Crawlers

11:45pm

'We have to do something,' said Robert. 

He and Josh were standing in the monitor room. Between them they'd at last got the hang of the console. They'd had trouble keeping Ben and the girls in sight in the fog of the foyer, but had found them again in time to witness what had happened. They had seen Lauren put the crawler on Ben. They had seen where Lauren and Jasmine had gone. 

'Come on,' said Robert, when Josh didn't reply. 'I'm sick of waiting. Let's you and me go and do something, for a change.' 

Josh turned and raised an eyebrow. 'Robert,' he asked, 'are you having some sort of episode? When we first came up here, you were crying like a baby. Now, what? You're an action hero?' 

'No,' said Robert. 'All I'm saying is-' 

'Yes, I heard what you're saying.' Josh's lip curled in disdain. He pointed at the screens. 'Robert, the army's down there - people with guns. But here you are, suddenly getting the urge to ride in and save the day. You, Robert. Wow, if this wasn't so pathetic I'd be laughing.' 

'Coward,' said Robert. 

Josh frowned. 'Excuse me?' 

Robert's face was red with emotion. 'You heard. Lauren may have tricked Ben and Samantha and Jasmine, but at least they tried. All you do is sit there waiting to be rescued and telling people what to do.' He shook his head. 'And I used to think you were so great. Well, see you.' 

He turned and set off. 

'Robert...' said Josh, following him into the security room. 'Robert, your arm's broken. What exactly do you think you're going to do? You won't even get out of that door! Robert, come back!' 

With his good right hand Robert opened it, revealing the empty passage beyond. 

'The sentries are gone,' he told Josh, 'you knob.' He nodded at the unconscious body of Lisa. 'Stay here with her.' 

With that, he left. 

Josh stood there for a moment. He looked down at Lisa. Then: 

'Robert?' he called. 'Robert! Wait for me!'