Grace stood and stalked off. “You’re idiots!” she called over her shoulder. “I vote home. That’s it. Make the right choice.”

“Grace!” Scott called.

He groaned and followed her. Trix waited a few seconds, then went too.

Amber sighed, then looked over to Cade. “You’re awfully quiet,” she said.

Cade stared at the Gray toy, holding it in his hands. “He’ll destroy Earth if he has to,” he said. “Don’t you remember what happened to the Grays? They’re not on the leaderboard anymore. They’re gone.”

His words were sobering.

“We’ll stay,” Marius said.

Cade looked up and caught the grim look upon the man’s face.

“Why?” Cade asked. “You’ve been here longer than almost anyone.”

The man shrugged, staring into the flames. “Go to a world full of your lot?” he asked, a half smile on his face. “No, thank you. I’m a relic. By rights, I should have died in Caledonia. So should all the men here. We’re living on borrowed time.”

He tutted. “I did wish I could have seen your world for a second though,” he said wistfully. “See what the world’s become. Knowing what we’re fighting for. But meeting you, that’s enough for me.”

Cade nodded respectfully. “You’re a good man, Marius,” he said. “I had my doubts, I confess. Just stay that way. Don’t lose your humanity in this place.”

“You speak like you’re not staying with him,” Amber said.

Cade shrugged. “Who knows how long I’ll live. Once the world’s safe … I won’t know what I’m fighting for. I’m tired, Amber. I hope Abaddon picks another favorite, because you’re right. I can’t make decisions for us anymore.”

He looked to the toy once more. Abaddon had made him a cruel offer. A way to live. Not to go home but … Earth would be safe. Who knew how long his planet would last, left in humanity’s own hands? Perhaps in ten thousand years, the place would be a nuclear wasteland anyway.

“Cade,” Amber said.

She stood and walked over to him, taking her place beside him on the log.

“We were angry at you before. But look at what you did. We’re all alive. And we’re either saving Earth or going home.”

She took his hand and lifted his chin with the other, meeting his gaze.

“Either way, we both have something to fight for.”

She kissed him then. Softly, gently, and it was over all too quickly. But it was enough to set Cade’s world on fire. And utterly break his heart.

Because now, Cade knew what he had to do.

“I have a solution,” Cade said. “We don’t all need to go.”

“What?” Amber asked.

“Why do you think Abaddon always talks to me?” Cade asked. “It’s because he likes me the most. God knows why, but he does. So I’ll stay. Marius stays. Everyone else goes home.”

“Just like that?” Yoshi asked. “You think he’ll just let that happen?”

Amber held up a hand. “Cade, I’m staying with you,” she said. “We’re both going or we’re both staying. That’s the deal.”