muttered something under her breath, then said, “We can’t get the plane grounded quickly enough. There are too many phone calls to be made. We can’t use Sirena’s scans without… Anyway, it’s complicated. The only agents who can act in time are you two. You must stop that aircraft from taking off.”
“The airport authorities would respond instantly to a bomb threat,” said Nero. “Could SWARM pretend that—?”
“Absolutely not,” interrupted Queen Bee. “We do not resort to such irresponsible tactics. It’s our duty to protect this country!”
“Apologies, Queen Bee,” said Nero. “I was considering the problem logically.”
“As you’re programmed to do, it’s fine. Our actions against MI5 during their raid on Smith-Neutall broke the rules, but we must draw the line at actions that are morally wrong.”
“Understood,” said Nero.
“I have been computing alternatives,” said Morph. “The only way for Nero and I to prevent the aeroplane taking off is to damage its systems, or at least trigger alerts in the cockpit that would cause the pilots to delay the flight.”
“We’ll have to sneak on board after all,” said Nero.
“Make sure that plane doesn’t leave, especially with you on it!” said Queen Bee. “SWARM is classified above top secret in the UK. In China, the discovery of micro-robots like you would be considered as hostile espionage, or even as an act of war! The political consequences could be catastrophic. Sabotage of that plane is the only option. Get moving, time is short! Queen Bee out.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Nero andMorph hurried along the metal tunnel linking the gate to the aircraft. The tunnel was filled with cold air, heavy with the smell of fuel. The 767’s engines were already whining into life, gradually getting louder as the rotors speeded up.
The robots, keeping well out of sight, reached the point where the tunnel met the curved outer surface of the plane. The last passengers were being hurried on board.
“My scans show the most effective sabotage would be to the flight guidance controls,” signalled Nero. “There’s an access panel close to the flight deck.”
The robots crossed the small gap between tunnel edge and aircraft. Inside, they clung to the ceiling. The microscopic electro-claws built into the ends of their legs allowed them to move along swiftly.
The sound of the engines rose higher. Flight attendants bustled around each other in the confined space of the crew area. There was a steady chatter of voices as passengers took their seats and settled down for the long flight.
Nero and Morph reached the bulkhead thatsealed off the flight deck from the rest of the aircraft. At floor level were a series of grilles and panels.
“Third panel,” said Nero. “Locate the circuit board marked ‘B2’ and disable it.”
Morph flattened his body and squeezed through at the panel’s edge. “It’s locked with a key,” he said. “An electronic lock would be no problem, but an old-fashioned, five-lever mechanism will take time.”
A scratchy voice sounded over the plane’s tannoy. “Cabin crew to doors and cross-check.”
A female flight attendant swung the plane’s entrance door shut and sealed it with a twist of a lever. The sound of the engines was suddenly muffled.
“Hurry!” said Morph. “Get in here, I need you to unscrew this plating.”
“Working on it,” said Nero. His pincers struggled to loosen the panel. Hercules would have been able to slice through it in seconds, but Nero’s pincers were designed for more delicate tasks. He didn’t have the strength to force the panel open, and neither did Morph.
“I can’t reach SWARM HQ,” said Morph. “The signal’s not getting through.”
“These aircraft have systems designed to stop outside electronic interference getting in,” said Nero. “Those systems are now also blocking our signals from getting out.”
The aircraft began to vibrate slightly. The
“The airport authorities would respond instantly to a bomb threat,” said Nero. “Could SWARM pretend that—?”
“Absolutely not,” interrupted Queen Bee. “We do not resort to such irresponsible tactics. It’s our duty to protect this country!”
“Apologies, Queen Bee,” said Nero. “I was considering the problem logically.”
“As you’re programmed to do, it’s fine. Our actions against MI5 during their raid on Smith-Neutall broke the rules, but we must draw the line at actions that are morally wrong.”
“Understood,” said Nero.
“I have been computing alternatives,” said Morph. “The only way for Nero and I to prevent the aeroplane taking off is to damage its systems, or at least trigger alerts in the cockpit that would cause the pilots to delay the flight.”
“We’ll have to sneak on board after all,” said Nero.
“Make sure that plane doesn’t leave, especially with you on it!” said Queen Bee. “SWARM is classified above top secret in the UK. In China, the discovery of micro-robots like you would be considered as hostile espionage, or even as an act of war! The political consequences could be catastrophic. Sabotage of that plane is the only option. Get moving, time is short! Queen Bee out.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Nero andMorph hurried along the metal tunnel linking the gate to the aircraft. The tunnel was filled with cold air, heavy with the smell of fuel. The 767’s engines were already whining into life, gradually getting louder as the rotors speeded up.
The robots, keeping well out of sight, reached the point where the tunnel met the curved outer surface of the plane. The last passengers were being hurried on board.
“My scans show the most effective sabotage would be to the flight guidance controls,” signalled Nero. “There’s an access panel close to the flight deck.”
The robots crossed the small gap between tunnel edge and aircraft. Inside, they clung to the ceiling. The microscopic electro-claws built into the ends of their legs allowed them to move along swiftly.
The sound of the engines rose higher. Flight attendants bustled around each other in the confined space of the crew area. There was a steady chatter of voices as passengers took their seats and settled down for the long flight.
Nero and Morph reached the bulkhead thatsealed off the flight deck from the rest of the aircraft. At floor level were a series of grilles and panels.
“Third panel,” said Nero. “Locate the circuit board marked ‘B2’ and disable it.”
Morph flattened his body and squeezed through at the panel’s edge. “It’s locked with a key,” he said. “An electronic lock would be no problem, but an old-fashioned, five-lever mechanism will take time.”
A scratchy voice sounded over the plane’s tannoy. “Cabin crew to doors and cross-check.”
A female flight attendant swung the plane’s entrance door shut and sealed it with a twist of a lever. The sound of the engines was suddenly muffled.
“Hurry!” said Morph. “Get in here, I need you to unscrew this plating.”
“Working on it,” said Nero. His pincers struggled to loosen the panel. Hercules would have been able to slice through it in seconds, but Nero’s pincers were designed for more delicate tasks. He didn’t have the strength to force the panel open, and neither did Morph.
“I can’t reach SWARM HQ,” said Morph. “The signal’s not getting through.”
“These aircraft have systems designed to stop outside electronic interference getting in,” said Nero. “Those systems are now also blocking our signals from getting out.”
The aircraft began to vibrate slightly. The
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