In a low voice, Niko responded. “We must… for now.” He kissed her.
All alone in a strange place without their possessions. They had no computers or video games, and he didn’t feel free to talk or use his phone. They sat next together on the couch and watched TV.
When a chime rang, Niko got up and opened the door. “Come in, Mister Smith.”
He nodded and entered, carrying a briefcase, wearing the same suit as earlier in the day. Something about him seemed a bit less intimidating—perhaps his loosened tie or the hint of a smile. “We have a few things to talk about.”
Niko pointed to the breakfast island in the kitchenette. “Why don’t we sit over there.”
Smith sat on a tall stool, opened his case, and removed a folder. He looked across the table at Niko and Vyper. “Do either of you have any idea what happened tonight?”
When they both shook their heads, Smith continued. “A five-man team assaulted your home. Three men were found inside the house, dead.”
Niko nodded. “They came after us. It was self-defense.”
“We have no reason to doubt you. The FBI arrested two men who tried to escape—one is hospitalized.” Smith opened the folder and pushed a picture of Vyper across the table. “Each gunman had a picture like this in their pocket.” He flipped it over, revealing a single word handwritten on the back—PRIXSTER.
Vyper’s hand flapped and she began to rock. The front feet on her stool lifted and returned to the floor.
Niko put his arm around her shoulder.
Smith slid the picture back into his folder. “Neither of the captured gunmen would talk at first, but one of them finally agreed.” He fixed his gaze on Vyper. “Alexei Sokolov hired them.”
Vyper shook her head violently and flapped both her hands. “No! He is dead!”
“We’ve received several reports that Sokolov faked his death,” said Smith. “The man we interrogated seems to support those reports. The bodies of he and his wife were disfigured—head shots, and their hands were missing. It’s possible this fooled Russian investigators, or perhaps they were paid off.”
Niko held his grip on Vyper. “You’re safe. He can’t get to you now.”
Smith placed his hand on Vyper’s arm. “Are you okay? Is there anything you need?”
Her head stopped moving and she clasped her hands together. “I will be fine.”
Niko whispered to Vyper, “I love you.” He looked at Smith. “Who’s Prixster?”
Smith raised an eyebrow. “Let’s be honest with each other. Sokolov figured out Harris… I mean Vyper, was Prixster. He sent these people to snatch her—alive. The suspect we’re holding told us Prixster has something Sokolov needs, but he had no idea what it was.”
Vyper sat up straight. “I cannot go home. He will keep searching for me. We need to hide.”
“We can help you with that.” Smith removed some papers from his folder. “In return, we need your help to stop the Russian cyber-attacks.”
Niko leaned forward, hands on the breakfast island. “We appreciate your help, but I’m confused. We’re already helping Homeland.”
Smith pushed a document in front of them. “This is from the personnel office of Crystal Intelligence. You are no longer assigned to the Homeland project, they have reassigned you to my organization.”
“They did this without talking to us? Suppose we didn’t want to be reassigned?”
“Homeland can defend the country without your help.” Smith slipped the document back into the folder. “The only way to stop Russia is to go on offense. And that requires overseas assets—our specialty.”
Niko exchanged a look with Vyper.
We’re working for the CIA?
Part III: Offense
Chapter 24
Making Plans
Safe House, somewhere in Virginia
Niko’s first night in the safe house had been a restless one. Twice he awoke in a sweat from a nightmare and reached out to Vyper for comfort. The details of the dreams quickly faded from his memory, except for Sokolov’s cruel smile and Vyper’s screams.
After breakfast, he sat on the couch next to the woman he loved, the TV volume loud enough to make eavesdropping difficult. He leaned closer to her and whispered, “We have to stop Sokolov and Zatan before they find you. If the CIA can help us eliminate them, we should do whatever they ask.”
Vyper wrapped her arm around him and nodded.
At eight o’clock, right on schedule, a chime rang at the front door. Niko greeted Smith who stood next to a large suitcase and held a briefcase.
The mysterious man from the CIA wheeled the suitcase inside. “I brought some of your clothes. We’re keeping the rest of your things in storage for now. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”
Niko was tempted to give him a list of demands but thought better. First, it’s time to listen. He led the man to the island in the kitchenette where Vyper had already taken a seat.
Smith sat and opened his briefcase. “Our conversation yesterday must have raised a lot of questions.” He placed a folder in front of him. “Let me begin by saying that I trust both of you, and I hope to earn your trust.”
Niko took a seat and glanced at Vyper, whose face gave away nothing.
Smith raised an eyebrow. “I can see you’re not convinced. Nevertheless, we have to work together.” He opened his folder. “Let’s talk about your assignments.” He slid a document across the counter to Vyper. At the top, it displayed the security classification: SECRET//ROPE2//SHADE. “This is your first assignment. It should be simple for someone with your talents. We want you to develop software that can penetrate a Linux system, using techniques that security experts have never seen before. Something that won’t be detected by up-to-date security programs.”
Vyper nodded. “I understand. You need a zero-day implant. What does this Linux system do? Where is it and how do I access it?”
“I can’t divulge that. We’ll use our field operatives to handle the insertion. The security precautions implemented on this computer are stringent. The document lays out all the details. In addition, we have a test computer, with the configuration of the target system, sitting in a lab.”
“What is it for?” asked Vyper.
“As I said, I can’t tell you. We operate on a ‘need to know’ basis.”
Vyper leaned forward. “Fair enough. But why me? There are hundreds of people with the skills for this. Besides, you said we are going after the Russians.”
Smith took the papers from Vyper and leafed through them. He handed it back, opened to a page labelled TARGET. “There’s more. Once the program is operational on the Linux system, it must search for a specific industrial controller. Here are the specifications. Once it finds the target, the program should try to insert another implant onto the controller.” He looked at Vyper’s quizzical expression. “No, I can’t reveal what this specialized machine does. However, an identical machine is sitting in our lab for testing.”
Niko rested his hand on Vyper’s arm. “He wants you to plant a bug that could take control of machinery. It might be a train, a power plant… for all we know, it fires nuclear weapons.” Niko turned to Smith. “Isn’t it true?”
“You’re asking about a hypothetical. You’re not cleared for the details.”
“Okay,” said Vyper. “What else does this software have to do?”
Smith flipped through a few more pages. “It must open a communication channel to reach my team in a way that’s difficult to detect. My team will use the channel to send software updates. And one final requirement.” He poked at three words on the page. “Insert the phrase ‘KILROY WAS HERE’ inside the implant… in English, disguised by weak encryption.”