A/N: Sorry it took me 2 weeks to get this out. I needed to hammer out some details that may be relevant later since this is officially AU. I just wanted to have that well established.
If you're interested in being notified more quickly via tags, please inform me.
So, without further ado, please enjoy!
Chapter 2
Organa cocked an eyebrow at the Mandalorian as if he'd said something unusual.
"So, they call me." A sardonic smile quirked at her lips. "Though it's hard to be a princess of a planet that no longer exists."
He blinked, not expecting such a self-deprecating comment from someone of royal blood.
Organa's facial features changed to one of wistfulness. She lifted her chin. "But I've been Princess for so long, so Princess will do. Now, what should I call you, Mandalorian?"
"Mandalorian is fine."
She frowned. It was clear she didn't like his answer.
"There must be something else I can call you." Her tone became lighter; touched with considerable concern. Her eyes were soulful as she looked upon him.
"None that I care for anymore."
She gauged him considerably; a large small blossoming on her face.
"Then on behalf of the New Republic, welcome aboard the Victory, Mandalorian."
"Thank you." He stood unsure of what to do.
Leia looked to her guards. "Put those blasters away. He's our guest." She turned back to him as he walked down the ramp and she crossed over, meeting him halfway. "Now, I understand your ship is in need of repair."
"Yes," He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "My inside hull and engine are toasted. The hull isn't a problem, but the engine might take considerable work, Your Highness."
She nodded. "Our technicians will get to work on it right away."
"That would be great." He cast a glance to the child who had toddled up to his right-side. His movements hadn't gone unnoticed by the princess or the rest of her retinue. He looked back to her and she was eying him with interest. It slightly unnerved him. He cleared his throat. "I, uh, don't have any means to compensate you at the moment."
The princess actually looked taken aback.
"No compensation is necessary, Mandalorian," She informed him. "You needed help, we provided it. That's all."
He canted his head in gratitude.
"Now, will you join me in the conference room—and your little friend?" She clasped her hands diplomatically in front of her. "We'll prepare you a chamber while our techs work on your ship."
The Mandalorian bent down and picked up the Child. "Yes, but the chambers aren't necessary." He shifted the kid in his arm. "A meal for him though would be fine."
She smiled warmly.
"Of course, I'm sure we can find something simple for him to eat. Please, follow me." She turned and gestured for him.
Hesitating for a moment, Mando fell into step beside her, aware that the men around them were still regarding him uneasily. He ignored them and focused his attention on Organa who was exchanging casual glances with the Child who gauged her in return.
"He's so small." She commented, her brows creasing. "It's so odd. I wonder what he'll make of this…"
The Mandalorian did not think she was speaking to him; more than likely it was the princess' own private musings. Though he did wonder who he was and why it mattered what he would make of it. He followed her through the hatch then down long corridors toward the bridge of the ship. The kid's ears brushed against him and he lifted a hand suddenly out to the princess. Seeing this, the Mandalorian surreptitiously wagged a finger in admonishment. No. The Child's ears flattened unhappily, and he continued to stare at the human woman.
He sincerely hoped he wouldn't have another repeat of the Cara episode. If the kid started exercising his Force powers in a friendly craft, much less against Leia Organa, it would become a galactic incident. He eyed him and signed friend. The Child settled back in his arm as if content with his caretaker's explanation. The Mandalorian let out a gratified breath; relieved to avoid any upsets.
"You weren't surprised by me." He commented offhandedly.
Organa looked at him.
"I've met one of your kind before—at least he wore the armor of a Mandalorian." She tilted her head as if considering him. "His name was Boba Fett."
Mando frowned in his helmet.
"Not a name I'm familiar with…" He knew of the Mandalorians in his clan if not by name. He doubted very much that the stranger was Mandalorian at all. He refrained from mentioning this.
She smiled warmly.
"Well, that's no problem. The galaxy is vast."
He nodded silently and he continued to follow her.
They entered the conference room and Leia seated herself at the far end of the table, entreating for the Mandalorian to take do likewise. He took a seat and hesitating for a moment, debating on the proprieties, set the Child on the tabletop. The princess didn't seem to take offense at this but turned to a subordinate to request caf and sweet cakes. She turned back; eyes focused sharply on him.
"I'm waiting for Captain Antilles to join us—then we can talk." She eyed the small creature who was eyeing her with curiosity.
He nodded wordlessly once more.
They sat there regarding each other for a moment. Mando got the distinct impression that the little creature was…gauging her. The Child then crossed cover the table to stand before the princess and tilted his head, simultaneously stretching out his hand. She returned his gaze and smiled. The kid made a pleased cooing sound then reached further as if he were going to perform one of his feats. The Mandalorian froze for a moment, but relaxed when he clearly laid a hand on her arm. She broadened her smile.
"Well, you're certainly not shy are you?" His ears twitched at this. "So strange.."
Taking this as a cue, he cleared his throat to get her attention.
"Now, you mentioned he." He laid his hand on the tabletop. "Who is he and what did you mean?"
Organa focused her attention back on him, not hesitating to be duplicitous.
"A feeling."
"Feeling?" He sounded slightly inquisitive.
"Call it reinforced intuition," Organa said with a smile. "As for who, I'm referring to my brother—this is interesting on both fronts."
He opened his mouth to question the woman, but the door slid open behind him. The Mandalorian turned slightly and watched as a brown-haired man of about 1.7* meters tall. He wore not a standard uniform which Mando would associate with a captain, but a flight suit with the NR's patch on the breast pocket. He assumed this was the aforementioned Captain Antilles. He proceeded approached the Mandalorian as Organa gestured for him to join them.
"Thank you for joining us, Wedge."
"It's nothing, Leia." Antilles turned to him and extended his hand. "Wedge Antilles, I'm the captain of this cruiser. I couldn't believe it when Leia told me we had an actual Mandalorian on board." The man had a flavor to his voice that was distinctively Correllian.
The Mandalorian extended his own hand and grasped the man's, nodding as he did so.
"Thank you, Captain Antilles, once again"
Antilles gave a short disarming smile, releasing the Mandalorian's grip.
"Oh, don't thank me, she's mostly responsible."
"Nevertheless. You have my gratitude."
Antilles then dropped into a chair on the opposite side of Organa. His gaze registered the Child for a moment, but he turned it back to him.
"Now, how can we help you, Mandalorian—that's okay if I call you that?"
"As I told the princess; Mandalorian is fine." He paused looking to the child. "As for what you can do...besides the ship. Not much." He paused.
"We were just speaking about my brother, Wedge."
"Luke?"
"Yes," She canted her head toward the kid. "I'm convinced that my brother would be interested in the child."
"Really?"
Wedge examined the creature once more.
"Are we basing on appearance or…something else?" He remained advertently vague.
"Either."
The Mandalorian couldn't help but feel there was something important in those words. He decided to push forward with his intuition.
"You mentioned reinforce intuition," He started. "What did you mean by that?" He hedged a bet his instincts were spot on, given what the Forger had said. "Are you talking about the Force?"
Organa seemed semi-startled by this.
"Well…" She looked to Wedge. "I've heard Mandalorians are sharp." She turned back to Mando and nodded.
Shavit. He couldn't believe his sudden stroke of luck.
The Mandalorian gestured to the Child. "Then you can help him." He hoped he didn't sound too desperate.
"Help him?" She queried, "You mean the fact that the child is Force-sensitive."
A sudden thrill went through.
"Yes."
She tilted her head. "I can't." His heart fell. "I believe you're looking for a master in the Force."
"Your brother."
"Yes…" She glanced in Wedge direction one more.. "In fact, we were just on our way to him. So, you're in luck." The captain looked uncertain. "What is it?"
"Well…"
"Out with it, Wedge," Organa commanded.
"That's another reason I came—we're not getting any response from Luke."
Buhm, bump, buuuuuh. LOL
Side note: *5.58 feet