Now though, Miles had designed the big picture, and that meant long range planning. No more instant gratification. He was in control, only partially, as he was meant to be. He was impressed with the operation. That nothing had gone awry so far consoled Miles despite the fact that Homosoto called him almost every day to ask about another computer crime he had heard about. This time is was Sovereign Bank. Homosoto had heard rumors that they were being held hostage by hackers and was concerned that some of Miles' techies had gone out on their own. Homosoto reacted to the Sovereign issue as he had many others that he seemed so concerned about. Once Miles gave him an expla- nation, he let the matter drop. Not without an appropriate warn- ing to Miles, though, that he had better be right. The number of computer crimes was increasing more rapidly than Miles or anyone in the security field had predicted only a few years ago and the legal issues were mounting faster than the state or federal legislatures could deal with them. But, as Miles continually reassured Homosoto, they were small timers with no heinous motivation. They were mostly kids who played chicken with computers instead of chasing cars or smoking crack. A far better alternative, Miles offered. Just kids having a little fun with the country's most important computer systems. No big deal. Right? How anyone can leave the front door to their computer open, or with the keys lying around, was beyond him. Fucking stupid. His stream of consciousness was broken when his NipCom computer announced that Homosoto was calling. Again. Shit. I bet some high school kids changed their school grades and Homosoto thinks the Rosenburgs are behind it. Paranoid gook. <<<<<<TRANSMISSION ENCRYPTED>>>>>> MR FOSTER That's me. What's wrong. NOTHING. ALL IS WELL. That's a change. Nobody fucking with your Ninten- do, huh? YOUR HUMOR ESCAPES ME, AT TIMES S'pozed 2 WHAT? Never Mind. What do you need? WE ARE CLOSE I know. OF COURSE YOU DO. A BRIEF REPORT PLEASE. Sure. Freedom is doing better than expected. Over a million now, maybe a million and a half. The majors are sick, real sick. Alex has kept my staff full, and we're putting out dozens of viruses a week. On schedule. GOOD I'm gonna be out for a few days. I'll call when I get back. SHOULDN'T YOU STAY WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED? I carry a portable. I will check my computer, as I always do. You have never had trouble reaching me. THAT IS TRUE. WHERE DO YOU GO? Amsterdam. HOLLAND? WHY? A hackers conference. I need a break anyway, so I thought I might as well make it a working vacation. The top hackers get together and stroke themselves, but I could pick something up. Useful to us. DO BE CAREFUL, YOU ARE VALUABLE. NO ONE CAN KNOW WHO YOU ARE. No one does. No one. I use my BBS alias. Spook. * * * * * San Francisco, California