They returned to the bridge, where the crew was abuzz with activity. “Course is set for the Tannhauser Nebula,” Tamsin reported. “We should arrive in fourteen hours.”

Kael’s gaze snapped to Tamsin. “The Tannhauser Nebula? Why there? Didn’t you say you were heading into the Eclipsing Celestium Nebula?”

Tamsin looked at Amber uncertainly. Amber nodded.

“We are, but there’s an uncharted wormhole located close to the Tannhauser Nebula that could lead to unexplored territory and untold salvageable items that we can sell on Gronika Two. We need more galactic credits to stock up on supplies before we continue our journey.”

Kael glanced down at the leather pouch on his belt, his jaw tightening. Amber’s curiosity was piqued.

“This wormhole,” Kael said slowly. “You don’t know exactly where it leads?”

Amber stepped forward. “No one knows. That’s what makes it so intriguing. Care to hazard a guess?”

“Not guesses, but I’ve heard tales of this nebula.” He paused, waving at the viewscreen. “Stories about a legend of a treasure beyond imaginable value that hides at the heart of the Eclipsing Celestium Nebula, but no one has been able to reach it. The wormhole on the border of the Tannhauser Nebula is rumored to be a path to it.”

Murmurs rippled through the crew about the dangers of entering wormholes.

Amber raised an eyebrow. “What kind of treasure?”

“It’s just a myth.” Kael shrugged evasively.

“Oh, come on,” Tamsin cajoled with a grin. “You can’t leave us treasure hunters hanging like that! We’ve all heard of the legends, but you apparently know more.”

Amber noticed his hesitation. He focused on her, his green eyes fixed on hers as if he was probing her mind, gauging whether he could trust her. Like before, his irises brightened as if a light switched on behind them, and she felt a strange, tingling sensation.

Tamsin’s voice broke the moment. “How about it, Kael? Tell us what you know.”

His gaze left Amber’s and he reached into his pouch, drawing out a small bundle of weathered cloth—very old by the look of it. As he unrolled it and spread it out, carefully smoothing the creases, she glimpsed a hand-drawn star chart marked with intricate symbols.

“The legends call the treasure Fortune’s Fountain,” Kael said, his voice hushed, pointing at some symbols drawn near the edge of the tattered cloth. “It is a relic said to contain untold power and wealth.”

Anticipation hung tangibly among the crew as they gathered around to peer at the mysterious map. Amber’s pulse quickened, wondering if this was the same treasure they had heard about via the grapevine. What riches might they find if the legends proved true? Perhaps this unexpected encounter would be the start of the greatest adventure of their lives…

Amber looked around at her crew, seeing the intrigue and excitement in their eyes. This was the chance they had been waiting for—a true quest into the unknown to find something really valuable, a treasure that could set them all up for life.

She turned to Kael. “It seems we have a shared interest in finding this unimaginable treasure. What do you say we join forces and split the profits of whatever we find?”

Kael regarded her warily. “And why should I align myself with you and your crew?”

“You can’t navigate this nebula alone, especially in a damaged small ship. And I doubt my engineer, Lys, or any engineer on Gronika Two, can fix yours,” Amber pointed out. “But with my ship and crew, we stand a fighting chance of getting there. You have a map, if it’s real… I have the transport and manpower. If you’re interested, tell me. Of course, I will need a private meeting with my officers for a final vote.”