The smell of booze-soaked death spread through the room as Archie stomped toward the center platform.
Ivory gagged, covering her nose.
"God, that stinks," she muttered, while Paul and Lena quickly followed suit, shielding their faces from the smell.
"Therrooooonnnn!" Archie roared, throwing one of his enormous arms around General Vance's shoulders.
"It's bin a wile…"
He took another loud swig from his bottle before offering it with a crooked smile.
"Care fuh a drink?"
General Vance sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Polaris, this is Archie Davies. Ranked 18th in the world."
He gestured half-heartedly toward Archie — who raised the bottle high like a trophy.
"Wud any o' yer care fuh a drink?" he asked with a grin that made his double chin jiggle with each word.
"No… no I'm okay," Lena said quickly, standing up and covering her mouth.
Ivory and Paul both declined as well, silently backing away like he might breathe on them again.
Then Archie turned toward Zora.
"An' wot abou' yer, li'l lady?"
He extended the bottle toward her.
Zora blinked, then glanced at Vance — who was subtly shaking his head, eyes wide with silent warning.
She hesitated.
Then took a deep breath.
And grabbed the bottle with both hands — she had to wrap her entire grip around it just to hold it steady.
She brought it to her lips and tilted it back.
Too much sloshed out.
God, what is this?!
The acrid liquid scorched her throat on the way down — like drinking a bonfire soaked in motor oil and shame.
Archie's laughter exploded across the room.
"Naw she's summun I c'n truss!"
He snatched the bottle back and took another swig, unfazed.
Zora blinked, the room spinning slightly as she wobbled.
"Now," Archie said, straightening up slightly — which only made him wobble more —
"On tuh bizness, Theron. Wot d'yer need me t' do?"
General Vance sighed, defeated.
He motioned toward the map.
"You're too loud to assist them directly, Archie. However… if you wouldn't mind just clearing them a path and escorting them about ten miles out — that would be perfect."
Archie didn't respond.
Because Archie was already snoring — head down against the table, eyes closed, arm still draped lazily over General Vance's shoulder.
Zora burst out laughing, unable to stop herself.
The room spun.
"You might need to lie down," Lena said gently, placing a cautious hand on Zora's shoulder.
Zora waved her off.
"Whyyy? Isss jus' a lil' al-co-hol… I'm fiiiiine."
She turned toward the map and wobbled, catching herself with a loud slap on the table.
Come on, Zora. Focus.
"Awwww… all we neeeed are the… the spi-ders… to bring 'em baaaack… to scaaare the oth—oth-er spi-ders…" she slurred, eyes half-lidded.
She giggled, reached toward the glowing map, trying to point at the camp…
And poked General Vance's bald head.
"Oooooh—heh-heh… y'rrr baaaald…."
Before she could burst into full-on cackling, she felt herself being lifted clean off the floor.
"We'll be taking her now," Paul said flatly, tossing her over his shoulder.
"Puuut me dooowwn!" Zora yelled, legs flailing as he carried her down the stairs.
"S-Siriiiii!" she whined.
The star floated into her chest as she flailed.
Zora had no idea what she was looking at — or where she was about to go — but then the world tilted, twisted, and went dark.
The last thing she heard before blacking out was Tori's voice shouting behind her:
"Don't let her get away!"
Zora woke up with a pounding headache and a wave of nausea, her body sprawled out on a bed of scrap metal.
"Ugh…" she groaned, rubbing her temples. "What the hell did I do?"
Pushing herself upright on wobbly legs, she carefully stepped out of the pile and blinked at her surroundings.
Wait... is this Jackson's workshop?
Voices echoed from beyond a stack of cars — arguing.
Zora crept forward, rounding the edge of the metal mountain until she saw the familiar garage.
"We know she's here! Just tell us where she went!" Tori's voice rang out.
In response came Jackson's signature angry-speak — fast, furious, and borderline unintelligible. Daniel once called it his "rage mode dialect."
Zora stepped around the corner just as Lena spotted her.
"There she is!" Lena pointed.
Jackson turned to look, face red with fury, barking something too fast for her to catch.
Zora staggered toward one of the workshop's stools and collapsed onto it.
"Jackson. Deep breath. Calm down, talk to me," she said as gently as she could manage.
On the inside, her stomach was doing Olympic-level flips.
Jackson huffed and obeyed, sucking in a breath just as Daniel emerged from the back room.
His eyes locked on Tori.
"YOU."
He stomped toward her, fists clenched.
"Leave. Now."
He spat on the ground in front of her.
Tori froze in place, eyes wide.
Zora raised her hand.
"Everyone just relax. Jackson, can you make us some seats? We're going to need more."
Jackson glanced at her, then nodded.
"Okay, Zowa… not her. She go stand." He pointed at Tori, shooing her off.
Tori scoffed but didn't argue as Jackson got to work — quickly crafting stools for everyone except her.
Daniel moved closer and leaned against the workbench beside Zora, his tone quieter now.
"I haven't seen him that mad in a long time," he muttered. "Can't believe she willingly walked in here like that…"
Zora sighed.
"They were just looking for me. Don't get too mad."
Once Jackson finished, Daniel silently arranged the stools in a circle, deliberately leaving one empty spot where Tori would have to stand.
Everyone sat. Tori trudged to her place, eyes down, and remained standing.
For a brief, glorious moment, silence filled the workshop — just long enough for Zora's nausea to settle.
"Okay, so…" Ivory started.
Zora gave a small wave, signaling her to continue.
"We're supposed to meet Archie at the main gate once we found you," Ivory said, hesitating at the end.
Zora narrowed her eyes. "And?"
Ivory cleared her throat, but Paul cut in before she could speak.
"You were gone for a whole day. Apparently screwing around here in this…" — he turned to Daniel and Jackson — "wonderful establishment."
Jackson nodded in smug approval, arms crossed.
Paul continued, voice edged with restrained annoyance.
"General Vance isn't happy. But Archie? He's thrilled. Says it's great to have a fellow alcoholic around."
Zora groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Just then, General Vance's voice echoed directly into their minds:
"Polaris, meet Archie at the gates in ten minutes. No drinking this time."
Zora sighed.
"A whole day… Jesus, what did I do?"
She stood up and turned to Daniel and Jackson.
"I'll see you guys soon."
They both waved, Daniel giving her a small nod.
Passing the front desk on her way out, Zora caught Shaun's eye.
"Bye Shaun!"
He smiled and waved back as they exited the shop and headed for the main gate.