Hacker Blues-
Kristofer Armstrong

I was almost there! At least NOW I can have my revenge on that little prick Enrique-who ten years ago forced my white trash, six year old, ass into this lousy Hacker rehab center. Suddenly everything went dark.
"What the fuck?" I said to myself.
I reached up and felt the back of my skull to wear the "meld" was-even today in 2032 A.D. it still is referred by some as "The Vulcan Mind Meld." Supposedly it was named after the old syndicated television show "Star Trek." There are so many trekkies around I guess the name just stuck.-it was gone! No wonder everything went black.
I decided to take off my V.R. glasses, and found "Doctor" Schwitzer standing before me, twirling the connection piece of my meld in his hand! He said:
"Oh, why hello Mr. Linn-wait!- You prefer to be called Ed-right?"
"Yes."
"Ed, it appears that I've caught you in the act of a major "NO-NO". You do remember what the archives say..."
"Yes, I do." I said finishing his sentence for him. Clearing my throat I continued:
"Article one, section one: The mark of a good Hacker is that no one knows that he was there-he gets in and then he gets out."
"All true, but, it seems that I've caught you! Now let me refresh your memory. Article ten, section one: There's no way to stop a person from doing bad things, but its the really destructive ones-Hackers-that give the rest of the remaining Hackers their bad image from society's point of view-in other words a few bad apples spoil the bunch."
"Your point being..."
"Off the record..."
"Of course."
"The ones that actually learn how the system(s) work and manage not to get caught, those are the ones who'll be controlling-or should I say "Livin' large & in charge."-the computer industry in the years to come. Do you understand, Ed?"
"You mean that if I can crash Ricky's systems and get out before he sends out his D.A.W.G.S.S."
"Excuse me D.A.W.G.S.S.?"
"You know D.A.W.G.S.S.-Digitally, Animated, Warning/Guidance, Systematic Sentinels. Usually once you break into somebody's system(s) the D.A.W.G.S.S. are on your trail ASAP bam your dead, and even if you somehow manage to get out of that person's system(s) before the D.A.W.G.S.S. follow you-Only the great God Om knows how!-back to your terminal and in turn totally trash your system(s)."
"I think I understand, but, I say again do you?"
"You mean that if I can trash a system-get in and get out- without getting caught I would be able to..."
"Get off Scott-free!",Schwitzer said, cutting me short. After looking around the room he yelled "PRIVACY!", and immediately a privacy dome went up around us. He continued:
"I meant what I said-those are the ones who will be controlling the computer industry in the years to come.-Ed I'm offering you your freedom and a partnership in the Rehab if you just..."
"Just what?" I said, cutting him off.
"You crash our competitor's-EXE/COM-system and I mean permantely crash it! Think you can do it?"
"I am think I can, but why do you want their system crashed?" I asked.
"For one they're our competitors; can you imagnine how much more business there would be-for us-if they weren't arouond? We'll be rich!"
"Okay, I think that I'm begining to see your point, but I want more like..."
"Like what?" He said, smiling.
"I want to crash Enrique's system-unmolested by you and your goons, and forget the partnership-I want it all! The rehab center's titles, rights, and any other things of that nature!"
"Greedy little bastard, aren't you?", he said, the smile splipping from his face.
"Forget it then! Just put me back in my goddamn cell then!", I said yelling the last part.
"Fine!", Schwitzer said, and taking a deep breathe continued, "End privacy now!"

Up went the privacy dome, and suddenly guards had surrounded me. I heard Schwitzer say:
"Take Mr. Linn to his room!" and turning so he faced me, he continued, "If you don't want to, I guess we'll find some way to make you volunteer, then."
The guards took me to my "room"- a six by nine cell, with a bed, wash basin, mirror, and a toilet. It definetaly was not the Hilton. After about an hour or so, a guard delivered my dinner. I was hungrier than I thought, I wolfed down the food.
Suddenly the room began to spin, then everything blacked out-the food had been drugged!

I awoke to find myself in shackles. I had a massive headache, was extremely thristy, and really had to take a leak. "Doctor" Schwitzer came into view, talking to an Asian gentlemen.
"Ed, are you awake?" asked Schwitzer.
"Yeah." I croaked, desperately trying to salivate my mouth.
"This computer system is a faculty of wonderful virtue full of high mysteries, containg the most secret things in the computer industry." said the Asian gentleman, as fiddled with the computer's console.
"Ed, this Wu." Schwitzer said, and turning to face Wu, he said, "What was that crap you were mumbling about?-High mysteries, and the computer industry?"
"You don't understand?" asked Wu, raising his eyebrows in disbelief.
"I think...I think I understand." I said.
"Continue." Wu said.
"Could you mean, by chance, databases and their enclosed files?" I said.
Wu applauded saying:
"At least you understand, unlike others." at the last part he turned to face Schwitzer.
"Just what in the Hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Release Ed, then we'll talk." said Wu, dismissing Scjwitzer's question with a wave of his hand.
As Schwitzer removed my shackles, Wu began to talk to me:
"How did you understand what I was talking about was databases?" he said looking impressed.
Rubbing my wrists, I said:
"Well it was the thingss that you said; a faculty meaning a group, high mysteries-meaning top secret information, then you said computer. I put it all together."