Chapter Fifteen

  Jessica Star & the Cosmic Mix?Up

  The S.S. Cosmic Clover eased into the docking cradle of Mistwell Outpost — a tiny, quiet station perched on the rim of a dust?blue nebula. Known mostly for its refueling pumps and its questionable vending machines, Mistwell wasn’t exactly a destination.

  But it was the perfect place to rest, refuel, and regroup before heading toward the coordinates of Little Bright.

  Kessa stretched as the airlock hissed open. “Finally. I need a break. A real one. Preferably involving snacks.”

  Kael nodded absently, still thinking about the ghost marker from the Clover’s nav console. “Let’s make it quick.”

  The little robot bee perched on his shoulder buzzed in agreement. Or protest. Hard to tell.

  The moment they stepped into Mistwell’s dock corridor, someone waved at them from across the way.

  “HEY! Clover crew! Is that seriously you?!”

  Kessa blinked. “Do we know—”

  Then recognition hit Kael like a light bridge snapping on.

  Walking toward them with a confident stride, neon?blue jacket, and a grin that could power half a station was:

  Jessica Star.

  Hauler. Mechanic. Gossip conduit of the southern lanes. And a friend of Uncle Jorin’s — though the twins had only met her twice as kids.

  “Jessica?” Kael said, startled but smiling. “You’re still flying the—”

  “The Starlifter Joy, yes,” she said proudly. “Although she’s been giving me engine sass all week. Figures I’d run into you two when I’m elbow?deep in coolant patches.”

  Kessa practically launched at her. “Jessica! Oh my stars, look at you! You haven’t aged a DAY.”

  Jessica flipped her braid and winked. “Flattery will get you everywhere, sweetheart.”

  Then she spotted the tiny robot bee and gasped.

  “OH. MY. VOID.” She cupped her hands under her chin. “Is that a Port Serein Pollinator? You got yourselves a bee baby?!”

  Kessa puffed proudly. “He stowed away. We’re returning him.”

  Jessica wiggled her eyebrows. “Attachments form fast out here. Watch out — next thing you know, he’ll be filing for dependent status.”

  Kael rubbed his forehead. “Please don’t give her ideas.”

  Jessica grinned. “Oh, I give wonderful ideas.”

  The Mix?Up

  The three of them wandered toward Mistwell’s single supply counter. Jessica chatted the entire way — about stations she’d passed through, gossip about a hauler who had accidentally dyed his ship purple, and a subtle hint that she might know more than she was letting on about Little Bright.

  But before Kael could ask, the supply clerk waved them over.

  “I’ve got your order!” the clerk said cheerfully, sliding two large crates onto the counter. “Priority delivery for the Clover. Two stasis boxes, temperature?regulated, handle with care.”

  Kael frowned. “We didn’t order anything.”

  Jessica leaned in. “Ooooh, mystery delivery? My favorite kind.”

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  Kessa bounced. “Open it.”

  Kael raised a hand. “Wait — what if it’s mislabeled?”

  “Nope,” the clerk said. “Definitely for you. Says ‘To Kael and Kessa Hartley — from an old friend.’”

  The twins exchanged a look.

  Jessica whistled. “Oooh. Spicy.”

  Kessa cracked the seal.

  Cold mist drifted out.

  Inside was—

  “…Are these muffins?” Kael asked.

  Kessa squealed. “NOT JUST MUFFINS. These are Breezy Muffin Café muffins.”

  Jessica grabbed one. “The ones from Nettle Station? Their blueberry crumble changed my life.”

  Kessa pulled out a handwritten note tucked between the trays.

  Kael read it aloud.

  “To the Clover crew — I heard you might need a little sweetness for the road ahead. Don’t forget to look for the small lights. — G.S.”

  Kessa gasped. “Gribble Sundown sent us baked reinforcements!”

  Jessica laughed. “Oh, Gribble! I knew it from the ‘small lights’ part. That chaotic saint.”

  Kael exhaled slowly — relieved, grateful, but also…

  Uneasy.

  Because the way the note phrased it — as if Gribble knew they were heading toward Little Bright — felt a little too direct.

  As if someone were nudging them along the trail.

  The Pun

  Kessa handed Jessica a muffin. “So what brings you to Mistwell? Engine trouble?”

  Jessica bit into her muffin like it was a spiritual experience. “Mmm. Partly. Also picking up a package for a friend. Something small, something odd, something glowing. You know. Tuesday.”

  Kael blinked. “Glowing?”

  Jessica wiggled her fingers mysteriously. “Hauler business.”

  The robot bee buzzed.

  Jessica pointed at it. “See? Even he’s intrigued.”

  Kael crossed his arms. “Are you following clues too? Jorin’s?”

  Jessica’s smile faltered — just for a heartbeat.

  Then she popped the rest of the muffin in her mouth and dusted off her hands.

  “Nope,” she said breezily. “Just trying to get my ship running again. Speaking of which — hey, Kessa, mind helping me carry these coolant coils? My back’s killing me.”

  “Of course!” Kessa said. “Kael, you can handle the muffins.”

  Jessica smirked. “Yes, Kael. Be a dear and hold the pastries. Don’t let them out of your sight. They could become… mutinous.”

  Kessa gasped. “Jessica. Are you saying—”

  Jessica turned dramatically to the crates and declared:

  “You might say they’re looking a little… crumby.”

  Kessa nearly fell over laughing.

  Kael buried his face in his hands. “Oh stars, there are TWO of you.”

  Jessica winked. “You’re welcome.”

  A Hint, Hidden Softly

  After they carried Jessica’s parts to the Joy, she lingered by the Clover’s airlock.

  “Hey,” she said quietly, glancing to be sure Kessa wasn’t listening. “If you’re heading where I think you’re heading… watch each other’s backs.”

  Kael met her eyes. Warm. Concerned. Knowing.

  “What do you know about Little Bright?” he asked.

  Jessica shook her head. “Not enough to answer that question. Enough to know you’re not the first people to look for it. And not everyone who went… found what they wanted.”

  Kael felt the faint chill of her words.

  “But,” Jessica added gently, “you two are different. Jorin trusted you with this for a reason.”

  Then she grinned suddenly. “Also — if you see anything weird, don’t touch it.”

  Kael blinked. “Jessica—”

  She pointed at Kessa. “Especially not her.”

  Kessa called from across the dock, “HEY!”

  Jessica laughed, saluted sharply, and strode off toward her ship.

  Departure

  Back aboard the Clover, Kael set the muffins in the galley, the note from Gribble tucked carefully into his pocket. Kessa buckled into the co?pilot chair, cheeks flushed with laughing energy.

  The little robot bee settled into its perch.

  And the Clover hummed — deeply, quietly — like she sensed the pieces sliding into place.

  Kessa nudged him. “So… next stop?”

  Kael swallowed.

  “Next stop,” he said, “we follow the clue.”

  She grinned. “Little Bright?”

  He nodded.

  “Little Bright.”

  And the Clover’s hull lights shimmered once — unmistakably — like a star winking them onward.