Barnaby and Youri drove in silence toward the space station, the city stretching out around them refused to sleep. Neon lights pulsed along the highways, casinos glowing brighter the closer they got to the upper transit lanes. Vegas looked almost unreal at this hour, a constellation of color and excess burning against the desert night.
After several minutes, Barnaby broke the silence.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to anyone?" he asked casually, one hand resting on the steering column as the vehicle glided forward.
Youri didn't answer right away. He kept his eyes on the window, watching the lights smear into streaks of gold and pink as they passed. Faces flickered through his mind—Leo, Mia, Gloria, even Toney—but he pushed them down just as quickly.
"It's better this way," he said at last, his voice low. "I didn't stay long enough to make goodbyes mean something."
Barnaby glanced at him, then nodded once. "You usually know what's best for yourself," he said. "Even when it costs you."
The vehicle slowed as the space station came into view, rising above the city like a metallic crown. Docking bays jutted out from its core, ships of all sizes drifting in and out under tight control. Military insignias were stamped everywhere—this wasn't a civilian port.
They arrived shortly after, parking beneath one of the restricted hangars. Barnaby stepped out first, and Youri followed, his body still aching but his resolve firm.
The moment Youri saw the ship docked ahead, something twisted in his chest.
The Khasano.
It's always goodbyes with this ship, he thought. Never welcome backs.
Barnaby didn't comment. He simply walked up the ramp and entered. After a brief hesitation, Youri followed.
Inside, the ship felt familiar in an unsettling way—sterile corridors, muted lights, the quiet hum of systems always running in the background. Barnaby paused near the entrance and turned back.
"Go to the control room," he said. "I'll be there in a moment."
Youri nodded and made his way forward. The control room opened up into a wide, functional space filled with holographic displays and navigation panels. He stood near the center, hands at his sides, waiting.
Barnaby arrived shortly after, a tablet in his hand. Without a word, he tossed it toward Youri.
Youri caught it midair on reflex. When he looked down at the screen, his brow furrowed.
A Terrian Military Enrollment Form.
He lifted his gaze sharply. "What is this?"
Barnaby settled into the captain's chair with practiced ease. "You said you wanted to go to Volar," he replied calmly.
Youri frowned. "That doesn't answer my question."
"It answers all of them," Barnaby said. "This is the only way you're getting there now. Military clearance. Military transport. That was my proposal last time. Did you forget?"
Youri looked back at the tablet, scrolling slowly. Section after section passed beneath his fingers—personal data, physical evaluations, psychological screening, combat experience. He filled it out in silence, his expression unreadable.
When he reached the final page, he stopped.
Terrian Citizenship Status.
He hesitated, then looked up. "I don't have Terrian citizenship."
Barnaby chuckled softly. "You can leave that part to me."
Youri studied him for a moment, then nodded and handed the tablet back.
Barnaby skimmed through the completed form, tapping a few confirmations. After a moment, the screen flashed green.
"Well," Barnaby said, setting it aside, "that's pretty much it. Welcome to the military, Youri Kronos."
Youri blinked. "Kronos?"
Barnaby smiled faintly. "You don't have a last name, and I like how it sounds. Kronos. It fits. Strong. Memorable." He paused. "And it'll remind you where you came from. Your underground fighting days."
Youri considered it, then gave a small nod. "Then Kronos it is."
The ship began to vibrate softly as systems came online. Through the corridor windows, docking clamps released one by one. The Khasano ascended slowly, its thrusters pushing it higher and higher until the city below began to shrink.
Youri stood by one of the large observation windows, watching Las Peas fade into the distance. The lights blurred together, the noise and chaos reduced to a quiet glow against the darkness of space.
For the first time since arriving there, he felt like he truly understood what the city had been to him—a stop, not a destination.
As the Khasano broke orbit and set its course, Vegas disappeared entirely, swallowed by the curve of the planet.
Ahead lay Terria.
And beyond that, Volar.