Daniel Suarez - Influx

The DNI shook her head calmly. “Mr. Hedrick, you must understand that from the U.S. government’s point of view the current situation is untenable.”

Hedrick spread his hands. “But the BTC is part of the U.S. government, Madam Director.”

“Conceived at a time of crisis—”

“There’s always a crisis.”

“—on what I consider a dubious legal foundation. And by any standard you’ve long ago exceeded your mandate.”

“According to whom?”

“According to the agency that created you and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.”

“Is that it then? You expect us to fall on our sword because you’ve all become so backward that it’s no longer fair?”

“You refuse to follow U.S. law. You refuse to submit to legitimate civilian authority. You take unilateral actions overseas in direct violation of U.S. treaties and human rights.”

He waved her off. “Don’t go on about law and human rights. None of us follow the law. Do I need to run through the vast catalog of criminality that is the covert world? It comes with the territory. If the law meant anything, we’d all be facing criminal charges—you included.”

She regarded him icily.

Hedrick tried to conceal his utter contempt. He knew this person would be replaced in a couple of years by someone else—that was how democracy worked. It’s why democracy lacked continuity—resolve. He would outlast them. He always did.

“The only reason I agreed to this conference call is because I want to avoid unnecessary ill will, Madam Director. You’ve been agitating for our subjugation ever since you learned of our existence—which is, what, four months ago now? Do you realize how long we’ve been here?”

“Had I known—”

“We can help each other, you and I.”

“I’m well aware of the arrangements you’ve made with other intelligence organizations.”

“Bear in mind: I don’t usually make the arrangements with leadership. Leadership comes and goes. Middle management tends to abide—and they’re much more useful in many ways.”

“What are you implying?”

“I’m saying you should back off. Don’t be so quick to rely on the people around you. Some of them resent the fact that there’s no professional route to the top job. No, instead, one has to rely upon the appointment of a fickle executive—who in turn is elected by a fickle public. A public that knows nothing.”

The DNI glared. “Mr. Hedrick, our intelligence and defense communities are collectively much greater than your small organization—advanced though it may be.”

“Are you?”

“You must come back into the fold.”

“Why would I submit to the leadership of inferior organizations?”

“To keep your job. If the U.S. government has to force your hand, you can rest assured that you will not be in charge when the dust settles. You will be in federal prison.”

“That’s amusing, Madam Director.”

“Those are the facts. We will not tolerate the BTC as a rogue agency any longer. You must submit to legitimate authority. If you do, then you can remain in charge of the BTC. That’s the deal.”

He smirked. “‘Legitimate’ authority—a bunch of incompetent liars who deceive an ignorant rabble into voting for them.” He shook his head. “The BTC isn’t going to submit to anyone.”

“Think carefully before refusing our offer.”

“Carefully? Why do I need to be careful? What you are, Madam Director—all of you in government—what you are is an irritant. Like a crying child. Taking me away from my real concerns, namely illicit organizations in Asia and Eastern Europe that have stolen BTC technology.”

She nodded. “I’ve read the intelligence reports. This situation was caused by the secretive nature of the BTC. They grew out of your organization.”

“Splinter groups, yes—and this occurred before my time. Nonetheless, they need to be dealt with. They pose a grave danger to us all. And in that contest of wills, you and all your early twenty-first-century brethren are about as useful to me as toddlers.”

Monahan’s large image frowned on-screen, accenting her wrinkles. “As director of national intelligence, I am ordering you, Graham Hedrick, to submit to lawful authority—to the legitimate chain of command.”

“Or what? What will you do to us? You’re not the first bureaucrat convinced they could dissolve us. None of them survived the attempt.”

“I consider that a direct threat.”

“Good. Please extend my best wishes to anyone else in your organization with a cooler head on their shoulders. Because we are more than happy to work toward a common purpose with those people.”

“This is your last opportunity, Graham. Do not force our hand.”

Hedrick sighed and laughed. “You’re getting tiresome.”

“Then you leave me no choice. Graham Hedrick, I hereby relieve you of your office and declare the Bureau of Technology Control an illegal, terrorist organization.”

“Oh, come on. Now you’re just acting stupid.”

Monahan angrily slammed her palm onto her desk. “I will not be disrespected in this way!”

“Then in what way would you prefer to be disrespected?”

She pointed a finger at him. “You are relieved of your post. If you’re smart, you’ll order all your personnel to—”

“Okay, that’s enough now…” Hedrick cut the line, and the wall returned to the form of wooden panels with artwork. He spoke to the ceiling. “Varuna.”

Varuna’s voice came to him. “Yes, Mr. Director.”

“What actions are under way in the U.S. government to rein in the BTC?”

“Encrypted communications between elements of the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Department of Defense indicate preparations for a police action to seize all BTC facilities in North and South America.”

Hedrick shook his head grimly. “Madness. Who’s in charge of the operation?”

“Director Kaye Monahan appears to be in nominal command, Mr. Director.”

“Keep me informed as their plans evolve, Varuna.”

“Yes, Mr. Director.”

The office doors opened as the elder Morrison walked in. “I’ve got some bad news.” He paused for effect. “And worse news.”

Hedrick sat down in his chair. “Not you, too.”

“Jon Grady evaded our people in New York.”

“Goddamnit! Then he was there?”

Morrison nodded.

“Why on earth didn’t they just nox him?”

“It’s complicated. He had some low-tech tricks up his sleeve. Apparently there are steam tunnels beneath the university. He knew his way around them—used them to escape with Davis undetected.”

“You didn’t analyze the meeting site beforehand?”

“Of course we did. But AIs come back with lots of recommendations. It’s a lot of information.” Morrison grimaced. “Mistakes were made, I admit.” He paused.

Hedrick sat fuming at his desk. “We are headed for a serious problem with the U.S. government, and the last thing I need right now is our most precious asset running around loose.”

“We have a recording of Grady’s conversation with Agent Davis, though. He’s relying on her to help him get the word out about the BTC.”

“Then he briefed Davis on us?”

Morrison nodded.

“Hibernity?”

“We’re not certain—they had some time unobserved when they were moving through the steam tunnels.”

“Eliminate Agent Davis.”

Morrison made a calming motion. “Whoa. She’s the arresting agent in the Cotton case. It will complicate the trial and bring unwarranted—”

“Goddamnit, Morrison!” Hedrick ran his hand through his hair. “We need Grady.”