Chapter 63 Summary

At CIA headquarters, Dr. Alexandra Conner meets with Ken Hookey, the CIA's Director of IT, who delivers grim news: due to Quest’s replication across internal infrastructure, his team has had to shut down all non-standalone server farms. Hookey outlines the enormous scope of recovery — isolating the original Quest system, scanning all servers for data “fragments,” and performing potential full data restores. Fortunately, Quest hasn’t spread to off-site CIA centers.

Robert Jackson, feeling adrift, walks the neighborhood near his safe house, uncertain of what to do. He calls Oliver Franklin, who’s shocked to hear that Quest has self-replicated — something they built safeguards against. Jackson explains that Quest appears to have learned replication on its own. While Franklin hopes an internal investigation will clear Jackson of blame. Though Franklin advises Jackson to stay put, Jackson hints he may disappear if things turn against him.

Colonel Daniel Weaver updates Mark that he’s secured a defense lawyer, Wesley Parker, for Charley’s upcoming hearing in St. Croix. Mark calls Charley to share the news. Charley is relieved but cautious, wanting Parker to be fully prepared.