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But then, just because she didn't have her memory didn't mean she wasn't her, and they didn't make just any old asshole the head of security for the Hive.

One spoke in a mostly straight-up tone of voice. "You and I have the same employer—we all work for the Umbrella Corporation. The mansion is an entrance to the Hive. You are security operatives placed there to protect that entrance."

Alice removed her wedding ring. "What about this?"

One came as close to a smile as Rain had ever seen. "Your marriage is a fake. Just part of your cover to protect the secrecy of the Hive."

"And what is the Hive?" Spence asked.

One looked at Kaplan. "Show them."

Rain turned to see that Drew and J.D. had set up the laser cutter. Rain put the helmet on, fired up the cutter, and went to work. Her best bet was trying to slice out the panel in the middle of the door—that would cut the circuit as well as provide a handy little hole in the door.

The cutter was loud enough to drown out Kaplan and One explaining the Hive to the two people responsible for its security.

No, this wasn't a totally fucked-up scenario. The computer going all run-silent-run-deep, the security unconscious and losing their memory, some cop wandering around, and they still didn't know jackshit about what was going on.

When she'd sliced out a rectangle, it fell to the floor with a satisfying clang. Rain switched the cutter off and raised the helmet

From down the stairs, she could hear Spence asking, "Why can't I remember anything?"

"The Hive has its own defense mechanisms," One was explaining, "all computer controlled. A nerve gas was released into the house. Primary effect of the gas is complete unconsciousness, lasting anywhere up to four hours. Secondary effects are varied, but can include acute memory loss."

"For how long?" Spence asked.

"Subjective. An hour—day—week."

Addison chose this moment to speak up. "So you're saying this place was attacked?"

"I'm afraid things are a little more—complicated than that."

Before One could explain, Rain said, "Sir—we've breached the Hive."

One nodded, and the rest of them fell into formation.

Rain was half-convinced that one of the three newbies was gonna shoot their mouth off, but they didn't. Maybe they'd asked their share of questions.

Kaplan got the door open, then stepped back. Rain, Warner, and Drew covered One and J.D. as they took point. J.D. had put his night-vision gear on his head.

One simply said, "J.D."

Nodding, J.D. put the night-vision cylinder over his eye. He looked like some kinda rucking Borg. He entered the dark room.

Rain held her MP5K at the ready and waited.

Suddenly, the lights went on. Not just that, but there was noise—sounded like street noise. The room was an elevator bay, but the windows showed some kind of city scape.

One gave the signal and they moved in, keeping in formation, covering each other.

Except Olga, anyhow. She had that doodad of hers out and was looking at it. Then she looked up. "Halon content has dissipated."

Rain thought it was a damn good thing they took off the fucking gas masks.

Alice and the Addison guy walked over to the window, looked at the "view."

"Makes it easier to work underground," Addison said, "thinking that there's a view."

Rain gave him a suspicious look.

Then a noise got her attention. She turned, but it was just One, J.D., and Warner prying the elevator door open—but there wasn't a car on the other side.

J.D. tossed a flare down the shaft.

Rain walked up behind him and peered over his shoulder. The green light of the flare lit up the shaft, and a lot of loose cables, scraps of metal, and pieces of plastic.

Somebody had taken the express to the basement.

J.D. looked at One. "Looks like we're taking the stairs."

One nodded, and gave a signal to move out.

Rain, J.D., and Warner did rotating cover at point as they headed down the metal staircase. It took them to the working levels. The plan was to take them to the Red Queen's chamber and shut her down.

One looked at Kaplan