The Mandarin Code by Steve Lewis Page B

had copied his questions to the top.
    Is the government aware that a Chinese national who recently drowned in Lake Burley Griffin is linked to the new Chinese embassy site? Is the government aware of what this man’s role was?
    Has the Toohey Government been made aware of potential cyber-attacks by China against key Australian facilities, including the email systems of the Prime Minister and other senior ministers?
    Ms Todd’s response was straight out of the ‘give ’em nothing’ school of political bluster.
    Harry, you can quote a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister on the following:
    As a matter of long-standing principle and practice, the government does not comment on specific cyber-related incidents, investigations or operations. However, improving cyber-defence is a top national security priority for the government which is also pro-actively engaging business and the wider community.
    The Prime Minister’s National Security Strategy released on 23 January identifies defending our digital networks through integrated cyber-policy and operations as one of our key priorities over the next five years.
    The government will also be fast-tracking plans for a new Australian Cyber Security Centre, to be built in Canberra.
    Marvellous, Dunkley thought. I’m about to go into print on a huge political yarn and the government thinks a lick of spin will demonstrate everything’s under control.
    No wonder they’re in so much strife.
    He called up his story and fed the lines in, reasonably high up to appease the lawyers.
    But then he added a quote from a ‘senior national security official’ that would trump the PM’s bland PR bull.
    â€˜We are one step away from cyber-war. And yet this government seems intent on chasing China’s cash at the expense of our national sovereignty,’ the official told The Australian .
    â€˜Beijing is launching daily cyber-attacks against us, and yet Mr Toohey says nothing. When will the government learn that you can’t appease a dragon?’
    Dunkley read the draft a final time before checking his watch again: 4.12pm. He lined up his editor’s email, cc-ed it to his chief of staff in Canberra, and then hit ‘send’, watching a story that he had lovingly crafted over the past two days disappear.
    He leaned back in his chair, a self-satisfied grin creasing his face. Then he wondered just how many prying eyes would read his sparkling prose before it was published online at midnight.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
    Canberra
    It was the Ides of March, spring but still cool.
    He lifted his finest purple robe above the dirt as he crossed the cobbled street. A rider slowed his horse as he recognised the pedestrian, and dipped his head in homage.
    The familiar shape of the Theatre of Pompey hove into view. The Senate was in session and Caesar was due to address it.
    As he strode towards the theatre, Tillius Cimber called out to him beseechingly.
    â€˜Caesar, please . . . I ask you again to consider the fate of my brother. I have gathered signatures from some of Rome’s finest citizens pleading for his return.’
    The emperor dismissed him with an imperious wave. ‘I have told you before. The matter is settled.’
    The petitioner’s face hardened to a snarl as he dropped his scroll and dragged down Caesar’s tunic, pinning his arms to his sides.
    Within seconds the emperor was engulfed as a dozen conspirators emerged from the shadows, striking at his unprotected flesh with their blades.
    The searing pain as the metal tore into his body.
    One face leered from the crowd, plunging his dagger deeper than the rest.
    â€˜ Et tu, Brute? ’
    With his final breath the emperor whispered three defiant words not recorded by history. ‘ Non occides ambitione .’
    Catriona Bailey’s eyes flashed open as the nightmare shook her awake. The face of her murderer was still vivid.
    Her heart was racing. The nightmares were