I’ll be looking for your next book and anything else you write. Thanks!

Thanks for the great answer. (I did know the author’s background, I read his CV before reading the book). I withdraw my objections (except for the one about the telnet server

Now that I think about it more, there is another way in addition to those you mentioned: a vulnerability has recently been demonstrated in which NICs have been reflashed with malicious code. If the device driver contains any bugs (and what code doesn’t?) this would allow a machine to be reinfected after a reimiging.

All of your points are well taken. First, let me say I’m happy that you accepted my Trojan that intercepted Jon’s email. As an aside, when Bill asked me how difficult it would be to forge an email message the reply he got was from Jon.Knox@archon.com. I realize that this would not pass close inspection of headers, but it would have fooled the average user.

On the lack of encryption for the cameras on Rusulka that is an oversight that the head of security should have been shot for (remember, this is the KGB we’re talking about). But it probably never occurred to him that anyone on board would have incentive to intercept the signals from the devices. In the same scenes, to have a simple switch to reveal the secret entrance was a serous blunder; it should have had at least a keypad code, and probably some sort of biometric scanner.

As far as the persistence of the Trojan after re-imaging I’ll admit that it would be impossible for me, but not necessarily for my namesake. However, there are a couple of ways I can think of to do it (at least theoretically). One would be to infect a document or documents on a shared drive that would reinstall the Trojan if the system was reimaged and an infected file then opened. Another would be to infect the Master Boot Record (MBR); if the reimaging was not done carefully track zero might not be reinitialized. Consider that the reimaging would have been done by the same IT group that had guaranteed that the system was secure the first time. Yet another approach would have been to reflash the BIOS. So it would have been difficult, but not impossible.

You are correct that a telnet server would not have behaved as described, but I think this was more to keep the tedious technical details from interrupting the plot. Dr Lawrence, would, of course, have initially Telnetted in, then installed additional functionality over the Telnet connection such as a remote access bot.

The science is quite impressive; it even got a thumbs up from Kip Thorne. Based on currently available information on the Tunguska Event the Vurdalak Hypothesis is still in the realm of possibility, and there are no other explanations that have been verified.

— minor spoilers below —

I am a computer scientist specializing in computer security. I was gratified that Mr. DeSmedt’s portrayal of computer security and hacking had remarkably few errors. The lack of encryption on the video surveillance devices was a bit surprising, and the persistence of the Trojan horse after re-imaging of the computer system stretched suspension of disbelief. Also I seem to recall that the trojan acted as a “telnet” server, which would not behave as described. Still, the science behind this book is better than one might expect in a Hollywood movie, and better than most genre fiction.

Thanks for the very kind words (and the contributions/book sales!).

Clancey, I too was a Russian linguist out of DLI back in the sixties, and a U Moscow exchange student ten years after that. That’s where the accents come from.

Best,
Bill

Loved the Russian involvement - I was a Russian linguist back in Cold War days, and I loved hearing the Russian you threw into the story and hope some of those characters will find their way into Dualism! The Russians even spoke English the way Russians do - bravo!

Do Svidaniya!

Great book; wonderfully and beautifully written. Definitely one of the top ten scifi books I’ve heard or read in 51 years. Prompted me to make my first ever contribution to a podcast author.

Thank you. I look forward to your next book with much anticipation.

Great job!

Thanks for the accolade — I’m pleased as punch you enjoyed my book. And, yes, by all means, tell your friends!

As to Dualism, I’m shooting to have it in the can and out to my agent by mid-April next year. And, in the same timeframe, I’ll be starting a new non-fiction podcast — Doctor Jack’s Soapbox Seminars: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Science Behind Singularity — in honor of the upcoming Tunguska Centennial. Watch (or rather listen) for it!

Best,
Bill

Congrats on a truly mind expanding story. Had me gripped from word go! Particularly the final installments, which hinted at a quite terrifying concept showing how dangerous and catastrophic the whole tinkering with the space time continuum could be!

The pacing, characters, dialogue and science were first rate. I only wish my own ideas can be as well rounded and considered as yours. I shall recommend your book heartily to my friends.

Best
Chris

p.s Can’t wait for Dualism

Thanks for the kind words about Singularity’s physics. You might be interested to learn that Dr. Jack will be hosting his own “Soapbox Seminars” podcast, starting this coming January. The science behind Singularity has never gone down easier!

And as for Mycroft, since I just got done writing that part, I’m pleased to announce he’ll be back, quirky as ever, in Dualism!

Best,
Bill