For a terrifying moment, nothing happened. Kross’s blank gaze remained fixed on the holographic display, his fingers still twitching with mechanical precision. Leonard’s heart hammered against his ribs. Had it failed? Had Consensus already adapted?
Then, a flicker. A minute, almost imperceptible tremor ran through Kross’s body. His fingers paused, then began to shake, not with mechanical precision, but with a raw, human vibration. The blue light from the device at his temples flickered, a faint ripple disturbing its steady pulse.
A low, guttural groan escaped Kross’s lips, a sound of profound agony. His head snapped to the side, away from the screen, his neck muscles straining. His eyes, though still unfocused, squeezed shut, then opened again, this time with a terrifying, fleeting spark
