London – An alley, early morning.
"Wanna coffee?" Caitlyn asked casually, arms folded, heels clicking softly on the cracked pavement.
Laura tilted her head slightly. "I'm not programmed to eat or drink. I'm a cyborg."
"Oh, right! You just look crazy real," Caitlyn smirked, eyeing her up and down. "That hair, though? The purple? Gorgeous." She winked.
Laura blinked once. Her voice dipped into a flat tone. "Thank you. Now tell me how you found me. Who are you? And what do you need from me?"
Caitlyn laughed. "Wow, you really are a machine, huh? Don't worry. That'll loosen up soon enough. I was walking outta a boring-ass meeting, and bam—I spot you. I work for the government. Leonardo Chekly's right hand. But don't sweat it, I ain't turning you in. Unless you piss me off."
Laura narrowed her eyes. "I promise nothing. But I'm listening."
"Tough girl, huh? I like it." Caitlyn cracked her knuckles. "But first—I need to warm up a bit. Stand up."
Laura rose slowly. "Alright. What else?"
"Show me what you got," Caitlyn said. "Fight me a little. I wanna see what you're made of."
Laura raised an eyebrow. "I see no threat in you. You seem decent. I don't see a reason to engage."
Caitlyn backflipped like it was nothing—even in her damn heels and purple dress. A knife flashed through the air.
Thud.
The blade stabbed into Laura's stomach.
Laura looked down, emotionless. Pulled it out.
"Why are you testing me?"
"Needed to vent. I'm pissed off. That's all," Caitlyn shrugged, rolling her shoulders. "Relax."
Laura sighed. "Just tell me what the mission is. I'll help."
"Ugh, you're no fun," Caitlyn pouted. "Fine. Sit. I'll explain everything."
Meanwhile, on the ALKEN ship, mid-flight to Pluto.
Two weeks until impact.
Steven sat across from Londo in his office. The air was stiff.
Londo's jaw clenched. "Yokojou, listen up. Lasso reported what happened. You think knocking out Taze and slapping Anna is okay? What the fuck is wrong with you? Since when do you pull that shit?"
Steven's eyes flared, voice sharp. "You don't get it. Just let me breathe. Pompous ass."
Londo stared, dead cold. "I don't wanna fight with you. I just want answers. You live alone, no family, I get that. But Anna, Taze, even Lasso—they're worried. You're shutting them out."
Steven scoffed. "They're annoying. I said I'm fine, they keep pushing. Honestly? I wish I stayed in London instead of flying to this frozen rock."
Londo slammed his hand on the table. "If it were up to me, you'd be off ALKEN already. Leonardo's the only reason you're still here. Now listen close: you're working with Kiara and Taze on the ground team. You mess up? You're off the field. Straight to comms. Got it?"
Steven blinked. "Comms? What's… never mind. Sure."
Londo raised an eyebrow. "Get the hell out. Now."
Steven stood up slow. Walked to the door.
Just as he reached it, Lana stepped up to enter.
She gave him a disgusted glare. "Stop looking at me, freak."
She entered and closed the door.
Steven's eyes glowed faint green. His left hand began to morph, a sickly green pulse forming. Then,
"Steven? That you?" Kiara's voice echoed down the hall.
Steven flinched. The morph stopped. He clenched his hand back to normal.
Kiara sauntered in, hips swaying, smirking. "Heard you turned into a full-on asshole. Wanna explain?"
Steven stepped forward. "I'm fine. Leave me alone."
Kiara's smirk faded. "The hell you just say? You think you're walking away from me while I'm talkin'?"
Lana cracked the door open. "Kiara, shut your damn mouth! We're having a meeting."
Kiara grinned, grabbing her chest, mock-innocent. "Oopsie. Sorry, Commander. Wanna kiss and make up?"
She blew a kiss. Lana rolled her eyes so hard they nearly left orbit and slammed the door shut.
Kiara chuckled. "Tough crowd. I thought that would melt her. Ice like that doesn't thaw in a day, huh?"
Cockpit – Kimberly's station.
She sat alone, hands light on the controls. The ship was on autopilot.
But her mind wasn't.
"Why am I here?" she whispered to herself. "I'm not a pilot. I should be with Mom. I don't belong on this mission…"
Steven stepped in silently, the door closing behind him.
"Kimberly."
She flinched. "Steven?"
"I'm sorry about Taze. I didn't mean to go that hard. He jumped me. I defended myself."
Kimberly nodded slowly, but her voice was quiet. "You also slapped Anna. People talk. You're different lately. Even your hugs felt… off."
Steven paused.
"Maybe it's time I show you something."
He looked her in the eyes.
"You wanted that date. Remember? Let's do it. We're on a ship. You're flying it. Take a break. Come to my room. 2 a.m. London time."
Kimberly blushed. "That's sweet. Really. But I need to think, okay? Thank you, though. You're… sweet."
Steven licked the back of his hand. Whispered, "Sweet? More like salty. Chronic sweat flavor."
She didn't hear.
"If you change your mind, I'll be there," he said, walking off.
As he exited, Taze arrived. The two locked eyes.
Silence. Like enemies passing on a battlefield.
Taze entered. Kimberly turned around, startled.
"Taze? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Listen… I've been meaning to ask you something."
Kimberly tilted her head.
"I… I wanna take you on a date."
He said it. Finally.
Kimberly gasped a bit. Thought to herself, "Steven… Taze… both today? What do I do?"
Out loud: "Taze, thank you. I… need time to think. Especially while I'm on duty."
Taze laughed nervously. "Yeah. Of course. Sorry. Bad timing. My bad."
He left, muttering, "Idiot. Too soon. She's not into you…"
Meanwhile – Lana
She finished the convo with Londo, "God, I think I have a headache".
She walked into the showers, half-dressed in red lacy underwear, assuming it was empty.
Not.
Lasso stood there, wet, shirtless, towel around his waist, hair dripping down his shoulders.
Lana dropped her towel.
"Lasso?! Why the hell don't you lock the door?!"
He turned around slowly. Gave a lazy smirk.
"Wanted this to happen, maybe. Damn, Lana. You look incredible."
He stepped forward.
She froze. Red-faced. Breath caught.
He leaned in, almost close enough to kiss. Then stopped.
"Don't worry, baby. I'll lock it next time."
Wink. Gone.
Lana stared at the steam, heart racing.
"Why him? Why now?" she whispered.
She took off her bra, back to the camera, and headed to the water.
"He's… hot," she mumbled.
Elsewhere, Anna sat in her room, crying.
"I'm so dumb… Steven's a prick. Always was. Why do I care? Maybe I'm the problem. Maybe I'm clingy…"
Knock knock.
"Annaaaa! It's me, Kiara! Let me in!"
"Piss off, Kiara! I'm busy!"
"What, you masturbating? Gimme a break! I won't peek, just need to grab something."
Anna blushed. "You're insane!"
She opened the door. Kiara stood there, soaked, top undone.
"Are you trying to seduce me?!"
"Pipe burst. Don't ask. Also, Steven? Total asshole. You need to get answers."
Anna snapped. "NO. I'm done. Until he apologizes, he's dead to me."
"Okay, but… wait. Who's on comms?"
Anna froze. "Shit!"
She ran.
At the corner, she collided with Steven. They fell. Lips almost touched.
He shoved her off gently. "Sorry about the slap. Just stop bugging me."
He walked away.
Anna sat, wiping a tear. "Go to hell, Steven! Keep your secrets, asshole!"
She clutched her chest. "Svetlana… I wish you were here. You'd know what to say."
Lasso saw her crying. Walked up.
"Anna? Again? Did he hurt you?"
No answer.
"Okay. That's it."
He stormed off. Found Steven.
Tapped his shoulder. "Hey, Stevie."
Steven turned—WHAM. Fist to the face.
"You hurt Anna? Again? You got no soul?, She loves you! Apologize or next punch breaks bones."
Steven: "She doesn't love me. She's annoying. I ended it. And I didn't touch her this time."
Lasso: "Don't lie. Go fix it."
Steven: "Leave me alone. I'm going to bed."
Lasso clenched his jaw.
Intercom buzzed: "Lasso. My office. Now." – Londo.
Lasso whispered, "You got lucky…"
Back in London – alley.
Caitlyn leaned against the wall.
"I need your help finding Jin Tu Moon. You've got sensors. You help me, you get whatever you want."
Laura tilted her head. "I want to join ALKEN."
Caitlyn blinked. "You're a fugitive cyborg. That's gonna be rough."
"That's my condition,"
Caitlyn smirked. "Alright. My word."
She pulled out a glowing vial.
"Now, here's the plan."
To be continued.