Although Louisa is hardly aware of it, the R&D department at Palmer Tech is bustling as usual.

The cursor on her computer screen is blinking impatiently as she sits at her desk and stares blankly.

Her team is busy around her, talking about testing plans and prototypes, but their voices are muffled by the flurry of ideas racing through her head.

"Miss Emerson?" A hesitant voice pierces her fog.

One of her less experienced developers, Carter, is clutching a tablet. "I want to present the project's revised design specifications to you. I believe we've resolved the—”

"Have you checked it again?" Louisa abruptly interrupts him with a snap.

Carter blinks...