Aric stretched his long limbs, and settled on the sofa. "I'd turn on the holo but I feel bad sitting here in luxury while everyone out there fights and tries to rest," he said, a sad smile on his face.
"I know what you mean," Corso replied, picking up the puppy toys. Aric had asked him earlier if he was afraid that Miriah wouldn't have enough attention to pay to a pup, but he figured that a large, muscled beast who would defend Miriah with his life was a good thing. Their Odessen companies landed earlier and were setting up camp to the side of the main outpost. He'd seen their campfires earlier, and hoped they had everything they needed. He absently scratched his jaw, smiling when he remembered Miriah telling him how she liked the scruff. He had watched her eat dinner and was astonished at how much she'd consumed, so different than just a couple of weeks ago. Caly had laughed and hugged her mother, and he could see how pleased she was that Miriah had enjoyed the food. He wondered what the sisters were doing, but he knew they were on the ship, so he didn't worry. Caly and Torian had taken the pups out for a little exercise, and the main lounge was quiet. So quiet that when his datapad beeped at him, Aric jumped to stand.
"Hey, Cor, did you know Logan and his wife and children are on the way to the ranch?" he asked, his voice soft in case the women came around the corner.
"I did not," Corso said, both eyebrows high on his forehead. "Did the report say why?"
"No, just that he was on the transport bringing a new company to the ranch." Aric put his datapad back in his pocket. "Probably, he just needed to be here. You remember how that is, when you just need to do something."
"Yeah," Corso said, sitting back. "He's always been happier doing than thinking. Mir won't like that he's dragging the little ones along, but she'll still love having them here. Maybe we can get back to the ranch house soon."
Aric snorted a laugh. "I think Logan just gave you the perfect excuse to head back there." Corso grinned then, and propped his feet up on the low table. Maybe I can get her home soon.
Caly watched the playful pups, laughing as they tumbled over each other in the grass. "Mom surprised me today," she told Torian, who was scanning the area, ever watchful. "I miss our lynx, maybe she does, too." She trailed off when Torian didn't reply, and sat on the edge of tarmac. Torian realized he'd been distracted, and turned to her.
"Sorry, Caly. I was just making sure that no one was using the fading daylight to sneak up on the ship," he explained, and saw her mood change from annoyed to accepting. "We should get back." He whistled softly and the pups stopped their play to look at him, and Caly scooped them up, one under each arm. They got heavier as they neared the air lock, and once inside, Caly put them in their temporary home, a well padded crate, stocked with blankets. They had water and food, and Caly knew they had tired themselves out when they plopped in the corner, cuddled together. With a smile, she left them and followed Torian into the main part of the ship.
Logan walked around the ship, Lucas on his shoulder. The baby had not taken well to the changes of hyperspace transport, and had been screaming. Now, he was quiet, and Logan was afraid to stop. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea, he thought. The Dreamweaver is a lot different than this is, though. Even I wasn't prepared for this. He stood for a moment, and Lucas shifted. Not wanting to disturb his son, he continued to slowly walk the common spaces. Poor Lara, he thought. She's exhausted, and James has been wonderful. The little force user had adapted easily to the turbulence and multitudes of soldiers, laughing when he levitated small objects to their delight. They had a cabin so small that they could barely both stand, and now Lara and James were sleeping in a single bunk. Still, even in these conditions, Logan felt his heart was yearning to be with his parents. So many times, I've opted to protect my little family, and let others do the hard work. I need to be with this push on Dantooine. With those thoughts, he sat on one of the long benches, and felt Lucas sigh. Only a little longer, he thought, until we'll be on the ranch. He closed his eyes and dozed, the baby firmly in his grasp.
Miriah's face turned worried when Corso told her of Logan and his family en route, and she had to sit. Aric tried to calm her worries, but when she remained silent, he shrugged and followed Maura to their quarters. Corso sat with his wife and took both her hands in his. "They'll get to the ranch, and we will be there soon, darlin'. Everything is okay."
Miriah sighed. "I suppose you're right. Maybe we can wrap this up quickly."
Corso leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Let's turn in, love. I have a feeling those two," he pointed to where the pups lay sleeping, "will be up early, hungry." That thought brought a ghost of a smile to her face, and she took his hand, letting him lead her to bed. When they were as close as they could be, he felt her still awake. "They'll be fine on the ranch," he said softly.
"But you know that Logan won't be content with that. He'll feel the duty to come here, to fight," she replied, and he knew she was right. "Maybe we can have him work inside the command post, but it's not why he's coming. Devin would be here, too, if not for causing Lana stress." She had felt her older son's longing on the times he'd communicated with her.
"With the number of troops now deployed here, there may not be much fighting left," Corso said, letting his hands roam over her, hearing her breathing change with the passion he was drawing from her. He slowly drove her desire up, and by the time he let her fall, he knew her worries of her youngest son were nowhere in her current thoughts, and continued to love her, whispering his devotion over her skin. When she finally slept, he lay awake, hoping that he was right about the swift end of the Empire and the Nova Blades on Dantooine.
Caly lay awake longer than she had thought. Torian's vigilance was not unusual, but she had thought that they were perfectly safe here inside the forward command post. Maybe I'm just not understanding, she thought. Maybe he's always so watchful, but since we're pretty much inside the secure area on Odessen, I don't notice. He's been so serious lately. She sighed, and felt him pull her closer. "Sweetheart, are you okay?" he asked, and she could see that he was his normal self.
"I'm fine, hon. Just, you seem so different here. I was just thinking about that." He kissed her softly before answering.
"I worry, about everyone," he said. "The ranch was fine, but I know now that there are Imp fighters around here, and it makes me more aware of everything. I feel responsible for you, and for keeping your mother safe. I know, it makes me preoccupied, and probably hyper vigilant, but it's important."
Caly felt his arms tighten around her, and realized she felt safe. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do. Instead of arguing, she kissed his shoulder and closed her eyes. He slowly relaxed against her, and before he drifted to sleep again, he whispered that he loved her. I'm ready to go back to Odessen, she thought, and tried to sleep, her mind still going through any possible threats.
Lara fed the baby while Logan took James out of the cabin. There was a meager breakfast served, and James ate heartily. Apparently, being a force user makes him immune to all of this, Logan thought with a smile. He remembered Devin being much the same, comfortable in most situations. When the little boy was full, they walked back to the cabin. They'd be landing soon, he'd been told, and wanted to be ready to disembark. Lara had repacked everything, and they sat quietly in the small space, James growing sleepy now that he was full. Logan was holding Lucas when Lara reached over to touch his arm. "We can stay in the main house or the guest house, which do you prefer?" she whispered.
"Let's take the guest house, to give the little ones room to be children," he replied, and she nodded.
"Miriah sent a message that both would be stocked by the time we get there," she said, and he smiled. Mom would always think of things like that. They felt the sublight engines engage and knew they were within an hour of landing.
Miriah woke rested and made her way into the galley, leaving Corso asleep. She pulled all the ingredients for her home made cinnamon buns, and knew the smell would rouse most of her family. They were in the oven when Aric shuffled in, his nose twitching. "I could live on these," he told her, getting a smile. Corso woke and made his way to her, getting a kiss before taking the pups outside. Caly hugged her mom as she put the platter of rolls on the table and brought over the caf. Corso joined them, pups wiggling behind him. A normal enough day, Miriah thought, and giggled when Smoke licked her toes. Maura and Mags came next, and Miriah thought Mags seemed upset.
"What's up?" she asked, seeing Mag's face.
"Mom isn't feeling well," she said. "I examined her but found nothing out of the ordinary. She says she'll be fine after she rests, but it bears watching." Miriah was motionless for a second before heading down the hallway.
Sarai lay in her bed, but her eyes were open and Miriah went to her. "Mom, I'm worried," she said, and Sarai smiled at her, patting her hand.
"My child, I'm just not as young as I once was. Sometimes, I feel every one of those years, and I stay in and rest. Today is one of those days." Miriah helped her sit up. "And I wish I felt better, because I smell your cinnamon rolls."
"I'll bring you one, and some hot tea. What else can I bring you?" Miriah saw that her mother's mental acuity was just fine, but saw that one of her hands was slightly swollen, and gently brushed her fingers over it.
"That would be lovely, dear. Logan is just departing the transport, at the ranch. We'll be back there soon, right?"
"Absolutely," Miriah replied. "I'll be right back." Miriah hurried to make her mother's tea, but by the time she rushed back to the room, Sarai was sleeping, and she just backed out. We really should get back soon, she thought, and took the tray back to the galley.
Devin saw his brother's face and let out a relieved sigh. "So glad you made it, Lo. I'm sure it wasn't a pleasant journey."
"No, but it wasn't terrible. We'll come back on the Dreamweaver, with the family, so everything is fine." Logan held the baby as Lara took James for a nap.
"What will you do now?" Devin saw that his brother was still not completely settled.
"I'm staying put today. If Mom and Dad aren't back by tomorrow morning, I may hop a shuttle to the outpost." Logan said that last part in a softer voice, and Devin knew his wife had no idea of her husband's plans.
"Well, just keep your eyes open. We left the current company at the ranch in case this is a diversion to cause issues there."
"Will do, and talk to you tomorrow, okay?" They signed off just as another group of work came in from Lana's datapad to his. They all need to be back here, he thought, and settled in to his computer.
Logan breathed in the cool morning air, feeling alive and well. He had decided to take the shuttle that Torian had used to join the fighting in the south, and Lara had grudgingly given her approval, hugging him hard after he'd kissed the little ones. Now, he boarded the craft and lifted off the deck, turning into the right route. He had been flying for almost two hours, lamenting to himself that the shuttle was so slow, when he felt a turret shot hit the side of the shuttle. He instantly went into a diversion dive, just as the shuttle's controls started to smoke. Dammit, he thought, and pulled hard on the yoke. When nothing responded, he prepared to eject.
Miriah was outside with the puppies when she saw the smoking shuttle in the distance and yelled for Corso. Aric came running out with him, and when he saw the smoke and the dangerous altitude, he keyed his relay, sending an armored transport out. The shuttle had taken a route that brought it directly over the fighting, and when it crashed, it took out one of the farms on the outskirts. Aric could see it was immediately boarded by Nova Blades, but he saw them come out empty handed. "He ejected, Mir, when it was apparent he couldn't fly that thing. Now, we just have to find him."
Miriah swallowed hard and nodded. They would find him, no doubt. She patted the huge blaster at her side before Aric shook his head. "We will find him. You, stay here, inside the outpost. No argument."
Miriah's eyes flashed as she stared at him, but the tall Cathar wouldn't be moved. When she nodded, he turned to Corso. "Let's take the stealth generators, go see if we can find the parachute."
Corso turned to Miriah. "I'll bring him back, darlin'. I promise," he told her, hugging her tightly.
"You better," she whispered, trying to be brave but the tears leaked through.
Lana got all reports of any casualties from the troops, and frowned with the message that came through about a lost shuttle, but no confirmation of the pilot. She sighed and forwarded the info to both General Dinn and Devin. This needs to be over, she thought, not aware that Logan was the pilot.