Hearing Serena's words, Nicholas's expression hardened. "Exactly. If AWS-05 is a more complete subject than 07, they should have showcased 05. The reason they chose 07 instead must involve 05 directly."
"We'll know once we dig deeper." Serena pulled herself out of his embrace. "First, we extract every last byte of data on Asset 07. Once I figure out a way to get close to AWS-05, we'll know exactly what the syndicate is planning."
As she spoke, she picked up her medical kit, ready to leave.
Nicholas grabbed her wrist, yanking her back into his arms. "Where are you going?"
Serena: "Earlier, when I was outside the cargo hold, I managed to get close to Asset 07's containment pod. With Fenris's cooperation, I got a ninety-second window with the active scanners down."
"During those ninety seconds, I slipped a data collection chip into the condensation runoff at the base of the pod."
"Based on the timing, that chip should have washed down the Drainage Trough and straight into the Bio-Hazard Disposal Conduit in the lower hull."
"I need to retrieve it to piece together the complete raw data."
Nicholas kept his arm locked around her waist. "Wait a little longer. I'll go with you."
Serena: "?"
Why wait? Why couldn't they go now?
Nicholas saw her confusion and pressed his thin lips against her ear. "Serena, have you forgotten what the ship's crew thinks we're doing right now?"
Serena blinked, and as realization hit, a faint blush crept across her pale, brooding features.
She... had completely forgotten!
To force the surveillance team to cut the audio feed to the suite, they had just put on quite a performance.
Right now, the crew firmly believed that they were entirely preoccupied with each other in bed-one in it for the cash, the other for the thrill.
Walking out right now would immediately raise suspicions.
Serena checked the time. "We've been in here for half an hour. That's long enough."
Nicholas's grip on her waist tightened, and he lightly bit her earlobe. "Serena, are you questioning my stamina?"
Half an hour?
Who was she insulting?
Serena: "...It wasn't even real."
"This is about a man's pride!" He refused to compromise.
Serena: "..Fine. Even though half an
hour was perfectly respectable,
after
running out imme he
putting on a show right under the crew's noses would indeed look
highly suspicious.
She might as well take a break.
From the moment she convinced her brothers to stay behind at the Lancaster estate, to boarding the ship as The Panacea, she hadn't slept a wink.
She was genuinely exhausted.
Nicholas noticed the fatigue in her eyes and gently kissed her eyelids. "Rest for a
bit. I'll start running this chip, and then I'll go with you."
Serena yawned. Without any fuss, she leaned lazily against his chest.
One hand, however, boldly slipped past the open collar of his rumpled shirt.
Her hand rested right over his firm, sculpted chest muscles.
The man's body instantly went rigid.
Serena smiled, her fingertips tracing lazy circles. "Mr. Sterling Sovereign, clinging to me like this, arent you worried the crew will think we're having an affair?" Content-
"Aren't we already having an affair?" Nicholas's Adam's apple bobbed heavily, his voice turning incredibly raspy. "Besides, considering how extraordinarily capable Ms. Panacea is, have to cling tightly to ensure she doesn't run off with some random stray."
Serena's fingertips drifted up to graze his moving Adam's apple.
The second she touched it...
The man's hand shot up, clamping around her wrist. "Serena, behave..."