Star Wars: Starkiller

Once we finished, we began dressing in silence, though my eyes often wandered toward her. I couldn't help it. Sabine's presence had a way of capturing my attention, even in the most mundane moments. As she fastened the last pieces of her armor, I noticed how the soft light of the cabin highlighted the colors of her gear and the strands of rebellious hair that brushed lightly against her neck.

"Well, that was fun." I finally said with a sincere smile as I finished buttoning my shirt.

Sabine let out a brief laugh, the kind that always seemed to brighten any room. "Yeah, it was." She replied, her tone carrying a playful edge, as if we shared a secret no one else could understand.

As I adjusted my belt, I found myself asking, almost without thinking, "Hey, next time we meet, do you…?" I left the question unfinished, letting it hang in the air.

"Yes, I do." she answered immediately, leaving no room for doubt. Her response brought a smile to my face that I couldn't hide.

"Great." I murmured, stepping closer. She didn't pull away; instead, she leaned into the moment, and our lips met in one last kiss. This one wasn't like the others—it wasn't fueled by desire but by a mutual need, a silent acknowledgment that whatever came next, we'd face it apart.

When we finally pulled away, neither of us spoke. There was no need. We shared a glance that conveyed more than any words could, then walked calmly toward the cockpit.

There, PROXY greeted us, turning his head toward us with his characteristic efficiency. "Hello, Master. I hope you both rested well back there."

Sabine and I exchanged a quick glance, a mix of complicity and amusement, but neither of us responded.

At that moment, the lights on the control panel began to flicker, and a fleet appeared before us, patrolling the area. Though small, it stood out with a mix of corvettes and cargo ships, led by a command cruiser. Before I could assess further, two ships detached from the main fleet, quickly approaching the Rogue Shadow.

I didn't recognize the design, but their distinctive "A" shape suggested a custom build. As they reached our flanks, the communicator activated with a warning tone.

"Unidentified vessel, you are in restricted space. Turn back, identify yourself, or we will open fire," said a firm voice over the channel.

I sighed and pressed the communicator button. It was already the second time that day someone had threatened to blow up my ship. "Here we go again," I muttered to myself.

"Don't shoot. This is the Rogue Shadow. I'm Galen, a member of the Ghost crew," I responded in a calm but steady tone.

The line went silent for a few seconds that felt like an eternity until the same voice returned. "Rogue Shadow, we'll escort you to the command ship."

The ships flanking us began guiding the Rogue Shadow toward the largest vessel in the fleet. As we drew closer, I adjusted the controls and activated the ship's docking system. The metallic hull echoed as we connected to the command cruiser.

A group of guards greeted us as we disembarked, their uniforms worn but well-kept. They escorted us with firm but non-hostile movements toward a large door that hissed open hydraulically.

"Galen, Sabine." A warm, familiar voice called out, stopping us in our tracks. It was Hera.

Without hesitation, the Twi'lek captain closed the distance between us and pulled both of us into an embrace that, to my surprise, included the two of us. "I'm so glad you're here," she said, her tone full of genuine relief.

Sabine was the first to return the hug, while I did so with a bit more awkwardness. I knew my stay would be brief, and the thought of leaving already weighed on me.

"I knew you'd come back. But please, next time, send a message. We were all worried sick about you." Hera said as she pulled back slightly to look at us.

"I'm sorry for not keeping in touch, Captain." I said with a tone of genuine apology.

Hera turned to me, her expression softening. "Galen…" she said before hugging me again, this time just me. "That doesn't matter. I'm just glad you're safe." Her tone had a maternal undertone that caught me off guard, but I didn't reject the gesture.

When she finally let go, her demeanor shifted. Her eyes reflected the seriousness of a leader but also the warmth of someone who trusted us.

"Welcome to the Phoenix Squadron Command Center," she said, gesturing broadly with her hands to indicate the space. "Now that you're here—"

"Hera, wait a second," I interrupted, my tone carrying an unavoidable farewell. "I can't stay."

"What?" she asked, clearly confused, her lekku twitching slightly in surprise.

"Yeah, Galen has to leave." Sabine interjected in a more controlled tone.

"I'm sorry, Hera," I continued. "I know you're happy I'm here, and it's a long story, but I met Bail Organa." I watched as her eyes widened slightly at the mention of the senator's name. "He told me how to find you. I only came back to drop off Sabine. He's entrusted me with a personal mission."

"Bail Organa gave you a personal mission…" Hera repeated, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her voice. "Galen, you're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"I suppose," I replied with a shrug. "The point is, I have to leave for Coruscant immediately. I'll be acting as a bodyguard for a while."

Hera took in my words silently before nodding with understanding.

"Galen, I understand." She said, surprising me.

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," she said with a reassuring smile. "I don't know what kind of deal you've made with Bail Organa, but I know him, and I trust him. Do what you have to do. Just remember, there will always be a place for you on the Ghost."

Her words stirred a pang of guilt in my chest, though I managed to hide it behind a faint smile.

"Understood, Captain." I said, giving her a military salute. "Thank you… for everything."

"Don't thank me, Galen. It was a pleasure having you as part of the team," Hera replied, her voice full of warmth.

Suddenly, I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. Though I didn't flinch, I had already sensed his presence approaching.

"She's right, you know?" Kanan said, his voice calm yet firm.

"Kanan." I responded, turning to face him, letting a small smile form on my lips.

"It's good to see you again, kid. And even better knowing you're still in one piece," he remarked, evaluating me with those eyes that always seemed to see more than they revealed.

"It was good to see you all, too. Good luck with whatever you're doing here," I replied respectfully, with the seriousness this kind of farewell deserved.

"So… I guess this is goodbye, huh?" Sabine's voice came from behind me, carrying a mix of resignation and sadness.

"For now, it seems that way." I replied, turning to look at her. She nodded slowly, but before I could say anything else, she took me by surprise.

Suddenly, her lips met mine, and instinctively, I responded to the kiss. It was a gesture filled with emotion, a mixture of everything we couldn't say with words. For a few seconds, the world seemed to stop. But when we pulled apart, I remembered we weren't alone.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kanan's expression, clearly surprised, while Hera struggled to hide a smile that eventually appeared.

"Well, looks like someone didn't waste any time." Kanan teased with a slight chuckle in his tone.

Hera, not missing a beat, gave him a light nudge on the shoulder, shaking her head in amusement.

Sabine and I shared a knowing smile, but soon our gazes met again, and the joy faded. In its place, a silent sadness remained. We both knew what this moment meant—we wouldn't see each other for a long time.

Without saying anything else, and to avoid prolonging the inevitable, I turned and began walking toward the exit. I felt their eyes fixed on me as I walked away, their presences still strong, like an anchor I knew I had to leave behind.

The corridor was quiet, its metallic walls reflecting the dim light, and my footsteps echoed in the silence. As I made my way to my ship, a flood of memories began to assault my mind.

I recalled the countless adventures we'd shared. The desperate missions, the plans that seemed impossible but that we always managed to pull off. The conversations around the Ghost's table, the jokes that helped ease the tension during the darkest moments. The faces of each of them, their laughter, their words.

A faint smile appeared on my face as I walked, lost in those memories that now seemed so vivid. I knew I'd carry them with me, that they'd be a part of me no matter what the future held.

And so, with those thoughts, I moved forward, leaving behind a part of my life that would always be special, but that I also knew I had to let go of… for now.

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