The Seventh | A Dark Matter Fanfiction | Two (Portia Lin)

Chapter 53

The team watched closely as Truffault's people set up the fake backdrop and dressed Four in the Emperor costume, preparing him for contact with Portia and Boone.

Seven stood quietly beside Two, his anticipation palpable as Four initiated contact with the other "Raza." As the communication channel opened and the image of the alternate crew materialized on the screen, Seven's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the unexpected sight before them.

Portia sat perched on Boon's lap, their intimate embrace a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere of the room. With a quirk of his lips, he looked at Two expectantly, waiting for her response to the less-than-professional display unfolding before them. Two's eyes rolled in exasperation at the sight before her, her lips curling into an amused smile as she leaned closer to Seven, "Never in a million years," she whispered

"Ryo...it's been a while" As Portia's voice echoed through the communication channel, Seven and Two turned their attention back to the screen, their expressions guarded as they listened intently to the conversation unfolding before them.

"It's good to see you, Portia," Four greeted, his voice tinged with a sense of formality as he acknowledged their alternate counterpart.

But Boone's curt response cut through the tension like a knife, his tone brusque and dismissive. "What do you want?" he demanded, his impatience evident.

Four's lips curled into a knowing smile, his eyes glinting with mischief as he prepared to unveil his plan. "I've been presented with an opportunity that may be of interest to you," he explained cryptically.

"Do tell," he replied, his tone laced with thinly veiled annoyance.

"I will, when we meet to discuss," Four replied, his voice calm and composed despite Boone's obvious resistance.

Portia wasted no time in cutting to the chase. "Now is good," she interjected, her gaze unwavering as she fixed Four with a pointed stare.

But Four remained steadfast in his refusal to compromise their security, his determination unwavering as he explained their need for discretion. "I can't risk anyone intercepting our subspace communications," he reasoned, his voice firm and resolute.

"Then forget about it. We're busy." Boone huffed, "We got stuff to steal... People to kill"

"Well, the "Raza" can get anywhere in an instant. You can make time. And trust me... for this, you're going to want to," Four argued.

"No" Boone replied, "Okay," Portia said, her tone measured yet decisive. Boone's frustration was evident in his exasperated groan, but Portia remained unfazed, her gaze locked with Four's as she considered his proposal.

"We're coming to Zairon," she declared, her voice leaving no room for argument.

But Four shook his head, "No, Zairon is no longer safe," he cautioned, his voice tinged with urgency. "There are spies everywhere. I'll send you the coordinates in a separate data burst."

As Four ended the communication, a heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the soft hum of the ship's systems. Three's voice cut through the stillness, "Do you think they'll show?" he asked. Truffault's response was swift and to the point, her voice dripping with cynicism as she delivered her verdict. "Oh, sure," she remarked dryly, her gaze steely as she considered the possibilities. "Whether it will be to meet with you or kill you, that remains to be seen."

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As Portia and Boone moved through the rendezvous point, they paused when Four revealed himself from the shadows.