Part 26: Everyone's Plans

There is goon participation in this chapter!



: I apologize for... all of that excitement. I know it's not what you were expecting when you came here today.

: These last thirteen-and-one years were nothing other than 'exciting'. In all the things that I was included in, a new kind's origin is nearly dull in contrast.



: Uh... thanks? I guess?



: That reminds me, Miss Isol – I hadn't asked what it is you do for a living. If you don't mind me asking.

: I study nutrition and sustenance.

: During the Riklid War's height, I was learning how to create war rations that your Earthling druggists could turn into a slurry. All nutrients –...



: So, what do you all intend to do going forward?

: ... Like, is this related to the whole Kirby thing, or?

: No; I was just trying to make conversation. I apologize if I overstepped somewhere.



: Ghi is a long way away.





: So, what I want to do is to create a restaurant that caters Ghian cuisine. Take the knowledge that I had own with Ghian dishes and unite it with Earthling dishes.

: There's a chance that I can't go to Ghi again, now that the Riklid War had taken so long, so I'll do what I can to carry Ghi to here.

: The restaurant could crash – though that's the risk that I take, I realize.

: A noble goal... but it's been deemed safe to travel between human colonies for months, now. You could have started on your journey from here to Earth, and from Earth to Ghi, a while ago.

: I know.

: I realized a reason why I would want to stay, is all.

: Really? What reason is that?

...



Sounds like Isol's made her peace with never going back to Ghi, which is sad. Still, her choice for her future also opens a new chapter in her life. Ezra will be able to support her in her culinary endeavours!



Like Isol, Nathan's plans for the future are voiced.



: Eden's last message to me was about what it was she was fighting for, and why, and what she wanted from me if she wound up not making it back.

: ...

: My plan is to retire and live off my veteran's benefits for the rest of my life.



: Does that include you?

: ... It will include me, someday. But until then, I have a duty to the peoples and places I swore to protect, and to the memories of those we lost in defending them.

: What sort of life do you have envisioned for yourself, Nathan? It's been so long since I've been a part of civilian life that...







: Maybe I'll build a deck. We definitely don't have a deck for the grill we might not have.

: When's the last time you did any kind of woodworking, Dad?

: Never in my life.

: But that's the whole point, isn't it? To take this opportunity to start our lives over, the way we want to? I don't know if I don't like to build decks yet.

: ... What about you, Mister Houston? Do you know how to work with wood like that?

: My time in the force has given me all sorts of miscellaneous knowledge on how to work with different materials. Usually for things like diagnosing damages and how to do on-the-fly repairs; things like that.



: But how hard could it be, really?

Nathan and Gabriel both want to barrel straight into Grill and Deck Dad Mode. It's inspiring, in a way...

Our Contribution (The Foys' Theme)



: Huh? What question?



: This was a real sticking issue with you when we initially encountered each other. That was well on a year ago, now.

: Us three already said what it is we intend to do going onward, and I won't let this discussion end until you tell us what you will do!



: It feels like I've lived two lifetimes since then. I've lost Mom; I've learned to not take Dad for granted; and I've found my soulmate in Isol, all in the span of, like, fifteen months.

: I guess, in the back of my head, the topic's always been there...

: ... and, I think, so has the answer.

: After everything that I've been through, and all of the things I've said and done with Dad and Isol...



* * *

Goon participation!

This is it, everyone! It's been one year since the Riklid War ended, and one year of Ezra wondering what comes next for her. With everyone else having a plan for the future, the ball's now in Ezra's court. What does Ezra plan to do with her life? We can say that Ezra will either continue to work with robotics or retire early to live for herself, but maybe she still doesn't know, and that's okay. Decide her fate...