Theputer, which had been in sleep mode, suddenly sprang to life without triggering any rms or self-destruct mechanisms. Nick was still trying to crack the safe, holding his breath as he did so. Unfortunately, his second attempt failed too, and his face showed his growing frustration. He had onest shot. If he blew it, not only would the safe lock down, but it might also set off the rm.


    Taking a deep breath, Nick geared up for his final try, knowing time was ticking away on the surveince system outside. Meanwhile, Mirabe, having hacked into theputer, casually browsed through it. As she looked over some files on potion forms, the warmth in her eyes slowly faded.


    With just a minute and a half left on the clock, something unusual caught Mirabe''s eye on the minimized surveince feed. She quickly switched back to the feed for the second basement level. Three people were stepping out of the elevator.


    "Someone''sing. You need to leave, now," Mirabe said, pressing her earpiece.


    Nick didn''t reply, still deeply focused on the safe. He couldn''t quit now; getting back in here would be next to impossible. Noticing his silence, Mirabe added, "The surveince jammer will deactivate in eighty seconds."


    Hearing this, Nick felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead and into his mask. Finally, with seventy seconds left, he heard a satisfying click as the safe door swung open. He let out a relieved sigh.


    Inside, the safe was divided into severalpartments, like a mini-fridge, each holding vials of potions in various colors. Nick''s eyes fixed on a blue potion on the third shelf. Quickly, he pulled open the drawer and grabbed nearly fifty vials of the potion. There was a sink nearby, where he dumped all the vials.


    Watching the blue liquid swirl down the drain, Nick''s lips curled into a slight smile beneath his mask. He turned on the faucet to ensure no trace was left behind. The mechanical voice in his earpiece chimed in again.


    "Forty seconds left. Three people are exiting the southwest elevator and heading your way. If you don''t leave now, you might get caught."


    Mirabe, glued to the surveince footage, spoke rapidly, "Got it," Nick replied, darting back to the safe and quickly opening the upperpartment. It was empty -no potions, no anything. Disappointment washed over him as he shut the safe and moved to theputer that Mirabe had essed. He hurried over.


    After skimming through a few files, he only found some potion research reports, nothing of what he was searching for. The mechanical voice buzzed again, prompting Nick to shut down theputer and make his way to the door.


    Watching the surveince feed, Mirabe saw the group approaching theb and Nick stepping out. Her voice carried a hint of urgency, "It''s toote; they''re here."


    Nick, hearing this, stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked up to see the grouping down the corridor. The three individuals, spotting Nick at the doorway, instinctively paused when their eyes met his.