Cassian walked down the ramp of the spaceship, the soft humming sound of the engines growing quieter. He stepped onto the green grass of Planet Selene. Far away, he could see the tall buildings of the city shining in the sunlight.
After issuing a few final orders to his crew, he made his way to the family estate. Once inside, he entered his private quarters. Only within the confines of his family could he found solace. Valeria sat with Ren on her lap, the two-year-old's bright eyes lighting up as she saw her father.
Valeria sat beside a small bassinet, where Orion lay nestled in soft blankets. His bright eyes, peeked out as he wriggled one tiny hand free. Valeria gently picked him up, cradling him as he cooed softly, his delicate features glowing in the light filtering through the room.
"Daaadaa!" Ren exclaimed, stretching her arms towards him, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Cassian smiled, lifting her into his arms and spinning her around, eliciting a delighted squeal that echoed through the room like music. He paused mid-spin to meet her wide, sparkling eyes, his voice warm with affection. "And what mischief have you been up to today, ha?" His question carried a playful edge, as though he already suspected an answer brimming with whimsy.
Ren giggled uncontrollably, her tiny hands gripping his collar tightly for balance. "I made cookies with Matta!" she declared, her words tumbling out in an excited rush. "I rolled the dough all by myself!" Her proud expression was so earnest that Cassian couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Did you now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow with exaggerated curiosity. "And did you sneak a taste of the chocolate chips while Mama wasn't looking?" The mock-seriousness in his tone made Ren's eyes widen in faux innocence, her lips pressing together in a feigned attempt to hide her guilt.
"Maybe... just a little," she confessed, holding up her thumb and forefinger barely an inch apart, before breaking into another fit of giggles. Cassian chuckled, brushing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Well, it sounds like you've been very busy." he teased, his tone light but filled with warmth. "I suppose a cookie wouldn't hurt—but only if Matta agrees."
He turned toward Valeria, who was watching them with a fond smile, her expression a blend of quiet amusement and deep love. "What do you think, Valeria? Has our little baker earned her treat today?"
"Cookies!" Ren giggled, her small hands clutching his collar tightly. "Please? I helped Matta, and now I want to taste!"
Nearby, Valeria smiled, watching the scene with affection. "I think she's earned it, considering how diligently she helped. But only one, Ren. We don't want to spoil dinner."
Though she could easily request the servants or chefs to handle all the cooking and baking, Valeria genuinely enjoyed stepping into the kitchen herself. There was something calming about making food with her own hands, a small break from the busyness of their lives. It was her way of infusing warmth into the family's routine.
Valeria sat with Orion snug in her arms, his tiny frame wrapped in a soft blanket. His blue eyes blinked up at her, curious and bright, as she gently rocked him. The little coos he made brought a rare, tender smile to her face. Cassian approached with a small smile and took Orion into his arms. "Let me," he said softly. Valeria watched him hold their son, her tension easing slightly.
Her gaze flickered to Cassian, and a storm brewed behind her eyes. Sharp words rose, reprimands for his gambles. How many times had she begged him to consider the risks to their family? Her lips parted, but the weight of what he uncovered pressed down on her. Not now.
With a quiet inhale, she swallowed the words, tucking her frustrations away where they simmered beneath the surface. Her expression softened, though a trace of tension lingered in the lines of her face. "How did it go?" she asked, her voice carefully measured, carrying a blend of genuine concern and restrained emotion.
"Marek has agreed to lead it," Cassian said, his voice steady, "but I want you to co-lead it. I want to involve your family too in the research."
Valeria hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the floor. The silence stretched uncomfortably. Finally, she nodded solemnly, her expression resolute despite the flicker of unease in her eyes. "I'll do it." she said, her voice firm with determination.
A moment of silence passed between them, heavy with unspoken fears and the enormity of the tasks ahead. Cassian finally broke it, his voice quieter but no less serious. "The Codex Chrysalis intends to push the Dominion and the Confederacy into a war that neither side can afford." he said, glancing toward the door. "Their strategy has always been to manipulate conflict from the shadows, relying on subterfuge to ignite chaos."
Valeria's breath hitched, her brows knitting together as she processed his words. "How?" she asked, her voice sharper now, the earlier restraint giving way to urgency. "How do they plan to do that?"
"From what I gathered," Cassian began, his jaw tightening as he leaned forward, "their original strategy involved sowing discord through resource disruption—like the attacks on the outposts. But now, I suspect they'll shift tactics. They just need to leak the existence of the artifact to the Dominion's Transcendents. Their leadership will see our possession of the artifact as a direct threat, and they won't hesitate to escalate."
Her grip on his hand tightened, and her voice gained an edge of urgency. "Staying ahead isn't just a strategy—it's our only chance. If we can decipher the artifact's purpose before anyone else, we'll gain the upper hand in negotiations."
"That's why I proposed the collaboration with the Zey'rans," Cassian replied, leaning closer. "Their expertise, combined with ours, gives us the best chance to decipher the artifact's secrets and develop a countermeasure."
Valeria's gaze remained unwavering, her tone resolute. "I'll take on the role alongside Marek," she declared. "We cannot allow them to dictate our future."
Cassian saw the fire in her eyes, a reflection of their shared struggles. "I know you will," he said softly.
Valeria's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't fully reach her eyes. "How would you deal with Alaric?" she asked, her tone measured yet underpinned by a quiet urgency. "Now that we know he's been spying for the Codex, I thought you'd use the opportunity to root him out. But you haven't. Why?" Her eyes locked on his, the mix of curiosity and concern deepening as silence lingered between them.
Cassian met her gaze steadily, the lines of his face hardening as though weighing the weight of his decision yet again. "I'm waiting for Saria's family to reach the safe house," he began, his voice calm but laced with a subtle edge. "Once they're secure, I'll expose him at the next meeting." He leaned forward slightly, his tone softening as he continued, "I need to ensure they're out of their reach before making my move."
Valeria frowned, her brow knitting as her confusion deepened. "What does that have to do with him?"