Iora stepped closer to Karl. Her green eyes locked onto his, wide with alarm. "No, Karl," she said firmly. "That could kill you."
Karl sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I know," he said. His voice carried a quiet weight that Iora fully understood. But going ahead on a suicide mission wasn't the way out.
She pressed her hand to the center of his chest, her fingers splaying over his jacket. "Each Core is embedded here," she said, her tone softening as she explained. "It's a cluster of energy, right in everyone's chest. Natural, alive. It's what keeps us going."
He nodded, watching her hand. "I get it," he murmured.
She kept her palm there, her eyes locking his. "If it's ripped out, even in surgery, it's not just losing power. It's like tearing out your life force. You'd fade, Karl. Fast."
He managed a faint smile. "I'm fully aware, Iora. I've thought it through. I know what could happen."
Her brow furrowed, and she shook her head. "Then we're not doing it. Ever. Don't bring it up again."
Karl's smile lingered, but he didn't argue. "Alright," he said. "Your call."
She dropped her hand and exhaled. "Good. Let's get back in there."
They turned together, pushing through the tarp into the main workspace. Ryn was hunched over a table, tweaking a scanner, while Ryker fiddled with a dampener. The air buzzed with the faint hum of tech.
Karl cleared his throat. "Hey," he said. "Let's pick this up tomorrow. I need a break."
Ryker glanced up from the workspace and wiped his brow. "About time," he grumbled. "I could use some damn rest myself." He stood, stretching his back with a groan, and shuffled toward the inner space, the tarp swaying as he passed through.
Ryn set his scanner down and looked at Karl. "Are you holding up?" he asked.
Karl nodded. "Yeah. Just need to breathe." He paused, then added, "I appreciate this, Ryn. You and Ryker working together… it's a lot."
Ryn grinned while adjusting his goggles. "It's a circus, but we'll figure it out. You are worth it."
Karl rubbed his neck, glancing around. "Are you okay staying here tonight? You can take that corner I have carved out for myself, but it's tight."
Ryn waved a hand. "Don't sweat it," he said. "I can crash right here on the floor. I've done it before."
Iora laughed and leaned against a table. "He's not kidding," she said. "I've seen him sleep on worse. You should join him, Karl."
Karl chuckled. "Tempting, but I'll stick to the cot." He met her eyes and smiled softly. Just having her around made the heaviness a little lighter. "Goodnight, you two."
Iora smiled back, winking at him. "Goodnight, Karl."
He turned and pushed through the tarp into the inner space. The dim light cast long shadows across the cot and crate. He took a step, then nearly collided with Ryker, who grabbed his arm and yanked him into a shadowed corner. Karl stumbled but caught his balance quickly.
Ryker's face loomed close to Karl's, his dark eyes sharp and fierce. "Ryn is dangerous," he whispered. His voice cut like a blade. "I don't trust him one bit, Karl."
*^*^*^
Iora was sprawled in the main room, watching Ryn tinker with his scanner. She crossed her arms, her mind still on Karl's words. They had come this far for him, and even though she still didn't have a reason why she was so interested in Karl, she was worried for him. This was a burden, the fragmented core, and she could only imagine the heaviness it put on Karl.
"Do you think he's okay?" she asked.
Ryn didn't look up. "He's tough," he said. "Shaky, but tough. Did you see that shift today? He's learning."
She nodded and chewed her lower lip. "He's scared, though. That talk about ripping out his Core…"
Ryn paused, setting the scanner down. "He said that?"
"Yeah, he did. It's crazy."
"Yeah, that's nuts," he said. "No one survives that. He knows it, right?"
"He does," Iora said. "Just needed to hear it out loud, I guess."
Ryn leaned back and stretched his arms. "Well, he's got us now. We will keep him steady."
She smirked faintly. "You and Ryker? That's a tall order."
He laughed. "We're a mess, but it works. Kind of. You should get some rest, Iora."
*^*^*^
Back in the inner space, Karl steadied himself against the crate, his pulse racing. Ryker's grip on his arm loosened, but his stare didn't waver.
"What do you mean?" Karl asked, the panic in his voice betraying his neutral expression.
Ryker's jaw tightened. "That guy is too eager," he said. "All his tech talk, pushing you to shift? He's not here to help. He's here to poke around."
Karl frowned. "He's been straight with me. What is he after?"
Ryker leaned closer. "Data. Power. Something. I've seen types like him: obsessed. You're a prize to him, not a person."
Karl's stomach twisted. "He's working with you, though. You agreed."
Ryker snorted quietly. "For now," he said. "But watch him. He'll push too far."
Karl pulled back. "I don't know, Ryker. He's not the only one pushing."
Ryker's eyes narrowed. "Meaning what?"
"Meaning I'm caught between all of you," Karl said. "I just want this to stop spinning."
Ryker stepped away. His voice dropped. "Then keep your eyes open. That's all I'm saying."
Karl nodded, moved to the cot, and sank onto it. The tarp rustled faintly as Ryker slipped out, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
In the main room, Iora grabbed a canteen from a shelf and took a sip. "Are you crashing out here for real?" she asked Ryn.
He shrugged, sprawling his back on the floor. "Why not? Saves me a trip."
She laughed again, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."
"It also saves energy. Karl has got the right idea. We rest up."
Iora glanced at the tarp. "Yeah. He needs it. We all do. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."