The technician''s ears perked up in disbelief as As kept bringing up Miss Mira. He was about to chime in, but As, sensing his intention, raised a hand to halt him. Taking theptop from his knee, As confidently pressed the power button without a second thought.


    The technician was taken aback, too stunned to intervene. After a long pause, he voiced his concern, "But As, if we don''t take control of the institute''s surveince cameras, what about Mr. Nick?"


    As''s eyes narrowed as he processed the situation, replying, "Remember, Miss Mira and Mr. Nick are family. She wouldn''t take this lightly."


    With that statement, the technician fell silent. As closed theptop, pondering the mysterious appearance of Miss Mira''s voice over themunicator. "Think about it," he said, "if Miss Mira can talk to me through the headset, what level of skill do you think she has? Could you pull off such remote control?"


    The technician was left speechless, finally admitting, "I can''t even fathom what level that is. Even with another ten years of practice, I doubt I''d master that kind of remote control."


    He recalled the first time he managed to break through the institute''s interference, realizing why his countless decryption attempts failed until they suddenly worked. Admiration swelled within him; every hacker revered a true master.


    As shot him a nce, "Right now, we just need to sit tight and not stir trouble." The technician sensed a subtle critique in As''s words.


    Meanwhile, in the research institute''s second sublevel, Nick was a shadow in the corridors, dressed head-to-toe in ck. His cap was pulled low, and a ck mask concealed most of his face. Only those who knew him well could recognize him at a nce.


    Sublevel two was the pharmaceutical research hub, heavily guarded with security doors, cameras overhead, and hidden infrared sensors, making it feel imprable.


    Nick positioned himself by a security passage door, fingers brushing his earpiece as he tried to connect to themunication signal. Months of observation had made him familiar with the securityyout, and without a signal from As confirming control over the system, he couldn''t safely proceed.


    The persistent failure to connect meant the building''s signal jammers were still active. Leaning against the security door, Nick remained still, his eyes sharp and alert.


    Every five hours, the guards swapped shifts. If As hadn''t breached the system by then, Nick would need to switch to n B. ncing down the corridor, he knew it wasn''t shift change time, increasing the risk of n B.


    Just as he was hesitating, a robotic voice crackled through his earpiece, devoid of emotion. "You have five minutes."