After being escorted back to the spaceship, Avi returned to the bridge and received the data on how to access the shortest route to leave Goliath. She didn't waste any more time and inputted the coordinates, but after she did so, she also received a message from Oasis of Forgetting – their patient was looking for them. She decided to let them know where to find them and waited, together with Luna.

“Our trip around the Goliath seems to come to an end.” - Luna commented. - “It was a really long journey.”

“Yes, it was. There was so much to see, and we still didn't see everything.” - Avi replied. - “Will we return one day?”

“If they don't want us here anymore, then I don't know what else we are supposed to do to deserve their hospitality.” - Luna answered.

Avi put her arm on the control panel and leaned against it, then let out a long exhale. - “Maybe when everything is over, they'll be more tolerant.”

Luna leaned her back against the wall next to Avi and stared at the holographic star map with nostalgia.

“It seems that the majority of citizens were sapient machines.” - Luna mentioned. - “You won our small bet.”

Avi's eyes opened wider. - “I totally forgot!” - She then smiled slyly. - “Well, well... one wish... and you will do anything I ask for?”

Luna sighed in resignation. - “Just take your time to think over what you want.”

Avi was still smiling mysteriously. - “I think I have a few ideas.”

“I feel like you will waste it on something stupid.” - Luna uttered.

“Oh, you don't know me at all.” - Avi turned to her. - “I want...”

At that very moment, the intercom activated. The patient was already at the door.

“Ohh! Let's go!” - Avi didn't finish, she ran to the recreational room, and Luna slowly followed.

---

A hooded android stood in the entrance, its body appeared to be a precise reconstruction of who they were before being affected by Anaari's plague. It was clear that their movement was still clumsy, and they were still adjusting to the cybernetic shell.

“Please, come in.” - Avi invited them inside.

The android removed his hood and sat down next to Nicolas and Charlotte. He deeply exhaled and inhaled a few times and glanced around. - “Anaari's reconnaissance ship... what kind of miracle allowed you to seize it?”

“All it took was some tinkering with the security.” - Luna replied, standing in the other doorway.

Seeing her, the android instinctively stood up and reached to his waist, but they quickly realized that they were unarmed.

Avi, surprised, asked. - “Is everything alright?”

The android retreated a step. - “Anaari's daughter... but...” - He looked at Avi, then at her parents. - “Oh, I understand... I think I understand... I didn't know there were more people like Daichi's companion.”

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Avi's eyes widened. - “Daichi!? We're looking for him!”

“To be honest, I too...” - The android said. - “...but that's not why I'm here.”

“Please, sit.” - Avi politely requested. - “I'll bring us something warm to drink and we'll talk.”

When she disappeared into the kitchen, Luna approached and sat on the other end of the sofa, crossing her legs. Her presence still felt weird to the astronaut, especially when she was so close.

Avi returned with tea quickly. She offered cups to everyone, then, while still smiling, sat on the pillow next to the table.

The android lifted their cup, and their hand was lightly trembling. After a first sip, they spoke. - “I came here because I wanted to show my gratitude for saving me... so, thank you.”

“It's Luna who healed you and sponsored the healing procedure.” - Avi explained.

“Luna?” - The astronaut turned, trying to guess who Avi was speaking about. Luna simply raised her hand and waved with a heartfelt smile. Hesitantly, the android added. - “Thank you.” - They then finished their tea and put the cup away. They were ready to stand up and leave, but Avi quickly refilled their cup.

“Oh, are you leaving already?” - Avi asked. - “I thought we could share a few stories.”

“I...” - The android looked at the cup. When they noticed Avi's big, pleading eyes, they could not refuse. - “...I can stay for a while, but I have a mission to return to.”

“Can you tell us about it?” - Avi asked.

“It's a top secret operation...” - The astronaut revealed. - “...but if you're looking for Daichi, then perhaps, I can help you. He's looking for the soul fragments of the first astronaut. If you have any, he might find you on his own when you are close enough to him.”

“Soul fragments?” - Luna repeated. - “Can you elaborate?”

“They look like crystal shards, and are often found in dried aether wells.” - The android informed. - “These have various forms, but most often resemble white trees.”

“Isn't it what we had found earlier?” - Avi asked Luna.

“It appears so...” - Luna said. - “...but what is the purpose of these crystals?”

The android took another sip of their tea. - “Eden. They want to revive the first astronaut.”

“Everything falls into place...” - Luna stated. - “...but will it help?”

“I'm worried it won't.” - The astronaut replied. - “He chases a hunch, breaking all the directives established by the astronauts.”

“Despite this, you still tell us about it and try to help?” - Luna noticed.

“No, I want you to turn him back once you meet him.” - The astronaut informed. - “He puts all his eggs in one basket, but that path to survival was closed a long time ago, and his actions will lead only to more suffering. The trees... they slow down the Universal Necrosis. Without them, the stars will die, and there will be nothing but darkness.”

“I understand, everything has a price...” - Luna commented. - “...but if you failed to turn him back, why do you think that we will succeed?”

The astronaut peeked at Avi, and they weren't sure if they should reveal the full truth. - “He won't listen to us anymore and he treats the entire world as something that he can cut himself off from and abandon in the name of his goals... but you, you are of the same blood, maybe once he remembers Earth, it'll move his heart.”

Avi pondered deeply. - “To revive the first astronaut... by sacrificing other lives.” - Then added. - “We'll talk to him.”

The astronaut finished their tea, but Avi wanted to refill it again, so the android put their hand over the cup to signal they didn't want more. - “I have to resume my mission. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“A moment, please!” - Avi stopped them. - “What about the message that you tried to send to encrypted coordinates? The one about the witch.”

The astronaut froze on the spot. - “Do you... Do you know? May the stars forgive me.” - They looked at everyone with a serious expression, adding. - “This information shouldn't spread, no matter what. Do you understand? Don't ever try to chase the signal.”

Luna looked at Avi, trying to read her mind, but Avi was quiet. - “Will you be fine?” - She finally asked. - “You don't have any spaceship or credits.”

“An astronaut will always find a solution.” - The android replied and stood up. - “I'll be on my way, but promise me not to share what you know.”

“We can't promise anything.” - Luna was honest.

“...but we'll do our best!” - Avi added reassuringly. - “We know that you fight to save the universe, and we are not planning to get in your way. We'll always try to help as much as we can.”

The astronaut exhaled with relief. - “I don't desire anything more. Please, watch your safety and may the star light always guide you.”

“And may it guide you, too.” - Avi replied, then, after a short farewell, the astronaut disappeared.