name once we are inside,” he said. “I don’t have the authority to override their security logs. I can get you as far as the High Chamber door. You’re lucky that it’s after hours and a special meeting they want to keep secret. There should only be two guards posted outside, but you will have to deal with them on your own.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I said.
“There is an auxiliary guard station just down the hall, so don’t linger. But neither security personnel nor surveillance are allowed inside the High Chamber.” At my disbelieving look, he continued, “Tell me about it. I’ve been trying to change it for years, but the councillors don’t want their meetings recorded in any way.”
He continued, “Once you get inside the High Chamber, there is a panic button on the control panel near the door. Pushing it will lock the room from the inside. Each councillor’s seat has its own panic button and override. If you want the room to stay locked, you need to get them away from the buttons. Once the room is locked down, only a councillor’s identity chip and the override can unlock it. And once the room goes into lockdown, expect a shit-ton of RCDF troops to be waiting outside when the doors open.”
“Any other exits?”
“There is an escape tunnel, but it requires a councillor’s identity chip at multiple checkpoints. It’s also well-known among the security teams, so expect troops there as well.”
“So once I go in and lock down the room, I come out with a pardon or in a body bag?”
Ian nodded grimly. “Do you have a plan on how to procure a pardon?”
“I have a plan,” I said. A crazy, stupid, ridiculous plan, but a plan nevertheless.
Ian didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press for details. It was for the best.
The transport dropped us off and Ian led me through a labyrinth of service hallways at a fast walk. He kept his hood up, even with the balaclava, and we didn’t speak. I held my breath every time we came to a closed door, but so far no one had noticed us.
Ian did not scan his chip for the door in front of us. Instead, he stepped into my personal space and grabbed my arm when I went to back up. I reached for my blaster, sure that he was betraying me at last. He shook his head, grabbed my other arm, then dragged me closer until his mouth was directly next to my ear.
“This is the final door,” he whispered so quietly I could barely make out the words. I realized he didn’t want his voice recorded in the security logs and stopped trying to break his hold. “The guards will be directly across from you, slightly to the left. Security in this building is all RCDF elite, so shoot first.”
“Is the High Chamber locked?” I whispered back.
“Not usually,” Ian said, “but if it is, the guard’s identity chip will open it.”
I put my mouth right next to his ear. “If I don’t make it out, I expect you to watch out for Bianca,” I whispered. Something deeply troubled my sister but so far she’d deflected all of my subtle questions. I hadn’t had time to force the issue but maybe Ian would have better luck.
“I will keep her safe,” Ian said.
I nodded, activated my cuff, then drew my stun pistol. I pulled the pistol up into a ready-to-fire position and met Ian’s gaze. He waited a beat then swiped an arm across the door’s access panel.
I watched the door slide aside in slow motion. I saw the nearest guard’s face flash to surprise, but I was already pulling the trigger. He went down with a shout, stunned and furious. I shot the second guard before his blaster cleared the holster. He, too, went down with a shout. I hoped the High Chamber doors were thick enough to block the sound.
A sweep showed me a clear hallway. I crossed to the chamber door. The first guard was already starting to recover. “Sorry,” I said, then stunned him again.
The door was unlocked. I pulled it open and marched into the Consortium meeting as if I owned the place.
The High Chamber was circular. The three councillors sat at elevated desks against the curved far wall. Chairs could be brought in on the floor level for matters that required an audience, but tonight the floor was empty except for a single chair in the middle of the room.
A