40 The Facility Room

40 The Facility Room As soon as 67, Alan, 19 and 33 disappeared with Nerys through the southern door of the Spire, the RAZERs forming the two lines filed back through the opening in the crayon fence and returned to their positions at the edge of the lake. 'We have to be quick,' said Josephine. 'Right now, the three of us are the only free Resistance operatives in Chroma. Whether they know it or not, everyone is relying on us.' 'No pressure, then,' said Rockwell, gulping. 'So, what are we going to do?' 'I'm not sure,' replied Josephine, wiping the red paint from her eyes. 'I need to think.' 'Follow me, Josephine Engelberger and Rockwell Riley.'

said 72, suddenly. 'I can facilitate a means for you to get into the lake. Once there, we can liberate the Jones family. According to my calculations, they are the Resistance operatives best placed to help right now.' Josephine and Rockwell followed the robot to the Spire, creeping in through the southern door. They were pleased to see that the lobby was empty. 'They must have already gone up in the lift,' said Josephine. 'Affirmative,' said 72. ' But we will go this way. The RAZER led them through the door marked STAIRS. ' Oh no, not again,' groaned Rockwell, whose thighs were still burning from his ninety-nine-floor descent earlier that morning. 'Don't worry,' said a surprisingly sprightly Josephine. 'If I'm right about where 72 is taking us, it's only a few flights down.' When they got to level Minus Three, 72 led them to a door marked COLOUR CORRECTION- FACILITY ROOM. 'We have arrived,' said the robot, holding the door for Rockwell and Josephine. 'Oh,' said the boy. 'I've been here before. I recognise that little round pool. 'Affirmative,' said 72. 'This is where you would have ended up after you swam across the Rainbow Lake. You came in

through the access point for the colour-correction filter. Immediately after I... I...' 'Immediately after you sacrificed yourself to help us get into the Spire,' said Rockwell. ' Yes,' said 72. 'To this day, it remains the bravest thing I have ever seen, said Rockwell. 'And I've jumped off the top of the Empire State Building wearing an illustrated jetpack, so that is quite a big statement!' '72,' said Josephine, 'does the chute at the bottom of this pool lead directly to the Rainbow Lake?' 'Affirmative,' replied 72. 'The chute is usually full of water, but obviously that is no longer the case. You will have to crawl through it.' 'And what about you?' asked Rockwell. 'My dimensions preclude me from travelling through the chute,' they answered. 'I shall, however, be waiting for you when you reach the opening in the lake. When you get there, look up. 'Look up?' asked a confused Rockwell. Affirmative,' replied 72. 'Look up.' Right then,' said Josephine. 'There's no time to lose! Let's get going. See you on the other side, 72.' And with that, the two humans climbed into the empty pool.