Paul’s first test of the accept process was to outlaw the word Christmas. He issued a decree that the word could not be used in advertising, be displayed anywhere in a public place, or be used to describe any activity associated with the December holiday. Any songs typically sung or played during the holiday season containing the word either couldn’t be used or needed the word Christmas changed to some other word. On November twentieth the decree was broadcast to all HoloMate subscribers. There was both confusion and skepticism over the decree, with millions around the world ignoring it. Each time a subscriber logged into HoloMate, they were presented with the decree and the requirement to digitally sign by December first or face the consequence of a deactivated StigmaChip. On the second of December, millions of StigmaChip wearers awoke to blinking red chips on their foreheads. Pharmacies were flooded with complaints about the chips, who were powerless to do anything. If a subscriber was caught disobeying the decree, they would be un-accepted and the chip consequence invoked. With Christmas day coming up, there was frantic activity by retailers, advertisers, movie studios, and anyone who used the word Christmas to strip the word from its language. Songs containing the word simply weren’t played, and public signs with the word were replaced with other words that didn’t violate the decree. Christmas trees were called holiday trees. Classic movies shown during the Christmas season weren’t shown. Christmas presents became holiday presents.
Paul’s Christmas decree test accomplished what he wanted. He was able to use HoloMate to issue an order with what amounted to a death sentence for those who didn’t comply. The Christmas decree showed Paul was serious and those who defied him would pay the price.
Decree after decree was issued by Paul, all with the same consequence for non-acceptance. Those with no chip or a blinking red chip were shunned by clear chip wearers. Even though clear chip wearers were impervious to the contagious blood cancer, communities began segregating, separating into “clear” and “contagious” categories. Those who were contagious were increasingly snubbed by clear people. Bathroom usage became segregated, with “clear” and “contagious” replacing “men” and “women.” Restaurants had clear-only sections. Employers were resistant to hire contagious applicants, due to fear of retribution of their clear customers. Contagious safe spaces cropped up where those with blinking or non-existent chips could gather for support, fellowship, and encouragement.
Paul, Natalizio, and Caleb continued to meet each morning to review war status, Zeus progress, and any new decrees Paul wanted to implement. Paul actually enjoyed that the world was at war. He loved seeing the prolonged pain being inflicted on people. He lusted for war, and the more he had of it the more gratification it gave him. He could have easily VFd enemy armies, but that would bring a stop to the war rush he got. Ending war would mean depriving his pleasure center.
He simply had to keep it going.
For six months after the Christmas decree, their morning meetings became more and more about Paul’s self-exaltation, comparing himself to the greatest leaders in the world, proclaiming himself as the greatest mind that ever lived. He obsessed over the most trivial issues, the latest being the two HoloChurches that kept cropping up. Every time he had Caleb shut them down they managed to reappear on another channel. “Can’t you find them?” He’d ask Natalizio.
“Chairperson, we’ve got bigger problems than two HoloChurches,” Natalizio would try to reason with Paul.
“Find them and kill them!”
Natalizio eventually found the two, each run by Christians who accepted Jesus after the rapture. At Paul’s orders, he had them killed then put their dead bodies on display in their own HoloChurch rooms.
HoloMate became one big propaganda machine, with Paul’s message of self-glorification interrupting millions of HoloRoom meetings. Caleb and Natalizio became numb to Paul’s self-aggrandizement, going through the motions, being mindful of Paul’s ability to VF either of them at a moment’s notice.
The three were in Paul’s office where Paul had just finished his latest self-serving sermon. Caleb and Natalizio squirmed on their wooden chairs, waiting for the opportunity to leave. Once Paul was done, Caleb took the opportunity to wrap up the meeting.
“Anything else, Mr. Chairperson?” Caleb asked.
“I want a new decree.” Paul said.
“What would you like?” Caleb wasn’t surprised at Paul’s wanting yet another decree.
“I want a decree telling people to accept me as God.”
“Accept you as God?” Natalizio asked.
“You don’t think I’m every bit as powerful as God?” the leading question making it difficult for Caleb and Natalizio to disagree without retribution.
“Why do you think you’re God?” Caleb asked, cautious not to irritate the already erratic Paul.
“No one in history has had the same power I now have. I can annihilate entire populations with a single command. I can issue any decree and force people around the world to comply or pay the consequence. Doesn’t that sound like God to you?”
Caleb saw the futility in arguing with Paul. “Yes, Mr. Chairperson.”
“Nothing more.” Paul said as he turned his back to them. This was how they ended all their meetings. Caleb and Natalizio got up and left, wondering when this nightmare would end.
That afternoon HoloMate subscribers logged in to see a new decree. Many just went to the line where they digitally signed without reading the decree. This one was different than the other decrees, only having six words, I ACCEPT CHAIRPERSON AMBROSI AS GOD.
Zeus
2067
C hairperson Popov took the podium and began his speech to his cabinet. “Comrades, this day, June 22, 2067, will forever be known as Russia’s greatest day.” His long-awaited project, Zeus, was ready for launch. Zeus was a network of 15 satellites which, from 5,000 kilometers above the earth, could fire a laser or hypersonic missile and hit a target the size of a car with pinpoint accuracy. When in position, the satellites could reach a target anywhere on earth. The network of 15 satellites was controlled from Zhitkur, a fortified underground military base beneath the Kapustin Yar research laboratory in Astrakhan Oblast, Russia. Complex software controlled the movement and firing of the satellites, with commands being sent from Zhitkur through encrypted digital signals to the satellites. Each communication sequence between Zhitkur and the satellite had a digital identifier which ensured the communication was authentic. The digital identifier was designed to prevent a hostile actor from sending unauthorized signals to the satellite, thus taking over the weapon. The digital identifier sequence changed every five minutes to further protect the satellite network against a takeover. The digital identifier sequence was highly confidential and known by only a select few, one of whom was Riccio.
Popov and his cabinet personally visited Zhitkur for the ceremonial launch of Zeus. Standing on the stage of a packed auditorium of cabinet members, military leaders, and Zeus program managers, Popov took a puff of his cigar and continued. “For years we fought against the Europe Ethnarchy and its allies, with millions of Russian lives lost. Chairperson Ambrosi and his hostile act in the Palestine region laid bare his deliberate plan to rule over all the ethnarchies. The Africa, Asia and Russia Ethnarchies had no choice but to meet Ambrosi and his allies with force to send them a strong message, that we won’t be subject to his rule, we will be independent and free!” Applause erupted in the auditorium. Popov took out a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, took another puff of his cigar, and continued. “Today the most powerful weapon in history will take its place 5,000 kilometers above the earth to ensure the Russia Ethnarchy stays independent and free from tyrants that threaten the wellbeing of our citizens.” More applause.
Popov looked around the room, taking it all in. The moment was about him and his baby, and he wanted to savor the adulation. He continued, “Zeus suffered many setbacks over the years as Russia worked to defend itself from Europe and its allies, but as our forefathers bef
ore us, we persevered to this day, the day where Russia secures its freedom forever!” As the audience gave its thunderous applause, an assistant wheeled a small platform with a black box onto the stage and set it next to Popov. As the acclaim subsided, Popov dabbed his forehead, took another puff, and raised his hand to quiet the audience. “I have waited for this day for a long time, the day Zeus breathes life.” Popov pushed a blue button on top of the black box. Behind Popov was a large screen broadcasting from the launch location in North Siberia. A camera was fixed on the first of 15 rockets, each containing a Zeus satellite. After Popov pressed the button, the first rocket roared to life, then achieved liftoff. The remaining 14 rockets launched one after another, each launch shown on the large screen to boisterous whooping from the audience. Popov stood with his back to the audience, watching each rocket leave its platform. As they launched he started singing Be Glorious, our Free Motherland. Soon the entire auditorium was singing the national anthem from the former USSR, the singing so loud it could be heard outside the auditorium throughout the building.
Riccio was in the room, singing with his Russian colleagues. After the last rocket launched, he sent a cryptic message to Natalizio in Rome, “Catch any fish?”
Natalizio saw the message on his phone, they had agreed on the cryptic message earlier that meant Zeus had been launched. Natalizio walked down the hall to Paul’s office. Caleb was already there, being subjected to more of Paul’s self-righteous ranting. “It’s launched,” Natalizio said.
“Are you ready?” Paul asked.
“As soon as they’re in position.”
“Good.” Paul said. Natalizio gave Caleb a quick glance, who just rolled his eyes at Paul’s blathering, being careful to make sure Paul didn’t see. Natalizio turned and left, Paul resuming his sermon to Caleb.
Natalizio replied back to Riccio, “Two,” Riccio saw the message telling him the takeover would happen soon. He put his phone back in his pocket and joined the singing.
Comm Accepted
2067
S ix hours after launch the satellites were in their 5,000-kilometer orbit, at which point Riccio would send the digital identifier sequence. The sequence was a 300-character string that was transmitted by both the satellite and the command center. An algorithm at the receiving location decoded the digital identifier. If the decoded result matched what the receiving location was expecting, then it considered the message as valid, returning a COMM ACCEPTED message to the sender and processing the instruction. If it didn’t match, the instruction was ignored and COMM REJECTED message returned to the sender. Natalizio’s cyberintelligence unit, thanks to Riccio’s weekly code drops, was able to create software that changed the algorithm. A changed algorithm meant codes that were previously expected to work would be rejected. Both the sender and receiver had to have the same algorithm for communications to be accepted. Once the algorithm was changed, Natalizio then needed to upload software that sent false accept messages back to Zhitkur so the Russians wouldn’t realize their messages were being rejected by the satellite algorithm. As far as they were concerned, Zhitkur and the satellites were communicating normally, but in reality the software that Natalizio’s cyberintel unit installed was sending fake messages back to Zhitkur. All Natalizio needed was a valid digital identifier sequence to change the algorithm, and Riccio was going to get it for him.
After the satellites were in position, a message was sent to each of the satellites with a new digital identifier sequence that would be valid for the next five minutes. Any communications occurring during that time needed to have that same digital identifier sequence. Riccio sent the sequence to Natalizio’s cyberintel unit. In Rome, Natalizio was in the cyberintel command center when they received the sequence. The command center had three large screens on the wall, with three tiers of horseshoe-shaped tables and chairs facing the screens. The room was bustling with agents wanting to see the Zeus takeover.
“We’ve got it, Director,” Carmen Acosta, Natalizio’s assistant director of cyberintelligence said.
“Thanks, Carmen,” Natalizio said. “Upload the algorithm, you’ve got five minutes before the sequence changes.”
Acosta inserted the sequence Riccio sent into the first message which opened communication with the satellite. On the center screen the communication sequence between cyberintel and satellite one was displayed. Acosta prepared the message.
“Sent, Director,” Acosta said. The room became quiet, everyone fixed to the center screen, waiting for an accept message from the satellite. Five seconds, nothing, then a COMM REJECTED message showed on the screen, followed by a collective groan. Natalizio was disappointed, but even more, was fearful of Paul’s reaction. Natalizio took out his phone to message Riccio of the failure but noticed an unread message from him with the words, “Send it backward.” Riccio was told to implement a last-minute change which reversed the order of the 300-character digital identifier sequence before the algorithm read it. He didn’t have time to do a new code drop to Natalizio, so cyberintel would have to reverse the sequence on their own.
“Reverse the sequence order!” Natalizio said.
Acosta then went to work reversing the order of the 300-character sequence, re-inserted it, and sent the message before a new sequence was generated. Again, the entire room went silent and watched the center screen. Nothing for five, ten seconds, then COMM ACCEPTED appeared on the screen, to collective sighs. They all knew that comm acceptance was only the first step, they had to upload the new algorithm and the program that sent false accept messages back to Zhitkur.
Acosta sent the next message, which uploaded cyberintel’s algorithm.
COMM ACCEPTED appeared on the screen. Two down, one to go.
Acosta sent the third message, a new program that sent false accept messages back to Zhitkur. In this program, Zhitkur would get a COMM ACCEPTED message, even though their message was rejected due to Natalizio’s cyberintel algorithm replacing the Russia algorithm. Natalizio’s cyberintel unit would then get the message and mimic harmless functions, such as movement of a satellite or testing of a feature, to make Zhitkur think they had control of the satellite. For Zhitkur, their commands all appeared to work fine because of the COMM ACCEPTED messages and the satellites responding to the commands, even though it was cyberintel in Rome controlling the satellites.
Acosta sent messages to the remaining 14 satellites, putting them all under control of Natalizio’s Europe cyberintel. For the next two months, the only commands Zhitkur sent were about repositioning satellites and software updates. Then an interesting sequence showed up at cyberintel. Acosta picked up the sequence and called Natalizio at home.
“Director, we’ve got activity, you should get here immediately,” Acosta said.
“I’ll be right there.” Natalizio and his wife were having dinner. Work interruptions were frequent, she was used to it.
“Gotta go to cyberintel,” he said.
“Stay safe.” That was more than a cliché for her. The world had become more and more dangerous in the past five years and being the head of cyberintelligence for the Europe Ethnarchy put a target on his back with the ethnarchy’s enemies, never mind the constant threat of Paul VFing him for whatever reason.
Natalizio kissed his wife and left the apartment. “These damn bugs,” he said to himself as he raced to his car to avoid the stings. Locusts, scorpions, and tarantulas larger than manhole covers were everywhere, inexplicably showing up, bent on attacking people. They’d been tormenting for months, not letting up.
He made the ten-minute drive to cyberintel. He walked into the command center where Acosta was waiting. He could see command sequences from Zhitkur on the left screen. The commands were for satellite six’s laser to strike the Europe Ethnarchy government building in Rome at eight the next morning. Because the commands were intercepted by cyberintel before they could be executed, satellite six never received the command. Zhitkur received their typical COMM ACCEPTED message. As far as they were concerned, the
eight in the morning strike was locked and loaded.
“What do you want to do, Director?” Acosta asked.
Natalizio wanted to confer with Paul before acting. He pulled out his phone and called Paul.
“What.” Natalizio heard Paul’s terse voice on the other end of the phone.
“They ordered a strike. What do you want to do?”
Paul didn’t hesitate in his response. “Let’s have some fun,” Paul said.
Volgograd
2067
P opov ordered the first strike on the Europe Ethnarchy government building for August 25, 2067 at eight in the morning. Paul ordered Natalizio to change the strike coordinates for Popov’s hometown of Volgograd. Popov’s family had lived there for generations, seeing its name change from Tsaritsyn to Stalingrad then to its current Volgograd. Feeling confident, Popov decided to go to Zhitkur to view the strike from his fortified command center. At 7:30 that morning Popov arrived at the command center, an unlit cigar in his mouth. Several of his lieutenants were already there along with Zeus’ operations staff. Satellite six was the one to fire the strike, and all communication with the satellite seemed to be working perfectly. Popov could see the latitude and longitude coordinates on the screen, targeting a clear strike for the government building. At 7:50 a final confirmation message was sent to satellite six, with a COMM ACCEPTED appearing on the screen. “Ambrosi will never know what hit him,” Popov said as they watched the screen.
The Lawless One and the End of Time Page 25