Logan peeked out of the window, and turned to his mother. "There's more of them now, and the Blades are fighting the Imps," he said, confused.
"Really?" she said, her brow scrunching. "Can you see the transport?"
"Not yet, but I see some of our troops now engaging." The words had just left his mouth when the glass broke, sending shards and slivers over Logan's back. The grenade that had been thrown was quickly picked up and hurled away by Miriah, and they urged the farmers to huddle in the far side of the room. Miriah took up the spot beside the window, Logan on the other side. Caly stood ready should the door open, her blaster steady in her grip.
Torian could see the location where he thought Logan was being sheltered, and jogged down the ramp once the transport had stopped. He hit the ground in full stride, but had to wait until the troopers had cleared a path. He was glad he'd put on his armor for this, he thought, as he felt a ricochet bounce off his shoulder. He briefly thought that he was glad Caly was safe at the ship, and took cover, firing his rifle in short bursts at the line of Imperial soldiers he could see. He saw one with a grenade launcher to his left, fire into the house on his right, and was surprised to see the grenade being tossed back into the fray. That was quick thinking, he told himself, and wondered who was inside.
Aric was monitoring comms and told Corso that the transport was only a hundred yards from the farm house, which had them both sighing in relief. "I can't decide whether to be upset or thankful that Miriah's out there, with Logan."
"You know that she could no more leave her child out there, in danger, than she could stop breathing," Maura said. "I'd do the same, and you both would, too. She would have told you what was going on, but the signal dampeners prevented the relays from working. So, angry or not, she did what any mother would do."
"I agree," Mags said, joining them in the lounge. "There was no activity until they were almost at the farmhouse, and it was only three that intercepted them then. When she contacted me through our force link, they were just fine. The transport will pick them up."
"When we are all set at the forward base, we can form a line and just take out anything in the way of reclaiming this area for the Alliance," Aric said, determination filling his voice. "Then we can spend a little time at the ranch before Odessen."
"Now that," Corso said, pointing to his friend, "sounds like a plan."
Miriah carefully picked off several of the combatants from the window, and when she ducked down to regroup, Logan used her holdout blaster on the ones nearest to the small opening. They could hear bodies hitting the door, but it was holding. Caly stood watch, her hands steady, and Logan saw her expression. "Caly, I had no idea you had trained with that," he said, indicating her blaster.
"Yep," she said, but her eyes never left the door. "Been working with Uncle Aric, then Torian." He saw how she steadied her stance and had to admit she was well trained. When the door burst open, she almost squeezed the trigger, stopping at the last second.
"Torian!" she exclaimed, and he hugged her, his eyes wide.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, then heard shells being fired outside. "Never mind. Commander, Logan, lets go!" His arm never left Caly's waist as he hustled her out to the transport, and then turned to assist Logan.
Miriah took the farmer's wife by the hand. "Come with us, at least for now. You're not safe here," she said, and saw her words as they made their way into the other woman's mind. With a nod, she pulled them out to the transport, and Logan assisted in getting them aboard.
"Now, Commander!" Torian yelled, the sound of battle so loud it was difficult to communicate. Miriah strapped herself into the transport and Torian closed the ramp, circling to the pilot. "Go! Go!" he shouted, and the transport turned, heading to the barricades surrounding the outpost.
Solasta had sent word to the advisers that there were Imps as well as pirates on Dantooine. Shae Vizla received the message, and rolled out of Arcann's arms to pick up her datapad. "Who's sending messages this early in the morning?" Arcann complained, and sat up, rubbing his eyes. They were in the middle of summer growing season, and he knew he needed to be in the field soon, but he savored every second with Shae and hated to cut any time short. He reached to stroke her bare back and saw her shiver.
"Imperials on Dantooine," she said softly. "The Commander is at the forward base there."
Arcann sat up straight at that. "I'll stop by the General's office and see if she needs me here," he said, pulling on his pants.
"I'll let you know if I hear anything more." Standing, he gently turned her face to his, kissing her soundly. So far, they'd kept their budding relationship under wraps, but he was more than willing to be public with it. Shae, however, wasn't ready, so he complied with her wishes, one of which was that they not be seen together all the time.
"See you later?" she asked softly, and instead of answering, kissed her again. He knew he'd message her later, and she was content with that. Heading down to the war room, he turned into the military wing, hoping the General was in.
Devin had been awake since Corso's emotions spiked on Dantooine. He'd linked up with his grandmother and been told the situation, and he'd gone into the office, unable to go back to sleep. He'd been waiting for more since then, alternately pacing and meditating. He could tell his mother wasn't afraid or even really concerned, and it was confusing to him. He was about to dial the ship's holo frequency when his Nana told him that everyone was okay, and that his mom was on her way to the ship. Sighing with relief, he slid into the chair, and closed his eyes. Thank the force, he thought.
Corso felt his muscle tension ease with the news that Miriah and their children were on the way back to safety. He had been warring with himself, one second angry that she'd taken the risk, the other understanding her motives. His heart, however, only wanted to hold her in his arms. He could see the heavy transport making it's way to the outpost, and took a deep breath. They'll be here in a few minutes, he thought, and started toward the barricades.
Solasta raised her weary eyes to Arcann as he knocked on her door frame. "I came to see if there was anything I could help with," he explained. "Have you heard from the outpost on Dantooine?"
"Only what you saw from Shae's message," Solasta replied, and Arcann had to smile. The General knew everything that happened on the base, much as the Commander did.
"I did happen to see that," he admitted, and Solasta snickered softly. "If I can help, you have my word that I will."
"If we need to do anything else, I'll let you know. I imagine that once everyone is set up there, it will only be a matter of wiping out the current troops. I daresay that the bomber in orbit will be enough to deter any replenishment of either Nova Blades or Imps." She stretched her arms above her head, wishing she could just relax enough to nap. With a nod, Arcann left, and Solasta stood to refill her caf, wondering when the Commander would return.
Lana had been keeping up with the incursion, and had briefly been granted walking privileges to the med center for a checkup. She was amazed at how hard it was to balance even with her barely-there baby bump, and clutched at Nico's arm. Tali danced along beside them, enjoying the warm weather. She was just entering the war room when Arcann saw her. "Very good to see you looking well, Lana," he told her, and she beamed.
"I am so glad to be outside," she answered, leaning on Nico. "It seems like months ago that I was last out."
"And we won't push that," Nico said, getting a nod from them both.
"Always best to stick to doctor's orders," Arcann agreed. They were on the way to the med center when Tali asked about Arcann's scars. Not really knowing how to answer, Lana was saved by Nico.
"He was a very hard fighter, and now he is fine, although he will always have the scars of his battles." Tali looked thoughtful at that but didn't say anything further. I'll talk with her more later, Lana told herself. The force aspect was one that Nico couldn't address, and she could feel that Tali was wondering about Arcann's force as much as his physical appearance. Smiling, she got ready for the scan, anxious to see her baby boy.
Corso was standing at the barricade when the ramp of the transport opened. Torian and Caly balanced Logan between them, and he first hugged his son. "Glad you got out," he said softly, and Logan was beyond words. Just being with his father had him emotional, now that he was safe. Corso then turned to Caly. "What in the worlds were you doing, Calypso?" he asked, but his broad grin belied his words.
"Just backing Mom up," she answered, her own grin spread across her face. Corso hugged Torian then, unable to say anything more. His eyes roamed the inside of the transport, but didn't see Miriah until the farm family was safely on the ground.
Miriah took a deep breath and made her way down. At the edge of the ramp, Major Xukon laughed and joked with some of the guards, and he only turned once she was even with him. He immediately stood at attention, his salute frozen. "Commander, I had no idea.."
"At ease, Major. All is well," she told him, seeing Corso moving quickly to her. He took her in his arms, swinging her around, and jogging with her back behind the barricade. Once there, he put her gently on the ground and turned to go to the ship. Only a few steps away, he turned and was in front of her.
"Two days from today, right now, we'll be at the ranch. And a week after that, Odessen." He turned to stalk away again, but Miriah stood firm, her face calm, a small smile sneaking onto her lips. Corso again took a dozen paces before turning to walk back to her. This time, he seared her mouth with a passionate kiss, and when he straightened, the applause made him blush. Arm around his wife, they started for the ship.
Logan had showered and had his Aunt Mags work on his ankle before he called his wife. She had no idea about his morning, and he wanted to keep it that way, instead telling her he was with the family and that they'd be back on the ranch soon. He heard all about James going out with the ranch foreman, and Logan being the easy baby they knew now that he wasn't in the transport ship. They were able to laugh and when Logan told Lara he loved her, he'd never meant it more. Corso was beside him once the call ended. "Don't ever forget that they come first, Lo. No matter what we feel called to do, not even if one of us is in danger. Those little ones need to know you're coming home, every time."
"You're right, Dad. I wasn't prepared for this, even though I thought I was." Corso patted his shoulder and told him that dinner was ready. Sarai had cooked, and it was all smelling so good, he didn't even notice that he was walking normally.
Later, when the ship was quiet, Corso found Miriah on the bridge, looking up at the stars through the large windscreen. "I could have lost you today," he said quietly.
"You could have lost me many times, not just today. But if you think I'd leave our son out there..." he put his hand on her arm and she fell silent.
"I know, and I would have done the same thing," he said. "I was upset at first, but Mags and Maura reminded me that you weren't acting as the Commander of the Eternal Alliance, but as Logan's mom." He felt her relax against him as he slid into the large chair behind her. "And Caly? How awesome was she?"
Miriah grinned. "She was amazing," she said, pride shining in her voice. "We have amazing kids."
"All down to you, love."
"To us both." She reached into the small fridge on the bridge and brought up some wine, pouring them both a glass. "I can't believe they're all so grown up." Taking the glass, she clinked hers with his. "Here's to us, and them."
"I love you, Mir. So glad you all got home okay." They snuggled together, enjoying the quiet and the stars, until he could tell she was sleeping. Taking the glass from her slack fingers, he stowed the breakables and gently lifted her up, taking her to bed, thankful that they'd be on the ranch soon.
Caly had been the recipient of her husband's thankfulness as well. They were cuddled together when Torian spoke. "Seeing you with that blaster ready reminded me of how you saved me," he said, kissing her fingers.
"I was totally calm and cool out there, With you, I was shaking like a leaf," she laughed. "It felt really good to do something, not just be on the sidelines."
Torian pulled back to look into her eyes. "Don't make it a habit, not sure my heart could take it." She smiled, but didn't respond. She was determined to be more involved, even if it was only to be a backup to her mom's security. She fell asleep, ready for the next day.