The memory shifts, and I find myself in a small, dimly lit space that seems to hum with energy. Ryu is slouched in a seat surrounded by strange glowing panels, his face drawn with exhaustion. He''s flipping switches and pressing buttons on the panels, which flicker with light before fading out again. The air feels tense, heavy with the weight of frustration and determination.


    Suddenly, a garbled voice crackles through a metal box on the wall, startling me. It''s Lyra''s voice, but it sounds distorted and strange, like she''s speaking through magic or some faraway spell. I''ve never seen anything like it. I glance at Nikko and Llamiryl, who both seem equally surprised by the strange box.


    "Come on, August! Don''t give up now!" Lyra''s voice echoes from the strange device. I can''t make out all the words, but I catch enough to hear her encouragement.


    Ryu sighs heavily, rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand, and leans forward again, flipping more switches with growing frustration. He''s exhausted, that much is clear, but there''s also something else—a fierce determination driving him to keep going. He can''t let this ship beat him. I feel my own heart race with anticipation, hoping that this time, the ship will roar to life.


    With a low grunt, Ryu presses the buttons again, his fingers moving quickly across the glowing panel. The strange symbols on the controls flicker on and off. "Alright... one more time," he mutters under his breath, and I can hear the weariness in his voice, but also the determination to see this through.


    The machine lets out a long, groaning whine as the lights flicker once more. Lyra''s voice comes through the metal box again, crackling but persistent. "Come on, August! I''m not giving up, so neither should you!"


    I don''t understand how she''s speaking through that box from somewhere else in this strange ship, but her words seem to reach Ryu. He straightens up, jaw clenched in resolve as he stares at the flickering panel.


    "Come on... come on..." Ryu mutters through gritted teeth. His fingers move deftly across the controls again, determination radiating from every fiber of his being. I can feel my own breath catch, the tension in the air almost unbearable.


    The ship groans, the sound rising like a low growl, then suddenly, with a final sputter and a loud roar, the entire room lights up. The machine hums with life, the lights flickering back to full strength. The entire ship vibrates beneath our feet, and I realize with a start—it worked. The ship is alive.


    Ryu''s face lights up with surprise and joy. He jumps from his seat, practically beaming. "We did it!" he shouts, bolting from the room, his excitement contagious. Nikko''s ears perk up, and she bounces on her toes beside me, grinning widely.


    "They did it, they did it!" Nikko echoes, her tail wagging furiously behind her as we follow Ryu through the strange ship''s narrow hallways.


    I follow them into another room that is unlike anything I''ve ever seen. It''s full of strange contraptions—wires hanging from the ceiling, large, metal pieces spread across the floor, and strange tools that look as though they belong in a mage''s workshop. Lyra stands near a large device that seems important, her face smudged with grease and oil, her jumpsuit even more stained from hours of work.


    Ryu bursts into the room, his eyes glowing with excitement. "We did it!" he exclaims again, rushing toward her.


    Lyra grins widely, but she holds up her hands, still covered in grease and oil. "Whoa, hold on there, mister!" she laughs. "I''m covered in muck. Don''t you dare touch me!"


    But Ryu doesn''t listen. He pulls her into a hug, despite her half-hearted protests. "I don''t care," he laughs, holding her tightly, his relief and happiness palpable.


    Lyra giggles as she wraps her arms around him. "You''re going to regret this when you realize how much oil you''re covered in!"


    "I still don''t care," Ryu says, laughing with pure joy.


    As I watch them embrace his voice softens. "I''m so thankful to have you in my life," he says, the sincerity in his tone unmistakable. He pulls back slightly to look into her eyes, his gaze warm and full of gratitude.


    Lyra''s cheeks flush a deep red, and for a moment, she seems caught off guard by his words. She stammers, her usual bubbly demeanor faltering as she tries to compose herself. "I-I mean... well, I''m thankful for you too, August," she says, her voice quieter than usual. She looks away for a moment, embarrassed by the sudden intimacy, but then she smiles, her eyes softening as she looks back at him. "You really know how to make a girl feel special, you know that?"


    Ryu chuckles softly, his arms still wrapped around her.


    Their closeness, the warmth between them—it all stirs something in me again. It''s hard to watch. Not because I don''t want them to be happy, but because I wonder... Will I ever be this close to him? I feel a small, uncomfortable twist in my chest, and I try to shake it off, reminding myself that this is just a memory.


    Nikko, oblivious to my inner thoughts, is all smiles, clearly delighted by the affectionate exchange between Ryu and Lyra. "They''re really happy, huh?" she says, her voice bright with admiration. Her ears twitch, and her tail wags, as if the joy between them is infectious.


    "Yes... they are," I say softly, forcing a smile. Even though my heart is heavy with questions, I can''t deny the sweetness of the moment. They deserve this happiness, I remind myself, even if it stirs up feelings I can''t quite explain.


    Llamiryl, usually composed and indifferent, even raises an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Ryu has his charm, doesn''t he?" she remarks lightly, though I can tell she''s as intrigued by the memory as I am.


    As Ryu and Lyra continue their embrace, a warmth fills the room, and despite the complexity of my feelings, I can''t help but be happy for him.


    ?????


    The memory shifts again, and the scene before us transforms into something entirely new. We''re no longer in the industrial clutter of Ord Mantell, but a world that looks... barren, harsh. Two suns hang high in the sky, their combined light casting long shadows across the dusty streets of a sprawling city. The heat feels oppressive, even though I know it''s just an illusion, but the sight of the twin suns still takes my breath away. Two suns? How is that possible?


    The ground beneath our feet is rough, sand mixed with dirt, and the buildings around us are low, rounded structures made from a pale, sandy material. The city itself, though bustling with life, feels far from welcoming. People scurry about in heavy robes, their faces wrapped in cloth to shield themselves from the relentless heat. The air is thick with dust, and strange smells I can''t quite place drift through the air. Is this what people breath here?


    I see creatures—large, hairy, horned beasts pulling carts, and vendors shouting over each other in languages I don''t understand. It''s chaotic, a mess of activity, but somehow it works in its own disordered way.


    "This is... intense," I mutter, barely able to keep up with all the sights and sounds. Even Nikko, normally so curious, seems a bit overwhelmed, her ears flattened against her head as she clutches my hand. "So much sand," she grumbles, flicking her tail back and forth as if trying to shake off imaginary grains.


    We follow Ryu and Lyra as they make their way through the crowded streets, the locals parting slightly as they approach a group of intimidating figures. The beings in front of us are... unsettling. One is massive, towering over everyone, with a slug-like body and tiny arms, its enormous head and mouth dominating its features. What... is that?


    Its skin is greenish-brown and slick, and it''s surrounded by others—humanoids, but all looking rough, like criminals, their faces weathered and eyes sharp with suspicion. Some of them have blasters at their sides, hands resting on their hips as if waiting for any excuse to draw them. I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. Whoever these people are, they''re dangerous. I don''t need to understand their language to feel the hostility radiating off them.


    Ryu stands beside Lyra, arms crossed, but he lets her do all the talking. Lyra stands confidently in front of the slug, her demeanor calm but respectful.


    She inclines her head slightly, her voice smooth and practiced as she speaks to the slug-like creature in a language I''ve never heard before—harsh, guttural sounds that make no sense to me.


    "Gardula, bargon uensa," she says, with a tone that sounds almost... diplomatic.


    I shiver, suddenly more aware of the hostile air surrounding this slug and its guards. The large slug narrows its eyes, shifting slightly. Their deep voice is laced with irritation as it responds, "Ah... uba wa canka."


    Lyra chuckles, her hand rising briefly to the back of her neck as if brushing away any tension. "Bargon che uesa wa wamma. E chu chu kankee ata pah bu sorn tahpo uba neu."


    The creature''s eyes flash dangerously, and its body ripples with displeasure. "Cha wokling wa carka," it growls, the sound deep and menacing, causing my heart to race. I feel Nikko shift nervously beside me, her small hand gripping mine even tighter.


    Despite the tension, Lyra remains composed, her smile unwavering. "Gana uba mala," she replies, her tone light. "Bi beechee fa lay ee wamma. Bu che canka."


    I glance at Ryu. His arms are crossed, his eyes sharp, though his expression remains impassive. I can''t tell if he''s at ease or on edge. Beside the slug, its guards shift slightly, eyeing Ryu, but they don''t seem interested in making any aggressive moves. At least not yet.


    The creature lets out a low, rumbling laugh, their mood changing as she opens the pouch Lyra handed over. "Ah, dou naga," it mutters approvingly, inspecting the contents. The strange chips it pulls out look intricate, glinting slightly in the desert light, but I can''t make sense of what they are. Some kind of currency? Information? Either way, the slug seems pleased.


    The slug tosses the pouch to one of its henchmen, who snatches it mid-air and slinks back into the shadows. Then the creature gestures lazily with one hand, their voice booming again. "Benja ee droid."


    At their command, a small droid comes rolling toward them. I blink, studying it. It''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen, with a round, dome-shaped head, a body covered in scuffed blue and red paint, and a steady series of beeps and whistles coming from it as it approaches.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Nikko''s ears perk up, her eyes lighting up in excitement. "It''s a little droid!" she whispers, her voice filled with awe. I can''t help but smile at her reaction, even though I have no idea what kind of machine this is.


    Lyra crouches down slightly, a bright smile lighting up her face as she speaks to the droid in the same cheerful tone she had with Ryu when they first met. "C1-B4?" she asks, the droid letting out a confirming series of beeps and chirps. Lyra laughs softly, patting the top of the droid''s dome. "Welcome to the crew," she says, her tone warm and proud.


    I glance at Ryu, who remains mostly silent, observing the exchange. His posture is relaxed, but there''s a subtle tension in his shoulders that tells me he''s cautious. Even now, as Lyra celebrates the successful transaction, Ryu keeps his eyes on their surroundings, ever watchful.


    Despite the heaviness of the situation, there''s a sense of relief. Whatever deal they just made seems to have gone smoothly, and I can tell from the way Lyra carries herself that she''s proud of it.


    Even Llamiryl seems impressed by Lyra''s abilities. "She''s good," Llamiryl mutters, nodding slightly. "Really good."


    I agree, my initial jealousy of Lyra fading slightly as I watch her handle the situation. For someone who comes off so bubbly, she''s remarkably capable, and it''s clear that Ryu trusts her completely.


    As we turn to leave the crowded streets, I feel a strange sense of admiration for Lyra. She knows how to handle herself in this dangerous world, and for that, I respect her.


    The memory shifts again, and we find ourselves standing in a strange, bustling city. The streets are crowded, filled with beings from all walks of life, but what strikes me most is the heat. It''s dry and oppressive, the light from the sun above harsh and unrelenting. The buildings are low and rugged, made of sand-colored stone or metal, giving the place a rough, almost battered look. There''s a layer of dust on everything, and the air smells of oil, sweat, and metal—a strange mix that makes me feel slightly uncomfortable.


    The noise is overwhelming, too. Vendors shout from their stalls, trying to sell their wares, while the hum of machinery and distant engines rumble through the streets. Strange, small creatures with glowing eyes are huddled together, bartering with anyone who passes by. I''ve never seen creatures like them before, but their hurried movements and constant chatter make them seem important in this place.


    A few starships loom in the distance, parked outside the city walls, their massive shapes casting long shadows over the streets. It''s like nothing I''ve ever seen before—both the spaceport and this city seem far more chaotic and lawless than anything I''m used to back home. It feels... dangerous here, as though the wrong move could get someone into serious trouble.


    I spot Ryu walking ahead of us, his pace quick, his posture tense. My eyes follow his gaze, and I see Lyra standing a short distance away. She''s talking to those hooded creatures in a language I don''t know. But what draws my attention most is the strange droid standing beside Lyra. Its body is metallic and somewhat clunky, with various blinking lights across its chest, its four arms long and mechanical, moving as it adjusts something on its console.


    Nikko tugs at my hand. "That droid looks funny," she whispers, her ears perking up with curiosity, not fear. I nod, my own gaze lingering on the droid as we watch Lyra hand over a pouch to the small, hooded creatures.


    Just then, Lyra looks up and spots Ryu. A smile crosses her face as she waves goodbye to the creatures and begins walking toward him. Ryu, though, doesn''t look pleased. His arms are crossed tightly over his chest, his brow furrowed as she approaches.


    "Please tell me we''re delivering this droid," Ryu asks, his voice stiff as he gestures toward the mechanical being beside her.


    Lyra''s smile falters slightly. "Yes?" she says, but there''s hesitation in her voice.


    Ryu raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "How much did it cost this time?" he asks, his tone more than a little agitated.


    "Oh, not that much. I got it for a steal," Lyra says, her fingers twirling nervously as she avoids his eyes.


    Ryu narrows his eyes. "How much?" he asks again, his voice firm.


    Lyra hesitates before finally answering, "Only three thousand credits."


    "Three thousand!" Ryu''s eyes widen with disbelief. "Lyra, you need to stop buying droids. We have other expenses, and if you keep spending like this, we won''t have enough for future maintenance on the ship."


    Lyra looks down, clearly upset by Ryu''s frustration. "I-I''m sorry," she mutters.


    Ryu sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as he takes a deep breath. "What even is that?" he asks, gesturing toward the droid.


    The droid straightens, its mechanical voice calm as it answers, "I am a pilot droid. Designation: AP-4."


    Ryu groans, running a hand through his hair. "Another pilot droid? Seriously, Lyra? The last two you bought went on the fritz, and we had to scrap them for parts."


    Lyra''s expression is filled with guilt, but she stands her ground. "I know, but this one''s different. It''s a better model than those RX-series droids. It''ll help us."


    "I assure you," the droid chimes in, "I make far fewer errors."


    Ryu shoots the droid a look, clearly not in the mood for its input. "You stay out of this," he snaps.


    He turns back to Lyra, his voice softening just a bit. "You can''t keep buying droids like this. We have other expenses, and the Crucible needs constant maintenance. No more frivolous spending, okay?"


    Lyra nods, her eyes downcast. "Okay," she says quietly.


    I glance at Nikko, who is staring at the droid with wide eyes, clearly fascinated. Llamiryl, meanwhile, watches the exchange in silence, her expression unreadable.


    There''s something about this city that feels off, a constant tension in the air. But as I look at Lyra, I can see she doesn''t seem to notice it—or maybe she''s just used to it. Either way, I can''t shake the feeling that they''re treading a dangerous path.


    ?????


    The memory shifts, and suddenly, I find myself standing in a starport like none I''ve ever seen. Everything around us feels alien—massive, suspended platforms with towering structures reaching up into a strange sky. Bridges connect the platforms, with ships whizzing by overhead in every direction. The architecture is slick and gleaming, with sharp metallic angles that catch the light from above. I hear the hum of engines, the clamor of voices, and the shouting of vendors in a language I don''t understand. It''s overwhelming, this city of the skies, completely unlike anything on Aranthia.


    Ryu is kneeling by the landing gear of his ship, focused on some sort of repair, when loud, urgent shouting cuts through the noise. I snap my head toward the sound and see Lyra running toward him, her face full of panic. She doesn''t stop, sprinting right past him and up the landing ramp.


    "Get in, now!" she shouts over her shoulder.


    Ryu stands up, confused, and turns to where she had come from. And then I see them—soldiers in white armor, their helmets almost resembling skulls, rushing toward him. They look eerily similar to the clone soldiers we''ve seen in Ryu''s memories, but they''re not the same. There''s something more menacing about these ones, their armor more solid, their movements calculated and intimidating. A chill runs down my spine.


    Ryu''s eyes widen, and without wasting another second, he takes off after Lyra, sprinting up the ramp. Nikko, Llamiryl, and I scramble to follow him just as he hits a button on the wall, and the ramp hisses shut behind us. The sound of blaster fire slams into the ship''s exterior, making me jump. The sharp crackle of energy bolts ricocheting off the hull echoes through the ship.


    The interior is narrow and industrial—bare metal walls and dim lighting, the kind of place where every inch seems to have a purpose. We barely get a look at the cargo hold as we rush through, Ryu leading the way with long, determined strides. My heart pounds in my chest as we reach the front of the ship. It''s a small room filled with more controls than I''ve ever seen in my life, and in the co-pilot''s seat sits a droid—a strange-looking one with thin, spindly limbs and a smooth metallic surface. I realize that droid is AP-4.


    "Imperial TIE Fighters incoming," AP-4 says, its voice calm, almost dispassionate.


    My heart skips a beat as Ryu sits down, flipping switches and powering on the ship. In the corner, another droid—C1-B4—beeps frantically, its blue-and-red body trembling as if in a panic.


    "Yeah, I know we just got here!" Ryu snaps at the droid, his voice tense.


    I glance at Nikko, puzzled by how Ryu seems to understand the droid''s beeps and whistles as if it were speaking a language I can''t hear. The ship groans to life under his command, and through the cockpit window, I see them—three small starships, H-shaped, sleek, and deadly, speeding toward us in the distance. But what unsettles me most is the strange, eerie wail that comes from them, a high-pitched whine that makes my skin crawl. I can''t even tell where the noise was coming from until, suddenly, green bolts of energy fire from the starships, slamming into our ship.


    Ryu grits his teeth and maneuvers the controls as more bolts rain down around us, some hitting the hull, others flying past us, missing by inches. My heart races as the ship shudders from the impact, but Ryu remains focused, his hands flying over the controls with practiced precision. The ship jerks forward, and I can feel the weightlessness as we lift off the ground.


    The sound of blaster fire continues outside, but before I know it, we''re in the air. The ship surges forward, and the blue sky stretches into streaks of light as we make the jump to hyperspace. The TIE Fighters'' terrifying whine is swallowed by the quiet hum of the ship as it settles into a steady pace, the swirling blue tunnel of hyperspace surrounding us.


    Ryu lets out a breath, relieved, and stands from the pilot''s seat. "AP-4, keep us on course," he commands, the droid nodding in response as it takes over the controls. He quickly exits the cockpit, and we follow him through the narrow corridor.


    We pass through the ship''s interior, its hallways filled with the sound of distant creaks and groans from the ship''s mechanics. As we move, I catch a glimpse of a small, cozy room with a round, worn couch in the center and a strange game table in the middle. The kitchen area is compact but filled with strange appliances that I don''t recognize, though they seem well-used. The whole space has a lived-in feel, and for a moment, I wonder what it''s like for Ryu and Lyra to call this place home.


    As we reach the room, I spot Lyra sitting on the couch, clutching something in her hands. She''s breathing heavily, her face still pale from the frantic escape. Ryu walks over and sits beside her, his voice soft with concern.


    "Are you okay?"


    Lyra nods, still catching her breath. "Just a bit shaken, but I''m okay."


    Ryu lets out a soft sigh of relief. "Can you tell me what happened? You were just supposed to drop off the delivery. Why were those troopers chasing you?"


    "Well, about that..." Lyra begins, her voice hesitant. "After the delivery, I stopped by a droid vendor."


    At this, Ryu''s demeanor changes, his expression hardening.


    "I wasn''t going to buy another droid, I swear!" Lyra says quickly, raising her hands defensively. "But they had these droids on display, and this one caught my eye." She gestures to the small droid she''s holding, and as soon as I see it, my eyes widen.


    Nikko tugs at my arm, her ears perking up. "Talia! It''s DP-7!"


    I glance at her and nod. She''s right. That small droid, its dark metallic body and insect-like frame, is exactly like the one that accompanied Ryu and Apollo.


    "I picked it up," Lyra continues, "and immediately the shop owner starts yelling at me. I didn''t understand what he was saying—my Neimoidian isn''t that great—but then he got the attention of a few stormtroopers. He starts pointing at me, at them, shouting wildly, and the troopers started questioning me. The next thing I know, they say I have to come with them. I just panicked, and... well... I ran."


    Ryu chuckles softly, causing Lyra to narrow her eyes at him. "What''s so funny?" she asks, her voice edged with annoyance.


    "You just stole a droid, Lyra," Ryu says, the amusement clear in his voice. "Miss ''stealing is beneath me'' just committed her first robbery."


    Lyra''s face turns bright red, and she buries her hands in her face, groaning. "Shut up," she mutters.


    "You''re officially an outlaw now," Ryu continues, teasing her. "I wonder how big your bounty will be. Oh, the bounty hunters that will come after us..."


    Lyra peeks out from behind her hands, a mixture of embarrassment and amusement on her face. "Okay, okay, enough already!" She chuckles, but there''s still a playful gleam in her eye.


    Ryu grins and gestures to the droid in her lap. "So, what are we going to do about this little guy?"


    Lyra looks down at DP-7 and smiles. "Why not keep it? It''ll need some reprogramming, but that''s an easy task for me. He could be really useful."


    Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I can''t help but smile at the way she lights up when talking about droids. Ryu, too, seems to soften, his frustration melting away as he nods.


    "So be it then," he says, standing up. "Where are we going, by the way?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I try to keep up with the rapidly changing situation.


    Ryu turns to me, his expression thoughtful. "We need to lay low for a bit. I doubt a minor theft will draw much attention, but better safe than sorry." He pauses for a moment before adding, "We''re going to the Providence."


    Lyra''s face lights up at the mention of the place. "I bet Willo has all sorts of new droid parts!" she says, her excitement bubbling over.


    Ryu rolls his eyes but can''t hide his smirk. "Just don''t be frivolous again," he says, his tone teasing but affectionate.


    As I watch them banter, I feel a warmth spread in my chest. Despite the chaos, the danger, and the constant running, there''s a bond between them that''s undeniable. I exchange a look with Nikko and Llamiryl, knowing they see it too. But beneath my smile, there''s a small pang of jealousy, one I keep trying to push aside.