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‘What did you do?’
‘We blocked all incoming traffic. We’re restoring the servers now and developing filters. We hope to have comms up again within an hour. I should add that weapons command and control, which is ring-fenced in a different system, was not affected.’
‘Something to be thankful for. Who was responsible?’
‘The incoming flood was from many servers around the world, but mostly Russia. The true origin was almost certainly North Korea. Apparently, there’s a detectable signature. However, I’m now at the limit of my understanding. I’m reporting the findings of specialists at the Pentagon.’
‘In the crèche, probably,’ Pauline said, and Gus chuckled. ‘But why now?’ Pauline asked. ‘North Korea has been hostile to us for decades. Today they suddenly realized it was time to attack our systems. What’s their thinking?’
Luis said: ‘All strategists agree that cyber warfare is an essential prelude to the real thing.’
‘So this means that the Supreme Leader thinks North Korea will soon be at war with the US.’
‘I’d say they think theymaysoon be at war, more probably with South Korea, but given the close US–South Korea alliance they would like to weaken us as a precaution.’
Pauline looked at Gus, who said: ‘I agree with Luis.’
‘So do I,’ she said. ‘Are we planning to retaliate with our own cyberattack, Luis?’
‘The local commander is mulling it, and I haven’t forced the issue,’ Luis said. ‘We have massive cyberwar resources, but he’s reluctant to show his hand.’
Gus put in: ‘When we deploy our cyber weapons, we want it to be a terrific shock to the enemy, something for which they haven’t adequately prepared.’
‘I get that,’ said Pauline. ‘But the government in Seoul may not be so restrained.’
Luis said: ‘Yes. In fact, I suspect they may have hit back already. Why did that North Korean submarine approach the naval base at Jeju? Perhaps its systems were down and it had lost navigation.’
Pauline said sadly: ‘All those men dead for no damn reason.’ She looked up. ‘All right, Luis, thank you.’
‘Thank you, Madam President.’ Luis left.
Gus said: ‘Do you want to talk to Chester before he calls Beijing and Seoul?’
‘Yes. Thank you for reminding me.’
‘I’ll bring him in.’
Pauline watched Gus as he talked on the phone. She was thinking about what had happened when Gerry and Pippa were away. Gerry had gone to bed with Amelia Judd and Pauline had nearly thought about going to bed with Gus. Her marriage could be rescued, she knew, and she would try to make that happen – she had to, for Pippa’s sake – but in her heart she wanted something else.
Gus hung up and said: ‘Chess is across the street in the Eisenhower Building. He’ll be here in five minutes.’
The White House was like this. Work was intense for hours, and while that was happening her concentration was unshakeable; then suddenly there was a pause, and the rest of her life came flooding back in.
Gus said quietly: ‘In five years, you’ll be out of this office.’
‘Maybe in a year,’ she said.
‘But more likely five.’
She studied his face and saw a strong man struggling to express deep emotion. She wondered what was coming. She felt shaky. That surprised her: she never felt shaky.
He said: ‘Pippa will be at college in five years.’
She nodded. She thought: What am I scared of?
He said: ‘You’ll be free.’
She said: ‘Free…’
