Jupiter was studying, very seriously, the sheeve in front of her.

Stinger was watching over her, Grey was aiding Kiza in some Keeper based maneuvering, which was much more acrobatic than Stinger's own skyjacker training. It held the same principle of being evasive, quick, and economical, but it was much more gymnastic. It relied on flexibility, and while Stinger was too old and too stiff to learn it himself, Kiza was just at the right age and body type for it, if a little at a disadvantage because of her shorter reach.

"Stinger, I think I mentioned that it was rude to stare on this planet," humor laced her voice, and she looked away from her sheeve, brow raised.

Stinger struggled, for a beat, the question- the hope lingering in his mind the more he spent around this child.

"What are your plans for your security? Once you're off-planet?" he asked, and he cursed himself for being a coward.

"An Aegis battle cursor," mentioned Jupiter with a blink, turning her body to look at him, seriously, "Small. I was hoping you could point me in the right direction for that, actually. Any old contacts you can trust would be appreciated. Mostly I was going for stealth, however, so until I become an official Queen and member of House Abrasax, no one, really. The ship that Seraphi left is in excellent condition, and it can make jumps needed to reach Orous unharmed. Well, as long as no one finds out about me first..."

Stinger shifted.

Just ask. She wouldn't- She wouldn't do anything to you or Kiza because of a question.

"Of course, I was hoping for you to become my head of security."

Stinger blinked. Blinked again in sheer surprise.

"You- You don't have to. I- I have plans to reinstate you to Skyjacker status if that's what you want, or buy out your commission and let you and Kiza live out your lives anywhere you wanted-"

Stinger dropped to his knees, clasped her delicate hands, so fragile and breakable in his own.

"Jupiter, I would be honored."

Jupiter beamed. Innocent and warm. Without realizing what she was offering- or perhaps knowing exactly what she was offering, and not caring of what it meant.

"Thank you, Stinger!"

Stinger swallowed the lump in his throat.

"I… I have a request, Jupiter Jones."

Jupiter was still smiling.

"Anything I can, you name it."

I am starting to see that. Can anyone really be this kind?

"My old skyjacker squad-"

Jupiter smiled wider.

"I already tracked them down because they were involved with Seraphi's death. I plan on buying out their contracts. They suffered unnecessarily because of her death. They are safe as they can be, however, considering, and are doing well. If you want them back, just be patient," then, her smile dimmed, turned into a frown, "Except for Mister Caine Wise, he was-"

"Exiled. To the Badlands," Stinger's voice was thick with emotion, "I was going to actually request, your Majesty, if we could find him specifically. He- He was family."

Jupiter looked at him. Gripped his hands.

"Consider him found, Stinger, as soon as we possibly can."

Stinger, for the first time in a long time, beamed.


AN:

Woops, I totally fell asleep after a little drinking, and did not post this! So… Double posting today, yay?