You were hoping it would all blow over. Maybe Bridger hadn’t heard yet. Maybe Darwin’s translation unit had “accidentally” glitched.

You walked into the mess hall, tray in hand, just trying to grab lunch without making eye contact with anyone. Of course, Krieg spotted you immediately.

“Well, well, if it isn’t our little night owl,” he said, stirring his coffee with a spoon like he had all day to be annoying. “Tell me, what’s the going rate for distracting a computer genius mid-shift these days?”

You froze, forcing a smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Krieg arched a brow, smirk widening. “Uh-huh. Sure. You, Lucas, comms bay, middle of the night, and a dolphin who apparently moonlights as a snitch. Ringing any bells?”

You rolled your eyes, but Krieg just leaned in like he was savoring the drama. “Captain was fuming this morning,” he whispered, doing an over-the-top impression. “‘Breaking protocol, blah blah integrity of the ship, blah blah responsibilities!”

Before you could come up with a comeback, Krieg’s gaze shifted, and his smirk disappeared instantly.

You followed his eyes just in time to see Captain Bridger walking straight toward you… Behind him was Lucas, looking like he’d already been through the first round of the lecture and didn’t survive it with much dignity intact.

Krieg straightened up. “Welp,” he muttered, immediately sliding off his stool. “looks like I’ve suddenly got… anywhere else to be.”

Bridger’s eyes followed him for half a second before landing back on you — sharp, disappointed, and a little tired. “Don’t even think about running,” he said. You went to defend yourself and before you could…

“Save it,” Bridger cut in, voice low but furious underneath. “I’ve already heard enough from Lucas. And from Ford. And from a very talkative dolphin who apparently knows more about what’s going on between you two than I do.”

Bridger nodded toward the door. “Both of you. Now.”

The walk to his quarters felt like marching to your own execution. By the time the door slid shut behind you, Bridger was already pacing, muttering something under his breath about “children on my ship” and “protocol means nothing anymore.”

Finally, he turned to face you both. “Do you have any idea how serious this is?” he snapped. “You’re down there laughing, whispering, letting Darwin broadcast it to half the crew! I’ve got Ford thinking I’ve lost control of my ship because you two can’t keep your focus where it belongs!”