Round 117

Hera leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the tension in the room escalate. Silra worked with methodical precision at the center table, hands moving over components with practiced ease. The clock on the wall marked time relentlessly—two hours until the next cycle began, two hours until the building demanded more. Jeane shifted restlessly nearby, her succubus nature making itself plain in every fidget and heated glance. Halie stood between them, a buffer of professional principle against rising chaos.

The air in the room felt charged, thick with unspent energy and the looming threat of consequences if they failed to complete their task on time. The building groaned again, a low rumble that vibrated through the floorboards. Hera's admiration for Silra's focus warred with her growing irritation at Jeane's obvious frustration.

"Come on," Jeane muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "This is ridiculous."

Halie's voice cut across the room, firm and measured. "The contract specifies completion before the next cycle. We have time—"

Jeane rounded on her. "Time for what? For me to lose my mind from sexual frustration? That's not part of our agreement."

Silra didn't look up from her work, but her shoulders tensed visibly. "I'm working as fast as I can. The capacitor is... complicated."

Hera pushed off the wall, stepping forward. "Enough. We all know what needs to happen eventually, but Silra's the only one who can actually fix this thing. Deal with it."