The warehouse was dark, even compared to the night outside. Randalyn paused, letting her eyes adjust as she listened for any sign that might suggest another's presence. There were a few catwalks crossing the large room, and a number of crates and other large, dark shapes scattered about the floor, but no movement. There was no sound, either.

Stepping lightly, Randi made her way to the nearest ladder leading to the floor. It was rusted and unsteady, but it held well enough as she climbed down. She paused again when she reached the bottom, but again, she noticed nothing untoward. She began to wind her way through the maze of stacks and tables, sometimes stopping to examine a pile of circuit boards or wiring, or something that was perhaps an oversized radio. Not that she had any idea what exactly the items were; Randi was anything but a technophile. She hoped, however, that she might find something she recognized, something that would provide a clue to what the Black Circle had planned.

A sudden scratching sound caused Randi to freeze, holding her breath as she listened intently. There was silence for a moment, with nothing audible save for the beating of her own heart, and then scratching again.

With some relief, Randi determined that the sound was nothing more than a rat or mouse in a corner. Even so, she moved more carefully. Perhaps she was being paranoid, but she didn't want to risk becoming a Black Circle reject. There were rumors about what happened to those.

You don't want to risk it, yet you're where you don't belong, at an unearthly hour. Can you do anything to make it worse if you're caught, genius? she thought. Then she stopped thinking. That was a great way to get distracted, and thus, get into trouble.

Here was something. A file cabinet, from the look of it. Crouching, Randi pulled out her tiny flashlight and examined the lock. It looked as though she might be able to pick it, but did she want to take the time to make certain? After a moment of consideration, she decided against it. She was already in a potentially dangerous situation. Picking the lock could wait until next time. Was there really going to be a next time, though? Randi clamped down on her thoughts as she stood. No time for that. Explore now, analysis later.

Another container drew her attention, this one long and low and fastened with straps and no apparent lock. It was the work of a moment to open it, but Randi froze when she saw what was in it. Weapons, certainly. She had no idea what they were called, or what sort of damage they could do, but she was in no doubt that they were, in fact, weapons.

Randi closed the lid, suddenly wondering how long she had actually been in there. She trained the light on her watch; it was a few minutes after midnight. Close to half an hour, then. Standing up, she took a step back and froze as the back of leg hit something. She turned to see what it was.

It was a car, long and low and black, gleaming faintly in the dim light. An old make, she was sure; but rather nice-looking. She had never seen a vehicle that sleek before. Coming around to the driver's side, she saw that it only had two doors. She placed a hand on the low roof, admiring the shape of the car. Then she reached for the handle.

It was unlocked. The door opened easily, allowing her to peer inside. Her jaw dropped as she did so. The dashboard...she had never seen anything like it! So many buttons, so many controls... It looked like something out of a science fiction movie. And the interior seemed to be in good shape, too. Running her light over the seats, she saw no stains, tears, or holes. Randi had never really cared much for cars, but she had to admit that this one...this one was beautiful.

Something slammed behind her, at the edge of the warehouse. Randi started, her heart skipping a beat as she automatically switched off her flashlight and froze, straining to hear the slightest sound. She hoped that there would be nothing, just like the last few times.

No such luck. Randi tensed as she heard approaching footsteps, and saw a beam of light flash across the warehouse, illuminating tables and canisters in sharp relief. Her training kicked in, and she quickly looked for and discarded several possible hiding places. None of them would conceal her long.

One choice. The car's windows were tinted; perhaps that would hide her. Stepping in and crouching down, Randi pulled the door against the side of the car, hoping that the investigators did not notice that it was not completely closed, and huddled under the wheel and dash. The brake pedal pressed against her lower back, and her shoulder hit something that gave slightly--she thought she heard a click--but she kept still, breathing quietly and willing her heart to beat more softly. The way it was pounding, they should have been able to hear it in the dormitories.

The light reflected off the car's windows a moment, brightening the interior, and then it was gone. Footsteps continued on and disappeared, and Randi stayed frozen in place, wondering if it was possible to have escaped detection so quickly, so easily. She remained still, listening and counting the seconds, but a minute passed with no sound but the beating of her heart.

She had done it. Releasing a shaky breath, Randi allowed herself to relax. Not that she was planning on going anywhere just yet; she would wait a while, to be on the safe side. Besides, she liked the car and had no objections to staying in it a little longer. A smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, she rested her palm against the side of the dash beside her.

Randi paused. Was it her imagination, or was the car humming slightly? Focusing on it, she became certain that there was indeed a low hum emanating from the engine area, and a vibration so faint she could hardly detect it. Odd that she hadn't noticed it before. It was...comforting.

She smiled, amused by her own thoughts. Who would ever have suspected that she, Randalyn Pryors, would find a car comforting? Had she not been in hiding, she might have laughed. There was no denying facts, however, and she pressed herself against the side of car, letting the low hum soothe her for several long moments.

Finally, Randi switched on her light and checked her watch. It was about a quarter to one, and she had to get back to the dorms and get some rest. She climbed out of the car with a small sense of reluctance and headed for the ladder, moving carefully and listening for any sound. She reached the catwalk and window without incident, however, and headed back for the dorms, already composing her 'report'. She certainly had a story to share with Vinh tomorrow.