In the quiet aftermath of the upheaval he had caused within the Black Sun, Nightstar found himself sharing a secluded spot on the outskirts of a quiet spaceport with Serra. The stars above were muted by the artificial lights of the port, casting an otherworldly glow on their meeting.
Serra looked across at him, her face illuminated by the soft light of a nearby lamp. "Nightstar, have you thought about what happens next? For us, I mean."
Nightstar, his helmet off and resting beside him, revealed a thoughtful expression rarely seen by anyone. "I work for credits, not causes or ideals. That's always been my way," he stated plainly, his voice tinged with a slight uncertainty about her reaction.
Serra nodded, understanding the gravity of his lifestyle. "I know. And as a Jedi, or what's left of one, that could be a deal breaker for me. The Order is gone, Nightstar. I'm tired of running, tired of being alone."
She paused, gathering her thoughts. "I can join you, not for the... dirtier jobs, maybe not ever. But I'm a skilled engineer. I can maintain the ship and make improvements. Your droid dog, too," she added with a small smile, looking at the mechanical creature resting by Nightstar's feet. "I'll call him Deuce."
Nightstar considered her words. The idea of having someone aboard, not for the fighting or the contracts but for the sheer companionship and support, was foreign yet not unwelcome. "I don't need help with the dirty work," he admitted. "But having you on board, keeping the *Second Fury* and Deuce in top condition, and just... not being alone—it's more appealing than I expected."
Serra's face lit up, a spark of hope flickering in her eyes. "Then it's settled. I'll join you on those terms. But you should know it may take me some time to adjust to your world."
"I understand," Nightstar replied, a sense of resolve settling in. "And I'll protect you—from the Empire, from bounty hunters, from anyone who tries to claim that bounty on your head."
Serra extended her hand, and Nightstar took it, their handshake sealing the new phase of their partnership. "Thank you," she said sincerely, "for this chance."
As they walked back to the *Second Fury, Nightstar felt an unfamiliar sense of camaraderie. Serra's presence would change the dynamic of his operations, certainly, but perhaps for the better. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to consider a future that might involve more than just the next contract, more than the solitary path he had always known.
As Serra set about making herself familiar with the ship's systems, Nightstar watched her with cautious optimism. Deuce, now christened with his new name, seemed to approve as well, following Serra around with an attentiveness that made Nightstar almost envious.
The galaxy was still a dangerous place, teeming with threats and challenges, but now Nightstar faced it not as a lone predator but as part of an unlikely duo, bound not by idealism or duty but by mutual need and, perhaps, in time, mutual respect.