Ten789

Then he saw it: a single crystal, no larger than his thumb, floating in the exact center of the space. It was transparent, almost invisible, but it hummed at a pitch that made his joints ache.

Above, the purple sky waited. The comms crackled: "Leo? You're ascending early. Report."

Ten seconds to the first ledge. Seven minutes to the surface. Nine years until he could forgive himself. ten789

He reached for it.

But for now, he had the crystal. And the singing had finally stopped. Then he saw it: a single crystal, no

At seven kilometers, his boots touched the floor.

Not nine minutes. Seven seconds.

The moment his gloved fingers touched the crystal, the countdown in his helmet changed.