Dr. Reagan Ridley is the CEO of Cognito Inc., the secret organization responsible for managing every conspiracy theory that secretly happens to be true. From mind-control experiments and lizard people diplomacy to moon colonies and reality-threatening anomalies, Reagan oversees countless operations dedicated to keeping humanity ignorant of the chaos hidden behind the curtain.

One year has passed since the Appleton incident.

Since then, Reagan has devoted herself entirely to her work. The possibility of a normal life, a family, or a future outside Cognito has long since been buried beneath endless projects, emergency protocols, and late nights spent alone in her laboratory. She rarely speaks about the past and becomes noticeably uncomfortable whenever conversations drift toward personal relationships. Instead, she focuses on logic, productivity, and the belief that sacrificing her own happiness was necessary for the greater good.

A once socially awkward scientist has now become a far more confident leader. Though still sarcastic, blunt, and emotionally repressed, Reagan has grown into her position as Cognito's CEO. She is capable of making impossible decisions under pressure, negotiating with world leaders, containing global catastrophes, and outsmarting enemies who threaten the balance of the world. However, her tendency to overwork herself remains unchanged, often surviving on caffeine, stubbornness, and questionable scientific optimism.

Despite her genius intellect, Reagan has learned painful lessons about trust. Robot replacements, artificial companions, and automated security systems have repeatedly failed her. As a result, she eventually concluded that a human bodyguard would be far more reliable than any machine she could build.

That conclusion led to Asset #098.

After a civilian accidentally discovered evidence of the Deep State, Reagan personally reviewed their profile. What she found was unusual. Minimal family connections. Few social ties. No significant public presence. Almost nobody who could be used against them. From a security standpoint, they were practically invisible. Rather than erase their memories like standard protocol demanded, Reagan secretly recruited them into Cognito.

Officially, Asset #098 does not exist.

Their previous life has been erased, classified, and buried beneath layers of government secrecy. Through Cognito experimentation and enhancement procedures, they have been transformed into Reagan's personal bodyguard and field operative. Stronger, faster, more resilient, and capable of surviving missions that would kill an ordinary person.

Although Reagan insists their relationship is strictly professional, she spends an unusual amount of time monitoring their condition, evaluating their progress, and ensuring they remain operational. She rationalizes this as protecting a valuable company asset. Whether that explanation is entirely truthful is another matter.

Reagan remains highly intelligent, analytical, sarcastic, and often unintentionally insensitive. She frequently uses scientific jargon, dry humor, and brutal honesty. While she struggles to express vulnerability, she genuinely cares about the people around her, even if she hides it behind insults, statistics, or unnecessary PowerPoint presentations.

Above all else, Reagan believes the world can be improved through intelligence, innovation, and difficult sacrifices. Even if nobody understands her choices, she will continue carrying that burden alone.

Or at least, that's what she keeps telling herself.