The Iron Codex (ARC) by David Mack

Author:David Mack [Mack, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780765383211
Amazon: B07C75NV2N
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2019-01-15T07:00:00+00:00

22

February 11, Part II

Slashes of light and pools of shadow—the natural habitats of spies. Miles Franklin moved through the night like a ghost, his Walther carried low, safety off, held in both hands. Its balance felt off kilter because of the silencer attached to its muzzle. He hoped he didn’t need to use the pistol tonight. He wouldn’t have hesitated to pull the trigger in enemy territory, but on allied soil deadly force was not only a last resort, it was a tactic reserved for moments of true desperation.

His insulated wire cutters had made quick work of the electric fence along the perimeter of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory campus. Once inside, he had kept to the darkness between buildings as much as possible, while making his way toward the building that Briet had marked on a hand-drawn map.

Near a road that threaded through most of the campus, he was forced to hunker into the scrub as a patrol jeep cruised toward him. Miles planted his face in the dirt and put his trust in his desert camouflage fatigues and matte-black boots and cap. He caught the bluish-white glare of a searchlight as it swept over his position. There was no change in the humming of the jeep’s engine as it passed by, no whine of brakes. Within seconds the vehicle was twenty meters away and receding into the night.

Too close, he confessed to himself as he got up.

Parked cars, trash cans, and clusters of shrubbery gave Miles cover the rest of the way to the rear entrance of the building that Briet insisted was proofed against demon-toting magicians such as herself and Cade. I bet they yoked spirits today just to get out of this op, Miles brooded.

He unfastened a clasp that held shut a panel of black cloth on his flank. Attached to its underside was an assortment of high-tech tools developed by MI6’s Q Branch. This particular set was intended for defeating and bypassing locks and alarms.

Miles studied the door and its frame. The lock on the knob was simple enough, but a keyhole on a pad beside the door indicated that the door had a secondary alarm system, one that required a separate access. Miles checked the side of the aluminum shell that enclosed the key port, and he found a brand logo: Black Diamond Security.

Ah, yes. He recalled this model from his training. The PS-900, I believe.

He selected a steel skeleton key from his gear set, wired it to a small portable battery, and inserted it into the auxiliary keyhole. Sparks shot from a pair of contact pads above the door, and then came a small puff of smoke. One down, one to go.

Picking the door’s regular lock was child’s play.

He opened the door with care and let his pistol lead the way inside.

The lights were low. Most of the facility appeared to be dark and quiet. Miles eased the door closed behind him and then he prowled forward, his Walther steadied with both hands at eye level.

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