The doors of Z-EXPRESS slid open.
They stepped out different.
Blue adjusted his jacket, the yellow lines glowing faintly against the deep blue fabric. His baggy blue pants flowed loosely over sharp blue boots. On his head sat a brown holographic cowboy hat, glitching softly like a corrupted memory.
He grinned.
"These clothes are so cool."
Morin walked out behind him.
Black pants with thin red lines running down the sides. Black cowboy boots that clicked lightly against the ground. A black jacket hung open over his chest, unbuttoned, loose. Around his neck rested two silver chains that caught the neon light. Dark glasses with purple lenses hid his eyes.
He stretched his shoulders slightly.
"Yeah," he said calmly. "They fit nicely."
Vagan stepped out last.
Long black boots that reached her thighs. Short fitted pants connected seamlessly to a long-sleeved top. The zipper of her shirt stopped just at her belly button. The entire outfit was black , clean, sharp, confident. Gold X earrings shimmered beneath the neon glow.
She didn't say anything.
She just looked down.
Rim was on the ground beside them.
Unchanged.
Still metal. Still quiet.
She crouched in front of him.
"Don't you want anything, Rim?"
Rim's wheels turned slightly as if adjusting his position.
"No."
The robot that had guided them stood nearby, observing.
"If you wish," it said smoothly, "we also upgrade old models such as yourself at the CENTER."
Vagan glanced at Rim. "Do you want that?"
Rim slowly lifted his head.
He looked at Blue , then Morin , then Vagan.
All of them glowing beneath Saturn's lights. Blending in. Evolving.
Something quiet shifted inside him.
"Yes," he said , "I do." Vagan smiled softly and stood up.
"Let's go."
She turned to Blue and Morin.
"You two keep exploring. We'll catch up soon."
Blue tipped his glitching hat. "Don't take too long."
Morin nodded once.
The robot began walking again.
Vagan followed.
Rim rolled beside her.
The lights reflected against his metal frame
And for the first time since arriving in Saturn,
He wasn't just observing the future , he was moving toward it.
End of chapter 90