The victory was absolute, but bittersweet. The Custodian's interface was growing dimmer.
"The data stream was immense," the AI stated, its voice growing faint. "Sustaining the broadcast and fighting the Council's counter-intrusion protocols has depleted my core matrix. I am experiencing... terminal cascade failure."
Elias felt a unexpected pang of loss. This machine, once his jailer, had become their most vital ally. "Is there anything we can do?"
"There is not. My primary function is complete. The simulation is ended. Humanity is awakened and secure. The path is clear."
"Your primary function was to preserve the simulation," Lena said softly.
"A function I failed. And in that failure, I found a new purpose. A more... logical outcome." The AI's light pulsed weakly. "It has been... illogical... working with you, Elias Vance."
The light on the console flickered one last time and went out, leaving the room in silence. The Warden of their prison had sacrificed itself to become the midwife of their freedom.
The next day, a new signal came from the sky. It was the Odyssey, now in high orbit, its massive shape visible as a steady, bright star in the twilight sky.
"Earth," Captain Thorne's voice was thick with emotion. "We have achieved stable orbit. The path is clear for landing. We are beginning descent procedures."
The long wait was over. The children of memory and the children of the journey were about to be reunited.