"We'll be stopping at Tatooine." The Mand'alor spoke since the first time they had boarded his ship. Poe looked up from the co-pilot's seat, staring at the side of the man's visor for a moment before turning back to his paperback book.

Better to not ask questions.

It was a bit of a rarity to have a book. It was a gift given to him by Luke for his eight birthday. Just after his mom had died.

They weren't in hyperdrive long before they were orbiting the desert planet, taking just a few moments to enter its atmosphere.

"Mando! This little ankle biter's been chomping at the bit ever since you left." Poe heard a woman call up from the ship's ramp. The Mand'alor paid no attention to the pilot as he left the cockpit, Poe deciding to follow behind him.

Of all the children he expected, Poe didn't think of one so unique as what was before him. It was easily the cutest thing he had ever laid eyes on. Besides BB-8 of course.

The child was held on a mechanic's hip, happily gurgling with grabby hands stretched out towards them.

The mandalorian quickly snatched up the green child, while Poe decided to keep his distance at the foot of the ship's ramp. Though he seemingly wasn't invisible enough as the woman instantly locked eyes with him.

"Who's this? 'Nother mando?" She nodded towards Poe with an curious look on her face.

"No." The Mand'alor answered simply, his attention still on the small child in his arms while Poe slowly moved to stand beside him.

"Gonna introduce him to me or..." The mechanic rolled her eyes, tossing her arms up in the air for a moment incredulously.

"Commander Poe Dameron. Er, well just Poe now I guess." The pilot introduced himself with a pink face, offering a polite hand.

"Nice to meet you 'just Poe'. Name's Peli Motto, best damn mechanic in the system." She smacked the man on the chest playfully before placing the same hand beside her mouth in a mock whisper.
"Pretty good at cards too." She wiggled her eyebrows.

The mandalorian scoffed lightly at her remark, surprising Poe. They must be close, the commander decided.

"Where you from, Poe?" Peli nodded her head at the pilot with a smile adorning her face.

"Yavin 4."

"Military base, huh? You weren't kidding when you said you were a commander." The mechanic laughed, patting the man on the arm before turning to the Mand'alor.

"Where'd you find this kid?" She asked before quickly turning to the pilot again. "Guessing you were in the forces since you were a kid, being on Yavin. Were ya' a military brat?"

"You could say that. My mother was Shara Bay, a—"

"Kriffing hell, you're Shara's boy? Let me buy you a drink down at the cantina!" She all but ordered, already turning to leave.

"Peli—"

"Oh, loosen up Mando! The kid hasn't had lunch yet, anyway."

-

"You know, you're the spitting image of Shara. Her guy wasn't much of looker so thank the creator you got all a' her genes."

From the first few moments with Peli, Poe soon realized that she spoke what was on her mind.

"Thanks." He rubbed a cool hand over his burning cheeks, attempting not to lock eyes with either the woman sitting on his right or the man directly in front of him.

"I'm surprised you're rank isn't higher. What happened there?" Peli placing her chin in her propped up hand, her undivided attention on the pilot.

"I was set to up to become a general but a few things got in the way." Poe coughed, turning his head down to stare into his drink. He needed something stronger.

Thankfully, Peli didn't push it. She instead turned to face the Mand'alor who had previously been feeding the child bone broth.

"So where'd you find this guy lying around?" The mechanic pointed her thumb towards the pilot.

"It's... complicated." The king tried but Peli shook her head slightly in protest, beginning to reprimand the man.

"...found dead in his quarters. What you are about to see is graphic." The holonet was turned up, causing Poe to focus on it rather than his new acquaintance.

An image of Chancellor Vanahan was on the blue screen. His face was unrecognizable, his mouth parted slightly.

There was a glint of something, easily discernible in contrast to the dark blood covering nearly the whole of the man's face.
Poe was going to throw up. His mouth filled with saliva as he immediately gulped, getting up to jog to the nearest refresher.

The pilot looked at his pale reflection in the mirror, though the picture of the chancellor was running it's course behind his eyes. He found himself gagging at the thought of it.

He was only granted a few moments alone before the Mand'alor entered the room, keeping his distance for a moment. Poe was still silently dry heaving, a hand placed over his throat as he coughed.

There was a gloved hand on his back attempting to give him some awkward form of comfort. He pushed it off, backing away from the taller man.

"You—you killed him." Poe supplied in shock, a hand still over his throat.

"Yes."

"What the hell. The pilot spoke softly. He turned his back on the other before quickly flipping back around again. "What the hell?" He bit out, pointing a finger harshly into the king's chest.

"He disrespected your honor. That is punishable by death." The Mand'alor explained coldly, as if it was the simplest concept known to man.

"My honor? You don't know me. I don't even know your name, buddy." Poe growled out, brows furrowed.

The mandalorian didn't say anything, which made things all the more infuriating for Poe. He took a few steps away from the king, kicking at the nearest wall.

The Mand'alor stayed smartly away, a few feet back. "I'll be outside." He supplied, swiftly turning to leave the room.

"Goddamnit, Leia." Poe hissed out, moving to grasp the edges of a sink.

Why did it have to be him? Why did it always have to be him?