Chapter 1 Summary:

Set within the high-security CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, the chapter introduces the reader to Dr. Alexandra “Alex” Conner, the newly appointed Director of Analysis. Despite her impressive credentials and professional demeanor, some within her department quietly question her suitability for the role.

Alex is portrayed as disciplined, intelligent, and passionate—especially about flying, a lifelong hobby that symbolizes her independence and control.

Her typical workday is interrupted by a high-level call from her boss, Steven Rogers, who informs her of a direct order from the President. Concerned about the national security risks posed by Artificial Intelligence, the President has mandated the formation of a specialized AI threat assessment team—one that Alex must oversee. The team, composed of four pre-selected individuals, will operate from a secure underground facility at the White House, not from CIA headquarters.

Though Alex has no input on the personnel or initial decisions, she receives their classified files via a secure hand-delivery. As she opens the case and reviews the sealed documents, the gravity of her new assignment begins to set in—raising questions about the nature of the threat, the team she’s expected to lead, and the hidden agendas that may come with it.

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