Darth Anyzama sat at her conference table, the holonet screen transmitting above it. She had confirmed that the group Joslin was targeting were military contractors, and had indeed planned many of the recent operations the Republic army had undertaken. They're clever, she thought. She reached for her personal holo, flipping through the contact list to find the one she was searching for. When she found it, she hesitated, but only for a moment. She waited for the encrypted call to connect, her frown growing when the chime continued without response on the other end. Just before she was about to end the transmission, the chime changed and the blue image of a Twi'lek appeared, making her frown turn into a smile. "Xynri, how are you?" she said, seeing her old friend's eyes light up in recognition.
"Zama! I figured you were some job calling me, sorry for the delay," he said, his voice cheerful. "It's been forever since I saw you last. Ready for that vacation we talked about?" He grinned, but saw that her expression was not one of someone looking for fun.
"I'm afraid I have no time now for that, but I did want to get some information from you." She saw him nod in response, and continued. "I need more information on a smuggler, well, a former smuggler," she said carefully. "She took down the Voidwolf a few years ago, but…"
"Captain Miriah Chantalle-Riggs," Xynri interrupted, knowing well who Anyzama was asking about. He was a frequent visitor to Port Nowhere, and the story there was related with pride and reverence.
"Yes, what can you tell me of her?" Anyzama waited for his reply, seeing the memories flicker across his face.
"Nothing more than what you can read on the net," he said. "I haven't seen her in a long time. I know she doesn't run goods anymore. I am on my way to the Port now, though, I'll see what I can find out. Is there something specific you're looking for?"
"Recent activity, anything on her family," Anyzama replied. "My apprentice is planning to kill her, and I want to know why." Xynri's eyes grew wide at that statement.
"I can contact you at this frequency?" he asked, seeing her nod. "Okay, I'll get back with you soon. Take care, Zama." She hit the button to end the call and saw that Nikos was sitting across from her. He saw her hesitation and waited for her to speak. When she didn't, he took her hand.
"Sith, I can see that you are not comfortable with this. What is it that has you doubting? Joslin isn't the perfect Sith, but she is taking out an enemy of the Empire. "
"Yes, she is planning to do that. I'm just not sure that starting a war on this front is a wise move, on anyone's part. What has this woman done to Joslin, that's what I want to know. And if I enable her, encourage her, or support her effort, how am I any different than she is?" Anyzama stood and paced slowly around the table, thinking. "Something just doesn't feel right."
Miriah woke to Devin patting her face, grinning at her. "Mama, Daddy cooking. Come and eat," he told her just before jumping to the ground. She stretched, feeling her muscles loosen and decided to stay in bed a few minutes more. She thought about yesterday, all the people on the ranch now. Obo and his friend, Raych were on this end of the house, the Aria colonists in the guest house. Thank the stars Corso had the foresight to choose this large estate house, she mused. She was just thinking about the shower when Corso entered their room, tiptoeing in case she was still sleeping. She blinked open the silver eyes she was known for, and saw his smile. He moved to the bed, leaning down to kiss her.
"Good morning, darlin'. Come on, eat while breakfast is hot. Logan's hungry," he laughed. She put her arms around his neck, savoring the few minutes of alone time, knowing it wouldn't last long. She pulled him down to her, kissing him on the neck. "Aww that's just not fair, cyare." He ducked his head and took a longer kiss, feeling her respond to him. They were still kissing when Sarai knocked at the door.
"Sorry, you two. Miriah, you need to eat, and Corso? Your foreman is in the kitchen, needing some info." Sarai smiled, even with an imminent threat, her daughter was able to relax, and that was priceless.
Miriah joined the group after a quick shower, her hair still wet. She sat down between Jestera and Maura, her face glowing and at ease. "You look well rested, Mir," Maura told her, pouring her a glass of juice. "Devin is full, finally," she teased, knowing the little boy was growing at a rapid rate. "What are you going to do with two of them to feed?"
"Good thing we have plenty of bantha and ronto," Miriah agreed.
"This is a lush place," Jestera said, looking out the back windows at the nearest pasture. "So green and peaceful. There is strong life force here." The Cathar looked at the two sisters. "Makes me wonder why we stayed on Aria. There's so much out here to explore." She could feel the others in the force. Shurxan and Ken were on alert, but not alarmed. Tekmer and Flar were walking along the stream on the south pasture, and enjoying their patrol. Aric and Corso were getting supplies from the closest barn, and Obo and Raych were on the north pasture patrol. The Mandalorian and her husband, whom Jestera hadn't met yet but were clear signatures in the force, were on the east side, holding hands while inspecting their surroundings. She knew, without a doubt, that her mission was here, with Miriah and Devin.
Sarai had much the same thoughts, keeping close to her daughter and grandson. Magdalane felt force shifts all around her, doing her best to keep herself centered and focused on her childen's needs and safety. Felix was staying close to the house as well, as much to help Magdalane as anything else. It was there that Obo found them, and motioned them to sit with him outside as the children played.
"It's been too long since we've been able to catch up," Obo said, handing Mags a cup of the tea she favored. "I know things have been hectic since the memorial service on Tython, but we need to do a better job of keeping in touch." Mags thanked him for the tea and agreed. "So, how are you doing with not being a part of the diplomatic corps?"
Mags let out a happy sigh. "So wonderful. No more horrible planets, deplorable conditions, or minefields to walk. This company, this family, is a great fit for us both." She smiled up at Felix, seeing how relaxed he was in his eyes. "What about you? Last I heard, you were still working with the drop ship groups on Corellia. Where is the most fighting now?"
"Makeb," he replied, seeing Felix nod. "It's the hottest area right now, fighting to get people out of there." He turned his face to the sun, letting it warm him. "It's really, really nice to get a break from it. Even if it isn't the best circumstances." Mags murmured her agreement.
"You should stay after this is done," Felix said. "Mir and Corso have always welcomed anyone who wanted to stay here."
"Miriah's always been like my own sister, practically grew up at my house. She and Mina," he said, his voice breaking on his dead sister's name, "they were always underfoot. I don't understand how someone so tiny can generate so much animosity in someone like Joslin." Sarai and Mags were the only ones who knew what he and Raych had faced on the way into the ranch the day before.
"That seems to be the mystery here," Mags said. "No one seems to know what set this in motion, only that it is indeed in motion." She rose, leaving the men to talk, and took her cup back into the kitchen. There she found Miriah staring at the banked fire in the fireplace. Mags reached out with the force but felt only the activity of the baby boy she carried. "Miriah," Mags said, and it startled her sister.
Miriah jumped at Magdalane's voice. "Sorry, Mags, was zoned out there and didn't hear you come in." She moved to the island in the center of the kitchen's work area. "Want something to eat? I have some veggies in here, and some cookies and things." She looked into her oldest sister's eyes as Mags stilled her hands with her own.
"Miriah, I need to know. What is the history here? Why is Joslin so angry with you?" Magdalane watched her sister as she went through her mental data bank, and felt absolutely no deception from her when she shook her head.
"I have no idea, Mags. I remember when we were kids, she was always the one who started stuff but didn't get in trouble. She was in your class, though, and I didn't see her much. When we were on Aria, she seemed nice and helpful." Miriah walked over to the fireplace again, sitting on a large pillow in the floor. "She brought us food and drinks, from what had to be a limited supply. I never heard her say anything negative, but Corso and Aric did. Even that was only worry for the discovery of the colony." She looked up at Mags and lifted her hands. "I just don't know." Magdalane heard Ian wake then, and went to get him. When she returned, Miriah was asleep in front of the fire, a peaceful smile on her face. Mags brushed the ebony hair away from her face and left her to rest.
Corso entered the kitchen, looking for his wife and found her as she slept. He knelt beside her, seeing how relaxed she was, and decided to leave her alone rather than taking her to their bed. He found another of the oversized pillows and sat beside her, content just to be near her. He was truly force blind, but even he could tell that there was a large barrier surrounding the ranch, and its protection was allowing Miriah to be relaxed and rest, the two things he was determined to see her have with this pregnancy. Devin was napping, and the house was quiet. He'd start dinner preparations soon, and hoped that Mir would let him do most of the work. He was still sitting beside her when she woke, blinking in the late afternoon sunlight slanting in through the windows. "Hey, sugar," she said in a sleep roughened voice. "Dev is still napping?"
"No, he's outside with Colin, Aric has them," he told her, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
"Then I need to start cooking," she said, stretching.
"Nope, I got that covered, too."
"Well then, handsome man," she said with a grin, "what am I supposed to do?" She pulled him to her just as Mags and Maura came in the back door. "Foiled again!" she said with a laugh, seeing the amusement in his eyes. She could tell, however, that Maura had something important to tell her, and sat up quickly. "What is it, Maura?"
"I just got a call from an old friend in the SIS. There are Imperial troops headed this way," she said grimly. Miriah just nodded. She'd figured Joslin wouldn't start a fight she didn't have an advantage in, and expected there to be more joining her. At least they aren't Sith, she thought.
"Not surprising," Miriah voiced, and felt Corso nod in agreement. "We'll be fine."
Joslin was exhausted. The training she'd received hadn't prepared her for the side effects of prolonged dark side force use, and her body wasn't handling it well. She'd spent the day with a detailed map, wanting to do her best to lead the troops when they arrived. She knew that Darth Anyzama would be watching her closely. She put her head down on the table, feeling the slight nausea she'd always had when using the dark side. Maybe just a few minutes, she thought, just before sleep overtook her.
Darth Anyzama spun to the holo as the chime started, hoping to cut it off before it woke her crew. She was not surprised to see Xynri's face appear before her, but she was surprised by the expression he wore. "You have news, friend?" she asked.
"I do. I have done research and asked many people, discreetly of course, about the good captain. She's indeed retired from smuggling and is on a ranch on Dantooine with her husband. They have quite a successful operation there. She has one son and is currently pregnant." He shifted from foot to foot, looking down at his hands, but said nothing.
"And?" she said, raising one eyebrow at him.
"And from talking and networking and searching, I found no reason why Joslin would be so angry that she'd try to kill Captain Chantalle-Riggs."