Corso ate his oatmeal, looking at the familiar ship in the light of day. Why is Nico here, he wondered? Maybe he came for more ronto? Or needed to make a repair? He decided he'd go out there as soon as the morning fog burned off, giving Nico a chance to rest. He rubbed his own gritty eyes and sat down at the table to finish his breakfast, seeing the message to Miriah on his datapad. Even though it was still the middle of the night on Odessen, he pressed send, hoping she'd read it before she deleted it.
Aric was restless, and couldn't fall asleep. He'd gotten up twice to pace around the apartment but even now, his thoughts ran too fast for him to sleep. There had been no red flags on the visits to Haven and Riggsville. Miriah had been safe, and there was nothing waiting on their return that was troubling. Still, he just couldn't relax. Maura had fallen, exhausted, into their bed and was asleep before she could even turn over, and he did worry about her. While her job in the exec wing was hectic, he knew that the wedding was beginning to tax her limited resources. I'll speak to Coleen tomorrow, he told himself. Sighing, he rose and dressed, and made his way out to the sofa, clicking the holo on to see the news reports, hoping his unease was all in his head.
Magdalane had started to box up things of her mother's, but stopped. She really didn't want to store something that one of her sisters would want to keep. She knew it was late, and when she climbed into bed, she was immediately asleep. Her body was tired, but her mind dreamed. Of being with her sisters, laughing and joyous, and then of two Jedi that she had seen before but couldn't place, and finally of Arn Peralun. She signed in her sleep and let herself enjoy the dream, a smile on her face.
Miriah woke early, and rolled over on the sofa. She refused to sleep in her bed alone, and while the sofa was comfortable, it wasn't nearly the support and warmth she was used to. She stood, wrapped the throw around herself and lay back down, hoping to get a little more rest. It was then that she saw the message that Corso had sent. Her heart wanted to open it, surely it contained something that would soothe her. Her head said no, nothing he could type out would bring them closer together in distance. Finally, her head won, since she was again warm and relaxed. I'll read it later, she decided, and closed her eyes.
Corso stood at the fence, a steaming mug of caf in his hands. If Nico is in there, surely he's awake by now, he reasoned. Still, he hesitated to go out to the ship. Nico is not one to make a journey without a purpose, Corso thought. While he was standing there, Nico was watching him. He wasn't sure how he wanted to approach Corso, since he couldn't say he was in the wrong. Even if he wanted to punch Corso, it probably would be counterproductive, since the Mantellian had several inches and more than a few pounds on him. Sighing, he went to the air lock.
Devin woke again, and finally just got up. Shuffling into the kitchen, he reached out in the force for his family. Mom just went back to sleep, he thought. Aunt Mags is sleeping, too. Why can't I? His hands made caf on autopilot and he sat to wait for it. His nephew, James, was resting, but there was something in the force that it seemed only Devin was feeling. Merida was restless but she wasn't awake, and Devin hoped she could continue her sleep. Mia woke briefly when he got up but remained in bed, and Devin could feel her contentedness. What is it? Filling a mug, Devin went to the dining table and rested his head on his arms. I can't tell, he finally thought, and stood to try and sleep again, his caf cold and forgotten.
"Mornin'," Corso said as Nico approached. "Caf's hot inside if you want."
"I'm good," Nico said. "Corso, we need to talk." Corso motioned inside, and the men went in and settled in front of the warm fireplace. "I love this house," Nico said, and stretched out. "We had the best Life Day here."
"It's always been our safe place," Corso said. "I know you're here to talk me into coming to Odessen with you, but I can't. Nico, I want to, so much. But if I do that, then Miriah will go on putting herself in danger when every other faction leader sits like fat cats and lets her do all the work."
"I know, I know," Nico replied. "But she's suffering. She won't say it, and does everything to keep anyone from seeing it, but she is. And, by the looks of things, you are, too."
"I am," Corso confirmed. "But something has to change. This had to happen like this." Corso went to refill his caf and found some cookies in the cooler that Miriah had made the last time they were all on Dantooine. Just the sight of them made him tear up, and he had to take a minute to compose himself before rejoining Nico. "I've been thinking that maybe we could arrange a little time together, away from Odessen. Just to talk and reconnect."
"That might not be a bad idea," Nico said thoughtfully. "But Aric would have to approve it, and that might be the biggest obstacle."
"No, right now the biggest obstacle is Mir. She's pulling away from me." Nico could hear the sadness now in Corso's voice that he'd hidden earlier. "I can't get her to talk to me on the holo. I sent her a message that she hasn't responded to yet." Corso sank into the sofa, his face sorrowful. "I'm afraid she's finding a way to go on without me."
"She might be trying to put up a brave front, but she misses you," Nico assured him, and saw him perk up a little bit. "She smiles but it doesn't touch her eyes." He had seen the little changes in Miriah but it felt a little disloyal to list them all. "We all miss you on Odessen." They chatted for a bit about the children, Nico showing the latest image he had of Jaren and Tali. When they wound down, Nico spoke up. "Let me talk to Aric, see what we can do, okay?" Corso nodded, grateful for any help he could get.
Devin had finally gotten a little sleep, but when he woke, he was up and moving, heading to the Voss enclave to confer with some of the force users there. He entered one of the small rooms off to the side of the large one and let his mind search. He could feel a general concern from the force, not entirely centered on Malgus and the Empire, but nothing further. More puzzled than before, he sought out his aunt Madgalane.
Miriah and Mags were eating breakfast together at the cantina, and saw Devin as he approached. He sat down and placed an order, suddenly ravenous. "I'm so glad to find you both," he said, and proceeded to explain his concerns.
"I didn't feel anything at all," Miriah said.
"Because you're walling off your feelings right now," Devin told her, and saw her face fall. "Not that I blame you, Mom."
"I did dream of two Jedi that I felt I should know, but didn't," Magdalane admitted. "I didn't feel that they were a threat, but that they had news about one."
"Have we had any inquiries, any requests of visits to the temple?" Miriah asked.
"Not that I've seen, but I'll check that out today. Heard from Dad?" Devin saw the ice enter his mother's eyes then.
"I had a message but haven't read it yet," Miriah replied, and Devin knew he'd be better off not to say more. "At any rate, we'll be digging into the Alliance numbers later today, and will know more about everything. We are planning a conference in two months, so lots to do." Standing, Miriah kissed her son's cheek and waited for the detail before setting off to the office. Devin turned his attention to his aunt.
"She's determined to soldier on, isn't she," he said, and Mags nodded.
"To the end, with her head held high."
Nico sighed in frustration. "But they need this!" he insisted.
"Even if I thought we could provide proper security, she might not consent to go," Aric said, and Nico knew it was true. "Besides, there are other options. Like the ranch. Or the ship."
"They need a neutral spot, someplace that neither can claim," Nico said. "Just think on it and let me know." The call ended and Nico sighed again. Lana was more than just worried about her friend, and if he were honest, he was worried about the Commander, too. He had seen her sick and hurt, but this was worse. She was thin and sad, and had lost her spark, which meant she had lost herself. He had already talked to Lana this morning, and knew they were all well. He missed his family suddenly, acutely, and had to calm himself to keep from lifting the ship off and going home.
Miriah sat at the head of the conference table, surrounded by the Alliance's core leaders. She'd heard military reports, and was pleased. They had just finished going through the numbers on their imports and exports, and was very optimistic about that. She was ready for ships and armaments when she saw Aric enter the conference room, and called a short break. Aric approached her hesitantly and they carried on a whispered conversation, and at one point Miriah drew back, angry, before leaning back in. After several minutes, she nodded, and sat back in her chair, rubbing her temples. Lana had observed all of this and when the leaders came back to their chairs, stood. "Commander, I ask that we continue this tomorrow."
Miriah stared at her second in command for a moment before replying. "As it happens, I will be off planet for a few days starting tomorrow. General Dinn, can you please send me the ships and arms data?" As Miriah stood, Solasta did as well with a sharp salute. Lana let the others leave before approaching Miriah.
"Anything in particular you need me to do?" she asked, and saw Miriah thinking.
"Just start to get the conference items ready. I will be reachable if needed, although you may have just send messages."
"Absolutely, Commander," Lana replied, and gathered her datapad. "I trust you'll stay safe?"
"I will, thanks," Miriah smiled at her friend and followed her from the now empty room.
Miriah went as fast as the detail could take her to her apartment. Once inside, she took a few minutes to gather her wits about her and opened the message that Corso had sent. Tears leaked onto the screen and made it blurry, and twice she had to stop reading to clean the device. Finally, she let it slip from her fingers and drop to the stone floor of the apartment, where it lay still and quiet and dark.
Corso had made some dinner and was trying to muster up an appetite for it when Nico came into the kitchen. "Got a gear bag packed?" he asked, and Corso merely nodded. "Okay, then, let's hustle."
"Where?" Corso asked, but Nico was already outside again, doing a walk around of his ship. Corso didn't hesitate. He grabbed the bag that sat at the back door, then ran back inside to bank the fireplace and put the food away. I can send Rizzo a message, he thought, and ran back out and down the hill to Nico's ship.
"Ready?" Aric asked, as Miriah settled into the seat of the small craft.
"Yes," she replied. She didn't sound like Miriah, and when he looked over, he could see her tear swollen eyes, but he didn't comment. They were in a small craft, with only the two of them inside. When they were safely in the hyperlane, about an hour after they'd taken off from Odessen, Aric turned to his sister in law.
"Did you eat today?" he asked, and Miriah reluctantly shook her head. "Good, Maura sent some things." Aric pulled out containers that were still hot, and handed one to Miriah. She ate in silence for a few minutes, then looked at Aric.
"What are we doing?" she asked. It felt like the past two hours had passed in the blink of an eye, so differently than the meticulously planned excursions that Aric was usually a part of.
"Fixing things," he replied with a laugh, and she had to smile.
Magdalalne was walking around the courtyard, her coat drawn tight around her. She had seen Miriah and Aric leave, and felt at loose ends. Something is different, she told herself. Devin is right. She briefly wondered if it was Theron's doing, but dismissed that idea. Letting her thoughts flow freely, her feet took her to the temple, and she sought refuge there. It was beginning to warm on Odessen, but the nights and rain combined made it cold outside. Inside the main hall, Mags made her way to the fountain there, made exactly like the one on Tython. On her knees, she reached out in the force and felt a sensation, one she hadn't known in many years. She finally related it to when she was coming through the ranks of Jedi, when so many masters were being corrupted. Just as suddenly, the feeling was gone, and Mags sighed heavily before rising and crossing the courtyard, going home.
Devin had fallen into bed, exhausted, as soon as the children were down for the night. Mia lay beside him, her head on his shoulder, as he told her about Aric and Nico's plan, which she wholeheartedly approved. Now, he closed his tired eyes, and hoped for more clarity tomorrow. His mother's force presence, normally a bright purple but lately darker and darker, had lightened a little, and for that he was grateful. Mia added her force to his and he let it envelope him in warmth, and drifted into a deep sleep.
Aric made the last hyperspace calculations and set the course before looking over at Miriah, who was finally sleeping in the copilot's chair. With all his heart he wanted this to work, and was willing to take the risk. She knew only that they were heading to a meeting. Yes, indeed, he thought. A meeting. With a smile on his face, he closed his eyes, too.
Nico had lifted off and was also on his last jump. Corso hadn't been able to be still since he'd boarded, and Nico laughed out loud at his friend. It was good to be in the middle of this, Nico decided.