The man freezes, gloved hands outstretched, eyes locked on the break splintering across his helmet. He lets out a whimper like a cornered animal. I take off before he can recover, heading right out the open door and down the hallway.

From what I saw coming in, this place isn’t heavily guarded. Just two turns and a couple prison guards stand in my way to freedom—if they haven’t initiated a total lockdown based on my lie about the Devan plant. But so far, there are no screeching alarms or flashing lights or hordes of law-enforcers crashing down on me.

Heart surging with hope, boots pounding against the tile, I round one corner, another corner—and slide to a stop as I spot another guard. Her back is turned to me, her hand is to her ear, and she speaks urgently into a device wrapped around one wrist. She’s too engrossed in a conversation to notice me enter the room.

“We’re initiating a quarantine warning at the North Levian facility,” she says, her words becoming audible as I creep closer. “Code Blue. Requesting outside assistance. We’re not equipped for a proper quarantine confinement.” As she pauses, presumably listening to the answer, I move slowly and quietly toward her. If I can get close enough without her noticing, I can knock her out with these cuffs and be on my way. I hold my breath, sweat trickling down my forehead, and raise the handcuffs in preparation to swing.

“We’re not sure,” the guard says. I’m two yards away. “But, yes, she was brought in for possession of Devan flora.” One yard. “According to her file…” The guard turns and comes face-to-face with me.

Her eyes widen. I curse and swing—too slow. She catches my wrist, twisting it, and the cuffs clatter to the floor. Her face blanches after the automatic reaction, eyes flashing to her thinly gloved hand where it touches my bare skin, her mind no doubt revisiting that quarantine warning. But after a moment, she fumbles for her gun with her other hand, grip tightening despite her obvious fear.

“The quarantine threat has escaped,” she shouts, her voice ringing up and down the halls of the prison. “I need backup!” I struggle to break free of her grip, but it’s useless; she’s stronger than me. Before panic can take hold, an idea strikes me.

“You sure do,” I say. “Here’s a Code Blue for you.”

I spit a mouthful of saliva into her face.