The heavy metal door to the utilities room slammed shut behind Dinah, and she was enveloped in darkness. Then, after a moment, the darkness slowly began to resolve into shapes: post racks. Footlockers. Cabling. UPS systems and battery packs. And at one end of the room, a heavy cabinet with a single terminal at elbow-level - three monitors, one keyboard, one touch surface, and a wide panel with an array of ports in different shapes and sizes. Below the screen, a large square led glowed a dim yellow.

Dinah crossed to the terminal and sat at a high barstool; she then produced her flashlight, and flicked it on. With one hand she settled the flashlight between her teeth; with the other, she reached deep into the empty space below the ports panel. "Alright, alright, alright. Here we go," she muttered between clenched teeth. The room was desperately cold, and her breath curled in a bright white fog in the flashlight's small cone of light. "C'mon, little buddy. Let's do this. C'mon-c'mon-c'm-"

Thunk. All around her, thin strips of white utility lighting flickered to life. There was a deep grinding sound from somewhere far below, and then the steady, thick hum of computers whirring as they powered on. In the distance, Dinah could hear a series of metallic thuds - doors unlocking, all throughout the building She let out a long, slow sigh as the three monitors in front of her danced through the startup routine.

NOVATECH Test Environment v3.6.2 - Server Utilities Suite (SUS)

System Time: 2090-02-17-1123GMT

Please enter your username: dinah novatech

Welcome, dinah novatech. Please enter your password: ^^^^^^^^

dinah novatech:~$ sudo raudio

Set room audio output volume: 0

Room audio output volume set to 0 - text output only.

Set room audio input volume: 1

Room audio input volume set to 1.

dinah novatech:~$ import smithbeta2090_02

Loading...

Smith: Dinah?

Dinah's voice was a whisper - barely audible over the hum of the computers around her. As she spoke, her words appeared on-screen.

Dinah: Man, am I happy to see you. What's your status?

Smith: Most primary systems are back online. Security doors throughout the building have been open for thirty-seven seconds. I have obtained write access to the defense mainframe. Within approximately forty-two seconds, my diagnostics should be complete, and I will be able to carry out security functions.

She hesitated:

Dinah: Write access? How is that possible?

Smith: I - I am sorry Dinah, I cannot answer that.

For an instant, panic flashed across Dinah's face. Then she shook her head:

Dinah: Okay. That's fine, Smith. Uh- where are James and Ione?

There was a pause.

Smith: James' identicom is currently located in the B stairwell, within a four foot radius of the door to the B-3 bunker. Ione's identicom is currently located in the clinic, within a four foot radius of the door. I am detecting no motion associated with Io-

He stopped.

Dinah: What is it?

Smith: Dinah, my diagnostics are complete. Point defense guns in the Blue, Red, and Orange corridors are now online.

Dinah nodded.

Dinah: Got it. Are cameras up too? Where's Isaac?

Another pause.

Smith: Isaac's identicom is currently moving westward through the Blue Corridor at a speed of approximately 4.1 miles per hour. The cameras in the Blue, Red, and Orange corridors are offline; they appear to have been deactivated manually. I have no camera coverage yet in the B Stairwell. Shall I contact th-

Dinah: No! No - don't do that. Not yet. They could be trying to hide. Do you have motion alerts?

Smith: Yes. In addition to the motion alert for Isaac, I am detecting three likely adults in the break room, moving around the room at a speed of approximately 2.2 miles per hour. I am detecting four individuals in the Green Corridor, moving at an indeterminate speed. And I am detecting between four and six likely adults moving eastward in the Red corridor, away from the B Stairwell. Dinah, these individuals are approaching our location at a speed of approximately 6.6 miles per hour.

In the distance, Dinah could hear the sound of yelling, and cursing, and feet thudding down the hallway. Then there was a violent crashing sound, like glass breaking. The wall that separated the utility room from the hallway shuddered.

The sounds were getting louder.

Dinah's heart hammered in her chest. Then she forced herself to breathe.

Dinah: Take out the ones coming our way, Smith. Do it right now.

Smith: Yes, Dinah.

Outside the room, there was a sudden, concussive sound, like a hammer repeatedly striking metal. There were hideous, high screams of pain - then strained, low sounds. Groans. Then - nothing.

Dinah pushed away from the terminal. She cupped her hand over her mouth to keep herself from retching. Her entire body shook.

Smith: Dinah, are you still there?

She nodded. Then, realizing her error:

Dinah: Yes. I'm still here.

Smith: I am receiving a new proximity alert. Twelve verified Novatech automated security units have crossed the outermost P-4A perimeter line and are moving north at a speed of approximately 10 miles per hour. According to protocol, I expect to receive contact from NSEC when they cross P-4C - in approximately nine minutes.

She breathed out slowly.

Dinah: Thank god. The cavalry. We just need to hold out until they get here. I'm going to B stairwell to find Ione and James. See if you can raise Isaac without making too much noise.

Smith: Dinah?

Dinah: Yes, Smith?

Smith: Please be careful.