Chapter 20 – Summary

Samir Patel, having completed his work on the Quest project, attempts to return to his former NASA role, only to learn that budget cuts have eliminated the position. Feeling betrayed and discarded after contributing significantly to both Quest and his original NASA project, Samir calls Dr. Alexandra Conner, hoping she can ask the President to intervene. Conner refuses, explaining it's inappropriate and risky for her to make such a request.

Deeply disheartened, Samir vents his frustrations, expressing that he feels his most valuable work has been lost. Conner, sensing his deteriorating mental state, asks Dr. Lana Harding—currently at Langley—to call him for support.

During their conversation, Samir insists that only returning to his NASA project could restore his sense of purpose. Despite Lana’s efforts to help him see other options, including teaching or speaking engagements, Samir remains consumed by his loss and abruptly ends the call.

Alarmed by his tone and mindset, Lana rushes to inform Conner, deeply concerned about Samir’s emotional instability and the potential risk he may now pose, given his intimate knowledge of the powerful AI system Quest.