["immense\trespect\tand\thonor\ta\tman\twho'd\tgiven\tso\tmuch\tfor\tothers.\tTheir\teyes spoke\ttoward\tJunjie. Such\ta\tgood\tman,\tmay\tyou\tlive\ta\tlife\tof\tequal\tsignificance. The\tyoung\tbusinessman\tstraightened\this\tspine\tin\tadmiration\tand\tthankfulness, momentarily\treconsidering\this\tchoices\tin\tlight\tof\twhat\this\tfather\theld\tdear.\tThat moment\tfaded\tamong\tbigger\tcontracts,\tmore\topportunity.\tThe\tParty\tand\tits favors\teclipsed\tsacrifice\tand\tthe\teternal. But\tnow,\twinding\tdown\tinto\ttown,\this\theart\twas\timmovable. His\tbenefactors\tand\tthe\tlure\tof\tbusiness\thad\tshown\ttheir\ttrue\tcolors.\tHe\tno longer\thid\thimself\tamong\ttheir\tshades.\tThe\tweakest\thad\toffered\thim\thope\tand forgiveness\tand\the\twas\tnot\tabout\tto\tsquander\tsuch\tan\tendowment. It\twas\ttime\tto\tmake\tthings\tright. THIRTY\tEIGHT The\tsun\tcast\tsetting\trays\tthrough\tthe\tolder\tbuildings\tof\tJunjie's\tvillage. Junjie\tstepped\tout,\tonto\tmixed\tasphalt\tand\tbare\tearth,\tsurveying\tagain\ta\tplace frozen\tin\ttime\tfor\tmuch\tof\tthe\tlast\thalf-century.\tAcross\tthe\tstreet,\tlocal\twatering holes\tremained\tbut\tmost\tpeople\twere\thome\talready.\tEven\tthose\thabitually stopping\tfor\tpre-supper\tlibation\thad\tleft\tfor\tthe\tevening\tmeal. \\\"Junjie.\tYou\tmust\tgo\tnow.\tMove\ton.\tYou\tknow\tthe\tway.\\\" He\tnodded,\tgrabbed\this\tgear,\tand\tstarted\tdown\tthe\troadway.\tAfter\ttwo\tdusty blocks\the\tturned\tleft,\tpicking\tup\tthe\tpace.\tAround\tthe\tcorner\tand\tthen\tcrossing the\tstreet,\tthe\tyoung\tman\thopped\tup\tonto\tthe\tcovered\tporch\tof\ta\trun-down house,\tbroken\twindows\tadorning\tits\tfront.\tPaint\tpeeling\tin\tsheets.\tShingles hanging\tat\todd\tangles.\tHe\topened\tthe\tdoor\tonly\tas\tmuch\tas\twas\tneeded\tand stepped\tinside.\tThere\the\tpaused,\tstill\tand\tlistening.\tNothing.\tA\tfew\tmore seconds,\twanting\tto\tbe\tsure.\tStill,\tnothing.","Junjie\tput\tdown\this\tcases\tand\tremoved\tthe\tbag\tfrom\taround\this\tneck. The\tvoice\twas\tso\tquiet. \\\"The\tfavored\tson\treturns.\\\" Junjie\tbreathed\tagain.\tHe\thad\tmade\tit,\tthe\tfirst\tstep\tof\tthis\timprobable\tjourney now\tcomplete. \\\"I\tam\there,\\\"\this\tvoice\ttrembling\twith\tgratefulness. \\\"And\tso\tyou\tare,\tyoung\tone.\tBe\tassured,\tthis\tnews\thas\tbeen\tguarded.\tWhat you\tare\ttrying\tto\tdo\tis\tnoble.\tIt\tis\talso\tdifficult,\tis\tit\tnot?\\\" \\\"Indeed,\tmy\tfriend.\tBut\tto\tdo\tnothing\twould\tbe\tworse\tthan\twhat\tI\thave allowed\talready.\\\" \\\"Redemption\tis\twhat\tyou\tseek,\tthen.\\\" \\\"Something\tlike\tthat.\\\" The\tvoice\tcame\tforward,\tout\tfrom\tthe\tshadows,\tmotioning\this\thand\tacross\tthe room. \\\"Well\tthen.\tThe\tperfect\tplace\tfor\tyou\tto\tseek\tit.\\\" Warm\tfamiliarity\tflooded\tJunjie's\tsenses.\tGood\tmemories,\tfond\timages\tand emotions. The\tAustralian\tman\tand\this\twife\twith\tflaming\tred\thair. This\twas\ttheir\thome.\tAt\tleast\tlong\tago,\tit\thad\tbeen.\tThe\tfront\tdoor?\tHe'd barged\tthrough\thundreds\tof\ttimes.\tThe\tkitchen?\tAlways\toffered\tfreely\tto\ta hungry\tChinese\tboy.\tThe\trooms\tfilled\twith\ttangible,\texperiential\thope,\teven\tin the\tdirest\tof\tseasons.\tIt\tlooked\tso\tdifferent\tnow.\tRundown--failing,\twithout being\tformally\tcondemned.\tYet,\teven\tin\tthis\tworn\tstate\tJunjie\tfelt\ta\tpower\tand presence\tuncontained\tby\tbrick\tand\tmortar. \\\"We\tare\tready?\\\"\tJunjie\tasked. \\\"Yes,\teverything\tyou\tneed.\tAs\tbad\tas\tit\tlooks,\tit\twill\tnot\tfall\tdown\ton\ttop\tof you,\\\"\tthe\tman\tsmiled.\t\\\"...\tand\tthe\telectricity\tis\ton.\tThe\tback\troom\tis\tthe\tbest place\tto\tset\tup,\tI\tbelieve,\taway\tfrom\tthe\tstreet.\tThough\tno\tone\twill\tsuspect\ta thing.\tThe\thouse\thas\tbeen\tempty\tfor\ttwenty\tyears.\\\" \\\"I\theard\ta\twhile\tback\tsomeone\ttried\tto\trenovate\tit?\\\" \\\"Yes,\tsome\tinterest.\tYou\tknow\thow\tthese\tthings\tgo.\tBig\tdreams\tand\tlittle money.\tAn\tattempt\tto\trecapture\tbetter\tdays\tfrom\tthe\tpast,\tI\tam\tsure.\\\" \\\"It\tseems\tquite\tfit\tfor\tmy\tneeds.\tThank\tyou.\\\" \\\"We\tare\twith\tyou,\tJunjie.\tWe\twill\twatch.\tWe\twill\tpray.\\\" \\\"I\tcould\tnot\task\tfor\tanything\tmore,\tmy\tbrother.\tBless\tyou...\tand\tnow\tI\tmust get\tto\twork,\tmy\tfriend.\\\"","Sunlight\tfaded. Junjie\tmoved\this\tcases\tinto\tthe\tback\troom\tand\tbegan\tsetting\tup.\tIt\tdidn't\ttake long.\tRemarkable\treally,\tconsidering\twhat\twould\tbe\tattempted.\tOn\tthe\tsurface the\tlaptop\tappeared\tyour\taverage\tbusiness\tmodel.\tBeneath\tordinary\tcasing\tlie components\tthe\tmost\tjaded\ttech\tjunkie\twould\tcovet.\tIts\tstorage\tand\tlogic\tboard sported\tuber\tnext-gen\tspeeds\tand\tdata\tpaths.\tThe\tworking\tmemory\twas\tso\tfast and\tefficient\tit\tcould\trun\tthe\tspace\tshuttle.\tThis\tbox\twould\tdo\tjust\tfine\tbut\tshe was\thungry\tfor\tpower,\tlots\tof\tclean\tpower.\tQuan\tDho's\tunit,\this\tmystery\tin\ta small\tblack\tcase,\twas\tnext\tin\tline. Junjie\tplugged\tthe\tcomputer's\tpower\tcable\tinto\tthe\tdevice's\tfemale\treceptacle and\tthen\tthe\tend\tcoming\tout\tof\tthe\tconverter\tinto\ta\tburn-stained\tplastic\twall plug,\tleft\tof\tthe\tsmall\ttable\tcommandeered\tas\tmission\tHQ. It\twas\tthat\tsimple. He\theld\this\tbreath. No\tsparks.\tNo\tacrid,\tburnt\telectrical\tcabling\tor\tinternal\tcomponents. That\ta\tboy,\tQuan. Junjie\topened\tthe\tlid\tand\tthe\tlaptop\tcycled.\tBoot\tsequence\tdigits\tdanced,\ttop to\tbottom.\tNo\tWindows\tor\tMac\tstartup\timages\tas\tthis\tOS\thad\tbeen\tdesigned\tto handle\tone\tthing\tand\tone\tthing\tonly:\thigh-level\tcomm\tand\tcoding. On\tfirst\tboot\teverything\tworked\tfine.\tStill,\tJunjie\tremained\thyper-aware\tthat the\tcode\twas\tdigressing,\tchanging,\tand\this\tlast\taccess\thad\tbeen\talmost\ta\tday ago.\tHe\thad\tno\tidea\twhat\the'd\tfind,\tuncertain\tas\tto\twhether\tit\thad\taltered\tbeyond recognition.\tOr\tbeyond\thope. Again,\tthe\tunassailable\tmountain. Step\tone?\tLog\ton. High-speed\tinternet\twas\tnot\tavailable\tin\tremote\tGansu.\tA\tfew\tlarger\tcities\thad reasonable\toptions\tbut\there,\tno\toptions\tat\tall.\tNothing\tthat\tis,\tbut\tthe\tsky. Junjie\tpulled\this\tthird\tpiece\tof\tnondescript\tgear,\tanother\tof\tQuan's\tmiracles. Its\tsleek,\tsilver\texterior\thosted\tno\tcables.\tOne\tsmall\tLED--green,\torange,\tor\tred- -the\tonly\tindication\tit\twas\tan\telectronic\tdevice.\tNo\tpower\tconnections.\tNot\teven a\tvisible\tcover\tscrew.\tHonestly,\tJunjie\tthought,\tthese\tdesigns\twere\tas\telegant\tas any\the'd\tseen.\tQuan\twas\ta\tsingularly\ttalented\tguy\tand\ta\tblessing\tto\thave\ton\ttheir team. Junjie\tdouble-clicked\tthe\tsat\tlaunch.\tAn\toptions\tdialog\tappeared: Save\tthe\tworld\tfrom\tnuclear\tdestruction,\tor","The\tvery\tbest\tof\tinternet\tcat\tvideos. A\tfew\tjoy-filled\ttears\tfell\tdown\this\tcheeks\tand\tonto\this\tshirt\tin\ta\tprofound release\tof\ttension. \\\"Well,\t'Save\tthe\tworld'\tit\twill\thave\tto\tbe,\\\"\tJunjie\tsaid\tto\tno\tone\tin\tparticular.\t\\\"I really\tdon't\thave\ttime\tfor\tcat\tvideos.\\\" He\tclicked\tthe\tfirst\tbutton\tand\ta\tglobal\tmapping\tprogram\twith\tthe\tcurrent location\tand\tavailability\tof\tbandwidth\ton\tvarious\tsatellites\tsat\tpoised\tabove\ta\t3D image\tof\tEarth.\tNone\thovered\tclose\tenough\tto\tprovide\tthe\tneeded\tsignal strength.\tNot\ta\tsurprise.\tJunjie's\tendeavors\twould\trequire\tcareful\tsequencing, taking\tadvantage\tof\tlink\tdowntime\tfor\tcompiling\tand\toff-line\twork.\tThe\tnearest current\tlink\twas\tStrata5,\tused\tby\tboth\tmilitary\tand\tcorporate\tentities.\tAvailable: four\thours\tfrom\tnow. Spreading\tout\this\tbedroll\tnext\tto\tan\taging\ttable\tand\tsingle\tbamboo\tchair,\the laid\this\thead\tdown. He\trecalled\tdoing\tthis\tbefore.\tIn\tthis\troom.\tQuite\tsome\ttime\tago. Another\tdangerous\trainy\tseason\thad\texacted\tits\ttoll\ton\tGansu.\tRivers\traged, swollen\tbeyond\ttheir\tbanks.\tNeighbors'\thomes,\tfragile\tto\tbegin\twith,\tnow\tlay destroyed\tas\tunremitting\tmudslides\tsurged\tthrough\tthe\tarea\twith\timpunity. Though\tJunjie's\tfamily\thome\thad\tsustained\tsignificant\tdamage,\tit\twould\tbe\tre- buildable. Dismissing\tthe\tchaos\tand\tstress\tthe\tAustralian\tcouple\tinsisted\the,\this\tparents, and\ttheir\ttwo\tother\tchildren\tstay\tuntil\tit\twas\tsafe.\tPacked\tinto\tthis\tone,\tsmall back\troom,\tthe\tsize\tof\tthe\tspace\tdidn't\tmatter,\tnot\tat\tall.\tThe\tgracious\toffer\tfar outweighed\tany\tinconvenience.\tIt\twas\ton\tthis\tfloor\tand\taround\tthis\thome\tthat Junjie\thad\tcome\tto\tknow\tlove\tand\tsacrifice. He\thoped\this\tcurrent\tefforts\twould\tfit\tin. And\tthen\tJunjie\tlet\tweariness\twin,\this\teyelids\tclosing\tgently,\tsatisfyingly. THIRTY\tNINE","The\tOval\tOffice,\tWashington,\tD.C. The\tpresident's\tdaily\tsecurity\tbriefing\tlisted\tone\tand\tonly\tone\titem. Midway\tthrough\tthe\treinforced\tdoorway\tthe\tNational\tSecurity\tAdvisor\tpaused, considering\tagain\tthe\tdepth\tand\timpact\tof\tall\tthat'd\thappened.\tThe\tveteran policy\tanalyst\tshook\ther\thead,\trecalling\tthe\tbizarre,\tbrutal\tactions\tof\tthe\tpast\tfew weeks.\tHad\ta\tcolleague\tcalled\tthis\tout\tas\ta\tlikelihood\tsix\tmonths\tago,\tshe'd\thave laughed\tthem\tout\tof\tthe\troom.\tClaiming\tit\tto\tbe\tprobable,\ther\tnext\tmove would've\tbeen\treferral\tfor\tpsychiatric\tcare.\tHalf-awake\tat\tthe\tsurrealistic\tnature of\tthe\tmoment,\tshe\tentered\tthe\tfamous\toffice. Instead\tof\tthe\tusual\teight\tto\tten\tpeople\tat\ttwo\tcouches\tand\taround\tthe\tedges\tof a\tseventeenth-century\tmahogany\tcoffee\ttable,\tonly\tthree\tfigures\tloitered.\tThe President,\tthe\tJoint\tChiefs\tChairman,\tand\tSecretary\tof\tHomeland\tSecurity,\tpored over\ta\tsingle\tpage\tof\ttext\tat\tthe\tstately\tdesk.\tAn\telectricity\tsurged.\tThe\tlate- comer\tsensed\tit\timmediately. Please,\tlet\tthis\tbe\ta\tbreakthrough. Engrossed\tin\tthe\tsituation\tat\thand,\ther\tentrance\thad\tgone\tcompletely unnoticed\tby\tthe\ttrio.\tNSA\tmade\tsome\tnoise,\tjust\tso\tthe\tmen\twouldn't\tbe\tstartled or\tembarrassed. A\tfaked\tcough. \\\"Mr.\tPresident.\\\" \\\"Good\tmorning,\\\"\tthe\tpresident's\thead\tsnapped\tupward\tand\tback.\t\\\"In\tfact,\tit may\tbe\ta\tvery\tgood\tmorning.\\\" With\tsuit\tcoat\tdraping\tan\tElizabethan-era\thighback\tchair,\this\ttie\tdangled, loosened\tat\tthe\tneck.\tThe\taroma\tof\tcold\tcoffee\tand\tan\toverflowing\tashtray screamed\tOval\tOffice\tall-nighter. A\tsmoker.\tThe\tFirst\tLady\tand\tthe\tpresident's\tphysician\tvoiced\tdispleasure loudly\tand\toften.\tTheir\tcombined\tcajoling\thadn't\tworked\tso\tfar.\tBut\tthey\twere playing\tthe\tlong\tgame,\trelentlessly\ttag-teaming\this\tsorry\tbutt\tinto\tfuture capitulation. Homeland\tappeared\tdisheveled\tas\twell.\tThe\tChairman\tradiated\tbrass\tand polish.\tNo\tone\thad\tseen\thim\tin\tany\tother\tcondition.\tNSA\tpictured\thim\tmowing his\tlawn\tin\tfull\tdress\tand\twasn't\ttoo\tfar\toff\tthe\tmark.\tThe\tthree\tmen\tbroke\tfrom","their\ttight\tlittle\tcircle,\tmoving\tto\tthe\tcouches. \\\"They're\tin,\\\"\tthe\tpresident\tbegan.\t\\\"Stevens'\tasset\tbehind\tthe\tlines\thas\tjoined and\tthey're\tproceeding\ton\tschedule.\\\" \\\"That\tis\tvery\tgood\tnews,\tMr.\tPresident.\tAny\tupdates\ton\tthe\tcode\titself. Changes\tovernight?\\\" The\tChairman\tstepped\tin.\t\\\"Boys\tat\tthe\tVault\tsay\tit\tlooks\tlargely\tthe\tsame. Limited\taccess\tand\tthe\ttimeline\tcontinues\tto\tdraw\tdown.\\\" \\\"Excuse\tme,\tMr.\tPresident,\tbut\thow\tdo\twe\tknow\tthis\tis\tnot\tsome\tkind\tof\tploy by\tthe\tChinese?\\\" \\\"Well,\thonestly\tKaren...\twe\tdon't.\tStill,\tI\tcan't\timagine\twhat\tsort\tof\tadvantage would\tbe\tgained\tby\tletting\tus\talter\tthe\tcoding.\tAs\tfar\tas\twe\tknow\tthis\tis\ta significant\tadvantage,\ta\tnew\topportunity\twe'll\twant\tto\texploit\tto\tthe\tfullest. Bottom\tline:\twe\tmay\tregain\tsome\tform\tof\tnuclear\tstrike\tcapability\twithin\tthe next\teighteen\tto\ttwenty\thours.\\\" \\\"But,\\\"\tthe\tsoldier\tadded.\t\\\"We\tstill\tneed\tour\tground\tteam\tto\ttake\tus\thome.\tThe boys\tat\tthe\tVault\tare\tall\tbluster\tand\tfor\tgood\treason.\tIn\tthis\tcase\tthey're\thumbly accepting\tthat\tthe\tneed\toutpaces\teven\ttheir\theady\tskillsets.\tThey\tdon't\tlike\tit\tbut they\tknow\twe\tneed\tthis...\\\" NSA\tperused\ther\tnotes\tagain,\t\\\"...\tthis\tDalton\tfellow,\tto\tfinish\tthe\tjob.\\\" __________________________________ Beijing \\\"Gentlemen.\tIt\twould\tappear\tour\tlittle\texpansionist\tdrama\tis\tat\ta\tcrossroads.\\\" President\tXi's\tindirect\tcensure\twas\tabsorbed\tby\tthe\ttwo\tother\tsenior\tleaders present. \\\"Most\tunfortunate,\\\"\the\tpressed\ton,\tventing.\t\\\"Perhaps\tthe\tassurances\tgiven\ton this\tproject\tare\tnot\tas\tironclad\tas\twe'd\tbeen\ttold?\tYes,\tmaybe\tthis\twas\tour greatest\tmistake--believing\tthese\tpromises\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace?\\\" General\tChen\tBingde\ttook\tthe\tsting,\tabided\tthe\trebuke\tas\tany\tgood\tsoldier would. The\tpresident\tcontinued.","\\\"Irrelevant.\tThe\tonly\titem\toccupying\tour\tthinking\tshould\tbe\tthe\tprotection\tof our\tnew\tprovince...\tand\tthe\tmainland,\twhen\tor\tif\tthe\tUnited\tStates\tre-establishes its\tnuclear\tforces.\\\" Li\tKeqiang,\tChinese\tPremier\tand\tChair\tof\tthe\tState\tCouncil,\tstumbled\this\tway into\tthe\tlecture. \\\"Mr.\tPresident.\tThis\tis\tone\tsmall\tadvance\tfor\tthe\tAmericans.\tTrue,\tthey\thave initial\taccess\tto\tthe\tcode\tbut\twe\thave\tbeen\tinformed\tit\twill\ttake\tsomeone\twith the\thighest\tskills\tto\tdirect\tit\tin\tany\tactionable\tmanner.\tOur\tbest\tpeople\tare\ttelling us\tthey\tdo\tnot\tthink\tthis\tto\tbe\tlikely.\\\" \\\"As\tconceivable\tas\tsympathetic\tcode\tmigration\tever\toccurring\tin\tthe\tfirst place,\tComrade\tLi?\tAnd\twhat\tof\tthe\tfact\tthat\tsome\tAmerican\tdeveloped\tthe code\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace?\tWhat\tif\tthat\tsomeone\tis\tstill\talive\tand\tworking--this\tvery minute--against\tus?\tThat\twas\tthe\tlink\tyou,\tand\tDhe,\tshould\tnever\thave\tleft unattended.\tI\twill\tnot\teven\tcomment\ton\tthe\tabsolute\tincompetence\tat\tleaving Zang\talive.\\\" \\\"But\tMr.\tPresident,\\\"\tLi\tstammered.\t\\\"That\thas\talways\tbeen\tthe\tunknown,\tas\tif the\tAmericans\tdidn't\teven\tknow\tthemselves\twho\tworked\ton\tit.\tAnd\tDhe\tis within\treach\tof\tZang,\teven\tnow.\\\" \\\"Or,\tmaybe\tthe\tyounger\tnation\tis\tmore\twiley\tthan\tgiven\tcredit.\tAnd\tmaybe Zang\tis\tmore\tthan\tmatch\tfor\tyour\telder\toperative.\tEnough\tof\tyour\tjustifications. We\tmust\tprepare\tfor\tevery\tcontingency.\tI\twill\trequire\thourly\treports\tfrom\tall departments\tand\tministries.\tIf\tI\tmust\tclean\tup\tyour\tmesses,\tI\twill\tneed\tthe\tvery best\tinformation.\tDo\tI\tmake\tmyself\tclear?\\\" The\tmen\tstood,\tbowed,\tand\tleft. Xi\tstepped\tacross\tthe\troom\tand\tto\ta\tlong,\tfelt-covered\ttabletop.\tAccent lighting.\tA\tstack\tof\tloosely\torganized\tnotebooks.\tHe\tran\this\thand\tover\ta\tthick, red-covered\tvolume. Eyes-Only,\tPresident.\tNational\tAdministration\tfor\tthe\tProtection\tof\tState Secrets:\tTop\tSecret. The\ttable\tof\tcontents\tbore\tstark,\tominous\theadings. VII:\tScenarios\tfor\tNuclear\tEngagement--Western\tUnited\tStates. Appendix\tD:\tDeath\ttolls,\tfallout,\tand\trecovery. XII:\tDecisions\tMatrix:\tPan-Pacific\tNuclear\tExchange.\tDefense\tof\tthe Homeland.","The\tpresident\twas\ta\tpragmatic\tman.\tThis\tcharacter\ttrait,\tabove\tall\tothers,\thad gotten\thim\tto\tthis\tplace\tof\tinfluence\tand\tpower.\tAn\teconomist\tby\teducation,\the was\tguided\tby\tcost\/benefit\tand\tdegrees\tof\tincentives.\tUndergirded\tby\tvalues, these\topposing\tand\tsometimes\tbalancing\tweights\twere\twhat\tmattered\tenough\tfor people\tto\tattain,\tdefend,\tor\tbargain.\tHe\tspoke\tin\tnumbers,\tnot\tnames,\tlearning early\ton\tthat\tleadership\toften\trequired\tsidestepping\tmomentary\temotions.\tLeft unchecked\tthey\tcloud\tjudgment,\tskew\tdata.\tStill,\tthis--the\toutcomes\the\treviewed again--were\talmost\timpossible\tto\tprocess. The\tprobable\tchain\tof\tevents\twas\tnot\ta\tmystery.\tThe\tAmericans\twould undertake\tmilitary\taction\tto\trecover\ttheir\tterritory.\tHis\tpeople\twould\tcounter with\tlimited\tnuclear\taggression\tin\tthe\tnew\tprovince,\tjust\tas\tthey\thad\tin\tthe discharge\tof\ttwo\tmissiles\tover\tPuget\tSound\tearlier.\tAmerica\twould\tthreaten\tthe Chinese\tmainland\titself. Everything\thinged\ton\twho\tflinched\tfirst. Or\twho\tmight\tfinally\tpull\tthe\ttrigger. For\tmore\tthan\ta\thalf-century\tthe\tworld\tremained\ta\tdelicate\tbalance\tof\tnuclear powers.\tThe\tunthinkable\twas\timpossible.\tTherefore\tthe\tnewest,\tmore\tlimited threat\twould\tcome\tfrom\tnon-state\tactors.\tBut\tall\thad\tforgotten:\tthere\twere\tstill enough\twarheads\tbetween\tthe\tmajor\tplayers\tto\tblow\teveryone\tto\tMars\tand\tback a\thundred\ttimes.\tAnd\tthis\twar,\tas\thorribly\timagined\tfor\tseventy-some\tyears would\tbe\tone\tin\twhich\tentire\tnations\tof\tpeople\twere\tsuddenly\tand\tviolently excised.\tIndustry,\tculture,\tand\tenvironment\teradicated.\tSmoldering\tpiles\tof radioactive\trubble\tand\tdecay\tdiminishing\tover\tdecades,\tif\tnot\tcenturies. The\tpresident\tclosed\tthe\tbook,\twalked\tto\this\tdesk\tand\tengaged\tthe\tintercom line. \\\"The\tForeign\tMinister,\tplease.\tI\twill\tneed\tto\tspeak\twith\thim\tat\tonce.\\\" FORTY Central\tPacific\tOcean","The\tAmerican\tpilot's\tvisor\tdisplay\tdeclared\tall\tsystems\tgo\tas\the\tawaited\tfinal clearance.\tBlinking\tgreen\toutlines\tof\tnuclear-tipped\tordinance\tmeant\this missiles\thung\thot.\tTargeting\tvectors:\treceived,\tconfirmed,\tlogged. Flipping\topen\ta\tsmall\tplastic\tcover,\this\tfinger\thovered,\tready\tto\tact,\tto\trelease these\thounds\tof\thell\ttoward\tChina's\tunsuspecting\tbillions.\tHighly\tcontrolled breaths;\teach\tone\tpronounced\tin\this\tear\tcanal.\tEvery\theartbeat:\tweighty. Training\tand\tduty\tguided.\tStill,\tthe\treal\ttoll\tof\this\torders\tsettled,\tunderstandably so. \\\"Tiger-Five.\tAwaiting\tgo.\tConfirm.\\\" \\\"Roger.\tTiger-Five.\tClear\tfor...\treturn.\tCool\tthe\tbirds\tdown.\tCome\ton\thome.\\\" The\tcover\teased\tback\tinto\tplace.\tA\tfew\tmore\tkeystrokes\tand\tthe\tordinance visuals\tdisappeared\tas\twell.\tPulling\thard\ton\tthe\tyoke,\tthe\tsleek\tairframe\tbanked into\ta\treturn\tpath\tto\tUSS\tGeorge\tH.W.\tBush. \\\"Tiger\tsquadron,\tthis\tis\tTiger\tLeader.\tWe\tare\tdone\tfor\ttoday.\tGood\tjob.\tCall that\tanother\tsuccessful\texercise\trun\tand\twe'll\tbe\tback\tin\ttime\tfor\tchow.\tCookie says\tthere\tis\ta\tlovely\tmeatloaf\tspecial\tthis\tevening.\tYou\tall\tdeserve\tthe\tfinest\tthe U.S.\tNavy\tcan\tmuster.\\\" Multiple\tgroans.\tA\tfew\tchoice\twords.\tBut\tnine\tskilled\ttouchdowns\tlater\tthe squadron\tentrusted\ttheir\tplanes\tto\ttheir\tequally\tadept\tcrews\tfor\trefueling\tand maintenance.\tThey\tjostled\tand\tpushed\tone\tanother\twhile\twalking\ttoward\tthe superstructure,\tlike\tpre-teen\tboys\twith\ta\tsurplus\tof\tpent-up\tenergy.\tSome moments\tyou'd\tbe\tsurprised\tthat\tmen\tof\tthis\torder\thad\tcharge\tof\tlife\tand\tdeath and\tmulti-million\tdollar\tmachines.\tMost\tdays\ttheir\tcommitment\tand\tskill\twould make\tyou\tproud. \\\"Commander\ton\tdeck.\\\" Rear\tAdmiral\tKnowles\tappeared\tfrom\tbehind\ta\tbulkhead,\tencountering\tthe just-returned\tflight\tleader\tand\this\tcohorts.\tThey\tresponded\tappropriately, respectfully. \\\"At\tease,\\\"\tKnowles\tordered.\t\\\"I\thear\tyou\thad\tanother\tfine\tdry-run;\tthat\tyour squad\tis\tas\tready\tas\tthe\tAmerican\tpeople\twill\tneed\tyou\tto\tbe.\tAm\tI\tcorrect?\\\" Knowles\twas\tnot\tthe\tkind\tof\tcommander\tto\tuse\tdrummed\tup\tconfrontations. She\treally\twanted\tto\tchallenge\ther\tsailors\tand\tairmen\tto\texcellence,\treadiness. Conversations\tlike\tthis\twere\twelcomed. \\\"Ma'am,\\\"\tthe\tlead\tpilot\tresponded.\t\\\"On\tstation,\tsystems\tas\tgreen\tas\tthey\tcould","be.\tWhen\twe\tget\tthe\tcall,\twe'll\tdo\tthe\tjob.\\\" The\tadmiral\tsmiled\tbroadly. \\\"Good\tto\thear,\tCaptain.\tCarry\ton.\\\" With\tthat\tshe\treleased\ther\taviators,\toff-duty\tfor\tthe\tevening,\teven\tas\tCarrier Group\t2\tclosed\tin\ton\tChina.\tAnother\tten\thours\tand\tmen\tand\tmachines\twould\tbe in\tplace,\tanxious\tfor\torders. __________________________________ Former\tU.S.\tEmbassy\tCompound,\tBeijing Though\tstill\tofficially\tthe\tUnited\tStates'\tAmbassador\tto\tChina,\tGary\tLocke\twas performing\this\tlast\tassignment--closing\tdown\tBeijing\tStation.\tThe\tAmerican President\thad\tordered\tthe\tnecessary,\talbeit\tweak,\tresponse.\tLocke's\tdays\tsince had\tbeen\toverrun\twith\tadministrative\tduties\tand\tsensitive\tmaterials\thandling. With\ta\tstaff\tof\tover\tseventy-five\tthere\twere\tlots\tof\tpersonal\tand\tpersonnel\tissues to\ttake\tcare\tof.\tA\tsense\tof\tdefeat\tand\tdread\tdiscolored\tthe\tfew\tremaining\thours he\thad\tin\tthis\toffice.\tMundane.\tPainful. Locke\tstared\tinto\tspace.\tEvidences\tof\tthe\tman's\tfaithful\tservice\tto\ta\tgreat nation\tonce\tlined\tthese\tshelves.\tThey\tnow\tsat\tstacked\tunevenly\tin\tboxes,\tto\tbe shipped\twho\tknew\twhere.\tHe\thad\talways\ttried\this\tbest\tto\tmove\trelations forward\tin\tthe\tworld.\tHardball\twas\tnot\this\tfavorite\ttactic,\tpreferring\tinstead\tto protect\tthe\tinterests\tof\tAmerica\tas\twell\tas\tadvance\tthe\twelfare\tand\tprosperity\tof his\thost\tnations.\tHe\twas\tconvinced\tthere\twere\tmany\tways\tto\tdo\tboth\tat\tthe\tsame time.\tThe\theaviness\thit\thard,\tmost\tdays.\tProfessional\tdisgrace.\tFailure. The\tweight\the\tcarried\twasn't\tonly\tpersonal. The\tman\twas\ta\tlong-time\tresident\tand\tcivil\tservant\tof\tthe\tformer\tState\tof Washington.\tHe\twas\tfrom\tthere.\tHis\tfamily\tand\tfriends,\tmany\tof\tthem,\tstill there.\tHow\twere\tthey\tfairing?\tWhat\tmust\tit\tbe\tlike\tfor\tthem? An\todd\tbuzzing\tbrought\tLocke\tout\tof\tsemi-mourning.\tThe\tpager\trang\ttwice again,\tits\tdisplay\tilluminating\tthe\tdesk. 2444HCO*# Locke\twalked\tover\tto\tthe\twall\tsafe\tand\tdialed\tthe\tcombination.\tDrawing\tout\ta","thin\tnotebook,\the\tsearched\trows\tof\tdata,\ttracking\tcharacters\tuntil\the\tfound\tthe match. He\tplaced\tthe\tledger\tback\tinto\tthe\tvault. Then,\tinforming\tno\tone,\tLocke\tgrabbed\this\tovercoat\tand\tkeys,\tleaving\tthrough a\tchiefly\tunknown\texit\tat\tthe\tback\tof\this\tprivate\tbathroom. Twenty-five\tminutes\tlater\the\tarrived\tunaccompanied\tat\ta\tnondescript warehouse\tin\tthe\tsteel\tmanufacturing\tsector\tof\tthe\tcity.\tPushing\tboth\thands\tinto the\tpockets\tof\this\tblack\tovercoat,\the\tstrode\ttoward\tthe\tentrance.\tA\tfew\tlast\tsteps and\tthe\tdoor\topened\tfor\thim.\tInside,\ttwo\tguards\tmotioned,\tpointing\twith\tthe business\tend\tof\ttheir\tside\tarms.\tThe\thallway\twas\tnarrow,\tmaybe\tthree\tfeet\twide with\ta\tsingle,\taging\tlight\tbulb\toverhead.\tTwenty\tpaces\tlater\tcame\tanother wordless\tinstruction:\tto\tthe\tleft,\tinto\tan\tempty\troom.\tEmpty\tthat\tis,\texcept\tfor two\tfacing\tchairs\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tspace.\tOne\twas\talready\toccupied. \\\"Mr.\tAmbassador.\tSo\tgood\tof\tyou\tto\trespond\tto\tmy\tcall.\\\" FORTY\tONE Seattle's\tNear\tEastside Dalton's\thead\trolled\tforward,\tcommitting\tto\tneither\tfull\tconsciousness\tnor\tsleep. Underneath\tand\tbehind\thim:\tslippery,\tcheap\tvinyl.\tOil\tand\tgasoline\tsmell\tin the\tair.\tA\tmusty,\tthicker\theat.\tCartons\tand\tbags\tat\this\tankles.\tNot\tmuch\troom\tto maneuver\tor\tshift\this\tweight.\tDalton\tpaused\ta\tsecond\tlonger,\tscanning\tsubtly with\this\tperipheral\tvision. In\tthe\tback\tseat\tof\ta\tcar. A\tcrappy\tone.","\\\"Hey,\tAurora.\tSorry\tto\tsay\tthere's\tno\tprince\there.\tAnd\tI\tsure\t'ain't\tgonna\tgive you\tthe\twake-up\tkiss.\\\" Sanchez. He\thad\tmet\tthe\twoman\tonly\trecently\tbut\talready\tliked\ther.\tAside\tfrom pressing\ta\tknife\tagainst\this\tthroat,\the\twas\tcoming\tto\tbelieve\tshe\tpresented\tquite the\tadvantage. Dalton\tsat\tup,\tstretching. \\\"How\tlong\twas\tI\tout\tfor?\\\" \\\"Too\tlong,\tLT.\tA\tbit\ttoo\tlong,\tI\tsay.\\\" Loch. Of\tcourse,\tit\twas\tLoch. \\\"How\tsoon\tto\ttarget?\\\"\tDalton\tasked. \\\"Thirty\tminutes\tif\tit\tholds\tup\tlike\tthis,\\\"\tSanchez\tshot\tback. \\\"Okay,\\\"\the\tsaid.\t\\\"We\tagreed\ton\tthe\toperational\tsequence?\\\" \\\"Check,\\\"\tcame\tthe\tresponse\tfrom\tLochland,\tholding\tdown\tthe\tforward passenger\tseat. Sanchez,\tto\tthe\tleft\tand\tin\tfront\tof\tDalton,\thad\tthe\twheel. Early\tmorning.\tThe\tregular\tgray\tand\ta\tslight\tchill.\tThe\twindshield\tdefrost cleared\tlong,\tellipsoidal\tpatches.\tOther\tthan\tthat\teverything\tstayed\tpretty\tfoggy. Neither\tof\tthe\tbackseat\twindows\twas\tclear. Dalton\tleaned\tback,\tclosing\this\teyes.\tIt\tall\tlit\tup\tagain--the\tgiant,\tinteractive display. Lines,\tcurves,\ttime\tstamps.\tPersonnel\tand\tpathway\tdata.\tEvery\tdetail interconnected\tin\ta\tvast\tarray\tof\tpossibilities.\tNo\tmatter\thow\tobscure\tor\tabstract it\twas\tall\tthere,\tall\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime.\tHad\tanyone\tbeen\table\tto\tpeer\tinto\this\thead at\tthis\tmoment\tit\twould\thave\tcome\tacross\tas\tunmitigated\tchaos,\tan\tuntamed mess\tof\tdisparate\titems,\tpictures,\tnumbers.\tTo\tthe\tretired\tsoldier,\tit\tplayed\tone big,\tbeautiful\tsymphony. Seeing\teverything\the\tneeded\tfor\tnow,\tDalton\topened\this\teyes,\tleaning between\tthe\ttwo\tfront\tseats. \\\"Chevy?\\\" \\\"Yeah...Lumina,\\\"\tSanchez\treplied.\t\\\"Ain't\tshe\ta\tbeaut'?\tDrove\tsomething\tlike this\tmy\tsenior\tyear\tin\thigh\tschool,\tall\tpiled\tup\twith\trowdy\tteens\ton\ta\tFriday night.\tHad\tto\tstop\tevery\ttwo\thours\tto\tfill\tthe\tradiator\tand\tadd\toil--which\twe\tneed to\tkeep\tan\teye\ton,\ttoo.\tBut\they,\twhat\tmore\tdo\tyou\tneed\twhen\tyou're\ton\tyour","way\tto\tsave\tthe\tworld?\\\" She\tlay\tabandoned\ton\tan\told\tlogging\troad\tparallel\tto\tthe\tmeanderings\tof\tthe Snoqualmie\tRiver,\tunder\ta\tstand\tof\thundred\tfoot\tfirs\tand\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\ta\tdirt\tand gravel\tpath.\tNot\tlong\tago\tthe\troad\thad\tborne\tthe\tconstant\tpress\tof\tcommercial tree\tharvesting\tequipment.\tNow\tit\tlay\tquieted,\tsolemn,\tyet\tstraight\tand\tmostly cleared.\tA\tfew\tminutes\tof\tremoving\tbranches,\tneedles,\tand\tcones\tand\tthey\tstared at\tthe\tcar,\tthen\tback\tat\tone\tanother\twith\tan\tair\tof\tdisbelief. Rust\tpatches\tmarred\tthe\tdriver's\tside\trear\twheel-wells.\tThe\thood\tdidn't\tclose completely,\tsome\tserious\twarping\tat\tthe\tedges.\tA\tbusted\tpassenger-side\tmirror. That\twas\tall\tgood.\tShe\twouldn't\tstick\tout\talong\trural\troadways\tin\teconomically depressed\ttowns,\tthe\tvery\tplaces\tthey'd\tpass\tthrough. All\tgood,\tthat\tis,\tif\tshe\tstarted. Ten\tminutes\tmore\tand\tLoch\thad\ther\trunning,\troaring\tin\tappreciation\tof\tbeing set\tback\tto\twork.\tThe\thalf\ttank\tof\tgas\tremaining\twould\thave\tto\tdo;\tstopping would\tbe\ttoo\trisky.\tToo\tmany\tpeople.\tToo\tgreat\ta\tchance\ta\trandom\tpatrol\tmight roll\tup\twithout\tnotice. Sanchez\tslid\tinto\tthe\tdriver's\tside\tand\tshifted\tthe\tmanual\ttransmission\tinto\tfirst gear.\tJust\tlike\tthat\tthey\tbegan\tthe\tnext\tleg\tof\ttheir\tjourney,\tdown\tworn\tblacktop and\ton\ttheir\tway\tto\tthe\tmetropolitan\tedge\tof\tSeattle.\tTransportation\tneeds\tnow satisfied,\tteam\tdevelopment\twas\tcoming\talong\tas\twell,\talbeit\tslowly. Within\tthe\thour,\tSanchez\tand\tLoch--the\tmore\tnaturally\tcombative\tof\tthe\ttrio-- came\tto\tan\tuneasy\ttruce.\tFor\tnow\tthey\twould\textend\ttrust.\tBut\tit\twas\ta\tthin\tline, easily\tcrossed,\tas\tthey\theaded\toff\tthe\tlower\tCascade\televations,\tdown\tthrough curved\tmountain\thighways\tand\tinto\tthe\tsuburbs. They\thad\tlately\tmerged\tonto\tState\tRoute\t520,\ttransitioning\tfrom\tboondocks to\tsome\tof\tthe\tmore\taffluent\tareas\tin\tthe\tcentral\tPuget\tSound\tregion.\tIt\twas\tan abrupt\tshift\tfrom\twoodsy,\told\tcar-laden\tacreage\tto\tmulti-million\tdollar\thomes with\tmanicured\tlandscaping\tand\tlengthy\tdriveways,\tall\tintended\tto\tkeep\tthe \\\"riff-raff\\\"\tat\ta\tdistance. Chinese\tflags\tlay\tplanted\tsquarely\tin\tfront\tor\thanging\toff\trooflines,\tin\tevery single\tyard\tand\thome. The\tpricey\taccommodations\twere\tallotted\tto\tincoming\tChinese\tleadership,\tbe they\tCommunist\tParty\theads\tor\tPRC\tArmy\tbig\tshots.","You\tlike\tthe\tneighborhood,\teh?\tDalton\tsurmised. The\tcar\tslowed\tfrom\thighway\tspeed,\tpulling\tover\tto\tthe\tright.\tThough probably\tthe\tleast\tefficient\tway\tto\thandle\ttraffic,\tthe\tPRC\tArmy\thad\testablished checkpoints\tat\tall\tmajor\troadways.\tGiven\tthe\tChinese\theld\tthe\tultimate\tpressure point\tin\tthe\tthreat\tof\tnuclear\tstrike,\ttheir\ton-the-ground\tsystems\tappeared\tless heavy-handed\tthan\timagined.\tThis\tdeceptively\tlighter\ttouch,\tcombined\twith ongoing,\tover\tthe\ttop\tpresentations\tof\tthe\tglories\tof\tBeijing's\toffer\tof\ta\tbetter life,\talmost\tseemed\treasonable.\tExcept\tfor\tthe\tfact\tyou\twoke\tup\tdaily\tas\ta conquered,\tsecond-class\tcitizen\tof\tthe\tPRC. Coming\tto\ta\tfull\tstop,\tSanchez\tlowered\tthe\twindow. Zhengjian!\twas\tthe\tsimple\tcommand. He\twas\tmaybe\ttwenty,\ttwenty-one.\tHis\tyouthfulness\tflashed\tSanchez\tback\tto her\tfirst\tfew\tyears\tin\tthe\tmilitary.\tWould\ther\tnaivete,\tfueled\tby\timpassioned patriotism,\tallow\ther\tto\ttake\tpart\tin\tsomething\tso\tclearly\ta\tviolation\tof\thuman rights\tand\tdignity?\tDoubtful.\tThe\tarmy\twas\tall\tshe\thad\tever\tknown,\tand\tyeah, she\tloved\ther\tcountry,\tbut\tsuch\tunprovoked\taggression\twould\thave\tstruck\ther deeper,\tat\ta\tprimary\tlevel\tof\tbasic\tjustice--simple\tright\tand\twrong.\tShe\twould have\tshed\ther\tvows\tat\tthat\tpoint,\twalking\taway,\tdignity\tintact. Sanchez\tproduced\tdocuments\tas\tordered.\tLoch\tand\tDalton\thanded\ttheirs forward\tas\twell. Another\tsoldier\tcanvassed\tthe\tperimeter\tof\tthe\tLumina,\tpausing\tevery\tfew inches\tto\tconsider\twhat\tkind\tof\tthreat,\tif\tany,\tthis\told\trust\tbucket\tand\tits\tthree odd\tpassengers\tmight\tpresent.\tHe\tstopped\toutside\tDalton's\twindow,\tpeering\tin. Then\the\tlaughed,\ta\tgoofy\tbut\tcruel\tlaugh\tof\tcondescension. Apparently\tthey\tposed\tno\tthreat\twhatsoever. Sanchez'\tID,\tcompliments\tof\ther\tcop\tbuddy\tfrom\tTacoma,\tand\tthe professional\tpieces\tLoch\tand\tDalton\theld\tcourtesy\tof\tthe\tfine\tspecial\tops\tteams back\tat\tFt.\tClark,\thad\tpassed\tmuster.\tSo\tfar,\tso\tgood.\tWith\tdocuments\treturned, the\tclosed\twindows\tshielded\tthem\tfrom\ta\tclassically-Seattle\tlight\tmist.\tSixty seconds\tmore\tand\tthey\twere\ton\ttheir\tway. Rejoining\tthe\tflow\tof\theavy\tcommuter\ttraffic,\tthree\tmore\tmile\tmarkers\tpassed as\tbright\tgreen\toverhead\tsignage\ttold\tthem\tthey\twere\theading\tthe\tright\tway.\tIt also\tillustrated\tthe\tdepth\tof\tchanges\ttaking\tplace\tas\ttheir\tdestination\twas\tspelled out\tin\tboth\tEnglish\tand\tMandarin. Microsoft\tCampus--Redmond,\tnext\tfive\texits.","FORTY\tTWO Sanchez\tcurved\toff\tthe\thighway\tand\ttoward\tthe\tgrand\tentrance,\ta\tfew\thundred feet\tahead.\tPrevious\tcompany\tguard\tstations\tremained\tin\tplace.\tOnly\tnow,\tthose posted\tbore\tmilitary\tgarb--Chinese\tuniforms--instead\tof\tthe\tregular\tlight\tblue, rent-a-badge\tnonsense. A\tquick\tvisual\tconfirmed\ttheir\tbriefing\tintel;\tthe\tbest\tin\tcamera,\tinfrared,\tand drone\tsurveillance.\tGates\tand\tCo.\thad\tdone\ta\tfine\tjob\tof\tsecuring\tand\tsurveilling these\texpansive\tgrounds.\tThe\tPRC\twas\ttaking\tfull\tadvantage\tof\tthe\tinvestment. Turning\tonto\tOne\tMicrosoft\tWay\tthe\tteam\twas\tstruck\twith\tthe\tenormity\tof\tthe place.\tDalton\thad\tbeen\there\ton\toccasion\tduring\tgrad\tschool\tat\tthe\tUW.\tHe'd judged\ttheir\twork\tas\tokay.\tA\tlittle\tdull\tfor\this\ttastes.\tAs\tprofessionals,\tLoch\tand Sanchez\tkept\ttheir\tcollective\tjaws\tfrom\tdropping\tovertly.\tStill,\tthey\tremained impressed.\tFifty\tacres\tof\tlushly\twooded\tlandscaping.\tOne\thundred\tfifty buildings.\tOver\t8\tmillion\tsquare\tfeet\tof\toffice,\tfood\tservices,\tand\tresearch\tand development\tfacilities.\tA\tsmall\tcity\tin\tits\town\tright\twith\t40,000\temployees\ton this\tcampus\talone,\tthe\tcompany's\tphysical\tpresence\tin\tthis\tupscale\tsuburb matched\tits\tglobal\tprofile\tin\tevery\tway. Big.\tReally\tbig. Their\tIDs\tissued\tthem\tentrance\tagain,\tno\tproblems\tat\tall.\tThe\tfew\todd\tlooks were\tdirected\tmore\ttoward\tthe\tcar\tthan\ttheir\tdocumentation.\tLooking\tat\teach other\twith\ta\t\\\"Well,\tthat\twent\tbetter\tthan\texpected,\\\"\tthey\tproceeded\tto\tthe\tnext available\tstall.\tThe\tgreen\tand\tblue\tparking\tsticker,\tforged\tback\tat\tClark\tas\twell, would\tkeep\tthe\tcar\tfrom\tbeing\tinspected--hopefully,\tquite\ta\twhile. Thousands\tof\temployees\texited\tlots\tand\tgarages\tand\tthe\ttrio\tfolded\tinto\tthe massing\tcrowds,\tall\theading\ttoward\ta\tnormal\tworkday.\tAt\tleast\tthe\tnew\tnormal. Two\tmonths\tago\tthey\tdidn't\thave\tto\tproceed\tpast\tPRC\tArmy\tunits\twith\tAK47s at\tthe\tready.\tNeither\thad\tthey\tbeen\tsubjected\tto\timmediate,\tunannounced\tsearch and\tseizure\tanywhere\tand\tanytime.\tTo\tDalton\tand\tteam\tthey\tseemed\tfairly","accepting\tof\tit\tall.\tKeeping\ttheir\theads\tdown.\tTrying\tto\tsurvive.\tNo\tone\twas about\tto\tblame\tthem.\tHad\tthey\tany\tidea\twhat\tthis\tteam\twas\tup\tto\tthey\tmight have\tcheered.\tOr\tthey\tmay\thave\tturned\tthem\tin.\tBetter\tfor\tthree\tto\tsuffer\tthan\ta few\tmillion\tperish? God\thelp\tus\tall,\tSanchez\twhispered,\tobserving\tthe\tlemming-like\tprocession. She\tand\tthe\tothers\tbegan\tto\tcreate\tdistance,\tdiverting\tattention\tfrom\tthe\tfact they\twere\ttogether,\ta\tunit\tof\tsorts.\tThis\tproved\trelatively\teasy\twhile\teveryone moved\tlike\ta\tgiant\therd.\tA\tfew\tmore\tmoments\tand\ttheir\tbearing\twould\tdeviate, breaking\tfrom\tthe\tcrowd.\tThere,\tmore\tvulnerable,\ttheir\tbest\tfieldwork\tand\ta\tspot of\tluck\twould\tbe\tneeded\tto\tstay\tunder\tthe\tradar.\tThirty\tmore\tyards\tof\twell- maintained\twalkways\tand\tthey\tarrived. Building\t25.\tSuch\ta\tbland\tname.\tBut\tthe\texact\tplace\trequired\tto\treconnect\twith the\tcaretaker\tand\thopefully\tbreak\topen\tthe\tChinese\tcode. At\t25\tthey\tseparated.\tDalton\tcircled\taround\tback,\tfading\tinto\ta\tdense\trow\tof azaleas.\tThe\tpathway\tleading\tpast\tthe\tflowering\tbushes\twas\tquiet,\tempty. Squatting\tdown,\the\twaited\tthere\tin\tsilence.\tOn\tthe\tfront\tside\tof\tthe\tbuilding, Sanchez\tand\tLoch\tproceeded\tthrough\tthe\tmetal\tdetector\tand\tstepped\tinside.\tThe good\tnews?\tThey\twere\tcarrying\tno\tweapons,\taside\tfrom\tthe\tsmall\tpatch\tof\tC4 sewn\tinto\ttheir\tclothing.\tNothing\tto\talert\tthe\tguards\tat\tthe\tdesk.\tThe\tbad\tnews? No\tweapons.\tA\tbrains\tand\tbrawn\top;\tlargely\tgray\tmatter,\tthey\tall\thoped. The\tIDs\tworked\tagain. Sanchez\tsmiled\tat\tthe\ttaller\tof\tthe\ttwo\tmen\ton\tduty,\tmarking\ther\tmore prominently\tin\this\tmental\tcatalog\tand\ttherefore\tdiminishing\tLoch's\timprint\tto\ta similar\tdegree. Attractive\tLatina\tcatching\this\teye,\tholding\tit\tslightly. Short,\tstocky\tScotsman. No\tcontest.\tUpon\tall\thell\tbreaking\tloose\tin\t25,\tSanchez\twanted\tLoch's\timage to\tbe\tharder\tto\ttrack\tthan\thers. Loch\tbreezed\tby,\thardly\tregistering\tat\tall.\tSad\tcommentary,\tbut\tit\twas effective. Sanchez\theaded\tleft\ttoward\tthe\televators\tand\tLoch\tsplit\topposite,\taround\ta blind\tcorner\tand\tpast\tthe\topen-glassed\toffice\tsuites.\tA\tsecurity\tdoor\tawaited\tat the\tend\tof\tthe\tcorridor\twith\ta\tstairwell\tleading\tbelow\tground.\tThe\tmagnetic\tstrip on\this\tID\ttraveled\tacross\tthe\tsensor\tpad\tsmoothly,\trewarding\thim\twith\ta\tsolid green\tlight.\tLoch\tslipped\tthrough\tand\tmade\this\tway\tdown.\tThirty-five\tsteps\tlater","Loch's\tfirst\tobjective\tcame\tinto\tview. Walking\tcasually,\tfoot\tspeed\tand\tpace\tordinary. Several\tlocked\tdoorways\tflanked\tleft\tand\tright,\tevery\tten\tfeet\tor\tso.\tNo windows,\tonly\tlight\twooden\tframes\tand\tpainted\tsteel\tdoors,\teach\tbearing\ta\tnine- key\tpad.\tMuted\tfluorescent\tlighting\tgave\tthe\tplace\tthe\tvibe\tof\ta\tbad\tdream staged\tin\ta\tmental\tinstitution.\tAfter\tten\titerations\tof\tthis\tpattern,\tLoch\tstopped\tat the\tend\tof\tthe\thallway.\tFingers\tand\ttools\tworked\ttogether\texpertly\tas\the\tpicked the\ttraditionally\tmortised\tlock\tof\tthe\tlast\tdoor\ton\tthe\tright. Three\tlevels\tabove,\tSanchez\trode\tthe\tfar\tleft\televator\tand\thit\tthe\tbutton\tfor\tL3, the\tlast\tstop\tlisted\ton\tthe\tpanel.\tShe\tknew\tbetter\tthan\tto\tbelieve\tit.\tDescending past\tL1\tand\tL2,\tthe\tfew\tother\temployees\talong\tfor\tthe\tride\texited,\toff\tto workstations\tand\toffices. A\tsubtle\tsigh\tof\trelief.\tLess\tpeople\tequaled\tfewer\tquestions\tabout\ta\tnew\tface. The\tbutton\tfor\tL3\tsat\tdarkened\ton\tthe\tpanel.\tA\tfew\tmore\tfeet\tof\tdescent\tand\tit came\tto\tlife,\tglowing\tand\tbuzzing\tas\tthe\televator's\tair\tshocks\tsettled\tthe\tcar\tinto place.\tThe\tdoor\topened.\tA\tyoung\tChinese\tface\tleered\tback,\texpectantly. The\tguard\tfrom\tthe\tfront\tdoor\tpost. __________________________________ The\troom\tLoch\thad\tbroken\tinto\twas\tlong\tand\tnarrow\twith\tten-foot\thigh ceilings.\tFinding\tthe\tlight\tswitch\ton\tthe\twall,\the\tflipped\tit\ton.\tThough potentially\tbringing\tsuspicion,\tit\twould\talso\tbe\tmore\t\\\"normal\\\"\tto\tanyone entering\tunannounced.\tRows\tof\tmetal\tstorage\tshelves\toverflowed\twith\tformerly useful\titems.\tBankers'\tboxes.\tMore\trugged,\tsuitcase-type\tenclosures.\tCables hanging\tover\tthe\tedges\tof\tplastic\tbins. One\tbig\tcloset,\tjust\tas\tassumed. He\tmade\this\tway\talongside\tthe\tconcrete\tfoundation\tto\tthe\tspot\tfurthest\tfrom the\tdoor.\tTurning\tright,\tthe\tstocky\tsoldier\twalked\tthrough\ta\tthick\tlayer\tof\tdust, navigating\taround\titems\tnot\trating\tshelf\tspace.\tFive\tfeet\tmore\tand\the\tstopped. Creating\ta\tplatform\tout\tof\tthree\tof\tthe\tsturdier\tbins,\the\tstepped\tup.\tMoving\ta handle\tright\tto\tleft,\tthe\tground-level\twindow\teased\topen.\tOnly\ta\tsmall\tsqueak.","In\thushed\ttones,\the\tspoke\tthrough\tthe\topening. \\\"Well,\tladdie.\tIf\tyou're\ttaking\ta\tleak\tin\tthe\tbushes,\tya\tmust\thurry\tit\talong. After\tall,\twe're\ton\ta\tschedule\tya\tsee.\\\" Dalton\theard\thim.\tHe\tjust\tdidn't\twant\tto\tencourage\tLoch\tany\tmore\tthan necessary. Waiting\ta\tmoment\tmore,\tlistening\tagain\tfor\tany\tmovement\ton\tthe\tfootpath, Dalton\tfell\tto\tthe\tground,\tedging\tthrough\tthe\tsmall\trectangular\tframe\tand reuniting\twith\tthe\tsergeant\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tmakeshift\tstairs. __________________________________ The\tveteran\tsniper\tsmiled\tback,\ta\tcoy\tsmirk\tfrom\ther\tdark,\tfeminine\tface. Exactly\twhat\the\thad\thoped\tfor. He\tentered\tthe\televator,\tlocked\tthe\tdoor,\tand\tmoved\taggressively\ttoward Sanchez.\tAgainst\tthe\tbrass\trailing,\tshe\tlet\thim\tclose. Closer\tstill. Then\tSanchez\tleaned\tright. Reaching\tup\tand\tbehind\tthe\tunsuspecting\tsoldier,\tshe\tgrabbed\tthe\tnap\tof\this hairline\tand\tpulled\tdown\thard.\tHis\tneck\tand\tspinal\tcolumn\tcompacted,\tsending\ta surprising\tshock\tdown\this\tback\tand\tto\this\tlower\textremities.\tThe\tmomentary neurological\tassault\tthrust\this\teyes\tup\tand\tback,\tvision\tobscured\tin\trays\tof\tlight. Disoriented,\the\tfell.\tFinishing\tblows\tcame\tnext--as\tquick\tand\ttwice\tas\tfierce. Sanchez\tconnected\ther\thalf-coiled\tfist\tto\tthe\tsoft\tspot\tunderneath\this\tchin\tand slashed\tthe\thard\tbone\tof\tthe\tthumb-side\tof\ther\tother\thand\tacross\this\twindpipe. The\tman\tclutched\tat\this\tthroat.\tThough\tnot\tstrictly\tnecessary,\ther\tright\telbow came\tdown\ton\ttop\tof\this\thead. The\tpoor\tcreature\tlay\tcrumpled\ton\tblue,\tindustrial-grade\tcarpet. She\tchecked\tfor\tbreathing. He\twould\tsurvive.\tHe'd\talso\twake\tup\tto\tone\tmonster\tof\ta\theadache. Sanchez\ttook\tno\tpride\tin\tunnecessary\teliminations.\tShe\tneeded\thim\tout\tof\tthe picture,\tlong\tenough\tto\tget\tto\tthe\taccess\tpoint\tand\tdo\tthe\twork.\tWalking\tover\tto the\tkeypad,\tshe\tturned\tthe\tdoor\tlock\tto\tthe\tright,\topening\tthe\televator\tdoor\tagain to\tlevel\tL3. Her\thands\tcame\tup\tonce\tmore.","\\\"Whoa\tthere\tLassy!\\\" Loch\tsized\tup\tthe\tsituation.\t\\\"Remind\tme\tnot\tto\tcritique\tyour\thair\tor\tmake-up, okay?\\\" Let\tit\tgo.\tFor\tnow. \\\"Yeah,\tRomeo\tthought\ta\tfew\tfloors\tdown\twould\tbe\tthe\tperfect\tplace\tfor\ta\tlittle break-time\tget\ttogether.\tHe's\ta\tbit\tsleepy\tnow.\\\" \\\"I'll\tsay,\\\"\tLoch\treplied,\tstepping\tinto\tthe\tcar. Dalton\tfollowed,\tsilenced\tmomentarily\tby\tthe\tyoung\tman\ton\tthe\tfloor. Loch\tcontinued\tmore\tseriously,\tadmiring\ther\twork.\t\\\"What?\tAbout\tan\thour\tand a\thalf,\tMs.\tSanchez?\\\" \\\"Yeah,\tmore\tor\tless.\tMaybe\tmore.\tI\thit\thim\tpretty\thard.\\\" FORTY\tTHREE Zhou\tDhe's\ttime\tin\tQingdao\twas\tremarkably\tfruitful.\tA\tmere\tforty-five\tminutes and\the\thad\testablished\ta\tstrong\tnew\tlead,\tfanning\tthe\tsettled\tembers\tof\tthe Junjie's\thunt\tinto\tfull\tflame. The\tunnamed\tyoung\tman\thad\tbrokered\this\tsilence\tfor\tsuch\ta\tsmall\tfee.\tA pittance\tcompared\tto\twhat\the\thad\thanded\tover.\tAnd\tin\tthe\tend,\tall\tfor\ta\treward he\twould\tnever\tget\tto\tenjoy.\tSo\tna\u00efve.\tWhy\tshould\the\tpresume\tDhe\tto\tbe\ta\tman of\this\tword?\tNone\tof\tthis\tconcerned\thim.\tIf\tthis\tyoung\tone\tbelieved\tin fairytales,\ttheir\tgreat\tsociety\twas\tsurely\tbetter\toff\twithout\thim.\tAdvanced peoples\tallowed\tno\tsuch\tfoolishness. Dhe\tsmirked,\trecalling\tChristianity's\tinfamous\ttraitor. A\tJudas--yes,\tthey\talways\tmaterialize\twhen\tneeded. Such\tthoughts\toccupied\tthe\tolder\tman\tas\the\tflew\tabove\tthe\tfoothills\tof\tCentral China. Dhe\tlet\tthe\tvoice\tin\this\thead\tcontinue\tin\tgrand,\tyet\tprivate,\tpronouncement.","Junjie--ah,\tyou\tthought\tyou\twere\tclever.\tBut\tof\tcourse\tyou\twould\tgo\thome, hiding,\tcrying;\tshaking\tin\tfear.\tWe'll\tsoon\tmeet\tagain.\tAnd\tyou\twill\tno\tlonger cause\tme\tany\ttrouble. The\tminister\tturned\this\thead\tto\tthe\tright.\tA\tpanoramic\tview\tfilled\tthe\tfloor\tto ceiling\tglass\tof\tthe\tfront\tand\tside\tcasing\tof\tthe\tHughes\t500D\ttransport helicopter,\tone\tof\tfour\ttasked\tto\tthe\tStrategic\tCommunications\tMinistry. Although\tthe\twider,\tmore\tcomfortable\tbackseat\twould\tbe\texpected\tfor\ta\tman\tof his\tstation,\tDhe\tassumed\tthe\tcopilot\tchair.\tNo\tmore\tmiscues.\tHe\twould\ttake charge\tin\tevery\tway,\tbeginning\twith\tthe\tforward\tcabin\tarea\tof\tthe\tchopper. Two\thours\tlater\tthey\tbegan\ta\tquick,\tuneven\tdescent.\tThe\tbird\twould\tcarry\thim no\tfarther,\tfuel\tefficiency\tand\trange\ttaxed\tto\ttheir\tlimit.\tThe\tlanding\tzone approached,\ta\tsmall\tpatch\tof\thard-packed\tdirt\tto\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\troad.\tCrosswinds in\tthe\topen\tvalley\tbattered\tthe\tsmall\tcraft\tas\tskid\tsettled\tto\tground.\tDhe\texited while\trotors\tstill\tspun\twildly\toverhead,\twalking\tbrusquely\tto\tthe\tvehicle\tthat would\ttake\thim\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tway. He\twas\tnot\tpleased. The\trecently-new\tRange\tRover\thad\tnot\taged\twell.\tMud,\tcemented\tacross\ther entire\tlower\tside\tpanels.\tFive\tmajor\tbody\tcompressions.\tPockmarked\tsheet metal,\tfront\tto\trear.\tSkewed\theadlights\tfrom\ta\tfew\ttoo\tmany\tgrill\tresets.\tThe high-terrain\tSUV\tappeared\tat\tleast\ta\tdecade\tolder\tthan\ther\tmileage\tand\tyears. Maybe\tthis\twas\tsome\tpoor\trural\tcabbie,\tpulled\tover\twith\tcar\ttrouble? No,\tthis\twas\this\tride.\tThe\tdriver's\tshoulder-slung\tCS\/LS-5\tremoved\tall\tdoubt. Dhe\tdidn't\ttry\tto\thide\this\texasperation.\tHe\tcouldn't\tbelieve\tit. Another\tthree\thours?\tIn\tthis\tcontraption? Comfort\twasn't\tthe\tissue.\tThe\tsorry\tmode\tof\ttransportation\tbefit\tneither\this status\tnor\tthe\tcritical\tnature\tof\this\tmission. Later,\the\ttold\thimself--later,\tsomeone\twould\tpay\tfor\tthis\tmisstep. Dhe\ttrusted\tno\tone,\tespecially\tsome\tdriver-guard\the\twas\tmeeting\tfor\tthe\tfirst time\tin\ta\tdistant\tprovince,\tso\tmany\thours\tfrom\theadquarters.\tPractically speaking,\tthe\thelicopter\tcould\tonly\tdraw\tso\tclose\tto\tGansu.\tNot\tto\tmention\tthat the\tchopper\tsetting\tdown\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tJunjie's\tvillage\tmight\tcause\ta\tbit\tmore presence\tthan\the\twas\tlooking\tfor.\tDhe\tloved\tgrand\tentrances\tbut\tthis\twas\tnot\tthe moment\tfor\tone.\tNo,\the\twould\tbe\tin\tneed\tof\tno\tmore\thelp. The\tguard\tprotested. The\tminister\tgave\thim\tno\tchoice\tin\tthe\tmatter.\tHaving\tthe\tman\talongside","gained\thim\tnothing.\tBut\tmost\timportantly,\tglory\tmight\thave\tto\tbe\tshared,\tthe\tjoy of\teliminating\tJunjie\tdiluted\tby\tanother's\tcontributions.\tThat\twould\tnot\thappen. Dhe\thad\tdispatched\tmen\ttwenty\ttimes\tmore\tdangerous\tthan\tthis\tZang\tpest.\tNo, this\twould\tbe\tsimple,\tquick,\tdefinitive.\tAnd\tthen\the\twould\tenjoy\tthe\tfruits\tof\this labors. By\tthe\ttime\tthe\tRover\tdescended\tinto\tJunjie's\tvillage\tthe\tsun\twas\thigh\tover family\tfields\tof\tgrain\tand\trice,\tpainting\tand\tframing\tthe\tglowing\thorizon. Drifting\tdown\tthe\tnearly\tabandoned\tmain\tstreet,\tthe\tcar\tdrew\tno\tunwarranted attention.\tApparently,\tno\tone\tthought\tmuch\tof\tanother\tbeat\tup\tfour-wheel-drive vehicle\ton\tthese\tless-than-properly\tmaintained\troads. Excellent.\tA\tfine\tstart. The\tRover\ttook\tthe\tfirst\tright\toff\tthe\tmain\tstreet.\tThe\tdirections\tto\tthe\tsafe house,\tobtained\tvia\tthe\tyoung\tand\tnow\tdead\tJudas,\tproved\twonderfully\taccurate. Dhe\tdrove\tby\tJunjie's\thiding\tplace\twithout\tlooking\tor\tslowing.\tJust\tpassing through.\tOnly\ta\tfew\tsigns\tof\tlife\tamong\tthe\tsecond\tstory\twindows\tof\tapartments and\tbusinesses. Moving\ton. Two\tblocks\tfurther\tand\tDhe\tpulled\tonto\ta\tgraveled\tpath\tending\tat\tthe\tservice bay\tof\ta\tseed\tand\tmilling\toperation,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\tthe\tdust\ttrail\tat\ta\tminimum and\tengine\tquieted.\tEven\tat\tthis\this\ttires\trang\tout\twith\ta\tpopping\tsound\tevery few\tfeet,\tloose\trocks\tspinning\tout\tunder\tthe\ttension\tof\twheels\tagainst\tground. Looking\tfor\tthe\tright\tcover. There. A\tloading\tdock\ttucked\tinto\tthe\thorseshoe-shaped\tbuilding\twas\tthe\tperfect place\tto\tleave\tthe\tcar.\tA\tfew\tother\tworking-type\tvehicles\tpopulated\tthe\tsmall back\tlot.\tThe\tbattered\tSUV\twould\tfit\tjust\tfine. The\tminister\tturned\toff\tthe\tengine\tand\twaited,\tquietly\tcontemplating\tthe\tend of\tJunjie\tZang\twith\tnot\ta\tsmall\tdegree\tof\tpersonal\tpleasure. Ninety\tminutes\tpassed. The\tdriver's\tside\tdoor\topened\twithout\twarning,\tthe\tfuse\tpulled\tfrom\tthe\tdoor alarms\tcircuit. Dhe\texited,\tpacing\tthrough\tsoft\tdirt\tand\tgravel\tand\ton\ttoward\this\ttarget. Pausing\tat\tthe\tstreet\tcorner,\the\tlistened\tfor\tsigns\tof\tactivity.","Now. Stepping\tout\tfrom\tthe\tshadows,\tan\tunexpected\tbucket\tof\twater\tcame\tcrashing down\tinto\tthe\tpaved\tgutter\tat\this\tfeet,\treleased\tfrom\ta\twindow\tabove.\tDhe retreated\tto\tcover\teffortlessly.\tResetting\thimself.\tControlled\tbreaths.\tHad\tanyone noticed?\tNo.\tNo\tyelling,\tfootsteps,\tor\tcuriously\topened\tdoors. Dhe\ttried\tagain.\tThis\ttime\the\tnavigated\tthe\twidth\tof\tthe\tstreet\twithout incident. Junjie's\thideout\tfront\tyard\tpresented\tas\ta\tsad\tjungle\tof\tweeds,\tdying\ttrees,\tand garbage.\tThere\twould\tbe\tno\tswift,\tsilent\tincursion\tby\tthis\troute.\tInstead\tDhe walked\taround\tback\tof\tthe\tdilapidated\tstructure,\tlooking\tfor\tan\tentry\tpoint. There--at\tthe\tnorthwestern\tcorner\tof\tthe\thome,\tsiding\thad\ttorn\taway.\tHe squeezed\tthrough,\tbetween\tgaps\tin\tthe\twood\tframing.\tOne\tmore\tstep,\tsideways, and\the\twas\tin. The\tmarks\tof\tvagrancy\tand\tthe\tcruelty\tof\ttime\tand\telements\tlay\teverywhere. Small\tpiles\tof\tgarbage\tand\tdebris\tdotted\tscarred\tflooring.\tA\tmaze\tof\tnails, linoleum\tshards,\tand\twood\tchips.\tStealthy\tfootfalls\tbecame\ta\tchallenge.\tAnd then\ta\tsoft\tlight,\tradiating\tfrom\twhat\tused\tto\tbe\tthe\tkitchen. Why\tare\tyou\tnot\tmore\tcareful,\tyoung\tman? In\tfive\tmore\tsteps\the\tcame\tupon\ta\tscene\the\thad\tnot\tanticipated. Strata\t5. Dhe\tstared\tincredulously\tat\tthe\tinitialization\tsequences\ton\tthe\tlaptop's\tscreen. The\tprogram's\tprogress\tbar\twas\talmost\tfully\tgreen.\tConnection\tStatus:\t85%. The\tminister's\tweight\tshifted\tonto\this\theels.\tClearly,\the\thad\tunderestimated\this foe.\tThis\tworn\tdown\tshack\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tnowhere\twas\tno\tpitiful\thiding\tplace. Nor\twas\tit\tan\toverly\tsentimental\tretreat\tto\tloved\tand\tfamiliar\tsurroundings\tin\tthe face\tof\tcertain\tdeath.\tNo,\tthis\twas\tmuch\tmore.\tThis\tscene\tspoke\tof\tsabotage;\tthe work\tof\ta\trebel,\ta\tbetrayer\tof\this\tcountry\tand\topponent\tof\tall\tDhe\tclaimed\tto love. Zang\twas\tnot\ta\tcoward. He\twas\tnot\tcowering. Nor\twas\the\tcurrently\tpresent\tamongst\tthe\tsurprising\tarray\tof\tequipment.","FORTY\tFOUR The\tmost\thumbling\tof\thuman\tneeds\thad\tdrawn\tJunjie\taway\tfrom\this workstation. The\tplumbing\tin\tthe\thome\thad\tstopped\tworking\tlong\tago,\tits\tdrain\tlines corroded,\tpocked\tfull\tof\tholes.\tThe\ttoilets\tstill\tfunctioned\tas\tbasic\treceptacles, adding\tyet\tanother\tlayer\tof\tunpleasant\tsmells.\tIt\twas\ta\tcase\tof\tmeager practicalities.\tWith\tpersonal\tbusiness\tfinished,\tJunjie\treturned\tto\this\twork. Dhe's\timposing\tform\tappeared,\tnot\tten\tfeet\taway,\tfacing\tthe\tbackroom. Junjie\tcould\tnot\tallow\tthe\tgear\tto\tbecome\tirreparably\tdamaged.\tChoosing obvious\tover\tstealthy,\treinforced\tboot\ttoe\tmet\taged\tdrywall. The\tminister\tturned. \\\"I\thave\tto\tadmit,\tMr.\tZang.\tYou\thave\tmore\tin\tmind\tthan\tI\timagined.\tI\ttook you\tfor\ta\tcoward.\tRunning.\tLeaving\tbehind\teverything...\tyour\tlovely\twife\tand son...\tall\tto\tsave\tyour\town,\tputrid\tlife.\tBut\teven\tmisplaced\tcourage\tdeserves\tan honorable\texit.\\\" Junjie's\tbody\tlanguage\tgave\taway\this\tthoughts\tof\tlunging\tfor\tthe\tkitchen. Dhe\tbrandished\this\tweapon,\tmoving\tJunjie\tback\ton\tcenter. \\\"And...\tbefore\tyou\trush\tinto\tanything\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tconsider\tagain\tyour\tlovely wife\tand\tson.\\\" \\\"Nothing\tyou\tsay...\t\\\" Dhe's\tphone\tcame\tout\tand\tbegan\tplaying\ta\tvideo\tfeed. One\tchair\tin\tan\totherwise\tempty\troom. Dai\tTai. \\\"Bao?\tWhat?\tHow?\\\" \\\"Junjie,\\\"\tshe\tpled.\t\\\"I\tam\tso\tsorry.\tYou\tmust...\\\"\tthe\tfeed\tgarbled.\t\\\"...save\tus.\\\" The\tengineer's\theart\tpounded\tharder\tthan\the\tthought\tpossible.\tWords\tchoked off\tin\temotion. \\\"...\twhatever\tthey\ttell\tyou...\\\" \\\"...\tplease,\tplease.\\\" Dhe\tcut\tthe\tfeed. \\\"Now,\\\"\the\treasoned.\t\\\"Here's\twhat\tI\thave\tto\toffer.\\\" Junjie\twas\tactually\tlistening\tnow.","\\\"You\tand\tI\twill\tsit\tdown\tand\treclaim\tour\tnation's\trightful\tcontrol\tover\tthe American\tnuclear\tforces.\\\" \\\"You\tmust\tknow,\\\"\tJunjie\tspat.\t\\\"The\tcode\tis\tout\tof\tcontrol.\tI\tdon't\tknow\tif\tI can.\\\" Dhe\tbrought\tthe\tphone\tup\tagain. \\\"Oh,\tI\tthink\tyou'll\tfind\ta\tway,\tMr.\tZang.\tAnd\twhen\tyou\tdo,\ta\tgrateful\tChinese nation\twill\tlaud\tyour\tcourage\tat\tthe\thand\tof\tforeign\tassassins.\tYou\tdied\tto protect\tyour\tcountry.\tYour\tfamily\twill\tbe\tcared\tfor\tin\tgreat\tluxury\tand\thonor. Your\tson\twill\thave\ta\tname\the\tcan\tbear\twith\tpride.\\\" Dhe\thad\tthe\tmost\tcrooked\tsmile.\tHe\tshowed\tit\tnow. Junjie's\tcountenance\ttransformed. \\\"Whoever\tconceals\thatred\twith\tlying\tlips...\tis\ta\tfool.\\\" Dhe\tdidn't\tknow\tthe\tproverb's\torigins.\tHe\tdidn't\tcare.\tHe\tonly\tknew\the\twas looking\tat\ta\tdifferent\tJunjie.\tOne\twho\thad\tsettled\this\tfate. The\tolder\tman's\thead\tsnapped\taround,\this\tsneer\thalf-hidden\tin\tdim\tlight.\tHe wore\trage--pure,\tunfiltered\trage.\tJunjie's\tsubversive\tacts\tradiated\tthe\tfew\tfeet between.\tHow\tdare\tthis\tflea\tstand\tagainst\tthe\twill\tof\tthe\tState--and\tby\textension, Dhe\tits\tfaithful\tagent. This\twill\tend\there,\tnow. He\twould\tdispatch\tnot\tonly\ta\tmenace\tbut\ta\ttraitor. Junjie\tscampered\tinto\tthe\tsmall\tfront\troom. A\tshot\tmissed\thigh,\tembedded\tin\told\twallboard. Dhe's\trage-filled\tstate\tcoaxed\thim\tto\tpursue\tJunjie.\tThe\tequipment\tcould\twait until\tthe\tyoung\tman's\theart\tstopped\tbeating\tand\this\tbody\tcooled. The\tminister\ttook\tthree\tsteps\tinto\tthe\told\tgalley\tkitchen,\theading\tJunjie\toff and\tinitiating\ta\tterminal\tcontest\tof\tcat\tand\tmouse.\tAn\tailing,\tthin\twall\tstood\tas the\tonly\tphysical\tbarrier\tbetween\tthem.\tLike\ta\tchild's\tgame\tof\ttag\twith\tblind corners,\tone\twould\teventually\tflush\tthe\tother\tout--exposed,\ttrapped. \\\"Junjie,\tmy\tboy,\tthis\tis\tuseless,\tdon't\tyou\tsee?\tStop\tyour\tfoolishness.\tI\tam\tnot an\tunreasonable\tman.\tI\twill\tmake\tthis\tseem\tas\tif\tyou\tare\tmerely\tgoing\tto\tsleep. But\tfirst\tyou\tmust\tsave\tyour\tfamily.\\\" \\\"Forgive\tmy\tunbelief,\tMinister.\tMy\tfriends'\tlast\tmoments\tseemed\tto\tbe\tneither pleasant\tnor\tcomfortable.\\\" \\\"Stop!\\\"\tDhe\tcommanded.\t\\\"Nothing\tmore\tfrom\tyou!\tYou\tare\tnothing.\tDo\tyou hear\tme?\tNothing!\tOf\tno\timportance.\tA\tsimple\tpiece\tof\tmachinery.\\\"","Subtle\tphysical\tmoves\taccompanied\teach\tman's\tstatements,\tguessing\twhich corner\twould\treverse\ttheir\tpositions\tand\twhich\twould\tbring\tthem\tface-to-face. Stalking\tand\tlistening,\teach\ttried\tto\tgain\ta\treckoning. It\twas\ttime\tto\tturn\tthe\ttables. \\\"Your\tconscience\thas\tarisen\tlate\tin\tthe\tgame,\tZang.\\\" \\\"Conscience?\\\"\tJunjie\tretorted.\t\\\"What\twould\ta\tman\tlike\tyou\tknow\tof\tmorality? Or\tregret?\tNothing,\tI\timagine.\\\" Junjie\tshifted\tagain,\thoping\tto\tkeep\tthe\tminister\tfrom\tgetting\tthe\tfinal\tdeadly angle.\tDhe\tresponded,\tforward\tand\tleft,\tsurveying\tthe\twall\tseparating\tthem, estimating\tits\tthickness\tand\tstructure. \\\"Hypocrite!\\\"\the\tshot\tback.\t\\\"You\tseemed\tperfectly\thappy\tto\treceive\tthe government's\tapproval\tand\tblessing\tin\tthe\tform\tof\tgreat\twealth\tand\topportunity. What?\tNow,\tyou\thave\tsome\tkind\tof\tproblem\twith\twhat\twe've\tdone\twith\tyour work?\tPathetic.\tYou\tgave\tup\tyour\tright\tto\tcare\tthe\tvery\tminute\tyou\tcashed\tthe checks.\\\" That\tone\thit\thard.\tTruth\toften\tdoes. A\tsubtle\tclick\tpierced\tthe\twaiting\tas\tDhe\thammered\ta\tbullet\tin\tplace.\tA\tblast broke\tthe\tair\tand\twallboard\tand\tplaster\texploded,\tthe\tshot\texiting\tto\tthe\tright and\tover\tJunjie's\tshoulder. He\thit\tthe\tfloor. Dhe\toverestimated\tthe\told-school\tconstruction\tmaterials'\teffect.\tHe\treset. Two\tmore\tholes\ttore\topen\tabove\tJunjie,\tanother\tlarge\tgash\ton\this\tside\tof\tthe wall,\tlower\tand\ton\ttarget\tfor\twhere\the\thad\tbeen\tan\tinstant\tago. Junjie\tscurried\tin\treverse,\tfeet\tgangly,\tyet\tstill\tbeneath\thim.\tBackwards.\tOut\tof control.\tJunjie\ttumbled\thaphazardly\tinto\tthe\topen. Exposed.\tNo\tchance\tto\tmove,\tno\tway\tout. The\tyoung\tman\tinhaled\treflexively.\tSteeling\thimself,\the\tawaited\tthe\tfinal impact\tof\tflesh\tand\tbone.\tHe\twinced,\tturning\this\thead\taway\tand\traising\this\tright shoulder,\tas\tif\ta\tshrug\tmight\tprotect\thim. Nothing. Still,\tnothing. The\ttearing\tof\tsinew\tand\torgan\thadn't\tcome\tas\texpected.\tTen\tseconds\tmore and\tJunjie\tdared\tto\tuncoil.\tHe\tcounted\tagain.\tSmoke\tand\tcordite\tstench\tclung\tto the\tsmall\tspace.\tHe\tcouldn't\twait\tforever.\tJunjie\treached\tinto\tthe\tleft\trear\tpocket of\this\tjeans\tand\tretrieved\this\tcell\tphone.\tTapping\tthe\tflashlight\tapp,\tthe\tcamera illuminated\tthe\tfew\tfeet\tin\tfront\tof\thim. Torn\tup\tlinoleum.\tA\thaze\tof\tdust.","Cautiously,\the\tstood.\tJunjie's\thead\tfelt\tlight,\tblood\tsurging.\tHe\tmoved\ttoward the\tliving\troom\tand\tpaused\tto\tlisten\tagain.\tStill\tno\tsounds\tfrom\twhere\tonly seconds\tago\tall\thell\thad\tbroken\tloose.\tJunjie\tgarnered\tstrength\tand\tlooked around\tthe\tcorner,\tto\tDhe's\tfiring\tposition. The\t9mm\tsilenced\tBeretta\tpointed\tidly\taway,\tas\tif\tdiscarded.\tA\tfew\tinches from\tits\tcooling\tmetal\ta\tlarge,\tragged\thole\tlay\tforcibly\topened. The\thail\tof\tbullets\tand\texploding\twalls\thad\thalted\tthe\texact\tmoment\tthis crevasse\thad\ttaken\tshape.\tSevered\tfloorboards,\tjoiners,\tjoists.\tRot,\tmildew,\tand time\thad\tset\ta\ttrap\tfor\tthe\tminister;\tone\the\twould\tnot\tescape. Junjie\tapproached,\tpeering\tover\tthe\tedge. Dhe. Face\tup,\tback\tarched\tunnaturally,\tsix\tfeet\tbelow.\tImpaled\ton\ta\trusted,\tjagged pipe;\tone\tof\tthe\tlarger\tsewer\tmains\tthat\thad\tsheared\toff\tin\tpieces,\tages\tago. Junjie\trecoiled. Dhe\tspat\ta\tmouthful\tof\tblood\tand\tlurched\tforward,\tbut\tonly\tas\tfar\tas\tthe\taging lead\tand\tconcrete\twould\tallow. Junjie\talmost\ttripped,\tbarely\tkeeping\thimself\tfrom\tfalling\tinto\tthe\thole\talong with\tthe\tminister. Dhe\tcaught\tthe\tlook\tin\tJunjie's\teyes\tand\tresponded\tforcefully,\tthough completely\thelpless,\tdoomed. \\\"Do...\tnot...\ttouch...\tme,\\\"\the\tgasped.\t\\\"Leave\tme.\\\" Dhe\tcoughed,\tblood\tand\tmucus\tstrewn\tgrotesquely\tacross\this\tchest. \\\"I\tdo\tnot\tneed\tyour\thelp.\tI\tdo\tnot\twant\tyour\thelp.\tYou\tare\tweak.\tWeak!\tDo you\thear\tme,\tZang?\tI\twill\tnot\tsuffer\tmy\tlast\tmoments\tin\tthe\tpresence\tof someone\twho\tputs\tmagic\tbefore\tcountrymen.\\\" Dhe's\tlungs\tdeflated,\tflattening.\tHis\teyes\tgrew\tunfocused,\tglassy. Silence. The\temotions\tof\tthe\tmoment\tovertook\tthe\tyoung\tman\tand\the\twept,\tchest heaving,\twith\thands\trested\ton\tbent\tknees. This...\tis\twhat\ttrue\tlostness\tlooks\tlike. Dhe's\tphone\tbegan\tplayback\tagain. Junjie\tjumped. \\\"...\twhatever\tthey\ttell\tyou...\\\"","\\\"...\tplease,\tplease.\\\" Away\tfrom\tthe\thole\tand\tcracked\tsignificantly,\tJunjie\tmoved\tcloser. \\\"...\twhatever\tthey\ttell\tyou...\\\" \\\"...\tplease,\tplease.\\\" The\thusband\tand\tfather\twatched,\tover\tand\tover,\tknowing\the\twould\tsee\tit sooner\tor\tlater.\tThe\tfifth\ttime,\the\tstopped\tplayback\tand\tzoomed. There.\tI\tknew\tyou\twould\tnever\tsay\tthose\twords,\tmy\tdear.\tIf\tanyone\twould choose\tothers\tover\tthemselves,\tit\twould\tbe\tyou. More\tzoom,\tat\tits\tlimit. A\tbirthmark,\tjust\tbeneath\tand\tback\tof\ther\tleft\tear.\tThe\tearrings\tin\tthe\tvideo left\tthe\tmark\tin\tthe\topen.\tThe\tsame\tearrings\tJunjie\tbought\tas\tan\tanniversary present\tand\tcovered\tover\twhat\tshe\tconsidered\ta\tflaw. It\tcould\tnot\tbe\ther. Junjie\twas\telated\tto\tcome\tout\tof\tthis\tencounter\talive\tand\tthat\this\tfamily\twas likely\tsafe,\tas\tearlier\tpresumed.\tStill,\this\tenthusiasm\twas\ttempered.\tDhe\twas\tnot a\tgood\tman.\tBut\tin\tthe\tend\the\twas\tstill\ta\tman,\tjust\tlike\tJunjie.\tIt\tfelt\twrong\tto leave\thim\tthere.\tThe\tyoung\texecutive\tconsidered\ttaking\tthe\ttime\tto\tremove\tthe body,\tto\tset\tit\taside\tmore\trespectfully. Then\the\tlooked\tdown\tat\this\twatch. 09:43:15... It\twas\ta\tterrible\tdecision\tto\tconsider.\tBut\tsatellite\taccess\twould\tonly\tbe available\tin\torbit\tabove\tGansu\tfor\ta\tfew\thours\tnow.\tHis\tfirst\tpass\thad\tprovided valuable\tuplink\ttime,\tpreparing\tfor\tan\teventual\treconnect\twith\tthe\tunknown American\tcreator.\tHe\tneeded\tto\tbe\tabsolutely\tready\twere\tthey\tto\tcollaborate again\twithin\tthe\tlimited\taccess\twindow. Junjie\twiped\this\teyes\tand\tcleared\this\tthroat.\tWith\tmind\tand\temotions\ttoward the\ttask\tat\thand\the\tleft\tthe\tdead\tman\tand\theaded\tback\tto\this\tprimitive workspace.\tWalking\tback\tinto\tthe\troom,\the\twas\tagain\tfaced\twith\tmore\tthan\tjust the\ttechnical\tchallenges\tahead. Suppose\tthe\tcreator\tprevailed. Junjie's\tgovernment\thad\tinvaded\ta\tforeign\tland,\tforcing\ta\tconquered population\tinto\tsubservient\treshaping\tof\ttheir\tnational\tdestiny\tand\tidentity.\tNo one\tcould\tassure\thim\ta\tsupposed\tequilibrium\tof\tarms\twould\tkeep\tthe\tAmericans from\tstriking\tin\tvengeance. Standing\tas\tthe\tarbiter\tof\tthis\tkind\tof\tpower\twas\tmadness,\the\treflected.","No\teasy\tanswers,\tcertainly.\tBut\twisdom,\tsplit-the-baby-in-half\tkinds\tof solutions? He\tprayed\tthey\twould\tcome\twhen\tneeded. FORTY\tFIVE 5,988\tmiles\tacross\tthe\tvast\tPacific,\ta\tparallel\tdigital\tassault\tcommenced. Building\t25\tof\tMicrosoft's\texpansive\tmain\tcampus\tlisted\tan\tofficial\tlowest\tfloor of\tL3;\tthree\tlevels\tunderground.\tStill\tanother\thundred\tfeet\tbelow\tthis\tlay\tDalton and\tteam's\tactual\ttarget:\ta\tsmall,\tspecialized\tspace\tknown\tby\tthe\tcode\tname Albuquerque.\tThis\tnod\tto\tthe\tsouthwest\tcity\twas\tin\thonor\tof\tthe\tbirthplace\tand first\thome\tof\tthe\tsoftware\tgiant\tin\tthe\tlate\t1970s.\tThose\tfew\tholding\tknowledge of\tits\texistence\tabbreviated\tthe\tname--AQ. Mini-keycards\tfrom\tFt.\tClark\tpassed\tthem\tthrough\tthe\tsecured\tentry.\tAnother small\twin\tfor\tthe\ttalented\tforgers\tand\ttechnicians\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe mountains.\tIn\tan\tuneasy\tyet\tpractical\tpartnership,\tthe\tcompany's\tsenior leadership\thad\tentrusted\tAQ's\tentrance\tdata\tto\tthe\tU.S.\tDept.\tof\tHomeland Security.\tRisky--yes,\tbut\talso\tan\tact\tof\tpatriotism,\tand\tone\tcurrently\tpaying\tbig dividends.\tState-control\twould\tnot\tbe\tMicrosoft's\tpreferred\tbusiness environment.\tSo,\tit\tremained\tin\ttheir\tbest\tinterests\tto\tassist\tthe\tgovernment\tin reversing\tthis\tdistasteful\tscenario.\tHistorically,\tthe\tcorporation's\tpublic\tface\thad presented\tas\tleft-leaning.\tBut\tnot\tthis\tfar\tleft. \\\"Should\tkeep\t'em\tdown\tfor\ta\twhile,\\\"\tSanchez\toffered,\tpulling\ta\tmicro-syringe out\tof\tan\talready\tunconscious\tguard's\tarm.\tThe\ttwo\tmen\tposted\tat\tthis\tsecure level\thad\tbeen\tfully\tblindsided\tby\tthe\tteam's\tappearance\tat\tL3.\tThe\taddition\tof these\tchemicals\tallowed\tDalton\tand\tcompany\ta\tlonger\twindow\tof\topportunity.","Considered\ta\thalf-measure\tby\tsome,\tSanchez\tchose\tthis\tover\tindiscriminate lethal\tforce\twhenever\tpossible.\tThe\trisk\tshe\tentertained\tin\tnot\tdispatching combatants\tautomatically\twould\tbite\ther\tin\tthe\tbackside\tsomeday.\tShe\tknew\tit. Not\teverybody\tplays\tby\tthe\tsame\trules.\tMany\tsubdued\tparties\twouldn't\trespond with\tthankfulness\tif\tthe\tchems\tfailed\tbefore\tshe\tfinished\ther\twork\tand\tslipped away\tto\tsafety.\tYet\tbasic\thumanity\tchallenged\ther\tto\tpress\tthe\tenvelope.\tHer labors\ttoo\teasily\tled\tto\tcallousness,\tso\tshe\tworked\thard\tto\tkeep\tthat\teventuality at\tbay,\tfrom\tcapturing\tand\tdeadening\ther\tsoul. For\this\tpart,\tLoch\twas\tdragging\tthe\tnow\tthree\tguards\tinto\tthe\tsmall\troom.\tOne was\tthe\twould-be\tlover\tboy\tSanchez\thad\tdispatched\tearlier.\tThe\tother\ttwo\twere just\tplain\tunlucky\tlosers\tin\tthe\tSgt.\tLoch\tlottery. They\twere\tgood\tsoldiers.\tLoch\twas\tsimply\tbetter. \\\"Visual\tredirect?\\\"\the\tcalled\tout. This\twas\tDalton's\tarea,\tso\tyeah,\tit\twas\tunder\tcontrol. \\\"The\tfine\tfolks\tupstairs\tshould\tcatch\teverything\tas\tnormal\tfor\tanother\tsixty minutes\tor\tso.\tThen\ta\tshift\tchange.\tWe'll\tneed\teverybody\tdown\there\tchemically controlled\tfor\tthe\ttime\tbeing.\tAnd\tI\tneed\tto\tget\tbusy\tbecause\twe\tcan\tonly\tstack up\tso\tmany\tbodies\tin\tour\tlittle\tworkspace.\\\" Dalton\tlooked\tacross\this\tleft\tshoulder,\tsurveying\tthe\ttwelve-by-fifteen-foot box.\tNo\twindows.\tSmoothed\tconcrete\twalls\trose\tto\tthe\tfinished\tceiling,\teach holding\tthree\tbanks\tof\tlow-energy-consumption\tLEDs.\tThe\tnewer\tfixtures\tcast\ta slight\tbluish\ttinge\tin\tthe\troom\tthat\tsaid\tcorporate\tindustrial--loudly\tso.\tRinging the\tthree\twalls\tother\tthan\tthe\tentrance\twas\ta\tseamless\tarray\tof\tthirty-six-inch- wide,\tfloor\tto\tceiling\tcabinets\thousing\tan\todd,\tgelatinous\tsubstance,\tfilling\tthe encasements\tand\tviewable\tthrough\tall-glass\tfronts.\tWhatever\tit\twas\tsparkled. Breathtaking. Before\thim\tnow\twas\tan\tachievement\tthe\tbroader\ttechnological\tcommunity had\tsimultaneously\tfantasized\tover\tand\tscoffed. \\\"Amazing,\\\"\ta\tquiet,\treverent\ttone. Supposedly,\tthis\twas\tnot\tdoable.\tNot\tyet,\tanyways.\tMore\tthan\tthe\tnext generation\tof\tsignal\tflow.\tMore\tthan\tsome\tnew,\timproved\tversion\tof\tcurrent technologies. From\tmicrocomputing's\thumble\tbeginnings\tthe\tproblem\tto\tsolve\thad\tbeen resistance,\tpower\theld\tin\tcheck\tby\tinefficiencies\tin\tsignal\ttransfer--the\tactual ease,\tor\trelative\tchallenge\tof\telectrical\timpulses\tflowing\tacross\tcomponents.\tThe","theory\thas\talways\tbeen\tsimple:\tapproximate\tthe\tactivity\tof\tthe\thuman\tbrain,\tas far\tas\tneural\tpathways\tand\tsynapses\tgo,\tand\tthroughput\tand\tcomputational power\twould\tdrastically\tincrease.\tConvince\tit\tto\tact\tmore\tlike\tgray\tmatter\tand you\twere\tgolden.\tTheoretically\tbasic.\tOh\tso\taggravating,\treal-world.\tFinding\ta substance\tto\tfacilitate\tthis\tkind\tof\teffortless,\tnear-biological\ttransmission\tof impulses\thad\tbeen\tthe\tholy\tgrail\tof\tthe\tlast\tfifty\tyears\tof\tIT\tresearch.\tNow,\tin this\tsmall\troom,\thundreds\tof\tfeet\tbeneath\tthe\tlovely,\twooded\tcampus,\twhatever it\twas\tseemed\tto\tbe\tdoing\tthe\tjob\tquite\tnicely. Dalton\tdidn't\tknow\tits\tcomposition.\tBut\the\tknew\tit\twas\tworking,\tthe\tminute he\ttook\tcommand\tof\tthe\tworkstation. \\\"Whoah.\\\" \\\"You\tgot\twhat\tyou\tneed,\tLT?\\\"\tLoch\tquestioned\tfrom\tfive\tfeet\taway. \\\"Amply\tsupplied,\tmy\tgood\tman.\\\" __________________________________ Gansu Strata5:\tlock. Junjie\ttyped\ta\tfew\tlines,\thoping\tto\tpick\tup\twhere\the'd\tleft\toff\twith\tthe\tcreator. __________________________________ AQ C:>|welcome\tback?\t-\tcaretaker","C:>|are\tyou\tready\tto\tsee? Dalton\tgrabbed\theadgear\tand\ta\tpair\tof\tcontrol\tgloves\thanging\tover\tthe small\tdesk. Sensory-immersed\texcept\tfor\tsmell,\tthe\tblackout\ttook\ta\tsecond\tof\tadjustment. Then\teverything\texploded. The\tflashing\ttour\tof\tneural\tpathways\twas\tblinding\tyet\tbeautiful.\tEvery\tcurve perfected\tand\teach\tconnection\tin\tits\texact\tplace.\tData\tflowed\tseem-less,\ta\tbrisk but\tcontrolled\triver.\tPurpose\twas\teverywhere\tevident.\tMore\tthan\tthe\texcitement of\tan\tamusement\tpark\tride,\tmovement\tacross\tdigital\tsynapses\tand\talterations\tto new\tavenues\tmade\tsense\tand\tdid\ttheir\tjob,\tevery\tsingle\ttime. Flawless. Powerful. Error-less\texecution. Dalton\twatched,\tliterally\tin\tawe,\tas\tdecisions\the\twould\thave\tmade\tin\tthe\tflow were\tredirected,\tcompletely\tcounterintuitive,\tand\tproducing\ta\tfar\tbetter\tnet result.\tNot\tthe\tkinds\tof\twinners\tand\tlosers\tchoices\the\twould\tmake\twhen\tfaced with\tthe\tdata,\teven\twith\ta\tgreater\tdegree\tof\tpredictability\tthan\tany\tother\thuman. These\tchoices\twere\twin-win.\tAt\tevery\tturn. But\tDalton\twas\tonly\tlooking\tat\tdata.\tNumbers.\tPercentages.\tFactors. Probabilities. __________________________________ Gansu Junjie\twas\twatching\tas\twell. He\tknew\twhere\tDalton\twas\tgoing,\tbecause\the\thad\tbeen\tthere\thimself.\tIf\the was\tto\ttrust\tthis\tunknown,\tpotential\tally,\the\thad\tto\tget\teverything\tout\ton\tthe table.","__________________________________ AQ C:>|Beijing\tgrid.mp4 C:>|HKEx.mp4 C:>|are\tyou\tready\tto\tsee\tmore? Yes,\tDalton\twrote\tin\tthe\tair,\tentering\tthe\treply\tby\tmaking\ta\tfist. The\tfirst\tfile\tfilled\tDalton's\tview,\teven\tout\tto\this\tperipherals. He\twalked\tamong\tBeijing's\tbackstreets. Police\tand\tfire\tunits\tfilled\tthe\tair,\ta\trelentless\taural\tassault. In\tquick\tsuccession,\the\twas\tin\ta\trundown\tapartment.\tChildren\tcrying.\tDirty.\tA forlorn\tparent\toffering\ta\tdingy\tglass\tof\twater,\tno\tbetter\tchoice\tin\thand.\tThen another\tback\talley.\tA\tknife\tslashed\tacross\ta\thomeless\tman's\tarm\tand\tthe assailant\tran,\ta\tsingle\tpiece\tof\tbread\tthe\tprize.\tNow,\ta\tfew\tblocks\tup\tfrom\troving gangs,\tstorefronts\tdestroyed\twith\twood,\tmetal,\tand\trocks.\tA\tnews\tanchor,\ttrying desperately\tto\tkeep\tup\twith\tthe\tproducer's\tfeed,\tand\ta\tcrawler\tacross\tthe\tbottom of\tthe\tscreen\tnoting\thow\tmany\thours\tsince\tthis\tsector\tof\tBeijing\thad\tlost\tpower. Dalton\treeled. And\tthen\the\tnoted\tthe\tsame\tcodestream\the\thad\tseen\tearlier,\tworking\tin concert\twith\tthe\timages. File\ttwo\ttriggered. Five\tmen.\tFive\tdifferent\tbuildings.\tThe\tsame\tresult\thundreds\tof\tfeet\tbelow. Creditors\tcalling\tin\tevery\tlast\tyuan. More\tchaos,\tthough\tthe\tfinancial\tdemographic\thad\tshifted. And\tagain,\tthe\tbeautiful\tflow\tof\tdata\tand\tdecisions.\tPerfect\tat\tthe\tsurface. This\tcan't\tbe,\tDalton\ttyped. __________________________________","Gansu Junjie\tcould\tfeel\this\tangst. During\tthe\tlong\tmonths\tof\tthe\tproject\the\thad\toccupied\tthe\tsame\tseat,\tthe\tsheer beauty\tof\tthe\tcode\tsignificantly\tfueling\this\town\tjustifications. But\the\twas\twrong. And\the\tneeded\tthe\tcreator\tto\tcome\tto\tthe\tsame\tconclusion. __________________________________ AQ C:>|have\tyou\tseen? Dalton's\tmind\tand\theart\ttore\topen. I\tcan\tfix\tit.\tI\tknow\tI\tcan. He\tmoved\tthe\tdigital\tstructures,\trearranging\tand\trebuilding. Look\tat\tthis\tthing.\tIt's\talmost\tthere...think\twhat\tit\tcould\tmean... The\tearlier\timages\tflashed\tagain,\twith\tsome\tfrom\tthe\tnew\tprovince\tfolded along.\tCruelty.\tControl. He\tstopped\tcold. What\tam\tI\tdoing? Among\tthe\tvisuals\tand\tthe\tcode,\ta\tmoment\tof\tabsolute\tclarity\tdawned. Project\tSovereign\thad\trun\tits\tcourse.\tAnd\twith\tit,\tall\tit\trepresented. __________________________________ Gansu","The\tpause\ttold\tJunjie\the\thad\tan\topening. Beyond\tsimple\tcontact,\the\thad\tto\tmake\this\tcase,\ttake\tfull\tadvantage\tof\tthe moment. He\ttyped,\tCreator,\tnow\tthat\tyou\tare\tseeing,\tI\tmust\task\tsomething. C:>|caretaker\tproceed __________________________________ AQ C:>|...\twouldn't\tyou\tsay\tthis\twhole\tscenario\tis\tMAD? The\ttransmission\tdumbfounded\tDalton. The\tabbreviation--mutually\tassured\tdestruction--was\trequesting\ta\tnuclear standoff.\tNot\tunlike\tcold\twar\tfooting.\tEach\tside\theld\tin\tcheck\tby\timmediate, proportionate\tresponse.\tCaretaker\twas\tasking\tDalton\tto\tnot\tonly\tbring\tSovereign under\tcontrol\tbut\tthen\trewrite\tit,\tdrawing\tdown\tenough\tAmerican\tcapacity\tto leave\tDC\tand\tBeijing\tat\ta\tstandstill. Caretaker\thad\tgiven\thim\tshared\taccess,\tback\tat\tClark.\tThat\tdidn't\tmean\the\twas a\tgood\tfaith\tactor.\tCould\tjust\tas\tlikely\tbe\ta\truse,\twaiting\tfor\tDalton\tto\topen\tan advantage\tfor\tthe\tChinese. Creator\tignored\tthe\tquestion\tand\tbegan\tin\tearnest\tto\tattack\this\town\twork. He'd\tset\tsemi-independent\troutines\tin\tplay--bots--designed\tto\tdo\tone\tthing\tand one\tthing\tvery\twell:\ttear\tdown\tthe\tmother\tcode's\tdefenses.\tOnce\tSovereign\twas on\tthe\tdigital\tgurney,\tUS\tnuclear\tcontrol\twould\tbe\trestored.\tFrom\tthere\tit\twas easy\tto\tspin\tout\tinto\twar\tscenarios.\tEspecially\tfor\tDalton.\tSuch\thaunting imagery\tneeded\tto\tbe\tset\taside\tfor\tnow.\tFirst\torder\tof\tbusiness\twas\tright\tin\tfront of\thim. Dalton\ttossed\this\tsensory\tgear\tand\tgot\tback\tto\tbasic\tkeyboard\tdevelopment,","quickly\tforging\tfifteen\tsuch\tattackers. \\\"Good\tto\thave\tyou\tback,\\\"\tSanchez\tnoted. \\\"Yeah,\tthanks.\tThat\twas\ta\tlittle\tweird,\tbut\tI'm\tgood\tnow.\\\" \\\"Okay,\\\"\tLoch\tsaid.\t\\\"What's\tthe\tplay?\\\" \\\"Eleven.\tEleven\tof\tfifteen\tprograms\tneed\tto\tget\tthrough\tthe\tdoor.\\\" Dalton\tdouble-checked\tthe\tlimited\taccess\tclock\tagainst\this\twrist\tunit. 08:57:13... The\tprograms\tbegan\treporting\tback. Two,\tten,\tand\teight\tfailed\tduring\tthe\tfirst\tfew\tminutes.\tNo\tquestion,\tout\tof play. One,\tand\tnow\tthree\tthrough\tsix,\tall\tshowed\tsigns\tof\tpenetration,\tgreen- lighting\talmost\tin\tunison\tabout\tthirteen\tminutes\tin. \\\"There\tyou\tgo,\\\"\tDalton\tquipped.\t\\\"That's\twhat\tI'm\ttalking\t'bout.\\\"\tThe\tman willed\tthe\tcode\tforward,\twords\tof\thope\tand\tconfidence\thelping\tto\tbleed\tanxiety in\tthe\tagonizing\twaiting. Numbers\tnine,\ttwelve\tand\tthirteen\tnow\tshowed\tpromise\tas\twell. Dalton\tremained\tcalm,\tat\tleast\toutwardly.\tThe\tstocky\tScotsman\tstood\tastride the\tworkstation,\this\tgaze\tsplit\tbetween\tthe\tdoorway\tand\tthe\tmonitor. \\\"Well,\tLT.\tWe\tmay\thave\ta\tchance\tat\tthis\tthing,\teh?\\\" \\\"We'll\tsee.\tNot\tthere\tyet.\tNot\tyet.\\\" Three\tmore,\tpainful\ttrips\taround\tthe\t60-second\ttrack\tand\tanother\tstatus\treport. Fifteen\tand\tfourteen\tlit\tup\tlike\tChristmas\tDay. Five\tmore\tminutes. Seven\twas\ta\tno. All\tthree\toperators\twere\tthinking\tthe\tsame\tthing.\tTen\tsubnets\tdoing\ttheir\tjob. Four\tdefeated.\tThey\tstill\thad\ta\tchance,\tbut\tan\tever-slimming\tone.\tEleven\tstood as\tthe\tholdout. Watching.\tHoping.\tLike\tracetrack\tjunkies,\tleaning\tforward\tas\ttheir\thorse\ttook the\tlast\tturn,\tstretching\tfor\tthe\twire. C'mon,\tEleven. \\\"Dalton?\\\"\tSanchez\tinterrupted\tfrom\tover\tby\ttheir\tsurveillance\tposition.\t\\\"We got\ta\tproblem.\\\" She\tpointed.\tThe\tfront\tdesk\tguard\thad\tcalled\tsomeone\tmore\tsenior.\tTogether,","the\ttwo\tstudied\tthe\tfalsified\tvideo.\tSanchez\tspoke\tmore\tpressingly\tthis\ttime. \\\"Not\tgood.\tNot\tgood\tat\tall.\tWe've\tgot\tactivity.\tChecking\tthe\tsource\tand routing.\\\" She\tpaused. \\\"We\tgotta\tgo.\tNow!\\\" Her\tinsistence,\tgleaned\tfrom\thard-won\tyears\tof\tfieldwork\tlanded\ton\tthe\tmen with\tauthority.\tThere\twould\tbe\tno\tsecond-guessing.\tExfil\twould\tbegin\twithout hesitation. AQ\twas\ta\tsmall,\twindowless\tbox.\tOne\tway\tin.\tThe\tsame\tway\tout. Back\tinto\tthe\televator\tit\twould\tbe. Loch\thoisted\ttwo\tof\tthe\tstill-unconscious\tguards,\tlike\tsome\tkind\tof\tawkward workout\tfor\this\talready\thealthy\ttrapezii.\tDepositing\tthem\tinto\ta\tjumbled\theap, he\twent\tin\tfor\tthe\tlast\tone.\tThe\tpoor\tguy\twould\thave\tsome\tdifficult\tto\texplain bruising\talong\this\tleft\trib\tcage\twhen\the\tcame\tto\tas\tthe\tbrawny\tScot\tliterally tossed\thim\tinto\tthe\tcorner\tof\tthe\ttiny\thallway. Sanchez\tstared\tat\tthe\tforlorn\tsight. \\\"You've\tgot\tto\tbe\tkidding\tme.\\\" \\\"Can't\tspend\tno\ttime\ton\t'em\tnow,\tcan\twe,\tlas?\tAnd\twith\tall\tthe\tcare\tyou\ttook to\tnot\tend\tthem\toutright,\tit'd\tbe\tcruel\tto\tlet\tthem\twaste\taway\tin\tthere,\tdon't\tya think?\\\" The\tcomment\tjabbed\tat\ther\tunconventional\tmethods,\tmaybe\teven\taccusation of\tweakness.\tSanchez\tdidn't\tanswer.\tDidn't\tneed\tto.\tInstead,\tshe\trelieved\tthe men\tof\ttheir\tweapons.\tThe\t9mm's\tshe\tpassed\tto\ther\tteammates--while\tpocketing one\therself--and\tthen\tplaced\tthe\tMP5's\tjust\tinside\tthe\troom,\tout\tof\treach\tand\tout of\taction. \\\"Charges\tset,\\\"\tLoch's\tstrange\tcalmness\tresulting\tfrom\tmuch\tpractice\twith deadly\texplosives. \\\"Set,\\\"\tSanchez\treplied.\t\\\"On\tyour\ttime.\\\" \\\"Let's\tgo.\tLet's\tgo,\tpeople.\\\" A\tscant\tfive\tseconds\tafter\tthe\tdoor\thad\tclosed,\tthe\tsub\tfrequency\tthump\tof\ta small\tpatch\tof\tC4\tgoing\toff\tresonated\tthrough\tsteel\tand\tfabric\tcasing,\tshaking the\televator\tcar\ton\tits\ttrack\twhile\tdoing\tlittle\tto\thalt\ttheir\tvertical\tescape.\tLoch's application\tand\tcomposition\tof\tthe\tcharge\thad\tdone\tits\tjob,\tleaving\ta\twash\tof circuit\tdamage\tin\ttheir\twake.\tThe\tkeypad\tand\tlocking\tmechanisms\twere\tnon- operational,\tproviding\ttime\tthey\tdesperately\tneeded;\ttime\tfor\tDalton's\twork\tto come\tto\tfruition.\tSubnet\tProgram\tEleven\twould\tbe\tleft\tbehind,\tunmanned,\tno promises.\tAt\tthe\tvery\tleast\tit\twould\tbe\tprotected\tuntil\trunning\tits\tcourse.","The\tteam's\tjourney\tfrom\ta\thundred\tfeet\tbelow\tand\tthen\tupward\tto\tthe\tother levels\tof\tBuilding\t25\ttook\tall\tof\ta\thalf-minute.\tThey\tbraced\tfor\texposure\tto\tthe corridor.\tDalton,\tholding\tthe\tleast\thand\tto\thand,\tclose\tquarters\tcombat experience\tof\tthe\tthree,\temerged\tas\tthe\tobvious\tchoice\tto\tperform\tthe\trole\tof \\\"visual\tdistraction.\\\"\tPosing\tas\ta\tcrumpled\theap\tof\thumanity\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe floor,\tthe\tconfusion\tshould\tbe\tenough\tto\tprovide\tthe\tslimmest\telement\tof surprise. Sanchez\tand\tLoch\tpressed\tthemselves\tflat\tagainst\tpolished\tsteel\tsidewalls. Coiled,\tpent\tup\tenergy,\tthey\twaited. FORTY\tSIX The\ttwo\tmen\tat\tL2\thesitated\tonly\ta\tfraction\tof\ta\tsecond.\tIt\twas\tall\tthat\twas necessary,\tas\tLoch's\tand\tSanchez'\tside-positions\tcaught\tthem\toff\tbalance,\thands on\tweapons\tbut\tnot\tat\tthe\tready. For\tSanchez,\tthe\tscrapple\twas\tover\tin\tfour\tmoves.\tLoch\trequired\tonly\tthree. She\tneeded\tone\tmore\tsetup\tto\taccess\ther\tman's\tAdam's\tapple\twhile\tthe\tsergeant simply\tplowed\tthrough\this\tguard's\tforearm,\tdelivering\ta\thorrendous\tblow\tto\tthe chest.\tIt\twas\tprobably\ta\tgood\tthing\tthat\tthe\tflesh\tand\tbone\tof\this\tarm\thad initially\tabsorbed\tthe\tgranite,\tballed\tfist.\tRegardless,\ttheir\tfirst\ttwo\tproblems were\tno\tlonger\tan\tissue.\tDalton,\tbrilliant\tin\this\tportrayal\tof\t'pile\tof\tperson\ton\tthe floor',\trose\tand\tthen\twalked\tacross\tthe\thall\tto\tapply\tthe\tperfect\ttactical\ttechnique for\ta\tsituation\tsuch\tas\tthis\tand\ta\tman\tof\this\tadvanced\tskills. He\tpulled\tthe\tfire\talarm. \\\"So\tclich\u00e9,\\\"\tSanchez\tfrowned. \\\"Hey,\tif\tit\tain't\tbroke...\\\" Building-wide\tpanic\twas\timmediate,\tand\tprecisely\twhat\tthey\thad\thoped\tfor. Within\tseconds\tthe\tsprinkler\tsystem\topened,\ta\tnice\tliquid\tcover\tfor\tblending\tin","with\tthe\tcrowd.\tPeople\tcovered\ttheir\tears\twith\thands,\tbackpacks,\tor\tcoats\tin\ta vain\tattempt\tto\tstop\tthe\talarm's\tcrushing,\tdizzying\teffect.\tThe\tnet\tresult?\tA\tmass of\tconfused,\tdrenched\tworkers\tmorphing\tinto\ta\tthickening,\tmoving\tsea\tof people,\tno\tone\tperson\tdistinguishable\tfrom\tthe\tnext. This\tmight\twork. Sixty\tseconds\tlater\tthey\twere\tout.\tSurfacing\tin\tthe\tcourtyard,\tDalton's\tstrategic vision\tkicked\tinto\thigh\tgear.\tLoch\tand\tSanchez\thad\tbegun\tto\trecognize\thim processing.\tThey\twere\talso\tgetting\tused\tto\twaiting\ta\tmoment\twhile\the\trefocused to\tthe\tpresent. The\tsniper\tpaused,\tthinking\tthis\twas\tprobably\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\troad.\tAQ\thad been\ttheir\taim.\tThat\tasset,\tand\tthe\topportunities\tit\tpresented,\twere\tnow compromised.\tEven\tif\tProgram\tEleven\tworked,\tDalton\tcouldn't\texactly\ttype\tin any\tnew\tcommands\tfrom\toutside\tthe\troom. \\\"Okay,\tMr.\tBeautiful\tMind.\tWhaddaya\thave\tfor\tus\tnow?\\\" Sanchez'\tquiet\tutterance,\treferencing\ta\tmovie\tabout\ta\tbrilliant\tmathematician who\t\\\"saw\\\"\tthings\tno\tone\telse\tdid,\tsnapped\thim\tback\tto\treality. \\\"The\tbuses,\\\"\the\tsaid.\t\\\"Go\tfor\tthe\tbuses.\\\" \\\"What?\\\"\tLoch\tsaid,\tnot\tunderstanding.\t\\\"What\tin\tthe\tworld\tare\tyou\tblabbering about,\tLT?\\\" Sanchez\tlooked\taround,\ttrying\tto\tmake\tsense\tof\this\tdirective\tin\tlight\tof\tthe wave\tof\tpeople\texiting\t25--a\tgrowing,\tmilling\tpopulace\twith\tnowhere\tspecific\tto go,\tnothing\tto\tdo. \\\"Alright,\tthe\tbuses.\\\" \\\"Break\tup,\\\"\tDalton\tcautioned\tsomewhat\tneedlessly\tto\tthe\tseasoned\toperators. \\\"Don't\tsit\ttogether.\tWait\tuntil\twe\toffload\tand\tI'll\tgive\tyou\tmore\tinfo.\tGo,\tnow. Fade\tin.\tGo.\\\" Loch\tstill\twasn't\tfollowing.\tHe'd\tlose\tvaluable\ttime,\tthough,\tand\tpossibly\teven strategic\tadvantage,\tif\the\tdidn't\tobey\tthe\tdirectives\the\thad\tright\tnow.\tThe\tad\thoc team\thad\tno\tofficial\tleader.\tThe\tagreement\twas\tto\tlean\tinto\tone\tanother's strengths\tas\teach\tcame\tto\tbear.\tDalton\thad\ta\tplan.\tThat\twas\tenough. Sanchez\tboarded\tthe\tclosest\tbus,\ttaking\tan\topen\tseat\tnext\tto\ta\tmiddle-aged Caucasian\tguy.\tDalton\tstrode\tup\tthe\tstairs\tand\talmost\tall\tthe\tway\tto\tthe\tback, squeezing\tinto\ta\ttwo-person\tbench\talong\twith\tthe\ttwo\tpeople\talready\tthere. Loch,\tfinally\ton\tboard,\ttook\tanother\tfew\tsteps\tpast\tSanchez\tand\tstood\tin\tthe aisle,\tholding\tthe\twrist\tstraps\toverhead.","The\tbig\ttransport,\tsurprisingly\tpowerful\tfor\ta\tnext-generation\tgreen\tvehicle, pulled\tout\tof\tthe\tMicrosoft\tlot\tand\tonto\tthe\tstreet.\tEveryone's\tweight\tshifted\tas the\tthirty-foot-long\tbehemoth\ttook\tthe\tfirst\tleft\ta\tlittle\ttoo\tsharply.\tA\tcommunal groan\tbut\tno\treal\tprotest,\ttheir\tmuted\tresponse\tchiefly\tdue\tto\tthe\tsingle\tPRC thug\tat\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\tbus,\tarms\tcrossed\tover\trifle. The\tman\tbeside\tSanchez\tmumbled. She\tgave\thim\ta\tlook\tsaying,\t\\\"Come\tagain?\\\" He\tmust've\tfigured\ther\tsafe\tenough\tto\trepeat\tit,\tbut\tonly\ta\tlittle\tlouder\tthis time. \\\"Red\tbastards.\\\" Her\texpression\tagain\tsaid,\t\\\"not\tfollowing\tyou.\\\" He\tleaned\tover,\twhispering\tand\talso\tlooking\taway;\this\tbest\tversion\tof\tbeing secretive. \\\"They\tthink\twe'll\tjust\tplay\talong.\tThis\twhole\tthing\tis\tsuch\ta\tsetup.\tWell...\tthey can\tforce\tus\tthere\tat\tgunpoint\tbut\tthey\tcan't\tmake\tus\tlook\thappy\tabout\tit,\tthat's for\tdang\tsure.\\\" It\tstruck\tSanchez\tlike\ta\tslap\tupside\tthe\thead.\tThe\tposter.\tThe\tone\thanging\tout front\tof\tBuilding\t25.\tThey'd\twalked\tby\tso\tfast.\tCouldn't\thave\tbeen\tmore\tthan\ta foot\tacross.\tThe\tquad\twas\tfilled,\tpacked\twith\tpeople. He\tsaw\tit.\tAnd\the\tput\tit\tinto\this\tbig\told\thead\tfull\tof\tscenarios. Stealing\ta\tglance\tback\tat\tDalton,\tshe\tsmiled--just\tenough\tto\tlet\thim\tknow\tshe got\tit\tnow. They\twere\theading\tdowntown.\tApparently\ttheir\tnew\toverlords\tfelt\tthe\ttime was\tright\tto\tshow\tthe\tworld\tthe\tfavor\tthey\thad\tdone\tfor\tthis\tpitiful,\tdecaying nation\tby\tinvading\tthem\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace.\tThis\t\\\"resurgence\\\"\twas\tall\ta\tgood thing,\tafter\tall.\tPer\tthe\tposter\tat\t25,\ttoday\twas\tto\tbe\ta\tglorious,\textremely\tpublic demonstration\tof\tthis\tgratitude.\tOther\tnations\twould\tstep\tback\tfrom\thorrified\tbut quieted\tprotest\tand\taccept\tthe\tsituation\tas\twell.\tPrivileges,\tprosperity.\tAll\twould flow\tfrom\tChina's\tactions\tin\tthis\tnew\tprovince.\tAll\twould\tbecome\tso\tnormal.\tSo right. The\tbus\tmerged\tonto\t520\tWest,\ttoward\tthe\tdowntown\tcorridor.\tDalton, Sanchez,\tLoch\tand\tthe\tother\tfifty-some\tpassengers\tjoined\tan\tendless\tstream\tof transports.\tThe\tprocession\tambled\tacross\tthe\tLake\tWashington\tfloating\tbridges. As\tusual,\tthe\tnorthern\tside\tof\tthe\tstructure\theld\tback\tchoppy,\trough\twater flowing\tin\tfrom\tPuget\tSound\twhile\tthe\tsouthern\tside\tappeared\tcalm.","The\tcontrast\tfit,\tas\tSanchez\tlooked\tthrough\tthin\tglass\twindows.\tThere\twas wrong\tand\tright\tin\tthis\tworld.\tConcrete,\tmoral\tboundaries.\tNo\tamount\tof propaganda\tcould\tmake\trough\t\\\"waters\\\"\tsmooth\tin\ther\tmind. The\tline\tof\tvehicles\twound\ton\tthrough\ta\trat's\tnest\tof\ton\tand\toff\tramps\tand\tpast the\tUniversity\tDistrict,\teventually\tmerging\tonto\tI5\tsouthbound.\tOne\tlast,\tgentle curve\tto\tthe\tright\tand\tthe\tcity\tcame\tinto\tfull,\tunobstructed\tview. No\tone\twas\tprepared\tfor\tit. The\tsight\twas\ttoo\tshocking.\tToo\toffensive.\tEmasculating.\tAfter\tall\tthey'd\tbeen subjected\tto\tin\tprevious\tweeks,\tthis\twas\tstill\tover\tthe\ttop.\tEntering\ta\ttunnel\tand plunged\tinto\tsemi-darkness,\tthe\tpassengers\texperienced\ta\tbrief\trespite.\tExiting into\tdaylight,\tthe\timage\tstruck\tthem\tall\tagain,\teven\tharder. Swaying\tgently\tin\ta\tspringtime\tSeattle\tbreeze:\tan\tenormous\tChinese\tflag,\tred field\twith\tgold\tstars,\tdraped\tthe\tcity's\tmost\ticonic\tstructure--The\tSpace\tNeedle. The\tinsult\tburned\tdeep,\tsalting\topen\tand\tquite\tvulnerable\twounds.\tA\tfew women\ton\tthe\tbus\tstarted\tcrying.\tMen's\tfaces\tpuffed\tcrimson,\tequal\tparts\tshame and\tanger.\tHelplessness.\tAbsolute\timpotence. Keep\tit\ttogether,\tSanchez. The\tveteran\twarrior\tcommanded\therself\tto\tfocus.\tThe\tsickening\tpicture required\tmore\teffort\tthan\tusual. Loch.\tHis\tface\ttold\tthe\twhole\tstory.\tIf\tnot\tfor\tself-discipline\tearned\tthroughout years\tof\tservice\the\twould've\tsnapped\tfor\tsure. Their\tbus\tpulled\toff\tI5\talong\twith\tall\tthe\tothers,\twinding\tits\tway\tthrough narrowly\tsteep\tside\tstreets\tand\tinto\tthe\turban\tcore.\tThe\tcity\tfathers\thad\tchosen\ta beautiful\tand\tfunctional\tsetting\tfor\tthis\ttrading\toutpost,\tat\twater's\tedge\tand butted\tup\tagainst\tseven\tsizable\thillsides.\tThis\tstrong\tvertical\torientation\tresulted over\ttime\tin\ta\tmaze\tof\tmassive\thi-rise\tbuildings,\tmany\twith\tbases\tlaying\tat extreme\tangles\tto\tthe\tpavement.\tIt\tmade\tfor\tthe\tfeeling\tyou\twere\talways\teither falling\tforward\tor\tleaning\tway\tback. Dizzying.\tDisorienting.\tA\tperfect\tmatch\tfor\tthe\tmoment. Parked\talongside\tnearly\ta\thundred\tother\tbusses\tthey\tdisembarked,\tbeginning the\tmile\tand\ta\thalf\tasphalt\ttrek\tto\tthe\tgated\tentrances\tof\tCentury\tLink\tField.\tThe modern,\topen\tair\tstadium\tseated\t76,000\tscreaming\tfans\twhen\thosting\tthe\tcity's football\tand\tsoccer\tteams.\tIt\twas\talso\tthe\tlocation\tof\tthis\tafternoon's\tCitizens Appreciation\tRally,\ttelevised\tand\tstreamed\tworldwide.","FORTY\tSEVEN Tens\tof\tthousands\tsurged\tinto\tthe\tstadium\tunder\tthe\tpurview\tof\tboth\tobviously armed\tguards\tand\twell-camouflaged\tgun\tmounts.\tThere\twas\tenough\tfirepower to\tmaintain\torder\twhile\tfeigning\tvoluntary\tattendance\tto\tan\tinterestedly watching\tworld.\tAfter\tall,\tthis\twas\tsupposed\tto\tbe\ta\tthankful\tcrowd. The\tmassive\tsouth\tend\tzone\tMitsubishi\tDiamond\tVision\tscreen\tlit\tup,\tvisible from\teven\tthe\tfurthest\toutlying\tlots,\tshowing\tonce\tmore\tthat\tthe\tChinese propaganda\tmachine\tknew\twhat\tit\twas\tdoing.\tHigh\tenergy,\temotionally\tcharged symphonic\tmusic\tresonated\tthroughout\tthe\tstands.\tString\tswells\tand\tpercussive barrages,\tperfectly\ttimed\twith\tlooped\timages\tof\thappy,\tfulfilled\tcitizens\tof\tthe PRC\tfilled\tthe\teighty-four-foot-wide\tdisplay.\tTheir\tfaces:\tAsian,\tCaucasian, Black,\tHispanic--and\tin\tan\tobvious\tplay\tto\tthe\tarea's\thistory--indigenous American\tTribal\tPeoples. Shuffling\tforward\tas\tone\tof\tthe\tmany,\tDalton\tnoted\ta\tchange\tin\tthe\tmusical underscore\tand\tlooked\tup.\tThe\tscreens\thad\ttransitioned\tfrom\tthe\thappy\tpeople sequence\tto\ta\tsuper\twide\tview\tfrom\twhat\thad\tto\tbe\tone\tof\tthe\tstadium's\tupper decks.\tPanning\tfrom\tend\tzone\tto\tend\tzone,\tthe\tscreens\tdisplayed\ta\tfield\tcovered in\tmilitary\tequipment\tand\tpersonnel\twith\ta\tproperly\televated\tdais\tat\tthe\tfifty- yard\tline.\tThis\twas\tto\tbe\ta\tgrand\tcelebration,\tno\texpenses\tspared.\tTanks. Transports.\tGround\tto\tair\tmissiles\tmounted\tand\twaiting\ton\ttheir\tportable\tlaunch systems.\tArtillery\tunits.\tIt\twas\tan\tisland\tof\tgreen\tand\tgray,\tmetal\tand\telectronics, all\tdraped\tin\ta\tdeep\tred\tocean\tof\tribbons\tand\tbanners.\tAnd\tit\twas\tworking,\tat least\tfor\ta\tportion\tof\tthe\tgathered\tthrong,\tstill\tand\tstanding\ttall,\tbrimming\twith pride\tat\tthis\tmomentous\toccasion\tfor\ttheir\tpeople,\ttheir\thomeland. Dalton\tfound\tit\thard\tto\tbelieve.\tHe'd\tbeen\tat\tthe\tstadium\ta\tfew\ttimes.\tA handful\tof\tfootball\tgames,\ta\tsummer\tconcert\tseries\tby\taging\trock\tacts.\tEven now\the\tcould\tremember\tthe\tflyover\tof\tF18s\tand\tthe\tnational\tanthem\tbefore","kickoff.\tAt\tthis\tmoment,\tthose\tpowerful\tmemories\tand\tthe\tpride\the'd\theld\tall\this life\tseemed\tso\tfar\taway.\tAnd\tthen\tit\tstruck\thim. These\tyoung\tChinese\tfaces\theld\tthe\tsame\tassured\tlook\the\thad\tborne\tat\tthe time.\tHe\tdidn't\thave\tto\tlike\tthe\tcircumstances,\tand\ttheir\tmethods\twere\tcertainly up\tfor\tdiscussion.\tBut\tat\ta\tvery\tbasic\tlevel\the\tunderstood\tthe\tcommonality. The\tscreen\tchanged\tagain,\temblazoned\tnow\twith\tthe\tpudgy,\tpockmarked\tface of\ta\tman\tstepping\tup\tfrom\this\tprominent\tseat\ton\tthe\tdais\tand\tto\tthe\tpodium.\tA mid-level\tShanghai\tbureaucrat\twith\tfamily\tties\tdeep\tin\tthe\tParty\tstrata,\tthe Interim\tGovernor\tof\tthe\tnew\tprovince\twas\tonly\tan\timmediate\tsolution\tto\ta pressing\tneed,\tfilling\ta\tvacuum\tcreated\tby\tthe\tinvasion\tand\tnothing\tmore.\tIn time\ta\tseasoned\tand\tmore\tcapable\tman\twould\tbe\tassigned.\tFor\tnow,\tthis simpleton\thad\tbeen\tasked\tto\tdo\tlittle\tmore\tthan\tmanage\tpublic\taffairs\twhile military\tleadership\tattended\tto\tthe\tgreater\tconcerns\tof\tpopulation\tcontrol\tand\tre- education\tefforts.\tStill,\tthis\twas\this\tmoment. Dalton's\tbusload\twere\tsome\tof\tthe\tlast\tto\tarrive,\tdirected\tinitially\tto\tthe southwest\tconcourses\tof\tthe\tstadium\tcomplex.\tOn\tarriving\tthey\twere\ttold\tin\tno uncertain\tterms\tthat\tall\tregular\tseating\twas\tnow\tfull.\tThey\twould\tbe\trequired\tto walk\tthe\tlength\tof\tthe\tstructure,\tthrough\tthe\tnorthernmost\tgates\tand\tfrom\tthere to\ttemporary\tseating\tat\tthat\tside's\tend\tzone.\tThe\timage,\tagain,\twas\texactly\twhat the\tChinese\twanted. An\toverflow\tcrowd.\tBut\ttheir\tkindly\tnew\tleaders\twould\tmake\tsure\tthey\tall\thad a\tgood\tseat.\tSo\tmany\tappreciative\tmen,\twomen,\tand\tchildren. The\tdisposable\tleader\tgripped\tthe\tpodium\twith\tboth\thands.\tLooking\tout\tto\tthe seated\tmasses,\the\tspoke\tfrom\tstatements\tboth\tcrafted\tand\tauthorized\tby\tothers. \\\"Fellow\tcitizens\tof\tthe\tPeople's\tRepublic\tof\tChina,\twelcome!\tToday\tis\tindeed a\tcelebration.\tYou\thave\tbeen\tgiven\tnew\tlife.\tFor\ttoo\tlong\tthe\tfoundations\tof your\tcountry\thave\tbeen\tfading\tonto\tthe\thorizon\tof\thistory.\tYour\ttime\twas ending.\tNow\twe...\ttogether...\tface\ta\tnew\tbeginning.\tInstead\tof\ta\tfailed\tsystem flowering\ta\tmere\tfew\thundred\tyears,\tyou\tare\tjoining\ta\tstream\tof\tculture, development,\tand\thumanity\tspanning\tthousands.\\\" He\twaited\ta\tbeat. \\\"And\tso,\tthe\tfaces\tI\tlook\tupon\ttoday...\tare\tsensing\ta\tnew\thope,\tno\tlonger wondering\tif\ttheir\tbest\tseasons\tare\tbehind\tthem,\\\"\this\tvoice\tgrew.\t\\\"A\tpeople given\topportunity\tto\tjoin\tthe\tmost\trobust\teconomy\tof\tall\tthe\tnations\tof\tthe world.\tA\tchance\tto\tlive,\tagain,\twith\tpride\tand\tpurpose.\\\"","There\twere\ta\tfew\tseconds\tof\tlag\tas\this\tvoice\tbounced\tacross\tthe\tstructure. Silence.\tA\traw,\tgaping\tsilence\tdissipated\tinto\tthe\tcool\tnorthwest\tair, underscored\tby\tthe\treverberation\tof\this\tlast\twords. No\tapplause,\tnothing\tfrom\tor\tamong\tthe\ttens\tof\tthousands\tin\tthe\tstadium.\tFor those\tviewing\tonline\tthe\tscene\tcame\tentirely\tdifferent. A\tsteady\tproduction\tbooth\thand\tbrought\tthe\tfader\tup\tand\ta\tsustained\tchorus\tof shouts,\tcheers,\tand\tclapping\tanimated\tthe\tspeakers\tand\tear\tbuds\tof\tthose currently\ttuned\tin\tvia\tthe\tweb\tand\tofficial\tstate\ttelevision,\trebroadcast\tacross fifty-some\tinternational\tnetworks.\tJoyous\tsounds\tplayed\twhile\tthe\tvideo\tshot remained\ton\tthe\tspeaker's\tupper\tbody. Inside\tthe\tstadium,\tguards\toutside\tthe\tcamera\tframe\traised\ttheir\tguns.\tThis time\tthe\tpeople\tresponded\tas\texpected--as\trequired--allowing\tthe\tspeaker\tto continue\tonly\tafter\tquelling\tthe\tcelebration\twith\topened,\toverturned\thands.\tAfter all,\the\tstill\thad\ta\tfew\tmore\tlines\tto\tdeliver. \\\"A\tchance...\\\" This\tnext\tpause\tcame\tcompletely\tscripted.\tAn\tactual\tcue\ton\tthe\tTelePrompTer said\t\\\"hold,\t2\tseconds.\\\" \\\"...\tto\tbe\tset\tapart\tfor\tgreatness.\\\" More\tsupplemental\tapplause\tonline,\tthis\ttime\tpumped\tback\tinto\tthe\tstadium via\tloudspeakers. The\tgovernor\tstopped,\this\tgaze\tspanning\tthe\teastern\tside\tof\tthe\tstands\tbefore continuing. \\\"So,\tit\tis\twith\ta\tdeep\tsense\tof\tboth\tsatisfaction\tand\tthankfulness\tI\tpresent\tto you...\tofficially...\tthe\tnewest\tprovince\tof\tthe\tPeople's\tRepublic\tof\tChina... ...\tPenghu\tProvince.\\\" The\tprincipally\tunrecognized\tmoniker\tappeared\ton\tthe\tDiamond\tVision,\tits deeper\tmeaning\tnot\tregistering\timmediately,\tnor\tmuch\tat\tall,\tto\tthe\tgathered throng. \\\"Points\tfor\tcreativity,\\\"\tDalton\tmumbled,\tknowing\texactly\twhat\tthey\twere doing. Penghu,\tan\tislet\tin\tthe\tTaiwanese\tchain,\thad\tfocused\ta\tbitter\tterritorial\tdispute between\tmainland\tChina\tand\tthe\tbreakaway\tprovince.\tThe\tPRC\tannually refused\ttheir\tclaims\tof\tindependence,\tinsisting\tthis\tgroup\tof\tnearly\t24\tmillion were\tmerely\tanother\tpeople\tand\tland\twithin\ther\tsovereign\treach.\tAmerica-- rather\thaughtily\tthrough\tthe\tyears--had\trecognized\tThe\tRepublic\tof\tChina\tas\ta separate\tnation,\tover\tand\tagainst\tthe\twill\tof\tBeijing. Well\tplayed,\tboys.\tWell\tplayed.","One\tgiant\tpoke\tin\tthe\teyeball.\tThat's\tfor\tsure. The\tmass\tof\tbodies\taround\tDalton\thad\tceased\tforward\tprogress;\tnot\tyet\tin\tthe stadium\tfor\tthe\tgovernor's\tintroductory\tcomments.\tHe\tforecast\tthis\twould\tsoon change,\tthat\tthe\tguards\twould\tturn\ttheir\tattention\tback\tto\tthe\tstanding\tmasses and\tprod\tthem,\tlike\teveryone\telse,\tinto\tthe\tgrand\toccasion.\tHe\talso\tpredicted that\tupon\tbeing\tsucked\tinto\tthe\tstadium\twith\teveryone\telse,\ttheir\tchances\tof escaping\twould\tbe\treduced\tto\tpretty\tmuch\tzero.\tWell,\tactually\t.00731%. A\tgunshot\trang\tout.\tPanic\tensued,\tmasking\tits\tpoint\tof\torigin. Good\tenough. Dalton\tslid\tthe\t9mm\tback\tinto\this\twaistline.\tHis\tfrantic\tshouting\tand\tpointing directed\tattention\taway\tfrom\thimself\tas\tthe\tshooter.\tGuards\tscrambled\tleft\tand right,\ttrying\tto\tassess\tthe\tmoment,\tto\tretake\tcontrol. Sanchez\tknew\twhat\twas\thappening\tand\tlooked\tfor\tDalton\tthrough\tthe\tangry hornet's\tnest\tof\thumanity.\tLoch\tfollowed\tthe\tcue\tas\twell.\tLike\tthe\tfire\talarm\tat Microsoft,\tthe\tsingle\tdischarge\tdid\tits\tjob. People\trammed\tinto\tothers'\tunmoving\tbacksides.\tFalling,\tthey\ttrampled\tone another,\ttrying\tto\tflee\tthe\ttrouble\tin\ttheir\tmidst.\tRemarkably,\tthe\tguards\tgot\tthe people-flow\tcontrolled\tagain.\tMinor\tinjuries,\tscrapes,\tbruises.\tA\tfew\tpeople pinned\tup\tagainst\tthe\tgate's\tchain\tlink.\tEven\tthe\tunfortunate\trecipient\tof\tthe flesh\twound\tfrom\tDalton's\tpistol\twas\treceiving\tmedical\tattention.\tHis\tfoot would\tbleed\tsome.\tSoon\tenough\tit\twould\tbe\tstanched,\trequiring\tonly\tstitches and\tminimal\tpain\tmanagement. Barely\ta\tminute\tlater\tthe\tcommotion\thad\tceased.\tAll\tefforts\tturned\tto searching\tfor\tthe\tshooter.\tAmong\tthe\touter\tguards\tthere\twas\tshocked\tsurprise, disbelief\tthat\tsomeone\twould\truin\tsuch\ta\tglorious\toccasion\twith\tunseemly violence.\tInside\tthe\tstadium\tthis\tminor\tevent\thadn't\tregistered,\tnot\teven\tslightly. Festivities\tcontinued\tas\tthe\tinterim\tgovernor\tof\tPenghu\tProvince\tblithely presented\tthe\trest\tof\this\tspeech. Four\thundred\tyards\tnorth\tof\tCentury\tLink\ttwo-thirds\tof\tthe\tteam\tstopped, catching\ttheir\tbreath.\tLoch\tlooked\tlike\tthe\tsustained\tsprint\thad\ttaxed\thim\tno more\tthan\tgetting\tup\tfrom\tthe\tcouch. \\\"Nicely\tdone,\tLT.\\\" Dalton,\tbreathing\tthe\theaviest:\t\\\"...\thad\tto\ttake\tit.\\\"","\\\"Okay,\tboss,\\\"\tSanchez\tsaid.\t\\\"What's\tthe\tplan?\tNow\tthat\tthe\tFreaky\tFriday supercomputer\tback\tat\tMicroworld\tis\tout\tof\treach,\twe're\tkinda\trunning\tfor\tno reason,\tright?\\\" \\\"Wrong,\\\"\tDalton\tsaid.\t\\\"That\twas\tonly\tstage\tone.\tI\tmean,\tit\twould\thave\tbeen fun\tto\tfinish\tthe\tjob\tthere\tbut\thonestly,\tit\twould've\tbeen\ta\tbit\tlike\ttaking\tan\tA- bomb\tto\ta\twater\tfight.\tWe\tneed\tto\tgo\tfor\ta\tlittle\tboat\tride.\\\" \\\"What?\tWhy?\\\"\tLoch\tquestioned. Dalton\tknew\tit\twould\tbe\timpossible\tfor\tthem\tto\tcomprehend\tthe\tmultiplicity of\tdata\tin\this\thead.\tHe\tdid\this\tbest\tto\tbring\tthe\tothers\tup\tto\tspeed,\tnonetheless. \\\"Program\tEleven\twas\tstill\trunning\twhen\twe\tleft.\tIf\tsuccessful,\twe're\tin--access to\tthe\tactual\tcode\tstream.\tIf\tit\tworked,\twe\tdon't\tneed\tthe\tbig\tmachine\tanymore. A\tbasic\tinterface\twill\tdo.\tIf\tEleven\tdoes\tthe\ttrick,\tfrom\there\tforward\tit's\treally\ta matter\tof\tline\tcommands.\tExtremely\tcomplicated\tline\tcommands\tbut\tstill, something\tthat\tcan\tbe\tachieved\twith\tyour\tstandard-issue\tHP\trunning\tDOS\t5.0.\\\" \\\"DOS?\\\"\tSanchez\treplied. \\\"Yeah...\tyou're\tprobably\ta\tlittle\tyoung\tto\tremember.\tLet's\tjust\tsay\tthat\tif\tthe door\thas\tbeen\topened,\tthen\twe're\tgood\tto\tgo.\\\" \\\"No\tcatches?\\\"\tLoch\tinterjected.\t\\\"A\tdesktop\tunit\twith\tkeyboard\tand\tmonitor?\\\" \\\"Well,\talmost.\tWe\tdo\tneed\tan\tinternet\tconnection\tthat\twon't\tshow\tup\tto\tthe Chinese\tweb\twatchdogs.\\\" \\\"Thus,\tthe\tferry?\\\" \\\"Yep,\tI'll\texplain\tmore\ton\tthat\tlater.\\\" \\\"Okay,\\\"\tSanchez\tasked.\t\\\"So\twhere\tdo\twe\tget\ton\tand\twhere\tdo\twe\tget\toff?\\\" \\\"Pier\t52.\tAnd\tthen\tonto\tthe\tlovely\tport\tcity\tof\tBremerton.\tA\ttwo\tmile\twalk from\there\tand,\tif\tmemory\tserves\tme,\tnext\tpassage\tis\tin\tan\thour\tand\ta\thalf.\tFrom there,\tanother\tthirty\tminutes\tacross\tthe\tbeautiful\twaters\tof\tthe\tSound\tand\twe'll know\twhether\tor\tnot\tEleven\tdid\tits\tjob.\tAnd\twhether\tI\tcan\tget\tback\tto\tmine.\\\" Dalton\tpaused,\ttaking\tin\tone\tmore,\tbig\tbreath.\tHis\tbody\thad\tsettled\tback\tinto\ta decent\tcardio\trhythm.\tLetting\tit\tout\tnow,\the\tfinished\tthe\tthought. \\\"We\tcan\tpresume\trecovery\tcrews\thave\tbeen\ttrying\tto\taccess\tAQ\tever\tsince\twe left.\tIt'll\ttake\tthem\tawhile\tto\tbust\tin\tbut\tthey\twill\topen\tthat\tdoor\tagain.\tEleven can\tonly\thelp\tus\tas\tlong\tas\tit's\trunning,\tundisturbed.\tAnd\twe\tnow\thave...\\\" He\tlooked\tdown\tat\this\twrist. 06:17:32... Sanchez\tlooked\tover\tand\tat\this\ttimer,\tas\twell.\tShe\tdidn't\thesitate.\tNot\teven\ta second. \\\"Oh,\twe'll\tget\tthere\tDalton.\tAnd\tyour\tlittle\tmagic\tfingers\twill\tdo\ttheir\tthing.\\\"","She\tplaced\ther\tfist\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\ttrio. \\\"All\tin?\\\" \\\"All\tthe\ttime,\\\"\twas\tthe\tsure\techo\tof\tthe\tmen. FORTY\tEIGHT The\tteam\tarrived,\tnumbered\tpiers\tin\tview\tand\tsea\tsalt\tin\tthe\tair.\tCars\tlined\tthe street,\tawaiting\ttransit\tto\tthe\tPeninsula\tand\tfrom\tthere\tnorthward\tto\tthe\tSan Juan\tIslands. Their\ttransition\tfrom\tSoDo\tDistrict\tto\twaterfront\tproved\tuneventful.\tThey'd moved\tunseen\tfrom\tthe\tsporting\tstadiums\tand\tthrough\theavy\tindustrial\tcorridors and\tseagoing\tshipping\tdocks.\tMechanical\tcranes\tswung\tand\tlifted\toverhead. Seaworthy\tvessels,\tas\tlong\tas\tthree\tfootball\tfields--standing\thigher\tthan\tyour average\tbuilding--placidly\treceived\ttheir\tcargo;\tgearing\tup\tfor\tanother\tcontest between\tinternational\tcorporations\tand\tthe\tunyielding\tforces\tof\tweather\tand water. Any\tcompetent\tmilitary\tunit\twould\thave\tbeen\tat\tleast\tminimally\talerted.\tThere were\tsimply\tnone\taround,\tcompetent\tor\totherwise.\tReassigning\tassets\tto\tthe rally\tleft\tthis\tsector\twith\tlittle\tin\tthe\tway\tof\ta\tsecurity\tpresence.\tA\tfew\tsleepy guards\tin\tlonely\tshacks. Irony.\tOr\tmaybe\tmore\tblessing. None\tof\tthe\tteammates\thad\teaten\trecently,\tnot\tsince\ttheir\tlast\tsteps\tout\tof\tthe Snoqualmie\tWilderness,\tmuch\tearlier\tin\tthis\tlong\tand\tstressful\tday.\tNow\tthey were\thungry.\tSo\tthey\tdid\twhat\tgood\toperators\tdo. Improvise. \\\"I\tdon't\tlike\tthis,\\\"\tSanchez\tconfessed.","The\tmen\tshot\tback\tequally\tuncomfortable\tlooks. \\\"I\tget\tit,\tSanchez.\tBut\twe\treally\tdon't\thave\tmany\toptions,\\\"\tDalton\toffered. \\\"You\tknow\twe'll\tget\ttagged\tif\twe\tdon't\tuse\tthe\tnew\tcitizen's\tprovision\tcard.\tWe'd also\tget\ttagged\tif\twe\tdid\tuse\tone.\tI\treally\twish\tthe\tteam\tback\tat\tClark\thad\tmore time.\tThe\tIDs\twere\tgenius.\tBanking\tis\ta\twhole\tother\tuniverse.\tYou\tknow\tthey would\thave\tcracked\tit\twith\ta\tfew\tmore\tdays\tmargin.\\\" \\\"Bloody\treds.\tThey've\tthought\tof\tevery\tway\tpossible\tto\tmake\tthese\tpeople cower.\\\" Loch\twas\tcorrect.\tRight\tdown\tto\thow\tmuch\tfood\tthey\tcould\tbuy\tand\tfrom where.\tCash,\teither\tAmerican\tor\tChinese\twas\tno\tlonger\ta\tusable\tcurrency\tin Penghu.\tNeither\twere\tbank\taccounts,\tas\tthose\thad\tall\tbeen\tfrozen\tuntil\tthe\tnew regime\tdecided\twho\tshould\thave\twhat\tkind\tof\tresources.\tOf\tcourse,\tanyone partnering\twith\tthe\tnew\tleadership\twould\tget\tmore\tthan\ttheir\tneighbors\tand friends.\tThat's\tthe\tway\tit\talways\tworks. These\tsobering\tfacts\tled\tthe\tteam\tto\tan\taction\tthey\tdespised,\teven--maybe especially--in\twartime. Dalton\ttook\tup\tobservation\toutside\ttheir\tmark,\ta\tNorthwest\ttrinkets\tand\ttourist shop\ton\tthe\tdocks,\this\tshoulder\ttoward\tthe\tstorefront\twindow\twhile\tstill\tfacing up\tthe\tsidewalk.\tIn\tthis\tposition\the\tcould\tboth\tkeep\tan\teye\ton\tthe\tstreet\twhile\this left-side\tperipheral\tmade\tsure\tall\twas\twell\tinside\tthe\tstore. \\\"As\tgood\ta\tplace\tas\tany,\tI\tguess.\tI'll\tmaintain\teyes\there.\tSanchez,\tyou\tcharm the\tpants\toff\tthe\tteenage\tboy\tat\tthe\tcounter...\tkeep\thim\tfrom\tnoticing\tLoch's pockets\tgetting\theavier.\\\" The\tglare\tfrom\tthe\tsniper\trecon\tback\tat\tDalton\twas\tas\tfatal\tas\tif\tshe'd\taimed and\tpulled\tthe\ttrigger\tfrom\tanything\tless\tthan\ta\tmile\taway.\tThough\tusing\tthe same\tactions\ton\tthe\tadmiring\tChinese\tsoldier\tback\tat\t25,\tthis\tstruck\ther\tas different.\tMaybe\tDalton's\twords\tcheapened\tthe\tstrategy's\tvalue. Regardless,\the\tabsorbed\tthe\tdisapproving\tlook,\tnodding\ttoward\tLoch\tand trying\tto\treflect\ther\tbrutal\tgaze. \\\"What?\tYou\tthink\the\tcan\tapproach\tsomething\teven\tresembling\tcharming?\\\" Her\teyes\tfollowed,\tlanding\ton\tthe\tScotsman. \\\"Point\ttaken,\\\"\tshe\tsaid.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tappreciate\tit,\tbut\tI\tsee\tyour\tpoint.\\\" \\\"Hey\tnow.\tWhat's\tnot\tto\tlove?\\\"\tLoch\tcountered,\tcircling\this\tface\twith\this\tright hand. At\tleast\tthat\twas\tsettled.","Dalton\twould\tbe\teyes-on.\tLoch,\tthe\tprocurement\tspecialist.\tSanchez,\tthe diversion. Two\tminutes\tin\tand\tout.\tThe\tscore:\tthree\tSnickers\tbars,\tfour\tpacks\tof\tpeanuts, and\ta\thandful\tof\tpenny\tcandies.\tEither\tLoch\twasn't\tall\tthat\tpicky\tor\tthe\tshop stocked\ta\tslim\tassortment.\tSanchez\tpulled\therself\taway\tfrom\tthe\tyoung\tman\tat the\tcounter,\thaving\tsuccessfully\tabsorbed\this\tteen\tattention\tspan\tas\tlong\tas needed.\tLittle\teffort\tkept\this\teyes\toff\tof\tLoch;\tyour\tbasic\tsmile\tand\ta\tslight leaning\tforward\twhile\tasking\tfor\tdirections. Oh.\tJust\tup\tthe\tstreet?\tThat\tway?\tReally? How\tdid\tI\tmiss\tit\tbefore?\tYou're\tso\thelpful. Mission\taccomplished,\tshe\twalked\tout\tthe\tfront\tdoor,\tturned\ttoward\tDalton and\tthen\tstopped,\teyes\tshifting\tto\tthe\tthree\tor\tfour\tfeet\tabove\thim. \\\"What?\\\" Dalton\tmoved\this\tleft\tshoulder\tawkwardly,\ttrying\tto\tcatch\twhat\twas\tso important\thanging\tover\this\thead. \\\"That,\\\"\ta\thalf\tsmile\tforming. Zeroed\tin\ton\tthe\tstreet\tand\topen\tdoorway,\the'd\tmissed\tit.\tThat,\tand\the\twas leaning\tagainst\tit. An\teagle's\thead. Beneath\tthat\ta\tmask,\tresembling\tthe\tface\tof\ta\tman. Next\tand\tbelow:\ta\tgrizzly's\twide\tsnout. On\tit\twent,\teach\tlevel\twonderfully\tcarved\tout\tof\tnative\thardwoods\tand reverently\thand-painted. \\\"Gotta\tbe\ta\tsign,\tright\tDalton?\\\" Though\tthe\tshop's\tfront\tdoor\ttotem\tstood\tout\tas\ta\tsomewhat\tprodigious happening,\tDalton\tcouldn't\tmuster\tup\tquite\tthe\tsame\tdegree\tof\tfaith. Nevertheless,\the\tslipped\this\tright\thand\tinto\tthe\tfront\tpocket\tof\this\tjeans, fingering\tthe\tsmaller\tfigurine\tthat\tStevens\thanded\thim\tway\tback\ton\tthe\tother side\tof\tthe\tmountains.\tIn\tmany\tways\tit\tfelt\tlike\ta\tdream,\tquite\ta\tfew\tnights\tpast. The\titem\tin\this\tpocket\tcut\tthrough\tall\tof\tthat,\tbringing\tsharp\tfocus\tto\tthe\tpresent. Dalton\tturned\tto\tthe\twindows\ton\this\tleft.\tThe\treflected\timage\tof\tthe\tten-foot- high\ttotem\tloomed\tlarge\tin\tthe\tglass\tstorefront. Operation\tRestore\tTotem,\thuh? Well,\there\twe\tgo. __________________________________","The\tOval\tOffice,\tWashington\tD.C. \\\"Correct,\tMr.\tPresident,\\\"\tAmbassador\tLocke\tdebriefed\tvia\tsecure\tline. \\\"The\tChinese\tAmbassador\tcontacted\tme\tdirectly,\textending\tthe\topportunity\tfor peaceful\tresolution\tof\tthe\tcurrent\tsituation.\\\" \\\"Peaceful,\tGary?\tThe\thostile\ttaking\tof\tone\tof\tour\tstates...\tsovereign\tterritory... an\tact\tthat\tcan\tbe\tresolved\tpeacefully?\tAre\tthey\tactually\tinsane?\tPlease,\ttell\tme there\tis\tmore\tto\tit\tthan\tthis.\\\" The\tformer\tAmbassador,\twith\tlittle\ttime\tto\tswing\tthe\tpresident\ttoward compromise,\tcountered\tas\tconvincingly\tas\the\tknew\thow. \\\"Mr.\tPresident.\tThey\tare\talso\taware\tof\tthe\tcode's\tdeterioration.\tThey\tfind themselves\tin\ta\tcompromised\tposition,\tyet\tnot\twholly\twithout\tadvantage.\tSizing up\tthe\tpossibilities,\tthey're\tseeking\topen\tchannels\tin\ta\tdesire\tto\tavoid\tthe\thorror we\tall\tknow\tis\tcoming\tif\thostilities\tescalate.\\\" \\\"What\tyou\tmean\tto\tsay\tis\tthey're\tscared\tspit-less,\\\"\tthe\tchief\texecutive responded.\t\\\"We\treassert\ta\tmeasure\tof\tcontrol.\tWe\tretaliate.\tThat's\tthe\tscore\tnow. And\tit\twould\tbe\tunderstood\tas\treasonable\tby\tmost\tof\tthe\tworld,\taside\tfrom\ttheir allies.\\\" The\tambassador\tdidn't\tstep\tin.\tHis\tinput\twas\tneither\trequired\tnor\trequested. The\tpresident\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath\tand\texhaled\tmarkedly.\tThe\tmost\tsignificant decision\tof\this\tnation's\thistory\twaited\tto\tbe\treleased\tin\twords,\tstated\tout\tloud. \\\"Gary,\there's\twhat\twe're\tgoing\tto\tdo.\tYou\ttell\tthem\tin\tclear\tand\tcertain\tterms: we\twant\tpeace\tas\twell.\tIt\twon't\tbe\tsimple.\tI\tmean,\ta\thundred\tthousand\tChinese troops\tare\tspread\tacross...\twhat\tare\tthey\tcalling\tit\tnow...\tPenghu?\\\" \\\"Correct,\tsir.\tPenghu\tProvince.\\\" \\\"Okay,\tyou\ttell\tthem\tto\tkeep\tchannels\topen.\tThat\twill\tbe\tall\tfor\tnow.\\\" Locke\tsighed,\trelieved.\tHanging\tup\tthe\tphone,\the\tleft\tto\tcommunicate\twith\this Chinese\tcontact. Two\tmen\tstepped\tout\tfrom\tan\tOval\tOffice\tside\troom,\thaving\tlistened\tin\ton\tthe entire\tconversation. \\\"Mr.\tPresident,\twe\twill\tassume--unless\totherwise\tinstructed--that\tin\tthe\tevent we\tregain\tour\tstrategic\tforces,\twe\thave\tthe\tgreen\tlight...\tto\temploy\tthem.\\\"","Silence. \\\"Thank\tyou,\tMr.\tPresident.\\\" It\thad\tbeen\tdecided. Peace\twould\tnot\tcome,\tregardless\tof\tthe\tcode\tdegeneration\tor\tharried negotiations\tcurrently\tunderway.\tThe\tpresident\thad\tbeen\twon\tover\tby\tvisions\tof certained,\tever-growing\tsubjugation\tfor\this\tcountry.\tThere\tcould\tbe\tno\treasoning with\ta\tnation-state\tholding\tviolent\texpansionism\tas\ttheir\tprimary\tgoal. This\twould\tstop\there\tand\tnow. Appeasement\twould\tinvite\tmore\tof\tthe\tsame.\tThe\tonly\tway\tforward\twas\twar. Full,\tunbridled\tnuclear\twar. In\teven\tthe\tmost\thope-filled\tprojections\tlittle\tof\teither\tcountry\tremained\tto\tbe inhabited\tonce\tthe\tconflagration\thad\tcleared.\tLittle\tleft\tof\ta\tpeople\tmanning\tthe forefront\tof\thuman\tdiscovery\tfor\tmillenia.\tLittle\tremaining\tof\ta\tnation\tthat\thad re-invented\tgovernment\tand\tfostered\tmodern\tnotions\tof\tliberty\tand\tprosperity. Grim\toutcomes\tto\tbe\tsure.\tBeijing\thad\tled\tthem\tall\tdown\tthis\tpath.\tIt\twas\tup\tto the\tAmerican\tCommander-in-Chief\tto\tpress\ton\tto\tthe\tinevitable. The\ttwo\tmen,\tone\tin\tfull\tdress\tuniform\tand\tthe\tother\ta\twell-tailored\tbusiness suit,\tleft.\tOnce\toutside,\tthe\tman\tin\tthe\tbusiness\tsuit\tpulled\ta\tpager\tfrom\this\tleft breast\tpocket,\tkeying\ta\tstring\tof\tcharacters\tand\thitting\tsend.\tThe\treturn\tping took\tonly\ta\tsecond. Received.\tUnderstood. __________________________________ And\tthen\tthe\tbrawny\tScot\tput\this\tmicro-pager\taway,\tboarding\tthe\tferry\tand keeping\tthe\torders\tto\thimself. __________________________________ Aboard\tthe\tMV\tKlickitat,\theading\twestward\ttoward\tthe\tPeninsula"]
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