Wonderful story! I really like this...
Michele C. on And Summer Will Come Too Soon
UVB-76 Intelligence Memorandum
(c) 2011 Jamie Dement
UVB-76 Intelligence Memorandum
Jamie Dement
Top Secret
Intelligence Memorandum
Theorizing the purpose of Russia’s communication’s outpost, UVB-76
Top Secret
Copy No. 2
SR IM 10-23
September 2010
TOP SECRET
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
JOINT SIGNAL INTELLIGENCE HEADQUARTERS, EAST
9001 NW POINT NO POINT RD
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON 98110
15 Sep 10
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Theorizing the purpose of Russia’s communication’s outpost, UVB-76
Summary
Russian Outpost of UVB-76 has been monitored by Joint Signal Intelligence (JSI) in Bainbridge Island since the early 1980s. Military interest piqued in 1992 when random beeps switched to more consistent and quicker buzzing transmissions. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) officials, working with National Security Administration (NSA) cryptologists, have unsuccessfully attempted decryption for nearly twenty years. A series of Russian names have occasionally infiltrated the airwaves, leading DIA and NSA to believe this facility a numbers station for spy activity.
Still unable to ascertain a correct decryption algorithm, DIA and NSA, in cooperation with JSI HQ, ordered a mandatory 24/7 monitoring of UVB-76. A unit of three (3) personnel assigned to Bainbridge Island to assist: Major (MAJ) Suzanne L. Taylor, cryptologist; Sergeant (SGT) Justin S. Herlong, Special Ops; and Private (PVT) Jeffery P. Wenzel, linguist.
Transmissions are not representative of normal numbers station activity. Personnel continue to cross-reference and monitor all Internet activity on the list of UVB-76 names. Increased activity and surveillance over the last several months allowed JSI to theorize the Station’s purpose.
1. 5 June 2010, UVB-76 Station’s communications went silent. There was no warning, no explanation. Transmissions ceased. UVB-76 remained silent for approximately 12 hours. SGT Herlong reported transportation of heavy equipment into and out of the radio compound. Inventory included steel girders, large spools of copper wire, crates, and cargo containers with unknown contents. Personnel onsite reported a convoy between Pavarovo and Pskov. Satellite surveillance confirmed initial reports.
2. Construction activity began within the UVB-76 compound and around the nearby town of Pavarovo beginning in early June and concluded the end of July. Radio transmissions resumed normal broadcast after several brief interruptions of silence; however, the location of the transmission changed to Pskov. Nearby personnel confirmed the Russians altering structures in both the villages of Pavarovo and Pskov. Structures look to be capable of landing small aerial hovercrafts.
3. 25 August 2010, UVB-76 transmissions went haywire. Background noise confirmed human activity at what was thought to be the unmanned station in Pavarovo. SGT Herlong scouted the area around the station and found nothing of note. Further scouting to Pskov revealed several tactical tents and antennas had been established just outside the perimeter of Pskov, secured with concertina wire, and guarded by armed military personnel.
4. 7 September 2010 at 2048 Moscow time, begin transmission — “Mikhail Dmitri Zhenya Boris” (MDZhB) indicating new call sign for UVB-76. Following the new call sign, the message read as follows: “13464343365474598672346 04 979 D-R-E-N-D-O-U-T 77869736527377878887 T-R-E-N-E-R-S-K-I-Y 9946322834999834442 F-1993-01031” Note the reference to a now declassified Soviet document (F-1993-01031) from 1968 entitled UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT.
5. PVT Wenzel identified a link between the word “TRENERSKIY” and the Polish word for “council” or “coaching.” A search through CARNIVORE found a mysterious entity mentioned on several blog and Twitter feeds, always referred to as “Drendout.” All sites identified through CARNIVORE were known fronts for Russian retired Komitet Gosydarstvennoy Bezopasnosti (KGB) operatives.
6. Prior to the 7 September incident, transmission was one way, outgoing. JSI intercepted what appeared to be direct communication. First indication came during the first week of September when snippets of Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Little Swans overlapped the UVB-76 frequency, attempting to hide the use of UVB-76 call sign originating from an unknown non-terrestrial location. KGB has been known to use music to mask their transmissions since pre-WWII.
7. JSI believes UVB-76 to be communicating with Alien Life Forms (ALF) based on the listed evidence in the previous paragraphs. It is JSI’s belief that Soviet power never fell—merely went underground. Interstellar communications at UVB-76 and recent tactical operations between Pavarovo and Pskov point to probable reemergence of a stronger Soviet government than we have previously seen. This will pose untold problems on a global, perhaps galactic, scale if our initial theory proves correct. This technology, in the Russian’s hands, will change the balance of world power. Request immediate funding for further investigation and tactical countermeasures.
Great Stuff, Jai, when is the book coming out? There is going to be a book, right?
haven’t thought about a book…yet. On to November’s challenge! Hehe Glad you liked it Pru!
Jamie,
A fantastic entry that is as dependent upon its form as it is its content. I love it when stories are told through non-traditional means, such as this. You should be proud of the authenticity of the piece as well as the amazing writing it took to produce it. Fantastic!
I was torn thinking this really wasn’t a “story” and almost didn’t submit! I thought the format unique and I am always drawn to unique *cough* *cough* Rance
Great writing, Jamie! You have a real gift! Can’t wait to read more of your stuff…
Thank you so much, Nancy. I’m trying to keep up on my writing!
Fabulous. Truly original–and how many things can you really say that about?
Thanks, Melissa. Coming from you, I am honored! I cannot keep up with you, but you sure do give me loads of encouragement…you and Nancy!
I love it! What a unique way to tell a story. It was riveting In spite of the “factual” presentation. Surely the most interesting memorandum I’ve ever read.
Hi, Daniel! Thanks for commenting and you are right, truth is stranger than fiction! Especially when the truth is fiction! LOL
Nicely done, Jamie! I love stories written in the form of documents, letters, etc. Oddly enough, I’m not sure I’ve ever written one myself. Hmm…
Very good work, and congratulations again on your first sale. What a way to start things off!
Thank you, Michael! Congratulations to you too!
GOOD STUFF, I’M GLAD THAT YOUR MOM AND I HAD SOMTHING TO DO WITH THIS MASS KNOWLEDGE OF FICTION. LOVE MOM AND DAD, I THINK.
OPP’S, I GUESS YOUR HUBBY ALSO HAD PUT FORTH SOME EFFORT IN SCI-FI FOR YOU, SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SHINE. LOVE DAD
Love you Mom & Dad!
I thought the story really came through, even though the format was a memo (and maybe ‘especially’ because it was a memo). Your unique layout really set your story apart from the others. Great idea!