Page 57 of Code Name: Atticus
When they arrivedat nine hundred fifteen, we gathered around the dining table while I opened my laptop and initiated the videoconference with K19 headquarters. The screen filled with the command center—Admiral and Alice at the main console, Tank and Dragon at their stations.
“Morning, everyone,” I began. “Last night’s dinner with Morrison went exactly as we’d hoped. All three principals were there—Morrison, Liu, and Castellano. They’re definitely recruiting.”
“Walk us through it,” Admiral said.
“Classic grooming behavior. Hypotheticals about classified technology being wasted, American innovation being strangled by regulations. Never anything explicit, but they were clearly feeling us out.”
“It’s apparent the sixty-day deadline Dragon mentioned last week is driving them. We could feel Morrison’s sense of urgency,” Kodiak said.
Alice nodded. “I’m seeing increased chatter in his network. Multiple communications with overseas contacts in the last twelve hours. Encrypted, but the volume alone is telling. I’ve asked Tex if he’s available to sit in. Okay with you, Brenna?”
“Of course.” Another window opened, and he appeared.
“We’re talking about the uptick in Morrison’s timeline,” said Alice.
“The stolen algorithms are mainly from projects scheduled for security updates next month,” he began. “New encryption protocols, access restrictions, the works. Once those updates happen, the current vulnerabilities close permanently.”
“So he has to move now,” I said.
“Exactly. It’s now or never for this particular package of intelligence. The classified AI algorithms for autonomous systems, the satellite communication protocols, the radar detection improvements—all of it becomes exponentially harder to access after the updates,” Tex added.
“What about the buyers?” Admiral asked.
“Still tracking that. But the payment structures suggest state-level resources. This isn’t some criminal organization or terrorist group—it’s a foreign government with deep pockets and long-term strategic thinking.”
“China? Russia?” Kodiak asked.
“Could be either. Could be someone else entirely trying to leap ahead technologically. North Korea, Iran—even allies sometimes steal from each other. I’ll see what else I can find.”
“Tex, there’s one other update,” said Alice. “Morrison has invited Brenna, Atticus, Kodiak, and Emma to a couple’s retreat this weekend.”
“So he’s planning the hard pitch.”
“That’s our take on it,” I responded.
Tex rubbed his jaw. “There’s something else not sitting quite right with me about this whole thing. I don’t have enough to go on yet, but from what I’m seeing, we may be dealing with something very different than what we originally thought.”
My eyes scrunched. “But you’re not ready to elaborate?”
“That’s right. Give me some time to verify the chatter, then I’ll report back.”
“Your help is appreciated, Tex.”
“You got it,” he said before disconnecting from the videoconference.
“About this weekend,” Alice said, “what are your thoughts about surveillance equipment?”
I shook my head. “Not crazy about it, to be honest. I’m already walking a fine line in terms of what will be admissible. My goal is getting the conviction if we’re able to prove what we suspect these guys are doing.”
“Understood,” Alice responded.
“Then, I suggest taking this conversation offline,” said Kodiak. “If that’s okay with the boss.” He motioned to me.
“You’re welcome to discuss whatever you’d like. I just can’t be privy to it.”
“I’m out too,” said Emma.
“In fact, this might be a good time for us to take a break,” I suggested.
