Security Compromised
Ranell called everyone he could think of. He told his story again and again to GML security specialists, Lockheed-Martin representatives, police, and eventually, agents from the FBI. But despite the written reports and working to produce composite sketches, no evidence of Hétóng Rén was ever found.
A forensic analysis of Ranell’s telephone confirmed that it had been compromised.
“How bad is it?” he’d asked.
“One hundred percent. They got everything.”
The news made his blood run cold. Everything was on that cell phone. Business information, bank accounts, personal files and passwords, family pictures. He faced the daunting prospect of rebuilding his entire electronic life. My wife is furious. Ranell massaged his temples, the ache in his head threatening another migraine.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
Ranell's first indication that something was terribly amiss was when the local government seized a GML tractor-trailer hauling auto parts meant for the Kantanka automobile factory in Ghana. GML received word that until some outstanding payments were made, the vehicle would be impounded, and the asset diverted to assist with some ongoing humanitarian crisis.
As a single incident, it was unusual. Ranell had been unaware there was an outstanding payment due, and he directed his team to investigate. Soon, however, similar reports started coming in from all over the world. GML assets were being seized by foreign governments and repurposed, typically for famine relief efforts.
A trickle of reports turned into a flood, and the GML executive staff soon understood that they were the target of a global-scaled coordinated attack that they were powerless to stop.
“Hello, Patty?” Ranell had been trying to get the Lockheed-Martin rep on the line all day. It's me, Josef… Josef Ranell, from GML."
She knew who it was.
“Yeah, anyway, I was wondering if we could get together to discuss the impact of this raid on GML assets.” Ranell listened for a moment. They would not be able to get together anytime soon, too many other commitments.
"Yes, of course I understand, Patty." Ranell nodded inanely with the cell phone in his hand as if he could somehow use his body language to influence her. Jamison explained to him that she could only talk for a second. "Yeah, well, I just wanted to communicate with your team that we're optimistic there's a way forward. We think we see some signs of this letting up…"
She cut him off. “Look, Josef, I'm sorry to have to tell you this over the phone, but GML is just too hot right now."
“Too hot?” Now Ranell shook his head, “No, no, no, Patty. Listen to me! We've still got a contract, you've still got the Sky Tug, it's more important than ever to develop this platform. You can see how interested the Chinese are in stopping it. We can't let them!"
“I’m sorry, Josef, I really am.”
Ranell extended his free hand to stop the words he knew were coming next.
Jamison dropped the bomb. “Josef, the breach in GML security gives us legal grounds to terminate the contract." Gone was the friendly, bubbly personality. In its place was an ice-cold detachment. "You know the governments in a debt crisis. The President just announced a $500 billion budget cut. There's no way to salvage this. We just can't do business with a company that's floundering like GML is. Our legal team will contact you in the morning.” Then she was gone.
GML is now heading inexorably towards bankruptcy:
Choose Option 1: Confess Failure
Choose Option 2: Did Your Best?