“Like someone else put them there after the fact,” Arthur concluded. Syler hummed in agreement. “And?”
“The fail safes. So, if you’re authorized to access the system, either your login credentials automatically unlock the door before you even notice it’s there or you run up against it and have to unlock it manually by entering the password. A long password with few attempts before lock out is an effective way to prevent unauthorized breaches. This one though? It’s a constantly changing fifty character key code with a single manual attempt before a self-erase feature takes over system wide. It’s like block chain technology on steroids for the math and accuracy it requires, even for someone who knows what the password is supposed to be.”
Arthur stared up at him blankly. “In English, whiz kid.”
Syler huffed. “Basically, the creator of this is both brilliant and ballsy. I’d be locked out of our systems by an ill-timed sneeze if I used this.”
“Ah, so the companies don’t notice someone added an extra layer since they were always authorized and you can’t hack into it without erasing everything we’re looking for.”
“Precisely.”
“Any common themes to the companies receiving orders?”
“They build things?” Syler shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. Software design, hardware components, an automotive plant, an industrial steel fabricator. They build things. That’s about it.”
“Huh,” Arthur grinned, suddenly cheerful. “Maybe they’re making a death ray!”
“Oh god,” Syler groaned, hand vacating it’s beloved spot in Arthur’s hair to run down his face in exasperation, glasses going askew. “That’s a terrible spy movie cliché. I refuse to even entertain this discussion.”
“Well, you did ask for my input,” he quipped back, grabbing for the other man’s hand, optimistic about a return to gentle scalp massages. His handler fixed him with an entirely long suffering expression, lovely fingers remaining just out of his reach.
“Helpful as it was.” Syler made to get up, gently pressing on the other man’s shoulders until he begrudgingly vacated his lap and sat up. Arthur groaned, body reinvigorating its protests with a vengeance. “Come on, it’s late. Let’s get you home.”
“But we were having such a nice time. Almost a date, even!” Arthur grinned, staunchly undeterred by the hazel eyes rolling heavenward.
“Not in your lifetime, Dufault.” He went to collect his bag and coat, wisely leaving Arthur to his own devices and stubborn pride as the man struggled to get to his feet. They made their way slowly out of the operations branch and up to the parking garage, building all but empty so late on a weekday evening.
Arthur hobbled along slowly, the last twenty-four hours apparently having finally caught up with him, breathing quite heavily by the time they reached the ground floor garage. Syler was suddenly absurdly grateful for his car’s autopilot feature as there was absolutely no chance the other man would’ve deigned to wait while he went to get it. And also—
“Is that a Tesla? Of course you drive a Tesla. You fucking technophile!”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing!” Syler laughed, unable to help himself once he caught sight of the man’s scornful expression. “You know you’re jealous.” The lovely metallic gray Model S glided to a stop in front of the elevator, doors opening with the press of a button.
“I’m no such thing!” The way he immediately limped towards it sort of undermined his point, but Syler wasn’t going to call him on it. The other man sat down heavily into the passenger seat, quiet grunt escaping him as he did. “Haven’t you ever driven a real car? With an actual engine?”
The engineer continued to chuckle, making his way to the driver’s side as his agent shut the door with a huff. “Who needs a dated old combustion engine when just a motor leaves so much room for modifications?”
Arthur treated him with a heartbroken look. “Darling, I’m sorry, but I can’t see you anymore. It’s not me; it’s absolutely you.”
The other man cackled, wicked. “Oh, it has all the standard frills of an agency issued field vehicle. Run flat tires with pressure and temperature controls, armor plated exterior, automated fire extinguishers, and a dedicated interior air supply, all with a direct line to headquarters. Wicked quiet, streamlined for drag reduction, enhanced top speeds. Also, full autopilot capabilities.” He flicked his hands over the controls, inputting the agent’s home address before settling back in the seat, smug. “Oh, and did I mention the built in front and rear guns? I installed those myself in an evening. All that extra room without a pesky engine in the way.”
“It has no engine,”Arthur stressed, devastated. “How can you call it a car when it doesn’t have an engine?”
“You’re such a dinosaur,” he laughed, delighted. “You know you want one.”
“You are never, I repeat, never, allowed near my girl. Ever.”
Syler laughed the entire way home.
Seventeen
Syler woke early the next morning with nowhere pressing to be before noon, well rested and energized for once. A glance out the window of his apartment showed the trees were coming into their full autumnal glory, late October settling gently over the neighborhood, sun piercing in a way that promised the sharp chill air of fall. He absolutely adored this time of year.
Resolving that this morning should be relished, he bundled himself up in a well loved forest green pullover with sleeves long enough to fully cover his fingertips. Ruffling his curls into something resembling order was a lost cause and he mentally settled on a trip to the barbershop on his way into the agency. A nice walk to work with a hot thermos of coffee and a haircut before his dark mop of hair declared itself a sovereign power, then a morning ensconced in the ballistics lab testing his new AI drone. Yes, perfect.
He set off, inhaling the crisp fall air, making his way to his barber at a leisurely stroll. The man was just opening up when he arrived, perfectly happy to squeeze him in before
