Breaking Enigma || The Imitation Game

◈ ELEVEN- The Code-Breaking Machine ◈

It was around eleven o'clock at night when I next looked up from my desk. The skies outside were midnight-blue and was scattered with tiny, stars that were twinkling in various different sizes. They were bright against the dark background and brought no light. Yet, the almost-full moon seemed to be going strong. It glowed silver as it hung in the sky, watching over the ground below. The walls of the Hut next door were lit with its silver-white glow and a shadow was cast behind the building, leaving an empty space of darkness on the grass. It appeared ominous and uninviting. The Wrens next door would still busy, working hard with their translations. But, only in a couple of short hours, most of that work wouldn't matter. It would be useless, worthless and a waste. Then, their routine would start again...

John and Carlton could be heard snoring, almost silently. I watched as their bodies would rise as they breathed in and then fell when they exhaled. It was getting too late now to properly decipher messages, so the pair had obviously given up and called it a day. The job in general was incredibly difficult and sometimes, things wouldn't turn out as planned.

Hugh was still awake, but barely. He was slowing down with his work and was pecking in and out of sleep. His eyes would shut momentarily before they snapped open again, revealing a sea-green gaze of sleep deprivation. Hugh's facial expression showed exhaustion and stress. Eventually, he would give up to the temptation of sleep and fall into the darkness of dreams and briefly leave reality behind.

Allany Turing, on the other hand, appeared to be energised, still drawing and scribbling away at some form of notes. Her hand gracefully sketched on the paper, concentrating on her task. She was also muttering words and numbers under breath as she wrote. I had now noticed the tiny stack of paper that had appeared on her worktop and the metal rubbish bin that was by the foot of her desk; it was filled halfway with scrunched up sheets of papers. They were obviously failed ideas or calculations. I didn't actually know whether she was telling the truth- Allany said she was a code breaker, but didn't seem to be doing any real code breaking. I found this quite bizarre. Still, it must be something of importance. Her expressions were not of tiredness, boredom or frustration, just of pure focus.

"Can I help you?"

I turned my attention from the desk and made eye contact with our new code breaker, who looked at me in irritated fashion. I then realised that I'd been staring for some few minutes.

"No..." I paused to switch from my thoughts and back into reality. "No, I was simply wondering what you were drawing."

Allany tilted her head slightly in curiosity and her expression became more subtle. She beckoned me with her hand to come over to her desk, probably to admire her work. I rose out of my chair, happy to stretch my legs after a few hours of sitting down.

Walking over to Allany, I could see that she was mentally preparing herself for an explanation of her plans for whatever it was she was doing. As I stood next to her work area, I looked down at the many sheets of paper. They were mainly filled with drawings of what appeared to be wires, cogs, circuits and an exterior design of something that could be rather large when built. Also included were maths equations to show how one part of the mechanical object would function.

"It's a design for a machine. A machine that will crack the codes of the Enigma," she explained proudly. "It will do the job faster than we can. Artificial minds think quicker, so as result, the war will be over quicker."

"It looks rather complicated," I say, staring at the circular designs spread across the page. There was written equations and labels next to them, probably explaining where they go on this code-breaking machine that was being planned. I couldn't decide if it was a good idea, let alone wondering if it would ever function correctly.

"Well, yes. But if my machine is to solve something as complicated as the German Enigma, then what better way to fight than with its own weapon. It's like the phrase 'fighting fire with fire.' Don't you think?"

"Yes, that's true. But are you sure it'll work?" I ask sounding unsure.

Allany looked mildly offended, judging by glare she gave me and her tone of voice as she spoke. "I'm absolutely positive! Don't doubt anything when you don't know its capability. You'd be rather surprised once you find out what something or someone can do."

"I'm sorry," I apologised, realising that I had definitely offended her. Allany looked rapidly away from me and back down towards her sheets of paper. I stood silently for a moment, thinking what I could say to Allany next to make up for my harsh words. 'Sorry' was always the hardest word because some people would accept and other won't. I've never liked to insult people and never on purpose. Accidents happen, but it's in my nature to make up for them. Maybe people saw this trait as weakness, but I just say it's kind-hearted.

"Now that I think about, Miss Turing," starting my actual apology, I watched as Allany stopped writing and started to listen. "You are right. Things have to be proved before they can be judged. Just like yourself, I might add. Just because you are a woman, doesn't mean you aren't intelligent or strong-willed. That has been proved and quite clearly too, so it can be judged."

"So, what's your verdict?" Allany asked looking at me intently with her dark-coloured eyes.

"You appear to be a marvellous mathematician," I replied, gesturing towards her work that was laid on the desk before us. "I've never seen anything quite like what you're doing and I don't think I ever will in the future... All I have to do is believe and I believe that this machine will work."

Allany seemed quite taken aback, as if she had never heard those words before. Maybe she didn't get compliments of her work often.

Yet, she smiled brightly. "That was the highest anyone has ever thought of me and for that, I am exceedingly grateful."

I return her smile. "You're very welcome. All you need is truthful motivation to help along the way. Especially after what went on earlier."

"Yes, I agree," she nodded and then glanced over to John, who was still sleeping peacefully. "He wasn't what you call 'respectful' or 'gentle.'"

"You're right there. Although, John's not always like that."

"Are you sure? I mean, first impressions weren't great."

"They certainly weren't and yeah, I lied. He's always a moody bastard," I laughed, putting my hands into my trouser pockets. They were turning cold and I didn't like that feeling. It wasn't a comfortable one. Then, there was a moment of silence before anyone spoke again.

"We haven't been formally introduced. Have we?" Allany stated. "If we are to work in collaboration, then I think it would be best for us to do so... I'm, as you may well know, is Allany Turing."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Miss Turing. I'm Kester. Kester Hughes."

"It's a pleasure, Mr Hughes."

"Will you two be quiet?" Hugh's groggy voice requested, then I turned towards him. His head was rested upon his fisted hand and his eyes were halfway to closing. "I felt like I haven't slept in years and then people decide to be noisy. What a wonderful night this ended up being," Hugh finished with sarcasm in his voice and slowly lowered his arms, laying his head on top of them, which were now folded.

"Sorry, Hugh," I say quietly and then chuckle to myself. I also felt tiredness wash over me and came to the conclusion that there was no point in staying awake. I motioned my hard back to Allany, who had set her pen down- a sign that her work was completed for the time being.

"Well, goodnight, Miss Turing," I smile briefly before yawning as inconspicuously as possible.

"Goodnight, Kester," she replied. I spun on my heels and walked back to my desk. Thinking that it would be best to stay in Hut 8 for the night, I made myself as comfortable as possible, then took of my jacket to act as a blanket and threw it over my shoulders. I imitated Hugh- crossing my arms, setting them on the desk and testing my head upon them. I knew that I'd most likely wake up with cramps, but all I could think about was sleep and it was a very nice thought indeed. Closing my eyes, I fell into the inevitable darkness, replying the events of the day in my head...