UNIVERSITY ARC
**At 5 AM This Morning**
In a dimly lit room filled with the soft glow of numerous computer screens and the hum of high-tech gadgets, a sense of anticipation hangs in the air. The room, shrouded in secrecy, is a stark contrast to the chaos they are about to unleash.
On the largest monitor in the room, an unknown figure, masked and enigmatic, addresses the team with a voice distorted beyond recognition.
|"Today, we will access our target database. Echo, handle the encryption. Glitch, get us into the server room remotely."|
The sound of rapid typing fills the room, the clacking of keyboards echoing off the walls like the ticking of a clock counting down to disaster.
Glitch reports, his tone a mix of excitement and anxiety.
|"Kevin, we successfully infiltrated the server room using the RAT."|
Specter, the leader of the operation, snaps, his voice laced with authority and frustration.
|"Hey Glitch! Use our code names. How many times must I remind you?"|
Glitch responds, his voice now more subdued, reflecting his acknowledgment of the slip.
|"Sorry, Specter. I understand. I've successfully connected to the server."|
Specter adjusts his tone, a calculated shift to maintain control and calm. "
|Good job, Glitch. Now, I'll connect to the service database. Echo, please confirm we can proceed."|
Echo, the calm and collected member of the team, responds with practiced ease.
| "Yes, Specter. We are secure. I've monitored the network and ensured we remain undetected."|
|"Good job, Echo. We've successfully connected to the target database. I'll inform our boss, HackerX."|
The team continues their work, each click and keystroke bringing them closer to their goal. On the large monitor, the masked figure speaks again, his voice rough and menacing.
|"Specter, we received our payment. Is everything going as planned?"|
Specter, ever respectful, replies with unwavering confidence.
|"Yes, HackerX. We can connect to all the databases, and we're on track to hack the main server."|
|"Good job, Specter. You've never disappointed me with your leadership."|
|"It's my honour, sir. Now, I'll take my leave."|
The large monitor goes dark as the mysterious figure disconnects, leaving the room in silence, save for the soft whir of the machines.
...
Present, at The Royal Meridian, In the grand meeting hall, the atmosphere is tense. The windows and doors are shut tight, allowing no intrusion from the outside world. The only light comes from a lone projector casting images onto a white screen, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Surya Raj, the incharge of the few divisions at Vardhan Group, paces the room, his frustration palpable. He is on the phone, trying to reach the staff who have yet to arrive.
He barks into the phone, his patience wearing thin.
|"Hey! I need to speak to Mr. Rajan. What is he doing there? If he stays silent, I'll sign his resignation papers."|
On the other end, a nervous voice tries to placate him.
|"Sir, I understand. He'll arrive at your hotel in just 10 minutes. Please bear with us."|
Surya Raj's irritation only grows.
|"He is solely responsible for this cyber attack. Because of his negligence, we've suffered huge losses."|
He ends the call abruptly and sinks into a chair, his mind racing with thoughts of the damage done. Just ten minutes later, I arrive at the hotel, but my presence does nothing to ease his agitation.
|"Ms. Aarna, why did you bring him here? I told you to drop him at his hostel."|
Surya Raj demands, his tone sharp and unyielding. Aarna begins to explain, but I intervene, my voice calm yet firm.
"I'm now officially the CEO of this company. How can I just neglect this and return to my room?"|
|"But, sir..."|
He starts again, but I cut him off gently.
|"It's okay. Just calm down."|
Surya Raj takes a deep breath, realizing the strain he's under. He apologizes, his tone softened.
|"I'm sorry sir. I'm a little frustrated."|
|"No need to apologize, Mr. Surya Raj. I understand your frustration."|
He nods and leads me to the top floor for an emergency meeting. The room slowly fills with the key members of the company, all of whom carry the weight of the crisis on their shoulders.
Standing on the stage, I address the room, my voice carrying an authority.
|"Now, tell me. What exactly happened?"|
One of the members rises to speak.
|"Sir, as you know, there was a cyber attack on our textile database."|
|"Do you have any idea why these hackers suddenly targeted this industry? It doesn't make sense."|
I probe, searching for answers. Surya Raj stands up, his voice steady as he shares his thoughts.
|"In this situation, sir, there is only one motive to target this textile industry."|
|"Oh! Mr. Surya Raj, you figured it out, didn't you? Can you tell us the reason?"|
|"Sir, it's because this industry has the weakest security system, and it's the only weakness of Vardhan Group."|
His words strike a nerve. I feel a surge of anger and disappointment.
|"Then, why didn't you take action to improve the security systems?"|
Aarna tries to intervene on his behalf.
|"Sir, it's because—"|
|"Aarna, I'm not talking to you. Be quiet. Don't interrupt our conversation."|
I snap, my patience wearing thin. Aarna falters, her face showing the hurt caused by my harsh words. She lowers her head, her silence speaking volumes.
|"Mr. Surya Raj, I'm talking to you. Why didn't you take action on the security systems?"|
I press, my voice cold and demanding. The room falls into a tense silence. The weight of my question hangs heavy in the air. Surya Raj finally speaks, his voice tinged with hesitation.
|"Sir... I... I already appointed someone for security."|
|"Oh! I see... Then, where is he?"|
|"He is Mr. Rajan. He's responsible for—"|
I interrupt him with a sharp tone.
|"Mr. Surya Raj, I asked, where is he? Don't make me repeat myself."|
Surya Raj's hands tremble, and I can see the fear in his eyes.
|"Sir... He's not here yet. He'll be here soon..."|
|"Tell him to meet me after this meeting. He is finished.|
I declare, my voice leaving no room for negotiation. As if on cue, Mr. Rajan arrives, his face a mixture of fear and defiance.
"Sir, it's me. I'm the person you're talking about. My name is Rajan."|
I greet him with a cold smile, masking my frustration.
|"Oh! So, you're Rajan. Now please come to the stage and explain yourself."|
He steps forward, his posture stiff and uncertain.
|"Sir, my name is Rajan. My duty is to check for software malfunctions or errors in the server."|
As he begins his explanation, my mind races, piecing together the clues. I interrupt him, my voice cutting through his words.
|"Yes, Rajan, I have a few questions. You must answer them before continuing."|
|"Yes, sir. You can ask me anything."|
|"Then answer me this: How much time did it take for the hackers to shut down our security protocols?"|
|"A good question, sir. By my analysis, it took nearly two to two and a half hours."|
I ask, pushing for more details.
|"Great. And how much time will it take to reboot our database?"|
|"It can take nearly thirty minutes to reboot our entire database. But why do you ask?"|
|"Wait, I'll clarify later. But first, could you explain this in detail? Some of our members are still confused about the term 'database.'"|
|"Well, sir, the database is a storage bank. It holds all our data, including bank accounts, transactions, and even our company's confidential information."|
Rajan explains, his voice taking on a more confident tone as he delves into familiar territory.
It feels like a lecture, but my mind is working overtime, trying to confirm a theory that's been forming.
| "That's great, Rajan. Now, tell me, when did you first notice this cyber attack?"|
|"Sir, why are you asking? I don't understand."|
|"First, just tell me, Rajan."|
His voice was shaking.
|"Around 9 AM, sir."|
|"Then, why didn't you inform us earlier?"|
His voice shakes with guilt.
|"Sir, I... neglected it. I thought it was just an error or a minor software glitch."|
I slam my hand on the table in frustration.
|"What? Why did you neglect it? You're playing with fire, Rajan. I want a reason!"|
The room is deathly silent, everyone's eyes fixed on Rajan. I glance at my watch, mentally calculating the timeline.
|"Then, approximately this morning around 6 AM, they started their work?"|
Rajan's face drains of colour, his body trembling.
| "Yes, sir. That's... probably correct."|
I keep glancing at my watch, my thoughts racing. I'm piecing together the puzzle, and the picture that's forming isn't pretty. I need to push further, to test a suspicion that's been nagging at me.
|"Mr. Surya Raj, are you married?"|
I ask suddenly, my voice slicing through the tense silence. The question shocks everyone. They murmur among themselves, puzzled by the abrupt change in topic. But Surya Raj's reaction is different; he seems lost in thought.
I shout, pushing him out of his reverie.
|"Hey, Mr. Surya Raj! I already said, don't make me repeat myself. This is your last warning."|
Surya Raj's body stiffens, and he looks up, his voice trembling.
|"No, sir."|
|"Why? Is something bothering you?"|
I press, sensing his unease.
|"Because I don't have time to think about it, sir. My loyalty to the Vardhan family is my only priority."|
|"Then answer me, Mr. Surya Raj. How old are you? Who are your parents? Where do they live?"|
I continue, my questions growing more personal. He hesitates, his voice almost breaking.
| "Sir, I'm 51 years old. I'm sorry, I don't know about my parents. I was an orphan. The chairman raised me."|
He struggles to keep his emotions in check, and I can see that I've touched a nerve.
Now, I turn to Aarna, deciding to press her as well.
|"Hey, Aarna, how old are you then?"|
The room is stunned by my question, and I can feel their disapproval. But no one dares to speak up, except for Aarna, who can't contain her anger.
|"Sir, please take this seriously. This is an urgent meeting. The more time we waste, the more losses we will face."|
|"Yes, exactly! We're now at the right point. Why are you all tolerating my nonsense? I would think that at least one of you would complain or question me. But except for Aarna, no one dares to."|
I say, my tone now is more contemplative. The room is filled with confusion. Sensing their bewilderment, I decided to clarify.
|"Please don't misunderstand me. This is why this company is still weak and lagging behind the rest of the Vardhan Group. Have you considered the other divisions? Do they lack the courage to question or speak up? But here, look at yourselves—how fearful you are. Do you have any shame in calling yourselves members or employees of the Vardhan Group? Just think about it."|
I pause, letting my words sink in before continuing.
|"I understand now why my grandfather wanted to take up this textile industry. It was for this very reason. From now on, keep this in mind: if you face any problem with your superiors, like Mr. Rajan here, question them. I'll support you all."|
All the crowd started thinking and lowered their heads, continuing the silence by their guilt.
Aarna, still processing my words, speaks up.
|"Sir, I understand your words and your intentions, but what is the connection between what you've said and the problem we're facing now? I don't get it."|
I smile at her sharp thinking.
|"Haha, forgive me. This type of mentality doesn't suit me, but circumstances have forced my hand. I just wanted to waste your time."|
The room is still in disarray, my words leaving them in a state of confusion. I can see it in their faces.
I trying to calm their nerves.
|"Don't think too much about it. I was simply wasting time while using it to motivate. I'll explain the reason behind this later. But, don't forget about my words."
Surya Raj's face brightens slightly, perhaps understanding the method behind my madness. But I can tell that I've pushed him too far. I decided to change the topic, shifting my focus back to the matter at hand.
|"Mr. Rajan, do you have any idea about the group that attacked us?"|
Rajan hesitates, and I can see the uncertainty in his eyes.
|"Sorry, sir. I don't have much information about them."|
The room fills with murmurs again, but Surya Raj speaks up, his voice steady.
|"Sir, maybe they're professional hackers. That's it! They are—"|
I cut him off, sharing my own theory.
|"Yes! You're thinking along the same lines as I am, aren't you? The Phantom Syndicate! They're the only ones with the guts to attack us."|
Aarna, still puzzled.
|"Then this group was probably ordered by someone who wants to steal our information or destroy our industry. But why? Our company is so small compared to the other divisions in the Vardhan Group."|
|"Yes, Aarna. You're almost there. Think about the small detail behind this mess. Our divisions are interconnected. To put it simply, our company's database is like a gateway. If they can successfully connect, then..."
I trail off, letting the implication sink in. Surya Raj picks up on it immediately.
|"Sir, everything is clear now. But how can we escape from this trap?"|
I smile, my confidence returning.
|"It's just a piece of cake. Don't judge a book by its cover."|
As if on cue, the projector displays a warning: "CYBER ATTACK IN PROGRESS."
I glance at my watch, timing my next move. |"I'll count to three. One... Two... Three... Boom."|
The system notification changes.
"Warning: AI DETECTION, NEUTRALIZING RAT. REMOTE ACCESS BLOCKED, SUCCESSFUL."
I turn to the room, a triumphant grin on my face.
|"Surprise."|