Target Silverclaw Read Online Free PDF

for themselves,” said Alfred. “They act on instructions only.”
    “Do we know where these instructions are coming from?” said Queen Bee.
    The electronic voice of Sirena came through aspeaker in the workbench. “Negative, Queen Bee. I scanned multiple wavebands, but the android’s control transmissions were lost behind normal background electromagnetic interference.”
    “We think they’re controlled using something very similar to mobile-phone data,” said Simon. “It’s almost impossible to pick it out from the millions of other sources out there. Even the computing power of our insects would take weeks to isolate the right information.”
    “What about their offensive capabilities?” said Queen Bee.
    “The androids we’ve seen so far aren’t armed, as such. However, there are a number of cavities built into them, at hip and chest level, which could be used to house, well –” Simon spread his arms wide – “you name it. Guns, grenades, even small rocket launchers or more specialized devices. Also, looking at their carbon-fibre frames, they’re extremely strong. They could easily smash their way through a wall. Our insects are designed to withstand direct hammer blows, but one of these androids could do them severe damage!”
    “Excuse me,” said Nero. “Both Widow and I arein the form of arachnids. Spiders and scorpions are not insects.”
    Simon smiled. “Quite right,” he muttered. “We’ll try to remember to call you ‘bugs’ instead.”
    “Whatever word we use,” said Professor Miller, arching an eyebrow, “I have the latest system upgrades ready for installation. Chopper, you can go first.”
    The dragonfly detached himself from his recharger and flew across to the professor, who swung a large magnifying screen down in front of his eyes and selected a series of microscopic tools to load into the mechanical arms.
    “Is this the new stealth enhancement?” said Queen Bee.
    “That’s right,” said the professor. “On past missions, our –” he chose his words carefully – “agents … have been forced to power down in order to avoid detection. I’ve designed revised components, which enable them to switch into a ‘stealth’ operating mode. This blankets their electromagnetic activity and will prevent them from being identified by all but the most high-intensity security and surveillanceequipment. Stealth mode puts a heavy drain on their internal power systems, but they’ll be able to maintain it for several hours without any ill effects.”
    “Excellent,” said Queen Bee.
    “They’ll be able to operate normally,” continued the professor, “even when right beside one of the androids. Providing they’re not seen, that is! The only problem is that we won’t be able to detect them, either. We can communicate with them, but we can’t track them.”
    Queen Bee turned to the bugs. “As soon as you can operate safely around those androids, return to the Palace of Westminster. Don’t worry about clearance, I’ll sort that out from here. Our three mission objectives are: firstly, find out what those androids are doing there; secondly, find out why Sir Godfrey Kite in particular has been replaced.”
    “Database records indicate,” said Chopper, “that he is a bachelor and lives alone. Perhaps someone with no family would face less risk of detection?”
    “It’s possible, but I suspect there’s more to itthan that.”
    “You think there’s a link to the World Leaders’ Security Conference?” said Hercules.
    “It would be an enormous coincidence if there wasn’t,” said Queen Bee. “Sixty-seven leaders in one room. A tempting target for any criminal organization. Which brings me to our third mission objective: trace the androids back to whoever built them.”
    Simon Turing scrolled the 3D display. “At this point, all we can say is that manufacturing these androids must have taken time and money. There are a number of known terrorist groups who might have