Vyper tapped away at her keyboard, then looked up. “I cannot access Valley Electric. Has anyone set up generators and satellite communication?”
“One moment,” said a voice on the speaker phone. “I’m connecting you directly to our incident response team.”
Niko turned on network news, where the anchor desk reported on the developing situation, speaking to on-site reporters via satellite phone. No video was available because emergency operations officials had commandeered all power generators in the area, including those from news organizations.
Vyper worked with the emergency team to establish a connection to the power distribution network and identify the systems that were affected by the attack.
“I wouldn’t want to be in LA,” said Niko. “Traffic snarls and accidents, mob scenes at banks and gas stations, looting, riots. Hospitals are running with limited power on backup systems. It’s threatening patients’ lives. Officials are reporting shootings… some deaths. It’ll be dark soon—officials ordered an immediate curfew.”
By nightfall, Vyper had identified the cause and devised a plan. The power company had to isolate the major parts of the network so Vyper could repair each segment one at a time. They kept the malicious software isolated from the newly-repaired sections.
Each time Vyper cleared one segment, Valley Electric restored power to another section of the city. Within a few hours, the system was back to full capacity. The city was in shambles. Emergency crews would get no rest tonight.
It was after midnight in Virginia when Vyper closed her laptop. “I am exhausted. This is the first time I have had to fix a problem while people were suffering… dying. The Russians have never attacked our country like this before.”
Niko gave her a hug. “This tit-for-tat. Moscow blames us for the attack on their Metro, so they attack the power company in LA. Could be the start of a full-scale cyberwar. And our country has the most to lose.” He kissed her. “You need some sleep. Let’s go to bed.”
They fell asleep almost immediately.
Whoop… Whoop… Whoop
Niko opened his eyes and glanced at the clock—2:15.
Whoop… Whoop… Whoop
Intruders! Probably not the FBI.
Chapter 22
Defense
Niko jumped out of bed and picked up his phone. On the screen, a night vision video showed the bright-green images of two men on the left side of the driveway and one on the right. He touched a drop-down menu and selected “Dog.”
The sound of three barking canines broke the silence outside. The figures on the screen stopped, raised their weapons, and turned to a defensive position.
Vyper stood on the other side of the bed, stepped into her slippers, pulled on a nightshirt, and picked up her phone.
“Follow me!” Niko snatched a shirt and pair of shorts from the chair next to the bed, picked up the bat phone and his gun, and ran to the computer room, Vyper right behind him.
He held Vyper’s hand. “Stand behind the door. It’s bulletproof.” He slammed it shut. “Call Homeland.”
On the inside of the computer room door, a large video monitor showed the three green figures moving toward the house. Niko touched the screen and selected more menu options. A loud alarm screamed outside the house.
The video switched to full color as floodlights illuminated the lawn outside. Two spotlights scanned the yard randomly. Three men dressed completely in black, carrying assault rifles and a battering ram, suddenly stopped and tore the goggles off their faces. They sprinted to the outer edge of the lawn.
“They had night vision goggles,” said Niko. “The light must have been blinding. Looks like they’re wearing body armor.”
Vyper yelled into the phone. “Homeland, this is Harris. Armed men are attacking my home. Send help now.” She ended the call and touched an icon on her phone. “Data purge and computer shutdown started.”
The lights blinked. Vyper glanced at her phone. “They cut power. We are on batteries.”
Niko slipped into his shorts and pulled the shirt over his head. “It’s okay. I connected the security system so it runs on emergency power.”
Outside, two men spread out, ten yards to either side of the third, then all three sprinted toward the house. As the first man came within ten feet of the door, two strobe lights flashed intense beams at his face, stopping him abruptly. The other men came from the sides and ran up to the door.
Niko remotely fired the door-mounted mace cartridges at the intruders. Two men dropped to their knees holding their faces.
The other man picked up the battering ram and smashed it into the door. He rammed it a second time. The door lurched into the house and dropped to the floor.
Niko switched the video to an indoor camera so he could watch the men cross the threshold into Vyper’s home. He remotely fired two more mace cartridges at the intruders as they entered. All three dropped to their knees, struggling to clear the liquid from their eyes.
Standing behind the computer room door, Vyper put her arm around Niko who held a finger to his lips.
They watched the screen as the intruders spread out to search the house.
One man walked to the computer room door and jiggled the knob. “Open door!” He jiggled it more. “Open door, now!” He stood back, raised his assault weapon, and fired a short burst of bullets at the door. None of them penetrated.
A second man joined him, carrying the battering ram.
Niko motioned Vyper to a corner at the far end of the room, while he stepped to one side of the door, raising his Glock and aiming it at the entrance. He inhaled and slowed his breathing.
Body armor. Aim high.
The door to the room burst from the hinges. As the first man appeared, Niko shot him once in the head, knocking the lifeless form against another man.
Someone outside the door returned fire. Niko turned and glanced at Vyper, who nodded and raised her thumb.
From outside the house came the distant sound of police sirens, becoming louder and more insistent.
Niko peered through the doorway and spotted two men gesturing to each other. He shot one in the head, knocking him backwards to the floor. Before the second man could raise his weapon, Niko shot him, too.
Flashing red lights pulsed through the open doorway. The sirens of several vehicles competed for attention. They had to be right outside.
Vyper ran to Niko’s side and peered through the computer room doorway. “The front door is gone. And the men—they are not moving. Are they dead?”
Niko wrapped his arm around her. “I think they’re dead. I hope there were only three.”
A gunshot rang out, then two more.
A powerful voice from a bullhorn demanded attention. “FBI. Drop your weapons.”
Another gunshot. The faint sound of helicopter blades beat louder, changing pitch before settling into a low hum.
Niko hugged Vyper. “The cavalry arrived. Let’s wait in the living room.”
Vyper walked around the lifeless men on the floor.
The bat phone rang. Niko answered it. “This is Zima.”
An unfamiliar male voice responded. “Is Harris with you? Are you safe?”
“Yes, and yes. We’re both here. Safe and alone… I think. Are you Homeland?”
“Homeland sent us. Walk out the front door slowly, one at a time, holding your hands over your head. Leave any weapons you have behind.”
Niko turned to Vyper. “We have to trust someone.” He set his Glock on a table and headed outside, stepping into the blinding light, hands held high. Within seconds, two men frisked him while a third held a gun at the ready.