Utter chaos reigned backstage. Not a single person could give him a straight answer.
Cold sweat instantly broke out across The Lead Auctioneer's forehead. Recovering his wits, he immediately barked into his earpiece, "Halt the lift sequence!"
"Keep whatever that is locked backstage! I refuse to let an unidentified object cross my stage!"
This disaster was going to permanently destroy his flawless reputation.
He was seething with anxiety.
This was easily the most catastrophic failure of his entire career.
On the other side of the comms, the crew was typing frantically, sweating bullets in their panic.
Yet, the monitors ruthlessly displayed the exact same notification over and over.
[Override Failed.]
[The Oracle-Alpha Auction Core is locked.]
[Current asset entering final stage protocol.]
The technician was deathly pale. "It's no use! The abort command was rejected by the system. We can't stop it."
"The main control node is completely locked down. We've lost all administrative access. Right now... right now, no one has the clearance to force an abort!"
The Lead Auctioneer felt the blood drain completely from his face.
Before he could even formulate a next step, an electronically distorted voice cut through his earpiece. It was completely androgynous and devoid of emotion. "Declare the auction over."
He froze.
The moment he recognized the voice, his entire body locked up in sheer terror.
It was... The Commodore!
His pallor worsened, and he began to tremble uncontrollably from the suffocating pressure.
Still, he forced down the rising tide of panic with every ounce of his willpower.
He was, after all, Project Zero-Transit's most elite frontman. In a split second, he gathered his professional composure, plastering on that practiced smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. It appears our system is experiencing a slight malfunction. All items for tonight have concluded. What you are seeing on the screen is not a final asset, so we will—"
The Lead Auctioneer couldn't even finish his sentence.
The massive screen behind him released another sharp, undeniable beep.
A cascade of new alerts flashed sequentially across the display.
[Living Asset Identity Verification: Cleared.]
[Internal Transfer Clearance: Cleared.]
[Medical Consignment Clearance: Cleared.]
[The Logistics Artery Protocol: Complete.]
[Asset engaged in final stage protocol.]
[Current Status: Awaiting Showcase.]
The Lead Auctioneer's voice died once again.
The fragile smile he had managed to construct completely shattered, leaving his face frozen in horror.
These... these were the exact standard verification steps every single item had to clear before gracing the stage!
Only when all verifications passed would the system automatically push the asset into the final delivery phase.
Except, normally, this entire
diagnostic sequence was heavilyet
encrypted and only visible on the internal control network. .net>
Strictly for the eyes of the staff.
But right now, the deeply buried data was aggressively plastered across the main screen, broadcasting loud and Clear to every single buyer in the room!
Which meant this mysterious asset was now stepping into the spotlight fully validated by Project
ZeroTransits strictest, mostofficial protocols
This was no longer just a simple system glitch.
This was a catastrophic, highly public breach!
The Lead Auctioneer's expression twisted into an ugly mask of defeat.
If word of this fiasco got out, it would obliterate his career.
Worse still, The Commodore was watching his every move.
If he allowed something he knew absolutely nothing about to blatantly parade onto
his stage...
His career...
Would he even have a career left to speak of?