After nine months of relentless effort, the first piece of the Tiberius Hyperspace Laboratory finally stood tall in the Great Underground Vault. Massive stadium-grade floodlights towered overhead, bathing the entire structure in dazzling light. The building gleamed with a silvery sheen, its shape uncannily like two giant doors pressed together—a mysterious gateway floating in the cosmos, ready to unveil the miracles beyond.
It was still just an empty shell, with no interior finishing yet, but as long as the main structure was up, the rest could be built without everyone sweating it out in the muggy, damp Vault.
Besides, this main building had an important job to do.
"We've checked the hyperspace models and supports—no deformation, no corrosion issues. We can proceed with docking," Sophia reported to Adam. "Our plan is definitely going to work."
"Alright then." Adam took a deep breath and stepped up onto the newly built platform.
All non-essential personnel were cleared out, and the usually noisy construction site fell silent. In the shadows of the vast Vault, about twenty figures lingered. Most were scientists from Teams Two and Three, with a handful of trusted, promising assistants. And then there was Adam's "black glove," Parker Peterson, lurking in the farthest corner.
Every scientist here was buried in their own work, rarely making it out to the construction site. So, when they saw the giant gateway, they were not only awestruck, but also confused—why drag them out here for something that felt like the initiation ritual of some secret society?
Except Parker Peterson.
He had a vague idea of what was going on, so he simply stood there quietly, discreetly watching everyone's reactions—like a ruthless assassin picking targets, ready to strike with a poison-tipped dagger at any moment.
Up on the platform, Adam—who'd suffered more than anyone for this moment—felt like his emotions were about to explode. He looked down at the crowd, then back at the gleaming silver building behind him. After a long, intense gaze, he managed to keep himself together.