Ghost can see that panic hovering over her, better than either would like. But he's learned with Blaze that sometimes it's better not to point such things out. Self-examination isn't adaptive here. But he's trying to keep a read on her vitals as he works. The two tasks keep his nervous attention occupied.

"It's strange," he agrees, probing his way past one security measure after another. It's well sealed, which means it must be secure inside. The medical labs must have their own ventilation systems, surely. That would be logical. The creature won't be able to follow them. There'll be functioning computers, equipment, answers. Safety.

Unless the medical bay is the source of contagion. Unless they're unsealing something they shouldn't. What if there's dangerous contamination in there? Adia isn't immu-

Something flashes behind him. Adia shrieks; Ghost jumps and casts a sensor back in time to see her swat aside... hands? Grasping, clawed alien hands that trail back into impossibly, horribly long arms.

One glimpse is all he needs.

"Hold them back! I'll get this open!" He flutters over the interface, circuits surging as one unpicked safety measure triggers another to be undone. Trying not to think about what's behind him. Whether Adia's okay. He's used to this, right? He's done this, Hive teeth gnashing the air behind him, their cries carrying through thin air. The thump of heavy blows against enemy flesh. She's got this. We've got thi-!

"It's open!" he cries as the keypad lights green and the doors unseal in a hiss of released pressure. And then something cold and bony clamps over his shell and drags him back, a hand slipping past while Adia's beating off a lunge from the other. His straining seems to make no difference as it reels him in, claws digging in hard against his shell. "No! No! Help!"

He's reaching out on comms, on their link, his unheard shouts louder than his helpless cries. Guardian! Blaze! Help! Help me! Where are you?