Telrim casts an appreciative eye at that stabilizing tail as Annah jumps down. Humans in this world are the exception in being tailless bipeds, and former Hork-Bajir Controllers tend to feel the lack.

She steps forward, scanner drawn to examine the lock. "It's a simple system, even for- places like this. One moment."

The Controller switches a few settings and presses the device to the card detector. On the dimmed display, a red symbol spins rapidly for a second, then halts and turns green. At the same moment, the lock beeps, and the door clicks open.

"If anyone's watching the system, they might wonder who's coming in late," Telrim observes quietly, stowing her tools.