Free Target Silverclaw by Simon Cheshire Page B

the display screen. It switched to a mid-air, night-vision view of a smart Georgian building. Readouts along the bottom of the display showed Sirena’s exact position as a few streets away from the Palace of Westminster.
    “SWARM HQ to Sirena,” said Simon. “Report.”
    “Sirena to SWARM HQ,” Sirena’s electronicvoice came out over the speakers. “The androids have continued to act exactly like the people they’ve replaced. No changes from expected routines, journeys or activities. Silverclaw chose their victims well. None have families or close friends who might have become suspicious. Their programming has made sure they behave normally at all times. However, there has been a development.”
    “What’s that building up ahead?” said Simon.
    “The block of flats where Sir Godfrey Kite lives,” said Sirena. “I’ve tracked all six androids to this location. This is the first unusual activity they’ve shown. I think something may be about to happen.”
    The humans in the laboratory exchanged glances, their eyes wide.
    “Right,” said Simon. “There’s no way those six people would assemble at Sir Godfrey’s home. Certainly not in the middle of the night.”
    “I’m reading all of them inside the flat now,” said Sirena. “I’ll be inside their detection range in a matter of seconds. I’ll switch to stealth mode.”
    The screen suddenly filled with static then Sirena’s voice returned.
    “Ten metres from the living-room window,” she transmitted. “My sensors are picking up movement. Wait, they’ve stopped… Stand by…”
    The seconds ticked away.
    “What’s your status, Sirena?” said Queen Bee.
    “I’m inside the living room, beside a chair. The androids are sitting motionless. Their internal electronics are still active, but their more complex functions appear to be on standby. They seem to be waiting for something. I’ll fly closer. If I can land on one of them, I might be able to intercept its deep-core programming and hack its databank.”
    “Be careful,” said Queen Bee.
    “Logged, Queen Bee,” said Sirena. “I have stealth mode at full power, so they won’t detect a probe signal.”
    “Moving in closer to the Sir Godfrey Kite android…” transmitted Sirena. “All six of them are simply sitting here… I’m going to try to—”
    Suddenly, her voice was cut off. A high-pitched tone came from the speaker, making the humans jump.
    “Sirena?” said Queen Bee. “Sirena? Report!” Silence. “Sirena!”

    “Platinum 1 to Silverclaw.” The voice, identical to that of Sir Godfrey Kite, issued from the communications unit attached to Gold Leader’s chair.
    “What is it?” snapped Gold Leader. “You’re supposed to be waiting for my signal to begin the main strike!”
    “Something you should see,” replied Platinum 1. He swung the smartphone he was using, so that its camera pointed to something crumpled up in the palm of his hand.
    Gold Leader peered at the screen in front of her. “You crushed a butterfly?” she said, her voice trembling with anger. “You called me to say you’ve crushed a butterfly?”
    The SWARM micro-robots had spread out across the control room, looking for a way into the base’s electronic systems. They paused when they heard Gold Leader’s words.
    “Sirena!” said Morph.
    “Platinum 1 to Platinum 6 are at Sir Godfrey’sflat, as ordered,” said Platinum 1. “My visual processors picked up a small insect. Platinum-level programming enables investigation of minor anomalies, therefore I snatched it up. It’s mechanical.”
    “What?” roared Gold Leader. “What is it, a surveillance device? A camera? Is it still operating?”
    “No, the pressure of my fist has deactivated it.”
    “MI5!” spat Gold Leader. “Their mobile CCTV must be more advanced than I’ve been told. They know about us! I won’t allow the Silverclaw operation to fail!”
    Gold Leader swiped the screen and called up a virtual keyboard. Out of her mechanical