Brenda sat in a dark corner of a 24-hour coffee shop, her laptop open, her fingers flying across the keyboard with practiced efficiency; beside her, Claire leaned in close, watching the screen, her face illuminated by the blue glow. They had been planning this attack for three days, coordinating timing, identifying vulnerabilities, ensuring maximum damage.

"The presentation is tomorrow morning at nine," Claire said, pulling up the schedule on her phone. "It's with Harrington Industries, worth ...