Read Online Techno Crazed (Hacked Investigations) by Sarah Makela - Free Book Online
Authors: Sarah Makela
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when he reached the limits of his mathematical brainpower.
A full sphere of knowledge filled the inside of his skull. Connections to the constructors’ databases, order sheets of materials and various contractor emails opened within seconds. The security measures had been lax and eagerly told him which TCP/IP ports were available, which in turn provided him a list of files through a small vulnerability caused by a null pointer in the right location. Elsewhere, he erased server logs files showing that he’d accessed the computers. The excitement of the minor hack rushed through him, and he felt a sense of pride in his talent and magic.
Slowly, he narrowed down the areas outside of his criteria. Some places had too-thin walls. Others had a high risk of corrosion eating through the seals, letting raw sewage wash over the proposed habitable area. Still more reported massive infestations of mutated rats or flesh-eating insects.
Finally, he found it. A little known maintenance area that had everything they needed. Fresh water the workers had used in showers. Warmth from the city gas network of nearby pipes. Electricity from the nuclear plant’s power lines that had been pulled below the streets to ensure energy to critical places, like hospitals. Irony washed over him at the location of their future hideout; after all, it was directly below the civil engineering section of the city’s public university.
Disconnecting from the spheres of data he’d built in his mind, he felt the toll of his gift. Throbbing pain lanced across his skull. Having the implants made things easier, but the chips now felt like superheated coins pushed against his skull. Agony blurred his vision.
He took a step toward the living room, but his limbs gave out, dropping him to the floor. He rolled into a fetal position, waiting for the anguish to ebb away. He just hoped Hannah was too busy packing her bags to notice. She didn’t need to worry about him.
Slowly the world became steadier, and strength returned to his limbs. He pushed into a standing position and went to the bedroom. He helped Bernard pack his clothes and necessities.
Hannah was waiting for them in the kitchen.
When they left, he closed the door and activated the ward. Part of him felt closed and sealed off now. MAX Home Security had driven him from his home. They were hunted. Anger stirred inside him. This would be the last time he was willing to turn and run. He picked up Bernard and stuffed him into his backpack, leaving a small hole for the gnome to breathe.
It was enough that he lived on the streets now. They didn’t need to draw attention by having a gnome walk down the sidewalk cussing and flipping people off while pushing some to the very edge of road rage. That would have them found before the judge could sign their warrant.
Outside the civil engineering building, a small, gray hatch that looked like a storm sewer entry was unlocked and covered by shrubs, giving them shelter from the parking lots surrounding it to climb down.
Inside, a reinforced concrete tunnel went down for what seemed like five or six stories. The ladder looked extremely sturdy, despite the decades it had been subjugated to corrosive moisture and biting cold weather during the winter.
Reaching the bottom, he turned his flashlight on and shone it along a tunnel leading toward the maintenance area. A few heavy pressure doors had been left open. The walls were sealed with bricks where the original tunnels had been constructed parallel to the massive sewer tunnels and cables. Behind one of them, he heard the sound of rushing liquid, which he prayed was the clean drinking water pumped toward the city instead of the sewer.
Setting his backpack down, Ian let Bernard out. The gnome spewed obscenities about the stink of his bag, and how it felt a little moist, recommending that Ian wash it before using it again. Behind them, Hannah continued climbing down with sure footing even in the dark.
Bernard curiously
A full sphere of knowledge filled the inside of his skull. Connections to the constructors’ databases, order sheets of materials and various contractor emails opened within seconds. The security measures had been lax and eagerly told him which TCP/IP ports were available, which in turn provided him a list of files through a small vulnerability caused by a null pointer in the right location. Elsewhere, he erased server logs files showing that he’d accessed the computers. The excitement of the minor hack rushed through him, and he felt a sense of pride in his talent and magic.
Slowly, he narrowed down the areas outside of his criteria. Some places had too-thin walls. Others had a high risk of corrosion eating through the seals, letting raw sewage wash over the proposed habitable area. Still more reported massive infestations of mutated rats or flesh-eating insects.
Finally, he found it. A little known maintenance area that had everything they needed. Fresh water the workers had used in showers. Warmth from the city gas network of nearby pipes. Electricity from the nuclear plant’s power lines that had been pulled below the streets to ensure energy to critical places, like hospitals. Irony washed over him at the location of their future hideout; after all, it was directly below the civil engineering section of the city’s public university.
Disconnecting from the spheres of data he’d built in his mind, he felt the toll of his gift. Throbbing pain lanced across his skull. Having the implants made things easier, but the chips now felt like superheated coins pushed against his skull. Agony blurred his vision.
He took a step toward the living room, but his limbs gave out, dropping him to the floor. He rolled into a fetal position, waiting for the anguish to ebb away. He just hoped Hannah was too busy packing her bags to notice. She didn’t need to worry about him.
Slowly the world became steadier, and strength returned to his limbs. He pushed into a standing position and went to the bedroom. He helped Bernard pack his clothes and necessities.
Hannah was waiting for them in the kitchen.
When they left, he closed the door and activated the ward. Part of him felt closed and sealed off now. MAX Home Security had driven him from his home. They were hunted. Anger stirred inside him. This would be the last time he was willing to turn and run. He picked up Bernard and stuffed him into his backpack, leaving a small hole for the gnome to breathe.
It was enough that he lived on the streets now. They didn’t need to draw attention by having a gnome walk down the sidewalk cussing and flipping people off while pushing some to the very edge of road rage. That would have them found before the judge could sign their warrant.
Outside the civil engineering building, a small, gray hatch that looked like a storm sewer entry was unlocked and covered by shrubs, giving them shelter from the parking lots surrounding it to climb down.
Inside, a reinforced concrete tunnel went down for what seemed like five or six stories. The ladder looked extremely sturdy, despite the decades it had been subjugated to corrosive moisture and biting cold weather during the winter.
Reaching the bottom, he turned his flashlight on and shone it along a tunnel leading toward the maintenance area. A few heavy pressure doors had been left open. The walls were sealed with bricks where the original tunnels had been constructed parallel to the massive sewer tunnels and cables. Behind one of them, he heard the sound of rushing liquid, which he prayed was the clean drinking water pumped toward the city instead of the sewer.
Setting his backpack down, Ian let Bernard out. The gnome spewed obscenities about the stink of his bag, and how it felt a little moist, recommending that Ian wash it before using it again. Behind them, Hannah continued climbing down with sure footing even in the dark.
Bernard curiously
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