I'm alive.

However, he's currently being detained, and this would possibly interfere with an investigation via any number of ways, be it that he's innocent or not.

He has extra-net access free enough to visit a forum with Cerberus in the name, why can't he access his own mail?

Yeah, that's...that's not a bad point, actually.

But, then again, he wouldn't be the first guy I've seen who isolates his personal/work computer from the extranet to prevent an outside hacking attempt and keeps it on a closed network. I mean, hell, I do that.

I can understand that security method, Mekan, but don't you get any bad vibes about this at all?

He's being detained on Sur'Kesh and is requesting that someone access his personal archives, which are likely on a closed network. Most people who want to keep data secure keep it in such networks. The Phoenix Foundation uses a closed network for personal data, I use one on any research terminal I work on. Entering his bar and bypassing security with his permission is entirely legal. If they were worried about this adversely effecting their investigation, than they should have sent one of their own people to do this with Mr. Spiza's permission.

Seems perfectly reasonable. The bad vibes are coming from the fact that Spiza's being detained. I mean, think about that one. Kind of odd that they'd detain Spiza of all people. He's pretty harmless, and he's a decent guy all-around. I know, I've worked with him before. Just don't fuck with him and you'll get along alright.

Needless to say, I can't see a guy like that being a terrorist, let alone responsible for the biggest C-Space terror action since the war.

...


You're right.


Emon Spiza is a decent sort. I suppose my initial reaction was out of fear this could have been someone masquerading as him.
He's not a terrorist, far from it. Why couldn't he just privately contact a Citadel-based technical specialist and offer them the passwords/gatekey for the files in question, though, rather than offering a first-come-first-serve reward to any number of users/lurkers who may be perusing the forum?

And, really, my bad vibes on that little matter only come from the fact that they're detaining Spiza. Which kind of implies they're not really any closer to finding out who committed the Sur'kesh attack. Which implies the Union's intelligence and counter-terrorism units are pretty much out of their league.

This is bad.

I'm not going to question it. Besides, there are a variety of specialists who do lurk on the forum. Like me.

I understand the "hack the closed system" part, I do NOT understand the "break into the bar" part. Why can't he just contact his hired help there and have them open the door, like normal people do? This is disquieting.

Probably because they aren't at work, and, like many people, it isn't set to work based on a simple password? And even if he did, he probably doesn't want to give out the code to break into his home. Breaking in would expose security flaws, which means he could come back later and fix them. You're being paranoid, there's nothing wrong with his request.

Or said individual is one of the perpetrators of the attack. Have you considered that?

Except that :


So the bartenders are here and they could open the door for the security specialist without any problem. And I don't think Espiza or anyone would choose that precise time for a surprise security audit.

I am almost willing to bet he does not allow the bartenders/employees access to his private quarters, where his private terminal would be. Because you know, they are his private quarters and his employees do not have any business being there.

What, that Spiza's one of the guys they're actually trying to find?

Yeah, I did consider it. I also considered 'dude's basically harmless.' I really don't think he would go and pull a nano-WMD attack.

Well they're salarians. Salarians are smart. I'm sure they must've had a good reason to pick him up from all other possible suspects, especially considering how he survived GIANT MURDER PLANTS.

THEY USED GIANT PLANTS TO LEVEL A CITY.

A few things.

First:

The Union is not just “giving me extranet access.” I have been under questioning for the past twelve hours straight, and only got the last message out though a variety of both physical and ‘tool-based techniques I don’t care to reveal in case I ever want to talk to the outside world again.

Second:


Former slave, minor celebrity, dead daughter, place of employment destroyed three times in as many months. Thrown out of a charity for reacting to threats of murder, friend of a known STG, and to cap it off, involved in a shootout shortly before leaving a popular vacation spot.

I’m pretty sure I set off every “Person of Interest” alarm within three parsecs. All because I wanted to go on vacation.

Third:



For someone who’s “here to help” you don’t do a lot of helping. Fourth:


WHY THE EVERLOVING SHRELL WOULD I WANT TO ATTRACT MORE BAD KARMA TO MYSELF

FIFTH


Sugar whips are disgusting and rot your teeth. Eat some shrelling faldabis instead.

SIXth


GOOD.

I’m already under arrest as a POI for treason and mass murder. I will TAKE the conspiracy counts if they get me off the hook for that.

Maybe they’ll take one of my crime tips seriously now.

Who knows, maybe there’s a good Samaritan in the Force that’ll get it for me. In that case, hey, free drinks for life for the C-Sec that does it.

seventh:


Got it in one. The single most powerful way you can keep your data secure is to not connect it to a damn galactic network.

EIHGTH


HEYO

shit brb

I really have no idea if you're going to get a chance to read this Spiza (I hope you do) but it's good to hear you made it out, even if you're in your present "situation". That (all of it) has got to be horrible.


Is that even possible?

I'd help, but this is the sort of stuff that I'd be no good at, to say the least. I hope it this can get cleared up for you.

Yes, and in many circles Donnel Udina was largely considered nothing more than an ascended bureaucrat prior to certain events on the Citadel you may recall.


Well, for one there is no such thing as karma in the first place. Nor is there some entity that specifically hates you, sir, so perhaps you are the pretentious one for assuming that something would actually envision you as to be so important in its eyes as to make you its personal plaything.


Second, and perhaps most worrisome, is why in the world is someone held on charges allowed access to the extranet in the first place. I can only imagine there would be security concerns at this sort of thing.

Individuals that look 'harmless' are usually the most dangerous ones.

He isn't allowed extranet access. Read the fucking post before you start rambling like an idiot.