The air in the cell felt still, like time itself was holding its breath.
I stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind me with a gentle hiss. He looked up—my father, or the ghost who wore his name. There was no venom in his eyes today. Just a quiet weight, like he too had been living through simulations, only his were the memories of his sins.
"I need to talk," I said, more to the silence than to him.
He nodded once, and I sat across from him.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. Then I finally asked, "Why?"
He didn't pretend not to know what I meant. "Because they told me it would save lives."
"And did it?" I asked, bitterly.
He looked down at his calloused hands. "Not in the way I hoped."
"I saw your other family," I continued, voice cracking. "I raised them after we thought you were dead. They loved you. You raised them with kindness. So why… why did I have to grow up in the shadow of your lies?"
His gaze met mine—sharp, but filled with guilt. "Because I was too much of a coward to live in both truths."
I clenched my fists. "I hated you for so long."
"I know."
"I still don't know if I forgive you."
"You don't have to."
"But…" I paused, swallowing hard. "I understand you now. I understand the weight of what you did… because I've carried it too."
He said nothing, but his eyes—damp, finally—seemed to reflect the echo of the pain we shared.
That's when the alarms went off.
A deep, blaring horn shook the base. Lights flickered red.
I stood.
"What's happening?" he asked, rising instinctively.
"Rikapud scout ships breached the atmosphere," I said, mind racing. "This is the first wave."
He looked at me, old instincts firing in his stance.
I walked to the control panel on the wall, typed in a release code, and the locks on his cell clicked open.
His eyes widened.
"You're letting me go?"
I nodded. "I need you to protect my mother. No matter what."
He stepped forward, unsure. "And you?"
I turned toward the corridor, already feeling the weight of command settle on my shoulders.
"I'm going to try to save everyone. Even if I have to find another planet to do it."
The launch bay roared with life.
My team stood ready, helmets under arms, eyes steeled by weeks of simulations and lifetimes of virtual grief.
But this was real. Finally real.
I climbed onto the platform, looking out over the soldiers, the tech crew, the fleet ready to lift off.
"Line up!" I shouted. "We're going to war!"
Their formation snapped to place.
The hatch opened behind us. Beyond it, the sky churned with enemy signals. Bright streaks like shooting stars marked the descent of enemy craft.
I could already feel the adrenaline in my blood. But this time—it wasn't fear.
It was resolve.
We launched into the stars, into battle.
And for the first time… it felt easy. All the simulations had led to this. Every pain, every lesson. We moved as one. Like predators with purpose. The Rikapud squadron was fast, but we were faster.
Ships burst under our fire. Maneuvers tightened like rehearsed dances. Even their energy blades—once terrifying—met shields adapted from my prototype.
We held the line. For now.
But as we intercepted the final wave, a larger signal came into range.
Massive. Like a dark god descending from orbit.
The warship.
And onboard… their king.
I stared at the radar. My chest heavy.
Would I have to kill him?
Or could I still find another way?