Project NEEDLENOSE

By David W. Zacharias

The U.S. started it by abducting a Russian spy. How will the Russians retaliate? And when?

Northside Engineering has missed a critical deadline for delivering Project NEEDLENOSE. It will cost them dearly.

Can Chief Engineer Mark Wilson rally his people to recover the project, and save the company's reputation? Will the NSA be able to install Northside's classified surveillance product in time?

Karen Bream is assigned to the team and immediately develops a powerful attraction to Mark. And the feeling is mutual. Their strong wills and healthy libidos will either help Northside meet the new delivery date, or create a toxic work environment that compromises the NSA's mission.

From L.A. to Oslo and Langley to Moscow, world superpowers protect their national security interests at all costs.

Who will suffer the consequences if Top Secret information falls into the wrong hands?

Answers come at breakneck speed, as couples try to save their relationships, corporations maneuver to protect their bottom lines, and nations hover on the brink of nuclear confrontation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098374150

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Northside Engineering - Arlington, VA

THE HARSH RINGING of the phone disturbed Mark Wilson's intense concentration. It was 7:20pm, and he was alone at the office. He wasn't expecting any calls. Annoyed at the interruption, he snatched the receiver from its cradle.

What's up? he snapped.

Hey, Mark. Then a pause. It was a familiar voice, laced with unfamiliar tension. Uh, I heard something very disturbing about our project today, and it's been bothering me. Is there any way I can come see you? Now? I know it's late, but I need to talk to someone. And I know I can trust you.

Aw, jeez, Whitey. I'm right in the middle of reviewing our Acceptance Test Results document for final sign-off. You did a great job for us during the test, by the way.

It's important, Mark.

My, my. Not even a 'thank you', thought Mark. This must be serious. Alright, alright, Whitey. Let me return my things to the safe, then we can get together. You still in your cubicle?

Nah, I went out for some happy hour snacks and a couple beers at Crazy Dave's. I can be back in twenty minutes.

Hmm, nothing like a wholesome, healthy meal after a good day at the office, eh? teased Mark, trying to lighten the mood. See you when you get here.

Whitey never arrived.

CHAPTER 2

Six weeks earlier

Northside Engineering - Arlington, VA

ZACHARY BATES gently returned his telephone receiver to its cradle, letting the shock wash over him.

He gazed absently at the bulletin board facing him, unable to focus on the cutaway drawing of the Top Secret product his company was under contract to develop. The telephone call was from Preston McNichol, his contact at Z-Systems, Inc. His 'Customer'. The one who paid the bills.

Bates had recently informed McNichol that the Tap Interface Vehicle, known within Northside as the TIV, would miss its initial delivery deadline.

Today the hammer fell.

In a tongue-lashing laced with profanities, Bates was reamed out for Northside's poor project performance. A furious McNichol announced that Northside's discretionary profit award for the previous fiscal quarter would be a paltry 23% of maximum, and if Z-Systems didn't receive its first TIV within four weeks, the current quarter's profit award would be even less than that.

Bates' face was red and his ears were burning. He was glad he was alone in his office. This will not go over well with the corporate bigwigs, he thought. Bean counters do not look kindly on missed profit opportunities.

His sizable gut twisted into a knot. This could jeopardize my job.

Bates shuddered as he fought through the acid reflux creeping up from his stomach. He wiped away the sweat from his forehead. His shirt collar suddenly felt too small for his flabby neck.

I've got to find a way to get things back on track. I'm the NEEDLENOSE Project Manager, after all. The buck stops with me. He reflected for a moment, then smiled. Unless I can find someone else to take the fall.

He pushed the intercom button to summon his administrative assistant. Mary, call an emergency meeting of my senior staff. Tell them to drop what they're doing and meet me in the Training Room.

* * *

Unscheduled meetings are usually bad news, fretted Test Manager Adrian Faustino as he and Chief Engineer Mark Wilson trudged down the long hallway from the Test Lab to the Training Room.

Bates was supposed to hear from Z-Systems any day now concerning last quarter's profit award, replied Mark. I suspect that's what this is about. And I don't have a good feeling about it either.

They entered the Training Room and saw that the heads of security and manufacturing were already there. There were no urns of bubbling coffee, no stacks of donuts, and no presentation packages to peruse. Not a good sign.

Any idea why we're here? inquired Security Chief George Miller.

Mark shrugged, knowing the answer would arrive shortly.

And arrive it did, in the form of Bates and Deputy Project Manager Vicky Ambrose.

The portly, balding, 56-year-old Bates was the Peter Principle personified: promoted to his level of incompetence. He hadn't bothered to keep up with the technological changes in the industry, preferring instead to play the corporate political game. And he wasn't very good at it.

Bates was fortunate to have Vicky as his deputy. Her calm demeanor and political savvy had rescued him from countless missteps, though he rarely noticed, or bothered to acknowledge her.

Ladies and gentlemen, Bates opened stiffly, "I received a phone call earlier today from Preston McNichol at Z-Systems. Saying that he was unhappy is a gross understatement. He informed me that our profit award for last quarter is only 23% of maximum, because of our failure to meet the contracted Phase 1 delivery date. That's a lot of lost profit. Given that our management has an expectation of 96%+ Award Fees … well, I don't have to tell you the pressure we are under.

"It's our job, as senior staff, to do whatever it takes to accelerate the completion of our development work, and get it sold off to Z-Systems in time to make NSA's next deployment window. We have only four weeks to get our first TIV delivered.

I am aware of the axiom that states: 'Adding people to a late project only makes it later,' so let's be prudent with our staffing requests. Tell me what you need, guys.

As the Chief Engineer for the project, in charge of all the developers, Mark opened the bidding. Our highest risk right now is the Control Software subsystem. Jason has been putting in plenty of overtime, but he's just got too much on his plate. I understand your late staffing axiom, boss, but I still recommend we bring on two engineers with specific expertise to share the load.

Bates frowned. This was exactly what he had hoped to avoid.

First, continued Mark, "I need someone who can take over release management duties and serve as Jason's general 'go-fer'. Jason needs to focus on getting his software finished. I know he won't like it, because he wants to do everything himself. But too bad.

Second, Clive could finish his Tasking Workstation subsystem sooner if we offloaded his training responsibilities. We can't afford him to be constantly answering questions about the Operator Interface while he's deeply immersed in the details of the Workstation's communications with the TIV.

Bates clamped his jaw so tightly his jowls shook. He looked around expectantly. Almost defiantly. Anyone else?

Adrian finally broke the uncomfortable silence. "We've got a crapton of formal testing coming up. I've got the customer Acceptance Test well-covered by Whitey; he's a savvy veteran and has been keeping ahead of the game.

It's the preceding TIV Integration Test and the overall System Test where I think we could make up time. If I had another person to help run the tests, I could schedule more test hours per day. This new person should already know our Problem Reporting System, though; there is no time to train someone.

Bates glowered. So, I caution you guys about asking for more people, and the first thing I get outta you is a request for more people? He shook his head in disgust. More people meant more cost. More cost meant less profit. And profit was really all the company cared about, as long as the customer was happy.

Bates subconsciously started tapping his foot on the floor. The knot in his stomach wasn't going away.

Zachary, we all understand your frustration, DPM Vicky gently interjected, wresting control of the discussion away from the agitated Bates. "But, realistically, Mark and Adrian's suggestions are sound. We have to do something to pull in the schedule. And as motivational guru Tony Robbins claims, 'If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.'"

Bates tried to throttle back his annoyance level, but his still-reddened face revealed the depth of his anger.

Vicky continued, "It does make sense to look for additional ways to spend less time getting to the finish line. Then, shifting her gaze to Mark, Would paid overtime help? More test stations? Clerical support?"

None of my team would turn down paid overtime, replied Mark. But we need to stipulate that any hours worked must be productive ones. No fair working when you're tired, just to bulk up your paycheck; too many errors slip through the cracks. And that would set us way back.

Agreed, said Vicky. Her eyes scanned the room, Anyone else?

Now that you mention it, offered Adrian, "I could use a couple spare test stations, so when one breaks we'll have an immediate backup. Also, offloading test station maintenance responsibility to Manufacturing would save us a ton of time."

Is that something you can sign up for, Herb? asked Vicky.

Herb DeSantis was the Manufacturing Director, responsible for acquiring the parts for, and building, the TIV itself. He'd been in this position before and knew how to work the system. He carried himself with a quiet confidence that came from two decades of delivering on his promises.

Turns out I'm flush with people right now, Herb said. We're ready to start the production run. I can assign one of my guys to put together a couple more test stations and pay special attention to maintenance, if you want. They'll probably enjoy doing something different than sitting around on their thumbs all day.

Thanks, Herb, that will be a great help. Vicky was so soothingly politic. Alright, then. I'll get with Human Resources to see whom we can shake free to come join us. In addition to the right technical credentials, they'll each have to have an active Top Secret clearance and a current Single Scope Background Investigation. George, can you get with me right after this meeting to confirm we have enough spots to take on three more people, and make plans for their orientation?

Sure, Vicky, responded Security Chief Miller. With the wind-down in Pradeep's group, we've been running with fewer cleared people than the customer has authorized, so we have three billets available to allocate to the new folks. I'll double-check, to be certain.

How does that sound, boss? Vicky being diplomatic again.

Bates jumped at the opportunity to regain face. Let's get on with it, folks. We've got a lot of work to do. And not much time to do it.

Bates knew his head was on the chopping block.

And had the sweat on his palms to prove it.

CHAPTER 3

Norwegian Sea, North of Breivika, Norway

THE USS Texas, a Virginia-class submarine commissioned in 2006, was deeply submerged off the northwestern coast of Norway, just west of the Barents Sea. The Texas' frequent proximity to Murmansk, Russia, was no accident.

In December 2013, the Texas completed a Top Secret 20-month renovation, during which a customized version of the USS Jimmy Carter's 100-foot Multi-Mission Platform was inserted into the hull. The 477-foot Texas thus became the U.S. Navy's second 'special mission' sub to possess the capability to covertly place wiretaps on undersea fiber-optic cables.

Every month thereafter, a Navy SEAL dive team from the Texas had physically retrieved recordings of data captured by wiretaps installed on cables in the North Atlantic.

This month's mission had a twist. The National Security Agency had directed that a specific cable was to have its wiretap upgraded. Besides retrieving the usual data recordings, the SEALs were to attach a newly developed Priority Data Extractor to the existing tap. The PRIDEX, as it was called, was expected to provide significant operational capability that the NSA had long been seeking.

Chief Petty Officer Justin Wakefield was in charge of the four-person SEAL team responsible for a successful PRIDEX installation. He assembled his men in the sub's massive lockout chamber to go over the plan. Mack, Studly, Hatch! Hustle up!

Wakefield's fellow operators quickly congregated around their leader.

"No wet suits today, men, unless something goes wrong. As you've heard, we're bringing the payload onboard for special modifications. It'll be a tricky operation, but our engineers have a plan to winch the tap into the lockout chamber so you can work on it.

See that funny-looking contraption over next to the new recording boxes? Wakefield pointed to the cargo bay wall. "That's the PRIDEX unit. We don't have the clearance to know exactly what it does, but whatever it is, it must be real important. It will wrap around the existing tap, but still provide easy access to change out the tap's memory media. The PRIDEX has a separate wire for each of the replacement data recording boxes you'll be installing. That's why it looks like it's got a pile of spaghetti inside it.

We've gone over the plan a hundred times already, but let's review our individual assignments one more time. Mack, you start.

Yes, Chief. I'll be accessing the data recording boxes as usual. But this time, instead of just replacing the memory media, I'll be removing the entire box. First, I'll switch the box offline; then I'll disconnect it and carry it over to Hatch. We'll do this one box at a time, to avoid disturbing ongoing data collection.

Studly, commanded Wakefield, you're next.

Yes, Chief. My assignment is to follow along behind Mack and install one of the new high density digital recording boxes. Because it has the same form factor as the old one, it should be a straightforward operation. I'll connect the box to one of the PRIDEX spaghetti wires, then bring it online.

Hatch? barked Wakefield.

Chief, my job is to pull the memory media out of each of the old boxes that Mack brings me. I'll set the media aside as usual, to offload to our supplier ship next time we rendezvous. Then I'll mark each old box for destruction.

Excellent, responded Wakefield. And once all the new recording boxes are wired up?

Mack took that one. Chief, I'm in charge of running the full suite of onboard self-test programs, to make sure all components of the PRIDEX are operational.

Wakefield wrapped up the discussion. Once the self-tests successfully complete, we'll button up the PRIDEX and put everything back on the sea bottom. I'll be manning the comm with the bridge and engineering throughout the operation, to keep us all coordinated. Any questions?

No, Chief, the three operators responded in unison.

Dismissed, 'til the tap is in range.

* * *

The tap was located and brought onboard via the sub's lockout chamber. The data recording boxes were replaced without incident. The PRIDEX was cozied snugly around the tap, and its 'spaghetti wires' quickly connected to the newly installed recording boxes.

Self-test results were 'green' across the board. The PRIDEX was successfully sealed around the tap, and the entire structure gently replaced on the sea floor. Total elapsed time was two hours less than planned.

It was a perfect mission.

With one exception.

CHAPTER 4

Northside Engineering - Arlington, VA

PROJECT MANAGER Steve Harris was steamed. He had just learned that Karen Bream and Theresa Moore were being taken off his Project MANSION team. Apparently NEEDLENOSE Deputy Project Manager Vicky Ambrose had charmed Engineering Management into making the transfers. Another 'benefit' of matrix management, he fumed. Whatever happened to 'the good old days', when project managers also did employee performance reviews, salary adjustments, career planning, and skills training?

Harris now had to undergo a project re-planning effort to adapt to the unexpected reduction in manpower. My reward for having MANSION ahead of schedule. Thanks for nothing.

Harris could absorb the loss of Theresa without too much trouble. She was a 26-year-old Computer Science major from Virginia Tech who had worked at Northside for almost five years. While she wasn't a superstar, she hadn't dragged the project down either. Harris had assured Vicky that