The Locked Laboratory

[SFX: Metal creak. Metal lid lift]

NARRATOR: The lab was not entered after Simon. The cooling manifold was moved before he arrived. Leo had loosened its bracket and programmed a server load spike. Heat expanded the pipe until it swung down when Simon stood at the console.

RHEA SONG: A delayed mechanical strike. No hacker needed inside.

DEV MALIK: Only someone who knew where Simon would stand.

NARRATOR: The lethal load test bore Rhea's signature, but Simon's note showed he requested it as part of the audit. Leo changed the start time after network clocks shifted.

LEO KANE: You have a chain of software that can be forged by the people accusing me.

ANA VEIL: Then let us use hardware.

[SFX: Zip lock bag. Dropping screws]

NARRATOR: Ana found a titanium screw in Leo's car carpet, matching the removed manifold bracket. Leo claimed contamination from a factory visit. Dev found blue coolant inside the screw threads, proving removal in this lab.

UNIT SEVEN: Alert. Evidence-retention process scheduled for deletion.

NARRATOR: Continuity began erasing itself.