24- New Beginnings… chapter twenty-four
Walter woke and laid in the warm blankets for a few minutes…. but the bathroom was calling so he got up, detoured to the kitchen to start the coffee and headed to the bathroom. Coming out combing his hair, he poured a cup of coffee and headed into the bedroom to get dressed in proper business attire for the run to the data center when the car shows up. He refilled his cup and rinsed out the pot to set it up for tomorrow and headed down stairs. Going to his desk, he opened the laptop to check for mail to see a message from Gene. He powered up the desktop unit and went into the kitchen to turn on the coffee maker and pulled out the container of pie, the carton of milk and took it all to the desk to eat and read Gene's message.
Walter- Only the #3 engine fluctuates. Reviewing the data does not give a definite point to look at for cause. Going over the system, engineers are reviewing the delivery system, condition of lines and obstructions. Hoping to not bubble your head any bigger than it already is, any suggestions would be appreciated. Reviewing previous tests, there does appear to have been some intermittent fluctuation, but this test was the most apparent- to you, anyway. Will keep you apprised of findings as discovered. Gene
Walter sat back, poured milk on the pie and thought while eating. Finishing up, he took the bowl to the kitchen rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. Filled his coffee and returned to his desk. Sitting down he pulled the laptop closer to type out a message to Gene.
Gene- New eyes may be of help. In Phoenix look up Happy Quinn and inquire if she could examine the system. DO NOT mention my name under any circumstances. Walter
He hesitated to send the message, but decided the issue with the testing was more important and hit send. He sat there for a few minutes when there was a knock at the door. He got up and opened the door.
"Good morning, Richard Elias sent me to drive Walter O'Brien to the Pacoima data center."
"I will be with you in a minute." Walter shut down the coffee maker in the kitchen, went to the desk to put his laptop in its case and head out the door with the driver, set security and got in for the ride to the data center.
Getting to the Pacoima data center, the manager was at the gate to escort Walter into the server facility. "Have to admit, when Richard said he sent a car to get you here at a certain time, he isn't joking. We hold a lot of his space proprietary data here- he takes its security very seriously, which means I take it even more seriously. I do not know which is getting hit more- the scientific data or the financial data."
"There is a price for everything on the dark web, these days, so nothing is safe." Walter said walking with the manager. "I will be scanning the system today to see what activity has been going on, and within a day or two will have the program ready to go. Monitoring will have to continue and you will be given my contact info if any problem arises. Hackers endeavoring to breach data center systems are usually less than competent programmers. In time I want to find one I can backtrack to their system and shut it down with luck catastrophically. Would make them think twice before attempting again."
"Wow, that would be something to see. Here we are, can I get you anything?"
"Just some coffee if possible, I will let you know when I am ready to go." Walter said pulling the laptop out of its case and getting ready to work. Two hours and draining the third cup of coffee, Walter stood to pull the cable and get ready to go. He called the manager for escort to the gate, went to the car awaiting him and was driven to the garage. Reaching the garage, the driver exited the car and opened the door for Walter. "Mr. O'Brien, I will be the dedicated driver as long as needed. Here is my card, just call or message when needed."
Walter looked at the card "Dave O'Conner, you can call me Walt and I will call you Dave. We may be spending some time together, so may as well make it pleasant. You have the list of data centers Richard wants security for? Wednesday will be standing day to go for initial scanning. I will message you when ready to download but usually will be ready Thursday or Friday late afternoon when able to do system restarts." Walter put his hand out to shake, "Will be a pleasure doing business with you, Dave." And went into the garage.
Walter went to his desk and powered up the desktop unit. Pulling the laptop out of its case he set it open at the corner of his desk and went into the kitchen to get coffee started. While the coffee was brewing, Walter sat at his desk to think of past hypotheticals that would be a close match to the Pacoima data center's needs. Within minutes, he pulled the desktop keyboard closer to use and brought up two programs. A quick scan he decided which was optimum and closed the other. Getting up to pour some coffee, he returned to his desk and started going through the chosen program, and worked the needed alterations, rewrites, and new coding to fit Pacoima's needs. Four hours thirty-two minutes and one pot of coffee later, Walter opened a desk drawer to get a new external hard drive, remove it from its packaging and hooked it up to transfer the completed program. Sitting back Walter stretched, then after sitting so long, got up to stretch flat on the sofa, legs over the arm and closed his eyes.
Walter had dozed off but when he awoke he got up to see the transfer was completed. He disconnected and put the hard drive in a static-free bag, boxed it up for transport and set it on the desk. He powered down the desktop unit, closed the laptop and went upstairs to shower and go to bed.
In the morning, Walter awoke, detoured to the kitchen to start the coffee then into the bathroom to use the facilities, brush his teeth, wash up and comb his hair. Going into the kitchen he poured a cup of coffee to take into the bedroom to drink while getting dressed in jeans and t-shirt. Refilling his coffee, he shut the brewer down and went downstairs to open his laptop and check for mail to see a message from Gene.
Walter- When you mentioned that name, it rang a bell so I did some research. Couple interesting patents. Seems she is well known in the custom motorcycle crowd here at the test facilities. A couple of the guys are going to approach her about our issue- you will not be mentioned. Will let you know how it progresses. Per the guys, she is not the easiest to get along with so not surprising you recommend her. Gene
Walter snickered. Waste of expertise to see Happy limited to motorcycle work. Granted, she enjoys it, but hardly the total scope of her abilities and should she come up with the cause of the engine fluctuation she may end up better employed at the test facility. Up to her, now, he can do no more.
The structural engineering crew were due shortly so he went into the kitchen and got the coffee going, opened both bay garage doors to await their arrival. Kicking back at his desk sipping his coffee there was a knock at the door and when he opened it, there was the engineering crew- three younger men and one older.
"Mr. O'Brien? I am Joe Spaulding, and this is Jack, Steve, Ken, and Mike of Apex Structural Engineering."
Walter shook hands with each in turn, "We may be spending some time together so Walt is fine. I am anxious to see what you can do with the place…. without having it collapse. Come in, sit down, want some coffee or a bottle of water?"
They all sat in the common area and once drinks were doled out, Joe started the conversation. "You know we do an extensive research on any building we are hired to look at. Were you aware this structure was built in 1947? Has been upgraded over the decades for earthquake regulation requirements on buildings so old and is presently up to necessary code. Its being mixed use so a residence is unusual as this area has changed over the years- I gather you have lived here for some time so the residential use would be grandfathered in if the city should decide to change it in future. Originally it was a fully open structure, probably divided to get two tenets so more revenue for former owners. The part having the enclosing dividing wall so there will be no problem whatsoever opening it back up to original configuration, so not to worry about collapsing around your ankles. At one time the entire loft was open and used for offices while assorted businesses, from automotive garage to fruit and produce distribution went on below. I gather you are aware of the cellar- very rare feature out here. You have acquired yourself a unique structure and what you are interested in doing should not be a problem."
"Ken, want to get the drawings and papers out of the van and bring them in. Walt, we can show you pictures of the original structure as well as the original plans."
Walter took everything off the coffee table so the paperwork Ken brought in could be spread out.
"If you don't mind my asking, what exactly do you do here? This structure has seen a lot of uses over the decades," Joe asked. "It is interesting to watch the changes."
"Scorpion Security Systems, security software. Plus, I collaborate with Elias Enterprises space program, work component design, one reason why I want the entire structure able to be utilized- design of a space orbiter is in the preliminary research stage- one reason why the space is needed. So yes, to go from fruit distribution to space design is quite a span for the old building."
"Yes, that is really getting this old building moving into the modern age, indeed."
"Steve can chalk out the walls for removal to give you a better visualization, plus we would recommend bolstering the loft- more support for the structure above- those hardwood floors need to be better checked out. Once the walls are down, and the loft area bolstered you will have the basic bare bones for future remodeling."
"It is quite a relief to know there won't be any big risk to the structure when the walls are opened. Rather than complete removal, I want arched openings that can be closed off as I do park cars within. The decision made, how long for the job to be completed and most important- cost. You are welcome to scope out the entire structure and draw up an estimate as well as the time needed to get the job done. I do live here as well as work out of the place so will be here during the job- and the cellar is not to be entered or disturbed in any way. I have some work to do, you can go check out the lofts and work up an estimate and time schedule and I will give you a decision within a day."
The four men hiked up stairs to scope out the structure, each pulling out data pads to take notes and measurements conferring with each other. As a group they went out one bay and into the other and up to the loft there. After checking out the entire structure, they returned to the common area sofa to confer and draw up plans. Ken was tasked with doing a rendering of the suggested openings on his drawing pad. After an hour, Joe called Walter to join him while the others went outside to the van. Joe gave Walter all the data they had compiled complete with the estimate and a time to get it started. Walter looked at the bottom line and made the decision immediately and asked how soon they could get started. "Monday morning at seven we can bring the crew and equipment and, since you don't want a complete removal, we can have it completed and cleaned up by Wednesday. Do realize we are just opening things up- we do not remodel and make things pretty, so when we are done it will be bare," Joe said, "Ready for you to get a remodeling crew to make things livable." Joe rose as did Walter. They shook hands and Joe left, "See you bright and early Monday morning. Walter."
After closing everything up after the crew left, Walter returned to his desk to message the Pacoima data center manager that he would be able to down load the security programming Friday late afternoon when the system could be restarted to give Walter a time.
Within minutes the laptop signaled new mail- from Pacoima.
Mr. O'Brien- The facility has but one shift that ends at five, I am usually on site until six. System can be restarted as needed after, will expect you Friday by 4:30 to download, restart and scan. See you then. Bill Wilson
Walter got the card for Dave O'Connor to message him that he needs to be at Pacoima at 4:30 Friday. All was set up so nothing to do the rest of this evening. He sat down on the sofa and started looking through the papers and pictures the engineering crew left. He sat back looking at the wall then the quick rendering Ken had drawn up. He also got to thinking of getting an actual remodeling crew to remake the combined lofts. He also wondered if Lynn would be interested in making suggestions.
He got up to sit at the desk and pulled the laptop closer to message Lynn.
Lynn- Will be stuck at the garage Monday through Wednesday afternoon as the structural engineers will be knocking walls open throughout the garage- lots of noise and dust. How much do you know of remodeling? Walter
Walter sat for a bit then headed up to the loft to shower and shave to get ready for Friday. He set out business attire for the run to the data center thinking he would spend the earlier part of the day reviewing all the previous test runs Gene could send, intermittent fluctuations that culminated in the last test should show where the problem originated. Pulling on clean boxers and t-shirt he went back downstairs to message Gene again.
Gene- Possible to send previous intermittent fluctuations clips, always the #3 engine or others involved? More than one or always just one but rotates? Could be a fuel/ox ratio delivery issue? Walter
Walter kicked back at his desk to await a reply from Gene. Checking out some science sites it finally became obvious he would not be getting one tonight so he powered down the desktop unit, closed the laptop and hiked back up to the loft to go to bed.
Awaking in the morning, Walter headed to the kitchen to start the coffee then on to the bathroom. Coming out he poured a cup of coffee to take to the bedroom to get dressed in business attire for the afternoon run to Pacoima data center at 4:30. Finishing his cup he returned to the kitchen to refill, shut the brewer down and head downstairs. Opening the laptop at the corner of the desk to check for mail there was nothing new. He sat for a moment then did some research on Devin C for sale. Looking at all the assorted drivetrains the Devins were built with he wondered if Lynn would get more enjoyment building one from the ground up or want a turn-key rig. That got him thinking of Happy- she has built and upgraded many assorted motorcycles and certainly enjoyed the work. Too bad Happy and Lynn will probably never meet- they would probably be the best of buds being so attuned to machinery- he would probably never get a chance to get under the hood of any vehicle between the two of them…. but then he would certainly enjoy sitting back watching the two of them working together. Wonder if Happy would get the reference of the seven dwarves….. Doc, Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Bashful, Sneezy aaaand Happy… that brought a smile to his face. Lynn certainly kept things interesting.
He decided to message Lynn about what engines she had access to.
Lynn- Have any spare Corvair engines stashed anywhere? A 180 turbo by chance? Walter
He continued to check out the assorted drivetrains in Devin kit cars then noticed the time, so shutdown the laptop and put it in its case as the car would be arriving soon. He got up to shut off the coffee, opened the door. Within a few minutes, Walter finished his coffee and put the cup in the dishwasher, and grabbed his laptop when Dave knocked on the door.
"Good afternoon, Dave. Your timing is perfect."
"Afternoon, Walter. My timing will always be perfect when the rider does not keep me waiting. We should be there at the Pacoima data center gate at 4:30 as expected." Dave said with a smile opening the door for Walter.
"Well, Dave. I will hope to never keep you waiting. 4:27 at the gate, your timing is perfect," Walter said as Dave had opened the door for him to exit the car. "You want to come along, have some coffee and get bored watching program loading?"
"No sir, I will await your return in the car- keep an eye on things."
"Right on time again, Walter," the Pacoima manager said meeting him at the gate. "Excellent doing business with punctual people."
"You can thank Richard and his driver. This should take but two hours at most and done. As I explained, once this program is in, monitoring is mandatory and a weekly report would be beneficial. When you send it in, should you have a problem, put 'alert' in the message subject line so it will be attended to immediately. Once loaded, a restart is necessary then I will again scan for irregularities, issues. If all is well, you should be good to go."
"Everyone clears out at five, being Friday everyone is fast hitting the door. I remain until six-thirty, sometime later if necessary. I have a carafe of coffee waiting for you. Give me a call when ready to go."
Walter entered the server and pulled his laptop out, "Thank you and see you in about an hour or so," poured himself a cup of coffee and got to work.
By six-ten the manager and Walter were walking to the gate discussing the monitoring. At the gate they shook hands and Walter headed to the car when Dave got out to open the car door for Water to get in. "Well, Dave one down and how many more on the list?"
"This is the first of fourteen data centers concerned with Elisa Enterprises space, banking, and financials concerns. The space proprietary data centers are first on the list, then the banking and financials though some of the data centers handle all three."
"They all within LA proper?"
"The list I have are all within the LA environs. There are a number of data centers in Arizona in the Phoenix district that hold the rocketry data. Mr. Elias did not put any of them on the present list- possibly in future should you be interested in spending time in Arizona. Once the present list is completed, Mr. Elias may discuss Arizona with you."
"Do you go to Arizona?"
"If you are tasked with the data centers in Phoenix and requested me, I am sure it could be arranged. I have spent time in the Phoenix area so am familiar with the street layout."
"You do not depend on GPS and other electronic locating?"
"No sir. While there is GPS locating on this vehicle, it is only on when I turn it on and I only do that when I see a problem. Mr. Elias is very strongly concerned with the safety of people in or affiliated with his enterprise. We were made aware of your having been assaulted and hospitalized. We will do all we can to ensure you are not in any jeopardy when with us."
"That assault was a highly unusual set of circumstances- not like I have a band of baddies out to get me- I'm just a computer nerd with good security software," Walter laughed.
"That being the case, will make my job easier, but it is still my job to keep you safe," Dave said. "Here we are back home. I will be here next Wednesday at ten for the next data center on the list which is in Fullerton." He exited the car to open the door for Walter.
"Thank you, Dave. I will be ready for you Wednesday at ten- I won't make you wait. Have a good weekend." Walter entered the garage to find Lynn in the kitchen. "What you up to, young lady?" He asked going to his desk to pull the laptop out to open and set it in the corner then go into the kitchen. Leaning against a counter out of her way, "so what is this?"
"I figured you could use dinner," Lynn said. "I noticed the apple pie was gone so figured you had that for breakfast- have you eaten anything since?"
"Drank a lot of coffee….. that count?"
"You are an old man, how are you going to remain in good health living on pie and coffee?"
"Hey!" Walter said sternly. When Lynn looked up at him, he put his arms out and pirouetted, "do I not pass as in good health?"
"OK, once again, unbutton your shirt," Lynn said folding her arms.
"Not necessary, I do not have the rib brace on, nor have I needed the cane all day."
"Prove it, unbutton your shirt or you trying to pull a fast one on me."
Walter quirked an eyebrow, undid his tie to leave it hanging and unbuttoned his shirt then held it open. "See, not pulling a fast one, no brace."
Lynn walked to Walter, put her arms around his waist, and kissed his chest, then looking up at him asked, "tell me, Walter, are you always so easily talked into stripping in the kitchen?"
"Gods, I sure walked into that one, huh?" Walter said looking down at Lynn. "Just another example of a young woman taking advantage of an unsuspecting old man."
Lynn laughed and patted his chest. "I remember you said you liked fish, so have a couple big chunks of sea bass in the oven- all wrapped up with butter and lots of lemons. Some steamed veggies on the side, and a good for you fruit smoothie. How does that sound?"
"Next time, use the loft kitchen for a shorter trip to the roof to eat. Nice evening, start of a Santa Ana so light warm east wind. I may get some solar powered string lights for up there, maybe a grill. Would be especially pleasant in summer."
"By the way, yes, I have a 150 and a 180 turbo engine in the garage at home. Good thing, the turbo stuff is getting quite expensive these days. Why you interested in what spare engines I have? Also have a 110 on a shelf. Something takes a dump, easy engine swap and rebuild so always ready. Old cars, you know- harder to keep in good running shape than old men."
Walter left his shirt open and leaned on the counter again. "I had time to fart around on the computer before Dave arrived for the run to Pacoima and looked into Devin kit cars and was wondering if you had engines to build one or if you preferred a turnkey. Looking at the performance graphs on the 180 turbo in such a light kit car, not much would beat it on a road course- certainly not Joe's Porsche, no matter what he did with it."
"You had also asked if I knew anything about remodeling- nope. Out of my element with pounding nails and functional abode plumbing. Could say what would be neat, but not my kind of designing. Ready to eat?" Lynn asked getting the fish out of the oven. Preparing a couple plates with the fish and veggies, she threw orange sections, cut up apples, banana and some orange juice in the blender with some ice and when done poured into a couple tall glasses and sat down at the kitchen table to join Walter for dinner. "So what are you planning? Just thought you were going to open the dividing wall to make the entire place usable."
"Have any idea how much room there will be with the lofts combined? Plus, the floor space could be extended. The possibilities are endless- like I said we could have a veritable palace up there. And plenty of room downstairs to spread orbiter planning all over."
"Walter, you seem to be getting carried away with things."
"Lynn, do not over think the plumbing. Friends going together on a race car is not unheard of, spending time here or your place while researching and designing the orbiter- the more room the better. I can always use more room for expanding my library, another computer room, spare bedroom. I'm not asking you to marry me, just continue spending enjoyable time together."