Double Bait (Stone Blade Book 2)

by James Cox

  code leeches - An attack program that deploys small semi-AI modules designed to attack any other warez in their area of effect and transform them into autonomous hostile modules.

  core/fan - Technically a datacore. A datacore is a machine optimized to store and retrieve data; a data server. The less-descriptive term is also used, incorrectly, to describe any type of server or service machine. A fan is a group of cores meshed or smeshed together.

  crash-trap - A simple attack or defense program. When deployed a crash-trap waits for an intrusion into its area of effect and, when one occurs, attempts to latch on and crash it.

  creepy crawler - Also creeping crawler. Standard crawlers are autonomous programs designed to query public netsites as to what they are, who they are and what they can do. Creepy crawlers also attempt to assess a site's structure and, to a limited extent, its security and vulnerabilities.

  fractal flames - A simple yet very effective defensive program. When activated fractal flames fills its area with large numbers of small, active fractal structures. Fractal flames require very little in the way of system resources and can operate quite well from even a low-power terminal.

  glass raincoat - ICE that alters its user's appearance by faintly reflecting its environment. It differs from other appearance-changing ICE in that it 'feels' transparent.

  generator - Classification name given to a program that dynamically creates basically identical instances of attack or defense warez. Example: a rotten fish generator creates and deploys rotten fish in burntime.

  gooey grapple - This is an aggressive type of probe designed to locate something, attach to it and either pull the target to the user or the user to the target.

  ICE - Any program designed for invisibility, concealment or escape/evasion.

  image trap - Biometric facial/body recognition hardware or software. Image trap software is designed to sift through holographic or two-dimensional images and attempt to match them to a single person or against a group of people. Hardware image traps consist of a high-resolution camera, processor and enough storage for the trigger images. These are typically built using PRIS chips.

  jumping spline - A technique burners use to conceal their net connection. Most burners create a path to their target through three or more intermediate nodes. A jumping spline changes intermediate nodes according to an algorithm or a list of pre-compromised systems.

  luscious lure - The term used to describe a program designed to attract a burner into a particular area that is heavily guarded and trapped. It can be used, albeit with reduced effect, as an intrusion tool.

  masque - ICE designed to alter its user's appearance. The alteration may be static or it may change but, unlike a glass raincoat, it does not adapt to its environment.

  mesh - Physically connecting two terminals (or cores, or a combination) together. It differs from a simple network in that a mesh connects on a processor-to-processor, storage-to-storage level.

  mirror-backlash - A variant of mirror-mirror that reflects an attack not only against itself but against the user or module that deployed it.

  mirror mirror - Defensive software designed to reflect an attack onto itself. A basic mirror-mirror is a fairly simple and resource-light program yet still effective, especially against very aggressive warez.

  plastic blast - An attack program that is most effective against wallz. It is designed to adapt and conform to the 'shape' of the wall before detonating, thus giving a better chance of penetration or neutralization.

  polycryptor - An encryption-breaking tool designed to match subsets of a data set against multiple flavors of encryption, track the best results and then match those against progressively larger samples of the data.

  PRIS chip - A computer on a chip: processor, readout, interfaces and storage. Physically larger versions are also known as PRIS blocks and PRIS bricks. PRIS chips are very small and their readouts are usually tiny; when this is the case the chip will have some sort of port/plug to accommodate a larger readout.

  progressive ____ - Used to designate software that alters or improves itself according to an ordered set of conditions, e.g. a masque that alters/improves its disguise with every node in a path of them. This would be termed a progressive masque.

  promote-me - Any program that attempts to gain its user an increased level of authority or access to a system or node.

  rotten fish - Attack or defense software optimized to work against dogs, specifically by distracting them.

  shim - The term used to describe a software module that is inserted 'between' two others, typically without being noticed.

  slirp/squirt - Data transfer to/from a terminal or core. Slirp transfers data to its user, squirt moves data from its user.

  smesh - Smart mesh. This is a standard mesh in which at least half the members are AI (software) or smart (hardware AI).

  spiral tunnel - A reinforced encryption tunnel. Normal encryption tunnels use linear encryption while spiral tunnels use recursive or iterative end-to-end encryption methods. This is very resource-heavy but the additional security usually makes up for it.

  spoof/spoofing - The act of concealing a terminal-to-net connection. The effectiveness of the spoof depends more on the size and configurability of the pipe than the capability of the terminal, though better terminals can spoof more effectively.

  terminal - A computer specifically designed for a human user. It has a keyboard, holographic or 2D screen, processor(s), volatile memory, storage, at least one netjack and at least one smesh port. It may contain other devices but it must contain at least the ones listed. Datapads contain everything but the keyboard; the screen is both input and output. Either device can be used with a dex. Most terminals also make provision for removable storage media (datacubes, dataspools, chips etc.) but this is not required.

  thermal worm - Attack/intrusion software designed to contain something else (payload), penetrate into a presumably-secured node and deliver its payload.

  thorn snatch - Also thorny snatch. This describes an ordinary data query so massively huge that its results will bog down both the queried system and the pathway along which they are delivered.

  throbbing needle - An attack program optimized to pierce wallz. It does not compromize the structure or the wall itself, it simply penetrates and leaves a small breach.

  virmites - Virtual termites. An attack program designed to attack a firewall's structure until it weakens and collapses. The attack itself consists of large numbers of low-power attack modules; destroying one or even a dozen doesn't really weaken the overall attack. Virmites designed to attack dogz or other users are called vornets, or virtual hornets.

  vvvvortex - Very violent virtual vortex. This program is an attack or defense of last resort. When triggered it crashes everything and acts as a recursive crash-trap against everything else. It takes a long time to set up but it blasts everything!

  warez - This is the generic term burners use to describe their software. The "-z" suffix indicates software or classes of software associated in some way with burning or security.

  Chapter X: Afterword

  Thanks for reading my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If so please consider giving me a review at the retailer where you purchased it.

  If you're interested in more information concerning the League please check out my blog and Facebook pages. In addition to notes about writing, life and programming you will find data about the League, its Guilds and general comments on an average citizen's life there. These were kindly provided by Dr. Ferdinand Kincaid, a noted and well-published League archivist and member of the Artisan's Guild.

  In addition to writing books I'm also an open-source Java developer. My magnum opus in this world is Matt's MathTools, a Java application designed to help design and format mathematical things for written (or HTML-based) tests or worksheets. If you find that interesting please visit the site and grab the software. Several tutorials are provided and all of it is FREE!

  About the Author


  James Matthew Cox, Jr. was born in Texarkana, Arkansas and he grew up on a farm seven miles outside of it. His mother made sure he learned to enjoy reading at an early age and his father made sure he learned to enjoy science fiction, also at an early age. Growing up, his heroes had names like Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke and (E.E.) Smith.

  After graduating high school James completed a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Mathematics. He then spent many years as a college math and computer instructor. His writing career began in junior high school and, after many years of practice, he finally decided to do something about it.

  Blog: http://themoldyripegrape.wordpress.com/

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  Cover Artist: http://www.viladesign.net

  Chapter Y: Preview

  This is the preview of my next book, working title "Terror Cells" or "Cells of Terror." Enjoy!

  ***

  Davies gazed at Micah in shock as Micah set the beaker down carefully. The stuff was just as bad as the first time and worse with more of it. Micah's mind blurred momentarily, then cleared. He sat on one of the medical bunks.

  "Strap me down," said Micah, "and wire me up. That was half a beaker, plus or minus a sip." Not easy talking with a curdled tongue. "Hurry. I can feel it starting. Strap... Strap me good. Just do it!"

  Davies did so. As he began attaching monitors Micah kept talking.

  "Initial effect is hitting pretty hard. More than just the... the alcohol. The edge of my vision is blurring in and out. Don't... Don't stop it. Study..."

  "I'm recording this."

  "Something in my ears," said Micah, "hissing. Roaring. Hissing. Skin... hot. Blurr... Blurrrrrring sound. Eyes. Loud..."

  ***

  Taralon IV. Launch came as a hard shock that drove Micah into his straps. Fear welled up within him despite every effort to contain it. His helmet hud cleared to a spectacular view from the HRAT's external cameras. A spectacular vista that would last until the cameras burned off. Fear rose past Micah's ability to hold it; just as likely the 'rat would hit wrong. The freqs tuned to local chatter began noising up. Too soon! The crunchies had spotted the launch! Terror saturated him, reducing his thoughts to meaningless gibber.

  "Fear is a phantom of the mind."

  Micah yelped and tried to look around. The straps and the 'rat itself held him firmly, still he tried. The voice belonged to Master Ko, the 113th's unarmed combat instructor.

  "The phantom has no substance."

  Micah tried turning the other way. Ko's voice came from just behind him.

  "The fear has no substance."

  Though heartless and cold, Ko taught thoroughly and well. He tolerated no error but acknowledged any accomplishment.

  "Clear the fear and you will clear the mind."

  Behind and facing was a position of trust. The HRAT bucked and bounced and the external cams burned away.

  "Clear the mind and you will control the phantom."

  A loud hissing told Micah his capsule had entered the atmosphere successfully. He still felt Ko behind him. Though he offered no comfort Micah took it. His retros and 'chutes deployed and soon he stood on the surface.

  "Control the phantom and it will strike your foe."

  Micah rounded a corner to confront a squad of armored meat. They could take him. They would take him! They would kill him save for the fear holding them. Wispy tendrils of it oozed away from them and dissipated in the smoky air around them.

  "When the phantom works, you must strike."

  Micah charged the men, blasting them down and cutting through them like plasma through soft mud. Ko whispered at every corner, warning Micah of danger and unleashing fear on his enemies. Micah began laughing maniacally as he cut them down without mercy. By the stars Ko would praise him this day!

  ***

  Ornak Prime. Working as silently as possible Micah found the demo charge. He traced the logic he could see: the thing didn't have a timer but a comm button. Feces! He checked the face for any idiot wires and traps, found none, and carefully opened it. No explosion. Polar. Still carefully he removed the detonator from the explosive. The comm button beeped. Micah pulled as hard as he could, getting the maximum distance between detonator and compound. The detonator exploded but the bomb didn't.

  Excruciating pain shot through Micah's hand. He could see bones through the shredded flesh visible through the breached armor on his hand. His vision fogged gray as pulse bolts and plasma started spatting and splattering around him.

  "Pain does not hurt, child."

  Micah snapped his head around. The unwavering Sergeant Hile spoke but Micah didn't see him.

  "Pain is your friend."

  Enemy fire now actively sought Micah out. He thought he saw the outline of a blast rifle.

  "Pain sharpens your mind."

  Working off-handed, Micah blasted where the enemy rifle's holder should be. The bolt flashed and something large and man-shaped fell.

  "Pain gives you clarity and focus."

  Micah rolled to better cover, searching for targets as he did. Only too many did he find.

  "If you do not have the pain, the pain has you."

  Micah began firing. Several return shots bounced off his armor, one with considerable heat. He'd have a burn from that, he felt it.

  "Harness your pain and use it, do not let it shackle you."

  Micah charged the closest group of foes. Fear grew in them as their shots went wild. Even off-handed he cut them down. They fell before him; their pain held them helpless under his onslaught.

  ***

  Slyco/Remise. Micah, Paige McCree, Dale Jeffers and Terrence Bixby stood firm as a crowd of bangers moved in to attack them. Too many!

  "You hit with your hands."

  Sergeant Taylor, League Marine certified unarmed combat instructor, spoke the words hard.

  "You fight with your brain."

  Micah began attacking his attackers. The other three yielded to the onslaught and Bixby went down.

  "You win with your heart!"

  Micah knew he knew more than his friends. The bangers tried to take him in mass. He kicked and punched as hard and as fast as he could. Before long he and the other three stood alone.

  "If your heart is in it, you will win it."

  The leader of the gang, dropped by Micah's first attack, rose to his knees and drew a blaster. Micah tried to take the man but he was too far. The blaster flashed, Micah's tunic flamed, and the pulse bolt burned into and through him. Micah staggered toward the man. Before he could fire again Micah dropped him permanently.

  "Win with your heart first, you win with everything else."

  ***

  Caustik. His arms around Jennifer, their lips pressed together. Telling her what he could of the stars beyond theirs. The stars in her eyes as she looked at him.

  "Love is powerful."

  Micah knew Kidwell hadn't yet met Jenn. Had she? He stumbled over the words, trying to make her see what he could not say. The wonderful things outside Caustik, if only she'd join him.

  "Love is dangerous when handled badly."

  The heartbreak in her eyes when she refused. The cold chasm in his soul when she spoke the words. The words that tore the anchors that kept him... Him.

  "Almost impossible to handle properly."

  Begging her, not finding the words to say. The sadness trickling down her face. The agony as he walked away. The emptiness that could never be filled. The pain that would hurt her past healing if she saw.

  "Love fulfilled is everything."

  Jennifer at his brother's graduation. Joking with his family. With Deke.

  Micah, will I like it on Azure? she'd asked.

  "Hope and happiness and compassion and understanding."
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  I love you, Jenn. he'd said.

  I love you too. I love you... Micah...

  ***

  "Micah. Micah!"

  He struggled to breathe. The air came but not enough. Not enough!

  "Don't fight it. Breathe, Stone!"

  His heart racing. Breath coming but still not enough! Roaring.

  "Come on, Micah. Breathe slowly. Take it in." First voice.

  "Steady. Steady on, Micah." Second voice.

  The icy prick and hiss of a hypo. Horribly bright light stabbing his watery vision.

  "That's it. Steady on. Slowly, now." First voice.

  Micah's vision cleared slowly and the roaring in his ears abated. He panted fast, shallow breaths. When he slowed them he breathed deeper and his heart slowed.

  "That's good. Don't fight the meds, Stone." The second voice, Davies, now sounded from a very concerned face. "I want you to know you're either the bravest sonuvawhore I know or the stupidest man in this galaxy."

  "Don't bet on stupid, Mike. You'll lose every time with him." Kidwell's voice, the first, sounded steady and sure but her expression gave lie to that. "Do tell us why you drank that poison, Micah."

  Micah tried to speak but no words came out.

  "Later, then." Ionoski, silent until now, spoke with authority. "And you'd best be ready, Agent Stone."

  Micah took a long, deep breath. Another hypo and the world faded slowly to sleep.

  ***

  "Micah! Agent Stone!"