by Uzi Eilam
“I understand you have some information about the three men who were arrested,” Tan said to the head of the division and the commander of the unit. “What can you tell us?”
“They’re three graduate students from Nanyang University. One of them is majoring in communication, the second in physics, and the third in chemistry,” the head of the division replied. “The university’s security officer had already directed our attention, several months ago, to these three students’ intense interest in fields that are distant from their areas of expertise. Although they return to their homes in Malaysia every day, the three recently rented a modest apartment in Singapore in a high-rise apartment building populated by lower-middle-class families. We discovered that, from time to time, they’d stay in Singapore under the seemingly legitimate excuse of studying for exams.”
“How did that happen?” Tan raged. “Aren’t there restrictions in place on noncitizens renting apartments in Singapore? Aren’t they required to receive authorization from the Ministry of Home Affairs?”
“They used their student IDs, and the apartment owner neglected to carry out the formal procedures. We’ve already taken care of the man,” the head of the division replied.
“So what’s the bottom line?” Tan was out of patience. “What do you know about the students’ intentions and what they’ve done so far?”
“General Tan,” the commander of the Counter Terrorism Unit said, “the initial investigation, as well as a partial search of their computers, indicates ties to Malaysian intelligence and an intent to establish a cell for the purpose of carrying out terrorist attacks. Their cover story is authentic, and if it weren’t for their eagerness to gather information, we wouldn’t have located them until the attacks had taken place, if then.”
Dr. Chang peppered them with questions. “How long can you keep them in custody? How much longer do you need to complete the investigation? Do they know of your suspicions?”
“Chang Mei is right,” Gideon said to Tan. “It’s better to have them keep believing that this arrest was a mistake on your part, rather than making them suspect their identity has been exposed.”
“I concur with Dr. Ben Ari and Chang Mei,” Quan Lin said. “It’s better if the students and those who sent them continue with their activity, perhaps more cautiously, and that way we can track them.”
Tan addressed the head of the Counter Intelligence Division. “I ask that the students be released as quickly as possible, and without raising any suspicions beyond what’s already happened. And we still have to assume the Malaysians will conclude that their move has been discovered. I won’t keep you any further. Thank you all.”
“General Tan,” Gideon said, “if you’ve got a few minutes, we have an important update.”
“What is it exactly?” grumbled the general, who was not fond of surprises.
“Please listen to what Dan Avni has to say, and I suggest that Chang Mei and Quan Lin stay and listen as well.”
“I’ve brought a system that demonstrates the IOT’s operating principle with me from California,” Dan began. “It’s actually related to the commercial projects we’ve begun to develop with the various industries here, but the capabilities can also be utilized as protection against cyber terrorism.”
“And what do you propose to do?”
“I can convert the system I’ve brought to create a pilot demonstration that would prove our ability to build a massive, smart firewall. We have a variety of sensors and minute electronic components, including microcomputers and communication devices. Together, they create a system that can detect and analyze signals from the various sensors. The system will be capable of analyzing the significance of the information within nanoseconds and transmitting it to us at the control center.”
“The system will also be able to transmit commands to its sensors,” Dan continued, “based on a predetermined protocol. We’ll use the array of sensors that will be activated as part of the pilot system in order to learn if its performance meets expectations. The test will be whether it can function as an effective firewall.”
“That sounds vague to me. What do I have to decide on? What are you asking for?”
“At this stage, Tan,” Gideon intervened, “we only wanted you to have all the information. Creating the pilot can happen thanks to the use of your lab, which you’ve placed at Dan’s disposal, and we want to thank you for that. If the pilot works, we’ll move on to expanding into a full system, and here we’ll have to rely on your industries. Dr. Chang Mei has already heard about this topic during Dan’s presentation to her in regard to the civilian applications. She can help us in bringing the appropriate Singaporean industries on board.”
“You can indeed rely on support from our industries,” Chang Mei promised. “Due to the sensitivity of this topic, this new direction should not be revealed, and a written summary of this meeting shouldn’t be distributed,” she concluded, turning to gaze at Damia severely.
“One more issue concerning the construction of the full system,” Deutsch chimed in. “We’ll need a large number of sensors and, to the best of my knowledge, Singapore doesn’t have the capability to mass-produce the variety of sensors that Dan needs. The United States does have that capability, but I’m not sure it’s something we can count on…” Deutsch refrained from exposing the political and defense-related reasons that would prevent the United States from supplying advanced technologies to evens its closest allies.
“I know a possible source of electronic micro components,” Gideon contributed. “It’s the WIN Corporation in Taiwan. Singapore has good relations with Taiwan, and I think it would be a good idea to contact the Taiwanese company as soon as possible.”
“Gentlemen, we should take into account,” Quan Lin commented, joining the conversation, “that China is keeping a close eye on what’s going on in Taiwan. They’ll realize quite quickly what we’re doing there.”
Tan decided to bring things to a close. “Look, gentlemen, I don’t claim to understand everything you’ve described in regard to using IOT, but I trust you, and I know it’s important that we enter this field. Get going with your pilot, and involve our industries as necessary. Our relations with Taiwan are good, and I promise to make use of them to ensure a quick response in supplying the micro components you’ll need. And you, Damia…” He turned to the team coordinator. “Put all of the details of this discussion in the secure safe, without passing on anything to the administrative staff to print.”
“We should get back to the lab,” Gideon suggested when they left Tan’s office. “Why don’t you come with us?” he asked Quan Lin.
“I’d be happy to. It would be good to have a better understanding of what this pilot might prove and what this entire system could contribute to us,” Quan Lin replied.
Dan continued to describe New Horizon’s microdrone project. Gideon then suggested that Dan and Rogel analyze the potential for incorporating the drones into a future IOT system. A long discussion was conducted regarding the pilot, with Dan and Gideon addressing the numerous questions brought up by Quan Lin and Rogel. It was decided to conduct the pilot at the container terminal. Quan Lin promised to recruit his brother, who had plenty of influence at the port, in order to keep the experiment confidential and not expose its goals. They had a feeling that they were about to launch a promising development in the field of counter terrorism.
Chapter 14
“Can I ask you for a ride?” Damia asked Rogel before he left the office. “I came without my car today, and the MRT3 isn’t working anymore. Don’t worry, I’m not going to make a habit of this.”
“Pleasant habits don’t worry me,” Rogel said.
During the course of their acquaintance, the manager of the Technology and Communication Department had been showering Rogel with attention to an extent that embarrassed him. She drew closer to him in a series of small and nearly imperceptible gestures, and he, too, wa
s not indifferent toward her. Rogel found himself wondering why he was receiving such special treatment from the pretty, witty young woman. He didn’t know the usual standards of behavior among the senior administrators in Singapore and had no one to consult. He decided not to initiate anything and maintain a proper attitude of cooperation in regard to the shared topics on their agenda.
“We’ve been dealing with a serious topic that requires attention and plenty of knowledge in some new technological fields,” Rogel said, maneuvering carefully down the roads that were still busy at that time in the evening.
“You gave a great presentation today,” Damia continued. “How did you acquire so much knowledge about communication and technology? That comment about the cyber maneuver opened all our eyes…”
Rogel was grateful for the darkness camouflaging his blushing face.
“Israel is a small country under constant threat. We have to keep our fingers on the technological pulse at all times. Throughout my military service, I was lucky enough to be at the forefront of communication technology. You, in Singapore, are in a similar position, and that’s what links our two countries. If you’re so interested, why didn’t you express your opinion during the discussion?”
“I know my place,” the young woman answered definitively. “And don’t think I don’t have an opinion, or that I’ll hesitate to speak up at the right moment.”
A brief silence engulfed the car until Damia broke it.
“I’m the oldest of four siblings in a warm, supportive Malaysian family. From a young age, I’ve been attracted to the sciences and excelled at math and physics. Unlike many of my Chinese classmates, who were apprehensive when it came to replying to questions in the hard sciences, I wasn’t afraid to offer an answer, even if I was sometimes wrong. I wasn’t afraid that it would diminish me in any way.”
“That’s an interesting point. So it’s the fear of giving a wrong answer that prevents the kids from expressing themselves?”
“Yes, David, but it’s confined to the sciences. In the humanities, where there’s a broader span for self-expression, students aren’t afraid of getting things wrong and don’t hesitate to make their opinions known.”
“Did you have a special gift for these topics?”
“I think I did. It bumped me up to the top of the honor roll and straight to academic studies at Nanyang Technological University. And by the way, you’ll still find many students there who, rather than replying to a question, will go back to collect more data in order to be certain of their answer. There was a reason I got a graduate degree in system engineering at Nanyang Technological University. I still dream of getting my PhD at a respectable university in the United States. If General Tan would be willing to let me go,” she quickly added.
Rogel stopped the car and parked by the curb.
“My tiredness has disappeared, David, and I also have some more questions. Can I offer you a cup of tea at my place? Just a few questions,” she promised.
“It’s hard to say no to a request like that,” Rogel said.
The apartment building’s lobby was roomy and appealing. The elevator rose swiftly and silently to the fourteenth floor, and Damia’s apartment was small yet elegant and pleasant.
“You’ve got a nice nest here,” Rogel commented as he sat in one of the two handsomely designed armchairs separated by the living room table.
“I do,” Damia replied from the kitchen. “Senior state employees receive generous aid in purchasing their apartments. It’s really nice and pleasant here. It’s just a shame I don’t have enough time to enjoy it.”
“You mentioned you had some questions?” Rogel clung to the safety of formal conduct as Damia entered bearing a tray with tea and a platter of cookies. “I hope I can answer them.”
“If I want to get into the field, what’s the right way to go about it?”
“The answer could take a whole evening, but if I want to sum it up, there are two routes I recommend you consider. One is continuing on the academic track, applying to MIT or Stanford in the United States, completing your studies, and earning a PhD in communication. The other way,” Rogel continued, mesmerized by Damia’s bright eyes, “is transitioning to an industry job and gaining a few years of hands-on experience in various projects. If you manage to join a cyber defense team in an electronics company, in a few years, you can become an expert in the field. This might open the door to an academic career even without a PhD.”
“You’re very smart.” Damia couldn’t hold back. “And I’d sign on for a whole evening.”
The two parted at the door with a hug and a kiss, standing there for what appeared to Rogel simultaneously as an eternity and as the briefest of seconds.
* * *
3 The MRT, or Mass Rapid Transit, is a rapid transit system forming the major component of the railway system in Singapore, spanning the entire city.
Chapter 15
Ronit was still getting used to her new location on the management floor and, in the morning, walked to her old office out of habit. Muhammad Osman was already in his office.
“Good morning, Osman. You’re here early today. You didn’t go for your morning run?”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t. I had a task that required me to be here early. But tomorrow we have a date to run in Bedok Reservoir Park, remember?”
“Definitely,” Ronit replied, returning the hug and kiss that the young man bestowed on her before leaving the room.
On the management floor, Ronit poured herself a double espresso, taking two cookies to go as well. After running for five miles that morning, she could allow herself such a “sin,” she thought. She paused for a moment opposite the computer on her desk, debating how she should start her day. The ringing of the phone tore her from her thoughts, and the voice of the operator from the real estate company emerged from the receiver.
“Mr. Fang wishes to speak with you.”
“Good morning, Ms. Hart.” She heard an unfamiliar voice. “Dr. Ben Ari told me about you and your new role at the bank. Please accept my congratulations.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Fang. And regarding that, I wanted to meet you, if you can spare me some time in between your many occupations.”
“No problem, Ms. Hart. My assistant can coordinate our meeting. Would you mind if it took place at our company’s offices?”
“No, Mr. Fang, I’d be happy to come to you.”
Only a few seconds later, she heard WhatsApp pinging on her cell phone. It was Gideon, asking if he could speak to her. “Yes, of course,” Ronit typed back with no hesitation.
“Good morning, Ronit.” She heard Gideon’s voice. “I understand Fang Quan Lin talked to you?”
“Yes, Gideon, he just called, and his assistant is going to coordinate our meeting. Is there anything you don’t know about what takes place on this island?”
“Ahhh, don’t get carried away, Ronit. And here’s something else I don’t know: can I go on a run with you tomorrow morning?”
“Not tomorrow. I’m already running with someone from work,” Ronit replied. “How about the day after tomorrow?”
“That sounds fine, Ronit. Your surprise will wait until then.”
***
Ronit arrived at the building housing the Fang brothers’ real estate company. It was an architectural gem, as well as a reflection of the two Fang brothers’ taste and culture. An efficient secretary walked her to Quan Lin’s office on the twelfth floor. The man looked younger than his age and projected a vitality that was not evident in the significant amount of material her online searches had uncovered.
“Good morning, Ms. Hart. It’s good to see you here.”
“Thanks for making the time to see me. Please call me Ronit. Everyone addresses me by my first name.”
“And I’m Quan Lin. You said that this meeting concerns your new role at the bank?�
� Quan Lin asked with no preliminaries. “I understand you’ve been appointed to manage the private banking department?”
“That’s correct, Quan Lin, and it really is a great honor. I’m starting to recruit clients, beginning with Israel, and it is a challenging and even intimidating task.”
“You Israelis are used to dealing with challenges. I visited Israel not long ago. Those were three hectic and intense days, due to the experience of meeting so many amazing people. Gideon knew how to pick key people who impressed me and later forged business relations with me. I’m certain you can meet the appropriate Israelis who will become your bank’s clients. But you don’t need me to recruit Israelis, ma’am, so how can I help?”
“For the next phase of recruiting clients, I was thinking of China.”
“Ohhh! That’s a serious leap, madam! In the beginning of our relationship, Gideon demonstrated the concept of Israeli chutzpah, or daring, for me, and now I have more proof. How were you thinking of entering China’s financial maze?”
“I was thinking of starting in Hong Kong, since it’s clear to me that even after sovereignty of the British colony was transferred to Greater China, rules and customs there have remained closer to Western ones.”
“That’s smart reasoning. And what will you do in Hong Kong?”
“I thought you might help me meet your father. I also read about your family’s amazing escape from the city of Guangdong in China to Hong Kong by swimming across the Sham Chun River at night.”
“Yes, that was an exceptional act of bravery by our father and, thanks to him, we attained everything we did here in Singapore. Despite his advanced age, my father has connections to financial institutions throughout the world and is in full control of the bank’s activity in Hong Kong. Beijing trusts him blindly, as well they should.”
“I can’t wait to meet your father, regardless of any help he might provide me with.”
Fang Quan Lin gazed into the bright eyes of the pretty, shapely Israeli woman, feeling the burst of energy she radiated. He had promised Gideon he would help the young woman, and he now realized it would not be any imposition to do so.