The book of Raxworthy

Chapter X

They had been using this particular encryption algorithm for a while now. It involved the use of a five hundred and twelve bit encryption key, encrypted a second time in a password protected zip file (the password being a 10 digit randomly generated alphanumeric phrase, memorized by the carrier) on a USB keychain drive delivered by hand to the recipient who would use it on only one computer that was unconnected to any network (except the power grid). This key was used to encrypt and decrypt the mission critical information (transmitted again from the internet via a USB device from a machine which had booted from DVD). This process was vital. It was necessary for the continued viability of missions work in XChurch (previously known as Christchurch). 

“So that’s the situation.” finished Darren in frustration. He had just finished explaining about how the last few missions had been abandoned due to potential compromising of information, and had to be reworked
“There is either one of two vulnerabilities…” offered Li, minesweeper classic open on his ancient laptop that was resting on the table next to his hypercaffeinated coffee, which was planted squarely on the face of a gecko which was adorning the latest “National Geographic”.
Heath, the technical expert slowly turned a page in the “Careers” section of “The Press”, and glanced up at Li, who was still busy sweeping the mines. “…and those two vulnerabilities are…?” he prompted, annoyed at Li’s way of answering unasked questions.
“Either a mole, or they’ve cracked the encryption key” mumbled Li, his mouth full of potato that he had swiped from Cecil, wiping his fingers on the “Classified” part of the press – no one ever read that, so they wouldn’t miss it….
“Change it then.” Interjected Cecil, referring to the key, as he finished off the rest of the Fish and Chips which they had for tea. “That will rule out the one possibility…”. He paused, tomato sauce dripping from the chip that he was contemplating ravenously ingesting.
“…unless the algorithm had an inherent weakness, that only recently they have become able to exploit…” he added, preferring to give people the benefit of the doubt, but being suspicious of any technology that wasn’t open source – as this algorithm failed to be.







It looked innocuous enough, just a regular looking Vodafone SIM card. Red on one side, with little gold coloured contacts on the other. It even worked like a regular SIM card, including free SMS on the weekends, but this was no everyday SIM, and Shane knew it. He thought back to his training, move inconspicuously, don’t draw attention to yourself, blend in. He was doing that just now, briefcase in hand, grey pinstripe jacket slung over one shoulder, his briefcase gripped firmly in his left hand. Use crowds to your advantage. Play to the terrain. He was also taught that no matter how important the mission, during a category five ‘outing’, evading detection is your main objective, delivering the goods is secondary. Dump them if necessary, but remain anonymous. Today he was on a Category 5. Looking further down the queue, he glanced at the patrol which he saw were setting up a roadblock. Unwise a change of direction would be he told himself in his best Yoda impersonation, except in his mind. A regular commuter you must be. The line crept along. Five minutes it has surely been by now, he thought wondering if it would be ok to look at his watch, wondering whether it was possible to do Jedi mind tricks in real life, and wondering whether it would have been better to not have worn a tie, after all, it was ‘Casual Friday’. Finally it was his turn. In one smooth well practiced motion, he swiped the identity card that was hanging ‘round his neck, punched in the 6 digit PIN, placed his thumb on the print sensor, and spat into the DNA profiler. You will choose Green he thought, either trying to be a Jedi, or thinking back years ago to a television advert that he sometimes quoted when stopped at traffic lights. Green.  Walking away from the checkpoint, he glanced at the window on the other side of the road, observing what was happening behind him in the reflection. The officer was talking animatedly to what appeared to be a skip full of rubbish. The lid parted with the rest and out walked Entity#1.

Since the beginning of his training, Shane had been taught to be wary of (but not to fear – the fear of man is a snare) Entity#1. He wasn’t ever mentioned by any other name in the circles Shane moved in, but he was well known. By the time Entity#1 had appeared, Shane was in a side street sticking the SIM on the underside of the change slot on a parking meter – a place where someone could retrieve it later. Crowds. He thought, no longer trying to sound like Yoda in his head. Blend in...  The Square! His first thought was the bus exchange downtown, but that was too far. He needed to lose this dude, and get out of there. The appearance of #1 could only mean that the ministry of historical inaccuracies had their ear to the floor, and had been watching this particular avenue of distribution for some time. Hide? he thought, as he walked briskly up an alleyway, noticing the antique fire escapes.

#1 moved like a ghost, but like a fast ghost. Glancing down the side streets, he caught a glimpse of grey in the shadows. Like all good ghosts, #1 also had an i