Book 3: Chapter 158: Epilogue

Book 3: Chapter 158: Epilogue

USD: 3 Days after Takeover

Location: Van Biesbroecks star, Meltisar, MIL-1A, CIC

Tia slumped in her chair, her mind a whirlpool of thoughts and exhaustion, as she finished coordinating the salvage efforts, negotiating with the admirals, and preparing the public releases of information on the takeover. Her eyes scanned through countless reports on her screen while her fingers danced over the keyboard, inputting commands and responses. The relentless onslaught of words and decisions had left her mentally drained.

Around her, the bridge crew focused on their tasks, coordinating with various teams and station monitoring systems. Tia could sense their unease; they too felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on them. This was the fifth or sixth? shift that had come and gone, and it was nearing time for their change as well.

Suddenly, Namelesss voice echoed in her head.

[Informative: Celestia unit fatigue has reached a high level. This unit can handle Meltisar system operations you and your MainComputer recuperate and adjust to new workload stimuli.]

A nagging sense of inferiority gnawed at her. As a Chi NAI, she shouldnt have been so easily fatigued by the tasks at hand. But her nonstandard formation constantly haunted her, reminding her that she was different from other Chi-level NAIs. The countless taunts of her siblings who claimed she was worthless ate at her as if they had been right.

Tia chewed her lip in frustration as she considered Namelesss offer. She knew he was right; she couldnt keep pushing herself like this without breaking down, eventually. Yet pride held her backor perhaps it was fear; fear that accepting help would confirm what others had always said about her.

She took a deep breath and made a decision. Nameless, Tia said aloud, take over procedures for now. I need some rest. The bridge crew looked up at her in surprise, but quickly nodded their understanding.

As Tia exited the CIC, it struck her that she had nowhere to go. The weight of everything that had happened pressed around her like an invisible vice, making each step heavier than the last. She paused in the corridor, her gaze drifting over the stations metallic walls and dimly lit halls as if searching for a destination.



In search of solace or purpose, Tia decided to check where Alex and Rachel were located. She accessed the stations internal sensors through her neural interface, and soon discovered that they were together in one room at the medical center. Deciding that their company might help dispel some of the darkness clouding her mind, she headed towards them by taking a tramline.

It felt strange. Shes spent a few months with them. Shed never found herself caring about anyone before. Did she care about them? Examining her feelings, something told her that, yes, she did care. Even a bit for Rachel, as much as the stupid girl had pissed her off. They were the closet things to friends that she had?

She suppressed the trajectory of her thinking. That a few people she had spent time with could compete with her more abstract goal of creating a safe place for NAIs to exist troubled her. That mission she had wielded like a shield and sword as she burrowed her way out of her mothers insidious programming and had held onto it for dear life. Letting it be replaced with a few smiles?

Tia let out a breath and hurried. She told herself she didnt need to think about that right now.

As she walked through the station corridors towards the tramline station, people were present, moving about with purposeful strides. Their faces were tense, eyes darting nervously from side to side. Smiles and carefree laughter seemed like distant memories nowreplaced by whispered conversations and furtive glances.

Once aboard the tram, Tia found a seat near a window and stared out as the station sped by in a blur of steel and light. The tram itself was sleek and moderna testament to Meltisars advanced technologywith soft lighting illuminating rows of comfortable seats.

The passengers shared only one thing in common: a palpable tension that hung heavy in the air like an oppressive fog. They exchanged few words as they traveled; their minds were likely occupied by worries or fears about recent events.

Tia gazed out at the passing scenery, her thoughts turning inward as she reflected on recent events. She couldnt help but wonder if her plans would work. Or if shed doomed them all to a fiery end in the center of a four-way war.

The tram whisked Tia across the station. The people riding with her were returning inhabitants eager to regain a semblance of normalcy after the evacuation. Despite their efforts to settle back into daily life, a palpable tension pervaded every corner of the station like an oppressive cloud.

As Tia gazed out at the passing scenery, she couldnt help but think about her decision to release the information on the militarys activities on the station. It was a risky move, but it had been necessary to prevent further attempts by Fleet Admiral Wilkes and his allies to try to retake control of the situation. Instead, they found themselves swamped with demands for information and censure of their own supportersand rivals.

She had to deal with more than the admirals, though.

The Anti-NAI government had attempted to wage a war in parliament and the civil government, but they found themselves powerless. Tia had seized control and replaced the system management GAI entirely, so she held the reins of authorityor perhaps Alex did; the true controller might have been Nameless after all. She considered the strange triangle of power dynamics she found herself wedded to as scenery continued to flash by.

The future remained uncertain. It felt shrouded behind countless possibilities and potential pitfalls. But for now, there was one thing she could be certain of: despite all odds, they had succeeded in wresting control of the system. A crucial first step in her list of objectives. She had already put in requisitions of supplies, herding them to new locations for a future purpose that she wasnt quite sure of yet.



A constant stream of traffic flew between Dedia IV and the gas giant, as orbital mining operations proliferated under A31-23Ys influence. It seemed that Abbey was performing a mimicry of what Heeler was accomplishing inside Hades depths.

As Lavigne continued to study the sensor display, a familiar voice rang out on the comms. It was Abbey, her tone a mix of concern and anticipation.

How close are you? Is there any change in Amys cryopod? she asked urgently.

Were almost there, Lavigne confirmed, glancing at the readouts one more time. No change in her cryopod status.

Taking a deep breath, he decided to address the elephant in the room. About our deal

Abbey cut him off before he could finish his sentence. Yes, you and your fellow Solarian crew members will be free to go once weve secured Amy. Hot Rescue will be yours, along with its current equipment and load-out.

Lavigne nodded, appreciating her straightforwardness. He then inquired about recent events around the system. And what about the new visitors?

Abbey explained that there was currently a small Solarian squadron situated between Dedia IV and the gas giant. They hadnt interfered with her operations so far shed made it clear theyd face retribution if they did. Additionally, a Corporate squadron had taken position at the jump point after failing to run the Solarian squadron down.

I recommend you contact the Solarian forces if youre planning to leave, Abbey suggested.

Thanks for the advice, Lavigne replied dryly, thinking that was quite obvious. If she noticed the tone in his voice, she made no sign of it. He let out a breath of stress and tried to re-arrange his thoughts. It wasnt good to snap at her, especially since their situation wasnt of her making.

Ending their conversation, Lavigne called Morrison over comms and instructed him to prepare for Amys transfer as soon as they docked with A3123Y. He knew it was time for difficult decisions and farewells - but for now, their priority was getting Amy safely into Abbeys care.

Morrisons voice came through the comms, informing Lavigne that everything was ready for Amys transfer. Were all set here, sir.

Thank you, Morrison, Lavigne replied with genuine gratitude.

He then turned his attention to the reports he had been working on over the last few days. They detailed his experiences and discoveries within Starlight Revolution, the harrowing events aboard Grazhdanin, the fierce battle over Dedia IV, and his time as a prisoner of war. Lavigne had meticulously compiled his thoughts and insights into each aspect of their ordeal.

Finally, he pulled up the high-band relay net and located the Solarian Squadron. Impressively enough, Starlight Revolutions telemetry had their position locked in so precisely that it was possible to bounce a narrow-burst transmission directly to them while they were running dark.

Clearing his throat, Lavigne began to record a message for the Squadrons commanding officer.

A chime stole his attention, and Lavigne looked to see that Abbey had contacted him again; he accepted the call and her apprehensive face filled his holo interface.

Yes?



Where is Heeler?

Lavigne frowned, You didnt discuss things with him?

Abbey shook her head. Hes out of contact until the next alignment, and I was focused on Amy.

A chill filled Lavignes spine. Hes working on his factory. Before we passed through magma layer, he messaged us and told us that he had detected more unknown signals.

[End A3]