The next morning, Kovacs wasted no time. He woke up with a renewed sense of urgency, the previous night's events still fresh in his mind. He couldn’t afford to wait any longer—he needed to protect his armor formula and get ahead of whatever Angstrom and this mysterious RedFox were planning.

He sat at his cluttered desk, flipping open his laptop and navigating to the Kingdom’s intellectual property office. The patent filing process was complicated, but Kovacs had done his homework. He knew the key steps: submit a detailed formula description, demonstrate its uniqueness, and meet all legal requirements.

As he began filling out the online forms, Kovacs felt anxious. This wasn’t just about the armor anymore—it was about protecting himself, his work, and his future. His fingers flew across the keyboard, entering the necessary data, describing the formulation in precise detail. He highlighted the innovation behind it, the unique combination of materials, and the method of compression that made it more durable and lightweight than anything currently on the market.

When he reached the section for legal representation, he hesitated. He didn’t have the money to hire a top-tier patent lawyer, but he knew leaving this section blank could make his application vulnerable to challenges. After a moment’s thought, he contacted a local firm specializing in intellectual property. It wasn’t the best, but it would have to do.

After an hour of intense focus, Kovacs applied, watching as the screen displayed a confirmation message. He exhaled, feeling a small weight lift from his shoulders. Step one was complete.

Now came the harder part—dealing with Angstrom and his confederates.

Kovacs knew he couldn’t handle this alone. He needed someone experienced in counter-espionage, someone who could help him navigate the murky waters of academic and industrial sabotage. But finding such a person wasn’t going to be easy.

He spent the next hour researching, looking for any leads on who might be able to help him. He finally found a name that caught his attention: **Riley Trent**. Trent was a former military intelligence officer who specialized in corporate security and counter-espionage.

Kovacs quickly drafted an email explaining his situation without giving away too many details. He mentioned that he suspected his professor of trying to steal and sell his intellectual property, and that he had reason to believe there was more at play than just academic rivalry.

**Subject: Urgent Assistance Required**

*Dear Mr. Trent,*

*My name is Kowal Zeidis Kovacs, and I am a student at the Imperial Institute of Technology. I believe my professor, Professor Angstrom, is attempting to steal a critical armor formulation I’ve been developing. I have reason to suspect he’s planning to sell it to outside parties. I am in need your expertise to help protect my property and possibly expose a larger conspiracy.*

*Please let me know if we can meet to discuss this matter further. Time is of the essence.*

*Sincerely,*

*Kowal Z. Kovacs*

He hit send and sat back, feeling hope and apprehension. There was no guarantee that Trent would take his case, but Kovacs was desperate. He needed someone who could handle the situation with the subtlety and skill he lacked.

A reply came faster than he expected. Trent was willing to meet later that day at a small café near the university.

Kovacs quickly freshened up and headed out, his mind racing with possibilities. As he walked through the bustling city streets, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of paranoia creeping in. At every glance, every passerby seemed suspicious.

When he arrived at the café, he spotted Trent immediately. The man was in his late thirties, with sharp features and confidence that made him stand out. He was dressed casually, but a certain alertness in his posture betrayed his military background.

“Mr. Trent?” Kovacs asked as he approached the table.

Trent looked up and nodded. “Kovacs, I presume. Sit down.” His voice was calm and measured.

Kovacs took a seat, feeling a little out of his depth. He quickly recounted the situation, explaining his suspicions about Angstrom, the mysterious RedFox, and the encrypted files GhostWalker had found. “I’ve uh been doing some work for a Mr Johnson.” Kovacs knew the man would know of him. “He questioned me and asked if I was trying to double-cross him. That's what made me start looking.” Trent listened intently, his expression unreadable.

When Kovacs finished, Trent leaned back, considering his words. “You’ve got yourself in a tight spot, Kovacs. Academic theft isn’t uncommon, but if you’re saying is true, this is more than just a professor trying to claim credit for your work.”

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“I know,” Kovacs replied, his voice steady despite the anxiety gnawing at him. “That’s why I need your help. I can’t let them get away with this.”

Trent nodded slowly. “Alright, I’ll take your case. But you need to understand that this won’t be easy. If Angstrom is connected to someone, there’s more going on than you realize. We’ll need to be careful, and we’ll need to move quickly.”

“I’m ready,” Kovacs said, determination in his eyes.

Trent leaned forward, lowering his voice. “First, I’ll need access to everything you have on this. Files, communications, anything that could lead us to who RedFox is and what they’re planning. We’ll also need to keep an eye on Angstrom; I will need some help. I know of some guys…”

Kovacs nodded. “I can get you what you need. Just tell me what to do.”

Trent gave a small, approving smile. “Good. We’ll start with surveillance on Angstrom. I’ll set up discreet monitoring and see if we can track his movements and communications. In the meantime, you focus on your work and keep a low profile. If Angstrom suspects you’re onto him, he might accelerate his plans.”

Kovacs agreed, feeling a strange sense of relief. He felt like he had a fighting chance for the first time since this ordeal began. With Trent on his side, he was no longer alone in this battle.

As they finished their meeting, Trent gave Kovacs one last piece of advice. “Stay sharp, Kovacs. You’re dealing with people who won’t hesitate to ruin you if it means getting what they want. Don’t underestimate them.”

Kovacs nodded the weight of Trent’s words sinking in. He left the café with renewed purpose, knowing that the fight had only begun. But now, at least, he had someone in his corner who knew how to handle the danger he was facing.

***

Agent Jane Polaski leaned casually against the CID director's office doorframe. Her posture was relaxed, but her mind was already working several steps ahead. She crossed her arms, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she watched her boss, Director Malcolm Hargrave, buried deep in his paperwork. The desk was a mess, covered in stacks of files, a testament to the chaos of running the Counter-Intelligence Division. But Jane knew Hargrave well enough to know that he thrived in chaos—every bit of disarray was just another piece of the puzzle he loved to solve.

"Just had an interesting talk with one of your favorite people," Jane said, her tone light, almost teasing. She knew how to get Hargrave’s attention, and this time was no different. He didn’t look up immediately; his eyes remained fixed on the papers spread before him, but she caught the slight twitch of his mouth. She had piqued his interest.

"Oh?" he replied, finally acknowledging her, his voice carrying that practiced indifference she’d come to expect. But she could hear the undertone of curiosity. Hargrave didn’t do disinterested.

"Trent called," she continued, keeping her voice casual, almost bored, like recounting a mundane conversation. But the glint in her eyes told a different story. "Says he might need some help. Sounds like he's got a live one. Industrial espionage at a college..." She let her words trail off deliberately, savoring the moment. She knew exactly how to bait him, knew the thrill he got from a challenge, especially one with layers of intrigue.

Hargrave’s eyes finally left the papers, his sharp, calculating gaze locking onto her. He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. "Ah," he said slowly, a small smile forming, just a hint of amusement on his lips. "The Kovacs kid?"

Jane’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to be so well-informed. "You’ve heard of him?" she asked, her voice betraying just a hint of her curiosity now.

Hargrave chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "More than just heard of him, Jane. The kid's been on our radar for a while now. A bit of a prodigy, according to some reports. And also, a bit of a trouble magnet." He paused, tapping a finger against his temple as if recalling something amusing. "And I do love a good prodigy. They always come with a twist."

Jane nodded, her interest piqued further. "Yeah, Trent seemed to think so too. Kovacs might be caught up in something big—industrial espionage but with a twist." She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "Sounds like one of his professors is trying to steal some armor formula he’s been working on. Not your typical case of academic jealousy."

Hargrave rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he considered this new information. "An armor formula, you say? That's a bit advanced for a college student, even one with talent. What else did Trent mention?"

Jane shrugged. "Not much, just that he's planning to meet the kid. He wants to set up some surveillance on the professor and see if they can catch him in the act. But Trent seems to think there's more to this than just a professor trying to take credit for a student’s work. He smells something bigger."

Hargrave nodded slowly, his gaze distant, as if he were already several moves ahead in the game. "There usually is, with cases like this. And if Trent’s involved, he must smell something off. He's not one to chase after shadows."

Jane uncrossed her arms and stepped into the room, closer to her boss’s desk. "So, what do you think? Should we get involved?"

Hargrave was silent momentarily, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk. Then he leaned forward, his eyes intense. "I think, yes," he said slowly, his voice carrying a weight of decision. "I want to know everything that happens. This Kovacs kid might be the key to something bigger."

Jane nodded, sensing that her boss was already deep into his strategy. "Got it. I'll keep in touch with Trent and see if anything develops."

Hargrave nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good. Please send him a full team. And Jane," he added, his voice whispering, "keep this off the books for now. If Kovacs is onto something, I don’t want any leaks. Not until we know exactly what we’re dealing with."

Jane grinned, the thrill of a new mystery coursing through her veins. "Understood, boss. I'll keep it quiet."

She turned to leave, but Hargrave’s voice stopped her. "And Jane?" he called after her, his tone now a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "Keep an eye on Kovacs. I have a feeling he will lead us somewhere… interesting."

Jane nodded again, her smile widening, her mind racing with the possibilities. "Will do, sir," she replied, her voice firm.

As she walked out of the office, she could feel the adrenaline starting to kick in. This Kovacs kid was sounding more and more intriguing by the minute. And if there was one thing Agent Jane Polaski loved, it was diving headfirst into a mystery that promised more twists and turns than anyone could predict.