From: aharonet@panix.com (Aharon Etengoff)
Subject: The Data Wars
Date: Sun Mar 05 04:05:45 MET 1995

                                The Data Wars By: Gandalf The Grey
     The words flitted across the screen; gibberish, albeit very important
gibberish that was headed for de-encryption. Daemon Thom was very busy
indeed. The rate of the data flow had increased so much that Rasker
promised another daemon would be created to help. The codes were
incredibly complex.  Algorithms struggled for milliseconds to de-encrypt
the encryptions. The data was being transmitted from Planet Naklz; to
Rasker's ship, which was bound for the Daned cluster.
     The data packet contained very imporant information regarding a newly
discovered alien race. Encryption was a necessity; there was always some
data happy fool with a wide band reciever that collected random bits of
data flowing across the galaxy. However, this was very important data, as
planet Naklz had recently been visited by the new aliens. They called
themsleves the Kiom, which they claimed meant 'peace.' No one believed
this, and from what Rasker had read from the data packet, the so called
diplomatic visit had been nothing but a hurried reconnaissance mission.
     The GP (Galaxy Police) would be on red alert now, scrambling all
ships.  The Galaxy Police was composed of the galaxie's sentient species,
and worked together, (usually) to protect all races equally. The Kiom were
a particularly advanced race, that much was obvious. They possessed
considerable intelligence; Daemon Thom had pointed that out, after
de-encrypting a particularly complicated computer transsmission they had
intercepted.
     Rasker's fingers flew across the keypad, accessing the Net news.
Hmm...  This was interesting. The Kiom had left Haven, and were headed
towards the Daned cluster. Rakser summoned Daemon Thom, and told him to
reply to planet Naklz that the packet was safetly received, and the
information would be relayed to the proper people as soon as was possible.
Rasker checked his status screens; all seemed normal, except that the Kiom
were accelerating at a very fast rate. According to the ship's computer,
the Kiom fleet would arrive at the Daned cluster shortly after Rasker.
     The Daned cluster housed the GP headquarters of the galaxy. Why the
Kiom had decided to visit little Naklz before visiting the hub of the
galaxy was a mystery. However, the GP cared little for mysteries. They had
declared a galaxy-wide alert, and ordered all systems to completely stop
entries of unknown ships. The Kiom would meet with the top brass, and only
the top brass. Rasker was considered top brass. He was a computer
programmer (hacker) hired by the GP to collect data and de-crypt data
which the GP needed access to.
     Rasker dipped into the Net again; this time accessing the newly
created Kiom archive. He dowloaded a few video clips. The Kiom were not
visually impressive. Tall, and with four sets of strange claws, they
looked primitive, but that was not the case. The Kiom did not look vaguely
human, they looked like a cross between an insect and a lizard. The Kiom
wore loose fitting clothing, and each had a weapon of some sorts. Hmmm...
as of one minute ago, the GP had cordoned off Naklz.
     Rasker sighed, and returned to the Current Events newgroup. The Kiom
fleet was flying in tight formation, apparently heading straight for the
Daned cluster. The GP was strongly suggesting that no detours be made. No
one knew if the Kiom were monitoring the Net news, but they strongly
suspected the Kiom were well aware of it, and certainly capable of
recieving Net info.
     Rasker logged off the Net, and brought up his programming tools.
Humming softly to himself, he began creating another Daemon to help Thom
sift through the ever increasing blocks of data. It took him two hours to
complete the task. Basically; he had re-written Thom's old code; changed
the ego loop, and installed a direct link into Daemon Thom's data
processing center. This would enable them to assimilate data directly. He
called the new daemon: Daemon Helper. Rasker compiled the new code, then
executed it. Daemon Helper went right to work. Rasker leaned back in his
seat, and called up the Net.  Rasker swore softly to himself. He was
becoming as bad as those data addicts he despised.
     This time, there were several new articles posted on the Current
Events group. The GP had quarrantined planet Naklz. Not even data was let
in or out.  Naklz was temporarily off the Net. Rasker grimaced. This
reeked of a cover up. Apparently, everyone else thought so to, and there
were plenty of theories as to why Naklz had been cut off the Net.
Information blackout regarding the Kiom was one. A virus that infected
Naklz's computers was another. Rasker grinned. Well, he had the info.
Besides, no matter what the GP did, data would find it's way through
quarrantine. Data always found a way. At least, that was what he sincerely
hoped. Life would be mighty boring without data. He checked the
destination info. Estimated arrival time:  twenty four hours. He needed
some sleep, but first he was going to check out the GRC (Galaxy Real Time
Chat.)
     Rasker joined channel #data; and found a couple of his friends
online.  He split his screen into three windows, so he could view all at
once. His face, his friend Jik, and Jenny. Jenny and Jik were in the midst
of an animated conversation involoving the structural data patterns of
collosq code when Rasker broke in.  "Rasker!" Jenny greeted him.
"Rasker!" Jik grinned and looked at him warily.  "Well, where is the great
data man headed now?"  "Damn it Jik, I told you, I don't care about that
hacking incident. The GP-"  "The GP is to busy to worry about it anyhow,"
Jenny interrupted.  "And Jik," she chided, "Rasker would never report
hacking done by you."  Jik grinned. "Of course not," he said grumpily, "He
would have to report himself. I taught him everything he knows."  Rasker
rolled his eyes.  "So what are you up to now?" Jenny asked.  "Ummm," he
muttered, noncommittally, "Nothing much. The usual."  Jik looked at him
strangely. "Oh, oh," he said softly, "'Ol Rasker is involved with-"  "Shut
up," Jenny cut him off abruptly. "This is not a secure channel, Jik."  She
looked at Rasker with concern. "Be careful," she warned, her dark brown
eyes flashing. "This is big, real big."  Rasker grinned good naturedly.
"Aw, Jenny, of course I'll be careful. But right now my head is pounding.
I need some sleep. Talk to ya later. And we have to rezendevous sometime
in the near future."  "Take care, Rasker."  He waved, and cut the
connection. Rasker stood up and yawned. Damn, he was tired. Moving
carefully, he made his way to his room, and fell asleep immediately.


 He awoke twelve hours later.  Feeling much refreshed, Rasker grabbed a
food pack, and ate hurriedly. He went to the command center, and sat down.
His screen was blinking. Still chewing on his tasteless breakfast; he
scanned his mail. The first message was from Jik. Jik appeared on the
screen, his eyes tired.  "Rasker, sorry about yesterday. But anyhow, I
found out that the GP knows more then it is letting on about the Kiom. No,
I cannot reveal the source. At least not right now. However, I might
consider a trade. Business is business, you know."  His faced faded, and
was replaced by a burly man in a military uniform.  This was his second
message. Rasker leaned forward and frowned. The general was obviously high
ranking, this was made evident by the fact that medals were pinned
everywhere on his uniform. The general was human. And so was his manner of
speaking.
     "Rasker: This is General Tral. As you are probably are very aware,
the Kiom is directly behind you. Hithero, they have not made a hostile
gesture, and I hope this good behavior continues."  The general shook his
head enthusiastically, then continued.  "The computer transmissions that
are being beamed back and forth from alien ship to alien ship is highly
important. Make sure that the data is gathered, but do not decode it. Any
attempt at de-encryption will be viewed as treason, and treason is not
taken lightly."  The general's voice became cold as he went on. "The
situation is highly combustible, and the tiniest spark can result in many
catastrophies.  Therefore, I recommend caution. Rasker," the general said
gravely, "No one is irreplacable."
     The screen went dark. Rasker's first reaction was amazement, then he
smashed his fist down on the console, and said, "Daemon Thom, stop
immediately. Await further instructions."  That done, he leaned back in
his chair and thought the situation over.  The GP was surely up to
something; and this time their paranoia was obvious.  But, one thing was
clear. A threat had been made, and a serious one at that.  Rasker did not
enjoy being threatened, especially by his employers, however auspicious
they might be. Back to the problem of halting the de-encryption process.
Conceiveably; it could be a reaction to the vast media circus surrounding
the Kiom crisis. This did not seem likely. No, this was something bigger,
something that involved many angles, most of which Rasker could not even
guess. He was, after all, only a computer hacker.
     Sighing, he scanned through the current events group. Many races were
openly hostile towards the Kiom. One Lantis; an amphibiuous type of
creature, wrote:  "The Kiom cannot and will not be trusted. Their overall
lack of cooperation has proved that we can expect nothing from them.
Therefore, I heartily recommend the GP and all else involved to act with
great caution."  Other races felt the same. Rasker frowned deeeply. This
was not the first time a frightening alien race had been discovered. But
this was the first time the GP and the galalxy in general had responded
with such caution and violent measures. Idly, he checked the screen for
the Kiom. They were still right behind him, neither accelerating or
slowing down. ETA was four hours.  Four hours to not de-crypt code. Rasker
leaned back and sighed. It felt strange not to be busy, work was what his
days and nights were composed of.
     Therefore, he was determined to do something. Firstly, the
information that Jik had given him. The GP knew more about the Kiom then
they were telling. That much was obvious, and made even more so by the
quarantine imposed on Naklz. Why did the Kiom visit Naklz. Rasker was
beginning to think that they had been searching, searching for something
vital. Whether or not the search had been successful was probably known
only to the GP and the occupants of Naklz. Hence, the data blackout.
     But a complete blackout was impossible. He had several reliable
contacs on Naklz. Unfortunately, all incoming data was bounced back. His
only alternative was to intercept a random transsmission. The message
would only be text, and hastily created. Rasker swung around to the
console.  "Daemon Thom," he ordered. "Keep an eye out for any data
emanating from Naklz's general direction."  If he managed to intercept
even a bit of data, that at least would be a start. But until then...
     Rasker scanned the current events newsgroup. Frowning slightly, he
read the following post.
     From: The GP Topic: Official GP Press Release Keywords: Negotiations,
statements, protection is priority.  Language: Standard-Basic
     'The GP has prepared for meeting with the Kiom in the following
fashion:  There will be a news blackout. The delicate negotiations and
disscussions cannot and will not be distorted by over-eager news
reporters. Whatever we deem worth releasing, will be released with a
statement outlawing any alterations, save for authorized updates from the
GP.
  And let me asssure you, those will be far and few between. The GP is
here to protect the galaxy. It would not do to have random bits of
unconfirmed information making rounds across the Net, causing havoc and
feelings of unease.
  Whatever is released will be quick and concise. There will be no doubt
as
 to the authenticity of the post. Naturally, speculation will be allowed,
so
 as long as the actual text is not altered.'
     Of all the strange posts Rasker had come across, this was, by far,
the most thought provoking. The GP was the galaxie's government, or
whatever passed as one. They were not interested in ruling, rather, the GP
was a loose coalition of species working together to protect the galaxy
against threats.  Never before had the GP sounded so pompous and
politically oriented.  Disscussions and negotiations? Who would have
thought?! The GP's standard technique was to settle whatever had to be
settled at the end of a laser rifle. For the GP to have taken a pacifist
approach was unprecedented.  Doubtless this would go down in Net history.
     But perhaps the GP had no other alternative. Could it be that the
Kiom possessed such horrible and superior weapons that they were forced to
'negotiate?' That word, in itself implied that the Kiom had triumphed, and
without firing a single shot. This could prove to be interesting, not to
mention dangerous. As Rasker looked at the view-screen, displaying the
Kiom fleet, he could not stifle a sudden shiver.


 The Tandl system in the Daned cluster was designated as the rezendevous
and meeting place between the GP and the Kiom. Planet Nov was a temperate
planet, and a training center for the GP elite. Naturally, the troops were
placed in defensive ground positions, protecting important equipment and
vital parts of the planet.
     The planetary shield was fortified; Planet Nov shut down all
non-essential power, channeling as much energy as was available into the
shield generator. Above the planet, and throughout the Tandl system, the
GP had gathered an impressive armada. There were the large and bulky
battleships, not easily manuvered, but they had extensive shielding and
excellent armament; Scorpion super cruisers, highly flexible, and
moderately armed; Lynx fighters, and alot of other war frigates. All were
in combat ready positions.

General Tral examined the readout.  "Have the battleships move into a
frontal attack pattern.  All other ships are to assume patterns SZ2." The
aide snapped to attention, and hurried off to relay his orders.  Tral
frowned.  This was risky, to risky, in his opinion.  The head of the GP;
Commander Belen was on Planet Nov, waiting.  Waiting to meet a mysterious
alien race. Damn, they should have blown them out of the sky. Now look at
the situation. He forced himself to calm down, and looked at the screen.
The Kiom were due in the system in- seven minutes.
  "All ships, this is General Tral. ETA is approximately seven minutes.
No aggression unless any is shown. Maintain present defense positions.
Fighter squadron four, you will escort a single Kiom ship down to planet
Nov.  Turn to secure com channel now. Stand by for de-encryption key. Got
it? Good."
     Rasker manuevered his ship into orbit above Nov. The GP wanted
immediate de-briefing.
     "James Rasker," the com barked, "You are cleared to land. Lock
circuits to our computer. We'll bring you in."  Rasker complied, his hands
flying over the data pad. He glanced at his screen. The Kiom had just
entered the system. In perfect synchronization, all GP ships faced the
Kiom, armed and ready, while fighters zipped back and forth providing
potential fire power.......................................  To be
continued in next month's pack..........
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