Chapter 9: Automatic Terror Machine

by Tim Mullen as "Matthew"

Matthew regarded Capri ”she was absolutely beautiful. His eyes followed her movements through a haze of smoke. She danced with a natural grace and style that many of the dancers there envied, and delivered a body of such perfection and tone that all the men there wanted. And yet, by some remarkable grace of fate, she was with him, his girl, as she would say. As he watched her on stage, he wondered what it was that she saw in him. He wasn t the world s best looking guy, and he hadn t always been the most honest person in the world, but these days he did have a solid job, and he was making some money. That was probably it, and though it kind of bothered him, he knew that was something a lot of people didn t have, particularly in the area of South Africa where he lived

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

He thought of how he loved her, though he wasn t really in love with her. Although she was incredibly sexy, pretty smart, and a knockout in the sack, he just didn t trust her enough to let himself fall in love. He chalked that bit of mental blockage up to his ex-wife. Seems that while he was out supporting them in his role as Uber Haxx0r, she was at home letting script kiddies bust root on her box. It would be a while before his own personal firewall rules would allow anyone access to those ports again.

She spun around the silver pole, her hair following along just a moment behind. She looked at him with a smile that would most certainly cause a buffer overflow in someone whose stack was less hardened than his. That s not to say that her bright smile and beautiful eyes did not have an effect on him ”they did. In fact, he was growing more and more attached to her as the days went on.

Part of his apprehension was also due to the business she was in. It didn t bother him too much at first; hell, she was a stripper, and he met her in that very club. How close to her could he get? But close he did get, and these days he found himself starting to get a bit jealous, particularly when some good-looking , rich prick would come in and get a dance from her.

He half-forced a smile back at her, thinking that now he could finally free her from this place. She needed help, and he could give it to her. He could save her from all of this, from herself.

He was very close to something big. If he pulled it off, he would have enough money to get them both on the road to a new life. Maybe then he could start to trust her, and maybe even settle down. He stopped himself when the image of him pushing a child on a swing started to form itself in his mind.

As if on queue, Matthew s pager went off. It was him ”Knuth ”the call he was waiting for. He made his way to the bathroom, closed the door, whipped out his cell phone, and dialed the number.

That was quick, thank you, said the voice answering on the other end of the phone.

Yes, sir, I m good like that, Matthew said to the man he knew only as Knuth, though he didn t say his name .

I ve reviewed the scenarios you posed to me based on the hypothetical events we initially discussed, and I like what I see like it very much indeed. I m comfortable with extending an offer to you for your services.

Matthew tried to sound cool, though he almost did what he didn t come into the bathroom to do. That sounds good, sir. I m ready to begin immediately, though it may take me a while to produce the tools needed.

My schedule is tight. We don t have much time.

Of course. I m ready to dedicate the time ”like I said, I can start right away. It s just that I ll need, um , Matthew purposefully paused for effect.

A deposit? asked Knuth, making it sound more like a statement than a question.

Indeed. A deposit. I suppose it is time to discuss payment, then? prompted Matthew.

No, there will be no discussion. You will be paid 700,000 rand. I understand you will consume time and expenses, so I have already deposited 350,000 into your bank account. It was a chance I took, knowing you would accept. You are now bound by my terms.

You what?? That money can t go into my bank account! What if , Matthew s plea was forcefully interrupted .

Don t be a fool. I deposited into your other account. The one you think no one knows about.

Matthew scanned his mind quickly. Where have I used that account? he thought. How could he know about it? This is a trick There is no way he could know!

Almost in a hiss, Knuth said slowly and confidently, You pause for too long, sir. You are asking yourself how I could know. You tell yourself that it was a secret, something I could not know. Yet, it is obvious that I do.

You are playing a new game my young hacker friend. And you are playing with an entirely new level of player. In the same way that I know all about you and your, shall we say ass-sets, I know that you are the man for this job. I assume you accept my terms?

Matthew was stunned. Um, yeah. I mean, yes sir. I accept your terms.

I ve sent you an encrypted e-mail outlining my needs in more detail. Wipe it after you are finished reading it. I will be in contact with you soon to check your progress. You can tell no one of this, no one. Do you understand?

Yes, sir, replied Matthew. I understand.

Excellent. I look forward to our mutual success, my friend.