|
Post by Esteban Bridges on Aug 31, 2014 16:46:29 GMT -6
Morgan seemed surprised by the information. "So... basically, you're saying we're going into a maze-like structure, completely blind, with only anecdotal intel at best, and no idea if their entire security network may or may not be bio-mechanical in nature and therefore, may or may not be hackable." Morgan paused, letting her words sink in. "Really, I don't see what could possibly go wrong."
"I did not say that," he replied, taking a step back to get a clearer view of the projection. "Given the nature of the way Collectors designed their technology, it is unknown if it is possible to take control over their entire security network. If I am correct and it is networked together, it would require decompiling machine code that is far more complex than what is within traditional Collector technology. That would take awhile. Seizing control over a specific area, however, is within the realm of possibility. Though it would be simpler to stick with the smaller things like opening and closing doors or accessing their internal sensors."
He tapped his omnitool's interface, altering the projection ever so slightly to take away additional wires to make the nodes easier to see.
"Reports from the mission did show that the base did have networked internal sensors that were not linked to the the base's core," he continued. "The Collectors do not seem to place much security value on it, as it was very easily accessed. We will not be blind."
He looked over at Morgan while she was processing everything. She did not seem to be taking it well. "You mentioned others who disagree with your assessment of the core and referred to them as 'They,'" Morgan commented, trying to get more information. "Is this anyone in particular?"
Esteban bit his lower lip, not responding immediately. He was not positive how to exactly respond. He would have to reveal how this information was acquired. Though would that matter at this point? He weighed it for a long moment....
"I acquired this data from Alliance Intelligence after paying a very hefty ....fee," he replied calmly, measuring his words. "Their analysis of the data was fairly informative and impressive. They were able to put together a crack for the Collectors' 4096 bit block encryption and found ways to hack into the technology. Their analysis of the core and the nature of those connections were incomplete at best. They originally had the idea that it was to network everything together. But to do so would require compatible machine language. As far as their analysis found, the core's machine coding was far more advanced that what the Collector technology would be able to interface with. That was not enough justification for me to dismiss the idea.
There are ways to adapt advanced technology for it to interface with less complex tech. It is not the most effective way to design a base, granted. But their reasons were not enough to indicate that it was impossible for everything to be networked together. It does beg the question on why the core's machine language is so complex."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully, looking back at the projection while Morgan inquired again. This time more subtly than before. "Also, I understand you and Meldom are the only others on the team with Engineering capabilities. Can I ask what your roles will be in this, for... coordination purposes?"
Esteban's lips curled ever so slightly at that. He appreciated the way she was trying to gather more information. Though to what purpose, he was not sure. "Meldom does have some experience with applying technology for his own missions. His files were not clear on the level of his expertise. It was strangely vague. His exact role in this mission will be up to Eric, not me. As for my role..." Is this why she was asking? Coordination did not sound right to him. "I will be leading my team to the Collector database to find information for myself and for Iskra."
He paused, cocking his head.
"Why do you ask?" he inquired back, not completely convinced of the justification she gave.
|
|
|
Post by Morgan Bryn on Aug 31, 2014 17:42:42 GMT -6
Even with the additional explanation from Bridges, it still sounded like they didn't know a whole hell of a lot about Collectors, and if the top minds at Alliance Intel disagreed with Bridges' findings, well... she wasn't even sure what that was supposed to mean. They were basically basing everything off one enemy encounter. That wasn't even an average at that point. Not to mention there was something off about this core... something that she very much didn't like the sound of.
Oddly, out of all her questions, Bridges seemed the most disturbed by her inquiring what the rest of the team would be doing.
"Meldom does have some experience with applying technology for his own missions. His files were not clear on the level of his expertise. It was strangely vague. His exact role in this mission will be up to Eric, not me," Bridges replied.
Morgan kept her face as neutral as humanly possible, given the circumstances. She'd not provided Bridges with any sort of 'file' on herself, and had been with the crew a matter of days... yet apparently Meldom was the one that was deemed too vague. And if it was Eric who was picking roles, then why was Bridges assigning hers? Was it to keep her busy? Distracted? In a certain location? Or maybe guaranteeing she'd be the one to take the fall if something went wrong and they weren't able to hack through the security network.
"As for my role..." He paused for a long moment. "I will be leading my team to the Collector database to find information for myself and for Iskra. Why do you ask?"
Morgan's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Information? I thought we were rescuing people." She sighed softly, leaning forward on the back of the chair she was still standing behind. "I'm asking because it seems important. If I go down, not that I'm voting for this outcome mind you, I'd like to know who else on the team can step in and take my place, and where they are likely to be at any given moment. Like I said, coordination. Do you... not... do that usually?"
|
|
|
Post by Esteban Bridges on Aug 31, 2014 19:47:58 GMT -6
"Information? I thought we were rescuing people." She sighed softly, leaning forward on the back of the chair she was still standing behind. "I'm asking because it seems important. If I go down, not that I'm voting for this outcome mind you, I'd like to know who else on the team can step in and take my place, and where they are likely to be at any given moment. Like I said, coordination. Do you... not... do that usually?"
"It would be up to Eric who would take your place if something happens," Esteban replied, careful to sound as casual as he could. "The team leader is the one who handles the coordination. Meldom would be the logical choice. And as for the mission..."
This one, Esteban was confused by her reaction. He scratched the back of his head. "I told you there were two goals for the mission when you asked about it in the medbay. Rescue the aliens and retrieve data. Nothing has changed from that."
[insert response(s), if any]
Esteban took a breath, tapping a quick command into his omnitool. The display shut down, replaced with countless lines of computer code.
"Now that the overview is done, we can get into the details. What you see before you is Collector code pulled from one of their rifles. It could take a team of highly skilled engineers months to figure out how to decompile. It is one of the reasons it takes so long to adapt Collector technology. Since we do not have months to wait, an alternative solution was needed. Data, if you would.."
The machine code flicker, the numbers and letters shifting and reorganizing. "I have a decompiler which has a 75% success rate in converting Collector machine code into something somewhat more standard. It takes some time for the code to be converted, depending on the complexity of the machine code you are attempting to decompile. Something simple like a door would take maybe a minute to decompile. A security system could take upwards of ten minutes. Though once it is decompiled, it should be very simple to seize control over it."
|
|
|
Post by Eric Lysander on Sept 1, 2014 16:04:37 GMT -6
Joe Fischer was the first to speak up. "Yeah, I got a question - I'm assuming we'll be going for the quiet approach on this, right? Until, you know...we can't?"
Iskra had made her way down into the cargo bay and sat down upon a crate silently, hiding behind her helmet much like Maelstrom but without any intimidating or eye-catching decorations.
Warriors of a feather, Eric thought to himself.
"That's the plan," said Eric in response to the junior N7. "Get in quiet, make our way through without drawing any attention, try ta get a lay o' th land. And hopefully by the time the enemy's on to us we'll be halfway out with the prisoners. But stealth kills can only take you so far; we'll also have to deal with their surveillance system... that's where our techs come in. Maybe they can help mask our presence, make 'em think we're a glitch or a ghost."
|
|
|
Post by Maelstrom on Sept 1, 2014 17:59:14 GMT -6
Maelstrom removed another piece of interior hull paneling, pulling out the relatively innocuous component secreted away behind it. It was quick work to reattach the panel, given that he knew how. For anyone else to remove it, they would have had to go through the usual process of removing bolts holding it to the structure.
"So, just to be clear... this was here the whole time?" Anelya asked, seeming suddenly timid.
"The better part of a year," he remarked, his external speakers functional again, going back to the torso-sized device that was his last resort. The newly-retrieved component fit into place with click, as he twisted it into a locked position.
It was a smaller nuclear device than he would have liked. Only about the destructive force of the ones detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki back in the 20th century. Still, it would be more than capable of sowing chaos if they were being pursued.
"You said it would be easy to arm," Anelya said, looking at the device with wide eyes.
"I figured it would be for a techie. I didn't add a lot of security to it. I basically figured I'd be the only one who'd be able to find it, in this many pieces," he said, as he went about getting the next piece. "I'll teach you how to arm it and set the timer before we take off." He paused. "We'll keep it in the armory. Let's not tell the others."
|
|
|
Post by Morgan Bryn on Sept 6, 2014 23:55:32 GMT -6
"It would be up to Eric who would take your place if something happens," Bridges replied. "The team leader is the one who handles the coordination. Meldom would be the logical choice."
Morgan nodded automatically, noting his response. This brought her back to her original question of why Bridges was assigning her to a specific task if Eric was actually the team leader, but she stayed quiet, merely listening and observing.
"And as for the mission... I told you there were two goals for the mission when you asked about it in the medbay. Rescue the aliens and retrieve data. Nothing has changed from that."
"Ahh, right," Morgan replied, playing it off with a wave of her hand. "There was so much going on... information overload and all that." She shrugged casually.
Bridges seemed to accept her response and changed the display over to various lines of code instead. She listened carefully as he explained that this code had been gleaned from some Collector tech that had been recovered, and he somehow had a program within his VI that had a 75% success rate in converting it into something understandable and usable.
Morgan nodded as he finished, waiting for a few moments for further info, but none came. "So is this something that can be shared with the team, or will we all need to follow close behind you? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like most of the team is headed in a different direction than yours..."
|
|
|
Post by Esteban Bridges on Sept 7, 2014 13:19:08 GMT -6
He finished his presentation, leaving the projection up for the other Engineer to examine it if she wanted to. After a couple moments, she did not question the data, but a couple of details of the plan. "So is this something that can be shared with the team, or will we all need to follow close behind you? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like most of the team is headed in a different direction than yours..."
Esteban shook his head. "You are the only other person on this ship qualified to use this program here. There is no way to know for certain where the prisoners are being held or where the database is located. It would be safer to make sure both teams will have access to this. So you will be receiving a copy of this. All I ask is for you to be careful who you tell about it. If the Collectors learn about it, then they will take countermeasures. The less who knows, the better."
He let the last part hang in the air in silence for a moment, hoping Morgan understood the need for compartmentalizing information. He knew not everyone operated the same way, believing it sowed doubt and suspicion. But in his experience, it was far more secure to make sure people only knew enough to do their job and nothing more.
"The program itself operates like any other out there used for hacking," he explained a little more while walking toward the refrigerator. He opened it up and grabbed a water bottle from within. "It should be compatible with nearly every standard omnitool operating system, so there shouldn't be any issue with how it integrates into your system.
If you need to practice using it, I do have some captured Collector technology down in the cargo bay," he offered, opening up the bottle of water.
|
|
|
Post by Morgan Bryn on Sept 10, 2014 1:12:05 GMT -6
"I'm 'qualified,' huh?" Morgan replied, arching an amused eyebrow at the man. "Sounds very official."
"The program itself operates like any other out there used for hacking," Bridges explained as he walked over to the refrigerator. "It should be compatible with nearly every standard omnitool operating system, so there shouldn't be any issue with how it integrates into your system."
Morgan shrugged a bit. "Sounds easy enough, I guess."
"If you need to practice using it, I do have some captured Collector technology down in the cargo bay," Bridges offered, opening up the bottle of water he'd obtained.
"Normally, I'd say practice is a good idea, but... I caught a brief glimpse of Maelstrom on my way up here, and I'm pretty sure he was gonna wear a hole in the deck with all his pacing, or maybe pop a vein in his neck or something. Weren't we all due down in the bay forever ago? I'm afraid I'll have to learn on the fly."
|
|
|
Post by Esteban Bridges on Sept 10, 2014 8:56:21 GMT -6
"...learn on the fly."
Esteban sipped from his water bottle, quenching a thirst he was not feeling until the first drop of liquid touched his tongue. He closed his eyes and nodded, setting the bottle down on the countertop.
"The interface is not drastically different from any other I've seen," he said, leaning on the edge of the countertop. "But you are right. We should be headed down."
Esteban snatched his water bottle he just set down and took his helmet in his other hand. "I need to finish getting ready, so I will be down in just a couple more minutes."
|
|
|
Post by Maelstrom on Sept 11, 2014 0:41:40 GMT -6
Together, the three of them pushed the fully-assembled nuclear device into the ship's armory. It was one of the ship's high security areas, so there was very little chance of anyone stumbling upon it. Maelstrom did not feel like explaining the presence of a nuke to anyone either. The way things were going, he just expected one would be needed.
"What's taking everyone?" Enaya asked. "I thought we were supposed to have gathered in the shuttle bay a long time ago to go over the plan all together?"
"It's called being 'unprofessional,'" Maelstrom said. "It's a condition usually confined to young krogan, batarians, and humans."
"Don't you think you're being a bit harsh?" Anelya asked.
"Harsh would be starting up the engines and leaving everyone high and dry, to save my own skin. If I were smart, it's what I'd do with the way everyone's acting. For the life of me, I don't know why I haven't decided that," Maelstrom said.
"Yes, you do know," Anelya replied.
"No Consort talk right now," Maelstrom dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Time to focus on combat. Not healing old wounds."
|
|