2028 — Humans First

The first E-Eater prototype grinds a box of dead phones into copper, silver, and the rare earth sludge that changes everything. Synter builds its own.

Drew rides the subway he can't hear. The city is different now. He reads it the way he reads everything — through surfaces, through mouths, through what vibrates and what doesn't. Nobody asked if he wanted to be the world's lie detector.

Calliope isn't the only one people are talking to. Sal discovers the companion phenomenon — and sees what ASHPA will destroy.

Tunupa proposes tapping a volcano. Alejandra holds the key. 200,000 lives hang on a drilling vector.