As Layla swiped her room key, the scanner hummed softly in response.
"Layla E. Wilson. Welcome back," chimed the AI as a small holographic image of herself flickered into existence beside the wall, glowing gently in the dim light near the door.
As she stepped into her shared dorm, she took in the familiar sight: two doors leading to separate rooms, and a small, functional kitchen area tucked into the corner.
The air smelled faintly of the jasmine diffuser Arande always kept on, comforting and warm. Layla moved toward her door—Room A—her footsteps soft against the smooth floor.
The sensor lights flicked on, casting a gentle glow as she opened her door, her eyes already set on the bed. Exhaustion weighed on her shoulders after hours of gate duty.
Just then, the bathroom door creaked open, and Arande emerged, steam curling behind her in lazy spirals. Her damp hair clung to her skin, and she wore a soft bathrobe.
"Hey, girl!" Arande greeted, her voice full of warmth as she pulled Layla into a hug.
Layla couldn't help but smile, feeling the familiar, comforting embrace.
"You look really tired," Arande added, her eyes scanning Layla's face with concern.
Layla let out a sigh, a small wave of relief washing over her now that she was home.
"Just got off gate duty. Ready to hit the Gym before crashing," she said, her voice betraying her fatigue.
She glanced at Arande, who had only recently recovered from a serious injury—her black lancer had taken heavy damage during the last mission, leaving Arande bedridden for weeks.
"Oh really?" Arande raised an eyebrow.
"I was planning on going after I showered, but I guess we could head out together." She gave Layla a playful smile before releasing her from the hug.
"Anyway, how's the rest of the team holding up?" Arande asked casually, grabbing her smoothie from the counter.
The cool condensation from the glass slicked her fingers as she leaned against the kitchen island, sipping the drink slowly.
Layla glanced over at her, leaning against the doorway to her room.
"I've been stuck with gate duty lately," she said, her tone flat with mild exhaustion.
"Tomi's been out on escort missions with Zane and Blaze. They've been busy with some rescue ops too, under Captain Archer."
As Arande turned to walk toward her room, Layla's words hung in the air—especially one name.
Tomi.
Arande's grip on the smoothie tightened, her heart fluttering unexpectedly. Her eyes widened, and she could feel her cheeks warm in an unbidden flush.
Tomi. His name echoed in her mind as memories of their last mission surged forward—memories of his strength, his calm under pressure.
"Tomi?" Arande repeated softly in her mind, her pulse quickening.
It felt like forever since she'd seen him.
Had it only been a week? She bit her lip, trying to stifle the ridiculous smile that threatened to spread across her face.
Layla continued, unaware of Arande's sudden distraction. "Tijona, Jean, and Griggs got transferred to gate guard duty too."
But Arande was lost in thought now, her mind still lingering on Tomi. He's strong enough for a four-man mission now? she mused, remembering how he'd fought beside her during their last encounter with the colossal mecha. The way he'd held his ground, his unwavering focus.
She blushed deeper, sipping her smoothie to hide the small grin forming. He's improved so much, she thought, a wave of admiration—and something else—washing over her.
"Hey, did you hear about our TCS Temporary change of station to the base in Treadway?" Arande called out, pausing at the threshold of her room, her hand on the doorframe as she turned back to Layla.
"Yeah, sadly," Layla replied with a tired sigh, her voice heavy as she lazily pushed open her door.
Arande rolled her eyes with a soft chuckle.
"Don't sound like that." She stepped back into the kitchen, her gaze locking onto her best friend's exhausted expression. "Girl, it's the best joint installation on the entire continent!"
Layla raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly not sharing Arande's excitement.
"Not to mention Treadway is rich in tech. I'm talking about advanced architecture, state-of-the-art systems, and historical sites everywhere. It's going to be incredible!" Arande's voice brightened as she leaned into the potential of the move.
"I thought Treadway was gonna be my first station, but here I am, stuck in Tennis State." She sighed theatrically and took another sip of her smoothie, the cold, sweet taste refreshing her.
She paused and smiled, softening her tone. "But then again, I got to meet you all. So, it's not that bad."
"Well, I'm happy too, don't get me wrong." Layla smiled weakly, the fatigue in her voice still present as she stepped into her room. "I just need some cold shower." She half-laughed as she disappeared inside. "I'll be out in like 40 minutes."
"Take your time," Arande called after her, watching the door close.
She stood there for a moment, her thoughts drifting away from Treadway and back to something—or rather, someone—else.
Tomi. The thought of seeing him again made her heart race a little faster, her mind flashing back to their last mission together. How strong is he now? Arande wondered, biting back a grin.
She turned and entered her room, her lips curling into a small, excited smile as she closed the door behind her. "I can't wait to see him again."
Meanwhile, Tomi stood in the gym, the dull throb in his stomach a constant reminder of Malik's last brutal punch.
The fluorescent lights flickered above, casting sharp shadows as he glanced over at Zane and Blaze.
"This captain is insane!" he thought, still reeling from Malik's words about living in the training ground.
"Come on! What are you waiting for, my guy?" Blaze's voice sliced through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality.
He caught sight of Blaze effortlessly hanging from a pull-up bar, his muscles taut, while Zane laced up his running shoes, poised to race against a holographic cheetah.
Tomi grimaced, knowing he had to complete the task assigned to him before Liya would start nagging and dishing out punishments. With a resigned sigh, he called out, "Liya!"
A shimmer filled the air, and Liya materialized beside him, her smile laced with mischief.
"What new ability will I have once I complete this task?" Tomi asked, a mix of curiosity and skepticism in his voice.
"It's a mystery, master," she replied, her tone sarcastic yet dark, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Cut it out. I didn't summon you for jokes," he shot back, stepping into the simulation room.
"I'm being serious, master! I don't know yet; it all depends on how well you perform in this simulation," she said, gliding alongside him. "The abilities are random and based on how the task interacts with your body."
Just then, Tomi's gaze shifted to a figure in the corner of the room—an advanced AI clad in sleek, black armor. The AI effortlessly cleared a challenging level, its movements fluid and precise.
"That guy looks incredible!" Liya exclaimed, her enthusiasm palpable.
"I wish you could be like that, master." She grinned mischievously, her gaze darting to Tomi, who was now wide-eyed, his scarlet pupils locked onto the figure.
"That's Ace!" Tomi thought, admiration flooding through him as he watched Ace launch into an attack, the speed and precision breathtaking.
Suddenly, Tomi felt a heavy force pressing down on him, as if gravity itself was trying to pin him to the floor.
"Is that his attack?" he gasped, struggling to stay upright, mirroring the fierce intensity of the four-level dark mecha boss Ace was battling.
"Yes, master! That Ace guy is a serious challenge. Completing this task won't be easy," Liya replied, her voice steady, unfazed by the crushing weight that enveloped Tomi.
"Seems like someone needs to step up his game if he wants to get anywhere close to his rival!" Liya mocked, her voice echoing in the simulation room as Tomi lay flat on the ground, pinned down by the relentless increase in gravity.
"Shut it!" Tomi thought, struggling to push against the crushing force that weighed him down.
Each breath felt laborious, the pressure tightening around his chest.
"Then again, I have a question, master," Liya continued, her taunting tone playful yet piercing.
She floated down to his level, her smirk growing as she hovered just above him. "Why don't you want to know about his chip? Is it because you're scared he's beyond your reach in terms of new abilities?"
"I said shut it!" Tomi thought, irritation bubbling beneath his skin as he fought against the increasing weight.
Just then, Ace abruptly ceased his gravity attack, the oppressive force lifting from Tomi's body.
"This guy is insane!" he thought, a mix of admiration and dread coursing through him as he watched Ace, fury radiating off him like heat from a forge.
"Now, come on, master! Don't get awestruck and forget your task!" Liya said, her demeanor shifting to serious as she regarded him intently.
"I've had enough of you! Now vanish!" Tomi snapped coldly, his frustration boiling over as he prepared to suit up in his training AI armor.
As Liya vanished into thin air, Tomi steeled himself, ready to push his limits and catch up to Ace, who was still locked in battle with the level four boss.
"I won't fall behind him, not for a second," he thought, determination surging through him.
He drove his sword deep into the red core of a dark mecha simulation, shattering it into fragments as a gust of wind erupted from the force of his strike.
Meanwhile, Ace's visor blinked with a notification of an incoming ally.
[Incoming ally: Tomi.] The sight made Ace click his tongue in irritation.
"Tsk!" he muttered, glancing back to see Tomi gaining ground. "So annoying!"
He redirected his focus just in time to parry a strike from the boss's sword, the clash ringing out like thunder in the virtual arena.
As Ace and the towering level four boss, Kingsley exchanged blows in a frenetic dance of attack and defense, Tomi pushed himself harder, finally sprinting into the fray. He flanked Kingsley, catching him off guard as he aimed for a decisive blow.
Just as Tomi swung at Kingsley's exposed side, the boss instinctively shifted, bringing his second sword to intercept Tomi's attack.
The clash sent sparks flying, the collision generating a gust of wind that whipped through the space around them.
Tomi's eyes widened in shock as he realized his strike had been halted, the force of the impact resonating through his arms.
"Hey, idiot! I don't need your help!" Ace barked, frustration flaring in his chest.
He couldn't shake off the twinge of jealousy at seeing how far Tomi had come since his injury.
"Good to know, because I'm not here to help you!" Tomi shot back, his voice equally sharp.
He quickly shifted into a defensive stance, bracing himself against the onslaught of Kingsley's rapid strikes.