"I want to start a news network for the Alliance," Alec Ranin stated. He then explained how he had done research, and that as a large part of known space, the Alliance deserved the same kind of news coverage about it's planets that the Republic enjoyed. He also said that of the planets he polled, eighty nine percent wanted more news that was meaningful to them. When he finished, he took a deep breath and stared at the Commander.
Miriah took in Alec's information, and Corso could tell she was mulling it over. Beyond that, Corso was unable to concentrate. He'd pulled himself back from staring, unfocused, into the distance more than once since he'd awakened. If he rubbed his thumb over his fingertips, he swore he could feel the whisper of the force power Miriah had used the evening before. He felt slightly off kilter, so when Miriah stood to escort Alec out, he didn't move. It was only when she disappeared from sight that his attention was caught.
Miriah stood and took Alec's offered hand. "I will call a meeting for this afternoon. Can you present all of this information then?" she asked.
"Of course, I look forward to it," he told her, and felt the relief flood through him. He had prepared well and knew this was a solid idea, and he had seen the interest in the Commander's eyes. He exited the secure area and smiled. Even in the snow drifts, he was warm and happy, and made his way to the mess hall for some caf.
Miriah poked her head in Lana's door. "Lana, can you call a meeting for this afternoon? Alec Ranin has an idea to pitch to us, and I think it's worth listening to."
"I'll get right on it," Lana replied, but her hands were full of Jaren and his bottle. Miriah sat on the small sofa and reached our for the baby, who grinned up at her. Lana quickly sent messages and watched her boss cuddle her son. "He loves everybody, but he can feel your force," she said, and Miriahs' s eyes widened. "I can, too. You would have made an amazing Sith, with your ability to weave force with your passion." Miriah blushed then, and averted her eyes. It had been an accident, a happy one, to be sure, but still an accident.
"I'm sorry," Miriah said quietly.
"No need to be, Mir. It's a natural channel for force, and had I not been awake with this one," she said, pointing at her son, "I'd have not felt it."
"Still," Miriah said, "I am so unused to being able to use it, even though I did briefly when Valkorion expanded my force awareness. It's so odd, and so wonderful at the same time."
"We all felt that once, when we were new to it," Lana assured her friend. "Give it time, you'll see."
"So you really think that I'll always be like this?" Miriah asked, and Lana smiled.
"I really do. Your son's force called to all the things inside you to wake up, and they aren't easily ignored or lost." Jaren was asleep then, and Miriah transferred him to the cot that had been set up for him. "Thanks, boss. He's growing so much, and he'll be spending time in the new secure area child care facility. That was a brilliant idea, too."
"The whole planet is growing. I'm ready to open immigration again for a new town," Miriah replied, and Lana looked so happy that Miriah was momentarily speechless.
"I'll get right on the preparations," Lana said, taking a datapad in each hand. "What's the timeline?"
"Aric has all the particulars, message him for them. We did the site survey back when Corso was on Dantooine." Miriah stood and hugged Lana. "Let me know if you need anything else. And Lana, be prepared for this afternoon. I think we really might have something big."
"Will do," Lana said, already a bit distracted with setting up her lists. Miriah grinned and shook her head. They both really loved a project they could sink their teeth into, she thought.
Magdalane had seen Caly's message about a second dress for Miriah, and briefly felt a little envy before scolding herself. There was no competition here, she thought. Still, she felt acutely her mother's absence, almost as keenly as her husband's. Truth be told, she thought, I'm lonely. Michi is always so busy with her teenagers, and Ian's a galaxy away. She was absently walking along the damp sidewalk to the mess hall, the sun warm enough to start melting the snow and ice. Once she entered, she found herself sitting with food she didn't even remember pulling from the line. Shrugging, she took a bite, and looked around. So many people on this world and yet I feel alone. Sighing, she looked down, but suddenly there was a shadow over her.
"Mags, you okay?" Aric asked, sitting across from her with his lunch. "I waved at you in line but you were a million parsecs away."
"I truly was," she replied. "I was thinking that I miss Felix." Aric's expression softened.
"I do, too," he said softly. "I would give anything to have been able to change things."
Mags smiled sadly. "He was loved, and I don't know that I have it in me to love anyone as I did him. But I admit, I'm feeling a bit lost these days."
Aric covered her slender hand with his large one, the fine fur on the back so soft that Mags almost reached out to stroke it. "You are not alone, dear. You are welcome anytime at our place, as I'm sure you are with Mir and Corso. You just need to take those invites." His huge grin made her giggle, and Maura joined them. Maybe I do just need a little more social interaction, she thought. Aric told them stories of the barracks that he'd heard, and they laughed and enjoyed being together.
Miriah and Corso went home for lunch, and Miriah was famished. Force use, she thought, and built a huge sandwich for both herself and Corso, taking them to the sofa. "Cor, sugar, you look like you need some food and a nap," she said when he startled at her voice.
"I might just, at that," he replied, and they ate in companionable silence. Once Miriah had taken their dishes to the kitchen, Corso stretched out on the sofa and closed her eyes. Miriah joined him and he wrapped her in his embrace, falling into a deep sleep quickly. Miriah heard Caly enter the apartment a few minutes later, and then her soft steps into the family room.
"Mom, we're at one week to the ceremony. Can you think of anything I've missed?" Caly whisipered, and Miriah took a moment to reflect before answering.
"I can't think of anything. I'm actually getting excited about it," Miriah replied and Caly imitated clapping.
"I am overseeing the menu, including the cake, so I may need some help from you in a couple days on that part," Caly said, gaining Miriah's nod. "Is Dad okay?"
"He's just tired today," Miriah said, trying not to blush again.
"Okay, well, I'm going to have your dinner in the oven," Caly told her before tiptoeing out to the kitchen. Miriah brushed hair from Corso's forehead. Poor sweetie, she thought. He didn't sign up to be married to a force user. She rested her forehead on his shoulder and briefly wondered if he had any regrets. If he does, he needs to make them known before the vow ceremony, she thought, closing her own eyes, knowing her heart would be done for if he did.
Mia had started to relax. She'd had no news other than that first message about her family, and it had been several weeks now. She felt more comfortable in the new apartment, and really, it was actually bigger than the house had been. She had started to meet Devin for lunch, and was so close to Caly and Coleen that she loved being able to see them most any time. Best of all, once the school break for the warm weather was over, she'd go back to treating patients in the med center. Her heart was full and she had almost forgotten her worries when, returning to the apartment with the children, she saw a full vase of flowers at the door. At once smiling, she took them inside, mentally thanking Devin for them. His confused response had her confused, too. Once she had the children with a snack, she took the card from the bouquet and opened it. With a cry she dropped the card and put her hand over her mouth. Surely this couldn't be. Surely this was some sort of trick, some cruel joke being played on her.
Merida saw her mother and ran to her, arms around her mother's legs. "Mama, it's okay. Nothing can hurt you here, I won't let it." Mia went to her knees, and hugged her daughter.
"I know, sweet one. I know," she said, smoothing Merida's ebony hair and trying to calm her racing heart. It was time to let Miriah know, she thought, and only seconds later, Devin came in the door, going to her on the floor, hugging her close.
"Mom is opening up immigration for a new city soon," Devin said quietly. "We need to give her this information so that she can pass it along to the group doing background checks. I promise, sweetheart, this will be as far as they get." Mia nodded, the lump in her throat too great to speak around, and held onto Devin, his strength making her feel safe.
The meeting started on time, and as Alec Ranin presented his info, the graphs and statistics and all the reasons he'd brought to her earlier, Miriah watched the others. Lana was thoughtful, Aric already nodding his agreement. Maura seemed to be leaning favorably, and she wondered what they would all think when their lives, movements, joys and triumphs were even more well known than they were now. When Alec finished, he asked for questions.
"Where do you plan to base a studio?" Aric asked.
"I've already secured a building outside Haven, the one they used to store building materials when they started out." Alec seemed to relax then, seeing the guarded interest in the assembled group.
"So this will be true, factual items, reported from a non biased standpoint, that you'll gather from the other planets? How will that happen?" Maura asked, her arms crossed over her chest.
Alec explained his network, and how the individual planets could participate in the project via holo and message. He also planned to run programming apart from the twice daily newscast, and mentioned a couple of popular holo shows, including Caly's cooking hour.
"But this has to be independent from the base, including financially. How will you be able to run it?" Corso's question was a good one, Miriah thought, keeping her silence. Alec explained his sponsors, and how he had obtained the equipment over the years. He also assured the group that there would be no reporting about the inner base, which Miriah had already decided would have to be the case.
"I'd like to start one week from today. Commander, would you be willing to do an opening introduction?" Alec turned hopeful eyes to Miriah.
"I… have a family event that day," she said, "but I can tape one."
"Oh, that's right, the vow renewal is that day," Aric said, then blushed at Miriah's glare.
"How wonderful!" Alec smiled at Miriah then. "I would love to have a little footage of that, just for human interest." Miriah was already shaking her head.
"No, it's supposed to be impartial, remember?" Miriah was very sure that she didn't want her private ceremony spread all over the galaxy.
"Just a few seconds. I am sure that everyone would love to feel a little part of something so festive. Love should be celebrated!" Alec's eyes were shining, and his face was positively glowing with anticipation.
Miriah bit her lip. She wanted Alec's venture to be successful, but she really hated being in the spotlight. Corso leaned to her, and whispered, "Whatever you decide, I'm down. But I would love for those vicious, hateful people who reported everything with a bad slant to see that we're still together, still strong." Miriah took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before nodding.
"Okay, but only coming from the temple to the reception room. Nothing more."
"That will be more than enough, Commander. So, I have the authorization to get started?" Alec almost held his breath as Miriah went around the group, gaining everyone's positive vote.
"Yes, you can, Alec. But remember, this is our one chance to show we're united as an Alliance. I'm not asking you to sugar coat anything, but please keep that in mind." Miriah stood and reached out to shake Alec's hand, and Corso did the same. Once the meeting room was empty again, Corso reached for Miriah's hand.
"Darlin', I'm proud that you went with your heart on this. I think it's a good step forward for the Alliance." He hugged her to him then, and she sank onto his chest.
"I do, too. Let's go home, I'm hungry again." Corso laughed, and led her out. They were approaching the apartment when the detail suddenly stopped and Devin appeared beside them.
"Mom, Dad, I need to get your advice," he said, and they went with him inside. When Devin explained what Mia had been going through, Miriah felt herself tear up.
"You go home and tell my daughter that her family is here, and no one will ever bother her or my grandchildren," Miriah said, unaware of the deep purple haze of her aura.
"Whoa, Mom," Devin said, and Miriah glanced at her hand before sitting down. "Let's not go all crazy. You may need more training, now that your force is flowing as it should have all along."
"You may be right," Miriah admitted. "But we have to get through the next week first." With a hug for each of them, Devin left. Corso took both of Miriah's hands in his and led her to the kitchen, where they danced, their nearness letting them both relax and recharge. As long as I can always dance with her, we'll be okay, Corso thought, and felt the tingle of force around him as he laughed.