Tag Archives: hacking

Proof of Life, Part 19

14 Sep

February 24, 2127

Hidaya said farewell to the scientists on Europa, claiming that she was heading back to Mars, her cargo hold full of valuable minerals. She had Memre’ close Europa’s access to the satellite and increase its security levels in case someone got the idea of trying to hack into it, as she claimed to have done. After triple checking Memre’s work on the satellite’s security system, Hidaya performed a thorough check of Motherlode’s bio, mechanical, and computer systems. All systems were in perfect working order. Nothing needed repair or attention. She worked on a needlework project for fifteen minutes before irritably tossing it aside.

“Memre’, I’m bored. I need a project that stretches my mind.”

“Have you considered botany?”

“Botany?”

“Yes, Captain. You could try to cross pollinate different plants to produce new varieties. I have an introductory text available if you are interested.”

Hidaya considered the novel proposition for several minutes. “Okay, Memre’. Show me.”

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Proof of Life, Part 18

11 Sep

June 27, 2126

Nassor’s response opened with the big, booming laugh she loved. “Only you, Hidaya, would lay down a science and communication system worth trillions of dollars and then pirate space on that system to play Settlers of Catan with scientists several astronomical units away! Only you! Very well, I won’t tell Sir Zuberi, but I will tell this story to all my future grandchildren.” He chuckled again, adding, “I’ve started thinking of such things because Aleah is fifteen now, and growing into a fine young lady. And I am very glad you sponsored the girls in martial arts classes three years ago because her first-level black belt intimidates the local boys.”

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Proof of Life, Part 17

10 Sep

June 26, 2126

In the message packet she prepped for Nassor, she recapped the deployment of four more satellites, noted that she would cross Uranus’ orbital path in two days, then confessed to reprogramming part of the satellite system’s carrying capacity to play delayed-time strategy games with the Europan scientists: “….and the cover story involves me prospecting in the Greeks. If somebody tries to connect the dots, it will match up with my record as an independent asteroid miner with a desire for solitude.

“The safeguards Memre’ programmed into Sci-Com 3 keep Europa from being able to trace incoming or outgoing transmissions in any way. They can triangulate their signal up to the satellite and figure out where Sci-Com 3 itself is, but they can’t use that to find the others or to find me. I told them I found the satellite a couple of years ago and hacked into it for my own use. They have no reason to suspect African involvement.

“I hope you approve, but I don’t regret it. It has been so nice to have regular human contact again. I understand why Sir Zuberi wants radio silence, but I need to talk to a real person more than once a year.”

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