Thad tugged at his shirt collar, the starched white lab coat feeling like a flimsy disguise against the weight of their mission. The van rumbled towards the brightly lit security gate, each passing meter amplifying his anxiety. “I really don’t like this idea.”

  Jake’s knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. “Don’t look at me. This wasn’t my idea.” He glanced in the rearview mirror, a flicker of paranoia tightening his gaze before he forced it to relax.

  “If we had to take a drink every time you reminded us this wasn’t your idea, we’d all be passed out by now.” Hunter sighed, his bionic fist tucked deliberately out of sight.

  “Still, I really don’t like this idea.”

  “I said you wouldn’t like it.”

  “Would you two shut up?” Jake’s voice was a low hiss. He waited, breath held, until the outer gate creaked open. “Let me do the talking.”

  “Aye aye, captain.” Thad quickly changed his gaze to the floor.

  Jake put the vehicle in park, rolled down the driver’s side window, and offered the two guards a strained wave as they emerged from the shack. “Good evening, fellas. Long night?”

  “Living the dream.” The first guard, a burly man with tired eyes, rested a hand a little too heavily on the van’s frame as the second guard circled the vehicle with a scanner. “Who you got with you, Jake?”

  Hunter felt the guard’s gaze linger on his larger build. He kept his metal hand still.

  “Fresh meat.” Jake forced a laugh, his hand trembling slightly as he offered his badge and the two fabricated IDs. “Stanton’s got some… new priorities. Need these two settled in quiet-like.”

  The guard scanned Jake’s badge, the green light a momentary reprieve. Then he scanned Hunter’s. The scanner buzzed, a persistent red light glaring back. He tried again, the same result. His eyes narrowed, suspicion clouding his features. “Did John not enter them into the system?”

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  “Apparently not.” Jake’s throat felt tight. Think, Jake. “The old man’s probably asleep at his desk again. It might be time for him to finally retire.”

  “Hold on one second.” The guard stepped back from the van, his hand never leaving his sidearm, his eyes fixed on Jake. He raised his wrist communicator.

  “We are so dead.” Thad’s whisper was barely audible.

  “Relax.” Hunter’s hiss was low and dangerous.

  Jake rested his elbow in the open window, trying to appear nonchalant, and covered his mouth with his hand. “You both need to relax.”

  “I’ll relax when all this is over.”

  Hunter’s elbow jabbed into Thad’s ribs. The guard returned to the van. “Looks like the old man does need to retire.”

  The guard’s com crackled. “I heard that.”

  Jake leaned out the window, forcing a smile. “Thanks, John. It’ll be reflected in your evaluation.” He took the badges, swiped his across the reader, and waited for the inner gate to groan open. Relief washed over him in a weak wave. He nodded to the still-suspicious guard and pulled forward.

  Inside the van, the silence was thick. Hunter’s couldn’t look away from the imposing structure of the main lab, his eyes scanning the high fences and the seemingly impenetrable walls. Escape wouldn’t be easy.

  “Okay.” Jake’s voice was hushed, strained. “Service entry’s behind the main lab. Cameras… I know the blind spots. One above the inner door. Red light goes off, then you move.”

  Hunter and Thad exchanged a tense nod. “Understood.”

  Jake eased the van under the large roll door, the metal groaning above them, and parked close to the inner access point. He turned to the two men in the back. “Seriously. Wait for the red light.”

  “We got it.”

  “Good.” Jake handed Hunter the keycard marked 0-4-7. “Not much time. Stanton’s due back in an hour, give or take. Eyes everywhere. Thad, you got the map?”

  Thad produced the crumpled paper.

  “Elevator, zero button, swipe the card. Downstairs, hallway four. First lab on the right – cloning. Michael’s in the main pod. Hunter,” Jake’s gaze was intense, “lab seven. Keycard for the door. Big tank inside. That’s it. End it. One shot. Alarm’s likely. Get in, finish it, get out fast.”

  “Don’t worry.” Hunter’s bionic fist clenched. “I will.”

  “Back here when you’re done. I’ll get us out. Ready?”

  Hunter’s jaw tightened. “Let’s go.”

  “Here we go.” Jake stepped out, the heavy door clanging shut behind him. He swiped his card, the inner door hissed open, and he disappeared inside.