the starborn legacy

The freighter rumbled as it exited Vrelkar's orbit, its engines humming with a steady rhythm that felt almost soothing compared to the chaos Liora and Kade had left behind. The ship's cockpit was dimly lit, its walls adorned with an array of blinking monitors and mismatched controls, each telling a story of hasty repairs and hard-earned survival.

Tharn Kor stood at the helm, his hands steady on the controls. His eyes, sharp and calculating, darted between the viewscreen and a series of coordinates displayed on a cracked console.

"You still haven't told me where you're headed," Tharn said without looking back.

Liora exchanged a glance with Kade, who shrugged. "We don't exactly have a destination," she admitted.

Tharn's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Figures. You two don't seem like the planning type."

"We're looking for the Starborn," Liora said, her voice firm despite the uncertainty she felt.

Tharn paused, his hands hovering over the controls. He turned slowly, his gaze piercing. "The Starborn? You're serious?"

Liora nodded, lifting her hand to show him the faintly glowing Sigil on her palm. The light reflected off Tharn's face, and his expression darkened.

"I've seen that mark before," he said quietly.

"You have?" Liora stepped closer, her heart racing.

Tharn nodded, his jaw tightening. "Years ago. During the war. The Starborn fought alongside us—until they didn't."

"What happened?" Kade asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"They disappeared," Tharn replied, his voice bitter. "Some were captured, others went into hiding. The rest… I don't know. But one thing's for sure: the galaxy hasn't been the same since."

Liora's chest tightened. The weight of the Starborn legacy felt heavier than ever. "The beacon we activated—it's supposed to call them back. If there are any left, they'll come."

Tharn studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he turned back to the controls. "You're either the bravest person I've ever met or the most foolish. Maybe both."

Hours later, the freighter emerged from hyperspace, its destination a remote system on the edge of the galaxy. The viewscreen filled with the image of a massive asteroid belt, its jagged rocks illuminated by the light of a distant star.

"This is where we regroup," Tharn said. "The Empire doesn't bother with places like this. Too dangerous."

As the freighter navigated the treacherous field, Liora felt a flicker of hope. Maybe they could find allies here. Maybe the beacon's call had already reached someone.

The ship docked at a hidden outpost carved into the side of a massive asteroid. The structure was crude but functional, its corridors lit by flickering lights. Tharn led them inside, his boots echoing against the metal floors.

The outpost's inhabitants were a motley crew of smugglers, traders, and ex-soldiers. They eyed Liora and Kade with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, but no one approached them.

"Stay close," Tharn warned, leading them to a small command room at the center of the outpost.

Inside, a holographic map of the galaxy flickered above a round table. A group of figures stood around it, deep in discussion. One of them—a tall woman with silver hair and sharp, angular features—looked up as they entered.

"Tharn," she said, her voice cool and commanding. "You're late."

"Ran into some trouble," Tharn replied, gesturing toward Liora and Kade. "Picked up a couple of strays along the way."

The woman's gaze shifted to Liora, her eyes narrowing. "And who are you?"

Liora hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But before she could answer, the Sigil on her hand flared, casting a bright, golden light across the room.

The woman's expression shifted, her cool demeanor replaced by something that looked almost like reverence. "A Starborn," she whispered.

Liora lowered her hand, the light fading. "I'm Liora Veylan. And I need your help."

The room fell silent as the figures around the table exchanged glances. Finally, the silver-haired woman stepped forward, extending a hand.

"I'm Dr. Myral Dax," she said. "And if you truly are a Starborn, you've come to the right place."

For the first time in days, Liora felt a spark of hope. The outpost wasn't much, but it was a start. And with allies like Tharn and Dr. Dax, maybe—just maybe—they stood a chance against the Empire.

But deep down, she knew the hardest part was still to come.