Ryu activated his communicator, his voice urgent. "Apollo, IG-22, ready the Crucible for takeoff. We''re on our way."


    IG-22''s voice crackles through the communicator, laden with its usual dry tone. "Currently, the station is under attack by the Empire. Multiple boarding parties are breaching various sectors. Panic has ensued among the station''s population, and the structural integrity of the station is compromised. Preparing the Crucible for immediate departure seems prudent."


    "Just do it!" Ryu shouts.


    As they dash through the tight corridors, Ryu and Lyra suddenly find themselves ambushed by a squad of Purge Troopers. Clad in black armor with red visors, they wield blaster rifles and electro staffs, their presence imposing and menacing.


    Ryu''s lightsaber ignites with a snap-hiss, its yellow blade illuminating the corridor. He deftly deflected the incoming blaster bolts, each movement precise and controlled. Lyra, panicking for a moment, quickly reacted by grabbing Ryu''s Glie-44 from its holster. She fires blue bolts at the advancing troopers, her shots joining the chaotic symphony of red streaks of light.


    Another group of Purge Troopers appear from behind, cutting off their escape. Ryu reaches out with the Force, ripping metal panels from the walls and hurling them at the troopers. The panels smash into them, knocking several to the ground.


    Lyra continues to fire, her aim steadying as adrenaline takes over. "There are too many of them, Ryu!"


    Ryu grits his teeth, focusing on the troopers before him. With a swift series of strikes, he dispatches the Purge Troopers, their electro staffs clattering to the ground. He then turns his attention to those behind him, using the Force to crush their chest plates and send them sprawling.


    The corridor is now littered with fallen troopers, their armor scorched and battered. Ryu extinguishes his lightsaber and turns to Lyra, his eyes scanning her for injuries. "Are you okay?"


    Lyra nods, her breath coming in quick bursts. "I''m fine, just...shaken."


    Ryu places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Let''s keep moving. We''re almost there."


    They resume their run, the sounds of alarms, blaster fire, screams, and distant explosions echoing through the station. The chaos around them a constant reminder of the urgency of their situation. As they approach a large set of doors leading to a hangar bay, Ryu''s communicator goes off.


    "The ship is ready for immediate departure," Apollo states through the communicator.


    IG-22 adds, its tone flat but informative, "Currently, the station''s defenses have been compromised. Imperial forces are making significant progress in their boarding operations. Civilian evacuation is ongoing, but the station''s structural integrity is at risk. Immediate departure is advisable to avoid capture or destruction."


    As they sprint through the station''s corridors, alarms blaring all around, Lyra couldn''t help but voice her confusion. "I''ve never seen these kinds of stormtroopers before."


    Ryu, breathing heavily but maintaining his focus, replies, "That''s because they aren''t stormtroopers. They''re Purge Troopers. Their purpose is to hunt Jedi."


    ?????


    They reach a large door leading to the hangars. The doors slide open, revealing a massive hangar filled with Purge Troopers, their black armor glinting under the harsh lights. Ryu''s heart sinks when he realizes the Crucible wasn''t here but on the far side of the station. The troopers spot Ryu and Lyra, immediately raising their rifles.


    Ryu and Lyra turn to run back, only to find their escape route cut off by more Purge Troopers. Trapped, they brace themselves for a fight, but the troopers suddenly lower their weapons. A large, imposing figure steps forward from the ranks. The figure is imposing, towering over most beings with a muscular build that hinted at his formidable strength. Clad in dark, intimidating armor adorned with crimson accents, he exudes an aura of menace and authority. His helmet was designed to strike fear, featuring a faceplate with narrow, glowing red visors that gave him an almost demonic appearance. A long, tattered cloak flowed from his shoulders, adding to his menacing presence.


    Lyra whispers, her voice trembling, "Who is that?"


    Ryu''s eyes narrows as he recognizes the figure. "That, is an Inquisitor. A former Jedi turned Jedi hunter."


    The being introduces itself, its voice deep and menacing. "I am the 12th Brother, and I have been looking for you, August." He pauses, his gaze piercing through Ryu. "Or should I say, Ryu Chikara. It''s been a long time brother." His voice, distorted by the mask, is deep and resonant, each word laced with malice and a chilling confidence that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who faced him.


    Lyra''s eyes widen in shock, her breath catching in her throat. "Ryu... you know him?"


    Ryu looks sternly at the Inquisitor, his jaw clenched. The memories of his past flooded back—memories he had tried so hard to bury. "Yes, I do."


    The 12th Brother continues, his tone mocking. "He never told you of his past, has he? Long before he knew you, he and I were temple guards of the Jedi temple. I offered you the chance to fight with me that day, don''t you remember? You turned on me and betrayed me."


    Ryu''s look remained stern. "It was you who turned traitor Majel. Who cut down our brothers and sisters when the clone troopers attacked the temple."


    Lyra''s mind races, trying to process the revelation. She glances at Ryu, seeing him in a new light—a man with a past far more complex and dangerous than she had ever imagined.


    The Inquisitor''s voice dripped with scorn. "You''ve been wasting your talents, Ryu, hiding as a simple smuggler. Your abilities are far better suited for a higher purpose."


    Ryu''s eyes remained locked on the Inquisitor, his resolve unwavering. "And what purpose would that be?"


    The 12th Brother sneers. "As an Inquisitor, of course. Join us, and your talents won''t be squandered. No longer will you have to hide who you truly are!"


    Ryu feels Lyra''s hand on his arm, a silent show of support. He knows she is scared, but he also knows she trusts him. The 12th Brother''s offer hangs in the air, but Ryu''s mind is already made up. He would never betray the principles he once swore to uphold, no matter the cost. The tension in the hangar is palpable as Ryu stands his ground, ready to face whatever came next.


    "I''ll never join you."


    The 12th Brother continues his voice dripping with malice. "I can sense your fear, Ryu. But it''s not for yourself—it''s for her." His gaze turns towards Lyra, who grips Ryu''s hand tighter, her eyes wide with fear. "The Jedi are forbidden to love," he mocks. "How touching, yet so predictable."


    With a sneer, the 12th Brother draws his lightsaber, its double-bladed hilt spinning into position. The red blades ignite with a sinister hiss, casting an eerie glow across the hangar. Ryu lets go of Lyra''s hand and ignites his own yellow-bladed lightsaber, its hum a stark contrast to the Inquisitor''s weapon.


    Suddenly, Purge Troopers surged forward, grabbing Lyra. They quickly bound her hands with cuffs and began dragging her towards a nearby TIE Reaper. "Ryu!" she screams, struggling against her captors.


    Ryu tried to intervene, but the 12th Brother blocks his path, their lightsabers clashing with a blinding flash. "Your sentimentality makes you weak," the Inquisitor taunted, pushing Ryu back. "Predictable and weak."


    Ryu''s heart pounds as the distant whine of the TIE Reaper''s engines fills the air. His eyes lock on Lyra, trashing wildly as she is being dragged aboard the dropship. Every fiber of his being screams to act, but the red blade of the 12th Brother blocks his path. Their lightsabers clash in a flurry of sparks, the crackling hum of the deadly duel echoing through the hangar.


    The Purge Troopers stand silent and unmoving, their red visors gleaming under the dim lights, spectating the battle as the two warriors engage in their deadly dance. The 12th Brother moves with precision, each swing of his crimson blade a deliberate attempt to overpower Ryu. His strikes are swift and brutal, the air humming with each arc of his saber. Ryu is forced back, barely deflecting the blows, his yellow blade flickering as he fights to hold his ground.


    "The years have made you weak," the 12th Brother sneers, his helmet obscuring his twisted grin. "A failed Jedi... hiding behind a smuggler''s mask."


    Ryu''s heart skips a beat. The words cut deeper than the blade, and he knows they''re meant to. His grip tightens on his lightsaber hilt, but the taunt burrows into him. Every strike feels heavier, the weight of his desperation and fear threatening to drag him down. Lyra is disappearing, the TIE Reaper''s engines roaring louder.


    "You''re nothing but a shadow of your former self," the 12th Brother growls, his relentless attacks pushing Ryu back. "Lost, clinging to scraps and false hope."


    Ryu''s breath hitches, his movements slowing as the 12th Brother presses his advantage. Every blow sends sparks flying, each strike driving Ryu closer to the edge. But then, amidst the chaos, Ryu remembers the lessons of his past. He closes his eyes for a brief moment, feeling the Force surge within him, letting it flow through him like a steady current.


    Suddenly, the 12th Brother''s strikes seem slower. Ryu''s mind clears. He dodges to the side, blocking a sweeping blow with newfound precision, his yellow blade catching the crimson saber and deflecting it with ease. He counters with a swift strike, forcing the 12th Brother back a step.


    The 12th Brother snarls, his arrogance faltering. He swings again, harder this time, but Ryu moves with fluidity now, guided by the Force. Their blades clash in a blinding flurry, each movement deliberate, as Ryu drives the Inquisitor back, blow by blow.


    "You''re wrong," Ryu says, his voice steady. "I haven''t lost anything."


    With a powerful strike, Ryu slashes at the 12th Brother''s helmet, the impact cutting it wide open. Sparks fly as the Inquisitor staggers back, his face partially revealed—contorted with rage beneath the shattered mask. The Purge Troopers shift uneasily, their weapons ready, but they make no move to intervene.


    Ryu presses his advantage, disarming the 12th Brother with a precise slash, sending his crimson lightsaber clattering to the floor. The Inquisitor stumbles, his mask sparking, exposed and vulnerable.


    Ryu''s breath comes in ragged gasps as he raises his saber, ready to strike, but just as he prepares to deliver the final blow, the Inquisitor''s lips curl into a sneer. The 12th Brother raises a hand and, with a powerful surge of the Force, sends Ryu flying backward across the hangar.


    Ryu crashes into a pile of crates but quickly gets back on his feet. He steadies himself, his yellow blade still humming in his hand, but the distance between them grows as the 12th Brother takes his chance and dashes towards the dropship.


    With a single leap, the 12th Brother vaults toward the TIE Reaper, his black cloak billowing behind him. The landing ramp is still partially lowered as the dropship begins to ascend. Ryu''s heart pounds as he watches the Inquisitor land on the ramp, his exposed face twisted in fury.


    In a swift motion, the 12th Brother outstretches his hand, and his lightsaber hilt flies back to him, spinning through the air and landing in his grasp with a snap. Ryu''s eyes widen, but there''s nothing he can do. The ramp rises, sealing the 12th Brother inside as the TIE Reaper roars to life, its engines glowing fiercely as it lifts off.


    "NO!" Ryu''s voice is hoarse, filled with desperation as the ship carries Lyra away. His heart aches, torn between fury and helplessness. The dropship disappears into the sky, taking Lyra with it, leaving Ryu standing alone amidst the debris of the battle.


    Panting heavily, Ryu stares where the ship had disappeared. His pulse races, his mind whirling with thoughts of Lyra, but the Purge Troopers are closing in, their weapons trained on him. The battle isn''t over yet.


    Suddenly, heavy blaster fire erupted from above, sending the Purge Troopers flying. Ryu, momentarily confused, looked up to see the Crucible swooping in. The landing ramp lowers, and Apollo is standing there, waving him over. Ryu seizes the opportunity, leaping onto a nearby stack of crates and then onto the ramp. Apollo catches him by the arm and pulled him aboard.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Let''s go!" Ryu shouts as he rushes towards the bridge, Apollo right behind him.


    ?????


    In the bridge, AP-4, C1-B4, DP-7, and IG-22 awaited them. Apollo turns to Ryu, concern evident in its voice. "What happened to Lyra?"


    "They took her," Ryu says, his voice tight with anger. "She''s on that Star Destroyer. We have to rescue her."


    IG-22 interjects, its tone matter-of-fact. "That would be an impossible task. The Crucible won''t survive an open firefight against a ship that size. Boarding is equally impossible."


    The Inquisitor''s mocking words ring in Ryu''s ears.


    Your sentimentality makes you weak, predictable.


    Furious, Ryu punches the wall, leaving a clear dent behind. "We have to do something!"


    Apollo pauses for a moment, its sensors scanning the bridge. Suddenly, something catches its eye. In the blink of an eye, it snatches something from the corner—a dwarf probe droid, struggling to free itself from Apollo''s grip.


    Realizing this droid is how the Empire found them, Ryu''s expression turns cold. "Crush it, Apollo."


    Apollo intervenes, extending a hacking appendage from one of its fingers. "If I may interject. This droid''s code is Imperial and encrypted. If I can hack it and extract its data, I can upload it into the ship''s systems."


    Ryu answers coldly, "What good would that do?"


    "We can temporarily confuse that ship''s systems by disguising the Crucible as a friendly one. It will allow us to fly close to the Star Destroyer without being fired upon."


    Ryu feels a flicker of hope. "Do it, Apollo."


    With a nod, Apollo sets to work, its hacking appendage interfacing with the probe droid. The bridge is tense, each second feeling like an eternity as Apollo works.


    Ryu watches intently as Apollo''s appendage whirs and clicks. After a tense moment, Apollo crushes the struggling probe droid in its grip, sparks flying as the droid crumples. Then, Apollo turns and inserts its appendage into the ship''s system. Moments later, Apollo retracts the appendage. "It is done. We are now undetected."


    Wasting no time, Ryu jumps into the pilot seat, pushing the Crucible to maximum speed. As predicted, they aren''t fired upon. Instead, a male voice crackles over the intercom, asking them to identify themselves. Nearby TIE Interceptors spot them but do not intervene.


    Ignoring the voice, Ryu flies the Crucible faster, skimming under the massive Interdictor-class Star Destroyer. He aims for a smaller hangar and executes a rough landing. The ship''s hull groans, but they''re down. Confused Imperial officers and Purge Troopers immediately open fire.


    "Take control of the turrets, B4!" Ryu orders.


    C1-B4 beeps affirmatively and takes control of the Crucible''s turrets. Within seconds, the hangar is cleared, leaving smoldering bodies scattered around.


    Ryu turns to Apollo. "Can you trace Lyra''s whereabouts?"


    Apollo''s sensors flicker. "I need to hack into the ship''s systems to do so."


    Ryu nods, his determination unwavering. "Come with me. The rest of you, secure the area." He then addresses DP-7. "You''re coming too. Your hacking capabilities are more refined than Apollo''s."


    Apollo interjects, "I am quite proficient in hacking."


    Ryu places a firm hand on Apollo''s shoulder. "But I need your fighting capabilities more. Let''s move."


    The group moves swiftly through the hangar, Ryu leading the way with his lightsaber at the ready. At a nearby terminal, DP-7''s appendage whirs and clicks as it interfaces with the system. Moments later, Apollo receives the probe droid''s data and projects a hologram of the Star Destroyer''s interior. Blue light flickers as corridors and rooms appear on the display.


    Apollo points to a section deep within the ship. "According to Imperial transmissions, a female prisoner has been brought to the 12th Brother''s quarters, located here." A path highlights in red, marking the quickest route through the labyrinth of corridors.


    Ryu studies the map. "That''s quite a distance. DP-7, while Apollo and I rescue Lyra, can you shut down the gravity wells?"


    DP-7 beeps rapidly. Apollo translates, "It cannot deactivate them from here. The controls are located elsewhere."


    Ryu nods, his eyes steely with determination. "Alright, DP-7, make your way to the gravity well generators and shut them off."


    The small droid beeps in acknowledgment and zips down a side corridor. Ryu watches for a brief moment before turning to Apollo. "Let''s move. We need to get to Lyra."


    Ryu and Apollo sprint through the dim corridors, following the holographic path. The distant blaring of alarms and flashing red lights heighten the tension, but Ryu remains focused. Every turn and intersection brings them closer to their destination.


    As they near, they encounter stormtroopers. A squad raises their blasters, but Ryu deflects their bolts with precise movements, cutting through their ranks with deadly efficiency. Apollo''s wrist blaster fires rapidly, clearing a path.


    Ryu pushes forward, every step filled with purpose. He cuts down officers and droids, leaving behind scorched armor and fallen enemies. Finally, they reach the heavy door leading to the 12th Brother''s quarters. With a gesture, Ryu uses the Force to tear the door from its hinges.


    Inside, the room is cold and utilitarian. Lyra stands in the center, her eyes wide with fear and relief. Behind her, the 12th Brother looms, his mask cracked, revealing his Mirialan features. One green eye burns with malice through the broken mask.


    "Commendable, Ryu," the 12th Brother sneers, his voice mocking. "But it''s all over."


    Ryu''s gaze shifts as Purge Troopers file into the room, their weapons trained on him and Apollo, cutting off any escape.


    Apollo''s sensors flicker, calculating the situation. Ryu tightens his grip on his lightsaber, weighing his options. The room feels heavy with tension, the stakes higher than ever.


    "Let her go," Ryu demands, his voice calm but unyielding.


    The 12th Brother chuckles darkly. "You think you can walk out of here?" He steps closer, his lightsaber igniting with a hiss. "You''ve fallen into my trap, Jedi."


    Ryu''s eyes flick to Lyra''s, a silent promise in his gaze. The 12th Brother smirks, sensing Ryu''s desperation.


    "Your path to the dark side begins now," the 12th Brother declares, igniting his red lightsaber and thrusting it into Lyra''s back. The blade pierces through her chest, her eyes widening in shock and pain. Her mouth opens in a silent scream as she collapses to the ground, her body crumpling in a lifeless heap.


    For Ryu, time slows to a crawl as he watches her fall. The sound of his heartbeat thunders in his ears, drowning out everything else. Anger surges through him, and the room begins to shake violently. The walls creak under an immense pressure, and even the Purge Troopers hesitate, sensing the raw power emanating from him.


    The 12th Brother is ecstatic, his voice filled with twisted glee. "Yes! I can feel your power!"


    But his gloating is cut short as he starts to levitate, his hands clutching his neck in shock. The Purge Troopers suffer the same fate, their weapons clattering to the floor as they are lifted into the air, helpless.


    Apollo looks over at Ryu, noticing his eyes glowing with a menacing orange hue, his features twisted in hate. Intrigued, Apollo watches Ryu''s response intently. Despite being suspended in the air, the Inquisitor shows no fear. "Embrace the dark side, Ryu!" he urges.


    Ryu''s gaze shifts to Lyra, and he sees her chest rise, faint but steady. She''s still alive. He closes his eyes, his anger ebbing away, and begins to chant, letting his rage dissipate.


    "There is no Light without Darkness, nor Darkness without Light.


    I walk in the space between to keep the Balance and the Balance brings me closer to Understanding.


    There is Passion tempered with Reason.


    There is Fear tamed with Wisdom.


    There is no Peace without Conflict.


    There is no Victory without Sacrifice.


    Through Knowledge I gain Understanding.


    Through Understanding I gain Wisdom.


    Through Wisdom I gain Serenity.


    Through Serenity I gain Strength.


    Through Strength I gain Peace.


    There is no Peace without a Passion to create.


    There is no Passion without Peace to guide.


    Knowledge stagnates without the Strength to act.


    Power blends without Serenity to see.


    There is Freedom in Life.


    There is Purpose in Death.


    There Force is all things and I am the Force."


    The 12th Brother''s eyes widened in realization. "No..."


    Ryu steadies his voice, locking eyes with the Inquisitor. "You made a glaring mistake, Majel. I am no Jedi. I never was, and I have no interest in becoming an Inquisitor or a Sith. I am an Acolyte, capable of channeling both the light and dark sides of the Force." He takes a deep breath, his tone unwavering. "She doesn''t hold me back. She makes me stronger."


    With deliberate focus, Ryu gathers the Force, channeling all his energy. The Inquisitor and his Purge Troopers still hang suspended in the air, helpless. A powerful shockwave erupts from Ryu, expanding outward in all directions. As it makes contact with the Purge Troopers, they disintegrate into dust. The Inquisitor is thrown against the wall with violent force, his helmet shattering, revealing his true face—a Mirialan with green skin and traditional tattoos, his eyes now brimming with pain and hatred.


    "Apollo, check on Lyra," Ryu commands, his voice tight with concern.


    Apollo moves swiftly, scanning Lyra''s unconscious form. "She''s alive but requires immediate medical attention," the droid reports.


    Relief surges through Ryu as he turns back to the Inquisitor. "I don''t know what drove you to betray your kin so easily, but it''s my duty to bring balance to the Force."


    The 12th Brother, gasping for breath, manages to weakly protest. "Jedi... don''t take lives so easily."


    Ryu''s eyes harden. "I''m not a Jedi. I am an Acolyte of the Force." With that, he ignites his lightsaber and brings it down, ending the Inquisitor''s life.


    In his final moments, Ryu whispers coldly, "Killing those that tip the scale is sometimes necessary."


    With the room falling silent, Ryu deactivates his lightsaber. The only sound is the faint hum of the ship''s systems. He turns to Apollo, who is already tending to Lyra. Together, Ryu and Apollo—carrying Lyra with one arm over its shoulders—make their way back to the Crucible. Alarms blare as Imperial forces scramble, determined to stop them.


    ?????


    The first group of stormtroopers block their path, blasters aimed and ready. Ryu charges forward, his lightsaber spinning as he deflects their bolts with rapid, precise movements. He cuts through their ranks effortlessly, the smell of scorched armor heavy in the air. A security droid emerges from the shadows, firing rapidly, but Apollo reacts instantly, firing back and hitting the droid''s primary sensor. Ryu leaps forward, slicing through the droid with a swift, deadly strike.


    They encounter more resistance—a squad led by an Imperial officer and two Purge Troopers. The officer raises his blaster, but Ryu uses the Force to fling him into the wall, rendering him unconscious. The Purge Troopers attack with electro-staffs in synchronized strikes. Ryu parries their blows with lightning-fast precision, his yellow blade cutting through the air. Apollo joins the fight, his vibroblade cutting into the armor of one trooper while Ryu Force-pushes the other into a bulkhead.


    Finally, they reach the hangar. The Crucible is there, under heavy fire from Imperial forces. Ryu wastes no time, deflecting bolts back at the stormtroopers while Apollo picks off stragglers. Together, they board the Crucible.


    ?????


    Ryu rushes to the bridge, jumping into the pilot seat just as heavy blaster fire erupts from the Star Destroyer, shaking the Crucible. He grips the controls, pushing the ship''s engines to their limits. The Star Destroyer continues to fire relentlessly, massive green bolts of energy lighting up the void as they streak toward the Crucible.


    "We''re taking heavy fire!" Ryu shouts. "B4, man the turrets! AP-4, get those shields up now!"


    B4 beeps affirmatively, swiveling the turrets and opening fire on the incoming blasts. Despite his best efforts, several shots from the Star Destroyer slam into the Crucible, rattling the ship. The hull groans under the impact, warning lights flashing in the cockpit.


    "Shields down to 42%," AP-4 reports calmly, though the situation is anything but.


    Ryu grits his teeth, maneuvering the ship through the barrage of laser fire. He swings the Crucible hard, narrowly dodging several blasts, but the Star Destroyer''s guns continue to hammer them, each shot bringing the ship closer to critical damage. Just as they near the edge of the Star Destroyer''s firing range, another blast hits the Crucible, causing it to shudder violently.


    "We''ve sustained more damage!" Ryu shouts, his hands flying over the controls as he struggles to keep the ship steady.


    As they finally pull out of range of the Star Destroyer''s heavy cannons, AP-4 speaks up, its tone grim. "Dozens of TIE Interceptors are launching from the Star Destroyer and closing in on our position."


    Ryu''s sensors confirm it. In the distance, swarms of TIE Interceptors pour from the Star Destroyer like a cloud of angry hornets, joining the already overwhelming number of enemy fighters circling the Crucible.


    "They''re everywhere!" Ryu shouts, pulling the ship into a hard dive to evade the approaching fighters. "B4, keep firing! AP-4, reroute all available power to the shields!"


    The Crucible weaves through space, dodging the incoming TIE Interceptors by the narrowest of margins. Explosions light up the dark void as B4 blasts a few of the fighters out of the sky, but there are too many. Green laser fire rains down from all directions, slamming into the shields and shaking the ship.


    "Shields down to 28%," AP-4 reports, though the ship''s condition is clearly deteriorating.


    "We''re not gonna last much longer!" Ryu grits his teeth, throwing the Crucible into a wild roll to dodge incoming fire. "Come on, hyperspace drive—just a little longer."


    A barrage of green laser bolts closes in, and Ryu pulls the ship into a steep climb, narrowly avoiding the volley. But more TIEs swarm around them, their numbers seemingly endless.


    "Missiles incoming," AP-4 warns.


    "Launch countermeasures!" Ryu barks.


    Hundreds of tiny projectiles deploy from the Crucible, intercepting the incoming missiles and detonating them before they can hit. The ship shakes violently from the nearby explosions, and warning alarms scream in the cockpit.


    "Shields at 14%," AP-4 reports.


    Ryu''s knuckles turn white as he grips the controls, dodging another volley of blaster fire. B4 continues to fire at the TIEs, taking down more fighters, but they''re still hopelessly outnumbered.


    "Come on, come on," Ryu mutters, watching the hyperspace drive''s progress bar crawl toward completion.


    Finally, the hyperspace drive comes online. "Punch it, AP-4!" Ryu orders.


    Just as they''re about to jump, another shot from a TIE Interceptor strikes the Crucible''s hull. The ship shudders violently, nearly throwing Ryu from his seat.


    "Hyperdrive has been hit," AP-4 warns.


    Suddenly, an eerie electrical pulse washes over the Crucible''s systems. The hyperspace tunnel forms, but instead of the usual blue, it glows an ominous yellow. Ryu''s eyes widen in confusion, but he pushes the strange phenomenon aside, focusing on Lyra.


    "AP-4, how''s the ship holding up?" Ryu asks, his voice tense.


    "The ship is functional. I can manage from here," AP-4 responds, though the strain in its voice is unmistakable.


    Relieved for the moment, Ryu hurries to the medical bay. Inside, Apollo is still cradling Lyra, its sensors dim with sorrow.


    "Why isn''t she in the bacta tank?" Ryu demands, panic creeping into his voice.


    Apollo''s photoreceptors dim. "I''m sorry, Ryu. She... she has died."


    The words hit Ryu like a physical blow. "She has died." The phrase echoes in his mind, over and over. He stares at Lyra''s lifeless form, memories of her laughter, her smile, flooding his thoughts.


    He collapses to his knees beside her, tears streaming down his face. "It''s all my fault," he whispers, grief choking his voice.


    Apollo''s voice calls out to him, but the sound is distant, muffled by the weight of his sorrow. "Place her on the table," Ryu murmurs, pointing weakly to the metal slab nearby.


    Apollo gently lays Lyra''s body on the table and steps back. Ryu stands over her, his shoulders shaking with the weight of his loss. He kneels beside her, taking her cold hand in his, and weeps.


    "I''m so sorry, Lyra," he sobs, his tears falling freely. "I''m so sorry."


    Apollo watches for a moment, then quietly exits the room, leaving Ryu alone with his grief. The Crucible hurtles through the strange, yellow-tinted hyperspace, carrying Ryu and his sorrow into the unknown.