“I don’t know what it was.” Cooper checked all the computer systems and the exterior house sensors. “The light is still hanging from the tree out back. All computer systems are functioning properly now. I do not know why they dropped like that. I cannot seem to raise any of the security force, all I get is static.”

Turner ordered, then stood. “Hit the magnetic pulse generator. I am going out there.”

A hand grasped Turner’s elbow. He faced the Doctor. “Is that a good idea?”

“What do you mean?” Turner shook his arm free.

“With no video feed, it’s hard to be certain, but I think our actors are doing their job.” The Doctor replied evenly. “They are probably getting ready to go outside as we speak. Do you really want to ruin the recording for a computer glitch?”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Turner said evenly. “If the light was not ours, then what was it?” “Our security crew may be dead or performing their job. With the suppressers on their guns, our actors could walk right into the middle of a battle.”

The Doctor countered rapidly. “You are making a gut reaction. Stop and think this through. See if any of the exterior feeds are working.”

Turner’s eyes never wavered from the Doctor. “Cooper?”

“Yeah, working it. Got it. Zone one is working on the screen now.”

They crowded close to the computer. The front yard of the house looked empty, yet odd, as if the light was reflecting wrong in the picture.

“Can you fix it?” Turner looked at Cooper.

The technician pressed some buttons on his console, then faced Turner. “It is not us or the camera. That is what the light looks like outside.”

Turner looked at the screen again, trying to understand the picture. It was as if there were several sources of light that crossed the yard, leeching the sense of depth and proportion out of the picture.