The claim itself was a masterstroke of bureaucratic misdirection. Located in a remote sector of the polar territory, far from any established operations, it had been registered and abandoned three times in the past decade. Each previous owner had given up within months, unable to make the harsh conditions profitable. No one would be surprised when yet another optimistic prospector tried and failed.
No one would look closely enough to notice that this prospector had no intention of failing.
Alina had also arranged for supplies. A small but powerful mining rig that was nowhere near as sophisticated as her destroyed equipment, but functional and reliable. Thermal gear, emergency provisions, and communication equipment with access to the cyborg communications network. They had everything they needed to establish a basic operation.
“It’s too much,” she protested when she saw the inventory list.
“It’s an investment,” Alina countered. “And it’s not charity. I expect regular reports on any geological anomalies you detect. Especially anything that might indicate another emergence site.”
“Slave driver.”
“Scientist,” Alina said firmly, grinning at her.
The day of departure found her surprisingly calm. She had expected to feel anxious about the transition. Instead, she couldn’t wait to get going.
Home,she thought.We’re going home.
Their crawler was loaded and ready by midmorning. She made her final rounds checking the equipment, confirming supply lists, and saying goodbye to allies she barely knew but somehow already considered friends.
Rhyx found her near the vehicle bay, his eyes thoughtful.
“Keep him grounded,” he said without preamble.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Adjar.” Rhyx’s wings shifted beneath the concealing coat he wore. “He carries more than he shows. Memories that don’t fit together. Purpose without direction. The ice will help—it’s his element, after all—but he’ll need something to anchor him. Someone.” A slight smile. “You’re that someone now.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” Rhyx tilted his head. “Knowing it intellectually and feeling it in your bones are different things. He chose you, Jaz. Across millennia, across the death of everything he knew. His instincts recognized something in you worth surviving for.”
The words were unexpectedly heavy, and she swallowed hard.
“I’ll take care of him.”
“I know you will.” Rhyx extended his hand in an oddly human gesture. “Safe travels. We’ll speak again soon.”
She shook his hand, feeling the smooth scales beneath her fingers. Different from Adjar’s—warmer, somehow, less like ice and more like sun-heated stone. Another reminder that the dragons weren’t all the same, that each carried their own history and nature.
Found family,she thought again.We’re all building something new.
Then Adjar was beside her, his presence a familiar warmth even in the climate-controlled vehicle bay. He’d been quiet all morning—not withdrawn, exactly, but focused. Ready.
“It’s time,” he said.
“It’s time.”
They climbed into the crawler together. She settled into the driver’s seat, running her fingers over controls that felt as natural as breathing. The cargo sled with the mining rig was secured behind them, waiting.
Alina appeared at the window, her blonde hair escaping its usual messy bun. She pressed her palm against the glass.
“Be safe,” she said. “And keep in touch. I want to know everything.”
“Everything geological, you mean.”
“Everything interesting.” A smile. “Which, knowing you two, will probably be the same thing.”
She laughed and started the engine. The crawler hummed to life, its familiar vibration settling into her bones like an old friend.
