Henry Gallant Saga 2: Lieutenant Henry Gallant

by H. Peter Alesso

  Junior’s local security force protected the most sensitive buildings around the accelerator, mine, and forge, but he continued to disallow the UP personnel to carry arms. His men were a constant source of interference and frustration with daily operations.

  Then disaster struck.

  In the dark of night, machines and computers began to malfunction and produce bazaar rogue actions.

  Vehicles and people were smashed as if crushed under a gigantic malevolent fist, when runaway equipment crashed.

  At the mines, ventilation fans failed, forcing an evacuation by the miners, some of whom required medical treatment.

  At the forge, ovens overheated and temperature safety controls failed, melting molds and finished products alike.

  At the heavy-water extraction facility, key valves malfunctioned, cross-connecting different supply lines and contaminating heavy water storage tanks with salt water.

  This time not only was equipment destroyed, but four UP men and seven local citizens were seriously injured.

  The damaged machines could all be replaced, but the injured workers were taken to the hospital and there were no replacements.

  Gallant had further proof the local AI control systems were being remotely hijacked and misdirected as an act of cyber-sabotage. In addition, the monitors and surveillance cameras overseeing the systems were overridden and shutdown. The security system Gallant had arranged through the Intrepid was also blinded by interference.

  The most troubling finding was from the Intrepid’s main AI computer, called GridScape. Signals to and from this AI were bazaar and erratic.

  An utterly outrageous thought occurred to him, but he couldn’t let it go, and after a while, he came to believe it to be true—GridScape is under cyber-attack.

  When he considered the cyber-attack’s objective, he concluded, once again most of the equipment malfunctions were designed to misdirection and to disguise the real target.

  He found the specifications for the accelerators magnets had been slightly modified—modified so slightly so as to seem innocuous, but enough so dark matter could not be produced.

  Gallant repaired the problems and put security monitors on the magnet design specs.

  He went from site to site, to speak to the workers to keep their morale up by promising intensified security measures. Nevertheless, a number of the local citizens decided to quit and return to town.

  Gallant implemented a three step computer security process that started with first putting in place preventive measures to forestall a threat. Second, timely attack detection was necessary to intervene when possible. Finally, after an attack, the response included an assessment of the damage and followed by the recovery process.

  To forestall a cyber-attack, an extensive effort was made to install a multilayered ultra-strong secure operating system based upon segregating the system’s kernel technology. This was intended to guarantee security policies are unequivocally enforced within the operating environment. It offered a secure operating system capable protecting its own execution, as well as application code, and also protecting against subverted code. Designed this way, secure operating systems were the primarily protection for the most important system objects, such as AI control systems.

  By using a high level of system encryption, in addition to kernel technology, he proved a powerful defense for the AI control systems. However, few of the site’s mechanical equipment had this high level technology installed. As a result, many pieces of less sophisticated equipment were vulnerable.

  The next day, Gallant called the Intrepid for reinforcements and small arms, but Junior vetoed it. He reorganized his crewmen and the remaining colonists to keep on schedule.

  He confronted Junior. “Your men were responsible for security and they failed to prevent this act of sabotage. Your men must have left their station and allowed a saboteur to get into the control rooms.”

  “The monitors’ recordings show no penetration into the facilities’ perimeters by an outsider and my men have all been accounted for. This was accomplished through remote access,” said Junior.

  “Okay. Then allow me to bring more men from the Intrepid to strength the security team and expand our electronic monitoring perimeter, and I’ll need them to be armed.”

  “That’s not going to happen. The Elysium Council has been explicit about this. Only my men carry arms and the numbers of crewmen you’re allowed to bring down is limited. I will increase the number of SSP guards at each location, but I’ll need additional plasma rifles to properly equip them,” said Junior, squirming with every sentence.

  “I’ll present your request to my commanding officer,” said Gallant, shaking his head.

  Then he asked, “What’s your theory of how the sabotage is being accomplished?”

  “Easy. Hallo citizens sympathetic to the PUP movement have uploaded virus software into the control system. They’re determined to cause chaos and undermine President Wolfe’s authority,” said Junior.

  Gallant waved away the hypothesis. “The PUP group lacks the sophistication technology to mount a cyber-attack, especially an attack extending to GridScape.”

  “You can’t be sure of that.”

  “What can you tell me of the technology President Wolfe uses to control the planetary force field?”

  “That information is top secret to Elysium.”

  “But the level of technology of the shield could be a source for these attacks. I need to know at least who can access it.”

  Junior shook his head. “I’ll relay your request to the president, but I don’t expect he’ll share the information with you. You should restrict your activities to monitoring the sites.”

  Gallant continued examining the evidence and conducted a thorough neural interface with each of the AI control systems of the sites and machines. What he felt through the neural link was something beyond his experience; a powerful mind had left its imprint on the circuits—a residual presence—something sinister.

  CHAPTER 22

  GRIDSCAPE

  “The cyber-attacks are sophisticated and damaging. They required a high level of AI coordination both in the planning and in the execution. This last one seriously injured eleven men, sir” said Gallant, standing at attention across from Neumann’s desk in the captain’s cabin aboard the Intrepid.

  “Cyber-attacks targeting GridScape are a serious threat to the Intrepid.” Neumann got up and walked to the viewport. It showed a magnificent image of the blue oceans of Elysium rotating in space.

  GridScape was the nerve center of the Intrepid—a strong-AI wireless grid supercomputer network consisting of over one million parallel central processors performing a billion-billion operations per second. It controlled ship operations in coordination with the crew. The crew had comm pins to connect to local resources which in turn could connect to the centralized AI.

  “At ease,” he said quietly. “Your natural neural abilities to interface with AI systems makes you essential to evaluating this threat.”

  Standing at ease, Gallant looked directly at Neumann, but didn’t say a word. He was surprised genetically-engineered Neumann would acknowledge his unique talent.

  Neumann turned back to him. “Our AI-techs have conducted a preliminary check on our microprocessors and systems. They found the cyber-attack failed to penetrate the supercomputer’s CPU core. However, several peripheral units which were directly responsible for monitoring the mining operations were compromised. The memories of those units were wiped and new operating systems had been installed. We need to uncover the source of the attacks.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Gallant. “I’m suspicious of Wolfe’s force field technology. I haven’t discovered any equivalent knowledge or technology among the Elysium citizens. The unexplored technology I have found is in the ruins in the jungle.” “Did it appear to be highly advanced?”

  “I didn’t have an opportunity to evaluate it, but I suspect Wolfe may have control over it and given its performance it may
be AI-based.”

  Neumann nodded, “Ancient machinery under Wolfe’s control may be a threat.”

  “The type of AI control I’ve witnessed is extraordinary—perhaps even independent.”

  Neumann relaxed into his desk chair and waved Gallant into a seat opposite. “GridScape is our most advanced AI and while it understands human language, solves complex problems, and helps us navigate through space, it could never pass Turing’s Test. GridScape doesn’t think in any real sense, it’s merely computational brute force looking through millions of possibilities before selecting an optimal solution. People are still arguing about whether computers will ever be able to think independently. I don’t think it’s a serious possibility.”

  “What do we know about thinking?” Gallant crossed one leg over the other, ready to challenge Neumann on this comparison. “Because humans are not consciously aware of searching millions of possible solutions, doesn’t prove they don’t. Individuals are generally unaware of what does go on in their minds. Patterns can suggest solutions based upon a lifetime of experience—millions of past possibilities. It may all be invisible to the human mind. Still, if the unconscious human mind produces the same intelligent results as an algorithmic AI, why can’t I call AI intelligent too?”

  “I’m sorry, but for me you’ve overstated your case for GridScape or any other AI. It may be intelligent enough to carry out operations, but no AI will ever be self-aware or independent.”

  “Nevertheless, while human thought processes are different from GridScape’s processes, their performance can be similar.” Gallant uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, warming to the subject. “After all, GridScape’s decision-making ability is similar to the team of scientists who designed it. Much like a computer, a human’s brain uses its billions of neurons to carry out many operations per second, none of which, in isolation, reveals intelligence. It’s possible for a human to process information like a computer by memorizing and analyzing thousands of possible solutions to existing problems.”

  “So what do you conclude from that? Because we don’t know the limitations of computers built by ancient technology on Elysium, we should consider the remote possibility they represent an AI threat?”

  “I think we need to investigate it.”

  Neumann looked thoughtful. “I’m setting up an AI-tech security team to protect the Intrepid from further attacks. I want you to invest the possibilities of cyber-assault from Elysium. In particular, I want you to investigate the citizens PUP group and Wolfe along with his SSP.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.”

  ***

  Leaving Neumann’s cabin, Gallant went to the CIC room in the Operation’s compartment. He nodded an acknowledgement to the duty technicians who were engaged in scanning the star system. They looked busy conducting minor repairs on sensitive equipment.

  He punched in the top secret security code, placed his eye in the retinal scan slot, and opened the hatch to the internal control pod for GridScape. Neumann was the only other person aboard the Intrepid with equal access. Gallant placed the neural interface cap on his head and felt the multi-probe sensors touch. He became mentally aware of the ship’s AI and all its control systems. He addressed it by name to get its attention.

  GridScape, classify this session as top secret—compartmentalize under black ops: “Counter Espionage”—Gallant’s eyes only.

  “Session classified as: top secret, black ops, ‘Counter Espionage,’ access Gallant only,” reported GridScape.

  This level of classification would exclude access to everyone except the ship’s captain. Neumann would always have final override authority; so to discourage Neumann’s curiosity, Gallant had selected an innocuous title based upon what he had perceived by Neumann’s indifference.

  GridScape, entitle this session: Engineering Personal Family Problems.

  “Session entitled: Engineering Personal Family Problems,” reported GridScape.

  GridScape, provide a detailed evaluation of this code snippet.

  Gallant mentally pictured the hidden code segment he had found embedded in the accelerator’s control room AI code after the first mishap. After GridScape described the capabilities and function of the snippet, he pictured the new segment he had found after the most recent attack.

  GridScape, can you identify any unique characteristics of this code?

  “Yes. The deviations the saboteur introduced to the accelerator design are all multiples of Planck’s length which is the square root of the quantity: Planck’s constant, times the speed of light squared, divided by Newton’s gravitational constant.”

  Gallant was dumbfounded.

  GridScape, is there any rational engineering reason for using such a unique number to modify the design?

  “There is no discernable reason for utilizing a multiple of the three absolute constants of the universe.”

  After several minutes of reflection, Gallant started to get an idea of what he was facing.

  Gridscape, what is the best way to stop a saboteur?

  “Incapacitate him, capture him, or put in place unassailable defenses.”

  GridScape, actually the best way to stop a saboteur is to let him succeed. Do you agree?

  “That would be illogical,” responded the Intrepid’s AI.

  I’m counting on that.

  Gallant mentally visualized his plan.

  GridScape, I want all code processing scanned for elements using multiples of Planck’s length and segregated into a virtual environment. Without disturbing, or alerting, the author of those code segments, I want you to develop a mirror program—he visualized a complex logic code for a specialized task—Position this program inside the core kernel of the accelerator AI control system. Designate this code PERFIDY.

  GridScape worked for an hour to complete the program to Gallant’s satisfaction. GridScape took remote control of the accelerator’s AI control system and installed the clandestine program.

  Gallant decided to withhold his findings and efforts from the Intrepid’s internal security investigation, as well as from Neumann.

  A secret only stays a secret, if just one person knows it.

  ***

  Before returning to Elysium to continue his onsite investigation, Gallant went to check on the progress in engineering. Entering the Engineering compartment, he was impressed with ongoing work. The teardown of removal of damaged frames and equipment was complete. Replacement bulkhead sheets and electric panels were under construction. Tired, but satisfied faces looked up at him as he passed by. The Intrepid was recovering her élan.

  Chief Howard approached Gallant, the deck reverberating under his feet, a tribute to his brawny bulk.

  “Chief Howard,” Gallant said, nodding.

  “Good afternoon, sir. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m checking on our repair status. Do you have an estimate for the antimatter and dark matter requirements for the return trip to Earth?”

  “I’ll calculate those and get the numbers to you before the end of the next watch.”

  “That’ll be fine.”

  Gallant turned his attention to a nearby panel.

  “I hear a whine.” He raised his hand to silence the others and listened again. “I tell you I hear a definite whine.”

  Howard listened and soon the two were engrossed in a conversation about the possibility of repairing the electrical motors within the panel.

  Reluctantly Gallant entered the engineering control room. A cold chill passed through him as he recalled the circumstances that had caused him to abandon it a month before.

  “Ready to commence reactor startup,” said the reactor technician pulling Gallant’s attention back to the present.

  “Very well, commence reactor startup,” said Gallant. He was keyed-up to run this validation test on number-one reactor.

  After working the rest of the day aboard the Intrepid, Gallant was satisfied he could leave repairs in Howard’s capable hands.

  CHAPTER 23
r />   ARISTOTLE

  The next day, Gallant walked into Freedom Park. Across the common, an attractive young woman was sitting on a bench. A gentle breeze was blowing, ruffling her blonde hair. She appeared the kind of person bound to invite attention—it was Alaina.

  Closing his eyes, he imagined stealing up behind her and throwing his arms around her.

  Instead, when he approached her from behind and stepped around in front of her, her facial expression changed from clear and calm to cloudy and stormy.

  "Hello, Alaina. I've been looking for you," he said quietly.

  “Oh?” was her tight-lipped response.

  “I’m sorry—for everything.” His heartbeat quickened as her frown grew more pronounced.

  "Are you? Are you, really? Wolfe's men are still carrying guns. And my PUP group is constantly being harassed and arrested at rallies and demonstrations."

  "I'm sorry. I can't interfere with Wolfe and the SSP."

  "Then I have nothing to say to you,” she said defiantly, but a moment later her anger seemed to lessen. She murmured softly, “Please go away."

  Gallant sat down next to her. "I need your help."

  "If you can't help me, then I can’t help you."

  "I need to return to the ruins in the jungle.”

  “The ruins?”

  “Yes, the sabotage and cyber-attacks on the mining sites have continued. The damage and harm to the workers is serious.” He waited for a reaction.

  Seeing none, he continued, hoping to make the facts persuasive. “I’m convinced these attacks are being carried out using advanced technology—technology that could be connected to the ancient machinery in the ruins. I've looked at maps and satellite images, but the jungle is so overgrown, I can't find my way there. I need your help to back-track our steps."

  Anger and hurt lingered on her face. He could tell she wasn't eager for a new adventure with him. She didn't trust him.