The numbers on the screen bled downward. 00:01:59... 00:01:58...
[Thrum…]
Warning: Data Sanitization Script (01:59)
Penalty on Failure: Survival −7%
[Ding!]
Event: Warrant Execution — Live Response
Status:
- Survival Probability: 88% → 86% (Δ −2%)
- Attention: 30/100
- Imaging Timer: 00:25:00
Sub-Objectives:
K) Halt sanitization & preserve volatile data (+5%)
L) Tie "S" to Suite 2B with admissible artefacts (+5%)
"Asset log," Elara stated, her voice calm but urgent as she swept her body-cam around the room. "PC, serial P-C-4492. RFID writer dock, serial D-K-7710. Bill of Lading stamp, serial S-T-5521. Mobile phone, one incoming call from 'S'."
While she spoke, Rowan was on his radio. "IT, disable switch port for Suite 2B, now. Remote wipe in progress." A confirmation crackled back. He physically yanked the network cable from the wall. The PC was isolated, but the script kept counting. 00:01:45...
Elara photographed the wipe dialog—the timestamp, the file path, the process name.
[Ding!]
Event: Network Isolated — Remote Wipe Blocked
Status:
- Survival Probability: 86% → 88% (Δ +2%)
"Volatile memory first," she said, pulling a sealed forensic drive from the kit. She connected it, her fingers flying. "Initiating live RAM capture to drive serial F-D-8833." The tool began sucking the computer's transient memory into a secure file. Rowan leaned in, reading the drive's SHA-256 hash into his body-cam mic. The process list snapshot revealed the sanitizer's parent: a scheduled task.
[Ding!]
Event: Volatile Memory Preserved (RAM/Process List)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 88% → 90% (Δ +2%)
Sub-Objective K progress: 40% → 70%
She moved to the desk. Macro photos of the BL stamp, confirming the serial match. She bagged and sealed it with an evidence sticker, reading the number aloud. She did the same for the RFID dock. The phone was still buzzing. She dropped it into a silvery Faraday sleeve, cutting it off from all signals but preserving its state.
[Ding!]
Event: Physical Artefacts Sealed (Stamp/RFID Dock/Phone)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 90% → 91% (Δ +1%)
"The printer," she said, turning to the device in the corner. She pulled up its spool history. "Reprint job, timestamped twelve minutes post-blackout. User 'S.' Template version mismatch." She photographed the printer's config sticker.
[Ding!]
Event: Evidence Capture — Printer Spool/Reprint
Status:
- Survival Probability: 91% → 93% (Δ +2%)
The wipe timer hit 00:00:45. IT confirmed the port was dead, but the script was running locally.
"The warrant covers process suspension," Rowan stated, his voice a bedrock of calm.
Elara documented the Process ID on screen. "Suspending process PID 4481," she narrated, typing the command. The timer froze. The script was halted.
[Ding!]
Event: Sanitization Halted (Documented)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 93% → 95% (Δ +2%)
Sub-Objective K — COMPLETE
Now for the full image. Rowan connected the forensic imager, the write-blocker a silent sentinel. Elara started the disk image. The tool displayed the device ID, size, and an ETA. The Warehouse Duty Officer stepped in as a witness. Together, they read the case number and the initial hash value into the camera.
[Ding!]
Event: Forensic Disk Imaging — In Progress
Status:
- Survival Probability: 95% → 96% (Δ +1%)
While the imager worked, Elara scoured the captured RAM. She found the contractor portal session. "Username 'S.' Display name: 'S. Holt.'" She found a cached chat excerpt: "Route via Gate 3. Use the cleaner clip." The access logs placed the login from this suite during the blackout. The badge reader log outside the door showed a staff ID—H-4492—entering at that exact minute.
The triad was complete. Account. Badge. Location.
[Ding!]
Event: Handler Linkage — Account+Badge+Location
Status:
- Survival Probability: 96% → 98% (Δ +2%)
Sub-Objective L — COMPLETE
A noise at the door. A handle jiggled. Rowan's hand landed on Elara's shoulder, a brief, steadying pressure. He moved to the door, his voice calm but absolute. "Warrant execution in progress. Log your presence to the camera now."
Silence. Then, receding footsteps.
The disk imager hit 99%.
The overhead lights flickered. A new voice came over the radio. "Alert: Facility-wide reboot initiated from board office. Storm protocol. T-minus three minutes."
If the power cycled now, the image would be corrupted. They'd have to start over.
Rowan's gaze met Elara's. "We hold the room."
Elara braced the imager with both hands as a peal of thunder shook the building.
[Thrum…]
Warning: Facility Reboot T−03:00
Penalty on Failure: Survival −6%