"It is wonderful, isn't it?" Mira said watching Eve gaze outside the window as they sat on a table. Stunning landscape, towering mountains, Ice-capped peaks. Lakes. Greenery. Colored hues of the clouds in the sunlight.
Mira and Eve were on a world tour aboard a huge airship that Saiyara offered to planetary and local tourists. A floating paradise, perfect accommodation, hotel and restaurant, casinos, Spa, cultural halls and shopping malls all in one huge flying airbag.
"I think I like it here. I might stick for a while."
"I am glad Saiyara changed your mind Eve."
"So what are you going to do after this?"
"Maybe I'll return to diplomacy, take my old job back as an ambassador."
"What are your plans?"
"I don't know. Back to bounty hunting. I'll return to Sal Parlos, maybe."
"Why don't you just stay here if you like it."
Eve's hesitant eyes rolled to the window again. Saiyara reminded her of Earth in strange ways. She had seen Earth only through Synthia's memories.
Mira thought Eve might not stay.
But Eve never left.
She joined Saiyaran armed forces and climbed up the ranks… really really fast.
.
.
.
"Colonel, Eve reporting Sir! You had sent for me."
"At ease Major. Come take a seat."
Eve had just returned from a successful operation on Khatoora, a neighboring human-inhabited planet where Saiyaran troops were occasionally called in, to stabilize rebel situations and local conflicts. Saiyarans were known for their peace efforts and Eve was quickly becoming its face.
Eve settled in seat. Colonel picked up his comms and told his assistant to hold all the calls. Then he handed her a datapad. She read the report. Her past laid bared.
"Our intelligence has known it for sometime."
She placed datapad on the table and held her face in her hands, "I thought I will give it a try. I thought this time it will be different."
"You are looking at it the wrong way Eve. No one cares about your past. It's been three years… You earned your citizenship, earned every stripe in your uniform. It was all you, hardwork, you built yourself."
"Then why this report? Why now?"
"Because people know your name, Major. You've become a public figure. A hero. And with fame comes questions. We don't want to silence the truth, we want you to tell it. On your terms."
"I'm just gonna pack up my bags and leave…" she stood up and wanted to leave when Colonel Hamad's voice stopped her.
"If you ever just thought for a second that I am your friend then you would listen to me."
She sighed, turned around and seated herself again.
"I liked Saiyara because no one looked at me like I'm a freak. If that changes, there's no point in staying here anymore."
"You are not a freak. You are a proud Saiyaran soldier. A hero. A Saiyaran champion, the face we have been using to inspire and recruit the youth. The thing is… past just tends to catch up."
"Can't you just send me on another mission and we forget about all of this?"
"I have a daughter your age. You have met her. She adores you," he set her pen down and continued, "you are family Eve. So please just drop guard at least to those who care about you."
"Alright. I am that bounty hunter. You have heard the tales. It's all true. So what now?"
"Now we clear your name from the Intergalactic Committee's blacklist."
"I don't need pity."
"Why do you think like that? Saiyara… Andromeda has your back. You are not some rogue operative. They have no right to treat you as a criminal."
"I serve the planet. Earn an honest living. Isn't that enough?"
"We just want to be able to defend you Eve. If your identity ever leaks out, the forces might act without warning. We want the legal grounds to protect you."
Eve was quiet.
"The thing is here and right now. If you won't talk to me, they'll approach Mira next. Can't you see, the military is trying to protect you?"
"Leave her out of this. She just got married. Don't drag her into this mess."
"That's what I'm trying to do."
She was quiet for a minute.
"Alright. I think Major Eve is ready to let in people in her past," she says standing up and salutes him.
.
.
.
In the weeks that followed. Eve continued her missions. She met the Saiyaran president who gave her full confidence that people and the government alike stand with her.
She kept offering her services as a soldier. Medals followed, she got promoted to colonel.
In time, Andromedan Security Council recognized her actions had helped spark a new wave of unity, security and peace. With newfound faith, she lead ASC-based mission outside Saiyaran solar system. This period became Andromeda's golden age. ASC offered her position at HQ, promotion, perks… but she refused.
On the advice from the Saiyaran president, she made her past public and told her story. There was no backlash or riots, Saiyarans met the news with jubilation. Eve expected support, she didn't expect so much love.
After much political wrangling, the IC formally removed her from their fugitive list. Across Andromeda, headlines declared her, "The Daughter of Andromeda."
With public fame came an exhausting tug of war between governments. Mira fully returned to her Eve's life as her defender and spokesperson. Everyone knew Eve only listened to Mira.
The Saiyaran government quietly relieved Mira of her ambassadorial role and consigned her to Eve. Together they served the planet and its people. Something Mira had dreamt for a long time. And she made sure the legend continues.