A/N: Here is the next chapter. I think this will be the last chapter that I upload for the story today. My hands are really starting to cramp up. Like always, read and enjoy:)
Chapter 5- Coded Languages
Walking back into the OSP center Callen and Sam saw Eric lounging at his computer with his feet up on the desk, and Nell standing at the giant table waiting patiently for them to arrive. Having glanced over at the door as they walked in Eric quickly jumped up out of his chair into a standing position which caused Sam to laugh. Trying not to show his embarrassment Eric walked over to the table, and stood at Nell's side.
As quickly as it started Sam's laughter ended. Placing the hard covered journal in the middle of the table Callen looked to Eric and Nell as he said,
"This journal contains all of Brian Doyle's notes on the software he was creating. Apparently he wrote it so that no one but himself could read it. We were hoping that since you both know a lot about computers and encryptions that one of you would be able to read it."
Immediately understanding what Callen was asking Eric nodded his head while Nell appeared a little reluctant at what she was being asked to do. Pulling the journal closer Eric quickly opened it, and started flipping through the pages. An expression of dismay spread across his face as he closed the journal and placed it back in the middle, and said,
"Sorry Callen, whatever language this guy wrote his notes in I can't read it or understand it."
Keeping his face neutral of any emotion Callen nodded his head as he turned to look at Nell. Nell didn't even look at him in the face; her eyes were on the journal, looking at it as if it was a venomous snake. Seeing this expression Callen knew that she was scared to look at the book. Feeling sorry for what he was about to have her do Callen placed his hand over Nell's small child-sized one. Feeling the contact of Callen's hand embracing her own Nell glanced down at his hand before looking up into Callen's light blue eyes. Seeing the fear swimming in her eyes Callen gently squeezed her hand as he said,
"Nell, I know that you are afraid somehow to look at Brian Doyle's notes, but we need you to look at them. If you can read and understand what he wrote then maybe we can figure out the software he created. Please Nell?"
With no way around not reading the notes Nell heaved a sigh, and pulled the beat up journal towards her and opened it. Just looking at the first page of notes Nell was able to comprehend what Doyle had written. The language that he had written the notes in was a secret language that she and Doyle had created when they were kids. As she looked at the pages she was surprised that she remembered how to read it.
Scheming deeper into the depths of notes Nell became more and more intrigued by what she read. The equations and notes on the pages sounded nothing like the young boy she knew long ago. Having read enough of the notes Nell closed the journal and looked around at the three men who were quietly waiting for her to speak. Unable to stand the silence any longer Nell spoke,
"I can read the notes and understand what they say. The language that he used to write the notes was a secret language that we created when we were kids."
Nodding his head Callen hid the relief that he felt that Nell was able to read the notes as he replied,
"Can you tell us what kind of software Doyle was creating?"
Opening the book once more Nell flipped to a certain section in the middle of the book. Glancing down at the symbols on the page Nell replied,
"He talks about the software in detail on this page. The equations he wrote I can't understand, but from reading his descriptions what he's developed isn't a good thing…"
Hearing the sadness seeping into Nell's voice Callen, Eric, and Sam immediately knew that what was in the notes wasn't good. A three looked to Nell, and waited for her to continue,
"The software that Brian created appears to be some sort of virus. From what I can tell the virus can be used to infiltrate and destroy all computers and electronic equipment and devices on any navy ships or vessels."
After reading that last piece of notes Nell paused, she couldn't believe what she had just read. The Brian she had known as a child wouldn't have created a computer virus to destroy the computer and electrical equipment on naval vessels. But then again people do change. Tearing her eyes away from the pages of encrypted notes Nell turned to look at Callen. What she saw was a blank face chiseled out of stone, but within his blue eyes she could see the fires of anger shining brightly.
Closing the journal Nell leaned over the table with her head in her hands feeling overwhelmed with everything that was going on, and everything they had just learned. Knowing that she needed to remain calm Nell took a few deep breaths but didn't get the results that she had hoped for. A feeling of desperation to escape filled her. Lifting her head back to her normal height while avoiding eye contact with the three worried men around her Nell ran for the door as she exclaimed,
"I need some air."
Still worried for the young woman Callen, Eric, and Sam stayed unmoving in their original positions. They had just made a major break in the case, but the break was apparently too much for Nell to handle. She needed her space and they would give it to her.
Walking through the doorway with a perplexed expression on her face Hetty came to stop near the table with her hands behind her back. Seeing the identical expressions on the three gentlemen's faces Hetty had a good idea about what had just taken place. Changing the position of her hands so they were cupped together in front of her Hetty said,
"As I was beginning to make my way up the stairs a moment ago I was nearly blown away by Nell as she ran past me heading straight for the nearest exit. Maybe one of you three gentlemen can fill me in on what happened in here?"
Being a person who never seems to miss a thing Hetty saw the three men before her exchange glances between each other, and she waited patiently for someone to answer her question. Finally after a few minutes of what appeared to be a silent agreement between the three child-like men Callen heaved a sigh as he bowed his head in defeat. Lifting his head up to stare Hetty directly in the face Callen began to tell her of everything they had learned and what had just happened.