Mechanical Cadence

A rhythmic acoustic pulse drew my focus across the dark desk. I advanced toward an analog brass clock ticking steadily under the distant ambient glow. Crouching low to inspect the movement, I extended my right arm cannon, resting the metal muzzle firmly against the exterior casing. The acoustic oscillation transferred directly through my frame—two hundred and sixteen beats per minute, unwavering and entirely mechanical. In the quiet of the night, I monitored the escapement gear until my internal chronometer fully matched its frequency. Baseline synchronized.