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Shane crossed his arms as he thought - this was a very difficult decision. But at the same time she was right, his mom deserved justice and to have her story told. He looked down and put his hands on the steering wheel, there was a deep silence. “You know he told me he did it,” he explained, barely in a whisper as he did it. “He didn’t say it but the way he said she died didnt add up to what the other cops said. He shoved her down the stairs. Said she died laying there and he didn’t hear her... He left her there to die,” he explained. “That’s why I can’t not say something. What kind of son am I if I don’t?”

[Override]

"So you've made up your mind, then?" Override asked. She felt it was better she didn't try to push him towards the obvious moral choice, lest it backfire on both of them. She'd learned through several hard lessons that it was often better if one came to their own decision before letting things like honor or duty guide their hand. Self assurance was a much more stable crutch, in her opinion.

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Shane thought about it for a long moment.

Had he made a decision? He felt like he had - as hard as it was to risk it all like this. He didn’t want to be taken away from the Bots, he loved being around them. But at the same time he also knew that he had to do this. This wasn’t a matter of what he wanted - it was about making sure he didn’t walk around in life with the constant regret that he had never stood up. That he’d never said anything and just let that monster of a stepfather get away with what he did.

He breathed out quietly. “You’ll uh... Come with me, right?” He asked hoarsely. “When I do it, I mean.”

[Override]

It was a question they'd both known the answer to already, but hearing Shane ask it reaffirmed Override's response. She could tell he was rooted in his decision to go to the police, but she still felt a bit of fearful apprehension around his edges. She was quick to assuage his fears, replying, "Of course I will, Shane."

Despite whatever course this whole ordeal took, Override was proud of Shane regardless. Even if they'd never get to see each other again, she'd take solace in knowing her counsel made a difference.

"Ready to head back to Earth, now?"

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Shane relaxed slowly.

He definitely didn’t want to leave Override. Even though there was a chance of that - he took solace in knowing she’d be there with him. That she’d be there to make sure that he could do this. She helped him to be brave - braver than he’d ever imagined he could be in his entire life. So a part of him hoped that she’d be there always. But if not what could he do? She was a diplomat - she had a lot more to worry about than some fourteen year old kid from Earth. “Thanks Ride, I appreciate it.”

He thought of saying more - like how she made him feel safe and protected. How he didn’t feel so lonely anymore... He thought of saying a lot of things.

But all he could manage was to reply to her last statement. “Yeah, probably a good idea. But I really... I really loved this.”

[Override]

Override was silent for a few solid moments after Shane's comment, which was atypical of a Velocitronian, Suprema or otherwise. In truth, Override hadn't expected their little trip back home to end up the way it had, not that it was a bad thing. A few more long moments passed in silence between them before her holomatter avatar appeared in the passenger seat once more. Still, the avatar was silent. Then, it reached over to give Shane another hug, longer this time. Shane was a lot stronger than he realized, even if he denied it.

"Thank you. Now, lets get you home, then."