Chapter Three: Level Zero Is Not a Floor

Condensation still clouded one visor. “Now I remember coming alone.” He removed a duty photograph from his pocket. It showed him with two officers, except a human-shaped gray void occupied the middle. Lin recognized the second officer from the interrogation, but she could no longer remember the woman’s voice. “When?” “Seventeen minutes ago. The technical team sealed another branch fracture with resin.” His voice tightened. “Everyone forgot her. The photograph didn’t change completely because I pulled its storage chip.” “What was her name?” Voss’s lips trembled. “I don’t know.” Lin lowered the wrench. For a man who believed in order, nothing could be crueler than watching order devour a colleague.