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“And those code programs are in that device?” asked Harvath.
“They should be. The software is not only a type of camouflage, but it also acts as a gateway to the encryption programs.”
“How so?”
“On these models, it was as simple as pulling up the calendar function and going to a specific date. The date is the actual gateway for your encryption programs. When you tried to enter an appointment on that date, you would be prompted to enter a security code. Normally, it’s a four-digit numeric code derived from a specific mathematical equation; something that would have relevance for both the operative and his handler. To unlock the encryption program you would have to do a simple math problem and then use the answer as your code. You type it in and the encryption program would then engage and you’d be ready to go. The important thing to remember is that Gary had a lot of operatives.”
“So?”
“So the more operatives he had, the more code information he would have had to keep straight. It has been my experience that the more numeric codes you have to assign and memorize, the more likely you are to start assigning them based upon things that are easier and easier for you to remember, but which would have no relevance for any unauthorized persons trying to hack into your system.”
“That makes sense,” said Scot, remembering one of Gary’s favorite mottos. It was an acronym he was always referring to-KISS, Keep it simple, stupid.
“But remember, it’s a two-step process. You’d need to know how to access the general domain for the operative, such as a birth date, and then you’d need the numeric code to open the encryption program so the two of you could communicate freely.”
“I suspect you would also need to know,” added Harvath, “when and where the two of you were supposed to co
“That goes without saying,” replied DeWolfe. “You could have all the other information, and yet if you were sitting at a payphone at the train station waiting for it to ring, when you should have been at a payphone at the drugstore, you’d be shit out of luck.”
No kidding, thought Harvath. Even though he now understood the true nature of the burst transmitter, it was of no use to him without knowing how to unlock Frank Leighton’s encryption program or what the emergency contact plan was.
As the time for their encrypted communication with the president drew near, DeWolfe did a final check of his equipment and then outfitted Harvath with a headset. Morrell pulled one of the overstuffed chairs up to the coffee table and do
“I have Goaltender on the line,” said DeWolfe. “We are ready to proceed.”
“This is Norseman,” said Harvath. “Go ahead, Goaltender.”
“Is BenchPress on the line?”
“Yes he is,” replied Harvath who had never cared much for Morrell’s ridiculous code name; a codename he knew Morrell hadn’t received from his superiors or his peers, but rather had chosen for himself.
Even though Harvath had grown to like Morrell, that still didn’t change the fact that the man could be an arrogant, insufferable prick a lot of the time and his code name seemed to perfectly reflect his inflated sense of self. Though on many occasions Harvath had been tempted to suggest an alternate two-syllable code name that might more suit the man such asdipshit,dumbass,dumbfuck, ordickhead, he had miraculously managed to keep his mouth shut and thereby had refrained from doing damage to a friendship that was still very much in its infancy.
“Norseman,” continued president Rutledge, “you received my message about the condition of the chessboard?”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t understand. What happened?”
“Somehow, the other side knew where our devices were hidden. We sent in teams to prep them and get them ready for transport, but they were already gone.”
“Gone?” said Harvath.
“Yes, all of them have been stolen.”
“Do we have any leads?”
“We’re going back over satellite imagery, but we’re not holding out much hope of getting them back. The Russians would have been very careful in covering their tracks.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“We’ve developed a plan, which I pray to God will work, called Operation Minotaur,” replied the president.
“Operation Minotaur?” repeated Harvath.
“Yes. BenchPress has the file and he will explain everything to you.”
“Sir, what about our remaining operative in the field? He still has one last device.”
“Unfortunately, that man is of no use to us anymore. We need to pull him from the game before he becomes a greater liability. BenchPress will explain that as well.” There was a pause on the line as the president took a deep breath and said, “Things are very tense back here. The time is drawing nigh for us all gentlemen and we have no other options available. This is it. We either win or we lose. The fate of America is in your hands. Don’t let us down.” There was a click followed by a hiss of static as the president terminated the co
Morrell looked at DeWolfe and, referring to the status of the transmission, asked, “Are we clear?”
“We’re clear,” said DeWolfe.
“Operation Minotaur?” mouthed Harvath. “What this all about?”
“The Minotaur is a mythical creature-”
“From ancient Greece who was half man, half bull, and was confined to a labyrinth on Crete. Yeah, I know that, but what is this new op all about?” said Harvath.
“This is a little something the president and his team came up with,” responded Morrell. “The focus of this operation is going to be on the bull, and lots of it.”
Chapter 29
Can we just back up here for a second?” asked Harvath. “Rick, start this thing from square one for me, would you?”
“Okay, from square one. The secretary of defense and the president briefed me on Operation Dark Night as well as the situation concerning the man-portable nukes we’re facing at home. Being the tactician he is, the secretary kept making military references to chess. As you probably know, the president-”
“Doesn’t play chess,” replied Harvath, finishing Morrell’s sentence for him. “He’s a poker man. We played a lot when I was on his protective detail.”
“And what’s the one thing you can do in poker that you really can’t do in chess?”
Harvath thought for a moment and then said, “Bluff.”
“Right again. Though there are some feints and deceptive strategies you can pull in chess, all of your pieces are out in the open for your opponent to see.”
“But all of our pieces have been knocked off the board, at least that’s what the president has said.”
“That’s true. The president green-lit a series of tactical teams to go to the European locations where our man-portable nukes were hidden, only to discover that they had all been removed.”
“By the Russians, of course.”
“That’s what we’re assuming,” replied Morrell.
“So, where’s that leave us?”
“It leaves us with only one operational nuke.”
“Frank Leighton’s,” said Harvath.
“Correct.”
“But if the Russians knew the identities of all of the other Dark Night operatives and the location of their nukes, how’d they miss Leighton?”
“We don’t think they missed him,” said Morrell.
“Wait a second. You think they not only know who Leighton is, but where he and his nuke are?”
“Yes.”
“But why would they purposely let him slip through the net?”
“He isn’t all the way through yet.”
Harvath wasn’t following. “I can understand them wanting to get their hands on Gary. He was in charge of the operation. He had knowledge that could prove valuable to them. They might have even believed he knew about more than just his own op, but Leighton doesn’t make any sense. If they let him get this far only to grab him, then…”