The knock on my office door was soft, almost apologetic. A courtesy no one had bothered to extend to me in years. I didn't need to see the security feed to know who it was. The monster had been caged; now the gentler hands were coming for the rest of the keys.
The door opened. Mia stood there, flanked by my brother, Dante. She wore a cream-colored silk blouse, the very picture of soft power, while Dante stood stiffly in a suit that looked a size too big for his ambition. He held a secured briefcase. For the physical access keys.
"Vera," Mia began, her voice a gentle melody. "I am so sorry to intrude. But with the transition, there are several legacy systems—the physical grid, the off-site servers… they still require your direct authorization."
She was a masterful liar. She wasn't asking
