Finally she ran onto the bridge. A few crew members remained at work even in dock, partly for security reasons, partly because equipment function could never be perfect enough. In the center of it all stood a Bivall woman, her ridged head cocked as she studied the readouts, until she heard the footsteps and turned. At the sight of Affie, Scover Byne smiled. “There you are.”

Affie wrapped her arms around Scover, hugging her as tightly as she dared. Scover hugged back—not as tightly, because Bivalls didn’t let themselves get carried away about much. Still, it was a hug.

“I’m so glad you’re all right,” Affie said. “When we heard about the hyperspace disaster—what happened to the Legacy Run—”

“My travels had concluded by that time.” Scover studied Affie’s face. “I trust you did not let your fears distract you.”

“No. Leox got me to see reason pretty quickly, so I was able to keep working.” Affie pretended not to notice the small crinkle on Scover’s brow at the mention of Leox Gyasi. Scover just didn’t get Leox. A lot of people didn’t. Despite their recent disagreements, Affie wanted to stick up for him whenever possible. Eventually Scover would realize what a great pilot he truly was. “That doesn’t mean I’m not glad to see you.”

“As I am glad to see you. We had no confirmation of the Vessel’s safe location.” Scover’s voice was cool, but she combed stray strands of Affie’s hair away from her face as she spoke. “You could have delivered neither of your cargoes under these conditions. Let Captain Gyasi know it will not be counted against him in the Guild metrics.”

“I will.”

“But—” Scover paused slyly. “May I take it that one of your cargoes went undiscovered by the other?”

Affie pieced that together. “Oh. No worries. Our secret remains safe in temperature-controlled storage.”

Even Scover had to smile at that. “We have some days before the hyperspace lanes will be fully opened again. Shall we use some of this time to explore Coruscant together?”

“Absolutely.” Affie basked in the attention from her foster mother; as the busy manager of a shipping guild, Scover could rarely devote her full attention to Affie or to anyone. Now, however, they’d have a chance to spend quality time together.

And a chance for Affie to finally ask Scover some serious questions.

Within the heart of the Temple of Coruscant, in the Shrine in the Depths, the idols seemed to glow. Their burnished surfaces caught the candledroids’ light, and the jewels’ color brightened against the dusky gold. Cohmac stood amid them, trying to understand their nature and their secret histories.

What darkness is contained within these idols?