Deep Black

69

The satellite image showing the troop movement came into the Art Room about ten seconds before the translated intercept was delivered, and in that small space Rubens feared that they had missed something, that their massive network of sensors and stations had somehow failed to pick up the command for the coup to begin — or worse, that they had picked up the signal but failed to interpret it properly.

But then it was like the start of a thunderstorm, information pouring in from every direction, more units starting to move.

“We have confirmation,” said Rubens, looking at Hadash. “Launch Piranha. Initiate the rest of the attacks.”

Hadash nodded. Telach pushed her button. The Piranha unit, ensconced in its own bunker in another part of Crypto City, unleashed the viruses. Within thirty seconds, Russian computer systems began to overload and fail. Meanwhile, the jammers began disrupting communications, and the other virus attacks were launched.

“Time to alert Kurakin,” Rubens told Hadash.

Hadash nodded. He told the aide on the other end of his phone line to put President Marcke on.

“They’re putting through the call now,” said Hadash. He listened for a second, then relayed a question from President Marcke. “Where is Kurakin?”

“Still at the Kremlin,” said Rubens.

“Negative,” corrected Telach. “He’s just getting into his limo to go out to the Education Building. We have that marked in sector three. He has a passenger.”

“Who?” asked Rubens.

“We’re working on it,” said Telach. She had to practically shout to make her voice heard over the din. “But we think it’s Vladimir Perovskaya, the defense minister.”

“Can’t be,” said Rubens. “He’s orchestrating the coup.”