Garcia sent over all the information on the female passenger named Christina. Everyone sat around the large table in the conference room, sifting through the documents, searching for clues.
After finishing her third cup of coffee, JJ indicated that she had found something, then connected a video call with Garcia.
"Garcia, check this name: Heyman Walsher.
Eight years ago, Christina Moreau went on a date with this aerospace engineer. Later, she wrote on Facebook that it was the worst date she had ever experienced."
"Eight years ago?" Jack questioned, wondering if he had heard correctly. Was someone really holding a grudge for that long?
It didn't take long for Garcia to send over a personal file.
"Got it. Heyman Walsher, math genius, socially inept, an anarchist. Shortly after that date you mentioned, he resigned from his job and disappeared."
"Sounds like Ted Kaczynski's twin," Rossi said, frowning.
Everyone exchanged awkward looks. Ted Kaczynski, after all, was one of the FBI's great embarrassments.
Born in 1942, Ted Kaczynski had an IQ of 167 when tested at the age of 12. In 1958, at 16, he was admitted to Harvard University's math department. After earning his bachelor's degree, he pursued a graduate degree and doctorate in mathematics at the University of Michigan.
In 1967, after completing his doctorate, Kaczynski became an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley, the youngest in the university's history at the time.
At that point, the country's mathematics community saw the handsome genius as a rising star, destined to make a lasting mark on the history of mathematics.
Who could have imagined that less than two years later, he would resign and retreat to a remote area outside Lincoln, Montana?
When Kaczynski re-emerged in the public eye, he had transformed into the terrifying "Unabomber." Between 1978 and 1995, he mailed 16 bombs, killing three people and injuring 23.
His targets were primarily science and engineering professors, large corporate executives, and airline companies, whom he viewed as the driving forces behind technological advancement.
Kaczynski opposed technological progress, especially robotics, genetic engineering, and computer technology. He believed machines would take over most important tasks, leaving humans idle and pushing them toward dangerous outlets for their energy (such as drugs, crime, cults, and hate groups).
He also argued that advancements in genetic engineering, initially aimed at curing cancer and hereditary diseases, would lead to extensive genetic modifications, creating "perfect humans" and turning people into artificially designed products rather than natural creations.
Kaczynski further believed that advances in computer technology, particularly AI, once controlled by a small elite, would strip most people of their freedom and power, reducing them to slaves or livestock under the control of either artificial intelligence or the elites.
The FBI deployed 500 agents and spent nearly $10 million over 18 years, wrongly arresting more than 200 suspects, but failed to catch this mysterious bomber.
It wasn't until April 24, 1995, that Kaczynski sent letters to several media outlets, claiming that if *The Washington Post* and *The New York Times* published his manifesto in full, he would stop mailing bombs.
The Department of Justice eventually caved, agreeing to have the two most influential newspapers publish his manifesto in full.
In his 35,000-word essay titled *Industrial Society and Its Future*, Kaczynski elaborated on his belief that "technological progress will eventually destroy humanity." The manifesto sparked widespread discussion and resonated with many people.
Even in 2011, Anders Breivik, who slaughtered 93 people in the Norwegian massacre, was one of Kaczynski's followers.
Before Breivik's attack, he had posted a "manifesto" online, much of which was copied from Kaczynski's essay.
But to get back to the point, after Kaczynski published his manifesto, his younger brother reported him to the FBI, and this genius-turned-madman was finally caught. To this day, he remains incarcerated.
"Well, the biggest difference between Heyman Walsher and Ted Kaczynski is that he doesn't oppose technology. On the contrary, he idolizes Oppenheimer."
Garcia pulled up more articles Walsher had posted online.
"Before disappearing from public view, he published numerous statements expressing admiration for Oppenheimer."
Rossi seemed thoughtful. "If that's the case, then the text Christina received makes sense. The hacking skills needed to control an aircraft like that are Walsher's 'atomic bomb.' He's aiming to cause mass casualties in a similar way."
Emily was a bit overwhelmed. "This is just too much. He's willing to kill over a hundred passengers on a plane just to get back at a woman who once humiliated him?"
"Maybe not," Rossi suggested. "Christina might just be the spark that made him disappear. He spent eight years perfecting his 'atomic bomb' and used Christina as a sacrificial test subject."
Jack smirked. The more he dealt with psychopaths, the better he understood how they thought—a fact that saddened him deeply.
"Guys, I think I need to retract the word 'admire' and replace it with 'obsess.' I've just gone through all of Walsher's posts."
He then rattled off a long passage of Walsher's previous statements.
"This all makes sense now," Hotch finally showed some emotion on his usually calm face.
"Walsher wants to undergo a similar transformation. He feels he's endured enough humiliation, and after spending eight years perfecting his hacking skills, he's conducted his test. The crash of Christina's flight was his 'nuclear test site.'"
Garcia nodded in agreement. "Christina posted a lot of travel information on Facebook. This flight was because she was heading to Phoenix for a reunion."
"So, if that's the case, Walsher should be nearby," Rossi concluded. "The plane crashed here because he wanted to witness it firsthand."
Reid chimed in, "The area is sparsely populated, perfect for hiding—a flawless test location."
"Then here's the real concern," Emily said anxiously. "If this is his 'atomic bomb test site,' where is his 'Hiroshima'?"
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