Following Henry's announcement that the Alchemist's Curse contagion has mutated into deadly flesh-eating bacteria, the Global Dynamics defense computer kicks into action, locking some people in and keeping others out. It transforms Allison's office into a panic room by lowering it far below Earth's surface and sealing it off completely. The four people in the office — Allison, her son Kevin, Henry and the unscrupulous Beverly Barlowe — are trapped together.