"AND HERE ARE THE BARRACKS WHERE WE CLONES SLEEP," Fives announced, his voice echoing in the corridor.

I nodded, peering inside the room for just a moment. It seemed nice, but small - a place I could never be, should I ever have the chance to sleep. The thought of being confined in such a space made my skin crawl.

"Now, do you want to do anything? There's lots to do on the ship," Echo said, his voice unexpectedly shy.

I turned to him, confusion etched on my face. Why would he be shy around me of all people? I was the outsider, the strange girl with the red eyes and mysterious past. Yet here he was, acting like a schoolboy with a crush.

"I... I'm not sure," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do you usually do for fun?"

Fives grinned, slinging an arm around Echo's shoulders. "Oh, we've got plenty of options. There's the gym, the mess hall - great for people-watching - and sometimes we even sneak in a game of sabacc."

As they listed off activities, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing. These simple pleasures had been denied to me for so long. Could I really just... join in? Be normal?

"Maybe... maybe you could show me your favorite place?" I suggested, surprising myself with my boldness.

Fives and Echo exchanged a look, their faces lighting up with excitement.

"Oh, we know just the spot," Fives said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Come on, Nyx. We're about to show you the best view in the whole cruiser."

As we set off down the corridor, I felt a flutter of excitement in my chest. For the first time in forever, I was curious about what the future might hold.

Fives and Echo led me through winding corridors, their excitement palpable. We passed by the bridge, but didn't stop there. Instead, they guided me to a small, hidden room I hadn't heard about before.

As we stepped inside, I felt my breath catch in my throat. The room wasn't big enough to hold a whole platoon, but it was perfect for three people to be comfortable. It was cozy, intimate even.

"Welcome to our secret spot," Fives said with a grin, spreading his arms wide.

Echo nodded, a shy smile playing on his lips. "We come here when we need a break from... well, everything."

I looked around, taking in every detail. The room had a large viewport that offered a stunning view of the stars beyond. A few crates had been repurposed as makeshift chairs, and someone had even managed to sneak in a small, worn couch.

"It's... beautiful," I whispered, my eyes wide as I took in the vastness of space before us.

Fives and Echo exchanged a pleased look. "We thought you might like it," Echo said softly.

As I stood there, surrounded by the warmth of their company and the cold beauty of space, I felt something shift inside me. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt... safe.

"Thank you," I said, turning to face them. "For sharing this with me."

Their smiles were warm, welcoming. And for a moment, I could almost forget about the darkness that lurked inside me, the power that set me apart. Here, in this small, secret room, I was just Nyx - a girl among friends.

"But of course," Fives said, clapping me on the shoulder. His touch was gentle, nothing like the harsh treatment I was used to. "We always like new friends, especially when they're girls," he added with a wink.

I shook my head in amusement and leaned back on the couch. My dress floated around my feet and ankles, the fabric soft against my skin. For the first time in forever, I felt... good. I wasn't in an oppressive, cold place anymore. I was in a warm room with two troopers I never thought would ever want to speak to me. Hell, I didn't think I'd ever speak to the 'enemy', but here I was, sharing a private place with them.

There was no Count Dooku who could reach me here, no Dr. Wu and his twisted experiments. Just me and the boys.

I sighed and closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the moment wash over me. Suddenly, I felt more warmth envelop me. I opened my eyes to see the boys, both of them, cuddling up at my sides.

I stiffened at first, the closeness foreign and alarming. But after a moment, I just... relaxed. I knew these boys would never hurt me. And if I were here with the Jedi, perhaps I could learn to control the dark side as well.

As I sat there, sandwiched between Fives and Echo, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a new path here. A path away from the darkness that had defined me for so long.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "For everything."

Fives and Echo didn't respond with words. They didn't need to. Their presence, their warmth, said more than words ever could.

Our peaceful moment was shattered by a sudden knock. Fives and Echo sprang to their feet instantly, their warmth disappearing and leaving me feeling oddly bereft. I sat up, missing their closeness already.

With a wave of my hand, I opened the door, revealing Obi-Wan standing there. His eyebrows raised slightly at the sight of us.

"Ah, Nyx, there you are," he said, his voice calm as ever. "Oh, hello Fives, Echo." He nodded at the two soldiers, who snapped to attention and saluted.

Obi-Wan turned back to me, his blue eyes twinkling with something I couldn't quite read. "Now, come along. You need to meet the Council," he said. My heart skipped a beat at his next words: "You're Force-sensitive like us, and perhaps we can assign you a master to train in our ways."

I felt a mix of excitement and fear wash over me. The Jedi Council? A master? It was more than I'd ever dared to hope for.

I stood up, smoothing down my dress. As I moved to follow Obi-Wan, I turned back to Fives and Echo. Their faces were a mix of happiness and something else - worry, perhaps?

"Thank you," I said softly, hoping they could feel the sincerity in my words. "For everything."

They both nodded, small smiles on their faces. "Anytime, Nyx," Fives said.

As I walked out with Obi-Wan, I couldn't help but wonder: was this the beginning of a new chapter in my life? Or was I walking into something I wasn't prepared for?