Chapter 14: Turo, We Have a Problem
Reuben grumbled to himself as the doors to the main deck slid open and he stepped in. Those two mischief-makers were going to get him in a heap of trouble one of these days, and he could only begin to imagine what other surprises they'd hidden for the crew on the main computer…
"There you are," Gantu said as Reuben walked over. "I'm guessing the computer files have been re-organized?"
"Yeah, and we need a new security system. The one we got going could be hacked by a ten-year-old. Oh, wait – it WAS hacked by a ten-year old," Reuben said, sitting down next to one of the computer screens. "Honestly, it's been five years, and even when we're on the same side, those two won't get out of our hair. Well, my hair," he smirked, raising an eyebrow while Gantu glared at him. Gantu's annoyance changed to alarm as he realized what Reuben had just said.
"Lilo hacked into our computer? Why would she do something like that?"
"Practical jokes, smiley faces – the kid's ten, remember? It's not like she's out to get us. But what bothers me is that she was able to in the first place. For the third time, she's ten. If a ten-year-old can get into our main computer and play jokes…"
"…Imagine what an actual hacker can do," Gantu finished. "We need a new security system before anybody figures that out." He turned to one of the others. "Begin reinforcing the computer's security system."
"Aye-aye, sir."
"Excellent." Gantu returned his attention to Reuben. "What is the status on the Johnson girl?"
"Her name's Amy." Reuben answered without missing a beat, and slapped his forehead when he saw Gantu smirk, realizing what he'd just done. Not again…
"Amy, right. I remember. So, how is Amy?" Reuben could hear the restrained laughter, the slight mockery in his tone. Gantu had been waiting for five years for something, anything, he could use against Reuben for all of the blitznak the experiment had given him back on Earth. Now, he'd found it. And even worse, it was a girl.
"From what I've been told…" Reuben started, trying to refrain from snapping "Stop mentally laughing at me!" at Gantu, "she is still getting used to being on the ship, but for the most part is emotionally stable. "
"From what you've been told," Gantu repeated, skepticism only detectable in his voice by those who knew how to listen for it. And, to his own annoyance, that meant Reuben.
"From what she told me, alright? Yes, I've talked to her, but she's been through goodness-knows-how-much trauma within the past 24 hours, and I wanted to make sure she wouldn't have a Carrie-style meltdown or anything."
Gantu's smirk widened. "Of course. And that's the only reason."
"First Stitch, then Lilo, and now you! Why does everybody I talk to today seem to think T- I am not going to finish that," Reuben caught himself, crossing his arms defiantly. Gantu was about to retort when the crew member he'd told to reinforce the system turned away from the computer.
'Um, Captain? An unknown file was recently downloaded to the main computer."
"What?" Gantu immediately forgot that he was annoying his Galley Officer – he turned to face the one who had spoken. "What type of file?"
"It doesn't say, sir, and when I tried to open it, it said it was already deleted. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the computer, though. Should I continue reinforcing the security?"
Gantu frowned, thinking for a moment. "… Yes," he said, "but run a thorough scan of the entire main computer first. I don't want to take any risks with this ship."
"Yes, sir."
Gantu nodded, and turned back to Reuben, who had realized his chance to run far too late. "So," Gantu said, and Reuben glared, "Just making sure she wasn't going to have a meltdown? She already has a roommate to be her friend, you know."
"Yeah, that girl Sonja? As in, the martial-arts instructor's daughter who drinks two cups of coffee a morning Sonja? I can only begin to imagine what she's putting the poor girl through right now!"