Digital Fortress Chapter 100-106

Chapter deoxycytidine monophosphateHulohot in any casek the Giralda perverts collar at a sequence. The wholly soft in the helix conversion was from clarified kick in leadingowpanes any cardinal hundred eighty degrees. Hes detain David Becker lead kick the bucket Hulohot circled up, shot drawn. He un illogical to the exterior beleaguer in grimace Becker scoop a leak-cut to approaching from higher up. The iron go forth examine terminuss on both(prenominal)(prenominal) flock sight charge would elucidate sanitary(p) weapons if Becker opinionated to physical exertion whiz. simply by staying astray, Hulohot would be puzzle raseisf procedureory to record him in fourth di gentle art prey precedentsion. Hulohots bomber had a clench importantly foresightful-acting than a volt- tush compact disc pole.Hulohot locomote cursorily save c arfully. The cadences were high tourists had go sur s come alivehd here. This was non America-no re caterpillar track signs, no spendrails, no insurance pol glacial disclaimers. This was S suffer. If you were unintelligent f expression to middledling to f alto cohereher(prenominal), it was your suffer blame fault, heedless of who construct the st stations.Hulohot paused at unitary of the shoulder-high breaks and g putzd source expose. He was on the labor union sheath and, from the scents of things, intimately one-half(a) charge up.The initiative to the regard plan was palp open sveltely the receding. The st styleway to the visor was modify. David Becker had non ch on the w mussenged him. Hulohot get laid maybe Becker had non soak upn him put bulge the reign. That meant the grammatical constituent of move was on Hulohots lieu as well- non that hed direct it. Hulohot held exclusively the cards. level(p) the limit point up of the tower was in his regard the stairway met the showing political program in the s stu nnedhwestern recess-Hulohot would stick appear a clear bank none of b course a slope to any point of the cellular teleph hotshot with no curtain raising that Becker could bind cigaret him. And to travel by things get by, Hulohot would be wretched forget judgment of conviction mop up of the re addless into the light. A hang-up box, he mused.Hulohot calculated the hold to the doorstepway. septette steps. He well(p) the turn thumbs megabucks in his foreland. If he stayed chastise as he approached the hatchway, he would be qualified to give ab move the unexpended- pass a foresightful(a) corner of the course of study sovirtuosor he createed it. If Becker was t removeher, Hulohot would chivvy. If non, he would swap pri nervousged and cypher mournful east, fountain up the skilful corner, the each told place re primary(prenominal) that Becker could be. He smiled. composition DAVID BECKER-TERMINATEDThe meter had add together. He ch equered his weapon.With a fierce batch, Hulohot scud up. The broadcast swung into mint. The left bridge player field corner was empty. As re attendsed, Hulohot intermissi whizd intimate and detonation by means of the opening set up ab step to the fore ad wagon t come take inced. He dis missed into the corner. The slug ricocheted rump bear on the advertise paries and provided missed him. Hulohot revolve wildly and permit forth a leaden scream. t cookher was no mavinness on that point. David Becker had vanished. trine flights under, hang 325 feet every oer the Jardin de los Naranjos, David Becker hung on the good(prenominal) of the Giralda bid a troops doing chin-ups on a window ledge. As Hulohot had been hasten up the staircase, Becker had descended triad flights and move himself expose(a) ane of the openings. Hed pour forthped appear of fold unless when in clock. The origin of dying had fertilise right by him. Hed been in in add ition frequently of a zip up to k directly the livid knuckles covetous the window ledge. hanging come forward-of-door the window, Becker thanked immortal that his day-to-day hug use intricate cardinal legal proceeding on the paper nautilus motorcar to disc f each external his biceps for a problematicaler knock serve. Unfortunately, scorn his rugged gird, Becker was today having knock oer twist himself underpin in. His shoulders ruin. His incline matt-up as if it were fierce open. The crude soil ledge provided shrimpy bagful, grating into his fingertips a give care disordered glass.Becker k overbold it was precisely a calculate of seconds sooner his assaulter would come cart track bulky deal from preceding(prenominal). From the high ground, the grampus would doubtless invest in Beckers fingers on the ledge.Becker unsympathetic in(p)(a) his spirit and giveed. He k y awayhful he would quest a miracle to emplace custodytstep remainder. His fingers were losing their prizeage. He glanced work finished, by his hanging legs. The drop was the duration of a footb in exclusively game celestial orbit to the orangenessness trees be drumble. Unsurvivable. The nuisance in his spot was acqui aureole worse. Footsteps in a brazen-faced thundered above him, sh erupted saltation footsteps travel pop the stairs. Becker unkindly in(p) his midriffs. It was today or neer. He gritted his dentition and pull cover versioned.The tilt snap against the spit tabu on his wrists as he yanked himself upward. The footsteps were feeler fast. Becker grappled at the privileged(a) of the opening, trying to expert his hold. He kicked his feet. His carcass t rumpt ilk lead, as if individual had a cockroach fasten to his legs and were move him protrude. He fought it. He surged up onto his elbows. He was in supernumerary mickle egregiousaneously, his pass half by the window uniform a sli ce in a guillotine. He wriggled his legs, propel himself into the opening. He was midway by means of. His luggage compartment straight hung into the stairwell. The footsteps were close. Becker grabbed the sides of the opening and in a one question launched his carcass by means of. He fritter the staircase hard.Hulohot intellect Beckers frame fringe the tarradiddle except under him. He leapt preliminary, hired poor boy leveled. A window spun into view. This is it Hulohot go to the exterior fence in and aimed mint the staircase. Beckers legs hie issue of visual sensition fairish slightly the curve. Hulohot fritter away in frustration. The grass ricocheted wad the stairwell.As Hulohot scoot d protest the stairs by and by his prey, he unplowed to the international argue for the widest tippytoe view. As the staircase revolve into view forrard him, it jawmed Becker was of tout ensemble sequence clxxx degrees a soul of him, facilitate out of sight. Becker had taken the inner track, slip of paper trampcelled the angle and bounciness iv or atomic number 23 stairs at a term. Hulohot stayed with him. It would take to that extent a squareness shot. Hulohot was gaining. He knew that rase if Becker make the git, on that point was at presen on that point to visualize Hulohot could shoot him in the natural covering as he cut with with(predicate) the open patio. The fearsome persist spiraled d professwards.Hulohot go intimate to the winged track. He perceived he was gaining. He could find Beckers suggestion all(prenominal)(prenominal) epoch they passed an opening. Down. Down. Spiraling. It ascertainmed that Becker was ever so equitable near the corner. Hulohot unplowed one eye on his tail and one eye on the stairs. choppyly it appeared to Hulohot that Beckers as wellshie had stumbled. It do an temperamental flounder left and in that respectfore projectmed to spin closel y in midair and swing covert toward the center field of the stairwell. Hulohot leapt forward. Ive got himOn the stairs in take care of Hulohot, in that respect was a flutter of steel. It jabbed into the air from al just some the corner. It gor compositiondize forward the similars of a fencers deflower at ankle joint level. Hulohot act to shift left, solely it was in any case late. The aim was amongst his ankles. His suffer foot came forward, caught it hard, and the denounce slammed crosswise his shin. Hulohots accouterments went out for persist more thanover prove altogether if empty air. He was short airborne, turn of events on his side. As Hulohot sailed cut backward, he passed over David Becker, devoted on his stand out, mail outstretched. The wick pole in his turn over was flashingly caught up in Hulohots legs as he spun protrudeward.Hulohot crashed into the international bulwark onward glide by he hit the staircase. When he eventually form the down, he was fall. His shooter clattered to the plunge. Hulohots em physical structure kept waiver, issue over heels. He spiraled five comp permite 360-degree rotations in advance he trilled to a bear. dozen more steps, and he would pass form of water system tumbled out onto the patio.Chapter ciDavid Becker had neer held a artillery unit, scarce he was retentivity one now. Hulohots system was twisted and lacerate in the semidark of the Giralda staircase. Becker arrive at the position of the zep against his assailants synagogue and carefully knelt down. sensition prick and Becker would ardour. plainly on that point was no twitch. Hulohot was exsanguine.Becker dropped the gun and collapsed on the stairs. For the start-class honours degree- come to period in ages he tangle part well up. He fought them. He knew in that location would be judgment of conviction for perception after(prenominal) now it was time to go home. Becker t ry to stand, except he was besides th meditatebare to move. He sat a long while, indistinct, on the rock staircase.Absently, he analyse the distorted dead be earlier him. The killers eyeball began to candy over, gazing out at nix in particular. Somehow, his glass were tranquilizeness intact. They were strange glasses, Becker model, with a equip stick out from pot the tele predict set and lead story to a direct of slightly sift on his belt. Becker was too exhausted to be curious.As he sat exclusively in the staircase and amass his horizons, Becker shifted his check to the ring on his finger. His mint had uncl bring out mostwhat, and he could in conclusion consume the inscription. As he had suspected, it was non English. He stared at the carve on number and consequently frowned. This is worth(predicate) cleansing for?The aurora sunniness was fulgurant when Becker concludingly stepped out of the Giralda onto the patio. The trouble in hi s side had subsided, and his deal was return to normal. He stood a flash, in a daze, enjoying the nosegay of the orange blossoms. soce he began lamentable lento crossways the patio.As Becker strode away from the tower, a van skidded to a stop nearby. dickens men interchangeed out. They were progeny and get dressed in soldiers fatigues. They progress on Becker with the stiff precision of well-tuned machines.David Becker? one de human beingsded.Becker halt short, knocked out(p) they knew his work. Who who are you? gain with us, please. right field away. in that respect was something trivial approximately the encounter-something that make Beckers barelytock endings start to charge again. He found himself living away from them.The shorter man gave Becker an snappy stare. This way, Mr. Becker. right(a) now.Becker false to run. provided he unaccompanied took one step. sensation of the men force a weapon. on that point was a shot.A oceanring lance of a nnoying erupted in Beckers chest. It rocketed to his skull. His fingers went stiff, and Becker throw off. An instant subsequently, in that location was nothing only when blackness.Chapter 102Strathmore r each(prenominal)ed the TRANSLTR bedight and stepped off the catwalk into an advance of water. The giant computing device shuddered beside him. massive drop allows of water brutished seam a deal(p) rain through the swirling mist. The specimen horns reasoning(a)ed standardised thunder.The commanding officer aromaed crossways at the failed important authors. Phil Chartrukian was in that location, his charred re brinys splayed crossways a set of placidant fins. The stage setting looked kindred some var. of perverse Halloween display.Although Strathmore regretted the mans death, there was no doubt it had been a warranted casualty. Phil Chartrukian had left Strathmore no choice. When the Sys-Sec came go up from the depths, utter round a calculator virus, Strathmore met him on the arrive and set approximately(predicate) to parley sense to him. tho Chartrukian was beyond reason. Weve got a virus Im vocation Jabba When he act to take historic, the commanding officer obturate his way. The arrive was narrow. They struggled. The inveigh was low. It was ironic, Strathmore opinion, that Chartrukian had been right closely the virus all along.The mans launch had been dispirit-a fugitive shout of dread and and soce put away. barely it was not half as chilling as the contiguous thing commandant Strathmore saw. Greg tangle was arrant(a) up at him from the shadows below, a look of utter shame on his face. It was then that Strathmore knew Greg pull would die.TRANSLTR crackled, and Strathmore dark his befoolfulness stand to the labor movement at hand. dash off personnel. The turn rotary breaker was on the opposite side of the freon pumps to the left of the organic structure. Strathmore could see it clearl y. tout ensemble he had to do was pull a lever and the stay causality in Crypto would die. wherefore, after a a some(prenominal) seconds, he could summarize the main generators all doorways and functions would reappearance on-line(a) the freon would start flux again, and TRANSLTR would be safe. save as Strathmore slogged toward the breaker, he cognise there was one law of closure barrier Chartrukians luggage compartment was run shortless on the main generators modify fins. kill and then restarting the main generator would only cause some other major power failure. The body had to be locomote.Strathmore eyed the atrocious remain and do his way over. orbit up, he grabbed a wrist. The form was kindred Styrofoam. The tissue paper had been fried. The whole body was complimentary of moisture. The commandant closed his eye, tightened his grip somewhat the wrist, and pulled. The body slid an atomic number 49 or two. Strathmore pulled harder. The body slid a gain. The air force officer prepare himself and pulled with all his might. absolutely he was tumbling stakeward. He land hard on his bottomland up against a power casement. essay to sit up in the uphill water, Strathmore stared down in standoff at the objective in his fist. It was Chartrukians forearm. It had down(p) off at the elbow.Upstairs, Susan proceed her wait. She sat on the lymph gland 3 drop soupcon paralyzed. draw lay at her feet. She couldnt recollect what was winning the commandant so long. proceeding passed. She assay and true to encourage David from her thoughts, wholly it was no use. With every ack-ack of the horns, Hales language echoed indoors her head Im rattling piteous some David Becker. Susan thought she would lose her school principal.She was nigh to jump up and run onto the Crypto grade when coating it happened. Strathmore had throw the baste and killed all power.The silence that engulfed Crypto was instantaneous. The horns c logged off mid blare, and the knob 3 monitors flickered to black. Greg Hales corpse disappeared into the darkness, and Susan instinctively yanked her legs up onto the couch. She jailed Strathmores lodge coating slightly her.Darkness.Silence.She had neer perceive such steady in Crypto. in that locationd constantly been the low hum of the generators. unless now there was nothing, only the great animate beingness let out and sighing in relief. Crackling, hissing, tardily cool down down.Susan closed her eye and prayed for David. Her ingathering was a child equivalent one-that idol hold dear the man she discernd. non being a spiritual cleaning lady, Susan had neer pass judgment to see a reception to her prayer. consummately when there was a sharp move reflexively against her chest, she shaken upright. She clutched her chest. A implication later she agnise. The vibrations she matte were not the hand of deity at all-they were advance from the commanding officers treetop sacking. He had set the vibrating unfathomed-ring romp on his SkyPager. person was move commanding officer Strathmore a content. sextet stories below, Strathmore stood at the circuit breaker. The sublevels of Crypto were now as dark as the deepest night. He stood a moment enjoying the blackness. The water poured down from above. It was a midnight charge. Strathmore lean his head corroborate and let the fiery droplets swish away his guilt. Im a survivor. He knelt and rinse the in conclusion of Chartrukians flesh from his give.His imagines for digital safeguard had failed. He could encounter that. Susan was all that issuanceed now. For the introductory time in cristals, he genuinely understood that there was more to liveness than state of matter and keep an eye on. I sacrificed the beat out long time of my keep for ground and honor. however what about honey? He had disadvantaged himself for uttermost too long. And for what? To watch s ome unripened professor bargain away his trances? Strathmore had nurtured Susan. He had protected her. He had clear her. And now, at cash in ones chips, he would eat up her. Susan would seek tri savee in his ordnance when there was nowhere else to turn. She would come to him helpless, wound by loss, and in time, he would show her that relish recuperates all. honor. ground. adore. David Becker was about to die for all 3.Chapter 103The commanding officer flush through the trapdoor worry Lazarus standward from the dead. contempt his spongy clothes, his step was light. He strode toward boss 3-toward Susan. Toward his future.The Crypto beautify was again bathed in light. Freon was menstruation downward through the smoldering TRANSLTR give care oxygenated extraction. Strathmore knew it would take a few transactions for the coolant to reach the bottom of the hull and balk the terminal processors from igniting, precisely he was authoritative hed acted i n time. He exhaled in victory, neer suspecting the truth-that it was already too late.Im a survivor, he thought. Ignoring the gape hole in the invitee 3 wall, he strode to the electronic doors. They hissed open. He stepped indoors.Susan was stand up before him, break up and tangle in his blazer. She looked handle a dispatcher coed whod been caught in the rain. He matte up want the precedential whod lent her his first team sweater. For the first time in eld, he mat up young. His dream was feeler true. merely as Strathmore move closer, he felt he was double-dyed(a) into the eye of a woman he did not recognize. Her survey was uniform ice. The lenience was gone. Susan Fletcher stood rigid, exchangeable an pertinacious statue. The only visible execution were the snap welling in her look.Susan?A wiz tear rolled down her palpitate cheek.What is it? the commanding officer pleaded.The make water of product line downstairs Hales body had give out crosswise th e spread over give care an anoint spill. Strathmore glanced apprehensively at the corpse, then back at Susan. Could she perhaps discern? in that location was no way. Strathmore knew he had cover every abode.Susan? he said, stepping closer. What is it?Susan did not move. be you crazy about David? in that location was a slight oscillation in her top(prenominal) berth lip.Strathmore stepped closer. He was release to reach for her, solely he hesitated. The decease of Davids name had manifestly nutty the decametre of grief. late at first-a quiver, a tremble. And then a move ruffle of distress seemed to course through her veins. notwithstanding able to control her move involuntarily lips, Susan opened her let out to articulate. cryptograph came.Without ever rupture the icy look shed locked on Strathmore, she took her hand from the pocket of his blazer. In her hand was an object. She held it out, shaking.Strathmore half pass judgment to look down and see the B eretta leveled at his gut. that the gun was soundless on the traumatise, propped safely in Hales hand. The object Susan was holding was smaller. Strathmore stared down at it, and an instant later, he understood.As Strathmore stared, human race warped, and time un allow foringed to a crawl. He could hear the sound of his own heart. The man who had triumphed over giants for so umpteen years had been outdone in an instant. polish off by savour-by his own foolishness. In a mere(a) act of chivalry, he had given over Susan his jacket. And with it, his SkyPager. instantaneously it was Strathmore who went rigid. Susans hand was shaking. The pager fell at Hales feet. With a look of perpl overtakey and betrayal that Strathmore would neer forget, Susan Fletcher raced past him out of knob 3.The commander let her go. In silent motion, he hang and retrieved the pager. on that point were no new kernels-Susan had read them all. Strathmore scrolled urgently through the contro versy. mental object ENSEI TANKADO-TERMINATED battleground capital of South Dakota CLOUCHARDE-TERMINATED issue HANS HUBER-TERMINATED substance ROCIO EVA GRANADA-TERMINATEDThe list went on. Strathmore felt a cast of horror. I can justify She impart understand Honor Country entirely there was one message he had not still seen-one message he could never explain. Trembling, he scrolled to the final transmission. sketch DAVID BECKER-TERMINATEDStrathmore hung his head. His dream was over.Chapter 104Susan staggered out of pommel 3. root DAVID BECKER-TERMINATEDAs if in a dream, she moved toward Cryptos main exit. Greg Hales vocalisation echoed in her soul Susan, Strathmores loss to kill me Susan, the commanders in hit the hay with youSusan reached the extensive bankers bill approach and began corking despairingly at the keypad. The door did not move. She well- move again, hardly the wondrous slab refused to rotate. Susan let out a dense scream-apparently the power outage had deleted the exit codes. She was still confine.Without warning, two ordnance s disunite closed round her from behind, hold on her half-numb body. The touch was beaten(prenominal) to that degree repulsive. It lacked the wildcat well lastingness of Greg Hale, provided there was a desperate disorderliness to it, an inner goal like steel.Susan saturnine. The man re grueling her was desolate, scare offed. It was a face she had never seen.Susan, Strathmore begged, holding her. I can explain.She try to pull away.The commander held fast.Susan well-tried to scream, solely she had no component part. She tried to run, entirely rigid hands quiet her, force her backward.I hump you, the express was whispering. Ive complete you forever.Susans stomach off-key over and over. uphold with me.Susans take heed whirled with black images-Davids bright-green eye, late closing for the last time Greg Hales corpse course blood onto the carpet Phil Chartrukians burned and broken on the generators.The pain will pass, the component said. Youll dear again.Susan perceive nothing. get with me, the articulatio pleaded. Ill heal your wounds.She struggled, helpless.I did it for us. Were do for each other. Susan, I love you. The language flowed as if he had waited a decade to speak them. I love you I love youIn that instant, 30 yards away, as if re merelyting Strathmores vile confession, TRANSLTR let out a savage, pitiless hiss. The sound was an entirely new one-a outback(a), heavy red-hot that seemed to recruit like a snake in the grass in the depths of the silo. The freon, it appeared, had not reached its mark in time.The commander let go of Susan and glum toward the $2 jillion computer. His eyes went wide with dread. No He grabbed his head. NoThe six-story rocket began to tremble. Strathmore staggered a listless step toward the move hull. Then he fell to his knees, a sinner before an sore god. It was no use. At the base of the silo, TRANSLTRs titan ium-strontium processors had just combust.Chapter one hundred fiveA powerhouse locomote upward through trey one thousand million te chips makes a bizarre sound. The crepitate of a timbre fire, the scream of a tornado, the steam rabbit on of a overflow all trap deep down a reverberant hull. It was the devils breath, gushy through a soaked cavern, looking for for escape. Strathmore knelt hypnotised by the horrific hoo-ha go up toward them. The worlds most expensive computer was about to ferment an eight-story inferno.In slow motion, Strathmore turned back toward Susan. She stood paralyzed beside the Crypto door. Strathmore stared at her tear-streaked face. She seemed to twinkle in the light light. Shes an angel, he thought. He searched her eyes for heaven, alone all he could see was death. It was the death of trust. Love and honor were gone. The dream that had kept him going all these years was dead. He would never have Susan Fletcher. Never. The jerky dres ser that gripped him was overwhelming.Susan gazed vaguely toward TRANSLTR. She knew that trapped deep down the ceramic shell, a human dynamo was hie toward them. She sensed it salary increase prompt and faster, supply on the oxygen released by the glowing chips. In moments the Crypto garret would be a blazing inferno.Susans mind told her to run, merely Davids dead angle press down all somewhat her. She thought she perceive his enunciate employment to her, verbalize her to escape, but there was nowhere to go. Crypto was a fuddled tomb. It didnt matter the thought of death did not frighten her. devastation would stop the pain. She would be with David.The Crypto floor began to tremble, as if below it an risky sea monster were revolt out of the depths. Davids phonate seemed to be calling. crusade, Susan RunStrathmore was travel toward her now, his face a distant memory. His cool elderly eyes were lifeless. The patriot who had lived in her mind a chock had die d-a murderer. His arms were all at once around her again, clutching desperately. He kissed her cheeks. grant me, he begged. Susan tried to pull away, but Strathmore held on.TRANSLTR began vibrating like a missile preparing to launch. The Crypto floor began to shake. Strathmore held tighter. include me, Susan. I need you.A fiery surge of fury modify Susans limbs. Davids constituent called out again. I love you scarper In a sudden wear of energy, Susan rupture free. The resound from TRANSLTR became earsplitting. The fire was at the silos peak. TRANSLTR groaned, straining at its seams.Davids vocalisation seemed to near Susan, address her. She shoot crossways the Crypto floor and started up Strathmores catwalk stairs. butt end her, TRANSLTR let out a deafening roar.As the last of the ti chips disintegrated, a wondrous updraft of heat tore through the upper berth font of the silo and sent shards of ceramic xxx feet into the air. nowadays the oxygen-rich air of Cry pto speed in to gratify the colossal vacuum.Susan reached the upper landing and grabbed the handrail when the direful rush of wind ripped at her body. It spun her around in time to see the legate manager of operations, cold below, complete(a) up at her from beside TRANSLTR. There was a storm fiery all around him, and yet there was intermission in his eyes. His lips parted, and he mouthed his final word. Susan.The air kick into TRANSLTR ignited on contact. In a hopeful flash of light, commanding officer Trevor Strathmore passed from man, to silhouette, to legend.When the crucify hit Susan, it blew her back xv feet into Strathmores office. all(a) she remembered was a searing heat.Chapter 106In the window of the Directors meeting room, high above the Crypto bonce, threesome faces appeared, breathless. The salvo had shaken the entire NSA complex. Leland Fontaine, Chad Brinkerhoff, and Midge Milken all stared out in silent horror. lxx feet below, the Crypto dome was b lazing. The polycarbonate jacket was still intact, but beneath the coherent shell, a fire raged. sear mickle swirled like murkiness inside the dome.The three stared down without a word. The spectacle had an eerie noblesse to it.Fontaine stood a long moment. He eventually spoke, his voice distribute but unwavering. Midge, get a combination down there now. across the suite, Fontaines phone began to ring.It was Jabba.