LunarSync Comms: Dark Protocol

Chapter 2: Shadows in the Code

Hours had passed since Echo and I first detected the interference in Sector C, but I couldn’t let it go. It nagged at me, a puzzle piece that refused to fit. I combed through the logs, hoping for a clue, but the mystery only deepened. The server room's silence, once comforting, now felt thick and oppressive, broken only by the low hum of machines and Echo’s steady presence beside me.

“Echo, run a sweep of the latest logs,” I muttered, my eyes fixed on the screen. “Check for fluctuations in the data packets over the last 48 hours.”

Echo’s response was calm and precise. “Processing time estimated at three minutes.”

As the seconds dragged on, I leaned back, trying to focus through the fatigue. Echo’s metallic form reflected the glow of the monitors, a silent companion in the otherwise empty room. When it spoke again, I sat up.

“Sweep complete. Minor anomalies detected, matching the interference in Sector C but not any known error patterns.”

I frowned. “So it’s not hardware and it’s not in our database. Great. Let’s check the security feeds.”

Echo pulled up footage, and I watched the grainy screens flicker through empty corridors and server racks. My pulse quickened when I caught a fleeting blur near Sector C—too fast to identify before the screen glitched into static.

“Did you see that?” I whispered, my hand tightening on the edge of the console.

Echo’s eyes glowed as it analyzed the footage. “Visual distortion detected. Data corruption prevents identification. Recommend physical inspection.”

My gut twisted. I grabbed a flashlight, trying to steady my nerves. We walked back to Sector C, the flashlight beam casting long shadows. Echo’s silent footsteps matched mine, the air feeling colder, sharper.

At the back of the server rack, my fingers found an unexpected gap—a narrow opening barely wide enough for a person. A cold draft seeped through, carrying a metallic scent.

“Echo, did you know about this?” I asked, my voice tight.

“This opening is not in the station’s plans. It is likely unauthorized,” Echo replied.

I hesitated, instincts screaming to seal the gap and walk away. But curiosity pushed me forward. I took a breath and stepped through, Echo close behind. As the darkness swallowed us, the silence felt sharper, like a blade against my back.