The freighter soared away from the desolate moon, its engines pushing to escape the moon's thin atmosphere and the growing tension of their mission. Inside, the air was heavy with unspoken words. Liora sat in the cockpit beside Kade, her gaze fixed on the stars stretching before them.
Behind them, Tharn paced in the cramped cabin, his face a mask of frustration. "We can't keep running like this," he said, his voice cutting through the silence.
Liora turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "What do you suggest? The Empire is hunting us. We barely escaped the last temple."
Tharn stopped, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. "We need allies. The Nexus can't fight this war alone, and neither can we. Every moment we spend running is another moment the Empire strengthens its hold."
Kade leaned back in his seat, swiveling to face them. "Tharn's right, but it's not like people are lining up to fight the Empire. Most of the galaxy is too scared to lift a finger."
Liora's hand rested on the Sigil, its faint glow pulsing in time with her heartbeat. "Then we give them something to believe in."
The tension in the ship grew as the crew debated their next steps. Tharn leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "The Alliance isn't what it used to be. Most of its leaders are either dead or in hiding. If we're going to rally anyone, we'll need more than words."
Kade shrugged, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Good thing we've got a glowing space relic. That'll totally convince them."
Liora shot him a sharp look. "It's not just the Nexus. It's what it represents. If we can show the galaxy that the Empire isn't invincible, that there's still hope, people will rise."
Tharn nodded reluctantly. "Hope is a start. But we'll need more than that. We need a plan—and fast."
As the freighter entered hyperspace, Liora retreated to the small cabin at the back of the ship. She closed her eyes, letting the Sigil guide her thoughts. The Nexus's energy pulsed faintly, connecting her to its vast, ancient power.
In her mind, she saw flashes of worlds engulfed in darkness, their people crushed under the Empire's boot. But she also saw sparks of resistance—small, scattered groups fighting against impossible odds.
The Sigil flared, and a vision filled her mind: a world on the edge of the galaxy, its skies lit by the glow of a distant nebula. The Nexus's presence was faint but unmistakable, buried beneath the planet's surface.
"This is the next step," she whispered to herself.
In the cockpit, Kade studied the ship's readouts, his brow furrowed. "We've got a problem," he said as Tharn joined him.
"What kind of problem?" Tharn asked, his tone sharp.
Kade pointed to the sensor display. "There's a ship trailing us. It's small, fast, and just close enough to make me nervous."
Tharn's jaw tightened. "Imperial?"
"Could be," Kade replied. "Or it could be a bounty hunter. Either way, they're not here to chat."
Liora entered the cockpit, her expression calm but focused. "We don't have time to deal with this. Can you lose them?"
Kade smirked, his hands flying over the controls. "Do you even need to ask?"
The freighter dropped out of hyperspace into a dense asteroid field, the glowing remnants of a shattered planet. Kade guided the ship through the labyrinth of debris with practiced ease, the pursuing ship struggling to keep up.
"They're persistent," Tharn said, his eyes on the viewport.
"Persistent doesn't mean smart," Kade replied, his fingers dancing over the controls.
As the freighter wove through the asteroids, Liora stood at the viewport, her hand resting on the Sigil. She could feel the pull of the Nexus, distant but steady, guiding them toward their next destination.
"We're almost clear," Kade said. "Just a little—"
A sudden jolt rocked the ship as a laser blast grazed its hull. Kade swore under his breath, adjusting their course.
"Tharn, get to the turret!" he shouted.
Tharn moved quickly, the turret's controls lighting up as he targeted the pursuing ship. His shots were precise, forcing their attacker to fall back and giving the freighter enough room to maneuver.
Liora focused on the Sigil, channeling its energy into the ship. The freighter responded, its engines surging with power as it darted through the asteroid field.
With one final burst of speed, they emerged into open space, the pursuing ship unable to follow.
"We're clear," Kade said, his voice filled with relief.
"For now," Tharn replied, his tone as serious as ever.
As the freighter set course for the planet in Liora's vision, the crew gathered in the main cabin. The tension had eased slightly, but the weight of their mission was still heavy in the air.
"This next world," Liora began, "it's more than just another temple. The Nexus showed me something—a spark of resistance. If we can rally them, we might have a chance to turn the tide."
Kade raised an eyebrow. "And if they don't want to be rallied?"
"Then we show them what's at stake," Tharn said, his voice firm. "The Empire won't stop until there's nothing left to fight for."
Liora nodded, her resolve unshakable. "This isn't just about us anymore. The galaxy needs the Nexus—and it needs us to lead the way."