Ignoring Brian, Edward walked out the door into the main room. Were there any cracks in the concrete walls? If there were, he wouldn’t be staying.

A quick look showed that there were no cracks in the walls, but in the few seconds that he’d been visible, half a dozen people had jumped out of their seats and begun to walk toward him. The rest stared up toward him, eyes wide. Despite wearing ominous, dark uniforms, they appeared terrified. He didn’t doubt that they’d all get up if he gave them the chance.

“Everyone,” he shouted, “look at me. I need to know the exact situation as quickly as possible. We’re on red alert, and I need to know why. I’m aware that we’ve lost connection with most, if not all, of the teleportation hubs. No installation off this island appears to be responding. I need to know what’s going on outside and if any communication with the outside world is possible.”

From one of the cubicles, a man stood up, face obscured by a headset with goggles that connected the island’s computer network to his brain. Covering half the man’s head, it reminded Edward of an old-style diving suit helmet. Edward had never been sure that it was better than giving IT multiple monitors, but management had been very excited about the idea.

Almost tripping as the man’s foot snagged a leg of his desk, the man grabbed his chair as the cables connecting the helmet to his computer became taut, pulling it toward the edge. Getting control only barely before the computer would have been pulled off, he said, “Sir, everything seems to be possible except for our communication systems. Someone out there appears to have created a very effective filter that routes our communications to nowhere.”

Edward paused, frowning. “Have you tried unofficial routes? Personal email? The err… Discord thing? I don’t know.”

The IT guy frowned, and Edward thought he could see the man’s brow furrow despite his goggles. “None of those would be secure for our sort of organization.”

Edward’s fists clenched even though he kept his tone even, “Find something that works. I don’t care what it is. Security doesn’t have to be perfect. The organization’s survival may be at stake.”

As if the universe felt the need to dramatically emphasize that statement, the ground trembled as something outside the building collapsed in a combination of thumps, crashes, and shattering noises.

Looking around at the sea of eyes turning in his direction as if he could do anything, Edward cleared his throat, “What do the cameras show us is happening outside? One of you must know.”

A tall man with a blond, brush cut stood up, his ominous, dark uniform straighter and more free of wrinkles than anyone else’s—especially better than Brian’s. This was Florian Gottschalk, recently recruited from the military–if recruited could mean broken out of a military prison. Edward didn’t remember whether it was German or Austrian.

Despite how he’d left the army, Florian continued to pay attention to those details. Edward wished he had more like him, except for the poisonings. Edward had to admit that the circumstances of his own discharge hadn’t been much better.

Standing straight, Florian said, “Sir, the outbuildings have been hit by objects. We think they’re Cabal soldiers, but not our people. They’ve been appearing here as if propelled by a cannon. They’re not the only ones. Before we lost connection with the outbuildings, they were saying something about creatures materializing inside the buildings. We think they may be vampires.”

Edward felt his lips curl, “Vampires? If it’s Dr. Transylvania, he’ll find that we’re prepared for him this time.”

Florian blinked, “Are we, sir? All I’ve heard from buildings with vampires is screaming and then nothing.”

Cringing inwardly, Edward said, “Well, yes. We’re safe. The Numbers arranged for the construction of magical defenses for the entire island after Dr. Transylvania’s last attack. They finished the main building, and then the North American Wizards’ Council sent a dragon after our contractor. After he died, we had to find a new contractor, and then there were budget cuts. So, the main building’s protected, but nothing else. Still, all of you can be assured there will be no vampires in here.”

The building shook, the lights wobbling as a massive booming noise echoed throughout the room.

Edward added, “The walls are strong enough that even most supers won’t be able to get through quickly. We have time to respond. Contact our soldiers, Cabal and otherwise, and make sure their commanders know what’s outside. I’m going to brief One.”

Florian nodded, “Yes, sir. How long will our walls last against the enemy Cabal soldiers?”

Searching for Magnus’ contact information on his comm unit, Edward looked up from it to say, “Not long. Hurry.”