Chapter by Uncle Sam The Man
::WARNING:: Same gender pairings will start to be introduced in this chapter.
The gentle thrum of the Nova Star's hyperdrive resonated through the ship, the dull humming of the lightspeed drive offering some comfort to the occupants of the ship, who were either sleeping, running technical surveys of the ship, or just lazing about, as they had been doing on their weeklong journey to Naboo, which according to Jens would be ending within the hour. But, despite the time that passed, there was one that would rather be left alone.
Aleah sat in the galley of the Nova Star, her head laying on the cold metal table as she stared at the red-hued holocron before her, her eyes filled with contempt at the small object…small, but dangerous. But, as she continued to silently curse the Sith artifact, her sensitive ears picked up the sound of the galley door opening, allowing a hulking mass of fur to enter.
"When was the last time you slept, kid?" Faolahd asked, the Wookie making her way to the sink by the stove, pouring himself a large mug of water. But, as he turned back, he couldn't help but let and an amused huff escape his lips as he saw a scowling Aleah turn her gaze away from him, a clear sign that she would rather be left alone. But, if Faolahd was one thing, he was stubborn. And so, with a low chuckle, he plopped himself on the bench right beside the Nelvaan jedi, who let out a slight yip of surprise when she felt herself lightly bounce from the seat.
"You know," the Wookie continued, his golden eyes staring at the girl with a bit of mischief, "they say talking is key to healing all wounds. There's no point in keeping things bottled up."
His grin grew wider as a thought entered his head.
"Though I should image you Jedi have that down to a science."
At that, Faolahd could make out a tiny sound. Not loud, but his exceptional hearing could make it out to be a…giggle. And, to his silent relief, the blue-furred female by his side brought her face out of her arms, the black sclera making her yellow irises pop as she looked at the Wookie by her side. But, as she looked at him, her curiosity over his ability to speak basic grew by the second. Finally, she just couldn't resist.
"Forgive me," she began, her collar still translating her native language for her, "but I didn't think Wookies could speak basic. At least not without a vocabulator like mine."
The reddish-brown mass huffed out a rough guffaw.
"It usually throws people off, but they usually get used to it. I have a speech impediment very rare to Wookies. It allows those of us who have it to, in essence, 'mimic' basic. Mine is actually so strong that one would assume I am fluent. Oh, I can speak shyriiwook just fine, but having a Wookie who can speak basic his very beneficial."
"Plus," a light voice interjected, causing the two occupants of the galley to turn to see the good mirialin cook standing in the doorway, a mischievous smirk on his purple lips as he walked toward the Wookie, surprising Aleah with a view of the much smaller male cozying up to the much larger warrior, "you will never have a more restful night's sleep than curled up in a Wookie's lap. Right, Love?"
"Right," Faolahd laughed, surprising Danny by quickly pulling him into his lap, the cook's back soon being pressed firmly against the Wookie's broad, furry chest. And needless to say, Aleah was surprised to see such a mismatched pair.
"So," she quietly interjected, causing the odd couple to look at her, "you two are…?
"You better believe it," Danny playfully answered.
"Faolahd is my big, fuzzy pillow."
"Please don't call me that," Faolahd grumbled, though with a slight mirth to his voice. Aleah also couldn't help but giggle at the exchange happening before her. I truth, she found their little banter quite adorable. But, then again, she wouldn't now anything about romance, her being a Jedi and all. But at that thought, she couldn't help but think back to when she met a certain Mandalorian crew member. And it was only when she could faintly make out Faolahd talking to her that Aleah realized she had been wrapped up in her thoughts about Siv.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" She inquired, a small blush bleeding through the fur on her cheeks.
"The riddle," Danny repeated from Faolahd, pointing toward the holocron, "do you know what it means?"
"Yes," Aleah answered with a small laugh, "I am very good at riddles. 'That which runs, but never walks. Has a mouth that never talks.' It's a river."
"Lot's of rivers on Naboo," a new, more feminine voice interjected, causing the trio to look up to see the Star's resident zygerrian, Feline sending them a playful smirk as she moved to stand in front of the table, planting her hands on the edge as she cast her violet gaze at the holocron.
"But only one that would be our best bet," another added from the room, the group met with the very amusing sight of Siv's, goggles over his hazel eyes as he pocked his head through a hatch in one of the maintenance tunnels.
"Eavesdropping from the vents," Feline quipped, "how mature."
"I've never been to Naboo," Aleah quickly added, wishing to keep the conversation on track, "so I don't know much about it's landscape, such as it's rivers."
"Solleu," Jen's deep voice bellowed as he entered the room, all eyes now on him.
"It's one of the most prominent rivers on Naboo. It ends at Virdugo falls in Theed and travels through the valleys and plateaus, past the Gungan swamps, and towards the ancient Temple of the Elders."
"It can't be that easy," Siv scoffed, having lowered himself from the maintenance vent into Galley.
"Actually," Aleah added, sending Siv a teasing, almost flirtatious smirk, "it's so OVERT it's COVERT."
And that moment, any claim Siv would or could make that he was not embarrassed would be betrayed by the faint crimson blush that shown on his dirt covered face, earning a round of snickers from the other. But, at that moment, the revelry was interrupted by a loud beeping sounding thought he ship, followed by Lyra's voice sounding over the comm.
"We're coming up on Naboo. Strap yourselves in."
Within minutes, the Nova Star dropped out of hyperspace. But the moment the lush green world was in view, the occupants of the gunship where suddenly filled with dread upon noticing a small group of venators ahead. And to make matters worse, a pair of V-Wing's emerged from the main hanger of the lead starship. And when they were only short distance away, the chime of the comm on the bridge sounded. Not wanting to to raise any alarms, Lyra answered.
"Unidentified craft," a clone's voice sounded, "identify yourself."
Routine, Lyra thought to herself as she spoke into the comm.
"Nova Star, Requesting permission to land to take on fuel and supplies, as well as make needed repairs."
A few seconds passed. Complete silence. Then…
"Transmit clearance codes."
"Transmitting clearance codes."
Fang looked at the venators, his eyes narrowed. "Sure hope our codes are still valid," he said hoping for the best. After all, if there was one this he hated, it was to let his crew see him afraid. Fang had always played the tough guy from the day he joined Jens.
His sister Kenna looked over at him. "They'll work," she assured him calmly, but her voice was full of doubt.
For the next several minutes the group held their breaths, the imposing venator's looming closer and closer with each passing seconds. Aleah even had to steady herself as the sudden wave of anxiety through the ship resonated through the force.
"Nova Star, you may proceed."
A collective sigh of relief.
"Thank, making approach to Theed."
"That wasn't so bad," Kenna laughed, gently nudging Aleah who merely chuckled as they ship descended toward the planet surface. Within minutes, they docked in one of the commercial hangers just outside of the capital, the hanger manager. But, as a small group, consisting of Jens, Faolahd, Dray, and Aleah, the Nelvannian concealed in a simple sloak, a hood pulled over her head.
"We can run the risk that the Corusaunt Guard has blasted your face allover the holo-news," Jens had advised, hence the cloak. But, as they made their way out of the hanger to find a means by which to safely navigate toward their destination without drawing to much "unwanted attention," the small group noticed that the streets seemed strangely deserted.
Well…Almost.
A small group of Noobian's were making their way down the street, all dressed in back attire.
"Wait hear," Jens said, quickly making his way over to the group as to inquire what was happening. And as the bearded man spoke to the group, Aleah couldn't help but grimace at the immense sorrow radiating throughout the city. And it seemed to be originating from a large congregation of people lining the walls of the nearby river. And it was only when Jens returned, a somber look on his face, did the group learn the terrible truth.
Senator Padme Amidala Had Died.
Just then, Aleah felt a tremor in force. The dark side was present here. Looking around, the Nelvannian saw a group of clone troopers being lead by a black suited figure. The figure was clearly a Sith. The clones stopped when the Sith raised his arm, he turned to face them.
"I do not wish to be bothered. I need to see the tomb of Sentator Amidala," he said, his voice almost mechanical.
The clones nodded. "As you wish, Lord Vader."
Aleah suddenly felt her blood go cold as her anger grew strong. Darth Vader, the monster who had killed her master was here. And now, Aleah could only think of one thing: Revenge!
Oh no! Looks like the dark side is calling to Aleah. Will she forget her master's teachings and go after Vader? Find out in the next chapter of Voyagers: The Adventures of the Nova Star.