Ch 51: Meaning

Kael had spent his life searching for purpose in knowledge. If he could just learn more, build more, understand more—then he'd find the answers he was looking for.

But now, surrounded by opportunity, he felt more lost than ever.

The workshop buzzed with activity as Kael moved through the rows of workbenches. The city of Gron had a thriving tech scene, but it wasn't just about repairing old-world devices—it was about innovation.

He had spent the last three months fixing things, modifying power systems, and reverse-engineering old tech. It had kept him busy, kept him distracted. But when an offer came for something bigger, he hesitated.

The project was ambitious: a decentralized energy network that could rival the Consortium's power grid. The lead engineer, a woman named Lora Teylan, had recognized his talent and offered him a minor role.

It was a real opportunity. Stability. Legitimacy.

But as he sat in the dimly lit workshop, turning a microcapacitor between his fingers, he wondered—was that what he wanted?

He had spent years in the Blanks, surviving, moving, fighting. Could he really stay here and just… work?

Mira, meanwhile, had never thought much about meaning. She had lived by instinct—first as a soldier, then as a fugitive, then as a survivor.

But here, in Gron, instinct wasn't enough.

She had spent weeks drifting through the city, taking small jobs that never felt right. Guard duty, courier work, even a brief stint in the underground fight pits just to feel something.

Then, an old face appeared.

Tarin Voss.

She spotted him at the edge of the market, standing too casually, his coat just slightly too clean for a man in Gron.

Mira's grip tightened on the strap of her bag. Consortium.

She didn't approach—she waited. And soon enough, he made his move.

"You gonna pretend you don't know me, Mira?"

She turned, arms crossed. "Didn't expect to see you alive, Voss."

Voss smirked. "Could say the same."

He was older, a little grayer, but the same man she remembered from her years in the Consortium's tactical units. He had been a commander, and a damn good one.

Mira didn't trust coincidences.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

Voss glanced around. "Gron's got opportunities. I could use someone like you on a job."

Mira raised an eyebrow. "A job?"

"Mercenary work," he said simply. "Not Consortium. Private client. Well-paid."

Mira scoffed. "You tracked me down for that?"

Voss tilted his head. "I figured you'd be looking for purpose."

Mira clenched her jaw.

Because the bastard was right.

That night, Kael and Mira sat in their apartment, the weight of their choices pressing down on them.

Kael turned the offer letter over in his hands, the details of the energy project written in crisp, formal script. It was everything he should want.

Mira leaned against the window, arms crossed, eyes unreadable.

"I was offered another job," she finally said.

Kael frowned. "Consortium?"

"No. Mercenary work. Private."

Kael was silent for a moment. "Are you going to take it?"

Mira exhaled. "I don't know. It's something to do. But I can't tell if it's just habit."

Kael set the letter down. "I got an offer too."

Mira turned to face him.

"Energy project," he explained. "It's good work. Smart people. I could actually build something."

Mira studied him. "But?"

Kael sighed. "But I don't know if I want to stay in one place."

Mira gave a dry chuckle. "So neither of us knows what we're doing."

Kael smirked. "Seems that way."

They sat in silence, the city humming around them.

Finally, Mira asked, "What's our end goal, Kael?"

Kael stared at the ceiling.

That was the real question, wasn't it?

They had spent so long running, surviving. They had never stopped to ask why.

"Maybe," Kael said slowly, "it's time we figured that out."