--so happy that I can be at your side again...

Oh...!

(He'd certainly become more affectionate! To know he cared so much was nearly more than they could bear.

Their own hands trembled slightly as they held him in return. If he was holding them like that, he wasn't disgusted with them after all...?)

I-I do not blame you! I...I'm simply--

--recently...perhaps merely a month or two ago. I...

I did not...think I would see you again, when I learned five thousand years had passed...

(Again, they hugged him tightly. Their professor came back for them... he could feel them nuzzling their face against his chest.)

('Dear'... he called them dear...!)

Ah...that...I do not know. I watched the records of this lab, but there is nothing beyond when you closed the wounds in my body and put me into stasis...

(They didn't let go, but pulled away enough to look up at him through their mask.)

I woke up very--

--enough. This really was him, wasn't it...? He could feel them start to tremble, holding him more and more tightly as the reality began to sink in properly.)

Professor...!

Ah...!

(Achia was too stunned to do anything but be embraced for a long moment...but this warmth...this scent...

...they slowly allowed themself to return the hug. They'd never done this before, and yet...somehow...it felt so natural.)

Pro...fessor... you're here...? I...

(Words weren't--

--trailed off until their jaw slowly dropped.

Then, their arm lowered.)

...A...Amo...n...?

E-eeeeeeep--!?

(A short, pink figure near the terminals shrieked in terror as SOMEONE somehow entered the lab. How!? Why!? What!?

...Amon's hat!?

Achia held their stun baton towards the intruder threateningly.)

Th-thief...! Are you another of those Garleans..!? I will...

(Their yelling--

Saronia...?

(Where had they heard that name again...?)

Well, your majesty, I will never decline exciting specimens or unusual technology to study~

Ah...?

(This really was a surprise...Xande was insisting on it? Beyond mere formalities...?)

Well, if you are certain, I shall humbly await what you deem appropriate~

??!?

My Emperor--!?

Hehe...your praise is far more than I deserve~

((ShiftUp when I get you.))

"Hmhm....clones of you as well~? I see, I see. Very well~ Consider them all gone."

With a performative bow, Achia smiled...then tapped their visor, making preparations for the transport. They were all gone within the day...

Zombie~ Hehehe.

The clone took the tablet, glancing over the relevant information.

"...hm. Good condition, too. Very well~ We shall gladly take them off your hands.

I wonder just what cost this generous gift might come at~"

Hehe! I can record it for them! I fear they are currently in a state of disrepair after Eureka Orthos was violently invaded and destroyed in search of them~

Let us be off at once, yes! I am quite eager to see!!

(The clone was far more interested in the relic than the main body, apparently...)