As the prisoners in the adult suites were turned loose, Hunley and Brade crept from their hiding place.
Halls curved. Staircases spiraled.
"Can't they see us?" Brade whispered. "We're not on stealth mode."
They gasped and gulped, keeping watch for the red glaring eye of spy cams. Darkness offered a strange comfort. Hunley yelped at a sudden tug on his jumpsuit.
"Hush," Brade hissed.
Brade gestured forward. A camera beam lit a space on the floor. Hunley squatted. He and Brade watched the camera beam.
"What now?" Hunley questioned.
"You're tall," Brade pointed out. "You have a tall neck anyway. Headbutt the cam."
Hunley shot him a side glance. He stood upright and straightened his posture. He kept his back against the wall and scooted forward.
He winced and moaned at the surge of pain as his forehead met the camera.
"We're clear," he announced as he swiveled to see his friend.
The hallways and spiral staircases stretched on. Hunley's head and neck throbbed from disabling spy cams.
Out of breath, the two boys plodded to the end of a spiral. They moved with swiftness and kept their steps light.
They turned a corner and came inches from a door and passcode device. There was faint beeping as Hunley entered the code.
The door disappeared, and they peered in. Dialorians stood in a circle, surrounding a half cylinder. A neon blue pentagon floated above the cylinder.
"These are the plans for the new base," a red Dialorian said. "It's located on Jorren. The westernmost point of Quadrant 3."
The pentagon shifted. Instead of a side view, it provided a glimpse from the roof. Each entrance had been labeled, Obstacle Trap.
"If you'll all excuse me," the red Dialorian said. "I need to use the excretion chamber."
Hunley gagged, apparently too loudly, because a hand clapped over his mouth.
"Shhhh," Brade hissed. "Come on."
"Come where?" Hunley wanted to know.
"Adult suites. That's where Sariah went. And where the triplets are going."