Hana arrived early. Earlier than usual.
She stood by the glass wall of the executive floor, watching dawn break over the skyline. Today was the day Helios would respond to Stage Two requirements—enhanced disclosures, risk assessments, ownership verification, and the dreaded "foreign influence" audit.
She tightened her grip on her tablet.
She'd handled aggressive investors.
She'd handled rival companies.
She'd even handled jealous politicians trying to interfere with TG Mobility.
But a U.S. national security committee?
This was a different battlefield.
She turned when she heard footsteps.
Timothy stepped out of his office, sleeves rolled up, eyes sharper than usual. He held a mug of coffee, but it was untouched.
"Hana," he greeted. "Status?"
"Washington sent the Stage Two packet at four in the morning. I've read it twice."
"And?"
She exhaled.
