The words seemed to clear the air like a thunderstorm.
Pyro’s mouth gaped open.
“I also found a diagram of an underground tunnel network connecting that bunker to others buried in this part of the state. I’ve been trying to hack the AI system in the bunker to learn more about the people who built it and used the tunnels. I hope to find more survivors, maybe a colony that has kept its technology.”
Kira’s anger faded from her face, replaced by anxiety. “How will you do that?’
“Kira, if I can access the AI computer I may be able to communicate with other groups.”
She grabbed his arm and asked, “What’re you thinking? Communicating with outside groups will attract Jarod’s attention and he’ll hunt us down.”
He licked his lips. “I have to do this. Without a cure, I’m finished.”
She blinked and sighed.
He said, “Come to the bunker with me and see for yourselves. We can decide together if this is worthwhile.”
Chapter 14
The Dark Web
“This is the control console for the underground complex,” said Youngblood as he finished the tour of the bunker.
As they entering the room bathed by the soft glow of multiple computer screens, Kira’s and Pyro’s eyes grew big.
Pyro said, “Wow! Look at this hi-tech equipment.”
Kira asked, “This is all amazing. Can you control all this?”
“Not yet, but I’ve developed software on my tablet to hack into the AI computer.”
Kira said, “I want to open those two locked doors and see what’s hidden there.”
“As soon as I break into the AI, I’ll be able to open them, and they should lead us through the underground maze of tunnels.”
Pyro laughed, “This is why Jarod hates you so much.”
He held up a reward poster for the capture of Youngblood that had been put out by the gang. It was a scolding indictment of vitriolic fury intended to squash him.
“Jarod says it’s because you’ll disrupt his plans, but it’s personal than that. He’s jealous of your abilities.”
Shaking her head, Kira said, “He thought you were a threat. If he saw this,” she opened her arms wide and turned around in the control room, “he would be sure.”
“Well, he’s out to kill me, or at least to stop me. You said, I’m doing this to stop his plan,” said Youngblood. “But my intention is broader.”
“It is?” asked Kira, her brows furrowed.
Youngblood stared into her eyes. “Yes. I’m going to fight him—as hard as he’s fighting me—I intend to find any other people remaining on this planet, not just for myself, but to help everyone.”
Kira touched his arm and with a broad smile, she said, “I’m proud of you. I know you’ll succeed.”
He felt the warm glow of her words. “Thanks, that means a lot to me. It all starts here at this terminal.”
“We’ll work with you.”
Youngblood said, “OK. Let’s scour the rooms and closets for any working devices. I may be able to use them to break into the AI system.”
After an hour, they had a treasure trove of cell phones, tablets, and laptops. They arrayed them on a table.
Youngblood began examining them one at a time.
“I’ve already checked my tablet and connected it to these. They work,” he said. He added his own software and ran scans.
It took over an hour before he concluded, “I’ve networked these devices together.”
“That’s it then?” asked Kira.
“Well, these devices and the software that I’ve developed should let me hack into the AI system.”
Youngblood sat down at the console. It was connected to server racks with rows of database hard drives set up against the wall. He spent a few minutes considering the operation and then completed a few simple steps to initiate protocols.
The AI system alerted, and a perky feminine voice said, “Welcome. Please log in.”
Youngblood scrolled through the directory only half listening. He connected his tablet to the AI and uploaded some of the malware he had developed.
As they watched, he opened a browser and kept telling himself it was a good plan, but doubts kept nudging at his nerves.
“OK, here we go.”
Youngblood’s hands flew over the keyboard.
“How do you know how to do that?” asked Pyro.
He smiled.
After a few minutes, he reached the administrative root directory login point and used the network malware that would allow him to penetrate the login password database without being locked out.
For a moment, the screen went black.
With each passing second, he was afraid he would be challenged.
“It’s harder than I thought,” he said.
Finally, he said, “Got it, here it is.”
They held their collective breath as he entered the system.
Pyro asked, “Is there anything here, we should be worried about?”
He found it hard to imagine how elusive and dangerous the AI system could be, but he said, “If I get caught we’ll be punished. The fault is not the attempt, it’s being found out. It might trigger a bunker security system that could lock us in or release some protective measure such as a deadly gas.”
An anxious look passed between them.
Youngblood accessed a key directory and began reading files. He learned as he went.
He said, “First, I’ll need to learn how to deal with this.”
Working mostly on blind instinct, he installed a rootkit that modified the administrative controls.
Pyro asked, “Do you know what you’re doing? What if you trigger an alarm.”
“I’ll retreat if it looks dangerous,” said Youngblood.
He went through the minefield of traps until the screen read:
ACCESS GRANTED. SECURITY LEVEL 1.
“You’ve done it!” grinned Kira excitedly.
Youngblood felt no elation. Given his natural computer talents, he had expected to prevail. He said, “I have access to the lowest security level. There are at least two more security levels, but I’ll tackle them at another time.”
He examined a maze of data.
“I’m nearly done.”
Youngblood continued to penetrate deeper into the AI’s inner directories. A vast list of files was now available.
“I don’t recognize the naming system or any files with similar names.”
“Search fast,” said Pyro.
Youngblood opened a search program to scan the files and look for keywords. It showed some interesting results within minutes.
He said, “There’s another computer system on the network and its active!”
“What?”
“I want to hack it and find out who’s running it.”
“What other network? Someone else is there? Do you mean it’s active now?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I mean. It’s a Dark Web. I want to connect to them.”
“Hurry.”
A light flashed on the screen and they jumped.
There was an indication that some alarm had been activated.
Youngblood’s screen read:
ACCESS DENIED.
He found his access restricted from the other network.
“The AI is resisting,” he said.
“Maybe you should stop.”
“Not yet. I might not get another chance.”
They all tensed as Youngblood scrolled.
“Look there, Youngblood,” said Pyro.
“I see it.”
He opened the new directory. It looked like a classified page. He considered the possibilities. “These are the encryption keys for the security system to the locked doors. I’ll need to hack those later.”
“How much longer?”
“I don’t . . .,” started Youngblood, but another alarm was triggered.
Now he saw the trap. If he wasn’t careful the AI might loc
k him out permanently.
After another few minutes, he had the data stored.
“AI, how do I access the bunker security doors?”
The AI said, “I can issue a keycard to authorize access through security door Alpha. Security Level 2 is required for door Bravo.”
Printing out his keycard to door Alpha, Youngblood felt as if he were given the key to a new world.
Their eyes grew wide with curiosity, as the trio opened the first locked security door and entered the lit hallway. The door revealed the inner chamber that was made of smooth metal. This opening led into a long semicircular tube-like corridor.
Their nostrils filled with the stale smell of age.
Youngblood placed his hand on the metal wall. It was cool to the touch. Running his hand over the surface, he found no seams or bolts or welding connections.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Pyro rubbing his fingers along the smooth surface.
They came to a fork in the hallway and a staircase going down.
“Which way?”
They descended the stairs careful to avoid the loose debris that was scattered about from a broken device. After several dozen steps, they reached a platform with more hallways going off in various directions. The sloping ceilings and floor led them downward.
They reached an area with fresh clean air. A kitchen was off to one side with wood cabinets and refrigerator and dishwasher.
Pyro said, “All the comforts of a home that doesn’t exist anymore.”
Youngblood wondered if he had ventured as far as they should.
“We could get lost down here and wander for days,” said Pyro.
Youngblood asked, “Let’s look around a little more before we head back. What do you think?”
“What’s this lever?” asked Pyro, placing his hand on a handle projecting from the wall.
He pulled, but the lever wouldn’t budge.
The three together strained against it until the lever surrendered. A distinct rumbling began, something had been activated. They didn’t see anything moving at first, but after a minute of noisy vibration, an opening appeared. A huge sliding door opened revealing a new room the size of a football field.
“Well, I’ve found an entrance, but to what?”
Youngblood expected more steel and aluminum, but to his surprise, he entered a concrete and stone structure that expanded into a gallery that reminded him of a subway station interchange. There were many narrow stone passages emanating like spokes in a wheel. Wood beams supporting the walls and ceiling, reminiscent of an old mining tunnel with electric lanterns hanging on the wall. It was bristling with rusted railway tracks that disappeared into the dark spaces of individual diverging tunnels.
Youngblood said, “Some of these tunnels must have been old mines that were connected together.”
“That must be a tram-train to travel over the tracks to other bunkers,” said Pyro.
“Given all the different passages running in every direction, I imagine there must be more doors.”
Electronic access and surveillance cameras were everywhere. He was surprised he hadn’t noticed those before.
Kira found a security chamber with several branching passages most blocked by a heavy door marked, WEAPON’S MAGAZINE Security Level 3.
“Look at this,” she said.
Off to one side was a smaller glass covered door marked: EMERGENCY WEAPON’S LOCKER Security Level 1.
Youngblood said, “The magazine vault has a serious security lock that will take considerable effort to open. This must be technology abandoned decades ago. I’ll use the AI to tackle that vault combination, later. But this emergency locker looks much easier. Give me a little time.”
Pyro and Kira searched the nearby passageways while Youngblood worked. They were rewarded when he opened the locker and they found six handguns and six rifles inside.
“These aren’t enough for everyone, but at least we have some weapons to distribute,” said Youngblood.
Kira said, “I couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with one of those. I’ll stick to my bow.”
Pyro said, “Wow. How do you shoot this?”
Youngblood looked at the handgun.
“Hold this by the grip and press this latch, then squeeze.”
Pyro did as he was instructed and noticed a tiny red light blinked green as he squeezed.
“That gun now recognizes you as its owner and will only fire for you.”
“It looks like a 45 automatic.”
“That right. Here’s a refill cartridge magazine for it.”
Pyro handled the gun and looked like he wanted to shoot it.
Youngblood said, “Wait till we get outside.”
◆◆◆
They filled Kira’s wagon with a ton of equipment parts, computer devices, tablets, and guns, and headed for Jamestown. They were determined to re-establish their business while Youngblood examined ways to break through the bunker’s weapons vault security codes, as well as, hack into the Dark Web and find its mysterious occupants.
The days rocketed by. Soon, it did not seem possible that the wall of fire that destroyed Kira’s homestead, had ever happened.
Youngblood worked with Kira and Pyro as a tight-knit team in Ben’s blacksmith shop.
One of the first jobs Youngblood tackled was the repair of the motorcycle-like jet-flyer.
It took nearly a week, but finally, the flyer was ready for a test ride over mountains.
He turned on the ignition and revved it up. It was even louder than he imagined.
Kira demanded that she be the first to fly, but Youngblood refused, “Not until it’s tested and running smoothly.”
He swung his leg over the flyer and kicked the engine to life. He gunned it and with a roar, it rose into the air, leaving a huge exhaust trail, all before Kira could complain further.
Youngblood let the broad blue sky fill his imagination as he enjoyed a thrilling ride high in the heavens. He headed toward the largest mountains in the east. The sunlight reflected off the white-gray clouds, the orange-red horizons, and the blue-green river valley below.
Fire retros.
The flyer fell, like a leaf off a tree.
As he plunged downward, he loved the novelty. The craft penetrated through the clouds with the sun shining off its polished silver and chrome surface.
The flyer creaked from strain and he listened to the varied noises of the metal fabric vibrating. Performing a weaving maneuver added a new visual spectacle. After twenty minutes, he was satisfied that he had shaken out all the problems. He landed with a thump on a flat spot on the outer edge of the Jamestown.
“Great ride.”
Kira demanded, “Let me try.” She hopped on even before Youngblood was off.
“Not until I fix the issues I found.”
She fumed and kicked dirt on his boots and huffed while he worked.
A few hours later, she took off like a bat out of Hell.
Chapter 15
Grand Opening
Youngblood stood uncomfortably in the middle of the blacksmith shop with a large crowd of people milling around examining the refurbished pumps, generators, motors, and even a refrigerator arranged against the back wall.
Prominent people of the neighboring communities stood in small groups talking about their wealth and the deals they hoped to make.
Pyro said, “Things are coming together.”
Kira said, “Everyone’s pleased. That’s worth celebrating. True there are only a few items, but expectations are high that we can increase production.”
Pyro said, “You can’t blame them. There’s been precious little to celebrate. They’re hopeful for better times ahead. We should make deals to bring on more help and expand.”
Kira threw a shrewd glance at him. “There’s no reason to lose your head and get careless. We don’t want to invite trouble from Jarod.”
“Why even mention his name? We’re celebrating, remember?” asked Pyro.
>
Youngblood remained in the background while Pyro demonstrated his business skills making deals and trades with customers behaving like a wheeler-dealer negotiating terms and bringing in profits.
Several town leaders came into the shop and jostled against the customers to reach the trio.
“Where is this genius?” asked a loud voice from the crowd.
Pyro asked, “Can I help you?”
“You’re the expert.”
“Yeah. Pyro.”
She broke into a broad smile, “You’re Pyro! Wonderful. I’m Florence, Mayor of Sonora.” She extended her hand. “I’m glad to meet you. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have someone who can fix things. I’m sorry I didn’t realize who you were. We’re fortunate to have you. We haven’t been able to get any of these things working then out of the blue you plop down and it’s like a miracle.”
“I’m just getting started.”
“Well, you’re doing a hell-of-a-job. Are you going to extend to other devices?”
Pyro said, “Are you kidding? Of course, I’ll do more, but I’ll have to charge more. You understand, there are only so many hours in a day and I’ve got to pick and choose.”
“Pyro, this is Steve. He loves your work.” She nodded to her assistant.
Steve asked, “Seriously, how did you learn all this.”
“Trade secret.”
Florence said, “We’d like to negotiate a special deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“We’d like to select the areas you work on, exclusively for us, and of course we’ll pay a special signing bonus.”
Pyro said, “Well, I’ll have to think that over. I’ll let you know the day after tomorrow.”
“Don’t hesitate. We’re open to negotiations and we’ll outbid any alternatives.”
“Let me have some time. I don’t want to answer off the top of my head. This could affect a lot of people.”
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