Author's Note - This is a sort of stand-alone story from the series I am calling 'Helena's Family'. All my stories, so far, are a part of that world. Reading the earlier ones will, I think, enhance your enjoyment of this one, but is not essential. If you decide to read my earlier stories, and I hope you do, I suggest doing so in the order of their posting. My profile contains information as well about this series and how to read more of my stories. I am enjoying telling my stories. I hope you are enjoying reading them.
High ratings are great for the ego. Comments help authors know what works, what doesn't and can aid in developing future story arcs. Thank you to all of you who have rated and commented. I am humbled by your response.
To those who have followed me and to those who have favorited one or more of my stories, your support is appreciated. I apologize for taking so long to post this one. My profile will explain why such a delay.
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"That's not good," said Liana as she watched her computer screen flash a warning. Hackers attempted to gain access on a regular basis only to be shut down by the most elaborate security protocols on Earth. A few high level hackers managed to penetrate the first level of security. They were traced and put on a watch list. A small number of elite hackers had made it past the second level. They were treated to a personal visit. The standard response was a monetary offer to cease their efforts accompanied by a threat if they did not. The more hardened of them let their egos override common sense. They reacted with a casual dismissal of threats that they might lose equipment or face legal, or even criminal action. Threatening them with death normally did the trick.
Word spread rather quickly on hacker chat sites and message boards that there was one organization you did not mess with. Two kinds of people took the risk. The first were self-ordained, super-elite hackers who thought they were brilliant and invulnerable. To them, the challenge was irresistible.
Liana only ever had to visit one of them herself. Despite two warnings and visits from security staff, he persisted, using different aliases and sites. Third time was the charm. Liana had a contentious visit with him after his last attempt. The fact that he called her a cunt and tried to shoot her didn't help his cause. It's difficult to use a keyboard when you're lying face down at your computer with your throat ripped out and your blood pooling on the desk and floor. When, in addition, your body is found with your gun barrel stuck up your ass, that sends a pretty strong message.
The police failed to notice that the amount of blood, while copious, was less than there should have been. Liana couldn't help herself. Her anger made her hungry. She drank nearly two liters. After that story got out, death threats were taken more seriously.
The second group likely to take the risk were Hunters. A loosely organized group whose, seemingly, only reason to exist was to locate and kill Vampires, meaning Liana and the rest of Helena's 'family'. When it was discovered a hacker was a Hunter, that lucky contestant was immediately whisked away to a secret location, interrogated thoroughly, then executed. Their blood was drained and saved for drinking later. Their organs were harvested and sent to donor centers. Their bodies ended up in some remote forest. A scavenger and insect feast. That way they at least served a useful purpose,
As the head of IT for the family, Liana has the best equipment, better than any intelligence service, and a mind capable of using all of its capacity. It helps that she is over 300 years old. Liana studied computers since they were invented. She is arguably alone in her level of skill which accounts for how secure her systems are. Human lifespan inhibits how much one can learn. She also happens to be the 5th most powerful Vampire alive and a favorite of the Vampire Queen, in addition to being a close friend and occasional lover of each of Queen Helena's two daughters.
This particular alarm was caused by a hacker so skilled that their efforts had bypassed three security levels and was close to defeating the fourth. As good as this one was, Liana still managed to trace their location and identity. The hacker turned out to be a young woman named Cynthia, 25 years old, with 3 Masters Degrees, including engineering and computer science. Her skill level far surpassed anyone Liana had previously encountered. That made her dangerous. Frighteningly so. A call to Helena seemed in order.
"Hello, Liana" said Helena. "Is this business or pleasure?"
"Business, I'm afraid, My Queen. We have a situation here."
"It MUST be important if you're calling me 'my Queen'. You don't normally stand on ceremony in private. What do you need?"
"We have an attempted computer breach at an extremely high level. I need your thoughts for certain and maybe permission."
"I'm listening. Wait a second and I'll put you on hands free so Diana can listen as well. You might want to link Colleen and Katherine in. You really should have called her first, you know. She IS Director of Security. I realize her job is only recently created, but we need to adjust."
"You're right, of course. I apologize."
"Don't apologize to me. It's Katherine you need to make amends to. I can only imagine what your penance will be. Probably a threesome with her and Colleen where you are purely giving. At least for a bit. Colleen is such a softie. Katherine is much more like me. Personally, I would leave you unsatisfied for at least a day or two."
Liana laughed and said, "You need to stop coaching her. She can be scary enough in her own right. Anyway, be right back." A few seconds later, pleasantries were passed among all on the call along with an apology to Katherine who refused to issue a punishment and instead demanded a visit for a girl's fun night with her and Colleen.
Helena said, "Katherine, this is your area. Liana, let's have the details."
"As I told Helena, we have an attempted breach. A hacker we traced to a small town outside Belfast," said Liana.
"You've had attempts before. What's so special that you need us?" replied Katherine.
"This one has skills no human has shown to date. She's young, too young to be as advanced as she seems. Until her, no one has managed to breach beyond level two of my security protocols. This one reached level four. In time, I believe she will succeed in accessing the system."
"Fuck," said Katherine. "That can't be allowed to happen. Do you have a plan?"
"The beginning of one, yes. I want to start by offering her 4 times the usual payoff."
"What do you think the chances are she'll accept and we can instill sufficient fear for her to stop trying?"
"Not good. Someone with her level of talent is unlikely to quit."
"Are you asking me to sanction her death?"
"If I can't reason with her, yes. I prefer not to have to do that. Before we take that step, I would like the chance to recruit her."
"She can be killed if you deem it necessary. I'm new at this, Liana. Define recruit for me, please."
"I want her to come work for me."
"I see. You may offer her a contract. I trust you to know the best price. Mother, Diana, Collen, thoughts?"
Everyone gave their assent.
