Epilogue
One Cycle Later
I spot Sam walking up the dusty street at her usual relaxed pace. She's coming back from Rebecca’s place, where she dropped off a few vials of ointments and potions.
As for me, it’s been a quiet day at the office. Ever since I took the job as sheriff of Gekkar Creek, things have settled down. The settlers sleep easy now, and the town’s even treated itself to a schoolhouse. A sure sign that progress is slowly taking root.
After those brutal days in the Red Arena, Sam and I spent a lot of time talking about our options. We even tried out a few of them.
But Sam can’t stay long on interstellar bases. All that tech smothering nature… even BN-22’s aquaponic farms couldn’t bring her peace.
So together, we decided to stay close to plants and forests. And if I was going to give up my life as a space traveler, might as well settle where it all started—where Sam blossoms like a flower and shines like the sun…
We now live in Olivia’s old house at the bottom of Main Street. When Vlad and Igor, or Jason and Xenon come visit, we’ve got more than enough space to host them.
Sam and I visit the Gekkaris every two or three days. Over time, I’ve learned to communicate with Goulou and Flea, even if I’m still nowhere near as fast as my little blonde.
We also made an arrangement with my former boss—every time a new Sentinel class starts, the recruits come spend a few days training here under my supervision, on Gekkaria.
Not gonna lie—space adventures tug at me sometimes. And yeah, I miss my old crew. But they make up for it by showing up regularly to vacation here.
And speaking of which… I spot four figures trailing behind my girl, heading up the street.
Their silhouettes give them away instantly.
I rise from my rocking chair, set in the shade of the sheriff’s office porch. A wide grin stretches across my face.
Up front, there’s Vlad—still built like a tank, rocking his signature worn-out leather coat and that crooked grin of his. Igor’s right behind him, sunglasses firmly in place, wearing the look of someone who’s seen too many strange worlds to be impressed by anything anymore.
Behind them, Jason and Xenon flank my Sam like honorary bodyguards.
“Well, would you look at that…” Vlad calls out as they approach. “We actually woke the sheriff from his afternoon nap on the porch!”
I stand and throw my arms wide.
“Vlad, still about as subtle as a crash landing on a hostile planet. Some things never change.”
We all burst out laughing as I hug them, one by one.
“So, retirement treating you well?” Igor smirks.
“I’m not retired. I’m a sheriff—there’s a difference!” I shoot back, not entirely convinced myself. “Igor, buddy… it’s damn good to see your ugly mug.”
“Still packing heat, I see,” Xenon says, nodding toward my belt.
“Just a stun-set pistoblaster—for the local drunks who can’t tell when to stop. Happens more often than you’d think. Though most troublemakers these days are off-worlders.”
“Man, you really are starting to look like some love-struck old cowboy,” Xenon chuckles.
Vlad claps his hands to get everyone’s attention.
“All right, we crossed half the galaxy to get here. You got anything to drink in that sheriff’s office, or did you go full teetotaler?”
I laugh and wave them toward the building.
“Come on in, boys. First round’s on me… but none for my girl.”
I glance toward Sam, who’s paused a little farther down the street, watching the scene with fond amusement. Her belly, just starting to round under the satchel cradling Gooz, gives away a secret that’s hard to miss once you notice.
Jason squints, then gasps.
“Wait a second… Sam, are you…?”
She nods with a gentle smile, one hand resting on her belly.
“Well I’ll be damned,” Xenon breathes. “We’ve got a baby sheriff on the way?”
“You bet we do!” Sam laughs. “So no booze for me, boys. I’ll stick to berry juice.”
“As your former partner, I call dibs on godfather!” Vlad blurts, his eyes suddenly misty.
“No way—I spotted it first!” Jason argues.
Sam laughs again, a hand protectively over her belly.
“You’re all sweet… but we haven’t picked anyone yet. And you’re gonna have to earn it. This kid’s gonna need solid role models—not just a bunch of galactic goofballs.”
“Ouch!” Jason gasps, clutching his chest. “Wounded…”
“I’ll knit booties out of composite fiber for those tiny feet!” Vlad declares proudly, raising a finger like he’s solved interstellar hunger.
My girl steps into my arms, melting against me with the ease of a lifelong dance. She looks up at me, those sparkling eyes full of mischief and warmth. In this moment, there’s nowhere else in the universe I’d rather be than right here, wrapped up in her breath.
“I actually made my famous crispy larva cakes this morning,” she whispers, teasing.
I burst out laughing and turn to my friends.
“Let’s go, fellas! My girl’s cooked up a treat!”
I take a moment to look at them all, heart full to the brim. These guys—they’re more than just former teammates. They’re family. The kind you build across galaxies and hardships. And I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the stars.