Chapter 8
The Operator Wants Immunity
Petra arrived with no laptop and a memorized client list.
Dean followed her into the hearing preparation room carrying a security report that named Petra as the lone attacker. Each expected the other to surrender first.
Aria asked Petra to describe the render without operational detail. Petra named source sessions, payment approvals, and final-release authority. Dean admitted selling archive access but claimed Gavin never knew what Halcyon produced.
"Who approved the queued release?" Mei asked.
Petra wrote a transaction identifier. Dean recognized it as Gavin's executive channel.
Gavin called before they could preserve the statement. He offered Dean immunity inside the company and Petra money outside it if both signed the lone-operator report.
Dean left the call on speaker long enough for the independent lawyer to witness the offer.
Then he took the original camera card from his jacket.
"Protection first," he said.
"Preservation first," Aria replied.
Petra's phone vibrated. The final video had entered the distribution queue despite their meeting.
Six minutes remained until release.