Rain pattered against the floor‑to‑ceiling windows of the LuTech observation suite as Celeste Su's consciousness fought its way back from darkness. Her head throbbed in time with the rhythmic drip of an IV line. Blinking through groggy lids, she realized she lay on a narrow cot encased in glass walls—one-way mirrors in every direction. Beyond, technicians in white coats monitored banks of screens.
A mechanical click grated through her skull—the collar's protest. **Meter –10%.** She lifted a shaking hand to the diamond clasp at her throat. The metal bit into her skin. Pain rippled outward.
The glass door hissed open. Adrian Lu entered, rain droplets beading on his shoulders. He crossed the suite without hesitation, arms folded, expression unreadable.
“Awake," he stated.
Celeste tried to
