Lin Xia descends into the university's hidden infrastructure — a maze of pipes, cables, and borrowed time — and finds that the room is not empty in the way she expected.

On April 16, 2026, a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect — just as Pope Leo publicly accused world leaders of being tyrants, in what read like a direct shot at the Trump administration.

Lin Xia drives toward Indianapolis with a keycard and a clear conscience. Behind her, the door opens. The room meets its first company.

Oil prices tanked nearly 8% as a US naval blockade of the world's most critical energy chokepoint went into effect — but the market smelled diplomacy, not war.

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