Chapter 45 — "With a Little Help from My Friends"
(Act 2 — Nomad Business)
The Aldecaldos camp buzzed with low tension — Saul barking orders, Nomads arming up. The convoy raid was hours away.
Alaric leaned against a supply crate, arms crossed, eyes following Panam as she loaded ammo clips with practiced ease.
She caught his stare — again — and smirked.
"You ever gonna help… or just stand there looking pretty?"
Alaric strode over, plucked a clip from her hands, and leaned down close.
"I'm thinking of all the ways I'm gonna 'help' after this mission's done."
Panam flushed.
"You're impossible."
"Yet you're still here."
Her gaze flicked over him, lingering on the faint scratch marks on his collarbone — souvenirs from last night.
"Yeah… guess I am."
---
The Plan was simple:
Hijack the Militech convoy. Steal the Basilisk. Stay alive.
With Mitch and Carol at the tech side, and Panam leading the ground charge — everything hung on timing… and guts.
At the briefing tent, Saul gave Alaric a wary glance.
"You sure you're in this for the right reasons?"
Alaric smirked.
"I'm in this for her."
Panam stiffened beside him, cheeks warming.
Saul huffed but didn't press.
---
That night, as Alaric double-checked gear near Panam's tent, she appeared — hair loose, eyes soft in the low campfire light.
"You… sure you're ready for this?"
He turned, hand curling around her waist, pulling her close.
"For you? Always."
She leaned up — this time, she kissed him.
Slow. Open. Deep.
---
[System Feedback — Emotional Metrics Updated]
Panam Palmer
[Affection +20] — Shared pre-mission kiss
[Trust +15] — Open acknowledgment before others
[Attraction +10] — Falling… and knowing it