Julian Vance carried the brass Galley Key straight to the center of the foundry.
The Global Recall Dispatch Console was built into the rear bulkhead like the armored bridge of a battleship.
It was forged from riveted naval steel, painted dark industrial grey, and mounted with seventy-two heavy brass pneumatic dispatch tubes that shot straight up through the vaulted ceiling into the bedrock above.
A single keyhole sat in the middle of the console face, ringed by a polished brass collar:
[EMERGENCY FACTORY RECALL INITIATION]
[AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY -- FORM BSS-00 RULE 05-A]
“Julian, is that the master switch?” Lin Mei asked, catching up with her slide rule tucked under her arm. “Arthur’s register says that console connects directly to the surface distribution lines!”
“It connects to every post office, convenience store, and hospital ward in the county,” Julian said.
