In the hospital’s cafeteria, Natasha waited for the coffee machine to brew. The cup dropped just out of range of the pouring spout. Half of the coffee made it into the cup.
“Damn, I hate hospital coffee machines,” Natasha said. She brushed it off, thinking, Time to check on Nigel’s progress. She returned to the empty room where he was staying.
“Find anything interesting off that hard drive dump?” Natasha asked Nigel.
“Yes. The image I captured has got to be from our intruder’s machine. I found exploit code consistent with distributed denial of service attacks. This means that our attacker is relying on the code to enslave several other machines. When the attacker has enough, the payload will be unleashed,” Nigel explained.
“Why would a hacker want to do that?”
“Several reasons, but the most logical conclusion is misdirection. This code is a distraction for a much larger attack.”
Natasha was silent for a long time. When it was clear she wouldn’t say anything, Nigel continued.
“I found something else even more disturbing.”
Natasha seemed to snap out of whatever she was thinking.
“Well, aren’t you going to fill me in?” Natasha asked.
“The other code I’m worried is about is ransomware that targets certain industrial control systems. With this code, an attacker could take out all connected infrastructure for an entire region.”
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“Which connected systems?”
“Water, power, and gas, just to name a few,” Nigel said.
“Critical infrastructure should have safeguards,” Natasha said.
“Depends on the country, but many are a click away from extended blackouts. Dangerous in the middle of winter.”
Natasha nodded her understanding.
“I will need more time to analyze all the possible methods, but the code also contains hooks that will allow takeover of artificial intelligence systems. It is an AI stealer,” Nigel said.
“It sounds like the intruder has a lot of ambitious plans.”
“Yup, and I still don’t have any idea who it is or how they intend to use it.”
Natasha’s phone buzzed yet again. She had been ignoring the calls, but they were increasing in frequency.
“Keep working on it, and let me know if you need more help,” Natasha said.
Her phone—the red one—buzzed yet again; Natasha typically only got calls on the red phone when urgent Collective Systems business was necessary. She answered it as she stepped back out into the hallway, leaving Nigel to his work.
“What is your code word?” dispatch asked.
“Niet,” Natasha said.
“Connecting, please hold.”
A new voice came on the line.
“Natasha?”
“Privyet, Alexei!”
“I know you are on holiday, but I need you in the United States,” Alexei said.
“I’m here.”
Alexei was silent for a long moment. “That is serendipitous, because I just arrived.”
“What are you doing here?” Natasha asked. “If you’re calling me, then I assume that circumstances require my presence.”
Alexei paused. “They compromised our Munich location and took the lab manager.”
“Any idea why?” Natasha asked.
“That lab contained our core cloning components. They could also use these cells for other purposes, and the lab manager is key to unlocking all of it.”
“Any leads?”
“None until now. A woman in the employ of the Shadow Dealers has come to us with information pertaining to the Munich attack. I need you to meet me at Tage Manor as soon as you can,” Alexei said.