Marcus hadn't slept in thirty-six hours, and it showed. Empty coffee cups littered his makeshift command center in the Kane Tower's security wing, while six monitors displayed satellite feeds, database searches, and encrypted communication channels. His usual pristine appearance had given way to wrinkled shirts and stubble, but his eyes remained laser-focused.
"Boss," he called as Alexander and I entered the secure briefing room. "You're going to want to see this."
The main screen showed a world map dotted with twelve red pins—each marking a quantum research facility. But as Marcus clicked through feeds, I noticed something that made my stomach drop.
"Tell me those aren't all showing the same thing," I said.
"Depends on what you think they're showing." Marcus pulled up a split-screen display. "Left side: CERN facility, Switzerland. Right side: KEK facility, Japan. Both taken forty-seven minutes ago."
