Leia and Han invited KB and Wim to their palace on Yavin IV, hoping to give them a chance to explore their powers under Luke's guidance. Fern dropped them off at the palace, teasing them both mercilessly as they disembarked. *"Try not to get too distracted by all the Jedi stuff,"* Fern said with a wink. *"And if you do, make sure to share the details."*
KB rolled her eyes, but Wim laughed, his cheeks turning red. *"We'll be fine, Fern. Try not to drive Jod and SM-33 too crazy while we're gone."*
Fern smirked. *"Oh, I'll do my best. But no promises."*
As Fern and the rest of the crew headed to a newly formed Republic outpost in the Outer Rim, KB and Wim settled into the palace on Yavin. The grounds were lush and serene, a stark contrast to the chaos of their adventures aboard the *Eclipse Horizon*. Luke greeted them warmly, his presence calm and reassuring.
"I've heard a lot about you both,"* Luke said, his eyes twinkling. *"KB, your connection to the Nexus is fascinating. And Wim, your raw power is impressive. But power without control can be dangerous. That's what I'm here to help with."*
Over the next few days, KB and Wim trained with Luke, exploring their powers and learning new techniques. KB's mind-reading abilities deepened, allowing her to connect with Wim in ways they had never imagined. They shared dreams, memories, and emotions, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.
One evening, as they sat together in the palace gardens, KB reached out to Wim through their connection. *"Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we had met earlier?"* she asked, her voice soft.
Wim smiled, his hand brushing hers. *"All the time. But I think we met exactly when we were supposed to. The Nexus brought us together for a reason."*
KB nodded, her heart full. *"I think you're right."*
Ben Solo: A Force to Be Reckoned With*
Meanwhile, Ben Solo was proving to be a handful. His raw Force power manifested in unpredictable ways, from levitating his toys to accidentally knocking over furniture. Han, ever the pragmatist, found himself constantly cleaning up after his son's messes. *"Kid, can't you just play with your toys like a normal two-year-old?"* Han grumbled one afternoon, after Ben had sent a stack of dishes flying across the room.
Leia, however, saw the potential in her son. *"He's special, Han. And he needs guidance. That's why Luke is here."*
Luke, for his part, was patient with Ben, teaching him simple exercises to help him control his powers. But he also understood the importance of letting Ben be a child. *"The Force is a part of him,"* Luke explained to Han and Leia. *"But it's not all he is. He needs to learn balance—just like Wim and KB."*
The Outer Rim: A New Threat*
While KB and Wim trained on Yavin, the rest of the *Eclipse Horizon* crew was busy investigating reports of an Imperial remnant threatening nearby colonies. The remnant was said to be operating from an old Imperial dreadnought, and the crew knew they had to act fast.
Fern and Jod took charge of the mission, their dynamic as co-captains both entertaining and effective. Fern, officially holding the captain's seat, led the discussions with her usual wit and charm, while Jod provided strategic insights born from his years as a pirate. Jax, ever the joker, tried to interject with his own ideas, earning a glare and a smirk from Fern and Jod. *"You're not the captain, Jax,"* Fern said, her tone teasing but firm. *"But nice try."*
Neal, ever the voice of reason, chimed in. *"Actually, Jax has a point. If we can disable their shields before engaging, we'll have a better chance of taking them down."*
Fern nodded, her expression serious. *"Alright, let's go with that. But Jax, next time, try not to sound like you're auditioning for my job."*
As the crew investigated the colonies, they found evidence of the Imperial remnant's activities. The threat was real, and they knew they had to act quickly. But even as they prepared for battle, Fern couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for the serenity of Yavin. *"I could use a break from all this,"* she muttered to herself. *"Maybe I'll trade places with KB for a while."*
A Telepathic Connection: KB and Fern*
Back on Yavin, KB inadvertently connected to Fern through their telepathic link. The connection was unnerving at first, but Fern quickly warmed to it. *"KB? Is that you?"* Fern projected, her mental voice tinged with surprise.
"Yeah, it's me,"* KB replied, her tone apologetic. *"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I was just... thinking about you."*
Fern chuckled. *"Well, it's nice to hear your voice, even if it's in my head. How's Yavin?"*
KB smiled, her mind drifting to the serene palace grounds. *"It's beautiful. Luke's been teaching us so much. Wim's getting better at controlling his powers, and I've been exploring my connection to the Nexus. It's... peaceful."*
Fern sighed, her tone wistful. *"Sounds amazing. I could use a little peace right now. Jod and SM-33 are driving me up the wall."*
KB laughed. *"I can imagine. But you've got this, Fern. You always do."*
As they caught up, KB shared more about her and Wim's experiences at the palace, including some of the dreams they had shared. Fern listened with a mix of amusement and envy. *"Sounds like you two are having quite the adventure,"* Fern said, her tone teasing. *"Maybe I'll have to visit Yavin after all."*
KB smiled, her heart full. *"You're always welcome, Fern. You're family."*
A New Path Forward*
As the crew of the *Eclipse Horizon* continued their mission in the Outer Rim, and KB and Wim deepened their training on Yavin, they all knew one thing for certain: their journey was far from over. The Nexus had brought them together for a reason, and now, with Luke's guidance and their newfound connections, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Together, they would explore the stars, protect the galaxy, and continue to build something new—a future filled with balance, connection, and hope. And as they looked out at the endless expanse of space, they knew that their story was just beginning.
Late-Night Banter and Shared Dreams*
The *Eclipse Horizon* hummed softly as it drifted through the Outer Rim, its crew scattered across the ship, each lost in their own thoughts and tasks. In the cockpit, Fern and Jax shared the captain's seat, their banter filling the quiet night. The cockpit, now connected to their shared captain's quarters, had become a place of both work and play—though Fern would never admit to the latter.
"You know,"* Jax said, leaning back in the chair with a smirk, *"this seat is technically mine. I mean, I *did* help steal this ship."*
Fern rolled her eyes, kicking her feet up on the console. *"Please. You 'helped' by standing there looking pretty while I did all the work. Besides, the seat's mine. I'm the official captain, remember?"*
Jax grinned, leaning closer. *"Yeah, but you like having me around. Admit it."*
Fern shot him a look, but there was no real annoyance in her eyes. *"Maybe. But don't let it go to your head."*
Their joking banter was interrupted by the occasional hiss of the cockpit windows fogging up, a result of their less-than-professional activities. They were almost caught a couple of times—once by SM-33, who whirred in with a sarcastic comment about *"inefficient use of ship resources,"* and another time by Neal, who had taken the helm to steer the ship. Neal, ever the dutiful pilot, simply raised an eyebrow and muttered something about *"captains setting a better example."*
SM-33 and Neal, meanwhile, bonded over their shared annoyance with Fern and Jax's antics. *"Query: Why do organic beings insist on engaging in such... inefficient behavior?"* SM-33 asked, his photoreceptors flickering with disapproval.
Neal sighed, leaning back in his chair. *"I don't know, SM-33. But if I have to hear one more joke about the windows fogging up, I might just eject them both out the airlock."*
Kira's Mission: A New Shuttle and Old Memories*
While Fern and Jax enjoyed their late-night banter, Kira was busy traveling down to the planets in the Outer Rim in a new shuttle that Jod had "acquired" as his first official act as co-captain. Jax had teased him mercilessly about it, claiming that stealing ships was *his* job. *"You're stepping on my turf, Jod,"* Jax had said with a grin. *"Next thing you know, you'll be stealing my jokes too."*
Jod had simply smirked, his crimson lightsaber gleaming at his side. *"Someone had to step up. You were too busy flirting with Fern."*
As Kira piloted the shuttle, she found herself reflecting on the crew's journey. Neal had confided in her before she left, sharing how much he missed hanging out with Wim. *"We used to be best friends,"* Neal had said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. *"Back when we first found the *Onix Cinder* and SM-33 buried under tons of dirt on At Attin. Wim called 'claimsies' on being captain, and I was just... anxious. Homesick. I was only twelve."*
Kira had comforted him, her voice gentle. *"Relationships change, Neal. Wim's Force powers gave him confidence, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about you. You're still his best friend. He's just... figuring things out with KB."*
Neal had nodded, but Kira could tell he still felt a little lost. She made a mental note to talk to Wim about it when they reunited.
A Shared Dream: Fern's Embarrassment*
Back on Yavin, KB and Wim were deep in training with Luke. Late one night, as they drifted off to sleep, KB accidentally connected Fern to their shared dream. It was a vivid, intimate moment—one that neither Fern nor Wim had expected.
Fern's eyes flew open as she found herself standing in the middle of Wim and KB's dream, her face turning scarlet. *"Oh, stars,"* she muttered, covering her eyes. *"I did *not* need to see that."*
Wim, equally embarrassed, quickly pulled on a shirt. *"KB, what the—?"*
KB, mortified, tried to explain. *"I didn't mean to! It was an accident, I swear!"*
Fern, still blushing, waved a hand. *"Yeah, yeah, just... put a shirt on, Wim. And maybe warn me next time you decide to share your dreams with the whole galaxy."*
Once the initial shock wore off, the three of them managed to laugh it off. Fern and KB caught up on the latest developments in the Outer Rim, while Wim shared updates on his training with Luke. *"Leia says I'm starting to rival Obi-Wan's fighting style,"* Wim said, his tone a mix of pride and humility.
Fern smirked. *"Well, don't let it go to your head. You're still the same dork who used to trip over his own feet."*
The Outer Rim Threat: A New Mine*
As Fern and KB continued their telepathic conversation, Kira reported back with new intel. She had discovered that the Imperial remnant was searching for another mine like the one on At Attin—a mine filled with credits that could rebuild the Empire's control of the region. *"If they find it,"* Kira said, her voice grim, *"they'll have the resources to take over the entire Outer Rim."*
Wim nodded, his expression serious. *"I'll inform Luke. He might know how to handle this."*
KB, meanwhile, shared how Wim's training was progressing. *"He's getting really good,"* she said, her tone proud. *"Leia says he's starting to move like Obi-Wan. It's kind of amazing to watch."*
Fern chuckled. *"Well, tell him to save some of that amazing for the rest of us. We could use a little help out here."*
As their telepathic link ended, Fern returned to the cockpit, where Jod and SM-33 were waiting. *"Well,"* she said, plopping down in the captain's chair, *"that was... something. I'm going to have to learn to get used to morning interruptions, I guess."*
Jod raised an eyebrow. *"Morning interruptions?"*
Fern waved a hand dismissively. *"Don't ask. Just... let's focus on the mission."*
A New Dream: Moving Forward*
As Fern headed to bed, she couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. The crew of the *Eclipse Horizon* had been through so much together—battles, betrayals, and now shared dreams. But through it all, they had remained a family.
As she drifted off to sleep, Fern found herself smiling. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they were in this together. And no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them as a crew, as friends, and as family.
The *Eclipse Horizon* continued its journey through the stars, its crew united and ready for whatever came next. And somewhere, in the quiet of the night, the Nexus whispered its final message: *"You are the bridge. The link between the past and the future. The one who can bring them together."*
The journey was far from over, but for now, the crew of the *Eclipse Horizon* could rest easy, knowing they were exactly where they were meant to be.
The Return of Thrawn and Ezra Bridger*
The *Eclipse Horizon* crew's mission in the Outer Rim took a dramatic turn when Kira, during an away mission, discovered that Grand Admiral Thrawn had returned. The news sent a chill through the crew—Thrawn was a brilliant strategist and a formidable enemy. But there was a silver lining: Ezra Bridger was closer than ever to returning, and he had been stowing away on Thrawn's ship after the Purrgil, the hyperspace whales, had taken them to the edge of known space.
Fern immediately relayed the news to Kaden and Sabine, who were on their way to join the *Eclipse Horizon*. Sabine's reaction was a mix of excitement and determination. *"Thrawn's back? That's bad news. But Ezra's close? That's the best news I've heard in years."*
Kaden, Sabine and Ezra's son, was equally eager. *"If Dad's been chasing Thrawn this whole time, we need to help him. Thrawn's not getting away again."*
Sabine's reunion with Ezra had been passionate and life-changing, leading to Kaden's birth. But shortly after, Ezra had left to continue his pursuit of Thrawn, leaving Sabine and Ahsoka behind to deal with a rogue dark Jedi. Now, with Thrawn's new target revealed—an old hidden Republic mint—Sabine was determined to reunite with Ezra and put an end to Thrawn's plans once and for all.