(POV: Kai)
The sky above Cyprus was too calm.
Kai didn't like it.
The F-35 hummed beneath him as he maintained altitude after clearing the threat zone. All indicators were green. Systems stable. As if nothing had happened.
But he knew better.
Something had almost been taken from him.
Someone.
"Shadow-1 to Oracle."
His voice came out lower than usual. Sharper.
A pause.
"Oracle receiving."
Scarlett's voice—controlled. But not entirely cold.
"I'm diverting to Akrotiri."
Another pause.
"That's not your procedure, Dawson."
"I know."
His tone didn't shift.
"That A400M just took a SAM hit. I'm not heading back without confirming the situation on the ground."
Silence filled the channel. Just the steady hum of engines.
Then—
"I'll follow after rotation."
Kai frowned slightly. "Oracle, say again."
"I'll be heading to Akrotiri once my rotation is complete," Scarlett repeated, her voice composed again. "Maintain focus on your current task."
Kai didn't respond.
He adjusted his heading.
Toward Cyprus.
RAF Akrotiri
The runway came into view, glowing under a sky that had already begun to darken.
"Akrotiri Control, Shadow-1 requesting landing."
"Cleared to land. Runway is yours."
The landing was precise.
Controlled.
Routine.
But the moment the canopy lifted—
control was gone.
Kai moved fast.
Too fast.
His eyes locked onto the tarmac.
The A400M stood there—massive, silent, scarred at the rear.
And near it—
her.
Amelia.
Standing under the runway lights.
Uniform marked with soot. Face pale. Hair slightly out of place.
But standing.
Alive.
That was enough.
Kai didn't think.
He moved.
A walk turned into a run.
Someone called Amelia's name. Another voice asked something.
He ignored all of it.
He stopped right in front of her.
And for a brief second—
they just looked at each other.
That was all it took.
Everything that had almost happened—
everything that hadn't been said—
was there.
He didn't hesitate.
He pulled her into him.
Hard.
No permission. No restraint.
For the first time—
he didn't care who saw.
Amelia stiffened.
Just for a fraction of a second.
Then—
she held on.
Her hands gripped the back of his flight jacket.
Closer.
Too close.
Kai closed his eyes.
His heartbeat wasn't steady.
Not from the mission.
From the realization—
of how close he had come to losing her.
No words.
None needed.
Just breath—
and a grip that refused to let go.
"Flight Lieutenant Thorne."
The voice cut through.
Firm. Medical.
"We need to examine you now."
Neither of them moved.
Not immediately.
Because they both knew—
once they let go—
something would change.
Eventually—
Amelia pulled back.
Slowly.
Kai let go.
Reluctantly.
Their eyes met again.
Quieter.
But deeper.
"Go," he said softly.
Amelia nodded.
Then turned.
Following the med team.
Kai stayed where he was.
A second too long.
"Pushing the line a bit, aren't you?"
A voice behind him.
Kai turned.
Flight Lieutenant Evans.
His wingman.
Kai just looked at him.
Flat.
Evans shrugged. "Relax. Not saying anything."
A beat.
"But Cavanaugh wants a report."
Of course he did.
Kai exhaled slowly. "Understood."
He turned and walked toward the command building.
Steps measured again.
Controlled.
Like nothing had happened.
Above him—
another engine approached.
Kai glanced up briefly.
ISR aircraft descending.
Scarlett.
He didn't wait.
He kept walking.
Command Room – Akrotiri
Bright.
Cold.
Efficient.
The screen lit up.
Secure link established.
Rhys appeared.
Composed.
Untouched.
"Report."
No introduction.
Kai didn't hesitate.
"Atlas-1 sustained a SAM impact. Primary navigation and communication systems disabled. Structural integrity intact."
Rhys remained silent.
"Two additional missile launches confirmed. Countermeasures successful."
A pause.
"All personnel accounted for. Emergency landing completed."
Silence.
Then—
"Failure?"
Kai's jaw tightened slightly.
"Enemy radar activated earlier than predicted. They weren't reacting."
A beat.
"They were waiting."
Rhys gave a slight nod.
"That means we were anticipated."
Worse than expected.
"The mission is not over."
Flat.
Final.
"The Sentinel is still missing."
A pause.
"And now—they know we're coming."
Kai didn't move.
"We don't withdraw," Rhys continued. "We adapt."
Another pause.
"Next phase in twelve hours."
Kai nodded once. "Understood."
The screen went dark.
The room fell silent again.
Kai stood still for a moment, staring at the blank screen.
Mission.
Threat.
Time.
All of it pressing in.
But one thought refused to leave.
Amelia.
He had let her go on the runway.
Watched her disappear with the med team.
Now—
he didn't know where she was.
Checked.
Resting.
Or alone.
Maybe Scarlett had already found her.
Kai exhaled slowly.
Trying to reset.
But something inside him hadn't settled.
He turned and stepped out of the command room.
The corridor felt longer than usual.
Lights reflecting off the polished floor.
Each step echoed.
Too slow.
Outside—
the Cyprus night wrapped around him.
Warm.
Heavy.
Different from the sky above.
Runway lights still burned in the distance.
Cutting through darkness.
Kai stopped at the base of the steps.
His gaze drifted—without permission—toward the medical wing.
No movement.
Quiet.
Maybe she was already gone.
Or maybe—
she was still there.
Alone.
Like that night in Brize Norton.
Behind a closed door.
Quiet.
Breaking.
Kai's hand tightened inside his pocket.
Twelve hours.
That's all they had.
Before going back up.
Back into a sky that now knew them.
He should be preparing.
Checking systems.
Running scenarios.
But his mind—
wasn't there.
He took a breath.
Then moved.
Not toward the hangar.
Not toward command.
But toward the building on the far side of the base.
Where he knew—
he would find her.
Tonight—
he wouldn't stay outside the door.
Tonight—
he wouldn't listen from a distance.
Because after what happened in the sky—
after how close he came to losing everything—
he couldn't pretend anymore.
Distance was never safe.
His steps were faster now.
Certain.
And this time—
nothing held him back.