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your mighty status."
His monologue went unheard by the unconscious Redmond, who had been further
subdued by a massive and possibly lethal dosage of sedatives, and the
drug-befuddled object of his deepest desires.
Once he had accessed the Tech Admin area, he was able to open up Terrence's
user account, giving him access to the Security subsystem in the case of
emergency. There was additional password protection for this area but, unlike
the master access code, this was an  operator discretion code"; it was not
assigned by computer, but by the user himself, and it was not updated as a
matter of routine.
It might take a little while to get in here, Deeks thought,but our
anally-retentive, pin-brained friend, Terrence, just livesfor his little
electronic domain. It shouldn't take toolong for a master hacker to find out
his access code.
* * * *
An urgent beep sounded in the Control Room, and a red light flashed on a
panel. Xylox looked round from his station by the open doorway.
"What is that, Armitage? he barked.
The nervous Administrator, not looking at the Questor, mumbled  Remote Tech
Admin access."
"What does that mean? the mage demanded.
"Someone's accessing the Technical Administration area on the main computer
server from a remote terminal, Armitage replied slowly, as if addressing a
stupid question from an insistent child. It seemed as if the Haven chief was
regaining a little of his arrogance.
Xylox felt none the wiser after this cryptic response. He hated Technology in
all its aspects, but he now began to think that complete denial of this
ancient art might not be the best course of action in this den of electronic
iniquity.
He paused for a moment, rubbing his chin in uncharacteristic indecision. He
did not want to set the evil Administrator loose on his foul devices, but he
suspected that somebody might be setting another trap for his team.
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"Do you have anything to do with this? the thaumaturge snapped, his brows
hovering like grey birds of prey over his narrowed eyes.  I will know if you
lie, and I can make you beg me to kill you, if I so wish."
Armitage hauled himself from under his console, and staggered to his feet.  I
swear this is none of my doing, Questor, he stuttered, in an evident attempt
to seem frank and honest, but succeeding only in appearing shifty and
guilt-ridden.
Nonetheless, Xylox's Sight indicated no deception.  Is this some attempt to
take control of this area by Technological means?"
"It could be, although I doubt it, Armitage replied.  It's probably just
some Tech accessing the technical database for an unauthorised research
project, but I can't tell anything without accessing the system myself.
However, I will say that the only person who might normally be expected to
employ such access is Senior Technician Terrence."
Armitage folded his arms across his chest as if delivering a defiant
ultimatum, casting his eyes at the bloody form of the dead tech.
The mage considered the Administrator's response with care; Armitage did not
appear to be lying, and he could always monitor the Haven chief's aura for
incipient deception. Although Xylox had strong scruples about using his Sight
on fellow mages without their permission, he would not extend this courtesy to
a despised scion of Technology.
"Warrior Tordun; be so kind as to resume the watch. I will ensure that this
wretch does not attempt to gull us, on his life."
Xylox stepped towards Armitage.  Play us false, and I will make you wish that
you had never been born, he threatened.  Find out who is doing thisthing ,
and be quick about it."
* * * *
"So, what do you boys normally do around here, when there are no rampant
mages in residence? Grimm asked of his uncommunicative escorts.
"Maintenance, supplies, store inventory. All the crap jobs, one of the men
muttered, his voice dripping with mingled resentment and resignation.
The label on the breast of his uniform read  Tattler', a singularly
inappropriate appellation, in the young thaumaturge's opinion.
"It sounds to me as if you should consider a career change, the mage said,
attempting to make conversation. His words fell on stony ground as the escorts
held their tongues. Nonetheless, Grimm felt happy, almost ebullient, and he
refused to let these two dull individuals spoil it.
He was about to make a further attempt to elicit a little more openness from
the guards when they rounded the corner into Black sector, only to be greeted
by a metal wall of a form only too familiar to Grimm.
"That's odd, Tattler said, his expression a melange of confusion and
concern.  We've gotsome screens down, but not through here. We came by this
way when the alert was raised, and it was open then."
"Open it, the Questor said, all light-heartedness departing his voice.
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The guard hurried to comply, tapping a rectangle of numbered keys with his
fingers. Grimm guessed that the red flashing light and the low beep from the
panel did not indicate success.
"Well, I'll be damned! Tattler said.  You try, Emmers."
Emerson stepped up to the metal wall and went through similar motions, to the
same effect.
"We're locked out, Emerson said to his comrade, his expression troubled.
The mage felt anxiety rising within him like bile, and he took refuge in
righteous anger.
"Are you saying you have no inkling of the reason for this blockage? he
demanded.
Grimm's eyes narrowed and his hands flexed as if prepared to emit death at
his least word of command.
Emerson's face reddened.  I swear we have nothing to do with this, mage, he
stammered, in evident fear of some brutal magical reprisal.
Grimm looked at Tattler, to find the guard's face as blank as his
colleague's.
"I suggest that you contact your superior, he said.  I am in no mood to be
balked by petty games. You would be well advised to have this barrier lifted."
His tone was low and threatening, and the security guard quickly grabbed the
elaborate armband on his wrist. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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