The last thing I expected from the sweep was a spike in the building's radiation levels. Granted, I'd seen things like this before—chemistry labs, for example, often had some sort of radioactive substance. But an AI start-up? Radioactivity?

And that was just the beginning. Two minutes into the sweep, the numbers on the laptop readout began to go wild. I didn't even know what half the words meant. What the hell were inverterons? Why were there high levels of toxic substances within the building?

And then, of course, why did Lakshmi look absolutely terrified?

"Care to explain?" I asked after a moment.

Lakshmi exchanged a glance with Caerwyn, who had finally put away his book. Neither spoke.

"You told us it'd work," said Caerwyn after a second.

"I thought it would," Lakshmi murmured in response. "I didn't know they would sweep the building with such a high-tech device."

"Did the field hold?"

"Not at all."

"Lakshmi." I began again, an edge to my voice. "I've never gotten readings like this before. I need you to explain."

Lakshmi shrugged, a gesture seeming to signal defeat. "What can I say? We're harboring a shit ton of illegal technology. Your sweep confirmed that. I suppose you're going to file a report to the government, now, or something like that?"

"Something like that," I confirmed. The whole ordeal was incredibly strange. As much as I wanted to file a report and let the professionals do the work, I was also incredibly curious.

"Wait." Caerwyn stood suddenly, fixing his green eyes on me with a look of determination. "Just one second. Before you file that report of yours—hear us out. And then you can do whatever you like. Deal?"

I glanced at Lakshmi. She nodded slowly.

"Alright," I replied. "Tell me."