As expected, Chon was devastated by our Mother's drastic decision.

    It was also made evident by the hours he'd spent pleading to change her mind. Deep down, though, Chon knew his efforts were painstakingly futile. Therefore, he stopped his insurrection a few days later. Widow Lai had only left Chon with a very sad notion. 'The idea of a happy ending is pointless. Such an idea is fallacy, which comes from minds that believe the world is kind. Sadly, the world is unforgiving, therefore incapable of granting such kindness.'

    Despite her own mixed feelings, Sarah had suggested that Chon forgive The Elder.

    Instead of growing up with our matriarch in close situ, their infant daughter would have to learn about her grandmother through the woman's achievements.

    And to some degree, I thought this was better than nothing.

    Aboard the orbital city, the time had now come for mùqīn to, leave.

    Rested atop her hover platform, my maker glided over to all of us who made up her leaving party. We were stood in a half circle, and ready to receive her. Stood back and looking on, Yan, Anho, Olaf and Aurora gestured respectful nods. So did Stephen and Lee.

    Meanwhile, a selected few of us, had stepped forwards...

    "Laina, let's get you down from there," Cassius offered.

    "Thank you," mùqīn reciprocated, clasping his hand for balance.

    "My dear, fellow, Elder, the pleasure is mine," he said. In smooth succession, Stephen's father had also raised my mother's hand to his mouth and kissed the top of it with fondness. "I will miss you, Laina. More than you know... Nevertheless, I hope that my Shadow Project lights your way, when all other light, goes out..."

    "Again, thank you, Cassius," my mother said. "And please, understand that I have always known how you feel... Even though my heart was always Tengfei's, I was deeply fond of you, too. So, thank you for battling away your desires. Thank you for helping me with everything. And soon, all will be reminded why you have the rank of, Elder." Mùqīn leaned in and placed a tender kiss on the old man's cheek.

    Then as she slipped away, Cassius held at it with desperate fingers. "Farewell, my love, farewell."

    The goodbye was an endearing one.

    Even more than that, if mùqīn was to ever embrace love again, Stephen's father had my vote.

    Casting cheeky eyes onto Mikey, my mother beckoned for the geek. "Mr. Chang. In your own way, I know that you helped my sons with The Solution, with The Contingency, with everything. In my stead, all I ask is that you continue to stay close by their sides..."

    "...Widow Lai," the honored GGE buzzed, "'Mother of Dragons' - I wouldn't have it any other way. And to you, I say, 'Live long and prosper'. Of all The Elders, I think you deserve the Vulcan sentiment the most." When Mikey stepped back into the semi circle, his eyes seemed to drift off, until settling on mùqīn's star shuttle gate.

    It was positioned a short distance away.

    For anyone else wearing iLenses, they also would've been able to zoom in on the small cluster of orange letters, which made up the hyphenated acronym, 'SS-CSP'. And thankfully, when Mikey did absorb it, he was somewhat, discreet. "...No way," he grumbled quietly. "Surely, it can't be...?" In that moment, it seemed as though the GGE had made complete sense of The Shadow Project, and its long-standing secret, which had eluded Chon for years.

    Back inside the semi circle, mùqīn turned her attention to the rest of us - her family.

    "Suki Soreigha Lai, thank you for putting up with me. Over these last few years, Cassius and I really put you through your paces. But I know you understand the sacrifice. Now you are as competent as he, Ling, and I. Furthermore, the future will have our knowledge, if and when, it is needed..."

    "...Thank you, yí mā," my cousin wept. "I w-won't let you down."

    "Xen," our matriarch motioned to me, "like Smaug of Middle Earth, watch over this treasure, Dwarven Earthian Star. But never forget the planet, either. I foresee a time will come again when humanity desires one of its great thinkers..."

    "...Mùqīn," I said with unadulterated pride, "when they seek me out, I will answer their call."

    "...And lastly," the Widow said, "I look to Sarah and Chon...

    "...Long ago, I had seen the potential of your union. I knew that it would be you two who would give rise to Tengfei's legacy. For bringing our grandchild into existence, I thank you. Our spirits are indebted to you, forever."

    While Chon held his daughter, Sarah sniffed uncontrollably, and clung to her in-law with sadness. "Well, mùqīn," she paused, "I know of a way that you can p-pay your debt. If you still insist on g-going, then just make sure that you return to u-us."

    "I will," my mother answered.

    "But, you might not..." Chon interjected, frustration written all over his face. "...Not unless someone ensures your safe passage. More to the point, that person is going to be me."

    Including the VG technicians, who were finalizing the shuttle's calibrations behind us, everyone in the leaving party, gasped.

    "Chon, what are you thinking?" I screamed.

    "I know what I'm doing," he came back. "Xen, not long ago, you'd told me to save my bravery for a darker day. Well, in light of the recent storms, this is the one I chose to evoke it..."

    Next, Chon turned to his wife, who looked like her soul had just been ripped out. "...Sarah, I will take mùqīn back to the surface. Then I'll return straight away..." My sister-in-law stood motionless, while her daughter played with her face. To follow, Chon had whispered into her unforgiving ear. "She is too frail to go on her own and my fùqīn's spirit would curse me if I didn't chaperone her."

    "...B-But, Chon. You promised that you would never leave me. Y-You told me, that we were, mates for life... Not only that, but we have our daughter to c-consider."

    "I know, Sarah, I know. But you will look after her, I know you will. You're great at this! Look," he continued, "this is an express trip, albeit, an orbital one. Please don't fret. Down there, the Asian forecast is good for the next month, and I'll be back before you know it."

    "Chon," she whined with dread. "Don't forget that it's you who's always maintained that forecasts can't be trusted. How long have you known you were going to take her?"

    "Sarah, I didn't plan this-"

    Instead of Chon being able to press his defense, our mother intervened. "-Chon. Stay here with your family. If you are that concerned for my safety, then Suki or Xen can escort me."

    "No," he battled back. "Along with my daughter, Suki is the future. And Dwarven Earthian Star needs Xen here. As first suggested, I will ride the Star Shuttle with you, mùqīn. The second seat is mine. Following that, I'll use my inheritance to board a VG flight. Then with Mr. Branson's permission, I could disembark back to here, before it returns to Mars...?"

    "Chon, only if Sarah agrees..." I stated, trying to be the responsible middle-man.

    Adding further awkwardness to the scene, all eyes flitted to Sarah, who'd clung to the only person who hadn't disappointed - her child. "...Chon, if safeguarding mùqīn means that much to you, then go. You have my support..." After what seemed like forever, Sarah allowed him to hug her and their cooing infant.

    "Sarah, thank you."

    "Chon Lai," Sarah finished with wide eyes. "Whatever it takes, just make sure that you come back to us as well."

    "I will, my love. You know I will." Following his bold declaration, Chon also said his fond farewells.

     Last but not least, Mikey was the final person to wish him on his way. "...Well, Chon, at last we come to it - The Great Farewell of Our Time..."

    "Dude, don't say it like that," he chided. "Big guy, I'll be back in a few weeks' time!"

    "Sorry," the GGE apologized. "Please, forgive my weakness. I've trained you well, my worthy apprentice! Therefore, you'll pass this Trial like all others 'n' there's no reason for me to doubt you."

    "Thanks, Mikey," Chon said formally, probably saddened that his move could mark the end of their bromance.

    "No worries, Chon. 'MTFBWYA'."

    "Mikey, one last thing..." Chon sighed.

    "...Bro, don't worry," the muscle man assured. "Me 'n' Puddin' 'll look after them, if you don't make it, back..."

    With finality, Chon nodded his thanks, and the two fist-bumped, before embracing each other in a meaningful man hug.

    This was until the VG technicians signaled that it was time.

    "Chon," Mikey finished, "you are doing a good thing. And to you, old friend, as the classic Eternian saying goes, 'good journey'."

    "...Thanks, big guy. I love you, man."

    After a final volley of hugs and kisses from everyone else, my mother and brother were ushered by the technicians, and placed into the adjacent seats of the Star Shuttle.

    Sad as it was, there was no guarantee this was going to go as planned, despite what I knew...

    The last sequence of safety checks was performed, and the shuttle door rematerialized.

    However, seconds later, Mikey flinched and flustered, as though he'd forgotten or remembered something. "Oh, damn it!" he boomed with vigor, his noise battling against the rising roar of the shuttles' triple engines. "Chon! I think I've figured out what the damn acronym means!" With the shuttle set to blast free from the Stardom sector of the dwarf, Mikey's efforts were wasted. Even if he mind-messaged Chon, the doors weren't set to open until the shuttle was docked back in Baikonur. Naturally so, regardless of what Mikey thought SS-CSP meant, its mystery would have to be revealed another way.

    Moments later, the shuttle was cleared for launch, and jettisoned into the orbital abyss.

    The descent was to be gradual through barren space and would take approximately thirty-six hours. Then the spherical craft would have to traverse the congested geostationary-geosynchronous orbit - and finally attempt re-entry.

    Sadly though, before Chon and mùqīn got there, irony was made an ultimate factor.

    Back in the North Pacific, South Pacific and Indian Oceans, the juniors of Susan, Sedrick and Sabine, had miraculously appeared...