Mark Pryor - Cyberian Affair

“There’s a major refinery fire at Rockefeller Petroleum in Harrisburg, east of Houston. Five storage tanks are on fire and emergency crews are trying to keep it from spreading to other tanks. Homeland believes it was a cyber-attack.”

Vyper yelled at the phone. “Of course it is. We warned Homeland weeks ago. You said they would handle it. You told us to leave it alone. Now you ask for our help?”

Smith’s voice was calm but firm. “So far, no casualties have been reported, but that could change. I need you to work with Homeland. I’m transferring you to the response team.”

A man with a southern accent came on the line. “Williams here. They tell me you can help.”

“This is Harris. What happened. How did it start?”

“A large pool of gasoline at Lamar Refinery formed out of nowhere and ignited, triggering several explosions. None of Rockefeller’s equipment detected any leak, but it should have.”

“Did they shut down all the pumps moving flammable liquids throughout the refinery?”

“It’s an extensive operation. They turned off everything near the affected area.”

Vyper looked at Niko and threw her hands in the air, then she faced the phone. “If you suspect a cyber-attack, why did you limit the shutdown area?”

“Like I said, it’s a large operation.”

“Stop all the pumps—throughout Lamar. And block external network access. You must not allow it to spread.”

“We’ll do as you recommend with the network. As far as the pumps, I’ll forward your request to Rockefeller management.”

Vyper rolled her eyes. “Give me access to the network—a satellite link if necessary.”

For the next two hours, Vyper worked with Homeland to inspect all systems in the Lamar network. The cyber infection was extensive, spreading to dozens of flow computers and other industrial controls. Despite her pleas, Rockefeller didn’t stop any equipment outside the affected region.

Niko watched the news coverage. Images of flames and thick black smoke played in the background while reporters interviewed local officials. Area roads were shut down. Residents in nearby Harrisburg were told to shelter in place.

Vyper yelled into the phone, “There is a new leak. Sensors show a sudden pressure drop but the computer is not reporting it to operations staff.” She gave the details to Homeland.

A breaking news chyron ran across the bottom of the TV broadcast. A reporter explained the situation. “Emergency crews have been deployed to the site of a new leak. Officials have not identified the—”

An explosion appeared on the TV. Flames and black smoke shot up. The image jiggled and shifted for a better view.

On the speaker phone, Williams from Homeland spoke. “We’re shutting down all pumps at Lamar.”

As the hours passed, Vyper helped identify and restore the software on all operational systems at Lamar. She also inspected systems in refineries throughout Texas and Louisiana searching for signs of an attack. It was after midnight by the time Homeland declared it to be contained.

Mr. Smith came on the phone. “I want to express my thanks, and the thanks of Texas and the nation, for saving lives and mitigating the damage. To protect you, we have concealed your identity, but we are in debt to you nevertheless.”

Vyper shook her head. “It did not have to be this bad. Next time listen to what I tell you.”

Niko moved closer to the phone. “Now that Vyper restored Rockefeller’s service, is our Nassau operation over? Do we go home?”

“Definitely not,” said Smith. “The Russians have already begun planning another attack. They won’t give up until we stop them.”

“Another attack? What’s their new target?” asked Niko.

“It’s getting late. I can brief you tomorrow.” Silence hung in the air for a few long seconds. “I’ll tell you this much. One of their targets is the Calvert Cliffs power plant southeast of DC.”

Vyper raised an eyebrow. “That is nuclear.”

“You’re right.” Smith ended the call.

Niko kissed Vyper. “It won’t do any good to worry about it tonight. You’re tired and we have to go to work tomorrow. Now is a good time for me to sneak back into my apartment.” He left.

Despite yesterday’s excitement, Monday morning was a normal work day for Niko. As Professor Anton Zhora, he gave his ‘Defense in Depth’ security lecture to each class, making sure to capture images of his students with the eyeglass camera. He paid special attention to the two young men identified as Zatan’s employees.

When he arrived home, he grilled a hamburger for dinner. It reminded him that Vyper would be eating alone at Blackbeard's Conch House right now.

Niko put away the dishes and sat on the couch. Just as he settled in, an alarm went off on his phone. He read the message:

Vyper ! Someone’s got her !

Niko’s heart raced. He jumped up from the couch.

Someone has Vyper’s phone.

He wanted to call her, but she wouldn’t be able to answer if someone else had her phone. He made a secure call to Smith. “This is Niko. Someone removed Vyper’s SIM card.”

The CIA agent’s calm voice responded. “We know. We got the same alert. I’ve mobilized a search. Do you have any idea where she might have been?”

Niko couldn’t think. He took a deep breath and let it out. “Blackbeard’s Conch House near the airport. She eats dinner there when she works.”

“I know the place. Her phone’s GPS history puts her in that area at the time of the alert. If they have any security tapes, we’ll check them out… hold on a minute.”

The line went silent. Time moved slowly as he waited.

Smith came back on the line. “I need your help, Niko. Set your fears aside and focus. Two men have Vyper’s phone. I believe they’re speaking Russian.”

Niko’s recent nightmares flashed through his mind. Sokolov smiling, Vyper screaming.

Smith’s voice was insistent. “Niko, are you still there?”

“I’m here. Where’s Vyper? Is she okay?”

“Listen to me. Her cell is streaming video and audio to the emergency web page right now. I can see one man speaking Russian, and I hear another man’s voice responding. No sign of Vyper, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t there.”

An alarm went off on Niko’s phone:

“We received the same alarm,” said Smith. “One of the men destroyed her phone.”

Niko gripped the arm of the couch. Shock and fear turned into anger and resolve. “Did it give you a location before it died?”

“Along the north shore of Lake Cunningham, but I’m sure they won’t stay there. For now, I need you to watch the video of those Russians. Watch it from beginning to end. You might see or hear something we didn’t notice.”

“You can find her, can’t you? She’s got an implant in her scalp.”

“When we get close enough, her implant will respond, but it’s only good for a hundred meters. If her purse is still with her, it’ll respond at two hundred meters.”

“What good is that? You don’t know where she is, do you?”

“We got a security video from Blackbeard’s. It shows two men escorting her into a car. That same car just passed a traffic camera on Independence Drive. We’ve dispatched drones to the area. They might be able to spot the vehicle. Better yet, they’re equipped to detect Vyper’s implant.”

“You saw her at Blackbeard’s?” yelled Niko. “What happened? Was she hurt?”

“She fell asleep or passed out while she was eating—probably drugged. Two burly men spoke to the waitress before carrying her out to their vehicle. We sent detectives to the restaurant. They’ll find out what happened.”