Digital Fortress - Dan Brown

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It is said that in death, all things become clear; Ensei Tankadonow knew it was true. As he clutched his chest and fell to theground in pain, he realized the horror of his mistake. People appeared, hovering over him, trying to help. But Tankadodid not want help--it was too late for that. Trembling, he raised his left hand and held his fingers outward.Look at my hand! The faces around him stared, but he couldtell they did not understand. On his finger was an engraved golden ring. For an instant, themarkings glimmered in the Andalusian sun. Ensei Tankado knew it wasthe last light he would ever see.

CHAPTER 1
They were in the smoky mountains at their favoritebed-and-breakfast. David was smiling down at her. "What do yousay, gorgeous? Marry me?" Looking up from their canopy bed, she knew he was the one.Forever. As she stared into his deep-green eyes, somewhere in thedistance a deafening bell began to ring. It was pulling him away.She reached for him, but her arms clutched empty air. It was the sound of the phone that fully awoke Susan Fletcherfrom her dream. She gasped, sat up in bed, and fumbled for thereceiver. "Hello?" "Susan, it's David. Did I wake you?" She smiled, rolling over in bed. "I was just dreaming ofyou. Come over and play." He laughed. "It's still dark out." "Mmm." She moaned sensuously. "Then definitely come over and play. We can sleep in before we headnorth." David let out a frustrated sigh. "That's why I'mcalling. It's about our trip. I've got topostpone." Susan was suddenly wide awake. "What!" "I'm sorry. I've got to leave town. I'll beback by tomorrow. We can head up first thing in the morning.
We'll still have two days."

"But I made reservations," Susan said, hurt. "Igot our old room at Stone Manor." "I know, but--" "Tonight was supposed to be special--tocelebrate six months. You do remember we're engaged,don't you?" "Susan." He sighed. "I really can't go intoit now, they've got a car waiting. I'll call you from theplane and explain everything." "Plane?" she repeated. "What's goingon? Why would the university . . . ?" "It's not the university. I'll phone and explainlater. I've really got to go; they're calling for me.I'll be in touch. I promise." "David!" she cried. "What's--" But it was too late. David had hung up. Susan Fletcher lay awake for hours waiting for him to call back.The phone never rang. * * * Later that afternoon Susan sat dejected in the tub. Shesubmerged herself in the soapy water and tried to forget StoneManor and the Smoky Mountains. Where could he be? shewondered. Why hasn't he called? Gradually the water around her went from hot to lukewarm andfinally to cold. She was about to get out when her cordless p
honebuzzed to life. Susan bolted upright, sloshing water on the flooras she grappled for the receiver she'd left on the sink. "David?" "It's Strathmore," the voice replied. Susan slumped. "Oh." She was unable to hide herdisappointment. "Good afternoon, Commander." "Hoping for a younger man?" The voice chuckled. "No, sir," Susan said, embarrassed. "It'snot how it--" "Sure it is." He laughed. "David Becker's agood man. Don't ever lose him." "Thank you, sir." The commander's voice turned suddenly stern. "Susan,I'm calling because I need you in here. Pronto."

She tried to focus. "It's Saturday, sir. we don'tusually--" "I know," he said calmly. "It's anemergency." Susan sat up. Emergency? She had never heard the wordcross Commander Strathmore's lips. An emergency? InCrypto? She couldn't imagine. "Y-yes, sir." Shepaused. "I'll be there as soon as I can." "Make it sooner." Strathmore hung up. * * * Susan Fletcher stood wrapped in a towel and dripped on theneatly folded clothes she'd set out the nightbefore--hiking shorts, a sweater for the cool mountainevenings, and the new lingerie she'd bought for the nights.Depressed, she went to her closet for a clean blouse and skirt. An emergency? In Crypto? As she went downstairs, Susan wondered how the day could getmuch worse. She was about to find out.

CHAPTER 2
Thirty thousand feet above a dead-calm ocean, David Beckerstared miserably from the Learjet 60's small, oval window.He'd been told the phone on board was out of order, andhe'd never had a chance to call Susan. "What am I doing here?" he grumbled to himself. Butthe answer was simple--there were men to whom you justdidn't say no. "Mr. Becker," the loudspeaker crackled."We'll be arriving in half an hour." Becker nodded gloomily to the invisible voice. Wonderful.He pulled the shade and tried to sleep. But he could only think ofher.