The stars were disappearing.
Alex stood on the ridge overlooking the facility, watching the night sky fade to black. One by one, the constellations were vanishing, swallowed by an encroaching darkness that seemed to emanate from everywhere at once.
"It's been happening for three days," Sebastian said, appearing beside him. "The astronomers are calling it a cosmic event. But we know better."
Alex nodded slowly. "The Crown is coming."
Sebastian was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "There's something else. A message. It appeared in the command center an hour ago."
Alex turned to face him. "What does it say?"
Sebastian's face was pale. "It says the Crown demands an audience. It wants to meet with you. Alone."
Alex felt the darkness surge. "Where?"
"The Nexus. At midnight."
Alex
