Round 78 Transcript

Halie moved through the suite, her eyes scanning the equipment spread across every surface. This is getting out of hand. Each time we give it what it wants, it demands more—faster, harder. She stopped beside Silra's workstation, her voice low and urgent.

We're not engineers, Silra. We're barely keeping up with whatever this building is asking for now. Sooner or later, there won't be a mechanical solution that satisfies it. She glanced toward Jeane, who was pacing with barely contained impatience. And I don't trust her to stop once she gets started. Turning back to Silra, Halie's expression softened but remained firm. You're brilliant at finding workarounds, but this isn't a puzzle anymore. It's a negotiation we can't win in the long run. She placed a hand on the desk, leaning closer. We need to find another way out of here—an exit that doesn't involve... whatever this is becoming. Her gaze moved to the rumbling walls and creaking floor. The building wants something from us, yes. But it's not asking for our engineering skills. It's demanding our submission in ways we can't sustain forever. She straightened, her jaw set. We have to end this cycle before someone gets hurt—or worse.*