The memory shifts, and suddenly we find ourselves in a place that feels completely alien and unnerving. The air is thick with the scent of smog, and the streets are tightly packed with beings of all kinds—humanoids, creatures, and droids, each stranger than the last. They hustle through narrow walkways, illuminated by garish neon signs in strange symbols. The buildings tower above, haphazardly stacked with blinking lights and flickering screens, their walls grimy and worn from years of wear. There''s an energy here, dangerous and chaotic, but also vibrant, alive.


    Despite the buzz of the city, I can''t shake the feeling of being unwelcomed, like eyes are watching us from every shadowed corner. I glance over at Nikko, and even she seems uneasy. Llamiryl''s usual calm demeanor feels strained, her eyes narrowing as they dart around.


    Suddenly, the moment is shattered. The sharp sound of blaster fire cuts through the noise of the city. Cries of panic ripple through the crowd as beings scatter in all directions. My heart leaps into my throat, and instinctively, I search for Ryu. There—through the mass of panicked bodies, I spot him and Lyra, running frantically, ducking down a narrow alley.


    "We need to follow them!" I shout, my voice barely audible over the chaos.


    Nikko''s ears twitch as more blaster shots whiz past, narrowly missing us. "Are they running from stormtroopers again?" she asks, her voice laced with anxiety.


    I turn to where the blaster fire is coming from, and the sight makes my blood run cold. Charging toward us, cutting through the crowd with eerie precision, is a droid unlike any I''ve ever seen. Its tall, skeletal frame is made of dull metal, joints and pistons visible as it moves with terrifying efficiency. Its head is long and cylindrical, with glowing red eyes that pierce through the dim light. In each of its spindly hands, it wields a blaster, firing with deadly accuracy. It''s fast—too fast for something so mechanical, and the sight of its thin, unsettlingly precise limbs sends a chill down my spine.


    "What is that?" Nikko gasps, my heart racing as the droid barrels toward us, relentless. It feels like a hunter, cold and unfeeling, and I can''t help but think it''s coming for us.


    "Whatever it is, we need to move!" I urge, pulling Nikko out of her frozen state. We dash into the alley, the sound of blaster fire growing louder behind us.


    We''re running, the city''s oppressive, chaotic energy bearing down on us, but all I can think of is that droid—its red eyes, its swift, deadly movements. And the fact that it''s chasing them.


    Ryu skids to a stop, turns, and fires several yellow blaster bolts from his sidearm at the droid. The shots are precise, one even hitting the droid squarely in the chest, but the machine barely seems to register the impact. It keeps coming, relentless and unyielding, its red eyes glowing with a cold determination.


    We keep running, darting around narrow corners, my heart pounding in my chest, my breaths ragged and uneven. Lyra and Ryu duck into a small alcove, both panting heavily, and I find myself following their every movement, trying to keep up with this relentless chase.


    "I was just kidding about the bounty hunters they''d send after us," Ryu pants, leaning against the wall, peering around the corner. I exchange a quick glance with Nikko, her tail flicking nervously. I have to admit, I''m confused. Why is Ryu running? Why isn''t he using his lightsaber or the Force? A droid should be nothing to him—I''ve seen him face far worse without even breaking a sweat.


    We glance out with him. The alleyway is empty, but the tension is suffocating. A strange, metallic thudding noise echoes through the narrow streets, the sound growing louder, the vibrations of each step sending chills down my spine.


    And then it appears—the droid, with those eerie red eyes spinning rapidly around its cylindrical head, scanning the surroundings like a predator searching for its prey. Ryu, seeing it, quickly pulls back, his body tense.


    Talia''s confusion deepens as she whispers to herself, "Why isn''t he fighting it?"


    Then, Ryu reaches into his jacket and retrieves a small metallic device. Its compact, round form looks intricate, with faint blue lines pulsing around it. I have no idea what it is, but from the way Ryu handles it, it''s clear he''s about to end this. He presses a button on the side, and the device begins to hum softly. Without hesitation, he tosses it at the droid.


    The grenade hits the droid square in the head, and for a moment, nothing happens. Then, suddenly, sparks explode from its frame, and arcs of lightning surge through its body. The droid jerks violently, its limbs twitching uncontrollably before it collapses onto the ground with a loud, metallic thud. Its once-glowing red eyes dim, flickering out, leaving it motionless.


    We all stand there, catching our breaths, watching the last of the electric surges flicker out across the droid''s frame. Ryu holsters his blaster, rubbing his face. "That was too close," he mutters. He turns to Lyra, his expression more serious now. "No more stealing droids."


    Lyra, still catching her breath, nods in agreement. "Yeah, no more stealing droids."


    They both approach the fallen droid cautiously. It lies in the alleyway; limbs limp and sparks no longer flying. Ryu, his tension fading, turns to leave. But Lyra stops him, her eyes lighting up with an idea.


    "Wait!" she says, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "If its processors aren''t damaged, why not take it with us?"


    Ryu gives her a sharp look, his eyes narrowing. "Are you insane?" He gestures at the droid with a frustrated sigh. "IG units are dangerous enough as is, and very difficult to reprogram. No way."


    Lyra crosses her arms, her expression defiant. "Are you doubting my abilities?"


    Ryu groans, shaking his head. "Of course not, but it''s extremely dangerous. And we can''t exactly carry this thing through Daiyu inconspicuously."


    A sly smirk tugs at the corner of Lyra''s lips as she pulls out a small tool kit from the bag slung over her shoulder. "That''s why I''m going to do the reprogramming here." She kneels beside the fallen droid, already inspecting its circuits.


    "Here?" Ryu echoes, his disbelief clear in his tone.


    Lyra nods confidently, kneeling before the downed machine, fingers already working with practiced precision. "Yes. Now hush, August, and watch the alley. I can''t afford any mistakes."


    I exchange a glance with Nikko, her ears perked up in curiosity. I feel my heart quicken as I watch Lyra begin her work, her hands moving quickly across the droid''s circuits with careful focus. I can''t help but be impressed. She handles the situation with such ease, despite the danger, and it leaves me both in awe and a little jealous of her confidence. Even Nikko seems impressed, her gaze glued to the droid as Lyra starts to access its inner workings.


    Ryu, meanwhile, stands at the edge of the alley, keeping a sharp eye out for any unwanted company while occasionally glancing back at Lyra. The alley feels too quiet now, the tension thick as Lyra adjusts wires and circuit boards with precision.


    ?????


    The memory shifts, and we find ourselves back in the galley of the Crucible. My surroundings feel foreign, the technology here more advanced than anything I''ve seen on Aranthia. The tight space is filled with strange devices, and the air carries a warm, earthy scent mixed with something mechanical. I watch as Ryu sits at a small table, a mug in his hand. His eyes flicker toward the door that leads to another part of the ship, concern tightening his features. His gaze lingers on the corridor leading to an ajar door. I notice a faint blue glow seeping through the slightly ajar door, mixed with the sounds of clinking tools and machinery.


    Ryu takes a sip of his drink, and his shoulders relax slightly, but I can tell the worry is still gnawing at him. I wonder if this is his way of calming himself. A routine, perhaps. He seems like the kind of person who carries the weight of every little thing, and I can tell the state of this ship is pressing on him.


    "She must still be working on the engines," he mutters to himself. There''s a hint of concern in his voice that immediately sets me on edge.


    I exchange a glance with Llamiryl, and she raises an eyebrow, clearly picking up on it too. Nikko''s ears twitch slightly, sensing the same unease in the air.


    Finally, he stands, moving with purpose. I glance at Llamiryl and Nikko again, both of them following without a word. We trail behind as Ryu heads toward the engine room, his steps filled with quiet urgency.


    The moment we step through the door, a blue glow washes over us. The room is cramped, filled with strange conduits, power cells, and machines that I couldn''t even begin to understand. The air smells odd—something between burnt metal and... something else I can''t pick up on.


    I spot Lyra instantly, kneeling beside one of the open panels. Her vibrant red hair is tied back but streaked with grease. Her face looks worn, exhaustion etched in every line, but there''s a spark in her green eyes that hasn''t dimmed despite how tired she must be.


    Lyra looks up and smiles when she sees him. "August!" She springs to her feet, her grin bright despite how tired she must feel. But before Ryu can say anything, she snatches the steaming cup right out of his hands.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Nikko giggles, and I have to stifle a smile. "Thanks for bringing this to me!" Lyra says cheerfully, taking a big gulp.


    August, for all his calmness, looks like he wasn''t expecting that. His expression barely changes, though. "Uh, sure, you''re welcome," he replies, sounding a little put out, but he hides it well.


    "Typical," I think to myself. Lyra always seems to take what she needs without hesitation, and yet, there''s something about her energy that makes it hard to stay annoyed with her. Even I find it a little charming.


    "How''s it looking, Lyra?" Ryu asks, his concern obvious.


    Lyra sets the cup down and wipes her forehead with her greasy hand, leaving a smudge. "The engines are holding up, but just barely. The ion torpedo did a number on them." She gestures toward the exposed wires and parts scattered around. "We''ve been in hyperspace for 12 hours, and we''re moving slower than we should be to avoid stressing the engines."


    Nikko''s tail flicks with interest, but I can sense her tension. Seeing Lyra like this, still working so hard, makes my chest tighten. She''s been at this for so long and she still hasn''t stopped. Her determination is something I can''t help but admire, even though the fatigue is evident.


    Ryu frowns, the worry deepening on his face. "You''ve been working on them the entire time, haven''t you?"


    Lyra nods, still smiling despite how exhausted she looks. "Yeah, couldn''t risk them failing mid-trip."


    "Why didn''t you ask for help?" Ryu''s voice softens, and I can hear the frustration and concern woven together. "You can''t do everything on your own, Lyra."


    She looks up at him, her smile returning, though a little weaker than before. "I know, but you''ve had enough on your plate. Besides, I figured you could use some sleep. And you know I love this stuff. I couldn''t just sit around and do nothing."


    I can feel the admiration growing inside me, watching her. She''s been through so much, working tirelessly to keep this ship running. I almost wish I could understand more of what she''s saying about the engines. But the technical jargon is just too much for me. Still, her passion is undeniable.


    Ryu steps closer, placing a hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle. "You need to take care of yourself too. We''re a team. Next time, let me help."


    Lyra nods, finally allowing herself to lean against the bulkhead. The weight of exhaustion seems to catch up with her all at once. "Okay, I promise. But we''re almost there. Just a few more tweaks, and the engines should hold until we reach our destination."


    August smiles, offering her some reassurance. "Alright. Let''s finish this together."


    As they turn back to the engines, I find myself admiring their partnership. Despite everything, they keep pushing through. I just hope the repairs are enough to keep this ship going. I don''t understand the mechanics, but I know how vital this is for them to survive.


    Nikko leans into me, whispering, "They work so hard for this ship, don''t they?"


    I nod, feeling the same sense of awe at their persistence.


    After some time, the memory suddenly shifts forward. The engines are stable now, the crisis averted. Tools are scattered around, but there''s a clear sense of relief in the air.


    "This fix is only temporary," Lyra says, her voice still serious. "We''ll need to get proper parts for a permanent repair."


    Ryu nods. "Understood. Let''s hope we find what we need at our next stop."


    Just then, a chime echoes through the ship''s intercom, breaking the moment of quiet. "Looks like we''re arriving," Ryu says, his expression softening as he heads toward the bridge.


    We follow him through the corridors, past the galley, and into the bridge, where the blue and white lights of hyperspace stretch endlessly before us. I can''t help but feel a sense of awe, even though I''ve seen this strange, otherworldly display in several memories by now. It''s still as mesmerizing as ever.


    At the helm is AP-4, the sleek droid handling the ship''s controls with precise efficiency. Beside it, the astromech droid C1-B4 beeps quietly, busy with the navigation systems. DP-7 hovers near the back, its red photoreceptors scanning the space around it.


    As we step onto the bridge, Ryu takes his place beside AP-4. "Approaching exit point," the pilot droid announces smoothly, its voice modulated but calm.


    "Three... two... one..." AP-4 counts down, and with a sudden lurch, the ship snaps out of hyperspace.


    What appears before us takes my breath away.


    A massive circular structure, unlike anything I''ve ever seen, floats silently in the void. Its hull is battered, its surface scarred by what must have been countless battles. The ship—if that''s what it is—seems impossibly large, its docking arms sprawling out like the limbs of a giant creature. The sight makes my heart race. The sheer size of the structure leaves me breathless. It floats in space like a massive fortress, its immense circular hull and central sphere dwarfing anything I''ve seen before. I glance at the others, and even Llamiryl seems impressed, though she remains as composed as always. Nikko''s eyes are wide, and she grabs my hand, tugging gently.


    "What... is that?" she whispers.


    "I don''t know," I admit, my own voice shaky.


    "It''s enormous," Llamiryl says softly, her usually composed voice touched with surprise.


    The Crucible begins its approach, guided expertly by AP-4 and C1-B4. Ryu taps into the comm system, his voice calm despite the tension. "Lyra, we''re approaching the Providence. We''ll be docking shortly. Let''s get ready to find those parts."


    I barely process his words, still overwhelmed by the sheer size of the ship before us. Providence. Having hear its name once more after hearing of it first when Lyra and Ryu talked about the droid Lyra accidentally stole, I feel a flutter of excitement.


    "That''s... huge!" Nikko whispers, her ears twitching with excitement. I can''t help but nod, equally captivated. The sun''s distant light bathes the ship in an ethereal glow, making it both majestic and eerie. It''s a warship, I realize, though its purpose now seems to have changed. I try to picture it in battle, bristling with weapons, but it''s difficult to imagine something so grand being built for destruction.


    The droid at the helm, AP-4, steers the ship with practiced precision, its hands moving over the controls effortlessly.


    Suddenly, a crackling voice filters through the cockpit''s communication system. The sound is distorted, distant, as if it''s coming from far within the Providence. "This is the Providence. Identify yourself and state your business."


    I glance at Ryu, who steps forward, his posture calm and commanding. "This is the Crucible. We''re here to acquire parts for emergency engine repairs." His voice is steady, but I can sense the weight of the moment. It''s strange to see him in such control. This is his world—spaceships, machines, and strange places like this. The Providence might as well be another alien fortress to me.


    "B4, send the authorization code," Ryu instructs the astromech droid, and it beeps before extending a small mechanical appendage to interface with the ship''s communication systems. After a tense moment, the distorted voice returns.


    "Authorization code accepted. You are cleared for entry. Proceed to landing bay three."


    I can''t help but let out a breath I didn''t realize I was holding. The Crucible continues its approach, and the closer we get, the more details I can make out. This Providence isn''t just a ship; it''s a floating city. Massive hangar bays open up as we near the docking area, revealing what looks like a makeshift town inside. Stalls, workshops, and crowds of traders are scattered along the edges of the cavernous space. It''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen. A ship transformed into a bustling hub of life and trade. From the ceiling, strange, clawed machines hang silently, as if waiting to spring to life.


    The Crucible steers toward one of the landing pads, weaving through a maze of other ships and structures. I see smaller freighters and transports docked all around us. It''s a chaotic scene, with all manner of beings moving about, but there''s a method to it, a rhythm to the bustle.


    The landing is rougher than expected. The ship shudders and jerks as it touches down, making me grip the edge of a nearby console. But we''re safe. AP-4 manages to bring us to a halt, and I let out another breath.


    "Good work, AP-4. A bit rough, but safe. That''s what matters," Ryu says, giving the droid an approving nod.


    I glance at Nikko. She''s wide-eyed, clearly overwhelmed by all the new sights, but I can tell she''s impressed. Llamiryl, as usual, stays composed, though I notice her eyes darting around, taking everything in.


    "Lyra, meet me at the cargo bay. We''re down," Ryu says into his communicator before turning toward the exit. We follow closely behind, our hearts still racing from the descent.


    We follow him down to the cargo bay, where Lyra is waiting for him. As soon as we enter, I spot her standing next to the tall, imposing figure of an IG-unit, the very same that chased Lyra and Ryu. Seeing that droid again makes my skin crawl. I remember all too well the way it chased after them, relentless and dangerous. Even now, despite Lyra''s reprogramming, it looks every bit the terrifying machine it was designed to be. Nikko shifts uneasily beside me, her tail flicking nervously. "That''s the droid that chased them," she whispers, clutching my hand tighter.


    I nod, feeling the same sense of unease. "Yes, it is," I mutter, though my attention is quickly drawn to Lyra. She looks exhausted but determined, as always. Her red hair is a wild mess, streaked with grease, and her jumpsuit is stained from hours of hard work, but she still manages to flash Ryu a weary smile.


    "We''re ready," she says, her voice tinged with fatigue.


    The IG unit suddenly chimes in. "The probability of imminent danger is low. Current thoughts include: the temperature of the hangar bay, the configuration of the speeder bikes, and the likelihood of finding suitable parts quickly."


    I can''t help but blink at the droid''s odd commentary. Even Llamiryl raises an eyebrow at the absurdity of it. Ryu, though, seems unfazed, offering only a small, amused smile as he addresses Lyra.


    "Good to see you, Lyra. Let''s get those parts and make sure the engines are back in top shape."


    Lyra nods, her determination shining through despite her exhaustion. "Let''s get to work, August," she says, and even though she''s weary, there''s still that spark of enthusiasm in her voice. "The sooner we find those parts, the sooner we can get the Crucible running smoothly again."


    I admire her resolve. She''s been working nonstop, yet she''s still pushing forward. As I watch her, I can''t help but feel a pang of admiration—and perhaps even a bit of jealousy. Lyra is always so determined, always focused on the task at hand, and despite the danger they face, she never falters. It''s hard not to be impressed by that kind of dedication.


    Ryu lets out a sigh. "Stay focused, Lyra. We can''t afford any distractions. Remember, IG-22 nearly bankrupted us, and we have just enough credits for the parts and maybe a warm meal."


    Lyra bristles slightly, her green eyes flashing with indignation. "August, I know why we''re here. My only intention is to get the parts we need. I''m not going to get distracted."


    I can''t help but smile at her fiery response, even as Ryu softens his tone, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know you are, but we''ve got to be careful. Once we get the parts, you need to rest. You''ve been working non-stop."


    Lyra''s expression shifts from offended to determined, her usual energy returning as she speaks. "I promise, August. Once we get back, I''ll take a break."


    With their resolve set, the trio makes their way to the landing bay, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. I follow along, my mind racing as I try to take in everything that''s happening. There''s something about this place, about the Providence, that feels both incredible and dangerous at the same time.


    As we descend the landing ramp, the sight of the bustling hangar bay takes my breath away. It''s a massive space, filled with ships, traders, and mechanics going about their business. The noise is overwhelming, and the scale of the place is unlike anything I''ve ever seen. I exchange a glance with Nikko, who looks just as wide-eyed as I feel. Llamiryl, as always, remains composed, though I can tell even she''s impressed by the sight before us.


    As Ryu and Lyra step forward, ready to find the parts they need, I can''t help but wonder what lies ahead.


    This is a place of endless possibilities, but also of hidden dangers. I can feel it in the air, in the way people move through the hangar, always watching their backs, always on edge.