The debriefing took four days. Despite their best efforts to censor themselves, the whole story was finally teased out of them. While Admiral Van Aalst and Diplom-Ingenieur Svéd promised to limit the information to only those they trusted, no one believed it. Soon everyone would learn what happened, both on the Gyrfalcon and the Katabasis, and how that would eventually play out…

They’d done their part. What happened next was out of their hands.

Only the more they discussed what they’d learned, the more the group realized that maybe...just maybe…they weren’t quite as done with the mission as they’d thought.

What if they could give Humanity a new home?

It was one of those notions that once brought to life became impossible to ignore. Many a long night was spent by the group, in solo and in concert, as they wrestled with the possibilities. Ideas formed and plans gelled as they prepared to say their goodbyes and journey their separate ways.

With one exception.

“So, will you take the job?”

Maggie sighed as she turned to the Chevalier. “Me and Júlio used to talk about this, back when we were still...whatever we were,” she shrugged. “For a Tinker, being Chief Engineer is a dream come true, and on Freya? It’s the brass ring, the big prize. It didn’t get no better than that.” She looked out over the concourse, where a team of welders were hard at work repairing the damage done to the old girl, shrugging as she tried to make sense of it all. “But then the mission happened, and everythin’ changed. So I left, cause I didn’t want no part of it, and spent the next forty years tryin’ to forget.”

“I’d ask how that worked out for you, but I’m pretty sure I already know the answer,” Blye said after a moment.

“No matter how fast and far you run, those damn ghosts can keep up just fine.” She shook her head, a wry comment on her own naivete. “But then Diggs came along, and you, and the second mission...and it feels like I came back around full circle. You know what I mean?”

“I believe I do,” she smiled. “And you still haven’t answered the question.”

She made a face. “Don’t see how I can say no. Can’t keep draggin’ the kid around to God knows where. Wouldn’t be fair. Kids need a place they can feel safe, if they’re gonna grow up right...Diggs more than any of ‘em.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Blye smirked. “And to think how much of a fuss you put up when I first twisted your arm on the subject…”

“Yeah, well...that kid grows on you, you know?” Maggie answered, her face reddening.

The young Knight placed a hand on her shoulder. “It's okay to care about people. It doesn't mean you’re weak.”

“Nope...just vulnerable,” she reluctantly agreed. “Before, anything happened, it was just me. I could take the hit, proved that more than once. But now I gotta think about him...and that scares me, you know?”

“It’s supposed to,” Blye agreed. “You want to know what I think?”

“Sure,” Maggie nodded.

The young woman smiled. “I think that you and Diggs are the best thing that ever happened to one another.”

Despite herself, the Tinker smiled back. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I usually am,” she chuckled, before growing serious. “My ship’s waiting...but I’m glad we had a chance to say goodbye. I have a galaxy to look after, you know.” She stepped forward and hugged the older woman. “Next year, on New Terra,” she murmured, making a solemn vow.

“Damn right,” Maggie agreed, returning the hug over the Knight’s bulging belly. “You take care of yourself. I won’t be around to keep schoolin’ you how to stay safe.”

“I’ll do my best,” Blye laughed, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she waved goodbye, heading for the docking ring. The older woman watched her go, wishing her friend well, when a cough behind her made her turn.

“I didn’t want to intrude,” Samara said, stepping out of the shadows. “I thought you both deserved to say your farewells.”

“Appreciate it,” Maggie nodded. “What brings you by?”

“I’m leaving as well,” the Protean informed her. “I have...unfinished business.”

“Yeah...reckon that’s so,” she drawled. “What are you gonna do?”

“Whatever it takes,” she answered, a faraway look in her eyes. “You helped give me a second chance, Maggie. It would be a shame to let that go to waste.”

“Sounds like you’re plannin’ to start a war,” the Tinker said carefully.

“Perhaps I am,” Samara replied. “What you saw was only the tail of the comet. The true story goes much, much deeper.”

“Jibril,” Maggie grimaced.

“For starters,” she concurred, “but even he is little more than a symptom. To find the root cause, I’m afraid one is forced to look elsewhere.”

“The Eleexx, you mean.”

“Among others,” the Protean nodded. “They are far from the only guilty parties.”

“Samara…” Maggie started, only to shake her head in resignation, “...you’re just one person. You take them all on? That’s a one-way trip to an unmarked grave.”

“It’s possible,” she shrugged, “but I’m afraid my mind is quite made up.” She managed a brief smile. “Like your friend Blye, I too am fighting for a new home.”

Maggie considered that. “Then I guess I wish you luck, Samara,” she said at last, “though I reckon we won’t be seein’ each other again.”

“Don't’ count me out just yet,” she laughed, “I still have a card or three up my sleeve...and I know where the skeletons are hidden.” Her eyes twinkled with delight. “I thank you for the benediction...but I’ve always made my own luck.” She was about to say something else when her whole body seemed to shudder, a riot of ripples and patterns cascading across her skin as she staggered, slumping into Maggie’s arms. The Tinker caught her awkwardly, struggling to keep her upright, while her hands seemed to disappear into her very flesh.

And then a moment later she was whole once more, shrugging off the episode as she stepped back.

Maggie’s jaw dropped. “You ain’t well, Samara,” she told her. “How you gonna fight a war like that?”

The Protean worked her jaw, and for a split second, Maggie saw the mask slip, revealing the woman inside.

“...as best I can,” she whispered, before slipping back into the shadows and disappearing once more.

There were other farewells, though she let Gyrfalcon's departure go unmarked. The more distance between her and that pirate, the better.

At Kai and Rúna’s sendoff, Diggs bestowed a big sloppy kiss upon the redheaded corporal before blushing furiously in embarrassment. She just laughed and tousled his hair, performing one last juggling act for her biggest fan before heading out as well.

One by one they departed the ancient battleship, until finally, Maggie and Diggs were all that remained. She still hadn’t officially taken over the job, pleading for a few days to get settled in and wind up a personal matter or two, though she had checked in with the other Tinkers to inform them she was taking over. By now her story had been told and repeated a hundred times over, and many of the crew appeared positively awestruck by her presence.

Then there were the ones she’d actually met prior to her newfound fame. They were most definitely not awestruck. Oh well...as long as they did their job, she’d put up with quite a bit...though anyone getting in her face would soon learn just how handy with a wrench she really was.

That still left a couple of small items yet to be resolved.

“You sure about all this?” Kalina asked her.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Maggie nodded.

“All right then,” she shrugged, putting the finishing touches on the paperwork before setting down her tablet and looking at Diggs. “And this is what you want as well, young man?”

Diggs looked up at Maggie and nodded, a toothy grin splitting his face.

The Clan head shrugged, making a notation. “Then in accordance with our traditions, I can find no cause which prevents you, Maggie Rademacher, from taking on Diggs Yu as your duly sworn Apprentice. This notice also serves as his official investiture into the Tinker Clan, there being no objections from any known members of his family.”

Sadly, his grandfather had also perished in the attack. That unfortunate fact cleared the final hurdle in her mind to take this step.

“You are also hereby charged with the training and testing of said Apprentice,” she continued, “as well as his general well being and safety.” Kalina looked up from the tablet. “Any questions?”

“Nope, sounds clear enough to me,” Maggie nodded, before looking back down at Diggs. “You got any questions?” she asked him. The boy just shook his head. “Guess we’re both good,” she finished.

“Very well...thumbprints here then.” They both stepped forward, placing their thumbs where indicated to officially endorse the document. Kalina gave it a thorough looking over, before grunting in satisfaction and setting it aside. “Congratulations Diggs...you’re now officially a Tinker.”

Diggs grinned, spitting onto his palm and holding it out to her. The Clan leader was forced to hide a smile of her own as she did likewise, solemnly shaking hands with the young man before moving onto the second document.

“Now, as to the rest of the proceedings...Diggs, has Maggie explained to you what this means?” Kalina asked him. Once again the grin came out, as he nodded excitedly. “I’ll take that as a ‘Yes’,” she chuckled, making another note. Maggie looked on with no small degree of trepidation while she double-checked the proclamation for errors, before clearing her throat. The pair squeezed hands tightly as she read aloud her final decree.

“Then it is the judgment of this body that on this day, Maggie Rademacher, newly sworn Chief Engineer of the CCFS Freya, is now and forever the adoptive parent of Diggs Yu, a minor child without…”

Her words ground to a halt as Diggs suddenly broke free of Maggie’s grasp, shaking his head violently as he stabbed his finger at the tablet. The Tinker’s hand went to her chest as she stared in agony and confusion by the boy's sudden refusal.

“Are you saying you don’t wish to be adopted by Maggie?” Kalina asked him carefully. Maggie could only watch in horror as Diggs stabbed at the document yet again.

“...Diggs Rademacher,” he insisted, struggling to get the words out as the tears began to flow. Maggie snuffled, wiping her face on her sleeve, as she felt his small hand take hers once more.

“...Mom,” he said fiercely, his own eyes now misty as she dropped to her knees and hugged him tight...while Kalina smiled behind them, recording the document and silently affixing her official seal.

THE END