Chapter by Uncle Sam The Man.

Aleah sat alone in the mess, her ears being bombarded with the harmonious hum from the hyperdrive, the purring thruster pushing them further and further to their next destination; Mustafar. And Aleah didn't know why, but the mere mention of the volcanic planet on the far corners of the Outer Rim filled with a great dread, almost as if the force was warning her not to go there. So much so that the humming did little to calm, as it only reminded her of where it would drop them in three rotations.

ZAP!

"ACK!"

But at the present time, Aleah was more interested in repairing her translator collar, the device itself she had come to find, having been damaged during her tumble on Naboo. And truth be told, she would very much like to get it working again before the crew woke up. But unfortunately, she was not too knowledgeable when it came to tech. normally whenever she needed her collar repaired, or a new one, she would take it to one of the maintenance droids in the Jedi Temple. But, of course, for obvious reasons, she couldn't anymore. And needless to say, it only added to the nelvaanian's frustration.

"Having issues?" a new voice laughed, the sudden intrusion actually making Aleah jump a bit, only to calm down almost immediately upon noticing the ship's resident Mandalorian standing in the door, a teasing smirk on his lips as he went to sit beside Aleah by the table, the girl offering a bit of bashful smile in return as she returned her attention back to her collar.

"Sajnálom," she began in her native tongue, only to stop when she noticed Siv's teasing smirk turn into one [aired with mild confusion. And it was for this reason she relied on her collar. Despite all the time she spent with Jedi, being surrounded by many beings who spoke basic, she never felt it necessary to learn how to properly speak it since a translator made it much easier. Though that didn't mean she couldn't understand in, in terms of listening, reading and writing as evident by how she was able to communicate with the crew.

"S-s-s-orr-ry," she managed to stammer, surprising Siv as deep red blush of embarrassment bled through the fur on her face, her yellow eyes focused solely on the translator in her hands as she continued to speak.

"I-I…w-wak-e…?"

At first confused, Siv was finally able to connect the dots as he his smile became more caring, a soft chuckle escaping his throat as he sat beside Aleah.

"Nah, I was up anyway when I heard ya working," he responded, his attention soon shifting from the alluring…Siv gave a quick shake of his head, removing those invasive thoughts of the still very strange girl by his side as he looked to the collar in one hand, and pick in the other.

"Here," he said as he reached for the two trinkets, his sudden action making Aleah flinch a little. But, after offering a gentle smile, Siv was pleased to see Aleah relax, the former Jedi slowly handing the collar and pick to him. However, much to their embarrassment, their hands touched. And despite the deep blush forming on both of their faces, Aleah was surprised by how soft his hands were, half-expecting them to be rough and calloused. But they were smooth, and soft, almost as if he took as much care of them as he did the ship.

For the next several minutes the two just sat in silence, Siv focusing all his attention of reconnecting the wiring that had been severed in the collar, the Mando faintly aware of the curious eyes staring at him as he worked. And that most certainly did not help the blush on his face. As for Aleah, she took advantage of Siv's distraction by studying his features. And it was then that she noticed for the first time since they left Naboo that Siv had washed up, his armor absent from his body, replaced by plain white tunic and brown trousers tucked into his boots.

Aleah's eyes then traveled to his face, his fair skin and blonde hair reflecting the dull light of the room, his cheeks actually peppered with freckles that had once been hidden behind a fine layer of grease and grime. And his eyes, his deep hazel eyes that focused on her collar, seemed as if they were so deep, she could drown…

Aleah abruptly turned away, the nelvaanian stifling a gasp as she tried to vanquish such thoughts. Even though they were gone, Aleah still felt she had to abide by the Jedi Code of no attachments. Yes, she couldn't break the code know, even more so given the fact that Siv was still very much a stranger. And a Mandalorian no less, the sworn ancient enemy of the Jedi. However, she couldn't hold that against him, as her master must have trusted him the past. But still did not leave her less confused of these new feelings that were forming.

"THAT SHOULD DO IT!"

Aleah was suddenly pulled from her thoughts by Siv, the Mandalorian setting down the pic on the table, handing the collard back to Aleah, who after taking a moment to register what was happening, accepted the offered device with a small smile before placing it around her neck, flipping the switch that brought it to life.

"Testing, Testing," Aleah said through the Collar, the blue-furred girl's smile growing even wider as it actually sounded like new. Looking to Siv, her smile never faltered as he returned it.

"Thank you Siv, I greatly appreciate it."

"Hey, no problem," Siv shrugged off with a wave of his hand, the mechanic leaning back against his seat as he spoke to Aleah, who quickly noticed that the young man's attention had moved to the collar around her neck, a curious glint in his eyes.

"You know," he began, leaning forward as he spoke, "I've been wondering why you need that thing. You understand basic from what I see, but you still use that to speak."

Aleah stilled a bit at this, her hand self-consciously moving to her neck, her fingers tenderly caressing the metal's collar.
"It's one thing to understand a language," she began, her gaze now on the cold durasteel floor, "it's another to actually use it."

It was at that moment that Siv realized he had overstepped.

"Sorry, I-I didn't mean…"

"No, no," Aleah interrupted with a laugh, her gaze now on Siv as a tender smile graced her muzzle.

"It's not the first time I've been asked that."

This resulted in the two sharing a good-natured laugh, the revelry actually a nice change from the otherwise awkward situation from moments before. But soon, the laughter came to an end as the two stared at each other, their eyes fixed on the other as Aleah finally let the hum of the hyperdrive calm her. And from her point of view, it seemed to have the same effect of Siv, the Mandalorian's breathing matching hers in perfect harmony. And it was at that moment that Aleah was faintly aware of the hypnotic affect the humming hyperdrive had on her as her entire being just seemed to relax as she stared at Siv.

Now, both weren't quite sure how it happened, but as the seconds ticked by, they seemed to be moving closer to each other, the human and Nelvaanian inching towards the other, their eyes never leaving each other as they were vaguely aware of the fact that they were now leaning closer, and closer and closer until…

Aleah couldn't help the moan that escaped her throat the moment she felt Siv's rough, chapped lips brush against hers, the male himself letting out a little bit of a chuckle as the fur on hers tickled him. But, luckily for him, his laugh was infectious as Aleah released a throaty giggle. And while she felt strange, this being her first kiss, something she never thought she would have to prepare for, she found herself caring less and less as she moved herself to straddle Siv's lap.

As for Siv, the Mandalorian found himself with many conflicting thoughts, the male unsure of how to proceed with this girl he had only met days before. In truth, he knew it was a child's fairy tale to fall in love at first sight, but even he couldn't deny the obvious natural attraction between them, even if it was sudden. But he soon found herself pulled from his musings as he suddenly felt something prodding at his lips. And the moment he realized what it was…well, he couldn't explain, but all that fear and uncertainty just seemed to melt away as his arms wrapped around Aleah's lithe but fit frame as he granted her entrance, the nelvaanian wrapping her arms around his neck in order to deepen the embrace.

For a solid minute the two just sat there, a battle of dominance taking place in their mouths as they softly moaned together, the feeling of being in each other's arms just feeling so right, even though they had only met just a few weeks ago. But they could care less. Unfortunately, the need for air arose, the new couple reluctantly parting, their breathing uneven as they panted from the exhilarating moment they just had.

Unfortunately, the moment they opened their eyes, only a brief smile was exchanged before Aleah's eyes went wide in alarm, the nelvaanian female jumping from her place in Siv's lap, the Mandalorian just as surprised as he himself stood, albeit shakily to his feet. However, the shock seemed to quickly fade into mild embarrassment, Aleah holding herself as Siv merely shoved his hand's bashfully into his pockets.

"I'm…I'm sorry," he finally said after a long minute of awkward silence.

"I shouldn't have done that."

"N-No," Aleah immediately rebutted, "it was me, I started it."

For another long minute the duo just stood in awkward silence, both unsure of what to do. Eventually, without a word being said, Siv felt it best to leave Aleah alone to dwell on the these knew, confusing feelings. However, just minutes later, Aleah was brought to her knees by a crippling wave of anger…

Not from herself…

But from the bridge of Venator that was careening through hyperspace.

"You were warned what failure would bring, Inquisitor!"

Darth Vader's menacing form stood silhouetted against the viewport, his hand outstretched to pleading enforcer in his invisible grasp, the inquisitor's olive skin becoming paler and paler as his yellow eyes widened in fear, his hands desperately clutching at the invisible hand around his neck, the poor human trying, and failing to draw in a much-needed breath.

"Fot-giv-ve m-me, My L-lord," he attempted to gasp out, his feet dangling off the ground as he looked around desperately for anyone that might help him, be it the clone technicians in the wells on either side of the walkway on which they stood, or the clearly unamused Pau'an behind Vader.

"Forgiveness is not the way of the Dark Side," Vader growled, his hand slowly closing as the Inquisitor's desperation grew even more as his eyes began to roll into the back of his head.

"M-my L-l-lord!" he once again cried in desperation until finally, with a flick of his wrist, Vader felt deep satisfaction in seeing the inquisitor's head twist to the side, accompanied by a very satisfying SNAP! And his hand lowered, the Inquisitor's corpse fell to the floor, sitting on its knees for only a second or two before falling forward, his head sitting at an odd angle as a result, his former master stepping over the body with great disinterest.

"Apology accepted…First Brother."

Gesturing to two 501st troopers, the armored men wasted no time in dragging the body away, passing a visibly disturbed Captain Needa, ho, after taking a moment to recompose himself, looked upon Vader as he relayed his news.

"My lord, we will arrive at Mustafar within two rotations."

"Very Well Captain."

Taking the short response as a dismissal, Needa trend to make the preparations, all while Vader turned to address, the Pau'an by his side.

"The Jedi will be there by now…are you prepared?"

Bowing to one knee, the Pau'an responded.

"By the grace of your training, I shall succeed."

However, what Vader said next did little to ease any worry this dark warrior had.

"I hope so, for your sake."

And the Pau'an found another shiver run up his spine by the dark lord's final words before departing the bridge.

"You know the price of failure…Grand Inquisitor."