The Ajax Protocol-7 by Alex Lukeman

his eyebrows.
    Stephanie said, "I got part way in, then someone diverted me and tried to fry our computers with his own attack. I blocked it and dropped off."
    "You said out West. Where, exactly?"
    "I don't know. Somewhere on the other side of the Mississippi."
    "That's a lot of country," Nick said. "Doesn't help a lot."
    Stephanie looked annoyed. "I said the lead wasn't much."
    "Actually, it does help," Harker said. "It tells us the nerve center is here in the US."
    "Unless they're using some kind of transparent system to re-route the signal," Stephanie said. "If that's the case, that computer could be anywhere."
    "What's our next move, Director?" Nick asked.
    Harker tapped her pen on her desk. "Normally, I'd go to the White House and talk to Rice. But I can't do that, can I? Instead I've got to do something outside the bounds."
    They waited for her to finish her thought.
    "I'm going to have to talk with General Vysotsky. Sooner or later, the Russians will discover that a signal was sent from American territory. I don't want them drawing the wrong conclusions and he's our best channel to the Kremlin."
    "Do you think he'll be straight with you?" Out of the corner of his eye Nick saw Selena frown.
    "Probably not, at least not entirely. But it's worth a try. It's to his advantage to cooperate. That's the key with him, he's an opportunist. Besides, he's smart and he may know something we don't."
    "How come we always end up bailing out the Russians?" Nick asked.
    "Self interest," Harker said. "We can't let them think the US is behind this. Plus if Russia goes down, they'll take everyone else with them. We can't let it happen. We have a common enemy in whoever has that weapon. That makes Russia our friend, at least for the moment."
    "The enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Lamont said. "Give me a break."
    "Some friend," Ronnie said.

 
    CHAPTER 14
     
     
    Alexei Vysotsky saw that Elizabeth Harker was calling on his secured line. Circumstances had forced them into an unlikely alliance in the past. At first he'd been suspicious of her. After all, she was American, in the same business as he was. Russia had benefited from the alliance, but he had to be careful. The Cold War was back, if not as frigid as it had been in the days of Stalin and Khrushchev.
    She had earned his respect. He hoped he never had to take her on as an enemy. In Alexei's inner world, that thought constituted high praise.
    His curiosity was aroused. He'd met her face to face once in Denmark, and he liked her. It was too bad she was on the opposite side. He picked up his phone and allowed his considerable charm to color his voice.
    "Director. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
    "Good morning, Alexei. Or I should say afternoon, where you are. You sound well. Something's come up we need to discuss."
    "Oh?"
    "It concerns Novosibirsk."
    "That is an internal affair, Director. We'll find the terrorists responsible."
    Harker knew that the best way to work with Vysotsky was to be truthful, at least when it wasn't in conflict with security concerns.
    "It's gone beyond that, General. I believe that whoever is responsible is planning something here in America as well. They are a threat to both of us."
    "Go on."
    "We think a satellite weapon has been developed that uses targeted radio frequencies to disrupt mental behavior and that someone used it on Novosibirsk."
    "You are certain?"
    "Almost certain."
    Vysotsky debated with himself. Should he pretend to be surprised, or respond with the truth? He decided on truth.
    "We have arrived at a similar conclusion. We couldn't believe terrorists would have such technology available. Frankly, we thought it might be a hostile move on the part of your government. Or Beijing. There are several in the Kremlin who believe this."
    "Our government did not do this," Harker said. "If the situation were reversed, I am sure I would have thought Moscow or Beijing was behind it." A thought occurred to her. "Have you discovered anyone who was