Last spark from the ashes

Every part of Hughes' current exo body is humming with excitement. He's never had a chance to try something like this. Will never have a chance again, likely. To jump that high... it would be like soaring short distances through the sky. What an amazing feeling that must be. He wants to try so badly right now...

But he can't bring himself to leave Blaze behind. Even in times of peace, he can't get over leaving a comrade in arms alone without some promise of safety. Today is no exception.

"You're going to need a lot more sleep than you think," Hughes says after a minute. "After the hell we've been through? I'm gonna guess you'll be out for at least nine or ten hours." Slowly, he turns around and gives what he hopes is the most smile-like expression he can make. "Besides, if no one's there to laugh at me when I land ass-over-tea kettle, who's going to stop me from lying when I say I did it perfectly from the start? Except Verity, and that answer doesn't count."

Sorry, Blaze, but it looks like you're stuck with him for now. Between comrade-in-arms desires and a subtle Dad Mode coming on, there's no way Hughes is leaving right now. The thrust pack will just have to wait a bit.