"Hold still," Prisa insisted as she cleaned her droid R3 in the small area allotted for passengers to stretch their legs and use the lavatory while traveling. She was aboard a transport headed to Nevarro. While in route, she realized it had been a month since he had had a good cleaning. He insisted the dirt, grim, and scratches made him look menacing to the other droids working in the capital. He wanted to make sure they knew he was not a droid to be messed with.

Beep Beep! Beep!, R3 chimed and twisted his dome dramatically.

"Well, we're not on the farm anymore," Prisa reminded him, her tone half-amused.

She had been in the capital for the past five years as her mother Rya reentered her political career. Being in public service seemed to bring back a light within her, which Prisa was happy to see. But personally she was not enjoying the change and the countless politicians and clerks she was introduced and expected to remember since arriving in Coruscant.

"R3, come on. You know how the ambassador is," Prisa sighed as R3 had had enough cleaning and rolled away from her back to their assigned seating.

Prisa stood and adjusted her silk dress suit. It was navy with few embellishments. It was the simplest dress she could find. She much for capital fashion like the other girls her age.

Most of her peers had been raised in the capital and found her upbringing fascinating. Born in the capital and then headed toward the country seem so mystical to these teens who couldn't fathom working a day on the land or herding blurrg through the open grasslands of Lothal. Prisa didn't hold this against any of them. In fact she welcomed their curiosity and indulged them with tales of the old Matno Farm and her family known as the Tersus.

"I did my best," Prisa said defeated to the ambassador who was reading her data pad. The ambassador looked up and over to R3 with a hint of disapproval in her expression.

"Well it's Nevarro. Perhaps he'll blend in," Kyla Vancil, ambassador of Bespin, replied smoothly, placing her data pad down. Prisa marveled at how elegant Kyla looked after the long journey. She had no wrinkles in her white dress suit that made her coco color skin beam under the fluorescent lighting of the transport. "Now Miss Tersu, why don't you tell me about your cousin the pilot."

"You can call me Prisa," she corrected, noting the senator's expression shift from warm to serious. "He's a pilot."

"Yes, I'm aware. But tell me more," Kyla pressed.

"Why?"

"Prisa," the ambassador motioned for her to take her seat. "It's crucial to know people on a personal level. Their interests, likes, dislikes—it helps build relationships, whether professional or personal. It gives you an edge in negotiations and future opportunities."

"Can't you just learn that when you talk to him?" Prisa muttered. If she was being honest, she hated the internship.

"I intend to. Senator Organa speaks very highly of him," Kyla's warm smile returned. "I was just wondering what your opinion was."

"He's a force to be reckoned with," Prisa said proudly and fastened her seatbelt as the transport made its descent into the Nevarro spaceport.

Wyb rubbed his head. He wasn't hung over but he had a headache. The trip from Adelphi had been bumpy.

"Now arriving Flight 21138 from Coruscant." sounded over the PA system.

Wyb made his way over to the gate and watched the passengers disembark the transport. He had parked the government refurbished VCX-100 Yacht-Class he had been given for the mission. He was excited to show it off to Din Djarin and compare the previously royal naboo starship against his N-1 starfighter. Deep down he knew there was no comparison, but he liked having something to talk about with the Mandalorian.

Beep Beep Beep, R3 sounded loudly with excitement at the sight of Wyb.

Prisa turned. Her smile grew from ear to ear as she rushed down the ramp and jumped into her cousin's arms.

"Wyb!" she shouted and squeezed him tightly as R3 rolled alongside them and chirped in joy at the reunion.

"Oaf! Careful. You're getting too big to do that. Next time you'll knock me over," He teased, squeezing her back. He was glad to see her familiar face in the New Republic. He set her down on the ground and pushed her back to take a good look at her. "Now, you can't be Prisa Tersu. You look too grown and beautiful."

"Shut up," she punched him playfully in the arm. She loved her cousin as much as her older big brother.

"Fourteen…tell me, do you have a boyfriend? Or many?"

"Eww don't be gross," she rolled her eyes. R3 beeped in amusement and then rolled forward nudging Wyb for attention.

"Nice to see you, too old friend," Wyb remarked, patting the droid's dome.

"Prisa!" Kyla Vancil called and joined the trio. Prisa's joy drained at the sight of the ambassador. She stood straighter and wiped the smile off her face. Wyb raised an eyebrow at her change in demeanor and studied the approaching ambassador. She was of average height, tan, neatly kept hair in the capital fashion but not overstated. She looked young, about his age, and her voice carried with ease but wasn't demanding. The perfect image of a New Republic politician. "Well, I see you made contact with our pilot. Hello there. I am Kyla Vancil. Ambassador of Bespin. Leia Organa sends her regards."

"Nice to meet you," Wyb said, shaking the ambassador's extended hand. It was a firm handshake, one a politician clearly spent years perfecting. "Wyb Tersu, Adephi Rangers at your service."

Prisa giggled at Wyb's formality. She had never seen him in a formal work setting before. His composure was odd to her. R3 echoed her amusement. Kyla frowned at Prisa who quickly stopped laughing and stared at her feet.

"Don't let this one fool you," Wyb placed his hands on Prisa's shoulders. "She may look like an intern but she's nothing but a lothrat at heart."

"Wyb," Prisa whined.

"A lothrat?" Kyla quested with genuine curiosity.

"A term of endearment among us lothalites," Wyb said, switching back to his formal tone. Clearly the ambassador was not one for taking a joke. "So can I get your bags and have them transported to our ship? I've parked it in the hangar near the high magistrate's office so you can easily change for the funeral procession."

"While I appreciate your forward thinking, I've already had our things sent ahead of our flight. Our luggage is already at the High Magistrate's offices. With the extra time, do you think you can make our introduction to the Mandalorian Din Djarin?"

"Now?"

"Yes, now," Kyla pressed.

"Ambassador, it is a funeral day. I don't think it's best to do business at a time like this," Wyb countered. The ambassador looked puzzled at Wyb. "The Mandalorians are here to honor Greef Karga, not speak with you on joining the New Republic."

"I'm aware of that Ranger Tersu, but I have a great many things to do today and I do not want to waste a moment," She explained.

Beep beep beep Beep, R3 alerted as he caught sight of Din Djarin walking through the spaceport toward them.

The droid was not a fan of the man. Wherever that mando went, trouble followed. R3 had had enough trouble keeping up with the Tersus. Who knew what would occur with both parties interacting.

"Is that Lenore's Mandalorian?" Prisa whispered to Wyb. Wyb looked up and saw Din and Grogu. He wanted to warn him to turn around but before he could shake his head he had reached the group.

"Small galaxy," he greeted Wyb and shook his hand. Grogu cooed happily at the sight of Wyb and reached out playfully to R3.

"It is when you're working for the New Republic,' Wyb replied and saw R3 relax and greet Grogu. "Just get in?"

"You know my aunt," Prisa blurted out before Din could answer.

"I might," Din tilted his head at the teenager and recognized the Tersu family features immediately. Though her hair was blonde like her mother's, her eyes were angled and determined like Lenore's.

"Huh," Prisa said, studying Din.

"What?" Din asked, confused.

"I'd thought you'd be bigger," she said bluntly. Wyb turned his face away trying not to break into laughter as he had said the same thing at a similar age.

Beep Beep Beep, R3 broke into laughter.

"Prisa, mind your manners as we have not been introduced," Kyla said and extended her hand to Din. "Hello. I'm Kyla Vancil, ambassador of Bespin. I'm so sorry to meet you under such circumstances."

"Likewise, but I know Greef would have greatly appreciated the New Republic's attendance," Din respectfully shook the ambassador's hand.

"Wonderful to hear from someone close to him," Kyla nodded.

"Greef Karga…wasn't he the lead of the bounty hunter guild?" Prisa remarked. Kyla looked down at her and slightly pressed her lips together in frustration.

"He was," Din confirmed, sensing the tension in the group. "And a good friend. He gave my people a home when we needed it. And now we're here to lay him to rest."

"Yes, a very honorable and generous man of the people," Kyla added.

"Perhaps we best head to the offices?" Wyb suggested as Kyla took a step closer to Din.

"Your people have been fearless and innovative in restoring Mandalore to its former greatness. It must be a difficult task," Kyla stared straight into Din's helmet slit hoping to connect.

"It is," Din confirmed. "But our queen is up to the challenge."

"Bo Katan Kryze," Kyla confirmed. "Will she be in attendance today, Din?"

"Yes," Din turned his head, staring at Wyb uncomfortably.

"Wonderful,"Kyla said. "I look forward to speaking with her."

"As I said, we're here to lay the high magistrate to rest," Din sharply reminded the ambassador.

"Of course. The New Republic indents to pay its respects. See you at the procession."

Din picked up Grogu and left. The ambassador smiled and watched as the mandalorian and his son exited the spaceport.

"Well I say it's safe to say, he doesn't like me," She said with pride. "Let's go."

"Is she always like this?" Wyb whispered to Prisa.

"Always."

"So tell me, how are things," Wyb asked Prisa as they stood along the funeral procession route. It was just the two of them. The ambassador was still changing clothes and needed to touch base with the newly appointed magistrate.

"Fine," Prisa lied as she stretched and motioned R3 to stay close.

"That bad huh?" Wyb smirked. He knew his cousin well enough to sense she was lying.

"The worst," Prisa admitted. "I didn't even want this stupid internship!Brice Noorwin, bet none of the girls could get picked. I had to prove him wrong."

"You showed him," Wyb laughed.

"Yeah," Prisa giggled. "But I hate it."

"Is the ambassador a nerf herder?"

"No, she's great actually. Really knowledgeable. And she knows everyone. And they all seem to like her, like actually like her."

Beep Beep, R3 confirmed his approval of the ambassador as well.

"Then what is it?" Wyb asked, confused by his cousin's dilemma.

"Promise you won't laugh?" Prisa looked at him.

"I don't make promises I can't keep," Wyb smiled. "But tell me anyway."

"I miss the farm," Prisa said sadly, holding back tears. Wyb tilted his head and could see the homesickness in her eyes. He knew how she felt. He felt that way day in and day out his first year at the Naval Academy. The only thing that got him through it all was – Soni.

"Hey," Wyb replied softly, patting her on the shoulder. "You're just homesick that's all. I felt the same way when Lenore sent me to the Naval Academy."

"How did you get through it?" She asked, wiping her eyes so not tears could escape.

"Well, I took every opportunity I could… and my best friend helped a lot," Wyb answered.

"Soni, right?"

"Yes," Wyb replied.

"How is she?" Prisa asked. Wyb winced at the question knowing he had no answer for his cousin.

"Look, here they come," Wyb pointed to the procession, grateful for its timely arrival.

The somber sound of drums resonated through the air as Navarro banners approached, casting a solemn atmosphere over the crowd. A line of Mandalorians marched alongside the high magistrate's body, their armor gleaming. The citizens bowed their heads mourning the loss of their leader.

"I think I prefer our tradition of nailing a plaque to a tree," Prisa whispered, as eyes reflecting a mix of awe and sadness. As the procession continued toward the town square. Prisa saw Grogu. The little one smiled and waved at her then broke away from the Mandalorians. He walked quickly toward the crowd disappearing into the line of mourners.

"Grogu!" Din called. Prisa watched as Din looked to Bo Katan for permission to break the line, but she was too focused on the task of guiding Greef's body.

Prisa knew she had to do something. She weaved in and out of the mourners and city folk until she caught up with the youngling and smiled. Grogu stopped and looked up at her happily. She knelt down and scooped him up into her arms and rejoined Wyb. She waved toward Din to show that Grogu was not in any danger. He nodded to her with gratitude.

The procession halted at the town square as the crowd shifted with anticipation. The drums faded into silence, leaving a solemn stillness in the air. At the front, the newly appointed High Magistrate stepped onto a raised platform, prepared to deliver a speech.
"As your newly appointed magistrate," he began, his voice carrying through the square, "I stand before you today to honor Greef Karga, a steadfast leader who championed Nevarro's independence and guided it toward prosperity. His vision has brought us into a new era of the galaxy. A galaxy that has always required unity and bold decisions." He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle over the gathered crowd. "To secure our future, Nevarro has decided to join the New Republic. Together with the other star systems we will continue to build and unite among our fellow citizens."
The announcement sent a ripple through the crowd—some cheered in approval, while others murmured with hesitation.

Kyla appeared cradling a polished metal seal emblazoned with the symbol of the New Republic. She raised it high for all to see as the High Magistrate continued his speech. "As a symbol of Nevarro's new chapter, I present this seal to be placed in the heart of the town square."

Wyb exchanged a look with Prisa. "Did you know about this?" he whispered.
Prisa shook her head. "No," she replied casually. "But I wasn't really paying attention." Grogu cooed softly in her arms, and R3 beeped in agreement, as if sharing in the confusion of the moment.

"Ambassador Vancil," Wyb approached her as the crowd began to disperse. "Why didn't you mention that you were here to announce Nevarro joining the New Republic?"
Kyla looked up, puzzled yet amused.

"Apologies, Ranger Tersu, but since when does an ambassador need to inform her transport crew of political agendas?" she said with a light smile. "I would think flight paths and air traffic were more your concern."

"I'm your contact for the Mandalorians," Wyb reminded her, keeping his tone steady.

"I'm aware of the brief, Tersu," she replied, her smile fading slightly.

"The Mandalorians are fiercely independent. That's why they settled on Nevarro under Greef Karga's invitation—to avoid any galactic affiliations, especially after their dealings with the Empire. Announcing Nevarro's admittance to the New Republic at a funeral will make it all the harder to speak with Mandalore."

Kyla gave a dismissive nod, her tone still relaxed. "You know your history, and I appreciate your concern. But I have everything under control."

"No, you don't." Wyb stepped closer, his eyes locking with hers. Kyla's smile vanished as she stared back, her expression now sharp with irritation. "I'm here to help. Let me."
The ambassador's face hardened. "I think it's best you do your job and leave me to mine," she said coolly.

Wyb clenched his jaw, swallowing his retort before giving a curt nod and turning on his heel to leave.

"You need to be careful,"Prisa said to Grogu who was playing with Prisa's long braid over her shoulder. "You never know who is gonna try and scoop you up."

Beep beep beep!, R3 agreed. Grogu looked at the droid then and Prisa with a huge smile as if to say thank you.

"Insufferable," Wyb muttered as he approached the three. Prisa frowned and watched her cousin wondering what was the problem.

"What's wrong?" Prisa asked.

"Nothing, politicians," Wyb griped. "Come on. Let's go give Grogu back to Din."

"I take it you had an argument with Kyla," Prisa guessed and followed her cousin over to the Mandalorian group that had gathered together in front of the magistrate offices.

"Not the first time I've disagreed with a political figure, and definitely won't be my last," Wyb confirmed and placed his hand lightly on Prisa's back guiding her toward Din.

"He wasn't in any trouble," Prisa said as she stood in front of Din. "But I told him he needs to be more careful about wandering off."

"Thank you. You remind me of Lenore," Din said warmly as he reached for his son. Grogu giggled as he placed his hands on each side of his father's helmet.

Prisa's face brightened, and she offered Din a shy smile.

"He does have a talent for finding trouble, doesn't he?" Bo-Katan Kryze approached to check in on Din and Grogu. She looked at Prisa and removed her helmet. "Thank you for looking out for him. He can be a handful."

"You're welcome lady Kryze," Prisa respectfully said, bowing her head slightly. Wyb wanted to chuckle but kept his composure.

"This is Wyb Tersu of the New Republic Adelphi Rangers and –"Din introduced.

"Prisa Tersu Rathos," Prisa extended her hand to Bo Katan who shook it, impressed by the young girl's tenacity. "The Rathos is new. My mother just remarried."

"Nice to meet you," Bo said warmly and turned her attention to Wyb. "You're Lenore Tersu's son?"

"I am,"Wyb said proudly.

"Din speaks highly of her," Bo replied, crossing her arms. "It's very rare for him to sing another's praises with an ex-imperial background."

"Many in the galaxy have checkered past. But what I find more common during my service is most people want to help," Wyb replied. Bo nodded in agreement.

"I'm beginning to notice the same thing," she said. "You and Prisa should come to Mandalore. Be my guest and see what we've done since reclaiming our homeworld."

"Really?!" Prisa exclaimed with excitement.

"That is very kind of you." Wyb remarked.

"It's the least I can do. If it weren't for your mother, Din might not be alive," Bo said. "And he has been indispensable in reestablishing my rule."

"Din is dependable that way," Wyb looked at the Mandalorian who clearly was uncomfortable with the praise. "We gladly accept."

"Wonderful, then we shall see you there tomorrow." Bo replied and bowed her head and left.

"If I were you I'd leave the ambassador behind," Din leaned in and whispered to Wyb.

"Wish I could, but orders are orders," Wyb said. Din turned and rejoined his group.

"Are you going to tell Kyla?" Prisa asked.

"No, you can," Wyb said. "You're her intern."

"Lothrat," Prisa muttered.

"Takes one to know one."