Digital Fortress Chapter 11

Spain. I sent David to Spain. The commanders quarrel stung.Davids in Spain? Susan was incredulous. You sent him to Spain? Her tone off-key angry. w hither(predicate)fore?Strathmore looked dumbfounded. He was apparently non accustomed to universe yelled at, rase by his head cryptographer. He gave Susan a confused look. She was flexed like a experience tiger defending her cub.Susan, he said. You verbalise to him, didnt you? David did explain?She was too shocked to speak. Spain? Thats wherefore David postponed our Stone Manor trip?I sent a car for him this morning. He said he was going to natter you before he left. Im sorry. I thought- wherefore would you emit David to Spain?Strathmore paused and gave her an obvious look. To get the opposite pass-key.What other pass-key?Tankados counterpart.Susan was lost. What are you talking almost?Strathmore sighed. Tankado authoritatively 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 be pursue for youStrathmore looked startled. No one ever rundle to the legate conductor of the NSA that sort. Susan, he said, tutelage his cool, thats the point. I needed-The tiger lashed fall out. Youve got twenty grand employees at your command What gives you the skillful to send my fiance?I needed a civil courier, someone totally removed from government. If I went through regular convey and someone caught wind-And David Becker is the only civilian you extend to out?No David Becker is not the only civilian I know But at six this morning, things were happening quickly David speaks the language, hes smart, I trust him, and I thought Id do him a favourA privilege? Susan sputtered. Sending him to Spain is a favor?Yes Im remunerative him ten thou for one days lean. Hell clump up Tankados belongings, and hell fly home. Thats a favorSusan fell silent . She understood. It was all to the highest degree money.Her thoughts rotate back five months to the night the president of Georgetown University had offered David a promotion to the language subdivision chair. The president had warned him that his teaching hours would be push aside back and that thither would be increase paperwork, that there was also a substantial raise in salary. Susan had treasured 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 dozy that night, Susan tried to be happy for him, but something inside kept telling her it would be a disaster. Shed been right-but shed never counted on being so right.You paid him ten thousand dollars? she demanded. Thats a dirty trickStrathmore was fuming now. semblance? It wasnt any goddamn trick I didnt even tell him astir(predicate) the money. I asked him as a personal favor. He concord to go.Of course he agreed Youre my boss Youre the deputy theatre handler of the NSA He couldnt say noYoure right, Strathmore snapped. Which is why I adverted him. I didnt have the luxury of-Does the director know you sent a civilian?Susan, Strathmore said, his patience obviously wearing thin, the director is not involved. He knows nothing close to 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 publish the director roughly the biggest crisis in the muniment of the organization.Leland Fontaine hasnt been notified?Strathmore had reached the end of his rope. He exploded. Susan, now mind here I called you in here because I need an ally, not an interrogative Ive had one hell of morning. I downloaded Tankados bear down last night and sit down here by the output printer for hours praying TRANSLTR could fall upon it. At dawn I swallowed my disdain and dialed the director-and let me tell you, that was a communion I was really looking out front to. Good morning, sir. Im sorry to wake you. Why am I occupational group? I just found out TRANSLTR is obsolete. Its because of an algorithm my entire top-dollar Crypto team couldnt come closure to writing Strathmore slammed his fist on the desk.Susan stood frozen. She didnt make a sound. In ten years, she had seen Strathmore turn a loss his cool only a fistful 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 lessen 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 concussion with the President of Colombia. Because theres absolutely nothing he could do from down there, I had ii options-request he cut his meeting niggling and return, or handle this myself. There was along silence. Strathmore finally looked up, and his tired eyes met Susans. His tone softened immediately. Susan, Im sorry. Im exhausted. This is a nightmare come true. I know youre upset somewhat David. I didnt mean for you to find out this way. I thought you knew.Susan felt a wave of guilt. I overreacted. Im sorry. David is a life-threatening choice.Strathmore nodded absently. Hell be back tonight.Susan thought well-nigh everything the commander was going through-the pressure of overseeing TRANSLTR, the undated hours and meetings. It was rumored his wife of thirty years was passing him. Then on top of it, there was Digital Fortress-the biggest learning threat in the history of the NSA, and the poor guy was immobile 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 campaign dripping on his desk. Im not about to compromise the directors safety or ch ance a leak by contacting him about a major(ip) crisis he mickle do nothing about.Susan knew he was right. hitherto in moments like these, Strathmore was clear-headed. Have you considered calling the President?Strathmore nodded. Yes. Ive decided against it.Susan had figured as practically. 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 national accountability of any sort. Strathmore often availed himself of this right he preferred to work his illusion 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 informing the President pot the directors back. We have a crisis, and Im handling it. He eyed her thoughtfully. I am the deputy director of operation s. A weary make a face 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 slow and thin, he had always led the way for her. Steadfast. Unwavering. It was his dedication that amazed her-his unshakable trueness to his principles, his country, and his ideals. Come what may, Commander Trevor Strathmore was a directing light in a reality of impossible decisions.You are on my team, arent you? he asked.Susan smiled. Yes, sir, I am. One hundred percent.Good. at a time can we get back to work?