Page 23 of The Honeymoon Hack
We placed our bags on the conveyor belt and walked through the body scanners without incident. On the other side, three guards worked in harmony, swiping drug detector swabs across every bag, testing them, and waving people through.
“They’re certainly efficient,” Will said as we collected our bags.
Moss remained neutral, but I caught a hint of pride. “We try to balance security with staff comfort. Now, let’s take care of your credentials. If you’ll follow me.”
He led us through the door into a reception area which contrasted sharply with the natural cave—all polished surfaces, subdued lighting, and state-of-the-art technology. We entered a room off the main area where a security guard stood behind a counter.
Claire trailed behind us.
The guard at the counter took our photos and fingerprints, then confirmed our identities against an employee list. Nearby, a wall of monitors displayed feeds of server rooms, hallways, and other security checkpoints. Three men sat in front of the screens, watching everything. Screens flicked from one view to another. No sign of the bedrooms, though.
“These cards contain RFID chips and GPS locators,” Moss explained as the guard produced simple black ID cards with our images. “The facility is quite large, and we sometimes need to locate specific personnel quickly for system issues.”
“GPS works underground?” Will asked, examining his card.
“Not traditional GPS,” Moss clarified. “It’s a proprietary internal positioning system. The cards interface with sensors throughout the facility to track location.”
“Sweet,” Will said. “What’s the accuracy?”
“Within three feet. The system helps us maintain security protocols and assists in emergencies. For instance, if there’s a system failure in a particular section, we can instantly identify which technicians are closest and task them directly.”
The guard handed us black lanyards dotted with a green Mnemis logo, which resembled a Greek goddess’s head. Mnemosyne.
Noting Moss’s lanyard had white logos, I said, “Different lanyards?”
“Green for new employees. After your probationary period ends in three months, you get yellow and additional permissions.” Moss took our cards momentarily and activated them. “I’ve set up your residential access as well. You’re in room R-17.” He handed the cards back to us, then picked up a radio. “Jenkins, report to main security for new staff orientation. Bring Tremblay along for the demonstration.”
He turned back to us. “Jenkins will walk you through the security protocols. Tremblay is observing as part of his training. Once you’re done, Ms. Lawson will escort you to your quarters.”
Claire, who’d been waiting nearby, nodded in confirmation.
Shealsowore a lanyard with white logos. Was there something higher?
Two security officers appeared—one I didn’t recognize must have been Jenkins, and behind him, Rav with his ‘Pierre Tremblay’ security card. I smiled at both men—hiding one when I saw Rav would have been impossible. Having him nearby reduced a little more of my anxiety.
A far more experienced field operative than I, Rav barely blinked when he saw me instead of Ashley.
The security briefing was straightforward, covering emergency procedures, restricted areas, and shift schedules. I did my best not to look at Rav, throughout the process, but more likely, I was being too obvious aboutnotlooking at him. Scarlett’s advice about being pleasant but unremarkable, not invisible, but not memorable… it was already hurting my head.
After the briefing, Claire led us down a long escalator that plunged us fully below sea level, then through a series of corridors, explaining the facility’s layout as we walked. The deeper we went, the more I marveled at what a feat of engineering it was—a self-contained ecosystem built beneath the earth and sea, designed to protect the world’s most valuable data.
“The residential section is through here,” Claire explained, scanning her pass to open a door leading into a more warmly decorated area. “Each shift rotation shares this space—common areas for dining and recreation, plus private quarters for staff.”
“How many people work here at any given time?” I asked.
“We have over a hundred total staff between technicians, facilities, management, and security on each rotation,” Clairereplied. “Today’s a transition day for the technicians, so both rotations are here, and the outgoing group will leave tonight after the eight p.m. shift starts.”
We passed several staff members in the corridor, all of whom greeted Claire by name. These people weren’t just colleagues, but friends. It was a little like Reynolds Recoveries in that respect.
“Here we are,” Claire said, stopping at a door marked ‘R-17’. She indicated we should swipe our cards.
The door opened to reveal a comfortably appointed room—about the size of an average hotel suite, with a small sitting area, two desks, a private bathroom, and a king-sized bed.
One bed.
One. Giant. Bed.
Why had I thought we’d have two?
