Digital Fortress Chapter 19

What if psyche else is looking for the ring? Susan asked, suddenly nervous. Could David be in danger?Strathmore shook his head. nonentity else k instanters the ring exists. Thats why I sent David. I treasured to keep it that way. Curious spooks dont usually tail Spanish teachers.Hes a professor, Susan corrected, immediately regretting the clarification. Every now and again Susan got the feeling David wasnt good enough for the commander, that he thought somehow she could do better than a schoolteacher.Commander, she said, moving on, if you briefed David by car phone this morning, someone could have intercepted the-One-in-a-million shot, Strathmore interrupted, his tone reassuring. Any eavesdropper had to be in the immediate vicinity and manage exactly what to listen for. He put his hand on her shoulder. I would never have sent David if I thought it was dangerous. He smiled. Trust me. Any sign of trouble, and Ill send in the pros.Strathmores words were punctuated by the sudden aud itory sensation of someone pounding on the Node 3 glass. Susan and Strathmore turned.Sys-Sec Phil Chartrukian had his face pressed against the pane and was pounding fiercely, straining to see through. Whatever he was excitedly mouthing was non audible through the soundproofed glass. He looked like hed seen a ghost.What the hell is Chartrukian doing here? Strathmore growled. Hes not on duty today.Looks like trouble, Susan said. He probably saw the Run-Monitor. darned it the commander hissed. I specifically called the scheduled Sys-Sec last night and told him not to come inSusan was not surprised. Canceling a Sys-Sec duty was irregular, but Strathmore undoubtedly had wanted privacy in the dome. The last thing he needed was some paranoid Sys-Sec blowing the lid off Digital Fortress.We better abort TRANSLTR, Susan said. We can fix the Run-Monitor and tell Phil he was seeing things.Strathmore appeared to consider it, then shook his head. Not yet. TRANSLTR is fifteen hours into this att ack. I want to run it a full twenty-four- on the button to be sure.This make sense to Susan. Digital Fortress was the first ever use of a rotating cleartext function. Maybe Tankado had overlooked something maybe TRANSLTR would break it after twenty-four hours. Somehow Susan doubted it.TRANSLTR keeps running, Strathmore resolved. I need to know for sure this algorithm is untouchable.Chartrukian continued pounding on the pane.Here goes nothing. Strathmore groaned. Back me up.The commander took a deep breath and then strode to the slew glass doors. The pressure plate on the floor activated, and the doors hissed open.Chartrukian practically fell into the room. Commander, sir. I Im sorry to bother you, but the Run-Monitor I ran a virus study and-Phil, Phil, Phil, the commander gushed pleasantly as he put a reassuring hand on Chartrukians shoulder. Slow down. What seems to be the problem?From the easygoing tone in Strathmores voice, nobody would ever have guessed his world was falling i n around him. He stepped aside and ushered Chartrukian into the sacred walls of Node 3. The Sys-Sec stepped over the threshold hesitantly, like a well-trained dog that knew better.From the puzzled look on Chartrukians face, it was obvious hed never seen the inside of this place. Whatever had been the source of his panic was momentarily forgotten. He surveyed the plush interior, the line of mystical terminals, the couches, the bookshelves, the soft lighting. When his gaze fell on the reigning queen of Crypto, Susan Fletcher, he quickly looked away. Susan intimidated the hell out of him. Her mind worked on a divergent plane. She was unsettlingly beautiful, and his words always seemed to get jumbled around her. Susans unassuming air made it even worse.What seems to be the problem, Phil? Strathmore said, opening the refrigerator. Drink?No, ah-no, thank you, sir. He seemed tongue-tied, not sure he was truly welcome. Sir I think theres a problem with TRANSLTR.Strathmore closed the refri gerator and looked at Chartrukian casually. You mean the Run-Monitor?Chartrukian looked shocked. You mean youve seen it?Sure. Its running at slightly sixteen hours, if Im not mis taken.Chartrukian seemed puzzled. Yes, sir, sixteen hours. But thats not all, sir. I ran a virus probe, and its turning up some pretty strange stuff.Really? Strathmore seemed unconcerned. What diversity of stuff?Susan watched, impressed with the commanders performance.Chartrukian stumbled on. TRANSLTRs processing something very innovational. The filters have never seen anything like it. Im afraid TRANSLTR may have some sort of virus.A virus? Strathmore chuckled with just a hint of condescension. Phil, I appreciate your concern, I really do. But Ms. Fletcher and I are running a new diagnostic, some very advanced stuff. I would have alerted you to it, but I wasnt aware you were on duty today.The Sys-Sec did his best to cover gracefully. I switched with the new guy. I took his weekend shift.Strathmores eyes narrowed. Thats odd. I spoke to him last night. I told him not to come in. He said nothing about switching shifts.Chartrukian felt a knot rise in his throat. There was a tense silence.Well. Strathmore finally sighed. Sounds like an unfortunate mix-up. He put a hand on the Sys-Secs shoulder and led him toward the door. The good give-and-take is you dont have to stay. Ms. Fletcher and I will be here all day. Well hold the fort. You just enjoy your weekend.Chartrukian was hesitant. Commander, I really think we should check the-Phil, Strathmore repeated a little more sternly, TRANSLTR is fine. If your probe saw something strange, its because we put it there. Now if you dont mind Strathmore trailed off, and the Sys-Sec understood. His time was up.A diagnostic, my ass Chartrukian muttered as he fumed back into the Sys-Sec lab. What harming of looping function keeps three million processors busy for sixteen hours?Chartrukian wondered if he should call the Sys-Sec supervisor. Goddamn cry ptographers, he thought. They just dont understand securityThe oath Chartrukian had taken when he joined Sys-Sec began running through his head. He had sworn to use his expertise, training, and brain to protect the NSAs multibillion-dollar investment.Instinct, he said defiantly. It doesnt take a psychic to know this isnt any goddamn diagnosticDefiantly, Chartrukian strode over to the terminal and fired up TRANSLTRs complete array of system assessment software.Your babys in trouble, Commander, he grumbled. You dont trust instinct? Ill get you proof