The polished marble floors of the Grand Crest Hotel echoed with the sharp, hollow rhythmic clatter of titanium crutches. Julian Vance adjusted his grip, his jaw clenched against a throbbing, fiery ache in his right femur.

Julian: Get the car pulled around to the private pavilion, Mark. I want to leave immediately.

Mark: The chauffeur is already idling by the east gate, Mr. Vance. We just need to clear the main lobby.

Julian gritted his teeth, leaning heavy weight onto his forearm pads. His right leg was locked inside a six-figure computerized bionic brace, a masterpiece of medical engineering designed to keep him walking after a suspicious car wreck shattered his knee three months ago.

Suddenly, a flash of bright green darted straight across the polished floor.

Julian: Watch out!

A little blonde girl, no older than four years old, tumbled directly across the marble corridor, crawling right toward his feet.

Clara: DON'T TOUCH HIM, PLEASE STEP ASIDE!

A hotel maid dropped her linens, sprinting across the lobby with her arms outstretched in pure terror.

Clara: Daisy, stop right now! Back away from the gentleman!

Julian froze on his crutches, balancing carefully so he wouldn't tip over and crush the child. The little girl sat on her knees, gazing upward with wide blue eyes. Her tiny hand reached out, hovering inches from the side housing of the motorized brace.

Julian: Hey, sweetheart, step back. That's heavy machinery.

Daisy: Pretty button...

Julian: No, don't press that—

Click.

Her tiny index finger tapped the shiny chrome emergency latch. A sharp electrical beep echoed down the corridor, followed by a harsh, unnatural mechanical hiss. A tiny red LED light beneath the titanium panel began blinking rapidly, pulsating like an angry heartbeat, freezing every guard in the grand hall cold.