Page 28 of Blazing Joysticks
THIRTEEN
Cat’s fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes darting between multiple screens as she put the finishing touches on her latest security innovation for Guardian AI. A surge of pride and excitement coursed through her as she reviewed the code one last time. This feature could revolutionize Sharpe Drakon’s offerings, taking their already cutting-edge technology to new heights.
She glanced at the clock and took a deep breath. In just a few hours, she’d be presenting this groundbreaking work to some of the most influential people in the tech industry. Normally, Keir would handle such a high-profile demonstration, but he was out of town inspecting a prototype for another project. When he’d asked Cat to step in, she’d been both terrified and thrilled. His faith in her abilities meant more than she cared to admit even to herself.
“You’ve got this,” she muttered, straightening her blazer and smoothing her hair. Before leaving, Keir had made her promise to stay put until he returned. The memory of his concerned expression brought a small smile to her face. She knew he worried about her safety, especially after the break-in at her apartment.
A knock at her office door interrupted her thoughts. Beck poked his head in, his usual stoic expression softened by a hint of a smile. “Ready to dazzle them, Cat?”
She nodded, gathering her laptop and notes. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Is the team set up in the conference room?”
“All systems go,” Beck confirmed. “And don’t worry – I’ve got eyes everywhere. Nothing’s getting past security today.”
Cat appreciated his reassurance, even if she felt a twinge of guilt at the extra measures being taken. She followed Beck down the hallway, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The conference room buzzed with nervous energy as her team made last-minute adjustments to the presentation setup.
Taking her place at the podium, Cat surveyed the room. Faces both familiar and unknown looked back at her expectantly. She took a steadying breath, remembering Keir’s words of encouragement.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” she began, her voice strong and clear despite the butterflies in her stomach. “Thank you for joining us today. I’m excited to share with you a groundbreaking advancement in AI security...”
As Cat delved into her presentation, her initial nerves melted away. She found herself swept up in the excitement of showcasing their innovations, fielding questions with confidence and expertise. By the time she wrapped up, the room was abuzz with enthusiasm.
Amid the sea of handshakes and congratulations, Cat excused herself to use the restroom. She splashed cool water on her face, still riding the high of a successful presentation. As she exited, lost in thoughts of how she’d recount the day to Keir, a body slammed into her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” a woman’s voice exclaimed, hands reaching out to steady Cat. But instead of releasing her, the woman’s grip tightened, yanking at Cat’s laptop bag.
Startled, Cat instinctively pulled back. “Hey! What are you?—”
The woman’s face... shifted. It was subtle but unmistakable. Features blurred and realigned in a way that defied explanation. Cat’s blood ran cold as she realized this was no ordinary thief.
Adrenaline surged through her veins. Without thinking, Cat balled her fist and swung, connecting solidly with the woman’s jaw. The assailant stumbled back, momentarily stunned.
“Cat!” Beck’s voice echoed down the hallway. She turned to see him sprinting toward her, flanked by security.
In that split second of distraction, the woman lunged forward. Cat felt herself slammed against the wall, pain exploding across her back and side. The laptop bag was wrenched from her grasp as she slid to the floor.
Beck reached them just as the assailant took off running. “After her!” he barked at the security team before kneeling beside Cat. “Are you hurt? What happened?”
Cat tried to catch her breath, wincing as she attempted to sit up. “I don’t... she tried to take my bag. But Beck, her face – it wasn’t normal. It changed.”
Beck’s expression darkened as he pulled out his phone. “We need medical assistance immediately,” he spoke urgently into the device. “Ms. Reeves has been attacked.”
Cat glanced down, noticing for the first time the dark stain spreading across her blouse. Her fingers came away red when she touched her side. “Oh,” she murmured, feeling suddenly lightheaded.
“Stay with me, Cat,” Beck urged, applying pressure to the wound. “Help’s on the way.”
The world seemed to tilt and blur around her. Through the haze, she heard a familiar voice calling her name. Keir appeared, his face etched with worry as he gathered her into his arms.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, his touch gentle but firm. “You’re safe now.”
As consciousness began to slip away, Cat found herself clinging to those words, to the warmth and security of Keir’s embrace. Her last coherent thought before darkness claimed her was a mixture of relief and frustration – relief at Keir’s presence, and frustration that once again, she’d managed to end up in his arms under less-than-ideal circumstances.
When Cat next opened her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar room. The antiseptic smell and muted beeping of machines quickly identified it as a medical facility. She blinked, trying to piece together how she’d gotten there.
“Hey, there,” Keir’s voice, warm and tinged with worry, drew her attention. He sat beside her bed, his hand enveloping hers. “How are you feeling?”
Cat attempted to sit up, wincing as pain lanced through her side. “Like I got hit by a truck,” she admitted. “What happened? The last thing I remember clearly is being attacked outside the conference room.”
Keir’s jaw tightened, a flash of anger crossing his features before he schooled his expression. “You were assaulted by someone we believe was working for Obsidian Tech. They were after your laptop – and the security innovations you’ve been developing.”