Gitmo 49: Biometric

“Thought you worked motor pool,” I said, surprised to see the same mechanic inside fiddling with our gunsafe.

“Expanding my horizons. There was a need, and a teensy bit of coursework later and I got myself a raise and a promotion. Still do mostly motor, which suits me, but now I also do fancy locks and such.”

“Why don’t you explain this one to me, then,” I said, pointing to our safe.

“It’s a combination biometric scanner and keypad entry. You and Monty have your own codes. We can restrict both codes remotely, in the event that you’re both taken hostage, to prevent the inmates from gaining access to firearms.

“Biometric?”

“Reads your fingerprint, basic indicators like bodyheat, blood pressure”

 “But what if I’m excited, or my heart rate spikes or something?”

“S’why we don’t use heart rate. Because you’re likely to get a spike by the time you’re reaching for a gun. The heat, though, is less likely to be an issue. Mostly it’s to make sure you’re still alive, as in”

“They didn’t cut off my thumb to try and get into the armory.”

“Basically. If you spike too high a fever you could have issues; but mostly that’s in the form of a redundancy with Fort Gates. You know, OC calls you and asks if you’re you and getting into the armory.”

I wasn’t sure if I should ask the question, or how, but I needed to know to be able to sleep well. “And what if they screwed me?

“Pardon?”

“Am I giving the keys to the kingdom over to the Army?”

“Between you and me, a determined man, with the code and the right metrics, could get in, regardless of what button some politician someplace might push. And, this system’s logged, so anytime somebody pushes that button, it’ll be recorded, along with their IP and any relevant details about their login. So you’re as safe as I can make you, all factors into the equation.”

“That’s all I could ask.” I put out my hand, and he shook it.

“Hope this is the last time you call on me- seeing as that’s usually after something goes badly.”

“Yeah,” I laughed.