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Norn studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. Let's do it."

The next evening, we put our plan into action. I strode into the neural interface lab, Norn at my side, acting as if I had every right to be there.

"Dr. Imogen," the security guard said, looking surprised. "I didn't realize you were scheduled for tonight."

I smiled confidently, praying he couldn't hear my heart pounding. "Last-minute change," I said smoothly. "Dr. Laith authorized it. You can check with him if you'd like."

The guard hesitated, glancing at Norn. "And him?"

"Part of my ongoing research," I said, the lie coming easier than I'd expected. "We're testing some new integration protocols."

For a heart-stopping moment, I thought the guard might call our bluff. But then he nodded, stepping aside. "Go ahead, Doctor. Let me know if you need anything."

As soon as we were inside, I let out a shaky breath. "I can't believe that worked," I whispered.

Norn squeezed my hand. "You were brilliant," he murmured. "Now let's find what we came for."

We split up, searching the lab as quickly and quietly as we could. I was elbow-deep in a filing cabinet when I heard Norn's sharp intake of breath.

"Imogen," he called softly. "You need to see this."

I hurried over to where he stood at a computer terminal. On the screen was a detailed schematic of what looked like a neural implant, but far more complex than anything we'd been working on.

"Is that what I think it is?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Norn nodded grimly. "A control device. Designed to interface directly with a cyborg's neural pathways."

I felt sick as I scanned the technical specifications. "This could override a person's free will entirely. Turn them into nothing more than a puppet."

"And look at this," Norn said, pulling up another file. "Shipping manifests. They're planning to send a prototype to a facility on Krixon within the week."

My mind raced. "We have to stop them. But how? We can't just destroy the data, they'll know someone was here."

Norn was quiet for a moment, his eyes distant as he thought. Then he turned to me, his expression resolute. "We let them send it."

"What?" I gasped. "Norn, we can't-"

He held up a hand, cutting me off. "Listen. We let them send the prototype. But we alter the data first. Introduce a flaw that will render the device useless."

I caught on to his plan, a spark of hope igniting in my chest. "And when it fails, they'll think it was just a design error. They won't suspect sabotage."

Norn nodded, a fierce grin spreading across his face. "Exactly. It buys us time to gather more evidence and alert the authorities."

I hesitated for just a moment, weighing the risks. What we were about to do went far beyond simple rule-breaking. It was a full-blown act of espionage.

But as I looked at Norn, at the determination in his eyes and the trust he placed in me, I knew there was no going back. We were in this together, come what may.

"Okay," I said, turning to the computer. "Let's do this."

As my fingers flew over the keyboard, introducing subtle but critical flaws into the device's programming, I felt a strange mix of fear and exhilaration. We were taking an enormous risk, but for the first time since this whole mess started, I felt like we had a real chance of stopping this conspiracy.

When we finally left the lab, nodding casually to the guard as we passed, I felt like I might collapse from the tension. But Norn's steady presence at my side kept me going until we were safely back in our quarters.

As soon as the door closed behind us, I sagged against Norn. The adrenaline leaving me in a rush. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.

"You did it," he murmured into my hair. "You were amazing."

"We did it," I corrected him, stretching up to press a fierce kiss to his lips. "And we're going to see this through to the end."