The moment the terminal blinked to life with the words “You found me,” the cold in the server room turned bone-deep.

Emma stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the glowing message. Jack stood beside her, shoulders tense, as the cursor blinked slowly on the dark screen—waiting.

“What if it’s a trap?” Jack asked quietly.

Emma didn’t look away. “Then we spring it with our eyes open.”

A new message appeared.

“Phoenix Protocol compromised. Ghost Protocol engaged. Meet me at ...