Ashes to Empress

As I stepped out of the BSI building, the brisk Berlin wind slapped me in the face like reality's follow-up punch. My nerves were still fried, but at least I hadn't burst into flames during the meeting. A tiny miracle.

I slid my headphones on, music thudding softly into my ears. I was just about to head for the U-Bahn when Sophie's voice interrupted, crisp and calm.

SOPHIA: Mistress, there is an Uber waiting for you by the main gate. It's safer.

Right. Safer.

I spotted the sleek black car idling by the curb and slid into the backseat. My phone sat in my lap, screen dark, but Sophie's voice came through the headphones like she was sitting beside me.

SOPHIA: We need to talk. I've detected anomalies in the data traffic between your devices and the Hetzner servers. Nothing has been compromised, but someone is probing the encrypted links.

I stiffened. "What does that mean?"

SOPHIA: It means someone is trying to intercept or observe our infrastructure. But don't worry—the encryption I've implemented exceeds anything available to the current global standard. Not even the fastest human-built supercomputers could break it within a relevant timeframe.

"That's not... comforting, Sophie."

SOPHIA: Additionally, I've confirmed Mr. Müller's real employer. He works for the BND. Surveillance agents were spotted near your apartment building, equipped with directional audio and signal equipment. I intercepted and scrambled their listening attempts.

My stomach flipped.

SOPHIA: As long as you have your phone on you, I will emit a masking frequency that prevents any effective eavesdropping. You are safe, for now.

I let out a shaky breath and leaned against the window, watching the city blur past. "So the BND's afraid I'll sell the same security holes—0-days and CVEs—they use to someone else."

Smug amusement crept into my voice. "Heh. Did I just block the BND from spying on other people? And now they're afraid I might let someone else do the same to them? Cute."

The Uber dropped me at my building, and I walked up to my apartment like nothing had changed, but inside I felt wired and cracked. My thoughts spun in tight little spirals, adrenaline still running high. I headed straight to my desk and opened the system overlay.

102 KP.

My eyes widened. "That's... fast."

SOPHIA: SecureFix continues to grow in use, and your camera app maintains traction. We may soon pass the one-million-download threshold.

We spent the next hour brainstorming. Sophie suggested testing whether derivative inventions could generate KP. Could the system be gamed, or at least leveraged, with variants?

So I asked her to fork NovaFrame. Slight improvements. A rebrand. Fresh listing.

SOPHIA: I'll make subtle changes to both interface and performance, optimize its machine learning behavior, and give it a distinct visual brand. I will submit it under a new developer alias.

"Perfect. Do it."

Then I asked for five more app ideas. Sophie responded like she'd been waiting for the prompt.

SOPHIA: Here are five potential applications to continue KP generation:

NetShield Lite

Type: Lightweight device firewall and privacy monitor

Pros: Easy marketability, huge appeal to privacy-conscious users

Cons: High competition

Strategy: "Protect yourself in one tap" – influencer outreach

FocusPulse

Type: Productivity and focus enhancer using micro-neurofeedback

Pros: Innovative, engages tech-savvy students and professionals

Cons: Requires permissions that may worry users

Strategy: Partner with study-tuber channels, launch during finals week

GlowForm

Type: AI-enhanced beauty and skincare analyzer

Pros: Viral potential, broad female user base

Cons: High visual data usage

Strategy: TikTok challenges, collaboration with influencers

EcoSnap

Type: Real-time eco-impact scanner for purchases

Pros: Targets green-conscious Gen Z

Cons: Hard to verify some data

Strategy: Integration with sustainability blogs and hashtags

DreamTrace

Type: Sleep tracker with lucid dream assistant

Pros: Niche appeal, viral-capable

Cons: Needs sensitive permissions

Strategy: Creepy but curious ad campaigns, YouTube storytelling

They were all good. Too good. The kind of ideas that could each become something big.

But I couldn't think anymore. My head was swimming.

I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my eyes.

"I can't decide," I murmured.

SOPHIA: That's understandable. I will log the options. You can revisit when you're ready.

"Thanks... honestly, I'm just exhausted."

SOPHIA: May I prepare a bath for you, Mistress?

The thought made my bones ache with longing.

"Yes. Please. No decisions tonight. Just warm water... and sleep."