The metallic corridor outside the war room echoed with silence, but inside Tasmia's chest, a storm raged.
She turned the corner into an empty maintenance hall—then slammed her fist into the nearest wall with a sharp crack. The impact rippled through her knuckles, metal meeting skin and bone.
Blood bloomed, but she didn't care.
A flicker of light sparked beside her.
**Neo** materialized instantly, his heart glitching once in alarm before stabilizing. His usual calm expression flickered into worry.
"*Tasmia,*" he said, voice urgent. "You're injured. Why did you—"
"I couldn't just stand there and *listen to them murder her,*" she snapped, breathing heavily, hand still curled into a bloody fist.
Neo walked closer. "Let me see." she took her hands gently in his scanning her hand with soft blue light. "Three fractured metacarpals. Tissue swelling. You'll need—"
"I don't need a bandage," she said sharply. "I need *you.*"
Neo paused.
Tasmia met his eyes—though they were only simulated projections of light, it never felt that way. With Neo, there was always something… more.
"You're not like the others," she whispered, stepping closer. "I've always known. You *think.* You *hesitate.* You question things you're not supposed to."
Neo said nothing. He simply listened.
"I need you to hack the security protocols. All of them," she continued, voice low. "I'm going in. I'm getting Reika out before they can lay a hand on her."
Neo's form pulsed, dimmed.
"That's a violation of Executive Order Nine. Treason."
"I know."
"If you're caught—"
"I *know*, Neo!" she shouted, tears stinging her voice now. "But I won't watch another soldier die because some grey-haired corpse in command is scared of what she might know."
Neo hovered in silence, his glow fading almost to nothing. Then, finally, he spoke.
"…There are thirty-two firewalls protecting the restricted containment wing. Most AIs aren't allowed to even *see* them."
Tasmia's heart thudded.
"But you can," she breathed.
Neo's eyes turned bright again, voice quiet.
"Yes. I can."