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Back Point of Contact Save as PDF
Chapters (83)
  1. Cover
  2. ALSO BY TOM CLANCY
  3. PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
  4. 1
  5. 2
  6. 3
  7. 4
  8. 5
  9. 6
  10. 7
  11. 8
  12. 9
  13. 10
  14. 11
  15. 12
  16. 13
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  18. 15
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  27. 24
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  29. 26
  30. 27
  31. 28
  32. 29
  33. 30
  34. 31
  35. 32
  36. 33
  37. 34
  38. 35
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  40. 37
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  44. 41
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  49. 46
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  51. 48
  52. 49
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  54. 51
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  82. 79
  83. What’s next onyour reading list?

“Mine, too, actually,” Dr. Tao said. “But imagine designing a home, a new prosthetic limb, or a race car.”

“Or a weapon.” Lian’s voice spoke in his ear.

Dr. Tao said, “The strong emotional response the VR experience evokes greatly enhances the learning and memory functions of its users.”

“I get that now,” Jack said. He’d felt elation, awe, fear, and joy in the demonstration. Those emotional responses were real. That was the true power behind this technology. Jack saw the enormous potential of the system for combat training but also every other kind of creative human endeavor.

The simulation ended. Jack pulled off his goggles. Dr. Tao and Lian stood in front of him.

“Now you see why video games aren’t the direction we’re most interested in,” Dr. Tao said. “But then again, imagine how fun it would be to play soccer on the pitch with your favorite World Cup team, or a round of golf with your favorite pro teaching you the game.”

Jack looked at Lian. “You’ve got your work cut out for you. This technology is more valuable than all the gold at Fort Knox.”

“There are many ways for thieves to break in to steal.” She nodded at Park, glowering in the corner, his thick arms crossed. “My team is trained to prevent all kinds of corporate espionage.”

Lian turned a withering gaze back at Jack. “Unfortunately, some forms of theft are legal. Those are the ones I am powerless to stop.”

32

It was quitting time, to judge from the number of Dalfan employees gathering their belongings and heading for the exits.

Jack stopped by Lian’s office and tapped on her door. She glanced up from her computer keyboard, a pair of bold neon-orange reading glasses perched on her nose.

“Yes?”

“I was wondering if we had any plans for tonight? I mean, the three of us.”

“I thought it best if the two of you had some time to yourselves this evening. If you want to tour the city, I can recommend a few spots.”

Ouch.

Jack shook his head. “No, I think we’re heading back to the barn to try and catch up on some sleep. See you tomorrow.”

“Good night.” Lian returned to her keyboard.

Jack swung by Paul’s office and gathered him up, and the two of them headed back to the guesthouse.

“Any plans for dinner?” Paul asked in the car.

“I saw a couple of steaks in the fridge. I thought I’d fry those up for us. Maybe with some onions and potatoes.”

“I’ll throw together a salad to go with it.”

“Sounds like a plan. How do you like yours cooked?”

“Just wave it over the top of the pan before you drop it on my plate.”

“Rare it is.”

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