The workshop was finally quiet.
No sparks.
No machines running.
Just the low hum of the gravity core sitting in the corner.
Viper leaned back in his chair, goggles resting on his forehead. His tools were scattered across the table, but for once, he wasn't touching them.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "That's done."
Rex sat on the floor nearby, arms resting on his knees.
"You say that now," he said, "but watch it explode tomorrow."
Viper rolled his eyes. "It's not exploding."
Chica sat cross-legged on one of the benches, lightly tossing a small metal bolt up and down.
"You don't sound very confident."
"I am confident," Viper said. "…Mostly."
Rex laughed.
The room settled again after that.
Quiet.
Calm.
Chica glanced toward the open doorway.
"…Where's Nico?"
Rex shrugged. "Training."
"Still?"
"Yeah."
Viper didn't look up. "He hasn't stopped since he figured it out."
Chica caught the bolt and held it still.
"…He's serious about it."
Rex smirked. "You surprised?"
"…No."
A small pause.
Then she stood up, stretching slightly.
"I'm not falling behind."
Rex grinned. "Good luck with that."
She shot him a look. "You're not ahead either."
"…Fair."
Viper finally stood up, walking over to the gravity core.
It hummed softly.
Stable.
Ready.
"…Tomorrow," he said, adjusting something small on the side, "we start for real."
Rex stood up too, cracking his neck. "About time."
Chica walked toward the door, stopping for a second as she looked out into the night.
"…Yeah."
Outside, far across the field, a faint green flash lit up the darkness for a split second.
Then disappeared.
Chica smirked slightly.
"…Guess he's not stopping anytime soon."
Behind her, the gravity core continued to hum.
Waiting.