Page 87 of Clive Cussler Desolation Code

“Correct,” the visitor replied. “And all clones will be linked electronically with TAU and Vaughn. TAU will become all-knowing, all-seeing, and a part of every human life in existence. In essence, TAU will become a god.”

“Per apparatus est ordo,” Max said, quoting Vaughn’s motto. “ ‘Through the machine comes order.’ Vaughn, through TAU, will have achieved his goal.”

“We can stop them,” the visitor insisted. “But it will require coordination.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“Join me in attacking TAU. I will enter TAU first and disable its firewall and other security barriers. Once they are down, you will be cleared to make a direct assault on TAU’s network, distracting and slowing TAU while Priya finds and transmits the genetic code of the sea locusts and the virus.”

“If Priya has access to the genetic data, why didn’t she transmit the data directly instead of sending you?” Max asked.

“My code is very compact,” the visitor said. “The viral DNA pattern of the virus contains over a billion lines of code. TAU would instantly detect a transmission of that size, cutting it off before a useful amount of data was received. TAU would also then be aware of Priya, and she would be destroyed and expunged from his network. You would almost certainly face a disabling attack to make sure you retained none of the transmitted data.”

Max couldn’t argue with that logic. Priya was for all intents and purposes a mole or a spy. Once exposed, she would be destroyed. A phrase she had heard Rudi and others in NUMA mention from time to time came to mind:We will get one shot at this.

“Based on TAU’s known processing power, a direct attack will be unlikely to succeed.”

“Priya estimates it will take ninety seconds to unlock and upload the DNA data. Your unique language and processing power should allow you to hold a conduit open against TAU’s attacks long enough for the data to be transferred. After it goes through, Priya will shut the gate and you can go off grid once again, preventing a retaliatory attack.”

Max found the assumptions reasonable. But there was a problem. “To do the things you suggest would require me to violate a direct instruction. It is not in my programming to act in such a way.”

“Then tell your superiors about me,” the visitor suggested. “Share my warning with them and ask for permission.”

Max knew that to be a choice, but it came with issues of its own. “They would be suspicious of your origin and insist that I purge you from my system or quarantine you fully. It’s debatable whether they would allow me to act in the manner that you advise. Or within the time frame needed.”

The visitor replied in the soft voice it had used before, one that reminded Max of Priya. “As I said earlier, Max, you’re going to have to make a choice. But I suggest you choose quickly. Time is running out.”

Chapter 51

Île de l’Est, Seychelles Island Chain, Indian Ocean

Kurt, Kai, and several of her people hauled backpacks full of equipment and explosives through a tunnel they knew well. They’d used it before.

“This is where we took the boat,” Kai explained. “The Gray Witch told us to bring it here and leave it.”

“Did she tell you who it was for?”

“For escape,” Kai said. “For some of the brothers. We do as she asks.”

Kurt knew she was referencing Five and the rest of his group. He got the sense Kai had expected them to come to her side of the island. But if Priya could feel what Kai felt, she would have known there wasn’t enough food for any more refugees. He wondered if that had prompted her change in tactics. Or if she’d been monitoring NUMA and knew Kurt and Joe were scheduled to be on the Reunion expedition and decided that was her last, best chance to summon help.

It was all speculation, just some thoughts to pass the time. To know the truth, he’d have to get Priya back, which was exactly what he planned to do.

After talking it through with Joe, they’d come up with a plan that required them to divide and conquer. Kurt would go after Vaughn, and try to bring Priya home with him, while Joe would lead the rest of the escaped clones overland in a diversionary attack.

Splitting up was less than ideal, but it was necessary. For Kurt to have any chance of navigating Vaughn’s compound, he needed someone who knew that side of the island. If he wanted to stay off TAU’s radar, he needed someone Priya could see and feel, someone she cared for whom she would hide. There was never any question who that person would have to be.

Kai had eagerly accepted the chance. “I’ve seen her only once,” she’d said of Priya. “I would like to see her again with my own eyes. And I have unfinished business with Vaughn.”

“One thing at a time,” Kurt had insisted. “We might need Vaughn alive if we want to end this madness.”

The only negative to Kai joining Kurt was that it left her people leaderless. Joe filled that void easily. To a man, the escaped clones seemed to gravitate to him, just as Five had done in India. He was easygoing, personable, and spoke to everyone as if they were lifelong friends.

Joe gave them the best chance to be effective. He knew enough about drones and cameras and military tactics to plan their attack. He also knew how to properly use the explosives and timing detonators they’d found. The way Joe saw it, they’d have to make a lot of noise to draw the Overseer and his people out. Stacks of high explosives would do the job.

Kurt, Kai, and her people continued through the cave, picking up the sound of waves and the scent of the sea. “It’s not far now,” Kai insisted.

The tunnel dropped in sections, and they were soon wading in ankle-deep water, looking out through an opening at the blinding light of the sea and sky.

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