The window in Londo’s office shattered into a million shards. Glass flew everywhere. The air inside the ship was sucked out for a second, then restored with a shrill beep from the system. Steven stood in front of him, gun shaking in his hand, green eyes burning.

“You think I won’t shoot? Don’t look down on me, asshole!”

Londo didn’t say a word. He simply bent forward with the grace of a combat dancer. Steven fired again and missed – and suddenly, Londo slid across the floor, kicked him down, and snatched the gun like it was a pen.

“Pathetic,” he sighed. “But I admire your guts. I’ll reconsider keeping you.”

Steven’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

“Yes,” Londo sneered. “As the goddamn janitor. Get out of my office.”

Steven stood up, his entire body trembling. “You arrogant son of a—”

He lunged again, just as strong arms wrapped around him from behind.

“That’s enough, man,” said Taze, locking him in a firm hold. “Let’s go.”

“Let go of me! I’m gonna get him back! Did you hear what he called me?!”

“Yeah, I did. It was kinda funny though, let’s be honest. Now shut up before they sedate our asses.”

Steven was dragged out, cursing and wheezing with rage.

Meanwhile, the ALKEN ship sped through the stars toward a new destination: Gastronio. ETA: Two weeks. And despite the tension, someone still just needed her tea.

In the girls’ room, Kimberly was making her bed while humming an old tune. Anna walked in with a heavy sigh.

“Any chance you can cover my shift tonight? My stomach feels like God’s doing cartwheels in my uterus.”

Kimberly smiled. “Sure. I haven’t been sleeping anyway. Every time I close my eyes, I see Neptune flipping me off.”

“You see fingers from planets? Girl, you need therapy.”

“Talk to Lana. She’ll probably recommend a therapist who shoots first and asks questions later.”

They both laughed.

In the locker room, Kiara had just come out of the shower, towel hanging loosely. Her body was lit in warm light, almost like a perfume ad for the galaxy. The glow played on her curves like the work of a sculptor.

Lana walked in just then.

“What the hell? Are you nuts? There are boundaries!”

Kiara turned to her with a sly smile.

“Then why are you still staring, Commander?”

Lana slammed the door shut. “Disrespectful brat.”

In the main hallway, Taze and Steven walked side by side. One was silent. The other looked like a ticking time bomb.

“He called me a floor cleaner...” Steven muttered.

“He. He called you that. Lana wasn’t around.”

“Doesn’t matter. Everyone thinks that. That I’m worthless. Just some... joke.”

“You’re not a joke. You’re just an idiot. There’s a difference.”

Steven smiled a little. “Well... I guess that’s a compliment coming from you.”

Silence.

“Taze... do you really think I’m a lost cause? Like... unfixable?”

“I think you need to shoot less and listen more. Maybe shower once in a while, too.”

“Oh, come on, you saw what happened last time. I still smell like Neptune.”

They both laughed.

“Look, I admit it. I snapped. But how do you handle all the insults?”

“I just stay quiet. Then, when no one’s looking, I do push-ups and cry in the bathroom.”

“What?!”

“Kidding. I just know who I am. And that’s enough.”

Steven stayed quiet. For once.

On the lower deck of the ship, Leonardo walked toward a glass-walled office.

“Caitlyn? You here?”

No response. Just a perfectly clean, empty chair.

On the table, a small note in elegant handwriting:

“Took a break, babe. Don’t be mad :)”

He exhaled through his nose. “God. She’s not a woman, she’s a damn sitcom.”

In a locked weapons room, Londo stood before a massive, semi-transparent container. Inside – a bomb.

78TA.

An antimatter bomb. Illegal. Off-grid. The kind of thing you use only if you want to erase everything.

Londo activated the control panel. The screen blinked, warning him:

“Access denied. This weapon is restricted.”

He smiled. “I don’t need permission. I just need time.”

On the observation deck, Lana stood alone, gazing at Gestronio through a wide glass window.

The planet looked... calm. Too calm.

She raised an eyebrow. “Everything looks too quiet.”

And then she remembered the conversation.

“We’re changing course. Venus is a cover. Gestronio – something’s happening there.”

Londo whispered it to her the day before takeoff. Just her. She didn’t ask why. But now? A chill crept into her gut. Not just fear, but curiosity too.

The main screen displayed: ETA – 3 hours to Gestronio.

Everyone went into high gear. Kiara checked her rifle. Anna suited up with a grunt. Kimberly adjusted a comm device. Everyone moved.

Except Steven. He still had the face of a kid denied candy.

“I don’t know what’s worse. Getting arrested or cleaning Kiara’s bathroom.”

“Don’t worry,” said Taze. “You’ll do both.”

The ship shook slightly. Red lights began to flash.

“Entering atmosphere in three... two...”

A loud roar. The feeling of being stretched in the air. Then – silence.

They hovered above Gestronio.

And deep inside the ship, Londo stood alone.

Staring down at the planet.

Whispering to himself:

“If the slimes won’t run... they’ll be erased.”

To be continued