Still—being inside this lab, this hidden sanctuary of madness, brought a strange relief.

“The key was getting those nanos to be produced and programmed to seek out water molecules.” Ray glanced at the door. Almost grabbed the device and bolted into the dark. But fate—or a blinking fuel gauge—kept him anchored. His mind scrambled to form a plan, but nothing lined up. The bargaining chip was no longer a theory, it was real, tangible. It existed and was in his hands. Still—being inside this lab, this hidden sanctuary of madness, brought a strange relief.