The starport buzzed with activity, a kaleidoscope of alien races and mech-assisted laborers moving goods, weapons, spices, and crystalline data cores across docking bays that shimmered under the artificial glow of starlamps. Yet amidst this chaos, Leon stood still—staring at the thin blue crack in space before him.
It was small, no larger than a man's fist, pulsing with azure light, but the readings from the Merchant Sovereign's onboard AI were unmistakable.
[Quantum Rift Detected: Temporal-Linked Interference | Warning: Possibility of Multiversal Collision Zone]
"It's not just a gate," Leon muttered, voice barely audible as Xin's avatar flickered beside him, arms crossed.
"It's a scar," Xin replied solemnly. "A tear in spacetime. Something—or someone—has been messing with temporal trade."
Leon narrowed his eyes. "Someone other than me?"
