The room went silent on Adrian's sudden declaration. Nyra wasn't the only one shocked; Charles dropped his PAD, and even Master Von raised an eyebrow. To leave, now, just as they were establishing themselves?
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his white hair. "I won't be gone for long," he explained calmly. "And I won't be far. I'll be inside the Clash. There are... objectives I need to fulfill within that system. Critical ones."
He looked around the room, meeting their eyes. "I might return at times, but my focus must be absolute. By the time I am done, I believe we will be ready to leave this place. To leave the Slums entirely."
His words caused a collective gasp. They had only just arrived here, a place known across the galaxy as a graveyard for civilizations, a trap of eternal economic slavery. To hear their leader speak of leaving, of ascending to the Heartland so soon, was mind-boggling. It was a dream they hadn't dared to voice.
