With that thought, I summon Lyra's notebook from my pouch of holdings and lay it out on the table. Just as I'm about to flip through its pages, I hear footsteps and turn to see Talia, Rebecca, and Apollo entering the clearing, their blasters drawn, with Apollo's wrist blasters extended. Concern is clear on both Talia and Rebecca's faces.

  "What's going on?" Talia asks, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

  "Are we under attack?" Rebecca adds, her stance tense.

  I chuckle beneath my mask, shaking my head. "No, I'm just testing out a new form of magic."

  Talia's brow furrows. "You can use magic?" She and Rebecca exchange surprised glances as they holster their weapons. Apollo, satisfied there's no threat, returns to his patrol near the cave entrance.

  I gesture to the table where my creations are displayed. "Not exactly," I clarify. "But I can mimic it... using the Force. Something called Transmutation."

  "Transmutation?" Rebecca asks, curiosity filling her voice as she steps closer.

  I hold up the blaster I just created and gesture to the sword and knife lying on the table. "Let's just say, with the right materials, I can create almost anything I can think of."

  Their eyes widen, impressed. Talia picks up the sword, testing its balance, her astonishment growing as she swings it a few times. "Ryu, this sword is incredible! You created this... with Transmutation?" she asks, her tone almost reverent.

  I nod, watching her inspect the weapon.

  She looks at the blaster in my hand, her curiosity deepening. "And the blaster... it actually works?"

  I nod again, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "You heard the shots. It works, alright."

  Talia and Rebecca exchange awestruck glances. Then Talia asks the question I'd been hoping for. "Does that mean... you could rebuild your ship?"

  I take a deep breath, looking down at Lyra's journal. "I don't know yet," I admit, "but I'm going to try." I flip open the notebook, thumbing through the meticulously organized pages filled with Lyra's notes and designs. She had always been thorough, leaving no detail unrecorded, and now, as I skim through her sketches, I feel a wave of nostalgia mingling with determination.

  "Can we watch?" Rebecca asks, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

  I nod, and they gather around as I continue flipping through the pages. Talia, with the sword still in hand, stands beside me, glancing down at the intricate sketches Lyra had made. Her hand gently touches one of the pages, reverent as she scans the detailed drawings of droids and ship parts.

  Finally, I come to a particular page—a beautifully detailed sketch of a sleek, elegant ship. The lines of the design are graceful yet powerful, a design I recognize instantly. It's a J-Type Diplomatic Barge, also known as a Naboo Royal Cruiser. Lyra had been particularly fond of this ship, and she'd often spoken about it with a sparkle in her eyes. She appreciated the craftsmanship and the elegance of its design.

  The page includes an exterior view of the ship, its gleaming, chrome-plated body shaped like an elongated wing, almost like a blade in the vastness of space. It's sleek, with two elongated wings that taper into pointed tips and engines integrated seamlessly into the smooth surface. Its symmetry and shine make it look like it's gliding, even on paper. The ship is as much a piece of art as it is a marvel of engineering.

  On the opposite page, Lyra had meticulously labeled every component. I see detailed schematics of the engine layout, with explanations on its hyperdrive system and its auxiliary power units. There are notes on the defensive capabilities, showing how the shield emitters are concealed within the ship's architecture, and the sensor arrays discreetly embedded along the hull. Her handwriting is small, precise, and in places, affectionate, as if she couldn't help but admire the ship as she drew it.

  Talia sets the sword carefully back on the table, then steps up beside me, her eyes drawn to the intricate sketch of the ship. Rebecca and Nikko move in close as well, their gazes fixed on the drawing. I can see their fascination reflected in their eyes, each of them taking in the ship's sleek, graceful lines, its undeniable elegance captured in Lyra's meticulous strokes.

  "That ship is beautiful," Talia murmurs, admiration clear in her voice.

  Nikko's head tilts slightly as she studies the image. "What kind of ship is that?"

  "It's a J-Type Diplomatic Barge," I explain, my tone softening as memories rise. "But it's more widely known as a Naboo Royal Cruiser. These ships were used by diplomats and royalty of Naboo. Their designs are legendary—some of the most elegant and beautiful ships you'll ever see." I pause, a hint of nostalgia coloring my voice. "Lyra was... very fond of this ship. She dreamed of saving up enough money to build one for herself one day."

  Rebecca, still looking at the drawing, glances up at me with a questioning expression. "Who's Lyra?"

  I feel Talia's gaze shift to Rebecca, and out of the corner of my eye, I notice Nikko's expression change, her ears lowering slightly. Rebecca's eyes dart between them, sensing the sudden shift in the mood. She frowns, concern flickering across her face.

  "Did I... did I say something wrong?" she asks, her voice tentative.

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  Taking a deep breath, I nod slightly. "Lyra was... a close friend of mine."

  Realization dawns in Rebecca's eyes, her mouth forming a silent "oh" as she absorbs the weight of my words. Her cheeks redden slightly, and she looks down, stammering, "I'm so sorry. I-I didn't mean to—"

  "It's okay," I say, offering her a reassuring look. "You didn't know." I give her a small nod to show there are no hard feelings.

  The silence lingers for a moment, but Talia's gentle voice cuts through it, her gaze fixed on the ship sketch. "So... you want to create this specific ship, then?" she asks, her tone soft and understanding.

  I nod, my resolve firm. "Yes. It's more than just a ship—it's something Lyra dreamed of. In a way, bringing it to life would be a way to honor her."

  Rebecca's face brightens a bit as she looks at the ship once more. "Is there anything we can do to help?" she offers, a glimmer of determination in her voice.

  I shake my head, though her offer touches me. "No... Creating this ship will require a lot of concentration," I explain, looking down at the drawing, my mind already racing with the complexities of the task ahead.

  I summon every piece of the Crucible that I have, every bolt, panel, wire, and fragment. Piece by piece, I lay them out in the center of the clearing, creating a sprawling collection of parts that stretches across the ground. The engine parts are heavy and worn, the remnants of the hyperdrive glint faintly in the sunlight, and each small component bears the marks of the journey it's taken with me. Bit by bit, I arrange them meticulously, leaving nothing unaccounted for.

  Next, I have DP-8 bring over the speeder, and it lands beside the carefully laid out parts. Its polished frame catches the light, and as I look over every inch of it, I know what I have to do. "You're going to dismantle the speeder?" Talia asks, her voice filled with concern.

  I nod, sending DP-8 away. "I need every part that I have," I explain. This will take everything.

  The day stretches on as I work. I unscrew every bolt, detach every panel, and strip the speeder down to its core, spreading each component beside the Crucible's remains. The sun climbs higher, bathing the clearing in light, casting long shadows across the scattered parts. Talia, Nikko, and Rebecca sit down on the ground, watching me work, their eyes following each piece as I lay it down. By the time I'm finished, I have a pile of components that looks more like an unrecognizable jigsaw puzzle than the remains of two distinct vehicles.

  Satisfied, I gather all the ingots of various metals—iron, steel, mithril, and more—and add them to the collection of dismantled parts. They glint under the sun, each with its unique color and texture, promising strength and resilience. Finally, I place the crate of mana crystals beside the parts and add two more, their soft blue glow adding an otherworldly shimmer to the mix of components. I keep around a dozen crystals in reserve, tucked away for future creations.

  With a long, steadying breath, I step back, taking in the sight of everything laid out before me. It's an overwhelming collection of materials, but I've prepared as best as I can. I glance at Talia, Nikko, and Rebecca, who are watching intently, their expressions filled with a mixture of curiosity and awe.

  "Please work," I murmur to myself, looking down at Lyra's drawing one last time, studying each graceful line and detail. The ship's image imprints in my mind, every curve and contour becoming vivid as I turn back to the laid-out parts. I raise my hand, focusing, channeling all my energy, and begin the Transmutation.

  At first, I feel the familiar resistance, the initial pushback from the raw materials, but I press forward, summoning every ounce of concentration. The ship begins to form in my mind, piece by piece. The hull, sleek and gleaming; the graceful wings, arching like a bird of prey in flight; the cockpit, streamlined yet spacious. I focus on each individual detail, from the smallest bolts to the broad, polished wings, drawing on Lyra's sketches to guide me.

  The components start to glow, a faint light emanating from each piece as the mana crystals pulse with energy. The ingots heat up, their surfaces shifting, the metals beginning to meld and reshape. I can feel the strain almost immediately; it's like pushing against an immovable wall, each movement demanding an enormous effort. My breathing grows heavier as I channel more energy, my muscles tense, a dull ache beginning to form in the back of my head.

  Gradually, the parts start to lift, hovering inches above the ground, the light intensifying as they come together. The frame begins to form, a skeleton of metal and mana-infused energy, like a ghostly outline of the ship taking shape. The panels start to align, sliding into place along the hull, merging seamlessly as though they were always meant to fit together. Sweat beads on my brow, and I grit my teeth, forcing myself to concentrate harder, refusing to let the image slip from my mind.

  The mana crystals pulse in rhythm with my heartbeat, each beat sending a fresh wave of energy through the materials, urging them to reshape and fuse. The hull becomes more defined, smooth and reflective, with a polished gleam that catches the sunlight. I focus on the wings next, imagining their graceful sweep, their edges sharp and aerodynamic. The metal shifts and bends, forming the elegant curves I envisioned, every angle precise, every line perfect.

  My breathing becomes labored as the process drags on, the Transmutation draining me bit by bit. I can feel the fatigue creeping in, my arms growing heavy, my head pounding with the effort. But I can't stop now—the ship is beginning to take its true form. The engines come together next, intricate layers of metal and crystal intertwining, each component locking into place, humming with latent power.

  The cockpit takes shape, the frame forming a sleek canopy, transparent and seamless, giving a clear view of the interior. I focus on the interior itself, imagining the layout—the controls, the seats, the consoles. The panels align, forming smooth surfaces, and the controls take shape, each button and lever exactly where it needs to be. The mana crystals embed themselves along the inner workings, providing an energy source that hums quietly, an arcane heart within the mechanical body.

  The hyperdrive core forms in the center, intricate and complex, each wire and component sliding into place with precision. The rest of the internal systems follow, aligning and connecting as the ship's structure becomes solid, no longer just a ghostly outline. I force myself to keep going, my vision blurring slightly as exhaustion begins to set in, but I don't relent.

  The ship's gleaming surface smooths out, every joint and seam melting together as if crafted from a single piece of metal. The light around the ship intensifies one final time before fading, leaving only the Naboo Royal Cruiser standing on its landing gear. Its polished chrome body gleams under the sunlight, its wings sweeping out in perfect symmetry, like a blade poised for flight.

  My body feels like it's on the verge of collapse. I stumble back, my legs weak, vision swimming as the world spins. Talia is there in an instant, catching me as I stagger, her hands steadying me as she guides me down to sit on the ground.

  "Papa!" Nikko cries, rushing over, her small hands reaching out to steady me, her face etched with worry.

  I breathe heavily, each breath a struggle, but a deep sense of satisfaction fills me as I look up at the ship before us. I did it.

  There, in the clearing where piles of parts, the dismantled speeder, ingots, and mana crystals once lay, stands the Naboo Cruiser, poised gracefully on its landing gear, the landing ramp extended down to the ground. Its chrome surface gleams in the sun, a beacon of royalty and beauty. Lyra would be so proud.