The Codex File (2012) (50 page)

“
So this is all about financial revenge because UK companies were forced out of the region and the price of oil went up?”

Trevellion smiled smugly at Simon’s miscomprehension.

“
If only it were that simplistic.”

Simon scowled at his brother’s clear enjoyment at holding the upper hand.

“
Oil-NetCom, and a number of other UK companies affected, either directly or indirectly, by the oil tariff all invested heavily into this country’s defence R&D programme. Unsurprisingly, faced with billions of pounds worth of debt and lost revenue they were somewhat reluctant to commit to such expenditure in the future. But, with President Al-Haifi out of the way, his natural successor, Aymen Al-Hassany will come to power. And let’s just say we’re confident he will re-privatise the oil industry, restoring the former status quo.”

“
You mean he’s in this government’s pocket?”

“
Let’s just say this government will make sufficient inducements to make it worth his while. Al-Haifi wasn’t interested in the offer put to him on his recent trip to London. But that’s immaterial now, isn’t it.”

“
So that’s it, is it? All these people killed, their lives ruined in pursuit for a better deal on the price of oil?”

“
Please Simon, don’t be so naive. You know how important oil is. Countries will always go to war over it. But with the app we don’t need to publicly go to war over anything any more or risk voters protesting about conflicts. But more importantly, the use of the app runs far deeper than just getting a better deal over the oil tariff. Oil-NetCom will be back in the region.”

Simon watched as he saw a hint of excitement glint in Vincent’s eyes, the realisation of what his brother had just said slapping him in the face. Michael looked bemused as his narrow gaze moved between the brothers, periodically stopping on the muzzle of the gun.

“
Of course. You want access to the oil infrastructure’s computer network. The wireless capability of the app could access any remote IP address within the oil system.”

Trevellion nodded knowingly, a thin smile crossing his serious expression.

“
You see, I knew you’d be able to work out eventually. Even if it did take more than a little help from me.”

“
I grant you that’s brilliant. But are you telling me the real motives amount to nothing more than simple theft?”

“
As you said before, that really depends on your perspective, doesn’t it. You’ve seen the code and what it can do. We have the leading network security protocols our end through UKCitizensNet, with the most advanced means to hack other system’s security via the app. Once Aymen Al-Hassany takes over as the new President and Oil-NetCom and the other companies return to the region, each company’s own network will reintegrate into the computer network that already exists in the region between this oil cartel. Once we’re connected to this again we can deploy the app right across the oil network.”

“
So you can then steal or siphon off oil production from one area or refinery into Oil-NetCom’s reserves?”

“
Exactly,” Trevellion said triumphantly. “But more than that. The app’s configuration will also be able to infiltrate the regions’ banks, diverting money out of some of the less reputable business accounts stored there into our own secure Swiss bank accounts.”

“
Divert? You’re no more than common thieves,” Michael spat in disgust at Trevellion’s explanation.

“
As I said, you can’t see the bigger picture. The removal of the oil tariff and the appropriation of extra funds will allow this government to fund new national initiatives without having to raise taxes and incur the disappointment of the voters.”

“
And the fact that these companies will begin reinvesting in defence R&D again has nothing to do with it either?” Simon added sarcastically.

“
A fortunate by-product of the wider strategy. As I said, context is everything.”

“
But you do realise what the underlying irony of this whole ‘strategy’ is, don’t you?” Simon said flatly. “When Marcus McCoy banned connection to the old internet in this country they forced the big multi-national IT and web technology companies out of this country, all in the name of promoting ‘UK enterprise’. As I recall, the Saudi President was supporting the ‘Saudi oil interest’ when he nationalised the oil industry. There’s no distinction between the two, surely?”

Trevellion half-smiled, growing tired of the conversation and his brother’s continual intellectual rationalising.

“
Politics is a dirty game. Despite treaties, alliances and diplomatic protocols, each national government is only out for one thing - itself. We’ve simply been proactive in trying to reverse a situation that is neither good for this country or the longevity of this government. If you don’t act first, someone will either do it to you, or beat you to the punch. It’s dog eat dog in my world. That’s the reality. Your academic values will never be able to reconcile that.”

“
So how many other people are going to have to die in pursuit of this government’s less palatable policies?” Michael sneered, rising to his feet before sitting down on the chair next to Simon, Trevellion’s gun pointed squarely at his chest.

“
That’s not really for me to say, now is it? Suffices to say SemComNet has developed the stealth technology allowing this government to publicly keep their noses clean whilst putting the app to use in whatever way is politically expedient. Although, I would like to thank you both for your input into the technical design and delivery of the app. And also to your lovely wife too. She truly did play a pivotal part in the success of this project.”

Without thinking Michael lunged himself at Trevellion from his chair, his rage boiling up at the mention of Colette. Seeing the danger immediately Trevellion moved gracefully to his right, swinging the muzzle of the gun in Michael’s direction. The weapon cracked noisily on the side of his head as he fell to the floor at Trevellion’s feet. Stepping back he kicked Michael savagely in the ribs as he lay face down, prostrated on the clinical white floor.

“
Get the fuck over there,” Trevellion snarled as Michael groaned from the blow, before hauling himself to his feet and slumping back in the chair.

“
The talking is over. All of you fucking R.I.G scum have been wasting my time for months. Thanks to the information you gave us, and from what we retrieved from your remote servers, we’re going to hunt down every last one of you. The Real Internet Guardians, and that pathetic old relic of an internet you’re trying so desperately to preserve, will soon be finally gone.”

Raising the gun to head level, Michael and Simon braced themselves for the end. An image of Colette and Clare from happier times, on his wife’s last birthday as they opened presents together, laughing endlessly as this did so, raced through Michael’s mind as Trevellion’s left index finger moved over the gun’s trigger.

In another part of the building the sound of an explosion echoed round the confined room, making it shake slightly. Trevellion quickly glanced to the door before returning his gaze to Michael and Simon. He listened intently, expecting the sound of running feet from the soldier’s deployed at SemComNet. No sound came except that of a second explosion. And this time the lights in the room flickered on and off for a split second.

Michael and Simon sensed their chance. As the lights flickered for a second time the two men dived at where Trevellion stood in front of the metal table. As the lights came back on the three men grappled over the table. Michael had gone for Trevellion’s left hand and forearm which was holding the gun. Simon’s right hand was pushed into his brother’s face slamming the back of his head into the metal table with a sickening thud. Pulling his head up by the hair he slammed it down again.

Trevellion snarled as he tried to fight off the two men. As Michael tried to dislodge the gun from his hand, his shoulder throbbing from where the Doberman had bitten him, infection making the wound worse, the gun went off, puncturing a hole in the wall behind. Moments later Trevellion dropped the gun as Michael bent his hand back, almost breaking his wrist.

A third explosion rocked the building and the room shook again before the three men rolled off the table in a tangle of bodies. Free from Simon’s grip Trevellion hauled himself up, viciously kicking his brother in the right kidney before swinging a fist at Michael’s jaw.

Falling to the floor Michael watched Trevellion clawing at the door handle before it flew open. Escaping up the corridor, his Armani suit jacket flapped behind him as he ran, disappearing out of sight.

Helping Simon to his feet, and picking up Trevellion’s gun from the floor, the two men quickly exited the room and into the stark white corridor. Trevellion had disappeared through the double doors at the end of the corridor and into the maze that was the SemComNet building.

As the sound of another minor explosion somewhere behind them echoed through the corridor the building’s sprinklers kicked into life. Simon turned to where Michael was nursing his swollen jaw.

“
We need to get out of here. Now.”

Lukewarm water jetting from the sprinklers filled the air as Michael and Simon made their way up the corridor to the set of the double doors Trevellion had escaped through. Listening at the exit it was clear pandemonium had ensued in the centre of the building. The sound of people running and yelling was barely concealed, although the flurry of explosions seemed to have stopped. And in the chaos that had erupted they hoped no-one would pay them that much attention.

Michael looked down at the gun he’d tucked in the top of his trousers. That should be very persuasive if anyone did take an interest in them he thought, gently pushing through the double doors.

The doors opened up onto an expansive marbled balcony, revealing they were on the top floor of the building, in the heart of its atrium. The balcony ran all the way round in one enormous square. Four large corridors, 90 degrees apart, lead into each section of the building. Michael wasn’t sure which wing they were in as he approached the edge of the balcony. Looking over the top they could see people running throughout the building, desperately attempting to escape whatever incident had taken place.

On all sides he could see the images of worried staff reflected in the vast glass windows surrounding the atrium, running from floor to ceiling. It had looked impressive enough when he’d visited Trevellion in his office previously. But from this elevated position it was truly breathtaking.

Mingled in amongst the startled workers were both armed soldiers and SemComNet’s own security personnel. Withdrawing slightly from the balcony the two men stood, watching the commotion for a few seconds.

“
I still want one more shot at dealing with Trevellion,” Michael said finally.

“
Are you mad? In all this chaos we’ll easily be able to slip out of here and disappear into the woods. We might not get another chance once they’ve sorted out whatever the fuck is going on.”

“
I’m not leaving until I find him,” Michael said defiantly, wiping away the sticky streak on his right cheek where his blistered eye was still weeping.

“
Don’t forget, he was going to kill you too. Your own brother. You can either help me or leave. I won’t blame if you decide to go. But make your make mind up.”

Simon rolled his eyes in exasperation, knowing what the correct course of action was.

“
Alright, I’ll help you.”

Looking around the balcony to the entrances to the other three wings of the building, Simon’s gaze fell on the corridor opposite where they’d emerged in the atrium. The large sign attached to the far wall read:
‘Research and Development’
.

“
Come on, I’ve got an idea,” he said, beginning to jog in the direction of the corridor.

Crashing through the double doors into the new corridor they were met by onrushing staff attempting to evacuate the building, heading for the staircases situated in the atrium.

“
Where are you guys going?” a woman yelled as Michael and Simon barged past. “We’ve all got to leave the building.”

The two men ignored her, keeping on moving until the stream of worried workers had all left the area. Now they were left alone in the long deserted white corridor. The only sound the hum of servers processing somewhere nearby.

Next to where they’d stopped was a door labeled
‘R&D Laboratory 6’
. Without a word the two men slipped into the lab, closing the door behind them to conceal their presence.

“
What have you got in mind?” Michael asked as Simon sat down at a desk.

The computer was still on from where the staff had hastily evacuated. And more importantly it was still logged into SemComNet’s internal computer system.

“
These machines are still logged on which means I haven’t got to spend ages pissing about trying to hack a way in.”

Michael looked around anxiously as Simon closed down a number of applications before opening up a FTP connection window.

“
Before we came here I stored a copy of the app on one of R.I.G’s secure FTP servers as a little bit of insurance.”

Michael frowned, remembering the savage torturing they’d received.

“
But you gave all of those details to Brown. They’ll have deleted it, or taken it down now.”