485137i -

He pulled the ethernet cable. The screen stayed live. He killed the main power. The monitors glowed a haunting, pale blue, still displaying that singular string: .

Every time Elias typed, the in the code shifted to 138 , then 139 . It was counting his keystrokes. 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. He pulled the ethernet cable

"485," Elias muttered, glancing at his station number. "Cute." The monitors glowed a haunting, pale blue, still

The graveyard shift at the Eklund Observatory was usually a silent affair, punctuated only by the hum of cooling fans and the occasional drip of a coffee machine. Elias, the lead data tech, liked it that way. He didn't like surprises.