The update came in while James was lacing his boots.
**Guild Zero — Operations:** *Applications closed overnight at 31,400. Screeners start Monday. Portal held. Two press requests declined per M. Callahan. Nothing needs you.*
*Nothing needs you.*
James read that line twice, decided he liked it more than he expected to, and put the phone face down on the table.
Twelve people were in that building right now doing things he did not have to do.
Alice was already by the door with her coat on.
`[TEAM ZERO — PARTY FORMATION]`
`[JAMES GANNER — CONFIRMED]`
`[FINN HALE — CONFIRMED]`
`[MAEVE CALLAHAN — CONFIRMED]`
`[RONAN CLEARY — CONFIRMED]`
`[CILLIAN WARD — CONFIRMED]`
`[CHALLENGER PARTY: 5 / 5]`
`[REANIMATED — ACTIVE]`
`[ANATHEMA — BOUND — MANIFEST]`
"Ready?"
"I have been ready for eleven minutes," said Alice.
`[FLOOR 28 ENTRY CONFIRMED]`
---
Floor 28 was wide open, and after eight days of buried streets and blind corners James stood there for a second just enjoying it.
