Author: George Bancroft

“How much of the archive has been entered?” Commander Rhenn asked.
Jade looked at the left screen for a moment before returning his gaze to the center monitor. “We’re at about thirty percent sir.”
“And no results yet?”
“No, sir,” Jade responded. “I’ve been ordered to contact you immediately when something results.”
“Excellent. Carry on.”
The commander promptly departed the confined archive office. Jade remained at his desk and resumed the monotonous task of uploading the terabytes of intercepted Synterric microwave communications.
The Fulmen Empire had been losing its war against Synterria for over a decade. Despite enjoying almost every conceivable advantage, Fulmen couldn’t overcome superior Synterric tactics. Jade was an analyst for Project Xyges, the Empire’s effort to reverse the momentum of the conflict. Xyges was a non-linear quantum supercomputer, theoretically capable of deciphering even the most advanced encryption methods. The system had been brought online just a few days earlier in some remote top-secret location. No output had resulted yet, until now.
LAUNDRY SERVICE DEFERRED UNTIL NEXT MONDAY
The line populated on the right-side screen. Jade glanced at it perplexedly. Then a second output came.
REAR ENTRANCE FUEL DEPOT DEPLETED
Then messages came flooding onto the screen.
BARRACKS CONSTRUCTION AT DELPHUS II BEGINNING NEXT THURSDAY
ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ELECTRONIC SECURITY TRAINING
PROVISIONS DELIVERY TIME POSTPONED TO 1700
The screen filled and then a scroll bar appeared. Jade reached for his comm but fumbled it to the floor. He retrieved it and immediately established a communication line with Rhenn.
“We’ve got something. A lot, actually.”
“I’m en route. Start scanning for useful intel.”
Jade pondered what exactly constituted “useful intel” when all of the communications entered so far were about eight years old. Regardless, he began reading.
Jade scoured dozens of the mostly worthless messages before one caught his attention.
ENEMY ATTACK IMMINENT. EVACUATE FORWARD DELPHI POSITIONS. HARDEN INFRASTRUCTURE.
Almost ten years earlier, Fulmen forces launched a surprise offensive against a Synterric forward airbase in Delphi. Hundreds of missiles ravaged the fortifications and airstrip, but the relentless Synterric air and space campaigns never abated. Rhenn entered and froze abruptly as Jade was still mulling the significance of this dispatch.
“They knew,” Rhenn muttered. “But how?”
“A traitor? Maybe some clandestine surveillance tech?” Jade proposed.
The men paused a moment to ponder these possibilities. Then they resumed the tedious process of scrutinizing the decoded messages. There were hundreds of useless statements about mess hall four, the local bus schedule and wind warnings. After nearly an hour, they came across another salient transmission.
COHERENT PROCESSING TEST: PASSED.
“But, wait,” Jade mused. “We’re still using-”
Rhenn lunged forward and snatched the comm device resting on the desk. “Give me Major Veneto, now!”
“-the same microwave and encryption technology…” Jade’s voice trailed off.