Thorn had just wired the electrodes of a sleek, black plastic box to the door when alarms started going off. His head jerked up. "Aaaw, hell. I knew it was too smooth!" Nameless and Smedley, at opposite ends of the narrow corridor that led to the service entrance, dropped into firing positions. Neddy glanced at Thorn. "It would seem that the need for secrecy is past. Thorn, lad. Do we need to persuade the door to open, or are more forceful measures appropriate?"