The next day, in the security room located on the 15th floor of the main building, some employees who were in charge of cybersecurity gathered in front of a computer connected to a large monitor. The Head of the Security team, Paul Azirean, called them up for a meeting.
"As you all know, our security was breached last night," he said with furrowed eyebrows. "I am bothered so much that this person, these people, or whoever hacked the security used a high-level virus into our system. The virus was so fast, and in a matter of minutes, it managed to copy the classified data and the exclusive reports first, then it vanished when it got into the folder of the public scientific journals. As fellow employees who aim to protect D.M. Cadre, what can you say about this?"
His colleagues looked at each other. They have never encountered anything like that. Some were amazed and wanted to learn more about the virus, but some were terrified, afraid to be labeled as incompetent, and might be kicked out from their job.
"I have written the report and will send it to the Head Scientist," Paul said with a forlorn expression. "Before he dismisses me, I will attach my resignation letter to my last report."
There was a chattering noise all over the room. Paul lowered his head to them and he apologized for being an incompetent Head of the Security team. His colleagues were saddened about this since he has been working for the team ever since D.M. Cadre started. For them, he's not incompetent, it's just that the hacker or whoever placed in the virus was just too good.
Paul was ready to leave before he met them. He had already packed his things in a large box. He glanced once more in his gray, metal desk, reminiscing his first entry in the facility. In all his years, they had encountered some cybersecurity attempts, but none of them were successful. He had always viewed his team as the best one in the country, but now everything about his mindset changed. It was his fault as their leader, for he did not train his colleagues properly.
Paul rode the elevator and proceeded down to the 9th floor, where the office of the Head Scientist was located. He greeted the secretary, Safina Redlock, whose desk was just beside the large, tinted glass door of the big boss.
"You're just in time, Mr. Azirean. He had just arrived," Safina said as she stood up to greet him. "He said that you may come in." Paul temporarily left his box to Safina and walked in.
Here, the Head Scientist was standing with his hands on his back beside the full glass wall window, facing the view of Eulim City. He's an old man who had dedicated his life to D.M. Cadre. His white, thin hair was combed neatly, and he's wearing a semi-formal, gray outfit. He looked back and faced Paul. "I've read your email, Paul."
"I'm sorry," he said, looking back through his boss's dark blue eyes. He knelt, "Because I lack the skills to counter that virus, they got the classified reports."
"Get up, Paul," the Head Scientist said. He gently grabbed Paul's shoulders and helped him stand up. "It happened already. We need to move fast, and your resignation is not the solution."
"Then, what is…" he replied, contemplating his words.
"Find someone who can trace the hacker," he said, then turned around to view Eulim City again. "Someone you know, perhaps?"
Paul thought for a little while if he knew someone who's an expert in hacking, programming, and cybersecurity. In his mind was a list of classmates and professors he had met, and eliminating those who had quit the industry. Then, he realized that someone might be able to help him; someone really close to him. "I know someone who's an expert. She's currently working in a famous cybersecurity company in the United Empires of Atlan."
"Is she a foreigner? What's her name?" the Head Scientist asked.
"She's not a foreigner," Paul replied. "She's my younger sister, Gwyneth." His sister who was 5 years younger than him was always bragging about her achievements whenever she sent emails in D-Chat. She graduated from Makylee University with a Computer Science course. Since she was the batch valedictorian, she was immediately offered scholarships to pursue her master's degree while working in the sponsor company.
"I won't ask you to leave because of your loyalty to D.M. Cadre. Instead, I ask you to resolve this issue. You may return to your office." the Head Scientist said.
"Yes, thank you, sir!" Paul exclaimed. "I'll get to the bottom of this and report to you."
Paul swiftly got out of the room, while the Head Scientist continued looking outside the glass window. He wondered who among their enemies had successfully got copies of their private files.
When Paul returned to his office, he was welcomed by his colleagues. They were relieved that he didn't have to leave because he had been a very understanding boss to them. After greeting them, he went to his room, placed his box over the table, and called his sister abroad.
"Hello?" his younger sister Gwyneth asked. "Long time no call, huh… Are you here to ask a favor-"
"I have a favor to ask, Gwyn," Paul said. He rarely calls her, unless he needs something, like asking a few things about programming or her bank account number.
"I knew it, it was a favor," Gwyneth said, placing her hand on her waist while the other side of her body was leaning on the wall. "What is it?"
"This will be a tricky one," Paul replied. From standing beside the table he quickly walked towards his office chair to sit, "We were attacked by a high-level virus…" He explained his whole situation.
"I see!" Gwyneth exclaimed. She was excited about wanting to know more about the virus. "Tell your boss that I am currently developing a program that can find all viruses' origin. If he can wait for two weeks, I will make sure to use it in your research facility."
"I'll tell him, but I don't think-" Paul replied, thinking that two weeks may be too long.
"Hush, I know that you're doubting me," Gwyneth chuckled. She was confident about her ongoing program. "This will work, a hundred percent. We will know your enemy's location through the virus's data. I assure you."
"If you're that sure, then… I will contact you again."
"You should contact me often, I get lonely sometimes," she jokingly said.
"Stop complaining, you're just twenty-five. I'll hang up now and talk to my boss."
Paul called the Head Scientist and thoroughly explained what Gwyneth told him. The boss thought deeply about the outcome, but then he thought positively that those hackers or the hacker would not attempt to strike again as the security team is highly on guard now. He agreed to wait for the anti-virus program to finish after weighing the consequences.
A week has passed, and there have been no new virus attacks. During this time too, Lia has recovered. She didn't have the chance to go home these past few days, and she missed walking around. She was told that her ankle was just mildly sprained, and her ankle healed fast with the help of her roommates and an assigned facility nurse who checks up on her daily.
Lia was eager to work, curious about what his mutant has been doing. After breakfast, she immediately went to room B4-L13 and Lia let the contraption scan her official I.D. Even though she knew that Aesop had a temporary caretaker, she was still worried about his condition, as he didn't get along with the employees. When the metal door opened, she hurriedly changed into her indoor shoes.
Up in the second loft, there lay Aesop, sleeping. He was in dreamland, flying through the skyscrapers of Eulim City. His large wings were being reflected in every glass panel he passed through, and he sometimes glanced at them to see himself happily free from the research facility. To his surprise, he saw Lia atop one of the skyscrapers, looking down below the busy roads of the city. She was ready to jump. Aesop panicked and changed his direction. He hastened flying towards her, but when he was about to approach her, she jumped, and Aesop couldn't save her. Every time he tried to look down, he suddenly woke up, drenched in sweat. The nightmare had been repeating for a week.
"Mr. Aesop! I'm back!" Lia exclaimed while looking up to the lofts. "Are you awake? Are you okay?" He didn't respond, and Lia grew worried. In a panic, she rushed towards the stairs. Her loud footsteps awoke Aesop, who was just lying down in the second loft.