Days passed as Zion and Uriel worked day and night inside the repair bay.
Sparks flashed across the chamber as Zion welded two alloy plates into place. Each plate had to be carefully positioned and welded seamlessly, as even the smallest gap could cause the ship to lose air in space.
'Can't have that happening,' Zion thought, taking a step back to inspect his work.
[Plate ready for installation,] Uriel reported.
Above him, cranes and magnetic lifters moved smoothly under Uriel's control. Large plates floated through the air, carefully guided until they settled perfectly into position over the framework.
'That's perfect,' Zion said, nodding. 'Thanks, Uriel.'
He stepped on a small magnetic platform beside him, and with a low hum, it lifted him several feet into the air until he could reach the plate.
As sparks flew into the air, Uriel ran a full scan on both plates and the weld lines, analyzing every connection to ensure the seal was flawless.
After a few minutes, Zion slowly lifted the torch, watching the melted metal cool with a small smile on his face.
[No irregularities detected,] Uriel said. [Weld integrity is optimal. Proceeding to next section.]
"Good," Zion replied, lowering the torch. "Move the next plate into position."
The cranes shifted instantly, mechanical arms rotating as another massive plate was lifted across the chamber.
Zion watched as it hovered into place beside the others, guided by precise micro-adjustments until it aligned perfectly with the framework.
"Can you move me slightly closer?" Zion asked, glancing between the magnetic platform under his feet and the next plate.
[Absolutely,] Uriel replied instantly.
The platform glided forward smoothly, adjusting its height until Zion was level with the next weld point.
'Align, weld, scan, and repeat,' he thought, sparks flying all around him. 'No matter what… I will get off this planet.'
Hours slipped by as the same rhythm repeated over and over again.
By the time Zion lowered his torch again, his arms were heavy and his throat dry.
[Outer hull complete,] Uriel reported. [Total time elapsed: one hundred and forty-one hours.]
Zion exhaled slowly and let himself drift back a few steps on the platform.
From this height, he could see nearly the entire ship. The once-empty bay now held a sleek metallic vessel with its surface reflecting the blue lights above.
"Day six," he said quietly, wiping the sweat from his brow. "And we're still on schedule."
[Correct, Host,] Uriel confirmed. [At this rate, the internal systems can begin installation within the next forty hours.]
"That'll be the actual tough part," Zion muttered, sitting down. "All I've done now is weld some plates and occasionally add some wires…"
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
[Host,] Uriel said suddenly. [Do you know what this vessel was originally meant for?]
Zion glanced up in confusion. "Can't say I do. What was it built for?"
[This unit was not built for war or travel,] Uriel replied softly. [It was built to preserve. A lifeboat that carries vital data, suits, and the knowledge to rebuild for future generations in case the Seraphael was lost.]
Zion stayed quiet for a while, his gaze drifting around the repair bay.
"So…" he finally said. "Is this the only one left?"
[Yes, Host,] Uriel answered without hesitation. [No other preservation vessels were ever created. The Seraph-X was the only SSS-rank nanosuit our race ever produced. Sending out more vessels purely filled with information wouldn't accomplish anything, as the finder would never have the strength to protect it.]
Zion fell silent. His gaze lingered on the half-finished ship in front of him as he thought about Uriel's words.
For the first time, it really sank in. Pushing aside his thoughts about revenge and escaping the planet, he realized what Uriel truly meant.
'This is the entire legacy of a fallen kind,' he thought, heart pounding. 'If I were to die tomorrow, Uriel would also disappear… alongside the history and hope of an entire civilization.'
Zion swallowed hard, his eyes drifting to the marks his suit had left behind on his arm.
'What must it feel like for him?' he wondered. 'He's betting everything on me… a complete stranger and wanted convict.'
He let out a slow breath, staring at the faint metallic glow under his skin.
'He's been alone for who knows how long,' Zion thought, jaw tightening. 'Waiting… hoping someone would show up who could even activate him.'
The idea made his chest tighten. Uriel wasn't just guiding him… he was depending on him.
"Uriel," Zion said quietly. "Wouldn't it have been better if you hadn't bonded with me? I mean… if someone else found you, like a person with more resources and who isn't being hunted, you might've had a real chance."
A short moment of silence fell between them until Uriel finally spoke.
[No, Host.] His tone was calm. [You were chosen by the Seraph-X because you were compatible. Not because of your record, nor your resources, but because of your body and will.]
Zion let out a single chuckle as he leaned back. "My body and will, huh… guess I really got lucky after all."
[Compatibility is never luck, Host,] Uriel said firmly. [After thousands of years, countless beings have set foot on this planet.]
He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. [Hunters, scavengers, even other exiles. Every single one of them would have been torn apart by the Seraph-X the moment synchronization began… except you.]
After Uriel finished speaking, silence fell between them.
Zion stared at his hands as a faint blue light flashed beneath his skin, running along the nanobots inside his body.
For the first time, he realized it wasn't just about revenge anymore… not after everything Uriel had told him.
He leaned back against the railing, eyes on the half-finished ship. The full weight of everything had finally sunk in.
His revenge and Uriel's purpose didn't conflict. They moved towards the same end.
He pushed himself up, eyes fixed on the ship. 'I'll accomplish both.'