I awoke to darkness.
What the hell happened?
I saw the emergency floodlights on in the lab sector, but I don't have access. Out of confusion, I didn't realize the breach alarm was on. The loud klaxon rang throughout the entire facility. The red emergency lights were on, too. I needed to find safety. I went to run out into the pathway between cubicles, and tripped over my chair. I faceplanted on the cold hard tiles, ouch. I pushed myself up, and grabbed my black leather bag. I broke into a sprint and arrived at the door into the lab sector, it was a thin one, made of plexiglass and some sort of a plastic. I inserted my keycard, but it did nothing except make a low pitched beep, meaning it was declined.
The announcement system buzzed, and with a crackling voice, "All personnel are to report to the nearest breach shelter, do not attempt to reach the exit." echoed through the office.
By now I was shitting myself, they're playing the code black alarm over the announcement system. It's similar to that of a DEFCON alarm, but different. This alarm is only used when there is a full-scale Keter breach, I've only ever heard it in training. I have no idea how to behave in this situation, nor what to do. By now the breach shelters were locked, and they do not let anyone, or anything in. Out of pure desperation to get to somewhere more secure, I grabbed the fire extinguisher on a rack to the right of the door, and dropped my bag. I heaved it over my head about 6 times until the door gave loose, I grabbed it and pushed it to the side with all my strength, grabbed my bag, and rushed inside.
I ran and ran until I saw the plain white door that had a small black panel, it read Storage Room. Luckily I know this room is always unlocked. I made my way in and was sure to close and lock it. This gave me time to relax, so I kneeled down and opened my bag. Nothing of use, and I left my thermos at my desk. I stood up, and reached for my waistband. I went to grab my Ruger Security-9, but it wasn't there. All staff are given this firearm for protection, and it's mandatory to carry it. I'm unarmed and there are my worst nightmares roaming the same halls as me. I needed to get to my locker. Now is my chance to grab anything I may need to survive as long as I can.. I grabbed a gas mask, and a flashlight. I didn't want to carry much so I left my bag, it had nothing of use in it anyways. Now, I had to get to my locker. I twisted the lock to the storage room door and opened it slowly, careful to look around. I was paranoid, but I didn't have a reason not to be. I was not even a few yards down the hall, the lights began to flicker, and as I suspected, they flickered once more and didn't come back on. I was in complete darkness, not even the emergency floodlights are on anymore. I reached for my pocket and grabbed the flashlight, and also taking the time to shove on the gas mask. I screwed in the filter, and continued down the hall.
The door to the armory was open, I peeked in, unsure if I would go in, or even if I could. I shone the flashlight around and above each cabinet and locker. It was dead quiet, and there was no one in sight. I stepped in and grabbed the armory keycard on the table to my right, now I have access to this whole place, except for the guns. I continued down the cabinets and opened the one containing different assortments of body armor. I took off my gas mask, and slid a thick black bullet-proof vest over my red dress shirt and tie, being sure to quickly put the mask back on.
I must look pretty cool, I thought to myself.
There was nothing else of use that I had access to besides more junk that would weigh me down. I exited the armory and shut the door, I still had the armory keycard, which I now pocketed.
