Zteel

Year: 2201.

A few months had passed since Nyota, Sage, and Kilo graduated from the Sub District 101 Lunanova military cadet campus.

By early fall, the trio found themselves stationed at the Police Precinct of New Jericho, the single largest police precinct in all of Lunanova, located in the country's capital city of New Jericho.

It was a sprawling, bustling neighborhood that served as the nerve center for law enforcement operations.

It was a stark contrast to the relatively quieter days at the academy. The change in environment was jarring, with the steady rhythm of cadet life giving way to the high-stakes urgency of their new roles.

This precinct also happened to be the preferred domain of Director Noriko Tachi who, of course, oversaw much of the district's activities.

Nyota and the Hikari brothers carried a lasting reputation as three young and promising warrant officers, a status cemented by their viral success in the inaugural tournament. Though the initial fanfare had faded over time, their names and faces remained widely recognized.

One afternoon, the trio met for lunch in the cafeteria of one of the precinct's sprawling complexes. The space buzzed with casual chatter, the clinking of utensils, and the occasional bark of orders from officers passing by.

"So, this is our shiny new 'HQ,' huh?" Kilo quipped as they slid into their usual spot at a long cafeteria bench.

Once seated, he unwrapped his sandwich with an exaggerated flair, taking a hearty bite before continuing. "You know, Sage, one of these days, the universe is gonna prove you're not as perfect as you think."

"I don't aim for perfect," Sage replied calmly, his gaze drifting toward his plate. "Just prepared."

Nyota chuckled quietly. "Was walking into that glass door earlier part of the preparation?"

Kilo grinned, clearly pleased. "Exactly! Captain Prepared didn't even see it coming."

Sage gave a quiet chuckle, shaking his head as Kilo leaned back in his cafeteria bench seat, his grin growing wider.

"All I'm saying is," Kilo continued, "if I were as smart as Sage, I'd have figured out how to get us out of triple the workload by now. Aren't rookies supposed to ease into the job?"

Sage leaned forward slightly, considering the point. "I think they're testing us. Seeing if we can handle the pressure."

"Or seeing how fast we break," Kilo muttered, taking another bite. "'Promising rookies' my ass—more like glorified pack mules."

They shared a short laugh, and Kilo gestured with his sandwich in hand—and his mouth full of food—toward a group of officers lounging across the cafeteria.

"Meanwhile, those guys are on their third coffee break. You'd think saving the world or whatever would come with better perks. Maybe someone doing our paperwork for once? I'd even settle for a thank-you sandwich. What are we doing wrong?"

Nyota stabbed a piece of food on his plate, his tone dry. "Existing, probably."

Sage shook his head with a wry grin. "Yeah, that's on us." He let out a soft laugh before glancing over at Nyota. "Speaking of existence, I've been meaning to ask: how are you holding up? After everything?"

Nyota paused mid-motion, his fork hovering over his plate before he set it down carefully. "I'm fine. Or I'm getting there, anyway," he said, his voice measured, though a faint tension lingered in his words. "It's just... complicated."

Kilo, who had been noisily indulging in his sandwich, stopped and nodded, his usual lightheartedness replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness.

"Yeah, well, complicated's kind of the theme around here," he said with a grin. "I mean, memory alteration? Really?! To think you were forced from your home, your mother and friends killed, and your father M.I.A.?" Kilo shook his head, his disbelief palpable.

"Nyota, man, we have a lot more in common than I first thought," Kilo continued, his tone softening. "But if it makes you feel better, we've got your back. You know, even when we're too tired to stand straight."

Nyota's lips broke into a small, genuine smile. "Thanks. I know."

"Good!" Kilo's grin widened as he leaned back. "Just remember that any time you feel like saving the day solo. No more hero stuff without backup."

Sage rolled his eyes. "You're the one who'd nap through an alarm."

Kilo grinned at Nyota as he stuffed another bite into his mouth. "Hey, at least I'd be well-rested."

Nyota shook his head, his faint smile lingering. Their shared laughter rippled across the table, mingling with the hum of the cafeteria around them.

It was an easy moment, light enough to chase away the day's weight. But as the laughter began to fade, a shadow fell across their table, cutting the levity short.

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out."

A woman stood tall above them as they sat. She had a short-cut hairstyle that stopped at her neck except for two long strands that framed her face, the dark brown of her hair catching the cafeteria's overhead lights.

Her skin was a soft, tawny shade with an understated warmth that hinted at hours spent outdoors.

A single hand rested on her waist, she wore the typical leather officer's long jacket with blue stripes running along the sides, signaling her EPSA affiliation. The medals on her jacket revealed her rank as Lieutenant.

She swiftly sat at the table with the three young officers, sliding smoothly into place.

"The name's Aurora. Lieutenant Aurora Steele." She extended her hand across the table with a confident smile. "Pleased to meet you."

Nyota, Sage, and Kilo exchanged uncertain glances before hesitantly shaking Aurora's hand, their motions stiff with unease.

"Sorry for dropping in like this," Aurora said, her tone casual but laced with authority. She leaned back slightly, resting one arm on the table as she scanned their faces with a curious smile.

"You're Basilisk, right? Nyota, Sage, Kilo—I've heard your names tossed around here and there. Figured it was time to meet the famous trio. Thought maybe I could learn a little about what brought you into all this."

Her words were friendly enough, but to the three sitting opposite her, they carried an undeniable weight. They froze, the tension settling like a shroud over their table.

For weeks, they'd been careful—always careful—whispering their plans and keeping their circle tight. But now here she was, Aurora Steele, an unknown variable seated at their table, her presence throwing their nerves into disarray.

What did she know? Had she overheard something? Were they compromised?

Aurora cocked her head slightly, her dark brown eyes narrowing as she picked up on their discomfort. "What's wrong?" she asked, raising a brow. Her voice was still light, but there was an edge to it now, a slight shift in tone.

"You look like I just walked in on some big secret. If my company's that unbearable, I can leave." She started to push herself up from the bench, her tone as breezy as ever but with an undertone that suggested she didn't take rejection lightly.

"No!" Nyota said abruptly, raising a hand with a disarming smile. "It's not that at all. We'd be glad to talk."

Aurora paused mid-movement, her eyes flicking between the three. Sage nodded, though his posture was rigid, and Kilo added an exaggerated grin, his easygoing demeanor doing little to mask the unease in his eyes.

Nyota continued, gesturing lightly toward his companions. "You're more than welcome to stay."

Aurora slowly settled back into her seat. "Good. For a second there, I thought I might've stepped on some toes," she said with a smirk, folding her arms on the table.

"But if you're sure, then let's start over. Like I said—I'm Aurora. And you three… you're interesting." She squinted her eyes. "You've got something about you that stands out."

Her gaze lingered on Nyota, who held it evenly despite the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. Kilo busied himself with his drink, while Sage's hand fidgeted with his fork, tapping it against the plate.

"You're sharp," Aurora continued, leaning forward slightly. "But sharp people always have their reasons for being here. So, tell me. What makes you tick? What's Basilisk really about?"

The question hung in the air, and Nyota felt Sage and Kilo's eyes shift toward him, silently deferring to their unofficial leader. He forced a calm expression, but his mind raced. Aurora wasn't just making small talk. She was probing—reading them, feeling them out.

He leaned forward, clasping his hands on the table to steady himself. "Well, Lieutenant Steele, I think the better question is… what do you think we're about?"

Aurora grinned, a playful spark in her eyes as she met his challenge. "Oh, I've got my ideas," she said, her voice lilting with amusement. "But I'm more interested in hearing it from the source. So, what's the story, gentlemen?"

The three exchanged another look, and for a moment, the sounds of the cafeteria seemed to fade into the background.

Aurora was smiling, relaxed and cheerful on the surface. But beneath her polished exterior, Nyota could sense something else—keen, predatory intelligence.

She wasn't here by chance. She had a purpose, and whatever it was, they would have to tread carefully.

"Alright," Nyota said finally, forcing a grin of his own. "Where do we start?"

Sage cleared his throat and began, his voice steady but formal. "I'm Warrant Officer Sage Hikari. As you already know, I'm quite new to all this—still settling in and finding my way." He gestured to Kilo with a slight tilt of his head. "This is my younger brother, Warrant Officer Kilo Hikari."

Kilo gave a casual two-finger salute, smirking. "Ma'am."

Sage continued smoothly, "We're from the great country of Lunanova, born and raised—not too far from this central precinct, actually."

Aurora leaned back slightly, a curious glint in her eye. "Ah, I see. So you're from this capital city, New Jericho—the home of our continental orb, huh? It's great that you didn't have to move much—from home to the academy, and then straight here to the precinct." She smiled thoughtfully.

"I know a lot of people who aren't from New Jericho working up here, let alone those who aren't really initially from Lunanova at all. Guess Noriko's been working hard on expanding the country. The economy's been growing, and we've got the resources to sustain the influx of new citizens, you know?"

She glanced off to the side briefly, as if weighing her own words, before turning her attention back to the trio.

"It's going well, from what I can tell."

Sage and Kilo nodded politely, exchanging quick looks before Sage subtly signaled Nyota with a raised eyebrow, passing the conversational baton.

Nyota straightened his posture and met Aurora's gaze. "Warrant Officer Nyota Atar. Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant."

Aurora's grin widened. "Pleased to meet you as well. And you, Nyota—where are you from?"

"I'm from here too," Nyota answered quickly, though his voice faltered slightly. He hesitated, lowering his gaze to the table for a moment. Sharing his background wasn't something he often did, especially not with someone he'd just met.

Aurora's dark eyes narrowed slightly, her cheerful expression fading into one of faint suspicion. "Where exactly is 'here?'" she asked, her tone light but pointed.

Nyota blinked, then forced a smile. "New Jericho, of course!" His voice wavered just enough to betray his discomfort. "I was raised in one of Noriko's orphanages."

Aurora's head tilted ever so slightly as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. "Which one, if you don't mind me asking?" Her voice remained calm, but her curiosity was palpable.

"I, uh…" Nyota's throat tightened. "I—"

"Now, Nyota," Aurora interrupted smoothly, sitting back and stroking her chin in thought. Her tone took on a sly edge. "Pardon me if this sounds egregious, but there's something about you that's different from these two brothers here." She gestured loosely toward Sage and Kilo. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's... interesting."

Nyota's stomach churned. His palms rested on the edge of the table, fidgeting as he tried to gauge her intentions. It was clear Aurora wasn't buying his story. What did she know? And more importantly, what was she after?

He exhaled shakily, raising his hands in defense. "Well, with all due humility, of course. Noriko's told me the same thing firsthand."

Aurora's eyebrows lifted in delight. "You don't say! You've met her?" she asked, her excitement returning as she placed her palms firmly on the table. Her reaction gave Nyota, Sage, and Kilo a brief moment to exchange glances of relief.

"Only in the flesh," Sage chimed in, his tone casual but measured.

"That's amazing!" Aurora exclaimed, her enthusiasm briefly lighting up the room. But just as quickly, her demeanor shifted back to its probing intensity, keeping the young cadets on edge.

"Anyway," Aurora said, fixing her gaze back on Nyota, "I think I've figured you out. I have a question for you. It might sound crazy, but I can't help but ask." She leaned forward again, her hand braced on the table as she loomed just slightly over him.

Nyota swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"

Sage and Kilo exchanged another nervous glance, their eyes darting between Aurora and Nyota.

Aurora's grin turned sharp, almost predatory. "Say, youngeon…"

Nyota's mouth felt dry, his voice barely audible. "Yeah?"

Aurora's eyes gleamed with mischief. "You're not really from around here, are you?"

Nyota, Sage, and Kilo exchanged another round of uneasy glances, a silent storm of panic building between them. How much had Aurora picked up on? Sure, they were nervous, but how could she leap to such a pointed conclusion from their reactions alone?

Aurora threw her head back with a laugh, her voice light but piercing. "Relax, relax—you three look scared shitless!" She placed her hands on her hips, her grin softening into something more playful but no less commanding.

Then, without warning, she rose from the cafeteria bench, the scrape of her boots against the floor echoing through the room. She took a few steps away before turning to face them again, her expression shifting to something far more serious.

"Follow me," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. She turned on her heel, already heading for the door.

"And just to be clear—I'm not asking. It's an order."