Elias’s heart hammered. It wasn't a person on the other end; it was an automated gatekeeper, an AI that judged intent before allowing connection. The screen cleared, and a single line of raw data streamed down, far too fast for a human to read. But Elias wasn't supposed to read it. His computer, which he had rigged with a custom packet sniffer, began to chime.
A pause. The green code pulsed faster, then coalesced into new text. tweaks logon
He let out a shaky laugh. The ships would turn. The warehouse doors would open. The medicine would flow. Elias’s heart hammered
Then, a final message appeared on the logon screen. it was an automated gatekeeper
AUTHENTICATING... MOTIVE DETECTED: ALTRIUSM (78%). THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE.