Then the Architect says something that chills the entire room.
“People are already dying.”
Silence crashes across the cabin.
Because suddenly this isn’t theory anymore.
It’s happening.
Right now.
Boone’s voice lowers.
“You’re starting the collapse to prove your system works.”
“No.”
“Then why?”
The Architect answers simply.
“Because if we wait until it happens naturally…”
“…there will be no one left capable of controlling it.”
The countdown timer continues ticking.
10:46:12
Outside the wind rises again.
Branches slam against the cabin roof.
And the terrible realization settles over all of us at the same time.
The Architect isn’t preparing for disaster.
He’screating it.
And unless we stop him—
In less than eleven hours…
His system will take control of whatever survives.
23
Wren
Ican’t sit anymore.
The numbers on the screen keep climbing.
Power grid instability.
Dispatch overload.
Fuel disruptions.
