He stood before a door. The door was made of steel, or perhaps some more mysterious metal. It gleamed in the steady artificial light. A panel beside the door glowed faintly with red and green lights. He commanded, and the colors changed. The door slid aside soundlessly. Light poured out into the night from within. He stepped through the door into the cool night. He had worked long and hard to dig this entrance out, but it was clear now. It was ready.

Everything was ready. He had made all possible preparations. Everything awaited his triumph. It is time to begin, he told himself as he stepped into the night. The door slid shut behind him, cutting off the light, but his sensitive eyes could see better by starlight than by the bright glow of the artificial lights, and he knew where he needed to go.

It is time to begin.