Li Wei’s heart pounded as the sound echoed through the corridor. It wasn’t the mechanical hum of the ship coming back to life—it was something else. Something human. Or at least, something close to it.

  He took a slow breath, steadying himself. The logical part of his mind told him that if there was someone else aboard the Xinglong, they could be an ally. But the instinctual part of him, the part that had spent years fixing broken machines and navigating corporate bureaucracy, screamed that nothing in life was ever that simple.

  His fingers tightened around a metal pipe he had grabbed on the way out of the control chamber. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. Cautiously, he stepped forward, following the dimly lit corridor. The golden energy lines along the walls pulsed faintly, casting flickering shadows that danced with every step he took.

  The noise came again, closer this time. A soft shuffle, like footsteps against metal.

  Li Wei paused at the intersection of two hallways, pressing his back against the cool surface of the wall. He swallowed hard, then slowly peered around the corner.

  A figure stood in the dim light, dressed in dark, tattered robes. Their face was obscured by the shadows, but Li Wei could make out the slight glow of golden circuits embedded into their skin, similar to the ship’s intricate designs.

  He clenched his jaw. This wasn’t just another crew member.

  “Who’s there?” he called out, his voice steadier than he felt.

  The figure turned toward him, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Then, as if suddenly aware of itself, the figure took a slow, shuddering step forward.

  “You... are not supposed to be here,” the figure rasped, its voice layered with static, like a recording played over an ancient speaker. “The Xinglong... does not recognize you.”

  Li Wei felt a chill creep down his spine. “I don’t know who you are, but the ship does recognize me,” he countered. “It made me the commander.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Silence stretched between them before the figure let out a distorted laugh. “Commander? You?” The voice crackled with something between amusement and disbelief. “Then we are all truly doomed.”

  Before Li Wei could react, the figure lunged.

  Years of working with unstable machinery had honed his reflexes more than he realized. He dodged to the side just as the attacker’s hand struck the metal where he had stood moments before. Sparks flew as sharp, metallic fingertips scraped against the wall, leaving deep gouges.

  Not human. At least, not entirely.

  Li Wei swung the pipe instinctively, aiming for the figure’s midsection. The impact landed, but it felt like hitting solid steel. The attacker barely flinched before grabbing the pipe and yanking it from his grasp.

  Thinking fast, Li Wei ducked under the next strike and stumbled backward. He didn’t know how to fight—he wasn’t some elite soldier. But he did know how to survive.

  He turned and ran.

  The corridors of the Xinglong twisted and branched unpredictably, but somehow, the ship guided him. The golden lights along the walls flickered, shifting patterns as if showing him the way. He didn’t question it.

  Behind him, the attacker’s footsteps were steady, unhurried. They were toying with him, he realized. They didn’t see him as a real threat.

  That made two of them.

  He rounded a corner and spotted a thick metal door, partially open. Without hesitation, he slid through and slammed the control panel beside it. The door groaned, sparks flying as it began to seal shut. Just before it closed completely, the figure’s glowing eyes locked onto his through the narrowing gap.

  “This is not over,” it said.

  Then the door sealed with a final, resounding clang.

  Li Wei collapsed against the wall, his breath coming in sharp gasps. His hands were shaking.

  Who—or what—was that?

  As if in response to his unspoken question, a new interface flickered into existence in front of him.

  WARNING: UNKNOWN ENTITY DETECTED.

  IDENTITY CONFIRMATION REQUIRED.

  ACCESS RESTRICTED UNTIL THREAT IS NEUTRALIZED.

  Li Wei stared at the message, his mind racing.

  So this wasn’t just some rogue crew member—whoever that was, the ship didn’t recognize them either. And if the Xinglong was restricting his access until they were “neutralized”... that meant he wasn’t safe yet.

  He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to think clearly.

  One step at a time. First, he needed more information. Second, he needed a plan. And third—

  His eyes drifted to the softly glowing control panel beside him.

  —he needed to make sure this wasn’t the last mistake he ever made.

  The ship had given him a chance. Now, it was up to him to prove he deserved it.