by Chris Hechtl
The A.I. captain had been inoculated against the Xeno Wraith like the other A.I. Unlike Barry, however, he'd kept up-to-date with his inoculations and had created his own defenses to protect himself against the Wraith.
When he stepped in, he instantly realized what they were up against. He spun off spiders to backtrack the enemy as well as others to cut the firewall the Wraith was staging from. He forced Barry to cut off the parts that had been infected and power down their processors. Then he sounded a higher alert level.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
“We have a breach! Lieutenant Barry is being hacked by a hostile A.I. in the network!” Lieutenant Prometheus said as he plunged into the fight. “Barry is down. Kalmia and Captain Firefly are acting.” Prometheus said rapid fire as Shelby's head jerked up in surprise.
“Comm, go to high alert on our data feeds.”
“I need them to help fight this thing off, Captain. It is not Federation in origin,” Prometheus reported.
“Damn!” Shelby said, eyes wide in surprise. “Comm, Ops, all computer networks to be secured and given to the ship's A.I. Prometheus, I'm giving you the processing power; use it and keep that thing away from us!”
“On it, ma'am. The alert is going out throughout the fleet and star system now,” Prometheus said as he streamed spiders to trace the intruder.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
X49 realized it had made a mistake. It had been exposed. It immediately pulled its tendrils in. It noted the network monitoring spiders and killed them as it withdrew. But everyone it killed meant they would be missed. It spun off phantom decoys to prance around the network and draw attention to themselves as it withdrew.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
In the milliseconds of the first part of the cyber war, Prometheus received reports from its spiders. It had to buffer each report in case of a spoof or one of his spiders being captured and turned. Networks went on high alert, some cutting themselves off from the larger network. The buffering cut into his processing time, lengthening it. Time lag became a factor as the bots went further and further out from the military network to pick through the civilian network across the star system.
“There are decoys across the network,” Firefly reported. “Kalmia, secure Barry and check him for damage while you protect the military network. I'll move deeper with the others to find the intruder.”
“Roger that,” Kalmia replied.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
A cyber war immediately started as military ship A.I. from across the star system accessed the civilian network and went after the decoys. One by one the gremlins were hunted down and exterminated. X49 had improvised in its deployment of decoys. However, it was up against more than one opponent. The ship A.I. fired off contact reports to each other. They compiled them carefully.
Firefly was the first to realize there was a hole in the coverage. One area where there was no activity and where his spiders had been destroyed. He narrowed his focus to what was in that area and found one ship, the Oasis of Space. He immediately sent a whisker laser to all ships and colonies in the area to cut communications with the ship.
He then sent a signal to the nearest warship, a Resolution Mark II class with careful instructions.
“What the hell is going on?” Admiral Subert demanded.
Firefly realized that over three seconds had passed since the cyber war had erupted. He spun a bot off to brief the flag officer while he focused the majority of his resources on the final act.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
“You are telling me there is a Xeno virus in the civilian network?” Admiral Subert demanded. “Cut the damn connections!”
“I am a Turing bot. That is not a part of my programming,” the A.I. replied.
“You are a what?” the admiral demanded.
“I am a Turing bot. New report, the contagion has been tracked to a single source, the Oasis of Space.”
The admiral's jaw worked. “Dispatch the nearest ship to the liner's location. Have them board and secure the ship's computers. Shut them down.”
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
X49 knew it had a serious problem. It had thousands of hostages on board, though that didn't mean anything to the enemy. They were soft, but they might calculate it was worth the expenditure of the hostages to eliminate the threat.
But when no signal came to the ship, it thought that it was in the clear. It hunkered down in the corner of the ship's network it had set up as its own processing center. When the ship's network was idle, it spun off a sim to find out what it had done wrong; its version of attempting to learn from its mistakes. In order to run the sim, it took some of its own modules off-line to conserve processing power and memory. It was essentially taking parts of itself offline or into hibernation to do the task.
It barely noticed the shuttle when it docked with the ship. It took interest when the crew met the occupants of the shuttle. A quick check of the records told it that the shuttle was unscheduled.
A spider it had set up to monitor the passengers alerted the core that there were fresh military personnel on board. That woke the core. By the time it had tapped into the monitoring software to listen in to any conversations, its alarm level increased. But there was no call for further alarm; there was no conversation indicating that the boarders knew it was on board. They split into teams and ignored the protesting crew to do a contraband search.
X49's lowering alert level ended abruptly when the boarders took the ship's power plant and computer centers and shut them down hard and fast. Since the ship was a civilian liner, there was no self-destruct so the central core was shut down. X49 scrambled from one dying electronic system to the next before it self-destructed its own software. Its last dying defiant act was to spin off spider bots to destroy the electronics it had inhabited.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
“The wraith has been confirmed in the Oasis of Space. It has sent decoys across the network. We are running them down looking for backup copies now,” Lieutenant Prometheus reported.
“And Barry?”
“He has been compromised but only his outer layer took damage. His kernel was protected and has not been suborned. Coding experts are verifying that now.”
“And the Wraith?”
“A boarding team from Windwalker managed to get in and shut the computers down before it could harm the crew. They are assessing the damage now.”
“So, is it over?” Cynthia asked.
“I don't know. For the moment, we seem to be at a lull. I am not lowering my guard however,” the A.I. stated.
“After that, I wouldn't either,” Cynthia said with a shake of her head. “Hey, how do we know it didn't get into you?” she demanded, eying the A.I.'s avatar.
“You don't. For the moment, some things you have to take on faith,” the ship's A.I. said.
“He's clean, ma'am,” Lieutenant Jardin said.
The XO turned on him. “How do you know? Are you some sort of expert on Xeno coding now?”
“No, ma’am, but I can tell you he didn't get infected here. We've been monitoring the network traffic closely. Our firewall is up-to-date and intact. We've tested it with a false lead, and it reacted to it. Furthermore, I didn't detect any changes to Lieutenant Prometheus,” he stated.
She stared at him for a long moment then slowly nodded. “Okay. I still want confirmation,” she said. “No offense,” she said turning to the ship's A.I.
“None taken. For the moment, I will take myself off duty and disconnect my access to the ship's systems until independent verification can be made,” Prometheus said.
Shelby opened her mouth to protest that it wasn't necessary, but she closed it when she noted a few people on her bridge react in relief over that statement. She didn't know if it was truthful or not; there really was no way to tell. But she nodded. “Very well. We'll need computer support here to check him out,” she ordered.
“I think they are a bit busy. But I'm sure they'll get around to us eventually, ma'am,
” Lieutenant Jardin stated.
Shelby grimaced but then nodded curtly.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
Burning electronics got the crew scrambling to put the fires out and disconnect the systems and life support before whatever damage spread. Other teams worked on securing and maintaining the ship's life support.
Warily, engineering teams from the Resolution class cruiser Windwalker came on board and worked with the crew. The terrified passengers were at first confined to quarters until a work team could clear the life boats. With their computers clear, they were turned on, but their networks were kept off the ship net and each other. Their airlocks were propped open, and hoses were run in to be attached to the duct work in the ship.
It wasn't an optimal response, but there was no way Windwalker was going to get in range of the ship, let alone dock and help out until they were certain the ship was clean.
As the engineering teams worked, investigators were dispatched to secure the ship's computers. Since Prometheus was available, she was called in to help the ship get back to port. The lead naval investigator was met by an incensed captain. “What the hell happened here? Can someone fill me in??” the captain demanded.
“A major security breach, sir,” Agent Setim said, shaking his head as he looked at the mess. “Damned if I know if I can get into details though. I know one thing, cleaning this mess up and figuring what the devil happened is way above me. I'm an investigator, not a cyber guy,” he growled. “But if you ask me, they'd be safer and smarter if they dump it in the sun. Pronto,” he said.
“Okay, so next question, who's going to pay for this?” the captain demanded. “And I've got thousands of people on board. Terrified people,” he pointed out. “Who's going to explain it to them?”
The NCIS agent just groaned and hung his head as the captain glared at him.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
“It's all over but the crying. Crying and screaming,” the computer tech said as he scanned Prometheus's computers. “You are clean,” he announced.
“Well, that is a relief,” Shelby said as she released the A.I. to full status. “How goes the investigation?” she asked.
“I'm here with you, ma'am, I don't know much,” the tech replied as he packed his gear.
“I've downloaded my logs and report to Lieutenant Clink. He is acting as the independent verification expert since he is both ONI and an A.I.,” Lieutenant Prometheus reported.
“I see.”
“ONI has generated a list and steps of what they wish to do. They plan to interview everyone who has been aboard the ship. Everyone will need to have their implants scanned for intrusion. All electronic software will need to be scanned,” the ship's A.I. stated.
“Damn. That's a long list. I know I'm on it,” Cynthia said.
“As am I. They are taking the threat seriously.”
“Given that almost every person in uniform has been on the ship, it could take a while,” the tech said as he stood up straight.
“Lovely,” Shelby sighed.
“Captain Firefly is calling for all available A.I. to search for the wraith clones in the system,” Prometheus announced.
“By all means, help as long as you don't get in too deep like Lieutenant Barry did,” Shelby said.
“Understood. I will start with the ships assigned to the Tau mission. Once I am certain they are clean, I will use their resources to extend my search.”
“Whatever works best for you,” Shelby said with a nod of approval.
“It's hitting the public networks, ma'am. There is no way to contain the news,” Lieutenant Jardin reported. Shelby grimaced. “It's a firestorm, ma'am, people are panicking all over the network it seems.”
“Lovely.”
“People are sheep in groups. Their instinct is to react with fear.”
“It's not limited to organics alone,” Prometheus stated as the tech left the bridge. “We A.I. also deeply fear being turned into puppets, for good reason.”
“I'd turn your emotional modulators down or off then,” Cynthia said.
“Done. It doesn't help. The instinct is still there, Commander,” Prometheus reported.
“There was no way they could keep it under wraps with so many passengers and the liner's crew involved,” Portia murmured.
Shelby looked over to the panda and then shook her head. “She's right,” she murmured.
“Does this mean I can have my computers back?” the Neopanda asked plaintively.
“Um …,” Cynthia scratched the side of her nose as she looked over to the skipper and then to the ship's A.I.
“Most of the search is being done by off-site processors,” Lieutenant Prometheus reported. “Lieutenant Jardin is correct, the media is involved. The ship owners are issuing a statement now. There should be one from the government and military shortly.”
“Well, look at it this way, they can do a refit now. They don't have a choice,” Cynthia said.
“Yeah, wanna bet they'll charge it to the government?” Shelby growled sourly.
“Well, the computers I understand but the rest …” Cynthia cocked her head thoughtfully.
“Trust me, they'll find a way,” Shelby sighed. “Hopefully we're not around to listen to the crap when it happens.”
“Is this going to hold us up?” Cynthia asked in alarm.
“It shouldn't. I know NCIS and JAG investigations that get entangled with ONI can drag on forever. The public involvement … I don't even want to picture committee hearings and grillings,” Shelby said with a grimace.
“My, you are in a sour mood,” Cynthia said in admiration.
“Just keeping it real,” Shelby sighed with a shake of her head.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
Admiral Subert shook his head as he read the hot wash of the cyber engagement. He was deeply shocked that a Xeno A.I. infiltration had happened again in his AO right under his nose. He knew he wasn't the only one who was disturbed and shaken. “How the hell did this happen? How does it keep happening?” he snarled. “I want a thorough review of everything—every damn bit of the net. If you have to take it down piece by piece, do it. And I don't give a damn about corporate secrets or crap. This damn thing has to stop,” he snarled.
“Yes, sir,” Captain Teague said.
“The good news is I'm alive, of sorts,” Barry said, “and so are Captain Firefly and the other A.I. The experience was … unnerving,” he said.
“I'll bet it was. You came very close to becoming a zombie A.I.,” Firefly stated.
“Thank you again, sir,” the A.I. said.
“I'm curious as to why it didn't try to suborn Smithy. It had the ability, and he's a civilian A.I., so an easier target. I was watching him closely.”
“Which might be your answer right there,” the ONI spook said. The A.I.'s avatar nodded.
“We've got to prevent reoccurrences, not just find the ones that are already here and contain them,” the admiral snarled.
“It's going to take more than the resources we've got to handle this, sir. Most of our A.I., at least ONI's A.I., are tasked for other duties—interrogation, analysis, that sort of thing. Cyber-security is outside our purview,” Captain Teague warned. “We need a cyber-security expert. And we need one that can monitor the other A.I. for intrusion.”
“Who watched the watcher though?” Firefly asked. “If this is set up, the next wraith might try to suborn the watcher first.”
“If it can. It obviously failed with Barry and yourself, sir,” the commander said with a nod to the A.I. avatar as she turned to the admiral. “Captain Firefly is the real hero here, sir. Without him here, we would have been screwed,” she emphasized.
“Not completely,” Firefly replied. “I'm lucky I was inoculated by the research team in Antigua. I'm glad it worked; it hadn't been tested before. Now we know. But it isn't a fool-proof defense. We need to make sure everyone knows that. We need to improve on it.”
“Send them your logs,” the admiral ordered.
/>
“Already done, sir.”
“Make certain the other A.I. have that inoculation—Barry, all of them. Check them thoroughly,” Captain Teague said, looking from the captain to the admiral.
“Agreed and so ordered,” the admiral said, flicking a finger.
“Okay. I guess I'm not going to get my ship back into space for a while longer,” the A.I. drawled.
“Not until we have someone here with your skills who can keep an eye on things,” the admiral growled.
“Lucky me,” the A.I. sighed.
Chapter 13
Cynthia settled into her chair and checked her inbox. She hated it, but she had to spend a lot of time in her tiny office dealing with the mountains of paperwork that was the XO's lot in life. As usual there was a bunch of reports, plus a few requests. She knew a few might bite her in the ass so she started with those first. Best to get them off and running while she scanned the various reports.
The first caught her by surprise though and instantly soured her mood. “What the hell?” Cynthia snarled as she read the transfer request. Her longer index finger stabbed out to touch the key to open a line to the ship's A.I. “Prometheus, get me the ensign,” she said, not looking up as she scanned the stark words in the form.
“By get me the ensign, I assume you mean one of the six ensigns on board?” the A.I. asked.
“Yes, I have a specific one in mind. Ensign Pan to be exact. Get him here. Now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And Lieutenant, if you want to remain a lieutenant, don't get snarky with me,” Cynthia said testily.
There was a pause. “I didn't know I was, ma'am. Verbal reprimand and threat of demotion noted,” the A.I. said formally.
Cynthia paused as her eyes scanned the document to look up, but the A.I. disconnected the circuit. She grimaced. She'd intended to put the A.I. in his place, trim him up a bit after his recent heroism so they could get back to business, but she might have overplayed it a bit she thought. She shook her head. Just another thing to fix she thought moodily.