"Yes, sir," he said coldly, but he noted with satisfaction that he didn't rule out the possibility that another time would come.
"Good," he said. "Go ahead and agree to their terms. Just make sure you pick a private place -- the inside of a water tower, maybe. I don't want to take any chances. Who knows what other tricks Lenzke's got."
* * *
Duncan laughed when Hanna passed on Peter's suggestion of an underwater meeting, and the inside of a water tower seemed about as private as he could imagine.
MacKenzie spent her time before the 9:00 meeting on the intruder project, and she poured herself into it. Hanna, on the other hand, had nothing to do, and was getting nervous. This wasn't helped by the fact that she had started drinking coffee just after 2:00 in the morning. She had to do something to relax, and she realized that she hadn't checked the news for several days. She called up her favorite news site on the hole -- it was updated continuously by The New York Times and usually had some entertaining graphics.
The lead story made her heart stop. There had been a coup in China. The old government hadn't exactly been pro-American, but the new regime, based on preliminary reports, was positively bristling for a fight. Australia and India had gone on full military alert. China's first official act was to announce an immediate cessation of all trade with the United States until the U.S. government made certain concessions. The Times analysis piece that accompanied the report said it would be a cold day in Hell before the United States acceded to their demands, and that a serious trade war was inevitable.
A link to a series of graphics showed the impact the coup had on the financial markets. The average price of all shares had taken a hit on news of the coup, but the Chinese stock market had dropped through the floor. Investors were losing billions of dollars.
It's started, she thought. We're too late.
To Jeremy. Check the Chinese stock market this morning, she sent, and then ran to Duncan's office. She noticed that he had the stock figures up on his workstation, and he looked as if he had seen a ghost. When Hanna entered he looked at her, then theatrically made the sign of the cross and folded his hands in prayer.
* * *
The five figures would have been quite a sight if anyone could see them as they sat on the inside bottom of the Greenbelt, Maryland, water tower. They couldn't even see each other, since no one had thought to put a light on the inside of the reservoir. MacKenzie, who had missed the story about the market crash and didn't know how serious things were getting, had decided to be a wise-acre and programmed her VR suit to dress her in a hot pink scuba outfit. She looked quite fetching, Hanna had said as soon as they "left" the warehouse for the meeting sight, but Duncan was too wrapped up in his thoughts to notice, and Peter and Jeremy couldn't see her in the dark.
"Are you here yet?" Duncan asked as soon as the threesome arrived.
"We're here," Jeremy answered. "Peter is with me."
They settled themselves on the floor of the water reservoir.
"I assumed when you suggested that we meet virtually that you'd found a way to ensure that we'd see and hear each other," Peter said. "Congratulations, although it doesn't help us much here. That's something our computer specialists haven't figured out yet."
"Have you seen the market?" Duncan asked in a gruff voice. He wasn't in the mood for chit-chat.
"Yes. We may be too late," Peter said.
"Hanna said that we might have a common enemy; that one of your subordinates might be running your intruder network. Do you have any idea how large your intruder force is?" Duncan asked.
"I'm not sure ..." Peter began, but Duncan cut him off.
"There's no more time for secrecy, Peter," he said in an icy tone. "It's really hit the fan, now, and if we can't work together to stop this maniac, we might be facing a war. Tell me: How many intruders can you field at any one time?"
"Ten," he said, and then added in a humbled voice, "to my knowledge."
"Wrong," Duncan said. "You have 45 in the field right now. Would you like me to tell you where they are?"
There was a painful silence for a moment, and then Peter spoke. "Yes, I'd like to know."
"One is assigned to each of the incumbent President's potential rivals in the primaries. A few are monitoring Senators, or their political enemies. A few are watching businessmen in New York. We're not sure yet what they're up to. All the rest, more than 20, are in China, mostly at military installations. Now who is this lunatic who's doing this, and how do we stop him?"
"His name is Carl Maria Lenzke," Jeremy said, "and he's mine."
"Killing him isn't going to stop the damage, Jeremy," Peter said. "He's got other people working with him ...."
"Berry?" Duncan asked.
"Yes," Peter continued, "and lots more, but I don't have many names. What we need to do is find a way to block his use of the hole. Have you made any progress on that?"
There was silence in the dark tank for a full minute. Finally, Duncan spoke. "Let's go for broke, MacKenzie. Tell him what you've got."
MacKenzie tried to speak and realized she had a scuba regulator in her mouth. She spat it out, simultaneously reconfiguring her VR program to dress her more conventionally.
"Obviously I've found a way to locate intruders," she said. "Now that I can do that, we could broadcast their location to everyone. We could even attach a visual to the message, which would almost allow people to see the intruders, like Jeremy can. But that's a very temporary measure. What we really need to do is block out that bandwidth on the repeaters. If the visual information isn't broadcast to the net, the intruder technology is worthless."
"I'm not up on all the technical details, but I think I follow what you're saying," Peter said. "The implants are in contact with signal repeaters that send our individual datastream into hole traffic. The net spy protocols use that datastream to construct a VR image of the real world. But if we changed the repeaters so they didn't transmit the visual information, then the net spy programming wouldn't have any data to work with. Is there any way we can do that without replacing all the hardware? Can we just reprogram the repeaters remotely?"
"I don't think so," Duncan said. "We've protected our headquarters from your intruders by physically altering all the repeaters within signal range. It's not a simple operation. If it was, we'd have re-wired the District already. We have five workstations dedicated to monitoring what those three repeaters pick up and re-transmit, and sometimes it makes for spotty communications even at that. Our solution isn't feasible on a large scale."
"I'm afraid the news only gets worse," Peter said. "The intruders are only part of the problem. I have reason to believe that Lenzke has revived an experiment we ditched a few months ago. It allows us to send unmediated brain signals through the hole."
"What does that mean, 'unmediated brain signals'?" Duncan asked.
"It means the recipient doesn't even know he's received a message. It just goes straight into the brain. We officially abandoned the project a month ago because it was too risky, but I suspect Lenzke has been using it. It's hard to imagine that he could contrive the fall of the Chinese government just by spying on people. I've got to assume he's been controlling some people, and I know he has some operatives over there."
Duncan slammed his hand against the wall of the tank. "I thought we were closing in, but this sets us back, and we don't have time for it. What do you think, MacKenzie? Can we do anything about Lenzke's puppets?"
"I have no idea," she said. "I'd have to see how the thing works. But, before we move too far along here, I do have a possible solution to the intruder problem that I haven't discussed. Instead of altering the repeaters, we could just send a lot of noise over the bandwidths the VR programs use, which would completely mess up the visual signal."
"That sounds good," Jeremy said. "Would it work?"
"What about this brain-link you've got, Peter," Duncan said. "Can you give any information on that to MacKenzie? She's a wiz with this stuff. If anybody ca
n throw a wrench in it, she can."
There was an uncomfortable silence for some time. It was difficult enough carrying on a conversation in the dark, seemingly underwater. The VR suite made them all feel as if they were underwater, except when they spoke, which was a curious sensation. It was like trying to speak underwater, except that there were no bubbles, and the water never came into your mouth. But the silences were truly disconcerting.
Jeremy got impatient with Peter's delay. "Peter," he said, "are you still with us?" There was still no response. He reached over to where he had been sitting to shake him, but he couldn't find him. The rest of the underwater party began to suspect something was wrong and began to call out. Things were getting confusing.
Suddenly, Jeremy's received a message.
From MacKenzie. He must have turned off his suit. You'd better turn yours off and go see if everything's okay.
* * *
The VR suit was a new sensation for Jeremy, but leaving the dark, virtual water tank only to find himself blind, and floating in a real VR tank put him completely out of sorts. At first, he didn't know what to do, but then he remembered to throw the switch on his goggles. Suddenly, his eyes were adjusting to the light of the tank's targeting lasers, which made a pattern on his dark suit and on the inside walls of the narrow tank. Peter should be in the tank next door, and he'd have to get out to check on him. He depressed a switch on the back of his goggles which overrode the buoyancy control and made him float to the surface.
The lid to the tank automatically opened. The first thing he saw was a pair of women's ankles in high-heeled shoes. As the lid opened he saw the bottom of a skirt, and then more and more of Dr. Berry.
"And here's the other one," she said as Jeremy began to pull himself out of the tank. She lowered a steel-finished pistol and aimed it at his head. Jeremy was no gun expert, but the bore of the pistol barrel staring into his face seemed uncommonly large. "Just stay right there, Jeremy," she said. Lenzke was standing next to her with a shotgun. It was aimed straight at Peter, who was still floating in his VR tank.
"You haven't missed much, Mr. Mitchell," Lenzke said. "I was just explaining to Peter that he's a day late and a dollar short. My clever investment strategy has ensured the solvency of the agency for years, and with Peter dead, I'll be able to consolidate my hold on the agency staff. The only small thing standing in the way is that rag-a-muffin crew you've been hanging out with. Did you really think we hadn't tracked you to their headquarters? Did you really think I bought that story about taking a nap on the university lawn? Ha," he laughed. "Taylor and ten agents are ready to storm the facility this afternoon."
"And don't bother trying to warn them with your implant," Dr. Berry added. "We've cut off your hole communication."
"Yes. You'll find that Dr. Berry thinks of everything." He looked at her with obvious affection.
"What are you going to do with your new puppets in China?" Peter asked.
Lenzke laughed. "Don't be a fool," he said. "I haven't got time to waste with you. I just wanted to take care of this part of the operation myself. You're such a fool, Peter -- a blind, soft fool," he said, looking at him with scorn. "You worry so much about rules and regulations, delegations of power and procedures. The world could fall into anarchy and you wouldn't do a thing unless you had a Congressional mandate. Well, my friend, the concept of the 'invisible hand' is taking on a new meaning. These hands will keep the peace, and order," he said, taking Dr. Berry's hand in his and holding them aloft.
He lowered the shotgun with his other arm and aimed at Peter's head. Jeremy knew this was the end, but he wasn't going to go without a fight. He reached for Dr. Berry's legs and tried to pull himself up. He was going to grab her gun -- probably too late -- but at least he would try. She offered no resistance, which surprised him, but as he leaped out of the tank, imitating a swim team move, he heard a series of shots. He was too late.
As he stood erect on the short deck that encircled the tops of the agency's VR tanks, Dr. Berry tossed her gun onto the deck and put her hands up in surrender. Jeremy was taken completely by surprise, and then he heard a voice laughing. He didn't know what to do until he saw Lenzke's body lying dead on the deck, four bloody holes in the back of his white shirt.
Chapter 21
"I don't get it," Jeremy said.
"Dr. Berry was working for me, Jeremy," Peter said as he pulled himself out of the VR tank, dripping wet. He pushed Lenzke's body aside and looked down at it with contempt. "We had to play it out to the end to find out where all his assets were located, and we needed you to establish contact with Duncan and his group."
"So why didn't you move sooner, so you could have prevented the coup in China?"
"Don't worry about the Chinese," Dr. Berry said. "We manipulated the news reporting on the hole in the D.C. area," she continued, looking at the amazement on Jeremy's face. "Nothing has happened in China. You didn't think we were going to let the country come to the brink of a war, did you?"
"So you were a good guy all along?" he said, shaking his head.
"I'm beyond good," Dr. Berry replied. Peter smiled wickedly, but he put a consoling arm on Jeremy's shoulder. "I'm sorry we put you through so much, Jeremy. Once you understand it all, I think you'll see that it was necessary."
"I just want to know one thing," he said, looking down at Lenzke's dead body. "If you planned all this, why couldn't I have been the one to shoot him?"
* * *
"So what are they doing in there?" MacKenzie asked. She, Hanna and Jeremy were sitting, listless and silent, next to MacKenzie's workstation at Duncan's warehouse. Jeremy's head had been nodding slightly. He jerked up and looked around, his eyes wide. Hanna laughed at him.
"They've got a lot to work through," Hanna said. "They've thought they were enemies for months, and now it turns out they were on the same side. And so were we, it seems," she said, elbowing Jeremy in the ribs.
"I suppose," Jeremy said, preoccupied.
"You're not feeling guilty about working with Lenzke, are you?" MacKenzie asked.
Jeremy snorted his disdain for the thought. "I came here -- to Society -- to escape," he said, "but trouble just followed me. And then I had a glimmer of hope that I could get some vengeance for Amy's death." He had told them all about Amy and Weatherstone the night before. "But that didn't work out either. Now, I'm just tired. I feel as if I haven't had a good night's sleep for weeks."
Hanna reached out and took his hand.
Duncan's door opened a moment later and he, Levi, Peter and Dr. Berry came out, all smiles. They walked straight over to where the three friends were sitting.
"It's only fitting that you three should be the first to know," Duncan said, "considering all you've been through. We've been comparing notes from our operations, and we've got a pretty complete picture of what's been going on, and what to do about it."
"We should be able to keep the hole secure, and nobody will ever have to know what almost happened," Peter said, "except for a few of the good people of Washington, who'll need to know how the news got messed up this morning. We weren't able to control the transmission as well as we'd hoped."
"So what are you going to do now, Duncan?" MacKenzie asked. She had fallen in love with his computer lab, and she didn't want to lose her position with him.
"Peter needs to weed out everyone in the agency who's sided with Lenzke, and I need to find a new mission for my staff. We decided that makes a pretty good fit."
"And a pretty good reason for a party," Dr. Berry added.
* * *
That night, a chartered cruise ship worked its way up the Potomac towards the national monuments. Jeremy and Peter were standing at the railing on the port side, watching the reflection of the moon in the swirling water.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save Amy, Jeremy," Peter said, putting his arm on his shoulder. "I didn't even begin to suspect what Lenzke was up to until Weatherstone killed her. At least I managed to let you in on settling the score."
"So why can I see the intruders?" he asked.
"You have a special implant," Peter explained. "Dr. Berry knew what Lenzke was up to. She and Dr. Jenkins designed an implant that would read the visual information used by the net spy protocols. That's the one she put in you."
"And what about implant psychosis?" he asked.
"It's a terrible disease," Peter said. "Be thankful you don't have it."
He looked back into the water and thought.
"What were you doing messing with my Community, anyway?"
"Lenzke was in charge of picking the agent for the brain-link test. For security purposes, nobody knew where the agent was located, or who he was, except Lenzke. That was a big mistake on my part. Anyway, it turns out he had been doing some practice runs on the Community to get ready for the big operation. I didn't know about that. He began to control things and manipulate the politics of the Community. He was using you as guinea pigs."
"Humph," Jeremy said. "Arrogance. That was his downfall."
"Yeah," Peter said. "Power corrupts, but it can turn around and bite you, too."
"So what now? What are you going to do about the net spy protocols?"
"We're going to dismantle them, and I'm going to work with Duncan, MacKenzie and Dr. Berry to make sure it can't happen again. I'll have to file a report with the President, and he might want my head on the White House gate, but if he doesn't, Jeremy, and if you're still willing, I'd love to have you work with me. We brought you into this because we hoped you could help us understand what Lenzke was up to. Since you were from his community," Jeremy bristled somewhat, and Peter retracted that -- "what he thought of as his community, I mean. Sorry. Anyway, he would have a natural feeling of ownership over you and be less suspicious that you were compromising him. Your role was somewhat different than we planned, but you turned out to be a real asset. You've got what it takes to be a good agent, Jeremy. You've still got a job, if you want it."
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