Page 152 of Silent Target

“The Chairman,” Mac whispers. “And two commanders.”

“But no one is standing on them,” I say.

Fathom’s expression tightens.

“Which means the manual system has already been overridden from inside.”

The first lock releases.

The sound reverberates through the archive.

Then the second.

The lights change from white to crimson.

A mechanical voice fills the room.

“Archive breach confirmed.”

“Chairman authorization unavailable.”

“Protocol Black initiated.”

Mac backs away from the vault.

“What is Protocol Black?” I ask.

“I don’t know.”

Cobra looks at him. “You keep saying that.”

“Because no one outside the First Circle was allowed to know.”

A third lock releases.

Heavy doors slam shut throughout the bunker.

The archive entrance seals first.

Another door closes beyond it.

Then another.

Fathom checks his tablet.

“They’re compartmentalizing the facility.”

“Can you reopen the doors?” Rook asks.

“Not from here. The network has isolated the archive.”

Shark tries his radio. “External team, respond.”

Static.

He changes channels.

“Reef. Maverick. Anyone.”