The science wing command annex hummed with the soft hum of emergency generators and the low hiss of boiling water in the logistics kettle.
Flickering fluorescent tubes cast long white bands across the linoleum floor, illuminating the detailed structural schematics pinned to the whiteboard.
Joy stood before the central conference desk, her wet wool cardigan dripping puddles onto the floor as she clutched a sealed administrative folder.
"I have the master override code for the sub-basement relay node," the former educator began, her voice tight with calculated desperation.
"That relay controls the secondary ventilation baffles beneath the warden's throne room."
"If you don't have that code, the moment you breach the upper stairs, the boss will flood the stairwell with toxic sulfur gas."
"And what are your terms for this code?" the First Player asked, leaning back against the edge of the conference table with folded arms.
