Hawkins National Laboratory Flashlight Novels & Stories

“Rusk’s light code. And your name if we have to use it.” Rusk shifted behind the glass. “Orra knows Warren?” Warren’s mouth flattened. “Everyone knows everyone they’d rather not talk to.” Rusk’s faint smile returned. “Then she knows him.” Evelyn almost smiled despite herself. Almost. Rowan stepped close enough that his sleeve brushed hers. “We move without radios.” “Yes.” “Signals only.” “Yes.” Gabriel adjusted the strap across his chest. “Light source?” Caleb disappeared into the lead truck and came back with two flashlights, one small signal mirror, and a battered emergency lantern with cracked red casing. “The lantern still works if nobody insults it directly.”

Transitioning system interface to low-light mode. The fluorescent bulbs flickered as they buzzed loudly like bees before dropping in brightness. The white light turned into a yellow hue then died completely. "LUS can we see the city from the roof access?" I asked, walking toward the metal ladder. [Yes Host Eva. The roof perimeter is secure. The reinforced hatch is locked from the inside. I will monitor the camera feeds while you are above.]

security guy one scoffed. I glanced down at my leggings and cursed, heart thudding as I heard the shuffling of their footsteps just right out the door, the door handle suddenly wiggled and I knew I was going to be caught, stepping behind the door, pulling my bag closer, it opened and a man walked in. The lights being off was my only cover, as his frame blocked the door way. The light from the hallway streaming in, “nothing here Larry, check in the left hallway," security guy two boomed.

The dock was momentarily deserted, the stack of H-8 alloy I-beams gleaming invitingly. ​At 12:42 PM, a nondescript white van, bearing the logo of a generic HVAC servicing company, pulled up near the gate. Two men, dressed in reflective vests and hard hats—the perfect camouflage—slipped out. They had no tools for ventilation; only a small, briefcase-sized spectrometer.