Page 117 of Silent Target

The emergency lights flicker.

“You are perceptive.”

“You’re delaying us,” Caleb continues. “Graves is moving the seventh drive.”

Mac turns toward the corridor leading deeper into the bunker. “The rail platform.”

Steel doors slam shut behind us.

One.

Then another.

The sound reverberates like cannon fire.

Fathom spins toward the terminal.

“We’re locked in.”

More doors close ahead, dividing the bunker into sections.

Mac’s face turns white.

“They’re compartmentalizing.”

“What does that mean?” Falcon asks.

“They’ll isolate us and send the Inner Guard through concealed access points.”

A mechanical announcement fills the corridor.

“Containment Protocol Alpha activated.”

“Inner Guard deployment authorized.”

“All unauthorized personnel will be terminated.”

Metallic sounds answer from beyond the sealed doors.

Rifle bolts.

Dozens of them.

The remaining guards are moving into position.

Rook scans the corridor. “Fathom, can you open the doors?”

“Not from this terminal. The emergency shutdown severed my access.”

Cobra taps the nearest steel panel. “I can.”

“Without burying us?”

“Probably.”

“Cobra.”

“Yes. I can open it without collapsing the mountain.”