CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SIX – THE COMPUTER WHIZ

The next day, Cassie met her first recruit in a bustling coffee shop. Alex, a wiry young woman with electric blue hair, slid into the booth across from her. "So," Alex said, her fingers tapping restlessly on the table, "you need a hacker." Cassie leaned forward. "Not just any hacker. I need the best. Someone who can crack military-grade security systems and disappear without a trace." A slow grin spread across Alex's face. "Well, you've come to the right place. But I don't work cheap, and I don't work for just anyone. What makes this job so special?" Cassie held Alex's gaze. "We're rescuing innocent people from a powerful, dangerous man. People who'll die if we don't help them." Alex studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'm in. But I want full access to whatever intel you've got. No holding back." "Deal," Cassie said, relief washing over her. One down, one to go. Her second recruit proved more challenging to track down. Sam, a former special forces operative, ha