2538 CE in the Gregorian calendar…

  27 November 2538.

  In the yard of Hein’s workshop, a medium-sized spacecraft sat parked in the middle. Dressed in his usual jumpsuit, Hein stood on the vessel’s side panel, inspecting a datapad linked to the control system.

  Jack, clad in knight armour, approached with a cheerful tone. “You’re up early, Hein!” He greeted the tall Wildren bunny, his signature cap resting once again atop his ponytail.

  Hein glanced up with a grin. “I haven’t been to bed yet.”

  “What?!” Jack choked. “Why? You’re running yourself into the ground.”

  Hein waved dismissively. “It’s the least I could do. I’ve triple-checked every system — Armatus arsenals, P.N.I. bots, and lastly… this.” He gestured to the DebrisX spacecraft.

  Jack’s expression softened as he clasped Hein’s shoulder with his gloved hand. “I really appreciate you, mate. Truly.”

  Hein nodded as the diagnostics displayed 100% system capacity. “And it’s all done!” he exclaimed, letting out a yawn.

  The rumble of an engine and the crunch of tyres on gravel grew louder.

  Jack leaned forward to get a better look. “Ah, they’re here.”

  Hein followed his gaze, watching as a van approached and parked on the far side of the field.

  David McDonald stepped out, yawning, followed by Flickson, Penny, and Gusto, all dressed in DebrisX jumpsuits. They looked in high spirits, laughing and chatting as they made their way over.

  “My good men! What are you two working on?” David asked as he approached, his stubby fingers outstretched. Without missing a beat, Jack and Hein took turns shaking his hand.

  "No hangover?" Jack quipped.

  David let out a hearty laugh, planting his hands on his hips. The big man, by all means, looked remarkably sober.

  “I ran a full diagnostic for you,” Hein added. “So y’all can head home safely.”

  Surprised, David blinked before pulling Hein into a tight hug.

  They both groaned lightly before parting.

  “Oi, give me some of that!” Jack said, arms open wide. David didn’t hesitate. They shared a warm embrace, bonded by years of camaraderie through thick and thin, Earth and moon.

  “Thanks, Hein!” the DebrisX crew chimed in, offering their farewells one by one.

  As the first light broke over the horizon, David looked up at the brightening sky, a wistful smile spreading across his face.

  “Ah, home… they’re going home soon,” Jack murmured.

  The crew waved as they boarded the craft, their boots clanging against the metal incline, until only David remained.

  “This is goodbye, then?” David said, his voice light yet uncertain.

  “Yes. And we’ll meet again — under a brighter sky,” Jack replied resolutely, squeezing David’s shoulder.

  The big man nodded several times, his eyes suddenly glassy. “You’re right…” he said, holding back tears.

  “Bon voyage,” Jack said with a warm smile.

  As David turned, he paused. “Oh! Actually, you can claim your retirement fund and compensation from DebrisX.”

  Caught off guard, Jack stood stunned. With his family gone and his retirement plans tossed aside, the past few months had buried all thought of it.

  “Really?” he asked, still in disbelief.

  "No joke. Princess Aurelia told us her father, the president of Solis Aeternum, signed off on financial aid. For survivors. Families like ours," David said, voice firm.

  Jack chuckled. “Now I see why you’re all getting so giddy.”

  David returned with a laugh, and added with a grin, “Just talk to the princess, alright?”

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  “I will,” Jack promised, waving a final goodbye. Hein nodded beside him, smiling.

  Moments later, David disappeared into the vessel. The hatch hissed shut behind him.

  The thrusters came alive, engines spinning up with a rising hum.

  “They’ll be fine, Jack. We’ve done all we could,” Hein said softly, referring to the new high-resistance shielding they’d installed a few days earlier.

  “Yes. If the worst happens, at least they’re protected,” Jack agreed, though a subtle emptiness stirred in him as he watched his friends depart.

  ***

  Inside Hein’s workshop, five Armatus suits stood tall — heavily armed and combat-ready.

  Jack sat inside a silver Armatus, its shoulder adorned with the Hoffmann crest. The blue glow of the HUD illuminated his weathered face.

  “Wow… Hein beat me to it. Did all this himself?” Jack muttered with admiration. Hein wasn’t just wealthy in materials — he was rich in heart too.

  A looming figure appeared beside him, broad-shouldered and clad in dark armour.

  “Jack…” Rhok rasped before clearing his throat. “Hi, Jack.”

  The Armatus hatch creaked open, and Jack stepped out, his helmet retracting behind his collar.

  “Big day. You good?” Jack greeted him with a calm smile.

  “Never better,” Rhok replied, eyes scanning the war machines.

  “Don’t worry, Hein’s checked everything,” Jack said, hands on hips, stretching.

  “That’s good,” Rhok murmured, then hesitated. “Jack…”

  “Huh?” Jack studied him. Rhok seemed more withdrawn than usual — not that he was ever cheerful, but still.

  “Never mind. Let’s pray for a safe mission.” Rhok brushed it off, raising his fist.

  “Let’s pray for that!” Jack echoed, bumping fists before motioning towards Rhok’s dark Armatus.

  “Mind if I take 4 units this time?” Rhok asked out of the blue.

  “Of course. They suit your style better,” Jack agreed in a heartbeat, tapping his glove to transfer the units to Rhok’s command. He was more comfortable in his silver suit with two puny bots anyway.

  “Thanks…” Rhok muttered, expression grim.

  ***

  The frigid air filled Jack’s lungs as he waited for Aurelia and her entourage. The plan was simple — get the princess across the border.

  Intel confirmed that the enemy’s Armatus fleet had shifted their base to the north, abandoning the idea of re-challenging the Eastern Dam again.

  Several hundred kilometres separated Hasenwald from the rendezvous point where the Vivian Viberty’s envoy waited.

  Hoffmann mages and Canis remained stationed at the Eastern Dam as the first line of defence.

  Meanwhile, Lupus, Frain, Jack, Rhok, and their fleet would escort Princess Aurelia, her guardian, and the Virgo mages.

  Currently, five Armatus suits and two P.N.I. bots were parked in a clearing near the Hoffmann estate.

  Behind them, a sleek black cruiser, 15 metres long, awaited. It had been provided by the Hoffmann family, and reinforced by Hein’s crews.

  “We’ve been monitoring enemy flybys for a week,” Jack said matter-of-factly, reviewing beacon data from Arcanite-powered detectors. Installed by David’s crew under Magistrate Petra’s orders a week prior, the sensors offered additional surveillance for the Eastern Dam.

  Rhok nodded, arms crossed, leaning on an Armatus leg. Steve sat nearby, scratching his head.

  “Feel like I forgot something really important…” Steve muttered.

  “Focus, Steve,” Rhok said, brushing him off.

  “Jackie!” Lupus called cheerfully, jogging over with a group of familiar faces. Frain followed with her enormous axe slung over her shoulder, her wavy blonde hair ever so majestic.

  “How’d you sleep?” Jack asked, resting a hand on Lupus’s shoulder.

  “Pretty good! You’ve been up early lately, though?” she asked, cupping his cold cheek.

  Jack avoided her golden eyes and looked at Frain instead. “I’m great~just a big day,” he said with a fake chuckle.

  “And you, Frain?”

  Frain puffed up proudly, thumbing her chest. “Me ready!”

  “Let’s hope for the best.” Jack grinned and pulled them into a group hug. Lupus’s sun-kissed scent filled his lungs. He noticed how Frain’s frame didn’t seem so frail anymore, in another word, she was more firm and sturdy than she appeared.

  “When did she grow so fast?” he wondered.

  Jack whispered to them, “I love you both. Stay safe, alright? If it gets too rough, fall back to the Virgo mages. No reckless fighting. Full discretion.”

  They nodded, purring softly as they leaned into him.

  Rhok stood at a distance, watching the reunion with a shadowed gaze, his jaw clenched.

  Nearby, Triss and the Novitcius mages waved at Jack’s group.

  As they approached, Steve stood straight, waving back with a toothy grin. “Hi, ladies!”

  In the far end, Aurelia giggled, teasing her Prime Guardian about something trivial.

  She approached just as Jack stepped away from the hug.

  “Ahem!” she deliberately cleared her throat, drawing Jack’s attention. While, Friederich shot her an awkward glare.

  “Princess Aurelia,” Jack announced with mock seriousness, “all systems are functional, weather’s clear, and the path is secure.”

  She scowled at him. “Huh? Whatever.”

  Collecting herself, she added, “Thanks for doing this for us—”

  “She means to say the princess deeply appreciates your preparation, intel gathering, and execution of the mission ahead,” Friederich rephrased calmly.

  Aurelia rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at her guardian.

  Jack laughed nervously. “It’s nothing. Really, the pleasure’s all mine.” He checked his watch. “Right on schedule.”

  “Well then, everyone — please board the cruiser,” he called out, exchanging a nod with Steve.

  Steve jogged to the craft and opened the hatch.

  “Princess, ladies and gents, this way please!” he said with a theatrical bow as they filed inside.

  Shoutout: