43 - The betrayal
Griffith - 7 am Saturday AEDT
Welcome to Part E (The Phisherman) of my online cyber thriller. If you haven't been reading along, I'd suggest you learn more about the story first by clicking HERE. If you'd simply prefer to start at Chapter 1, click HERE. To select a different chapter, click HERE.
Alan jumped up from the lounge, whooped in delight, and then ran throughout the house, screaming and cheering at the top of his voice. He didn’t need to hear more of the breaking news live stream. Seeing Nick Davies handcuffed and closely guarded as staff raced him from an ambulance into the emergency department of the Nepean Hospital in western Sydney made his day.1
Alan had already discovered the homeowner’s well-stocked bar in the games room. In preparation for his celebration, the largest glass he could find – a half stein – awaited him on the two-inch-thick eucalyptus bench top.
After starting an appropriate anthem at maximum volume, Alan carefully measured out the ingredients for the consummate martini – shaken, not stirred, of course, in honour of Britain triumphing over her enemies – then added a tablespoon of olive brine.
If I’m going to drink a martini, it’s got to be dirty.
Enjoying the Foo Fighters drowning out the live feed on his computer, Alan chugged the colossal cocktail without stopping to savour the flavour.
It was gone in eight seconds.
He poured another with less precision, then swaggered back to his computer.
Inspired by the music, he lifted his glass to the screen and saluted his nemesis.
Here’s to you, Action Man – may you rot in hell.
And when they eventually give you access to a computer, I will find you, no matter where they lock you away. And once I have 831 working, I’m going to imprison you inside your own body. You’ll want to scream every moment of every day – but your screams will be stuck inside your head.
He took a long sip, then carelessly dropped the heavy stein onto the toughened glass table top. The loud crack that appeared in the bronze-coloured surface meant nothing to him as he minimised the video feed from the local television station and opened the file directory for 831.
Being arrested on multiple child abuse and exploitation charges means Action Man will disappear into a dark hole for a long time.
Time for stage 2 – death of the cyber bitch.
Caught up in the euphoria of the loud music and copious alcohol, Alan focused on his foremost challenge: getting 831 operational.
Once that’s accomplished, giving Simpson what she deserves will be child’s play.
For the next hour, he examined various code segments, wrapping his head around the algorithms and controls that enabled the Agency’s cyber weapon to wreak such savagery via a simple computer device. He only paused for an occasional sip of his mammoth martini.
It wasn’t until the playlist stopped and a minuscule pool of salty fluid stained the stein’s base that Alan leaned back and watched the owner’s black and white cat as it warily crept through the living area.
He smirked and raised his dark eyebrows at the animal’s caution. It still didn’t trust him, despite the portions of tuna or yoghurt he was leaving in the nearby saucer twice a day.
He needed the cat to trust him so the apprehensive animal could be trapped with minimal fuss when the time was ripe.
Alan only remembered the news feed after the cautious cat had slunk from sight.
Time for another drink as Nigel Newscaster tells the world once again how Action Man was vanquished by the power of Z.
Reactivating the news feed on his laptop, Alan sauntered victoriously towards the bar.
He only took two steps before freezing at the vile words spewing from his speakers.
And in more breaking news on the international paedophile ring-bust, we cross live to Michele Renen, our correspondent in London. Michele, what can you tell us?
Well, Richard, I’m standing outside Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre, where Alison Simpson, the country’s finest hacker hunter, has dealt death to another den of depravity. Over the last hour, it’s rapidly fallen apart for this highly-sophisticated paedophile ring that’s been operating for several years on the Dark Web, as security forces in five countries performed simultaneous raids so the gruesome group could not warn one another of what was coming.
‘WHAT?’
Alan ran back to his computer screen, frantic to hear more.
The high-profile citizens arrested include a judge, two senior police officers, three politicians, and a member of a British crime squad that targeted child abusers. Of course, our viewers are all aware of the earlier news, that the leader of these perverted paedophiles is an American businessman who was arrested this morning in an armed shootout with police in Sydney, Australia, something the NCSC will confirm in their official press conference to be held right here at ten-thirty local time – and we’ll be bringing you that live when it happens in just under ten minutes, Richard.
Alan’s mind started racing as he recognised most of the names and faces that flashed across the screen.
Desperately, Z logged into the most popular of his three subscriber-based chats.
is anyone there? He anxiously awaited a response.
A minute passed with no replies. A solitary trail of sweat trickled from Alan’s forehead. His worst nightmare had come true.
Abaddon has betrayed me.
Alan knew it was him. The only other person who knew what was happening on Davies’ computer in DC was the author of the automated tool he’d used: Abaddon.
He did not dare send a message to Abaddon.
Not yet.
He would wait until he had 831 functioning.
His next communication with Abaddon would be his last.
Once Abaddon opens it, the King Phisher will disappear from every universe in precisely eleven seconds.
London – 1 pm Monday
“I’m sorry, Alison. I know you had a good working relationship with Nick. I’m sure that’s why he brought you in to catch the hacker blackmailing him over his pedo activities. You’re probably in shock, like everyone here in the States.”
Alison sighed under her breath whilst maintaining a blank-faced stare at Julio Estévez over the live feed into the Director General’s office.
Ignoring her lack of response, the bland American continued with his broad accent.
“I still can’t believe we all fell for his charade. Thankfully, it was exposed after Nick’s email to you triggered an Agency email filter. The techie who saw it didn’t know what was going on. He asked around the cyber team, but no one knew about any Project 831. What the techie did know was that we’d never let a ground SOG agent near one of our cyber projects.”
“Our senior technologist examined Nick’s laptop and traced several IP addresses in the log. He realised Nick was in a bad place. Our techies have been tracking him since. However, he was always two steps ahead of us.”
“When we contacted you, we weren’t aware of the paedophile ring Nick was running from his home. Our concern was the classified documents he’d been auctioning off on the darknet to cover his mounting gambling debts. Hence our request for your help.”
“Thankfully, you provided the links we needed to catch Nick, though everyone here is still reeling over his pedo activities. The rumour mill is going non-stop. People suspect that’s why Nick’s never been in a committed relationship.”
The DG interrupted. “So what’s going to happen to Davies? The last I heard, the Australians had him chained up in a private hospital room so he could recover from the injuries he sustained during his capture. And they want blood for two of their lads he hurt.”
“Ah, there’s nothing to worry about. Both Aussies are young. They’ll recover with only a scar or two to remind them – Nick only did enough to stop them from pursuing him. Thankfully, Nick’s injuries are minimal. He’s all good to fly back to us. And once Nick arrives in our custody, we hope to convince him to help us recover the documents he sold. Of course, given the covert operations he’s been involved in for his country and the free world over the years, we’ll need to keep him in a secure Agency facility. We can’t afford the risk of him being in a general prison population or another country, even if we are allies with you and Australia.”
There was a brief pause before Phil asked, “And what’s the latest on the paedophile ring?”
Julio smiled as he reported, “That has been a tremendous success, thanks to your team, Phil. Since you reported that server Alison discovered on US soil, nineteen of those sickos have been arrested across eight countries. I’ll send you a report once we’ve got things finalised on our end. And thanks again for all your help, especially you, Alison. I’m sure we’ll work together soon. ‘til then, take care, folks.”
Before anyone could utter a word, Julio Estévez from the NSA was gone. The video feed ended.
Alison turned to face Phil and the DG. Their faces clearly communicated that they weren’t happy.
“Well, I’ve got to go brief the Minister now about this cyber weapon that doesn’t exist. I think you should take Alison away for a private chat, Phil.”
Alison jumped to her feet when the DG and Phil stood as one.
Her heart sank when Phil looked at her with a pained expression and gently said, “Come on, Alison. We have a few things to discuss.”
She trudged alongside Phil down the brightly-lit hall to his office, shocked at Julio’s news. She appreciated her boss not wanting to chat as they walked – it gave her time to think.
I know Nick is brilliant in a cunning way. However, I don’t believe he could hatch such an elaborate ploy to trick me into finding his supposed blackmailer. And I know Nick could never fool the Game Master, who messaged me those details about Project 831.
The more Alison considered the chain of events over the last few days, the more she was convinced: Something isn’t right.
The two visitors’ chairs in Phil’s large office were designed for comfort. However, Alison could not relax. She knew Phil and the DG had already discussed her future before she sat down. Despite all the accolades she’d earned them in the past, they would not accept Nick Davies’ egg on their face without dishing out some consequences for her.
She respectfully waited as Phil looked at her. His pained expression communicated that he wasn’t happy with what he had to say.
Finally, after ten long seconds of silence that spoke a thousand words, he gently cleared his throat and spoke in a sorrowful tone.
“I’m sorry, Alison. I know you’ve solved many cases for us over the last decade. And we appreciate you busting that underground paedophile ring – it’s fantastic press for the NCSC and GCHQ. However, the DG feels the goose chase for a cyber weapon that doesn’t exist demonstrates we’ve given you too much freedom with your time and abilities. We can’t let you have such free reign in the future. So no more working on non-approved projects with NCSC resources – that means your time, equipment, software, anything. Next time someone from another security force, whether ally or not, requests your help, you come to me.”
“But, Phil, I’m still not convinced there isn’t a cyber weapon. Don’t you think the Agency would want to cover it up? Despite what Julio Estévez said, I know …”
“Enough, Alison. That story is finished. Davies is on his way to the States – I doubt either of us will see or hear of him again after this. The Yanks don’t like anyone trading their secrets. But when it’s one of their own … well, that’s why they have that bottomless pit in Cuba.”
Alison’s heart cried at Phil’s blunt assessment.
Nick was messed up. However, she could not accept the story the NSA told. Nick had given his life to fighting for freedom from terror. She knew from the drive back from Kidderminster that Nick was motivated by a profound reason money could never pay off.
However, the NCSC would take it no further.
Nor could she openly pursue it.
Though that’s never stopped me with other causes.
Alison withdrew from Phil’s office as soon as possible. And it wasn’t merely because the normally-cordial atmosphere with Phil was awkward – she’d felt the buzz in her pocket that let her know the Game Master had messaged her on their private chat.
Sitting down at her desk, Alison read D3vast@t10N’s brief note.
lul is in country house australia. will sms coords. no rush. im told he isnt going anywhereShe was not surprised to learn the Game Master knew her personal phone number. Although he’d never contacted her on it, she saw she had a new SMS from a private number with the title ‘The Game Master.’
Opening it revealed a link to an address just outside Griffith, New South Wales.
She emailed the information to Adam. After her meetings with the DG and Phil, the Aussies could deal with lul.
Next, Alison typed out a short response to the Game Master, thanking him for his assistance and constant guidance through the sad and sorry story of the last few days.
After clicking “Send,” she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
There was a short knock on her door. Evan stood in her office doorway with a large package in his hands.
“Sorry, Miss Simpson, but this arrived for you an hour ago.”
Alison recognised the handwriting as the young man handed her the bulky envelope. It was from her best friend, Fiona.
However, she couldn’t see where it was from; there was no return address or markings to show which country had received Fiona’s payment.
Alison wasn’t expecting anything from Fiona.
However, after her difficult sleep with more dreams and then facing Phil, the DG and Julio Estévez that morning, she was sure that opening a parcel from her best friend would be an excellent tonic.
Was she in for a shock. 2
Thanks for reading my online serial. I hope you enjoyed this chapter enough to click the heart-shaped LIKE button below. If you have any suggestions to help make it better or you simply want to encourage me as a storyteller (either would be appreciated), please leave a comment.If you’ve read my first thriller, “The Dream Walker,” you may recall reading about Joshua Livingstone watching a news report about Nick’s arrest in the last chapter.
You’ll find out what that is in my next thriller, to be released in 2024. And if you want to whet your appetite, you can read Fiona’s opening note to Ali by emailing mike@mikeharrisstories.com for the hidden link.