The supervisor barely glanced at what Curtis was holding, remembering the task at hand. He didn't suspect a thing and just waved him off, saying, "Alright, just leave it on my desk. I've got a guest here, so you can head out."
Turning his focus back to the middle-aged man beside him, the supervisor didn't give Curtis another thought. As the man settled into his chair, his eyes lingered on Curtis for a moment longer than usual.
Curtis, acting unfazed, put the report down on the desk and slipped out of the office, closing the door softly behind him.
"Who was that?" Santos asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"That's Jules from our tech department," the supervisor replied, pouring Santos a glass of water. "He's been with us for just over a year, and he's pretty sharp."
Santos nodded, expressing his gratitude. "No wonder he looked a bit new to me."
The supervisor chuckled. "Well, you don't visit the tech department often, so it's no surprise you don't know everyone."
"That's true," Santos agreed, but added, "Just make sure to tighten up on security checks. We don't want anyone slipping in unnoticed."
The supervisor's demeanor turned a bit more serious. "Is something up?"
"Not really," Santos said, keeping his voice calm. "Just reminded me of last year's incident when the medical research department got hit. Better safe than sorry."
"Got it. I'll keep an eye on things," the tech supervisor assured, sensing that Santos's warning wasn't without reason.
"Alright, I'm on my way," Santos said, not pressing for more details.
Before long, he reached the central department. As he entered the dimly lit conference room, the meeting was already underway. A multi-dimensional projection screen showcased a virtual universe up front, and the technology was so vivid it felt like you were actually there.
Taking it all in with a single glance, Santos understood the topic they were discussing. He quietly pulled out a chair and sat down.
At the head of the table sat King, the leader of the first base. He looked no older than forty, with dark hair and eyes, a stern face, and an aura that demanded respect. His name fit him perfectly—a ruler with a panoramic view of the cosmos, the realistic starry background adding an otherworldly touch.
King's gaze landed on Santos as he settled in. Lightly tapping his fingers on the table, King spoke in a measured tone, "Any news on that key you mentioned last time, Santos?"

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