Excerpt

The Deadly Cyber Hunters

“What’s this?” Wynters said as he took the paper.

“Your orders to report to DHS headquarters. Today.”

“Hmm,” Wynters mused as he read. He held it up for Lansing to see. “I never heard of this office. The Office of Cybernetics. Doesn’t sound like anything that needs me.”

“It’s new . . . was new to me, too, until I called a few old friends and pieced together a different story than the name would suggest.” Joe sat back and put his hands behind his head. He affected a self-satisfied grin. “Cybernetics in biology is the field of science concerned with processes of communication and control.”

Wynters nodded. “I took biology . . . a long time ago.”

“Well, this isn’t a biological organization, at least not in any terms your biology teacher would recognize.”

“The ‘cyber’ means something more, doesn’t it?”

“Yep, you get a gold star. Best I can figure from the cryptic hints I got, this organization is brand new . . . and it’s being staffed with people who are handy with guns.”

“I see.” Wynters thought for a few seconds. “The processes these guys will be introduced to will be folks in charge of bad things. I’m guess at least cybercrime.”

“You get another gold star. But that may not be all. I get hints of things darker—”

“Like the dark Internet?”

Bill nodded. “Maybe like that. I’m not sure, but it’s sure possible.” He leaned forward. “As you probably know, our government has freaked about cybercrime and has, as usual, overreacted, especially bureaucratically.”

“I know.” Wynters nodded. “In DHS alone there are DHS cybersecurity and Infrastructure security agencies and others, now apparently including Cybernetics. And then there is National Cyber Director. The bottom line is that DHS, not to mention the federal government in toto, has too many offices headed by people vying for the overall power.”

Joe pyramided his fingers in front of his mouth. “And every one of them an impermeable silo. Yes, and I’m guessing the newest one is a very secret organization begun by the most ruthless of the crowd to use all means necessary, including force, to succeed.”

“Wow, so I’m being Seconded to a super-secret organization in a department dealing with crypto criminals . . . and I’ll bet including ransom ware. That’s been a biggie in the news for months.”

            “Agree, and methinks that personalities will sort out the alpha from the omega. Whoever among this august troika exploits his or her satrapy best, will create the focus needed to succeed and outlast the others. The one who combines boundless energy, a spider web of pertinent connections, is less bound by mere political and bureaucratic rules, and can support a certain amount of ruthlessness behind a benign face, will crystalize the effort and win out in the end.”

“And that will be the best possible outcome from what is now something of a group grope”, Wynters said. “My guess is that the chief of this group,” he held up the assignment paper, “will be the winner.”

Joe chuckled. “And just like you to go with a winner.”

Wynters replied, “But you’re also a winner in my book, Bill. I’ll miss you.”

“Thanks. We haven’t had long together but I’ve got full confidence in you.” Lansing paused and arose. “And . . . I’ll be here anytime you wish to talk.”

Wynters nodded and also stood. He reached over the desk to shake Bill’s outstretched hand. “Thanks, I might do that.” He glanced at the paper. “This organization is so secret; they don’t even tell me where they are.”

Joe laughed. “Right . . . and they are located now over 40 locations last time I looked. Just go to the headquarters building and someone can direct you. I hope. Maybe.” He winked. “Might just be the first test to see if you’re up to the challenge.”