Inside the STS Command Station Headquarters near the Office of Administration on the campus of Renard University, Luc sat in a briefing session with his fellow STS Agents lined up in rows and listening to his commanding officer, Captain Remi Konnard, recount the events that led up to today. They all wore the black uniform of the STS. The wall behind Captain Konnard being giant screen itself, projected pictures of relevant evidence while Konnard spoke. The first picture on the wall showed the hacked computer from the Office of Administration. The computer and desk still wrapped up with crime scene tape. Captain Konnard described this first piece of evidence.

“Government computer scientists were able to trace the intrusion to this computer which was used by the mole we unmasked a couple of months ago.”

The next picture replaced the first one on the wall behind Captain Konnard. It showed a schematic diagram of the National University and a bundle of glass fibers which packets of light ran through representing data.

“Hackers operating off-shore streamed the stolen data away from the National Laboratory to somewhere in the cloaked part of the dark net. We still do not know who these hackers were or who they were working for or even where the data is now. Government computer scientists are working on the answers.”

The next picture was the same as the previous except for the addition of a red alarm icon pulsating from the schematic diagram of the National Laboratory.

“The theft of the data was only discovered when the University’s network intrusion protection system sensed trespassers and alerted UEN government network monitors. Once alerted to the break-in, they were able to trace the steps of the intruders and determine what data was stolen and transmitted into the dark cloud. No one knows why the intrusion protection system activated after the theft of data was complete, but for now, there are bigger issues to worry about.”

Luc knew who tripped the alarm! He tried to hide his reaction. Good, he thought, that means no one knows it was Bastian who tripped the alarm. He’s safe.

The picture changed to show the National Laboratory’s underground research Transportal. A diagonal banner with the word “SECRET” covered most of the picture.

“And this is the bigger problem.” Captain Konnard gestured toward the picture behind him. “The data that was stolen contained the log files from the laboratory’s research Transportal and its archives. In addition, some of the reserachers’ lab notes and secret, unpublished results were also part of the data theft. Whoever possesses this information could, in time, reverse-engineer it and replicate the results. This means that the genie might be out of the bottle. The technology of teleportation may eventually be in the hands of our enemies or in the hands of the nations of the CoC one day.”

The picture changed again. Now the wall displayed a photo of the UEN’s National People’s Congress where the 3000 delegates from all over the UEN convene once a year to enact laws for the nation. Captain Konnard continued with his briefing.

“Since the threat of another country being able to reverse-engineer the stolen data quickly is slim, government officials have decided to withhold news about this data theft from the public for now while we and other public entities try to either retrieve the stolen data or neutralize the thieves who took it and who now have it. There’s no need to worry the populace at large if the problem can be contained quickly by us.”

Luc’s raised his eyebrows and his eyes widened to hear this. ‘Neutralize’ is code for ‘assassinate!’ Does that mean the Ruling Party is willing to risk starting a war over this incident?

The wall behind Captain Konnard went dark and the pictures displayed no more, but Captain Konnard was not finished with his presentation.

“Because of the seriousness of this data theft, guards, patrols and investigators are doubling up again. Your new assignments will be communicated to you. Thank you for attending.”

With the briefing over, STS Agents stood up from their chairs and tried to look up their new assignments and marching orders. In the middle of the commotion, Captain Konnard called to get Luc’s attention.

“Agent Luc! Before you go, could I please have a word with you?”

Luc jumped a bit. He was not expecting his Captain to single him out. “Yeah, Captain Konnard? What can I do for you?”

“Thank you, Luc. You’ve still been practicing at the holo-gun range, haven’t you?”

“You bet I have! Been keeping my marksmanship up.”

“Wonderful! You’re being reassigned from the High School to the National Laboratory. We need all our experienced Agents to guard the research offices and lab as they are higher value targets.”

Luc’s face lit up at this unexpected reassignment and he sat up straighter. His experience and abilities were finally being recognized and high command moved him up from “lunch lady” duty at the High School to an assignment worthy of his skills and seniority. Luc was unable to contain some of his smug happiness.

“Well, this is sudden! But, hey, I’m glad my underutilized abilities are finally being acknowledged. So, who will be taking my place at the High School?”

“We’ll assign some new recruits at the High School to take your place. Until further orders come down, please report to the National Laboratory Offices starting with your next shift. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir!” Luc spoke for once without a sign of his typical sarcasm.