In the Energy Array Control Center beneath the administrative tower, an amber alarm had been flashing for almost four minutes.
The young technician's voice came out higher than he wanted it to be.
"Western dormitory block, density at eleven percent and falling. The drain is concentrated in a single room. Third floor, east corridor. I've never seen a curve like this. It's not leaking, sir. It's being pulled."
Supervisor Marsh did not answer right away. He stood in front of the large holographic map with his arms crossed, watching the western wing slowly turn from soft blue to a pale, starved gray. Behind him, Elder Corwin of the Academic Council had arrived without a sound, a steaming cup of tea held loosely in one hand.
"Shall I send security?" the technician asked.
"Whom would you like them to arrest?" Marsh replied. "A student, doing exactly what students are here to do?"
"But the drain—"
