Nano Read online

  Sam Fisher is the pseudonym of thriller writer Michael White, author of the acclaimed international bestsellers Equinox, The Medici Secret, The Borgia Ring and The Art of Murder. He lives in WA.

  Nano is the third novel in the high-octane E-Force series following State of Emergency and Aftershock.

  Visit his website at www.michaelwhite.com.au

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity, including internet search engines or retailers, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, photocopying (except under the statutory exceptions provisions of the Australian Copyright Act 1968), recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of Random House Australia. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

  Nano

  ePub ISBN 9781864711646

  A Bantam book

  Published by Random House Australia Pty Ltd

  Level 3, 100 Pacific Highway, North Sydney NSW 2060

  www.randomhouse.com.au

  First published by Bantam in 2011

  Copyright © Michael White 2011

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity, including internet search engines or retailers, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying (except under the statutory exceptions provisions of the Australian Copyright Act 1968), recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of Random House Australia.

  Addresses for companies within the Random House Group can be found at www.randomhouse.com.au/offices

  National Library of Australia

  Cataloguing-in-Publication Entry

  Fisher, Sam, 1959–

  Nano/Sam Fisher.

  ISBN: 978 1 86471 163 9 (pbk.)

  A823.4

  Cover illustration and design by www.blacksheep-uk.com

  Typeset and eBook production by Midland Typesetters, Australia

  Contents

  The Story So Far

  Chapter 01

  Chapter 02

  Chapter 03

  Chapter 04

  Chapter 05

  Chapter 06

  Chapter 07

  Chapter 08

  Chapter 09

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Chapter 71

  Chapter 72

  Chapter 73

  Chapter 74

  Chapter 75

  Chapter 76

  Chapter 77

  Chapter 78

  Chapter 79

  Chapter 80

  Chapter 81

  Chapter 82

  Chapter 83

  Chapter 84

  Chapter 85

  Chapter 86

  Chapter 87

  Chapter 88

  Chapter 89

  Chapter 90

  Chapter 91

  Chapter 92

  Chapter 93

  Chapter 94

  Chapter 95

  Chapter 96

  Chapter 97

  Chapter 98

  Chapter 99

  Chapter 100

  Chapter 101

  Chapter 102

  Chapter 103

  Chapter 104

  Epilogue

  Also By Sam Fisher

  Random House

  The story so far . . .

  ‘The world needs an organisation that can go into disaster zones and save lives, superfast,’ declared Colonel Mark Harrison. And he was a man who made things happen.

  It took him a year to get anyone to listen to his plan and then a further three years before his dream became reality. But when it did, he found himself leader of a team that could go into any emergency situation anywhere in the world and save lives. He called his team E-Force.

  E-Force was originally fronted by the six key members: Mark Harrison, Josh Thompson, Stephanie Jacobs, Maiko Buchanan, Peter Sherringham and Tom Erickson, backed up by 1800 others: techs, engineers, maintenance, medical and comms people. After a recent mission – to rescue sur-vivors from the stricken Neptune Hotel in the Pacific Ocean – Josh Thompson resigned from the team. He was replaced by a French pilot called Chloe Gavoine and a seventh team member, Dimitri Godska, was recruited.

  The E-Force main base (Base One) is on the tiny Pacific island of Tintara, a little under 2000 kilometres south-southwest of San Diego but there are several other bases dotted around the globe. The locations of Base One and the other E-Force hubs remain a closely guarded secret.

  Although Mark, Steph, Dimitri, Pete, Mai and Chloe are at the sharp end of any mission, they could not operate without Tom, the team’s cyberguru. Wheelchair-bound after a childhood road accident, he is a world-class hacker and has an intimate relationship with the ‘eighth member’ of E-Force, Sybil, the world’s only quantum computer. Sybil operates all the E-Force systems and is the computer nerve centre of the operation.

  It is over a year since E-Force’s first mission. Since then they have conducted more than 20 separate rescues. They are now globally famous.

  E-Force Personnel

  Mark Harrison

  African American.

  1.9 metres, 95 kilograms.

  Greying black hair, dark brown eyes.

  Born: Houston, Texas, 1969.

  Areas of expertise: Team leader, IT expert, experienced pilot.

  Experience: Rhodes scholar, mathematics major, Oriel, Oxford 1987–90; PhD in Computer Science; four years with IBM, 1990–94; US Special Forces, 1995–2000 (retired with the rank of colonel).

  Other talents: Fluent in four languages including Mandarin and Russian; marksman (distinguished expert class); judo master sixth dan; first African American Oxford rowing Blue.

  Peter Sherringham

  Caucasian European.

  1.8 metres, 84 kilograms.

  Red hair, green eyes.

  Born: Newcastle, England, March 1973.

  Areas of expertise: Explosives, engineering.

/>   Experience: NCO in British Army, 1991–98; served in Northern Ireland and Iraq. After retiring from the Army, Peter founded Globex, now a leading specialist in commercial demolition.

  Stephanie Jacobs

  Caucasian Australian.

  1.7 metres, 65 kilograms.

  Blonde hair, green eyes.

  Born: Sydney, Australia, June 1975.

  Area of expertise: Medical doctor.

  Experience: Completed medical training in 2001; specialised in burns treatment; made consultant at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, 2007; headed internationally renowned team at the cutting edge of burns treatment.

  Other talents: 100-metre and 200-metre freestyle gold medallist in both 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games.

  Maiko Buchanan

  Asian American.

  1.63 metres, 54 kilograms.

  Black hair, black eyes.

  Born: Kyoto, Japan, May 1974; emigrated with her parents to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1984.

  Area of expertise: NASA space shuttle pilot.

  Experience: Flown three missions, one as commander.

  Other talents: Engineering major at UCLA; excellent soccer player.

  Chloe Gavoine

  Caucasian, European.

  1.8 metres, 70 kilograms.

  Auburn hair, brown eyes.

  Born: Lyon, 1980.

  Area of expertise: Ace pilot, French Air Force fighter jet instructor; survival expert, trained in varied terrain endurance; former member of the French Foreign Legion. Josh Thompson’s replacement in E-Force.

  Other talents: PhD in Encryption.

  Dimitri Godska

  Caucasian European.

  1.65 metres, 71 kilograms.

  Black hair, black eyes.

  Born: Kiev, 1976.

  Area of expertise: Experienced pilot; worked in E-Force since inception; flown all team’s aircraft; operated out of Polar Base for six months.

  Other talents: Martial arts expert; medical doctor, trained for five years as a surgeon in Isida Hospital, Kiev, specialising in gallbladder surgery.

  Tom Erickson

  Caucasian American.

  1.75 metres, 58 kilograms.

  Brown hair, blue eyes.

  Born: Baltimore, 1992.

  Area of expertise: World-class hacker.

  Experience: E-Force’s wheelchair-bound computer guru; served one year of a six-year sentence in Aldermont Correctional Facility, New York State, for internet fraud.

  Other talents: IQ of 202 (four points higher than Stephen Hawking).

  E-Force Equipment

  E-Force’s equipment is at least 20 years ahead of publically known cutting-edge civilian or military technology. This is because it is supplied to them by an organisation called CARPA (Civilian Advanced Research Projects Agency). CARPA was established in the 1950s to develop the most radical and advanced ideas coming out of universities and industry. It is a clandestine organisation that is funded by a multinational group through the auspices of the UN. The quid pro quo for the arrangement is that, in exchange for the use of this technology, E-Force act as guinea pigs to test the innovations and help in perfecting CARPA’s gadgets. Here is a list of some of the key pieces of equipment used by E-Force.

  BigEyes

  E-Force are given warning of any potential disaster thanks to a network of 32 highly advanced satellites which girdle the earth in geosynchronous orbit. These satellites are called BigEyes and they are fitted with supersensitive detection equipment that can pinpoint any sign of impending trouble anywhere on the planet and communicate the information to Base One on Tintara.

  Sybil

  The world’s only quantum computer. Because it makes direct use of quantum mechanical phenomena, it can operate millions of times faster than the most powerful supercomputer in service. Sybil is the cyber nerve centre of E-Force. The computer core is located at Base One, the primary operations platform for E-Force on the island of Tintara, 2000 kilometres south-southwest of San Diego. However, it is linked with a network of subsidiary bases around the world.

  Cybersuits

  Each operational team member wears a cybersuit. These are made from a blend of man-made polymers and carbothreads. They are wired for comms and internet connection to Tintara base. The wearer can be supplied with nutrients to last a week. The suits protect the team from extremes of temperature, and toxic and corrosive environments. The suits are also fitted with nanobots that can repair injuries and fix the suit if it is damaged.

  Implants

  Another important aspect of E-Force technology is more personal. With the exception of Tom, all the team members have undergone surgery to have implants and enhancements fitted. These include alterations to their eyes to expand their visual range and cochlear implants to enhance hearing.

  Silverbacks

  These are Mach 10 jets capable of reaching anywhere in the world within two and a half hours. Like all E-Force aircraft, they are powered by next-generation scram jets and are Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) planes. They carry a pilot and navigator but may be flown solo if necessary. E-Force have a fleet of eight Silverbacks, six based on Tintara – John, Paul, George and Ringo (along with two backups, Dylan and Eric). The remaining two, Mick and Keith, are shared by the other, smaller E-Force bases around the world. Along with all E-Force equipment, Silverbacks are painted with Camoflin which confuses cameras and video recorders to produce a blurred image.

  Big Macs

  These aircraft are the workhorses of the organisation – huge transport vehicles in which heavy equipment is delivered to operation sites. There are two Big Macs in service, both based on Tintara Island. Each is capable of flight at Mach 6 and has a range of 20,000 kilometres.

  Hummingbirds

  Seven of these aircraft are in operation. They are large passenger planes, each capable of carrying 22 passengers at speeds up to Mach 6 and with a range of 20,000 kilometres.

  Drebbel and Narcis

  Nuclear-powered submarines used to carry survivors of marine incidents. The optimum crew is six, but each sub may be piloted solo. They can each carry up to 23 passengers in comfort and may stay submerged indefinitely. Top speed is 100 knots. Transported aboard a Big Mac.

  Hot Dogs

  These are mini-subs. There are six in service. Each carries up to two people. They can descend to a depth of 6000 metres and are powered by a 600 horsepower engine. Top speed is 150 knots.

  Hunters

  Autonomous, self-powered moving sensor devices, these can be pre-programmed to conduct a mission, or may be piloted by a human operator with a two-way audiovisual feed. They are used primarily to enter unstable buildings and to conduct reconnaissance.

  Prams

  E-Force’s key High Speed Ground Transporters (HSGTs). Loosely based upon the design for the hovercraft, Prams are each capable of transporting six passengers and approximately 100 kilograms of equipment at speeds approaching 300 kilometres per hour.

  The Mole

  A 2000 horsepower burrowing machine used to carry a single rescuer into seemingly impossible places. It consists of two integrated parts: a massive drill bit and, behind that, a cabin and control module called the Bullet. The Mole is protected from extremes of temperature thanks to cooling and heating webs integrated within its superstrong infrastructure. Like all E-Force vehicles, the Mole is made from Maxinium, an alloy five times stronger than the toughest titanium–steel composite.

  Sonic Drills

  These lightweight drills can be used on a stand or held in both hands. The size of a rifle, the Sonic Drill can cut through 5-centimetre thick steel in seconds using ultrasound in the range of 35 kilohertz.

  Vasjets

  A needleless injection, the Vasjet is used to supply survivors with pain relief or other drugs. A microspray is directed through the skin and the blood vessel wall for immediate response.

  Biowebs

  Another nano-based piece of technology. A specially designed, synthetic polymer with various useful propert
ies. A large area – such as a set of walls for an anteroom (a self-sealing airlock used to isolate biohazards) – can be contained in a small, portable can. The operative is able to manipulate the shape and dimensions of the macro-product from the can. Bioweb materials may also incorporate nanobots for extra versatility.

  Hopjets

  A 500 HP jetpack that can be fitted into a lightweight carrier. Weighing less than 10 kilograms, it has a range of a kilometre.

  1

  100 kilometres above the Southern Californian coast, 6 December, 6.37 am Pacific Standard Time

  Anton Malkovich gripped the armrests of the chair and stared at the inky black outside. All the blue had gone. They really were on the very edge of space. He felt horrendously sick but forced away the feeling.

  Galactic Airways’ Thor 1 could fly to the edge of space, somewhere the boffins called the Karman Line. This was where the atmosphere ended and space began. The guy from Galactic Airways had told Anton it would be a hoot. ‘The experience of a lifetime,’ he’d gushed. ‘Not to be missed at any cost.’ And in a moment of weakness Anton had believed him.

  ‘At any cost’ hadn’t been far off the mark: $200,000 for a two-hour flight and just 6 minutes of weightlessness. Later, in a doubting moment, Anton had worked out that this little escapade was going to cost him $555 per second of zero gravity! But then, he could afford it and so could his fellow passenger and business partner, Richie Johnson. According to the latest Forbes survey, they were each worth $340 million. But he knew better – Forbes had under-estimated by some way.

  Malkovich looked away from the window to see Richie’s grinning face. His partner gave him the thumbs up and Anton returned the gesture, a little less enthusiastically.

  ‘Ah, come on, dude,’ Richie said raising his hands, palms up. ‘Enjoy yourself, man. Remember, you’re dead a long time.’

  A voice came over the loudspeaker. ‘Twenty seconds to weightless flight.’ It was the pilot, Captain Sue Dunbar.

  Anton looked down at himself and saw his fingertips had turned white from gripping the armrests so tightly. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit and lightweight boots. The space plane itself was smaller than it looked in the ads, and although the publicists called it a ‘spaceship’ it wasn’t really, not in the Star Trek sense of the word. But it did look long, thin, sleek, like an arrow made from titanium and steel. Pre-take-off, it had glistened in the sun of the Mojave Desert. The inside was utilitarian in the extreme – something like Anton imagined the inside of a futuristic army chopper might look – no creature comforts, all padded walls and a pair of retractable seats.