[Home LTC][R17 - Arkanis - AI] Freedom is Never Free

Laron Valis stood alone in his new apartment, the stale scent of spoiled milk lingering in the air. The place was small, the walls dull and lifeless, and a half-empty bottle of booze stood abandoned on the floor—an unwelcome gift from the former tenant. He barely noticed it. His gaze was fixed on the cityscape beyond the window, the glow of the setting sun casting fractured reflections across the glass.

His mind replayed the events that had led him here. Anvil Station had been a prison, cold and indifferent, where time dragged like a dying engine. Then, Jerro Garlon had intervened. The slice had been precise, seamless, as if the ArgoSec systems had invited him in. Alarms never blared, no guards came running—just a cell door sliding open and a whispered directive to follow unseen paths to freedom. Laron hadn’t asked questions. He had walked away from the station, into the shadows, and onto a transport heading anywhere but back.

When he had arrived at the address Jerro had provided, the man was already waiting outside the entryway, leaning against the wall with a small datapad in hand. Without much ceremony, he pressed it into Laron’s palm. "You’re clear for now," Jerro had said, his tone casual but firm. "But soon, I’ll need that favor in return."

Now, he owed a debt. Freedom wasn’t free. A favor would be called in one day, and Laron would have to answer. He exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. Whatever came next, he’d face it. For now, he was here, standing in a borrowed life, waiting for the next move.

He took a shower, washing away the grime of imprisonment, and changed into a fresh set of clothes Jerro had left for him.

For now, this place would have to be home.

The exterior of a standart ArgoPod apartment.

The interior of a used and poorly maintained ArgoPod. Most of the time cleaning between tenants was left to the new arrival.

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I really enjoyed making this apartment - heavily inspired by the Blade Runner and Alien universe. I imagine these pods were made in massive blocks inhabited by thousands of Argo Industries workers.

Thanks for watching 🙂 - check out more photos below.