Dutton is explaining the layout of Level Five to Hall.
“The living quarters, conference room, cafeteria, biosafety maintenance, etc. Inside are the labs,” says Dutton.
“Where’s the library?” asks Hall.
“No need for books,” says Dutton. “Everything’s in the computer.” Dutton points at the screen. “Notice the capsule’s already been delivered by the sterile conveyor system to the main control lab here. Your patients are here in the hot room of Miscellaneous. We can’t have any direct contact with them, poor souls. ”
“Doctor Dutton and Doctor Hall are wanted in Main Control immediately, please,” says an announcement. They both head for Main Control.
“Hey,” says Hall, “If the patients are sealed off, how do I get to them?”
“Ever used a glovebox?” asks Dutton.
“No,” replies Hall.
“Wildfire’s gone a step further,” says Dutton. “Whole rooms that operating like gloveboxes. You’ll be working in one, shortly.”
Hall and Dutton walk through a door marked “MAIN CONTROL.”
Main Control is a large room with a two-person workstation, many video screens, and four waldo controllers for operating remote manipulator arms in an adjoining, glass-enclosed room.