Tadfield. Eric's little office adjacent to Mary Hodge's executive suite. The twin demons rise from their side-by-side chairs behind the desk as Crowley enters. They bow in unison
Demon Crowley.
At ease. Show me what you've got on your cell phones.
The two resume their seats. Crowley walks behind the pair until he's standing looking over their shoulders. The twins take out their phones, tapping and scrolling in unison as Crowley observes.
No passcode?
What's that?
Never mind, just go to the video gallery.
Hmmmm. Legion, you should delete these videos. Like right now. These phones are not secure. Anyone who gets hold of one could watch these videos. And you know what Beelzebub would think of that.
The Erics subtly morph as their expressions take on the appearance of an ancient, weary demon.
You understand human constructs better then we, Prince Crowley. Your advice is welcome.
The twin Erics proceed to tap in unison through the deletion process.
These pictures are now gone from all of these devices.
No one but you has ever watched them?
No, Prince. We are not so foolish as to have allowed that to happen.
No insult intended, Legion. Just verifying that we're on the same page.
The same page?
That we completely agree on what the consequences to us would be if demons other than you, I, and Prince Beelzebub ever saw these pictures.
Ah. I understand.
I will show Eric how to add some safety features to your phones. Make if more difficult for anyone except you to see what's stored on them.
Thank you, Prince Crowley.
Legion dissipates, and the twin Erics are now their usual keen 20-somethings.
Eric, these videos are still on your phone until something else overwrites the storage area they're held in. You'll need to get the Secure Delete app. Do it now.
Some moments pass as the Erics download and implement the app to successfully erase the files.
You're passing this along to the rest of your crew, yes?
Yes, Demon Crowley. These videos are now very gone.
Good. Now, we're going to set up a passcode and fingerprint ID and a secure folder . . .
London. Triple S Security. Crowley, Evgeny, and Bohdan are seated behind Bohdan's workstation, inspecting the phone that Crowley has subtracted from one of the Erics.
I had them set up some basic security measures, but thought you should take a look at these Hell phones.
Is Hell using IT managers?
I would be extremely surprised if that were the case.
How do they control phone use?
Intimidation, mostly. They have a different attitude toward technology. They don't understand how it works. At all. They simply make it work the way they imagine it should. They used to send me messages over my TV and car radio. Just interrupted whatever program was on, and started talking. Guessing they use phones the same way.
Hm. Could we set up as the secure enterprise server?
Possibly. That's why I'm here.
Hacking Hell. Now there's a project one does not get every day of the week.
Let me demonstrate the major problem.
Crowley taps the sample Hell phone with his fingertip. Instead of requiring the power button, a fingerprint and passcode, it simply boots and behaves as if he's the owner.
Hm. Yes, that is indeed a difficulty. So. We can protect against humans, but not demons.
Well, not all demons. Most don't even have permission to use phones. And the ones that do are supremely conscious of the chain of command. What I am more interested in is surveillance.
Ah. Of course. No point in making Hell even more secure.
Evgeny laughs.
Bohdan murmurs:
Is classic maneuver. Appear to do a favor. Then take over.
Let me show you a further difficulty if we use command and control servers.
Crowley gets out his own phone, taps and swipes a few times, shows Evgeny and Bohdan the pictures. Bohdan holds out his hand for the phone.
Here.
He transfers the pictures to a wide screen.
Shit. What did that?
Who. My boss. You're looking at the remains of the Tadfield parish hall.
Check out the melted metal.
Yep. The fire investigators hinted to the media that it might have been a meteor. But it's still an open case.
Doubtful we have any locations secure enough to survive an explosion like that.
Consecrated ground might work.
What is that?
Places that have been blessed and are holy. Under the protection of the Heavenly Host. Churches. Mosques. Synagogues. Temples. We demons can enter, but the ground burns our feet. And more, if we stay too long.
I am guessing you have such a place in mind in Tadfield.
Crowley grins.
Yep. St. Cecil's and All Angels, the local Church of England parish. The best part is, I think we could also use it to surveille Heaven. Hell is using Android, but the angels are using iPhones. Old models.
Bohdan and Evgeny regard one another. Then Evgeny addresses Crowley.
I admire your imagination, my brother.
Bohdan looks as beatific as if he's just had an epiphany.
This will be so much fun!
Just let's not forget about that Hell watch, either. I don't think either of you should physically mess with a Hell phone. I'll take this one back to Eric. Let me know when you need it to run tests.