Keeper of the algorithm.., p.8
Keeper of the Algorithm (The Keeper Saga Book 1), page 8
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Jacob Winters called his cybersecurity team to the Escher conference room for a briefing. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. The Keeper of the Algorithm had never faced a challenge quite like this. But then again, the Algorithm had never been so threatened.
“In the last few hours, new and more potent cyberattacks have been perpetrated,” said Winters.
Reports flashed across their screens showing the level the cyberattacks had reached. They were penetrating Turing’s critical infrastructure. The power grids, servers, and basic systems were in disarray.
“I am forming an action team to find the source. Manfred Gault, as Associate Keeper of R&D, you'll be the point man. Your role will be to coordinate our efforts," said Winters, nodding at Gault.
He turned and said, "Michael Stewart, given your unique skills and role in bringing the suspect anomalies to light, you'll lead the code investigation."
He then glanced at Jonah, whose screen was filled with cybersecurity frameworks and firewalls. "Jonah Jenson, your data analysis expertise is vital. You'll be working in tandem with Stewart. Your task is to dig deep into our system vulnerabilities and help us fortify our defenses."
Finally, his eyes landed on Amber Hearst, who sat poised and attentive. "Amber, you're my eyes and ears. As my special assistant, you'll act as the liaison between this team and me. Keep me abreast of all significant developments. Time is of the essence. We must find out who's behind the hacks, how they're pulling them off, and neutralize the threat—immediately."
Gault leaned forward and said, his voice tinged with anger, "This is no longer a game of cat and mouse. We're facing actions that transcend cyber.”
The team felt the urgency escalate like a tinderbox catching fire. They went about their assignments. And as they plunged back into their screens, data streams, and lines of code, each knew they were not just Keepers. They were the last line of defense.
◆◆◆
General Li felt a momentary exhilaration of triumph, quickly suppressed. There was no room for emotion, only the completion of the mission.
He waited for news of the operation’s success. But instead, a message flashed on the screen, an anomaly they had not predicted.
“Turing countermeasures have been initiated,” reported Zhang. “Turing cybersecurity has partially contained our trojan.”
Li's eyes narrowed. "What's happening now?"
" It seems they've detected the intrusion. They've successfully isolated part of their system. We did not expect such a swift reaction,” Zhang said, his voice mingled with disbelief.
Li thought of the faceless adversary who had fought off their virus, an enemy as unseen as they were. For the first time, he felt a flicker of doubt. Were they underestimating the capabilities of Turing's guardians?
“What about the physical attacks on the Institute’s infrastructure?”
“They are much more successful. Our agents are continuing to make progress.”
"Adjust plans. I want contingencies in place," Li ordered, erasing any trace of emotion from his voice. There was no room for doubt, only action.
His operators nodded. They turned back to their stations to evaluate new strategies. They were already formulating another wave of attack, another infiltration vector.
Li couldn't shake off a newfound respect for their adversary as they worked. They were no longer faceless objects. They were a worthy opponent. And while this realization did not waver his commitment to his duty, it fanned the flames of the fire that burned within him.
But even in that moment of reluctant admiration, Li knew it would not alter his mission. His commitment was to his country, to his own Algorithm. In this war of zeroes and ones, the lines were blurred. Alliances unsteady.
And as Li looked at his team, their faces were a mosaic of concentration and resolve. He knew they were bound by something more significant than personal ambition or curiosity. They were bound by duty. And it was a bond that would not, could not, be broken.
But one thing was clear—there was no room for failure because covert operatives who failed tended to disappear.
◆◆◆
Mike spoke up, "I've identified potential backdoors in our own system. I’m working on sealing it now. And we need to trace the source of these hacks. If we can do that, we can predict their next move."
Amber looked equally focused. "I'll inform Winters. We need to coordinate a multi-faceted response. We may use our diplomatic channels to defuse the political overtones while countering the cyber offensive."
As they all nodded, the room reverberated with a new kind of tension—a fusion of determination and hope.
"Ready?" Mike's voice was almost a whisper as if he feared the walls themselves were listening.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Jonah replied, his tone subdued.
Mike’s fingers tapped out new code as he navigated through the layers of cybersecurity. The digital walls of the offshore server crumbled under the assault of his expertise. His eyes never wavered from the screen.
Soon, Mike broke through. On the screen appeared an interface, dissimilar from Turing's own, distinctly foreign.
Jonah leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing. "What am I looking at? Are we in?”
"We’re in,” said Mike. “I’ve located the source of the enemy attack. It’s an AI operation remote based outside of Beijing, China.”
Mike scrolled through screens and executed commands. "And not just any operation—this is advanced, way beyond what we've seen before. They're not just trying to manipulate the Algorithm. They're creating a counterpart. An antithesis Algorithm of their own."
Jonah was silent, taking a moment to digest Mike's words. "You’re saying they can steal enough information from our Algorithm, to create their own Chinese Algorithm?"
Mike nodded. "Exactly. They’ve been siphoning data, reverse-engineering key modules, and now they're near completion of their own version."
Jonah felt a shiver crawl up his spine. His skepticism was eroding. In its place, a newfound loyalty toward Mike began to build.
"So, what’s our move?"
Mike looked away from the screen and locked eyes with Jonah. "First, we gather as much intelligence as we can. Then, we prepare for cyberwar."
Mike resumed his keyboard work. Jonah watched. His earlier reservations about Mike's capabilities or role in this digital maze were gone.
Suddenly, a red flash erupted on the screen, and a digital siren warned of unauthorized activity. Mike's fingers froze mid-air, his eyes widening.
"Damn it, they've detected us," he murmured, his voice mingled with disbelief and concern.
The screen went black momentarily then a message appeared in bold, red letters:
ACCESS TERMINATED!
Mike sighed, frustrated. "We've been booted, and they've probably traced us back to Turing. This might accelerate their plans."
Jonah felt a surge of anxiety but forced it back down. "Then we accelerate ours."
Both men sat there, the weight of their newfound knowledge pressing down upon them like an unseen hand. The room seemed darker, reflecting the murky waters they had just waded into.
"Jonah," Mike spoke softly, contemplating each word, "I need to know you're with me. Because things are about to get very complicated, very fast."
Jonah looked at Mike, his eyes meeting those deep-set pools of complexity and resolve. And in that moment, any remnants of skepticism shattered, leaving only a steadfast commitment.
"I'm with you," he said, his voice unwavering. "And I think we have some important news to tell Amber."
Chapter 19
Shadow
Amber sat in her compact, dimly lit office, surrounded by monitors that cast a soft, bluish glow. She had been sifting through lines of code for hours, her eyes bleary but focused. Mike had contained the virus in a caged sandbox, but containment was not eradication. She felt it was up to her to help identify, dissect, and neutralize the rogue software.
Her heart, though, was a complex maze of emotions. Mike, whom she cared about, was still a suspect in an investigation.
Can I trust him?
For now, she had to put her feelings in a lockbox and bury it deep within her.
Her fingers hit the keys, entering commands, and trying to eliminate all traces of the enemy virus. She launched a forensic tool designed to analyze malware. It scanned through the complexities of the virus and dissected its DNA.
As the software worked, her mind drifted to Manfred Gault. They had dated for several months. Then, the weekend in the mountains with Mike changed everything. She could tell that Gault sensed the difference.
I don’t know what I want.
The screen blinked. The results were in. Amber's eyes widened. The malware was coded with intricate multi-layered encryption techniques that were cutting-edge.
She initiated a countermeasure protocol, a digital antibody to neutralize the virus. Her fingers hesitated for a moment before hitting the 'Enter' key.
What if Mike had something to do with this?
Could she be unwittingly helping him?
Duty wrestled with emotion.
She pressed the key.
The countermeasures navigated the labyrinthine architecture of Turing's systems. It deployed antibots to prevent any reinfection. Amber watched, her eyes tracking every movement and every process, waiting for some sign of success or failure.
A notification popped up on her screen. Her countermeasures were complete. She exhaled, feeling a strange mix of relief and apprehension.
Her internal comm buzzed, and Jonah's face appeared on her screen. "Amber, any progress?"
"It’s done," she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I wrote a Python patch to our cybersecurity software. It will hunt down and delete any more of this malicious package. The countermeasures will do their job.”
Jonah nodded. "Good. You and Michael are proving to be quite the dynamic duo. He was able to track the source to a lab in China. We got lots of info."
Amber said, “We might have this thing beat for now, but we can never be sure we get every bot. There’s always one that will hide in the weeds to come bursting out later."
The mention of Mike stirred something in her. "Jonah, do you trust Michael?"
Jonah sighed. "I've known him long enough to know he's got integrity. But he's also caught in a web of circumstances. So, to answer your question, yeah, I kinda trust him. But I also know we need evidence to clear him."
Amber nodded, her mind grappling with her friend's words. She, too, wanted to believe in Mike, but she couldn't let that cloud her judgment.
As she waited for the final report from her countermeasure program, Amber found her mind drifting back to her first meeting with Mike. His awkward charm, undeniable intelligence, and deep hazel eyes seemed to look right into her soul. She had fallen for him then, and she had fallen hard. But life had thrown them into a tangle of ethical and emotional issues that neither had anticipated.
The computer beeped, snapping her out of her reverie. Her countermeasures were in place against any future intrusion. A wave of relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. Now came the hard part—finding out who was behind this and how it connected to Paul's murder.
She contacted Mike and Jonah. "It's done. The virus has been neutralized in the Turing facilities. I sent the antidote to the infected infrastructure computers, but it will take time to cure them."
Mike's face showed a mixture of relief and concern. "Thank you, Amber. You've done well."
Amber felt a need for professional detachment as she looked into his eyes. She was walking a tightrope with a shadow of doubt.
Chapter 20
Crunch
Mike watched the steering wheel as the AI autopilot navigated the rugged dirt road that led away from the Turing Institute. The car's headlights illuminated an unassuming building in the distance, and Mike couldn't help but sigh in recognition.
"This is the place," he murmured. He glanced sideways at Amber, whose foot tapped rhythmically against the car floor in evident nervousness.
Amber said, "Seems like an unlikely spot for a data server farm. Who would think of looking here for evidence of infiltration? But, if one were planning a covert op against the Turing system, this place is ideal."
Her gaze met Mikes, questions swirling behind her eyes. The unspoken query about his MIT jacket hung in the air.
The AI parked the car in front of the building. They exited the car. A gust of cold air greeted them. Amber’s access key card granted them entrance to the building. The vast interior was an infinite maze of servers, and the loud hum of electronics filled the space. Methodically, Amber set up her laptop, murmuring, "I'll begin the diagnostic."
As she worked, a soft shuffling echoed from a darker corner of the room. Mike’s head whipped around, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did you hear that?"
Before Amber could respond, a figure lunged from the shadows. Mike reacted instantly, deflecting the assault, and landing a swift punch that knocked out his opponent.
No sooner had he done so than a second assailant targeted Amber, his blade glinting menacingly in the dim light. In a graceful evasion, Amber narrowly avoided the blade’s bite.
But their brief respite ended abruptly. The unmistakable slam of car doors outside echoed ominously. Two more figures burst into the room, their expressions a canvas of savage intent. The sheer size of one was imposing, a scar marring his face. His companion, though smaller, moved with a wiry intensity.
Mike’s voice shouted out. "Amber!"
Without hesitation, she grabbed the keyboard. Swinging it with all her might, her attacker went down, stunned.
Mike grappled with his own foe, a mix of punches, dodges, and tackles, each trying to overpower the other in a battle of will and strength.
Amber screamed, "Mike, get down!"
He dropped as a bullet whizzed past him, hitting a nearby wall. Splinters exploded.
Mike took a deep breath. In a burst of speed that caught his opponent off guard, Mike lunged forward. Blow for blow, he managed to topple the hulking brute, pinning him with a determination born of adrenaline and fear. His fists met flesh. It was a straight punch to the man's gut, followed by an uppercut that connected with his jaw. The assailant staggered; his eyes filled with disbelief.
Seizing the moment of his opponent's disorientation, Mike used his leg to sweep the man off his feet.
"Run!" Mike yelled. Amber snatched her laptop and sprinted towards the exit. Hot on her heels, Mike shut the door as they burst out of the building.
The attackers slammed out of the door.
Mike and Amber's hearts pounded like frenzied drumbeats as they scrambled into their car. Mike thrust the key into the ignition and took manual control. The engine roared to life. With a surge of power, they sped off, leaving a cloud of dust and gravel in their wake.
"Headlights," Amber murmured, her voice filled with worry. She watched the flickering lights grow in the rearview mirror.
"They’re coming,” Amber declared as she called for help on her cell phone.
Mike gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the wheel. "Hold on, this is going to be wild." His hands moved across the controls, bringing his AI into action while guiding the car over the rugged roads.
Mike glanced at Amber. "This is bigger than we thought. We're not just fighting algorithms and codes but fighting terrorists in the real world."
The chaser was relentless. Their headlights had a menacing glow as they gained ground despite Mike's evasive maneuvers across the vacant field.
"They're good," he muttered.
He felt the force of acceleration as he swerved and weaved, trying to shake off their tail. His eyes flickered, scanning for any obstacle that might thwart his path. Despite the high-speed ballet of physics and mechanics, their pursuer was closing in.
"Damn!" Mike cursed as he saw the other car roar closer through his peripheral vision. Realizing his error too late, he found himself on a perilous mountain stretch of road—his AI voice broke through the tension like a clap of thunder.
“TOO CLOSE. AVOID.”
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
"Mike!" Amber screamed, her voice full of fear and urgency.
“TOO CLOSE. AVOID.”
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
The sound pierced through Mike's disorientation, clearing his mind. He couldn't fail now. Not when so much was at stake.
Mike twisted the wheel desperately. He transformed what could have been a fatal crash into a semi-controlled catastrophe.
Both cars skidded off the road with a screeching of tires and a discordant symphony of metal and glass. They crashed into the mountain side.
When the world stopped spinning, Mike was disoriented amid the smoke and wreckage. Gasping through the acrid air, he unfastened his seatbelt, staggered out of the vehicle. Then he helped Amber.
He scrambled back with a newfound resolve, as he locked eyes with the assailants struggling to climb out of their destroyed vehicle.
But before anyone could act, sirens closed in.
FBI agents and police swarmed the scene.
The attackers were led away in handcuffs. Their pockets were filled with hacking tools and high-level clearance codes
◆◆◆
Jonah stared through the one-way glass into the FBI interrogation room. On the other side sat the enemy agents disarmed and bound, but still radiating an aura of dangerous intent. They fascinated him—their unwavering eyes and disciplined posture. They threatened the existence of his world, and perhaps even the world at large.
FBI agent Miller walked in, a folder of documents in his hand. "Preliminary interrogations have given us something to work with," he said, his voice tinged with grim urgency.
Jonah had front-row seats behind the one-way glass to observe the interrogation.
