The air was heavy with smoke and tension, swirling in slow spirals around Jungkook’s head as he leaned back against the cool concrete wall, bare-chested under the dim light of the base’s barracks. A cigarette glowed between his fingers, lips curled in a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Not rushed—measured, professional. He didn’t need to look up to know who it was. He could feel it like a storm front approaching.

Sergeant Park cleared his throat from behind him.

"Permission to report, sir."

Jungkook took a slow drag, eyes narrowing just slightly.

"Go ahead, Sergeant Park."

"The Chiefs of Staff were informed about the LFX incident and your injury, sir. They're sending someone to investigate. Colonel Park and Captain Kim... and Dr. Takahashi."

A pause. Not long, but just enough for the smoke to catch in his lungs.

"And?"

"They’ll be arriving within the hour. Dr. Takahashi will be conducting the medical review personally."

Jungkook exhaled through his nose, jaw twitching once before he snuffed out the cigarette on the wall behind him.

"Great," he muttered, tossing the butt to the ground with a flick of his fingers. "We're fucked."

Sergeant Park hesitated a second longer than necessary, then gave a quick salute and retreated.

The hallway fell silent again—except for the echo of approaching boots.

Jungkook rolled his neck, ran a hand through his hair, then reached for another cigarette with a shaky hand he tried to steady. The last thing he needed was Niko showing up in that lab coat, looking untouched by the disaster this base had become.

He lit the cigarette just as the soldier's shadow disappeared at the end of the hall.

Here we go.