noticeable.
The discarded plastic bag lay in a stainless steel bowl. On the plastic bag in typically bureaucratic language was printed the message: MILSPEC 1993-35.77, Recording Chip -- DOD/CSAC Classified -- Z Level -- Cryptographic.
The MILSPEC 1993-35.77 Recording Chip was a remarkable technological breakthrough. Small enough to be inserted subcutaneously into a courier's body, the chip was programmable through use of digitized magnetic induction devices. Once programmed, the chip could not be altered by conventional devices. For example, magnetic detection security gates at airport security stations could not alter the message implanted in the cylinder. The chip had to be physically removed to access or change the magnetically induced message.
If removed by someone other than a CSAC surgeon using the proper extraction tool, the chip would be rendered useless. The chip was used only for the most secret information. The existence of the recording chip was one of CSAC's most closely guarded secrets.
In Mildred's case, the information had been encoded using an induction magnetizer at the CSAC field office located at the Grand Forks Air Force Base near Grand Forks, North Dakota. The basic data had been flown by military personnel from Watch Station Four located somewhere in Lake Superior. Since the nearest encoding devices were located at Grand Forks, the data had been flown there instead of directly to Washington.
Mildred was encoded after checking into the CSAC office at the air base. Data encoding did not require intrusive surgery. A digital transmitter was placed next to the site of the cylinder and after a brief moment, the message was recorded. Mildred was then handed tickets to Minneapolis and New York and from there to Washington. The circuitous route was to minimize any interference with the courier, who, as far as the world was concerned, was merely on a shopping trip for her Scandinavian hobby shop.
After the superficial wounds on her left hand and neck were treated and Mildred had dressed, she went down to the security office where George Smith had been attempting to identify Mildred's attacker.
1800 Hours: Thursday, June 10, 1993: George Smith's Office, Washington, D.C.
George Smith, an ex-FBI special agent, was the civilian chief of security at CSAC. His law enforcement demeanor and ten years experience as a special agent of the FBI was especially useful in his present job. Under cover as a security consultant to the State Department, Smith was known to all federal agencies and to many state criminology departments as well.
Smith was a thin, dapper man. He wore navy blue suits year round, starched white shirts, red and black striped ties, and heavy, black, plain-toed shoes. Smith was fond of wearing the black-rimmed glasses made famous by Barry Goldwater, the Republican candidate for President of the United States in 1964. His dark hair was always cut in a short but presentable fashion. In a way he looked like a younger version of the singer Roy Orbison, a comparison he secretly enjoyed. Despite that small vanity, Smith was a serious person not given to humor or idle gossip.
Smith's office was strictly utilitarian, middle management, federal agency issue. The tan metal desk was complemented by russet leatherette and metal chairs. Smith kept few personal items in his office, preferring to maintain a respectful distance between his office and home lives. His office had a green chalkboard, upon which Smith did some of his best thinking. The security files in his office were armed with electronic locks, set to signal security if any unauthorized attempt were made to open them. You got the combination right the first time or large silent men dressed in black suits, with no sense of humor, immediately showed up at your door.
A half dead plant sat forlornly on the top of the security cabinet. Try as he might, Smith was no gardener. Smith was on the
The discarded plastic bag lay in a stainless steel bowl. On the plastic bag in typically bureaucratic language was printed the message: MILSPEC 1993-35.77, Recording Chip -- DOD/CSAC Classified -- Z Level -- Cryptographic.
The MILSPEC 1993-35.77 Recording Chip was a remarkable technological breakthrough. Small enough to be inserted subcutaneously into a courier's body, the chip was programmable through use of digitized magnetic induction devices. Once programmed, the chip could not be altered by conventional devices. For example, magnetic detection security gates at airport security stations could not alter the message implanted in the cylinder. The chip had to be physically removed to access or change the magnetically induced message.
If removed by someone other than a CSAC surgeon using the proper extraction tool, the chip would be rendered useless. The chip was used only for the most secret information. The existence of the recording chip was one of CSAC's most closely guarded secrets.
In Mildred's case, the information had been encoded using an induction magnetizer at the CSAC field office located at the Grand Forks Air Force Base near Grand Forks, North Dakota. The basic data had been flown by military personnel from Watch Station Four located somewhere in Lake Superior. Since the nearest encoding devices were located at Grand Forks, the data had been flown there instead of directly to Washington.
Mildred was encoded after checking into the CSAC office at the air base. Data encoding did not require intrusive surgery. A digital transmitter was placed next to the site of the cylinder and after a brief moment, the message was recorded. Mildred was then handed tickets to Minneapolis and New York and from there to Washington. The circuitous route was to minimize any interference with the courier, who, as far as the world was concerned, was merely on a shopping trip for her Scandinavian hobby shop.
After the superficial wounds on her left hand and neck were treated and Mildred had dressed, she went down to the security office where George Smith had been attempting to identify Mildred's attacker.
1800 Hours: Thursday, June 10, 1993: George Smith's Office, Washington, D.C.
George Smith, an ex-FBI special agent, was the civilian chief of security at CSAC. His law enforcement demeanor and ten years experience as a special agent of the FBI was especially useful in his present job. Under cover as a security consultant to the State Department, Smith was known to all federal agencies and to many state criminology departments as well.
Smith was a thin, dapper man. He wore navy blue suits year round, starched white shirts, red and black striped ties, and heavy, black, plain-toed shoes. Smith was fond of wearing the black-rimmed glasses made famous by Barry Goldwater, the Republican candidate for President of the United States in 1964. His dark hair was always cut in a short but presentable fashion. In a way he looked like a younger version of the singer Roy Orbison, a comparison he secretly enjoyed. Despite that small vanity, Smith was a serious person not given to humor or idle gossip.
Smith's office was strictly utilitarian, middle management, federal agency issue. The tan metal desk was complemented by russet leatherette and metal chairs. Smith kept few personal items in his office, preferring to maintain a respectful distance between his office and home lives. His office had a green chalkboard, upon which Smith did some of his best thinking. The security files in his office were armed with electronic locks, set to signal security if any unauthorized attempt were made to open them. You got the combination right the first time or large silent men dressed in black suits, with no sense of humor, immediately showed up at your door.
A half dead plant sat forlornly on the top of the security cabinet. Try as he might, Smith was no gardener. Smith was on the
Similar Books
