Miriah sat silently as her advisers debated the best way to supplement the food distribution to some of the smaller planets in the Alliance who were having some issues with supplies. She had no doubt that they'd work out a plan, and her thoughts were on the group still in the barracks. Once the room started to quieten, she stood. "The last item on this agenda is the refugee group. By now, I'm sure you've heard that they all had part, albeit a very small part, in the recent power grid explosion." She saw them all nod and turn their thoughtful gazes to her. "I am positive that they individually did not know that they were part of the whole. I'd like to know your opinions." The room was silent for several moments before Admirial Aygo spoke.
"I've seen this happen before. General Dinn, if you remember your father's naval battles, you'll remember as well," he said, and Solasta's eyes widened.
"Of course," she nodded, recalling the incident he referenced. "It was decades ago, but the piecemeal duties are the same."
"That would have been accessible from any library, Empire or Republic," Aric said, his face reflecting his recall of the battle. "I'm inclined to chalk this up to a learning experience. Otherwise, the group has integrated into the Riggsville and Haven colonies, and provide needed hands and expertise."
"I'm thinking the same," Miriah said. "Anything else for this meeting?"
"One thing," Hylo spoke up. "Our ships are paying a different rate for fuel than the Republic ships on the same routes. I don't recall that being a part of our agreement with them."
Miriah's lips drew into a disapproving line. "I'll take care of that today," she said, and the group stood. Corso had been beside her, and now held his arm out for his wife. He could tell her back was bothering her today and wanted her to take care of herself. She gratefully took the support and stretched when she stood. "Let's make our way to the barracks," she said, and Corso smiled. He was glad to be able to give them the good news.
Caly had gone home to rest and Torian found her napping on their sofa. He woke her with a gentle kiss. "What? No gourmet meal?" he teased, and knelt beside her.
"Mom saw I was tired, and sent me home," she said, reaching out to touch his face. He's been outside, she thought, seeing the slight reddening of his cheeks. "I'll cook for us, though."
"No, you do need a break," he said. "Let's go to the cantina instead."
"Or the mess hall," she offered. "It's free."
"Sweetheart, are you still worried about having enough credits?" he asked, and saw that her eyes were on the floor. "I promise, we're are fine. Even before I was a part of the Alliance, I had enough credits from bounties and hunts that we'll never have to worry. I made a good salary with the Alliance, my love. Please, no more worry about having enough, okay?" He gently turned her face to his.
"I don't want to be a burden," she started, but stopped when he laughed out loud.
"Is there something you want or need, sweetie?" he asked.
"Nothing, but..."
"Then let's go have a good meal, and enjoy having a quiet night, then back here to go to bed, and I'm not suggesting sleep." Caly had to giggle at the silly face he made, but then sobered to kiss him.
"Sounds wonderful," she said, and kissed him again.
Lana had picked Tali up and they'd met with Nico for lunch, but now she was back at the office, determined to keep up with all that was going on. She saw Miriah and the detail out in the war room and hurried to her boss. "Commander, you're heading to the barracks?" she asked, and Miriah took her arm.
"We are. They're all going home," she said, and Lana stopped walking, almost pulling Miriah off her feet.
"We're sending them back?" Lana asked softly.
"No, no. Back to their homes here," Miriah explained, and Lana sighed.
"Sorry, I misunderstood," Lana said, and walked at a leisurely pace inside the detail.
"How's the little one?" Corso asked, and Lana beamed a smile at him.
"We're doing well. Hopefully in a few weeks the nausea will be over."
"And the need for so much sleep," Miriah said, getting a nod from Lana.
"That's all I do lately," Lana confirmed, and Corso chuckled.
"I remember when Mir would go to sleep trying to finish a sentence," he said, and Miriah nodded along. It seems so long ago, she thought. They arrived at the barracks and the detail cleared the room before letting her inside.
Coleen had been busy with the school session ending soon. So busy that she'd declined all of Ty's requests to see her. She would enter her apartment with her book bag and the baby, and collapse into the sofa. Caitlin is at least sleeping better, so that's a blessing, she thought. She put the baby on the floor to play and was unpacking the baby gear bag when her doorbell chimed. Figuring it was Maura, she opened the door, and was shocked to see Ty standing there, flowers in his hand. "I know you're busy, but you were on my mind," he explained, holding out the bouquet.
"These are lovely, Ty. Thank you," she told him, her eyes closed as she inhaled the fragrance. "Come in."
Ty hesitantly crossed the threshold. He didn't want to give the colonel any reason to distrust him. He was uneasy until he saw Caitlin grinning at him, and his heart melted. "She's such a darling," he said softly, and picked the child up as she had crawled toward him. He was rewarded with a huge smile and smiled back.
"She's not shy," Coleen said, chuckling. She could see the easy of which he handled her, and her comfort in his arms. She placed the flowers on her dining table, away from curious little hands, and saw Caitlin turn to smile at her. "Please, sit. I'm just getting home," Coleen explained, and Ty turned to her.
"I know, and I really don't want to intrude. I'm sure you're ready to relax for a bit. I admire you for taking care of children all day, then coming home to do it some more," Ty told her. "I just wanted to make you a little happy."
"You did, very much so. I'm about to cook dinner, join us," she told him, amazed that she was so forward with the handsome Mandalorian. It was just that she felt comfortable with him. He reminds me of how Torian is with Caly, she reasoned. She saw the moment he accepted on his face, and turned into the kitchen. This will be fun.
Miriah stood in front of the group. "We've decided to allow you all to return to your homes here. In all of the little details, a much bigger thing was done. I don't believe any of you truly knew what the outcome would be. I would caution you, however, that any further acts of sabotage will be met with punishment."
"What of the ones detained?" a small woman asked, her voice trembling.
"One will remain, as he clearly knew he was doing something that would result in damage. The other will be freed," Solasta said.
"Before we go, we have something for you, Commander," the apparent leader of the group said, and he started to hold out his hands. Before he could step closer, he was intercepted by Aric and Corso. He placed several small pieces of paper in Corso's hand, and then stepped back to the others.
"Thank you," Corso told him and got a somber nod.
"Thank you all for coming in today," Miriah said, and smiled at them as they left. When they were out of the building, she turned to her husband. "What is that?" she asked, and he handed the slips over to her. One by one, she read apologies for what had happened, and for anyone who was hurt or ill due to the power outage. She felt tears gather as she read, and wondered how badly these people had been treated before, to have such desire to stay on Odessen. Some had lived in tents, building Riggsville. Some had worked tirelessly to better their lives. Already two children had been born, Lana had reminded her. She thought back to how Odessen had come to be, and realized they were the spirit of this place as much as anyone. Corso heard her sniff and put his arm around her. She glanced up at him and smiled, and he kissed her nose.
"Let's go," he said softly, and saw Miriah nod. They slipped outside, the sun low in the sky, and he felt Miriah shiver. The days were warm but the nights were cold yet, he thought and helped her into her coat. They walked back toward the courtyard and in front of the mess hall, Miriah stopped.
"Can't we just eat here?" she asked, and Corso looked over at Aric, who shrugged.
"Anything you want, darlin'." He held the door for her and when the detail captain said they were set, they went inside. The mess hall was in full dinner swing, and Miriah took a spot at the end of the line, talking with those at the tables she passed. This is what she loves the most, interacting with the people of Odessen, he thought, and smiled. It was a pleasure to him to see her happy and when they had food and had settled with Aric and Maura, she grinned up at him.
"Just like old times," she said, and Maura giggled. They ate and laughed, and spoke to everyone they saw, some coming around more than once to see Miriah smile. When the food was gone and they were growing tired, they stood and made their way into the elevators, ready for home.
Nico had cooked, and Lana woke from her nap hungry. They settled at the table and Lana told him about the refugee group. She also asked about the higher fuel prices that were brought up in the afternoon meeting. "Yeah, it's been a little higher in some places, and a lot higher in others. I've had to limp to the next supplier a couple of times to avoid the higher ones," Nico admitted, and Lana felt her anger grow.
"Why would they do that?" she asked, but she knew why. Not everyone in the Republic was happy to have the Alliance ships using their lanes. "Miriah will put a stop to that. I have her scheduled for a call with Rans tomorrow afternoon."
"It's been great to use the trade routes though. Much less stressful. Maybe the higher fuel is worth it," Nico shrugged. Lana took Tali to her bath and to get ready for bed, but when she returned to the sofa, she picked up her datapad, making notes for the next day. The fuel question burned within her and she was determined to address it. Sighing, lay her head on Nico's shoulder, the galactic news feed playing over the holo. "Let's go to bed, love," he told her, and they settled in, content to be together. I'll make sure that the fuel issue is on the table tomorrow, Lana thought, before she gave in to sleep.
Miriah lay draped over her husband, naked, sated and drowsy. Corso picked up a lock of the ebony hair, twirling it around his finger. "Now, you've got to do that thing you promised," he said, a grin covering his face.
"But I want to stay here," she said, pouting a little.
"You promised," he replied. "Besides, you enjoy it." Reluctantly, Miriah sat up and grabbed her nightshirt, pulling it over her head as Corso activated the heat pack he'd put on her side of the bed earlier. Pushing pillows under her knees, he helped her get comfortable, the heat on her sore back making her groan. In minutes, she was sleeping soundly, and Corso kissed her gently on her forehead before getting up, picking up their room. He was still restless, and ended up sitting in the chair beside their bed, reading. Finally his eyes grew heavy and he slid into the bed, just as the HK outside announced visitors.
Devin had been sound asleep when the duty officer woke him. "There's someone in an escape pod that's being towed into the orbital station," the officer told him, and he hurried to dress. He was almost to his parent's apartment when he saw Aric jogging his way, and waited for his uncle. At Aric's nod, the HK units buzzed inside.
Corso answered the door, and at once wondered what had happened. Ushering them into the kitchen, he took a deep breath. "Okay, what's up?"
"There is an escape pod being towed into the orbital station. The ship it came from has Hutt registry, but that's all we can determine. It will be in their quarantine area in two hours," Aric explained.
"Dev, can you tell who's inside?" Corso asked.
"No, but whoever it is, is alive," he said. "No force signature."
"Lana can't go up," Aric said. "I wouldn't even ask it of her."
"I'll go. I can deal with anyone who emerges from that pod," Devin said, and Corso nodded.
"Do we wake Mir and tell her now? And if we do, will she insist on going to the station?" Aric asked. "It would mean getting the on call detail ready, so I'd need a little time."
"I'll tell her," Corso said. "She won't be going. Dev can handle it."
Aric thought for a moment. "Who do you think it is?" he asked, and looked at the other two men.
"No idea," Corso said. "But it can't be good."
Miriah was approaching the kitchen, alerted to the voices in the apartment, when she heard the discussion. Silently, she made her way back to bed, and waited for Corso. No, this can't be good, she thought.