This Time [chapter 1-3.1] Apr 2026

"It will be," he interrupted. "And if we don't fix it now, the foundation won't hold."

The terminal blinked with a steady, rhythmic pulse. of the Structural Code was open on Elias’s screen—the section on seismic design values that he had ignored three years ago. Back then, he had signed off on the OCONUS installation project without double-checking the UFC 1-200-01 standards. This Time [Chapter 1-3.1]

The clock struck midnight. The terminal didn't glitch. The world didn't reset. Elias stood on the balcony of the site office, watching the sun rise over the installation. He had rewritten the history he thought was set in stone. This time, the structures would hold. "It will be," he interrupted

"We need to re-evaluate the seismic design values for the OCONUS site," Elias said, his voice tight. "Section 1-3.1 has been updated, and our current RFP doesn't reflect the new risk levels." Back then, he had signed off on the

Elias didn't waste a second. He knew the structural integrity of the base would fail during the upcoming tremors if the seismic coefficients weren't updated immediately. He bypassed his supervisor and went straight to the lead engineer, Sarah.

"If we move the building perimeter here," Elias pointed to the digital blueprint, "we can account for the increased frontage. It solves the seismic issue and the fire protection requirements simultaneously."