Leaving

As they got closer, the details of the construct revealed themselves. It was a space vessel about 9 meters high and 15 meters long. It sported 3 engines, one on its center-back and two on either side of it extending out of the vessel's main body. The space vessel was a metallic color with many plates that comprised the entire body visible with the naked eye, meaning it was a bog-standard, no paint finish. The entire space vessel oozed a low-quality cheap feeling that even Daemon, who hadn't had much experience with any space ships could feel.

"It's... a spaceship. Yay," Daemon warily cheered.

The stranger didn't respond, instead, approaching the side of the hull and placing his hand on a cheap rusty Secpad protruding from the hull. It scanned and beeped for a few seconds before glowing green, allowing a vertical rectangular section of the hull beside it to detach from the top end and lay on the ground.

The entire ship was held up by two landing pads on the bottom back and one on the bottom front, elevating it from the ground and caused the walking platform to be angled.

The stranger a few steps onto the walking platform but stopped halfway up, stopping the eager Daemon from going on.

"What's going on?" Daemon asked while being confused.

The stranger just stood in silence, his facial expressions scrunching up a few times. It was like this for 10 seconds until he fluidly detached his pistol from his belt and pointed it at Daemon.

Daemon was shocked, he really didn't expect that situation to end up like this.

"This was supposed to be our last job... The money we could have made from this job would've been enough for us to purchase a large farm on the mid rim and retire for the rest of our lives... We deserved it, we saw too much, experienced too much to continue"

As the stranger said this his deep voice started to crack. Daemon could visibly see the turmoil he was enduring.

"And then that fucking monster killed him. He didn't deserve such a pathetic death... There wasn't even anything left intact to bury! Do you know how angry I was! How unfair it was for his life to end on this barren wasteland of a planet!" The stranger angrily shouted.

"I know it's not your fault kid... It was mine for being so careless. But regardless of your history or the history of your people, the fact is you are dangerous"

By now he was no longer shouting, instead of speaking emotionally while wiping his eyes.

"As soon as we enter civilized space, they'll find you and know what you are, I'm not risking that. After this, I'm retiring. I'll find a secure job as a bodyguard"

He steadied his hand, pointing the pistol directly at Daemon's head.

"Goodbye" he finally said, but just before he pulled the trigger Daemon spoke up.

"You don't want to do that," he remarked while smirking.

The stranger frowned.

"Your pistol, its barrel is badly damaged. Your next shot will cause it to blow up"

The gun was within Daemon's perception. This allowed him to inspect the gun and notice its numerous deformities that would cause an accident.

The stranger inspected his gun before laughing distraughtly.

"I didn't want you to die by just starving on this planet so I thought it would be more humane to end it here, but it seems even that won't work"

A long pause ensued before Daemon spoke up.

"I'm sorry about what happened with your friend. It seems he really meant a lot to you, and I know I can't replace him. But I want you to know that I know you're not evil. If this is where my journey ends so be it. I'll be disappointed that I can't explore the stars, but I'm grateful I could at least see them in my lifetime because of you!"

Daemon had been conscious for hundreds of years while stuck in Cryogen. He hadn't realized but he had matured significantly which allowed him to understand and accept the situation. To him, while exploring the galaxy was enticing, he was happy he at least experienced something outside of the research base. While he was conscious, one of this biggest fears was being stuck like that for eternity.

The stranger lowered his weapon. He remembered a scene from his past when he had a full crew including Reggie. They had just finished a job and received a handsome payment worthy of a celebration.

"To the Captain!!!" One of them shouted while raising his shot glass to the roof. The rest of the crew repeated it and the whole room was filled with drunken laughter.

While intoxicated, Reggie shifted next to the Captain.

"Thanks, Captain," He said seriously.

"What's wrong Reggie! It's time to celebrate! HAHA," The captain deliriously responded.

"No, thank you for real! If you hadn't bought me out from the market I might have spent the rest of my life as a slave to some piece of shit. I would give my life for you! You're a good man Captain."

At the time the Captain shrugged it off, but the memory seemed to be so clear at the moment. He looked at Daemon and saw a kid in a similar situation to Reggie. A single tear emerged from one of his eyes which he quickly wiped off.

"Can you hide your ability?" He asked.

Daemon beamed.

"Yea! Even the researchers couldn't find anything if I hid it!" He happily replied.

"Fine, then let's go"

The stranger continued into the vessel.

Daemon couldn't wipe away the dumb grin on his face before happily jumping into the vessel as well.

Just before he entered, he asked a question.

"By the way, I still don't know your name?"

The stranger smirked while still being slightly emotional.

"It's Veranes, but call me the Captain instead"