Aric looked around the armored transport, his ears up. They were about to head for Riggsville, and for some reason he felt nervous. The previous day, they'd all gone to Haven, and everything was fine. Today, he didn't quite know why, but he was apprehensive. Still, everything on the base was calm, Devin and Lana were in the office, and it was a sunny, cool day. He stuck his head inside, saw Miriah and Corso chatting with Caly and Maura, and climbed in, giving the driver the go ahead. He sealed the door and they started off.
Miriah could tell that Aric was worried, but she was warm and snuggled up against her husband, who was making small circles on her shoulder with his thumb, relaxing her more than she had been in days. The less hectic schedule had helped, and Devin was taking over a lot of the legislative stuff, so that she only had to approve the things he gave her, which eliminated hours of reading for her. There had been no more news of Saresh, and Lana figured she was laying low, which made sense. So far, letting go of a few duties had been just fine with her. Closing her eyes, she smiled. Maybe this would turn out okay after all.
There were three transports in the convoy. One carried the detail troopers, and the other supplies for the village. Miriah napped over most of the journey, waking when Corso shifted her to grab the mug of caf Caly offered him. "Sorry, darlin'. I didn't mean to wake you," he said softly, and she could see his love in his eyes.
"I'm fine," she assured him, sitting up. Caly handed her some cocoa and she sipped happily. "Thank you for being our onsite caterer," she told her daughter, who grinned at her.
"I'm enjoying getting out," she admitted to her mother. "I just love Haven, and this time I'll get to see Riggsville."
"It's grown," Aric commented, and Miriah wondered how often he got down here. Knowing him, he was noticeable presence, keeping things on the up and up.
Devin had worked through most of the documents on the terminal and stood, stretching. I don't know how Mom has done this for so long, he thought. It's a lot of work, every day, just keeping things going. More than I ever thought. He checked to see if Lana needed anything and went for a walk to the mess hall to meet Mia and the children for lunch. Merida squealed when she saw him, Declan too busy eating to do more than grin at him. Mia kissed him quickly and pushed the food she'd gathered toward him. "You look tired," she said, and patted his hand.
"My eyes are. All I've done today is read stuff," he told her, digging into the food.
"You seem happier, though, than working in the temple all day." Mia knew his sense of duty had propelled him to help his mother, but she could see that he was enjoying it.
"I do feel like I'm making a difference," he admitted, and she smiled.
"I'm glad you're helping Mom," she told him, and then he felt Merida asking about Mimi. After assuring his daughter that her Mimi was, in fact, just fine, they ate and chatted. Devin felt himself relax. Miriah was enjoying visiting with the towns that had been created on Odessen, and he was happy that she had the chance.
Miriah was helped out of the transport and had to blink rapidly in the bright sunlight as she patted her pockets for her protective glasses. Once she had them on, she turned to see Corso and Caly emerge. Turning back to the settlement, she saw the elected officials as they made their way to her, her detail holding them up for Aric's sign. When he nodded, she greeted them and moved forward into the town hall.
Caly followed with her dad and aunt. This place is huge, she thought, and she almost dove behind her dad as a young man hurried to them. "You're Calypso Cadera!" he exclaimed. "I love your videos!" She felt her shoulders relax and nodded. "I've learned so much, I even started making some of your recipes in my cafe."
"I'm so glad you're enjoying them," she replied, but felt her self esteem soar.
"I really do, and I hope you have just a moment. I'd love to ask you some questions." They chatted as they walked, and when they parted, he gave her the contact info for his cafe, and told her how honored he'd be to serve them one day. Corso had stayed near her, and when the young man hurried off, she turned to her dad.
"Now I kinda see what you all mean about keeping Mom covered with protection. That was scary at first," she said, and Corso nodded.
"Imagine if he had wanted to hurt you. Even with me and Aunt Maura here, we would have had trouble keeping you safe." They walked along in silence, Caly thinking about her videos and Corso worried about anyone else rushing his daughter.
Miriah met with the leaders and looked at their population figures and homes, and after a couple of hours, she could see Aric herding her toward the transports. She had told Corso and Caly to go ahead, and had started up the path. She was stopped several times, Aric at her side. She saw motion out of the corner of her eye, but dismissed it. This will be done soon, she thought, her energy flagging.
Corso and Maura helped Caly up into the vehicle and they were just buckling in when the ramp clanged shut and the transport started to move. "Hey," he yelled, banging on the window into the driver's cabin. "We're can't leave. We still have the Commander out there!" He tried the emergency stop, but nothing happened. He saw Maura looking for other ways to get out of the heavily armored body, but she finally just shook her head. With a grim look on his face, he ordered Caly to stay buckled up and sat to fasten his own restraint. At least Miriah isn't in here, he thought, and we're not going very fast, so Aric will see this.
Aric did indeed see their transport start to rumble off and nudged Miriah. "We need to move," he barked finally, and Miriah's eyes met his. He nodded the transport that was just disappearing over the rise, and Miriah took off running, leaving her detail behind. Oh gods, my family is on that thing, she thought, her panic making her move faster.
Aric saw her running and turned to the mayor. "I need a speeder," he said, and one was quickly brought to him. As he mounted, he keyed his relay. "Sol, we have a possible abduction. I need a squadron airborne, east of Riggsville heading toward the gorge." He didn't wait for a response. Jumping on, he opened the throttle. In a few seconds, he was closing the gap to Miriah. He slowed as he approached and reached out his arm. Miriah took it and he threw her behind him, speeding up before she even landed on the seat. He roared off, the speeder whining as he pushed it forward. He could feel the rapid beat of Miriah's heart against his back, and her tears in his shirt. He tried not to let his panic overwhelm him as he remembered his wife was in that transport.
Miriah hit the seat on the speeder with a thud that made her wince. Wrapping her arms around Aric, she leaned her head on his back and tried to control her fear. She could see his relay blinking, and knew he'd called for reinforcements. If anything happens to Corso and Caly, I will not be able to hold back, and with that thought, reached down to power up Grace, who had been sitting quietly in her holster.
Solasta was supervising the new recruits in training when her relay chirped. When she heard Aric's words, she sprang into action. "I want a shuttle with Echo company airborne in 2 minutes to these coordinates," she said, giving the info to flight control. "Helo company, on speeders. Now!" She pulled her own speeder out and was flying across the fields within seconds herself, troopers catching her and riding in formation behind her. What the hell is going on, she wondered, and then had to focus on riding over the wild terrain, putting her worry aside for the moment.
Lana had been taking Tali home when she saw the troopers rushing to the hangar, and heard a shuttle roar. Something's happening, she thought, and went into the flight control office. She didn't say anything, just listened to the chatter from the multiple voices and figured out that there was a transport that had been taken. Apparently, Aric had Miriah, so she wasn't sure if there was anyone on board or not. She was still there when Colonel Siovanna arrived, and was told she'd be notified when the transport was stopped. With a nod, she took Tali home, and the little girl fell asleep easily. Even though the pull of a nap was strong, she was worried about the transport. Sitting down, she closed her eyes, and was almost instantly asleep.
Corso had been holding his daughter's hand, but it was a rough ride and eventually he had to use both to hang on. I sure hope Aric and Miriah are safe, even though he knew in his heart that they would both be chasing the transport. He glanced over at Caly's white face and patted her leg before grabbing the hanging strap as the transport rocked and bucked under them. Hurry, he thought.
Solasta spotted the transport and altered her course slightly. She could see another speeder with what looked like Aric on it, and wondered if Miriah was inside the vehicle. Behind them, there were more than three dozen speeders, trying valiantly to keep up. The shuttle she had dispatched flew over them, and she took a deep breath. We have the firepower, at least. Just then she saw the transport sway dangerously, and swore.
Ahead, Aric saw the transport hit a large rock and start to turn on it's side. Dammit, he thought, and hoped Corso and Maura had buckled in. Smoke rose, and through it, he saw Corso step out, and turn back to help. The speeder skidded to a stop and he realized that most of Riggsville had followed.
Miriah sprang off the speeder and ran to Corso, who picked her up in his hug. Solasta and her troopers arrived seconds later, and after a quick kiss, Corso put his wife's feet on the ground, where she hugged Caly. Maura was in Aric's arms, and they could hear shouts and the whine of blasters, and the shuttle as it landed. "Are you okay?" Miriah asked, feeling Caly tremble.
"I'm fine, Mom. It was scary, though."
"I know, honey, I was scared, too." Miriah closed her eyes and felt Corso put his arms around her and Caly. Just being able to touch them all had helped Miriah gain control of her panic, and now, the adrenaline had started to fade. Her own shaking made Corso squeeze her gently, and she turned, putting her face into his chest to hide her tears.
Aric and Maura ran to the front of the transport, blasters ready. On the hard, rocky ground, the pilot was on his knees, his hands behind his head. Solasta had her blaster muzzle resting on his forehead and the man looked too scared to breathe. Miriah and Corso followed quickly behind them, and Aric heard Miriah let out a mad huff.
Miriah strode to the man who was visibly shaking under the scrutiny and armed weapons. "Tell me why I shouldn't shoot you myself. My husband and daughter was inside that transport," she growled.
"I.. I had to get to talk to you. I have to be taken into custody," he said softly, tears in his eyes.
"Why?" Solasta asked, putting her blaster back in it's holster. She didn't let up her lazer focus, though.
"I have to stop. I didn't want to anyway, but if I just stop, I'll be killed," the man said, still looking at the ground.
"Who will kill you, beside me?" Miriah asked. She was still shaking and desperately wanted to sit down, but held firm.
"I don't know who he is, but he sent us here," the man said. "All of us." Solasta met Aric's eyes. The refugees, she thought. He was one of the refugees. She saw that he had realized it, too, and felt her own regret that she'd let them out of her sight.
"Let's move him to the base," Solasta barked, and the troopers quickly bound him and put him inside the shuttle, which took off quickly.
Miriah closed her eyes as the shuttle lifted, the pebbles and debris that was stirred up hitting her skin. Aric and Solasta conferred, and then Aric came over to where Corso and Caly had joined her. "There's another shuttle lifting off now," he told them, and Miriah spotted the Riggsville contingent.
"I need to thank them," she said, but Aric shook is head.
"I'll take care of it. I want you here with Sol until I get back." Miriah felt conflicted about that, but then nodded. Aric stode over to those gathered and she could see them shaking hands and nodding. Who would have thought they'd respond in force, she thought, but then realized they were looking after her.
The second shuttle was about to take off from the main hangar when Torian leaped aboard. "My wife is out there," he explained, and the pilot nodded, lifting off the ramp. He had felt sick when he heard what was happening and struggled with keeping his post and going to his wife. Luckily, Logan had come to relieve him and he'd run quickly to the hangar. Now he silently urged the shuttle to move faster.
Caly saw the shuttle and pointed it out to her parents. How can Mom even breathe without worry, she thought. I've only been away from the base for four hours, and I'm ready to just stay in the secure area now. The aircraft landed and she saw the ramp lower, and then her husband rushing to her. He took her in his arms, and she let her tears go. Dad was right, she thought. There are threats everywhere. She held on to Torian and he led her into the shuttle, where her parents and aunt and uncle waited. Taking a shaking breath, she smiled at them, but inside she swore to be less frustrated by her mother's security and more grateful for it.
Miriah felt the shuttle take off and briefly wondered who the pilot was and if he could be trusted. Nonsense, she thought, and tried to relax. Corso must had heard her thoughts and took her hand. We'll be fine, his touch said, and she trusted it. She trusted him. It was enough.