The young technician didn't need to be told twice. He punched in the override codes, the screen flashing a deep violet, the color of Floor Zero's security clearance.
Leo walked toward the specialized lift at the back of the hall. Unlike the others, this one was made of a dull, non-reflective material. No mirrors. No shiny surfaces. Even the buttons were tactile rather than holographic.
Leo stepped inside. There were no floor numbers. Only a single, unlabelled button at the very bottom. He pressed it.
The descent was silent. No mechanical sound followed with no vibration of the cables. It felt less like a lift moving through rock and more like a stone sinking into a dark pond. After what felt like an eternity, the lift came to a halt.
The sound was deafening in the silence.
The doors slid open to reveal a hallway that was pitch black. Not a single light remained. Leo reached for his flashlight, but his hand stopped.
