by Uzi Eilam
“General Ja’afari received retribution from above, whether it was God or Allah,” Chang Mei commented. “We know to what extent he was the motivating force for the attempted attacks here. It’s clear to me that Iran will think long and hard before it embroils itself in another aggressive adventure of this sort again,” she concluded.
“I agree completely with Dr. Chang Mei,” Gideon said. “But going back to the summary of the task force’s activity, I wish to regretfully mention the mistake Rogel made in his relationship with Damia. He failed to maintain information security, which she effectively recognized. Today it’s clear to us that Damia copied the secrets of the defense array that Dan designed onto her computer. Rogel has been summoned to Israel, where they’ll look into the chain of events with him, as well as the extent of his responsibility for the information leak. Dan and I feel somewhat responsible for the problematic conduct of Ronit Hart, from the central bank here,” he continued. “It’s true that Ronit knew nothing about Osman’s treason, but the consequences of Osman’s use of the information obtained with the help of the technology described here cannot be ignored.”
The room grew silent after Gideon stopped speaking; apparently, people were having a hard time processing what had just been said. Tan looked up and saw that Dr. Chang Mei was preparing to speak.
“I wanted to put in a good word about our industries. Establishing the defense system that Dan Avni developed is a major technological and scientific achievement. Dan deserves our full appreciation and thanks, as well as our best wishes to get well soon following his injury at the battle in the container terminal. But, gentlemen,” Chang Mei added, “this firewall couldn’t have been established if our industries hadn’t applied themselves to this unique challenge. I want to celebrate the achievements of our industries, which managed to manufacture the components for Dan’s defense array in a very short time. The electronic components from Taiwan, integrated into the sensors manufactured by our industries, along with the ‘wasps,’ the microdrones, allowed us to stick to the timeline required for defense against terrorist attacks. This wouldn’t have happened if shortcuts atypical of Singapore had not been employed.
“And one final word,” she continued after brief deliberation, slanting a look toward General Tan, “about the traitor Damia Nur, who received everything that young people in Singapore may hope to receive during her military and defense career, and chose such a despicable betrayal. We,” added The Iron Lady, still gazing at Tan, who was sitting with his head bowed, “are, to a large extent, responsible for this debacle.”
“If I may, General Tan,” Deutsch said, “I’ll mention Washington’s satisfaction with the achievements of our task force here. I’ve already conveyed our gratitude to the CIA, the NSA, and the Pentagon for the assistance they’ve provided. I want to join in congratulating Dan Avni for his successful, innovative leadership of the surveillance team, and for the ingenious IOT defense system he’s developed. The innovations implemented here will serve as a technological beacon for the next generations,” Dr. Deutsch enthused.
The office manager came in, presenting Tan with a page bearing several lines of writing. Tan focused upon it, and a smile illuminated his face.
“We’ve received some good news in response to the complaint filed yesterday by our minister of foreign affairs to his Malaysian counterpart. The complaint included details about the involvement of the Royal Intelligence Corps, headed by General Razek, in the terrorist attacks targeting us. The Malaysian prime minister contacted our prime minister this morning and apologized for the steps taken by the Royal Intelligence Corps. He updated the prime minister that Razek has been suspended from his position, and that his future career path will be examined.”
A burst of applause expressed the dissipating tension and the joy over this news, indicating a new, calmer situation in Singapore.
“I’m honored to congratulate you on behalf of the minister of defense and the prime minister,” Tan continued. “The prime minister is inviting us to his bureau this afternoon in order to bestow a personal letter of appreciation upon each member of the task force.”
“If I may, General Tan,” Gideon said, “I’m sure I speak on behalf of all of us when I express my admiration for the way you’ve led the task force. Together, we weathered a series of events and upheavals. The rollercoaster at the amusement park is child’s play compared to what we had to deal with. You rose to the challenge and brought about accomplishments we’re all proud of.”
***
The Supreme Leader in Tehran summoned the president of the republic, the minister of foreign affairs, the minister of the interior, and Suleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guard. The subject on the agenda was phrasing the announcement of the death of the ambassador. Suleimani didn’t dare speak, and the Supreme Leader did not even address him. Finally, the Leader accepted the president’s proposal to regretfully announce the premature death, due to disease, of General Ja’afari, a loyal leader and the former commander of the Revolutionary Guard. The Supreme Leader ordered a halt on all planned activity led by the embassy in Kuala Lumpur. He instructed that the training facility in Malaysia be abandoned and the fighters sent back to their various countries, announcing a phase of analysis and drawing of conclusions from the recent chain of events.
***
At the offices of the Communist party in Beijing, a meeting was held with the Chinese ambassadors called in from Tehran and Kuala Lumpur. Also summoned to the meeting was Mr. Fang Chok Tong, manager of the Bank of China’s Hong Kong branch, along with the rising star Mr. Ming Hua. The young man, who had successfully identified threats concerning the flow of Chinese funds in Southeast Asia, was greeted with much appreciation. The party’s leadership listened to the ambassadors’ reports in order to decide upon a course of action to minimize the damage caused by Iran’s failures in its sabotage attempts in Singapore. Fang Chok Tong’s status in the highest ranks of party leadership was reinforced, while his protégé Ming Hua was marked as likely to be rapidly promoted within the party.
***
Deutsch joined Gideon and Dan, who were meeting in the coffee nook of the Shangri La’s garden restaurant.
“I’m flying off to California early tomorrow morning,” he said. “Now’s the time to say goodbye and to tell you how much I enjoyed your company. I wanted to remind you, Dan, what you might have forgotten in the heat of the battles you’ve been fighting: your PhD program in Stanford is awaiting you.”
“I haven’t forgotten, Deutsch, but there’s still one loose end we had to suspend because of the task force’s activity. Gideon has been constantly claiming that the IOT’s civilian applications will receive a serious boost due to the success of the IOT firewall we’ve established here.”
“That’s exactly it,” Gideon said. “And it’s important to strike while the iron’s hot, as my blacksmith grandfather used to say. Don’t worry, Deutsch,” Gideon continued immediately. “I won’t delay Dan any longer than necessary. I know the PhD program isn’t the only thing awaiting his return. More importantly, so is his girlfriend and future wife, who also happens to be my daughter. The future belongs to the young, and who are we to stop them.”
Acknowledgments
Singapore Cyberattack is a continuation of the adventures of Gideon Ben Ari, which began in the books California Triangle and A Trap in Paris.
During my many years serving as head of IDF’s Defense Research and Development Unit, I maintained close relations with Singapore. I’ve learned to know and cherish the wondrous people running this small, clever country. Many of Singapore’s fine leaders have remained my true friends to this day, and I owe them my gratitude for everything I’ve learned from them over the years.
A central part of this story reveals some aspects of the advanced technology upon which humanity as a whole is about to embark. The cyber plots, the challenges of the Internet of Things, the techniques for dealing with
Big Data and the informed use of artificial intelligence are not only the pathway to a distant future but also a present taking place right in front of our eyes.
I’m grateful to members of the defense agencies, primarily to Dr. David Rosenfeld from the ADWTI, who opened my eyes to the future development of important, challenging technologies.
My Hebrew editor, Asaf Asheri, wisely led me down the winding road of writing a thriller and watched over me as I was writing chapter after chapter. I learned to maintain the pace of the story and to focus on the main characters, and for this I thank him.
I thank my friend Yoram Petrushka for his support and encouragement to keep writing.
My thanks to Yael Schonfeld Abel for her translation.
Heartfelt thanks to my friend Rami Tal, who edited my first two books, Eilam’s Arc and Testimony from the Trench, for his sensitive critique and encouragement.
I’m deeply grateful to the publishing house of Kineret-Zmora-Bitan and its CEOs Eran Zmora and Yoram Rose, who took it upon themselves to publish the book.
This book would not have been completed without the warm, loving support of my family. The quiet I enjoyed in my writing nook at home during the many hours I spent there, as well as the support and encouragement to keep writing, were a true tailwind aiding my momentum, My wife Naomi and my children Osnat, Nimrod, and Noa were an active part of my writing process, and their comments and advice were a major contribution.