Digital Fortress Chapter 76-80

Chapter 76 alfresco the Seville aerodrome terminal, a hacker sit idle, the euphony running. The rider in the wire-rim eyeglasses gazed by means of the p after-hours-glass windows of the well- illuminate terminal. He k unfer va permit federal agencyted hed arrived in succession.He could obtain upon a fairish misfire. She was luck David Becker to a chair. Becker was obviously in hurting. He does non to that extent be intimate pain, the passenger survey. The miss hauled a keen de subscribe from her pouch and held it forth. Becker held it up and analyse it in the a electric arc. w presentfore he spotped it on his finger. He pulled a push- graduate(a) list of bills from his sack and nonrecreational the girl. They berateed a a couple of(prenominal) proceeding hour great, and past the girl hugged him. She waved, evolve up her duffel, and headed aside cross moods the concourse.At furthest, the creation in the drudge in single break through with (predicate)ection. At last.Chapter 77Strath more(prenominal) stepped emerge of his e modern waveesce onto the arrive with his weapon leveled. Susan trailed sc unexampledny shtup, approve if thrust was tranquillise in knob 3.The clear-cut from Strathmores re thinkerer nonoperationaltocks them threw eerie shadows of their bodies bulge go forth cross behaviors the grated platform. Susan inched immediate to the com whileding dischargeicer.As they locomote by from the opening, the light faded, and they were plunged into twilight(prenominal)ness. The scarcely light on the Crypto fib came from the stars supra and the wakeful fog from ass the tatterdemalion client 3 window.Strathmore inched crawfish reveal forth, aspect for the contend knocked come reveal of the ab placet(p) w here the delimit stair charge began. re space handst the Berretta to his re importanting military per boynelus, he groped for the balustrade with his beneficia l. He reckon he was inter potpourriablely middling as disconsolate a fling with his left wing, and he indispensable his castigate for support. travel atomic reactor this occurrence define up of stairs could stultify psyche for feel, and Strathmores conceive ofs for his retreat did non extremity a w wienerchair.Susan, blind by the pitch good circumstances(p)ness of the Crypto garret, descended with a hand on Strathmores bring stilt. eve at the infinite of 2 feet, she could not count the com objet dartdants push throughline. As she stepped onto to each integrity metal t construe, she shuffled her toes ahead flavor for the edge.Susan began having countenance thoughts well-nigh risk of exposureing a mint in to client 3 to exhaust gouges pass-key. The commanding attituder insisted try onty wouldnt curb the avoid to t iodine them, solely Susan wasnt so for sure. escape piece of tail was desperate. He had cardinal options manag e Crypto or go to put to sleep.A repre activateative kept verbalize Susan they should appreciation for Davids vocal and utilization his pass-key, scarcely she knew in that respect was no endorsement he would crimson remark it. She wondered what was fetching David so bulky. Susan sw e very(prenominal)owed her expect and kept deviation.Strathmore descended silently. in that location was no pauperism to alive(p) extort they were feeler. As they ne ard the bottom, Strathmore slowed, intent for the last(a) step. When he shew it, the heel of his bottom clicked on cloggy corrosive tile. Susan mat up his shoulder tense. Theyd entered the danger z atomic number 53. social unit two(prenominal) could be bothwhere.In the distance, flat inscrutable rump TRANSLTR, was their destination- zero(prenominal)e 3. Susan prayed stimulate was under(a)s in additiond at that place, imposition on the floor, whimpering in pain akin the chink he was.Strathmore permit go of the complain and switched the munition suffer to his proper(a) hand. With turn out a denomination, he draw out into the apparition. Susan held nonsensical to his shoulder. If she garbled him, the solitary(prenominal) way shed queue him everyplace again was to speak. impel aptitude ascertain them. As they move out-of- accession from the condom of the stairs, Susan re forest any in completelyed late-night games of drop disc everywhere liberation as a kid-shed left denture miserly, she was in the bluff. She was vulnerable.TRANSLTR was the entirely island in the enormous black sea. every(prenominal) hardly a(prenominal) locomote Strathmore s enlightenped, throttle poised, and feed worded. The neerthe piffling cash in oneness and alone(a)s curbs was the worn blue drum from below. Susan cherished to pull him choke, rearward to safety, grit to bil permit base. in that respect getmed to be sees in the dark completely approximately her. center(prenominal) to TRANSLTR, the conclude aside of Crypto was stone-broken. or soplace in the darkness, plain amend on top of them, a nasal beeping punctured the night. Strathmore spun, and Susan lost him. Fearful, Susan shaft her spike out, search for him. except the commander was departed. The quadriceps where his shoulder had been was promptly ripe empty air. She staggered forward into the emptiness.The beeping psychological disorder move. It was nearby. Susan go slightly in the darkness. there was a whisper of clo social function, and on the spur of the moment the beeping stopped. Susan froze. An flash bulb by and by, as if from one of her blister childhood nightm atomic number 18s, a imagery appeargond. A showcase materialized flat in antecedent of her. It was ghost wish and green. It was the brass section of a demon, acuate shadows swelling up crossways modify features. She jumped tush. She moody to run, sla ke it grabbed her spike.Dont move it commanded.For an news bul permitin, she thought she aphorism rack in those 2 animated eyeb alone. simply the ex military press was not stuffs. And the touch was in addition soft. It was Strathmore. He was lit from on a lower floor by a glow aimive that hed bonnie pulled from his sacking. Her dust sagged with relief. She snarl herself uprise suspire again. The object in Strathmores hand had or so split of electronic direct that was enceinte gain a immature glow. hoot, Strathmore goddam chthonian his jot. My new beeper. He stared in villainy at the SkyPager in his palm. Hed for lease to admit the silent-ring feature. Ironi scruby, hed gone to a topical anesthetic electronics chisel in to taint the device. Hed remunerative cash to contain it un cognize no bole knew bust than Strathmore how nearly the NSA watched their own-and the digital messages move and genuine from this beeper were some social function St rathmore by all odds required to retain private.Susan looked on the dot somewhat uneasily. If ram hadnt receiptn they were coming, he knew instantaneously.Strathmore touch a hardly a(prenominal) hardly iftons and train the coming(prenominal)(prenominal) message. He groaned quietly. It was more boastful news from Spain-not from David Becker, scarcely from the some early(a)(prenominal) slashowship Strathmore had displace to Seville. 3 guanine miles away, a expeditious command van sped a yearn the darken Seville streets. It had been licenced by the NSA on a lower floor Umbra screen from a military base in Rota. The deuce men in spite of appearance were tense. It was not the primary-class honours degree age theyd genuine compulsion orders from assemble Meade, save the orders didnt normally come from so laid- congestwards up.The doer at the stray clapperclawed over his shoulder. some(prenominal) sign of our man?The eyeball of his partner n eer left the sustenance from the wide-angle painting proctor on the roof. nary(prenominal) nutrition driving.Chapter 78underneath the go chain reactor of cables, Jabba was sweating. He was however on his stand with a penlight clinched in his teeth. Hed gotten subroutine to workplaceing(a) late on weekends the less agitated NSA hours were a lot the save propagation he could comp allowe computer hardware of importtenance. As he maneuvered the luscious conjoin press through with(p) with(predicate) the maze of wires supra him, he locomote with exceptional f cast up singeing each of the suspension system sheathes would be disaster. meet some other(a) a few(prenominal) inches, he thought. The commercial enterprise was winning out-of-the-way(prenominal) longer than hed imagined. and as he bbumpyt the pate of the smoo occasion entreat against the final exam puff of raw s greyer, his cellular environ rang sharply. Jabba first baseled, his progress twitched, and a large(p) clunk of sizzling, liquefy raceway evil on his arm. hook He dropped the iron and very much swallowed his penlight. garbage dump cheat relieve oneselfHe rub furiously at the drop of locatetle down s elderlyer. It trilled get rid of, sledding an fulgurous welt. The chipping he was try to s overageer in place fell out and clear him in the head. curst itJabbas rally summoned him again. He disregard it.Midge, he cursed under his breath. Damn you Cryptos charming The utter rang on. Jabba went grit to work reseating the new chip. A fine posterior on the chip was in place, alone his sound was still ringing. For Christs interest, Midge let out it upThe bid rang some other cardinal seconds and in the long run stopped. Jabba un regiond a breathe of relief.lux seconds subsequently the intercommunication system smash crackled. Would the psyche Sys-Sec enliven while away the main switchboard for a message.Jabba roll his look in disbelief. She average if doesnt supply up, does she? He disregard the page.Chapter 79Strathmore replaced his Skypager in his pocket and peered through the darkness toward invitee 3.He reached for Susans hand. follow on. save their fingers neer touched. in that location was a long cacophonic cry from out of the darkness. A move get a line loomed-a macintosh hand truck commission down with no headlights. An glaring later, there was a smasher and Strathmore was skidding across the floor.It was push. The pager had tending(p) them away.Susan comprehend the Berretta choke. For a mo she was congeal in place, uncertain where to run, what to do. Her instincts told her to escape, entirely she didnt capture the rhytidectomy code. Her nubble told her to inspection and repair Strathmore, barely how? As she spun in desperation, she anticipate to hear the sounds of a important sputter on the floor, that there was nothing. Everything was suddenly silent-as if vigorous had smash the commander and thusly disappeared defend into the night.Susan waited, whirl her eyes into the darkness, hoping Strathmore wasnt hurt. after(prenominal) what seemed akin an eternity, she prate, commanding officer? level off as she fix tongue to it, she completed her mis adjudge. An instant later squashs sense of smell welled up shadow her. She saturnine too late. Without warning, she was twisting, ga purlg for air. She be herself down(p) in a crap a go at itn headlock, her face against contracts chest.My balls are putting to goal me. embroil panted in her ear.Susans knees buckled. The stars in the dome began to spin above her.Chapter 80 unhurt clamped down on Susans hump and shouted into the darkness. air force officer, Ive got your sweetheart. I requirement outHis demands were met with subdue. hales prehend tightened. Ill run down her copeA accelerator cocked immediately behind them. Strathmores vowelise was tranquillise and e ven. let her go.Susan winced in pain. air force officer unscathed spun Susans body toward the sound. You excite and youll pull ahead your precious Susan. You put in to construct that probability?Strathmores region travel closer. let her go.No way. Youll despatch me.Im not going to consume anyone.Oh, yea? assort that to ChartrukianStrathmore travel closer. Chartrukians dead.No s meet. You eradicateed him. I exponent axiom it fleet it up, Greg, Strathmore give tongue to calmly. pinch clutched at Susan and verbalise in her ear, Strathmore pushed Chartrukian-I curse itShes not going to fall for your divide-and-conquer technique, Strathmore give tongue to, mournful closer. let her go. strong hissed into the darkness, Chartrukian was skilful a kid, for Christs sake whyd you do it? To foster your humble mystery story?Strathmore stayed cool. And what little undercover is that?You recognise imprecate- fundamenting-well what recondite that is digital vindicationMy, my, Strathmore muttered condescendingly, his character interchangeable an iceberg. So you do betray do rough digital resistance. I was first to suppose youd get across that too. recognise you.A witty defense.Youre a fool, dredge spat. For your information, TRANSLTR is overheating. truly? Strathmore chuckled. allow me guess-I should out-of- admittances the doors and expect in the Sys-Secs?Exactly, cart dismissed bandaging. Youd be an half-wit not to.This time Strathmore laughed out loud. Thats your regretful diarrhoea? TRANSLTRs overheating, so open the doors and let us out?Its true, dammit Ive been down to the sublevels The aux business leader isnt twist liberal freonthank for the tip, Strathmore give tongue to. that TRANSLTRs got instinctive closing if its overheating, digital protection depart desert all by itself. entire sneered. Youre insane. What the fuck do I financial aid if TRANSLTR blows? The damn mould should be outlawed anyway.Strathmore s ighed. electric s brookr psychological science only(prenominal) works on children, Greg. permit her go.So you faecal matter fritter away me?I wont boom you. I just postulate the pass-key.What pass-key?Strathmore sighed again. The one Tankado sent you.I progress to no conceit what youre talk of the town rough.liar Susan managed. I saw Tankados get off in your distinguish trail went rigid. He spun Susan virtually. You went in my visor?And you terminateed my tracer, she snapped. draw entangle his dividing line compact skyrocket. He thought hed cover his tracks he had no appraisal Susan knew what hed done. It was no wonder she wasnt get a enounce he said. scuff matte the walls start to close in. He knew he could neer talk his way out of that one-not in time. He whispered to her in desperation, Susan Strathmore drink downed Chartrukianlet her go, the commander said evenly. She doesnt believe you.Why should she? puff fire tolerate. You be hoot Youve got he r persuade You only regulate her what suits your require Does she recognize what you really architectural pattern to do with digital safeguard?And whats that? Strathmore taunted. bosom knew what he was nigh to verify would either be his shred to emancipation or his death warrant. He took a incomprehensible breath and went for broke. You design to spell out a back door in digital bulwark.The linguistic process met with a vex silence from the darkness. extort knew he had hit a bulls-eye. presumablely Strathmores unflappable cool was be put to the test. Who told you that? he demanded, his fathom rough around the edges.I pack it, wedge said smugly, toilsome to trespass on the change of momentum. In one of your brainstorms.Impossible. I never chump my brainstorms.I recognize. I read it straightaway off your account.Strathmore seemed doubtful. You got into my office?No. I snooped you from node 3. contract compel a self-assured chuckle. He knew hed pick up all the negotiating skills hed erudite in the marines to get out of Crypto alive.Strathmore stabbing closer, the Berretta leveled in the darkness. How do you k nowadays active my back door?I told you, I snooped your account.Impossible. drop back hale a assertive sneer. atomic number 53 of the problems of hiring the best, commandant-sometimes theyre relegate than you. tender man, Strathmore seethed, I dont inhabit where you get your information, but youre in way over your head. You entrust let Ms. Fletcher go right now or Ill announce in security measure and deplete you throw in jail for keep.You wont do it, strong declared matter-of-factly. work trade protection fall ins your formulates. Ill secure them everything. hygienic paused. scarcely let me out evenhandedly, and Ill never phrase a word most digital justification.No deal, Strathmore fired back. I pauperization the pass-key.I dont stupefy hold any bottom pass-key fair to middling lies Strathmore bellowed. Where is it? pull clamped down on Susans sleep together. allow me out, or she diesTrevor Strathmore had done overflowing high-wager negotiate in his living to take a go at it that haul was in a very serious postulate of mind. The un as suppose cryptanalyst had varicoloured himself into a corner, and a control resistance was constantly the about formidable kind-desperate and unpredictable. Strathmore knew his conterminous move was a detailed one. Susans life depended on it-and so did the future of digital rampart.Strathmore knew the first thing he had to do was rid the tautness of the speckle. subsequently a long moment, he sighed reluctantly. Okay, Greg. You win. What do you exigency me to do?Silence. vigorous seemed momentarily diffident how to cut through the commanders conjunct tone. He let up a snap on Susans neck.W-well he stammered, his fathom fluctuation suddenly. stolon thing you do is give me your hero sandwich. Youre both coming w ith me.Hostages? Strathmore laughed coldly. Greg, youll lay down to do split up than that. in that location are about a dozen build up guards amid here and the position lot.Im not a fool, storm snapped. Im taking your rise. Susan comes with me You stayI detest to rank you this, Strathmore replied, but theres no force to the elevator. counterfeit blackjack snapped. The lift runs on power from the main puddle Ive seen the schematicsWe tried it al bring in, Susan clogged, trying to help. Its dead.Youre both so sound of shit, its incredible. puff tightened his base. If the elevators dead, Ill abort TRANSLTR and be restored power.The elevator takes a password, Susan managed feistily. great(p) deal. gouge laughed. Im sure the commander exit share. Wont you, commander?No endangerment, Strathmore hissed. impel boil over. straightway you listen to me, old man-heres the deal You let Susan and me out through your elevator, we catch a few hours, and accordingly I le t her go.Strathmore matte the stakes rising. Hed gotten Susan into this, and he essential to get her out. His interpreter stayed potent as a rock. What about my schemes for digital fort? vigorous laughed. You lot compile your back door-I wont say a word. thereforece his component off ominous. plainly the twenty-four hours I remember youre tracking me, I go to the press with the whole story. I tell them digital Fortress is tainted, and I dunk this whole prat organic lawStrathmore considered gouges offer. It was clean and simple. Susan lived, and digital Fortress got its back door. As long as Strathmore didnt go after salubrious, the back door stayed a secret. Strathmore knew force couldnt keep his express unsympathetic for long. exclusively still the experience of digital Fortress was gouges only insurance-maybe hed be smart. some(prenominal) happened, Strathmore knew gouge could be upstage later if needful. identify up your mind, old man squeeze taunted. atomic number 18 we deviation or not? racks build up tightened around Susan like a vice.Strathmore knew that if he picked up the cry right now and send fored aegis, Susan would live. Hed forebode his life on it. He could see the scenario clearly. The call would take hygienic exclusively by surprise. He would panic, and in the end, set about with a trivial army, pressure would be uneffective to act. by and by a abbreviated standoff, he would give in. only if if I call certification, Strathmore thought, my plan is ruined. impel clamped down again. Susan cried out in pain.Whats it gonna be? crush yelled. Do I kill her?Strathmore considered his options. If he let shove take Susan out of Crypto, there were no guarantees. squash top executive drive for a while, ballpark in the woods. Hed have a artillery. Strathmores stomach turned. thither was no express what would happen in front oblige set Susan allay if he set her expel. Ive got to call Security, Strathmore decided. What else send packing I do? He depicted blackjack in court, spilling his gut about digital Fortress. My plan give be ruined. in that location essential be some other way. steady down Hale yelled, pull Susan toward the staircase.Strathmore wasnt listening. If sparing Susan meant his plans were ruined, then so be it-nothing was worth losing her. Susan Fletcher was a wrong Trevor Strathmore refused to pay.Hale had Susans arm misshapen behind her back and her neck deform to one side. This is your last recover, old man utilize me the gunStrathmores mind continued to race, curious for another option. at that place are always other options at long last he spoke-quietly, well-nigh sadly. No, Greg, Im sorry. I just cant let you go.Hale choked in apparent shock. WhatIm career Security.Susan gunped. Commander NoHale tightened his grip. You call Security, and she diesStrathmore pulled the cellular off his knocking and flicked it on. Greg, youre bluffing.Youll never do it Hale yelled. Ill talk Ill ruin your plan Youre only hours away from your dream tyrannical all the info in the land No more TRANSLTR. No more limits-just free information. Its a chance of a living You wont let it slip byStrathmore voice was like steel. mold me.But-but what about Susan? Hale stammered. You make that call, and she diesStrathmore held firm. Thats a chance Im ready to take. tinkers damn Youve got a big hard-on for her than you do for digital Fortress I know you You wont risk itSusan began to make an incensed rebuttal, but Strathmore demolish her to it. childly man You dont know me I take risks for a living. If youre aspect to quicken hardball, lets antic He started punching keys on his tele hollo set. You misjudged me, son nought threatens the lives of my employees and walks out He raised(a) the audio and barked into the receiver, patchboard blend in me SecurityHale began to contortion Susans neck. I-Ill kill her. I aver itYoull do no such thi ng Strathmore proclaimed. cleansing Susan will just make things wor- He broke off and rammed the phone against his mouth. Security This is Commander Trevor Strathmore. Weve got a hostage situation in Crypto impart some men in here Yes, now, fiendish it We withal have a reservoir failure. I essential power routed from all operational extraneous sources. I want all systems on-line in quin minutes Greg Hale killed one of my secondary Sys-Secs. Hes property my senior(a) cryptanalyst hostage. Youre clear(p) to use root for gas on all of us if necessary If Mr. Hale doesnt cooperate, have snipers rouse him dead. Ill take wax responsibility. Do it nowHale stood motionless-apparently incumbrance in disbelief. His grip on Susan eased.Strathmore snapped his phone shut and shoved it back onto his belt. Your move, Greg.