Cyber Attack (15 page)

Sarge didn’t have to intervene. Falcone was on Rose immediately and held him back. Steven didn’t help matters by asking
what, what
repeatedly with faux innocence. Technically, the rules did not prohibit disabling the attacker in the challenge, so Steven was clear to make the move. Further, no one said he couldn’t taunt his opponent. Steve fought based upon his experiences, not some textbook definition of a knife fight. Sarge sensed Brad knew this, which explained why Steven wasn’t admonished for the maneuver.

“The final round will be between the Fort Devens team of Falcone and Shore representing the 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment, and the boys from Boston representing,” said Brad, his voice trailing off.

“The Mechanics,” said Sarge. “You can call us the
Mechanics.” Sarge saw Brad smile.

“In the final round, the scenario will be an urban combat zone,” said Brad. “You will be required to wind your way through a simulated Middle Eastern village, complete with a mosque, neutralizing the twenty hostiles without killing any friendlies. Then, you must locate and retrieve a hostage and return to this entrance within ten minutes. Is everybody clear?”

“Yes, sir,” said Sarge.

“For this challenge, you will be issued a Beretta M9 sidearm and a Daniel Defense Mil Spec M4A1 carbine with two magazines for each weapon. Be judicious with your ammo, gentlemen,” said Brad. “Fort Devens Team, you’re up first.”

Sarge and Steven were sequestered in a building around the corner, preventing them from observing the tactics used by the Fort Devens team. They could hear gunfire and muffled voice commands, but that was it. Sarge listened as Steven took this opportunity to brief him on some tactics.

“Do you hear those staccato bursts?” asked Steven.

“Yeah.”

“First of all, do not select full auto on the M4,” said Steven. “We don’t have to worry about return fire, so we can preserve our ammunition—
maintain ammo discipline
.

“Second, let me lead with you staying to my left. You take red hostiles on the left side and I will take the ones on the right. Neither one of us will try to help the other or we’ll fuckin’ shoot each other. I guarantee there will be a decision point—a fork in the road. The course will require us to choose left or right. Most likely, the side of the road with the least number of hostiles will be the way to go. In a real battle, the enemy will try to lure you into a kill zone. We’ll accommodate them this time, but only because they can’t fire back—I hope.”

“Okay,” acknowledged Sarge.

“Voice commands are acceptable. Don’t hesitate to speak up. The hostage will either be at the back side of the town or in a center square or structure. We’ll know when we get in there. I expect the friendlies will be stacked in this area the most. Take your time. Shooting a friendly will be deadly—for us and for them.”

“The Mechanics,” yelled Brad. “Front and center.”

As Sarge moved towards the door, Steven grabbed his arm. “Wait, last thing. Once inside the building, shoulder your M4 and switch to your sidearm. You’ll have better weapons control in tight spaces. We will always enter a room together and quickly. The idea is to dominate the room. I seriously doubt there will be hostiles inside the building. Brad would not risk a ricochet taking one of us out. Even if you get a loose trigger finger, better for me to get shot with a 9mm than the 5.56 rounds.”

“I’m not gonna shoot you, asswipe,” said Sarge. “But Rose might.”

Sarge and Steven jogged out of the building to the entrance. Sarge saw Steven wink in the direction of Dodge and Rose. He just couldn’t help himself. Sarge wasn’t sure who the wink was intended for.

“Gentlemen,” said Brad, “the team from Fort Devens successfully completed the mission. You’re up. Do you remember the requirements of this challenge?”

“Yes, sir,” replied the Mechanics. Sarge and Steven moved through the makeshift village in a methodical, controlled manner. Just as Steven surmised, Sarge encountered four hostiles on the left side of the road to Steven’s two on the right side. A fenced compound split the road into two forks. The men took the right fork as Steven suggested and the decision saved them considerable time. No friendlies were killed and they only had three misfires each. They learned afterwards the Fort Devens team went left and spent an excessive amount of time searching for hostiles that didn’t exist on the left path. Sarge and Steven finished the challenge in just over seven minutes, well ahead of Falcone and Shore.

“Congratulations, gentlemen,” said Brad. “Steven, as a retired Navy SEAL, you have shown your seasoned abilities and you have stayed in excellent battle condition. Sarge, I think I speak for everyone here in saying you have been quite impressive today. You could lead one of my platoons anytime.” The other participants applauded their win. Brad addressed the group.

“Together, Steven and Sarge operated as a well-oiled, finely tuned machine befitting their moniker the
Mechanics.”

Chapter 25

June 6, 2016

The
Boston Herald
Editorial Conference Room

Boston, Massachusetts

“Good morning, people! We have a busy week on tap for this team of journalists and miscreants,” said Joe Sciacca, editor of the
Boston Herald
. “I am sure
The Gray Lady’s Younger Sister with an Inferiority Complex
is busy trying to spin a yarn or two.” The editorial board of the
Herald
laughed at Sciacca’s reference to the
Boston Globe
, their decidedly liberal counterpart.

“Tomorrow is primary day. Hillary is in town for a campaign event. The Bilderbergs invade our fair city. And last but not least, the Bronx Bombers visit Fenway at the end of the week. What more could one ask for?”

“Madonna is playing the TD Garden Thursday night,” said an intern from the back of the room.

“Well, we are the center of the universe, aren’t we?” asked Sciacca sarcastically. “Politics leads the way this week. Julia, you’re up. Let’s start with the primary.”

“Thanks, Joe,” started Julia. “As we all know, Massachusetts primary day is tomorrow, which is new for the state. For years, over many election cycles, state legislatures have attempted to consolidate the state’s primaries to the first Monday in June. Previously, we have been part of an early March cycle. Tomorrow is being billed as
Decision Tuesday
. In past presidential primary years, the nominations have been sewn up by now. Several key states could sway the process. Besides Massachusetts, California and New Jersey hold primaries. New Mexico, although small electorally, has been determinative of the Republican nominee over ninety percent of the time.”

“Doesn’t Hillary have the nomination secured?” asked Sciacca.

“Not completely,” replied Julia. “California should swing in her favor, but Biden is polling strong in New Jersey and here. Upset wins in these two states could make the numbers close. It explains why both camps are making appearances in the Bay State.”

“Let’s talk about that,” said Sciacca. “Biden is campaigning in Boston today if I understand correctly.”

“That’s correct. He has strong union support here. His plans include a speech to MBTA workers in South Boston followed by a symbolic visit to the site of the Pumpsie Jones murder.”

“What about Hillary?”

“She has a campaign event tomorrow at Quabbin Reservoir,” replied Julia. She decided not to elaborate. There was no sense in creating additional interest in an important cog in the Loyal Nine’s wheel.

“Okay, moving on,” said Sciacca. “I understand there was a police-involved shooting overnight in Roxbury?”

“Yes, it happened at a Black Lives Matter event at Malcolm X Park following a ‘get out the vote’ rally held by civil rights leader and current congressman John Lewis,” said Rene Petit, metro editor for the
Herald
. “The presentations were peaceful, but the trouble began after the congressman completed his remarks.”

“What happened?” asked Sciacca.

“After Congressman Lewis closed his remarks, the crowd became raucous while shouting
Black Lives Matter
repeatedly. Police are still investigating, but reports indicate several plainclothes detectives identified a potential gunman in the crowd. As they moved in on the suspect, he fled on foot down Martin Luther King Boulevard. Turning south on Walnut, he was met by an unmarked van filled with Boston PD who were assisting with crowd control. A gunfight ensued and the young man was killed. The suspect has been identified as nineteen-year-old Tyrone Rockwell of Roxbury.”

“Thank you, Rene, keep us up to date on this,” said Sciacca.

Petit interrupted. “Wait, there is more. The deceased is the brother of Jarvis Rockwell.”

“Why does that name ring a bell?” asked Sciacca.

“At Copley Square during the Boston Marathon, Rockwell’s pregnant girlfriend lost their baby during a melee with police near the finish line. This escalated tensions between the black community and Boston PD. This will only exacerbate the strained relationship. In addition, my sources tell me the black gangs of Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester are consolidating their power under the leadership of Rockwell—street name J-Rock. My friend in the Boston PD gang unit tells me this is a precursor for increased gang violence.”

“Does the presence of Congressman Lewis elevate this to a national story?” asked Sciacca.

“I think it does, depending on the angle we choose,” said Petit.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I have a theory, from a purely amateur sociologist’s point of view, of course,” said Petit. “It will be controversial and not necessarily PC.”

“Go ahead, Rene, you’re among friends.”

“Julia might want to chime in here, from a political perspective. But here are my thoughts. The civil rights leaders of today are different than the era in which Congressman Lewis fought. Lewis was the son of sharecroppers who organized sit-ins at segregated lunch counters and businesses. In the era of the sixties, there was outward, blatant racism for which Congressman Lewis paid a price. He was beaten by police for his activism and lived with constant threats upon his life. He took up a cause that was personal to him and the result was the Voting Rights Act.”

Julia looked around the room and gauged the reaction of her peers. Julia knew where Petit was going with this and she was anxious to hear the comments. Petit continued.

“Today, by all
legal standards
, blacks have the same rights as whites. Those barriers were taken down in the sixties. Today’s civil rights leaders appear to stoke the flames of racism for the purpose of controlling their constituents. When bomb throwers like Louis Farrakhan and Al Sharpton stir up the black community with anti-white rants, the people who pay the price are the members of the black community. After they have fired up their followers, they leave for the comfort of their hotel suites in limousines, ignoring the bedlam they leave behind.”

“Do you have examples?” asked Sciacca.

“Consider the two incidents discussed today—Copley Square and Malcolm X Park,” replied Petit. “The Copley Square event was organized by Reverend Sharpton, using black gang leaders from the inner city to lead the procession of Black Lives Matter protesters. The protest was designed to create a confrontation with police, who are always mindful of a potential terrorist attack associated with the Boston Marathon. Where was Sharpton? He left town earlier that morning.

“Yesterday’s event was slightly different because Congressman Lewis is an icon and a symbol of peaceful protest. But the day before, Farrakhan issued a rant that called for a race war. I believe these leaders are having a profound effect on young black men in particular by stirring passions to a fever pitch. The result is an unnecessary death like last night.”

“Why would you say
unnecessary
? The reports say the deceased initiated a gunfight with police,” said Sciacca.

“He did, and paid the ultimate price,” said Petit. “However, there was no indication he intended to use the gun during the Lewis speech. He was followed
out of
Malcolm X Park by police and then sandwiched by an oncoming police van. My guess is he felt trapped.

“My point is this. Today’s black leaders are creating a climate of anger and fear within black Americans that necessarily results in senseless tragedies like last night. Perhaps a series could be developed around this story, which would then bring the Boston tragedies to national prominence.”

“Or, the
Herald
could be labeled racist for its approach,” said Sciacca. “As editors, it is our job to provide opinion in addition to delivering the news. Ordinarily, I could see a series such as this generating a Pulitzer nomination, but not in today’s liberal media environment. The subject of race relations in this country is taboo unless you are on the
enlightened
side of the discussion. While I may agree with your premise, writing a series of articles pointing out the unintended consequences of black protests would get hammered in the industry. We’ll need to think this through very carefully.”

Sciacca was right.
Freedom of Speech is dead in America
.

“Thank you, Rene. Sandra, what do we have on the economic front?” asked Sciacca.

“The story of the week is part political and part economic,” replied Sandra Gottlieb, business editor of the
Herald
. “The Bilderbergs are coming to town.”

Chapter 26

June 7, 2016

The Hack House

Binney Street

East Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lau left the world of reality and entered hackerspace with a sack full of Egg McMuffins for the Zero Day Gamers. It was going to be an interesting day for the Gamers. Lau was contacted two days ago via HackersList by an unknown client, as was typical. They were more selective after cashing in on several lucrative paydays. Lau laughed to himself as he realized they now had
standards
to follow. One of the things he enjoyed most about this enterprise was the diversity in its projects. Today could be trailblazing if the results were successful.