Keeper of the algorithm.., p.14
Keeper of the Algorithm (The Keeper Saga Book 1), page 14
Their synergy was undeniable. As lines of code flowed, and procedures evolved, the Dynamo fix began to take shape. It was a marvel of modern technology, a digital sentinel poised to protect the nation's most critical assets.
Mike tapped his fingers on the keyboard, deep in thought. "We can't rely solely on traditional firewalls or encryption methods. This calls for something entirely new. Signature-based detection, heuristic detection, and behavior analysis must be combined into a code that can learn and adapt in real-time, just like the Serpent."
Amber suggested, "What if we use a combination of reinforcement learning and neural networks? We train our code to recognize patterns and anomalies in the Serpent's behavior. That way, it can predict their next move and respond accordingly."
Jonah added, "We should also integrate a decentralized system. If one node is compromised, the others can continue to operate independently, making it harder for the Serpent to cripple our defenses."
Mike added, “And we must incorporate real-time human supervision into the training.”
The three of them worked tirelessly through the night. They debated, refined, and tested their algorithms, each iteration bringing them closer to their goal.
The Dynamo fix was their brainchild. It was nearing completion as a cutting-edge cybersecurity system that would overlay the real-time human-supervised Algorithm onto the entire Internet.
In the early morning hours, Mike leaned back in his chair, a tired but satisfied smile on his face. "I think we've got it. Our code is ready."
But just as the project reached this critical phase, the door to the gallery swung open with a resounding thud. Gault, the enigmatic figure who had once been their mentor, entered the room with an air of authority.
"Mike, Amber, Jonah," Gault said, his voice stern. "I hope you're not proceeding with this Dynamo fix without a complete evaluation and review."
Mike exchanged a worried glance with Amber and Jonah. Gault's demands were unexpected. He believed in thoroughness and caution, even if it meant delaying the implementation of their creation.
Jonah spoke up. His tone was diplomatic but firm. "Dr. Gault, we understand the importance of due diligence, but time is of the essence. NSA has reported that the Spitfire Rule is fast approaching. We can't afford to wait."
Gault crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on Mike. "This project is too critical to rush. We need to ensure that every line of code is flawless. One mistake and our entire cybersecurity network could be compromised."
Amber said, "Dr. Gault, we've taken every precaution. We've run simulations, conducted stress tests, and refined the program. We can't afford to delay any further. The deterrence readiness is reaching the critical percentage."
Mike added his support. “Amber is right. There’s no time left. We’ve nearly reached the Spitfire limit. We must act, immediately.”
Gault remained unyielding. “I refused to authorize the change. I will gather the review team.”
And Gault stormed out.
Mike was left with a difficult decision. He knew their fix was their best hope to avoid dire consequences.
He whispered to Amber, "We can't wait. We need to input Dynamo now."
Amber nodded in agreement. Her eyes filled with determination.
Mike and Amber left the NSA facility and went quickly to the Turing Institute.
Chapter 36
Only Human
Mike's grip tightened around Amber's hand as they moved swiftly through the moonlit campus toward Lovelace Hall. He cast a fleeting glance at her face, etched with the traces of her concern. He wondered,
Was she prepared for what awaited them?
Was he?
As they walked, a sense of unease crept over Mike. The motion of the people nearby felt off, not quite right. It wasn't long before Amber leaned her head against his shoulder and whispered calmly, "Someone is following us. Don't look now. Remember when I mentioned feeling stalked? Those two men across the street. I've seen them before. I'm sure they're the ones."
Mike halted at the street corner, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He discreetly scanned their surroundings. He spotted two more shady figures behind them, mirroring the first pair. These men had the look of hardened criminals or perhaps covert agents.
"Could they be MSS agents?" Mike asked.
"Possibly," Amber replied in a hushed tone, her grip on his hand firm. They exchanged a knowing look.
A dozen escape routes flashed through Mike's mind, each seemingly impractical as the next. But he pushed those thoughts aside, remembering that one had to stay calm and reason in such moments.
"They're not certain if it's time to strike," Mike said, his voice low and steady. "Still, they might attempt to capture us. We need to reach the Algorithm terminal and input Dynamo."
Amber pointed ahead, her voice tense. "There are two more ahead of us. Can you see them?"
Their pursuers were closing in, the ones across the street halting their advance and waiting.
"They're tightening the net," Amber whispered.
"Look, the first two are crossing the street, coming this way."
With a nod, they made a split-second decision and darted into a side street.
The closest MSS agent shouted, "Stop!" His companions echoed the command.
"We need to call for help," Amber urged.
Mike tried dialing 911, but frustration washed over him as he discovered no signal. He attempted again, but the result was the same.
"They must be jamming the signal," he muttered, his frustration giving way to grim determination.
They moved quickly and silently through the moonlit night.
Amber pointed, her voice whispering, "Turn here." They disappeared into a dark corner.
Multiple voices echoed down the alley, discussing their quarry.
"You said you saw her?"
"I thought I saw both of them. Over this way."
"There's nothing here now."
"They must have turned the corner. Let's go."
Mike counted to twenty, his breath held in anticipation as the voices of their pursuers faded into the distance.
The silence deepened, and he cautiously squeezed out of the narrow doorway, creeping up the steps to glimpse his surroundings. Although he saw no immediate threats, he hesitated, acutely aware of every gasp of breath and the thunderous pounding of his heart. Each step resonated in the stillness. To his right, a formless blur of movement caught his eye, and he instinctively tried to duck. But it was too late.
"WHACK!"
Mike found himself sprawled on his back, a fleeting glimpse revealing the face of the man who had struck him. Panic surged as he felt the foul breath of the assailant, rough hands closing around his neck.
Desperation gave Mike the strength to strike back. His fist connected with the thug's face, eliciting an
"OOOF!"
The grip around his neck loosened. Mike pressed his advantage, striking repeatedly until the thug collapsed in a heap.
Gasping for breath, his heart racing, Mike grabbed the man's gun and tucked it into the waistband behind his back.
"This way," Amber whispered, guiding him toward the cover of a nearby building. They dove behind a stack of discarded crates, breathing heavily and trying to be as silent as possible.
Hoping to throw the agents off their trail, Mike gestured toward a broken window, signaling for them to climb inside. Amber nodded, her face a mask of determination as she hefted herself through the windowpane with Mike right behind her.
The room was empty except for the abandoned remnants of industrial machinery. The vast space echoed every sound, making their footsteps like muted drumbeats as they tried to navigate the maze of old equipment.
As they made their way deeper inside, an unexpected sound made Amber freeze in her tracks—a whisper, dangerously close. "Mike!" she hissed, but it was too late. Two figures emerged from the shadows, approaching with the quiet grace of predators.
"We need to leave now," Mike rasped.
Amber nodded in agreement.
They left the building, which had momentarily been a battleground but was now eerily quiet, as Mike and Amber went into Lovelace Hall.
Mike went to the secure room that housed the Algorithm's quantum supercomputer mainframe.
Mike swiped Winters' special keycard through the card reader, and a biometric scanner emerged from the wall. His hand trembled as he placed his palm on the glass surface, waiting for approval. A green light blinked, and the door emitted a soft, hydraulic hiss as it slid open.
He said, “Lights.”
The secure chamber that housed the Algorithm's quantum supercomputer mainframe interface was bathed in a bright white light. Mike entered the Gödel room, and he went to the nearby terminal. Amber sat facing him at the second terminal in the center of the room. The two-person rule was required. She started the login process with her special access.
Mike took a deep breath. This was it—the moment of reckoning. He inserted the keycard into its slot, and a screen came alive, asking for his Turing ID pin.
He touched his pin to the screen. A prompt appeared on the screen.
"The Algorithm waits."
Mike began entering the Dynamo. Amber started to enter the changes on her screen.
An alert sounded.
Amber said, “That’s an operational alert. It requires a reset of a breaker.”
She got up and went to a closet door at the back of the room. She opened the door and went inside.
At that moment, a man stepped into the vault, one hand curled around his gun and the other pointing in Mike’s direction.
“Stop what you’re doing. Don’t move.”
Mike gasped. He recognized the short, stocky man, Dr. Chetna Wu.
“You’re the mole? You’re an MSS agent? "
“Surprised?” the agent snickered in a cold, calculated way. “Yes. Whatever happens here tonight will be on me.”
Until this moment, Mike hadn’t thought of the agent as infiltrating moles, but then successful espionage agents must be gifted in disguise.
The agent said, “I worked hard to penetrate the security with the help of deep fake technology.”
Mike couldn’t take it all in.
How could this be true?
“But agents stalked and attacked Amber and me.”
“Yes. I was involved, too. Unfortunately, I’m the only one to make it here.”
Mike said, “I must have been stupid. Your agents were manipulating things all along, but you were the spider in the center of the web. You had means and opportunity at every turn, but no one suspected the earnest under your deep fake ID.”
He took a breath. “Where is the FBI now?”
“Following a wild goose chase, I set up for them. The feds will be chasing shadows until dawn.”
“This can’t be how you planned it.”
"No. I've had to adjust my plans constantly—all because of you. I knew you'd be trouble from the moment you arrived. I kept hoping Gault would be able to get rid of you, but you were resilient."
Mike looked around the room, hoping to find something to distract the MSS agent.
“Now, you’re too great a problem to let live. I’ve a mission to complete, and you’re thwarting it. I can’t let you continue with your cybersecurity improvements.”
“It was you who breached the server farm, and killed Paul Wilson,” accused Mike, hoping to buy more time.
“Of course, Wilson was getting close. I had to sabotage the system. Unfortunately, you picked the same time to get nosy.”
The MSS mole moved his gun to his left hand, moving forward. “Be quiet now. I must see what you were attempting to do.”
Thinking of a ruse, Mike said, “You went to MIT. It was your MIT jacket at the server farm.”
"Unfortunately," said the MSS agent, nodding. "I was careless, but the FBI never discovered it. I think Amber had something to do with that. Perhaps she thought it was yours?"
Mike nodded.
She’s been protecting me for months.
The agent took Mike’s place at the terminal and tried to examine what Mike had been working on.
He fumed as he stumbled to access the terminal. "Damn it. Tell me what the security protocol is."
Mike sat motionless, trying to think of how to outwit him.
The computer screens went white, then black, as the machine waited for input.
Mike squirmed in his chair. So far, he's made enough right choices to stay alive. He strained to hear if a security guard was about, but there were only faint sounds inside the room—the air conditioner controlling the server temperature, the hum from the computer screens, and the buzz of the overhead lights.
The mole spat out in frustration, “Don’t be a fool. Save your life by helping me run this computer. I want to know the status of the cyberattack.”
“I can’t help you.”
Frustrated, the MSS agent said, "Help me, and you'll live. Or do you want to trade your life to frustrate mine? Do you know what a bullet does to the human body? It's a miniature explosion in the flesh that ruptures organs, muscles, and severs blood vessels. It's an ugly, painful way to suffer and die. Aren't you afraid?"
“Yes, I’m afraid, but not of your bullets.”
“What then?”
“I’m afraid of letting down the ones I love most,” said Mike. He flushed and shook his head. “I’ve done it before. I don’t want to fail again.”
“It’s too late now, isn’t it? You’ve run out of options.”
The machine began to make processing noises—arrhythmic tapping sounds chugging along.
Mike asked, “You’re willing to do all this for money? That’s your sole motivation?”
“No. No. Not for money. I’m devoted to the mission.”
A large object flew across the room and shattered a computer screen.
CRASH!
Jumping back, the MSS agent turned toward the closet door and fired.
BANG!
Standing in the doorway, Amber fell like a rag doll.
He’s killed her!
The vision was intolerable—unbearable grief poured over Mike.
He grabbed at the gun in his waistband, pulled it free, and pointed it at the agent.
At the same time, the agent spun back toward him.
They fired together.
The mole bullet hit Mike. It felt as if he had been kicked in the chest. He couldn’t catch his breath. Everything was spinning, and there was a roar in his ears. He dropped to the ground, clutching his shoulder, listening to the frantic thumping of his heart. He tried to keep his eyes open, but the room was a blur.
The mole’s next two shots missed wildly.
Dizzy and hurting, Mike tried to sit up, but couldn’t. A moment of panic touched him. He tried to look at his body but was stopped short by the pain. Pulling himself up, he leaned against the wall, specks of blood extruded from his mouth.
The agent collapsed like a drunk.
Did I hit him?
His instinct was to go to Amber. But he couldn’t move.
I'm helpless. Let me lie here and die.
But as he waited, he heard a soft moan.
“Helpppp.”
She’s still alive?!
He managed to crawl to her.
She whispered, “I love you.”
It sounded like goodbye.
“Amber? You’ll be all right,” he muttered, hopeful that he spoke the truth.
Finally, the door burst open, and Special Agent Miller stumbled in.
Mike said, “You’re late.”
Chapter 37
Winner Takes All
With only a makeshift dressing over his chest wound, Mike stood before the immense digital gateway that led to the heart of the Algorithm.
Jonah entered the Gödel room. It was a cavernous virtual realm where the future of cybersecurity lay waiting to be forged. There was no time to waste. His eyes filled with determination. "This is it, Mike. Our chance with the Dynamo alteration. We'll transform the Algorithm into a living, breathing guardian of our nation's security."
Mike nodded, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "We have to be quick, Jonah. This isn't just about defense; it's about staying one step ahead of our adversaries."
Jonah grinned with anticipation. "Let's do this."
They synchronized their thoughts and began the intricate process of inputting the Dynamo fix into the Algorithm. It was like conducting a symphony of code.
As they worked, they could feel the Algorithm awakening. Its vast neural network stretched like a slumbering giant.
Jonah marveled at the progress. "Mike, it's as if we've given birth to a new form of artificial intelligence—one that can outthink, outmaneuver, and outpace any adversary."
Mike nodded his exhaustion masked by a sense of accomplishment. "We've created a digital guardian that can protect us from even the most sophisticated cyberattacks."
They uploaded their creation into the heart of the USA's nuclear deterrence facilities, a digital guardian standing watch against the relentless Serpent. It was a code born from the fusion of creativity, innovation, and a deep sense of duty to protect their nation.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Algorithm signaled its readiness. It was time to implement Dynamo into the real world. They initiated the transfer, and the digital fortress they had painstakingly crafted began to spread its wings.
The first signs of success came quickly. Alerts ceased, and attempted breaches were thwarted with swift precision. The Chinese cyber and terrorist threats were met with an impenetrable barrier.
"We did it," Mike said, his voice filled with pride.
◆◆◆
In the coming days, the Serpent launched its most vicious attack yet, but this time, it encountered a formidable adversary. The code Mike, Jonah, and Amber had crafted proved to be the Serpent’s undoing. It not only defended the nuclear deterrence facilities but also began to unravel the intricacies of the enemy AI.
As the digital battle raged on, the programmers watched with bated breath, knowing that they had taken a crucial step in securing the future of their nation. The Keeper of the Algorithm had once again played its part, ensuring that the balance of power in the digital age remained in the hands of those who sought to protect humanity.
