Authors: Bobby Akart
“Do they have something to do with Abbie’s computer?” asked Steven.
“I think so, but this is what is confusing about the whole situation.” Katie rolled over on her back and stared upward. After catching her breath, she continued.
“The Zero Day Gamers, as they call themselves, are very talented and, so far, remain stealth. The hack of Abbie’s laptop used malware designed in such a way to avoid being flagged by any of the mainstream antivirus products. This particular RAT malware used numerous reverse connect-back mechanisms that provided remote access.”
“Isn’t that typical of what the Chinese use to steal financial data from someone’s computer?”
“Yes, but this was different. The hacker used three different connect-back mechanisms built in to improve the likelihood of establishing the command and control channel necessary to access Abbie’s computer. In addition, the malware was also
packed
to help avoid detection at rest.”
“What does
packed
mean?”
“At some point, Abbie must have interacted with an email containing the remote access Trojan malware. In the process, she probably received an innocuous-looking message box which displayed an error or some type of prompt. This inserted the malware into her computer system while encrypting the data to avoid detection. Very sophisticated.”
“Espionage?” asked Steven.
Katie sat up and propped herself against the headboard. She took another sip of Evian. She contemplated a glass of wine to relax but was too tired to get it. Katie continued.
“That was my first thought. The detail associated with this malware delivery screamed Chinese or Russian government spy agencies. Then I found the hacker’s error.”
“What was it?”
“The key to successfully hiding your identity when undertaking a hack is to make sure you pass through enough interim sites—proxy servers—to conceal your point of origin permanently.”
“Makes sense.”
“Hackers go through these extraordinary efforts, but this time a mistake was made. We were only successful because Abbie contacted us immediately and the hacker didn’t cover his tracks.”
“What did you find?”
“We searched Google and found the animated gif uploaded to Abbie’s computer. It was created on a community weblog called MetaFilter by a user named ZDG. We analyzed the MetaFilter weblogs and found the IP address of ZDG. I immediately performed a back trace on this IP address and found it still connected to Abbie’s computer. Apparently, the hacker failed to terminate his remote access program. Stupid mistake.”
“The two computers were still talking to each other?”
“They were.”
“Did you find a physical location for the IP address?”
“Yeah. Each IP source tool uses a different geolocation database and tries to find the Internet router that’s closest to the target IP. The accuracy of the result depends on the database used and the number of known routers in the target IP area. I pinned it down to within a two-mile radius—in Cambridge.”
“Our Cambridge or England?”
“The Cambridge in Boston, right in the heart of MIT.”
“Fuck me.”
Katie swatted him even though she knew it was Steven’s favorite figure of speech.
“Then I had a hunch.”
“What was it?”
“I went to two prominent hacker websites—hackers for hire and hackers list. I cross-referenced the IP address, Cambridge, MIT and ISP records for Internet service providers in the area with the metadata found on the hacker websites. I’ve isolated the IP user’s physical address to the Lofts at Kendall Square on East Binney Street. Ironically, the building is located next to a white hacker group known as Hack/Reduce.”
“Do you think they’re related?”
“I hope not. They were founded by a friend of mine.”
“So what’s the next step?”
“I need to inform Mr. Morgan. He’s wanted me to locate the Zero Day Gamers for months. I’ll need you to set up the meeting right away, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Anything else, ma’am?”
“Well, I am still a little wound up. Please help me fall asleep, sir.” She pulled his head toward her as she closed her eyes.
“With pleasure, ma’am.”
Chapter 41
August 3, 2016
1st Battalion, 25th Marines HQ
Fort Devens, Massachusetts
“That was an excellent presentation, General Drier,” said Brad as he offered the commander of the 4
th
Marine Division a seat in his office. “May I offer you something to drink? I have my own stash.”
Major General Paul Drier was a highly decorated combat vet who received a silver star and a legion of merit for his service. His duty assignments, before being given command of the 4
th
Marines, included the Pentagon, where he acted as the commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations. P, P & O is instrumental in organizing the military training exercises known as Jade Helm.
“Thank you, Brad, I will. Further, please call me Paul. You and I have a lot to discuss beyond the formality of rank.”
Brad handed him a glass of whiskey and settled in his chair.
This should be interesting
. “Cheers.”
“Brad, I’ll cut to the chase,” started General Drier. “Jade Helm has been on the drawing board for some time and was intended to resemble past realistic military training exercises like Bold Alligator and Robin Sage. These two exercises were barely noticed in the media or by the public. Jade Helm is different.” Drier took a sip of whiskey.
“Special Operations Command made a critical mistake last year by releasing the hypothetical map of the exercise, which identified Southern California, Utah, and Texas as hostile. These regions are typically considered politically conservative. The remainder of California, Colorado and Nevada—all leaning liberal—were identified as permissive. Doubling down on that map and increasing the exercise to include the Southeastern states has the conspiracy theorists stirred up, which is why P, P & O sent me on this dog and pony show around the country.”
“I understand, sir,” said Brad. “This year, when Special Operations Command tripled the military presence in both personnel and equipment, citizens grew concerned. On the surface, it appears our country is being conditioned for the appearance of the military in our streets. Social unrest in our major cities is being met with a military response, in addition to local law enforcement.” The Jade Helm activities screamed martial law in Brad’s mind.
“It started with the mishandling of the Ferguson, Missouri, riots two years ago,” said General Drier. “Law enforcement was ordered to stand down and not intervene as the unrest escalated out of control. Finally, the National Guard was called in, giving the appearance of a military clamp down. The same thing happened in Baltimore.”
Brad spent a considerable amount of time studying the government’s reactions to civil unrest. “A few decades ago, the thought of martial law in America was absolutely unthinkable, but today the increased intensity of societal unrest is causing a number of citizens to embrace the idea of troops patrolling our cities. It makes them feel safe.”
“Brad, there are some Executive Orders being signed in the coming days that should concern all of us. The President will use the EPA to limit the lead content in the manufacture of ammunition. He has instructed several agencies to purchase all available supplies of ammo for training purposes. He is also issuing regulations through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to limit the magazine capacities of long rifles to ten and pistols to seven, effective immediately. All magazines in capacities larger than ten and seven are deemed unsafe under Department of Health and Human Services guidelines and subject to confiscation. Finally, he is announcing a mandatory gun registration law, which will be a condition of receiving any federal government benefits or contracts. Failure to register all of your weapons will result in criminal and civil penalties—including civil forfeiture.”
“You mean they will confiscate your guns if you don’t register?” asked Brad.
“Yes, and also the real estate where the weapons were located, under civil forfeiture,” replied General Drier.
“Damn.”
“It gets better. In the past, the National Guard acted as a military support tool to the governors in the event of natural disaster or extraordinary social unrest. As you know, this is happening with regularity. The President, relying on an opinion from the U.S. Attorney General, is declaring the Posse Comitatus Act as inapplicable in the event of foreign hostilities against the United States. He plans on using all branches of the military to restore order on the streets if a catastrophic event occurs.”
The Posse Comitatus Act was a federal law limiting the power of the federal government in using the military as domestic law enforcement. The act specifically applied to the Army and Air Force, but the Navy adopted the provisions via regulations. Posse Comitatus did not apply to the National Guard or the Coast Guard.
That’s why they send a team to Camp Edwards.
“What type of catastrophic event?” asked Brad.
“It will be up to the President’s discretion. I believe this is the first step towards the implementation of martial law if deemed necessary.”
“General, our troops are not trained to operate under circumstances like martial law. In our policing role in the Middle East, the enemy was difficult to define, but at least their ethnicity was different. Soldiers are trained to be warriors, not peace officers. Putting full-time warriors into a civilian policing situation can result in serious collateral damage to American life and liberty.”
Brad recalled a GAO report after 9/11 when the suspension of Posse Comitatus was suggested. According to the report, while on domestic military missions, combat units were unable to maintain proficiency because these missions provided less opportunity to practice the skills required for hostile combat. The GAO concluded domestic unrest should fall under the purview of the National Guard as directed by a state’s governor. Disaster relief and responding to civil disturbances were core missions for the Guard, not active-duty combat soldiers.
“I agree, Brad. There are like-minded soldiers around our military who are staying in contact as this develops. Something is coming, we just don’t know what it is.”
Brad absorbed the words—something was coming. The Loyal Nine sensed this as well and were preparing accordingly.
“General, the globalists are racing toward World War III before people notice. I refuse to give up the freedoms of America to a group of New World Order architects and instigators behind the formation of a single, global state.”
“Then you and I see eye to eye, Brad. Now, let’s talk about how we can work together to save our country from its downfall.”
Chapter 42
August 13, 2016
Grand Floridian Hotel
Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida
Sarge walked through the lush gardens of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the site of this year’s annual Cato Institute conference. In May, Morgan insisted Sarge form a think tank on the matter of America’s sovereignty. As the research organization came to fruition, Sarge struck up a friendship with executive vice president of the CATO Institute, David Boaz. As a result, he was invited to be the keynote speaker by Boaz, the recognized voice of Libertarians nationwide. Cited often in Sarge’s best-selling book,
Choose Freedom
, Boaz was very supportive of Sarge last year as he conducted his research.
Boaz invited Sarge to join him and several Libertarian party leaders for drinks and dinner at Narcoossee’s, a spectacular waterfront pavilion overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon fronting the Magic Kingdom. Sarge loved the Victorian feel of the Grand Floridian and it made him miss Julia. Six months ago, he gave a speech at the Republican governor’s conference at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego before their ill-fated trip to Las Vegas. Julia joined him on the trip and they had lived together since. It was one hundred days until the Presidential election and Sarge suspected he would see Julia only sparingly. Perhaps a vacation getaway would be in order.
Sarge spotted the group of seven seated at a large window-front table facing the lagoon. Boaz waved to get his attention. He recognized Governor Mike Pence of Indiana.
“Sarge! Pull up a seat and join us,” said Boaz. “There are some folks I want you to meet.”
“Hi, everybody,” said Sarge. He immediately shook Governor Pence’s hand. “Governor, we’ve made a habit of meeting in Victorian-style hotel bars. Imagine what the media would think?” When Sarge and Julia arrived at the Hotel Del in February, they immediately went to the lobby bar, where they struck up a conversation with several republican governors, including Mike Pence.”
“Of course I remember, Sarge, we had a great conversation that afternoon, which I relayed to David,” replied Governor Pence. Boaz confirmed Pence was instrumental in Sarge’s invitation to speak at the Cato Institute conference.
“Folks, as you know if you paid attention during today’s incredible keynote speech, Professor Henry Sargent, Sarge to his friends, is a professor at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government,” said Boaz.
“Hi, Sarge,” said Nicholas Sarwark, chairman of the Libertarian Party. “You teach in the den of the lions, my friend.”
Sarge shook his hand and sat next to him. “Now that I’m tenured, I don’t have to hide in the shadows.” Sarge laughed. “I am clearly in the minority. But I am pleased to tell you, my students are less liberal than one might think—at least in my class.” Sarge observed the ferryboat crossing the lagoon, transporting guests to see their beloved Mickey Mouse.
“Sarge, I would like you to meet Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas,” said Boaz. “He’s a big fan of your book.”
“That’s right,” said Governor Brownback. “In fact, I have several questions about the concept of state sovereignty as it relates to the Keystone XL pipeline, but I won’t bore the rest of you with my headache.”