2041 Sanctuary (Genesis) (49 page)

> Password

>
UNKNOWN

> Access

>
DENIED

‘Password?’ Myers said.

Joiner grunted. ‘Computer, password input. Use all permutations and translations using the string:
Ego sum Rex Gloriae
.’

‘Of course, Director,’ said the A.I., ‘processing …’

Seconds ticked by before the same results displayed, except this time the final lines read:

> Password: Identified

>
REX GLORIAE

> Access

>
GRANTED

The image on-screen fluctuated and a message appeared:

SECURE SIGNAL REDIRECT

Joiner sat on the edge of his desk and waited as the message altered:

SOURCE VERIFIED

IDENTIFICATION: LIVE BROADCAST

‘Looks like I was right,’ Myers said, moving closer.

Joiner didn’t reply.
What do these people want me to see?
His anticipation grew as the message changed again:

ACCESSING ...

Joiner leaned forward, his eyes boring into the screen.

ACCESSING ...

The screen darkened.

BROADCAST ACQUIRED

The image inside the window graphic flickered to life.

‘What
is
that?’ Myers said.

Joiner frowned. ‘Zoom out.’

‘Zooming out,’ the computer said.

The image adjusted as it refocused and Joiner’s eyes grew wide.

‘Is that where I think it is?’ Myers said.

‘It’s Sanctuary’s military lab complex.’ Joiner stood up. ‘Dagmar Sørensen’s secret playground.’

‘And Project Ares’ ground zero,’ Myers said.

Without taking his eyes off the screen, Joiner pressed a button on his desk to lock his office door. From what he could see, the camera that streamed the image had been positioned inside a large chamber hewn out of solid rock, the exact same chamber from which Sarah Morgan had stolen the Anakim orb.

Inside this cavernous space ten self-contained laboratories dominated the perimeter. At two storeys high and with a host of oblong windows, each of these grey structures bustled with activity as lab technicians, dressed in their characteristic white coats, went about their duties, unaware that their movements were being spied on over two thousand miles away.

Whoever was trying to manipulate Joiner to their own ends had just provided him with an invaluable insight into Dagmar’s, and thus the Committee’s, secret operation. If he could rid himself of their hold over him, he could yet turn the situation to his advantage. His mind switched into overdrive as he played out possible scenarios in which he’d emerge victorious.

‘Director,’ the computer said, ‘there appear to be multiple broadcasts streaming in parallel to the current image. Do you want to view them all at once?’

Joiner’s pulse quickened. ‘Do it.’

The window on the screen expanded and, one after another, new camera feeds appeared until the whole wall was full of moving images.

Myers gave a shake of his head in disbelief. ‘It’s their entire network. They’ve accessed their entire network. How can they not know they’ve been compromised?’

‘Whoever’s done this has more than one person on the inside,’ Joiner said, ‘and if that’s the case they’re deep cover agents. Dagmar would vet his people to the nth degree, but all organisations are susceptible; just look at Debden. He passed all our tests with flying colours and yet he was working for not one, but two, other employers. Which reminds me, I want your opinion on the procedural review I’ve instigated.’

Myers nodded. ‘How are they getting the signal out of Sanctuary?’

It was a valid question. Underground-to-surface communications were strictly monitored.
So much for Sanctuary being the securest facility on the planet
, Joiner thought. He surveyed the array of images on show, scanning each one to see what he could see.

‘What’s that?’ Myers said, pointing.

Joiner peered at the image in question. ‘Computer, expand grid frame
D eleven
.’

The specified feed tripled in size and Joiner’s blood ran cold. ‘He must have brought it back on foot,’ he murmured. He knew Ophion hadn’t brought it through the SED; he’d had it under twenty-four hour surveillance.

‘It’s true then,’ Myers said, ‘it does exist.’

Joiner tore his eyes away from the shimmering form of the imprisoned Pharos to look at his agent.

‘I may have been bleeding out when you shot me,’ Myers said, ‘but I’m trained to observe in extreme circumstances, as you are. I saw the video General Stevens showed you. I saw what you saw.’

Joiner turned back to the screen. ‘Then you know as well as I that this …
thing
, needs to be eradicated.’

‘It looks secure.’

‘Looks can be deceiving,’ Joiner said, ‘as well you know. They have no idea what they’re dealing with.’

‘And we do?’

‘No,’ Joiner said, ‘and that’s the problem.’

‘Then whoever’s seeking to coerce you may actually help us bring down this Committee you speak of.’

‘Not necessarily; they want me to infiltrate them. For all we know they want this Anakim tech for themselves.’

‘The Pharos doesn’t look like any kind of technology I’ve ever seen.’

‘Hmm,’ Joiner said, ‘biological tech, perhaps; whatever it is, it outlived the Anakim, and if that’s not a lesson to heed then I don’t know what is.’

‘If it’s more important to them than Morgan’s pendant then I doubt we’ll have much chance of getting to it. Those walls look reinforced; they could probably withstand a nuclear blast.’

Joiner knew he was right. The military that controlled the labs were beyond his control. And what with Dagmar and the Committee running things from behind the scenes, their chances of getting away with any attempt, successful or not, were slim to none.
We’ll have to find another way
, Joiner thought,
and perhaps these live streams will give us that opportunity
.

He continued to watch the strange creature as its light glimmered in and out of existence inside the dark interior of its specially designed cell.

‘What are you?’ Joiner whispered. ‘What do you want from us?’

As the two men studied the screen, an intrusive noise broke the silence.

Myers withdrew a coms device and put it to his ear. ‘Myers,’ he said.

There was a pause before he said, ‘I’m on my way.’

Joiner unlocked the door. ‘What is it? Have they found something?’

‘I’m not sure, I’ll keep you updated.’ Myers scooped up his body armour and left the room.

‘We have an incoming priority call, Director,’ the computer said, ‘do you wish to accept?’

‘Who is it?’

‘GMRC HQ, it is the Secretary General of Oversight.’

Joiner sighed. The Oversight Division was one of the few seats of power that rivalled his own. This was one call he couldn’t avoid. ‘Keep these broadcasts running,’ he said, ‘and ensure they’re recorded and stored under top level encryption. My eyes only. Understand?’

‘Of course, Director,’ said the computer.

‘Put the secretary general on-screen.’

The video footage from Sanctuary’s laboratories vanished and a new window opened showing a grey-haired woman dressed in a power suit. She had sharp eyes and stood in front of an impressive desk bordered by two large flags bearing the emblems of the GMRC Directorate and the United Nations.

‘Ah, Malcolm,’ she said, ‘I heard about the attack. I take it you’re unhurt?’

‘Madame Secretary, yes, everything’s under control. Is this is a social call as we’re pretty busy over here?’

‘I wish that it were, Director. We require your presence in New York … immediately.’

Joiner gave an incredulous snort at the request and the woman frowned.

‘Forgive me, Madame Secretary, may ask I why?’

‘Why?’ She looked confused. ‘Because the countdown has begun. Surface evacuation is just around the corner and with the dust cloud’s early break up the next summit meeting has been brought forward. Didn’t you get the memos?’

Joiner gave an inward groan. This was just what he didn’t need, not now.
Did Debden hide this from me on purpose?
he wondered, ruing the fact that he’d yet to install his replacement. ‘I’ve had some internal disruption.’

‘That’s unfortunate,’ she said, unmoved, ‘and despite your recent shock you will need to get here, if not today, then no later than noon tomorrow. This is not a request; the final summits are mandatory and I strongly suggest you liaise with your relevant departments as to the nature of the questions you’ll be facing.’

‘Questions?’

‘There have been rumblings about your leadership, or absence thereof. Any failure to appear will only compound your problems. We also need your input on the Space Programme catastrophe, the Steadfast incident and the subsequent inquiries, and I’ve been told your independent review is overdue. I’m not sure what’s going on over there, Malcolm, but to put it bluntly you need to get your house in order or you’ll find yourself with a vote of no confidence, and we both know where that will lead.’

Joiner didn’t know what to say and before he could think of something raised voices outside his office drew his attention.

‘Director, are you listening to me?’

He turned back to the screen. ‘I am, Madame Secretary.’

‘No later than noon tomorrow,’ she said. ‘Don’t be late.’

The woman’s image disappeared from the wallscreen and Joiner remained staring at its blank surface before the disturbance he’d heard grew louder.

He collected his computer and emerged from his office to see his armed bodyguards engaged in a slanging match with a dishevelled analyst.

‘WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!’ Joiner said, furious.

‘Sir,’ – one of the operatives turned to face him – ‘Agent Myers told us you weren’t to be disturbed.’

‘It was Agent Myers who sent me!’ the analyst said.

Joiner gave a flick of his hand and the armoured agent stepped aside to let his plain-clothed colleague past.

‘Director,’ the man said, ‘Agent Myers sent me to tell you he’s following up a lead and he’s taking a team to intercept.’

‘Why didn’t he tell me himself?’

‘He said he tried, but your priority call blocked his attempts.’

‘What sort of lead?’

‘He wouldn’t say.’

Joiner accessed his computer’s contact list and tried calling Myers, but all he received was an unobtainable message.

‘He said if you wanted an update you’d need to meet him on the roof in,’ – the analyst checked his watch – ‘two minutes.’

Joiner swore and headed towards the nearest elevator, with his bodyguards following close behind.

Moments later they were travelling upwards to the building’s top floor.

What has he found?
Joiner wondered, as their ascent slowed. The doors opened and Joiner strode down a corridor, up a set of stairs, past two sentries and out onto the building’s roof.

A blast of wind buffeted him as three helicopter gunships prepared for take off. Two of the vehicles already had special ops forces inside, while to his left another group of grey-clad operatives moved towards the third.

Joiner saw Myers was amongst them. He called out to him, but the noise of the aircrafts’ turbines drowned him out.

Leaning into the pulsating wind, Joiner made his way forward.

The roar of the engines increased as the team boarded the helicopter, but Myers had seen his director’s approach and jumped back down to the roof.

‘Sir,’ he shouted as they met, ‘we’ve had a breakthrough, a decoded signal; we’re going to intercept!’

‘Signal, what signal?!’

‘The hacker, Bic, we’ve located his position; we think he’s on his way to meet someone.’

Joiner grasped Myer’s shoulder as one, and then another, of the helicopters took off. ‘Are you sure it’s him?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

‘Someone? Do you mean—’

‘Steiner, yes, we think so!’ He glanced back as he received a message through his headset. ‘Sir, I have to go.’

‘What’s your ETA?!’ Joiner said.

‘Three hours, four tops, we’re breaking a host of international and GMRC treaties; we’re going dark as soon as we’re airborne. Plausible deniability.’

Joiner moved to the helicopter and helped Myers board before climbing up to sit beside him.

‘Sir!’ Myers said, alarmed. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Coming with you!’ An operative handed Joiner a communication headset which he put on before adjusting the mic towards his mouth. ‘This is too good an opportunity to miss; just make sure you get me to New York by noon tomorrow.’

Myers gave him a nod, slid shut the door and gave a twirling motion with his finger as a signal for the pilot to take off. The roar of the blades increased and Joiner felt them go airborne while the forlorn figures of his bodyguards were left looking up at them from the rooftop below.

As the three helicopters reached a set altitude, a pair of wings unfolded from each craft, secondary jets activated and the main rotor slowed to a stop before folding away into the roof. Their pilot slid down a jet-black visor and their upwards momentum switched forward with a burst of power.

Joiner looked out of the window as first the GMRC skyscraper, and then the entire U.S. capital, disappeared behind as their speed increased. With matters no longer in his hands, he relaxed into his seat while the operatives around him checked their weaponry.

Myers saw him looking and he unclipped a pistol from his chest armour and held it out to him. ‘Just in case.’

Joiner accepted the weapon, ejected the mag and locked back the slide to check it wasn’t loaded. ‘If Professor Steiner is with them,’ he said, looking at Myers, ‘you know what to do?’

‘If he’s there, he’s as good as dead.’

Joiner flicked a catch and the slide on his gun snapped forward. Satisfied, he sat back again; save for the news about the summit meeting, this day was turning out to be one of the best he’d had in a long time.
Myers is back in the fold; I have full visual access to Sørensen’s labs, and in just a few hours’ time Bic will be in custody and Steiner put back where he belongs, in the ground. What’s not to like?