M114 - Ordinary Spaceman Newman - Computer Hack
From Create Your Own Story
“Whoa, this thing is an antique!” Able-Bodied Spaceman Paul Latimer said when he first saw the computer sitting on the rusty folding table in the stone-dug out that Professor Carter used as his office.
“Do you know how to get into it?” Ordinary Spaceman Marcus Newman asked as he followed the ‘Computer Whiz’ into the single room building. The tall Newman had to duck his head when he stepped inside.
“No,” Latimer said and shoved aside a stack of papers on the table to make room for what looked like a brief-case that he was carrying. Placing the case down on the table, he added, “But Samuel Johnson said, ‘Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it‘.” Latimer opened the case. It was a portable computer. “This baby has info and manuals on every non-classified computer ever built.” He started punching buttons and glanced back over his shoulder, “And some that are classified.”
“This is going to take some time,” Latimer said as he brought up screen after screen in rapid succession on his computer. “I hope the Professor or his wife doesn’t show up un-expectedly.”
“The Captain gave him six men to help dig,” Newman answered. “That ought to make sure he stays down at the site.” Still, the large African stood by the doorway, keeping ‘look-out’.”
“Yeah, I was glad… syntax error 173? What the fuck is that?” Latimer was dividing his key punching between his and the Professor’s computer. “I was glad to get this gig. Who the fuck wants to dig ditches?”
“I know,” Newton, a Medical Doctor in Civilian Life laughed. “Did you hear the way Nagumo was carrying on? I am an Astrophysicist, not an Excavator’.”
Latimer chuckled, “Yeah, and the ‘Boats’ told him, ‘So? The sun’s out now. You can gaze at the stars tonight’… Alright… Let’s see if I’ve got a ‘hacking’ program for this beast stashed away somewhere.” He started searching the files on his machine and said, “Listen, Doc, if you want to walk around for awhile or something, go ahead. I’ll come find you when I’m ‘in’.”
