Rachael, Stefan, and Christina propelled their carts toward the entrance Raymond had specified. Upon arriving at the designated location, they were confronted with a sturdy green door bearing a bold, unmistakable inscription: "Staff Only." The directive was emblazoned in prominent letters, leaving no ambiguity regarding authorized access.
Two NPS agents stood guard, their postures unwaveringly vigilant. One of them extended his hand, palm upward. "Identification, please," he commanded, his tone firm, and his gaze steadfast.
Without hesitation, the trio presented their IDs, which the guard meticulously collected. He scrutinized each card, his eyes darting between the cards and the trio. His gaze lingered on their nose masks, already securely in place.
"I've never seen you guys before," the guard remarked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Are you newly appointed members of the cleaning personnel?" His eyes remained fixed intently on the trio, searching for reassurance.
Rachael stepped forward, her demeanor confident and composed. "We are the special cleaning team employed yesterday," she clarified.
"We're running out of time," she added, a hint of urgency underscoring her words. "May we proceed?"
The guard deliberated momentarily, weighing his options, before acquiescing. He stepped aside, his gesture inviting them to enter.
Just as the trio grasped their cart handles, preparing to advance, the second guard intervened. His voice was laced with skepticism.
"Didn't the regular cleaning team conclude their duties approximately an hour ago?" he inquired, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the trio.
"Cleaners typically arrive before 6 a.m.," he continued. "What necessitates your presence at this unusually late hour?" His tone demanded clarification.
A palpable sense of trepidation gripped the trio, and Stefan's anxiety manifested in an uncontrollable sneeze. Rachael's voice, however, remained steadfast and resolute.
"As I mentioned earlier, we're special—"
"Enough of that! Remove your nose masks!" The second guard interrupted before she could finish her words, his tone brusque and commanding.
He advanced toward them with deliberate, measured steps, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
Just then, the door creaked open, and a woman emerged, her presence defusing the tense situation. "Aren't you the newest cleaning team?" she inquired, her voice warm and welcoming.
The trio exchanged skeptical glances before nodding fervently in unison. "Yes, ma'am, we are," they replied simultaneously, their relief palpable.
"Follow me, please," she instructed, retreating back into the building.
The guards exchanged disappointed glances, their faces reflecting frustration, before stepping aside to allow the trio to proceed.
The trio, still dumbfounded by how the situation turned out wasted no time as they hurried after the woman.
Upon entering, the trio found themselves in a small antechamber. To their left stood a door, likely leading to the expansive area where visitors congregated. Ahead, a staircase ascended, flanked by an elevator area adjacent to the first step.
The woman who had intervened earlier stood patiently by the elevator, awaiting its arrival. Her gaze settled on the trio, who struggled to conceal their lingering fear.
Their eyes darted nervously around the space, drinking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The woman's composed demeanor offered a measure of reassurance, but the guards' hostility still lingered, casting a shadow over their fragile confidence.
"I was under the impression that your commencement date was Monday," the woman said, her tone inquiring. "What brings you here ahead of schedule?"
The trio exchanged uneasy glances, hesitant to respond. Their silence hung in the air like an unspoken question.
Mrs. Grace's expression transformed from curiosity to approval. "I suppose you're eager to get started. I commend your enthusiasm; keep up the excellent attitude."
However, her next question pierced the air, laden with expectation. "Where's the fourth member of your team? I recall you were assigned four personnel."
Rachael recognized the urgency to respond, and If she didn't act now, the suspicion would only intensify, jeopardizing their entire mission. Her mature was voice was the trio's best hope to alleviate growing suspicion. Stepping forward, she nudged her cart closer to the woman.
"Unfortunately, he won't be joining us today due to personal reasons," Rachael replied, choosing her words with care.
Mrs. Grace's eyebrows arched, seeking clarification. "He or...she?"
Rachael swiftly corrected herself, her breath barely audible in relief. "I mean...she. Sorry for the mistake."
The woman pondered momentarily, a hint of amusement dancing on her lips. "No matter. Welcome to NASA. I'm Grace, your guide and point of contact. I'll show you to your workstation."
As the elevator arrived with a gentle ding, Mrs. Grace stepped inside and beckoned the trio to follow. Once they entered, she pressed the number 4, illuminating the button for the fourth floor. The elevator doors slid shut, enveloping them in an expectant silence.
"May I pose a question, Mrs. Grace?" Rachael inquired, breaking the short-lived silence, her gaze meeting the woman's.
Mrs. Grace nodded graciously, a faint smile hinting at her receptiveness. "Please, don't hesitate. What's on your mind?"
"How were you aware of our arrival?" Rachael asked, her curiosity evident. "As you mentioned earlier, our official start date is Monday. I wondered how you knew we're being questioned by the guards."
Mrs. Grace's expression turned thoughtful. "I work in the Office of Human Capital Management," she explained. "A notification appeared on my computer screen, indicating that new employees were experiencing difficulties accessing their workplace."
Her gaze shifted to Rachael, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "By the way, why are you wearing nose masks already? You haven't even commenced your duties."
Rachael's response came swiftly. "We're merely exercising caution. As cleaners, vigilance is essential."
Rachael pressed on, her tone considerate. "One more question, if I may. Do you have any idea who might have sent that message to you?"
Mrs. Grace paused momentarily, collecting her thoughts. "I assume it was from my superiors or possibly the Employee Relations Division," she replied. "Though I can't be certain, whoever sent the message undoubtedly have interest in you guys."
"Oh my goodness, it's Djuma!" Stefan whispered to Christina, his eyes wide with wonder. His initial fear had dissipated, replaced by awe-inspired fascination. Christina nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring Stefan's.
The elevator's ding punctuated the tense silence, signaling their arrival at the fourth floor. Mrs. Grace stepped out, expecting the trio to follow.
"Listen carefully, team," she began. "The building has nine floors, each with its own dedicated cleaning team. From now on, you'll be responsible for the fourth floor's maintenance. Understand?"
The silence that greeted her was unsettling.
"Are you guys even listening to me?" She asked and turned back, expecting to see the trio behind her, but found no one.
"Where are they?" she muttered, her gaze darting to the elevator display. "The seventh floor?!"
Exasperation etched her face. "Why didn't they come out after me?" She grumbled.
Mrs. Grace's frustration mounted as she frantically pressed the elevator key, but it was too late. The doors had already opened on the seventh floor.
"Impossible!" she hissed, her voice laced with concern. "That's a restricted area for them!"
Despite her stout frame, Mrs. Grace hastened to the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. Her urgency underscored the gravity of the situation.
"No, no, no!" she panted, her breathlessness a testament to her distress. "This can't be happening!"
Meanwhile, as the elevator doors slid open on the seventh floor, where Dr. Idris' office is located, Christina led the way out. "Let's move, guys. We have a mission to accomplish," she whispered.
Stefan and Rachael followed closely, their eyes locking onto the two NPS agents stationed outside Dr. Idris' office.
Christina took a deep breath to calm herself. "Stay calm, act natural. We're getting Djuma out, no matter what," she said, and Rachael and Stefan were prompted to a simultaneous nod, their faces set with resolve.
With renewed determination, the trio grasped their cart handles and proceeded down the hallway. The NPS guards' menacing gazes halted them.
"What brings you here?" one guard growled, his tone dripping with hostility.
"Do you guys clean twice in the morning?" the second guard chimed in, his eyes narrowing. "Aren't you here a few hours ago?"
Fear flashed across the trio's faces as they exchanged panicked glances. Stefan's whispered despair was audible. "Dammit!"
Rachael swiftly summoned her courage and stepped forward. "Dr. Idris personally requested our presence," she explained, her voice barely steady. "He mentioned his office requires additional cleaning due to unforeseen circumstances."
The guards' skeptical expressions hung in the balance, awaiting further explanation. Rachael's words had bought them a fleeting moment of uncertainty, but the outcome remained precarious.
The guards exchanged skeptical glances, their furrowed brows deepening. "There's been a miscommunication," one guard stated, his tone firm. "Dr. Idris strictly prohibits cleaners from entering his office. He handles the cleaning personally."
Christina and Stefan's eyes widened in alarm, their faces pale.
"We're done for. What's the backup plan?" Stefan whispered urgently to Christina.
Christina's response was resolute, her voice barely audible. "There's no Plan B, the only plan is to rescue Djuma, no matter the cost."
The guards' attention snapped back to the trio. "Remove your nose masks, please," one guard commanded, his voice low and authoritative.
The second guard's gaze locked onto Rachael, his eyes narrowing. "You sounded... strange for some reason. Hurry up and take off the masks."
Tension escalated with each passing second as the trio remained silent. The guards' suspicion now confirmed, one of them stepped forward to investigate.
The trio's was being suspected, and their window of opportunity was rapidly closing.
Stefan and Christina retreated a step, frantically thinking of an escape plan. However, Rachael's feet seemed rooted to the spot, her eyes trembling with fear.
The guard approached her, his hand outstretched, poised to remove her nose mask.
"No! No! No! No!" Rachael's voice cracked, her desperation echoing through her mind.