“What the hell’s going on out there?” shouted Tarkus.
Kaira had no idea. Something was happening. It sounded like a small war. And it was buying them time. One of those advancing into the room was struck down from behind, and the remaining five formed up with their shields facing both forwards and backwards.
“It’s the Syndicate,” said the doctor. “They control everything around here. I have… an arrangement with them. A lot of the people I saved were part of the Syndicate, or their families were. They’ve helped me to stay under the radar, and they look out for me. They aren’t angels. I’m very aware of that. But I couldn’t be doing this work without their approval.
“As part of looking out for me they gave me a panic code. I entered it when I left my office, when I thought you
