Kath crept up to the corner of the corridor, and pressed her back to the wall. She held up her fist, like she'd seen people do in films, stopping her team of commandos in their clumsy tracks.

'I think I hear something,' she hissed. 'Ssh.'

Voices. Raised voices. A loud, haughty cough. 'It's her,' she said.

'Who?' Craig lagged behind, panting, Jez at his shoulder. Kath sighed. They were both so unfit, typical Techies.

'The Dragon,' she said, and ducked into one of the alcoves that lined the company's corridors. A group of little cleaning robots hurried into a small swinging door, like a catflap. One butted its bumper against her foot until she moved with an affectionate smile, watching the little round robot zoom to safety. That A.I. had been one of her best, the simplest to do, yet capable of almost human-like behaviour.

'Why would she be down here?' Craig said. 'She never -'

'I know. Ssh. I'm trying to listen.' Yes, one of them definitely was the Dragon, ranting away as usual. Although glad not to be on the receiving end for once, she felt faintly annoyed that there was so much going on she did not know about. They had been ticking along nicely for years, and she had been so sure she was on the verge of a breakthrough. With Unicorn's help, of course. And possibly Craig and Jez, the only two of the many whitecoats who seemed to actually understand the subjects, and what she was trying to achieve.

They were also extremely adept at getting in the way. Kath shoved Jez back against the wall.

'Careful!' she hissed. 'Just stay still and be quiet for a second, will you?' Jez pulled a stupid face and grinned.

'Look what you started, Kathy!' he said.

'Me? Look at this bruise! You think I gave myself five months in sick bay on purpose?'

Jez shrugged. 'Who knows what you get up to, we hardly ever see you these days.'

'You never visit,' Kath said, giving him a friendly shove. 'Anyway, this is no good. I can't hear what they're saying.'

'Well, it's your lab. Get in there!'

'After you, Craig,' she said. 'You're her favourite. I'm sure she won't hurt you. Much.'

'No chance. I only just got level five clearance, I'm not giving it up for you!'

'Damnit, this was your plan in the first place. Having second thoughts?' Craig was so stubborn. She would have to send Jez in then, that wouldn't surprise the Dragon - he was always in trouble - but it might put her on the back foot enough for Kath to sneak up close to check on things. 'Jez, come here,' she said. 'I've got a job for you.'

But the little Techie had gone.

'Shit.'

'Typical. Coward,' Craig said, quickly backing away from the look Kath sent his way. 'Look,' he pleaded. 'Whatever's going down here, we don't want to be a part of it, right?'

'What?'

'Well, I kinda value my job here. If the Dragon wants to make a fuss and shout at peeps in our lab, then I say let her. We should be upstairs. You should be resting. Anywhere but here.'

'But something's up. You said it yourself - Top Secret Government Shit - and the only way to find out what colour it is, is to get in there. I have to know my subjects are alright.' She realised how stupid and sentimental she sounded. Her subjects. As if she had a choice. 'You know how odd they've been lately.'

'After you, then.'

'Let's hear what she's ranting about first. I think she's got that snooty suit with her as well.'

'Cunningham? Why didn't you say so? She might need me!' Before Kath could stop him, Craig had rushed down the corridor towards the shouting. Kath pushed the button on her earpiece.

'Uni, are you there?' she whispered, but there was no reply, just the hiss of a dead line.

Craig did not get far. He managed to dive behind a large potted plant, the ones the company liked to scatter around to make the place feel homely, before a couple of Secs double-timed it up the corridor past him. Natalie Cunningham was crushed between them, looking confused and a little scared. She glanced briefly into the alcove where Kath was hiding, and looked right at the Techie as she passed. Kath was sure Natalie mouthed something to her, with big, pleading eyes, but then she was gone. Kath was shocked. If even the Golden Girl was in trouble, there would be hell to pay for the rest of them.

She was beginning to have second thoughts about this, but the subjects needed her. They weren't properly human anymore, more like dumb animals, like cattle. They would be confused and frightened. First they had watched her being attacked and now this? Who knew what damage this was causing to her delicate research. Whatever was going on, it was happening here, and this was her territory, her domain. She had to move.

Kath stepped out of the alcove and walked purposefully towards the open door of the Gallery. Craig seized her arm when she reached his hiding place.

'Come on Katherine, let's go. Forget it. This is way over our heads.'

'No,' she said, pulling away, no longer caring how noisy she was being. 'They need us. Whatever the Dragon is mad about, it isn't us. If something is wrong with the subjects then she needs me. And you. I'll deal with Jez later.'

She heard the Dragon's sharp voice ringing out of the room.

A loud bang made them both jump. Kath had not heard gunfire before, so her first thought was that the equipment must be playing up, but there was nothing in the lab that would make that sort of sound. She slowed. Another bang. A hiss, then another. She was close enough now to hear a kind of crumpling thud, like a sack of potatoes hitting the floor. Cold dread crept up her body, making her legs weak and her heart threaten to leave her chest.

Kath looked into the gallery, and cried out in horror.

Three Secs whirled round. Three little red dots converged on her forehead. Then something cracked across the back of her skull and she fell into darkness.