Post by bubblegum91 on May 20, 2012 23:17:09 GMT -5
This is supposed to be the preface to my story, but I seem to be stumped. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
"What do you mean you can't stop it?" Panic seeped into the usually confident voice of Sargent Hindely. He ran a hand through his buzz cut, roughly reapplying his cap.
"You're the computer whiz, Private. Make it happen."
Sargent Hindely was just shy of celebrating his 55th birthday. Already 3 tours under his belt, his very name was enough to inspire fear and respect into anyone within ear range.
"The computer program is not responding, sir. There's no way we can avoid it."
The Sargent released a long breath he had no idea he was holding. He glanced at the Private, who was enthralled with whatever message the computer was giving him.
Hindely had often told himself that Private Mansfield was too young. He was barely 19, his baby fat had yet to disappear, giving him a juvenile look. But, beneath the glasses and freckles was the best hacker of his generation. He had managed to slip past the security of the FBI, the CIA, the Penthouse and various other Government websites. And not just once. So, the Government was quite relieved to hear of his acceptance to join the Army, or more specifically the "Black Ops" Anti Terrorist Squad as their technical consultant. Even, if it was only to avoid Federal Prison.
"Can't you just override the program, son?"
"No, sir. The program seems to be encrypted, sir."
That made the Sargent halt from his pacing.
"Well, dammit, un - encrypt it, soldier" yelled the Sargent, his face contorting and turning the same color as a tomato.
"I'm trying, sir. But these guys are good."
A loud buzz emitted from the Computer.
Sargent Hindely sneered at the supposed new and improved system.
"Computers," he huffed, puffing out his chest and giving his best icy stare at the wire filled beast, "Way of the future my ass."
"It's no good, sir," said the Private, ignoring the showdown, "It would take me at least an hour to decrypt these programs."
The Sargent thought for a moment, toying with the gold cross that clung to his neck. He had never really been a religious man, but that didn't mean he didn't pray.
"And how long do we have before they launch, Private?"
The Private clicked his mouse and bashed the keyboard frantically.
Whatever little tolerance the Sargent allowed computers, had evaporated entirely.
"Private? I asked a question" barked the Sargent, embedding the gold cross into his calloused hand
The Private almost hopped out of his seat, he quickly adjusted his glasses and shakily replied,
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. According to these readings we have less than half an hour."
The Sargent leaned over the Private to view the screen, he noticed Mansfield was shaking.
Normally, the Sargent would be quick to remind the boy to stay focused, but as he, himself, could feel the onset of the shakes, decided to keep his attention on the situation.
"There's something else, sir," said the Private, his voice cracking with fear.
"What is it, son?"
"According to the program, ours have initiated the launch sequence, too."
"Well. f**k," was the only thing the Sargent managed.
"What do you mean you can't stop it?" Panic seeped into the usually confident voice of Sargent Hindely. He ran a hand through his buzz cut, roughly reapplying his cap.
"You're the computer whiz, Private. Make it happen."
Sargent Hindely was just shy of celebrating his 55th birthday. Already 3 tours under his belt, his very name was enough to inspire fear and respect into anyone within ear range.
"The computer program is not responding, sir. There's no way we can avoid it."
The Sargent released a long breath he had no idea he was holding. He glanced at the Private, who was enthralled with whatever message the computer was giving him.
Hindely had often told himself that Private Mansfield was too young. He was barely 19, his baby fat had yet to disappear, giving him a juvenile look. But, beneath the glasses and freckles was the best hacker of his generation. He had managed to slip past the security of the FBI, the CIA, the Penthouse and various other Government websites. And not just once. So, the Government was quite relieved to hear of his acceptance to join the Army, or more specifically the "Black Ops" Anti Terrorist Squad as their technical consultant. Even, if it was only to avoid Federal Prison.
"Can't you just override the program, son?"
"No, sir. The program seems to be encrypted, sir."
That made the Sargent halt from his pacing.
"Well, dammit, un - encrypt it, soldier" yelled the Sargent, his face contorting and turning the same color as a tomato.
"I'm trying, sir. But these guys are good."
A loud buzz emitted from the Computer.
Sargent Hindely sneered at the supposed new and improved system.
"Computers," he huffed, puffing out his chest and giving his best icy stare at the wire filled beast, "Way of the future my ass."
"It's no good, sir," said the Private, ignoring the showdown, "It would take me at least an hour to decrypt these programs."
The Sargent thought for a moment, toying with the gold cross that clung to his neck. He had never really been a religious man, but that didn't mean he didn't pray.
"And how long do we have before they launch, Private?"
The Private clicked his mouse and bashed the keyboard frantically.
Whatever little tolerance the Sargent allowed computers, had evaporated entirely.
"Private? I asked a question" barked the Sargent, embedding the gold cross into his calloused hand
The Private almost hopped out of his seat, he quickly adjusted his glasses and shakily replied,
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. According to these readings we have less than half an hour."
The Sargent leaned over the Private to view the screen, he noticed Mansfield was shaking.
Normally, the Sargent would be quick to remind the boy to stay focused, but as he, himself, could feel the onset of the shakes, decided to keep his attention on the situation.
"There's something else, sir," said the Private, his voice cracking with fear.
"What is it, son?"
"According to the program, ours have initiated the launch sequence, too."
"Well. f**k," was the only thing the Sargent managed.