hadn't slept poorly, but she felt a cold coming on, and just wanted to be warm and quiet. Her feet were tucked next to Corso's and his arm was her pillow. She closed her eyes and wondered again if she'd done the right thing, agreeing to release Saresh. Oh well, no use in worrying about it now, she thought, and let her thoughts drift until she slept.