PmWiki | HDG / Quinn

Two centuries later. Keen is dying of old age; even his technology can't take his body any further. Affini tech might have, but of course he has steadfastly refused it.

A few generations of Rinans and humans have come and gone. Val, Alex and the others have passed on after long and happy lives. Space engineers across the galaxies swear by, or at, Klang when something dumb or lucky happens.

But the Affini are more or less immortal, they just rebloom, so Keen's Affini friends have gathered at his deathbed to say goodbye.

The room was dimly lit, a soft glow emanating from the bioluminescent flora that had been carefully arranged to provide a serene, comforting atmosphere. The hum of the medical equipment was a low background drone, almost drowned out by the gentle rustle of vines and leaves as the Affini gathered around Keen's bed. A cat, a familiar sight in the Affini Compact these days, gently slinks down from the bed after Keen's tired hand stops scratching its side. It's black and has green eyes.

Keen's body, now frail and worn by time, lay under the soft, warm covers. His once piercing eyes, now clouded with age, still held a spark of the mischievous light that had defined his life. His cybernetic legs, those ingenious creations that had allowed him to stand tall among giants or crouch low with the smallest creatures, were now folded neatly in a corner. His breaths were shallow, but his mind remained sharp, clear, even at this final moment.

Camellia, Gingkoales, Zizania, and several other Affini who had known Keen stood by, their expressions a mixture of sadness and fond remembrance. They had seen generations of Rinans and humans come and go, watched over them with care, and now they were here to say goodbye to a friend who had been both a challenge and a joy.

Keen smiled faintly, looking up at his old friends. "You... all stayed," he whispered, his voice thin but still carrying that familiar hint of irony.

"Of course, Keen," Camellia replied softly, her vines gently resting on his arm. "We wouldn't be anywhere else."

Gingko leaned closer, his expression as compassionate as ever. "You've given us so much, Keen. More than you could ever know."

Keen chuckled weakly. "Oh, I know... I've kept you on your... leaves." He took a slow, deep breath, as if savoring one last moment. "Before I go, I have something... a final project."

He motioned feebly to a small data chip resting on the bedside table. "On that chip... the DNA sequence and memories... of a woman I once knew. My only friend, before... you came."

The Affini exchanged glances, curious but silent.

Keen continued, "She... didn't make it. I couldn't save her... from the meth, from herself. But... if you have the tech... if you can bring her back... She'd have loved your Compact... loved this place. She was... brilliant. Smarter... than me." A small, wistful smile played at his lips.

Camellia gently picked up the chip with a vine. "That's something we can do, Keen. But why now? Why not earlier?"

Keen nodded slowly. "Yes. Unlike me... she'd have thrived here. I wouldn't have wanted... to see a copy. It would break my heart. But now... it's different. She deserves a... second chance."

The room was silent, save for the soft beeping of the heart monitor, which grew slower and slower. Keen's eyes fluttered closed, and he exhaled a long, slow breath. His body relaxed, and the monitor finally flatlined, signaling the end of a long, extraordinary life. The black cat with piercing green eyes that had been on Keen's bed until five minutes ago, and was at the doorstep, finally takes its silent leave.

For a moment, the Affini stood in solemn silence, honoring their friend's passing.

And then, from the medical monitor, the familiar image of a brain in a jar appeared on the screen, and a tinny, echoing voice emanated from the speakers: "Lord Klang will return! Nyahaha!"

A burst of surprised laughter erupted from the Affini. Even in death, Keen had managed to pull off one last prank, leaving them all with a smile.

"He really couldn't help himself, could he?"

"Goodbye, Lord Klang. May your next adventure be just as... troublesome."

They each place a leaf on Keen’s chest, a final farewell.

Quinn Storm, she/her - that particular argument with her reconstructed DNA lasted less than a day, thanks to Affini science - stared out the window of Zizania's hab, her newly minted eyes drinking in the alien landscape. Everything was surreal, vivid, and saturated with colors she hadn't known before. The Affini Compact was a paradise, a stark contrast to the grim, gray corridors of her old life in the Terran Accord. Here, there was warmth, comfort, safety - a place where the jagged edges of her past could soften, where the relentless noise of her mind could finally quiet down.

She had been reborn only a few months ago, pieced together from Keen's gift of her genetic data and memories. The rebirth process in Gingko's lab had been a strange one, filled with moments of disorientation and wonder as she relearned what it meant to be alive. But there was also a freedom in this new existence, a second chance handed to her by a friend long gone. Keen - who had once been her only ally, her only friend in a universe that seemed to want them both dead - had left her something more than life. He had left her a choice.

Gingko had given her the rundown on the Affini Compact, explaining their unique society, the way they cared for and nurtured other species. Quinn had listened, and as she did, a smile had spread across her face. This place, she realized, was heaven for someone like her - a place where she could find peace, where she could finally rest.

But Keen...the news of his passing had been a strange sort of comfort. Knowing that he had died happy, surrounded by friends, a far cry from the tormented man she remembered, gave her a sense of closure she hadn't known she needed.

Zizania had offered her a place to stay, and Quinn had accepted eagerly. The Affini was everything she could have hoped for in a caretaker - gentle, patient, with a maternal instinct that made Quinn feel safe. And yes, there was an attraction there. Zizania was her type - cute, a little mysterious, and very, very nurturing. Quinn had always liked a woman who could take charge, and Zizania seemed to understand her in a way that went beyond words.

Over the next few months, Quinn settled into her new life. She explored the Affini's vast gardens, spent hours talking with Zizania about everything from philosophy to botany, and even began to help with some of the more menial tasks around the place. She found joy in the simple things - in the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves, in the gentle purr of the hab's cat, in the way Zizania's vines would curl around her protectively when she slept.

But then, one day, an email arrived. Quinn recognized the header immediately: FROM: KEEN. Her heart skipped a beat. Unlike Keen, she was good with information technology, and quickly figured out that it was on a timer, from the hab's local server.

She opened it, and there it was, in his unmistakable style:

 TO: Quinn
 FROM: Keen
 SUBJECT: The Klang Legacy
 MESSAGE:
 "Hey, Quinn.
 So, if you’re reading this, it means you made it. Good for you. 
 I’m long gone by now, but I thought you might like to know I left you 
 a little something. Coordinates. They're encrypted, and you don't remember
 our shared key, but you should be able to hack past it in no time. Anyone
 else, not so much. You always were better than me at that stuff.

 Think of them as a treasure map, if you will. Scattered across this
 galaxy (and maybe a few others) are a series of labs, hideouts,
 caches - places I set up as Lord Klang.

 You could take up the mantle. Be Lady Klang. Or you could ignore all this,
 enjoy the quiet life you deserve.
 No obligation. My gift to you is an extra helping of freedom.
 Whatever path you want to take, it’s yours. No strings attached.

 Have fun, you hear?
 Deus nolens exitus.

 - Keen"

Quinn stared at the screen, her mind racing. A treasure map. A series of hidden laboratories, scattered like breadcrumbs across the cosmos. She could almost hear Keen’s voice, that familiar tone of mischief. He had always been a step ahead, always thinking, always planning. And now, even after his death, he had left her this - a chance to carve out her own destiny, to be whoever she wanted to be.

She felt Zizania’s presence beside her, a comforting weight of vine and warmth. “What does it say?” the Affini asked softly.

Quinn looked up, her eyes bright with excitement. “He left me...a choice. I can be Lady Klang, if I want. Or I can stay here, with you. Live a quiet, happy life.”

Zizania smiled gently. “And what do you want, Quinn?”

Quinn thought about it. Really thought about it. She had a chance now, a real chance to do something with her life, to make a mark, to leave a legacy. But she also had something else - a chance at peace, at happiness, at a life that was hers, free from the shadows of her past.

“I think...” she began slowly, a small smile forming on her lips. “I think I want to stay here, at least for now. Maybe one day, I’ll check out those labs. But right now? I want to see where this goes. I want to see what it’s like to just...live.”

Zizania’s smile widened, and she wrapped a vine around Quinn’s shoulders, pulling her close. “Then that’s what we’ll do,” she said softly. “Together. But I warn you now, I'm not going to play your sidekick.”

They laugh. And for the first time in a long, long time, Quinn felt truly free. She leaned into Zizania’s embrace, her heart light, her mind clear. She had a choice now, a real choice. And for now, that was enough.

Maybe, one day, Lady Klang would rise. But not today. Today, she was Quinn Storm, a woman reborn, with a whole new life ahead of her. And that was more than enough.

Quinn leaned back into Zizania's warm embrace, feeling the gentle pressure of the vine curling around her shoulder. The soft rustling of leaves and the faint scent of flowers filled the room, mingling with the comforting, earthy aroma that seemed to follow Zizania everywhere. She closed her eyes, letting herself relax into the moment, savoring the feeling of being held, of being safe.

"I suppose there's no rush," Quinn said softly, opening her eyes to gaze out the window once more. The landscape beyond was a riot of colors, a kaleidoscope of greens and blues and purples that stretched out to the horizon. A world full of life, full of possibilities.

"None at all," Zizania replied, her voice a soothing murmur. "We have all the time in the universe, Quinn. You don't have to decide anything right now. Just enjoy the moment. Enjoy being here. Being alive."

Quinn nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I think I could get used to this," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. "Being... content. It's not something I thought I'd ever feel."

Zizania chuckled softly, her vines shifting slightly as she leaned closer. "Contentment is a beautiful thing, Quinn. It doesn't mean you're settling for less. It just means you're allowing yourself to be happy with what you have, instead of always chasing after something more."

Quinn turned her head to look at Zizania, her smile widening. "You're right. I think... I think I'm starting to understand that."

At that moment, a small, black cat jumped up onto the windowsill, its bright green eyes staring intently at Quinn. It was the same cat that had been on Keen's bed, the one that seemed to have a knack for appearing at just the right moment. It padded over to Quinn and nuzzled her cheek, purring softly.

"Hey there, Charon," Quinn said, reaching up to scratch the cat behind its ears. "You always know when to show up, don't you?"

The cat purred louder, curling up comfortably in Quinn's lap as if it belonged there. And maybe it did.

Zizania watched Quinn with a soft, fond expression. "You know, Quinn," she said, "there's something special about you. Something... resilient. You've been through so much, and yet here you are, finding a way to smile, to laugh. It's... admirable."

Quinn felt a warmth spread through her chest at Zizania's words. "I guess... I just never wanted to give up. Even when things were at their worst, I always believed there was something better out there. Somewhere. I just had to find it."

"And now you've found it," Zizania said softly. "Or at least, you've found a part of it. And I'm glad you're here, Quinn. I'm glad you're with me."

Quinn looked up at Zizania, her heart swelling with emotion. "I'm glad too, Zizania. More than I can say."

They sat there for a while, in comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. The cat eventually dozed off in Quinn's lap, its tiny body rising and falling with each breath.

"Do you think... we'll stay here forever?" Quinn asked after a while, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Zizania considered the question, her vines gently brushing against Quinn's arm. "Forever is a long time," she replied. "But for now, I think this is a good place for us. A place to rest, to heal. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll feel the urge to explore again. To see what's out there. But until then, I'm happy right here. With you."

Quinn smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. "Yeah," she agreed. "I'm happy too. For the first time in a long time, I'm really, truly happy."

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, watching the vibrant world outside their window. And for that moment, at least, everything was perfect.

The cat twitched in its sleep, a tiny paw batting at some unseen dream. Quinn chuckled softly and leaned her head against Zizania's shoulder, feeling her eyelids grow heavy. She knew there were adventures still to come, mysteries to solve, and worlds to explore. But for now, she was content to simply be. To live. And that was more than enough.

Zizania looks at the two creatures sleeping in her lap. They'd more or less domesticated themselves, without any effort needed on her part. Two octaves lower than Charon, she starts purring.

CATS: All your base are belong to us. CATS: All your base are belong to us. CATS: All your base are belong to us. CATS: All your base are belong to us. CATS: All your base are belong to us. CATS: All your base are belong to us.

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