Only Jun, Sanju, and Mahi remained in the room. For a few moments, silence hung heavy in the air. Sanju sprawled across the sofa, as if time itself bent to his leisure.
Beside him, Mahi sat still, her eyes scanning the chamber taking in the suits lined against the wall, the manuals scattered across the table, the looming gravity chamber. Sanju broke the quiet with a soft whistle.
"So this is the training?" he asked, nodding toward the chamber. "You've gotten serious."
Jun's reply was flat,"This isn't a game."
Sanju chuckled,"Yeah, a moon trip isn't exactly playtime."
The silence returned, thicker than before. Jun's voice cut through it,"Tell me the truth were you lying yesterday?"
Sanju's expression shifted, but his tone stayed calm,"I told the truth on the phone. I'm going with you."
Jun's eyes narrowed,"Then why don't you tell me who gave you such a big loan?"
For the first time, Mahi spoke with steady voice,"Why does it matter? Are you planning to pay it off?"
Jun turned sharply toward her,"And who are you to speak between us?"
"Mahi," she said without flinching. Jun paused, looking at her. Sanju leaned forward slightly,"It's not just about my debt," he said quietly.
Jun's gaze hardened,"Then what is it about?"
Sanju looked at Mahi, then back at Jun,"Listen, If I don't pay on time, those people won't spare me."
Jun's tone sharpened,"Who are the people?"
"The kind who trade bodies for money after killing,"Sanju said calmly. "Take us with you we'll teach you how to push alien powers not just to 37%, but all the way to 87%, without breaking yourself."
The air grew heavier, pressing down on all three. Jun stayed silent. Mahi added, her voice unwavering,"Don't worry. We have the resources. We just want to go with you."
Jun thought for a long moment,"We're leaving next month. Until then, we train."
Sanju met his eyes,"We'll train too. What's the problem?"
"You'll really train?" Jun asked immediately.
Sanju's answer came without hesitation.
"I'm not planning to die so easily."
Jun looked Sanju's face carefully. Beneath the desperation, there was determination.
"Alright then," Jun said at last,"Let's train."
Sanju smiled faintly,"Let's do it."
Jun glanced toward the door where Mika and Shreya had left, then back at the gravity chamber.
"You know what's waiting on Icolis?" he asked quietly.
Sanju shook his head,"All I know is it's no picnic."
Jun turned to Mahi,"And you?"
Mahi's reply was direct,"Don't ask me anything."
Jun exhaled deeply,"Fine, But you're still the same stubborn one. Haven't changed at all."
Just then, footsteps echoed outside the door. Jun stepped back slightly.
"Alright," he said calmly,"Change your clothes and meet me in the training chamber."