They found Sebastian at the whiteboard, drawing complex diagrams while Ming Li sat cross-legged on the floor looking overwhelmed.
"....and if threat level escalates to code red, you implement protocol seven, which requires immediate extraction via route charlie unless route charlie is compromised, in which case you default to route delta, but only if Sister Emily is within fifty meters of the extraction point, otherwise you implement holding pattern alpha until...."
"Sebastian," Ming Li interrupted, her voice small. "I don't understand any of this. There are too many routes. Too many codes. Too many protocols."
Sebastian paused, looking at his elaborate diagrams, then at Ming Li's confused face.
"Okay," he said, setting down the marker. "Let's simplify. Ming Li, what's your primary job?"
"Protect Sister Emily," Ming Li said immediately.
"Exactly," Sebastian confirmed. "Everything else is secondary. If you remember one thing....just one thing....what should it be?"
