by Jason O'Neil
CYBERCLIPPER
JASON O’NEIL
AuthorHouse™
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© 2017 Jason O’Neil. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
Published by AuthorHouse 04/21/2017
ISBN: 978-1-5246-8874-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-5246-8876-9 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-5246-8875-2 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017906067
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Contents
1 Formation
2 Incat
3 Monaco
4 Almaden
5 The Deals
6 Megayacht
7 Sea Trials
8 Celebration
9 Ambulances
10 Cabo San Lucas
11 Bermuda
12 Monaco
13 Implants
14 En Route
15 Operation Houdini
16 Discovery
17 Interpol
18 Blue Gene Gift I
19 Blue Gene Gift Ii
20 On The Trail
21 Monaco
22 Lyon
23 Scuba
24 Celebration
25 Cold Case
26 Gold Street
Cast of Characters
Prince Omar Khalid
Member, UAE Royal Family
Age: 41
MBA, London School of Economics
Cigarette boat racing enthusiast
Palace in Dubai
Looks Like: Omar Shariff, actor
Ms. Dahlia Samira
Prince Khalid’s personal assistant
Age: 30
BS in Computer Science, Cambridge University
Loves all water sports
Looks Like: Carla Ossa, supermodel
Prince Yousif Latif
Member, Dubai’s High Society
Lifetime friend of Prince Khalid
Age: 40
PhD, Mathematics, UCLA
Avid polo player with a string of ponies
Looks Like: Young Pablo Picasso
Tom “Catfish” Crowley
Senior Megayacht Captain
Age: 55
Aeronautical engineer turned sea captain
Lives in Hamilton, Bermuda
Looks Like: Ernest Hemmingway, Author
Anthony “Tony” Caselli
Supertanker Captain
Age: 48
BS U.S. Naval Academy, Nautical Engineering
Looks Like: Joe DiMaggio, Baseball Hall of Famer
Tanner Jolie
Captain, Carnival Cruise Lines
Age: 50
Nautical Engineer; Power plant specialist
Cigarette boat racer in Miami, Florida
Looks Like: Robert Redford, actor
Dr. Adam Raviv
Israeli computer whiz; Inventor of GSMem technology
Age: 36
B.S. Tel Aviv University, Computer Science
Likes water sports
Looks Like: Young Einstein
Amy Grossberg
Computer Scientist; Cyber Specialist
BS; Summa Cum Laude, Tel Aviv University
Age: 30
Kung Fu Black Belt; Fitness Model
Looks Like: Shlomit Malka; Israeli Fashion Model
Amira Atara
Computer Scientist
M.S.; Columbia University; NYC
Age: 34
Lead Engineer in Computer Security Firm
Consultant to the Banking Industry
Hobby: Global Trekker
Looks Like: Natalie Portman, actress
Tom van der Heyden
Communications Engineer; Wireless guru
Age: 32
B.S. Temple University, engineering
Family man with 5 children
Looks Like: Young John Glenn, astronaut
Ann Nichols
Retired Banker; Tour Guide in San Francisco
Age: 55
Married Tom Crowley’s brother
MBA, University of Southern California
Looks Like: Lauren Bacall, actress
Audrey Goldman
Retired Linguistics Teacher; Tour Guide in New York City
Age: 49
MS, Linguistics, Yashiva University
Godmother to Adam Raviv
Looks Like: Older Esti Ginsburg; Israeli Supermodel
Monika Strassberg
Austrian Countess; Ski Instructor
Age 38
Tall, striking blonde
Looks Like: Maria Sharapova, tennis player
Win Parker
Harbormaster, Bermuda
Age: 50
Member, Britain’s America’s Cup Racing Team
Avid sport fisherman
Looks Like: George Clooney, actor
Ben Myles
Computer Operator; Software Analyst
Age: 45
MS, Cyber Security, Fresno State University
Motorcycle enthusiast; mechanic
Looks Like: Marlin Brando, actor
Nigel Stark
Senior Detective, Interpol, Lyon, France
Age: 60
BA; King’s College, Cambridge
Leader: Sherlock Holmes Society in London
Looks Like: Basil Rathbone, actor
Foster York
INCAT Plant Manager; Hobart Australia
Age: 50
MS, Maritime Engineering, Adelaide University
Considered a hull design genius
Avid Sailor
Looks Like: Young Michael Caine, actor
Dominique Villefranche (Nikki)
Magayacht saleswoman in Monaco
Age: 36
Bikini Model
Looks Like: Dominique McElligott, actress
Bruce St. John
IBM Supercomputer salesman; Blue Gene Model expert
African American
Age: 42
MS, Computer Science; Carnegie Mellon University
Looks Like: Sidney Portier, actor
Katie Flynn
Marina Manager; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Age: 32
Sailed solo from Mexico to Indonesia; Makes fitness videos
Looks Like: Kathryn Budig; Fitness Instructor
Nathan Kalish
Porsche salesman in Redondo Beach, California
Age: 39
Trusted friend of Prince Latif from UCLA
Looks Like: Steve McQueen, actor, race car driver
Steven Goldberg
Retired Stockbroker in NYC
Age
: 49
Husband of Audrey Goldman
Trusted friend of Prince Latif
Looks Like: Steven Segal, actor
Jacques Malreau
Audi car test driver
Age: 34
Based in Nice, France
Looks Like: Mario Andretti, race car driver, in his prime
1
FORMATION
Prince Omar Khalid, a member of the UAE Royal Family, has put out a call for a meeting in June at the Oberoi Hotel at 1 Bay Street in downtown Dubai City. The Prince has been involved with megayachts (over 200 feet long) all his life. He is an avid cigarette boat racer and loves speed on the water. At age 41, he has applied his MBA from the London School of Economics to accumulate a vast fortune. He has helped develop Dubai’s Maritime City and megaport. He is part owner of the Oberoi Hotel and other new buildings in Dubai.
Much to the chagrin of other members of the Royal Family, the Prince remains a bachelor and is usually seen in public with his assistant, Dahlia Samira. Only age 30, Ms. Samira has the reputation as a ‘hot shot” computer scientist with a degree from Cambridge University north of London, England. The former Miss Dubai and swimsuit model, she serves as a Project Manager for the Prince.
Prince Khalid’s confidant, indeed, right-hand man is Prince Yousif Latif. Prince Latif is a life-long friend of Prince Khalid and at age 40 is frequently seen in Dubai’s High Society. The Prince earned his PhD in mathematics from UCLA. He’s an avid polo player with several strings of ponies. He is a shrewd negotiator and buyer on behalf of Prince Khalid. His dark, piercing eyes remind one of Pablo Picasso.
Today, the trio is in Prince Khalid’s suite on the 26th floor of the hotel awaiting three individuals who will be instrumental in executing one of the Prince’s bold undertakings. The first person to arrive is Tom “Catfish” Crowley. The 55 year-old megayacht captain with 30 years of experience on the high seas was trained as an aeronautical engineer but turned into a maritime sea captain. People in his home port of Hamilton, Bermuda often say he looks like Earnest Hemingway. As his taxi pulled up to the hotel, Dahlia was in the cool black and white marble lobby to greet and escort the Captain up to the Prince’s suite.
As the elevator door opened into the suite with its dramatic 180 degree view of the new megacity, Prince Latif approached the Captain with an outstretched hand of greeting. Prince Latif was the first to speak: “Captain Crowley your reputation proceeds you. What an honor to meet you.”
The Captain, or Skipper as he is sometimes called by peers, replied: “Thank you, Your Highness, it is truly a pleasure to be here.” “And, Captain, I have the pleasure of presenting His Highness Prince Khalid,” said Prince Latif. As they shook hands, the Captain bowed his head in respect. The Prince also warmly welcomed the seasoned voyager. He then motioned the Captain to be seated at a long ebony conference table and enjoy a cup of tea.
Only five minutes later the elevator doors opened revealing Dahlia and a short, rotund man dressed in khaki slacks and a black Hawaiian shirt with large yellow Hibiscus blossoms. Prince Latif approached the man saying: “Tom van der Heyden, I presume.” “Yes, Your Highness, that would be me at your service,” replied the gentleman. The 32 year-old communications engineer known as a “wireless guru” with many publications in print, then said: “I don’t know how you found me on a remote island, but here I am and eager to learn about your project, Sir.” Tom took a seat at the table. Van der Heyden scanned the room intently as though he was searching for listening devices or “Bugs.”
No sooner had van der Heyden taken a sip of his tea when the elevator doors opened. Dahlia motioned for the guest to step into the suite as she said: “Your Highnesses, please meet Adam Raviv. The 36 year-old Israeli computer whiz was warmly welcomed by the Princes and introduced to Crowley and van der Heyden. Van der Heyden immediately had a flashback of a young Einstein. Prince Latif introduced the inventor of many cyber sleuth technologies by saying: “Computers are not secure when Dr. Raviv is involved. He is the inventor of GSMen technology which you will learn about later.” It was quickly revealed that everyone at the table had a love for the ocean, even Raviv who raced on jet-skies and did blue water fishing to unwind from professional tension.
Prince Latif opened the meeting by saying: “You are our guests for the weekend. You will learn of our project and enjoy Dubian hospitality. But first in order for you to do so, you must sign the Non-Disclosure and Pledge of Secrecy which Dahlia is placing in front of you.” Each of the guests was given a Montblanc Meisterstuck pen to sign the document. All three forms were signed, and the Prince said: “Very well. And you may keep the pen.” Smiles broke out around the room. The Prince continued: “Your visit will consist of two major briefings and opportunities to see our modern metropolis. You will also please me to be my guest for dinner at my residence,” said Prince Khalid. The guests nodded their approval. “And if you’re really quick learners, we’ll have time to go out on my go-fast boat,” joked His Highness. The strangers—soon to be a cohesive team- all laughed with a nod of approval.
“Each of you has a vital role to play in our project, indeed, adventure. But let me warn you that there will be some danger in what we do. However, the reward will be huge. And you will each share in it,” stated Prince Latif. He continued: “You are free to go now, but once you are briefed, you’re committed. Is that clear?” Nobody got up from the table.
“Very good,” said the Host. “You will now be briefed by Prince Latif on the first element of the project. Yousif, please proceed.” Dahlia turned on a laptop and closed the blinds at the end of the table to form a movie screen. Soon the screen was lit by a video showing a revolutionary trimaran megacraft. The 300 foot long boat was shown in a variety of configurations such as a car ferry, disaster-relief supply vessel and military applications including tanks and troop landings. Captain Crowley was quick to speak up: “I know that craft. It’s a High Speed Craft (HSC) made down under in Hobart Australia.”
“Exactly, Skipper. You’re right,” said Prince Latif. “It’s made by a company called INCAT in Hobart, Tasmania, an island state off the south coast of Australia. There are about one hundred of them around the world serving difference purposes. America bought two for military demonstration purposes. Prince Khalid toured one of them last year when it visited our Maritime City. You can tell by the man standing on the dock in this view, that it is huge, 310 feet long and 88 feet wide. And as shown in the data package in front of you, it is very, very fast. One of its secrets is that the middle trimaran rides above the water and creates lift rather than drag.”
“Captain Crowley. What do you think? Would you like to pilot one of these beasts?” asked the Prince. “It’s quite different than the cruise ships.”
“It would be an honor, Your Highness,” replied the Skipper. “Will it be a ferry boat here in the Middle East?” inquired the Captain.
“No, far from it, my new-found friend,” replied the Prince. “You’ll learn about its use during your stay here,” replied His Highness. “And you’re going to love its home ports!”
“Ports?” asked Captain Crowley. “Did you mean plural, several ports?” asked the Captain.
“I sure did,” replied the Prince. “You see, one will be based at your home port of Bermuda. But there will also be one in Cabo San Lucas and one in Monaco. You see, we’ll be buying three HSC’s in order to complete our mission, provided you and two other skippers are convinced it is the right craft for our project,” continued the Prince. “But, Captain Crowley, you and you alone will know the exact nature of our mission. The other two skippers will perform their duties without a need to know the ship’s real purpose. Do you understand, sir?”
“Yes, Sir. I do!” replied the senior seaman.
“Fine.” “Now let’s go over some of the details of this megayacht,” continued Prince Latif. But before we do, I want to make it perfectly clear that you Mr. va
n der Heyden and you, Dr. Raviv, must know every feature about this craft as though you own it. You will not be piloting it, but your role in our project requires you to understand this technology platform in great detail in order to perform what will be asked of you. Is that clear, gentlemen?” asked the Prince.
The two men looked at each other and said in unison: “Yes, Sir!”
For the next one and one-half hours, the INCAT documents were examined. Different configurations were each analyzed. Captain Crowley was particularly interested in the weight and balance calculations as well as the propulsion from the water jets. He examined some of the reliability statistics of the key subsystems. The group was impressed by the quality of the nautical-based questions and comments by the Israeli…maybe he is an Einstein. At noon, lunch was brought into the suite as the team continued to learn about the HSC and each other.
Promptly at 2:00 PM Prince Latif said: “Gentlemen, it’s time for a break. Our car is waiting to take you on a tour of the new Maritime City, complete with covered wharfs where our HSC’s will be re-fitted for the mission.” Ten minutes later a Mercedes-Benz Maybach entered the wharf area. The Prince gave a walk-around briefing of the facilities and their capabilities. It was clear that he had played a vital role in the design, development and commissioning of this world-class drydock for the construction and retrofitting of megayachts, typically over 250 feet in length. The work force appeared to be primarily for the Far East and were housed in tall, modern apartment buildings, complete with retail and entertainment complexes. At 3:30 the three visitors were asked to return to the Maybach. Ten minutes later, the limo pulled up to the entrance of the Dubai Gold Souk. Each of the visitors was handed an envelope which contained $10,000 in Dirhum to be spent in the Souk.
“Please accept this as a token of our appreciation for your participation in our project,” said the Prince. “Now go and enjoy the next hour as you pick out something for yourself or a loved one. The car will return at 4:30 to take you back to the Oberoi. You will have 2 hours to relax, perhaps visit the spa and dress for dinner. Proper outfits are already in your rooms. At 6:30 our car will leave for Prince Khalid’s residence for dinner and a question and answer session.”