Page 7 of New World

She reached inside to adjust the connector when—an ugly, distorted face lunged at her from the dark recesses of the panel and skidded across the floor.

Mei let out a startled scream, her instincts kicking in as she rolled onto her back, heart pounding. Her first thought was intruder. Her second thought was kill. But before she could react, a familiar sound reached her ears—deep, throaty laughter.

Her breath steadied.

Sergi.

Mei tilted her head back, still sprawled on the floor, and glared at the doorway. There, with a smug grin on his face, stood Sergi Lazaroff, doing what could only be described as an awkward victory jig.

The papier-mâché monstrosity dangled in his hand, its exaggerated features hideous in the bright light.

Mei exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “You’re a dead man, Lazaroff.”

Sergi’s laughter deepened. “Worth it.”

He saw the moment she shifted onto her feet, the movement fluid and full of unspoken promise. His grin widened—then he bolted.

Mei took off after him, her voice sharp with mock fury. “You are an absolute menace! I swear I’m going to eject you with the waste!”

Sergi’s laughter echoed through the corridors of the Gliese as he sprinted ahead, dodging low-hanging pipes and swinging around corners with practiced ease. Mei was right on his heels, her irritation only growing as she heard Julia’s chuckle from the comms station.

“Ten credits says she catches him in under two minutes,” Julia called.

“Five says she’ll draw it out just to make him suffer,” Ash countered, already pushing off from his seat.

Josh sighed, setting down his tablet. “What now?”

Ash clapped him on the back. “Come on, it’s about to get interesting.”

By the time Sergi skidded into the galley, he was wheezing with laughter. He turned, arms raised in surrender, but his grin never wavered. Mei lunged, ready to tackle him?—

Only for his hands to settle on her shoulders, gently guiding her around.

Mei’s breath caught as she saw the table.

A small, slightly misshapen cake sat in the center, a single papier-mâché candle standing upright on top. Julia, Ash, and Josh stood nearby, their grins bright as they began singing Happy Birthday in off-key harmony.

Mei froze.

The threats she had been preparing died on her lips.

Sergi leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “Gotcha, pandochka.” His voice was soft, teasing, but beneath it, there was something deeper.

Mei blinked hard, willing the sudden moisture in her eyes to disappear. She wasn’t the type to cry. Tears were a waste of energy.

But as she looked at the surrounding faces—their laughter, their joy for her—something inside her softened. They weren’t just crewmates.

They were her people.

Her family.

Mei exhaled and leaned back against Sergi for the briefest moment before he let her go, giving her space. She turned, locking eyes with him. He knew. He understood. And in his gaze, she saw acceptance—no expectations, no demands. Just someone who saw her.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Julia held out a neatly wrapped package. “It’s not much, but?—”

Mei took it with steady hands. “It’s perfect.”

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