Chapter Four: The Door They Would Not Permit

Xu’s back met the console. He could tell the system, I believe I will get out, and wait for an accident to make a path. But looking at the files about to go public, he knew escape was not what he needed to believe in. “I believe the evidence that must be seen tonight will get out,” he said. “Whether or not I leave with it.” [Recorded. Please complete the part that belongs to you.] He pressed upload and shoved the phone into a ventilation duct. The men lunged. Xu hit the floor—and then, in the distance, an alarm began to scream. Not the system’s voice: the Data Center’s first real water-level alarm.