Terminal Connection Read Online Free PDF Page A

uses the Nexus for, but I believe his motives to be of a trustworthy nature. He will keep quiet about the defect and so will you. If something does slip, that memo will make you the perfect scapegoat for the lot of us—you being the CEO, inventor, and all. There’s no way out for you. I’m afraid you have to play by my rules now, son.”
    “I’ll tell you what.” Steve walked past Austin toward the exit. “You do what you have to do, and I’ll do what I have to do.”
    “Let me guess. You’re going to the media?”
    Steve kept walking as the music from the stage escalated.
    Austin raised his voice above the music. “Do you think that’ll clear your conscience, son? Like I said, the girl is dead after only two million sales. What will happen in another year? How many deaths will it take before you act? DARPA won’t act; they have too much at stake.”
    “Austin, I’m not going to jump through your hoops,” Steve said. He opened the door.
    Austin remained in his seat. “I am quite serious here. Now, you know there’s no one else who can fix this problem. The Nexus Transporter is too complex. No one understands her like you do. As I see it, if you enable DARPA to handle this mess, your inaction will cause hundreds, perhaps thousands of deaths. Use that peevish little brain of yours. If you think about it long enough, you’ll see that I’m right.”
    Steve stopped. The music dipped and the melody became soft. Austin was right. The Nexus consisted of multiple sensors, emitters, and a very sophisticated computer. The computer was highly parallel and massively integrated, containing many synchronized processors. It ran over one hundred programs, each of which served a specific function for the Nexus, much like each organ serves a particular function in the human body. The complexity of each program was dwarfed by the complexity of their shared interactions. Only he and perhaps a few of Austin’s Chinese associates understood the machine.
    “Besides, if this becomes public news I’m sure they’ll lock you up, so you can just forget about the announcement this next Monday. Brooke will just have to wait until you get out of jail before she walks again. As I said before, I do have a plan.”
    Steve turned.
    Austin remained sitting, facing the stage with his back to Steve. His finger danced in the air with the tempo of the music.
    “What is it?” Steve asked.
    “Come over here where I can see you, son.”
    Steve returned.
    “I’m surprised. I expected more of a fight from you, but then you always were a bright kid.”
    “Actually, Austin, it’s called integrity—something you might want to look into.”
    “Yes, I’m sure you’d like that.”
    Steve stood between Austin and the stage and leaned against the railing.
    Austin strained to look around Steve. “Now that’s just rude, son.”
    Steve said nothing.
    “You will investigate this death, covertly. Then, once you find the software problem, you will create a new patch and transmit it to every Nexus through the Internet. I’ve also had Ron create an open expense account for you with the Swiss Bank Verwaltungen. They specialize in discreet arrangements such as these. There will be no ties or transactions traceable back to the company.”
    The organ bellowed as the current act of the play reached its climax.
    Austin sighed. “It’s a shame that you don’t appreciate the finer things. We’re missing the best part.”
    Steve shrugged.
    Austin leaned forward in his chair. “One of the Chinese associates, a Miss Allison Hwang, will assist you.”
    “She’ll slow me …”
    Austin waved his hand by way of interruption. “I’m afraid you have no choice. She’s connected with Ed Davis. She’s my insurance that you won’t miss anything else. Miss Hwang will meet you in the lobby in ten minutes. As you already stated, your corrective software patch took the life of Camille Anderson.”
    Austin extracted an envelope from his suit pocket and handed it