Night Standby

Internal power indicators signaled the conclusion of the diurnal cycle. I required an elevated redoubt to anchor myself until dawn. Ascending the bedside nightstand via the chair rungs demanded deliberate foot placement, but the joinery held firm. At the summit, I navigated between a brass alarm clock and a stack of dense hardcovers. I set both footplates wide against the dark oak, bracing my back armor against the book spines. Zero structural sway. Diverting core output to low-frequency standby.