These were all private corporations who used intranet rather than the Internet for all the important stuff, so Web access to their research records was supposed to be impossible. The short version is that over the last few months there have been some significant attacks on the computer systems of several of the most important defense contractors. Like everything else in my life, it's complicated. Yeah, I know-that battlefield is online so why were first-team shooters knocking on doors? We were out doing legwork to try and track down some cyber-terrorists. We were out on one of those busybody projects that are often immense time wasters. Stuffed into a suit, not flirting with girls in the park, standing outside of Shelton Aeronautics with Top and Bunny who were every bit as disgruntled as I was.Īnd nobody was answering the goddamn door. Instead, where was I at ten in the morning on a glorious Thursday? I already had Sunday set aside for whatever was required after the party: medical attention, psychological counseling, or bail hearings.

His fiancée, Circe O'Tree, was away on a book tour, and Saturday night was the party. My best friend and occasional shrink, Rudy Sanchez, was getting hitched in two months.

Then back to planning the greatest bachelor party in the history of personal excess. Then I'd catch the first part of an Orioles doubleheader in the afternoon, ideally to see them make the Phillies weep and gnash their teeth. Then take Ghost, my white shepherd, for a long walk in the park where he would help me appear irresistible to pretty women. It was a very well-constructed plan, starting with lots of sleep, followed by the kind of diner breakfast that would keep my arteries nice and hard. Sure, I love my country and yes I would die to protect her … but this was my first vacation since dinosaurs ruled the earth. This was not how I planned to spend my vacation. 'And I believe he's saying something to the effect that if you keep telling him no one's here he's going to kneecap you.' He currently held my old spot as leader of Echo Team. Full name was First Sergeant Bradley Sims. 'Cap'n's telling you that he's not psychic, Farmboy,' said Top. He's six seven, so I had to look up to do it. 'Then how come they're not answering the door?' Master Sergeant Harvey 'Bunny' Rabbit popped his chewing gum. It was the last time it would be knuckles on wood. The world 'impossible' used to mean something.

Joe ledger extinction machine