Miriah sat calmly as Shae Vizla outlined what she'd found out about her capitol ship, but inside, she was far from calm. Just before she'd beckoned Shae into her office, she had what she can only describe as a flashback, but not into her memories. Into Satele's. She saw her hands, just before they received a vicious blow with a training saber, and hissed words. "It doesn't matter who you're relatives are, I am your teacher," it said, and she could feel the horrible pain and embarrassment that Satele had suffered, and could tell she was only a child when this had happened. Miriah nodded absently at Shae.
"Do what you must, friend. Take anyone here who can help," Miriah told Shae, who immediately looked relieved.
"Thank you," Shae said. "We'll get to the bottom of this."
"I'm sure you will," Miriah said, standing, holding onto the desk as she reached to clasp hands with Mandalore. Shae hurried out and Miriah let her shaking legs lower her again to her chair. Thank the stars Corso is out with Aric, she thought. He worries enough without this too. She picked up the datapad, letting the intense emotions she felt from Satele's memory fade as she calmed her heart rate and controlled her breathing. She even tapped into Odessen's ever strong force, letting a cool breeze of it wash over her.
Devin felt his mother's emotions, and almost hurried to her when they settled. Wonder what that was about, he thought, and then felt her call on the force. That made him grin. Good. That she would instinctively use force made him proud of her, and again he wondered if he had cause something in her to shift when he had channeled force into her. No, he reasoned. It must just be that she remembered she could. Satisfied that Miriah was settled, he went back to his own work.
Lana rounded the corner to the boss's office and stopped. She saw Miriah's purple hued aura and then startled at her eyes, so light that they almost appeared all white. "I… have the morning report," she said, and sat across the desk. "Commander, are you okay?"
Miriah looked up and smiled. "I'm fine, Lana. How are you? And the babies?"
"We're all doing well. I just noticed your aura." Miriah looked around her and shrugged.
"I was feeling a little unsettled, thinking about the battle with Valkorion," Miriah explained. "So I drew force around me, it settles me."
"I heard that Devin channeled through you, right? That had to be amazing." They chatted about the Mandalorian ship and Miriah voiced her thought that she might go and help Shae. "No, Commander. I do not recommend that. There are many others that would fare better in that regard."
"I just feel that maybe she wanted me to go," Miriah said, and took a deep breath. "I know, the battle with Valkorion required me to use a unique set of skills, but I do feel pulled."
Lana looked at Miriah for a moment before speaking. "If you are conflicted, ask Shae. She's forthright enough to give you an honest answer. But I worry that Corso will not be as easily swayed to having you in that fight."
Miriah sighed. "You're right. I know, you're right. Yet, I feel obligated."
Lana nodded. "I get it. Talk to Shae before she leaves."
"I told her to take any personnel she thought she might need, so you may see some info on that soon." Miriah stood, and again Lana was struck at the changes in her friend.
"I'll be ready," Lana confirmed, and saw Miriah go out to the detail.
"I'm going home for a bit," Miriah announced, and instantly the detail covered her. Lana watched as they took off and she briefly wondered if the boss was ill, but dismissed that thought. Tali would have known if something were wrong. With renewed purpose, Lana returned to her office, humming as she fielded the requests coming in.
Miriah was on her way to the apartment when Mags stopped the detail and ducked in side. "You want to get some lunch with me at the cantina?" she asked, and saw Miriah nod. Mags told the guard captain and they changed course. Once the sisters were seated, Mags took Miriah's hands. "You're still getting things from your connection to Satele?"
Miriah nodded, and nervously licked her lips. "It's very powerful emotions, accompanied by the few seconds of visual that prompted it." She wasn't even aware of the purple aura as it grew and glittered over her. Mags briefly watched as it responded to Miriah's emotions, becoming just a few iridescent shimmers as it dissipated.
"I am not sure if I can do anything," Magdalane admitted. She'd wondered briefly if shielding Miriah's mind would stop her force link with Satele, but she doubted it would work.
"I sleep fine. It's just happening when I'm awake," Miriah told her. "I could handle the brief video flashes, but the emotions are almost too much to take." She described what had happened earlier this morning, and Mags eyes grew worried.
"You'll tell me, if this grows more troubling, won't you?"
Miriah nodded, meeting Sarai's green eyes with her own very light ones. Mags considered this as well. As far as she could tell, it was a byproduct of Devin's force, and if Mags had to guess, a permanent change. It didn't seem to be affecting her sight, so Mags said nothing. Miriah had always been self conscious about her eye color, or lack thereof.
Corso and Aric had gone to scout locations for a third town on Odessen. The weather was overcast and the base weather section had forecast heavy snow starting midnight. They had gone south of the Annex, and found a very nice area that would provide farming, fishing, and timber for building. They had the nearby river, an offshoot of the main body of water that ran near Riggsville. Aric took off the helmet he wore and looked around, his breath freezing as he exhaled. "What do you think?" he asked, and Corso pulled his helmet off as well, putting it on the seat of the speeder.
"It's beautiful here," he said softly, awed at the old growth forest, the wildlife that scattered when they'd stopped.
"Odessen is surely growing," Aric said. "I hunted here before, and when Miriah mentioned another settlement, it was the first thing I thought of. It's not too far away to have trade, but far enough to support another hundred thousand people." Corso nodded.
"I think it's almost perfect," he replied. He felt a little unease, so far away from Miriah, but he was enjoying being out in the trees. "Miriah would like it here."
"She's doing okay, right? From the fight?" Aric had seen that his sister in law was physically intact, but worried about her nevertheless.
"She's sleeping and eating fine, seems normal, just quiet." He had accepted that she had gone through a lot and hadn't pushed her to talk about it. She just seemed subdued. Even their lovemaking was soft and more romantic, more emotional than Miriah usually was, at least most of the time. He tried not to worry about her every waking moment, but it was hard. He was brought from his thoughts when Aric fired up his speeder.
"Better get back. It'll be dark soon, and I don't want to freeze," Aric laughed, and Corso nodded, pulling his helmet on over his face. He saw Aric turn and hit the throttle, and he was right behind. Coming home, Mir. Be there soon. He almost fell of the speeder when she responded, hoping he was having fun.
Kira had gotten all the students settled and they had started working in the temple. She found herself taking time to nap, and that had made her feel more normal. She missed Ian, but what he wanted scared her. She had no idea how to be a wife or a mother. She was left at the temple on Tython when she had thrown a temper tantrum as a three year old, and held her mother in the force for almost an hour. Before the end of that week, she was on Tython, and that was that. Ian had told her that Mia's parents were much the same, but she never seemed to have time to talk to Mia. Now, she lay back on her bed in the small room she shared with another Jedi, and dreamed about her apartment on Odessen. How can I go back? And when? There was no clear instruction on any of this, she realized. Ian, I miss you so much, she thought.
Shae and Arcann were putting gear together when they heard the door chime. Briefly glancing at each other, Arcann left to answer, and was surprised to see the Commander there. "I just wanted a word before you left," she said.
"Come in, please, and have a seat," Arcann said. "Tea?" he asked, and Miriah shook her head.
"I feel like I should be with you," Miriah confessed. "I didn't want you to think that I wasn't concerned."
"Not at all," Shae said, coming across the room to sit opposite Miriah. "You just went through an orderal I would never understand. I know that if I need you, I only have to ask."
Miriah let out a relieved sigh. "Do you have all that you need?"
"I need to handle this," Shae said, her voice determined. "They just can't decide to attack a ship under the protection of Mandalore."
"I agree, but promise you'll call if you need support from here?"
"I promise," Shae said, and Miriah stood.
"In that case, I'd say go before much longer, the weather will be iffy later for your smaller ships." Miriah hugged her friend then, and even hugged Arcann before she left.
"That was good," Arcann said. "I would have hated to ask her, too, but to know she's willing is a good thing."
Shae hoisted her gear bag onto her shoulder. "Tsikador at akaanir? (Ready to fight?)"
Arcann nodded. He wasn't exactly sure what Shae had said, but he was with her, whatever they faced, and he followed her out.
Aric and Corso hit the courtyard at dusk, and hurried inside, sighing in the warmth of the secure area. Corso's feet didn't stop until he reached the apartment, and Aric told him goodnight. Inside, he could smell something delicious, and made his way to the kitchen. Miriah was ready, handing him a mug of mulled wine, and he savored the warmth. "How was it," she asked.
"I'm more interested in how you heard what I said and then responded," he said, lowering his head to kiss her.
"I guess I still have a little of Devin's force," she shrugged, and they sat down, the table set and filled with food. They enjoyed their meal and then cuddled on the sofa, content to be close to each other. Corso's worries lessened, and when they made their way to bed, they lessened even more. Maybe I do just worry too much, he thought, tucking Miriah next to his body.
Aric had bustled in, and he and Maura had much the same evening, except that Maura relayed the request to him that Shae Vizla had asked him to be alert, that she might be calling on the Alliance to help, and wanted him to lead any troops that might be needed. Aric nodded slowly. If Shae Vizla needed Alliance troops, then he'd be with them. Maura saw the determined set of his jaw and hoped that things could be resolved without Aric.
Caly was having much the same thoughts, as Torian had received the same request. "Why?" she asked. "Why would she need you when she has hundreds of troops heading out with her?" Caly briefly hoped that Ty was not, right now, heading into space.
"It's only if she needs Alliance troops," Torian explained. "If she gets to her ship and is successful, then no worries, hon. It'll be okay," he said, hugging her tightly.
Ty had been at his duty assignment, working on one of the Alliance bombers, when Mandalore approached him. He'd jumped to his feet, and saluted her, but she waved him off. He was asked to be alert, and join Alliance troops should they be needed, and he was at once grateful and ashamed. Shae saw his warring emotions and put her hand on his shoulder, reminding him that he had a adiik (child) that needed him. He reluctantly nodded and she smiled at him before turning to the hangar.
By morning, the base had declared a winter storm had landed, and was at minimum staffing. Mia was so glad she'd finished moving into the secure area when she heard the reports of how deep the snow was. Devin had hugged her and told her how smart it had been to move. Mia never told him about the terrible dreams she'd had while he was away. She'd decided it was nothing, that she was just too imaginative. They'd gone since she was in the secure area, and she didn't plan on bringing them to light. Instead, she told the children that they would go out and play in the snow, which was a great joy. She didn't see Devin's concern as he watched her make breakfast.
Lana told Tali that there wouldn't be school, and saw her daughter's face fall. "No school at all?" she asked, and Lana laughed.
"Not today sweetheart. Too much snow for everyone to safely get to the school. It'll be fine, maybe we can play out in it some." Lana had turned her back, and Tali felt her shoulders fall. She had been looking forward to her class, and seeing her friends. She could feel the Commander in the force, and she seemed okay. Jaren was happy, and Mama seemed happy, too, so maybe not going to school would be okay. She sighed, and put her school bag back in her room. Tomorrow seemed too far away.
Miriah didn't have to look outside to know it was cold. She shivered against Corso's back as he stood waiting for the shower to warm. She had only had one dream that she remembered, and it wasn't about Satele Shan at all, which made her feel relieved. Playfully she bit Corso's shoulder and he turned, taking her in his arms and under the warm stream of water. This might be the end of it, she thought, before Corso commanded all her attention.