Nate

by Mercer, Dorothy May

  Nate -THE SEARCH –

  Dorothy May Mercer

  Chapter 14 Kabandha

  Kabandha Decides to Sabotage

  O nly a few of her co-conspirators knew Kabandha’s true identity and training. She had a graduate degree in computer science with an emphasis in cyber security and software engineering. Only a few women were on this career path and even fewer of them were minorities. Kabandha had worked extremely hard for many years to achieve this status. Moreover she had carefully avoided any marks on her record and thus was able to qualify for top secret clearance to work herself up to some of the most sensitive projects for the government.

  Her recent enviable assignment was in research and development for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). One of their projects had been in the works for years. They were attempting to develop a system that would enhance and eventually replace the current air traffic control system which identifies the positions of aircraft with radar and transponders. Those positions are shown on complex display screens which air traffic controllers watch and use to direct traffic coast to coast and around the world as well.

  This new system, known as the ACAS X (pronounced A-Kass-Ex) would also replace the TCAS system which was currently in place on commercial airliners all over the world. TCAS (pronounced T’-kass) requires all planes over a certain size to continuously and automatically broadcast their GPS position. All newly manufactured airplanes and any older airplanes which were retrofitted with input receivers could identify all the aircraft in their vicinity and display them on a screen in the cockpit.

  Interestingly, anyone within range on the ground with such a receiver could display the signals as easily as could an aircraft. Kabandha was one of the few who knew about this ‘Achilles heel’ in the system. She had apps on her smart phone and all her computer devices that could display all the airplanes overhead within a certain radius. She enjoyed sitting in her room and watching what was going on overhead.

  Eventually, the FAA’s goal was to develop software which would be able to essentially take-over control of the plane in case of emergency such as an impending collision whether that be a mountain, plane, land or sea. This would replace the pilot’s slower human response to impending collisions, thus allowing far less spacing between planes approaching busy air space. With the limited number of airports and the steadily increasing number of airplanes in the sky, it was important to be able to crowd them closer together.

  It would be years before such a system was completely in place, but Kabandha knew that her company was working on a prototype which was undergoing tests, ready for a third test outof Chicago in two or three days’ time.

  Kabandha intended to be there. She had another idea of a secret test that she wanted to make.

  ~~~~~

  Cops Raid Her Apt. Too Late.

  But, first, she knew she could be in danger, so long as she stayed in this apartment. Both of those worthless men had gotten themselves in trouble with the authorities. They knew nothing of importance, except of course her location and name. They did not know about her day job and education. For all they knew she was just an overgrown bossy female who didn’t know her place.

  Kabandha snorted. Ha! George and Mohammad were useless to her now. But, she was worried about what the police may have squeezed out of these weaklings before they were wasted. Kabandha needed to leave. She began packing her things and erasing all traces of her presence from the apartment. No clue to her identity could be left behind.

  Carrying an oversized tote bag, and pulling two heavy pullman-sized suitcases, she was ready to leave by early morning. It was a struggle without her men to help, but Kabandha was a much stronger woman than most people would think. She had to destroy any trail, and so she walked for several minutes before she got on a city bus. She rode for many blocks toward the center of the city, before disembarking from this bus and catching another cross town. Eventually she would find a room to rent somewhere closer to her place of business.

  ~~~~~

  Tip Line Follow-Up

  Too late, the Chicago police sent an ordinary beat cop to check out the nosy neighbor’s tip. He parked a marked cruiser out front and walked up one flight to apartment 2B. He rang the bell first and then banged on the door loudly. Across the hall, Sari listened. Scurrying to the window she saw the cruiser parked out front. Back to her door, she eased it open a notch so she could watch. When the uniformed cop turned to leave, she quickly closed it, hoping to remain unseen. Clearly no one was answering the door.

  After a few minutes the cop turned away, went back to his cruiser, reported in and drove off.

  ~~~~~

  Home Never Felt Better

  “Honey, I’m home,” Nate called as he set his bag down in the foyer. No one answered. Nate glanced at his watch, only 1:30 PM. Of course, Nan was still at work. He had gained a couple of hours flying West. But, where were the kids? Well maybe the cat was home. Nate hung up his jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves and headed for the kitchen. No doubt the cat would show herself as soon as he opened the refrigerator door.

  Nate selected a tall soda for himself and a half-eaten can of cat-food for Daisy.

  A three-year-old medium-haired golden tiger cat lay in her favorite spot atop the extra refrigerator in the laundry room. Hearing the kitchen fridge door open and close, she aroused from her nap and stretched.

  Nate heard soft paws thump, first on the counter and then on the floor. Here she comes, he thought. “Hello, Daisy,” he said as the warm yellow fur-ball greeted him by doing figure eights in and around his legs and crying, “Meow.” As soon as Nate picked up the can of cat-food and a spoon from the drawer Daisy hot-footed over to her dish and cried up at Nate, “Meow.” As Nate spooned the required ration into her dish, she could barely wait for him to finish, so anxious was she to commence eating with her usual dainty bites. “Doesn’t anyone ever feed you?” he asked as she busied herself devouring her meal. “Judging by that pot-belly I see hanging down, you need to go on a diet.”

  Nate sat on a stool and drank his soft drink while he watched her. God, it feels good just to be home where life is simple. Daisy finished her repast, had a few laps of water and retired to her bed to groom her fur.

  Nate took his drink into the master bedroom where he hung up his suit, put away his traveling shoes, and tossed the rest into the laundry basket.

  Stepping into the shower, he turned it on hot and sharp, lathered up, stood there for a few minutes enjoying the shower massage on his tired muscles, and then rinsed with cool water. Grabbing a large soft towel he whistled as he briskly rubbed himself dry. Nate hung up the towel to dry, and donned his swimming trunks and sunglasses. He grabbed another large towel and a magazine and headed out back to the pool. Looking around for a shady spot, he dragged a lounge chair over into a corner under some overhanging branches. Lowering the chair’s back as far down as it would go, he spread out his towel, added a pillow, laid down and covered his eyes with the magazine. Within minutes he was asleep, at peace with the world.

  ~~~~~

  Rob Dates Sharon

  Nate was still sound asleep when Rob Goodrich and Sharon McGillicuddy entered the pool area and ran hand-in-hand toward the deep end of the pool. “Ready?” asked Rob. Sharon nodded. “Okay, on a count of three, here we go, one—two—three.” They jumped in together making a huge happy splash.

  Droplets fell on Nate, waking him up. At first he reached for his weapon, hitting bare skin and quickly realizing where he was. And so, the best option was to play dead and see what happened. He heard splashing coming from the water, as two heads popped up, followed by giggling and more splashing. He recognized Rob’s voice and that of a girl. Was it Joy? He didn’t think so, nor was it Nan.

  Then there was silence. Curious, he opened one eye and turned his head so he could peek out from under the magazine. Oh, now the silence made sense. He saw his son with arms wrapped around some woman, smiling into her face. Rob kissed her and then they both sank unde
r the water. Apparently, the two of them had no idea anyone was there. Nate quietly picked up his towel and headed into the house.

  By the time the couple had finished their swim, Nate was dressed and in the kitchen preparing snacks.

  “Dad! You’re home!” Rob exclaimed as he stood there, his handsome body dripping water onto the kitchen floor.

  “Hello, son,” said Nate. “I’m fixing some snacks and two drinks for you and your date. I hope that is okay with you.”

  “That’s wonderful, Dad, but make it three drinks. Come and join us, I want you to meet my girl.” Rob wrapped a beach towel around his waist and knotted it to the side.

  “Okay, I have time,” said Nate.

  “Just give me a minute before you come out, okay? No doubt Sharon will want to put on her coverup.”

  Nate chuckled, looking out the window at the pool area. A beautiful woman had just finished toweling herself off. She was dressed in a modest bikini, if there was such a thing. Nate amused himself thinking, Isn’t modest and bikini an oxymoron? Aloud, he said, “Hmm,” deciding that any comment he made at the moment would be wrong. Sometimes silence was golden.

  “One minute—got it,” said Nate turning to the refrigerator to add another can of soda as Rob left by the door. Nate moved back to the window staying out of sight. He could imagine what Rob was saying to the woman judging by the gestures toward the house. Rob picked up her beach coverup and offered it to her. The woman looked toward the house and quickly shimmied into it.

  Nate waited a few more seconds and then he picked up the tray and headed for the sliding door into the pool area. He managed to keep his balance while he opened and closed the door without dropping anything off the tray.

  Rob stood near a table and turned toward his dad with an expectant look on his face. Sharon was seated at the table, watching as Nate approached to set the tray down on the table.

  “Dad, this is my girlfriend, Sharon McGillicuddy. Sharon I’d like you to meet my father, Nate Goodrich.”

  “Hello,” said Sharon.

  “Please to meet you again, Miss McGillicuddy.” Nate offered his hand. “I’ve seen you at church many times,” he said, “but have never had the pleasure of meeting you.”

  “Of course,” said Sharon. “I’ve spoken with your wife, and I know your daughter well.”

  “Oh you know Joy?”

  “Yes, we see each other at the Sunday School opening service. Sometimes she leads the singing.”

  “I see,” said Nate, realizing that he did not know everything that went on in Joy’s life.

  “Here, Dad, sit down and join us,” said Rob, pulling out a chair for Nate.

  “Thanks, Rob. I’ll enjoy that.” He smiled at Sharon.

  Rob sat in one of the remaining chairs and folded his hands on the table. There was a strained silence while everyone waited for someone to say something.

  “Well,” said Nate, filling the silence, “why don’t we dig in? You choose first, Sharon. What would you like to drink?”

  “This will be fine, thank you,” said Sharon, choosing the water.

  Rob opened a can of soda for himself. Nate took the last one. “Here, please help yourselves to some chips,” Nate offered. Rob grabbed a handful and started munching. Sharon selected two chips and held them in her hand.

  Nate looked at the two of them, “So, tell me, how did you two happen to meet? At church, I suppose.”

  “Actually, no, Dad,” said Rob. “In fact, it’s quite a story.”

  “Oh really?” asked Nate.

  “How far back should I go?” Rob looked at Sharon.

  “Your story, you tell it,” said Sharon.

  “Well, I’ll start with the vandalism.”

  “Huh, what vandalism?” Nate said with some alarm. “I’ve missed something.”

  “It was while you were gone, Dad. No worries. It’s all fixed now.”

  “What happened?”

  “It sounds so juvenile, like a bunch of middle-schoolers, really.” Rob was a bit embarrassed.

  “Go on.”

  “Some guy came over in the middle of the night and rotten-egged my car and the house.”

  “Just like that? What did you do?”

  “Well, maybe he thought he was getting back at me.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, that’s another story, but anyway, I thought I should call the police and report this. I mean it wasn’t just a little egg or two, it was more like the whole chicken farm—dozens and dozens, a real mess.”

  “My goodness, I didn’t notice anything when I came home,” Nate remarked.

  “Good, I’m glad you didn’t see anything. The house looked okay to you?” Rob breathed with some relief.

  “Well, I didn’t know I was supposed to inspect the house. I just came inside and got in the shower.”

  “I think the restoration company did a really good job. But, look at the back of the house, Dad. Doesn’t it look cleaner or anything?”

  Nate stared at the house. “Looks the same to me.”

  “That’s a relief. You didn’t notice the house is a shade lighter, did you?”

  Nate studied the house again. “I see what you’re saying, now. But, it looks fine to me. So, you said they got the car, too.”

  “Yeah, well it was just one guy and thanks to Sharon, he has confessed. The cops charged him with a misdemeanor and he paid a fine. It’s all settled.”

  Nate turned toward Sharon. “You had something to do with this? I can’t believe that.”

  Sharon laughed. “Well, yes, but not the way you think.”

  “She’s a cop, Dad.”

  “Oh!” Nate’s eyebrows went up a notch. “A cop, you say? Well, good for you.”

  “Officer McGillicuddy was on duty when I called to report the vandalism. Lucky for me she came right out.”

  And so, my son fell in love, Nate grinned to himself, but I don’t think he knows it yet. The Lord works in mysterious ways. “And then what happened?” Nate asked.

  “Sharon investigated and did a great job for us. This is the result you see here,” said Rob waving at the house, “and I’m sure you will be pleased at the large checks sitting on your desk in the house.”

  “What checks?”

  “The check from the insurance company covering one hundred percent of the damages, and the second check from Beetle and Bailey LLC law firm covering twice the damages.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “Mom and I both signed off.”

  Nate looked from one to the other, and took a slug of his soda. “Well, young lady, I’m impressed. Thank you.”

  “Well, I only did my job. Rob did the rest,” she said modestly.

  “You, too, son,” said Nate. “Well, listen, if you two will excuse me, I have some things to do.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Rob, standing politely with his dad.

  “Nice to meet you, Sharon. I hope you can stay around for dinner,” said Nate.

  “Thanks, Dad, but we have other plans.”

  “Maybe another time,” Nate turned to leave, smiling to himself.

  Nate -THE SEARCH –

  Dorothy May Mercer

  Chapter 15 Kabandha’s Test Flight

  T uesday dawned clear and bright in Chicago. The fog and overcast skies from the previous day had cleared out. Kabandha rolled out of bed early, eager to get started.

  This would be the third of dozens of tests of the new ACAS-Xu system for collision avoidance tuned to work in some currently difficult operational situations. It would allow multiple sensor inputs and be optimized for unmanned airborne systems operating on auto-pilot.

  Because of that capability, the system could be programmed to take over the autopilot in manned aircraft, as well.

  The first two tests of the system with two manned aircraft had been very promising. And so, this test would be conducted with six airplanes and six drones in the skies over a remote section of Lake Superior—a place which was out of the normal co
verage of Ground Control. Almost no commercial airplanes used this corridor, and the military had been alerted to avoid flying certain Lake Superior airspace for the three-hour period.

  The test airplanes would be guided by GPS with live pilots, except if there was an imminent threat of a mid-air collision, in which case the autopilot would take over and perform a collision avoidance maneuver. The unmanned drones would be entirely guided by autopilot, their route and destination pre-programmed into their onboard computers. Today’s operation would be the first test of the system with more than two airplanes in the sky, simulating a crowded airspace such as exists over any large city in the world.

  Tucked away in Kabandha’s handbag was a simple thirty-dollar device easily obtained online, and frequently used by hired delivery drivers wishing to defeat their bosses tracking devices for a long enough time to take a nap. It was a GPS jamming device, intended to scramble GPS signals, in somewhat the same way that speeders used radar blocking devices to foil the traffic cops. Kabandha did not know how far out the jammer would work, but it would be fun to try.

  Kabandha would be an observer on this flight, and so it was quite all right for her to take a window seat part-way back in the cabin, but not over the wing. She wanted a clear view of the sky.

  Captain Mahoney was flying left seat. His voice came over the speaker system. “It’s a beautiful day in Chicago, folks. Please buckle up for take-off and turn off all electronic devices.” Within moments they were airborne and heading north over Lake Michigan. “Estimated time to our destination test-site is forty minutes.”

  Thirty-five minutes later, Kabandha could see they were over Lake Superior. Captain Mahoney announced, “We are approaching the test area. I will be deactivating our TCAS and our ADS systems, switching entirely to the ACAS-Xu. Counting down 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 activation.