Hello reader! Please enjoy this first chapter of a new story I started a few months back that I'm just beginning to be happy with. I really enjoy starting off in the middle of the character's journey, so I hope you do too. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts :)

Chapter 1: Travelers

I sat cross-legged with Peli by my side, her fingers meticulously working to pry open a worker droid's control board. He'd mysteriously began turning in fast circles, shrieking for help all the while, his robotic limbs flailing about. Peli was in no mood for inconveniences. After she managed to get a hold on his mechanics—roughly, rather so, whipping him around and kneeling down on his side—her calloused fingers prodded to try and troubleshoot the issue. Her face was strained as she jammed her tool beneath the buttons of the droid's system, his power momentarily whirring down.

"He's quiet, but trust-worthy," she said to me through clenched teeth. She hadn't spoken in so long, I started to wonder if she remembered I'd been sitting there. She stood up straight then and wiped her gloved hands on her thighs, shutting the door of the droid's upper back. "That should do it. Try walking to the other side of the hanger."

The droid obeyed and though he struggled to move his mechanical legs at first, he was successful in the task. He chirped joyfully before rolling forwards and continuing his work as though there were no interruption.

"He'll get you where you need to go," Peli continued, referring to the Mandalorian, cleaning her tools off on a rag nearby. I glanced where the frog sat. She had her limbs wrapped around a glass case that was filled with her spawn, plush spongy oval-shaped eggs that floated within a dense liquid. The frog watched me carefully and a noise in the back of her throat escaped, warning me.

"She is leaving Tatooine to see her husband and continue her lineage," Peli said once she caught on to my curiosity. "She's going to the same place you are."

I nodded and looked back to where the droids were, watching their arms repairing the Mandalorian's ship. The lame droid was moving about as if he'd not just been dead minutes prior—could a machine be considered such a thing? Regardless, giving them a bit of personality made me feel less guilty about the reality of it all. They moved in a fast pace and were careful to follow Peli's exact orders. The ship, a Razor Crest, was in bad shape and in need of serious TLC. I felt my face grimace at the sight of it. Patches of old, decommissioned Imperial ship parts covered the open metallic wounds of the thing, unable to repair its original integrity. I was unsure its engines would even fuel enough power to get it off of Tatooine. However, I was in no place to be picky about my options—time was running out, and I needed to get off of this planet.

Reminded of how long I'd been waiting there, in addition to the potential danger that lingered within my chest, I twisted a coin between my fingers and attempted to hide my impatience. Three days of unsuccessful bartering with other travelers, offering my help with any task I thought provided useful, yet all of them decided to stay on Tatooine. I kept my cool for as long as I could. Hiding out in a hanger was not ideal, considering I was extremely exposed to a variety of curious eyes. Finally, an opportunity rose, potentially with a Mandalorian—my palms sweating with the thought of it. A bounty hunter. I swallowed the anxiety in my throat and sighed through my nose.

I eyed a small rucksack that sat in a pile near Peli's things and saw movements inside. Without thinking I grabbed a lead pipe nearby and held it outwards towards the sack, ready to ambush whatever creature was inside.

Peli was quick to protect it. Her body moved between me and the rucksack, her arms spread widely. "It's okay! It's just a child," she raised her eyebrows and held her hands out, offering peace. I watched her with skepticism as she picked up the rucksack and gently removed the hood to reveal a green animal, sleeping quietly and cooing in his dreams. I glanced at Peli and stepped closer.

"What is that?" I said under my breath. Peli shrugged.

"I don't know," she admitted, and I gave her a look as if to say, shouldn't you? "The Mandalorian and this child have some sort of relationship that I didn't bother to question. I'm keeping an eye on him until he returns," she cradled the child in her arms, admiring him. I gave him one more uncertain look before letting it go, turning around to see the Mandalorian standing in the doorway of Peli's office.

"Who are you?" He asked first, his voice a bit raspy from the helmet he wore. He was covered in a suit of beskar. I caught my breath in my throat and felt a whip of anxiety run through me at his appearance, knowing the history of these bounty hunters and their ability to relentlessly kill. I felt queasy. He stood stiffly, unsure of my presence, and eyed the child in Peli's arms.

Peli took a step between us, mediating yet another situation. "She's a friend," she told the Mandalorian, ignorant of her lie. He looked between the two of us. "Let me have a word with you outside," and she guided him out of the office, handing him the child as she did so.

I peered through the window and scanned his weapons as Peli walked away with him. Several small bombs lined his belt, and a blaster was holstered to his thigh. On his back was an Amban blaster of sorts, as well as a jetpack. His forearm was encased in something dangerous, and bullets strapped his chest and calves. I bit my lower lip. I could tell just by his demeanor that this bounty hunter's attitude was like a minefield, sensitive to explosion if the wrong pressure was vulnerable. I was again unsure of my new plan and whether or not it was going to work. I subconsciously massaged my neck and felt if I stayed on Tatooine any longer, my livelihood—amongst others—were at serious stake. I leaned against the wall and watched the Mandalorian's frustrated appearance grow more unsure as Peli talked. Finally, after several minutes, he nodded once. He paid Peli a large amount before turning on his heel and walking towards the Razor Crest. She waved goodbye to the small child, looked towards the foggy glass at myself and the Frog Lady, signaling to us that we were in.

The Frog Lady gurgled excitedly and threw her spawn on her back, making her way towards the ship. I felt a small sense of relief come over me and followed the Frog Lady with more hesitation. Though I knew I wasn't nearly out of the fire, I reminded myself that if I could get the hell off this planet and go somewhere else, I could start fresh.

I cautiously walked towards the ship. The Frog Lady clamored up past the Mandalorian, waving her webbed hand in his direction to thank him. I approached the Mandalorian at the bottom of the ramp coldly, matching his disassociated manner. He remained rigid; the child cradled in the nook of his arm. I sensed he needed to say something before he allowed my presence on the ship with him.

"What business do you have in Trask?"

I watched the Frog Lady settle within the bunker ahead. Noticing my uncertainty, the Mandalorian took a step closer to me. I stood my ground and met his eyes within the dark visor of his helmet.

"What business?" He said, this time with a hint of irritation. I swallowed hard, my brain scrambling for an answer. As I was about to open my mouth, the child cooed within the Mandalorian's arms, reaching out towards me. It was a very childish behavior, similar to when a foundling is intrigued by something shiny. Still, I blinked, the shock between both the Mandalorian and I at the child's gesture clear. Peli noticed the exchange and put one hand on her hip, the other shading her eyes from the suns.

"The kid trusts her, so you should too."

I thought this was a bit far-fetched. Regardless, the Mandalorian looked back up at me from the child and couldn't find an explanation for this. Though the child wasn't necessarily aggressive towards folks, he certainly refrained from immediate friendliness. The Mandalorian hesitated for a moment before deciding—though not his first choice, exactly—that he'd let me join him. He turned to walk up the ramp without another word. I remained stationary, unsure if I was allowed to go with him. I looked at Peli over my shoulder and she waved her arm at me, mouthing, Hurry up. I nodded at her as a thanks, climbing the ramp up and into the ship.

The Mandalorian closed the ramp with a few clicks of his fingers and eyed me sharply. Trying to reconcile the tension in the air, I put my bag down and sat within the bunker and kept my eyes glued to the floor. With the child still in his arms, he turned towards me.

"If you lose my trust even for one second, you'll regret it."

I looked at him from my peripheral and leaned my back against the ship, thankful to be one step closer to getting off Tatooine. He climbed the ladder to the cockpit, leaving me alone in the coldness of the bunker with the Frog Lady's spawn, her gaudy eggs floating within the thick film of the casing.