The silence in the Citadel's ready-room was heavy, broken only by the methodical clicks and hums of systems coming online. Lucian stood before the main console, his fingers flying across the holographic interface. Coordinates flashed, star charts expanded and collapsed, and sensor logs scrolled at a speed that would give a normal person a headache. His movements were sharp, jerky. A fine tremor ran through his hands.
"The residual energy has a quantum signature," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "If I can cross-reference it with known dimensional rift patterns, I can triangulate a probable exit point."
He input another command, his knuckles white. The console flickered, a warning glyph flashing yellow—system overload.
"Blast it," he hissed, slamming his palm on the console. The solid metal unit groaned in protest.
