​     "I've got to get to Livia's computer," Claudia said. "That's the only way we'll be able to shut down those missiles." 

​     "And how do you..." 

​     "Hold on, Adam. We're going back in the building." SMACK! Right through the glass front entrance on the ground floor. Shattering glass flew everywhere. The sound was like a grenade of crystal going off, followed by the sound of glass rain hitting the floor. One late arriving party-goer dove into an elevator to keep from being sideswiped by the Stargod.   

     Claudia stopped the Stargod at the receptionist's desk. "There should be a computer link-up here." Seeker-probes emerged from the Stargod's hull like curious cobras to find the link. They crawled along the surface of the computer at the receptionist's station until...

     "I haven't got it," she said. "Those lines are dead, and all the information inside has been fried."  

     "That's never been a problem for you before. Usually, even if everything's nuked, you can still find some way..."

​     "I know. I'm vexed."

​     "I don't like it when you're vexed. You're Claudia. You should never be vexed."

​     "I know. This technology is already a full century ahead of...There's got to be at least a hint of something I can...Here." Claudia popped a device into Adam's hand no bigger than a quarter. "Go look for another computer. One that isn't fried would be great. If you do, press that transmitter against it, and I should be able to make the connection. 

​     "I'm headed for the missiles, Claudia. Livia told me they were in some kind of sub-basement." 

​     "Okay." Claudia propelled the Stargod forward until it smacked full into where the elevators were located, until it hovered directly over an empty elevator shaft. "You need a line?"

     "Sure. Why not?" 

     Thick cable dropped from the underside of the Stargod to drop to the bottom of the shaft. Adam grabbed onto it and slid down its length. 

     "Good luck, my friend," Claudia said. 

​     "Back at you. Let's get this done."

CONTINUE