CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FOUR – OUT OF HER DEPTH

For the next hour, Laura was put through a grueling series of tests – agility courses, basic combat training, and even a mock infiltration scenario. By the end, she was drenched in sweat, her muscles screaming in protest. Xander circled her, shaking his head. "Not bad... for a human. But you're still way out of your depth." Laura, panting heavily, glared at him. "I'm... just... getting started." Kairi hopped down from her perch, stretching lazily. "Well, at least she's determined. Stupid, but determined." Victor stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Determination can be a powerful asset, when properly channeled. Perhaps there's hope for you yet, Ms. Jay." As the days passed, the training intensified. Laura pushed herself to her limits and beyond, driven by a mixture of determination and spite. She refused to be the weak link in this operation. One afternoon, during a brief break, Laura found herself alone with Kairi. The hacker was furiously typing away on her laptop, bare