The cold-storage alarm began during a discussion about whether the remains could safely wait.
Its first sound was small and domestic, a repeated note from a panel beside the inner door. The local technician stopped speaking, crossed the room and checked the display. He opened a service cupboard, looked at the backup indicator and asked the medical custodian to call the facilities worker.
Juno put down the list of available instruments.
“How long?”
“We don’t know yet.”
The technician did not make a promise while his hand was still on the cupboard latch. The primary system remained within range. The backup that should sustain it through a failure was not holding its expected charge. A replacement could come from another facility after a vehicle became available. Until then, monitoring would require a staff member to remain close enough to respond.
The custodian had already refused Aegis access pending custody arrangements. Outside, Rook was explaining his offer to a reporter.
“We have equipment and trained people prepared to assist,” he said through the open outer door. “The local authorities must decide whether protecting their procedures justifies the delay.”
