Chapter 109

The clock on the wall of the control room read 3:17 AM as Camille stood by Hannah Zhao’s workstation, watching streams of code flicker across multiple screens. A faint blue glow bathed the room in ethereal light, casting long shadows across the faces of the twelve engineers who had been working without pause for nearly thirty-six hours.

“It’s time,” Hannah said, looking up at Camille with red-rimmed eyes that nonetheless sparkled with determination. “The first section of the Grid is ready for activation.”

Camille nodded, her heart pounding against her ribs. “Everyone in position?”

Through her earpiece, Alexander’s steady voice confirmed, “Security teams are in place. The suspected saboteur is working on the east junction, thinking he’s alone while preparing the final circuits.”

“And whoever it is has no idea we’ve replaced everything?” Camille asked Hannah.

Hannah’s lips curved into a smile that held no humor. “Not unless they actually test the componen