> Disclaimer: Star Wars and all of it's Intellectual Properties is owned by George Lucas and Walt Disney, This fictional work and all of it's original characters are however mine.

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The Stellar Envoy glided carefully through the thinning debris field, its engines humming softly as Tarek guided it closer to their target. The adrenaline still coursed through his veins from the perilous flight, but he masked it with a casual smirk and a steady stream of jokes.

“See? Told you I could dodge a wrench—or in this case, half a starship. No big deal,” Tarek quipped, glancing at Nick-03 in the co-pilot seat.

Nick-03 swiveled its mechanical head, the dim cockpit lights reflecting off its polished casing. “Indeed, Captain Tarek. Your piloting was... sufficient. However, statistical probabilities suggest less boasting and more vigilance.”

Tarek chuckled nervously, gripping the controls a bit tighter. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Captain Nick.”

The tension in the cockpit lightened, but not entirely. The rest of the crew monitored their stations with quiet focus, the recent harrowing navigation still fresh in their minds. Davik remained at the topside laser turret, his sharp eyes scanning for any unexpected threats. Below, Arlos manned the underside turret, his voice coming through the comms as he announced, “All clear on my side, sir.”

As they drew closer to their destination, the shape of a massive structure emerged from the haze of dust and debris. Kado, leaning over the holoprojector in the common area, furrowed his brow. “Is that... a space station?”

The others crowded around to get a better view. Rina quickly tapped on the console, enhancing the holographic image. The derelict station was enormous, a sprawling relic of a bygone era, its skeletal frame illuminated faintly by the ambient light of the nearby system.

“Looks like it,” Jake muttered from his support console. “But that doesn’t mean it’s the vault. Could just be a waypoint or... something worse.”

“I’m just saying,” Kado replied, crossing his arms. “If this is the vault, it’s not exactly what I pictured.”

Anakin, standing next to Rina, is looking at the projection with wide eyes. While Rina asks, “It looks like it’s been here forever. How is it even still standing?”

“Better question,” Shmi added, her voice tinged with curiosity, “how is it still showing power emissions?”

The question sent a ripple of silence through the room. Rina worked quickly to adjust the scanner sweeps, focusing them on the station. Moments later, the results displayed a faint but undeniable energy signature.

Jake leaned over her shoulder, reading the results. “This thing’s been floating out here since before the Ruusan Reformation, and it’s still got power? That shouldn’t be possible. Energy reserves degrade, systems fail...”

“Unless it’s not running on conventional reserves,” Kado interjected.

“Or someone’s been maintaining it,” Davik said grimly over the comms from his turret.

Tarek whistled, the sound cutting through the tension. “Great. Just what we need—space ghosts. Maybe I should’ve gone into farming instead.”

“Focus, Tarek,” Rina snapped, though there was a faint smile on her face.

“Right, right,” Tarek said, guiding the ship into a cautious approach. “Just let me know where to park this beauty.”

Nick-03’s voice buzzed through the cockpit. “Scanners indicate an opening on the station’s starboard side. Recommend docking procedures, Captain Tarek.”

“Captain Tarek,” Tarek repeated with a grin. “I could really get used to that.”

“Don’t,” Jake said dryly over the comms. “You’ll just encourage it.”

Kado’s voice came through next, steady and calm. “Nick, confirm the location of the entrance and relay it to Tarek. Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet.”

Nick-03 processed the command quickly. “Entrance located. Sending coordinates to your console, Captain Tarek.”

The Stellar Envoy adjusted its trajectory, moving slowly and deliberately toward a docking bay on the station’s starboard side. It was one of the few areas clear of debris, the entrance large enough to accommodate the ship but surrounded by faint scorch marks and signs of damage.

Davik reported in from his perch. “No movement detected. Area looks clear.”

“Bottom side is clear as well, sir,” Arlos added over the comms, his polite tone unwavering despite the tension.

Jake, still monitoring the technical systems, chimed in. “Shields are steady. Minimal interference from the station’s energy signature, but I’d still keep them up until we’re docked.”

“Copy that,” Tarek said, exhaling slowly. “Here goes nothing.”

With careful adjustments, he maneuvered the Stellar Envoy closer to the docking bay. The ship’s landing lights illuminated the worn metal of the station’s exterior, revealing faint markings and insignias that had been almost entirely erased by time and decay.

“Easy does it,” Kado muttered, leaning forward in his seat.

The docking clamps engaged with a soft thud, and the ship settled into place. The crew let out a collective breath as the vibrations from the engines subsided.

“We’re docked,” Tarek announced, his voice tinged with relief. “Everyone still alive back there?”

“Barely,” Rina shot back with a teasing smirk.

“Good work,” Kado said. “Now let’s figure out what we’ve just walked into.”

The crew began preparing for their next move, the eerie silence of the station pressing in as they powered down non-essential systems and geared up for exploration.

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The crew of the Stellar Envoy moved swiftly but methodically, their movements deliberate as they prepared to explore the ancient space station. Jake sorted through equipment in the ship’s supply locker, pulling out rebreathers, portable energy packs, and hand-held scanners.

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“Shmi, double-check these seals,” Jake said, handing her a rebreather. “If there’s still power in this station, there’s a chance for life support, but I’m not betting on it after all these centuries.”

Shmi nodded, efficiently inspecting each piece of equipment Jake handed her. “Got it. Anakin, don’t touch anything unless I say so.”

Anakin was crouched nearby, watching curiously as Zero, the small astromech, wheeled about, ensuring none of the equipment Anakin tried to peek at ended up in disarray. The boy huffed but obeyed, keeping close to his mother while Jake muttered to himself, assembling a compact toolkit.

Meanwhile, in the cockpit, the others gathered around the holo-interface. Rina worked the controls, refining their scan of the station's interior. “The layout is fragmented,” she said. “There’s enough interference to make pinpointing paths difficult, but this seems like a central hub. That’s where we’ll likely find something significant—or dangerous.”

Kado studied the projections, his brows furrowed. “Let’s stick to the areas close to the docking bay first. We don’t know what state this place is in. I don’t want anyone wandering too far from an easy retreat.”

“Agreed,” Mira said, leaning against the bulkhead. “I don’t like how quiet this is. Low power or not, something about this station feels... off.”

“Probably haunted,” Tarek quipped from the pilot’s seat. He glanced at Nick-03, who was prepping alongside the others. “What do you think, Nick? Got your ghost detector calibrated?”

Nick-03 tilted its head in a way that almost seemed dismissive. “Haunted is not a scientifically verifiable state, Captain Tarek. However, my sensors are fully operational.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tarek muttered, grinning nervously.

They all turned as Jake entered the cockpit with Shmi and Anakin trailing behind, carrying their gear. “All set. If we run into anything... unexpected, we’re prepared.”

The crew collectively agreed on their plan: Nick-01, Nick-02, and Skew-02 would lead the way, scanning for structural weaknesses, environmental hazards, or other threats. Skew-01, still limping along in its partially repaired state, was deemed unfit for exploration but would stay on standby for ship defense if needed.

Davik grunted as he adjusted his blaster harness. “So it’s me, Mira, Rina, Kado, and now Jake, huh? Fine, but we stick to areas the droids have cleared.”

“I’ll keep my distance if I have to,” Jake said, checking his gear. “But if there’s tech in there, I need to see it up close.”

“Just don’t touch anything that looks like it could explode,” Rina warned, a smirk tugging at her lips.

With that, the droids powered up and marched forward through the docking bay doors. Their scanners hummed as they moved cautiously into the first chamber beyond the airlock. The crew watched tensely from their positions, monitoring the droids’ progress through live feeds displayed on the ship’s central holotable.

Nick-02 transmitted a report first. “Area clear. No signs of structural instability or immediate threats.”

Skew-02’s voice followed, unusually precise. “Atmospheric conditions are breathable, but minimal. Residual oxygen is insufficient for sustained human exposure. Proceed with rebreathers active.”

Mira glanced at Kado. “So far, so good.”

Kado nodded and adjusted the strap on his rifle. “Let’s move.”

The crew donned their rebreathers and stepped cautiously into the derelict station. The air was thin and carried the faint metallic tang of centuries-old decay. They moved into the first chamber, a wide atrium-like area with faint traces of once-functioning machinery embedded into the walls.

Jake’s gaze darted to every console and panel, his fingers itching to investigate further. “This place is incredible. The tech... this has to be from the Old Republic.”

“Focus,” Davik said, his voice low. “Let’s not get too excited until we know it’s safe.”

The group pressed on, following the droids’ lead, every step revealing more of the station’s mysterious interior. Though the space seemed stable, there was an unshakable sense of anticipation hanging in the air. Whatever this station held, it was clear that its secrets wouldn’t be given up easily.

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The crew continued their cautious exploration of the station, maintaining a steady rhythm of scouting and following. The droids led the way through dimly lit corridors and past eerily preserved rooms, transmitting reports back to the crew. Occasionally, their mechanical voices would break the quiet over the comms:

"Warning: detected atmospheric toxicity exceeding safety thresholds. Avoid area."

"Structural compromise in adjacent sections. Alternate routes recommended."

"Low oxygen levels recorded. Breathers required beyond this point."

The reports became so frequent that they began to feel routine. Most of the areas they encountered lacked sufficient oxygen, a stark reminder of the station's incredible age. The fact that some rooms were still sealed enough to retain toxic atmospheres from a bygone era was a testament to the station’s construction—and a significant hazard.

The rooms they entered offered glimpses into the lives of its former occupants. Many appeared to be living quarters, sparsely furnished by the standards of their time. Beds, tables, and lockers stood frozen in time, coated in dust and sometimes warped by the ages. Other spaces were recreational in nature—mess halls, gathering spaces, and even a small viewing deck with windows offering a hauntingly beautiful view of the debris field beyond.

"This place feels like a graveyard," Mira muttered as they passed through one such area. She ran a hand along a long-abandoned console, her fingers tracing grooves worn into its surface.

Kado nodded, keeping his weapon at the ready. "It’s hard not to think about how many people must’ve lived here. Worked here. Died here."

"Let’s not get too sentimental," Davik grunted from his position at the rear. "Focus on the mission. We’re not here to pay respects."

Jake, however, found it difficult to contain his excitement whenever they stumbled across technology-focused sections of the station. These areas were filled with consoles, terminals, and machinery that seemed leagues ahead of their time.

"This is incredible," Jake said, practically bouncing as he knelt beside a terminal. "This tech predates most of what we’ve seen by centuries, and it’s still partially functional. Rina, can you help me slice into this?"

Rina smirked as she joined him, pulling out her datapad and plugging it into the terminal’s interface. "You know, if you were any more excited, you’d be dancing. Let’s see what we’ve got."

With Rina’s slicing skills supplementing Jake’s innate tech-savviness, the two quickly made progress. They managed to access schematics of the surrounding areas, as well as fragments of logs that hinted at the station’s history. Most of the data was corrupted, but the intact portions mentioned terms like “containment protocols” and “experimental artifacts,” which raised more questions than answers.

Not all areas were so welcoming. They encountered sections with automated defenses that activated unexpectedly, targeting the crew the moment they drew near. One such encounter began with the droids declaring an all-clear, only for hidden turrets to emerge and fire on the group as they entered.

"Down!" Kado barked, pulling Rina out of the line of fire as Davik and Mira returned shots from cover.

Jake scrambled back, narrowly avoiding a volley of plasma bolts. "What the hell? I thought the droids said it was safe!"

"They probably were," Rina shouted over the noise. "These defenses might be scanning for organics, not droids!"

After a tense firefight, they managed to disable the turrets, though it left them shaken and wary of further traps.

"Everyone stay sharp," Kado warned. "If this station has defenses still online, we’ll need to assume it’s protecting something important—or dangerous."

Eventually, they reached a large set of reinforced doors that seemed to mark the entrance to a significant area. The droids paused before them, scanning thoroughly before transmitting their results.

"No immediate threats detected. Area secure," Nick-02 reported.

The group approached cautiously, their steps echoing in the wide corridor. The doors bore faded markings and designs that hinted at their importance, though the details were difficult to discern after so many centuries of wear.

"This might be it," Mira said, studying the heavy metal frame.

Jake frowned, rubbing his chin. "It’s too easy. We’ve made it this far without encountering any serious obstacles. Why would the control room—or whatever this is—be so accessible?"

"Good point," Davik said, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Feels like a trap."

Kado sighed, glancing at the group. "Whether it’s a trap or not, we’re here. Let’s figure out a way to get inside. Everyone, stay alert. The station’s been surprising us so far—I doubt it’ll stop now."

With that, they began their preparations to breach the doors, a mixture of anticipation and unease settling over the group as they faced the unknown.

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