NaNoWriMo 2014

Chapter Sixteen

Things went on smoothly from that point on; Braiz, Haman, and I presented the new system to the team and helped them get used to it. Once they had it down pat Haman made up a schedule for getting every officer updated within four months and the force began shuffling its way through our floor to be connected to the new system and taught how to use it. Once Haman had the personnel version under control Braiz and I receded to our private stations to work on the network version. I had thought it would be easy for me to do myself but in the end he did just as much as I did in getting the program online. My idea of having it computer managed just didn't pan out; any configurations we tried just ended up with the autonomous control failing to respond fast enough and only blocking attacks instead of destroying them permanently. As soon as we made that discovery we had the personnel team send any people who showed high skills to us to be evaluated for security duty. By the time the officers had all received the new system we had accrued a good group of officers who would be assigned to watch for intruders once the security net was fully operational.

It was interesting to see how as soon as each officer received their software they were immediately reporting one or more attacks each day. When I reviewed the records it turned out that we had a joker in the building who had been running his attacks through an outside control hub so that he appeared anonymous to anyone unskilled in hacking. When I tried to look him up I found that he had hidden his true identity so well that it took me a week of searching and gathering crumbs of information to be able to track him down. When I did I visited him personally and invited him to join the network management group on one condition, he had to stop pranking his fellow officers.

He accepted of course, he'd have been stupid not to. His current job was a low-pay position that consisted of nothing more than managing old paper records. Since there was little demand for them any more most of what he did was just sit around. He had made use of his time learning the arts of coding and eventually, the same as I did, hacking simple networks just for kicks.

I lived at the station for the most part but I still went home on weekends. Amanda and I would talk about what I was doing, what she was doing and what we both thought we might end up doing. She would come out to the station and have lunch with me in Casey's kitchen a couple times a week though and check up on our progress. I got the team to hook her up with the security and teach her the ropes. After all, I couldn't have the station more protected than my adopted mother.

Then the install finished and the work was over. There was nothing left to do other than sit around and address the occasional issue an officer would have with their chip. Eventually even that went away and we were left with noting to occupy our time short of twirling in our chairs and playing games with each other.

We heard nothing more about the war on Herbuk and most assumed that the situation had been resolved and hushed up.

Then the message came, I was sixteen.

Evidently the war was not over and evidently they were looking to bring in some of the best minds for military strategy. I'd been chosen as one of the invitees. Lucky me.

The first thing I did was call over to Braiz and Haman, "Yo guys, came take a look what Commander Trupal sent me!"

They both came over, wondering what the hell I was talking about.

"Commander who?" asked Braiz.

"Commander Trupal," I told him before reading aloud from the letter.

Officer Ralim,

We have sent you this message with hopes that you will consider the contents fully and get back to us with haste. The war with Herbuk - despite its lack of publicity - is still raging in space with both forces stuck in a deadlock. Many missions have attempted to evade detection and land on Herbuk to stop this conflict through whatever means necessary but so far none have succeeded. We - the Generals and Commanders of the Empire's forces - wish to offer you a high-ranking position as a strategist. May I remind you that time is of an essence please respond quickly.

Thank you,

Commander Trupal.

"Well, they must be in a real pickle to feel a need to draft a thirteen year old." laughed Braiz.

"I wonder why they've been keeping it so hush-hush. Could it be that they feel that there shouldn't be any war. I wonder, maybe they think that Herbuk should be free." speculated Haman, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Do you really believe that?" Braiz asked Haman, "I mean really, they're all about keeping the empire together through force; not love, kindness, and peace."

I stayed quiet and thought about the offer as they argued. It was a good offer and I'd likely be making even more than I was here but would I enjoy it? I mean after all, military tactics was a far cry from coding and hacking. "It's too early for me to decide now," I announced, startling them out of their argument, "I'll going to discuss it with Amanda and Sandongsky over the weekend and make my decision on my own time. It says hurry but if they're as stuck as the message conveys they won't be going anywhere for a long time."

"Good idea, let them think you're reluctant and maybe they'll offer you a better position!" said Braiz with a chuckle, "You don't want to appear too eager after all, they might take that as desire for extra work and you definitely don't want that."

"Oh stuff it." said Haman to Braiz before turning to me, "I think it's a good idea. Get as many opinions about it as possible and do some research on what is involved in being a military tactician. I personally think it's a good idea; there's nothing left here for you any more and the menial work we're getting in here is getting boring for the beginners let alone you. It's time for you to move on."

"You think so?" I questioned.

"Absolutely, don't hang where you're abilities won't be fully realized, go where you can be the best you can be." said Haman seriously.

"Nooo!!! Don't leave me baby!!" shouted Braiz as he threw his arms around my neck and gave me a kiss drawing amused stares from the team members around us. He backed up from me and taking in my shocked expression, laughed, "Just kiddin' man; do what you need to do, but keep in touch."

"Hey, hey, hey, relax, I still haven't decided yet." I said. They were acting like I had already signed away and was leaving in the morning for training. Little did I know.