Probe

by Douglas E Roff

  Agustin watched, and Maria said nothing.

  “It is not for me to judge you. It is not for you to judge them. But if we are family, it must mean more than this cold indifference.”

  Edmund turned and began walking away, saying he would see them in the morning. He mentioned he was on his way over to see Noki. Maybe Maria wanted to come for a visit too.

  Maria looked at her husband, feeling ashamed that she hadn’t listened to him earlier and for being stubborn and obstinate.

  “Let me put on some decent walking shoes. I’ll be right out.”

  Chapter 45

  The layout and use of Adam and Misti’s home was established quite quickly for both livability and work. To a certain extent, form followed function. From a living space perspective, there were two large bedrooms on the ground floor and three smaller rooms and a large bedroom upstairs on the second floor. There was a huge space downstairs in the basement with special features built in but not included in the building plans.

  Adam and Noki took up what had been the master bedroom while Alana and Misti occupied the other downstairs ‘second’ bedroom. In fact, neither room was bigger than the other, just configured differently. Upstairs the two middle rooms had been Misti and Adam’s workspaces until the new group arrived. Now, Misti and Noki would share the upstairs middle rooms for work, while Alana and Adam had decided to convert the basement into their workspace.

  In the basement were also two emergency escape tunnels, around which were constructed two offices. The basement also held the emergency generators and underground connections to both outside powers sources and the renewable energy sources provided by the Institute. It seemed to some as though double and triple redundancy was overkill and an unnecessary expense but not to either Adam or Alana. The ability to cut power to the residence was also the ability to cripple their work. In more peaceful and less dangerous times, some level of disruption could be easily tolerated as part of normal life.

  Now, however, it was quite a different story.

  During their absence for the past few months living in London, and after Alana and Edmund joined the team, Adam had had the foresight to have the basement newly configured and built out, and his electronics moved from the second story to the basement. That Alana wanted the same setup for the same reason was simply fortuitous. Her equipment, all new with the latest NSA spec’d gadgetry, had likewise been installed and was awaiting her personal touch. All her data, files and hard drives had been secured and moved to Barrows Bay shortly after they departed for London.

  The basement setup included a common locked entrance to the two large offices containing their computers, electronic gadgets, and paper files. The lock to the common entrance was via palm print and retinal scan and each door within held the same safeguard in addition to a numerical keypad. Technically Adam could not enter Alana’s office, nor Alana his. Each had override codes in case disaster struck.

  Today was their walkthrough of the physical facilities as well as a chance to have a fulsome discussion around tasks, abilities and experience. While it sometimes seemed to outsiders that one computer nerd was the equivalent of another computer nerd, nothing could be further from the truth. Adam was a software engineer; he created programs and wrote useful code to solve specific problems or make machines do more targeted and useful work. Alana was, in common parlance, a hacker. She did things with software that could accomplish tasks, but Adam really had little understanding of what exactly she did or how she did it.

  He was however, very interested in learning from her, as she was in learning from him. They could both, they thought, raise their games to higher highs through collaboration. This discussion was high on Alana’s list but far from the only subject matter. She had some personal requests to make and wanted to understand Adam’s receptivity to her personal and individual needs.

  Adam began, “You wanted to talk to me today. What about?”

  Alana looked at Adam, still amazed by his seeming, and total ease with his incredible, and somewhat unbelievable gifts. Adam had had experiences all his life outside the range of the supposed normal, so she thought his current comfort with the odd and the unusual could be explained in that way.

  Not to Adam of course. A couple of oddball incidents or events were just that. But the repetitive nature of other bizarre or unusual events in his life was an entirely different story. He analogized it to the scientific method; he believed that phenomena were real only if it repeated over and over again. What it was or why it was were separate inquiries.

  But he always left open the reasons why. That was causation and it was susceptible to many possible explanations.

  Scientists and theologians, the educated, and the ignorant, the open, and closed minded, all thought they knew why. In fact, all were certain they knew why. But did they? Did any of them have all or even most of the answers?

  Science seemed the best most defensible explanation for most phenomena. It was a materialist view of the world enhanced by discipline, and rigor, and supported by data. For Adam that was the most natural way for most to approach the world in which they lived. But then what happened when science couldn’t explain a phenomenon? Was it therefore preternatural? Or supernatural? An illusion? Nonsense?

  Adam’s big beef with both science and religion were the many taboo topics, the inquiries that each anointed as heresy in some way. Each had those topics that, whenever a phenomenon got too close to the sun metaphorically, there was an automatic cut off. Laughter and derision ensued with standard or pat answers. Adam was deeply religious but had no time for extremists; he considered himself a scientist but had no time for ignorant pure materialists.

  The teachings of Rupert Sheldrake had heavily and unapologetically influenced Adam, not necessarily for any specific conclusions that Sheldrake may have reached, but for the skeptical perspective he enunciated on secular materialism. He felt that Sheldrake made room, as did Adam, for both science and spirituality, including God. A purely materialist view of the world could not, for Adam, contain all of its wonder or provide every necessary particle of explanation. That view was too cold, too clinical, and too filled with explanations that failed to explain the big items: the wonder and beauty of this world, the origin of life, what is love, and what the Universe was before the Big Bang. Between only believing in Science, and only believing in Religion, there had to be a third and fourth and fifth ways to experience the wonder that surrounds us and gives meaning to our lives every day.

  To Adam, any discipline that excluded inquiry was suspect and defective. Inquiry, plus the results of inquiry, might be inconvenient truths, but the search for truth, or meaning, should never be curbed. The totality of inquiry should be left to the marketplace of ideas, and that superstore should bear no constraints. Derision, even among the scientific and academic disciplines, was commonplace. It wasn’t as if the current scientific community had all the answers. In fifty years, some ‘scientific truths’ of today will be derided, just as today some have derided a few of the ‘scientific truths’ of fifty years ago.

  Unfortunately, his criticism had to include the two disciplines he loved most. Both were guilty of narrow minded and exclusionary taboos.

  ***

  Alana looked delicious and Adam knew instantly that her interest today was only going to be partly professional.

  Adam asked, “Why’re you looking at me like that? I think you’re either going to ‘off’ me or kiss me but I can’t tell which.”

  “Off you? Don’t be absurd. But devour you, yes, as much as I can. As much as you allow. How about it, mister? Give a girl a free spin?”

  “What else did you have for breakfast this morning anyway? It wasn’t in the French toast I made for everyone else this morning, was it?”

  “Nope. Not even close.”

  “OK, you’re officially scaring me. You can have my wallet, just don’t hurt me.”

  Adam pretended to cower in fear, but he knew that Alana was j
ust playing. Misti probably taught her the “look”, a look Misti showed Adam whenever she needed his male company and needed it urgently.

  “What are your demands, crazy lady?”

  “Practice; Misti demands it. Me too. But I think we should discuss this rationally. Once we’re naked.”

  “You drive a hard bargain. Very hard.”

  “You have no idea.”

  ***

  Alana said, “Thank you mister. That was very nice. And very sweet. Misti said she’s next, and that I shouldn’t wear you out. Not too bad anyway. She misses you. I think she’s beginning to regret her bargain with Noki and me. You?”

  “Hell no! I don’t know how I got so lucky, but so far seems like I came out on top. Uh, no pun intended.”

  “None taken. Well, I would just point out that we’re on the very front end of all possible activity, so we’ll see how you feel in a month. You’ll either be a dead and a dry, useless empty husk, or a man with a ginormous smile on your face. I suggest you get plenty of rest, take vitamins and work on your endurance. Misti has plans for you and you know how exhausting she can be. Did I mention exhausting?”

  “Yes, I’m familiar with the wench and her exhaustive workouts. Not sure where all that carnal energy comes from. You?”

  “No clue. But she’s relentless, and utterly uninhibited. Her level of carnal creativity and endurance is … well, amazing. At least I would have to guess so; before her I was never all that experienced.”

  “Me neither. One girlfriend and a hand full of teenage experiences, and I do mean a handful, but no depth.”

  Adam looked at Alana who was supressing a smile, knowing she understood his deft turn of a phrase.

  Alana turned a little serious, and asked, “So how is the cuddling with Noki going? I’m not one to speak but she doesn’t seem like the adventuresome type. Anything to report?”

  “Without being the ‘kiss and tell’ type, I would say she’s cautious in all things not very adventuresome as you suggest, but willing to explore. I’d say she’s light on experience, by choice. Not that she isn’t interested, but she’s a pretty conventional girl in the sack.”

  “You are complaining?”

  “Not hardly. What she lacks in experience she more than makes up in other ways.”

  “Such as?”

  “She’s eager to please. Willing and very sensual. Responsive. Very multi-orgasmic, and very greedy in that department. It’s very sweet.”

  “And?”

  “And appreciative. In a giving way. I think she worries about comparisons. She shouldn’t. Everyone is different. Sometimes the only thing that really matters is ‘it’s the thought that counts’ and giving is often more satisfying than receiving. Depends on your outlook, I guess.”

  “And yours is?”

  “Ladies first. As often as she wants. Then, my turn. Seems only fair and you girls can go for the gusto more quickly and more often than a guy. If you’re feeling it, that is.”

  “Maybe you’ll top up my tank before we finish up today?”

  “My pleasure. Again.”

  ***

  “I know you’re all anxious to find out what I do and all,” said Alana. “But I’m a little surprised you never dabbled in the dark arts. Never interested or told not to? I’m told you were such a good boy growing up.”

  “Not sure who you heard that from but, to be honest, it never appealed to me. Rigid moral code from Mom and Dad. Plus, I never got to hang out with the bad crowd, at least not nearly as much as I wanted to. Mom and Dad kept me on a very tight leash. Never got into too much trouble and not because I didn’t want to try. I did. Always felt like my childhood was a little disappointing. When I was ten, I was treated like a short adult, not a kid. I just wanted to be a kid.”

  Alana thought Misti was right about Adam. He was a new experience every day. He could be buttoned up and serious, but then he’d let his guard down, and she could peer into his vulnerable side. Alana thought he gave it up easily; just not very often. And his circle of vulnerability was small; just a handful, and it didn’t include his Dad.

  Alana knew that Misti adored Edward and thought that Adam was too hard on him. Misti thought Edward had done a great job, along with Pops and Maria, in keeping Adam from jail time. Misti mentioned several times that Adam sometimes overlooked the serious nature of his worst instincts and gave himself a free pass. Alana was aware that Misti understood her husband in ways he himself would never attempt to examine.

  As for Adam, he trusted his wife and her instincts even though she could be as feral and cruel as he. Alana knew this to be true, but she had never seen that side of her friends in action. She loved them both and hoped she would never need to see their darkness.

  Alana felt safe with her two sociopaths and simply knew somehow that their antisocial proclivities would never be turned on her. And, in fact, they never would be. She would go an entire lifetime without ever seeing or experiencing their darker natures.

  Chapter 46

  Adam began, “What I want to know, because I know so little about what you do, is what is on the menu of your services. Not just for the perceived good guys, like the NSA and various formal authorities, but every tool in your tool box. I surmise that you have more skills than you let on. To your associates, your dad ... and to others. Close?”

  “What exactly are you asking me, Adam? Not sure how to answer you or why you would ever need to know those parameters.”

  Alana’s sudden defensive tone shocked Adam. He simply assumed Alana would tell him anything and everything. He was wrong.

  “Um, well I guess I’m asking so I understand what services I can call on when said services are useful or necessary. I didn’t expect a stone wall.”

  Alana flushed. “Sorry. Force of habit. A lifetime of secrecy and vigilance. And meticulous and painstaking caution. Plus, a dash of prudent planning, and deft avoidance of truth. I’m pretty sure you understand.”

  “I’m ashamed to say I do. And I’m totally good with your … caution. But maybe you can give me the broad outlines of the services on the menu. How about chapter headings, so to speak? Not to mix my metaphors, but…”

  “Well, there would be undetected entry. Always top of the list. Then there’s placement of … sneaky shit. A favorite of the alphabets, as you call them. Then there’s the unleashing of chaos and mayhem. Another favorite of the alphabets. Another fun item is altering data and misinformation/disinformation. Now that’s harder to do unnoticed than it sounds. My hands are golden there.”

  “There’s more?”

  “Tons. But I would say it broadly fits into the categories of information, disinformation, destruction and surveillance.”

  “Plus, all manner of sneaky shit.”

  “That too.”

  “I see.”

  Alana smiled at the automaticity of the unthinking reply. “I doubt it, but then I know nothing about what you actually know about what I do. Care to share?”

  “Anything. But not exactly sure what you’re asking.”

  “What I mean is that you are well beyond a pretty smart, and well-informed computer professional. You may think you only know a little, when you actually know a lot more. Even if you don’t, I’m guessing you could figure anything out with enough time through trial and error.”

  “Oh. Well, you’re probably giving me more credit than I deserve – but thanks. However, sadly, I know very little of your world. Never held my interest.”

  “But it’s all about code. And if you set your mind to understanding code, how it works and what it does, then what I do is simply a matter of deciding how to work within the parameters of whatever program is being examined. It’s really just looking for weak spots or entry points in a program opportunistically.”

  “I appreciate everything you are saying, but the truth is I do what I do, and you do what you do. I’m reasonably certain you don’t want to be me nor I you. Professionally, that is. Ou
r immediate needs are urgent and require the highest level of immediate skill. So even if I was interested in what you do, which I’m not, there’s simply no time to indulge that curiosity.”

  “So how do we work together then?”

  “I have no idea yet. I have some ideas about what I would like to do, so I should probably start by asking you whether any of it can be done. Or be done on their systems, and within their security measures. The only thing I know is that your skills aren’t only going to be important, but essential. You’re going to have to be nimble, flexible, and adaptable. And be willing and able to rapidly adjust to circumstances and evolve quickly. Can you do that?”

  “Sure. No. Maybe. How can I answer that question? I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. Maybe we can drop the cone of silence and begin there. Then maybe I can tell you more.”

  “OK. We start there. This will take some time and you may not want that quickie when I’m done. My story isn’t exactly conducive to romance. It may put you in the mood. A bad mood.”

  ***

  Several hours and a lot of “really’s?” later, Adam had brought Alana up to speed on what exactly their little project entailed. She watched him tell his story from the Tucson trip to the present, including his call with Paulo Fortizi. She looked for signs of laughter or smirks that would suggest he was just kidding. As his story progressed she could tell he was deadly serious.

  Adam assured Alana that everything he said was true but, like his own initial skepticism with the whole matter, he would understand it perfectly if she still harbored doubts. As the story unfolded, he too thought he sounded crazy.

  “That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it,” Adam concluded. “Does it change anything for you? We would understand it if you and your dad decided to move back to San Diego immediately. Until this very moment, I guess I had not fully thought through the possible serious danger you may be in. And your dad. I’m thinking now that I should’ve told you more about this sooner. If I fucked that up, I’m truly sorry.”