Page 256 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘Hold up,’ Lachlan says.

He shines his weapon light across the hatch, following the edge until it catches on something buried inside the frame.

‘Alarm.’

Kade looks up. ‘Where?’

‘Closed-loop contact beneath the hinge plate.’

Lachlan doesn’t move closer. His light travels down the wall instead, picking out a narrow run of newer mortar beside the stairs. Another line mirrors it on the opposite side.

His expression changes.

‘Back down.’

‘What?’ Riley asks.

‘Both of you. Three steps.’

Something in his voice makes them obey.

Lachlan crouches, following the fresh mortar towards four small housings sunk into the corners of the stairwell. A dark conduit connects them beneath the concrete.

‘What is it?’ Kade asks.

‘Denial charges. Enough to collapse the stairwell and bring the tunnel down behind it.’

Riley stares upwards. ‘Opening the hatch sets it off?’

Lachlan angles his light towards a slim black receiver concealed beside the lock. ‘Can I borrow your knife?’

Kade draws Kestrel and hands it over.

‘Thank you.’

Riley and Kade watch while Lachlan flicks out the dark tungsten blade, works its tip beneath the hinge plate and exposes two hair-thin contacts. A second cluster of wires disappears towards the receiver.

He studies them for several seconds.

‘If this goes wrong?’ Riley asks.

‘You won’t have time to worry.’

‘Comforting.’

Lachlan selects something on Kestrel’s handle with his thumb.

A faint blue pulse travels through the metal.

The lock releases without a sound.

One light inside the receiver flickers, dies, then returns to steady green.

‘The hatch will read closed,’ Lachlan says. ‘The receiver will still answer if they poll it, but it can’t pass current to the detonators.’

‘You’re sure?’ Riley asks.

Lachlan looks at him.