"Next question," Nova continued, the faint hum of her processors filling the pause. "It was noted that when guards entered your cell, you were not present. Where were you, Inmate 73812?"
Sungjun met her gaze calmly. "I already answered that," he said. "I was sleeping on the bed. But when the fire started, I woke up suddenly and ran into the corner in panic. You think I'd just sit there and burn alive? There is a thing called survival instinct, you know?"
Then he leaned forward slightly, his tone sharpening with mock irritation. "You should probably update your software and hardware. Seems like your system's got a bug, not only does it create a fire hazard and threaten my life, but now, it's repeating questions just to frame me in trouble."
Nova's expression did not change. Her mechanical pupils dilated briefly, scanning his face. Then she looked back at the polygraph readings. Again—steady.
