The missile hit Neptune like a slap from God. Not the kind that makes you reflect on life, more like the kind that erases half your face. Within seconds, the ground turned into a field of blue lava and burning shrapnel. Pillars of fire and sludge rose into the sky, and where once stood three warriors, there was nothing left.

Until...

A scream of metal. A rescue gate opened at the edge of an icy canyon. Three shadows rolled inside like leftover shawarma after midnight.

“Holy mother of the entire universe!” Steven gasped, lying on his back, suit burnt like a rotisserie duck.

“I... hate... you...” Kiara collapsed beside him, hair singed, bra half torn. “I told you I don’t step foot on any planet with a disgusting name. N-e-p-t-u-n-e. Even sounds gross.”

Taze sat near them, trying to breathe. “Don’t know if I’m alive or just burning from the inside.”

Back on the ALKEN ship, Londo stood tall in front of a screen the size of a small synagogue. The missile finished exploding, and the system beeped like a chain-smoking gym teacher. “Mission complete.”

“Good,” Leonardo appeared on screen. His beard was sharp like a final verdict. “Clean work, Colonel. You and Lana – excellent.”

Lana nodded, but her eyes drifted. Something burned quietly in her chest.

Once the transmission ended, Londo turned to her.

“We’re not going to Venus. I found something else.”

“What?”

“Gestronio. I saw movement through the telescope. Green sludge. Don’t know what it is, but it’s enough for me. We’ll fake a malfunction, change course. Leonardo doesn’t need to know.”

Lana didn’t respond. She just nodded slowly.

Meanwhile, Caitlyn sat alone in her office, legs on the desk, purple hair tied up, a glass of Chambord in hand. Through a secret transmitter, she installed herself into the ship’s systems, without anyone’s knowledge, and she heard everything.

“Fake Venus. Say it’s a malfunction. Heading to Gastronio. Leonardo doesn’t need to know a thing.”

Caitlyn smiled to herself, not saying a word. She whispered, “Oh, Londo... lying isn’t your thing.”

And sipped her drink like nothing happened.

In the ship’s only shower room, thick steam filled the air. Kiara stood naked under the hot stream. The lighting wrapped around her gently, drops falling on her skin like silent music. Every curve radiated quiet sensual power.

She sighed. “Neptune, huh? Fuck. Almost got roasted. And that’s before coffee. Not bad.”

She washed her hair slowly. “If any of you says ‘just a short mission’ one more time, I’m cutting your balls off with a spoon.”

In the side hallway, Anna had just finished reviewing documents when Steven appeared, half-smirking.

“Well? Finished writing your report or still deciding if I’m too sexy for this galaxy?”

“I finished debating whether to report you at all. Also, you’re not sexy. You’re a medical concern.”

“It’s amazing how much rage you carry on your face. You really should let some of it out. Maybe... with someone who’s got a sense of humor and hair that survived Neptune.”

She stepped closer, eyes icy. “Say one more word and you’re going back out there without a suit.”

A second of silence. Then he grinned.

“There it is again. You’re mad, I get excited. Unhealthy.”

She turned around. Almost smiled. But didn’t.

In the rest area, Kimberly sat with a cup of tea, watching Taze from the corner. She took a breath, then softly asked, “Just wanted to know if you’re... okay.”

Taze looked at her, surprised. “I... yeah. I mean, sort of. No idea how we even survived that.”

He smiled awkwardly, scratching his neck. “But... thanks for asking.”

She smiled back, cheeks slightly pink.

Steven walked down the hallway when he heard voices from the cockpit. He stopped near the door, listening silently.

“...the new soldier will replace Steven. He’ll arrive from Earth in three weeks.”

Steven froze. His eyes darkened.

He kicked the door open.

Londo sat alone at the command post, not surprised.

Steven drew his gun.

“I’m not letting you kick me out.”

Londo stood slowly. No fear. No reaction. Just a calm smile.

“Shoot me, Yokojou.”

End of chapter.

To be continued.