485137i Now

"485," Elias muttered, glancing at his station number. "Cute."

Every time Elias typed, the in the code shifted to 138 , then 139 . It was counting his keystrokes. 485137i

The graveyard shift at the Eklund Observatory was usually a silent affair, punctuated only by the hum of cooling fans and the occasional drip of a coffee machine. Elias, the lead data tech, liked it that way. He didn't like surprises. "485," Elias muttered, glancing at his station number