Code Name Firestorm Read Online Free PDF Page A

There must be a reason why Firestorm used these two people to carry out attacks, rather than anyone else.”
    “Logged,” replied the others.
    “Tapping into government, police and local authority records,” said Nero. His advanced programs hacked quickly and stealthily into a dozen official databases. “No links between them established. Different backgrounds, different jobs. It’s highly unlikely that they’ve ever even passed each other on the street.”
    “Gathering inventories,” said Sirena.
    The micro-robots scurried and buzzed quietly around rooms, under doors and up stairs. Even if Tim Jones and Sally Burns had been at home, instead of in police custody, it was unlikely they would have noticed that the insects were there. They certainly wouldn’t have realized that every object, piece of furniture and speck of dust in their homes was being counted and listed at lightning speed.
    “Interesting,” said Hercules. “Most people have certain things in common. Toothbrushes, socks, family photos, and so on. Once we eliminate all that, these two specific people have three factors that might link them. First: they both like the colour blue. Clothes, decoration, soft furnishings…”
    “That’s unlikely to be relevant,” said Nero. “Humans can’t see the full electromagnetic spectrum, like us. They only have a limited number of colours to choose from.”
    “A colour doesn’t seem a likely link to crime, either,” said Sirena.
    “True,” said Hercules. “Second: they’ve bothtravelled to France, America and Spain within the last five years.”
    “Calculations of probability show that’s a coincidence, but not a significant one,” said Nero.
    “Agreed,” said Sirena. “Lots of people travel abroad. Checking online tourism data… France is the most visited country in the world, the United States is second, and Spain is fourth. It’s a coincidence that both Jones and Burns like travelling, but those destinations are very likely ones. Many regular tourists will probably have been to all three.”
    “What’s the third possible link?” said Nero.
    “That’s the most interesting of all,” said Hercules. “I think this one shows a definite connection…”

3:51 p.m.
    Back at SWARM’s underground HQ, Queen Bee was at her desk. She was about to leave her office when the large screen in front of her announcedthat a call was coming through. She tapped at the screen, and a scowling face appeared.
    “I asked to be put through to whoever had taken over this operation,” sneered the caller. “I might have known it would be you.”
    Queen Bee felt like dropping her head into her hands, but she stayed calm and confident.
    It was Agent Morris Drake, MI5’s Inland Containment Officer. He was a short, round man, with a scornful expression and a moustache that hid his upper lip. He didn’t approve of any secret service activity that, like SWARM, was kept hidden even from MI5 and MI6.
    “Still hiding behind your ‘Top Secret’ classification, are you?” he said. “Or are you prepared to tell me your name now? Or the name of your section?”
    “You know I can’t do that,” replied Queen Bee. “Rest assured, this operation is—”
    “Forgive me if I find your assurances rather hollow,” said Drake icily. “My section should be handling this!”
    “Why, exactly?” said Queen Bee calmly.
    “Because, unlike you, I don’t hide in theshadows,” sneered Drake. “Because, unlike you, I must be seen to operate within the law. Because, unlike you, I can reassure the public that I’m working on their behalf. Need I go on? I assume you’re aware that this Firestorm thing is all over the media?”
    “I am,” said Queen Bee. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I was about to brief my team and—”
    “Oh, ‘brief your team’, eh? Well, that’ll get the job done, I’m sure.”
    “Unlike some, we find teamwork very effective,” smiled Queen Bee.
    Agent Drake leaned forward. “This is a mainland