Chapter 3

Leah was head of risk management for NeuroPort. She strode down the marble floored hallway, her $700 Louboutin heels clicking. She knew that the men she strode by, would snap their necks around like rubber bands. She knew the pencil skirt and ruffled blouse she wore made her the sex symbol of the company. Today she was all business, and kept her eyes forward. She had her blonde hair pulled back into a tight and sensible ponytail.

The Director had assigned her to what he called ‘the most important task she would ever have’ and she wouldn’t let him down. She made her way into the IT department, and tried not to scowl, she knew they were whispering about her.

Standing in the middle of the IT department she grabbed a trash can and dumped it out on the IT managers desk. He just sat there looking completely befuddled. Placing the garbage can down next to his desk, she pulled off her heels, and bare footed she used the garbage can as a step. She stood on the managers desk, and surveyed the 25 or so employees.

Leah did not need to yell, she just needed to be seen.

“Your boss is packing his things, and security is right behind me to escort him out.”

Leah looked down at the shocked man, his face turned red with rage.

“You fucking bit-”

Leah took her bare foot and swept it across his desk, knocking the trash and his coffee into his lap.

“You have less than 10 seconds, I suggest you hurry.”

Footsteps could be heard pounding down the marble floors in the hallway. The man looked ready to throw blows, and Leah welcomed it, she would love to kick his ass. She smiled her favorite smile, the ferocious one where she showed off her perfect teeth.

Armed security guards busted into the office, and proceeded to drag the IT manager out, but not without him spewing a little more hate and vitriol. She didn’t mind.

“I will be managing this department, until further notice.” Leah’s voice was still calm, though she felt a raging fury in her chest.

“I want every bit of information about this data breach on my desk by 0500 Monday morning.” Leah looked around at the pale faces. Some were bold and openly checking her out, they looked away when her eyes rested on them.

“And ... I want to know who compromised our security, maybe we should fucking hire them instead of you twats.” Leah raised her voice and shouted “NOW!”

She watched in satisfaction as everyone exploded into action. They looked like ants in an ant hill. Satisfied she stepped down from the desk, and put her heels back on. Leah knew she was a control freak, two failed marriages before she had turned 25 were proof of that. At 28 years old she had achieved a lot, but it was all at risk now.

Some hacker had hacked into the data upload center, it was supposed to be impossible. Well the fucking impossible just happened, she thought wryly. The worst part was their IT manager Brian, hadn’t told anyone, instead he had tried covering it up.

The concerning part was the AI they used to parse the uploads, had gone berserk. The clean environment in which it was kept had been contaminated. It had seemingly become, ‘aware’. Leah shivered at the thought of a sentient computer. This whole thing came at a very inopportune moment, they were supposed to unveil the success of the program to the NSA in a couple of weeks.

NeuroPort, had successfully ported the human mind from body to mechanical. Humanity’s memories, thoughts, emotions and experiences were possible to map and upload to storage forever. Each person’s nervous system had a unique pattern, and through the use of a highly intelligent AI, NeuroPort was able to use the nervous system like a map legend, and map a person’s neuro pathways. This could be facilitated even after death. A person’s mind was no longer lost after death.

Unfortunately, after NeuroPort had succeeded, someone had cracked the firewalls. It was supposed to be impenetrable. It was supposed to be secure, and AI’s shouldn’t become sentient.

Leah arrived at Sikes corner office, his administrative assistant immediately stood and opened the door. Leah entered and felt a change come over her.

The room was dark and moody, a desk lamp was the only light. Sikes looked up from his desk, and he graced Leah with a smile. His black hair was frosted white, and cut in a short military style haircut. He had a narrow face with a defined jawline, and broad brows shadowed his eyes. Tall and narrow, he was the image of a perfect business man, and Leah practically gushed every time she saw him. She heard the door click closed behind her, and she stood there with her arms behind her back and waited.

Sikes didn’t say anything for a few minutes, he simply watched her. She stood firm, like a statue. “I see you let our troubled ... child ... go today...”

His voice was clear and firm. The timbre of his voice was commanding and powerful. Leah felt herself begin to get wet, she wanted to squirm, but didn’t.

“It was in my instructions to do it quietly, without making a scene... ‘

She didn’t answer, she merely lowered her eyes to the floor, subservient and obedient.

Sikes turned one of his screens to face her, and Leah stepped forward to watch. It was the security footage of her on Brian’s desk. She fought a smile, but felt the corner of her lips still turn up.

Sikes sighed, “Brian is going to be a problem, and even more so now ... you will have to resolve this, do you understand?”

Leah nodded, she did understand, she would have to tie up the loose ends. Of course, she had planned too all along. She didn’t do sloppy work. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her boss.

“You disobeyed me...” Sikes said it in a fatherly tone, like he was disappointed with one of his children.