All over the world, digital devices of all descriptions, from supercomputers to smartphones, experienced a sudden drop in performance as their processors were all simultaneously tasked with cracking a tiny piece of a vast puzzle. For years to come, experts would debate what had caused what came to be known as “the big dip.” Some claimed it must have been a sophisticated virus of some kind, others that it must have been sunspot activity. None of them guessed that all of these devices were being harnessed in the single greatest piece of parallel computation in history. Otto felt the calculations coursing through him, as he acted as a conduit to the near boundless power that so many devices acting in unison contained and slowly the wall in front of him began to crumble.
In the Glasshouse the Disciple datacore triggered its highest-level alarm as it detected an intrusion threat within its own systems. The technician who was manning the security station frowned as he read the messages that were flowing past on his screen.
“That’s impossible,” he muttered to himself. He ran a couple more checks and his eyes widened in surprise. Impossible it may have been, but it was happening right now regardless. He picked up the phone next to his station and frantically punched in a number.
“Ma’am, we have a potentially serious breach of the Disciple network taking place,” the technician explained quickly. “I need you up here right away.”
A minute later Anastasia Furan walked quickly into the room to see several of her computer technicians gathered around one terminal, talking quickly and quietly to each other.
“Report,” Furan snapped as she approached them.
“Something’s burrowing through the firewalls,” one of the technicians explained nervously. “We’re not sure how or why.”
“I was assured that was impossible,” Furan replied with a frown.
“That’s the thing,” the technician said, “it is. It would take the most powerful supercomputer on the planet hundreds of years to brute-force the encryption we’re using, but something out there is doing it in minutes.”
“Where is the attack coming from?” Furan asked.
“We have no idea—something is preventing us from running a back-trace,” the man replied, shaking his head.
“I’ve got something,” another technician said. “The attack’s origin device has a Disciple transponder ID.”
“Which device does the ID code link to?” Furan asked, feeling a creeping sense of unease.
“Erm, it was . . .”—he scrolled down a list of names, searching for the matching number—“. . . a field operative, Gretchen Metzer.”
“If someone cracks the encryption on that transmitter would they be able to trace its transmissions back here?” Furan demanded.
“Yes, as long as the link’s active they would be able to trace the transmission here.”
“Can we shut that device down?” Furan demanded.
“Yes, its transmissions to us are being blocked, but whoever’s doing this can’t stop us transmitting to the device. We can send a kill-code and destroy it.”
“Then do it!” Furan yelled. “Do it now!”
In H.I.V.E.’s datacore Nero and Professor Pike heard a sudden high-pitched whine from the cylinder in Otto’s hands. They exchanged a quick look and Nero dashed over to where Otto was sitting, plucking the device out of his hands and tossing it over the nearby railing. As it fell toward the array of black monoliths that made up H.I.V.E.mind’s data storage it detonated in midair with a soft thump, tiny pieces of debris scattering in all directions.
Within the data void, just a few seconds earlier, the red wall had finally crumbled and Otto flew through its shattered remains, chasing the scarlet filament to its destination. He followed the Disciple device’s transmission, bouncing at lightning speed from node to node of the global communications network, narrowing down the source. Suddenly, the glowing red filament snapped, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
“NO!” Otto yelled into the void. He spun around hunting for any remaining sign of the trace, but it had disappeared. He had been within seconds of isolating the transmission source, but now he had nothing. He felt a moment of overwhelming despair. With the loss of the trace they had lost their one and only chance of finding his friends.
I am sorry, Otto, H.I.V.E.mind said, appearing in the void beside him. The Disciples transmitted a self-destruct code to the transmitter. It has been irreparably damaged.
Otto cursed under his breath. They had been so close.
“Do you have a recording of the transmission?” Otto asked, knowing that it would almost certainly be useless.
Yes, H.I.V.E.mind replied, passing him a glowing red shard.
Otto studied it for a moment. The transmission was larger than he had expected. It should have been a simple command code, nothing more and yet . . . He looked more closely at the glowing shard that was really only a three-dimensional virtual representation of the transmission. There was something moving inside it. Otto tipped his head to one side, removing the outer data layer of the file. Hidden within was what looked like a tiny glowing worm. He touched the worm and absorbed the data contained within it. A moment later a huge smile appeared on his glowing avatar’s face.
“Laura Brand, you’re a genius.”
“The Glasshouse is somewhere within this area,” Otto said, highlighting an area on the large map of the Antarctic that filled the glowing surface of the table in the middle of H.I.V.E.’s tactical operations area.
“You’re certain?” Nero asked with a slight frown. “There’s no way that the message from Miss Brand could have been faked? We could be being led into a trap.”
“I’m certain,” Otto said. “It’s hard to explain, but every programmer’s code has certain signatures. This was a Laura Brand hack, I’m certain of it. The worm she hid inside that transmission kept a record of every router it passed through. The last one was a comsat that provides communication coverage for research stations within this area. I suspect that the Disciples have hijacked it for their own purposes.”
“That’s a pretty big area,” Colonel Francisco said, studying the map. “It could take months to find Furan in terrain like that.”
“That’s where Nathaniel comes in,” Otto said, gesturing to the old man.
“How can I help?” Nathaniel asked, looking slightly puzzled.
“You said that you were only given details of the geology and topography of the area where the Glasshouse was to be built, correct?” Otto asked.
“I think I see where you’re going with this,” Nathaniel replied.
“If Nathaniel can give H.I.V.E.mind a reasonably accurate re-creation of that data he can cross-reference it with the topography and geology of the area and that should give us a much smaller number of potential sites,” Otto explained.
“My main concern is that they will realize that we have their location,” Raven said. “If Furan thinks for a moment that we’ve figured out where the Glasshouse is, she’ll evacuate. Could someone else find the data that Laura hid inside that file?”
“It’s possible, yes,” Otto said. “I have no idea how she got the virus inside the Disciples’ network, but it would have to be designed to spread quickly and via as many different systems as possible for it to make its way to us. That increases the chances of someone finding it and if they do I doubt it’s going to take them that long to figure out where it came from.”
“And when they do, she’s dead,” Raven said matter-of-factly.
“So we need to move quickly,” Nero replied. “H.I.V.E.mind, please work with my father to digitize his plans of Furan’s facility and narrow down its location. I want the rest of you to analyze the plans and come up with tactical options. You have twelve hours.”
As the others left the room, Professor Pike walked up to Otto.
“How are you feeling?” the Professor asked.
“Fine, tired, but okay,” Otto replied.
“I’m not surprised you’re tired,” the Professor said, shaking his he
ad. “Your biometric readings were unbelievable. It was like you were running a marathon. If you don’t mind me asking, harnessing all that computational power, how did it feel?”
“Honestly?” Otto said with a tired-looking smile. “Terrifying.”
“I should imagine it did,” the Professor said. “H.I.V.E.mind told me what you went through. It was a brave thing you did, Otto. Not everyone may appreciate that, but I do.”
“Thanks, Professor,” Otto said. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to go and try and get a couple of hours’ sleep as I don’t need to worry about blocking the signal from that Disciple transmitter any more.”
“Of course,” the Professor replied.
Otto walked into the corridor outside, before letting out a sigh. He hadn’t told the Professor the whole truth, of course. He didn’t want anyone worrying about him. The truth was that the experience in the datacore had been terrifying and exhausting, but what he hadn’t told anyone was that it was one of the most exhilarating things he had ever felt. Somehow the body he was walking around in now felt very small and weak. Part of him supposed that feeling would fade in time, but there was another part of him, a part that worried he would never feel quite the same again.
The following morning Otto woke up feeling like he’d been beaten up during the night. He was stiff, sore, and had a pounding headache. He sat up in bed with a groan and rubbed at his throbbing temples. Wing came out of the bathroom at the rear of the quarters they had shared since they had both first arrived at H.I.V.E. and looked at his friend with concern.
“You look unwell, Otto,” Wing said, sitting down on the bed opposite. “Perhaps you should rest a little longer. I’m sure that Doctor Nero would understand.”
“It’s not Nero I’m worried about,” Otto said, rubbing the back of his neck. “We can’t afford any delays. If Furan figures out what Laura did . . . well . . . it won’t be good.”
“I understand,” Wing said. “If something were to threaten Shelby I would feel the same way.”
“That’s different,” Otto said. “You and Shel, you’re . . . y’know . . . a couple. Me and Laura are just friends.”
“Really?” Wing said, raising an eyebrow.
“Okay, look, I don’t know what me and Laura are,” Otto said with a tired groan. “I thought something was happening between us, but then there was the Hunt and . . . it’s complicated.”
“You are fond of her, she is fond of you,” Wing replied. “It actually doesn’t get much simpler.”
“Yeah, well, as it stands, I’m not even sure if I’ll ever see her again,” Otto said, “and even if I do there’s no guarantee that Nero will allow her to come back to H.I.V.E., or even if she’ll want to.”
“It’s strange, isn’t it,” Wing said with a smile. “I remember when we arrived here and all we wanted to do was leave. Now it seems like home.”
“For us maybe,” Otto replied, “but we never really had homes before, not in any traditional sense, but Laura . . . well, she might not feel the same. Especially after what happened with her family being kidnapped and everything.”
“In my experience, trying to second-guess how a girl is feeling is rather like juggling with chainsaws—fine as long as you get it right, disastrous, not to mention messy, if you get it wrong,” Wing replied.
“I dunno,” Otto said, getting up and walking toward the bathroom. “I go away for a few months and you’ve turned into an expert on relationships. Here I was thinking all you knew was how to kick someone’s ass. I never knew you were such a ladies’ man.”
Wing laughed and stood up as Otto headed into the bathroom.
“It is good to have you back, my friend,” Wing said as he went toward the door. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
Otto smiled to himself as he looked in the mirror. Wing was right—it was good to be back, but he wouldn’t, he couldn’t rest until they’d rescued everyone from Furan’s clutches.
“And when we’ve done that,” Otto said to his reflection, “you’re going to sleep for a week.”
Dr. Nero looked up from the report on various G.L.O.V.E. facilities’ tactical readiness as the entry buzzer to his office chimed softly. Nero pressed the button on his desk to open the door.
“Come in, Mr. Malpense,” Nero said, “what can I do for you?”
“I want to talk to you about the assault on the Glasshouse,” Otto said as he came over and stood in front of Nero’s desk.
“The tactical briefing is not for another two hours, Otto. Can’t it wait until then?” Nero asked.
“No, I don’t think it can,” Otto replied.
“Very well, have a seat,” Nero said, gesturing to one of the chairs facing him. “Are you recovered from your experience in the datacore?”
“I’m fine, bit of a headache, but other than that I’m fully recovered,” Otto lied. He wasn’t about to show any sign that he might not be ready for whatever the next twenty-four hours was going to throw at them.
“Good,” Nero replied. “We wouldn’t have been able to get a fix on the Glasshouse’s location without you. I appreciate your efforts, not just in the past few hours, but also in the past few months. Raven informs me that you have become quite the capable field agent.”
“She didn’t need that much looking after,” Otto said with a wry smile.
“I’m sure she didn’t,” Nero said, raising an eyebrow. “Now what exactly was it that you wanted to discuss?”
“I want to be included on the Glasshouse rescue mission,” Otto said. “There are bound to be security systems that only I can deal with and—”
“You’re going,” Nero said, cutting Otto off. “I was not merely being polite when I praised your efforts a moment ago. You have become a most competent operative over the past few years and I have learned that it’s rather pointless trying to stop you in these situations. Hence my decision to include you in any rescue attempt. You’ve earned that right. Now is there anything else? I do have rather a lot of paperwork to catch up on.”
“There is one other th—”
“Mr. Fanchu and Miss Trinity are also on the list,” Nero said, picking up the report from his desk. “I’ve no doubt you had some sort of elaborate blackmail planned that would leave me no choice but to include them anyway, but it’s really not necessary,” Nero said. “You’d only smuggle them aboard one of the assault Shrouds or some such nonsense if I didn’t. You function exceptionally well as a team and your unique skill sets are particularly suited to a mission of this kind.”
“Okay, well . . . erm . . . that was easier than I was expecting,” Otto said, looking slightly surprised. “There is just one more thing. I want to take Franz.”
“Do you believe that Mr. Argentblum is ready for an assignment of this nature?” Nero asked, looking Otto in the eye.
“When we were trying to evade the Disciple tracking teams after the Hunt he took a helicopter down with an assault rifle at more than half a mile out,” Otto said. “He’s the best natural shot I’ve ever seen and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have watching my back with a rifle.”
“Yes, Raven’s report after the Hunt mentioned that fact,’ Nero said. “I was, shall we say, somewhat surprised.”
“Check his simulator scores,” Otto said. “No one else comes close on the range.”
“I know that, Mr. Malpense,” Nero said, placing the report back on his desk, “but I repeat my earlier question. Do you think he’s ready? You are one of the most promising Alpha stream students that has ever attended this school, Otto, but the most important skill that you need to survive as a leader in our world is, I’m afraid, not one I can teach you. To lead, you must decide what demands you can reasonably place on those who serve under you. It is your decision whether or not Mr. Argentblum comes with you on this mission, and you must live with the consequences of that decision.”
Otto looked Nero in the eye for a moment and then nodded.
“He’s ready,” Otto said. “He may not realize
it himself, but he’s ready.”
“Very well.” Nero nodded. “Then I shall add him to the list.”
“I won’t bother you any further,” Otto said, standing up and walking over to the door. Just as he was about to leave he stopped and turned to face Nero again. “Thank you,” Otto said.
“For what, Mr. Malpense?” Nero replied. “This mission will be exceptionally hazardous. Most sane people would be grateful to not be included in the team attempting to undertake it.”
“Maybe,” Otto said, “but I appreciate the faith you’ve placed in me. I won’t let you down.”
Otto turned and walked out of the room.
“You never have, Mr. Malpense,” Nero said to himself as the door hissed shut, “you never have.”
Otto and Franz walked into H.I.V.E.’s tactical operations center, with Wing and Shelby just behind them.
“I am not being so sure about this, Otto,” Franz said, swallowing nervously as he saw the other people gathered around the room. Raven and Francisco were on the far side engaged in hushed conversation, the Colonel pointing something out to Raven on the tablet device that he held in his hand. At the far end of the large black glass table that dominated the center of the room Darkdoom and Nero were both looking at the map that was displayed on its surface.
“You’ll be fine, Franz,” Otto said quietly as they walked over to the table. “Just imagine they’re all naked.”
Franz glanced over at Nathaniel and Professor Pike who were studying a large blueprint at the other end of the table.
“I am not being sure that is a very good idea,” Franz said with a look of faint disgust.
“Okay, maybe you’re right,” Otto said with a grin. “Just keep your ears open and be ready to answer any questions.”