The freight threshold hisses open, and blue-green status light spills across the catwalk. Syn stands braced by the panel bank, with the Dock Tech half a step behind her. The Ambassador fills the doorway, flanked by two silent security drones.
The Ambassador
Hold. Seal the exits.
The drones pivot in perfect sync. One drops toward the side hatch, the other angles for the overhead lock. The Dock Tech freezes, hands hovering uselessly near his tool rig.
The Dock Tech
This just got worse.
The Ambassador
Engineer, step away from her. You are done assisting.
A new voice cuts in from the threshold, sharp and clipped. A security officer in dark transit armor steps past the Ambassador’s shoulder, visor lit with a red compliance strip.
The Security Officer
Unauthorized access confirmed. Syn, place your tools on the deck and keep your hands visible.
The Dock Tech glances from the officer to Syn, then takes one cautious step closer to her side, trapped between fear and choice.
Slip away from the threshold