System notification: Estimated download time: 2 hours 0 minutes – 0.1%
Curiosity sparked in the young man as he questioned, "What could possibly take two hours to download?"
The older man replied with a calm conviction, "Everything."
Perplexed, the young man sought clarification, "Everything?"
"Yes, everything," the older man reaffirmed, meeting his gaze with eyes that radiated tranquility.
In contrast, the reflection showed the cold, piercing stare of an old man, exuding authority and control. His weathered face and stern expression conveyed a life of discipline and unwavering resolve.
The younger man's face, on the other hand, emanated innocence and wonder. His captivating features, highlighted by amber eyes with hints of natural green, projected warmth and happiness.
Despite his stoic demeanor, the older man's facade crumbled when he interacted with his son. Their connection revealed the buried emotions he had learned to conceal, a stark contrast to his usual strictness.
Today, however, something would change. The young man's gaze felt like a thousand knives piercing the older man's heart, bringing forth a side he had suppressed for years.
They stood in a sprawling laboratory, surrounded by scientific equipment and cables snaking in all directions, connecting to a central computer workstation.
As the download began, the computer processed vast amounts of data, fascinating the older man who had always been at the forefront of technological innovation.
Years of work had led to this moment, knowing the risks it carried. Despite constant monitoring, he was determined to complete his project in secrecy, driven by his unwavering passion for pushing boundaries.
Armed with the fastest computer ever built, he embarked on a task of incomprehensible data magnitude, aware that his pursuit of knowledge came at a high price.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence, echoing inside his head. This way of communication would only be made by an advanced mind awakened.
"You are going to kill us! You're destroying our future! Please, STOP!"
Behind the mirrored glass wall, a woman with intense brown eyes observed the scene. The worry etched on her face betrayed her typically calm demeanor. Despite her concerns, she maintained an aura of confidence and control, battling the inner turmoil that threatened to consume her.
At that moment, he saw her vulnerability for the first time. She was bound, unable to intervene as she watched him interact with their beloved son. Her attempts to halt his descent into madness were futile. Never did she anticipate that his obsession would unleash catastrophe upon everything they had built.
The system notification echoed once again, a countdown ticking away the remaining time:
Estimated download time: 1 hour 55 minutes – 4.5%
His path was irreversible; today would mark his demise.
Estimated download time: 1 hour 50 minutes – 8.3%
Aware that only he could hear her, she desperately attempted to reach his consciousness.
"Please, stop it!" *sniff* "Even if you succeed, we will suffer! Do you not care at all?!"
His eyes reddened, his breath grew heavy, and tears streamed down his face.
Estimated download time: 1 hour 40 minutes – 16.5%
____________________________________
[Somewhere in the world]
Chaos ensues as a group of highly skilled hackers launch a sophisticated attack on various large corporations' computer systems. The urgency to shut down the systems intensifies, but resistance from those in power complicates the situation.
"Sir Charles, these hackers pose a significant threat. It's crucial to temporarily shut down the system," the concerned staff member advises.
Charles scoffs in disbelief, "Are you suggesting that we, with the best high-tech capabilities, are incapable of stopping these hackers?!"
"Sir, shutting down the system would be a wise move to prevent substantial losses," the staff member insists.
"Don't you dare shut down the system! I want everything on the main dashboard!" Charles barks, dismissing the staff's recommendation.
As the attack progresses, tensions rise among the corporation's staff members, tasked with reporting on the hackers' progress while navigating a maze of information. The uncertainty leaves them questioning what is true and what is false, all under the watchful eye of their superiors.
Minutes later, the staff reiterates their recommendation, "Sir, we truly need to shut down the system. If the hackers succeed, the consequences will be severe."
"You incompetent, foolish lad! Follow my orders and don't act as if you have any authority..." Charles begins, but his words are cut off.
System announcement: Access denied.
System announcement: Files have been deleted.
System ERROR: No data found.
System shutdown in 3, 2, 1...
.
.
.
The room falls into an eerie silence, where a pin dropping would be audible. Five minutes have passed from the initial firewall announcement to the moment when everything is wiped out.
*Thud.*
Charles realizes his miscalculation. His head may roll once the truth is revealed. He never anticipated this day would come, where he, a general and hero, would be forced to resign.
*******
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, another crisis unfolds.
"Sir Makarov, we need an immediate system shutdown. We're under attack!" a voice urgently implores.
Makarov questions the magnitude of the threat, seeking clarification, "How serious is this?"
"Please, let me explain later. We must act NOW!" the voice insists.
"Who do you think you are? Don't you dare shout at me aga--"
System announcement: Intrusion detected. System save protocol initiated.
System announcement: System shutdown in 3, 2, 1...
System ERROR: Automatic shutdown failed.
System self-destruction in 10 seconds.
10, 9, 8, 7... Failure.
System announcement: Attempting to identify hackers through counter-invasion.
System Announcement: Counter-invasion failed.
System Announcement: Unknown error detected.
System self-destruction in 10 seconds.
10, 9, 8, 7... Failure.
System Announcement: Files have been deleted.
System ERROR: No data found.
System shutdown in 3, 2, 1...
Across the globe, similar scenes play out:
"Master Zhong, a foreign system is attempting to steal our data."
_____
"King Zain, a forced shutdown is strongly advised."
_____
"Prime Minister, we have been hacked. Please grant us the authority to shut down everything."
"Authority granted!"
System Announcement: Access denied.
Authorities: o.o
Staff: o.o
*Thud.*
[Japan]
As the cyber attack intensifies in Japan, the atmosphere in government buildings and corporate offices becomes tense. Emergency lights bathe the hallways in blinking red, casting an eerie glow that heightens the sense of urgency. Klaxons blare, their shrill tones piercing the air, alerting employees to the impending shutdown.
In government offices, panic sets in as employees rush through the floors, clutching their laptops and files, desperately trying to reach secure locations. The sound of hurried footsteps echoes through the corridors as staff members scramble to follow evacuation protocols and safeguard sensitive information.
In corporate headquarters, executives and IT teams hastily assembled in crisis rooms, surrounded by walls adorned with screens displaying real-time threat analysis. Nervous whispers fill the air as they monitor the progress of the cyber attack, their faces reflecting a mix of concern and determination.
[Australia]
In Australia, the cyber attack sends shockwaves through the nation's infrastructure. The emergency lights installed in government buildings and corporate facilities cast an eerie red hue, accentuated by the sporadic flickering of power fluctuations. The air hums with the faint sound of electrical systems straining under pressure.
Employees, caught off guard by the suddenness of the attack, scramble through the floors, their panicked footsteps echoing in the corridors. Some clutch their smartphones, trying to reach loved ones and provide reassurance amidst the chaos. Others hastily gather essential documents, their movements fueled by a mix of fear and adrenaline.
In conference rooms and control centers, high-ranking officials and cybersecurity teams convene, their faces etched with concern. Frantic discussions unfold as they assess the evolving threat landscape, strategizing how best to counter the hackers and minimize the damage inflicted upon critical infrastructure.
[United Kingdom]
In the United Kingdom, the cyber attack plunges government complexes and corporate buildings into a state of frenzied activity. The usual white fluorescent lighting gives way to pulsating red lights, casting an ominous ambiance that heightens the sense of urgency and impending danger.
Employees, their faces contorted with worry, scramble through the floors, their hurried footsteps blending with the cacophony of alarm bells and sirens. Panic spreads like wildfire as individuals clutch their personal belongings and make their way to designated safe areas, hoping to shield themselves from the unfolding crisis.
Within crisis rooms and command centers, key decision-makers and cybersecurity experts gather, their expressions a mix of determination and anxiety. Screens display live feeds of the cyber attack's progress, the blinking red icons symbolizing breached systems and compromised data. Urgent phone calls and hasty exchanges fill the air as they coordinate response efforts and allocate resources to combat the persistent threat.
Throughout each country, the harrowing sights and sounds of employees panicking and running through the floors serve as a grim reminder of the high stakes involved. The cyber attack not only jeopardizes digital infrastructure but also leaves an indelible mark on the psyche of those caught in its grip, forever shaping their perception of the vulnerability of the interconnected world.