"…Now they start picking sides."
The hum above them didn't fade.
It changed.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
Like something had shifted from watching…
…to deciding.
Kaida-9 stepped back from the tunnel wall.
"…We move immediately."
Lyra didn't.
She was still staring at the spot where the glow had been.
Like she could still see it.
"Elric."
He blinked.
"…Yeah?"
"…Stay behind me."
That was new.
Pix raised an eyebrow.
"…Oh?"
Mii leaned slightly toward Elric.
"…She sounds serious-serious."
Sera's gaze narrowed.
Locked onto Lyra.
"…You've identified one of them," she said.
Not a question.
Lyra didn't answer right away.
That was enough.
Elric tilted his head slightly.
"…You're doing that thing again."
"…What thing," Lyra said flatly.
"…The 'I know something but I'm not saying it' thing."
Pix snorted. "Oh yeah, she does that a LOT."
Lyra shot her a glance.
Sharp.
"…This isn't a discussion."
Mii crossed her arms.
"…It kinda is if it involves us getting hunted."
Kaida-9 added, "…Information improves survival."
Silence.
Lyra exhaled slowly.
Then...
Finally...
She spoke.
"…One of the signals," she said,
"…belongs to Helix Dominion."
The name landed heavy.
Even without context...
It felt important.
Pix's grin disappeared instantly.
"…Oh."
Sera's expression shifted.
Subtle.
But real.
"…That's not a minor faction," she said.
Kaida-9's stance tightened.
"…High-threat organization."
Mii blinked.
"…Okay but like, how bad are we talking?"
Pix answered this time.
Quiet.
"…They don't chase targets."
A beat.
"…They acquire assets."
Elric winced.
"…I'm really not liking that word."
Lyra's voice cut in.
Low.
Controlled.
"…You shouldn't."
Silence.
Elric studied her.
"…You've dealt with them before."
Not a question.
Lyra didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Mii leaned forward slightly.
"…Like… fought them?"
A pause.
"…Worked for them," Lyra said.
Silence.
Pix blinked.
"…Wait."
Kaida-9's eyes narrowed.
"…Clarify."
Sera didn't move.
Didn't react.
Just watched.
Elen stood quietly beside Elric.
But her attention sharpened.
Elric crossed his arms slightly.
"…Yeah, I'm gonna need more than that."
Lyra's jaw tightened.
"…It was a long time ago."
Pix tilted her head.
"…That's not an answer."
Mii added, "…That's like… the opposite of an answer."
Lyra's voice sharpened.
"I was an operative."
Silence dropped hard.
Kaida-9 spoke first.
"…Combat designation?"
"…Special operations," Lyra replied.
Pix let out a low whistle.
"…Ohhh. That's bad."
Elric raised an eyebrow.
"…Define 'bad.'"
Pix gestured at Lyra.
"…She's already scary."
A beat.
"…Now imagine her with corporate backing."
Mii slowly turned to Lyra.
"…You were… that kind of scary?"
Lyra didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Sera finally spoke.
"…Then they know you."
Lyra nodded once.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…And if they've identified you," Sera continued,
"…then this is no longer just about Elric."
Elric blinked.
"…Oh cool. Love that."
Lyra looked at him.
For a brief moment...
Something shifted.
Not cold.
Not sharp.
Something… conflicted.
"…They won't ignore me," she said quietly.
Mii's voice dropped.
"…Does that mean they'll come after you too?"
Lyra didn't hesitate.
"…No."
A pause.
"…It means they'll come through me."
Silence.
That felt worse.
Kaida-9 stepped closer.
"…Then you are a liability."
Mii spun toward her.
"HEY..."
Lyra raised a hand.
Stopping it.
"…She's not wrong."
Elric frowned.
"…Yeah, no, I'm gonna disagree with that."
Lyra looked at him.
"…You shouldn't."
A beat.
"…Helix doesn't lose assets."
The word again.
Elric sighed.
"…Yeah, still hate that."
Pix crossed her arms.
"…So what... what does that mean?"
Lyra's voice dropped lower.
"…It means they'll try to take me back."
Silence.
Mii shook her head immediately.
"…Nope. Not happening."
Kaida-9 added, "…We will not allow extraction."
Sera's gaze flicked between them.
"…It may not be a choice."
Elen finally spoke.
Soft.
"…Or maybe it is."
Everyone looked at her.
She tilted her head slightly.
Looking at Lyra.
"…The question is," she said,
"…what do you choose this time?"
Silence.
Lyra didn't answer.
Not immediately.
But her hand...
Tightened slightly.
Just enough to notice.
Above them...
The hum shifted again.
Stronger.
Closer.
Pix looked up slowly.
"…Yeah."
A grin... smaller now.
Tighter.
"…They definitely picked."
Elric rolled his shoulders slightly.
"…Good," he muttered.
Everyone looked at him.
"…Saves us the trouble."