Disaster waits for none

The large steel complex stared down like a prison. No windows. One door. A large gate with seven armed guards. Though, as James noted, every weapon and guard was watching away from the building. Not a single one pointed inward.

These were meant to keep people out. People without proper clearance. He had a hunch, though...

As he pulled up to the guards, he rolled his window down. "Name?"

"James Stewart. Here on business for Lee Zhang."

Terri had to clench her jaw to keep from looking at him with a mix of agitation and confusion.

"The woman with you is?"

"His business partner. I'm not allowed to say more, there's a Nova in there helping with a project, I don't know anything else."

The guard nodded and walked back to the others. When he returned he had two visitor badges. "And the Nova you're visiting?"

"I have no idea how I'd pronounce it, we've been calling him Wally. I'm just supposed to be picking up a diagram."

The guard nodded again, writing something on a notepad before handing James the two large blue passes. "Okay. Star to the visitor's area. There's a Nova inside who speaks English, he'll help you contact the right one."

"Thank you."

The guard nodded and pressed a button, lifting a large bar that denied entry to most people. James closed the window and moved forward. Terri breathed slowly, asking, "What. The fuck. James? What are you doing, and why did Lee's name get you in here?"

"Mom. All I know about that is his name is redacted on most of the contracts he sends me by the time they get to me...and I'm using it to get to her."

"And if they find out? James, what if we did for this?"

"We won't...just be thrown in jail...I think."

Terri rubbed her temples. "Why did I come with you..."

"Wait in the car...that might at least let you be safe. You can tell them I told you what I told him. If it means keeping you safe, I'm sure that when they ask Lee won't hesitate to confirm all that."

He stepped out of the car, his jaw clenched and his gut felt like some cruel gremlin's plaything. Like knots and twists and rolls we're being done all at once.