by S. P. Perone
Deciding he could not avoid baiting Clarkson, Harry asked, “And how should the university deal with Tony’s circumvention of the normal rules for off-site work? Wouldn’t the newspapers make a big deal out of that also?”
Swallowing the bait like a barracuda, Clarkson responded, “Of course. The university wouldhave to take some action. I would defer to the Provost regarding what would be appropriate. But, I’ve heard of faculty being discharged for this sort of thing.”
Clarkson followed this statement by dramatically placing his pencil down in front of him, leaning back in his chair, and looking directly at Shane. A stern look filled his face, as if he had just scolded a young schoolboy.
Continuing to gaze at Shane, Clarkson added, “Perhaps we should excuse Professor Shane while we discuss what actions we should take?”
Still, Shane remained silent. He knew that it would be better for others to engage Clarkson. He didn’t have to wait long.
“It occurs to me,” Harry interjected, “that Tony hasn’t admitted to any of these allegations yet. And, furthermore, I’m not convinced that there’s going to be anything in the news to ‘embarrass’ the university. So, why do we have to takeany action at all?”
Noticing a few heads nodding at Harry’s statement, Shane turned his attention to Clarkson, wondering how he might respond.
Ignoring Harry, Clarkson turned his head to the left and looked directly at Newman. “Provost Newman, I hoped I could have avoided this, but I am concerned that one of our members is not bringing an objective perspective to our deliberations today. Professor Churchill is a close friend of Professor Shane’s, and, as Chair of this committee, I believe I should execute my prerogative to disqualify him from participation on this matter.”
Without waiting for any response, Clarkson turned towards Harry, and said, “Harry, you are excused.”
“Hold on here, Janus,” the Provost interrupted calmly. “I don’t know where you get the authority to dismiss a committee member, but it appears to me that Tonyneeds a friend in this room right now. Moreover, I don’t see that any of Harry’s questions are out of line. I had the same questions myself. Would you like to ‘disqualify’me too?”
With his face rapidly assuming the color of a ripe tomato, Clarkson backpedaled and sputtered his response. “I…I was only trying to release Professor Churchill from an embarrassing situation…so he wouldn’t be in a position of…of approving action against his friend. If he is willing to continue, I…I won’t object.”
“Why thank you, Janus,” Harry said, “I believe Iwill stay for a while.”
“Well, now that we have that settled,” the Provost interjected, “let’s just cut to the chase, and resolve these issues.”
Turning his gaze towards Shane, the Provost asked, “Tony, can you just tell us, in your own words: what you are engaged in at Livermore Lab; why you have chosen to circumvent university leave policies to pursue this work; and, finally, whether or not there is CIA involvement in the classified work being done here, or at Livermore Lab?”
This was the opportunity for which Shane and Harry had prepared. Shane took a breath, and launched into his response.
“I can not tell you what we are doing at Livermore Lab…just as I could not tell you about the classified research we have been doing here at the university. They are one and the same. I can tell you that the boundary limits of the work were defined when university approval was given nearly three years ago, and that the work is related to national security…but that is all I can say.
“I have chosen to ‘circumvent’ university leave policy, because the opportunity to work with the Livermore supercomputer came up unexpectedly; for a limited time; and with short notice. I know that the proper procedure would have been to submit a formal request for a leave of absence, where the Department Head would have to sign off…indicating that other faculty could cover classes. Unfortunately, that procedure usually requires about one semester lead-time; and that would not allow us to take advantage of this opportunity. As you’ve already said, Howard, it’s not unusual for faculty to deal with situations like this informally; requesting extended travel approval, and making arrangements to re-schedule their classes or get some other faculty to substitute. That’s what I did.”
No one spoke. All eyes were focused expectantly on Shane, awaiting his discussion of the CIA issue.
“Regarding CIA involvement, I’ve already said that the funding ofnone of our work has been predicated on sharing information with the CIA. Furthermore, the CIA doesnot fund or direct any of the classified work done on campus or at Livermore Lab.”
“I am sure,” Shane continued, “that you would like to know if there is any CIA involvement at any stage of our activities. Well, what I am about to tell you is a matter of public record. There is a CIA project, known as the ‘StarSight’ project, the details of which are not available to the public. This project isnot the classified project on which we work with DOE funding and with university sanction. However, the CIA projectdoes benefit from the results of our work. That benefit is provided through interagency information transfer with the DOE. The CIA is welcome to send a representative to our progress reports to the DOE, and they have done so.”
“So,” Shane added, “none of the academic investigators on the DOE project has ever worked for the CIA. CIA access to our results is a perfectly legitimate and common interagency activity. The only indiscretion of which the academic investigators are guilty is that, within a secure environment, we began to refer to our classified project as the ‘StarSight project’…or, in our unclassified e-mails, we would use the cryptic term ‘S. Project’.”
Shane paused, debating how much further he might go. He and Harry had not discussed anything further. He would be entering uncharted territory. But, he had thought it over. He would have to choose the StarSight project…no matter what.
“There is one more thing,” Shane continued. “I know that any news story regarding this situation will not treat it objectively. It will be sensationalized. I think we’ve come to expect that from the media. Misleading headlines. Quotes taken out of context. Deliberate misrepresentations. And so on.”
“What I’m trying to say is that, even though a reasonable public, presented with an objective, complete disclosure of this matter, would find nothing objectionable…I am convinced that the upcoming media coverage will attempt to embarrass the university.”
Pausing for a few moments, while rotating his gaze among each of the meeting participants, Shane then concluded by saying, “Therefore, I am prepared to offer myresignation from the faculty of this university.”
There was a stunned silence. Harry’s jaw dropped, as he couldn’t believe what his dear friend had just said. Only Clarkson was quick to recover, as he said, “Well, thank you, Professor Shane. I’m sure this will relieve the university of considerable embarrassment.”
As Clarkson sat back in his seat, relaxed and satisfied, the rest of the group at the table slowly reacted to what Shane had said.
Ignoring Clarkson’s statement, the Provost spoke directly to Shane. “Tony, we appreciate your gesture…but no one is going to accept your resignation. So, let’s get serious here, and I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.
“First of all, if what you have told us is true…and I do not doubt that it is…I don’t give a rat’s ass what the newspapers print. I will defend you,myself .
“Secondly, I see no reason to rescind the university’s approval of the DOE research contract, either classified or unclassified.
“Thirdly, the only legitimate infraction that I see here is that you should be working right now under a ‘leave of absence’ arrangement. And, I think I know how to fix that.
“As soon as we leave this room, you will step into my office, complete a ‘Leave’ request, I will sign it, and I will ask your Department Head to sign it. You will assure me and your Department Head that you will find a way to cover your assigned teaching duties…even if you have to make
arrangements with individual students. Your leave of absence will be approved as of the date that you began your work at Livermore; and it will continue for as long as you tell me it is needed, and for which you can arrange to cover in some way your teaching responsibilities.
“And, finally, you will give me a sworn statement that neither you nor your research associates has conducted research funded by the CIA on university facilities or university time.
“I apologize, Tony, for this last request. But, it is absolutely essential if the university is to withstand any media attack. I hope you can understand.”
“Can you agree to these terms?” the Provost asked finally.
Shane smiled as he glanced at Harry’s stunned expression. Neither of them had anticipated this outcome. Harry had predicted that Shane would end up having to provide a sworn statement, but he thought Shane would have to bargain away the classified research contract in exchange for obtaining a leave to continue working at Livermore.
Focusing briefly on Clarkson, Shane thought he had never seen such a blanched expression. He worried, briefly, that Clarkson might pass out.
Finally, returning his gaze to the Provost, Shane replied, “Thank you, Howard. I think your terms are perfectly acceptable.”
Chapter 14
Threatening Progress.
By the evening of November 10, Max was on overload. Surveillance data were coming in from so many sources; he was having difficulty digesting it all. The “bugs” had been working effectively to bring him daily up-dates of progress on the StarSight project at Livermore Lab. Because he couldn’t risk using devices transmitting from within the Lab, he had used voice-activated digital recording/transmitting micro devices, whose transmissions he could activate and monitor remotely. His favorite hiding place for these devices was in the lining of brief cases which individuals transported back and forth to the Lab each day. It was his nightly routine to initiate transmissions and capture the day’s recordings from each device, while the host briefcases rested in hotel rooms, safely-removed from any of the Lab’s scanners. His most useful information had been derived from the meetings of the project team in Shane’s office. The meetings in that office with Carothers and the Senator a couple weeks earlier had provided a gold mine of insight, most of which had not been shared with the Bear. Max’s whole strategy had changed dramatically after that day.
By far, his most effective surveillance method for obtaining technical information had been the SpyraNet software. Believing they had a foolproof firewall, preventing surveillance of any e-mail connections that extended inside the White supercomputer facility, Windemere had advised the StarSight team they could use the internal network safely for classified correspondence. Unfortunately, the Lab was unaware of SpyraNet, and in particular, the MaxWare version, that had pierced the firewall with ease. Max’s stealth surveillance was extracting all of the technical correspondence flying between the various StarSight team members.
Max had arranged to remain in California by telling CryptaGen that he had had a “family emergency” to tend to. Because the phone number contact he had provided was for a cell phone, with voice mail, he was pretty well isolated from CryptaGen. More importantly, he did not care if his false statement were discovered. He was finished with CryptaGen now. He would keep them in the dark for as long as possible regarding his intention not to return.
For the hundredth time, Max ticked down the checklist of actions he had taken to cover his trail. His flight to California had been arranged under a false name with false ID. His sparsely furnished apartment in Albuquerque had been abandoned, after all incriminating materials had been destroyed. His work computer had been gutted. The hard drive had been erased; and all storage media had been either destroyed or carried with him. None of his paper files contained anything but CryptaGen-related documents. Left behind had been no bank accounts, no personal belongings, and no personal contacts…at least not anyone who could reveal anything about him. The leased automobile he had been driving was returned after being thoroughly cleansed of any incriminating debris. The fingerprints he left behind were unavoidable, but of little concern, as there was no matching set in any computer database. Max had taken care of that a long time ago. Because his identity and background had been completely fabricated, there was no conventional way to trace him. Except for the room he had rented at the Red Baron in San Jose under his CryptaGen identity, and his visits to a few Silicon Valley tech companies, Max’s presence in the Bay Area was undetectable. He had not returned to the Red Baron hotel after checking in, nor visited any other companies since taking his “emergency” leave.
In addition to his obsession with maintaining anonymity, Max was now consumed with a passion to bring his StarSight caper to a conclusion and pick up the rest of his 10 million dollars. What he had learned today would bring that event very close indeed. In fact, he was now prepared to gain much more. He only had to re-establish an old contact.
Tony and Sarah had decided to take some time off this evening, and take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) from nearby Pleasanton into San Francisco for dinner. Not only had they earned the break by working practically around the clock for the past week, but also there had been a significant breakthrough today that cried out for a celebration in the City.
As they sat side-by-side in a booth at Tomasso’s in North Beach, forced to avoid discussing the technical work that had come to fruition that day, they were slowly beginning to re-discover the magic of their personal relationship. They were just finishing off a bottle of exceptionally smooth Italian Merlot that Tony had ordered to complement their dinners. Sarah had ordered the sautéed calamari, served in a tasty tomato-based sauce; while Tony had ordered one of Tomasso’s famous calzones, prepared in their wood-fired oven.
Having quickly thrown together overnight bags, they had decided to spend the night together in the City, obtaining reservations at one of the small, atmospheric Bed & Breakfast places over on Union. Shane had informed their FBI contact in Livermore of their plans, and had gotten approval. He assumed that meant their “shadows” would also spend the night in the City. He had no idea how that would be arranged…and he didn’t care. He was simply looking forward to an evening with Sarah, hoping that, for a few hours at least, they could forget about terrorists, neural network programs, espionage, and the exhausting effort they had all been putting into the StarSight project.
The past week had been eventful for all of them, in more ways than one. After Shane had informed the Senator regarding the favorable outcome of the inquiry back at Daniels, the Senator had placed three phone calls. The first was to Carothers at the CIA; the second was to Provost Newman at Daniels; and the third was to Andrew Mason at theJournal . Surprised and suspicious at the Senator’s unexpected cooperation, Mason nevertheless proceeded to publish his story. Within twenty-four hours, the story had been picked up nationally. It had been the third lead story on the evening news for the three major networks; NBC decided to get on-screen comments from the Senator; from Provost Newman; and from the three co-investigators out at Livermore Lab. The CIA declined to comment; and spokespersons from the other two universities essentially deferred to the comments provided by Provost Newman.
Tony, Barry, and Sharon had been interviewed, as a group, by theToday Show ’s Katy Couric, through a remote hook-up that had been set up in the Livermore Lab pressroom. All of the team had been there to witness the event. The three investigators had benefited from observing the on-screen comments from the Senator and Provost Newman on the previous evening’s news. The Senator had turned on his considerable charm, and provided a characterization of the classified DOE contract with the universities as patriotic, commonplace, and unequivocally independent of any CIA support. The “commonplace” descriptor could only be considered accurate, Shane had thought, if one took into account federal contracts extending back to the 50’s, when the DOE had been the old Atomic Energy Commission.
Provost Newman’s comments had been a genuine surprise
. After firmly and convincingly denying any CIA presence on campus, Newman actually went on the attack with his interviewer. He portrayed the DOE as seeking out the very best scientists they could find to do the work needed for our national security. Because one of those scientists happened to be employed by a university was no reason to deny his help. And, it was the duty of the university to accommodate the unconventional logistical requirements of classified research. By the time the interview was over, Daniels University, and Tony Shane in particular, had been built up to heroic stature.
Recollecting theToday interview, Sarah was teasing Shane. “I heard you got more fan mail this week than Matt Lauer,” she said, referring to the handsome co-host of theToday Show . “In fact, I thought Katy Couric was ready to offeryou a permanent spot on the show…she almost totally ignored Barry and Sharon.”
“Hey, what can I say? I should’ve been in show business!”
“Seriously, Tony,” she persisted, “didn’t you notice she was asking you most of the questions?”
“You know, I didn’t notice at the time, but it was painful to watch the tape later. I felt embarrassed. The only thing I can figure is that only the Daniels Provost had been interviewed on screen…and the Senator referred to me as the Principal Investigator. Do you think it bothered Barry or Sharon?”
Now she laughed, and reached over to slap Tony’s hand. “Of course not, ‘Silly’. They know that you’re the key person in this whole project…they were both excited to be included in the interview at all!”
“I was only teasing,” she added. “Couldn’t you tell?”
Tony turned his head toward her, and leaned back slightly, so he could examine her eyes. His left arm was around the back of her chair, with his hand resting lightly on her left shoulder. “Teasing? You mean I didn’t really get all that fan mail?” he asked, eyes wide and pleading.