Lana woke early, feeling all the aches and pains of advanced pregnancy. Her due date still two weeks away, she was hoping the medic would tell her that things were ready now. No, not now, she thought. I want Miriah to be home. She rubbed her eyes and stood slowly, letting her body adjust, and lumbered to the shower. The hot water revived her and by the time Nico and Tali were awake, Lana had breakfast waiting.
Miriah looked at the chrono and nodded at Corso. They were on time for the meeting, but the senator was running late. Suddenly they heard the sounds of armor clanking, and Senator Nebet appeared, along with a delegation of Onderonians. After murmured greetings, one of the noblemen turned to Miriah. "The death toll is still being calculated. At the very least, hundreds of guards and civilians have died. Damage to the city itself was minimal. They attacked so quickly that we hardly engaged them before they reached the palace."
Tau Idair had joined them. "Our ships in orbit got through without a scratch, thanks to the Commander. They should finish refueling within the hour."
"Then your mission here is over?" Senator Nebit asked softly.
"I wish we could stay to help, but with the Imperials heading for Corellia..."
"We should stay." Arn interrupted and crossed his arms over his chest. "We have to stay."
Miriah saw the fire in his eyes, the same determination to help that she'd often seen in Magdalane and Devin, and spoke. "I agree. We should stay and help."
"It's not just that," Arn said. "The droids that attacked us were being controlled remotely. And you said they spoke with a woman's voice." He shifted uncomfortably, and Miriah saw a flash of annoyance on his face. "Darth Savik is the new Dark Council member in charge of scientific research. I read about her in Gnost-Dural's files. She uses droids in all of her missions." He took a few steps toward Miriah, which had both Corso and Aric flinching out of habit. "And I had a look at their internals. The signal range isn't far. That means Savik is on this planet, as we speak."
"A Dark Council member could tell us a lot about the Empire's plans," Tau said, her voice thoughtful. "If we can find Savik, she'll know which of our other fleets they're targeting."
"What else do we know about Darth Savik?" Miriah asked.
"Not much," Arn admitted. "She seems to avoid the spotlight. Master Gnost-Dural suspects she's quietly deleted records of herself from across the galaxy. Only fragments remain."
"We can start with King Petryph," Senator Nebet offered. "If the Sith are manipulating him, they won't be far. He was last seen heading toward his royal hunting lodge."
"We'll need a guide," Aric said softly, and Miriah nodded.
"Absolutely," Nebet said, motioning to a nearby person, one Miriah has assumed to be a nobleman but on closer examination, was actually dressed more like a hunter himself.
"We'll leave you to that. It's best if Arn and I stick around to hold the line here, in case the Imps make another attack." Tau looked formidable in her armor and robe, and Arn at her side gave the pair a deadly air.
"Let us be off, then," the hunter said. "My name is Jak, and I've lived here my whole life."
"Then we're in good hands," Miriah replied. "Mags, with me and Corso and Aric. Maura, you get the ship ready. Torian, you're in charge of communications between the fleet and the ship. Let's get this Savik neutralized." Torian looked chagrined at being left behind, but knew that it was likely that the Commander had taken Caly's feelings into consideration on the decision and resigned himself to letting go on this one.
Corso hefted his small backpack onto his broad shoulder. "Let's go," he said, taking Miriah's hand.
Caly was taking a break, lounging on the sofa, when she heard the air lock. She jumped up when she saw Torian, and smiled. The relief in her eyes and the joy she embraced him with made him feel small that he wished to be with the Commander, and he hugged her to him. "I'm going to be monitoring the communications and getting ready to take off," he murmured to her. Maura came through then, and patted Caly's shoulder, her face wan. Caly had been told of her aunt's illness, but wasn't sure how she could help.
"Aunt Maura, what can I get you?" she asked, and Maura only smiled.
"I'm fine, just don't have much energy. We're here to get ready to leave, as soon as we can ensure that the fleet is refueled and ready. Miriah is chasing down the king here, and trying to catch an Imp who's making trouble." Maura stretched out on the sofa where Caly had been only moments ago.
"They're what? Mom is off chasing down..." she trailed off as she saw Maura's face. "They'll be okay, right?"
Maura grimaced as she sat up, and felt herself go cold and start to sweat at the same time. "Aric and Corso and Mags are with her, sweetie." She took a deep breath and gratefully took the glass of cold juice that Caly pressed into her hand. "I wanted to go, I really did, but at this point I think I'm more of a liability."
Caly hugged her aunt. "You need to be here," she said softly. "I'll bring you something light to eat, okay?"
Maura nodded, but the guilt she felt overwhelmed her, and she felt tears cascade down her face. She quickly wiped them away, not wanting to appear to feel sorry for herself, but her inner pain was obvious, and Caly sat next to her, putting her head on her aunt's shoulder. "Aunt Maura, you have always been there for me. When Mom was gone, and since she's returned. You're the steady influence, the one who kept us all moving forward when we didn't know which way to go. Mom knows that, knows that you'd be right at her side if you were able. We all have to pull back sometimes." Maura felt the dam of emotion burst and clung to her niece, until she had no more tears left.
Lana tapped her fingers on the side of the exam bed, waiting for the doctor to appear. Nico sensed her anxiety and tried to calm her with a touch on her arm, but to no avail. Finally, the door opened with a swish and Lana turned hopeful eyes to the young man. "Ms. Okarr, everything looks great. You're not quite ready yet, though you need to come back every week now so that we can..."
"Yes, yes," Lana hissed out as she sat up. "I know. I'll see you in seven days." She gained her feet and lurched out of the door, Nico on her heels. He was silent until they were in the elevator.
"Lana, dear, we have some time before Tali is out of school," he said evenly, not flinching when she turned fiery eyes to his. "Let's go to the mess hall, get a little treat. Some pie, ice cream, maybe?"
Lana blasted out of the secure area and stopped. They'd had snow only a few days ago, and it still looked so pure, glistening in the weak sunlight. The sight took the anger right out of her, and she was instantly calm. She turned to her husband, standing beside her, Nico not sure if it would be better to run or just keep still. "Let's do that," she said, and he let go of the breath he'd been holding. Taking his hand, she led him into the warmth of the building, and for the first time since she'd learned she would be pregnant a bit longer, relaxed.
Theron was unable to focus. He'd heard the rest of the team leave and knew that Magdalane was with them, but he just couldn't face her, them, right now. He sighed and tried to quell the sadness that moved through him at Mags words, but it was useless. More alone than he'd ever felt, he crept out of his quarters and was through the air lock before anyone left behind saw him.
Torian watched the spy as he hastily made his way across the landing pad and toward the palace. Wonder what he's up do, Torian thought, and watched Theron as he turned once he was at the door, gaze longingly at the ship, and then sighing, turn to go inside. Bears watching, he told himself, and locked in the preflight check. He was still thinking on it when Caly came to bring him some caf, and he related what he saw to her.
"Not sure, handsome, but I know he and Mags have been having little 'moments' since Nana died," she stated offhand. He stared at her and she giggled. "I know, I don't think anyone's noticed, but it's been more evident on this trip. He stares at her when he thinks no one's looking, and I know that before they left, he and Mags were in the hallway, standing very close and talking."
"Well, then, it makes his furtiveness even more suspect," Torian replied, and made an official entry into the ship's mission log, just in case. Once burned, twice shy, the young Mandalorian thought.
Miriah and Corso followed close behind their guide, and came to another palace tunnel. "At least this one's not filled with hostiles," Corso observed, getting smile from his beloved.
"Maybe we can be flying soon," she murmured, and moved closer to his side. They were almost at the door when they heard Darth Malgus speak.
"I am … disappointed," he said, and Miriah's eyes flew to Corso's.
"The Republic fleet escaped," they heard one of the Savik droids say. "But this world still has great value to the Empire! Think of the resources, the strategic position!"
"Worthy objectives for another day. Our focus is Corellia. The Emperor has made that clear." Miriah put her ear to the door, anxious to hear more. "Evacuate your remaining forces, and go to rendezvous point one. And Savik...the next time I call, you will answer in person."
"The nobles.. Nebet...they'll have me executed!" The whine of what could only be King Petryph was laced with anxiety. "You promised support! You can't leave me!"
"Go with my droids, King Petryph. They will keep you safe. Onderon will bow to you again soon enough." Savik's robotic voice held little sympathy, but Miriah must have leaned too far into the door's opening mechanism, and it slid open. "You again?" Petryph was hustled away by the droids, leaving only the one speaking. "You continue to best even my most aggressive estimates. Quite rude."
"You'll never make it off-world, Savik," Miriah growled. "Surrender yourself and the king. End this!"
"Oh, I have a different ending in mind," the droid replied. She gestured at the large device at the rear of the room. "This is a neutron emitter. Once fully charged, it will emit a wave of energy fatal to all organic life within range." She walked over and clicked the device on. "The range is just enough to engulf the whole building, and the effects last for hours. Once you're dead, my droids will have plenty of time to fortify the building against further incursions."
Jak had conveniently left as soon as the door had opened, and Corso and Aric stood with weapons ready. Again, Miriah found herself in active combat, the droids in the room trying to keep them from stopping the emitter, and Magdalane doing all she could to push them around, her force helping them all with it's shielding effect. Finally, there was a pile of droid parts and the emitter had ceased to charge. Panting with their efforts, they each took the offered water that Corso pulled from the pack he carried. "I'm beginning to not like this place," Aric said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"I agree," Miriah said, and pushed herself to stand. "I think this is an elevator." They took the lift to the balcony and stood, looking out.
"I'll get Torian to bring a shuttle," Aric said, and Miriah saw him make the call, taking in the lush jungle before her. In seconds, Torian banked above them and dropped the shuttle ramp at the edge of the balcony. Corso helped her board and she sank into the seat. By the time they'd landed beside the ship, Miriah had recovered her breath and a little energy, and they made their way back to see Senator Nebet.
"Thank you for your patience," Nebet said, greeting them. "The nobles would rather debate who was most wronged by the king's treason than decide on a course of action."
"We were right about Darth Savik and King Petryph," Miriah said. "The Sith manipulated him into attacking. But they both managed to escape."
"Any hints about where they might go next?" Tau Idair asked, joining the group.
"Darth Malgus ordered Savik to leave Onderon, but nothing beyond that," Corso offered, seeing Miriah suddenly feel their long day.
"I think it's time to pay a visit to the other attackers, the Untamed," Nebet said. "To fight for the Sith, the Untamed must've been manipulated even more effectively than the king. I'm sure they're all the more frustrated for it." Nebet turned to the dias. "They know the wilderness better than our finest scouts. They have both the motive and means to help you find Savik."
"They tried to kill us. Can we really trust them?" Aric was getting frustrated, and it brought out his defensiveness.
"I don't understand their code of honor, but they do have one. If you follow it, you should be able to earn their cooperation. They'll be in mourning now. I made sure that their dead warriors were returned to them to comply with the traditions they hold above all else. Light the appropriate beacons as you approach their hideout, and they will treat you with something like respect."
"If Senator Nebet agrees, we'll gather volunteers from the city guard. As soon as you find Savik's location, we'll be ready to launch a coordinated attack," Tau offered.
"Of course," Nebet replied readily. "Onderon will see justice done. But tomorrow. It's growing dark and no one should be out there now."
Miriah met the senator's eyes. "Agreed. First thing tomorrow, we will set out to the Untamed." With a few parting words, the Commander and her family made their way to the ship, knowing that after a hot dinner they'd all be too tired to do any worrying.