A Binary Heist

[Hexus Dominus]

Hexus Dominus
Tags: Alistair Abbott
​

Hexus had infiltrated enough of this world's systems to gain a picture of its surface. The planet was laced with computer mainframes, an ample playground for an AI adept at fashioning tools for specific tasks, and a perfect one for a mind like Hexus used to extensive integrated systems. There was no clear boundary for each separate one of these data networks, because of their almost continuous connection, and it was here, within these digital world networks, where Hexus found his mark. Valuable prototype code forms in a secure facility, ones he wouldn't be able to replicate for some time and which would be invaluable in the creation of fresh AI agents and templates.

Inserted into a starter system by a well placed face, Hexus still needed a better entry port, so he began to cycle through different unhardened systems to find one with ample data flow and operators which could be easily dispatched by a termite-talon breacher team. His best option was found in a civilian data processing center manned by a dozen or so of civilians and guarded by only a few moderately armed security personnel. Until they arrived, he could afford to a bit more digging...

 

[Alistair Abbott]

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Location: Denon | Outside Data Processing Center | Alley
Objective: Secure the Data
Equipment: Stolen Security Uniform | K-16 Bryar Blaster Pistol (Concealed)
Companion: Stolen & Reprogrammed Protocol Droid
Tags: Hexus Dominus

​

The droid continued to rattle off it's protest and distress as Alistair fiddled with the wires inside its body. "Quiet" Alistair hissed. He glanced over his shoulder, but no one was coming down the alley. He let out a sigh of relief, they were safe for now.

The protocol droid started up again. "I once again must protest you performing maintenance while I am functional" came the tinny voice. "It is against protocol". The voice had a strange reverberation as nearly had his head stuck inside the chassis. "You need to stay on for this part" Alistair said, pulling the welder from his belt. "I need to make sure you don't go haywire when I connect this component". The droid fell silent and Alistair became thankful for the quiet as he finished up his work.

Soon his jury-rigging was complete, and he closed the panel on the droid. Not a moment too soon either, as a service vehicle started pulling into the alley. "Time to go" Alistair said, standing up and moving into a swift walk.

- - - - -
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The data centre was a hum of activity, with a busy mix of civilians and employees alike. It was good cover, and Alistair managed to make it through the lobby the building unbothered. The first obstacle was simple door that read 'AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY'.

Alistair stopped by the door, careful to position his body to block the sight of the door's keycard scanner. "Have you lost your card?" the droid piped up. Alistair ground his teeth in frustration. "Something like that. Now hush and warn me if someone approaches". He placed one hand by his belt, as if searching for his card, while the other hand hovered over the scanner. He closed his eyes and-

-reached out with the force, pushing his consciousness into the scanner. He explored the circuits with his mind, willing himself to understand the device's structure and function. The keycard scanner was a simple device, functional and easy to comprehend, but the network it was connected to was vast and convoluted. Denon was a huge city world, interconnected with in a myriad of complex connections. He felt himself get drawn in, his curiosity beckoning him to explore. He pulled back, with great effort, and focused once again on just the scanner. It took only a moment to find the right pathway and-

-he heard the door open with a hiss. He opened his eyes, blinking as he once again adjusted to reality. Only roughly 10 seconds had past. A little unsteady, he made his way into the room as the protocol droid followed. The door closed behind him.

 

[Hexus Dominus]

Hexus Dominus
Denon cybersphere
Tags: Alistair Abbott
​

Hexus noticed one of the internal doors opening into a secure area, and he began to try and pull the clearance codes from its interaction with the rest of the facility.

Errors rapidly chained, and he had to pull back before the system detected him. What had caused that? It was no defense system, no digital system left a total lack of fingerprinting this section did. As fast as it had started, it stopped. Whatever it was, it made him weigh... direct options much more heavily. It wasn't a bad choice for him to have. The lock could only be overridden at a physical terminal, something the rest of this facility used a lot. There were enough workers to make physical insertion difficult, he'd have to position directional jammers and modify specific public systems before making his next move.

Talon droid teams were dispatched, pairs moving through unused maintenance vents to pre planned positions in case he needed to go hot, their paths cleared by clever slicing or the less sophisticated efforts of Termites cutting through bulkheads.

Hexus began again to attempt to gain access to the doors and security systems of the data processing facility, noting the locations of employees and the company the guards worked for. Simple calculations, at least for the AI, allowed him to create specialized subroutines for the Talon droids. He had to make this quick, otherwise he'd attract attention from the local Darkwire groups and be discovered properly, and with that came the revelation of his existence and nature outside of his already established circles.

Seconds before activating the jammers, Hexus quadruple checked his final calculations. There was an air gapped area past a secure door, but he placed his bets on the plasma cutters of Sapper droids to handle that issue.

Soon, he'd have what he came for.