Cruz and Hudson exchanged a brief glance, then nodded once. They carefully placed the black box—looking like a sturdy suitcase—on the table.
The lock was anything but ordinary. Sleek, glassy, and humming with quiet energy, it looked more like a futuristic interface than a security mechanism. Hudson placed his thumb against the surface. Instantly, it glowed, projecting a holographic outline of his fingerprint. A soft beep confirmed recognition, the display flashing green.
Then six faint dots appeared. Hudson swiped across them, tracing a pattern with precise movements. Another beep, another green light. Then came a subtle click, the unmistakable sound of the lock disengaging.
He lifted the latch and swung the case open. Inside, two glass containers lay nestled in custom foam, molded fla
