Lana had gone over her notes again and again, and felt ready. Her searches had revealed the power structure of the planet Onderon, and it's weaknesses. She had even managed to figure out the plotting that the Empire had been doing there. Satisfied that she had all the information she could retrieve, she absently rubbed her pregnant belly, and felt her son respond. Soon, little one, she thought, and felt him roll lazily within her, content.
Miriah tugged her tunic, with all the gold braid and such, in place. She had left her hair down and when the ship gently touched the tarmac, she was ready. Corso and Aric in front of her, she descended the ramp and looked around. She already missed her blaster, but Aric had persuaded her that she needed to be just a leader today. They had not exchanged many words this morning, but the gravity of their mission here was well known. Aric had been up early polishing his armor, and it gleamed in the sunlight. Alliance colors, Miriah thought. That's all we're here to do, is help. Not joining anything. With a resolved nod, she started forward, and had only taken a few steps when Arn came along side her, making her startle before she smiled at him. "What do you know of Onderon, Arn?" she asked.
"Well, we just landed in the heart of the capitol," he replied, his gaze scanning the blue and gold trim on the large structure. "Not that there are any other major cities. The planet is mostly wilderness, the wildlife is famously dangerous. The plant life is hearty enough to revive barren planets and spark new ecosystems. So that definitely makes Ondreon an important resource world. What else, hmm, ah yes! The planet is ruled by a king names Petryph, who's been on the throne a little more than three years."
"What do you know about the king?" Aric asked, his eyes alert for any danger but his ears following the conversation.
"Only that he's not very popular," Arn replied. "I didn't really get a chance to dig enough to find out why."
"Lana has secured a conference room for us, with encrypted holo," Miriah said. "Let's go find out what she has." Miriah turned to the steps of the building, but felt Arn's hesitation.
"Lana. Lana Beniko," he said, "Right? The Sith lord that works for you?" She felt his slight alarm and grudging respect, and stopped to stare at him.
"I promise, she has no desire to harm you," Miriah teased, and watched Arn blush.
"I'm s-s-sure, she's great," he stammered. "I just never, you know, talked to a Sith lord before."
"Let's go check in, shall we?" Corso stated, his mind wanting Miriah out of the open space. They made their way inside with only a cursory glance from the guards.
Caly had watched her parents and husband through the windscreen until she couldn't see them anymore, then with a sigh returned to her quarters. They're not in danger, she told herself, but her heart wanted them back aboard. She absently put clothing away, and didn't notice her aunt at first, standing in the open doorway. "Caly, you can't be worrying every time they get out of your vision," Magdalane said, and Caly startled.
"I hate the thought of them being ambushed, or something exploding. You know, the things that seem to happen whenever they're working on something." She sat on the bed with a sigh. "I liked Arn, though. He seemed very nice." She didn't miss the blush on her aunt's face and hid her grin.
"He will be a valuable ally," Mags finally said, and Caly nodded. She could tell her aunt was taken with Arn, and she knew she had no force sensitivity whatsoever.
"Maybe he and Tau can come to the temple on Odessen," Caly mused, and saw Magdalane's smile.
"That would be nice." Mags knew her reaction to Arn was unprecedented, and struggled to keep her objectivity. He was older, but his vast injuries had delayed his training, even though he was through the trials. His return to active knight status was very recent, pending some updates to his implants. It's always good to meet other Jedi, she reasoned, but she knew there was more behind her attraction to the younger man. And then, there was also Theron, who was trying to ease his way into a closer relationship with her. She felt guilty, she realized, for even entertaining thoughts about Theron, even if they did seem to share a physical attraction.
"Want to help figure out dinner?" Caly asked, as much to have something to occupy her thoughts than really needing assistance. Mags nodded, and they made their way to the galley, both lost in their own musings.
Devin had seen Lana enter the conference room, and could tell from the appearance of the windows that all the security measures were active. He sighed to himself. Despite her protests to the contrary, he knew she was finding it difficult to continue to work. With a smile fixed on his face, he pulled the heavy door open and saw the Vice Commander sitting at her usual spot, her notes neatly arranged in front of her. "Hey, Lana. You look ready," he told her, and was rewarded with a smile that lit her whole face.
"I am. I have everything pulled together, and am waiting for the Commander to be in the secure room." She let her fingertips touch everything in front of her, just to reassure her that it was all there.
"Why didn't they just do this on the ship?" he asked, a question that had been haunting him all night.
"The ship's encryption dish was damaged slightly during the encounter with the blockade," she explained. "Theron is working on it now, but this is delicate information, so we decided to secure an encrypted holoterminal."
"Good idea," Devin admitted, and took a seat across from where Lana sat. "And you're going home after this, right?" He didn't have to look to see her whole demeanor change, he could feel it in the force.
"Did Nico put you up to that?" she demanded. "Or are you all just determined to have me sit around and wait for this child?" She was agitated, and her face became red with anger as she stood, braced on the table.
"Hold on, Lana. I'm just concerned. I haven't spoken to nor seen Nico in days," Devin answered, sending calming waves of force. Slowly, she sat back down, getting her breathing under control and letting the anger go.
"I'm sorry, I'm so quick to be sad, or weepy. Or angry." She closed her eyes and rolled her head around, trying to lessen her tension. "I'm embarrassed now."
"Don't be. You have to be going through so many changes right now. I remember Mia being a little hard to read at the end as well." His soothing voice had her heart rate returning to normal, and she allowed a small smile to settle on her face.
"I am going home after, and will most likely stay there tomorrow, but I am only a call away if you need me," she said and Devin nodded. He felt the baby was close, even though he remembered that she still had a few weeks. Whatever made her feel included but allowed her to rest was fine with him, though.
Miriah was ushered into a plush room, and noted that it was ornately decorated. She made her way over to the holoterminal and put in the code she was given. In a few seconds, she could see the image of Lana come through, and Corso nodded to her, telling her that the connection was secure. "Hey, Lana. Welcome to Onderon."
"Commander, excellent to see you. This must be your new friend." She tilted her head, studying the Jedi. "Arn Peralun. Jedi Padawan...hmmm."
"Uh...nice to meet you?" Arn looks decidedly unsure, Miriah thought with amusement.
"You're enjoying this a little too much," Miriah replied, grinning at her friend, who indeed appeared to pull her Sith side to the forefront.
"I so rarely get to menace innocent young Jedi anymore," Lana lamented, but even Arn could see the teasing gleam in her eye. "Let's get to it, shall we? Onderon is a powderkeg. King Petryph has been at odds with his noble council for months. From what Hylo and I have learned, he wants to strip mine the planet to line his coffers. The nobles aren't interested in that plan. As a result, Petryph has changed his residence to his hunting lodge in the wilderness, where the nobles can't keep track of his activities or his visitors." Lana stood, and Miriah could see that the baby had grown. She hoped that Lana would hold off on his birth until she returned, but knew that might not be possible. "The nobles are led by Senator Nebet," she continued. "She's the planet's Republic representative, and was kind enough to lend us her office. Nebet's people have detected coded transmissions from the hunting lodge. The code used is highly sophisticated, and not Onderonian."
"Imperial code?" Miriah asked, her attention focused on Lana.
"Nebet suspectes as much. I have Doctor Oggurobb analyzing it to confirm, but in the meantime, the Senator is preparing the city for a potential attack. To that end, our people are spread across the capital, shoring up the city's defenses. I believe you'll find Tau Idair in the central marketplace."
"All right, Arn. Ready to meet your new master?" Miriah saw him startle and realized he was staring at Lana, her usual dark clothing stretched across her rotund belly.
"Ready as I'll ever be. It was nice to meet you, lord...lady...uh..."
"Just Lana will do," she replied, her amusement evident in her voice. Arn's blush was still on his face as the image winked out and Corso took Miriah's hand.
"The market here seems quite large," he told her. "We can start out there now, but it might be a good walk."
"I'm up for it," Miriah assured him.
"Then let's go," Aric said, moving into the empty hallway.
Lana gathered her datapads and let Devin wield the heavy door as they left. "Call if you need me, you promise?"
"I will," Devin replied. "You do the same. We'll supplement force for you in labor, Mia and I."
"Oh, Devin, thank you. I knew that your grandmother was, and your aunt, but if things happen while the mission is out..."
"Say no more," Devin told her. "Just go enjoy the last little bit of rest you can." Chuckling, they parted, Lana feeling more settled.
Aric had been quietly standing beside Maura, but she could almost hear the gears in his head spinning. "What don't you like, hon?" she finally asked, and was not disappointed when he swung around to face her.
"Something isn't right. We've just sauntered in here and no one even looks up. This is a huge marketplace, but we've been told this it primarily a wilderness planet. It just doesn't add up." He had started to pace as he spoke, and that caught Miriah's attention. She made her way over to where they stood at the door. When Aric had related his thoughts again, Maura saw Corso tense.
"It does seem unusual, but this planet's moon, Dxun, is home to a Czerka research facility. I'm sure that at least some of the people here actually work there," Miriah said, recalling the document Lana had sent after their conversation. Her words seemed to ease Aric's tension, and he nodded.
"Hadn't considered that," he admitted. "Still, it bears watching."
"Always does, brother," Corso agreed. Arn had been quiet, still a little shaken from Lana, and when Miriah called his name, he jumped a little.
"Are you ready to meet Tau?" she asked again, amused at his discomfiture.
"I'm ready," he said, straightening his shoulders. He was determined to be the best Jedi he could possibly be, even if the remainder of his training came almost fifteen years after his injuries. I would have liked a little more time with Master Magdalane, he thought, but knew that if the force wished it, they'd meet again. With a clear head, he followed the Commander out and into the bright sunlight.
Miriah now looked over the large, bustling market with a nagging feeling, Aric's remarks making her see the long rows of kiosks and tables in a different light. They made their way steadily down the center aisle, seemingly invisible to the crowds who were vocal but seemed all in good humor. She spotted Tau's face off to the left, in a square of merchants who appeared to be trying to over shout each other with their deals. Tau motioned to them and the moved to a quieter spot in the small courtyard. "You must be Tau Idair," Arn said, bowing with his hands together in front of his chest.
"And you must be Arn," Tau replied, and Miriah saw the slight blush that stained her cheeks. "I hope I can aid you on your path..." Her words trailed off as the stone beneath their feet trembled, then started to shake, and a long ugly gash appeared between where Corso, Torian, and Miriah stood and where the others were attempting to keep their feet.
"What's happening?" Maura shouted, grabbing onto Aric as he swayed toward the spot where the floor used to be.
"We're fine," Miriah shouted back. The rumbling slowed, and they all took a deep breath.
"Darlin', I don't know what happened, but I'm so glad you're safe," Corso said, bending to brush Miriah's hair out of her face and look into her eyes.
"Me, too, sugar." She reached her hand up to cup his cheek, but was hit by a profound sense of dread, and stopped. She had just looked over her shoulder at her sister when the floor beneath her feet seemed to disappear and she felt herself falling, the only thing she could see was the darkness into which she was plunged.