Miriah took a deep breath. "Thank you, Supreme Chancellor," she said, and the holo winked out. She felt herself slump on the long sofa around the holo and felt the tears run down her face. That was a lot of information to get in a short time, she thought, absently wiping her face with her hand. She had slept deeply for a few hours before being awakened by a feeling of despair. She got up and went out into the main area of the ship, and felt the hyperspace engines shift and then go silent, letting the subspace engines take over. In the same instant, she felt Devin telling her that Caly had miscarried and was in the medcenter, but was physically okay. A few seconds after getting reassurances that Devin was by his sister's side and was definitely doing okay, the holo chime started and she managed to kill it before it woke anyone else. Chancellor Rans was there, assuring her that they had Malgus in a special cell they'd created for him. Only a few hours til we reach the orbital station, she thought.
Caly sat in the medbay and wished she could just go home. She understood that she had only just had her contraceptive implant removed a few weeks ago, and that this was not uncommon, she'd just known so much earlier than most women would have. Still, she was a little disappointed. Especially when Dr. Jorgan told her to wait at least three months before trying again. Three months! It would seem like forever, but Torian was just glad she was unharmed and hadn't let go of her hand since they'd arrived. He smiled at her now, and she saw her cousin approaching with a datapad. Just her signature and she'd be on the way home. "Go home, brother, or to work. Whatever you need to do," she told Devin after hugging him tightly.
"Mom will be here this afternoon, so expect a visit," he told her. "And you better be at home resting."
"I will," she told him, rolling her eyes as they trooped out to the elevators. She'd be glad to see her mother, as always, and was also looking forward to a nap.
Alec Ranin had gotten the alert from Aric that he would be needed on the orbital station this afternoon. His curiosity peaked, he reached out to discover that the Commander and her group had managed to capture Darth Malgus. Wow, he thought, and had to sit down. How does she do it? He thought about that all the way to the main base and as he got his shuttle pass. The main shuttle bays were always busy, but the whole inner base seemed charged with positive energy. This is how, he thought. The Commander always knows she has so much support. From everyone on Odessen. He relaxed on the bench, enjoying the spring breeze and smell of fresh air.
Miriah made her way quietly to her quarters and straight into the refresher. For the first time, she looked into the mirror, and realized she was in for quite a change in her looks. From her roots to about six inches down, her hair was totally white. Everything she had left over her left ear was white. She felt the tears sliding down again and wondered what to do with it. Eventually she stepped into the shower, her thoughts chaotic over the fight, Calypso, Devin and Mia, Meaghan. So much going on, she thought, and rested her head on the tile.
Corso heard the shower and made his way to her, not even noticing the time. He could feel they were in sublight speed, and sighed when he saw Miriah in the stall. Quickly undressing, he slipped in and wrapped her in a tight embrace. "It's okay, darlin'," he told her, "whatever it is, we've got this." Miriah told him then about Caly and saw the pain on his face at the loss of a possible grandchild. She told him about Rans, and that was good news to him. Then he saw the look on her face when she talked about her hair.
"As stupid as it sounds, I just feel lost without all the black hair," she told him, looking away.
"No matter what you decide to do with it, you'll look great, I promise," he told her. Miriah just nodded, and they finished their shower in silence, each contemplating all that had already happened that day.
Mags had been informed that the stylists were on the way, and she felt the anxiety rolling off her sister in waves. She rose and got herself together, and when she entered the galley, she smelled cinnamon. Baking was always Mir's stress, relief, she thought with a smile. "Good morning," she said, seeing Corso bending to get the rolls out of the oven.
"It's always a good morning when Mir bakes," Aric said, jolly now that they were almost home. He'd gotten confirmation that the Alliance News Network would be on hand, and that his wife loved him, so as far as he was concerned, everything was tracking as it should be.
"I would agree," Lana nodded, and sat with her caf. "We have about three and a half hours until the orbital station."
"Everything there is set," Aric said, reaching for a steaming cinnamon roll from the plate. "How are your littles, Lana?" he asked. Lana related some of what both Tali and Jaren had told her, and they all enjoyed the stories. Miriah felt her fog lifting and her shoulders settled. Corso had one arm around her, and he pulled her close.
"I'm here, love, always," he whispered to her before kissing her forehead. He knew she was hurting for Caly, and mourning what she felt was her identity. It's a lot for anyone, along with all the force abilities now, he thought. She relaxed against him, though, and it felt like a victory.
Mia quickly dressed the baby and put her in a sling against her chest. Thank the force she's an easy baby, she thought, and was almost out the door when she realized that it may not be the best idea to take the baby to see Caly right now. She hurried down to Lara and Logan's apartment. Lara agreed to take the sweet smelling, sleeping baby and Mia went to see about her sister in law and friend. Caly had made it home and was on the sofa, Torian hovering around her. "Mia!" Caly almost got up, but Torian stopped her as Mia went closer to hug the young woman.
"I'm so glad you're okay," Mia said, sitting in the nearby chair.
"I'm fine, and this one," she pointed at her husband, "needs to go to work. I tried to tell him that it's nothing more than what I go through every month, but he thinks I'm going to shatter."
Mia smiled at the devotion the couple showed. "It's just for today. You both deserve a day to enjoy the break, and your parents will be home this afternoon. Then it's back to work."
"I'm looking forward to cooking there again," Caly said. She had really loved being able to contribute, and always looked forward to her parents being on Odessen. "Did Devin say anything else?"
"No, he didn't, but I can tell you that I saw several extra people on the shuttle to the orbital station when I walked everyone to school." Mia explained the people she saw, which only had them scratching their heads at the unusual group.
Lana and Mags had helped clean up the galley and Miriah had decided to use the holo since they were safely out of hyperspace. Her first call went to Calypso, but Mir had not engaged the video, wanting to keep her hair out of the conversation for now. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry I wasn't there," Miriah started, but Caly stopped her.
"Mom, I'm fine, and I know if you'd been on the planet, you would have been there. It's totally okay, although you might not have been as overprotective as Devin was," she laughed. Miriah was cheered by her daughter's positive outlook, and they chatted a few more minutes before they ended their call, both of them relieved.
Devin had paced around his office until he felt the decision he'd wanted to make. Running to the shuttle bay, he joined the shuttle to the orbital station. I have to make sure Mom feels supported, he thought, and knew he was right. He settled in and waited for the short flight to take off, letting Mia know he was just on the station and would be home to help with Meaghan as usual. She sent her love, and he was almost positive he felt Meaghan's force as well, which made him smile.
Miriah felt more and more anxious as they approached the orbital station. I really have no idea what to do here, she thought. Or what to expect in the future. She met Corso's eyes, and saw all the love and acceptance there. It did help, she admitted to herself, but what would the Alliance think? Would they still respect her if she looked different? Radically different? She had no idea, which didn't help the veractyls in her stomach. She felt the docking clamp and took a deep breath. The plan was for the stylists to come to the ship, and Miriah was waiting for them. They both took in a deep breath when they saw the Commander, momentarily at a loss for words, before they both came close to examine what was left.
Devin slid in the airlock just as Aric started to close the latch, and they both laughed as he came through. "Sorry, Dev, thought we were all aboard. Anything wrong?" Aric saw his nephew's serious face.
"Nothing with Odessen, or the Alliance, or anything really, just wanted to talk to Mom before she made any decisions," he said, motioning to his head.
"Ahhh," Aric said, nodding. Devin went to the main area and when Miriah saw him, she shushed everyone.
"Dev, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing, but you need to know some things before you make your decision," he told her. "First of all, it won't grow much. I get a hair trim about every nine months. What about you, Aunt Mags?"
"I can go a year without seeing much growth," Mags admitted, and Lana nodded.
"About that for me as well," Lana confirmed. Miriah frowned.
"So, whatever we do, it will be that way for a good while," she whispered. Whipping around to Lana, she asked, "What about color?"
Lana shook her head. "Doesn't stay. Maybe a month, but not longer, and fades pretty quickly. The way I understand it is that once the pigment is force removed, the hair shaft closes up so that nothing penetrates it." Miriah sighed and fell into the chair that had been moved clear of other surfaces.
Aric and Corso stood back, out of the way. They knew this was a blow to Miriah, and how stressed she was about cutting her hair. Aric had told Corso about bringing the news cameras so that they would get the photos out and normalize the change, but he wasn't sure how Mir would take it, seeing how she was dealing with the cut. He figured he could ask forgiveness if needed, but he hoped she'd see the logic of it.
Miriah sighed heavily. "Okay, ladies, show me what you suggest." They talked and debated on styles, but knew they wanted something that would make the Commander feel good about herself.
Mags suggested a couple of styles, but Miriah had shaken her head, no. One of the stylist pulled up one of the ones Mags had suggested, and then altered it, using a holoprojection of Miriah's head. "That's perfect!" Miriah said, smiling for the first time.
"Are you sure?" Lana asked. "Not that it doesn't look great, but it's a good deal shorter than you're used to."
"What choice do I have?" Miriah asked, and shrugged. She looked over her shoulder at Corso, seeing his big smile, and then nodded to the stylists. "Let's do it," she told them.
Alec had been led to the conference room on the station, and set up his camera. He was told to have the offered refreshments, as it may be a little bit, before he would be joined by the Commander for an announcement. His excitement overrode his hunger and he paced instead. When he heard the door open, he couldn't believe his eyes. He hit the record button and held his breath.
"Alec," Miriah said, seeing the shock on his face. "The force power I had to use in subduing and capturing Darth Malgus resulted in a color change of my hair," she said, "and, he cut off one side with his lightsaber. The important part is that he is indeed in custody."
"I see," he said, and studied the small woman who stood before him. "I like it, it suits you. I'll get your official portrait done and sent out to our planet's newsdesks. He turned off the recording and took a few stills. "Can we make the announcement on this evening's news?" Miriah nodded at him and turned to leave, and for a moment he saw the woman beneath the title as her shoulders slumped. "Commander," he called, and she once again assumed that mantle. "You look really good. You're going to be surprised by the positive response."
"I hope you're right," she told him with a small, sad smile, and then she was gone.
Corso had waited on the ship, and when she returned, he held her close. "I really love it, Mir, it's sexy and sultry and you," he told her quietly, and was rewarded with her smile. In her black tunic, with the white hair, it was striking, he thought. Her force aura whispered over his skin, and he grinned at her. Aric took the ship out of dock and they began the half hour trip to the base.
The ship settled onto the tarmac and they stood waiting on the air lock to cycle. Miriah held back, unsure about how she would be received, if anyone would even recognize her. She did like the style, and she had revised her makeup to make the most of the contrast. She waited at the rear of the group, and saw that Corso and Aric had waited at the bottom of the ramp for her, in lieu of her guards. Miriah took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, her head held high. Here we go, she thought, and made her way down to Odessen.