Heaven's Nova

"By the light of creation!" Was Rebecca's reaction when she heard just how many prisoners they had aboard all the ships. They were getting ready to dock at base, but extra precautions were being implemented for the prison ships. A hidden command that could trigger an explosion or a series of computer viruses would have been horrible. Someone among the captains' staffs had thought considering the deep infiltration among the command and the sister base, over caution was better then not enough.

Almeria had pretty much willed herself to sleep that evening. Tra was going to do what needed to be done, but Almeria needed to be fully rested for her part. She was the head of this operation, even if she wasn't the most senior commander involved, and it would be her that wold bare the brunt of most of the questions. She was glad for the sleep and the full breakfast when she heard about the delays they were going to face. The ships were cramp, and even a small delay was bound to make the pirates aboard the ships antsy.

As for the prisoners, until they were on base and fully screened and had time to wander around as they pleased, the reality of their freedom would not set in. Logically they might know the pirates were not their captaors and they were being cared for, but they still had no say in anything at this time and were still in a very isolated situation.

Once the ship was cleared, the Saint was brought in for a landing at base. Quarters had already been arranged for the prisoners and to some surprise there were several volunteers waiting to help the former prisoners out. She just hoped these good natured people would not accidentally intimidate the already submissive.

Outside the Saint, Almeria watched as pirates lead an assortment of priests, politicians, military personel, and an assortment of "undesirables" to either the infermery or quarters depending on how bad their constitution was. They were all going to be questioned. It wasn't just a matter of safety, the fact that a spy could be among the prisoners was unlikely but still a possibility, but just to know who was there, who was alive, and who wasn't. Some, many most likely, would want to contact family or friends if possible. Others the captains were going to want to talk to at some point. Almeria realized that she had assumed once freed they could start the meetings with the former prisoners, but now she knew they needed some time to adjust, and she was going to have to petition for that time.

Absently Almeria sighed. There always was so much to do.
 
Tra spent several days tending to the former prisoners, helping his sister, and running himself ragged in doing so. The priest hardly slept, and he insisted on letting Kari stay with them until she had recovered. Kari, for her part, was doing better, but it still took time and effort to coax her onto solid foods again and work through some of her nightmares. In the meantime, there were meetings, shuffling of quarters, a crowded base, and more meetings with the rebellion leaders to try and relocate as many of the refugees who didn't want to stay with the pirates as were possible.

Raids were held to assure food and supplies were stocked, people were rehabilitated and the inevitable news that some were just too far gone and needed specialized care came in. With Almeria's help, Tra was able to help many of these people reach past the dangerous blocks in their spiritual and mental selves and find their ways out of the darkness.

Slowly, many of the refugees began to move around the base, seeing what there was to be accessed and getting in far more trouble than Tra would have given them credit for, weak as they had been. And yet, it was nice to see them regain health, to eat, to learn. To occupy them, he had some of the other priests organize the pirates into conducting tours, classes, and combat drills. Those of the crowd who had once been priests were shown to the temple on station and were happy enough to resume their prayers in a more hospitable location. When Tra had learned that each had been conducting their worship in full silence and secrecy to avoid being killed for disobeying the rules of the prison, the priest was filled with a deep conviction. They needed to move against Namir and they need to do so fast.

So he set about researching, readying himself, and finally, the day of the first planning meeting came and he found himself walking into the council chamber with Almeria. For once, seconds in command had been asked to step forward and offer strategies. He relished the idea of being able to speak up and be useful in council.
 
Almeria had tried to pace herself, but there was so much to do, so many people that needed help, that in the end she was running herself so ragged that she barely placed her head upon the pillow before she was asleep. She worried that Tra was over exerting himself, while at the same time trying to do as much as he was. Even as she walked to the meeting with Tra she was thinking of the many other things she hoped to accomplish that day.

As she sat down, she mildly noticed most of the commanding officers looking at her. This was her little war it seemed. It made her stomach turn. She didn't want a war, but it was turning out that way. The meeting started with the usual captains making their suggestions. It was nice to hear from the seconds, for some were much more vocal then she realized. Given this chance to raise their concerns and share their thoughts they went at it with gusto, but still respect.

"What if we used someone as bait? We know Namir would like to get the prisoners back."

"No, even if they were willing, none of them are up for something like that right now."

"What about Almeria?"

Almeria blinked in surprise, then grinned. "You know, this might have merit."