Chapter 4: Washington D.C. - The First Meeting

The conference room in the Pentagon was cold, professional, and completely silent.

Evelyn and Ji-Ah sat across from each other at the long table, both with identical expressions of barely concealed irritation.

The project lead, a military official named General Carter (no relation, thankfully), started the briefing. "This initiative will revolutionize national security. We need the best AI minds, which is why we've brought in both of you."

Neither Evelyn nor Ji-Ah spoke.

Evelyn tapped her pen against the table. Ji-Ah adjusted her watch.

They weren't ignoring each other.

They were waiting for the other to crack first.

After a pause, the general sighed. "I'm aware of your companies'… tensions."

Evelyn smirked. Ji-Ah lifted an eyebrow. Understatement of the year.

"But make no mistake," he continued. "This project is bigger than your rivalry. Either you work together, or we find someone else."

Silence.

Finally, Evelyn leaned forward, her smile sharp. "Well, Ji-Ah? Ready to play nice?"

Ji-Ah tilted her head, her voice cool. "I don't play, Miss Carter. I work."

The tension between them could power the entire Pentagon.

And unfortunately, they were just getting started.