The atmosphere in the battleship Artemis was electric.
Since Kael and Tyren's return from R22 with another Kaiju carcass, whispers had flooded the ship like a contagion—seeping into every corridor, break room, and command post.
> "Kael Ravager's back. Again."
"Tyren was practically dragging that Kaiju like it was nothing."
"They say Ryssa has a soft spot for Kael..."
"Did you see her today? She followed him to the mecha bay."
The stories had mutated with each telling—rumors of forbidden Kaiju tech fused into Ravager, a secret alliance between Kael and Ryssa, and even nonsense like Tyren being part Kaiju himself.
And amid all the chaos, the Siren Squad had their hands full fending off attention—and questions they didn't know how to answer.
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Observation Bay – A Glint of Jealousy
Ryssa stood before a wide reinforced glass wall, overlooking the mecha bays.
Her sharp eyes followed Kael, bare-chested and half-oiled, as he checked a hydraulic joint on Ravager Mk III. His body bore faint scars, black oil streaks, and the grim intensity that never left his face.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
> "If this were a normal battlefield, I'd assign him to a squad, give him a commendation, maybe even a kiss on the cheek…"
"But this isn't normal. He isn't normal."
Behind her, Misha's voice broke the stillness. "Are you staring at Kael again, Commander?"
Ryssa didn't even flinch. "I don't 'stare'. I calculate threats."
Ziya joined from the hallway, muttering under her breath. "Threat? You mean boyfriend material."
Ryssa smiled at that but didn't deny it. "There's something... captivating about a man who refuses to kneel."
---
Kael's Bay – Unannounced Visitor
Kael grunted as he twisted the calibrator rod back into Ravager's shoulder chamber. His fingers were black with grime, his jaw set hard.
"Need a hand?" a soft voice teased from behind.
He turned.
Ryssa, leaning casually against the bulkhead, arms folded. Her uniform was half-undone at the collar, and her tone carried that usual smirk laced with curiosity.
Kael narrowed his eyes. "I didn't ask for one."
Ryssa stepped closer, her boots silent on the steel floor.
> "Didn't say you did. Maybe I just came to admire the view," she said, eyes drifting over Ravager—then Kael.
He went back to work, ignoring her gaze.
Ryssa walked closer still, and tapped lightly on Ravager's leg plating.
> "You know… I've had people bring me flowers. Gifts. Once even a pet bird."
"But dragging Kaiju corpses back from a hell-planet? That's definitely new."
Kael wiped his hand, tossing the oil cloth aside. "You're wasting your time trying to flirt."
She tilted her head. "What makes you think I'm flirting?"
"You're too relaxed. This isn't a debriefing."
Ryssa smiled faintly. "Maybe I just like the way you're broken."
Kael turned to her slowly. His voice was calm, but icy. "I'm not broken. I'm forged."
Ryssa's heart skipped. That wasn't just a line—that was war. She raised a brow and leaned forward slightly, now just inches away.
> "Careful, Commander Kael. If you keep speaking like that, someone might fall for you."
Kael leaned back, grabbed a data slate, and dryly replied, "Then they'd better learn how to survive disappointment."
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Elsewhere – Rumors and Silence
Meanwhile, Ziya sat curled on her bunk, headphones in but no music playing.
Rumors of Tyren's rage, of Kael's icy charm, of Ryssa's frequent visits to his bay—everything was spinning too fast. And she hated the way her stomach tightened when Ryssa was mentioned.
> Why does it matter?
He doesn't even talk to anyone unless it's a mission.
But… why does he only smile when Tyren's around?
She buried her face in her pillow.
Across the hallway, Tyren leaned against a steel support column. His fists were clenched. Every whisper about Kael being Ryssa's new pet, about their "relationship," about power being seduced out of people... it grated on him like rusted blades.
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Conclusion
Rumors continued to swirl, silently drawing lines between allies and rivals.
Kael didn't care.
Tyren didn't trust.
And Ryssa…?
She was playing a dangerous game. One not of power—but of proximity.
And no one knew how much more the storm would build.