Delphi Algorithm, Part 2: Identity Confirmed

“Janice, is there enough information on the flash drive to match it up to similar programs,” He asked.

“I would need specific perimeters, Sir,” replied Janice.

He thought for a moment. “Well, if this program is similar to my Multiverse engine, then part of this program will analyze possible outcomes of reality” he said. “If we assume that this program does the same thing, and it got into the wrong hands, the program could be used for personal gain.” He thought for a moment. “Janice, could this program be used in gambling?”

“Yes, it is possible,” replied Janice.

“Then best place to start is...”

“The city of Las Vegas, Sir,” said Janice.

“Funny piece of trivia, Janice. Las Vegas isn't actually in an State,” He said.

“Yes, I am aware of that, Sir.” replied Janice. “Sir, 20 of the 31 Casinos on the Las Vegas strip are owned by two companies. None of which are linked to any current criminal activity.”

“No, they wouldn't be. Strictly speaking, it isn't illegal,” he said.

“What do you mean, Sir?” asked Janice.

“Counting cards by one individual isn't strictly illegal. A group of people is though,” he said.

“You are referencing the MIT students, Sir. I am knowledgeable of that incident,” said Janice.

“But what if we aren't talking about a person?” He said, thinking out loud.

“I do not follow, Sir,” said Janice.

“Well, I hope I am wrong,” he said. “Janice, of the remaining 11 Casinos, which ones are Lexcorp or Wayne Enterprises?”

There was a short moment of silence. “LexCorp owns two in the Las Vegas Area. Wayne Enterprises does not own any gambling establishments in Las Vegas. They do own three in Atlantic City, and Four in Gotham. One in Kansas City.”

“Here?” he asked. “Wayne Enterprises has a Casino in Kansas City?”

“Yes, on the Missouri side. LexCorp owns one here as well,” replied Janice.

“Janice, are there any new casinos in the Kansas City Area with cooperate links to Vegas?”

“Yes, Sir. It opened two months ago near the Legends and Speedway,” said Janice.

“I think we just found our Holy Grail, Janice,” he said, smiling. “And it's in our own backyard. Janice, I am going to need to run the Multiverse program,” he said.

“But Sir, it's not fully functional. You are missing several key...”

“I am aware of that Janice. But I need to get into the main server to look for that missing piece. That means I need access. That means getting into the casino. Maybe others can bust down the door, repel bullets or punches, but I am just another dude off the block. I do not have money to protect me like Bruce. I do not have journalist job like Clark, and I certainly do not have a super computer like Stark. I am just one guy with a little brains and SOME tech. I need an advantage and mine is the program. Boot it up and give me what it can give me,” he said, frustrated.

“Knowledge is power, Sir,” replied Janice. “I wouldn't call you “just another dude.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he responded, turning to his computer screen.

The computer screen lit up. “Identification required,” said a different computer voice from the speakers. “You have five seconds.” He quickly grabbed an old, and highly modified, viewmaster. He put it to his face and clicked at the keyboard. “Identity confirmed. Welcome, Red Scope.”

Delphi Algorithm Incident, part 1

He sat at the table surrounded by wires and gears. His hands made quick work with the soldering gun to motherboard he was working on. Then, he sat back and nodded at the complete work. He picked it up and inserted it slowly into the computer rack. He shut the case, plugged it in, and turned it on.

The computer booted up and a computerized, disembodied voice boomed from the speakers on the wall. “Good Morning, Sir. How's it hanging?” asked the female voice.

“Wow! You're loud, Janice. Let me turn that down a bit,” he said, reaching out to the keyboard.

“Decibel level at 65,” said the Janice. “Are you sure you want me that loud?”

“How else will I be able to hear you from the bathroom?” he asked, getting up and heading into another room.

“You could just install me in the bathroom as well, Sir.”

“Are you crazy? I have seen Oddessy 2001. I need somewhere to hide from you,” he said, laughing. “I still don't trust that Lex model 451 I installed last year.”

“You're insight on that is baffling, Sir. That model software has been re written by you twice. I am sure you have gotten all the bugs out..”

“Yeah?” He said. “But I still don't know if Lex backdoor software is completely gone. Better safe than sorry.” He closed the door to the bathroom. “Janice, what's the news today?'

“Metcalf and Antioch had another accident today,” said Janice.

He opened the door. “Is that a confirmed or a reported,” he asked.

“Checking records,” said Janice. There was whirring and clicking sounds. “The accident is not confirmed.”

He dashed out of the bathroom, his face half covered with shaving cream. “How long ago?”

“Approximately two hours and fifteen minutes,” reported Janice.

“Shit! Get the bike booted up,” He said, in a hurry. He threw on his jacket. and ran to the elevator. “Janice, what is the traffic like now?”

Janice voice boomed as the elevator doors closed. “The traffic has returned to normal.”

He rode the elevator up and the doors opened into a small shed building. He ran to the bike and fired it up. The garage doors opened and he zoomed out.

He returned four hours later. The elevator doors opened. “Did you find anything today?” asked Janice.

He stepped out of the elevator doors and went to his table. He began to empty his pockets. “You would think that they would get wise by now and use another method of transporting the alien tech from New York to Arizona, Janice. I don't think I found anything big, but there were a few items of worth.”

“Transport of tech by train is a valid and safe method in comparison to flight, Sir. Otherwise, Project Paperclip would have been flown in.” replied Janice.

“Don't lecture me on Project Paperclip, again Janice,” he said.

“So, noted, Sir.” said Janice as he put the last component on the table.

 “Although...” He picked a a very small and charred flash drive and looked at it closely. “I don't remember anything about LexCorp being involved with Stark Industries.”

“There is no documented case of LexCorp involved in creating components for Stark Industries,” said Janice.

“Then what is this?” he said, holding up the flash drive. The case of the flash drive at one point had a clear Stark Industries logo, but the, now exposed, metal of the drive itself had the clear label of LexCorp. “Get Alpha on the phone, would you?'

There was a moment of silence before a voice appeared. “Hello, Janitor. What mess did you find today?”

“Good Morning Alpha. I found a a little mess made by Lexcorp in a Stark Industries box on the Metcalf -Antioch location. I suspect that the information is fine.”

“Was that a confirmed or reported incident?' asked Alpha.

“Reported. So, I know something is up.” He turned and plugged in the flash drive to his external. “I just plugged it in. Let's look at it, shall we?” He looked at his computer monitor. “Oh look at it, it's encrypted. Isn't that cute?” He laughed. He plugged in a few commands and opened the file. The monitor exploded into information.

“Janitor, it appears that this file is a partial file to one that was lost two months ago by Wayne Industries,” said Alpha. “If you say your box has Stark Industries logo, then It would be wise to say that there is a bit of corporate espionage going on.”

“Do you recognize the file? What are they trying to steal?”

“Between the alien attacks, the sloppy S.H.I.E.L.D. tactical flying in the sky, and our own government, it could be anything,” said Alpha. “There isn't anyone trustworthy enough to clean it all up.” There was a moment of silence. “Well, according to our information, this is a portion of an encrypted file labeled, Delphi Algorithm. I have never heard of it. I'll have our people look into it. Call me when your investigation gives you a better lead.”

“Copy that, Alpha,” he said.

Janice hung up the phone. “Sir, shall I run part of the program?”

“What part is that, Janice?”

“Some of the Algorithm appears to be similar to your Multiverse program,” said Janice.

“What?”

“The portion of possible outcomes due to variant activity can easily be extrapolated by a set of...”

“Janice! I know the math. What part excactly? Show me on the monitor.” He yelled.

Janice went quiet and he looked at the monitor. It was a picture of him on the monitor. “Janice! Show the DATA on the monitor.” He yelled again.

Janice giggled. The monitor blinked for a moment. Then, long lines of data began to scroll down. It stopped and Janice highlighted the portion of data. “This paragraph of data is identical to your multiverse program. I have also highlighted additional lines that are similar but not exact. As you can see, sir, it is has many similarities to your software.”

He sat back and sighed. “This is big, Janice. There is something big here and I don't know what it means.”