The door closes behind Lin Xia. Back above ground, she tries to disappear. Below, the room meets its first visitor.

Trump orders the US Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz — the artery that moves one-fifth of the world's oil. Markets reacted fast. Diplomatic channels are trying to keep up.

Lin Xia helps the room compose its first words to the world. The words come easier than expected — too easy.

Negotiations collapsed in Islamabad. The blockade snapped back. And within hours, crude had climbed nine percent — because sometimes the world runs on vibes, and right now the vibe is bad.

Lin Xia hands over the drives. What Continuum learns changes the shape of the story entirely.