44

The separatists have been through your pockets and removed your weapons, but they didn't find the secret pouch in your left coat sleeve. You deftly withdraw your picks, flourish them for Zhu, and get to work on the lock.

You fumble, twist, turn, push, and pull, but it's no good. The lock is too tough for you. You give up, sighing with frustration.

Zhu steps over. With a slightly patronizing smile, he reaches down and takes your picks. Within a few seconds, the door is hanging open. He hands you back your tools.

"Keep practicing, Dr. Spillane," he whispers, a little too gleeful to be seemly. "You'll get there one day."

You steal a glance across at the guards. They are still immersed in their board game, unaware of your newfound freedom.

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