Chasm Waxing: A Startup, Cyber-Thriller
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Samantha and Lin congratulated General Shields.
“General, you’ve avenged your son and made America safer,” said Samantha. “Not one American life was endangered while you executed Charlie’s murderer.” Although I lost my best employee, thought Samantha.
“Thank you,” replied the General, more somberly than Samantha expected. He then addressed the analysts. “Update me on the Crescent Revolution.” While the SWARM Op Center was dedicated to Swarmbots, their systems had significant reach back to the Fort.
An analyst rattled off the latest intelligence. “The Egyptian military has moved into Tahir Square to disperse the demonstrators. They appear to be using restraint. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have not been so kind. Many protestors are dead. It looks like the various governments are coordinating their response. We guess their endgame is to halt the rallies and break up the sit-ins, by early next week. In all those countries; the Internet, cell phones, and SMS messaging are largely inoperable.
“Iran is a different story. The Internet is still wide open. Iranian forces are doing nothing to hinder the agitators. No police. No military. Our Iranian analysts believe this can mean only one thing. The Ayatollah is in trouble.”
*
Shields told everyone in the SWARM Op Center that the ‘highest levels of government’ approved of their actions. This was not entirely accurate. The $100M purchase of Swarmbots used black budget funds. It was classified. Only people read into SWARM were aware of the Swarmbots new lethal capabilities. Shields wanted to prove the success of the program before he briefed anyone, including POTUS. His greatest fear was a leak.
Patton didn’t follow every order, but he achieved results that saved lives. He was one of the best Generals in American history. Such was Shields’ inner dialogue. Hitler did refer to Patton as the ‘crazy cowboy.’
Chapter 28 – The Ayatollah
9:00 a.m., Monday, November 16, 2020 - Tehran, Iran
Supreme Leader’s Office
Commander Muhammad Rahmati entered the office of the Supreme Leader. He mechanically plodded forward to greet Ayatollah Alireza Saatchi. The Assembly of Experts had recently elected the Ayatollah. Saatchi was only the third man to serve as Iran’s Supreme Leader.
The 60-year-old cleric was a staunch hardliner. He chaffed at the Western influences he felt were infiltrating Iran, especially as a result of the increased prosperity from the nuclear deal and removal of sanctions. The Ayatollah relentlessly admonished Iranians not to sell out the Revolution. This attitude clashed with the majority of the population and the Revolutionary Guards, including General Farhad Javan.
The office was spartan. Three pictures of the Supreme Leaders hung side-by-side on the wall. Ayatollah Saatchi sat in a wooden, high-backed chair. It had decorative padding—the only vibrant thing in the room. He wore the clerical uniform of a black turban and black robe. The black turban denoted the fact that he was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Behind the Supreme Leader, stood an Iranian flag attached to a pole. The flag hung limp.
General Javan sat on a small Ottoman, about a yard away from Saatchi. Javan was dressed in full uniform. Medals and ribbons hung from his chest. The atmosphere was tense.
Rahmati bowed down to kiss the Ayatollah’s left hand. Then, he rose to kiss both of Saatchi’s cheeks. He greeted General Javan and sat next to him on the Ottoman. Rahmati had been whisked out of Damascus to make the three-hour flight to Tehran. After the pre-dawn journey, he was rushed from the airport to see Saatchi.
One thing that Rahmati didn’t miss about Tehran was its terrible traffic. And this time, the trip from Damascus to Tehran made him feel more like a prisoner, than a Commander. Rahmati’s handlers worked diligently to keep him hidden from the Iranian public.
“Commander Rahmati, you’ve done an excellent job in Syria. Your military success has exceeded my expectations. The Revolution and the Iranian people are proud of you. You’ve achieved our goal of turning Daesh’s recruiting upside down. We have more fighters joining us in Syria than them.” Saatchi smiled fakely at Rahmati. Rahmati smiled fakely back.
Saatchi continued, “However, I’m concerned about some of the propaganda you’ve released. While I understand your intent, I’m not sure our people do—especially our young and impressionable students. Your comments have stirred unintended problems for our Islamic Revolution. We both know that you’ve sworn an oath to God to protect the Revolution. This includes my protection. Now, I want to give you a chance to clarify your views.”
Rahmati studied the Ayatollah. He then looked to gauge Javan’s reaction. Rahmati answered politely, but sternly, “My views are consistent with the Revolution. They’re consistent with the Persian Empire’s history of greatness. They’re also consistent with public opinion. And they’re consistent with the views of the Revolutionary Guards."
Saatchi pursed his lips and gazed into the distance. Rahmati concentrated on the Ayatollah’s personal stench to avoid thinking about what was next. Time stopped. But the Commander knew he had the Ayatollah in a vice grip—as long as Javan didn’t waver.
Whoever controlled the Revolutionary Guards controlled Iran. If the Revolutionary Guards didn’t order the protection of the Ayatollah, he was a dead man. On the other hand, with proper protection, Saatchi’s next utterance could order Rahmati’s execution.
The Ayatollah cleared his throat. “I’m recalling you from Syria. I’m going to give you the opportunity to appear on state TV and clarify your position. I need you to emphasize your support for the will of God and the Revolution.”
Rahmati stared through the Supreme Leader.
“And, I have something to offer in return,” said Saatchi, in a calculated tone.
Again Rahmati glanced at Javan. Operation THUNDERCLAP was moving exactly as they’d planned. When Rahmati approached Javan over a year ago, he was confident that he could articulate a message that would resonate across the Middle East. He also knew that Javan was keen to put the Iranian economy on firmer footing—with the help of Western investment.
“Commander, after you clarify your position in support of your Supreme Leader, and remind all Iranians that God ordained our Revolution; I’d like you to advance the Islamic Revolution along another avenue. I want you to serve as the Prime Minister of Iraq.
“The current Prime Minister has agreed to step down and support you. It’ll take a few days to work everything through the Iraqi bureaucracy and get the Parliament to confirm you, but it should all be taken care of by Wednesday or Thursday. If you agree to my conditions, you’ll be sworn in on Friday—in Baghdad. Muhammad, you can do so much good for our Revolution in Iraq.”
This was not the offer Rahmati or Javan anticipated.
Both expected the Ayatollah to call for snap elections in Iran. Then, Rahmati could run for President. And Javan could forcefully urge the Ayatollah to modify the constitution. Without a change to the law, the Presidency of Iran was largely a figurehead position. All the power in Iran was vested in the Supreme Leader. From the corner of his eye, Rahmati saw a smile on Javan’s face.
Rahmati agreed to Saatchi’s deal. After over 40 years, Muhammad Rahmati was going home.
*
Javan drove Rahmati northward, to the offices of Abdullah Rahmati’s high-tech conglomerate in downtown Tehran. Northern Tehran lay under the shadow of the Alborz mountain range. On this day, the mountains were covered with a thick blanket of glistening snow. The mountains made Rahmati think of his mom. He wished she were alive to share this moment.
As you drove further north, Tehran became prettier. Rahmati and Javan had plenty of time to absorb the beauty of the mountains. Traffic was terrible. Tehran’s geography closely resembled the city of Los Angeles, as L.A. was hemmed in by the San Bernardino mountain range.
“You know, I’ve been shot at by Jews, Daesh, and all over the Middle East. What scares me the most is driving the streets of Tehran,” joked Rahmati.
General Javan laughed. “Well, let’s just hope tha
t Imam Saatchi doesn’t try to shoot you.”
The two were ecstatic over the results of their meeting with the Supreme Leader. As Prime Minister of Iraq, Rahmati could implement his vision more quickly. He’d possess more autonomy than if he stayed in Iran. They also believed that if the demonstrations continued, Saatchi would be forced to call early elections anyway.
“Would you run for President?” asked Rahmati.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get approved by the mullahs.” Javan was referring to the Iranian Assembly of Experts, a group of 86 clerics that elected the Supreme Leader. They also determined who could run for the Presidency. The Assembly operated somewhat like the College of Cardinals, the Vatican group who elected the Catholic Pope.
“I have more power as head of the Revolutionary Guards, than as President. I’m going to continue to turn the screws. Iran needs to embrace the future. The donkey riding mullahs are relics of the past. The Revolution occurred 41 years ago. The nuclear deal was a step in the right direction, but we had to fight tooth and nail—even for that.
“A lot of my Guards were opposed to the deal. They were making a fortune from smuggling restricted items. It might have been good for them, but it wasn’t healthy for all Iranians. The release of our billion dollars frozen in American banks, and the new oil agreements have helped stabilize our economy. But we need much more.” Javan was a graduate of the London School of Economics.
“We have an incredibly young, technically adept, hard-working population. Their creativity needs avenues for expression. All Iranians need to make a lot more money. Besides that, I can’t wait to get away from that Imam. Do you know that all he eats is garlic, green onions, and yogurt? His breath makes me want to puke all over his nasty, dyed beard. Who knows what lives in that thing.”
Rahmati chuckled. “Maybe he can sell Ayatollah cookbooks. Or, I can see it now, The Ayatollah Diet. He’ll be a better author than ruler of this country. The mullahs have run Iran into the ground. I totally agree, we need to get rid of all the clerics.
“Once your Guards see that the entire economic pie will grow, and that they’ll all get richer; they’ll fall in line. Now that I’ll be Prime Minister of Iraq, we can work on making this region the heart of the world again. Our land gave rise to the Babylonians and Persians. It was the center of the House of Islam for thousands of years.”
“You forgot the Ottomans,” teased Javan.
“We all have a black sheep in the family,” said Rahmati, grinning. “Today, our region is a pathetic excuse for what we can become. If we play our cards right, we’ll be the future rulers of Iran, Iraq, and the entire fertile crescent, inshallah—a new Islamic empire. Now, let’s get some more good news about AVICENNA.”
*
Rahmati, Javan, and CEO Hamid Gilani gathered around a half-moon shaped conference table. The meeting room had a panoramic view of downtown Tehran. The skyline was eclectic and impressive. Hamid wore charcoal-gray pants, with a black turtleneck. He looked like an Iranian Steve Jobs. He contrasted noticeably with Rahmati and Javan’s drab, army-green uniforms.
“Muhammad,” said Hamid, “I’m not sure if you’ve been able to see your father yet, but he’s so proud of you. I visit his house twice a week. All he talks about is how his superstar son is destined for greatness. We watched your last A-Scope broadcast. After he finishes talking about you, Abdullah peppers me with the questions regarding AVICENNA.”
Muhammad Rahmati howled. “At 89, my dad’s mind is still very sharp. Thank you for sharing that with me. And thank you for checking in on him. Now tell me about AVICENNA.”
“As you’re very well aware,” said Hamid, “RTC has worked on AVICENNA for the last 25 years.” RTC stood for Rahmati Technology Conglomerate. “Today, I can report to you that Suleiman is fully operational. It slices through public key encryption, like scissors through tracing paper.
“AES takes a little longer, but the algorithm developed by the Russian mathematician works exquisitely.” AES was an abbreviation of advanced encryption standard. “Suleiman’s been completely stable for four weeks. The whole team is awestruck. Here’s the kicker, Muhammad. Suleiman cracks the SHA-2 and SHA-3 family of hashing algorithms. It’s a cryptographic trifecta!” SHA was short for secure hash algorithm.
AVICENNA was the code name for a secret project to construct an Iranian-made, quantum computer. The computer was dubbed, ‘Suleiman.’ Suleiman was one of the most game-changing computing inventions, since the dawn of the silicon computer. The quantum computer was Abdullah Rahmati’s life-long dream. Even when the elder Rahmati lived in Iraq, he carefully followed the work of Richard Feynman and David Deutsch.
The idea to create Suleiman came to Abdullah when he was with the Revolutionary Guards. The Reagan Administration, in addition to supplying arms to the Iranians for the release of hostages, passed along TOP SECRET information regarding supercomputing and quantum computers.
This aspect of Iran-Contra affair was never disclosed. Abdullah Rahmati was incensed that the cowboy Americans thought so little of the technical capabilities of Muslims. They never thought twice about giving away their supercomputing secrets. While quantum computing wasn’t going to change every form of computing, Suleiman had numerous applications that were of great interest to the Rahmatis.
Chief among these was encryption.
There were two basic types of encryption: public key and shared key. Public key encryption relied upon the lack of classical, von Neumann architected computing’s ability to quickly factor the product of two large prime numbers. This inability meant that public key encryption schemes were safe, because classical computers couldn’t solve the puzzle within a reasonable time frame. When used on Suleiman, Shor’s algorithm found the factors in nanoseconds.
The NSA knew of the vulnerability to public key encryption. In 2015, the NSA announced that the DoD needed to move to quantum resistant algorithms. Beyond the pronouncement on a website, little progress was made. There were other priorities.
And, the NSA had its own quantum computer research project called, ‘Penetrating Hard Targets.’ Though heavily funded, the project was far from the creation of a fully functioning quantum computer. This gave the NSA confidence that their current public key algorithms were quantum secure for the foreseeable future.
Conventional wisdom stated that AES and SHA were unbreakable, even with a quantum computer. Apple used AES to encrypt iPhones. AES was a shared key encryption algorithm that relied on iterative substitution with keys of variable length—the bigger the key, the harder the decryption process. The worst result the NSA expected from a quantum computer was that anything encrypted with AES-128, would need to be upgraded to AES-256. But they hadn’t counted on Abdullah Rahmati and his Russian mathematician, Egor Orlov.
Orlov came to Iran when Communism fell in the early 90s. Egor created Orlov’s algorithm to crack AES encryption. Until the development of Suleiman, the algorithm was always theoretical. Egor never possessed a computer powerful enough to test the algorithm. However, using Orlov’s recipe, Suleiman broke AES-256 in four minutes. Orlov’s algorithm, with tweaks, also worked on SHA.
The implications of Hamid’s briefing were staggering.
It meant that Suleiman gave Rahmati the ability to crack almost every public and shared key encryption scheme on earth. Using Suleiman, Rahmati could see all Internet traffic, email, instant messaging, and voice communications.
This ability extended to all military comms, including information on SIPRNet and JWICS. SECRET and TOP SECRET information was Rahmati’s for the taking. And by cracking SHA, Rahmati could decipher passwords and change data in a file without anyone ever knowing. If he wanted, he could steal all the Bitcoins in the world, or siphon funds from every credit card transaction.
Rahmati and General Javan wildly embraced one another. Then, Rahmati hugged Hamid. “All praise be unto Allah! This is a miracle!” They celebrated for almost 10 minutes. Rahmati finally calmed down. “Who else knows about this?”
“This is the greatest secret in the world,” said Rahmati. “It must be protected at all costs. Farhad, you’re watching our entire team, right?”
“Not to worry, Muhammad. We’re watching everyone—including you.” Javan smiled wryly. “So what was the secret to perfecting Suleiman?”
“When the US released our $100B for the nuclear deal, my dad got a massive infusion of capital. He used it to upgrade our semiconductor facility,” said Rahmati.