Viktor smiled and started back into his trance, when he suddenly perked up. “I forgot tell you—Anya phone. She fly to LAX tonight.”
That was music to Peter’s ears as he straightened up, his pulse rate jumping. This was exactly what he needed to hear. A visit by Anya would definitely rejuvenate his soul. He was a little miffed Viktor was bringing it up so late in the day, but it didn’t matter; she was coming to visit. Trying not to sound too excited, he asked, “What time does her flight arrive?”
“Land at 8:55. If okay, maybe we both pick her up after meeting?” asked Viktor.
“Sure, no problem.”
“You like Anya, no?” asked Viktor.
This was the first time either addressed the subject. Even though Anya was always in the back of his mind, Peter had been too busy focusing on the mission. He figured Viktor already knew the answer. “Yes, she seems very sweet. I do like her.”
Viktor turned and gazed out the window without saying a word. The two sat in silence again, but now Anya was front and center in Peter’s mind.
BEFORE LONG, Peter and Viktor’s mental break was over; it was time to get back to business. The two walked out of the elevator on the top floor of the luxury hotel. Down the hallway stood a CIA agent outside the presidential suite.
“This nice hotel. CIA do right,” said Viktor as they exited the elevator.
Peter smiled. “Yeah, I doubt Rob is roughing it.”
As they approached, Peter quickly sized up the young man standing relaxed with arms crossed, staring straight ahead, stone-faced. Even in a suit and tie, the agent was clearly well built. Not someone I want to tangle with. Though Peter was one of the top agents, when it came to fighting techniques he wasn’t as aggressive in nature as most.
Peter walked right up, leaned in close, and whispered, “Green apples clean teeth.”
Without saying a word, the agent knocked on the door before opening it and motioning for the two to enter.
Peter nodded as he passed, Viktor following. As they entered, Peter wasn’t surprised by the large, lavish suite, but Viktor’s jaw dropped wide open. Peter patted Viktor on the back before spotting Rob relaxing on the couch, legs propped up on the coffee table, casually watching a huge flat screen TV on the wall.
Rob jumped up and turned off the TV. Peter chuckled as his nerdy friend approached dressed in a new Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and sandals, probably bought at the downstairs hotel gift shop. He looked like the ultimate tourist, making the most out of his California trip.
“Hiya, Peter, jolly good to see you,” said Rob extending his hand.
Peter clasped his hand in a firm shake. “Hello, Rob, good to see you, ole buddy. This is Viktor Alexandrov.”
Rob shook Viktor’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Vik. Come on in and have a seat.”
As Rob led the two in, Peter’s eyes were drawn to Rob’s bony white legs. Damn, that’s a scary sight. “Rob, have you ever worn shorts before?”
Looking over his shoulder, Rob answered “What? You don’t like my skinny white legs?”
“A word of advice—if you plan on picking up any surfer chicks, I suggest you cover those things up,” Peter said with a chuckle.
Rob motioned for the two to have a seat before crossing to the bar. “May I offer you chaps a drink?”
Peter said, “Water’s fine for me, thanks.”
Viktor said, “Vodka, yes.”
Rob peered at the bar. “A little cocktail sounds nice, I think I’ll have one too.” He started making the drinks. “I sure can’t complain about this blimey hotel, it’s definitely my cup of tea. However, I still have no idea why you Yanks got me out here.”
Peter placed his laptop on the coffee table and leaned forward “I know you’ve been kept in the dark and probably have a ton of questions. To be honest, it’s all for the best. There’s not much I can tell you. You will know soon enough.”
Rob set the drinks down and took a seat. “Well, if I get to see some bloody sites in California, I guess I can’t be too cheesed off.”
“Yeah, I know, with the guard outside you haven’t been able to get out of this room. I will let the powers that be know this is your first trip to the States and show you around L.A.”
“Great. The guard outside has been cool. In fact, he acquired this smashing outfit for me.” Rob proudly lifted his arms, showing off the tacky shirt.
Peter laughed.
Rob narrowed his eyes and asked seriously, “So what are you doing working with the CIA?”
“Long story,” said Peter. He affected a slight smirk. “Besides, if I told you I’d have to kill you.”
“Yeah, we don’t want that happening. So what do you need me for?”
“It has to do with the MK laser. Nobody knows that piece of equipment better than you.”
Rob gave a slight bow in appreciation.
Peter opened his laptop. “Remember our visit to Jiuquan and solving the problem for CNSA?”
“Quite, in fact that trip was a lot like this one, being dragged out of bed and whisked off in the wee hours of the morning.”
“Yes, I remember being dragged out of bed too.” Peter grinned.
“Yeah, from that sweet dish what’s-her-name, right?” said Rob with a wink.
Peter fielded a curious look from Viktor. Face warming, he tapped open the relevant file. “I have some questions regarding that laser.”
Rob said, “Okay, shoot.”
“If the laser is engaged and set to fire, can an outside source disarm it?”
“It depends.” Rob took a swig of his drink.
“Depends on what?” asked Peter.
“If the factory installed access codes were changed,” said Rob before he took another sip. He continued, “To disarm the laser, you need the access codes followed by the password. However if you have the access codes you can enter the system and reset the password. Each laser arrives with its own unique pre-programmed factory default codes allowing the customer to initially access the system before entering their desired password. These codes can be changed by the customer, which we recommend in the manual.”
Peter leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. If CNSA changed those codes, we’re screwed. We’d be sitting ducks on the back side. Damn, I might have to cancel this whole operation. Hoping for optimism from the engineer, he asked, “Remember looking at their drawings—did anything gave you an indication those factory codes were changed?”
“There wouldn’t have been anything on the drawings, but maybe in their manual. I never looked,” Rob said.
Peter stood and started pacing. “If I remember right, isn’t changing the factory codes a difficult operation?”
“Quite. In fact we usually send a technician to help customers with the process, as well as address start-up questions.”
“Did we send a technician to Jiuquan?”
“Nope, they didn’t want one. Considering how bloody simple the problem was we fixed, I doubt they even attempted changing those codes, especially since their wiring was all screwed up.”
Still pacing, Peter considered the possibility of CNSA actually changing the factory codes. Why would they? No other country was even close to flying a man to the moon. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but the assumption was enough for Peter to keep the mission alive.
“What if we’re lucky and the codes weren’t changed? Could we lock out CNSA from accessing the laser?” He was hoping they could render the laser a piece of junk to China.
“Quite. If you have the factory codes, you will be able to reprogram the laser with a new set, before entering a new password. Without those new codes, the Chinese would be out of luck.”
Peter wanted to make sure China’s setup when first entering the system was of Byington’s design. “Doesn’t the MK system have some kind of software that would require the need for human involvement when accessing the system?”