Cyber Attack (8 page)

“Gentlemen, Mr. Morgan requests you wait for him in the studio,” said a stunning blonde who could just as easily peel off your toenails as curl your toes. The boys dutifully followed her into the media room of Morgan’s offices, which comprised the entire top floor of the 73 Tremont building. Originally built in 1829 as the Tremont Hotel, the neoclassical building was known for its innovations of the time such as indoor plumbing, locking guest rooms and free toiletries. Some of the Tremont Hotel’s early guests included Davy Crockett and Charles Dickens, who would marvel at the modern alterations incorporated into Morgan’s studio. Decorative shelving and built-in television monitors gave the room a distinctive library feel. The titles included the works of Dickens, Hawthorne and Faulkner. You could choose a classic book or a classic movie, all in one place.

“Thank you, Danielle,” said Morgan as he entered the room with the ever-present Lowe. “Gentlemen, thank you for being prompt. We have a number of issues to address.” Morgan was getting right down to business.

Sarge nudged Steven to pay attention to Morgan and not the young lady’s departure.

“Malcolm, bring up the video on Prescott Peninsula,” said Morgan.

Lowe interacted with a tablet computer and two screens came to life. One showed a continuous video of the entire Quabbin Reservoir by helicopter and the monitor showed an overall map of the area. Morgan approached the screen. “As you know, the Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the state. This area is known as the Prescott Peninsula. A charitable trust has been formed to take ownership of the area outlined here.” Morgan pointed along a boundary surrounding the entire area, which included the former town of Prescott and the entire peninsula on which it sits.

“Mr. Quinn, Malcolm will provide you a packet of materials on the acquisition together with the legal documents. For public purposes, the charitable trust is owned anonymously and has been established for families fleeing domestic abuse. For our purposes, I want you gentlemen to plan a private community to be used in the event a catastrophic occurrence requires the city to be abandoned.”

“You want a bug-out location,” said Donald.

Sarge and Steven couldn’t conceal their looks of curiosity. Morgan always had a plan, which was based upon an event foreseeable only to him. His methods never came into question.

“That’s correct, Donald,” said Morgan.

“What’s that dome-shaped building?” asked Steven.

“This is the former Five College Radio Observatory built in 1969 by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyhoke and Smith colleges,” replied Lowe. “Its purpose was the training of astronomy students and to conduct research. At the time, it contained state-of-the-art technology.”

“Next screen, please, Malcolm,” instructed Morgan. The next screen was produced, showing the exact same aerial vantage point, but the domed building was no longer there. “In 2011, the observatory was decommissioned, requiring the government removal of the building and astronomy equipment. However, there is something else about this facility that cannot be seen by these aerial photographs. Run the next sequence, Malcolm.”

“Looks like a giant golf ball,” said Steven. A series of images flashed across the screen, revealing the before and after images of the facility. The final image revealed a small lake and a large grassy area devoid of trees.

“Most ground-based observatories consist of an optical telescope like the one shown in these images, surrounded by a dome-like structure—Steven’s giant golf ball,” said Lowe. “As you can see in these images, the structure and the telescopic apparatus were removed. What you cannot see is what is underground.”

“At the time of the design and construction of the observatory, the Cuban Missile Crisis was still very much on people’s minds,” said Morgan. “Senator Ted Kennedy insisted the facility include an underground, nuclear-proof shelter. In addition, following the successful testing of an electromagnetic pulse weapon, the good senator required the shelter be protected from an EMP as well. Despite a series of nuclear disarmament treaties being executed in ’69, the Quabbin Observatory was designed as a state-of-the-art nuclear fallout shelter.”

“In 1962, the government was testing a number of EMP weapons,” said Donald. “One of the tests known as Starfish Prime exploded an EMP thirty miles above the Earth about thirteen hundred miles west of Honolulu. Electronics from Hawaii to New Zealand were damaged by the electromagnetic pulse.”

“Is the shelter still present?” asked Sarge.

“It is,” replied Morgan. “When the facility was decommissioned and dismantled, the contractor hired for the demolition worked for one of my associates. He removed the visible portions of the facility but left the subterranean compound intact.”

“What is still underground?” asked Sarge.

“Malcolm, if you please,” said Morgan. A series of images crossed the screen, which included blueprint drawings and images of the interior, including bunk rooms and storage lockers. “There is roughly five thousand square feet in the bunker, allowing for thirty occupants and several years of provisions.”

“Wow, this is incredible,” said Donald. “This is a prepper’s paradise.”

“I’m glad you feel this way, Mr. Quinn, because you will be busy over the next few months,” said Morgan. “First, you will orchestrate a charade for the media. I want this entire project to have the appearance of a home for wayward families. My daughter will be conducting a high-profile political event there on June 7
^th
, primary day. Afterwards, you will proceed quickly to ready the facility. My thoughts for the construction and use are detailed in the packet of materials Malcolm has provided you.”

“When is the facility to be ready?” asked Donald.

“End of August,” Morgan replied flatly.

Sarge sat back in his chair and once again glanced in the direction of Steven.
Something’s afoot
.

“Mr. Quinn, of utmost importance is secrecy. Use all of the tools available to insure your activities go undetected. Am I clear?”

“Yes, sir,” said Donald.

“Now, let’s discuss our hosting of the Bilderberg conference next month,” said Morgan, addressing Steven and Sarge. “I want the two of you to coordinate security and logistics for The Liberty Hotel and our guests. There will be a few guests who will require special attention. Further, there will be a couple of guests who will be unable to attend.” Morgan allowed the words to soak in.
Looks like Steven will be going out of town for a few days.

“Steven, expect a call from your employer within twenty-four hours. Henry, I need you to coordinate the hotel logistics with Aegis in his absence. I will rely heavily upon you both during the conference and be aware that plans can change on a moment’s notice. We will meet here weekly until the conference. Do any of you have questions?”

“No, sir,” replied Sarge on behalf of the group.

“There is one more thing,” said Morgan. “Abigail is doing very well in the polls, and barring unforeseen circumstances, she should be reelected in November. Henry, have you discussed the campaign with my daughter?”
He’s snooping
.

“Only briefly last month, sir,” replied Sarge. “We had an impromptu fund-raiser on her behalf at 100 Beacon the day of the Boston Marathon. She also indicated the campaign was on track.”

“There are occasions when my political viewpoints conflict with Abigail’s,” said Morgan. “I do not publicly state my political positions, but this doesn’t mean I am devoid of opinion. I have established a nonprofit organization for the purposes of a political think tank. I want you to assemble a team, produce the necessary policy statements, coordinate a research arm and develop the necessary means of disseminating information.”

Sarge was caught off guard by this request. Mr. Morgan never alluded to a project of this type and it was completely out of character for him. Further, Sarge could talk about politics and its impact on world affairs. But becoming involved in the process was never on his career-advancement radar.

“Sir, naturally I am flattered you chose me for this project, but aren’t there more politically inclined people at your disposal?” asked Sarge.

Morgan’s reaction was annoyance.

Fatal Error. Don’t question the boss.

“Henry, I give every decision a thorough analysis before I implement it,” said Morgan. “I’ve read your book and your flawless analysis of America’s standing in the world comports with mine. Because of my position, I am unable to advance my views publicly. You, on the other hand, have become a recognized expert on the importance of America’s sovereignty. There is no better spokesman for the preservation of this concept. Further, this will advance your stature as a defender of the Constitution.”

Sarge exchanged glances with Steven and Donald.
He has a plan for me. This is just the beginning.
“Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me,” said Sarge. “I look forward to the challenge and appreciate the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of protecting America from global intercession.”

“Gentlemen, we are entering troubling times for America,” said Morgan. “The key to the survival of our nation will depend upon the outcome of certain events in the next few months. I believe in preparation for all contingencies and I expect perfection in the implementation of my directives. Are we clear?”

“Yes, sir,” was the response, in unison.

Chapter 15

May 20, 2016

Harvard Kennedy School

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Sarge was in his eleventh year as a professor for the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School. As a teen, he enjoyed reading and research. Every topic caught his attention, but his family’s political roots put him on this career path. His father, now deceased, was the former governor of Massachusetts and the Sargent lineage was filled with Revolutionary War heroes.

Unlike many of his friends in college, Sarge was not idealistic. He was not interested in political activism—neither party seemed to get it right. His dedication to studies and hunger for knowledge led him to the top of his class throughout his years in college, culminating with a doctorate in political economy and government from Harvard. He was honored when he received the offer to teach at his alma mater.

As a junior, untenured professor, Sarge focused on building a record through research papers and articles written for relevant journals. Journals were nothing more than the primary product of professorial research. He wrote between four to six articles a year with the help of his research assistants. Sarge supplemented his journal submissions with travel. Being single, he was not constrained by family commitments. He traveled throughout the world, giving lectures and workshop presentations. Although it took time to develop a concise, entertaining presentation, he eventually became adept at public speaking. He became known internationally and rapidly built a respected reputation abroad and amongst his peers at Harvard.

When a professor was offered tenure, it was an up or down decision. If you accepted the offer, you had a job for life. If you received the offer and turned it down, you needed to look for another job because you would soon be fired. Upper-crust universities didn’t like rejection from their faculty. Harvard’s tenure process was rigorous and invasive. Twenty or more unsolicited letters were sent to senior members of your community. There were background checks, interviews of associates and in-depth reviews of your lectures. Sarge’s bona fides were never in question. His lineage dating back to the Revolutionary War helped. Being John Morgan’s godson sealed his future as a tenured professor at Harvard.

Once tenured, Sarge was able to pursue his craft without fear of dismissal. Many professors used this Teflon status as an opportunity to advance their political agendas without fear of reprisal. Sarge simply enjoyed the job security and the ability to teach what he was passionate about—global governance.

After receiving his offer of tenure, Sarge had the time, and staff, to write a full-length book on the topic of global governance. Sarge’s best-selling book,
Choose Freedom or Capitulation: America’s Sovereignty Crisis
, became a regular topic on the presidential campaign trail. In the book, as well as lectures, Sarge warned against the overreach of globalists. He frequently opined that the Founding Fathers anticipated a power grab by a strong federal government, so autonomy of state governments became a central premise of the Constitution.

As the world advanced technologically, nation states, corporations and international organizations were required to coexist without a set of defined rules. This resulted in a blurring of national boundaries and ideologies. Proponents of global governance had a hidden agenda leaning toward a single totalitarian government. This would lead to the destruction of America, in Sarge’s view, and his goal, as a patriot, was to lead people to respect America’s sovereignty and oppose the globalist agenda.

Sarge’s methods were subtle and his classroom lectures reflected his tact. These young minds had been influenced by so many—family, the mainstream media, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert. Sarge provided them an alternative view, without being blatantly obvious. Some minds were changed; others were reinforced. But all of his students respected his point of view.

“Okay, everyone, here we are,” said Sarge. “It’s the end of another riveting semester taught by your all-knowing professor.”

Happy to hear the news, the class allowed themselves some cheeky applause. As always, Sarge enjoyed the response as the realization of another semester was checked off the list for these future public administrators, think-tank contributors, politicians and world leaders.

“Lest we forget, dear students, finals will be on Tuesday,” said Sarge to the usual groans and protestations. “Yeah, I know. Boom, boom—out go the lights.” Sarge loved the response and grinned as he brought up the screen. This would be his last lecture—for a while.