INT. GCO CONFERENCE ROOM – NIGHT
Seven commanders filled the dark room, seated around an oval table. At the far end sat the Major General, while Commander Xerxes stood at the front, his posture perfectly straight under the harsh white glow of the screen.
Graphs, maps, and a Gantt chart glowed across the monitor — operations, timelines, targets.
"Everything clear?" Xerxes' voice carried authority, calm yet absolute.
"Affirmative," the other commanders replied in unison.
Xerxes' gaze shifted toward the far end of the table, and the others followed.
Erion's blue eyes glowed faintly in the dark, fixed on the screen's data.
"Leave me the information gathering on the club downtown," Erion said, voice level but final. "Dismissed."
Chairs moved. Footsteps echoed softly. One by one, the commanders filed out — all except Erion, who hadn't moved.
The screen's light flickered against his sharp features.
Still as stone, eyes locked forward.
Xerxes turned the lights on, shutting the display off.
"I assume I'm allowed to handle minor work?" Erion finally spoke, a faint smile breaking through. The faint light made him seem almost radiant — far too at ease for this hour.
"You look well, Major," Xerxes noted. "Perhaps because you're finally not overexerting yourself."
Erion's tone was amused. "You know it's not that. The lab's been running some experiments."
He rose, his movements smooth. The glow on his skin looked almost unnatural — too healthy, too alive.
"So?" His lips curved faintly. "Can I take part in at least one investigation?"
"I can't exactly refuse you," Xerxes said, placing a hand to his chest with a faint bow. "But I'll still stand by the order to keep you off the field. Someone has to protect this peace."
Erion walked up and gently pulled him upright.
"Stop that, Commander. No need for formality."
A light pat on the shoulder followed. "Just let me move a little. Sitting in an office all day's getting dull."
"I don't think most Major Generals would agree," Xerxes replied, almost smirking. "And I hear you've resumed night duties."
Erion lifted his hands in mock surrender.
"They're just small errands. The police are being useless day by day."
He reached for the door, but Xerxes' voice stopped him.
"Major General."
Erion turned slightly, hand still on the door.
"What about Miss Arsenault? Are we letting her go?" Xerxes asked, tone careful.
Silence lingered for a breath.
"Not yet."
The glass door shut quietly behind him, leaving Xerxes alone in the dim.
INT. GCO LABORATORY – LATE NIGHT
Erion's reflection glided across the blue-tinted glass door of the lab. Most of the machines were powered down, leaving only a soft mechanical hum in the background.
He wasn't expecting anyone — yet one corner light was still on.
"Still here, Doctor?" Erion asked, walking over.
Riko looked up, mid-motion of packing his things, bag slung over one shoulder.
"Erion!" His grin widened. "How about a drink? My treat."
Erion shook his head lightly. "I'm just checking the lab. You go ahead."
Riko looped an arm around his neck anyway. "Come on, tomorrow's the weekend!"
"Then drink with your team," Erion muttered, freeing himself from the grip.
"They all have plans — family, dates…" Riko sighed dramatically. "Even Miss Arsenault—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
"What's with her?" Erion's tone sharpened. He stepped aside, facing him squarely. "Did something happen?"
Riko chuckled, pushing his glasses up. "Relax. She just told me to remind you not to fetch her from the Centre today."
Erion eyebrow arched then exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "How can you forget things like that?"
"I got carried away assisting her remotely," Riko admitted. "The project's remarkable. I didn't notice how late it got." He checked his watch, sheepish.
Erion flipped a switch, dimming the remaining lights. "I hope it's nothing I'll have to clean up later."
"I doubt it," Riko replied, absently spinning the fidget ring on his finger. The faint tik-tik-tik filled the air.
Erion noticed the doctor's gaze drift again — somewhere thoughtful.
"You really have faith in her, huh?" he said lightly.
"Of course," Riko replied with a grin. "She's brilliant. And… she worries about you." His tone dipped into a teasing lilt.
"The only thing she's worried about is turning me into her test subject again," Erion shot back, smirking. "If she likes anyone, it's you. You're her idol, Doctor-this, Doctor-that — always lecturing me like you're the second coming."
Riko laughed, the tik of his ring pausing. "Are you jealous?"
Erion stopped mid-step and stared at him. A few seconds of silence — then he cracked, bursting into laughter.
"Alright, fine. That was good." Patting Riko repeatedly on his shoulder.
"Hey!" Riko pointed at him. "If you ever fall for her, I'll remind you of this every minute of your life."
Erion caught his finger and turned it back toward him. "If you like each other so much, why don't you date instead?"
Riko sighed inwardly. Talking to a 26-year-old virgin is exhausting.
The two exited the building, their footsteps fading down the hall — laughter and the soft hum of machines left behind.