Congratulations, Amontillado. I finally bit the bullet and ordered a new laptop yesterday. It is supposed to arrive Monday. I had it delivered to the store: that's a pretty pricey piece of equipment to trust to the elements and wandering persons who might take a fancy to the package.
So true. The porch is no longer very secure. I'm a teleworker and my office window gives me a view of the porch. I should see the truck when it pulls up.
This purchase has been far from stress free, though.
First, we had to enlist friendlies in Chinese shipping concerns to exfiltrate the asset from communist held territory.
I say "the asset" in case communications are intercepted. The less intel leaked, the better.
Next came long, tense hours monitoring tracking reports as we navigated the morass of present day Hong Kong's shadowy intrigue.
We won't know what happened next until after-action debriefs. The asset transited Taiwan in a mere two hours. Taiwan and China are one diplomatic faux pas short of war. I fear there must have been a hot LZ and hostiles may be in pursuit.
Arrival and departure times in Anchorage show just nine minutes on the ground. The asset either had help or has been compromised.
Although delivery is still scheduled for Tuesday, tensions remain elevated.
My family has been untiring in their support of the mission, even employing coded communications here at home. Things like "Dad's gone crazy," or, "What manner of horse poo is he spewing now?"
I confess I'm not sure what those secure phrases decode to. Whatever, I'm certain it's impressive.
As you were. It's an honor serving with each of you.
