Chapter 16

The office hallway was beyond a hexagonal doorway. A few keystrokes on the access keypad triggered a mechanical groan. As the door split to either side, Aks bound through on all eights. He stopped a few feet in and stood on his hind legs.

"Come in," he said. "It's on a timer."

Relda ducked under the doorway and scampered through. She grunted at the floor as it receded under her feet. There was a sharp pain in her wrist, and then her arm went numb. She struggled inside Raylay's grasp, but the force of his yanking her--and her cloak--from the door overpowered her.

The door shut behind her, and Relda prodded her garment. Blaster was still secured into its holster. Soft metal touched her fingers. She slid it over her wrist. Yes. The band was still there.

Aks rubbed his palms together and beat the code into the panel. He gestured into the chamber when he was granted access.

He wasn't kidding about comps and machinery. That was obvious enough when he placed the viewing screen on a computer board.

"So, what is this thing?" Relda asked, tapping the edge, which gained a negating flail from Aks.

"The database scanner," came the response. "Please be careful."

Digits crammed the screen. They blinked, and changed to other digits before becoming colors and images.

Searching database, an on-screen message alerted them.

The viewing screen provided two definitive flashes, and Relda guessed the search had finalized. Aks bent to study the screen. He lifted his eyebrows.

"I see," he muttered.

He held the viewing screen toward Raylay, who clutched it to himself.

"It appears to be…" Aks said, but let his voice trail off.

He rose and made his way to the office door. Relda, Raylay, and Ty watched him leave.

"Appears to be what?" Relda demanded.

Aks stopped a few inches from the door.

"Someone's painted it as a code."