Sorry for forgetting to upload yesterday! Slipped my mind.

Beta-reading was done by Kokodoru!

When there was a knock on the door to the dining room the next morning, Luka hardly felt anger at it. Although she was holding onto Dexter, she felt sociable enough. With a stretch she put the plush away, then stood, combing her hair and straightening her clothes.

"Good morning," Miku greeted her from the couch.

"Morning," Luka said through a yawn. "How was the night for you?"

"Just fine," the android replied with a smile. "How was your rest?"

"Best I've had in ages," she admitted. "I'm going to go have breakfast. Want to join?"

Miku stood with a hop-step, following close behind as Luka opened the door. To her surprise, two empty chairs waited for them, one at the opposite end from Meiko, the other closer to the brunette, right next to Aoki.

For the first time in all her life, Luka had a morning breakfast she actually enjoyed. Although Miku was sitting next to the blue-haired girl, far from the scavenger, she felt at ease. Conversation was light-hearted, with Miku doing voices for the younger kids as she played with some of the toys they had brought downstairs. She also sang little tunes for them, making up the lyrics as she went, adapting on the fly as they requested more elements to the story she was singing. Meiko let it happen without a glare or a frown, helping Oliver and talking with Piko. Len and Rin, who flanked the scavenger, talked with her quietly, apologizing for the upset from several days prior. Luka apologized for the sweater she had ruined and the abysmal cooking, but they waved her off, understanding that she was no longer used to working with such specific tools. While nothing could undo the consumption of the terrible pancakes, she promised to get Rin a new sweater someday soon.

After breakfast, it was playtime again, and Luka took those hours for a little time out. She changed her bandage with Miku's help, did an exercise with her in one of the upstairs rooms, then retired to the living room on her own, curled around Dexter, skipping lunch in favor of eating on her own later. When Rin and Len announced that they were heading out for groceries, Luka almost stepped forward to take care of that in their stead, only to be reminded by them that she couldn't step outside. In exchange, she took care of meal prep: just cutting the vegetables and fruit and setting some meat to marinate for a few hours. When the twins got home, they took over for dinner, and after an admittedly really tasty meal, they all sat down together in the living room, with the cartoons on in the background, flipping to the news between episodes.

At that point, looking at the news was starting to feel more and more like some kind of formality. After almost five local days, over four rotations, it was becoming more and more likely that the Shion simply didn't have the pull to instigate a manhunt on a random scavenger. Luka was starting to figure that maybe, just maybe, she was banned from approaching the Sapphire Isles, and that was about it. They might shoot her on sight, maybe her bounty would be spread to other popular criminal hubs. But if that was the case, then Luka would have no issues: she could go to a completely legal and normal city, buy her own planet, get settled, and finally retire to paradise.

A storm in a cup, but all said and done, a welcome one. Luka enjoyed seeing Miku interact with other people, and seeing her sing and play with the kids was a joy. With her strength, she also lifted them effortlessly, carrying two at a time on her shoulders. When she would put them down, the room would fill with a chorus of 'my turn' and 'again'. Even Meiko, who had at first freaked out and imposed a limit on two at a time and not a single more, had relaxed after a bit, seeing how Miku simply could not and would not drop them; she was too strong and quick and careful to let that happen, no matter how unpredictable children could be.

Being able to converse with her mother was also a welcome change. Luka no longer had to be on her guard, just waiting for the next request, the latest order, and Meiko looked happy to know that there was a way to meet somewhere in the middle.

"You know," Meiko started, watching the children play with the android. "If they aren't looking for you, then you are welcome to stay for a little bit longer."

Luka did a double-take. "What?"

"There is no real reason to keep you away anymore. Of course, your profession is questionable," she said with a slight droop of her smile, "But I feared mostly that you were a terrible influence. You have bad language, a short temper, and a somewhat disagreeable moral compass. However, if things keep going just like today, then perhaps there is nothing for me to fear."

Luka took a moment to process the information. "Oh. Alright. We might just stay there, then. I'd have to go back to Ruko to update them on where we are, but—"

"Ruko?"

"Oh. That's my ship. My ship's AI."

Meiko's eyes widened. "That explains why you were so comfortable with an AI."

"To be honest, they're a whole lot more popular out there than here on Terranova. But yeah, Ruko has been part of my ship since the beginning. I figured it's fair to give them a heads-up on where we're staying."

"Your ship is intelligent, then. And Ruko does not tire you?"

"Like all hell, sometimes," Luka said with a shrug. "But typical AIs don't really initiate things. Ruko's main directive is to keep me safe: unless I'm doing something really stupid, they'll only ever answer my questions. I sometimes went for entire cycles without speaking to them."

"Ah."

"When you live with a real AI, how different Miku is also becomes all the more obvious."

"I suppose. I always knew they were governed by rules, which was why I was so surprised to see her go against my orders."

"Yeah, that's something only Miku can do, along with some AI with really fine-tuned and specific protocols. Normally, they cannot really think for themselves."

Meiko hummed. "What exactly makes Miku so—"

"Luka!" Rin called out. "Your face is on TV."

The calm of the evening shattered. All attention, immediately high-strung, was directed at the screen, and the volume was increased.

Luka didn't hear any of it, though. What caught her attention were the photos that were displayed next to the news anchor. The backgrounds betrayed that they had been taken on the Sapphire Shores: the blue forest behind her was the most obvious tell, along with the huge glass bay window behind Miku.

Her own face was one of neutral reflection. Eyes downcast, a slight frown pulling her lips, the softer medical brace was barely visible around her shoulder. She guessed it had been taken on her return from her first visit to the clinic there, after Ruko had warned her to be careful around the AI.

With her neutral expression, pink hair, all features visible, she was unmistakable.

Miku's photo, however, was worse.

The android's expression had murder written all over it. Eyes glowing, scowl on her face, she was a being of pure focus and determination. The edge of the photo cut at her waist, but from her posture, Luka knew that it had been taken while she was dragging the scavenger back, back away from the bay window she was just about to shatter.

Her gun, glowing and on the brink of firing, was completely visible, the huge energy pellet fully inflated and ready to fire.

"Fuck," Luka hissed, standing up.

"Please be advised that these individuals are armed and incredibly dangerous," the anchor droned. "A galaxy-wide bounty has been placed on their heads, and a reward of—"

At that, the TV clicked off.

"We need to go," Luka hissed, making her way to the cot where she kept her supplies.

"She has a gun?!" Meiko asked, also standing.

"Of course she has a gun!" Luka snapped back, stuffing her clothes into the bag. "Fuck, we're... Fuck."

Miku hurried to her side, picking up Dexter and helping her with the packing. "How are we getting back to Ruko?"

"I..." Luka shook her head. "We run. For as long as we need to."

"If we care about discretion, we may have to walk."

Luka panted. "Shit..."

"Where is your ship?"

The two turned around towards Meiko.

"Ruko is in the forest to the west of here."

"In the forest...?"

"We got in through the fence in the industrial center. There's a blind spot there."

Meiko inhaled deeply. "Sit tight. They didn't say they would start searching homes, and they do not suspect you to be here, but rather on the other side of the populated galaxy."

"They said that?"

"They did," Miku confirmed.

"That said, if they spot a car going to the industrial area so soon after the news, then they may become suspicious," Meiko said with a strange strain to her voice, and Luka could tell she was forcing herself to keep her tone even. "Two hours, and we will go. I'll drop you off."

"Ma—"

"No questions. Don't ask any and I won't ask about the firearm you have hidden from me."

Luka bit her tongue. "Fine."

"Change your bandage. Pack some food. Be ready to leave in two hours."

"Thanks, ma."

"Don't. Not now."

With that, Meiko whirled around and started speaking to her kids, all of which were clearly shaken by what they had just seen and heard.

Luka swore to herself: they had gotten so relaxed about it, too relaxed. Of course checking the news with the kids around was stupid.

"We'll get away from here safely," Miku whispered to her, eyes darting to the children, who now regarded her with just a bit too much fear.

"Sure, sure," Luka muttered, double-checking her bag. She found new supplies there and remembered that Meiko had gone out of her way to buy some for her. Bitter regret pulsed in her gut, alongside the thumping adrenaline."A galaxy-wide bounty...!"

"He had many strings to pull to do this, I presume."

"All of them. No wonder it took so long. Fuck... We're going to be racing across the whole Milky Way for decades at this point."

"Luka."

"If he went so far, then it'll never end. He'll never stop chasing us."

"Luka..."

"We're..." Luka fell to her knees. "Fuck..."

Miku kneeled in front of her, quietly resting a hand on her good shoulder.

"We'll be alright, Luka."

"Stars..."

"It'll be alright soon enough. It might take some time, but—"

"We're fucked. A galaxy-wide bounty... Even the criminal hubs will be looking for us."

"We'll make do."

"How much was the bounty?"

"They didn't say."

"They didn't... Are we wanted dead or alive?"

"I don't know."

"Fuck..."

"Luka."

The scavenger shook her head. "Where's Dexter..."

Wordlessly, the android handed her the plush animal and watched as the woman curled into a ball, tucked into the corner on the cot, and quietly cried.

"Here," Meiko said suddenly. "Rin made three day's lunches for y— Oh."

"You can talk to me," Miku said, standing.

After a sigh, the brunette continued, "Three days' lunches, a makeup kit, and some hair dye."

"Ah, these will be useful. Thank you."

Meiko grumbled, "Leftover from school festivities."

"She's still Miku, ma," Luka hissed. "She's not going to shoot you."

The brunette opened her mouth to speak, but Miku held up a finger, before pointing to Dexter. Meiko sputtered for a moment, and the scavenger could already hear about how unfair it was that the plush could shut them out, but she could still talk to them.

In the end, she left without another word.

The situation was already chaotic enough.

"We're going to die," Luka hissed. "They're going to kill us..."

Miku hummed, kneeling down next to her once again.

"Fuck. They'll find us and put a bullet right between my eyes."

The android didn't say a word.

"We'll— We'll be hunted. Shot like animals. Caught mid-space travel or ambushed while resupplying." After another bout of silence, Luka sobbed, "We don't stand a fucking chance..."

"It'll all be alright," Miku said quietly, towards the room.

"It won't be! You have the rest of eternity to live your best life but my days are counted and they're all going to be spent running and afraid! I'll be spending the rest of my life absolutely terrified! I'm...! I'm... I'm so scared..."

Miku merely hummed, placed her hand on her back.

Luka sat there, sobbing in fear, until Meiko announced that it was time to go.

The moment she stood on shaking legs, the scavenger knew that her first step would be the first of many, many steps going forward, always forward, never stopping.

From that day on, she could never again afford to stop.

Getting away was the easy part. Meiko drove them to the industrial zone, saying goodbye in the car and leaving without as much as a wave. The duo slipped under the fence and tore through the forest as quickly as they could, and once they found Ruko, Luka's first order was to engage the interstellar boosters.

Not five minutes later, Terranova was lightyears behind.

"What is our destination?" Ruko asked. "With a galaxy-wide bounty in place, there are few to none stops we can afford to make."

Luka couldn't even think, sputtering, "Just go from empty pocket to empty pocket."

"You have enough rations for six and a half cycles. I have enough fuel to maintain such a trajectory for two cycles. We will need to make a stop."

"These might help us stay anonymous," Miku chirped, holding up the makeup kit and hair dye.

After giving them a once-over, Luka shook her head. "They'll help for maybe one stop. Sure, we can buy more of those during that stop, but really, we won't have time to."

Miku hummed. "They will help, though."

"I guess they will, at least to some degree."

"It is safe to assume that everybody knows our IDs," Ruko commented. "I will have to use a forged ID if I wish to approach a legal, populated area."

"Fuck, that's right..." Luka muttered, leaning against the dashboard. "How many spares do we have?"

"There is one that we have used often," Ruko started, "After your more precarious heists. Another, that you have used sparingly."

"Just two..."

"You have recently discarded the others. They had been flagged."

"Right."

"It is reasonable to believe that we will need a new one. The ones you have kept may be flagged too, now."

"Would they have figured it out?"

"It would be reasonable, and safer, to assume as much."

"Stars..."

"Is making a new ID difficult?" Miku asked.

Luka nodded, sitting back in her chair, eyes focused on the void of space. "Yeah. Unless you want to try your hand with random luck, you need a connection to the internet, first. Preferably, at a huge commercial hub that sees a lot of traffic. It's there that the internet is most up-to-date. It's only from there that you can hack into the databases and see which IDs are taken, and which aren't."

"Is making up a new one possible?"

"It's tricky, for sure, but possible. I've done it a few times. There's a system, which might make it easier to figure out how to make one from scratch, but how strictly they're regulated makes them impossible to just guess. Since information travel isn't instantaneous and IDs are created for ships all the time across space, and duplicates aren't allowed, their methods are complex. The IDs are non-sequential, and whatever system they use to assign them is a very closely guarded secret. Some people theorize that they may use quantum entanglement to actually communicate these things instantaneously across space, but if that technology really exists..." She trailed off. "My others were flagged because they figured out that the system had never assigned those IDs. And now, it never will assign them."

"Ah... This is why we did not announce our presence at Terranova."

"Only partly. Terranova only has one city and it's pretty much entirely human; this means that they can screen newcomers really thoroughly, really easily. Even with a fake ID, showing up in the port is like checking in with a fingerprint and spit sample. Larger civilized ports are better bets, but only barely." Luka sighed. "If I want to ever approach a civil port, I guess we have to make an ID from scratch. I don't really have a choice."

"There is also the issue of going online," Ruko added. "By going online, I upload to the local internet all the data I was given at the Sapphire Shores to make sure the galaxy-wide internet stays as uniform as possible. I would also be given a new data package to spread to other ports. This can be traced by seeing where data comes from and checking where information ends up going. Even with a fake ID, a stop means we leave a very distinctive footprint, one that is all the more unique in smaller ports."

Miku considered that information for a while. "Would it be safe to say that we will, in all likelihood, only be able to make one real stop at a very populated area?"

"Yeah. The instant they catch my scent, they'll be right on my heels. Sure, I might be able to lose them once, maybe twice, but after that..."

"Then perhaps, we must make this stop an all-or-nothing stop," the android suggested. "Forge an ID for Ruko and yourself. We go to a large settlement far from where we are expected. There, you can buy your own planet, buy the supplies you need to become independent, lose any pursuers, and disappear."

"What if they corner me on my planet?"

"We will have to make sure that it doesn't happen. The false IDs and modified appearance will buy us some time."

"They'll be expecting it."

"They'll be expecting everything. We cannot hide in the void: you said so yourself, cycles ago. And we cannot hide in civilisation with the bounty in place. I imagine that finding shelter in places too uncivilized to even check for IDs is a paradox, even if we forget that smaller ports will make our data footprint stand out. If we have a chance to create a long-term sustainable location where there is nobody around to tell of our presence, then we must take that chance."

Luka frowned, sighed, leaned against the dashboard again. "I guess you're right. It's really... All or nothing though. If they even get a hint that I bought a planet, they'll know exactly where to find me in the records. It'll be a list of places to check, simple as that."

"Quite. You will be leaving the largest footprint possible. We must only hope they do not think it is ours."

Luka groaned. "We should have done this first, then. Before the manhunt started. Back when we had time."

"We don't have time for regrets," the android gently admonished her. "Alternatively, we can continue with our original plan. Or perhaps, we can try to locate planets which are uninhabited and that provide edible food, and hide on one for as long as we can."

"That's barely a good plan; there's only so many of those out there. They'd find us, eventually."

"Even if we disregard that, that is only a viable short-term solution," Ruko announced. "Planets that provide safe water, safe atmosphere, and consumable lifeforms all at the same time are few and far between. Most, if not all, within my travel range are already populated for such a reason. Infrastructure may be required to create any form of long-term settlement, may it be for atmosphere purification, water purification, or food processing. My reserves will expire eventually, regardless of whether we are traveling or not. If you do go with this plan, I advise at least making a stop to purchase infrastructure that would solve these problems."

Another groan from the scavenger. "That's right."

"Most of your preselected planets for potential havens have safe atmospheres for long-term, life-long stays," the AI went on. "Therefore, if we are to settle on one of those, that is one less problem. However, extensive installation will be required to make the water potable, and edible food will have to be imported and grown. The local wildlife can be killed in the meantime, if you wish to take that route, but their flesh may be toxic and would require processing."

"Right, right. And that's if they don't find us even after all that effort. Still… It looks like it's our best bet," Luka said with a deep, unhappy groan. "Might as well go all-or-nothing in that case. Buy the planet."

"The entire galaxy is out to find you. That route is simultaneously the best and the worst to take," the AI commented. "It is the best in that, should we secure a settlement anonymously, nobody will be likely to bother us for numerous years. It is the worst in that, should they figure out your plans, their odds of catching us are close to one hundred percent."

"Even if we do nothing, those odds are high," Miku admitted.

"It is a dangerous bet."

"I guess we have no choice."

"We have no real alternatives, no," Ruko admitted with manufactured, but sincere regret. "To maximize our chances, we will need new IDs, we will need to visit a very popular port nearby, and your appearances will have to be altered."

"Alright then. Plot a course for Crypton."

After a slight pause, the ship asked, "For Crypton? Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Please brace, I will be correcting my course."

Luka strapped herself in, while Miku held onto the dashboard with her iron grip. After the countdown, the ship jerked briefly, before Ruko announced, "Making our way to Crypton. Arriving in three rotations."

Breathing was, all things considered, very difficult. In space, it is only possible in the safety of a fragile little air-tight ship. Twenty centimeters of metal, cables, and insulation was all that stood between mortal human lungs and the cold, merciless vacuum of the void. One leak, one accident, and all the air would get sucked out in an instant, the lungs left empty, gasping and unable to fill, mouth biting around space, trying to catch just one molecule of oxygen that might happen to be floating by.

Even in the ship, where oxygen was sufficient for days on end, breathing was still difficult in front of the eyes of a laser-focused predator, out for the kill. Rationally, Luka knew that Miku was no predator, no hunter, not out to kill her. But, in her seat, trapped in her little tin-can bubble of air, she still gasped, forgot to breathe, as she struggled to calm herself under Miku's watchful stare.

All things considered, it was getting easier. Miku insisted on continuing the exercise with her eyes open, even though she still hadn't managed to get close to the scavenger without prompting a flinch even with her eyes closed. In the fake-night Ruko had let descend over the ship, casting them in almost total darkness in the completely black emptiness of space, those eyes were piercing. Petrifying. Luka needed all of her force of will to just keep breathing deeply and evenly.

It was, all things considered, still very difficult.

Too difficult even.

"I can't," Luka finally whispered, shutting her eyes. "This is too much."

The android, who had made it only halfway towards her, hummed. "You did better than yesterday."

"Barely."

"It is still progress."

Luka shook her head. "I don't get it. I just don't get it."

"...Are the memories so visceral?"

"You have no idea," she admitted, trying to calm her racing heart. "But it's been ages, we get along fine, we've even hugged for crying out loud..."

"That doesn't mean that you're not allowed to feel fear when you have been taught to," Miku gently reminded her. "We can try to make more progress tomorrow: you need to sleep now."

Luka groaned: with only three rotations until Crypton, getting used to the day/night cycle there had been fast and unpleasant. She was already suffering from jet lag, feeling far too awake for sleep.

Also, far too panicked.

"Tomorrow we arrive in Crypton," she reminded her. "First thing we do when we get there is dye my hair and see how much of my appearance we can change."

Miku nodded. "We already have your IDs at the ready?"

"Yes. We should, should be able to dock there for a day or so. Hopefully, that'll be more than enough to buy a planet, buy the supplies we need, and get out before nighttime."

"If not?"

"Simple: we run. Try again at the next big hub."

"Very well. Come morning, we will change your appearance."

"And yours," Luka reminded her.

"You wish for me to come along?"

"Of course."

The android shook her head. "I am instantaneously recognizable. I shall be impossible to hide."

"Can't we dye your hair?"

"...Perhaps we can try," Miku shuffled from one foot to the other, her opal eyes downcast, still frightening. "I am not sure how the material will react with the dyes."

"We can tie it. Hide it."

"I cannot change my general profile, however. I am noticeably short, even compared to you. That alone will make us stand out as a duo."

"Right."

"I cannot change my eyes either. We do not have contact lenses."

"...Right."

"With our fake IDs, it would probably be best if you were to go alone," Miku summarized. "How does your injury feel?"

"It's ok."

"Then you could try to do without the sling for your stay: your profile indicated an injured torso or shoulder, and hiding that will help disguise you further."

"I'll need to take a few painkillers for that."

"Normally, I wouldn't recommend discarding the sling so soon and relying on painkillers like this, but in the long run, this would be worth it," Miku said. "Alone, disguised, and uninjured, even with questionable fake IDs, you will be nigh invisible."

"I hope so."

"It's settled then," Miku said with a small smile. "Come morning, I'll help disguise you, we'll land, and I'll hold the fort here while you do the shopping."

"You didn't want to see the planet?"

"I'm sure the view will be sufficient from the ship. And, if trouble were to find us, Ruko and I can inform you, so you might find another way off-planet."

"Right."

"Now, sleep. It's important to get rest now: we will need to exploit every second of daytime while we are there."

Luka nodded dumbly, her heart still skipping nervously in her chest. As she got settled in bed, Ruko turned all the lights off, Miku closed her eyes, and darkness enveloped them as they raced through the stars.

In space, sleep was surprisingly easy. The hum of the boosters made for the perfect white noise. There was nothing out there to make a sound. At such speeds in such a huge playing field, ambushes were extremely unlikely, collisions nigh unheard of.

It wasn't so surprising that, even with the lingering anxiety of the bounty looming over her, even with the after effects of the exercise coursing through her veins, even with the jet lag insisting that it wasn't night time quite yet, Luka dozed off relatively quickly. Not nearly as quickly as she normally did, but with the help of Dexter, the white noise, the total darkness, she tipped over into a shaky, uneasy unconsciousness.

Only nightmares found her there. She spent what felt like days trying to outrun bullets and lasers alike as they chased after her ship, her stocks dwindling, the water running out, Ruko silent, leaving her alone to deal with the wolves as they cornered her, forcing her to a slow, agonizing death out in the middle of space. If only they would shoot, pop the tin bubble keeping her alive, force death upon her and get it over with, suck the air right from her lungs, with nobody to save her and nobody left to care.

She sat up, alone in the dark, shaking like a leaf.

"Luka, you are awake," Ruko commented, bringing up the lights somewhat.

The scavenger didn't reply, feeling around for Dexter, in vain.

Miku stood suddenly, startling her, but the android was making her way towards the front of the ship. A little ways away from the scavenger's bed, she picked up the plush from the floor, before quickly handing it to the woman. She latched onto it like she would latch onto a buoy out at sea, tucking her face into its plump side.

As always, neither Miku nor Ruko asked any questions now that she had her arms around Dexter. The ship even dimmed the lights again, if only a bit, while the android settled back down on the floor.

Luka shook from head to toe. Nonetheless, after catching her breath, she pushed the plush to the side and turned to face the android.

"Please come with me tomorrow."

Miku's eyebrows rose in surprise, her expression legible even in the darkness. "To Crypton?"

"Please."

"But—"

"I don't care how unsafe it is," Luka whispered. "You're my only real defense against them. If they catch me alone, they'll... I..."

"The odds that they catch you will only increase if I join you."

"I don't care," Luka pled, gripping the edge of her bed in a white-knuckle grip. "Come with me. I beg you."

The android hesitated, shifting her position a bit on the floor. "Did you just have a nightmare about this?"

Luka nodded.

"Then... It is still too fresh. Please, sleep for the rest of the night, we'll think about it rationally tomorrow."

"No. Please. Just knowing I'll be out there, alone, it terrifies me," the scavenger whispered. "I've never been in such a situation before. I..."

"Yet I'm the one that scares you most as well."

"Not as much as this. I fear the Shion with my body and soul. It's only my stupid instinct that's scared of you. I… Please. Please come with me. I won't sleep otherwise."

"I'll put you in danger."

"But you make me feel safe."

The android stayed mute at the confession, keeping her eyes on the floor, the opal slivers away from the scavenger. Luka could almost see her think, could see her deny her again, already had the next plea hanging from her lips.

"Very well. I will accompany you."

"You promise?"

"You have my word."

Luka sighed, sank back into the bed. "This isn't just a trick to get me to sleep?"

"No. We will have to get up earlier to see what we can do about my hair and appearance. But I will join you." After a second, Miku smiled. "I'm glad I'll get to see Crypton after all."

The scavenger gulped, her good hand still hanging from the edge of the bed. "You'll really join me."

"Yes. I'll protect you."

"...Ok."

Miku regarded her for a moment, briefly, knowing how her eyes looked in the dark. But Luka was already cowering at a much bigger monster: the predator sitting in the corner by the trash chute hardly compared, even if she was analyzing her carefully, eyes darting to the hand that dangled from the edge of the bed.

The android eventually averted her gaze once more.

"Please get some rest while you can."

"Miku?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have a song? Please?"

"Always, Luka. What do you want to hear?"

"Anything."

Miku didn't have to be asked twice and started right away, replacing the white noise of the boosters with a gentle song. Despite the instruments, harsh and usually loud, the melody and words sounded tender and kind.

After a minute, Luka curled up around Dexter once again, and let the android sing her into a dreamless sleep.