Private Sommer’s End Pt. 3-4

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael straightened. "Working on it. Hyperlane data's scrambled. It could be—"

 

[Sommer Dai]

"Could be, or is?" Sommer snapped, her voice sharp like a vibroblade. "Because I don't want to float in a luxury sarcophagus while you two guess."

The air tightened around them.

 

[Arq*]

Arq, stepping in behind her, stopped short — immediately reading the tension.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"We're working on a fix, Som," Alyssa said, gently.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's gaze flicked to her — something in her eyes flared, for just a second. Not hate. Not anger. Something colder.

Then she smiled. Thin. Controlled.

"Of course you are," she said, her tone syrupy sweet. "I shouldn't expect anything less."

She turned and walked out without another word, her robe trailing like a queen's gown.

 

[Kaelon Virex]

The second the door sealed, Kael muttered:

"We're walking on karking eggshells."

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa nodded, her face pale.

"I think we brought something back from that chamber."

 

[Sommer Dai]

"Something Is Not You"

Location: Aboard the Dusk Nocturne, En Route – Mid-Drift Sector

​

The dim lighting flickered slightly in the ship's common corridor as the Dusk Nocturne continued its drift between stars. The tension had grown with each passing hour.


Sommer entered the control chamber like a pressure drop, silk robe rustling just enough to signal her presence. Kael, Arq, and Alyssa all turned — mid-conversation. The shift in their posture gave them away.

Sommer's voice came smooth and sharp:

"How long have the three of you been meeting without me?"

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael frowned. "It's not like that, Cousin."

 

[Sommer Dai]

She stepped closer, eyes burning with cold clarity. "Then enlighten me. Because every time I walk into a room, I feel like I just interrupted a funeral I wasn't invited to."

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Arq folded his arms. "We're concerned. That's not betrayal. That's survival."

 

[Sommer Dai]

"Survival?" Sommer scoffed. "I'm the one keeping this ship from unraveling, and you're treating me like a ticking charge."

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael held his ground. "That's because you're changing, Cousin. You don't see it — but we do."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Her jaw flexed, and for a moment… the air around her chilled.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa stepped forward before things could escalate.

"Hey sweetheart, can we talk? Just us?"

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's head tilted, considering. "Now you want to speak in private?"

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"Yes," Alyssa said, firmer this time. "Because I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid for you."

Private Quarters – Moments Later

The door hissed shut. The hum of the ship insulated the two women in quiet.

Alyssa stood at the center of the room, wringing her fingers.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer remained by the door, watching.

"Say what you need to," Sommer said, low and cold.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa's lips parted, but she hesitated.

"You scared me," she admitted, voice cracking. "Last night… you didn't just scream. You—your eyes—they turned white. You said things I can't even explain."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's brows drew together slightly.

"I don't remember any of that."