Page 30 of The Ranger
“We have the best security in the world, which is why the breach was red flagged.But they cleverly covered their tracks, so that person is walking around inside my fucking company right now.”
Could be a team of them.
“Anyone that you suspect?”
Nathan taps his fingers on the arm of his chair, thinking.Then he shakes his head.“No.Not without prejudice, and that isn’t based on any facts.Or fair.”
I respect that.
“Well, you’ve done the right thing calling us in,” I tell him.“I don’t have relationships with your team so will be purely looking at the information presented.However, if this wasn’t someone pressing the wrong button, and they are experienced spies, then we need to progress carefully.”
“Josh said you wanted to go in undercover.”
“Yes.”I nod and lift the tie.“Wouldn’t be wearing this if I weren’t.”
He gives a small laugh.
“Okay.The team working on this project is small.No more than thirty-five people.A delay in supply of a rare earth metal, erbium, for a final component has held us up.It’s needed to finish the prototype.Until then, the mole doesn’t have anything to physically remove from the premises.”
Thatisgood news.
It gives me time to meet the teams and get a lay of the land while back at headquarters Thomas and his team can dig deeper and trace the breach attempt.
“When is the component due to arrive?”
“That I don’t know.The production manager is keeping us updated, but I’ll be honest, this delay was unexpected.”
Could be a red flag.
I take a mental note to meet the production manager and the rest of the project team.They meet regularly, but I want to speak to them individually.People act differently on their own vs in a group setting.
“The United States military is a huge customer, obviously,” Nathan adds while I keep listening.“So going back to your other question, no, I don’t want to involve them at this point.Our systems protected us and did their job.Right now, I want to find who did this and then hand them over to the authorities.”
I understand his position.
Using private security is common these days.With internal corruption at an all-time high—or perhaps just more visible—paying an independent firm is smart.
“Looking at your website, I see you also create data chips for many other companies, including telecommunications.”
“Yes.We have a number of chips for 5G networks in France, Switzerland, South Korea and Australia.”
Dr.Whitaker shares more about their other products and the technology that they are developing.It’s both exciting and impressive.QuantumCore is one of the leading companies in the world.
“Okay, we have a lot to cover.I need to understand production schedules, shipments heading out the door in the coming days and weeks, and what pathways our mole might have.”
Maneuvering his screen, Nathan starts with the team members, and we dig further into the details as the morning unfolds.
When we are done, he provides me with security passes, logins, and everything I require to become part of the QuantumCore team.
Or at least seem like I am.
By lunchtime I have my own office, company laptop, and have met a good number of people in the building.The role and my appointment were explained by Nathan, and no one seems to care too much.Most wanted to know if I was joining the social club.
I said yes, and, after sizing me up, a couple of the guys began high-fiving each other, saying the next basketball game against a nearby organization would be a slam dunk.
In truth, I carry way too much muscle to be quick on my feet on a court.I’m fit as fuck still, after leaving the forces, but not as slick as those athletes.
When I’m alone, I roll up my sleeves and start thinking about Scarlett.She didn’t ask me to stay after I fucked her pussy into oblivion.
