02.06: Biometric Vault (Gothique, Rayfe, Viper)
Karnell arrived!
He was carrying the mobile data pad used to access the ship's systems. He spotted Gothique, and headed her way. "I have news for you... I am not sure how good it is, but I think you will have to decide that. I found some details on who you are, from the database. It is... unexpected. Would you care to read it?" He held the device out. "Interestingly enough, you were not en route to the penal colony, like the rest of us. It looks like you were going to be transferred elsewhere. I am sorry, I was unable to find out where. That information was not available. I suppose Amin may well know. We can add it to the list of things to ask him."
Then he took stock of the situation with the vault. He looked at the orb curiously. "Interesting. Some sort of security device keyed to the biometrics of specific person or persons. Biometric locks are not too hard to find, they're common enough. Unfortunately, it is because they are very efficient. But not infallible. I think between the three of us should be able to bypass it. Let's take a look."
He came in close to study the device carefully. Thanks to his job working for a very security conscious (and also, highly paranoid) banking cartel in a technical capacity, he had encountered a lot of different biometric security devices. The Cartel offered a great many different options to their clients. He had spent a lot of time working with them. He knew the principles. The question was... did this thing work the same way? And was it even sensible of them to try to open it?
"Of course, we still need to ask... should we try to open it? Someone stripped this ship down to the bare bones. But they left this thing here. Why? Is there something truly dreadful inside? Did they plan to simply leave the ship adrift, with all the valuable gear removed, and a nameless horror locked inside? Or is there something of incredible value inside, and whoever stripped the ship was unable to open it, which is why this is all that remains?" Rayfe pondered this. "I like option two. I am certain that Amin deliberately selected us to be brought out of cryosleep. He needed our skills. Perhaps this thing is why." He looked at Gothique thoughtfully. "I've read your file. Breaking into things is your forté. I know the theory behind biometrics, but I think you're probably the best person to actually do it. In principle, the system is pretty simple. The biometrics of everybody authorised to open the vault are stored in a core processor. When someone uses the device, a signal is sent to the core. It is referenced against all the held data. If there is a match, a signal is sent back to release the lock. If not, a fail signal is returned. All we need to do is intercept that fail return signal, and convince the device it received the correct one instead. It's easier than reprogramming the core. Of course, we still need to get inside this thing." He tapped the globe a couple of times. "And I'd wager it has almost any anti-tampering protection you care to mention. But... I'm game, if you are."
He liked a challenge. And cracking the vault was going to be a far better way to spend his time than sitting around waiting for the next crisis to show up.