**Competition Venue - Collaborative Station - 9:05 AM**
Emily stared at the screen. Quantum tunneling. She had to work with David, who looked terrified, and Stephanie.
Stephanie, who'd supposedly warned her about Victoria yesterday.
Stephanie, who'd seemed so genuine, so guilty, so desperate to help.
Emily's instincts whispered warnings, but she pushed them aside. Focus first. Suspect later.
"Alright," Emily said. "Quantum tunneling. We demonstrate particles crossing barriers they shouldn't be able to cross classically."
David nodded nervously. "I understand the theory. Kind of. But I've never actually done this."
"That's fine. We'll work together." Emily turned to Stephanie. "You said you're good with experimental design?"
"Yes," Stephanie said, meeting her eyes with apparent sincerity. "I can handle the technical setup."
"Good. David handles math. Stephanie handles experimental protocol. I'll coordinate and manage the quantum mechanics interpretation."
