“I know what you’re trying to do,” Rio continued, her words clipped. “Acting all quiet and innocent like you’re not a threat. But I’ve seen what you’re capable of. You’re dangerous.”

There was a pause, followed by a faint shuffle of movement—likely Misty’s gestures in response.

“I don’t care if you ‘didn’t mean to hurt him,’” Rio snapped, her voice rising slightly. “That doesn’t change the fact that you did. And I’m not going to let you do it again.”

My stomach tightened, and I stepped into the room before the argument could escalate further.

“Rio,” I said, my voice firm but calm.

She turned sharply, her fiery blue eyes widening in shock when she saw me. “This isn’t what it looks like!” she said defensively.

“It looks like you’re upsetting Misty,” I said, crossing my arms. “Am I wrong?”

Rio’s jaw tightened, and she crossed her arms as well. “I’m just making sure she knows her place.”

“Her place?” I repeated, my voice rising slightly.

“She doesn’t belong here, Ben,” Rio said, her tone turning sharp.”

“That’s not fair,” I said, stepping closer. “She’s trying, Rio.”

Rio scoffed, gesturing toward Misty, who stood silently against the wall, her sharp gray eyes fixed on the floor. “You’re still defending her? After everything she’s done?”

I glanced at Misty, who was looking at the floor, avoiding both Rio and I's gaze.

“Yeah,” I said, turning back to Rio. “I am. Because she’s part of this team now, whether you like it or not.”

Rio flinched, her arms dropping slightly. “Ben...”

“No,” I said, cutting her off. “This isn’t just about you or me or Misty. This is about all of us working together to figure out what’s really going on here. You don’t have to like her, but you do have to respect her. What happens when we encounter more entities, are you going to treat all of them like this?”

For a moment, Rio didn’t respond, her fiery gaze flicking between me and Misty.

Finally, she let out a sharp breath and turned away, muttering under her breath as she stormed out of the room.

When she was gone, the silence was deafening.

“Misty,” I said softly, turning to her. “Are you okay?”

She raised her head slowly, her gray eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment before she nodded once.

“I’m sorry about her,” I said. 

Misty tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable, but she raised a hand in a faint gesture that seemed to say It’s okay.

I hesitated, then nodded. “Still, she shouldn’t have said those things. You deserve better than that.”

Misty’s gaze softened slightly, and for a moment, the tension in her shoulders eased.

The submarine hummed on as I sat beside her.