Skyfall by Anthony Eaton Read Free Book Online Page A

all the way over here if we’re only going back to my place?’
    â€˜Just authorise me, okay?’
    There was a sort of excitement building in Kes which Lari didn’t trust. He’d seen her like this before and it usually spelt bad news for both of them.
    â€˜What are you up to?’
    â€˜Shi, Lari! Will you just trust me?’
    â€˜Fine.’ He waved his wristband across the allocation plate.
    â€˜Dome 3327 North, also authorising Anatale, Kesra.’
    The reader chimed, and Kes irritably flicked her wrist over the panel.
    There must have been a lift already at the hub, because their names came up on the allocation screen immediately.
    â€˜That was quick!’ Lari commented.
    â€˜The joys of upper-level priority,’ Kes muttered, as they walked straight past the grumbling queue.
    They entered the otherwise empty lift and settled into two seats.
    â€˜Anyway,’ Kes continued as the lift dropped. ‘Today we need a lift to ourselves, so it’s all for the best.’

    After another couple of seconds the lift lurched as it made the transition into a horizontal shaft.
    â€˜You ready?’ she asked.
    â€˜For what?’
    â€˜This. Controller,’ she said loudly up towards the roof, ‘engage program user interface.’
    Immediately the babble of the newspanel faded, to be replaced by the disembodied, electric voice of the lift control program.
    Program requires authorisation.
    â€˜Authorisation Anatale. Password’ – she winked at Lari – ‘Larinan.’
    For a moment there was no sound but the hum of the resonators, then:
    User interface protocols engaged.
    â€˜What’s …’ Lari began, but Kes waved him to silence.
    â€˜Computer, delog current vehicle allocation and reallocate to new destination.’
    State new destination.
    â€˜Location 370 North.’
    Location 370 North is a restricted recreation facility. State authorising identity.
    Kes threw Lari an evil grin. ‘Mann, Janil.’
    Authorisation accepted. Previous destination delogged. Vehicle now inbound location 370 North.
    â€˜Controller, end user interface program.’
    With a soft ‘click’ the newspanel glowed back into life and a couple of seconds later the lift slowed. Lari felt a gentle shudder as it reversed along its course.
    â€˜What was that about?’ Lari demanded.
    â€˜What do you think? My newest trick.’
    â€˜Kes, what did you do?’
    â€˜I found the user interface program the other day when I was having a look through the maglift systems. It’s basically for use by techies and security and a few high-ups in the Prelature.’
    Lari sighed. This was typical Kes. Where data systems were concerned, she just couldn’t stop herself.
    â€˜Are you insane? Those systems must be restricted.’
    â€˜Of course they are, but it was so easy! You wouldn’t believe how simple it was to break through.’
    â€˜Kes, if they trace you
    â€˜They won’t. I’ve put a program into the central maglift governor that automatically delogs any alterations I make through the interface. We can take lifts anywhere we want and nobody will ever know.’
    â€˜Why’d you use my brother’s name?’
    â€˜He’s an authorised identity on the interface. So’s your dad.’
    â€˜How’d you know that?’
    â€˜It’s all there if you know where to look, Lari. You wouldn’t believe the authority your dad has.’
    While they were talking, the lift entered a vertical shaft and dropped again, much further than Lari was used to.
    â€˜We’re going a long way down.’
    â€˜That’s not surprising,’ Kes replied. ‘Most of the restricted rec domes are in the lower levels. I’ve heard some of them are almost in the underworld.’
    â€˜This is a bad idea.’
    â€˜Come on, Lari, loosen up.’
    â€˜There’s a reason kids aren’t allowed down