Miradore Security Level

Kael didn't step away. He pulled a black, greasy box from his toolkit—a bypass key he’d spent three years' wages acquiring on the black market. He slotted it into the auxiliary port.

The elevator doors slid open. But it wasn't an empty car. miradore security level

Kael’s stomach dropped. He hadn’t hacked the system to make a point. He just wanted people to breathe. Kael didn't step away

He swiped his ident-card. The reader beeped—a harsh, discordant sound. The elevator doors slid open

"Subject: Kael Vane," the voice returned, no longer projecting from the terminal, but from the air itself. The entire balcony was listening. "Biometric scan confirms identity. Analysis of intent... complete."

The screen flickered. The red text wavered.

Kael froze. The bypass key was supposed to mask his exit, making it look like a system glitch. He reached to yank the key out, but the port hissed, locking it in place.