Vanessa

VANESSA

Z arnak's words hit me like a shockwave, leaving me reeling. "Sabotage? Are you sure?"

He nodded, his face grim. "I overheard Caelan and Klix discussing it. They've been manipulating the challenges, putting us in danger."

My mind raced, piecing together the strange occurrences throughout the competition. The malfunctioning nav device, the unstable ice formations, the cave-in - it all made a twisted kind of sense now.

"We need to tell Lysandra," I said, grabbing Zarnak's hand. "Come on."

We rushed through the station's corridors, dodging crew members and other contestants. My hands shook, stomach churning. This was bigger than the competition now - lives were at stake.

We found Lysandra in her private office, reviewing footage from the race. She looked up as we burst in, surprise flickering across her face.

", Dr. Kolvari, what's the meaning of this?"

The words spilled out. "Lysandra, we have reason to believe the show's been sabotaged."

Her eyebrows shot up. "That's a serious accusation. What evidence do you have?"

Zarnak stepped forward. "I overheard Caelan and Klix discussing their involvement in manipulating the challenges. They've been putting contestants in danger deliberately."

Lysandra's face hardened. "Those are my colleagues you're accusing. I hope you understand the gravity of what you're saying."

"We do," I said, meeting her gaze. "But we also know what we heard and experienced. Please, just look into it."

She studied us for a long moment, then sighed. "Very well. I'll have the tech team review the footage. But if this turns out to be false-"

"It won't be," Zarnak said firmly.

Lysandra tapped her comm device. "Tech team to my office, immediately."

The next hour was a blur of activity. Technicians pored over footage, isolating suspicious incidents and enhancing audio. My stomach twisted into knots as we waited, Zarnak's reassuring presence beside me the only thing keeping me grounded.

Finally, a technician called out. "We've got something."

We crowded around the screen, watching as Caelan and Klix's faces came into focus. Their voices, tinny but clear, filled the room.

"The ice formation sabotage worked perfectly," Caelan said, grinning. "Did you see their faces?"

Klix nodded enthusiastically. "And the cave-in? Masterful. They never suspected a thing."

Lysandra's face drained of color. She stumbled back, collapsing into her chair. "I can't believe it. Caelan... how could he?"

I felt a rush of sympathy for her. Finding out someone you trusted had betrayed you - it was a gut-wrenching feeling.

"What do we do now?" I asked softly.

Lysandra's eyes hardened, a spark of determination igniting within them. "We expose them. On air, in front of everyone."

Zarnak leaned forward. "How?"

A slow smile spread across Lysandra's face. "We set a trap. And you two are going to help me spring it."

As Lysandra outlined her plan, I bit my lip. It was risky, but if it worked...

"So, let me get this straight," I said, pacing the room. "You want us to pretend we've discovered an ancient artifact during the final challenge? One that could potentially be dangerous?"

Lysandra nodded. "Exactly. We'll plant it beforehand, of course. Something that looks exotic and potentially valuable. Caelan won't be able to resist the temptation to interfere."

Zarnak frowned. "And you're certain he'll take the bait?"

"Trust me," Lysandra said grimly. "I know Caelan. His greed will get the better of him."

I glanced at Zarnak, seeing my own uncertainty reflected in his expression. "What if something goes wrong? We could be putting ourselves in real danger."

Lysandra leaned forward, her gaze intense. "That's why we'll have security standing by. The moment Caelan makes his move, we'll have him."

Zarnak's hand found mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Okay. We're in."

The warmth of his touch sent a flutter through my chest, momentarily distracting me from the gravity of the situation.

"What do you need us to do?" he asked.

Lysandra's eyes glinted with determination. "Here's the plan..."

Lysandra's plan unfolded with precision. The technical team crafted a convincing artifact - a small, iridescent sphere that pulsed with an otherworldly glow. It looked ancient and powerful, exactly the kind of thing that would tempt someone like Caelan.

As the party began, Zarnak and I mingled with the other contestants, trying to act natural. I found myself constantly glancing around the room, searching for any sign of Caelan.

"Relax," Zarnak whispered, his breath warm against my ear. "You'll give us away if you keep looking so nervous."

I squeezed his hand. "You're right. I just can't help feeling like we're walking on eggshells."

Jake and Silla approached us, drinks in hand. Jake grinned, raising his glass. "To the most exciting dating show in the galaxy!"

We clinked glasses, and I forced a smile. As we chatted, I overheard Rachel and Tarnox arguing nearby.

"I can't believe you cost us valuable time with your ridiculous detour!" Rachel snapped.

Tarnox growled. "If you hadn't insisted on taking that shortcut, we wouldn't have needed the detour in the first place!"

Jake leaned in, lowering his voice. "Looks like winning the race didn't do much for their relationship."

Silla giggled, her skin shimmering with amusement. "Perhaps they should consider couple's counseling."

We all laughed, and the tension eased from my shoulders. I turned to Silla, curious about her plans now that the show was ending.

"So, Silla, what's next for you?" I asked.

Her eyes lit up. "I'm thinking of visiting Earth, actually. I've always been fascinated by human culture."

Jake took her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers. "I've asked her to spend some time with me in San Antonio," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.

I glanced at Zarnak, wondering what the future held for us. Would we go our separate ways after this? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

Before I could dwell on it further, the lights dimmed. A hush fell over the room as screens flickered to life, displaying a montage of highlights from the show.

I watched, mesmerized, as images of our journey flashed across the screens. There we were, struggling through the crystalline desert, navigating the treacherous floating rocks, diving into the underground river. It was surreal to see our experiences played back like this.

The crowd around us laughed and cheered, reliving the excitement of the challenges. I felt Zarnak's hand slip into mine, and a warmth spread through me at the contact.

Suddenly, a spotlight illuminated the center of the room. The fake artifact sat in its display case, gleaming mysteriously. Lysandra stood beside it, her expression carefully neutral.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and beings of all species," she announced, "I have exciting news. During the final challenge, our intrepid contestants Wilson and Dr. Kolvari made an incredible discovery."

All eyes turned to us, and my face heated up. Zarnak squeezed my hand reassuringly.

Lysandra continued, "This artifact appears to be of ancient origin, potentially holding untold power. Our technicians have assured me that it's perfectly safe, but we'll be conducting further studies to unlock its secrets."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. I scanned the room, searching for Caelan. Where was he?

As if in answer to my unspoken question, a movement grabbed my attention. There, near the display case, was Caelan. He was crouched low, fiddling with something in his hands.

This was it. The moment we'd been waiting for.

I nudged Zarnak, nodding subtly in Caelan's direction. His eyes widened in recognition, and we began to make our way through the crowd, trying not to draw attention to ourselves.

As we got closer, I could see Caelan more clearly. He was attaching a small device to the base of the display case, his movements quick and furtive.

We had to time this perfectly. Too soon, and Caelan might slip away. Too late, and who knew what damage that device might cause?

Zarnak and I exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between us. We were in this together, no matter what happened next.

Just as Caelan straightened up, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes, Zarnak stepped forward. "Caelan," he said, his voice carrying across the suddenly quiet room. "What are you doing?"

All eyes turned to Caelan, who froze like a deer in headlights.

Nobody moved. Then, chaos erupted.

Caelan lunged for the artifact, but Zarnak was faster. He tackled Caelan to the ground, the two of them grappling on the floor.

I rushed to the display case, carefully removing the device Caelan had planted. It was small but complex, with a timer counting down. My hands shook as I held it, unsure of what to do next.

"!" Lysandra called out, rushing over. "Give that to me. The security team will handle it."

I handed over the device, relief washing over me. As Lysandra passed it to a waiting security officer, I turned back to the scene unfolding before us.

Zarnak had Caelan pinned, but the host was putting up a fierce fight. "You don't understand!" Caelan shouted. "That artifact could make us rich beyond our wildest dreams!"

"At the cost of putting innocent lives in danger?" Zarnak growled, tightening his hold. "Like you did when you decided to change the race routes to something more ‘entertaining?' We should have known from the beginning something was wrong. No dating show should have sent its contestants into so much danger."

Security officers swarmed in, pulling Caelan to his feet and restraining him. The room buzzed with shocked whispers and exclamations.

Lysandra stepped forward, her face a mask of controlled anger. "Caelan, you're under arrest for sabotage, endangerment of contestants, and attempted theft. Take him away."

As Caelan was led out, still protesting his innocence, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. It was over. We'd done it.

Zarnak came to stand beside me, his presence a comforting anchor. "How are you holding up?" he asked softly.

I nodded, leaning into him slightly. "Just... processing everything. I can't believe we pulled it off."

He wrapped an arm around my waist, and some of the tension left my body. "We make a good team," he said, a smile in his voice.

The warmth in his gaze struck me. "We do, don't we?"

The chaos around us faded away. It was just Zarnak and me, standing together in the eye of the storm. I wondered, not for the first time, what would happen when all this was over.

Before I could say anything else, Lysandra approached us. "Thank you both," she said. "Without your help, who knows how much more damage Caelan could have done."

"We're just glad it's over," I replied, forcing myself to focus on the present.

Lysandra nodded. "There will be a lot to sort out in the coming days, but for now... I think we all deserve a moment to breathe. Why don't you two enjoy the rest of the party? You've certainly earned it."

As she walked away to address the other guests, I leaned against Zarnak. "What do you say? Shall we try to salvage some fun out of this evening?"

He smiled, offering me his arm. "I'd like nothing more."

The party was winding down, the once-bustling atrium now filled with the soft murmur of tired conversations and the occasional clink of glasses. I leaned against the railing of the observation deck, gazing out at the star-studded expanse beyond. The events of the past few hours swirled in my mind like a cosmic nebula, beautiful and chaotic all at once.

Zarnak's warm presence appeared beside me, his arm brushing mine as he joined me at the railing. I leaned into him almost unconsciously.

"Quite a night," I murmured.

"Indeed," Zarnak replied. "Though I find myself more captivated by the company than the view."

I turned to face him, and caught my breath. There was something different about him, a nervous energy that I'd never seen before.

"," he began, then paused, clearing his throat. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you."

Before I could respond, Zarnak took a step back and, to my utter shock, lowered himself onto one knee.

"I've been researching human customs," Zarnak said, his voice trembling slightly. "And I believe this is the traditional way to do this."

My mind raced, legs shaking so hard I was sure everyone in the atrium could see them. Was this really happening?

" Wilson," Zarnak continued, reaching into his pocket and producing a small, shimmering object. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were unlike anyone I'd ever met. Your courage, your kindness, your ability to see beauty in the strangest of places - you are unique."

Tears welled up in my eyes as Zarnak opened his hand, revealing a ring unlike any I'd ever seen. It seemed to be made of some sort of iridescent crystal, catching the starlight and refracting it into a thousand tiny rainbows.

"Our journey together has been unexpected, filled with challenges and wonders alike. But through it all, one thing has become crystal clear to me: I love you, . With every fiber of my being, I love you."

I could barely breathe, my emotions threatening to overwhelm me completely.

"I want to spend the rest of my life exploring the cosmos with you by my side. Will you marry me?"

The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just Zarnak and me in this perfect, suspended moment. I opened my mouth to speak, but what came out was not at all what I'd intended.

"What about Taffy?"

Zarnak blinked, clearly taken aback. "I... didn't expect that to be your first concern," he said, amusement creeping into his voice. "But of course, Taffy would always have a place with us. Our little family wouldn't be complete without them."

Heat rushed to my face as I realized what I'd said. "Oh god, I'm so sorry," I stammered. "I didn't mean to say that. I'm just... I'm so happy, Zarnak. So incredibly, unbelievably happy."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I dropped to my knees in front of him, taking his hands in mine. "Yes," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Yes, I'll marry you. I love you, too, so much."

Zarnak's face lit up with a joy so pure it took my breath away. He slipped the ring onto my finger, and it fit perfectly, as if it had been made just for me.

Unable to contain myself any longer, I threw my arms around Zarnak's neck, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss. He returned it with equal fervor, his strong arms wrapping around me and lifting me off my feet as he stood.

When we finally broke apart, both breathless and giddy, I finally noticed the sound of applause around us. The remaining partygoers had gathered to witness our moment, their faces beaming with secondhand joy.

"Well, it's about time!" Lysandra called out, raising her glass in a toast. "To the happy couple!"

The crowd echoed her sentiment, and I buried my face in Zarnak's chest, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.

As the excitement died down and people began to disperse, offering their congratulations as they passed, I looked up at Zarnak, my heart so full I thought it might burst.

"I can't believe this is real," I whispered, running my fingers over the smooth surface of the ring. "How did you even find something like this?"

Zarnak smiled mischievously. "Let's just say I had some help picking it out from a certain tentacled friend of ours. It turns out Taffy has quite the eye for jewelry."

I could only laugh. "Of course it does. I should have known."

As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms beneath the tapestry of stars, I thought about the journey that had brought us to this point. From strangers thrust together in a bizarre dating show to partners, friends, and now, soon-to-be spouses.

"So," I said, tracing the line of Zarnak's jaw with my finger. "Where do we go from here?"

Zarnak's eyes sparkled with excitement and love. "Anywhere you want, my dear. The universe is ours to explore, together."