The halls of Ilara’s laboratory hummed with soft, mechanical sounds, punctuated by the occasional flicker of light from the advanced equipment. Kovacs stood in the center of the room, his gaze sweeping over the displays one last time. Ilara, her presence commanding yet warm, handed him a sleek data crystal.

“This contains everything we discussed,” she said. “Schematics, theories, and tools to help you integrate what you’ve learned here with what you’re building on Prescott. It’s not everything I could give, but it’s what you’ll need to make meaningful progress.”

Kovacs turned the crystal over in his hand, its smooth surface reflecting the faint glow of the lab. “I don’t know how to thank you,” he said quietly. “You’ve given me more than I ever expected.”

Ilara smiled faintly. “The best thanks is to use it well. You have potential, Kovacs. More than you realize. But potential means nothing without action. Go back, build, and grow. When the time comes, you’ll know where to find me.”

Her words hung in the air, a mixture of encouragement and finality. Kovacs extended his hand, and Ilara clasped it firmly. “I’ll make sure it’s not wasted,” he said, his voice steady despite the emotion threatening to creep in.

As he turned to leave, Ilara called after him. “Kovacs—be careful. The answers you’re chasing may lead to places you’re not ready to face.”

He paused but didn’t look back. “I’ll face them when the time comes.”

Outside the lab, Jackie leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she stared at the ground. The weight of their mission pressed heavily on her shoulders. The faces of those they’d lost—directly or indirectly—flashed through her mind. She clenched her fists, trying to push away the rising tide of guilt.

“Jackie,” Kovacs said softly as he approached. “You alright?”

She looked up, her expression guarded. “Just thinking. About everything. About what this cost us.”

Kovacs hesitated, unsure of how to respond. “We accomplished a lot. More than I thought we would.”

“Yeah,” Jackie said, her tone sharp. “And we left a lot behind to do it. People. Morals. Pieces of ourselves. Was it worth it?”

He frowned. “We didn’t have a choice. If we didn’t come here—”

“I know,” she interrupted. “I know we had to. But knowing doesn’t make it easier.”

Kovacs stepped closer, his voice softening. “You kept us alive, Jackie. You kept me alive. That matters.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Does it? Or am I just playing my part in a game I don’t even understand anymore?”

Kovacs placed a hand on her shoulder. “If you ever want out, you have that choice.”

Jackie met his gaze, her eyes flickering with doubt. “Do I? Really?”

The team gathered at the transport, its engines humming steadily, the sound blending into the bustling noise of the hangar. The weight of their mission, the discoveries they had made, and the tensions that had surfaced lingered in the air like an unspoken presence. Jackie leaned against the boarding ramp, her gaze distant as she scanned the advanced world around them. Kovacs was preoccupied, reviewing the tools and schematics Ilara had given him, but his attention was pulled away as he noticed Alphonse standing apart from the group.

The Enigmatic crime lord was staring at the distant city skyline, his expression unusually serious. Kovacs approached him, his boots clicking softly against the metal floor.

“You’re not coming,” Kovacs said, more as a statement than a question.

Alphonse glanced at him, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Sharp as ever, Kovacs.”

“Why?” Kovacs pressed, his tone not accusatory but genuinely curious.

Alphonse exhaled slowly, folding his arms. “Because I see the writing on the wall. What we uncovered here—about the enemy, about their methods, about what’s coming—it’s bigger than what the CID can handle. It’s not just about battles and mechs. This is a systemic threat. Cultural. Political. Maybe even something deeper than that.”

“And you think you’ll figure that out on your own?” Kovacs asked, his brow furrowing.

Alphonse chuckled, though it lacked his usual bravado. “Not alone. But if I stay here, I can dig into those angles in ways the CID can’t—or won’t. There are people on this world who know more than they let on. Connections to the enemy that haven’t been fully explored. And let’s face it, Kovacs, the CID isn’t exactly known for subtlety. If this conspiracy goes as deep as I think, someone has to work from the shadows.”

Kovacs studied him for a moment, his mind turning over the implications. “It’s risky,” he said finally. “You’ll be exposed. No backup. No guarantee you’ll even find what you’re looking for.”

Alphonse shrugged. “When has that ever stopped me? Besides, the risk is worth it. The enemy’s retreat wasn’t a defeat—it was a regroup. They’re planning something bigger. If we don’t understand the foundations of their power, we’ll never beat them in the long term.”

Kovacs’s expression softened, and he extended his hand. Alphonse clasped it firmly, their handshake lingering for a moment. “Good luck, Alphonse,” Kovacs said. “And watch your back. You’re no use to anyone if you’re dead.”

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Alphonse smirked, his usual wit returning. “Touching. But don’t worry about me. Worry about what happens when you bring all this back to Prescott. The stuff you’re carrying? It’s going to shake things up. You’re not just building mechs anymore, Kovacs. You’re building the future—and not everyone’s going to like it.”

As Kovacs released his hand, Alphonse’s expression turned serious again. “And one more thing,” he added, his voice lowering. “Keep an eye on Jackie. She’s tough, but she’s not invincible. She’s carrying more than she lets on.”

Kovacs’s gaze flicked toward Jackie, who was still leaning against the ramp, her eyes fixed on the hangar floor. He nodded, the weight of Alphonse’s words sinking in. “I will.”

Alphonse nodded back, and with that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the maze of hangar corridors.

As the transport lifted off, Kovacs stood by the viewing port, watching the world shrink beneath them. The worlds towering spires and gleaming lights lost beneath the clouds, a stark reminder of what they were leaving behind. His mind churned with questions. Were they abandoning answers that could save lives? Or were they escaping a web of intrigue they weren’t ready to face?

Jackie approached him quietly, her boots softly tapping against the deck. She stood beside him, her arms crossed as she stared out at the diminishing view. “You okay?” she asked, her tone gentler than usual.

Kovacs glanced at her, his expression neutral but his voice tinged with fatigue. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

She gave a faint smile but didn’t answer right away. Her eyes remained fixed on the horizon as she spoke. “Alphonse made the right choice, staying behind. There’s more to this than we’re seeing. The enemy, the sabotage, everything—it’s all connected. And it’s not over.”

Kovacs nodded. “No, it’s not.”

They stood in silence for a moment before Jackie continued. “I can’t help thinking about the cost. What we left behind to get here. What we lost along the way. Sometimes I wonder if we’re doing the right thing.”

“You are,” Kovacs said firmly. “You’re doing the best you can with the choices you have. That’s all anyone can ask.”

Jackie finally turned to look at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and weariness. “Thanks, Kovacs. I guess I needed to hear that.”

As the transport broke through the atmosphere, leaving the advanced world behind, the weight of their mission pressed heavily on both of them. The stars stretched out before them, an endless expanse of possibilities and challenges. For now, they had each other—and that would have to be enough.

***

Kovacs sat in the quiet confines of his temporary quarters aboard the transport, the soft hum of the engines a steady backdrop to his work. His personal console was active, casting a pale blue light across his face as he sifted through the data that the system had presented. The competition was over, but the insights and rewards from the system continued to unfold.

“System, compile a summary of gains,” he instructed, his voice low but firm.

System Message:

Summary of Gains:

Advanced schematics and materials data acquired.

New theories integrated: energy routing, modular adaptability, and reinforcement layering.

Tools unlocked: Quantum Calibrator, Reactive Frame Blueprint Generator.

Total experience points gained: 3,500.

Current level: Apprentice Smith.

Kovacs leaned back, letting the information settle. The tools and schematics would be invaluable, particularly the Quantum Calibrator—it could refine component precision down to atomic levels. The points were satisfying, but secondary to the knowledge he’d gained.

“Run a system analysis on the mecha I designed,” he said, his fingers steepled as he watched the display.

System Analysis: Grant (40-ton skirmisher):

Design Strengths: High-speed maneuverability, mid- to long-range versatility, modular weapon bays.

Efficiency Rating: 92%.

Key Improvements Suggested: Enhanced heat dissipation system and reinforced actuator joints for prolonged engagement.

System Analysis: Lee (30-ton prototype):

Design Strengths: Reconnaissance capabilities, stealth integration, lightweight frame for rapid deployment.

Efficiency Rating: 88%.

Key Improvements Suggested: Improved sensor array and secondary energy reserve for emergency power.

System Analysis: Sherman (50-ton mainline combat mech):

Design Strengths: Balance of armor, firepower, and mobility; adaptable for various combat scenarios.

Efficiency Rating: 95%.

Key Improvements Suggested: Minor refinement in armor distribution for weight optimization.

System Analysis: Pershing (75-ton heavy assault mech):

Design Strengths: Maximum durability, unparalleled firepower, powered by Mercedes 300 KW reactor.

Efficiency Rating: 93%.

Key Improvements Suggested: Integration of emergency venting system for reactor stability during high-output operations.

System Analysis: Wyvern (virtual design only):

Design Strengths: Extreme agility, advanced energy weaponry, cutting-edge reactor design.

Efficiency Rating: 97%.

Key Improvements Suggested: Long-term durability enhancements and better internal system redundancy.

Kovacs nodded thoughtfully as he reviewed the reports. Each design had its strengths, but the system’s suggestions provided critical insights for refinement. The Wyvern’s high efficiency rating was a point of pride, but its flaws underscored the challenges of creating something so advanced.

“Save the analysis for review later,” he said. The system complied, and the reports filed themselves into his personal archive.

Finally, Kovacs opened a separate window: his application to the college of advanced mech design. The process was daunting, requiring not only technical submissions but also a personal statement outlining his goals and philosophy as a smith.

He began typing, his thoughts coalescing into words:

“My journey as a smith has been one of discovery and growth, driven by a desire to push the boundaries of what is possible. The mecha I have designed are not just machines—they are extensions of the pilots who command them, each tailored to meet the unique demands of the battlefield. My time on this advanced world has deepened my understanding of materials, energy systems, and the potential for modular adaptability. These experiences have solidified my belief that innovation is not an end but a process. I seek to join your institution not only to refine my skills but to contribute to the collective advancement of our craft. Together, I believe we can shape the future of mech design.”

Satisfied, he uploaded his designs as part of the application package, including the Grant, Lee, Sherman, Pershing, and Wyvern. As the console confirmed the submission, he leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in weeks, Kovacs felt a sense of clarity. He had the tools, the knowledge, and the determination to move forward. The rest, he knew, would come in time.