The neon haze of London’s midnight air buzzed with static.

A sudden jolt cracked through the street.

Laura’s cybernetic palm had fired a condensed bolt of electricity, hitting Steven square in the chest.

He didn’t flinch.

Muscles pulsed under his skin like thick waves of oil. His eyes, once green, glowed faintly purple. The sizzling energy fizzled off his body like it had struck rubber.

“Threat level: unstable,” Laura muttered, scanning him. “Organic composition: inconsistent. External layer—liquid muscle. Internal—unknown.”

Steven turned his head slowly, like an animal just now acknowledging the fly that landed on its back.

Then he moved.

A punch to the ground. The concrete shattered beneath his feet. He shot forward like a black blur, his form half-solid, half-fluid, fist aiming at Laura’s jaw.

She dodged, barely. Her sensors screamed.

“Recalculating. Combat mode—priority override.”

An unfortunate civilian who had been filming from behind a trash bin screamed, dropped his phone, and bolted. “POLICE! SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE! HE’S A MONSTER!”

Steven’s arm elongated mid-swing, wrapping into a slick tendril that cracked against Laura’s side. She rolled, skidding across asphalt, then flipped to her feet.

The fight escalated. Noise echoed. Sparks flew. But the sirens hadn’t arrived yet.

Laura lunged forward, landing several electric punches into Steven’s torso. They fizzled, absorbed into his shifting, viscous mass.

He let out a low, eerie growl and countered with a backhand that sent her through a streetlamp. Her systems flickered.

Laura tried to speak, to signal his position to the distant approaching sirens.

“Target—he’s—”

But as she pointed behind her, Steven was gone.

Just vanished.

She froze, scanning wildly. Nothing.

Sirens grew louder. Flashing blue and red lights lit the street.

Officers arrived. Laura, battered and smoking, was immediately restrained.

“He’s not... from this world,” she whispered as she was dragged to a patrol car. “He’s something else.”

At the ALKEN base, footsteps echoed through the metallic corridor. Click-clack, click-clack.

Caitlyn Teresa strutted like she owned the place. Purple body-hugging dress, matching heels, tight bun, purple lipstick. Her hips swayed with a purpose. But deep inside her clutch, Leonardo’s tracker, discreetly primed.

She slipped through security like mist.

One hall, two turns, down the hangar shaft—there it was. The ship. She bent down to “tie her heel,” slipped the bug beneath the navigation panel, smiled to herself, and headed toward the main command floor.

Alibi mode: engaged.

Londo sipped coffee, legs on the desk.

He glanced up lazily when Caitlyn entered.

“Oh. The violet temptation herself. What brings you here?”

She smirked. “Aw, you remembered me. I’m touched. Missed my perfume or just my ass?”

Londo scoffed. “Neither.”

“Mm. Grumpy as ever.”

He didn’t answer. She tilted her head, teasing. “If I wore the uniform you like, would that help? Or would I have to iron your ego too?”

“Get to the point.”

“Point was to see how tightly wound you still are, darling.” She chuckled, turning to walk away, then bumped—intentionally—into Lana.

“Oof—hello, gorgeous.”

Lana didn’t move. Arms crossed. Eyes cold.

“Move,” she said. “Or die.”

“God. You’re such a heartbreaker,” Caitlyn whispered, brushing past.

From another hallway, bare feet slapped tile.

“Caitlyn?!”

Kiarra appeared in nothing but a pink bra and lace panties. Her lips were glossy, cheeks flushed.

“MY GODDESS!”

She leaped into Caitlyn’s arms, planting kisses on both cheeks, then forehead, then lips—but only a peck.

“What are you doing here? Damn, you look edible.”

Caitlyn laughed. “Modeling, baby. Didn’t you get the memo?”

Kiara gasped. “You’re such a tease. Come to my room. Ten minutes. Naked.”

“Tempting. But no can do tonight, sugar. Business before pleasure.”

“Ugh, do I even need to get dressed now?” she groaned. “Fiiine!”

Caitlyn kissed her back on the cheek and winked. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Elsewhere in ALKEN’s command center, Anna sat alone.

Her fingers drummed lightly on the edge of the console. Alone in the hum of the surveillance systems, her expression was blank.

A breath escaped her lips.

I don’t understand why I am thinking about him!.

Anna slapped her face, no more Steven thinking!.

30 Minutes Later, in the briefing room—

“Um, Commander?”

Kimberly stood nervously at the entrance. Arms clutched to her chest.

Londo didn’t look. “Yes, Kimberly? Is it urgent?”

“M-my mother... her condition’s worsening. I need to see her. Please.”

He put his coffee down. Feet slid off the desk. He stood up, slowly.

“No one’s leaving. There’s a lockdown.”

“I understand, sir, but she—she might not last... I need this.”

He approached. Silent. Cold.

But then Lana burst through the door.

“Londo, we’ve got an issue with—wait. Kimberly?”

Kimberly turned, flustered.

“I asked permission, ma’am. I need four hours. To see her.”

Lana placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Four hours. Be back by morning. We’ve got a mission. Okay, darling?”

Kimberly nodded quickly, grateful, almost teary-eyed.

Londo barked. “Excuse me? I’m still standing here.”

Lana turned. “She’ll be ready for tomorrow. You can punish me later.”

He scoffed. “Try not to act like the saint of ALKEN, Lana. You don’t wear the halo well.”

“Not trying to impress you,” she said coldly.

Outside the building, Lasso and Taze slipped in through the rear corridor.

“Quick, before the old man sees us,” Taze whispered.

“Heard something went down downtown. You think it was him?”

“Does it even matter anymore?”

They entered the main floor just as a voice thundered over the speakers.

“ALL UNITS, BRIEFING ROOM. NOW.”

In the debrief room, Londo stood tall.

“We’ve got a recon mission. Destination: Pluto.”

Murmurs broke out.

“Before that, we land in Japan. Two days off. Tokyo. I’ve decided you freaks earned it.”

Cheers. Laughter.

Taze raised his brow. “Wait... where’s Steven? And Kimberly?”

Suddenly—

“I’m here. And I’m canceling my suspension.”

Steven entered. Shirtless. Torn pants. Popcorn in hand. Smirk on lips.

Londo blinked, rage bubbling.

Lana stared.

Lasso smiled.

Everyone is in Shock.

Fade to black.

To be Continued