The Origin Point: A Future Tech Cyber Novella

CHAPTER ONE - THE DISCRIMINATION FILE

  Appointments to meet with FedSec Director Marco Manuel usually had to be scheduled at least six months in advance and preferably a year. "Tell him I have a document I would like to discuss," Dallas politely explained to the Director's assistant. "Tell him the document title's first line is 'Preventing the next Dr. King or Ms. Steinem from gaining a foothold.'" The assistant noted the file name and placed Dallas on hold. A minute later, she hastily connected her to the Director.

  "Dallas, what's going on?" Marco jovially answered. A decorated soldier, seasoned political operator and runway-ready male statue, Marco had lines of supplicants panting at his door. Government officials sought his input and analysis on a range of issues from last second developments in conflict areas overseas to the outcome of football games; current, former and potential mates requested dinner and party appearance confirmations; assistants ran in and out of his office with documents to sign and updates to read; but he put all attendants on hold to respond to Dallas's incoming call.

  "I have my hands on some interesting documents," Dallas replied. "And I would like your comment."

  "What do you have?" Marco unemotionally inquired.

  "Your policy papers."

  "My policy papers?"

  "Yes sir."

  "What is the full title of the document you told my assistant about?"

  "Preventing the next Dr. King or Ms. Steinem from gaining a foothold: Hiding race and gender bias in website code." Silence followed. "Mr. Director? Marco?"

  "I don't even understand the meaning of those words," he carefully responded.

  "The document appears to be a policy piece. Seems to be about the ability of businesses and governments to use computer code to put gender and race discrimination into the functionality of their consumer-facing websites."

  "I still don't get the point."

  "It's illegal."

  "And how is this type of activity related to FedSec?"

  "Well the policies appear to have been created by FedSec. I could show you the documents."

  "Why would FedSec produce a policy paper on those themes? We do not deal with race, gender, or computer programs."

  Dallas paused. "Well not directly."

  "Not specifically at all. I'm sure you are mistaken, Dal. Sounds like the document could have come from anywhere. Guess you best move on. I doubt you have my policy papers, and I have a ton of work to do..."

  "Marco wait, c'mon we are old friends," Dallas clearly stated. "If you do not recognize the title of the document why did you take my call?"

  "Because we are old friends, and the title of the document was intriguing."

  "Do you recognize the title from another department's work?"

  "No. Like I said, I do not even understand the meaning."

  "Can you recommend someone I can talk to about this policy?"

  "The Department of Race and Gender Bias?"

  "You mean the entire federal government?"

  "Funny. But no, I mean talk to whoever you want but not to me because I'm a busy man."

  "Marco...Mr. Director, these documents were clearly written following FedSec's policy template. I recognize the style."

  "Well there's an interesting skill."

  "I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has mastered the ability to determine the difference between documents produced by the various government departments. If I show this document around town, other people will tell me the style is FedSec."

  Dallas perceived a contemplative pause emanating from the other end of the secure landline. After an extended moment, Marco slowly stated, "Dal, do not show documents around town that you are claiming were written by FedSec. I'm sure the assertion would be a violation of one of our national security directives, and we do not want you to get into trouble."

  Stunned, Dallas asked, "A violation of a directive? If the documents are not yours and I speculate they are, you'll just have a misled journalist in your midst. Why would my actions be an issue?"

  The silence returned, but after a minute, Marco acquiesced. "All right, I'll take a look at these documents you have. Before you show the files to anyone else, bring them to me and I'll do the vetting."

  "Great, thank you, but are you saying the documents could be yours?"

  "No. You said the files were written using a FedSec template. I might be able to determine if another department has copied our template. And you should research on your side if a think tank or university is claiming knowledge of these topics. You are still going to have to figure out who created the documents."

  "You're certain these policies were not prepared by FedSec?"

  "Yes, I'm certain."

  "Do all FedSec policy papers go through your office?"

  "Yes, I'm the director. An employee cannot claim FedSec has a policy on an issue unless I approve the content first."

  "How does your approval process work?"

  Marco sighed. "The short version is everyone has a specific mandate, an employee proposes research in an area, the research is approved, the work is completed, the document comes to me and I sign off."

  "So if these are FedSec documents, you signed off?"

  "You are not holding FedSec documents."

  "But if I were..."

  "Dal, I do not have time for this back and forth. I'll send a team to pick you up, and you can bring me the documents and show me the information you claim came from this department."

  "Wait. What? You'll send a team for me?"

  "Yes."

  "Why? What team?"

  "I'm the director of FedSec, Dal. You cannot walk in here to have a chat. Electronic devices have to be vetted, you have to be vetted. A team is coming for you. When I authenticate digital devices, we move over to a more secure location."

  "More secure? Why can't we meet in your office?"

  "What did I just say? Civilians do not walk into FedSec and hand documents to the director. We will meet in a secure location."

  "Just a second, Marco," Dallas pleaded, her voice rising in panic. "Do not put me through some weird secret spy stuff. Let's meet like normal people."

  "I'm not normal people, Dal. Who did you think you were calling?"

  "I know who I called."

  "Good. You want me to authenticate documents on an electronic device, you have to follow my security protocols. The team will be with you in about an hour, and I'll be able to give you ten minutes. Someone will contact you. Cooperate and I promise the process will work smoothly."

  "Marco, you're kind of...kind of scaring me here."

  "Don't worry, that's not my intention. Wait for the team and I'll see you soon."