The World Watched; I Salvaged Scrap

“Commonwealth identity unverified. Emergency succession initiated. Carbon intelligence: why do you possess Pilot Lin Haichuan’s beacon?” His blood went cold. His father’s name should not have come from an alien vessel. “He was my father.” Blue threads ignited within the darkness. The fracture concealed an enormous folded structure: broken rings, floating crystals, lights blinking like constellations. At its center hung a black polyhedron the size of a fist. “Genetic lineage match: ninety-nine point nine-seven percent. Provisional captaincy granted.” The polyhedron flew out and hovered above Lin’s palm. “Starforge Core of the *Far Tide*, designation Lan-Zero, reporting to provisional captain.” The deep sea flared brighter than noon.