A fringe sector of Universe 11 had issued a distress alert—trade routes disrupted, patrols vanishing without trace. Intelligence pointed toward a nomadic band of interstellar pirates scavenging abandoned worlds and attacking weakly defended convoys. The Pride Troopers, protectors of justice, responded swiftly.

Toppo led the charge. Dyspo scouted ahead at light-speed. Jiren followed in silence.

The pirates were no match.

Their ships—crudely modified, bristling with stolen tech—fell one by one. Jiren dismantled the flagship with minimal effort, piercing its hull and disabling its power core without unnecessary destruction. Justice, as always, was swift.

The defenders of justice hadn't anticipated stumbling upon the loot leftover. In the bowels of the ship coming across a cryo pod. The metal on the side worn, partly rusted away from age.

When Dyspo pulled back the frost-coated viewport, a young woman was revealed inside—her features peaceful, as though asleep.

And for the first time since joining the Pride Toopers.

Jiren froze.

A soul from his past.

She had been from a neighboring system that had allied with Jiren’s people long ago—an intelligent, kind-hearted girl who had spoken of hope, unity, and trust in others. While Jiren trained under his master, she studied the sciences. Her world, like his own, had been destroyed by the same unnamed evil that slaughtered his village and murdered his master. Jiren had assumed she perished alongside everyone.

Toppo was the first to notice Jiren’s shift. The shock written all over his usual unshakable visage.

"Who the hell is she?" Dyspo spoke up first. Vewon approaches as well, as do Tupper and Zoire.

"Get it open," Toppo finally ordered.