Suddenly, the screen on Julian’s tablet flashed red.

A high-pitched alert tone echoed through the quiet office.

We all froze, looking at the device in Julian’s hand.

“What is that?” I asked, a cold dread pooling in my stomach.

Julian stared at the screen, his face turning completely white.

“It’s the laboratory’s environmental control system,” Julian said, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“The backup generators for the cryogenic storage.”

“Someone just shut them down manually.”

My breath caught in my throat.

The red light on the tablet pulsed, casting a bloody glow over Julian’s fingers.

“Is there a manual override downstairs?” Samuel asked, his voice sharp and commanding.

Julian nodded rapidly, his glasses sliding down his nose.

“Yes, in the basement, next to the main electrical riser,” Julian said.

He scrambled toward the door.

“I have to go stop it, or we lose all the backup storage files too,” he added.

Samuel looked at Margaret, who remained still, her face a mask of cold satisfaction.

“I’ll go with you,” Samuel said, stepping toward the hallway.

“No, stay with her,” I said, pointing a finger at Margaret.