Back in the first room, Hiiro, Duo, and Shiris waited until the others went out of sight before they turned the opposite way.
Damian led them down a deserted hallway. At the end of the corridor, he pointed out a thermostat.
"These hide the security cameras. I suggest that we take them out when we see them, it'll make the mission much easier." To demonstrate, he ripped the consol off the wall. With a sputter, thin wires fell into view, sparks still flying. Inside the broken thermostat was indeed a camera.
"How did you get this job?" Hiiro asked as they continued and turned right into another corridor. At then end was a fork in the road.
"I had been with the agency for about a year when Jane approached me and asked if I would head the Japanese sector. So I did, and I soon became aware of this facility. I spent the next three years researching it and finding the layout."
"Why didn't you expose it?" Duo asked pointedly.
Damian glanced at him impatiently, but answered, "Because I just finished compiling the research, and we can't risk losing the laptop in the confusion of a raid. If you want conformation, ask Jane."
"Yeah, what a great idea! Shiris, why don't you go get the laptop? Oh, wait, I forgot, we don't have it!" Duo exclaimed sarcastically, stopping as the corridor split.
Damian's nerves were stretched to breaking point. Why had he decided to go with Duo? It only caused him more aggravation.
"This way," he said through clenched teeth, pointing left. The new corridor led to a pair of double doors, beyond which lay a massive control center.
"Fabulous, now what?" Duo muttered.
Shiris agreed with Duo—it looked impossible. There were at least 15 guards patrolling the rim of the room. On one wall was a huge computer screen with various images on it, and three technicians working in front of it. On the opposite side was another console, only this one was hooked up to many smaller computers. The whir of fans could be heard from behind the walls. Security cameras were everywhere, and those were only the ones that they could see.
Hiiro began to doubt this plan. Four against 20 was not good odds, even for them. These guards were armed with a machine gun in hand, a knife on the leg, and a PPK in a holster. Body armor protected them, and they all had walkie-talkies.
"And how are we supposed to do this?" Shiris asked, defeat in her voice. She leaned against the wall, next to Hiiro.
Damian smiled in satisfaction.
"You have a plan?" Hiiro said incredulously.
"Yes." Damian loved the looks they were giving him. He knew exactly what they were thinking. Hiiro couldn't believe he had thought of a plan, Duo was sure the plan would get them caught, and Shiris was wondering what the plan was.
"You see, the other group should be reaching their first room sometime around now, if they are on schedule. In that room is a security camera, which is also connected to the lighting system. The backup lighting system. If they do as they are told, and destroy it, the power will go out. And voila, we have the element of surprise!" he rested his head against the wall, folded his arms, and closed his eyes.
The others stared at him, unsure of what he had just said.
"So…we wait for the lights to go off?" Shiris asked, slipping her shoes off. If they were going to wait a long time, she might as well be comfortable.
"Yes. We don't move until that happens."
"And if it doesn't?" Duo inquired.
Damian titled his head to face him, gray eyes dancing.
"That means bad news for your friends."
Duo' face contoured into a snarl. "Why you-"
"Duo, stop it!" Hiiro hissed, holding Duo' arm as he lunged towards Damian, who had closed his eyes again.
"But did you hear him? How can you stand him!" Duo demanded to Hiiro, his large blue eyes accusing.
"It is a good plan. I'm sure they will be fine, and the lights will go off soon. Until then, sit down, stay clam and shut up."
He shoved Duo to the floor.
Duo scowled and folded his arms, sitting up straight.
Shiris sighed. This was not going to be easy if those two were fighting.
Damian smiled inwardly as he listened to the two boys fight. His plan was going perfectly, much to his delight.