Page 325 of Broken Oath

“I don’t know.”

Not an acceptable answer.

Another alarm sounded.

Then another.

Warning indicators illuminated across the communications board.

The command center erupted into motion.

Operators shouted status reports.

Screens flickered.

Security feeds vanished one at a time.

“Show me the exterior checkpoints,” Madow demanded.

A technician enlarged the first feed.

Checkpoint Three.

Empty.

Checkpoint Five.

Empty.

Checkpoint Seven.

Empty.

No guards.

No bodies.

Nothing.

The room went silent.

Everyone understood.

The guards hadn’t abandoned their positions.

They had been removed.

Madow stared at the screens.

They were inside the outer perimeter.

Maybe closer.

“Seal the eastern gate,” he ordered.

A technician entered the command.

Nothing happened.