The silver beam continued rising into the night sky.
It pierced the clouds like a spear of light, stretching far beyond the stars until it disappeared into the darkness above.
No one moved.
The air itself seemed frozen.
Linh still held the crystal in both hands. It was warm now, almost alive. Tiny streams of silver light flowed beneath its transparent surface, swirling like galaxies trapped inside a single tear.
The mechanical voice echoed once more.
PROJECT ECLIPSE ACTIVATED.
PRIMARY SYSTEM ONLINE.
SEARCHING FOR AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL...
Professor Nguyen suddenly stumbled backward.
"No..."
His whisper barely reached the others.
"No... we destroyed it."
Khang grabbed his shoulder.
"What exactly is Project Eclipse?"
The old scientist stared at the glowing crystal for several lo
