Noah nodded. “However, I’ve been experimenting with a tool I put together and I’ve managed to bypass that restriction. In fact, after some more work on the algorithm, I believe it would be able to, theoretically, intercept any key.”
Executing the program, Noah demonstrated that. The Director hummed, narrowing his eyebrows. He looked intrigued.
“I was curious how far I could take it myself, so I played around some more and after circumventing the VPN, I managed to gain access to the data of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Eastern-Pacific Asia branch. I’m not talking about just regular files that any employee on the internal network can access either. I’m talking classified, password-protected data, emails, schedules, activity reports… even people’s computers.”
Noah typed in a few more commands and pulled up the credentials’ database first. So far, he’d made it sound easy, that was part of his game plan, but the truth was it had taken him a month of minimal sleep, tons of energy drinks and a lot of trial-and-error and manual brute-forcing to get here. They didn’t need to know that though; itserved Noah nothing. He was mediocre at best, but the Church’s systems were a few years behind every other country.
What Noah wasn’t mentioning was the issue of actually decrypting those files, but it was beside the point of his hacking exercise. Plus, that part was easier to outsource anyway.
“I also found traces of break-ins,” Noah continued, not letting the Director’s attention slip away from him. “Some of them are from less than a week ago. The most targeted areas are the representatives’ information and the majority of the attacks occurred while they were abroad. As you know… our solutions can prevent a lot of these attacks, but some of the newer forms of malicious activity require real-time countermeasures as they happen and, currently, we are unable to provide that. I am sure that in time, we will figure out measures, but by then the hackers will have moved on to some new gimmick.
“During my initial research, I identified that the largest concentration of breaches occurs at our Asian consulates, and in particular, the one in Seoul.” Noah paused here, drinking some water while his audience digested all the information and statistics he’d visualized in fancy graphs and diagrams. “My guess is that there are parties who want to hinder the Holy Empire’s efforts to improve relations with the Asian Federation. The most viable solution I see at the moment is to appoint a tech specialist to each of our diplomatic missions around the world. Obviously, that is a difficult undertaking we can’t blindly jump into, which is why I suggest an initial trial run in the Eastern-Pacific Region.”
The Director’s lips curved up. “Teresa! Where’d you find this young man?”
“I told you, Bruno. You’ll hardly find anyone more dedicated than Noah,” she chuckled, wrapping her fingers around Noah’s arm.
The Director shifted his gaze back to Noah, grin widening. “I am truly impressed. So, what do you say, Teresa? Shall we give this a go?” he directed at her, patting the desk with his hand. “We shall or you wouldn’t have bothered to endorse him. Of course, Noah, whoever is to be that specialist will have to undergo extensive training and…” He scrunched his eyebrows, thinking. “Be ready to accompany our newly appointed ambassador to Seoul in January. Tell me, do you have a person in mind for this experimental position?”
Noah looked the Director in the eyes. “Yes, Director. As the person who’s worked on this so far, I believe I’m qualified for this position. If you appoint me, I can also collect all the field data I need in order to design and deploy tests on the spot.”
Stroking his goatee, the Director examined Noah. It was a scrutinizing, evaluating look, the intensity of it flaring Noah’s nerves. “I like you, Noah,” he declared, a smirk accompanying his words. “Teresa, have the paperwork sorted out and move Noah over to your department by the end of the week. I’ll contact the Easter-Pacific branch myself and explain to them the new arrangements.”
Noah was buzzing, his mind in an uproar just like his galloping heart. Clenching his fists, he willed himself to calm down despite the sparks under his skin, to contain the euphoria coursing through him.He’d done it.He’d actually pulled it off. And in three months, he was going to reap the rewards of his success.
“Thank you, Director,” Noah said, but failed to hide the excitement in his voice.
“I have great expectations of you. Don’t disappoint me,” the Director warned half-jokingly and gestured at the door.
Once Noah and Teresa were in the elevator, Teresa patted him on the shoulder. “Well, dear, what did I tell you?”
“I…”
He wouldn’t be here if not for Teresa. In a way, it was only because of her opening her mouth that one time at breakfast that he was now years closer to making his dream a reality.On top of going abroad for an entire year.He didn’t know why she had helped him so much, but he didn’t care either, because all that mattered right now was that he’d made it.
“Thank you, Teresa. This wouldn’t have been possible without your help,” he breathed out, meaning every word for the first time ever.
“You are very welcome, dear.” She hummed as they reached her floor, though she didn’t get off. “Shall we let Rosetta know?”
Noah smirked, meeting her impish gaze in the mirror along the side wall. “I’m sure she will be thrilled to find out she’ll have to fill in my position.”
Teresa giggled, waving his concern off. “Ah, don’t worry. She won’t dare argue with me.”
“So then, uh, when should I move to your floor?” That part Noah didn’t look forward to, but he didn’t dread it as much as he’d thought he would. The excitement of what was to come simply overshadowed all of his worries.
“Hmm, I can have you transferred by the end of the day tomorrow, so you can officially start the day after. Oh. But the welcome party will have to wait until Friday, as I’m all booked until then.”
A party? Of course, there would be a party.“It’s fine, really. No need to make a big deal out of it.”
“What are you saying, dear? Itisa big deal! Of course, we must celebrate! I’m sure the girls and the entire department too will be over the Moon when they find out you are joining us. Not to mention”—her eyes devoured him from head to toe—“it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other outside of work.”
Noah liked it that way and wanted to keep it that way, too, but, well, a dinner to thank her couldn’t hurt. “Sure, Friday it is then.”
The elevator chimed as they reached the sixth floor and Noah walked out after Teresa, knowing it would be the last time he had to deal with Rosetta.
Noah still couldn’t believe he’d pulled it off when he got home. Three months and he’d be leaving the Holy Empire for the first time in his life. Not forever, he wasn’tthereyet, but it was as good as a start could get.
Noah took a deep, grounding breath and fished the burner phone out of his desk’s drawer. His nerves were dancing as he hovered over Reign’s number, anticipation pooling in his core. Six months, that was the deadline Noah had set himself, promising he wouldn’t call Reign unless he had a reason to call.Unless he could make it so that they would see each other again.
