Chapter Five: The Yesterday They Collected

Pei Du tightened his grip. “Seven exposures remain. Use no more.” “You don't get to decide.” “I am not commanding you.” He looked at her. “I am begging.” Shang Xian had subdued the server. Su Mi, herself again, sat among the broken vessels holding the blue light of their first meeting. Jianyue found a pass in the server's pocket. The brass astronomical instrument was printed on its back. It authorized entry to only one location: ZERO OBSERVATORY. MIDNIGHT PROJECT CONSULTANT: LIN ZHOU. Below it was that night's schedule: 02:40—SECOND RESONANCE. The clock read 2:27. Thirteen minutes remained before Lin Zhou tore the city open again.