After the events on Korriban, we set back out toward the Outer Rim.

  “Roan… Please come to the dining area,” Teya's voice came through the comm system, soft yet insistent.

  Getting up from my bunk, I sluggishly made my way to the dining area, the hum of the food synthesizer in the corner offering a strange comfort. As I entered, I could see the table set with care.

  “Surprise!” Retra exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across her face as she motioned to the spread of food laid out before me.

  The dishes before me were simple—eggs, vegetables, and fruits. The standard youngling diet, humble and straightforward. It wasn’t much, but it was made with the best intentions.

  “I wasn’t sure what you liked to eat,” Teya explained, her voice tinged with hesitation. “This is all we had back at the Order.”

  I nodded in understanding, trying to push down the unexpected wave of emotion that surged within me. “That’s fair,” I said, trying to mask the sting in my chest. The mention of the Order hit harder than I expected, but I swallowed it down.

  “I had the idea to make something you’d like to cheer you up… but I don’t even know your favorite foods,” Retra lamented, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly. It was a surprisingly vulnerable gesture coming from her, and it softened the edge of her usual boldness.

  Among the variety of dishes, some of the eggs were fried, just the way I liked them. Teya remembered. I reveled in the crunchy taste and the gooey yolks. “It’s perfect, thanks.”

  The meal didn’t last long before the ship’s alert system beeped, notifying us of a distress call. We had just re-entered range.

  Teya checked the alert. “It’s from a ship named Black Wing.”

  “We probably should ignore it,” Retra suggested, her voice laced with indifference.

  “No!” Xanthe’s voice practically screamed in my mind, filled with urgency. “I sense my sisters and great pain.”

  I winced at Xanthe’s outburst. It was something my companions had come to realize—when Xanthe spoke, it was loud and commanding. Unavoidable.

  “What’s Xanthe saying?” Both Retra and Teya asked almost in unison.

  “She senses Murakami orchids in pain. She says we must go,” I answered, urgency rising in my voice.

  As the ship entered range, I spotted the large dark vessel ahead. Its design practically screamed Sith architecture.

  “You sure about this?” I asked my flower friend, hesitating.

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  “Yes, there is nothing my sisters can do that I cannot protect you from,” Xanthe reassured me, her calm voice a sharp contrast to my nerves.

  Our vessel docked with the abandoned Sith ship, and as we stepped inside, the wrongness of the place hit me immediately. The air felt heavy, thick with something dark and ancient.

  Just feet within the airlock, I saw someone standing there. The man was facing away from me, his back turned.

  “Hello?” I called out cautiously.

  “The life within that thing is not of the vessel but the cells of my sisters. The man himself is dead,” Xanthe’s voice again, filled with a quiet sorrow, echoed in my mind.

  Before I had a chance to process her words, the figure turned toward me, running and howling, “Grrl!”

  It didn’t make it within six feet of me before I sent my Firefly blade right through its head. The body crumpled to the floor, lifeless.

  “What the frak, Xan?” I thought, my frustration and confusion palpable.

  “Undead through the use of Murakami orchids and viruses. I thought this barbaric ritual had ended, but apparently, there are always foolish Sith seeking immortality,” Xanthe explained, her voice tinged with disgust.

  “What the heck do you want me to do now?” I asked, my voice growing more frustrated but focused.

  “Place your hand atop the carcass. I will reclaim my sister’s cells. I will purge the virus and make antibodies,” she instructed, matter-of-factly.

  I did as she asked, placing my hand on the dead body. Black lines traced up my hand as the cells entered my body, and I felt Xanthe’s presence surge through me, intertwining with the cells.

  “Is this going to make me stronger, having Murakami cells entwined in my body?” I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity.

  Xanthe shook her head mentally. “No, but it will boost my power, and through our bond, that power is shared.”

  I felt a slight sense of disappointment, but it made sense. I had hoped for more. Xanthe giggled mentally in my mind, her amusement clear at my lack of exuberance. Not every opportunity was meant to boost my own power.

  “The antibodies are ready. Let the girls know,” Xanthe informed me.

  “Xan says the antibodies are ready,” I told them.

  I hesitated and then asked mentally, “How do I give them the cells and antibodies?”

  “I will place them within your saliva,” Xanthe replied.

  “…What?!”

  “Just give them a tongue kiss,” Xanthe teased, her tone playful.

  “Are you serious?” The room suddenly felt unbearably hot.

  “What did Xanthe say? You’re blushing,” Retra asked, noticing the sudden change in my demeanor.

  “Yeah, you’ve been quiet for a few minutes, and you’re sweating,” Teya commented, concerned.

  “She… she says the antibodies are in my saliva...” I choked out, my face redder than I thought possible.

  “Pfft! Oh yeah, give me the love,” Retra smirked, clearly amused.

  “What?!!” Teya nearly shouted but quickly covered her mouth. We didn’t know how many more of these zombies were lurking on the massive vessel, and she could have accidentally summoned a small horde.

  “Don’t worry, I can kiss him first,” Retra teased, clearly enjoying herself.

  “That’s not better,” Teya blushed, her face turning an impressive shade of purple.

  “I’m reluctant too, Teya, but we’re being exposed to the virus right now. I’m currently immune, and you need that immunity as soon as possible. Let’s just get this over with,” I informed her, trying to mask the discomfort I was feeling.

  “F-fine,” Teya replied, her voice laced with reluctance, and she closed her eyes, bracing herself.

  I kissed her, and the sensation was unlike anything I had experienced. Words couldn’t capture the moment—the warmth, the feeling of her almost leaning into me. Her resistance melted as we connected, but just as I was starting to process what was happening, something changed.

  Before either of us could fully absorb the weight of what had just passed between us, Retra pressed her lips to mine. The same kind of kiss, and just as many sparks. She didn’t seem eager to break away, but eventually, I needed to breathe. I pulled back, and she let out a soft, almost disappointed lament.

  Without skipping a beat, Retra drew her lightsaber. “Let’s go kill some zombies.”