Episode 14: A Glitch in the Heart
The team made their way out of the Null facility, bruised, battered, but alive. As they stepped into the fresh air of the abandoned outpost, Tunde stretched with a groan.
"If I ever have to hack another self-aware murder toaster again, I'm retiring and opening a jollof rice food truck," he said.
Sophia smirked. "I'd eat there. But only if your rice isn't as spicy as your ego."
Martins, still supporting Zahara with an arm around her, chuckled softly. "Don't encourage him. He's already got too many followers on 'Spygram.'"
Tunde shot him a mock glare. "Hey, not everyone gets fan mail from the presidential palace, Mr. Bodyguard of the Year."
Zahara rolled her eyes, her strength returning slowly. "Okay, okay, let's save the bromance for later. I just hacked an AI the size of a city, I might need like… tea. And a nap."
Martins glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You also scared the hell out of me. You nearly died in there."
Zahara met his gaze. "Aw. Were you worried?"
He nodded once, serious. "Of course I was."
She smiled back, more playful now. "Well… if I ever nearly die again, I expect flowers. And chocolate. Maybe some dramatic slow-motion running."
Tunde coughed loudly. "Ugh. Just kiss already. The tension is suffocating."
"Shut up, Tunde," both Zahara and Martins said at the same time, causing everyone to laugh.
---
Back at the base...
Lukas welcomed them back with a dry clap. "Nice of you all to survive. Thought I'd have to start recruiting new heroes."
"Not happening," Martins said, dropping his gear. "We've still got questions. Zahara saw something in the Core."
Everyone turned to her. Zahara sighed, pushing back her hair and perching on the edge of the planning table.
"There's someone else," she said. "A presence behind the Core. They call them The Architect. I don't know who they are yet, but they built this system — they're watching everything."
Sophia narrowed her eyes. "From inside the government?"
"Maybe higher," Zahara replied. "They're trying to rewrite reality through tech. Control thought, emotion, even love."
Martins leaned forward. "That's not happening. We'll stop them."
Zahara raised an eyebrow, her voice dipping low. "Even if they turn me against you?"
He stepped closer. "Even if they do, I'll bring you back. Every time."
There was a pause. That electricity in the air again. Everyone felt it.
Tunde, never one to let a moment settle too long, leaned back with a grin. "Cool. So are we gonna plan world-saving stuff now or just let you two make heart eyes till I puke?"
Zahara threw a pen at him.
---
Later that night...
Martins found Zahara on the rooftop of the base, looking at the stars.
"You okay?" he asked, sitting beside her.
"I should be terrified," she said softly. "But somehow, being here with you… makes me feel grounded."
Martins looked at her, his tone gentle. "We've got a long road ahead. But you're not doing this alone."
Zahara turned to him, closer now. "I know."
The air shifted.
Then — finally — she leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that felt like electricity and gravity all at once. For that moment, the world stopped spinning.
Then…
Tunde's voice blasted through the rooftop intercom:
"Ahem! Team cuddle time is officially over. Emergency alert just came in. Also, I might've burnt the popcorn."
Martins groaned. "I swear, one day…"
Zahara laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Never a dull moment with this team."