With that, he punched the center of the control console in front of him. A sharp click echoed immediately, followed by a low hum as a prompt flashed on the screen, accompanied by an automated voice:
[Self-destruction sequence activated. In 10 seconds, the fortress will self-destruct.] [Sealing all hangars and exit points...][8 seconds...]
Just as the countdown began, the entire display suddenly blurred. Error messages flooded the screen before it stabilized, much to Vael's shock—and then terror—as the prompt changed:
[Self-destruct sequence paused.] [Error... Error...]
"Wh-what?!" Reading the screen, Vael shouted in utter disbelief. "How?! Wh-what is happening?!"
Before he could process anything, a deafening blast shattered the air right behind him.
BOOOOOM!
The explosion was so deafening that Vael's ears rang, temporarily dulling his senses. By pure reflex, he whipped his head toward the origin of the sudden blast.
