Excerpt from Deception Point by Dan Brown, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

The true breakthrough had come from the new field biomimics ---copying Mother Nature. Miniature dragonflies, as it turned out, were the ideal prototype for these agile and efficient flying microbots. The PH2 model Delta-One was currently flying was only one centimeter long---the size of a mosquito---and employed a dual pair of transparent, hinged, silicon-leaf wings, giving it unparalleled mobility and efficiency in the air.

The microbot's refueling mechanism had been another breakthrough. The first microbot prototypes could only recharge their energy cells by hovering directly beneath a bright light source---not ideal for stealth or use in dark locals. The newer prototypes, however, could recharge simply by parking within a few inches of a magnetic field. Conveniently, in modern society, magnetic fields were ubiquitous and discreetly placed---power outlets, computer monitors, electric motors, audio speakers, cellphones--- it seemed there was never any shortage of obscure recharging stations. Once a microbot had been successfully introduced into a locale, it could transmit audio and video almost indefinitely. The Delta Force's PH2 had been transmitting for over a week now with no trouble whatsoever.

Now, like an insect hovering inside a cavernous barn, the airborne micro-robot hung silently in the still air of the structure's massive central room. With a birds-eye view of the space below, the microbot circled silently above unsuspecting occupants ---technicians, scientists, specialists in countless fields of study. As the PH2 circled, Delta-One spotted two familiar faces engaged in conversation. They would be a telling mark. He told Delta-Two to drop down and have a listen.

Manipulating the controls, Delta-Two switched on the robot's sound sensors, oriented the microbot's parabolic amplifier, and decreased the robot's elevation until it was ten feet over the scientists' heads. The transmission was faint, but discernible.

"I still can't believe it," one scientist was saying. The excitement in his voice had not diminished since his arrival here forty-eight hours ago.

The man with whom he was talking obviously shared the enthusiasm. "In your lifetime…did you ever think you would witness anything like this?"

"Never," the scientist replied, beaming. "It's all a magnificent dream…"

Delta-One had heard enough. Clearly everything inside was proceeding as expected. Delta-Two maneuvered the microbot away from the conversation and flew it back to its hiding place. He parked the tiny device undetected near the cylinder of an electric generator. The PH2's power cells immediately began recharging for the next mission.

Copyright Dan Brown 2001. All rights reserved.