“Official Guild representative trumps the captain every time.” With a shrug, Leox was handing over ownership of the thing he loved most in the world—the thing he could’ve claimed for his own in a heartbeat. Although Scover had showered a few fine things on Affie over the years, she had never received a more generous gift.

The Republic official seemed willing to take Leox’s word for it. To Affie she said, “Will you be changing the designation of the ship?”

“No,” Affie said, a grin spreading across her face. “This is the Vessel, always and forever. And Leox Gyasi remains her captain. He just…works for me.”

Leox was smiling, too, as he shook his head. “What have I got myself into?”

As the Republic official went on her way, Affie hugged Leox with all her strength. “I want it all to remain the same. Just like it was before, except this time we’re in it just for ourselves. On our own.”

“Works for me, Little Bit—and I can call you that again, because you’ve become my boss, which means the nickname has become ironic.”

Was she going to fight him on that? Maybe later, Affie decided. “All three of us—wait. Where’s Geode?”

In the spaceship depot, Orla looked from the sample holo she’d been given to the actual item: the new ship that would be hers. Almost pyramidal in structure, with three engines, a pointed prow, and an equally angular stern, the ship had a sharpness to it—like a dart or a shard of glass. Like Orla herself. The vessel gleamed against the stark blackness of the depot, its pearlescent hull as beautiful as any jewel.

The sales droid whirred up to her. “If you wish to enter the ship—”

“Oh, yes. Yes, I do.”

Orla stepped within her new ship almost with reverence. During the hyperspace disaster, and the events on the Amaxine station, she’d wondered whether she was being selfish by declaring herself a Wayseeker and setting out on her own. Now that it was all over, however, she found herself newly certain of her choice. The galaxy was bigger and stranger than any one being could ever know. There was a place for the Jedi Order to operate within it—and places for other Jedi to discover on their own. Serving the Order was important, but she could never give it the best of herself unless she knew herself, her instincts, and the Force more truly. She’d never felt more ready for the journey to begin.

“She’s beautiful,” Orla said, running her hand along the sleek pilot’s chair. “A work of art. Pass my compliments on to the designers.”

The sales droid’s lights blinked with pride. “Does that mean you’ll take it?”

“After a little haggling on the price.” Orla shrugged. “What can I say? I’m in love with it, but that’s one hell of a markup.”