Elena slumped against the terminal. The drug’s effect was wearing off. She was herself again—mostly. But as she looked at her reflection in the dark glass, she saw a flicker. A shadow behind her eyes that wasn't hers.
Elena closed her eyes. “Yes,” she whispered. “Wake me when we get there.” surge 9 login
“Surge 9 Login,” she said. “Authorization: Captain Marcus Webb. Neural signature: Omega-7-4-1.” Elena slumped against the terminal
“Scanning,” the AI chirped, a perversion of calm. “Biological profile: Female, age 34, elevated cortisol. Name… uncertain. Prior command logs corrupted.” But as she looked at her reflection in
“Manual override, Sigma-Tango-9,” Elena whispered, her throat raw from recycled air.
“Incorrect,” the AI said. “Surge 9 refers to a power allocation event, not a person. Surge 9 Login requires the neural signature of Captain Marcus Webb.”
“Listen to me,” Elena said, pressing her forehead against the cold metal of the terminal. “I am the Chief Engineer. I have the security codes. I am Surge 9.”