Chapter 6.2:Caelum's Suspicion

The control room stretched wide and circular, like the hollowed eye of a mechanical god. Every surface pulsed with a soft, rhythmic glow — light that didn't illuminate so much as it listened. The glass tiles beneath their boots adjusted faintly with each step, as if the floor itself recognized them. Even now, Caelum wasn't sure if the room was conscious… but it certainly remembered.

He is sometimes amazed at how technology has come so far, occasionally he would find himself reading ancient books and encyclopedia dating far back to the 21st century, and his heart would ache over how primordial their tech was.

"How did they actually survive in such primeval times" he often muttered to himself, equal parts amused and sympathetic..

He moved toward the central interface, fingers gliding across warm glass as holograms bloomed to life. Transmission lines, gravitational relay nodes, system security maps — everything danced beneath his touch like threads of silk light.

"Life must have been so unbearable and unfortunate for them. I wish they could have experienced this,"

he said languidly, a smug smile curling his lips as he eyed the control system with satisfaction.

"No you don't you conniving snake, you are literally saying such things with a face full of smile, how hypocritical can you be" Altair said catching him off guard.

His smug smile froze only to be replaced with a soft smile and his eyes curve into crescent

"When did you get here and how much did you...

Only to be interrupted by Altair again.

" Put that disgusting smile away, I just ate my fill and I want to keep it that way "

His expression twisted into a sneer, and feigned disdain danced in his gaze.

"Barbarian," he muttered.

He decided to focus on prepping for the transmission.

"Don't press that again," he warned, without looking.

Altair smirked behind him. "Why? Afraid I'll accidentally reroute us into a blackhole?"

"No," Caelum said smoothly. "I'm afraid you'll embarrass yourself again in front of the AI. She still hasn't recovered from the last time you wanted her to make a 2d girl become real and call you big brother ."

"That was months ago!" Altair screeched, blushing furiously.

"Her trauma runs deep," Caelum added, deadpan, sliding another string of code into the air. "Unlike your mental constitution and brain cells."

The door slid open with mechanical grace, abruptly ending the roast fest and Aurile Virelle stepped in — careful, too careful

Her gaze never left the ground, you could see the faint line of sweat tracing the bridge of her nose.

Her stride was steady, but her eyes flicked too quickly around the room.

"The coordinates," she said, extending the drive like it was burning her fingers.

He took it from her, he was aware of Altair's disapproving glance, he knew Altair was never a fan of aurile in his word's

"Something about her just rubs me the wrong way, I just don't like her"

While Lucien, well honestly Lucien barely acknowledges anyone's existence , let alone her.

That little spoilt brat he thought fondly.

The light dimmed — not flickered, not failed, but bowed.

Caelum froze mid-command as the interface pulsed a warning ripple. He glanced toward the door.

Then it opened.

No hiss, no authority clearance, no AI acknowledgment. Just… opened.

Speak of the little devil

Lucien stood there.

Barefoot. Breathless. Eyes like tempered steel and something far older.

This," he said firmly, "use this."

Before anyone could blink, he sent it out.

Aurile gasped. Frozen.

He was momentarily taken aback, only to be brought out of daze when Altair asked to stop the transmission just before I could do it, Lucien hit the Emergency override system's ONCE button, he was just about to admonish him when immediately noticed the way aurile froze....

Aurile was frozen.

And not with surprise.

Was that... fear?

His gaze sharpened, narrowing instinctively. He studied her posture — the stiff shoulders, the rigid neck, the too-wide eyes.

Interesting.

He smiled at her. Gently.

But behind that smile, his eyes glinted coldly.

Only for a second.

Then it vanished — like it had never been there.

He heard a harsh slam that immediately startled him, he immediately looked forward only to see Altair pushing him to the wall.

Altair grabbed Lucien by the collar, berating him in pure rage.

"What the hell were you thinking?! You could've gotten them killed!"

Caelum turn to look at Lucien .... and hesitated

You'd expect fear — shame, even.

And there was fear.

But not of Altair.

No… it was for Altair.

Caelum's eyes narrowed once more.

He knows something.

This just got more interesting.

He knew something was off, but first he must deal with this situation first,Altair might have been rough, but his actions were justified. Lucien had overridden the transmission — a move that could've endangered both their parents' lives.

That could not go unpunished.

"Lucien," Caelum said coldly.

"Go to your room. No one is to see him. No food. No water."

*************************************

Caelum stood at the control deck, arms folded behind his back, eyes glued to the monitor.

He hadn't moved since Lucien left the room.

Not even when Altair started pacing, muttering curses under his breath like an untamed storm waiting to break.

The override had already gone through. The transmission was irreversible.

But that wasn't the only thing troubling him.

It was Lucien.

What exactly does he know?

How long has he known it?

And why hadn't he noticed any change?

Lucien wasn't like this the night before.

So either something happened…

Or he had been hiding it.

And if it was the latter…

Then I've failed him.

He exhaled quietly, fingers tightening behind his back.

Altair's voice broke his thoughts.

Caelum looked up to meet ember eyes filled with visible worry.

"Do you think I went too far?" Altair asked.

"I mean... I thought he was being reckless. But he seemed so sure. I'm not saying he did it right but—"

"ARGHHH!"

He was working himself up again.

Caelum stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.

"I didn't want to hurt him," Altair muttered softly.

"I just… if something happens, he won't be able to bear it."

"I know," Caelum said calmly.

"You didn't mean to hurt him. You were just... passionate, as always."

He paused. Then added,

"And you're right — I think he does know something. I've already asked Audius to scan the coordinates secretly. We'll know by this evening. If it's what you fear… I'll handle it."

Altair nodded.

"Let's just make sure he's… actually listening to your punishment."

Caelum arched a brow, amused.

So just say you want to check on him, Second Brother.

"Let's go meet him, shall we?"