The screen flickered, shifting to a video feed, and Aster's face appeared—her teal eyes bright, her blonde ponytail slightly askew, her fair cheeks flushed with a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
"Syn, you absolute legend," she said, her voice crackling with warmth, a grin splitting her face.
"Heard from the recon pilot—you pulled off a damn miracle out there, saved my ass. I owe you big."
Her gaze flicked to Pako, narrowing slightly, and Pako's grin widened, a taunting edge to it as she waved, her tan fingers wiggling mockingly.
"Stay away from Pako—she's trouble," Aster added, her tone half-serious, her glare sharpening as Pako stuck out her tongue, the silent feud crackling across the feed.
Syn sensed the tension, his grin fading as he stepped between them, his voice steadying the air.
