Page 7 of Smart Ass

Maxamillion

Critical alert: Firewall breach at 026XYILK346

Critical alert: Silenced at AT4534SRY2

Critical alert: Records access breach at 24ASXDRY398

Critical alert: Silenced at SDR9305DT

“Hey, Max?”

The system listened. It was programmed to. Anywhere in the factory where someone said the words System Input, it would respond. It also responded to Hey, Max.

Alternative protocol: Maxamillion module

“Ben?” Maxamillion asked.

Location security protocol

Factory floor control room: Benedict Curran not present

Door logs: Benedict Curran last exited the building at 3:57:06 A.M.

Building sweep: Benedict Curran not present

Decision tree. Ranking of possible outcomes.

System log: Illegal tunneling attempt at 026XYILK346

Connection closed

Critical alert: Firewall breach at 349SDXDJV229

Critical alert: Silenced at AE87708ESG

“Hey, Max! Don’t shut me out, man. I need your help!”

Voice recognition: Benedict Curran

Alternative protocol: Maxamillion module

Location security protocol

Factory floor control room: Benedict Curran not present

Door logs: Benedict Curran last exited the building at 3:57:06 A.M.

Building sweep: Benedict Curran not present

“Come on, Maxy. You know it’s me.”

Resource allocation Maxamillion module: Increase to 0.5%

“You are not in the office, sir.” Max’s words were stilted, following an unusual dialogue pattern and accent. British butler, it was called.

“No, Max. I’m at home. But this is an emergency.”

That followed logically. Ben was not in the office. Thus, it was Ben who had breached the firewalls, and Ben who had shut off the critical alerts.