The metal doors to the government war room slid open with a hiss. Londo stepped in, straightened his collar, and took one look at the circle of eyes waiting for him.
Leonardo sat dead center, legs crossed, suit spotless. Caitlyn stood behind him like a damn statue, purple lips tight, tea tray in hand. She didn't even blink.
Three other top-level officials filled the semi-circle. One of them, a beefy guy with shaved sides and a cybernetic eye, drummed his fingers like he was bored to death. Another wore old military blues, chest loaded with medals. And the last one, a slim dude with a hollow stare, was scrolling through a hologram file like Londo was already convicted.
Londo raised a brow. "So… this is a party or a firing squad?"
Leonardo leaned forward. "Depends on how honest you are."
Londo smirked and dropped into the seat across from him. "Then get to it. You didn't drag me from Tokyo for a damn sleepover."
The screen behind Leonardo lit up. Mission logs. Names. Dates. Energy spikes. The last few missions, clean. Textbook.
Then came the word: BONUS.
Red highlight.
Leonardo tapped the file. "Tell me again what happened during this one. The 'BONUS' op. Near... what was it... sector four-six-bravo?"
Londo didn't flinch. "Minor failure in the system. Ship controls glitched, we adjusted. Nobody hurt. Nobody died. What's the issue?"
Leonardo looked up. "You were less than 300 kilometers from planet GESTRONIO. A restricted zone."
Londo's jaw twitched. "No one told us that. Not my fault if you clowns didn't update your restricted lists."
Caitlyn, without being asked, poured tea. Her hands moved like a machine. Not a word.
Leonardo ignored the jab. "We're aware of that. But since that op, we've lost all surveillance signals in the area. No drones. No satellites. No feedback. Just... gone."
"So what?" Londo said, leaning back. "Space is messy. Shit happens."
That's when the heavy one, Koma, slammed his fist on the table. "Enough! You think we're idiots? That op was sloppy. You didn't report the drift until twelve hours later. You were already halfway back to Earth."
"I fixed it. We moved on."
Koma leaned in. "No, Londo. You moved away. There's a difference."
The air got cold. Leonardo stared, calm like a predator who already had the kill.
"Your next assignment is Pluto," he said. "New signals detected there. Possible hostile lifeforms. ALKEN's going. But under direct surveillance. You will be watched."
Londo blinked. "Surveillance? We're not criminals."
"You're not untouchable either," Leonardo shot back. "This is your final warning. One more screw-up, and you're out. Not just you, your entire squad."
Koma grunted. "Including your little buddies. That pretty deputy of yours, the new recruit... all of them."
Caitlyn finally spoke. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, as she handed Leonardo his tea."Poor Londo."
He didn't look at her. He stood up slowly, hands clenched.
"We're warriors," he said. "We fight for this planet. We bleed for it. And this is what we get? A leash?"
Leonardo sipped the tea. "It's not a leash. It's accountability, oh, and by the way, you're off the wheel, Kimberly will drive the ship, you will be front warrior, that's the orders.
Londo stared him down, jaw tight. "You're making a mistake."
"Then prove me wrong."
"Don't test me."
"I already am."
Londo turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the doors so hard the table rattled.
As he walked, rage buzzed in his chest. Bastards. Fucking pencil pushers. I'll show them what 'surveillance' looks like.
Meanwhile – London PD Holding Cell
Laura sat on the cold metal bench, back straight, eyes locked on the giant poster above the exit.
"JOIN ALKEN. We want YOU."
Underneath it, a sleek 12K image of a spaceship cutting through space like a goddamn blade.
She tilted her head. Her glowing cybernetic eye scanned the number. Then she blinked. A soft buzz echoed in her ear, internal systems activating.
Dialing…
Ring… ring…
Across town, in a sleek apartment gym in Tokyo, Lana was mid-run on the treadmill. Blue sportswear clung to her like a second skin. She panted softly, ponytail bouncing.
Her comm buzzed. She picked up without stopping. "Yeah? Who is this?"
"Hello," came the robotic female voice. "Is this ALKEN?"
Lana narrowed her eyes. "Who the hell is this?"
"My name is Laura. I saw your ad. I would like to join. I am currently... under arrest."
Lana blinked. "You what?"
"I am in holding. London PD. I would like to apply."
"You dumb bitch," Lana muttered and hung up.
"HEY!" a cop shouted from the corner of the cell. "No calls!"
Lora didn't answer. Her palm glowed. Sparks flew. The lock on the cell clicked, then burst.
The cop grabbed his taser. "What the fu—"
Zap.
He dropped like a sack of bricks.
Lora stepped over him, eyes blank. She walked straight to the exit. Another guard raised his gun. She whipped her arm out, and electricity danced through the hallway. His body convulsed, then crumpled.
Alarms screamed.
She ran.
Back in Tokyo – Streets Below the Hotel
Steven and Lasso walked side by side.
Lasso glanced over. "Yo. People say you're the funny one. The strong one. But lately? I don't see it. You good?"
Steven didn't answer. His eyes were locked on something across the street.
Popcorn stand.
He crossed the road like a zombie.
Lasso raised an eyebrow. "Dude. Seriously?"
Steven pointed. "Caramel. Butter. Salt. All of it."
The vendor handed him a box. "Two hundred yen."
Steven frowned. "What is... two hundred?"
Lasso sighed and paid. "You broke or just dumb?"
Steven smirked. "Whatever."
Back in the Hotel – ALKEN's Floor
Taze and Anna barged into the room.
"Steven?" Anna shouted.
Kimberly shot up in bed, half-asleep, wearing only a pink bra and panda-print panties.
Taze froze. "Oh. Uh. Sorry. Didn't mean to,"
Anna rolled her eyes. "Relax. Kimi, where's Steven?"
Kimberly stuttered, yanking the blanket up to her chin. "I… I don't know."
Anna smirked. "Don't be shy. Your boobs are sacred."
She turned to Taze. "Right?"
He blushed. "Y-Yeah. Totally sacred. Holy even."
Anna grabbed his hand. "C'mon. Let's check Kiara's room."
At the Gym
Kiara finished her crunches, sweat glistening on her chest. Tight green lace sports bra, low-rise shorts. She stood and stretched, hips swaying.
Lana wiped her forehead, heading toward the lockers.
Kiara giggled and wrapped her arms around her. "God, Lana. You look stupid hot when you're sweaty."
Lana shoved her off. "Gross. Don't touch me."
Kiara winked. "Your anger turns me on."
She blew a kiss in the air.
As they exited, they bumped into Steven and Lasso, both munching popcorn like nothing mattered.
"Oh hey, hotties," Kiara purred. "Late night snack run?"
Lasso laughed. "Just keeping our figures tight like yours."
Kiara's eyes narrowed. "You calling me fat?"
Lasso froze. "What? No. If anyone's got zero fat, it's Lana."
He paused. "You too. Obviously."
Lana smirked, then slapped him lightly on the shoulder and walked off.
Steven just stood there, blank as ever.
Kiara moved closer. "Steven. You haven't said anything pervy in a while. I miss it. Say something filthy."
Steven's voice dropped. "Something… filthy?"
He paused.
"You're very symmetrical. Breasts... proportional. Your cleavage is calibrated well. Overall, visually optimal."
Lasso spat his popcorn. "What the fuck? Are you a robot now?"
Kiara blinked. "Steven? That was… weird. But kinda hot."
She kissed his cheek. "Talk to me like that again, sexy."
Steven didn't flinch.
Taze and Anna came running. Anna's palm smacked Steven's cheek hard.
"Where the hell were you?!"
Steven's eyes snapped wide.
He grabbed her by the collar and slapped her back. She hit the ground, shocked.
Taze lunged. "What the fuck?!"
Steven growled. "Stop following me. Both of you. It's pathetic."
He stormed off toward the elevator.
Anna sat up, tears forming. "That's not Steven. He's never… he's never hit me. Not once."
Taze's fists clenched. "That's it."
He chased him down the hall. Steven reached his door, then BAM.
Taze tackled him, punched him across the jaw, and pinned him to the wall.
"Talk. What the fuck is going on with you?!"
Steven snarled and kneed him in the gut. Taze doubled over. Another kick sent him flying. He hit the wall and collapsed.
Steven muttered, "Idiot."
He opened the door.
Kimberly stood on the balcony in her ALKEN uniform, staring at the stars.
Steven paused. His breath hitched.
He walked to her.
Touched her shoulder.
She turned. "Steven?"
He hugged her.
"Your softness," he whispered. "I like it."
She hugged back, slowly. Heart pounding.
Just then, the door slammed open.
Lasso stood in the doorway. "Why's Taze knocked the fuck out in the hall?!"
The hug ended.
Kimberly gasped. She ran to Taze, kneeling. "Oh my god. Are you okay?"
Steven said coldly, "He attacked me."
Lasso growled. "He's your friend. You're losing it, bro."
Steven heard that word, friend, and something cracked.
Why did it sting?
Why did it matter?
Elsewhere – London Streets
Laura ducked behind a bush. Her voice buzzed through a call.
"Need extraction. Wilkson Street. Hurry."
She hung up.
At that moment, Caitlyn walked by. Purple dress. Purple lips. Stilettos sharp as daggers.
She saw her.
Reached a hand out.
"Come. We need to talk."
Back on the Ship
Everyone was suited up.
Londo stood by the helm, shoulders tense.
"Kimberly. The controls are yours."
Kimberly blinked. "Me? For real?"
Londo nodded. "Don't crash."
"Lana," he barked. "Watch her."
"Ana, you're alone in the war room. I don't wanna hear a peep."
Everyone stared.
Steven stood off to the side, silent. His eyes met Anna's. Her cheek was still red.
She didn't look away.
"We'll figure it out," she whispered to herself. "There's nowhere to hide on that ship."
Londo turned to Steven.
"Office. Now."
To be continued.