Private Welcome back to the fire Pt.2

[Arq*]

"We gotta move!" Arq shouted, already dragging Sommer forward.

From behind the smoke, a sleek black transport screeched into the hangar — self-driving, with the neon emblem of L.T.I. glowing faint blue on its front grill. Gullwing doors hissed open, welcoming them like a chariot out of hell.

 

[Zori Galea]

Zori made one last move, her hand raised—

 

[C.E.R.A.]

But C.E.R.A. intercepted, tackling her back with a massive clang of metal-on-bone, pinning her down and delivering a concussive pulse to her skull.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer looked back once — wide-eyed, dazed, free. But with a strange feeling of guilt

 

[Kaelon Virex]

"Don't," Kael said. "She's not done yet. But neither are we."

They piled into the transport, and the doors sealed shut.

 

[Sommer Dai]

The vehicle tore down the mountain path, too fast for the AI protocols of most civilian transports. The cabin lights hummed cool and dim, and for the first time in what felt like days—


Silence.


Sommer leaned her head back, staring up.

"I kissed her," she said, voice raw.

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael sat beside her, staring forward. "You didn't stay. Your strong girl. And...I'll just say it. You suck at NOT being abducted." He let out a low chuckle while exhaling.

 

[C.E.R.A.]

Behind them, C.E.R.A. re-established comms.

"Extraction complete. Life signs stable. Uploading report to Andrew Lonek."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's eyes flicked open.

"No," she said. "Don't send it to him yet."

 

[C.E.R.A.]

C.E.R.A. paused.

"Acknowledged. Holding transmission."