Four years later...

Thump! Clack! Thump! Clack!

Worn leather and polished metal rhythmically strike the deck as the young man races across the deck. He skids into a turn, ducking under a large crate being carried by two cadets then straightens back into a run.

"Hey, Jim!" One of the cadets yell. "Where's the fire?"

Jim barks a laugh and waves a hand. "Tell you when I get back!"

Jim looks ahead in time to leap around another graduating cadet and his family.

"What's the rush!" his schoolmate calls.

"I've only got a month!" Jim yells back.

He runs all the way to his ship, the Sarah. Ignoring the gangplank, he leaps into his tiny ship. He clutches to mast to stop and hold himself up as he pants, mouth split in a grin.

A pink blob flies from his pocket and nudges his cheek, giving delighted chirps. Jim laughs and straightens. He goes to the rail and leans against it, catching his breath.

"We've got one month, Morph," Jim says. "You really think Silver will be waiting?"

Morph chirps. Jim laughs and strokes his side.

He's got one month. One month before he joins the Star Chaser, a navy ship. One month of leave, then he's officially joined the navy.

He's got one month, and he's going to spend it all with Silver.

A/N: Just kind of wanted to establish that Jim did return to have an adventure with Silver.