Chapter 93: Shadows and Laughter

Inside the factory, Mallory sat at a large table in the main operations room, poring over maps and diagrams. Alex was nearby, tinkering with a gadget that looked suspiciously like it could explode. Greg lounged in a chair, casually tossing a stress ball into the air, and Ryder and Quinn bickered good-naturedly over the last chocolate bar they'd found during a supply run.

"I swear, Ryder, you've already eaten two," Quinn said, her arms crossed.

"And your point?" Ryder smirked, holding the bar just out of her reach.

"My point is, share it before I share my fist with your face," she shot back, lunging for it.

Mallory sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Could you two act like adults for five minutes?"

"They're just blowing off steam," Greg said, still tossing the ball. "Better they fight over candy than stab each other during a mission."

Alex snorted. "With Quinn's temper, it could still happen."