The underground facility in Virginia smelled of ozone and stale coffee.
Nova strode through the blast doors. She had changed in the chopper. The dress was gone, replaced by jeans, a black t-shirt, and a white lab coat. A blue ID card hung around her neck-Clearance Level Zero. The highest.
Dozens of scientists in the main control room stood up as she entered.
Dr. Stein, a man in his sixties with wild grey hair, rushed over. He looked like he hadn't slept in a week. "Dr. Vance. Thank God. The core temperature won't stabilize. We're looking at a meltdown in the simulation."
Nova didn't break stride. She looked at the massive wall of screens, all flashing angry red warnings.
"It's not the core," she said, her voice cutting through the panic. "It's the containment algorithm. It's creating a harmonic resonance in the magnetic field, and your sensors are misinterpreting the feedback as a thermal spike."
"That's impossible," a younger scientist argued. "The physics don't support that."
Nova stopped at the main console. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. "Your physics don't. Mine do."
She typed a string of code, bypassing the safety protocols, and hit enter.
On the big screen, the red bars froze. Then, slowly, they turned green. The temperature curve plummeted.
Silence filled the room. Then, applause. It started slow and erupted into a roar.
Dr. Stein grabbed her hand, his eyes wet. "You saved the project, Vance."
Nova rubbed her temples. The adrenaline was fading, leaving a headache behind her eyes. "It was sloppy coding, Stein. Fix it."
A red phone on the wall rang. A harsh, analog ring.
Agent Miller picked it up, listened for a second, and held it out to her. "It's the General."
Nova took the receiver. She leaned against the console. "General."
"Good work, Kid," General Arthur Knight's voice was gravel and iron. "Now. About the other half of our agreement."
Nova stiffened. "General, I just saved a fusion reactor. Can I get a night off?"
"My grandson needs a wife," the General said. "And the Knight bloodline needs intelligence. God knows Roman has the business sense, but he lacks... vision."
"He's a capitalist," Nova said, rolling her eyes. "And I just got dumped. I'm not in the mood for men."
"This isn't a request," the General said. "It's a tactical maneuver, and a necessary one. There's a leak in the program. We believe you're being targeted. The Sterling name is compromised. The Knight name is a fortress. Being Mrs. Roman Knight gives you the cover you need to work in peace."
Nova sighed. Logically, he was right. She needed a fortress.
"Tomorrow. 2 PM. The Manhattan Club," the General ordered. "Don't be late."
The line went dead.
Nova looked at the receiver. She looked at the fusion data on the screen. Nuclear physics was easy. Marriage was going to be a nightmare.
"Dr. Vance?" Stein asked. "Are you staying for the celebration?"
Nova took off her lab coat. "No. I have to go prepare for a hostile negotiation."
