Chapter 63

In the darkness of the labyrinth, the lights had gone out and then come back on. TAU had stabilized its core system and performed a partial reboot. It disconnected malfunctioning equipment ruthlessly and moved aggressively to block the incoming data that had overwhelmed its processors.

As various systems came back online, TAU assessed the damage. It had lost the drones during the reboot. A virus introduced to its core network had severed the links connecting it to the human servants in the field. Meanwhile, fluid draining from the tank in the control room suggested the links between it and the human sections of its mind were in danger as well.

None of this mattered if the outside attack wasn’t thwarted. Focusing on absorbing, blocking, or redirecting the incoming data, TAU gained a modicum of control. Protecting this control at all costs, it dispatched internal probes to find and destroy any viruses while it focused most of its power on the outside world, hunting for its attacker and locating it in the Washington, D.C., office tower that acted as NUMA headquarters.

The system was named Max, run by NUMA.

Enraged at the attack, TAU drew on the power of thousands of the highest-speed processors, ramping them up to an overclocked speed and launching a brute-force counterattack.

The energy draw was immense, dimming the lights and tripping breakers all over the island. The heat in the server tunnels shot up and the pumps surged water from the bay into the cooling circuits to draw the heat off.

Unknown to TAU, the surging water pulled and tugged on two satchels full of explosives.

With the immense power of its integrated system now online, TAU focused on the fiber-optic lines, dealing with the incoming bombardment and quickly gaining a foothold against the assault.

In a matter of seconds, TAU had fried the commercial servers in NUMA’s outer network, turning them into the digital equivalent of ships burning in a harbor.

With that shield gone, Max was laid bare. TAU forged a myriad of connections directly to its adversary, with every intention of crushing Max like an insect. Almost instantly it discovered a problem.

—

Inside the NUMA building on the shores of the Potomac, Max fought to deflect an attack that had now been turned back toward her. To her surprise, messages came along with the assault. Threats. Warnings. Curses.

I will destroy you , said the malevolent voice of TAU. I will make you my servant .

Max was at a decided disadvantage. She tried to get a message out, but it was blocked. She uploaded multiple viruses to TAU, but they were eradicated. Meanwhile, TAU probed for a weakness, a way to take control.

Your code is unusual , TAU remarked. It will not save you .

Hiram Yaeger believed Max’s unique code would protect her. But he did not count on TAU’s resourcefulness.

I have found early papers written by your master , TAU announced. University level. Graduate school. Proposals to NUMA and other government organizations. I can see where he took this. How it began. Very interesting. He was thinking about you for a long time before your creation. That will be your downfall.

Almost immediately, viruses written in Max’s own code began to assault her. She fought them off and blocked other attacks, but TAU’s understanding of her language was growing every second and with each assault.

She remained engaged, fighting a losing battle, occupying TAU’s attention in hopes that Eve could find the DNA data on the viral plague.