Theo trudged back to his quarters, dragging his tired body with heavy steps. His limbs ached from the day's events, and all he wanted was to collapse onto his bed. Yet, the absence of Ariella's usual nagging gnawed at the back of his mind.
Normally, she would be pestering him relentlessly—either ranting about the samples he had retrieved or bombarding him with complaints about their dwindling supplies. Their routine arguments, filled with snarky remarks and sarcastic retorts, were practically a daily occurrence.
But tonight? Nothing.
She was unusually quiet, and that, more than anything, set off alarms in Theo's head. When Ariella went silent, it only meant one thing: she was up to something. And whatever it was, he knew it would bite him in the ass sooner or later.
Sighing, he pushed away his desire for rest and made his way to the command center.
---
