Freedom Club (9 page)

“Well, then, just replace them,” he said innocently.

Ganesh threw his arm up in frustration. “Sure, that would be fine if the replacement stock were not infected, but it is. We grew them all at once a few years back as part of an overall upgrade. They share the same mutation. So we have to go back and get new ones incubated first, then start the manufacturing process all over again. It will take weeks, months perhaps.”

“You said this was LS.” Sumeet said.

“Without question.”

He took another sip of tea. “But it doesn’t sound like it. This all sounds like a good old-fashioned genetic-encoding error. It happened in the past. Maybe twenty years ago, but statistically they’re considered rare now. Certainly nothing to get alarmed about.”

“What? Do you think I can’t tell the difference between dumb errors and maliciousness? Goobey! I haven’t told you everything yet.”

“There’s more?” Sumeet asked.

“Then tell us,” Manju urged.

Both ladies put away their trophy purchases and began showing more interest. Ganesh looked around the table and saw he had everyone’s attention again. Lowering his voice, he spoke guardedly.

“What is yet unknown by anyone is that only specific pathways on the board were affected. Only those dedicated to the front-end transaction creation malfunctioned. However, all the clearing and settlement neurons remained untouched. This was what they wanted.”

Everyone at the table stared blankly at Ganesh.

“Don’t you see?” Ganesh said in desperation.

“Sorry,” Sumeet confessed, after looking at the other blank faces. “We don’t understand payment systems all that well.”

“Ach! You idiots! It’s not that difficult.

A flathead at that moment crawled up to the table and grabbed the empty hors d’oeuvres plates. After placing them all on its head in a neat stack, it stepped gracefully back, keeping everything in perfect balance as it weaved through the crowded tables.

“Front end, or POS gateways,” Ganesh began, “are simply what we use to create a purchase or payment.” He looked at Hiral. “It’s what is generated when you scanned that gold jewelry you bought today.”

Hiral jabbed Sumeet with her elbow. “At least someone noticed.”

Sumeet smiled through the pain.

“Clearing and Settlement,” Ganesh went on, “represents the actual movement of funds. Only after this final step is a transaction finished.”

Once again everyone looked at Ganesh with little reaction.

“They don’t happen at the same time?” Sumeet asked.

“Actually that is a good question,” Ganesh said nodding. “In this case, no, partly because some old legacy systems lived way past their prime and partly because batch payments are cheaper. We do use straight-through for large amounts, though.”

Sumeet, Hiral, and Manju all looked at each other. Sumeet shrugged his shoulders. The point still wasn’t clear.

“See?” Ganesh said, getting annoyed. “What this means is that whoever did this wanted to hurt the commerce system by making sure only the front end was affected. The banks and financiers were left alone because any payments and purchases that made it through the first half would have been fully cleared by the banks in the evening.”

Sumeet was clearly frustrated. “So, what difference is there?”

Ganesh looked at the group and shrugged. “Well, I’m not really sure. But if you take it to its logical end, it simply means that the LSers wanted to screw up the retailers and leave the finance community unharmed, which seems odd. I can’t imagine what issue they have with retailers.”

Hiral laughed. “Don’t be silly, you idiot! Retailers weren’t harmed because none of their merchandise was stolen.” She looked around the table expecting sympathy. “It was hard-at-work shoppers like me that were hurt.”

Ganesh nearly spit up his drink.

Manju laughed with both hands over her mouth. “Oh, yes, we both were stopped from making our purchase of the day! It was devastating.”

“Really!” Hiral exclaimed. “You boys don’t realize the mental suffering shoppers like us had to endure. You may think it’s funny, but you just try waiting in line when normally all you see is an auto-confirm message at the scanner. I was so angry, I really felt like hitting someone! Retail rage isn’t so crazy when you live it firsthand.”

Everyone laughed, but soon Sumeet returned his attention to Ganesh.

“Anyway, I am sure that in a little while you can help catch them. Since you know so much, it should be easier to track them down.”

“I’m not sure,” Ganesh lamented. “Whatever they did, it took place several years ago when we designed many components for upgrade. We need to go through everything that was done back then. It could be a while before we understand all the damage. Still, I am impressed with their skill. Whoever it was, they took great care to target a very precise part of the system. It would have been far easier to do something more endemic, quicker results too.”

Sumeet nodded. “Yes, but obviously they did it this way to get more time and cover their tracks.”

The conversation stopped again as they watched serving arms descend from the ceiling. Carefully, they began picking up single portions of steaming hot food, which they then neatly placed on each plate.

“They’ve run for sure,” Ganesh said. “And it was so long ago. I can’t imagine we’ll find them now, especially when you take into account the supreme complexity and precise execution of their actions.

Sumeet looked up thoughtfully. “You say they just wanted to stop the commerce system?”

Ganesh nodded.

“Strange,” he said, after giving it some further thought. “I can’t imagine what they could possibly hope to accomplish. It’s not as though you can have a material impact on the economy.”

Hiral overheard the comment and broke off her side conversation with Manju for a moment. “That’s right, my sweetie. If I couldn’t buy my designer shoes today, I would shop harder for them tomorrow.”

“And then buy two pairs!” Manju interjected.

The two girls broke out laughing. Ganesh just gazed back with disgust and then at Sumeet. His clandestine Cheshire cat grin returned one last time.

“Enjoy your future,” he said. “Looks like materialistic bliss to me.”

I
t was late afternoon and dusty light beams darted through Shunro Kamiyoshi’s book-laden office. They crept over mountains of untidy printouts like bioluminescent vines. Slowly making their way over his work screens, their reflection interfered somewhat and forced him to pause. Untroubled, he rubbed his eyes and looked outside. He didn’t mind. The winter shades of amber light were generally welcome as an indicator of day’s end.

Though exhausted, Shunro couldn’t stop working. His paper was due and he wanted the final draft ready in the morning. The title, “Materialism and Christian Ethics,” was deceptive. It didn’t represent old dialectical arguments of reality. Instead, it emphasized problems associated with modern lifestyles of over-indulgence and excess.

Shunro looked over his work and contemplated a minor change when the phone rang. He could see it was a Quantum call. That made him nervous. Firstly because they always meant trouble in one form or another and secondly because the name was withheld. Hesitating, he slowly reached over and hit the pickup. After a few seconds, the face of an older man appeared. He was quite thin and haggard looking. Shunro scrutinized the image without immediate recognition.

“Hello, Kamiyoshi-san. It is nice to see you again,” said the old man.

Shunro looked back somewhat perturbed. “Sorry, who is this? Do I know you?”

“It’s me, your old colleague Thomas Nagel from Santa Fe. We haven’t seen each other for over 15 years.”

“Thomas?” Shunro whispered. “Is that you? You’ve gotten so...old!”

Thomas smirked upon hearing the comment. He stroked his white beard and grinned with amusement.

“Well, you should look in the mirror. You don’t look so young yourself.”

The grins shared by the two men soon faded away. There was a silence that split the conversation with an invisible knife. Shunro could also see deep tension in Thomas’s face and he knew there was something of great importance to discuss.

“Listen, Kamiyoshi-san, I don’t want to talk very long over the phone. I am coming to Japan soon and we, I mean Kim and I, wish to speak.”

There was more silence as Shunro absorbed the hinted meaning. What on earth was he talking about?

“We want to talk with you about our agreement. I think you know what I mean. We’ve been talking, and well...well, we want to come clean. We want to talk publicly about what happened and get everything off our chest. Even...perhaps make up for it, if that’s even possible.”

“What?”

Shunro was horrified. He didn’t know what to say. His mind raced and warned him to say nothing, but it was a battle with his emotions, like a tug of war within his now raging soul.

“No! We agreed to never speak of it,” Shunro sputtered. “We can’t change that. We can’t change anything!”

Thomas looked hurt. Even though a veteran of unfortunate events, his distress was clearly visible.

“And what about Po’pay? Have you spoken to him recently? I am not sure, but I can’t imagine he’s happy living as he does. All this time an outcast. Maybe he would like to make things better.”

“No!” Shunro snapped angrily. “I haven’t spoken with him in years. You know how dangerous it is to make contact! Have you forgotten after all this time?”

What was Thomas getting at? What good would be accomplished from all this! He resisted the discussion. With any luck, it would all go away. The past, Kamiyoshi scolded himself harshly, was unchangeable.

“Look, we shouldn’t have this conversation over the phone. Kim and I are taking the Martin Luther King Junior in two days. I am sending you our itinerary. We need to have a face-to-face conversation. Please, I know this is hard but we must talk it over.”

The news was so devastating, Shunro couldn’t move, let alone look at his schedule. He would simply cancel everything if he had to, call in sick for classes.

“Well, I see. Yes, a face-to-face is...certainly the only way. I’ll be waiting,” he uttered feebly.

Shunro trembled erratically, so much so his last words were difficult for him to articulate. Thomas ended the call with a simple nod and the screen went black. This certainly matched Shunro’s mood. Like nothingness, his whole life suddenly halted as old memories and fears flooded back in waves. Torrents of emotions made him feel like a child lost at sea.

Looking down, he realized his arms and legs were weak and covered with sweat. He rose and went over to the living room to rest, but it was obvious he would remain in a state of complete disarray until their arrival. Even then, he had no idea what he’d say. It was all a jumble, like a vague nightmare. His past was starting to reemerge, ever so slowly. And worse, he had no idea of various global events that, even as he shivered, were chipping away at dark secrets, ones carefully crafted so many years ago.

Approaching the couch, fear and loathing welled up inside him, and he began doing what he had always done at times like these. He sunk to his knees and clasped his hands firmly together. Closing his eyes, he began to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Well into the night, Shunro Kamiyoshi didn’t move and prayed for his forgiveness.

It would never come.

Chapter 5—Song for the Luddites

Though black as his heart its hue,

Since his veins are corrupted to mud,

    Yet this is the dew

    Which the tree shall renew

Of Liberty, planted by Ludd!

—Lord Byron

T
hree Yottabytes. That was size of the logic board’s design database. Not that big, but just finding it wasted a whole day. Still, Ganesh was pleased at having one less headache to worry about. Sitting in his simple but technologically overburdened space, he contemplated what to do next.

The database he needed was archived by Shinkei Kenkyu, a medium-sized outsourcer in Tokyo. Though Ganesh eventually could get everything back on line, there was more work to do. Find an auditor firstly, then coordinate a global effort to identify and explain exactly what happened to the non-stop boards. And that wasn’t going to be easy. Access to Japan from Chindo wasn’t possible, so the team would need to work virtually with one point having centralized access to their core data. Barbaric in this day and age, he grumbled to himself.

But first things first. At the top of the list, identify an auditor with the right technical skills. That would be the next major task to solve before noon, and he mulled over some options when yet another disruptive call arrived. Cursing, he picked up.

“Hello,” said a stocky Caucasian man staring back. “This is Hugo Kosterlitsky. I am calling about the payment outage that recently occurred in ASPAU.”

Ganesh frowned. He looked briefly at the caller’s identification and saw government tags. More of the same. The morning had been filled with calls from various agencies around the world. They all wanted answers about Sri-Ooti’s system failure, but Ganesh didn’t have much that he could publicly release.

“Yes, I am looking into that matter,” Ganesh irritably replied. “But I am quite busy, so I hope you don’t mind if I am rather brief.”

Hugo folded his arms and leaned back deeply in his web chair. “The same here. I lead the Southwestern Criminal Investigation Systems Agency and I need to ask you for information pertaining to the POS system outage that occurred between nine PM and midnight on the 24th here in Phoenix.”

“Do you represent a law enforcement agency or a bureaucratic organization?” Ganesh asked.

“I’m law enforcement,” Hugo said with mild disdain. “My unit covers LS throughout the southwest quadrant of the American sector. Our jurisdiction covers some of the cities that were affected, namely Denver and Phoenix. And we believe there may have been more than one incident.”

Ganesh was surprised, but remained silent. Why did he openly talk about LS? They hadn’t yet made any such announcement.

“We haven’t identified the cause yet,” Ganesh stated flatly.

Hugo grinned and chewed on his light pen like a cigar. “I’m not prepared to share any concrete information unless it’s mutual. However, my team suspects LS at this point, based on the evidence we’ve gathered.”

Ganesh found Hugo’s statement disrespectful at best. ASPAU Goobey! And was he even telling the truth? More than once, calls came in from disreputable sorts trying to pry out information. For all he knew, Hugo was a paid leak for the media. Anything was possible.

Ganesh waved his hand like he was brushing away flies. “Listen, I am already working with the proper authorities in Bengaluru, Karnataka and Delhi. I would suggest...”

“I am aware of your discussions with them. Especially Commissioner Naag. He suggested contacting you directly.”

Ganesh considered this, and bit his tongue. Naag was the Bengaluru Central Police Commissioner, and more of an adversary than anything else. Things could really get out of hand, he thought. Sighing, Ganesh proceeded judiciously.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Kosterlitsky,” he said, folding his hands.

“I need information on the cause of the outage and anything that would indicate it was caused by groups acting inside or outside of the Pan American Union.”

Ganesh huffed. “Well, I am not sure I can completely satisfy you.”

“No?”

“However, I do have an initial report that I can provide. It documents the failure, but the cause remains unknown.”

Ganesh confirmed Hugo’s clearance level and then forwarded the report with a few keystrokes. Instantaneously, Hugo looked to the side and nodded as the data arrived.

Ganesh continued glumly. “Further analysis is pending at this time and relies on our ability to successfully analyze the archived designs in Japan.”

That was another reminder of the problematic Japanese. Though an advanced nation, their ability to share data freely was backward when compared to the big economic Unions like the PAU and Chindo. Stemming partly from archaic language barriers early in the century, and partly from many sensationalized data scandals, Japan had devolved into a xenophobic technological isle.

“And how is that going?” Hugo asked. “Why did you archive everything there anyway? Can it be moved, or maybe you can send a team....”

Ganesh held out a palm to stop the conversation. “I’m well aware of your concerns. It was cheaper to do the project there. But it did have certain drawbacks that were unforeseen. I mean, given the situation... And I’m currently sourcing an onsite auditor. However, the results may take some time. You’ll have to wait.”

Hugo sighed again. “Very well, but perhaps we can join forces. I have a solid resource that I’d be happy to send if you can’t find someone.”

Ganesh felt Hugo’s interest in greater involvement. But excluding Naag, Hugo’s influence was limited. He had to be dealt with quickly.

“Your generosity is noted but unnecessary. We’ll handle this in the most expedient way I assure you!”

“You’re sure I can’t change your mind?”

“No.”

Silence ensued as both men calculated. Hugo didn’t appreciate being kept out, but jurisdictional control was murky when a problem crossed Union lines.

“Fine,” Hugo said with reluctance. “But I officially request a copy of all senior-level communications pertinent to this matter.”

“Of course,” Ganesh responded dryly. “I’ve already added you to our distribution server.”

With a reluctant nod, Hugo faded out as Ganesh sipped tea. Good riddance! ASPAU and the vengeful acts of the police commissioner were the least of his problems. Ganesh got back to work.

Everything now rested on detailed analysis of the hack to determine its origin. A complex task, being embedded in a labyrinth of sophisticated neural logic circuits. It really seemed beyond human skills. However, a Sentient certainly had the capability. But that idea was absurd, Ganesh thought. A Sentient knowingly the perpetrator of LS? Preposterous! No one would ever believe such an allegation.

Ganesh shook his head in despair. He had to find someone trustworthy who would be willing to spend time in Japan. Someone that could deal with that backward country and its complex regulatory environment. But that person could not work alone. Sentient backup was called for, and that fact gave Ganesh an idea. With enough support, any intelligent consultant would only need to act as a liaison. That would alleviate the need for a specialist. Yes, he thought to himself. That certainly would make it easier. He mulled over options in his head. In a city of over fifty million, there had to be someone available.

Scanning his screens for a solution, he found himself distracted by video of the Whitefield riot. Squads of spiders crawled over would-be shoppers as floaters streamed overhead. Images splashed about as smoke, metal and human flesh jerked about in an unchoreographed dance. Horrifying, yet familiar. No longer interpreted as an unbearable atrocity, retail rage was now a minor aberration. And if one was lucky enough to be a spectator, it could almost be called good entertainment.

The video feed provided only a temporary distraction. Seemingly unproductive by anyone’s standards. But what Ganesh didn’t realize was that his resourcing problem was being resolved for him. Events nearby were aligning themselves nicely. Only, his good friend Sumeet would have trouble seeing it that way.

“S
o, how are things today?” Armando asked.

Sumeet contemplated before formulating an answer. Armando was sweating from his afternoon workout. Not that it did him any good. He remained fat and grumpy no matter how much exercise he squandered upon himself. And the meeting’s purpose? It had been called without warning and Sumeet remained cautiously alert. Still unhappy about his failed presentation the previous day, Sumeet looked around Armando’s messy desktop and wondered if a reprimand would ensue.

What Sumeet didn’t realize was the important role he was about to play in the future of Takahana Nanites. Drexel’s talk with Armando had now set things in motion and his participation was predetermined.

“Hmmm, as well as can be expected.”

Armando nodded while closing a few virtual monitors on his table. “Listen, have you been following the availability of freshers in ASPAU?”

Sumeet was puzzled by the question. “You mean graduate students?”

“Yes,” Armando said. “Especially the Ivy Leaguers.”

“Harvard?”

“No, well, yes. But actually, I was looking at the Wharton graduate forward contracts. They are pricing at a nice discount. Especially unconfirmed late graduation contracts.”

Sumeet said, “I’m a bit suspect. I don’t know if there’s a strong value case yet. Do you really want some around?”

What on earth was Armando up to? Sumeet had an air of authority often exhibited by IIM alumnus. Indian graduate students had enjoyed their superior ranking over the PAU for many decades. Graduates from the American sector were no exception. Just Goobeys, as Ganesh often remarked.

“Well, when you calculate a cost benefit at current rates,” Armando explained, “there seems to be some untapped value.”

Sumeet combed his sideburns contemplatively. “I can do some simulation runs if you like. We could try to get a better idea of the benefit by individual profit centers. Were you thinking of a re-mix on the corporate or retail side?”

Armando lightly waved his palm. “I wasn’t interested in a formal study. I was just bringing this up because it caught my attention at a brainstorming group a few days back.”

“I see.”

“Let’s change the topic for a moment. Have you seen the new deal in our queue? It’s an outright purchase of Takahana Nanites.”

Sumeet conjured up the data in his head. “Looked it over, but haven’t analyzed it fully yet. Shall I...”

“I think you should go there.”

“Where?”

“Tokyo!” Armando replied ardently. “That’s where the Japan team is.”

Sumeet ignored the cynical remark. “I’m not sure I follow you?”

“You know,” Armando said, waving one hand in a circular motion, “this deal is internal and will be on our books, so we need a second set of eyes. That would be the Japanese in this case. They can assist you a bit, and I was thinking that you could take this opportunity to fly out there, working face to face. You like vegetable tempura, right?”

Sumeet remained expressionless. “Sorry, but I’m still not following you. What face to face? Because of language issues, I’d end up communicating via filter mask. It would be the same if I just did that from here.”

Armando shook his head emphatically and waved his hands around. “No, you don’t get what I mean. You can make personal relations after work. Chat it up late into the night...”

Sumeet rolled his eyes. “That’s a nice suggestion. It might be feasible if the Japanese spoke better English. It would also help if they weren’t so strict about their quality of life regs. You know how they are.”

“They may be a little behind our technological curve, but it’s not so bad.”

“Bad enough!”

Armando scowled. “This deal is very important to us. Drexel himself handpicked this one and we need to ensure it goes through without a problem.”

Armando stared at Sumeet for a few moments as sweat dripped down his forehead. So is this what’s going on? Sumeet could hardly believe Armando’s poor communication skills. It was troubling to hear so late in the discussion that Drexel had picked the deal. Why not mention that up front, he wondered? Instead of being happy, he was even more suspicious than before.