The guilt lingered, a shadow following Darling even as he tried to refocus his efforts. He spent days holed up in his lab, pouring over every note, every fragment of data from the Nexus and Ashton's sacrifice. It was clear to him now—the Astral Plane wasn't just an anomaly; it was a constant, an unyielding force that demanded attention and understanding. But it wasn't something he could conquer alone.

Seated at his desk, Darling began drafting a proposal. If the Bureau was to truly understand the Astral Plane, it would require a dedicated team—a subsection of the Research Department focused entirely on Threshold phenomena and regular expeditions into the Plane. These researchers would be equipped with the latest stabilization suits and resonance scanners, and every mission would be meticulously planned to avoid the chaos that had marked their earlier efforts.

He titled the proposal: The Astral Research Initiative.

Hours passed as he worked, his mind racing with possibilities and precautions. By the time he finished, the sun had set, and the Oldest House's eerie hum seemed louder in the quiet of his office. He printed the proposal, tucking the document under his arm as he made his way to Director Trench's office.

Trench was seated behind his desk, the room dimly lit by the flickering light of his ashtray. He glanced up as Darling entered, his expression unreadable.

"Casper," Trench said, motioning for him to sit. "What do you have for me?"

Darling handed him the proposal without a word, watching as Trench skimmed through the pages. The Director's face remained impassive, but his eyes lingered on certain sections, his cigarette forgotten in the ashtray.

When he finished, Trench leaned back in his chair. "You think this is the answer?"

"It's a start," Darling replied. "We can't keep reacting to the Astral Plane like it's an occasional anomaly. It's a constant, and we need to treat it as such. Regular expeditions, dedicated research… it's the only way to prepare for whatever comes next."

Trench was silent for a long moment. Finally, he nodded. "One step at a time, then. But, Casper…" He fixed Darling with a steady gaze. "No more surprises. We can't afford another Ashton."

Darling's throat tightened, but he managed a nod. "Understood, Director."

As Darling rose to leave, Trench's voice stopped him. "Casper. Come to my apartment tonight."

Darling froze, turning back to face him. "Your apartment?" he asked, surprised. After their last tense update, he had assumed Trench was still angry with him.

Trench's expression softened slightly. "Maybe it's my turn to worry about my boyfriend's safety for once. You've been through enough."

Darling's mouth opened slightly, then closed again as the words sank in. He gave a small nod, a flicker of warmth cutting through his exhaustion. "I'll be there."

But first, there was work to do.

Back in his office, Darling worked quickly, sending out copies of the Astral Research Initiative to key members of the Research Department. Each copy he ran through the copy machine in his office carried the weight of his resolve, the urgency of their mission clear in every word he wrote.

As the last copy was sent through the pneumatic tube, he leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. The guilt and grief still lingered, but for the first time in days, there was also a sense of purpose. Ashton's sacrifice, Niedbala's memory—they wouldn't be in vain.

Tomorrow, the real work would begin.