Something's Wrong

Caroline Weathers sat at the end of the small conference table as the department manager reviewed the weekly project updates. She looked down at the small file in front of her and considered reviewing her report once more, when the alarm began to ring. The department manager stopped in the middle of his speech and looked up at the crimson flashing light in surprise.

"Alright everyone, that's the station lockdown alarm. I'll see if I can contact security to see what's going on, you all wait here."

The department head walked back out of the small conference room into his adjoining office, leaving the other five researchers alone at the table. They all sat there quietly for a moment, shuffling their papers and glancing at the alarm. Caroline leaned over to her friend and fellow researcher seated next to her and murmured, "I bet you ten bucks it's doctor Richards' 'intelligent' cockroaches again."

Her friend, Aaron Delaney, glanced back and smiled. "Maybe if doctor Richards can actually show they're intelligent, we would properly contain them."

Caroline snickered, and the alarm suddenly quit blaring. Everyone at the table glanced up at the now dark alarm light as a sense of ease began to settle back into the room. "Maybe they stepped on them?" Aaron added under his breath, and Caroline suppressed a laugh.

"Somethings wrong." The project manager, Obadiah, declared as he walked back into the room from his office. "It looks like the internal lockdown was lifted, but the external base security is still locked up tight. And security won't pick up the phone. I can't seem to reach anyone."

"Maybe it's an electrical problem?" Another one of the researchers at the table piped up.

"I don't think so..." Obadiah rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Whatever the project manager was going to say next was interrupted by a distant scream out in the hall, followed by what sounded like someone firing off their stun blaster. Everyone at the table suddenly looked at the door leading to the hallway as the noises continued. Caroline slowly pushed herself up to her feet, and the others did the same as the noises seemed to get closer.

"Is that door locked?" One of the other researchers asked.

"It's automatic. If the internal lockdown is disabled..." Aaron's voice trailed off as the noises continued to approach.

The door suddenly burst open, and a tall dark skinned man threw himself through the opening while firing wildly back through the doorway with his standard issue stun pistol. He slammed the door shut and pushed all of his weight against it. Immediately, something on the other side began banging and pushing against the door, and the man strained to keep it shut.

"Help me!" He barked authoritatively at the dumbstruck scientists.

Caroline was the first to act, followed quickly by the others as they rushed to help hold the door shut. Whatever was on the other side was strong, as the six people holding the door shut could barely keep it closed. Obadiah and another scientist had grabbed a lamp and a chair for weapons, and were holding them at the ready behind the group, while several more cowered behind the table.

The five of them pressed tightly together and were jostled about as the door rattled on its hinges. The sound of more stun blasters could then be heard from the other side of the door, and whatever was pushing against the other side suddenly quit. They all held the door for another few moments before the man motioned them away.

Caroline's heart was pounding. Something had broken containment, but what?

"What the hell is going on?" One of the scientists whispered breathlessly.

The man held up a finger to silence them, and slowly cracked open the door to peer outside. His shoulders seemed to relax slightly, although he still appeared to very tense. Of course that may have just been his naturally taught muscles that Caroline found herself noticing. Closing the door, the man turned back to the gaggle of scared researchers.

"My name is Agent Faraday, I'm on this base as a **** assignment. Have any of you had contact with security?"

They all looked about nervously. "We thought you were security. We haven't heard anything." Obadiah answered for them.

Agent Faraday rubbed his face with one hand and seemed to think. "Alright. Something bad has happened, but I don't know what. I was in the security checkpoint a few halls over, and we suddenly lost contact with Command after getting a containment breach notification. Then, all of a sudden something overrode the system, and every damn containment unit in this sector began to open."

"Every unit? You mean..."

"Yeah. Everything's breaking free. We managed to quickly reseal a lot of them, but there are still plenty of them that got out." Faraday glanced back at the door and gripped his stunner tighter as he seemed to weigh his options.

Containment was breached? All of them? But that means... Oh no. Caroline looked about at the other researchers, then back to the agent. "We have to get out of here. This room isn't secure."

"It's much safer in here than out in those halls." The agent pointed to the door. "Unfortunately, I can't stay here. I need to regroup with security and figure out what the hell is going on with command."

"We'll come with you." Another researcher stepped forward.

"No." The agent held up a firm hand. "It's not safe for you out there. You all would get in the way, and most likely fall prey to one of the things running around out there."

As if to emphasize his point, a distant scream could be heard. The agent begin to make for the door, and Caroline grabbed his arm. "Wait. Me and Aaron have field training and experience. We can help you get back. "

Faraday considered her offer, then shook his head. "No. It's too dangerous. You'll be better off making sure they're safe." He pointed back to the other scientists.

Caroline released her grip and watched him go. "Make sure you tell security we're in here!" She called out.

He glanced back at her, nodded, then he quickly darted back out through the door and was gone.

The scientists all stood there in silence for a moment, before Aaron muttered, "Shit. Now what?"