Cypress Dorms — Later That Day

The dorm block sat just behind the job fair pavilion—functional and uniform, like everything on Cypress still under construction. Mick’s room was small but clean: single bed, narrow dresser, desk, and a wall screen looping Echelon’s welcome channel. It smelled faintly of new paint and the sea air that slipped in through the cracked window.

He tossed his sling bag on the bed, thinking for a moment about heading back to the fair to fill out paperwork. But Sonny’s words stuck with him—Don’t rush. The city’s what you want to figure out first.

Instead, he propped his comm on the desk and hit Ruby’s link. The screen split as others joined in: Za leaning against a doorframe somewhere back home, Cathy and Cleveland sitting side by side on their couch.

“Look at you, international man of mystery,” Za said, grinning. “You better bring back pics with Stasia or Cherry or something.”

Mick smirked. “Cherry, huh? That your big request?”

Za shrugged. “I’m just saying—if you’re gonna be all the way in Citon, make it count.”

Cathy chimed in, “Or maybe you can get you one of the Isabellas.”

Ruby shook her head with a sly smile. “And I want some grandbabies with pretty hair.”

“Here we go,” Mick said, rolling his eyes. “I’ve been here five minutes and we’re already planning weddings and baby showers.”

They traded jabs for a few more minutes before Mick promised he’d send photos of something—though he wouldn’t commit to what. When the call ended, the room was quiet again.

He looked around, opening the dresser drawers, stowing a few folded shirts, lining up his boots by the wall. The place already felt temporary, but that was fine. Tonight Sonny was coming by, and whatever Citon had in store, Mick was ready to see it.

Citon’s The Place to Be