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ERIC NYLUND
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magnum pistols, loaded them, and then tossed them to Kelly,
along with three extra clips. "I guess you get to test these."
Kelly gazed at the new weapons and gave a low whistle.
Fred opened the bags with die new rifles and handed them out
to his team. "Will, you mule the extra parts and ammo."
"Roger," Will replied and slung them over his shoulders.
"Those satchels, over there," Dr. Halsey said and waved to
four duffel bags. "Medical supplies. Food and water. We'll need
them, too."
Will grabbed them as well.
"Just a few more things," Dr. Halsey whispered. "We can't
let them get into ONI's records." She tapped her pad once and
then said to Kalmiya, "Begin Operation White Glove. Irradiate all
computer memory crystal. Code file access Beta-Foxtrot-99874."
Dr. Halsey closed her eyes as if she were concentrating, and
she whispered, "Not all AIs have the fail-safe option, my dear
Kalmiya... just the ones that matter."
"I understand, Doctor." There was a pause, and the AI spoke
again, her voice sad. "Voice and fingerprint accepted and veri-
fied. Fail-safe code verified. It has been ... a pleasure working
with you, Doctor Halsey."
"The pleasure has been mine, Kalmiya." She stood straighter
and said, "Fail-safe override access: 'Ragnarok.' Give us a
three-minute countdown."
A three-minute counter appeared in the corner of Fred's
heads-up display.
Dr. Halsey turned to him. "I've activated the explosives cache
under this base, which will level the complex. We have to get be-
low, to the original titanium mine tunnels."
Fred wished she had consulted with him before she had given
them only three minutes. Then again, Dr. Halsey knew what was
at stake, what secrets were hidden in this base, and what damage
could occur if the Covenant got their hands on those secrets.
Five minutes might be too much time considering what was
at risk.
"Understood," Fred replied. "Isaac, you're rear guard. Vinh,
stick close to Kelly. I'll take Doctor Halsey." Fred picked up the
doctor with great care. She couldn't have weighed more than
fifty kilos—light as a stick.