The doorbell rang, its cheerful chime cutting through the muffled hum of the news playing on Kai's television. She sighed, pausing mid-step as she approached the door. It was late, and she hadn't been expecting visitors.
When she swung the door open, however, her exasperation melted into a mixture of amusement and surprise. Standing on her porch was Zteel—Sage, Kilo, Aurora, and Nyota—all gathered with bright smiles and an air of triumph.
"Surprise!" Kilo said, throwing his arms out dramatically. Sage grinned beside him, giving a small wave, while Aurora stood with her hands on her hips, a knowing smirk on her face.
Nyota stepped forward, holding up a small bottle of mouthwash. His expression was calm, but the spark in his eyes betrayed his satisfaction. "Proof, straight from the source," he said simply, placing the bottle into Kai's hands with a slight smile.
Kai stared at the bottle, her brows furrowing as she examined the label. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as a reluctant smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. "You really brought me the mouthwash as a souvenir?"
Nyota shrugged. "It's practical."
Aurora laughed. "We told him it was a terrible idea, but he insisted."
Kai stepped aside, pushing the door open wider. "Not too bad, from what I can tell."
As the group filed into her cozy living room, the news playing on the television caught their attention. The anchor spoke with the practiced urgency of someone trying to maintain calm while reporting chaos:
"Authorities in Blueport continue to investigate the series of explosions that destroyed two factories late last night. Officials are citing industrial accidents as the likely cause, though no official statement has been made. So far, no eyewitnesses report seeing unusual activity near the sites before the fires broke out. Furthermore, authorities have declined to comment."
Aurora flopped onto the couch, gesturing toward the screen. "Industrial accidents? That's the best they can come up with?"
Sage folded his arms, standing behind the couch. "They know better than to admit sabotage. The minute they do, people will start asking questions they don't want to answer."
Kilo settled into an armchair, his usual energy dimmed but not entirely absent. "They can't spin it forever. The truth's going to come out eventually."
Kai crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "And when it does, they're going to crack down harder than ever. You know that, right?"
Aurora shrugged. "Let them try. If we've already shaken them this much, it means we're doing something right."
Kai smiled faintly. "Speaking of which, we should talk about what's next."
"I'll start dinner," Sage said, heading to the kitchen.
"Hey! Who said you could use my kitchen?"
The comforting aroma of Sage's cooking soon filled the house, creating a sense of normalcy despite the gravity of their conversation. Plates were passed around the dining table, and the group gradually shifted their focus from the past to the future.
"So," Kai said between bites, "what's the next move? Another factory?"
Aurora, still hesitant but intrigued, leaned forward. "We'll need to change things up. They'll be on high alert after Blueport."
Nyota nodded. "Agreed. We need something unpredictable. Something they won't see coming."
Sage, always thoughtful, chimed in. "What about targeting their distribution network? If we cut off their supply lines, they'll feel the strain without us having to blow anything up."
Aurora tapped her fork against her plate, considering. "That could work, but we'd need intel—routes, schedules, the works."
Kai tilted her head. "I know! How about doing something alongside the people, but behind the scenes?"
"Like what?" Nyota asked.
"I'm not sure yet. But think about it—in a country where speaking out against the government is bad, there are still people who dare to do it, right? I mean, you're not the only ones to do this."
"You?" Kilo joked passively in between bites; his gaze remained fixed to his food. "You mean, 'we,' right?"
Everyone laughed lightly. Kai rolled her eyes.
Nyota nodded, responding to her. "I like the idea. It's worth looking into."
As the conversation in the dining room continued, Nyota noticed Kilo slip away to the kitchen to refill his drink. He followed, sensing the opportunity to check in with him.
"Hey," Nyota said, leaning against the counter.
Kilo glanced at him, his expression wary. "What's up?"
"You."
Kilo frowned. "What about me?"
Nyota's gaze was steady. "Back in Blueport. Something was off. What happened?"
Kilo hesitated, looking down at his drink. "It's nothing. I did my job."
"You did, but that doesn't mean it was easy. Talk to me."
Kilo exhaled sharply, leaning back against the counter. "It was Sage. He didn't trust me to handle things on my own. Kept hovering, like I was going to screw it up."
Nyota frowned. "Did you talk to him about it?"
Kilo scoffed. "What's the point? He thinks he's always right. And maybe he is, but it's... exhausting."
Nyota nodded slowly. "You're both stubborn. That's not a bad thing, but it means you need to communicate. He trusts you more than you think, Kilo. Otherwise, he wouldn't have put you in that position to begin with."
Kilo was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Maybe. I'll think about it."
"Good," Nyota said, patting his shoulder. "Because we're going to need you at your best for what's coming next—whatever it is."
When Nyota and Kilo returned to the group, the discussion was already in full swing.
"So, we're set on Kai's idea," Aurora said, her tone lively.
Kilo grinned, his earlier tension replaced with determination. "Sounds like my kind of plan."
The others laughed, the moment lightening the atmosphere as Kai began cleaning up the table.
"We'll contemplate on it for details, but for now, I say we take a little break." Aurora continued, casually removing a bottle of alcohol from her jacket pocket. She began to open it when everyone around her froze in disbelief.
She paused to address them, shrugging. "What? You've never seen an adult have fun before? Please." Her reaction prompted them to burst into laughter.
"Come on, Sage," Aurora slapped him on the back before reaching over to hug him. "You're the oldest here. Drink with me! Take a shot with your Big Sis!"
Sage edged away from her. "Please stop calling yourself that."
"What?" She continued. "Let's pour one up for a good week of work." She poured a pinch of alcohol into his cup.
"Are you sure he should be doing that?" Kilo leaned over to Nyota with a whisper. "You know… considering his reputation with older women?"
"I heard that!" Sage shouted, rising across the table.
Kai, watching the camaraderie between them, couldn't help but feel a small sense of belonging, even as uncertainty about the future lingered in her mind. For now, she allowed herself to be part of their collective hope—a fragile but resolute spark that kept them going.
As the night wore on, the team's laughter and conversation filled the house. For now, at least, they allowed themselves to savor their small victory, even as the weight of the battles to come loomed on the horizon.
"Oh, yeah—Kai!" Kilo called out, his voice cutting through the chatter. "We're not done with you yet."
Kai raised a skeptical brow. "What do you mean?"
"You've seen what we're capable of. We're proven now, aren't we? C'mon, there's only one thing left for you to do," Kilo pressed with a grin.
"I don't know…" she hesitated, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "How would I even find the time? Plus, I've got to admit, I'm still a bit… I don't know… scared?"
Sage took a slow sip of his drink, breaking the brief silence. "Well, no one got hurt—that we know of."
"Not a single casualty," Nyota affirmed with a reassuring tone. "And the factory's production line? Shut down completely."
For the first time, Kai allowed herself to believe in their capabilities. A small smile formed as she murmured, "Yeah? Well, you really did it." There was a note of awe in her voice now, a hint of conviction beginning to take root.
Nyota tilted his head, a quiet but confident smile tugging at his lips. "Told you we would."
From that moment, any lingering doubt in Kai's mind faded. Though the risks still loomed large, one thing became certain: Zteel was no longer at square one. They weren't just fighting the system—they were winning.
Kai chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Okay, fine. I'll admit it—you're better at this than I thought. I'll join." She nodded firmly, as though flexing a muscle she hadn't realized she had. "I'll do it. Consider me a part of Zteel."
Nyota, Sage, Kilo, and Aurora erupted in celebration.
"Great! Welcome to the team, Kai!" Kilo exclaimed, his grin widening. "Now, what nickname should I give you?"
"What he said," Sage seconded, smirking. "We finally have another somewhat-committed technician. I was getting tired of doing it all myself."
"Really, though—welcome to 'Operation Freedom,'" Nyota said, his voice warm and genuine. "But be warned: if I go down, you're coming down with me."
Aurora gestured toward the kitchen with a dramatic flourish. "Now you need a drink, too! Go on, grab a cup."
Kai waved a hand, laughing softly. "I think I'll pass."