As a civilian consultant for the Navy’s special projects division, my override keys outranked local base commands during a suspected security breach.

The screen prompted me for a physical confirmation token.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the encrypted USB dongle, slotting it into the side of the terminal.

“Cancel the diagnostic immediately, Lieutenant Carter,” Turner ordered, turning his glare toward the junior officer.

Carter hesitated, his hand hovering over his holster, his eyes darting between the Captain and my glowing monitor.

“If you touch that console, Lieutenant, you will be assisting in a federal espionage offense,” I said calmly.

“Don’t listen to her,” Turner snapped. “She is a civilian guest on this base. I run this installation.”

“I run the program that keeps this installation relevant, Captain,” I said.

I pressed the enter key on my tablet.

A sharp, metallic chime echoed through the cramped room.

The screen transition showed a blueprint of the records room and the surrounding corridor.

A message appeared in bright amber: *LOCAL LOCKDOWN INITIATED.*

High above us, the magnetic seals on the heavy steel doors engaged with a dull, heavy clunk.