Intervention: A Science Fiction Adventure

by J. W. Huemme

  Bill turned to Christopher, “I’ll walk down with you.”

  Christopher and Bill went into the outer office where they were joined by the first Agent Johnson. The three went down the hall and boarded the elevator, exiting on the first floor. “Christopher, if you need anything, anything at all, you have my card.” Bill reminded Christopher.

  “Thank you, Bill. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

  “Great. I’ll be in touch. Have a safe trip,” Bill said as Christopher and Agent Johnson headed for the main entrance.

  Agent Johnson returned Christopher to the same hangar at the airport. “Thanks for the lift.”

  “I’m to see you back to your destination,” Agent Johnson responded. They entered the hangar to find the sleek black jet ready and waiting. Once aboard, the same young lady as before pushed the same button, retracting the steps and closing the door. The engines came to life and the jet taxied to the runway and immediately took off. The uneventful return trip past quickly, and in no time, Christopher found himself turning into the parking lot in front of his front door.

  Christopher sat at his desk reflecting on the day’s events. It had been quite a day, even for him. He was very proud. He had worked hard for many years for this. He knew he had to share the news. Christopher hadn’t told his parents anything about the interview. Just in case it didn’t go well, he didn’t want to disappoint them.

  “Hello,” Mary’s voice came through the phone.

  “Hello, Mom. It’s Christopher.”

  “Hello, Christopher. It’s so good to hear your voice. Wait a minute, let me get your father on the other phone. Joe? It’s Christopher. Pick up the other phone.”

  A few seconds later, Joe picked up the other phone. “Hello, Christopher. How’s my favorite son doing?”

  “Great, Dad. I have some good news. I’ve been hired to work with the CIA. They flew me to their headquarters in Langley, Virginia, this morning. I talked with them, they showed me around, and then they made me a terrific offer. I didn’t even have to think about it. I said yes right then and there. I told them that I wanted to finish out the year at school, of course. They said that was fine.”

  “I’m proud of you, son; really proud,” Joe told Christopher.

  “Oh, Christopher, that’s wonderful,” Mary added. “You’re still coming home for Easter, aren’t you?”

  “Of course, Mom. I wouldn’t miss your cooking for the world. I’d better get going now; I just had to tell you the news. I’ll give you a call over the weekend. I love you both.”

  It was back to the books for Christopher. He still had almost three months before he would finish earning his final degree from school: another Ph.D. at twenty-one. He had every right to be proud, but still he remained a somewhat quiet and down-to-earth young man. He attended all of his classes the next day as he had always done. The school didn’t seem as impressive as it once did, especially after his trip the day before. Yet, it was still a learning tool that he would utilize every day he was there.

  After finishing his last class of the day, Christopher decided to make a side trip before going home. He found his way to the administrative offices on campus and to the office of Professor Stevens. A light knock on the door brought a quick response. “Come in.” Christopher entered the professor’s office and immediately extended his hand to the professor.

  “Professor Stevens,” the professor rose from his seat and shook Christopher’s hand.

  “Christopher, how are you? Please, sit down.” The professor returned to his seat as Christopher sat down.

  “Fine, thank you.”

  “I was very surprised to hear that you didn’t attend any classes yesterday and didn’t offer any reason other than personal business. With anyone else, I wouldn’t give it a second thought, but that’s very out of character for you. As a matter of fact, it’s a first for you. I’m hoping you would come by to shed some light on this.”

  “That’s why I’m here,” Christopher responded. “I didn’t tell anyone nor do I intend to tell anyone, except you. Yesterday, I flew to Langley to interview with the people at the CIA. In particular, Agent Johnson and Bill Brandon, head of cryptology. They made me a very nice offer, and I accepted. I’ll be starting as soon as I finish this term in June. Professor, I didn’t come by just to tell you, but to thank you for the letter you wrote to Agent Johnson.”

  “Oh, that was years ago. I had almost forgotten I ever wrote that. Well, I’m just glad I was able to be of help.”

  * * *

  Mary and Joe were standing at the gate anxiously awaiting Christopher to exit the plane. They always insisted on meeting him at the airport whenever he came to visit. They greeted each other with warm hugs.

  “Good to see you, son. Let’s go get your bag and get back to the house. You’re mother has been in the kitchen all morning cooking up the best Easter ham yet.”

  “Great, I can’t wait. Next to the both of you, I miss Mom’s cooking the most.”

  Life always seemed a little better whenever Christopher crossed over the little wooden bridge and headed up the driveway to his parent’s house. As he grew older, Christopher noticed the house looked a little smaller, just as his dad’s hair looked a little grayer. Still, somehow they always looked a little better each time he came home. There was no place like it.

  Christopher went upstairs, as he always did whenever he came home, to look at his old room and to remind himself of all of the dreams he had there. Mary always kept it clean and exactly like he left it. After reminiscing for a bit, Christopher joined his mother in the kitchen.

  “I hope you’re hungry. I made lots of mashed potatoes for you.”

  “You’re the best, Mom. Where’s Dad?”

  “I think he’s out on the porch. Go on, I’ll call you both when dinner’s ready.”

  “Okay, Mom. It smells great.”

  Christopher joined his father on the swinging bench on the porch. “Sure smells good in there,” Christopher said as he sat next to Joe.

  “That’s one of the reasons I married your mom. She’s always been the best cook I ever met.” There was a long silence. So many words didn’t have to be spoken.

  Over dinner, Christopher told Joe and Mary all about his job interview and everything that happened. “Dad was right, Mom. You are the best cook anywhere. This is delicious.”

  Just as they were finishing dessert, there was a knock at the front door. “I’ll get that, Christopher. You just keep buttering up your mom.” Joe got up to answer the door.

  “Look who’s here,” Joe said as he returned to the table.

  It was their neighbor, Linda. “I couldn’t let you pass through without coming by to see you,” Linda said as she sat in the remaining chair. “Your mom tells me you’re going to work with the CIA. Are you excited?”

  “I’m really looking forward to it,” Christopher replied.

  “How long are you home for?” Linda asked.

  “I have to fly back tonight. I’ve got finals coming up in a few weeks, so I’ve got to hit the books pretty hard.”

  “I baked some chocolate chip cookies today, so I brought some for you to take back with you.” Linda had always been supportive.

  After Linda left, Joe and Christopher helped Mary clean up a little in the kitchen. Mary left the dishes in the sink to soak so she could spend as much time as possible with Christopher before he had to leave. The three went out onto the porch and talked for a while. As the sun neared the horizon, it took with it the warmth it had been providing. Joe said, “How about we go in and put the news on the television. Christopher, if you’ll bring in some firewood, I’ll build us a nice big fire to warm us up.”

  “Sure, Dad. That will be nice.”

  Joe had already turned on the television and was sitting on the couch with Mary waiting for the news to start when Christopher came in with an arm full of wood. He set the wood down in front of the fireplace. “Okay, Dad. You’re on.”

  Joe was just
getting the fire started when the news started. The announcer’s voice filled the room. “In our top story tonight, a terrorist plot to blow up the U.S. embassy in North Africa was discovered just in time to evacuate the building and disarm the device just minutes before it was set to detonate, saving dozens of lives. The information came from a coded transmission intercepted and decoded by the CIA just in time to avert what could have been a horrible tragedy. In other news,” Mary and Joe looked at each other and then at Christopher. They both thought of what Christopher had told them over dinner: how he had shown Jim Walker how to decode the message he had been working on.

  Mary asked, “Christopher, did you do that?”

  “I think so. I mean, I just told him how I thought the code was put together, that’s all.”

  “That’s all?” Mary exclaimed, “You probably saved all those people’s lives. Oh, Christopher.” Mary gave him a big hug, “I’m so proud of you. As proud as any mother could be.”

  “Me too, son. You should be proud as well. It’s a fine thing you did. I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel to see you using your abilities to do some good in this world. Don’t ever change.”

  “I won’t, Dad. I promise.”

  * * *

  The remaining months at school went by quickly for Christopher. He soon found himself packing his things into suitcases and boxes for the trip to Langley. Christopher didn’t have attachments for places and things as much as he did for people. He would miss Professor Stevens and several others he had worked with at school far more than the school itself.

  Professor Stevens personally took Christopher to the airport in a school van. The two had formed a mutual bond over the last several years. At the airport, the sleek black jet was waiting as it had been before with Agent Johnson. Christopher and the professor said their goodbyes while Agent Johnson loaded the suitcases and boxes onto the plane.

  After they arrived in Langley, Christopher was taken to a nice hotel, where he would stay until he had a chance to find a place of his own. Bill Brandon, who was now Christopher’s immediate superior, provided him with a company car, a map, an advance in his salary, and a few days off to find a place to live. Christopher didn’t want to waste time driving to and from his new office, nor did he want to spend his time doing yard work. He decided on a three-bedroom apartment in a high rise close to work. He bought some simple furniture and arranged to have it delivered the next day. Since he would be working on classified material of a very sensitive nature, Bill Brandon had Agent Johnson see to security arrangements for Christopher’s new residence, from a high-tech security system to a secure phone line. With all that done, Christopher made himself at home.

  The first bedroom was just that: a bedroom. The second room Christopher set up as an office, similar to what he had at school, with a few additions. The third room was to be his puzzle room. Christopher had acquired several puzzles, mostly antique wooden block and box puzzles. Some were old magician’s illusion props, and one was the first simple board puzzle he ever assembled. Mary had it mounted and framed and gave it to Christopher for his twenty-first birthday. This puzzle was one of his most prized possessions, mainly because it was from his mother. Many years earlier, she had removed the very first thing he ever did, a simple maze, from its book. She framed it and made it a keepsake for Christopher. She made a small label and placed it at the bottom. It read, “Christopher’s First Puzzle,” and had the date on it. These two items were hung on the wall, center stage in his new puzzle room. Next to that he hung a nicely framed picture of, what Christopher felt was, the ultimate unsolved puzzle in the world: the great pyramid. He had even purchased a two volume hieroglyphics-to-English dictionary set that he had studied extensively.

  Now it was time to get to work.

  Christopher went straight to Bill’s office, passing through security in the lobby and proudly wearing his newly acquired identification badge. As he exited the elevator on the fourth floor, he saw Barb sitting at her desk busily working away on her typewriter. She stopped and looked up. “Good morning, Christopher, I mean Mr. Adams.”

  “No, no, Christopher’s fine.”

  Barb acknowledged, “Christopher, you can go right in. Bill’s expecting you.”

  “Thank you, Barb.” Christopher proceeded to Bill’s office and entered to find Bill just concluding a phone call. Bill motioned for Christopher to come in.

  “Okay, thanks, Bob. I’ll get back to you as soon as I hear anything. Right. Bye.” Bill set the receiver back in its cradle. “Good morning, Christopher.”

  “Good morning,” Christopher responded.

  “Come on. I’ll show you your office.” Bill led Christopher out the door and down the hall. “You’ll be right down the hall from me. Ah, here we are.” As they entered the office, Bill continued, “Well, what do you think?” Bill asked.

  “It’s very nice.”

  “I’m glad you like it, because you’ll be spending a lot of time here. I’ve asked Tom Clayton, he’s our resident computer expert in charge of Mega Bucks, to come up to see you. He’ll set up a password for you and give you a basic rundown on how the system’s programming is set up. He should be by in twenty minutes or so. In the meantime, you can start familiarizing yourself with this darn Russian code we’re working on.”

  Bill hit a couple of keys on the computer terminal on Christopher’s desk. “First you’ll need to set up your own password and delete the one I used to access the program just now. Then just pull up the file named ‘Helix,’ and you’ll be there. If you need anything, just pick up the phone and press seven to get Barb. Press one for me and nine for an outside line or zero for an operator. I have got to get back to my office, so if you don’t have any questions, I’ll leave you to get started.”

  “Thanks Bill. I’ll be fine,” Christopher responded as Bill left him to explore his new surroundings.

  Christopher sat for a moment, taking everything in. His new office was very nice, and it was equipped with everything he would need. After a few moments, Christopher turned to his computer terminal and put in his personal password. Then, as instructed, he deleted the password Bill had used. He returned to the main menu, found the file named “Helix” and punched it up. He must have been looking at it for some time, when he heard a knock, looked up and saw Tom Clayton standing in the doorway of his office.

  “I’m sorry, come in, Tom. I was just taking a look at this Helix code. Please, sit down.”

  “Thank you,” Tom said as he sat in one of the chairs in front of Christopher’s desk, then continued, “That’s one bugger of a code. My expertise is in programming and overseeing the computer system, but I am, of course, familiar with all of the decryption techniques used by the agency. Now that you’ve had a chance to look at the Helix, what do you think?”

  Christopher looked from Tom to the computer screen, then remarked, “It’s very interesting.”

  “That’s an understatement. Let’s take a walk to the computer room and I’ll show you just what it is we’re doing with Mega Bucks.”

  Tom and Christopher walked to the far end of the fourth floor to the door accessing Mega Bucks. After Tom performed the ritual of unlocking the door, he and Christopher went into Tom’s office located in the rear of the computer room.

  “Have a seat,” Tom told Christopher. Tom sat behind his desk and entered his password giving him access into the system. “First let’s get you access to the computer room. There, now all you have to do is come back here and enter in a five digit number then hit save and it will clear the screen. You will be the only one who knows your code, so even if someone were to get hold of your ID card, they still couldn’t access Mega Bucks.”

  Tom got up from behind his desk and walked to the other side to allow Christopher privacy to enter his code. “All done,” Christopher said as he returned to the seat in front of the desk.

  Tom returned to his seat and continued, “Everything we do concerning Mega Bucks can be accessed right from the terminal o
n your desk. I mean everything—the program currently running, the status of that program, program formats, even basic programming instructions. Most of the decryption programs are written so you can just input the parameters, select the subroutines you want from the list, and it does the rest. It’s sort of a fill-in-the-blanks program.

  “Do you have any objections to my writing my own programs?” Christopher inquired.

  “Not at all,” Tom answered. “I do, however, have to review any new programs before they are run, but otherwise, you are free to write anything you think might help. When you get back to your office, just bring up the file named ‘Mega Bucks.’ You’ll find everything you need there. If you have any questions, just give me a call at extension twelve.”

  “Thank you, Tom,” Christopher replied. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Christopher returned to his office and began familiarizing himself with all the programs and their subroutines and parameters. He then checked on the progress Mega Bucks had made on the Helix code. The computer wasn’t having much luck. He decided to try to write a new program with a little different approach. Christopher felt the key to decrypting the code might lie within the messages themselves.

  For the next several months, he tried several approaches with no results. Christopher always saw an unsuccessful attempt not as a failure but as a possibility eliminated, narrowing the field of options, and thus bringing him closer to the correct answer. He had blown up photographs of several of the messages exactly as they were received hanging on the wall in front of his desk, always in view. He always brought his lunch to his office so he could look at the photographs even while he ate, instead of eating in the cafeteria with his co-workers. He just had a feeling the key was in the messages themselves. He had learned through experience that his intuition was almost always right, so he continued along these lines.