I smiled briefly at Charlene’s expression. The poor woman was trying to keep a poker face, but she was taking one metaphorical gut-punch after another. I waved my hands in a wax-on/wax-off motion and said, “You didn’t see anything … ” I reached down for my own control, then hesitated. “Charlene, do me a favor. If you get a chance, please play this verbatim on the network—no editing, no spin.” I glanced at Marianne, the camera operator. “Please start recording.”

Marianne picked up the camera and nodded to me. I looked straight at the lens and said, “Attention, all Covenant member species. The Loranna are attempting multiple system takeovers using conscious A.I.s and are engaging in deliberate species genocide.” I nodded back and Marianne turned off the camera.

As I activated my belt and disappeared, Charlene turned to her colleague. “Interesting day.” Marianne giggled with perhaps a slight undertone of hysteria.

Just before I reached the door, I bumped into Patrick. I subvocalized, “How do we keep together?”

“Damned if I know. This is a major shortcoming for this technology. Maybe we’ll have to give each other updates, like ‘I’m at the door.’”

I reached for the doorknob, but bumped an arm. “Sorry, I guess that’s you.”

Patrick grunted an acknowledgment. “I’ll open the door and check the hallway.” The door seemingly opened on its own. “Some people at desks, looking spooked, but no cops. Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“Good question. Roof is too obvious, and it’s another dead end anyway. Down, I think.”

“Elevators? Stairs?”

“Both are bad, but elevators are worse. Maybe we can … Ah.” Two cops had just stepped out of a door marked Emergency Exit. “Through that door before it closes.”

Fortunately, the two cops had turned in the opposite direction, leaving a clear avenue for us. I moved toward the door, my hands out in front of me. I felt a body in my way and hesitated, then barely squeezed through before the emergency door closed.

“Most likely they were sweeping the stairway,” Patrick said. “Sheldon, did you get their images?”

“Affirmative. One moment … ”

I jumped a little as a cop appeared in front of me. I looked down to realize I was dressed in identical paramilitary gear. I appeared to have an assault rifle of some kind in my hand, held casually by my side.

Patrick gestured to it. “Try to look like you’re carrying an AR-15.” He gestured with his arm, holding the weapon up against his chest. “Do you not watch any TV?”

I nodded and adopted the same posture, trying to look like I knew what I was doing. “What now?”

Patrick pointed. “Down,” he said. “And remember, we’re part of this operation and we just cleared the stairway.”