“And I’ve got to have time,” Chet said. “I can’t just start hacking away like a wild man. Three minutes isn’t enough.” He shook his head. “Two now.”

“I’ll get you the time.” Eric’s voice was hopeful again. “How much do you need?”

“Four minutes minimum.”

“You know what you’re asking of Nicole?” Andreason asked.

Eric’s eyes flashed. “Is the alternative any better?” He turned. “Clayne, can you keep her quiet?”

“Yes, but how are you going to get us more time? The Major and Travis are through with any stalling.”

“I’m going out in the hallway to negotiate with them.”

“They’ll cut you down.”

“Not if I have the detonator button in my hand.”

Before Clayne could answer, Eric spun back around to Andreason. “Dick, can you fix that control box so that it’ll detonate when you release the button rather than when you push it?”

Andreason looked puzzled for a moment. “Yes, I guess I could. It should be fairly simple.”

“Good, do it! Get me the back-up box and the extra roll of wire. I’ll take that out into the hallway. You can fix the main one while Chet operates on Nicole.”

“What are you going to do?” Clayne demanded.

“I’ve got an idea, a way to get the time we need, and maybe a way to get us out too.”

“What?”

Eric shook his head. “Don’t push me for details. I’m still working it out. But remember, if we can get out of here, we’ll have an army of people waiting to help us.”

“Who won’t be able to do a thing for us unless we blow these computers,” Andreason interrupted.

“I’m working on that too. But time is critical. Let’s get moving.” He jerked the walkie-talkie off his belt. “Stan, can you hear me?”

The building was interfering with the reception, and the answer was faint and full of static. “I’ve got you, Eric. Can you speak up? What’s going on in there? We saw Guardians going inside after you.”

“They’ve got us trapped,” Eric said, jamming the mouthpiece against his lips so he didn’t have to speak too loudly. “But we’re going to try to break free. Stay down, but the minute we come busting out of that door, open fire on any Guardian you see out there.”

“Roger. We’re ready and waiting for you.”

He looked back to the others. “Let’s go.”

They reentered the Monitoring Room just as Rod Loopes crashed a secretarial chair solidly against the door. “All right,” Eric said clearly, “that should do it. It’s time to make a decision. Let’s hear how you all vote.” He motioned vigorously with his hands for them to start speaking, even as he pointed to Chet to get ready.