“Ah! What the hell is your problem, Vantheos?!” Quartz yelled, spinning around to face the source of the unexpected sound. His eyes were wide, and his posture was tense, clearly taken off guard by the sudden appearance of the man.

Vantheos stood there, grinning widely, clearly enjoying Quartz’s reaction. He puffed his chest out with pride, almost as if he were relishing the moment. “Hahahaha! Didn’t know you were that pissed to see me,” he teased, his laughter echoing through the hallway as he took in Quartz's exaggerated frustration.

Saiphee, however, wasn’t as focused on the exchange between the two. His attention was caught by a familiar scent hanging in the air. It was unmistakable—the same smell he had noticed earlier, a blend of gunpowder and burnt charcoal. The same man he had seen walking toward Madam Ilya’s room. The realization hit him: Madam Ilya must have told Vantheos about the mission, and that was why he was here.

Quartz, still visibly annoyed, let out a long, disappointed sigh. “Goddammit,” he muttered under his breath, clearly not thrilled by Vantheos' sudden appearance. After a beat, he turned to Saiphee, trying to move the conversation forward despite his apparent frustration. “Anyways,” he continued with a resigned tone, “meet Saiphee. The leading scientist aboard the Space Station. He’s the one who’s going to be joining you on the Earth mission.” Quartz gestured toward Saiphee, his voice carrying a hint of begrudging respect despite the tension between him and Vantheos.

Saiphee nodded politely, acknowledging the introduction, though his mind was still partly preoccupied with the odd sequence of events unfolding before him. He was about to embark on a mission to Earth, but something about this meeting, and the appearance of Vantheos, seemed to complicate matters in ways he wasn’t sure he was prepared for.

“Hello, I’m Saiphee Astralis,” Saiphee said, offering his hand with a polite smile, hoping to make a good first impression despite the strange circumstances.

Vantheos, however, had other ideas. “Heya!” he responded with a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with an unspoken mischief. Instead of accepting Saiphee’s handshake, he smoothly sidestepped the gesture, letting his arm casually drape over Saiphee’s shoulder, much closer than Saiphee had expected. Vantheos’ body language was relaxed, but there was a certain playfulness in his approach that immediately put Saiphee on edge.

“We’re gonna have so much fun on Earth, you and me,” Vantheos continued, his voice dripping with a teasing tone. He leaned in slightly, pressing his proximity just a bit further, as if he were making a point to invade Saiphee’s personal space. His smile widened as he took in Saiphee’s reaction, clearly enjoying the effect he was having. There was something deliberately flirtatious in his posture, the way his arm stayed draped over Saiphee’s shoulder, as if claiming a little more of Saiphee’s attention than necessary.

Saiphee, caught off guard, straightened slightly, feeling the weight of Vantheos’ arm still resting on him. He didn’t know how to respond to the sudden, intimate gesture, especially with Vantheos' suggestive tone. His mind raced, trying to process the unexpected change in atmosphere. Vantheos’ carefree attitude and bold actions made Saiphee feel both intrigued and slightly uneasy. It was clear that Vantheos wasn’t shy about pushing boundaries, and it seemed he intended to keep things light hearted, though Saiphee wasn’t entirely sure if the flirtation was something he wanted to entertain.

For a moment, Saiphee hesitated, unsure of how to react to the closeness, but he forced a polite smile, doing his best to remain composed. It seemed that the dynamics of this mission were already proving to be more complicated than he’d imagined.

"Looks like he’s found someone new to bother," Quartz muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes as he watched Vantheos continue to crowd Saiphee with his overly familiar behavior. Quartz, clearly not in the mood for any more of Vantheos' antics, quickly sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright, I’m out," he added with a resigned tone. "I don’t have time for this mess. You two enjoy yourselves."

Without another word, Quartz turned on his heel and began walking briskly away, clearly eager to escape the chaos that Vantheos seemed to bring wherever he went. His footsteps echoed down the corridor as he hurried off, not even bothering to look back.

Before disappearing around the corner, Quartz called over his shoulder, not pausing for a reply. "If you have any questions about the mission, or when you’re missing, just give me a call through hologram tech. Don’t hesitate." His voice was a mixture of exasperation and a hint of responsibility, but it was clear he was far more interested in getting away from the situation than in offering further help. "Good luck," he added dryly, his voice fading as he made his exit.

Saiphee watches Quartz go, understanding that person was simply trying to avoid the inevitable clash of personalities. It seemed Quartz had no patience for the chaos that Vantheos was certain to stir up, and Saiphee couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Quartz as he disappeared down the hallway.

With Quartz gone, Saiphee was left alone with Vantheos, who was still leaning a little too close for comfort, a mischievous grin never leaving his face. It looked like the mission was about to get a lot more complicated than Saiphee had anticipated.

“So... coffee?” Vantheos suggested, his voice smooth and playful, the words lingering in the air like an invitation. He stepped closer to Saiphee, his eyes gleaming with an unspoken challenge. He clearly wasn’t just offering a drink—this was an opportunity to get to know each other, and Vantheos was more than eager to make that happen.

Saiphee, ever composed, kept his distance. “I’m a busy man,” he replied, his tone cool and professional, but there was an undeniable flicker of intrigue in his gaze that Vantheos noticed. “I don’t have time for... ‘social’ gatherings.”

Vantheos chuckled softly, leaning in just a little closer, his smile widening. “Social gatherings? Oh, I don’t think you’re hearing me right,” he said, voice low, almost like a whisper meant only for Saiphee’s ears. “I’m not asking for some formal event. I just want to get to know Madam Ilya’s prized possession better.” He gave a sultry wink, his tone turning teasing and flirtatious as he moved in even closer, his arm brushing against Saiphee’s as he gently guided him forward.

Saiphee couldn’t help but feel a slight warmth spreading across his chest at the unexpected intimacy. His pulse quickened, but he tried to remain unfazed. “Prized possession?” he echoed, his voice sharper, eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to understand the insinuation. He didn’t back away, though—curiosity burned through him, and despite himself, he was intrigued by Vantheos’s boldness. “What do you mean by that?”

Vantheos chuckled, his laugh deep and knowing. “Oh, you really don’t know, do you?” he said, leaning even closer, his face mere inches from Saiphee’s. “Listen, I just returned from Planet XqN-IV. And I know a lot more than you think about what’s been going on around the Space Station...” He let the words hang in the air, his voice laced with mystery and promise.

Saiphee’s heart skipped a beat. So he knows about the rumors... he thought to himself. His mind raced. Madam Ilya did mention that my knowledge is... exceptional compared to others on the Station. But this? This is something else entirely.

Vantheos, still standing close, noticed the way Saiphee’s expression shifted—how his guard wavered just for a moment. “Whatcha thinking about, hm?” Vantheos purred, his breath warm against Saiphee’s ear. “You’re so quiet, but I can tell there’s more going on inside that head of yours. Don’t overthink it, Mr. ‘popular’ scientist. I dragged you here to relax—and we’re going to have some fun with this, together.”

His fingers brushed ever so lightly against Saiphee’s arm, a subtle, almost accidental touch that lingered longer than necessary. Saiphee could feel the heat of Vantheos’s presence pressing in, and despite himself, a shiver ran down his spine. Vantheos’s flirtation was undeniable, and he had a way of making even the simplest conversation feel charged with something deeper, something more dangerous.

Vantheos’s smile deepened, sensing the effect he was having. “You’re not as immune to this as you think, Mr. Saiphee . I’m sure you’ve got more to you than just your brains... and that’s something I’m really looking forward to discovering.” His voice dropped even lower, laced with playful seduction, as if the very air between them had thickened with an invisible tension.

Saiphee, still trying to maintain his composure, swallowed hard. He wasn’t used to this, and yet there was something magnetic about the way Vantheos drew him in. Saiphee’s mind told him to stay focused, but his body, his senses, seemed to have other ideas. He tried to push the thoughts away, but the warmth between them felt undeniable.

“I’m just thinking about the mission,” Saiphee replied, his voice a little more breathless than he intended. He could feel the pulse of energy between them, but he did his best to ignore it. It was only a mission, after all. Just a mission. But Vantheos made it hard to remember that.

Vantheos only chuckled again, the sound a mix of amusement and desire. “Yeah, right," he teased, his finger gently tracing the line of Saiphee’s sleeve. "But I can tell... you're thinking about something else now. And trust me, this isn’t just about the mission. It’s about getting to know each other better. And I’m willing to make that a very fun process, don’t you think?”

Saiphee, caught between his professional demeanor and the heat Vantheos was stirring, took a deep breath. Focus, he reminded himself. Focus on the mission... But Vantheos wasn’t making it easy.