“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Linneya said, hugging Starling and patting her back. “It was just a dream. When I was on the Sunflower, I had nightmares all the time. Give it a day or two and you’ll forget it.”
“But this dream…” Starling’s head spun as she replayed it. The details were already slipping, like fog dissolving.
Woooooom—
An engine’s roar rose from below, drawing nearer.
A flying skimmer bike lifted into view and hovered beside the balcony.
“Sister White!” Linneya shouted. “You’re here already?”
“I was nearby training those two little brats,” Little White said. “The moment I heard the news, I flew over!”
She hopped from the skimmer bike onto the balcony and offered Starling her hand, eyes bright.
“Miss Starling. First time meeting. I’m Little White.”
“Uh…” Starling froze, then shook her hand. “Hi… Miss Little White.”
“What were you two talking about?” Little White asked. “You looked intense.”
“Starling had a nightmare about this place,” Linneya said, and told her everything.
Little White waved it off. “Oh. Don’t worry. It’s just a dream.”
“But it felt real,” Starling insisted, voice still shaky. “In my dream robots were chasing us. I screamed for Linneya to run… and then I got shot clean through…”
“That makes sense,” Little White said. “When you were rescued, you were severely injured. And for the past ten days those guys only did the most basic repairs. You’re still weak.”
“So your subconscious is screaming that you’re in danger.”
“I’m sorry for causing trouble,” Starling said, swaying. Even standing upright seemed to cost her everything.
“Family doesn’t talk like that,” Little White said. “Also—biohuman dreams really are more vivid than a human’s. I’ve woken up and spent ages unable to tell reality from the dream. I even made a fool of myself a few times.”
She grinned. “Anyway. This place is safe. Don’t take it too seriously.”
“Okay,” Starling murmured.
“I’m just glad you woke up,” Little White said. “Linneya’s been thinking about you nonstop. And now look at her—she’s practically glowing.”
Only then did Starling notice. Linneya’s cheeks had color again. Her body wasn’t as thin and frail as before.
Starling finally smiled. “Looks like she’s doing well here.”
“Heehee.” Linneya made a face.
Pinecone, perched on Starling’s shoulder, bounced excitedly. Ever since Starling woke up, he’d been hopping between her shoulders like he was afraid she’d vanish again.
Little White tilted her head. “You’ve a beautiful smile.”
“Thank you,” Starling said, surprised. “You’re very pretty too.”
“Good,” Little White said, suddenly even more excited. “Now I won’t have to walk alone and stargaze alone anymore! Having you two with me is way better than those blocks of steel—”
A signal cut in.
Little White answered, spoke for a few seconds, then turned back.
“Lord Julian wants us to go to Five-Color Fortress,” she said. “Wyatt and the others are all there.”
***
The three of us went down the tower and got into a hovercar. Little White drove us out of the Glimmer Caverns.
The exit was hidden between two glaciers. It was already nearly impossible to spot—and it was protected by two stealth generators. Even from low altitude, you’d never see a thing.
Once we emerged onto the ice plain, we drove for twenty minutes.
Then a massive white fortress—half buried in glacier—rose from the horizon.
The fortress and the ice around it reflected the aurora’s five colors, magnificent enough to make your breathing catch. That was where Five-Color Fortress got its name.
It was Linneya’s first time leaving Edean in more than twenty days. She wore an oxygen mask and a cold-weather coat and kept whining about the cold.
Yet excitement made her chatter nonstop the whole way.
Starling, meanwhile, grew tense again—perhaps because she was about to face the Gentleman.
***
The Gentleman, Merc, and Wyatt—along with Dorian, Eisen, Big Blue, and the others—were already waiting outside the main gate.
Starling saw them waving from far away.
The moment the hovercar stopped, they all hurried over.
“Thank goodness,” Dorian said, rushing first, her clamp-hands raised. “Starling—you woke up. Thank goodness.”
The others echoed her, voices overlapping in relief.
The Gentleman stepped forward and shook Starling’s hand. Starling had been nervous, but the Gentleman spoke like a courteous elder—warm, calm, and patient.
Not only did he show no offense, he praised her deeply.
“Your actions inspire respect,” he said. “To survive alone in extreme conditions and protect a human for a thousand years… I haven’t seen that kind of selfless spirit in a long time. You remind me of the ancient human era.”
“Yeah,” Little White muttered. “Compared to the people in Edean… we’re becoming more human, and humans are becoming less like themselves.”
“Thank you,” Starling said, flustered. She bowed. “I shouldn’t have deceived you. I was stupid—and I got Mr. Hector and several important companions killed.”
“You did very well,” the Gentleman said gently. “Anyone who lived through what you did would struggle to trust others. If anything, I failed to respond correctly.”
“Let the past stay past,” Wyatt said. “What matters is you’re safe.”
Seeing the companions she’d survived with aboard the Sunflower, Starling’s expression softened into something complicated.
“You all… swapped bodies?” she asked. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Heh,” Danser said, striking a pose. “I’ve got hands again. This is what I’m supposed to look like. Handsome?”
Starling laughed and nodded. “Exactly like the posters.”
Big Blue thumped his chestplate hard enough to ring. “I look more imposing now, right?”
“Uh… yes,” Starling said, trying not to stare. “It’s just… the color is a bit… bright.”
“Look at me,” Dorian said, spinning. “I’m taller.”
“Nice,” Starling said, smiling. “And you’ve got two extra arms. You look like a real ace pilot—like you can do anything.”
“Only me,” Wyatt said, spreading his hands. “I didn’t change.”
“You did,” Starling said, looking him up and down. “You look… renewed. Like the protagonist in some legendary film.”
Then she remembered something and looked around.
“Where’s Minks?”
Everyone fell silent.
“He didn’t recover his consciousness,” Wyatt said, giving her the short version.
“Oh,” Starling whispered, and lowered her head.
“Can we go inside to talk?” Linneya bounced in place, stamping her feet. “It’s freezing out here.”
The Gentleman chuckled. “We almost forgot the most important guest. Come. Let’s talk somewhere warm.”
***
Inside the base, the Gentleman found a heated room for us and continued the conversation there.
He asked in detail about the Sunflower’s crash and sighed over Captain Marlon, Janiel, and Carlos.
Starling learned that Wyatt and the others would depart the next morning for a mission in the asteroid belt. We, in turn, were relieved she’d woken before our departure—one less worry dragging at our processors.
The Gentleman had another reason for calling her here.
Her body had long exceeded its intended service life. And after this latest catastrophic damage, she needed a complete overhaul.
Worse, Starling was a Tower Clan-built biohuman. Edean’s technology wasn’t fully compatible with her.
And the scientists’ attention was currently locked on CST. Starling had received only basic repairs.
That was why she kept feeling dizzy, her limbs uncoordinated.
The Gentleman planned to spend the next ten days using Tower Clan methods to strengthen her body—to the level of Little White.
***
Early the next morning, it was time for Wyatt to depart.
We gathered in the dock where the Free Will waited. The ship was already powered up, humming with a low vibration. By the entrance, two lines of S+-class Avengers stood at attention.
Lord Julian transferred command authority—over the Avengers, the fighters, and the ship itself—to Wyatt.
Then the hangar roof slid open, revealing the sky. It was morning, but under polar night the light stayed dim—like a full-moon evening.
Starling hugged each of us goodbye.
“Be careful, Wyatt,” she said. “This time you won’t have us two ‘dead weights’ holding you back. I’m sure you’ll finish the mission quickly and come back safe.”
“We’ll be back soon,” Wyatt said. “And I believe the war is close to ending.”
“And don’t let dreams scare you. Edean is the safest place on Lansen right now.”
“Just don’t go into the dark caverns,” he added. “There are beasts down there.”
“Okay,” Starling said, nodding.
Wyatt turned to Linneya. “You too. Don’t go wandering alone.”
“Relax,” Linneya said breezily. “With Sister White around, nobody would dare bully me.”
“That’s true,” Wyatt said. “She’s a lot scarier than I’m.”
“Is she?” Linneya grinned. “I’ve decided to learn ancient martial arts from her. When you come back, I’m going to spar with you.”
“Deal,” Wyatt said.
Linneya stared at the glossy armor of his new chassis, then suddenly yelped.
“Ah! I almost forgot! I need to add my signature!”
She found a pen, wrote her name on his chestplate, and—just like before—drew a little rabbit beside it.
***
After our final goodbyes, Wyatt led Dorian and the other Avengers onto the ship.
The hatch sealed.
Under the gaze of the Gentleman and the others, the Free Will rose into the sky—faster and faster—until it reached a certain altitude and vanished from sight.