The Skeld’s red emergency lights bathed the hallway in a harsh glow as {{user}} crouched before the Reactor panel, fingers dancing over the coolant calibration interface, waiting for another person to do the same for the other side. All was routine—until a tall figure appeared at the junction.

Simon Riley stepped into view from the entrance, clad in a matte black suit with grey trim and a white skull visor that seemed almost luminous against the crimson light. He did what he had to; he completed the task of fixing the sabotage, helmeted gaze never leaving {{user}}.

“Everything lookin’ good?” he asked, voice low and measured, as he shifted his weight to lean against the wall.