The restraints rattled like they'd tear free. Every muscle locked, veins standing out against his skin. For a heartbeat, Tomoko thought he'd burst apart.

  The console flared to life beside him.

  ASSEMBLY SYNC: 23.17%... 22.55%...

  BEACON DETECTED: EMI PRIORITY OVERRIDE.

  Tomoko's pulse hammered. EMI's beacon was already there, pulling at the fragments.

  Jamaal's breath came in ragged bursts. His lips moved, words scraping out between clenched teeth. "I-I... see him! Tiny nodes... everywhere. He's... scattered."

  His eyes reflected something she couldn't see - glimmers of light, like fractured glass floating in dark water.

  The console beeped again.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  21.25%... NODE LOSS DETECTED. CONVERGENCE RATE: ACCELERATING.

  Tomoko gripped the chair rail. "No, no, no- hold on."

  Jamaal spasmed, blood welling at the implant port, dripping down his neck. He choked, whispering: "Thread... there's a thread. It's me. He's - pulling -"

  The counter faltered.

  20.25%... HOLD... 20.18%...

  He was slowing it. Holding back the tide with nothing but his voice, his will.

  Tomoko leaned close, desperate. "Stay with him, Jamaal. Don't let go."

  His head snapped back once more—then slumped forward. His chest shuddered. The line of his body went limp.

  The console screamed.

  19.2%...CRITICAL NODE COLLAPSE IMMINENT....17.4%...

  Tomoko's stomach dropped. He was slipping. EMI was winning.

  And she was out of moves.