After a moment’s pause, during which time she mentally replied “I’d expect to get my ass fired” she answered. “I would put all resources on a full systems audit starting at the download site end and work forward. Once the program was found I could determine when it was inserted. From there it would be a case of method and opportunity… detective work to find the culprit at the same time as auditing all other systems for other subversive programs and sub routines.”
“What did you major in and how long have you been with the NSA young lady?” was the next question.
“I have a BA in advanced systems analysis, I am working on my Masters and I have been with the NSA for four years sir.” Jesus she thought, he’s going to fire me.
“Jack!” called out the president to his NSA chief.
“Yes, Mr President?”
“Who is your systems security specialist?”
“Harry Nakajima sir, he’s a good man.”
“Not good enough by a long shot so fire his sorry ass and meet your new one.” Giving a brief smile to the briefer he nodded his head toward the door, signalling her meteoric promotion and permission to depart the room.
“Who is next?” he asked.
Scott Tafler began his briefing from the time O’Connor had been hired. Max had gotten him the permission he had asked for and she had not held back in assisting him. Thirty-five minutes later he ended with Peridenko’s file and a reminder to those present of the details of the device found in London.
“Why do you suppose that China is involved in this, it sounds like a red herring answer regards the financing thing?” General Shaw asked him.
“Sir, this whole thing could just be freak coincidence. Yet Peridenko was once upon a time in charge of the device in London, and a hell of a lot more of them besides. We know that he is still thick with the Premier. We know that none of the O’Connor data showed any Chinese targets.” Scott took a moment before continuing.
“Apart from a year as mosquito food in the Louisiana National Guard I have no military experience sir, yet to me it seems unrealistic for Russia to attempt an end run with the forces they have and have to watch the back door too. Sixty percent of the targets on the list could not be exploited by Russia; they are too far east sir”
General Shaw leant forward.
“The question was about a theoretical Russian Chinese pact by rebels or terrorists… who the hell said anything about their Governments and armed forces getting involved?”
“General, what would be the point of merely blowing up our cities and bases. If we didn’t retaliate militarily once we identified the origins of the weapons we would starve them to death. There is a saying I once heard “Do not intimidate a strong enemy, either destroy him or leave him the hell alone,” replied Scott.
“General Tsun Tsu, in The Art of War?” queried the general.
Scott could not help but grin widely.
“Actually sir it was Captain James T. Kirk, in the Starship Enterprise,” corrected Scott to the first laughter heard in the room for many hours’.
The president nodded to Scott once the last chuckle had ceased.
“I accept your connection between this Peridenko and terrorism as credible. I do not feel however that there is anything to connect his government or the People’s Republic of China. Many ex reds went rogue when they got laid off. So far we have seen nothing to suppose that this is anything more than terrorism.”
After thanking Scott and waiting until he had left the room he addressed the staff.
“I think we can take it as read that the Chinese are behind the satellite thing and that carrier of theirs is the reason. If that sonofabitch in the previous administration hadn’t been so damn scared of them not buying from us this may not have happened. His party may blame our proposed ICBM shield as the reason for their recent nuclear and conventional step-up but I think it was him showing too much soft underbelly. Does anyone here see anything that connects the Chinese carrier with these suitcase bombs?”
With a negative reply from them he called for his State Department to issue some notes to the Russian and Chinese ambassadors before sending everyone home to bed.
Over in England at this time the post operational debrief material had just arrived on the commissioners desk.
Once again Scott arrived late for work although this time he not only had an excuse; he also had a note from the Director of the CIA, Terry Jones himself.
Scott’s first stop was the bosses office.
“I understand that despite the hour… and lack of time, you sold part of your theory?” Max said, once he had waved Scott to a seat and got them both coffees.
“The device in London went a long way toward firming it up. Do you want the full skinny, not just my bit?” said Scott.
“I already know the Chinese have a blue water Navy in the form of a modern carrier group we never suspected. The geeks are on triple time doing an audit of all intelligence agencies computer systems. FBI are getting the ducking boards ready for the witch-hunt that will surely cometh and we are at DefCon 4”, was Max’s reply.
“We have been at 4 since September 11, if not in word then in deed” taking a sip of his coffee Scott went on.
“That London business is still running but the president is unwilling to take the next step without evidence that this is not just the work of a crazy ex spook. By that I mean declaring war on someone. However, the ambassadors from both countries are being handed ‘Just so long as you know we know’ notes. All units worldwide are to increase their readiness for action, but now that we know the President feels that will be the end of it, officially anyway. I wasn’t party to most of what was said but every location on the O’Connor stuff has been warn… ” The ringing of Max’s phone interrupted him mid-sentence.
“Reynolds?” Max listened for a minute before replacing the receiver and grabbed his jacket.
“I have to go to a briefing of department heads; we just jumped all the way up to DefCon 2. It would seem the Brits got a solid link between the Kremlin, the killing of some rookie English Bobbies and the group planning to blow up London. Finish your coffee Scott, the Director wants you in his office soonest”. Scott was beginning to wish he had called in sick.
“Wrap a rubber band ‘round my waist and call me yo-yo” He looked at his watch, the traffic was going to be a sonofabitch!
The sound of the shower awoke Svetlana and it took a few moments to recall where she was. After a few seconds more she slid from between the sheets and stretched. According to the clock on the wall she had slept for eight hours’. Looking down at the foot of the bed she saw the towel and blankets, recognising them for what they where she shook her head and smiled before gathering and folding them.
She looked herself up and down in the full-length mirror on the rear of the wardrobe door before opening the door to the bathroom a crack. The steam issuing from the shower cubicle would mask the lack of makeup she decided and striding in she opened the cubicle door. The waft of cooler air caused Constantine to turn hurriedly and wipe water clear of his eyes in alarm. Svetlana was stood there naked. He opened his mouth to protest but he saw the look in her eyes. The amorous look in them almost made him look over his shoulder to see who it was really directed at and despite the warmth of the moisture laden air her nipples were growing hard and proud before his eyes.
“I don’t think this is a very good idea” he told her as firmly as he could. Svetlana looked down his body before looking back up into his eyes with a smugly satisfied smile playing on her lips.