Sophia lay back on the cool, sterile surface of the brain scanner’s bed. As it slid effortlessly into the gaping maw of the machine, she felt as if she were lying on a giant tongue, slowly being drawn back to be swallowed whole by a massive plastic beast—its sleek, white form an artificial predator designed to consume knowledge rather than flesh. The circular opening sealed her inside, its mechanical hum the only sound in the dimly lit chamber.

  Inside the scanner, lights flickered across her skin, ghostly fingers tracing the contours of her skull. The AI mapped every microscopic detail—tissue density, blood flow, the subtlest variations in neural structure. It sought anomalies, deviations, anything that might tell a story written in the language of the human brain. And that story would soon be whispered as data to the robot doctor waiting beyond.

  Sophia took a deep breath. She prayed the scan would be clean. That there would be nothing lurking in the shadows of her mind. After a few minutes, the machine released her, sliding her out just as effortlessly as it had drawn her in.

  The robot doctor stood waiting, just its face a near—but not quite—perfect simulation of human features: clear, latex skin stretching into a reassuring smile, a mathematical approximation of comfort.

  “You have the results already, don’t you?” Sophia asked. The anticipation in her voice felt almost tangible, like a presence in the room.

  “Yes, madam. However, human doctors must examine and confirm the findings,” the android replied with flawless precision. “Please get dressed and follow me. A doctor will meet us shortly.”

  Sophia hesitated. “Tell me now. You’re more accurate than a human,” she implored.

  The android paused, its head tilting slightly as it processed her request. Then, in its ever-neutral tone, it replied, “Madam, my programming prohibits me from expressing a medical opinion until a human physician has verified the diagnosis.”

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  Sophia clenched her jaw but said nothing. She followed the android down the pristine corridor and into the consultation room.

  The office was minimalist, yet its design exuded understated elegance. A white plastic desk stood at the centre, smooth and unblemished. Opposite Sophia was the robot, perched on a simple stool. At the same time, beside it loomed a high-backed chair—more throne than seat—waiting for its human occupant.

  It was almost ironic. The robot, vastly superior in diagnostic precision, was relegated to the role of an assistant. No matter how skilled a human doctor might be, they would never match the capabilities of AI.

  Sophia exhaled, trying to suppress the creeping unease in her chest. She didn’t want to dwell on what might be wrong with her brain. Instead, she focused on a distraction.

  She reached into her rucksack, pulled out her phone, and logged onto Adam’s computer remotely. 11:30 AM. He still wasn’t online. Had he really drunk that much last night?

  Curious, she checked his browsing history.

  One particular detail stood out: he had breached Ethan Stipe’s satellite network.

  Sophia’s pulse quickened. Stipe’s firewall was considered unbreakable—the most advanced security software in the world. Every hacker, every elite programmer on the planet had tried and failed to crack it. And yet, Adam had done the impossible.

  She couldn’t help but smile. No wonder Adam had been celebrating. He was entitled to a multi-million-dollar prize that Stipe Industries had offered to anyone who could hack their cybersecurity system—a “bug bounty.”

  Stipe Industries had obviously thought it was impossible. Yet Adam had done it. It was like a human beating DeepMind at the game of Go.

  But the money would also be a lifeline for their business. It had been struggling, and Adam’s father had refused to fund him any further.

  Sophia felt a surge of excitement, her fears momentarily drowned in triumph.

  Then, the office door creaked open.

  A female doctor entered. Her expression was composed and professional. But the solemn smile she wore told Sophia everything.

  The scan had found something.