485137i -

The screen didn't just show the code anymore; it reflected a version of the room that was perfectly dark, except for a figure standing directly behind his chair.

Elias didn't turn around. He just watched the screen as the numbers began to count down. 485137i

Every time Elias typed, the in the code shifted to 138 , then 139 . It was counting his keystrokes. The screen didn't just show the code anymore;

At 3:14 AM, the terminal at Station 485 blinked. A new string had bypassed the filters, originating from a sector of the sky that should have been empty: . " Elias muttered

"485," Elias muttered, glancing at his station number. "Cute."