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Melanie was fully prepared for that question. “I realize this will sound cliché, but I want to make a difference. The world seems out of balance. We need people who are willing to work to regain that balance.”
He smiled again. “I am sure whatever your endeavors, you will make a difference. You have an impressive dossier.”
“Thank you.” Melanie gave him one of her softer stares. “Sir? What do you think?”
He folded his hands over the paper file that sat on his desk. “Your application will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by a review board of OSI special agents.”
“I understand. But if you don’t mind my asking, what do you think?” She knew she was treading a fine line.
“I think you would make an excellent candidate, but you are overqualified for the posting you applied for.”
“Thank you. I think. But please understand, my goal is to gain an entry-level position at PAQ.” She was referring to Palace Acquire Program, a counterintelligence agency branch of Special Investigations.
“That is rather ambitious, but I have seen people with less savvy and intelligence succeed.” He paused, causing a lump to form in Melanie’s throat.
Lump gone. “Thank you, sir.”
“It will take several weeks. It’s the government, you know. That will be something you’ll have to get used to.” He chuckled. “Hurry up and wait.”
Melanie finally let out the breath she had been holding for what felt like an hour. “Every bureaucracy operates that way.”
“I think you’ll do just fine.” He guffawed. “Sit tight, and you’ll be hearing from HR soon.” He didn’t want to overstep and tell her she was perfect for an entry-level job, just in case one of his superiors didn’t think she would pass muster. He stood and shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.” She fixed her eyes on the officer. “I am willing to start wherever I am needed.”
He watched as she exited his office. She was poised and exuded professionalism. He hoped the higher-ups didn’t blow it. OSI needed people like Melanie Drake.
Almost a month later, she was informed she had ranked high enough for another interview. This time it would be in front of a panel of OSI special agents and would include a psychological assessment. If she got past this round, her application would go to the Executive Director for validation. At that point, they would tentatively match her with a position location based on her request and the needs of the agency. She thought if she indicated she was flexible, it would increase her chances of getting a job. Again, weeks went by before she heard anything. At the moment, they were in need of a communications administrator. Translated: clerical assistant. It wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, but what she had in mind would come with more experience. For now it was a foot in the door. No, it was two feet in the door. Next up was a medical exam. She hoped her scars wouldn’t hint at any disability that could disqualify her. She was handed a piece of paper with a very rudimentary outline of the human body and instructed to mark the areas where her bones had broken. The facial scar spoke for itself. The exam took two hours, and she still wouldn’t know if she had a job or not. They thanked her for coming in, made her sign more documents, and sent her on her way. “Someone will be in touch with you regarding the rest of your application.”
She thanked them in return and wondered how much longer this was going to take. According to her calculations, she’d begun this process almost three months before. Bureaucracy. Rules.
Ten days later, she received a phone call informing her that her application was in the suitability part of the process, which would take another forty-five to sixty days. She was getting twitchy. She had arranged to stay with her parents during her job hunt, not realizing it would take months. They agreed she could work in their office until she was gainfully employed. She was on the verge of embarrassment. After all the work she’d put into her studies, how had she ended up living with her parents? She kept telling herself it was temporary, but six months isn’t temporary. Not as far as she was concerned.
Hurry up and wait. He wasn’t kidding. She made an appointment with a placement agency. She had to get some kind of job. Anything. The morning she was supposed to meet with the headhunter, she got the call. Melanie was accepted into the Palace Acquire Program, where she would be on a three-year training and career development track. She would have a mentor and opportunities to receive additional training. She was given a date to report to HR to receive her instructions.
When she arrived, she went through the metal detector checkpoint. All people entering the building were required to secure their personal possessions, including cellphones, in a high-security area. She was then directed to the HR area, where she was issued two khaki shirts, two pairs of black trousers, and a handbook. There was a small locker room where she changed with two other women with identically unfashionable wear. She was told in advance sneakers were unacceptable, not that she would have worn them.
She was given a key for the locker for her clothes, and then directed to a small area where she had her photo taken, laminated, and strung on a lanyard. From there, she went to a classroom. She was the only one there.
After a few minutes, Major Polly Beale entered. Melanie didn’t know if she should stand and salute. Definitely stand. The woman in her late forties introduced herself. “Major Polly Beale, Director of Cyber Activity and Practices. We keep an eye on the movement and flow of information through hundreds of servers.”
Melanie nodded her head. Beale continued. “I am going to be evaluating your skill at spotting an anomaly. Depending on how well you do, you will be assigned to a system and be responsible for monitoring said system.”
Melanie thought it was a tremendous amount of responsibility for an entry-level job. Beale sensed Melanie’s doubt. “You will be supervised by one of the more experienced personnel, but I am confident you will be able to handle the work.”
“Thank you, Major,” Melanie replied.
“Call me ‘Boss’.” Polly smiled. “Shall we get started?”
Beale powered up a computer with simulated scenarios of what Melanie would be staring at all day. Melanie’s computer mirrored what the major was viewing. “I want you to study the flow of traffic.” She was speaking about internet traffic. “Watch the screen for a few minutes and click when you notice any changes coming from any direction.”
Melanie stared at the monitor. It reminded her of a computer game. Even though this was a simulation, eventually she would be playing for keeps. She followed the dozens of bright green bars connecting from one access point to another. She clicked on anything that deviated. The test lasted for thirty minutes, and she had no idea how well she was doing, or not. At the end of the exam, a buzzer went off, causing her to flinch. She hoped that wasn’t a nonstarter. Major Beale took a few minutes to evaluate Melanie’s score. She smiled. “Good work.” Melanie didn’t ask the major to elaborate. Curiosity was killing her, but she didn’t ask. She was surrounded by top-secret information. They only told you what you needed to know. If Major Beale thought it was appropriate, she would share whatever she thought was useful, or necessary.
Beale escorted Melanie down a hallway lined with doors that read RESTRICTED or AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY, plus a multitude of cameras facing in every direction. They came upon an open area of cubicles, where a dozen others sat with headsets and monitors. “Welcome to cybersecurity.” She nodded toward an empty booth. “That’s where you’ll be working.” She snapped her fingers to get everyone’s attention. “Folks, meet Melanie Drake. She will be working with us starting today. Be nice.” People smiled, nodded, and a few waved. Beale powered up Melanie’s computer and handed her a headset. “And there you go. Not very exciting, but seriously important. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.” She gestured to the glass-enclosed space a few feet away.
“Thank you.” Melanie donned her electronic device, took a seat, and began to study the large screen in front of her. This was not what she’d imagined. Now she had to figure out how to move from staring at computer screens all day to getting her master’s degree in foreign diplomatic work. She realized she’d let the cost of continuing education narrow her focus. Well, here she was, and for however long it took, she was going to make the best of it.
* * *
After a few days, Melanie got the hang of completing her work without becoming bleary-eyed. She noticed a rhythm and a pattern. Slight deviations were easy for her to spot, and she reported them immediately. Melanie was able to maneuver end-of-day shift reports as deftly as her card tricks. Major Beale was immediately impressed by her efficiency and how quickly she caught on. Melanie thought it was simply a matter of time before she would catapult herself into a more challenging position. Maybe not catapult. Getting noticed by the senior members of the team was important, but her interaction with them was limited, as was most of the building. She had little access to anything except the floor where her cubicle was located, the small breakroom, and the bathroom. Most people brought their lunch and spent the half hour they were allowed to eat in the sterile breakroom, exchanging a little chatter but nothing significant. Mostly sports.
