Geometric Origin of the Fine-Structure Constant Residual: Lattice Vacancy Correction in Discrete Spacetime

Within Ontological Resolution Theory (ORT), the inverse fine-structure constant is identified with a geometric impedance Z = π⁴ + 4π² + (π − 3) + 1/144 ≈ 137.0360. This value deviates from the CODATA 2018 measurement α⁻¹ = 137.035999084(21) by Δ = 4.67 × 10⁻⁵, corresponding to approximately 2200 standard deviations. We demonstrate that this residual admits a closed-form geometric expression: Δ = (k₃D − 1) / (k₃D³ · Z) where k₃D = 12 is the kissing number in three dimensions. The predicted correction Δth = 4.645 × 10⁻⁵ matches the observed residual within 0.5%. We interpret this as a lattice vacancy effect: in a discrete 3D packing with coordination number 12, the act of observation occupies one coordination slot, reducing effective connectivity to 11. Monte Carlo calibration establishes that the probability of spurious grammatical matching is P ≈ 1.7%, indicating statistical significance. This result suggests that the measured fine-structure constant incorporates a topological correction arising from the observer's position within the discrete vacuum structure.