From deep down below, Alex could feel the sensation of probing rising up at him in waves. There it was again, the attempt at an intrusion into his mind. “Something, it’s like we’re being … scanned.”

“What by? Motion sensor, thermal read?” Adira asked.

“No, something else, something trying to read us – I think we’re expected.” Alex stared down into the depths of the stairwell.

“Bet it’s booby-trapped. You’d have to be crazy to go down there.” Sam grinned at Casey. “Ladies fir …”

Casey started down, at speed.

Alex groaned and followed, down, and down. The stairs were dimly lit, but solid. There was a smell of fresh concrete, and underlying it, the stink of a charnel house. There were no doors or windows on their way down, and after descending about half a dozen stories, Alex called a halt. He leaned out over the railing. It got darker the lower it dropped.

Sam leaned out with him. “Anything?”

Alex could see down further than the rest, but it seemed to drop for hundreds of feet, and still continued into the void.

“Got to be a level where we can exit soon.”

“Something stinks,” Sam said. “Like a corpse.”

“We’ve been here too long already. I don’t like it,” Adira said, looking over the railing.

Alex also continued to stare down into the darkness. “I can detect a living presence, strong, and an intellect that is watching us carefully, as if there were cameras on every floor.” Alex pulled back. “Let’s go meet them. Franks, back in line.” Alex took the lead. “Eyes out – I think we’re getting close.”

They slowed as they descended, and after another twenty minutes came to the first gleaming white door on a small landing. Alex laid his hand on the handle, and then shook his head.

“Nothing in there.”

When they passed another three, Adira stopped them. She held up the small Geiger counter. “Here – off the scale.” She stepped back. “In there.”

Alex held up a hand to the team, and then spun back to the door, grasping the handle and turning it. It was locked. He gritted his teeth and gripped harder, turning more, until the steel started to groan and bend. After another few seconds, there was the popping sound of spring steel as it reached its tensile barrier. Something clattered inside, and the door opened slowly. Behind the white paint, it was solid and heavy – lead lined.

“Stay here. We don’t have rad-suits.” Alex pushed the door open a little further, and then eased in. Lights came on, but the large space was empty save for half a dozen drum-sized cases. Alex could feel the radiation tickling his body and turned, just as Casey was leaning around the frame, the door wedged open with her boot.