"Governor, we must leave at once, then seal this place with concrete forever!"
But it was already too late.
Light suddenly flared across the device's surface. It was an eerie glow that shifted constantly between purple, red, and green. The light touched everyone present.
Karamazov felt dizzy. He heard whispers, countless whispers pouring in from every direction. The voices promised power, described pleasure, and offered eternal life.
He wanted to resist, but those voices were too sweet.
"What do you desire?" the whispers asked. "Do you want this planet to prosper forever? Do you want your people to remain eternally loyal? Do you want your name to be remembered for ten thousand years?"
"I..." Karamazov found himself nodding. "I want..."
"Then accept our blessing."
The light suddenly swelled, engulfing everyone present.
When Karamazov opened his eyes again, he felt different. He felt unprecedented power surging through his body. He felt that he could hear everyone's thoughts and see through every lie.
"This power... it's magnificent..." he murmured, then turned to his entourage. "Do you feel it too?"
They all dropped to their knees, their eyes shining with fanaticism.
"Yes, Governor. We have felt the gods' gift."
"Good." Karamazov smiled, but that smile was so twisted it no longer looked human. "Then let us share this gift with everyone."
Three months later, the entire Star of Hope had changed.
The Planetary Governor's office issued a series of bizarre decrees. Worship of the Emperor was forbidden, all residents were forced to attend the "New Faith Ceremony," and every household was required to enshrine a replica of the device unearthed underground.
At first, some resisted. Loyal Imperial Guard commanders attempted a coup, while priests of the church tried to organize exorcisms.
But they all failed.
The device's power was spreading. That eerie light