"Hey!" Foster yelled into the phone. "I don't know where you get off calling me at 2 in the morning, but you've got your head up your ass." "Excuse me Mr. Foster, I do not and could not execute such a motion. However, do not forget we did have an agreement." Homosoto was insistent. "What the fuck are you talking about?" Miles was adamant. "Since you insist on these games, Mr. Foster. I have read with great interest about the so called Columbus Day Virus. I believe you have made a great error in judgment." Miles had just had about enough of this. "If you've got something to say, say it." he snorted into the phone. "Mr. Foster. Did we not agree that the first major strike was not to occur until next year?" "Yeah," Miles said offhandedly. He saw Perky open her eyes and look at him quizzically. He made a fist with his right hand and made an obscene motion near his crotch. "Then, what is this premature event?" Homosoto persisted. "Not mine." Miles looked out the balcony. Perky was invitingly licking her lips. Miles turned away to avoid distraction. "Mr. Foster, I find it hard to believe that you are not responsi- ble." "Tough shit." "Excuse me?" Homosoto was taken aback. "Simple. You are not the only person, and neither am I, the only person who has chosen to build viruses or destructive computer programs. We are merely taking a good idea and taking it to its logical conclusion as a pure form of offensive weaponsry. This one's not mine nor yours. It's someone elses." The phone was silent for a few seconds. "You are saying there are others?" The childlike naivete was coming through over 12,000 miles of phone wire. "Of course there are. This will probably help us." "How do you mean?" "There are a hundreds of viruses, but none as effective as the ones which we use. A lot of amateurs use them to build their egos. Jerusalem-B, Lehigh, Pakistani, Brain, Marijuana, they all have names. They have no purpose other than self aggrandizement. So, we will be seeing more and more viruses appear that have nothing to do with our efforts. I do hope you will not call every time you hear of one. You know our dates. " "Is there no chance for error?" "Oh yes! There is, but it will be very isolated if it occurs. Most viruses do not receive as much attention as this one, and probably won't until we are ready. And, as I recall we are not ready." Miles was tired of the timing for the hand holding session. Ms. Perkins was beckoning. "I hope you are right. My plans must not be interfered with." "Our plans," Miles corrected. "my ass is on the line, too. I don't need you freaking every time the press reports a computer going on the fritz. It's gonna happen a lot." "What will happen, Mr. Foster?" Homosoto was able to convey disgust with a Japanese accent like no other. "We've been through this before."