Chapter 3

IT WAS a typical day in Manila where chaos takes a life of its own and nothing makes sense even when you think it does.

In an upscale apartment complex rising above downtown Makati City, Ali was sitting comfortably in a simply furnished but expensive condominium unit. Where else in the world could a wanted man hide in such plain sight?

A program in his notebook computer held encrypted names of sleeper agents. Terror groups had long since learned that to keep in shadows, they too must adapt and use technology to their advantage. Sure they had to avoid using such modern conveniences like satellite phones or mobile phones that certainly could be traced and listened to.

But his American built and designed computer was an exception to the rule. Highly intelligent and arrogant, Ali failed to find it rather ironic that the notebook computer he was using and patronizing was built by his perceived enemy. Terror groups had learned a thing or two from crackers--- that closed systems like his notebook computer that had never connected to a live network could never be accessed except through physical access to the machine. It was after all the first tenant of network security.

Terrorism had learned this trick from Crackers. The latter (a hacker that breaks into computer systems and create havoc) though unaffiliated with the former because though they intend to break and vandalize computer systems, both groups do not necessarily share each other's philosophy. Even bad guys need to have some semblance of order, such as it is.

Ali after a couple of seconds of searching for the right agent, he quickly picked up his mobile phone that a leading Philippine Telecom sold to him. He had no problems using it. For less than US$5, he had acquired a SIM card that would allow him access to a Telecom provider in the Philippines.

Calls made to and from his prepaid SIM card number would not be logged in the telecom provider's system. No record would exist that Ali bin Faruq had ever owned that number and who he called and when. Except of course if electronically the Americans would catch his unencrypted phone conversation with his agent but they were talking in code that would ordinarily would not flag attention. Living and working in the Philippines certainly had its advantages.

“Juan, please prepare fireworks. have them delivered on site.” Fireworks were of course, illegal in the Philippines but for some reason easily acquired.

“Of course my good friend!” the other man on the line replied enthusiastically. “We will deliver it to the address that you mentioned”.

With that, Ali killed the connection. You can never be too careful. He dialed another set of numbers.

“Tomas, are you ready with the telescope?”

“Of course my good friend!”

“Our friend needs it to see clearly”.

“We will deliver it to the address that you mentioned”.

With that two sleeper agents had been activated. They would receive packages in other ways. But now these two would know what was expected of them.

Ali then turned off the phone, removed the battery and discarded the SIM card. It was cheap anyway. He then got another pack, opened it and inserted it into his Finnish made phone. Never use the same number more than twice. It was their operating rule.

When Ali had changed and discarded his SIM card, he forgot that the mobile phone he was using may be made in Finland but the company is currently owned by several American investors that had helped it to keep on developing new and better phones.

He then booted up a second computer, this one connected to the Internet and started to open his MSN Messenger and his Yahoo! Messenger as well as open a web page to his bank. Little did he realize that the Internet was a product of an American Defense Department Program intended to keep the United States running and able to fire Nuclear weapons in spite of several critical infrastructure collapsing. And since that time, how many other nation and race around the world had contributed to making the Internet the way it is now?

While he was slaving away, the television set a few meters from his table was tuned into Cable News. The reporter was narrating the horrifying events of the day. The mutilated body of a dead British-Iraqi humanitarian was found. She had been recently kidnapped while in a convoy headed towards a hospital that their UN sanctioned organization was helping put together for the benefit of the people of Iraq.

“Praise Allah!” Ali uttered in Arabic, “the bitch is dead.” He then continued on with his work. There was more work to be done, he knew. With that he began transferring some fund from his Swiss bank to the bank in Manila and in multiple US$10,000.00 amount totaling US$100,000.00.

With messages sent to his various agents, who in turn would prepare for their assigned missions, just as soon as they would receive their hand delivered orders.

It was indeed the start of a good day.


HALF WAY around the world. A subbasement located in a nondescript building complex in Virginia captured Internet traffic. Relay stations all over the world directed Internet traffic to this site.

One particular use--- software built hidden into bank systems--- suspected accounts of known terrorists where constantly monitored. Hackers all over the world were patriots too and some of them had also lost loved ones to Terror attacks over the years.

Ali bin Faruq, whose name is not listed on the account--- it was a numbered account had often used this bank.

Multiple transactions occurred routinely. What flagged this particular account was intel acquired from a recent source--- a captured terrorist that the opposition had not yet know about.

An hour into his “interview” he had already reveled numbered accounts in various banks all over the world. Terrorists like everybody else needed banks to transact business after all.

The software recorded the originating IP--- Internet Protocol address a series of numbers separated by dots that identify every computer on-line and its particular location in the world. The software was also sophisticated enough to recorded the time, date and particulars of the account transaction. Then it filled the data into its database for future use.

Machines routinely did this. But humans are humans and the gargantuan volume of information is just too much for anyone department or government to process outright. So this particular data would be filled and sitting hidden in banks of data until someone searched the system and pulled it out.

No one in the immediate future did, researchers, agents and governments would later learn. It would be useful in piecing together threads in a story, after the fact not that the dead would worry about that, just the survivors.


SHIFTING THROUGH an Ocean of Information even for the fastest, most powerful computer in the world was a gargantuan task on itself. Computers and their software were intelligent but not that intelligent.

Australian ECHELON monitoring stations picked up a short chatter between two numbers in Manila. The conversation didn't flag any particular keywords. The software also noted that it was immediately terminated, not enough data for voice-print-analysis that could confirm if it were a conversation between suspected terrorists. So it went on to the next traffic: two sisters talking about nothing but blowing up cakes for their respective husbands' birthday parties...

The term “blowing up” was listed as a keyword. So the program logged that in. But the software's Artificial Intelligence noted that this probably wasn't related to any terror network. So it discarded this data.

If it could think, it probably would have thought, “better luck next time”.

* * *

GHANIM BIN ATIF was the Malaysian Diplomat. He was Muslim and very religious. He had come to Manila because years of hard work and high level talks by the governments of South East Asia was finally paying off.

And it was one of his own people who first brought this idea out a few years ago, wasn't it? He was highly revered and brought Malaysia into the 21st Century. He was a great man with great vision.

In a few days, the people in this part of the world would find itself in a very different one. Of course it was no secret. But the News Media, being what it is had focused too much these days on recent events in the Middle East and had forgotten about the daily business going on in Asia.

The public too had forgotten about ASEAN. It was a normal ordinary thing for them. It was South East Asia's club. People didn't realize that the work their governments had actually been doing in the past few years were all towards this point. It was the next step.

Ghanim was running through his speech. Everyone would be speaking in the meeting. Thinking back, Ghanim thought that it was indeed a lucky break that the ministers who set this plan in motion probably didn't expect it to be in motion more than twenty years after the fact and half a century since ASEAN's inception. It was all coming together.

In a few days, he and his fellow ASEAN Ministers would help change the world and unlike those crazy extremist, for the better.

Then suddenly, he caught the attention of the news. Reaching out for his television's remote control, Ghanim increased the volume.

The reporter was narrating the recently discovered mutilated dead corpse of a kidnapped Iraqi humanitarian.

Anger rose within Ghanim. He knew of that person. She was a kind hearted soul who gave more than a third of her life to helping people in undeveloped and often war-torn countries. And this was how those monsters returned that kindness?

Immediately he felt ashamed as the the reporter mentioned that these Muslim militants were already claiming the deed. Then Ghanim thought, he should not be ashamed. His faith of course told him that such extreme action could not be the work of true Muslims. Such butchery was the work of animals.

He then turned the volume down and went back to his speech. He could not do anything for that poor lady. But with the step he and his fellow ministers were doing, they were advancing the hopes and dreams of the people of South East Asia.

Ghanim thought, Maybe if the people of South East Asia could show the world that here we are diverse and though we may still be divided by our racial prejudices, we are working to advanced people's lives. There be no need to sow fear.

Ghanim bin Atif was of course an optimist by heart. Who could blame him as they were in the threshold of a new era? It was indeed an exciting time.



IBRAHIM SULAYMAN was proficient with using Open Source Technology. Not exactly Bill Gates' approved software, but his powerful Debian Sid Linux operating system and the free software that went with it had enabled him to build a multifaceted system that included Gates-developed software which when you asked Ibrahim he paid for in full market price.

The future of computing as many industry insiders believed and few media pundit believed was going to be an “Open” one. Network computing was the big thing the industry was riding on and had been for the last fifteen years. The battle ground now was to capture middleware market share because that glued everything from PCs to PDAs to mobile phones and even TVs and from automotive manufacturing to finance to everything else.

It was happening right now. Ibrahim Sulayman believed in that. So he used Open Source when applicable of course. After all why would giants like IBM, SUN and Microsoft wage war on the Middleware?

Ibrahim was testing out his sniffer program behind his firewall which he freely downloaded off the Internet. It was Open Source as well. It had taken him the better part of two days to debug the code. It was a complex program that does a lot of packet and port scanning.

Running through several diagnostic software, he soon discovered someone was using his email server as relay. He thought the machine was fool proof. but obviously he was wrong, Ibrahim thought.

Just for fun, he ran the sniffer program on it. Not really expecting much, he discovered the IP address of the source. Using his considerable computer skills discovered that the other machine was contacting a bank in Europe.

Not really meaning to, Ibrahim's sniffer program was able to pickup the user name and password of the customer. Encrypted though it was, his sniffer automatically ran his decryption protocols. It took awhile---- a good 15 minutes to discover it was a variant of one of his encryption systems. Soon he discovered that it was the username and password for a Swiss Bank transferring at total of US$100K into several banks in Manila that was being transmitted. The amount he found out was just enough to evade through the standard laundering legislation law of the Philippines.

Encrypting the captured IP address, and password data into one flash drive, Ibrahim set it aside. It was, he discovered, close to 7 o'clock in the morning. He had class in three and half hours and needed to sleep. Little did he realize that the information he kept on that flash drive would be of great use someday.



KIMI FUENTES had driven to school early that morning. She didn't have to have class until around ten o'clock. Though leaving before 7 o'clock in the morning, the rush hour traffic had started to pile up.

The young pre-med student was dressed simply and casually. She was looking forward to the day. It was going to be a light one with her mid terms done and conquered, the young lady was quiet happy with herself.

As the traffic jam seemed to have turned the road into a major free parking space, she ran her schedule from the mobile phone in her hand.

Whoa, it was Sam's party day after tomorrow.

She hadn't realized it was that soon. She hadn't had her dress prepared yet.

“Hello, Ate Olivia?”

“Hi Kimi! Good Morning!” Kimi forgot her cousin probably just woke up. “How are you today?”

“Still beautiful!” She said enthusiastically.

“Thats my girl!”

“Can you help me buy a dress for Sam's party?”

“Sure---! Wait wouldn't you want to do that with Sam?”

“Well yes--- I'd be asking her too.” She grinned to no one. “But I wanted you there. We can make it a girl's night out. What do you say?”

“All right, can I meet you at the mall?”

“Sure. I'll take care of Sam.”

“4 o'clock good for you?”

“Yes!”

“All right, see you then. And bring plastic! I'm broke.”

“Don't worry about that! I still have some credits available! Bye! And thanks again! Love ya!”

“Love you too, bye.”

By that time, traffic had advanced maybe five meters since they started working. It was going to be a long traffic jam.



ALEX STARTED his work promptly at seven o'clock in the morning. He had class at around ten o'clock. It would only take him a hour to drive from Makati to his university. Which gave him ample time to check his email messages, answer them and perhaps resolve that pile of work that was increasingly rising from his to-do-list. Such was the typical work week for a busy young executive. But he was just a young executive learning the ropes from various masters.

Looking back at the little over three months that he had started working, Alex realized that he did enjoy it. It wasn't mundane as he thought in the beginning. In fact, he found the daily challenges to his mind quite stimulating. More than sometimes the boring classes his professors in university kept giving him.

Today, he was asked to cover Europe. Pretty much like any intern, Alex had rotations in various divisions of the company, being exposed to different groups and focus.

Right now he was in sales. His task was to coordinate with suppliers for optimum arrival of ordered material from Western Europe. It was easy. He had done this before. He found it easier in fact to talk with Westerners than Asians, with the former being more frank and straightforward and the latter harder to converse with. But that was his weird take on things.

He had two hours to finish this before he had to leave for school. It was a typical work day.


RYAN ANGELES ran through the latest reports from Alex's training officer, Sonny Gonzalez. Though Sonny typically hang out with Alex and watched over the boy like an over protective bodyguard, Sonny was Ryan's eyes and ears. He talked to the boy's professors at university. He discussed Alex's progress with the various staff in Angeles' company and he would have beer from time to time with Father Rey and they would talk about the boy.

As far as he could tell, the young Donovan had a bright future ahead of him. All those around him seem to think so. But when Ryan looked into Alex's eyes, his impression was that the boy was searching for something.

Perhaps a purpose?

Sonny didn't know but he had a feeling it would turn up all right.


LEE CHEN was entering the Philippine President's Office. He had talked with his friend Herman Montalban about his problem a few days ago. They had decided to take it to the Philippine President and their recommendation was that they could make discrete inquiries on the matter regarding the email Lee had received prior to his arrival in the Philippines.

The matter of course was of vital interest to ASEAN's future. He wasn't a seer to know the future. But the future right now seemed a bit dark though full of promise. It was the uncertainty that bothered him. Years of work could go down the drain and their hopes of establishing a more secure trade region could end up being another powder keg.

What choice did they all have other than to say yes? Lee asked himself. The benefits were great!

The Philippine President through his foreign minister, Dr. Montalban had graciously allowed for this meeting. It was only for a few minutes. The Singaporean Diplomat of course understood. The rigors of being chief of state was taxing in both a person's time and his physical wellbeing. Thankfully, the Philippine President was in excellent health.

“Your Excellency,” Lee Chen was greeted. They shook hands. It was an informal meeting.

“Sir,” Ambassador Chen started as all three got to their seat. “Thank you for meeting with me in such short notice and discreet manner.”

“Herman had told me about our little problem. How can we help?”

“We need your government to make quiet inquiries with the Taiwanese Government regarding their message to us.”

“Herman and I have been discussing it and the matter is a go.”

“I trust that you and he can work out the details. We need to keep this quiet... if only for a few days.”

“Can we confirm that as fast? We're little hard pressed on time, Herman”.

“Well, I can fly out there within the day. There is a flight there and I am booked.”

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

“There is nothing to be thankful for, Lee. This matter concerns us all. I am not sure if I am rooting for the matter to be true or not.”

“Yes, I have the same misgivings”.

“As do I,” Herman Montalban added.

“I will no longer take much of your time, Mr. President.” The Philippine President stood up and offered his hand. “Let's hope for the best Lee”.

“That we will pray on, sir.” As he shook President San Juan's hand.


EMILY GAIL SO was the university's top campus journalist. Her hard winning exposes had even landed her a weekly column with a major newspaper in Manila, the Manila Daily Inquisitor.

She had been working tirelessly the past month to expose Gambling within the school. She had a few leads. But none substantial enough to write. She was fast becoming desperate. Her usual contacts were quiet when asked. That was odd, she thought. Who were they afraid of?

She had to find out.



CHUCKIE KIM had a secret that neither his friend Alex Donovan nor Ibrahim Sulayman knew of. He was secretly addicted to gambling. He loved it. He hated it.

For months now, his bank account had doubled, tripled, got broken then risen and got broke--- like a roller coaster. He was now in a winning streak. The game tomorrow would bring him over the top--- with a win---. Was there any doubt that he would?

In his rush, Chuckie wasn't looking at were he was going. He only crashed into Gail So.


GAIL DIDN'T know what hit her. All she remembered where books and her PDA-PC T6A flying in all sort of direction. Then she crashed on the floor.

Chuckie being a few kilograms bigger than the thiner Gail, didn't fall on the ground but his things too flew off. Quickly he realized his mistake.

“I'm so sorry!”

“Would you watch where you're going?!” An irate So was saying.

“I'm sorry, OK?!”

“Fine”. Was all Chuckie said as he and Gail picked up the various things that were lying on the floor. They each handed each other the things that were not theirs.

“Next time, why don't you look where you're going, All right?!”

“Look, I said I was sorry. How many times would I have to do that?”

With that they left for each other's destinations.

Later that night Emily Gail So would discover the gold mine she was looking for. She also discovered the fool (in her mind) who practically collided against her, Chuckie Kim. She also knew him by reputation. Everyone did.

* * *

THE CHINESE POLITBURO had assembled. Intelligence was reporting some unusual activity from Taiwan. They also knew that it had something to do with the Dinner Party that was going to occur in the next few days.

They were worried.



PRESIDENT SAN JUAN sat on behind his desk at the historic Philippine Presidential Palace. He was about to make a new address. The people were looking to him for leadership. Today he would make an announcement that would further curtail the tide of gambling in the country.

“Thirty seconds, Mr. President” With that under the glare of the heavy lights, David San Juan calmed himself.

“Ladies and Gentlemen.” The President started. “In recent days we have had several campaigns to ward the threat of illegal gambling in the country.

We have had many such campaigns in the past--- all ending for naught. Your government is serious in curving this tide. I am submitting to the Congress, a bill for their consideration, to Legalize all forms of Gambling in the Philippines.

I know some of you would react rather violently--- its like admitting we can not curtail this illegal activity. Some--- the clergy most certainly will come out and say that we can not right wrong by another wrong. That this immoral act would further accelerate our society's plunge into lawlessness and immorality.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” The president said as the camera zoomed in on his face, “I tell you now it is a means to bring everything into the light of day. We intend to make what is happening day-by-day transparent.”

“No longer shall police be needed to guard and hide these transactions that everyone knows about anyway. No more will gambling lords have to hide their shady operations and this government will reap the rewards through taxes and reduce graft. That is the purpose of this new measure.

I hope that in the coming days, the Congress will after considering such act, approve it and deliver it to me and I shall sign it.

Thank you, have a good night and God Bless us all!”

* * *

CHUCKIE KIM was panicking. He couldn't find his pocket computer that held his bets. He was sure it was with him. Emptying his bag, he still couldn't find it.

Then he remembered colliding into Gail So.

No, it couldn't be, Chuckie thought. He reached for his mobile phone and started calling people. He needed to know where he could find Gail.


THE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL championship game was the most attended match of the season. Old alumni came and cheered for their schools. Tonight was no different.

The Colosseum was overflowing with fans, students, former students for both University Ball Clubs. Colors flown and banners were being flown and the atmosphere was exhilarating.

“Alex,” Chuckie yelled over the loud noise.

“Yeah, man?”

“Could you hold these seats? I got to go to the men's room.”

“Sure buddy,” Alex said, not really hearing and was busy will a text message. It was from Sam Chen.

Chuckie started for the nearest exit and dialed a number. “I'm here, where are you?”

“By the hot dog stand”.

“OK,” he said as Chuckie quickly walked his way through to the hot dog stand. There she was.

“Hot dog?” Gail offered.

“Where's my PDA?”

“You know I owe this guy a twenty,” Nodding to the hot dog stand guy.

“Fine,” Chuckie said while he reached into his pocket and handed the twenty over to the hot dog stand cashier. “Isn't your dad a rich tycoon or something?”

“Well, my dad is doing OK.” She had a knowing smile painted across her face.

“I'm sure he can pay your hot dog.”

“Last I checked Chuckie, I had the upper hand. Besides with all your winnings, isn't it customary to share with your friends some of those winnings?”

“We aren't friends! Is this blackmail?! I figured you to be a nice girl.”

“I just need a favor.” She said and then took a sip at her cola, emptying the plastic cup.

“I just paid for your hot dog and soda”.

“Partly paid. I need information on the gambling thats been going on in school and you seem to be the missing piece.”

“Emily---”

“Gail. Only my parents call me 'Emily'.”

“Gail,” Shaking his head. What was he getting himself into? “What makes you think that I know anything about gambling thats been going on?”

“Well for starters Chuck, your PDA is filled with your gambling records and stuff ---”

“You went through my stuff?!”

“Well, I HAD to find out who owned it! It just so happened the file was the first to open! Its not my fault OK?”

“Fine! I do it for fun OK? It's not like I'm hurting anyone.”

“I just want to know how it all works. Who do you go to--- what are the odds---”

“So you want me to help you get your expose?”

“Weeellll... I can put you in as a 'source'. I'm not comfortable sharing a by-line with you just yet.” Handing him his PDA. Her eyes were pleading with him. “Please?”

“Fine. I can visit your office tomorrow, around noon.” Chuckie said in defeat.

“GREAT!” She said as her face lit up with a smile. It was a beautiful smile, Chuckie realized.

“Now, If you'll excuse me I have to call this guy for my bet.”

“Oh, that's been taken cared of. I sort of called him and umm... pretended that I knew you... and you already placed a bet!”

“You did what?!”

“You were betting on our team, right?!”

“I can't believe you did that!”

“It was kinda fun, you know.” She started to walk away from him. “I had fun.” She flashed him her patented smile. Gail could see, Chuckie was still in shock.

She added, “And oh, Chuck? Before I forget, thanks for the hot dog and soda. My family owns a hundred franchise and that was number eight-eight, I think.” She grinned again.

“I bet about five thousand dollars, US. The guy said it was your minimum. He said to give the money to him tomorrow morning, first thing and that he can cover for you until then. You seemed to be a good customer of theirs so they waived the customary money down.”

She saw his face. Priceless! Gail thought.

“See you tomorrow lunch time OK?” She then raised two thumbs up winked at him, “rooting for the team.” Gail walked towards the press' area, happy as could be. She was after all still working.


BY THE TIME Chuckie Kim returned to his seat, his buddy, Ibrahim Sulayman had just scored a two pointer and the crowd went alive.

Chuckie started praying. He had exactly five thousand in his account. if his team lost, He'd be broke.

Tuition was also due next week. His credit was likewise maxed out.

He found himself cheering, “Go Team!” It was a matter of survival.


THAT NIGHT was a lucky night for Chuckie Kim. He had a sigh of relief when the final buzzer sounded. His school won and within the spread that Gail gave his bookie, he learned after giving the young woman a call.

* * *

HERMAN MONTALBAN gave Lee Chen a call that night. He had met with the Taiwanese Government regarding the message that was sent to Chen.

It was a go. Herman had already booked a flight back to Manila early in the morning. The Taiwanese representative would be flying with him, incognito of course.

Lee had called for an informal meeting. They all had to make plans and adjust for what is sure to be a shock for most people. Their initial plans was already a huge storm they were sure. Now this was a grandmother of a typhoon.

But Herman couldn't help but wonder, if this was a step in the right direction. Time to move forward and grabbed what sleep he could. It would probably what little he would get in the next few days.