Digital Fortress Chapter 11

Spain. I sent David to Spain. The commanders words stung.Davids in Spain? Susan was incredulous. You sent him to Spain? Her relish turned angry. Why?Strathmore looked dumbfounded. He was apparently non accustomed to macrocosm yelled at, even by his head cryptographer. He gave Susan a obscure look. She was flexed like a mother tiger defending her cub.Susan, he said. You verbalise to him, didnt you? David did explain?She was too shocked to speak. Spain? Thats why David postp whizd our St one and just now(a) Manor tripper?I sent a car for him this morning. He said he was going to scratch you before he left. Im sorry. I thought-Why would you put David to Spain?Strathmore paused and gave her an obvious look. To get the other pass-key.What other pass-key?Tankados copy.Susan was lost. What are you talking some?Strathmore sighed. Tankado surely would have had a copy of the pass-key on him when he died. I sure as hell didnt want it floating around the Seville morgue.So you sent David Becker? Susan was beyond shock. Nothing was making sense. David doesnt even work for youStrathmore looked startled. No one ever spoke to the deputy director of the NSA that way. Susan, he said, charge his cool, thats the point. I needed-The tiger lashed knocked out(p). Youve got twenty thousand employees at your command What gives you the remunerate to send my fiance?I needed a civil courier, psyche widely removed from government. If I went through regular channels and person caught wind-And David Becker is the only civilian you know?No David Becker is not the only civilian I know But at six this morning, things were happening apace David speaks the language, hes smart, I trust him, and I thought Id do him a esteemA regard? Susan sputtered. Sending him to Spain is a favor?Yes Im paying him 10 thousand for one days work. Hell pick up Tankados belongings, and hell fly home. Thats a favorSusan fell silent. She understood. It was all to the highest degree money.Her thoughts wheeled back five months to the shadow the president of Georgetown University had offered David a promotion to the language department chair. The president had warned him that his commandment hours would be cut back and that t here would be increased paperwork, that there was also a substantial raise in salary. Susan had wanted to cry out David, dont do it Youll be miserable. We have plenty of money-who cares which one of us earns it? But it was not her place. In the end, she stood by his decision to accept. As they fell asleep that night, Susan tried to be happy for him, but something wrong kept stateing her it would be a disaster. Shed been right-but shed never counted on macrocosm so right.You paid him ten thousand dollars? she demanded. Thats a dirty lavStrathmore was fuming now. Trick? It wasnt any goddamn trick I didnt even tell him about the money. I asked him as a personal favor. He hold to go.Of course he agreed Youre my boss Youre the deputy director of the NSA H e couldnt say noYoure right, Strathmore snapped. Which is why I called him. I didnt have the sumptuousness of-Does the director know you sent a civilian?Susan, Strathmore said, his patience apparently wearing thin, the director is not involved. He knows nothing about this.Susan stared at Strathmore in disbelief. It was as if she no longer knew the man she was talking to. He had sent her fiance-a teacher-on an NSA mission and then failed to notify the director about the biggest crisis in the history of the organization.Leland Fontaine hasnt been notified?Strathmore had reached the end of his rope. He exploded. Susan, now listen here I called you in here because I need an ally, not an inquiry Ive had one hell of morning. I downloaded Tankados file last night and sat here by the output printer for hours praying TRANSLTR could break it. At dawn I swallowed my pride and dialed the director-and let me tell you, that was a conversation I was actually looking forward to. Good morning, sir . Im sorry to wake you. Why am I craft? I just found out TRANSLTR is obsolete. Its because of an algorithm my entire top-dollar Crypto team couldnt come close to writing Strathmore slammed his fist on the desk.Susan stood frozen. She didnt make a sound. In ten eld, she had seen Strathmore lose his cool only a handful of times, and never once with her.Ten seconds later neither one of them had spoken. Finally Strathmore sat back down, and Susan could hear his breathing retardent to normal. When he finally spoke, his voice was eerily calm and controlled.Unfortunately, Strathmore said quietly, it turns out the director is in South America meeting with the President of Colombia. Because theres short nothing he could do from down there, I had two options-request he cut his meeting short and return, or storage area this myself. There was along silence. Strathmore finally looked up, and his tired eyes met Susans. His expression softened immediately. Susan, Im sorry. Im exhausted. This is a incubus come true. I know youre upset about David. I didnt specify for you to find out this way. I thought you knew.Susan felt a wander of guilt. I overreacted. Im sorry. David is a good choice.Strathmore nodded absently. Hell be back tonight.Susan thought about everything the commander was going through-the pressure of overseeing TRANSLTR, the endless hours and meetings. It was rumored his wife of thirty years was leaving him. Then on top of it, there was Digital apology-the biggest intelligence agency threat in the history of the NSA, and the poor guy was flying solo. No wonder he looked about to crack.Considering the circumstances, Susan said, I think you should probably call the director.Strathmore shook his head, a bead of sweat dripping on his desk. Im not about to compromise the directors safety or risk a escapism by contacting him about a major crisis he can do nothing about.Susan knew he was right. Even in moments like these, Strathmore was clear-headed. Have yo u considered calling the President?Strathmore nodded. Yes. Ive decided against it.Susan had figured as much. Senior NSA officials had the right to handle verifiable intelligence emergencies without executive knowledge. The NSA was the only U.S. intelligence organization that enjoyed total immunity from federal accountability of any sort. Strathmore often availed himself of this right he preferred to work his magic in isolation.Commander, she argued, this is too big to be handled alone. Youve got to let somebody else in on it.Susan, the existence of Digital Fortress has major implications for the future of this organization. I have no intention of ratting the President behind the directors back. We have a crisis, and Im handling it. He look her thoughtfully. I am the deputy director of operations. A weary smiling crept across his face. And besides, Im not alone. Ive got Susan Fletcher on my team.In that instant, Susan realized what she respected so much about Trevor Strathmore. For ten years, through thick and thin, he had ceaselessly led the way for her. Steadfast. Unwavering. It was his dedication that amazed her-his unshakable allegiance to his principles, his country, and his ideals. go up what may, Commander Trevor Strathmore was a guiding light in a manhood of impossible decisions.You are on my team, arent you? he asked.Susan smiled. Yes, sir, I am. One light speed percent.Good. Now can we get back to work?