Systems Log

Maintenance Engineer Rhonda Rhodes' investigation into unexplained issues on the station.

prompt ▼

genre:Mystery

Special Thanks ▼

I needed to consult someone so special thanks to former HP Engineer Joseph P. Reiley for helping me fill in the technical details I couldn't figure out.

"It's been hours since the water system stopped working," the lab tech complained. "We need to get some water otherwise we have no solvent for the reaction we need to study!"

Rhonda pinched the bridge of her nose. "I know," she said. "First I need to figure out what the problem is then I can fix it. Don't worry, I'll have this sorted."

She checked all the valves, tubes, pipes and pumps. She didn't see any clogs or other mechanical problems. The system should be working. "Is it just your lab having the problem?"

The tech's face reddened as they pushed up their glasses. "The space station doesn't have a utility company," they argued. "This isn't like the Old Earth Era. Centauri Upsilon-Orbital Station recognizes water and other necessities as basic rights. They'd never shut off systems like that."

This person sure liked to grumble. Rhonda gave her maintenance tablet a nudge. "I never said it was your fault," she informed them. "Can I get access to the Back End of your controll system."

The technician blushed even more. They moved their palms to cover their butt.

"Not what I meant," Rhonda said. "I need to check the water system's code and logs for anomalous entries. I think there may be a problem with the software."

After getting the go ahead, Rhonda scanned through the lines of data and code. "There it is!" she said. "At time stamp system hour 13:45 the controller's source code was altered. I'll try and patch it. Everything should be working by 18:00 tonight."

By some stoke of luck, Rhonda was able to fix the code without causing further issues.Someone using a man in the middle attack had altered the instructions, causing the pump to deactivate.

"I'm concerned," lab tech whined. "Shouldn't a cyber security breach like this be reported to Centauri Upsilon's Crime Mitigation Unit."

Rhonda finished filing her report. She had done a screen grab of the MAC address that initiated the attack. "Way ahead of you, I've already sent a copy to both Engineering and CUCMU. I plan to teleconference with an investigator personally," she said.


Back in her office, Rhonda talked with Frank. "I've been looking at your notes," he said. "This seems like a Man in The Middle attack. Basically, the person or group gains access to the code that controls part of a network or other infrastructure. This can cause mild disruptions like at the lab or impact the whole station."

That last bit gave Rhonda chills. If someone got into the life support systems—"What's the likelihood that the person behind this might escalate things?"

An uncomfortable silence propagated through the air. "I doubt this is the last attack," Frank said. "I've been in cyber security for nearly ten years. Usually small stuff like local water systems is just a test. They will try again only on a larger scale."

Knots were forming in Rhonda's guts. Something bigger could be inconvenient or possibly kill everyone on the station. "How do we stop them?" she asked.

Frank's face soured. His salt and pepper beard didn't fully conceal his frown. "We were able to glean a MAC-2 address," he said. "It appears the user logged on to the station's Wireless from the civilian dorms. After we get off the line I'm headed down there with some security agents."

Rhonda could feel her synapses firing. "Is it okay if I come along? I feel like I could help. As a maintenance engineer, I've gotten used to observing people and things. While the agents look for the suspect, I can handle anything else that comes up."

"Your offer is appreciated but I think we can take it from here," Frank said. "Thanks for your time, I've got to be going. My team's leaving for the dorms now."

A long elevator ride later, Rhonda found herself at the civilian level of Centauri Upsilon. Security agents were swarming the dorms. She walked over to the busy site.

Frank sat in the middle of the orderly buzz of activity. His eyes widened as he spotted Rhonda. Frank folded his arms in front of him. "I told you, we have this situation managed," he growled. "Go back to your office—"

Whatever further objections Frank had were interrupted by the station's main lights cutting out. The gloaming left from the emergency illumination strips cast a blue-green hue.

Murmurs of dismay rose around them. Everyone looked around seeking any signs of a return to normal ambience. Only one person looked totally unbothered by the situation. They stood towards the back of the crowd; their eyes glued to the tablet in their hands as if composing the most rapturous symphony.

While Frank shouted orders to his agents, Rhonda wove through the crowd. She reached the preoccupied person. "I don't think you should finish typing in that last command," she said.

The frantic person looked up from their screen. There was a strange look in their eyes. A manic light that shone with intense conviction met Rhonda's gaze. "I have to," they said. "Don't you see? Centauri Upsilon is a sentient being. We are all just mere parasites on this magnificent creature. It deserves to drift through the void healthy and free."

Rhonda tilted her head. "So you'd kill everyone on the station including yourself?" she asked. "That doesn't seem smart. What about all the other people? They're sentient too, do their lives not matter?"

The hacker's nose wrinkled in disgust. "Please, our lifespans are blinks of the eye compared to the hundreds of cycles Centauri Upsilon could endure," they said.

Rhonda had heard enough from this delusional individual. Centauri Upsilon wouldn't be able to continue without maintenance and supplies. Humans had to be involved in both those things. Rhonda moved like lightning, snatching the tablet from the hacker's hands. They wailed and gnashed their teeth, then fell to the floor in a fit of despondency.

Frank, drawn by the noise, ran up to them. "What in the Great Void happened here?" he asked.

After tapping the confiscated tablet to abort the attack on the station, Rhonda launched an explanation. "This is the hacker," she confirmed. "I've just stopped the program they were planning to execute," she said. "When you do take them into custody, I'd get one of your agents to interview them with a trained psychologist. They're more than a little disturbed."

Word count: 1092