Chapter 9 Summary:

As work on Quest-AI continues, the team faces both technical and interpersonal challenges. Tension arises when Lana returns to the conference room after an earlier disagreement, and she calls out Thomas for his persistent flirtations. Jackson reinforces the need to focus on their mission, and the team resumes work on the next phase of Quest-AI.

By the third week, Quest-AI has become increasingly sophisticated, capable of analyzing data across a wide range of sectors. Lana is tasked with preparing a demonstration for CIA Director Alexandra Conner and, while working alone, queries Quest-AI about potential threats to national security. The system identifies millions of global risks—hundreds of thousands within the U.S.—and surprisingly includes her three teammates among the eighteen most active threats.