Crossing the Line
Page 6
“Then what are you doing here?” I asked, irritated that she’d brought any of this up to begin with.
She shrugged. “Every other agent wants to keep away. I want to get to know you. Because if you’re telling the truth, you’re going to need a friend. And if you’re not, I want to be the first to know.”
I considered her for a moment. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to have someone else on my side. “Fine,” I said. “But I’m not looking for a sparring partner today.”
She nodded. “I’ll give you some time, but you’ll have to learn to adjust because I’m going to be around.”
She walked away without another word. When she got back to the group, everyone seemed to have a question, but Nikki just shook her head and pulled Rachel aside to train.
Scorpion stalked over to me at the end of the training session, a determined scowl etched in his face. “What did Nikki want with you?”
I kept punching. “Why don’t you ask her about it?”
He pulled the bag back, so I’d miss my next punch. I glared at him. “I did,” he said. “She wouldn’t tell me.”
“Then I guess it’s none of your business.” I tried to continue my workout, but he stepped in front of the bag, blocking me.
“You don’t get to decide that.” His expression was strained and angry. “Now tell me. What did she want?”
I sighed, too tired to fight him anymore. “She said she’ll be keeping an eye on me. Just like everybody else. You happy?”
He didn’t say anything, but when I pushed him aside to get to the bag, he went without a struggle.
• • •
I’d been at the IDA a week before I met with Simmonds again. Scorpion had been just as brusque and irritating as he had been on day one. And Agent Harper and Cody hadn’t gotten tired of giving me a hard time. From what I could tell, their disdain for me was the only thing the two of them ever agreed on. Nikki had kept her promise to be “around.” She started training closer to me and even threw a few friendly comments my way. I also started finding my way on campus. I had more or less managed to get the layouts of all the buildings. I had made it a point to know everything I could about KATO so I could find a way out. I hadn’t planned on needing the same thing for the IDA, but I wasn’t leaving anything to chance.
It had been five weeks since I’d left KATO, which meant it was about time I made my first contact. They were expecting it to be a while before I was trusted with anything, but the sooner I got in touch with them, the better. Simmonds was waiting for me when I showed up at his office before my classes.
“How have you been?” he asked as I sat across from him. The mission map on the monitor above his head caught my eye. There were nine dots now, and in different locations from the last time I had been in the office.
“Good,” I said, forcing my focus back on him. He gave me a doubtful look and I conceded. “I’m okay.”
“You came in with four bottles of Gerex,” he said. “How long is that supposed to last?”
“Until mid-December,” I said, shifting uncomfortably. “Each bottle has a month’s supply.”
“Is there a way they planned to get more to you if you need it?” he asked.
I shrugged. “They said that there is, and that they’d let me know when the time comes.”
“Very well.” Simmonds tapped the file folder on his desk with his thumbs. “Are you ready for this?”
“Yeah,” I said. I had to be. “If we wait too much longer they might get suspicious.”
“How are you supposed to contact them?” he asked.
“They gave me a series of websites and message boards to memorize. First I have to check the temperature in Berlin on a KATO-controlled weather site. The temperature dictates what message board I’m supposed to go to. Then each site has a coded protocol that’s designed to fit the language of the website.” I rattled off everything as KATO had trained me to.
Simmonds furrowed his brow. “KATO had to know we’d catch on. We monitor computer activity, and you’d have no reason to be on a message board of any kind. We would have known you were a double agent.”
“They gave me a spoof server to go to first,” I said. “I put in the right URL and it takes me to a site that masks my history. It was designed specifically for the IDA’s computer system.”
Simmonds’s eyes darkened. “How does KATO know our computer system?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t think they have anyone else in here. They would have told me if I had an ally and they wouldn’t have been as desperate to get me in.”
Simmonds nodded, considering this. “Okay, I’ll handle it.” He pushed the folder across the desk. “Here’s what you’ll tell them. You said they’re looking for what we have on them, correct?” I nodded and flipped through the folder that contained all the details I’d need. “We obviously aren’t going to turn all of that over, but we did come up with a mixture of information that’s true, though slightly outdated, and information that’s close to true, but more immediate. You need to type this information exactly as it’s written. It’s a code designed to give us a small window into their computer.”
“They’ll be able to find that,” I said.
“They won’t. It’s too small to be detected. It only gives us a peek at the files they have open. We’ll have people monitoring the window, and compiling the data that comes across.” He was direct and straightforward.
“They won’t know it came from me, right?” I couldn’t hide my sharp tone.
Simmonds’s face softened. “They’ll never know you did anything intentionally.”
“And the intel that’s close to the truth—it’s close enough that they won’t think twice about it?”
He gave me a single headshake. “They’ll think we’re close enough to be tracking them, but that they’re still good enough to keep us guessing. And the truth is, aside from what you’ve told us, we really don’t have too much recent intel that would interest them.”
“Okay,” I said, letting out a breath I hadn’t meant to hold.
“I expect to meet with you after you get a response from them,” Simmonds said.
I nodded uneasily. If I slipped up once, KATO would know I’d turned. I would only be able to hide from them for so long and when they got a hold of me—
I shook the thoughts away. I could do this. I was trained to do this. And if I couldn’t do this much I would never be able to stop their recruitment regime. “Yes, sir,” I said, feeling my confidence building.
“Good.” He shifted a little closer. “Now, we need to discuss your bigger mission. How are you planning on getting to KATO’s recruitment operations?”
“I don’t have enough to go on yet,” I said. “They either convince most recruits to join as kids or blackmail them by threatening their families. They’ve also gotten families to turn their kids over under the guise of serving their country. I haven’t found anyone else who was kidnapped. They have recruitment centers at various points all over the world. I know rough locations of most, but I need to figure out the rest of the plan—mainly, what to do with the brainwashed agents who had their lives stolen and are now stealing other people’s lives.”
Simmonds’s expression was even, but I noticed a small spark in his eye. “If you can figure out those locations, I’ll supply you with people to help with the infiltrations and provide a place for those agents to go.”
I eyed him uncertainly. I could tell this was about more than just damaging KATO. And taking on that many enemy agents was asking a lot. “What’s in it for you?”
He gave me a small smile. “Don’t worry about it.” He read my uneasiness and tipped his head. “Jocelyn, you’re trusting me with your life. If you plan on making this happen, you’re going to have to trust me with this too.”
I bit my lip and conceded a nod.
“I’ll come up with something,” I said, smiling. “Got to pretend I’m a double agent, right?”
Simmonds nodded gravely. “Be careful. If any of our agents catch you—”
“They’ll think I have a mystery game hobby,” I said, though even I didn’t believe myself. I dropped my smile. “I’ll be fine. I’ve been doing this a long time.”
• • •
I was more anxious than I was expecting to be the night before my first KATO contact and I couldn’t relax enough to fall asleep. My mind came floating back to my parents, which it did a lot when I didn’t have something else to distract me. I had so many questions. Some of which I didn’t think that much about until I’d gotten to the IDA. Were they good agents? What were their strengths? Did my dad ever try to find me? Was I like them at all?
The later it got, the more questions I had and the more restless I felt. By one in the morning, I found myself pacing the room. I had to do something—anything. I couldn’t stay suffocated in this room all night. I was going to get answers.
I had located the IDA’s archives room in the lower level of the Operations Building a few days earlier. It housed a copy of every mission and personnel file in the IDA’s system. I hadn’t considered investigating further until that moment.
I crept across the courtyard. It was a new moon, which made it practically pitch-black out. I tugged on the door, and wasn’t surprised to find it was unlocked. With missions occurring all over the world, I had no doubt that the IDA had someone in this building at all times. I stood by the door, listening for anyone who might be coming down the hall. Simmonds didn’t tell me any place was off-limits, but I knew most people wouldn’t agree. When I was sure I was alone, I moved stealthily down the hallway pausing outside the archives door, which I was stunned to find open.
Once I saw the setup of the room, I understood why it was so easy to get inside. The room itself didn’t have too much in it, with the exception of four computers that lined the back wall. Each computer required an agent security code for access. I was clearance level two, which got me access to the most basic files—past missions, basic personal details, employment records, and other trivial information. Most agents were level four, higher agents levels five or six, with seven and eight being reserved for the highest-ranking IDA members. I punched my security code into the closest computer and logged on.
Once I was in I started combing through the files. I didn’t see any kind of easy search bar. These files were sorted as if this were a physical filing cabinet. I had to tab through the virtual drawers and folders to find what I was looking for. I slid closer to the screen, causing the chair to squeak slightly. I hadn’t gotten far when the light flicked on. I whirled around to find Nikki standing at the door, her eyes wide as she took in the scene. “What are you doing?” Her voice was far too calm for the look of livid disbelief she was wearing. “You sneak into our archives and we’re supposed to believe you’re not a spy?”
“I didn’t sneak,” I said. “I used my code. Simmonds’ll know all about this by morning.” And he’d given me every indication that he was trusting me as much as I was trusting him.
She relaxed slightly, her face turning curious. “What are you up to?”
I glanced up at her reluctantly. This wasn’t something I ever planned on discussing with anyone. It was too personal. “It’s none of your business.” I turned back to the screen and continued flipping through the folders.
“Simmonds may be okay with this, but what makes you think the rest of us will be?”
I spun on my chair to face her, a panic rising in my chest. “I’m not doing anything wrong,” I said, speaking through my teeth.
“Maybe not, but your history is just a little too sketchy for me to take you at your word.” She crossed her arms. “I said I’d give you a chance. Now you’re going to give me one. If you tell me what you’re up to and it’s as innocent as you say it is, I’ll keep your secret.”
I let out a deep breath. I didn’t have a choice. “I was looking for my parents’ files.”
Her eyes widened slightly. I’d surprised her. “Your parents? That’s what this is about?” I looked away, feeling far more exposed than I was comfortable with. “No, it’s good,” she said. “I just wasn’t expecting that.” She came and sat at the computer next to me.
My defenses went up. “What are you doing?”
“Helping.” She smiled a small fraction as she logged into the computer. “What clearance level are you? I need to set the computer so I don’t give you anything above your clearance.” I answered her question, but I was stunned. It must have showed because her smile got a little wider. “Your parents had the same last name as you, right?”
I nodded, still trying to comprehend what was happening. Nikki got to work quickly, and a few seconds later she came up with two files side by side on her screen. She slid over so I could see and my breath caught when I read their names; Alexa and Christopher Steely.
She opened my father’s file without another word and passed the mouse to me. I glanced at his picture, but couldn’t bring myself to study his face too closely. I scanned the file, taking in the information quickly. “Most of this is blacked out,” I said, not looking at Nikki. She came a little closer and I didn’t try to stop her. There wasn’t anything too personal for her to see, just basic information—when he started, how long he worked there, and a handful of his more minor missions.
“It’s probably above your classification level, which isn’t too surprising.” She flipped back to the front of the file. “Yeah, look here.” She pointed at a small number next to one of the blacked-out sections. Seven. My mom’s was the same. Nikki squinted at the number, seeming perplexed. “That’s interesting.”
“There’s something off about that?” I asked.
Nikki shrugged. “I don’t know if there’s something off, but it looks like your parents were involved in some pretty big things. Most files this old aren’t above level four.”
I opened my mom’s file. Her picture, I couldn’t look away from it. We didn’t look too much alike—her features were much more delicate than mine—but we had the same hair. It was crazy and curly and nearly impossible to manage. Her file was even more blacked out than my dad’s. The only details I could make out were what I already knew—her employment time, and that her body was found in South Korea. I closed the file quickly, angry that she was dead and that I couldn’t get any more information about her.
“We can look into a few things,” Nikki said. “The IDA has other resources. We may be able to piece some things together.”
I snapped out of my trance and focused on Nikki. “What?”
Her forehead tightened in confusion. “There are a few other places we can check. Files may be level seven, but some reports and other articles aren’t as high up. We may be able to find something more.”
“Okay.” I spoke slowly, trying to process this. I wanted to ask her why, but when I opened my mouth different questions came out. “How did you know I was in here? What are you even doing here this late?”
“I just got back from a mission and Simmonds asked me to drop the file off in the filing and processing room next door. I was on my way out when heard the chair squeak. Which probably wouldn’t have seemed that weird if the light weren’t off.” She tilted her head to the side. “If you want to look less suspicious, you should probably stop sneaking around in the dark.”
“Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Right.”
She let out a big yawn. “Anyway, I should get home before I fall over.” She logged off her computer. “I’ve got the day off tomorrow, but train with me when I get back. We’ll work out a plan.”
I nodded and she headed for the door. “Nikki.” She turned back around, givin
g me a patient, expectant look. “Thank you.”
She smiled. “Don’t stay here too late.”
Chapter Seven
FIRST CONTACT
I stayed in the archives room poring over my parents’ blacked-out files much later than I should have. I eventually managed my way back to my room to get some sleep. By the time I woke up I was able to tuck everything I learned to the back of my mind. I had something more important to do and I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
I knew there had to be computers in the Academy Building even if I hadn’t found them yet. I had the layout for each of the buildings down, save for a floor here and there. We had five minutes between each class, which was just long enough for me to get my message out to KATO. I spent the time in between my first and second classes finding the room, which turned out to be in the basement. I waited until in between my third and fourth class to actually make contact, and did my best to avoid drawing any more attention to myself than I did on a regular basis.
By the time I got downstairs, I had four minutes to pull this off and get back to Harper’s class. It was the closest I’d come to a true field assignment in months. I sat at the computer trying to type while adrenaline rushed through me. I wasn’t used to working after so much time off, or this sober. It was a simple assignment, but I found it so much more exhilarating than I normally would have.
It took me a beat longer than I would have liked to key in the firewall spoof correctly. Once I did, I entered the designated KATO weather website. Thirteen degrees Celsius. An odd number in the teens. I jumped over to the Dell computer technical support message board and followed KATO’s directions. I found the fifth post that mentioned a keyboard problem and clicked.
I scanned the post and quickly decoded the message KATO had left. It was short, and didn’t give me too much information, saying only that they were awaiting the details of the request they had previously assigned me. It also said I should check back as soon as possible to see the status of my report, which probably meant that I’d get more instruction the next time I logged on.