Niko picked one up and turned it in his hand. “Interesting.”
“That’s not all.” Q popped out the card. “When it’s removed, the phone sends an alert to everyone working on the project. It also turns on the camera and mike, streaming everything to a web page. It keeps streaming until it runs out of batteries. Turning it off doesn’t stop it.”
“This doesn’t have a removeable battery,” said Niko. “The only way to stop it would be to destroy the phone.”
Q nodded. “That’s the idea. Anyone who removes the SIM card is potentially hostile.” She removed an ID badge from her case. “These phones have a few more tricks. I understand you’ll be working in a facility that uses this type of proximity card. When a legitimate user needs to prove their identity, they wave this within six inches of a reader to open a locked door or perform some other function. Your phone has an app that will copy the data from one of these badges if you’re close enough.” She held up a small box and some blank ID cards. “Later, you can use this device to create a duplicate badge.”
Niko had worked in a datacenter that used cards like this. He thought about all the ways he could maneuver his phone within six inches of someone’s badge without them realizing what he was doing.
As the briefing continued, Q brought out special eyeglasses with tiny, hidden cameras on the frames. She also explained the RF sniffer function of the phone that would detect and map wireless communication. She demonstrated a tiny camera that recorded video and sound but didn’t transmit.
Right out of James Bond. No wonder they call her Q.
“One final thing.” Q set a device that looked like an old calculator on the table. “Our medical team inserted transponder implants under your scalps. If you’re checked for bugs, these implants won’t give you away since they don’t transmit anything until interrogated by one of these devices.” She pointed to the calculator. “The transmitter in your implants are low power. Their range is only a hundred meters. We have a second transponder for each of you with twice the range, and we’ll conceal them in the lining of a purse or wallet.”
Smith stood. “I’m sorry, but we have to cut this short. You can show them your other gadgets tomorrow.” He led her to the door.
After Q left the room, Smith opened his laptop. “We have one more project to discuss today.” The CIA seal appeared on the screen. Below it appeared the word MKRODENT. “This project has a higher classification level than MKSIGMA. Don’t discuss this with anyone other than me. I’ll limit my briefing to those details you need to know. It’s similar to the project you completed—the Linux implant that crosses over to an industrial control computer.”
Vyper nodded. “The one where I buried “KILROY WAS HERE” in the code.”
“That’s right.” The CIA seal on the screen was replaced by a logic diagram. “This is a simplified version of the firmware that controls the triggering of a weapon.” Smith pointed the red laser dot at one of the inputs. “Before this weapon can trigger, it must be armed.” The dot moved to another spot on the screen. “But arming it is not sufficient to trigger it. That won’t happen until sensors indicate it’s safe and the target is in range.”
Vyper’s eyes widened. “What kind of—”
Smith raised his hand. “I can’t tell you. You don’t have a need to know.”
Niko placed his hand on her arm. He looked at Smith. “I hope you don’t plan to start World War III.”
Silence was the only response.
Niko glanced at Vyper and shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, Mister Smith. What do you want us to do?”
“We have copies of the firmware used for these weapons—the one currently in production plus four previous versions. I need you to reverse engineer it and determine how to set all the safety and targeting signals high—authorizing triggering. Don’t make any changes to the arming signals.” Numbers and capital letters filled the screen. “This is a snapshot of the code starting at the load point.”
Vyper studied it briefly. “If this mysterious weapon uses the program you have requested, it will trigger the instant someone arms it. Is that what you want?”
“It is.”
Chapter 26
Nassau
Nassau, Bahamas
Niko opened his eyes. He was in Vyper’s apartment, three doors down the hall from his own. She lay next to him, still asleep, facing away. The ceiling fan turned slowly, blowing fresh ocean air in his face. The sun was still low in the morning sky. No need to turn on the air yet. This is the life.
He arrived here a week ago, filling in as a substitute professor at New Providence University. Vyper arrived the following day. Smith had warned them to act as total strangers in public. If this had been a weekday, Niko would have gotten up before sunrise to sneak back into his room, but today was Sunday and they didn’t have anywhere to go.
When Vyper rolled onto her back, Niko sat up and studied her face, looking for any sign she was awake. He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. Then he thought of Sokolov and the armed gunmen who came after her.
He’ll never get to you. I won’t let him!
Vyper’s eyes opened and she smiled. “How long have you been staring at me?”
“Only a few minutes, but I could admire you for hours.” Niko brushed the hair away from her face. “Did I ever tell you I love you?”
“Every day, silly. I love you, too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “What do you want for breakfast?”
“Only you.” He slowly pulled the sheet aside. “Just lean back and enjoy.”
Their lovemaking was tender at first, then more energetic. They used every inch of the king-sized bed, trying out their favorite moves and experimenting with new ones. When exhaustion took over, Niko lay on his back with Vyper’s head resting on his chest.
She ran her hand across his stomach. “They say it is better in the Bahamas. I agree.”
After sharing a shower, they sat at the dining room table with coffee and bagels. The view through the sliding glass windows was tropical and serene. Palm trees lined the sea wall. The towering hotels on Paradise Island appeared in the distance.
Niko carried their empty cups to the kitchen, refilled them, and returned. He took a sip. “How’s the job going?”
“It is boring. We wait around in case the cloud service develops a problem, but nothing happens on second shift. There are only two of us, and Junior plays video games all evening. Imagine a twenty-something Bahamian man who calls himself Junior.”
“I’d love to visit you at work.” Niko laid his hand on hers. “You get a dinner break, don’t you? Maybe I could join you for dinner.”
“You know we cannot be seen together in public—the Russians might notice. Fortunately, I do not eat with Junior. One of us must stay in the office to cover the shift. I always go to Blackbeard's Conch House. It is a dive, but the seafood is great—and the crowds disappear after the cruise ships leave.”
“I’m sorry you have to eat alone.” Niko sipped his coffee. “So, tell me about Junior. Is he a good gamer? Can he beat you?”
“Junior likes video poker.” Vyper wrinkled her nose. “I spend my time watching what the Russians are doing. They are still poking around in the Texas oil fields. It looks serious, but Smith says we should let Homeland handle it. He wants us to work on our mission.”