Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version by R. McCullough Page A

all this
about Mr. Albright?” “Seems someone thinks I may be a pervert,”
answers Jack as he hands her the warrant. Anna had been intrigued
when Jack found the skeletons and thought she would keep an ear
out. Especially when she started hearing rumors about a warrant for
his place. Jack had not seemed that type. With all ‘ghost’ images
fuss she had begun to think that interesting things happen around
him. She has read a lot of search warrants and thinks this one is
unusually vague on probable cause.
    Jack shows everyone in and this time opens
the secure room's door. The young computer people are in immediate
awe the system. “Man it is ever cold in here,” whines one geek.
“Well yes of course. My computer folks suggested the room be kept
in mid to low 60 degrees to insure the systems stay as cool as
possible so it has a separate cooling system to maintain 60 to 65
degrees,” says Jack. The system looks to have equipment and
components the techs have only heard rumors about and certainly
never seen. Jack refuses to give the login codes so the geeks start
trying to hack into the system. One of the techs tries to call out
to ask someone to bring some other equipment only to discover he
had zero signal bars.
    Jack points to the walls and said they are
inside a Faraday cage type shield. The tech clearly had no idea
what that was so Jack explained that the tech would have to leave
the room to make or receive a call and that even then the phone
reception will be weak unless he actually goes outside to make the
call.
    Benson says, “You need to give them the codes
or we will have to arrest you.” Jack smiles and replies, “I don’t
think so Benson; and nothing in the warrant says I have to provide
it or help you in any way. Look, I know you can seize the system
but frankly, with all the built in safeties, I doubt your computer
‘experts’ can do so without frying the drives. Real computer
security experts put that system together along with all its’
safeguards.”
    The other tech is muttering about high level
encrypted files, “Hah, thinks I can’t break in here does he? This
will do the job,” as he plugs in a device and taps a key. One of
the computer monitors suddenly flashes a fiery skull on the screen
and it starts laughing.
    ***
    Pic here of skull
    ***
    Recognizing the laugh from Independence Day
the tech says, “O my.” The weird laugh coming from the speakers
gets louder when another monitor comes on to display the number 5,
then 4, 3, 2, 1 and then quickly to just fiery eyes.
    ***
    Pic here of flaming eyes
    ***
    Then the tech notices his device is emitting
a stinky wisp of smoke. Quickly; but clearly too late; he unplugs
his device but it continues to emit a smelly blue smoke. “O man,
that cost me 100 bucks,” whines the tech.
    Meanwhile Jack has picked up his secure
satellite phone and, getting the Ranger’s attention, motions
fingers to his eyes and points at the deputies and techs, visually
asking for the ranger to stay and watch them. She nods yes so he
then leaves the room to make a call out of anyone’s earshot. He
quickly, but quietly, explains the situation to someone over the
phone, listens for a bit, says ok and hangs up. Jack goes to the
secure room door and waves Ranger Stone to follow saying, “Want a
soda or something?”
    About 15 minutes later Deputies Blackwood and
Benson come to where Jack and Ranger Stone are setting, drinking a
soda and chatting about photography. The techs have about given up
trying to break into the system and are discussing how to dismantle
the bolted down system for transport to an FBI lab.
    “Give them the codes,” Benson says. Jack
again refuses. Taking a hard attitude, both deputies begin accusing
Jack of having something to hide and again threatening to arrest
him. Jack with a smile, readily agrees with them that he has
something to hide. “But arrest me? For what offense?”
    The deputies, knowing Jack has a concealed
weapon permit, then ask if