📡 TRANSMISSION 011 // BREAK CONTACT “If you can hear us… keep climbing.” 001 follows the voice to the top of the maintenance shaft. Above him, the pounding stops. He pushes through the hatch. An empty corridor stretches toward a single glowing terminal. OPERATOR 001 — AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED Before he can touch it, his receiver crackles. “Don’t.” He freezes. “It’s waiting for you to prove who you are.” Behind him, the hatch slams shut. The terminal changes. OPERATOR 001 — IDENTITY CONFIRMED LOCATION: UPPER COMMAND He looks toward the ceiling. He hasn’t reached upper command. The voice returns, barely a whisper. “Cut your signal. Stay dark until we contact you.” 001 grips the receiver. “What did you see up there?” A pause. Then— “I’m looking at the other you.” [CONNECTION LOST] OPERATOR 001: SIGNAL DARK NEXT TRANSMISSION: UNKNOWN