The shrieking of metal against metal was deafening. A geyser of blinding white sparks erupted from the titanium surface of the cylinder as Julian pressed the industrial diamond saw down with all his weight. The basement appraisal workshop, already claustrophobic with its rows of cluttered workbenche

Total panic ensued.

The basement workshop was a cacophony of blaring sirens, pulsing red emergency lights, and the hysterical shrieks of Serena Fox. The air tasted of ozone and pulverized metal from the diamond saw, thick and suffocating in the enclosed space.

"We're going to die! We're going to

The heavy steel door hissed open wider. Victor Sterling stood in the doorway, flanked by security, his eyes fixed on the damaged cylinder.

For a moment, the only sound in the basement workshop was the erratic, shallow breathing of Julian Thorne and the high-pitched whine of the ventilation system