The air in the lab was thick with tension as Mwansa and Kunda stood side by side, reviewing the data on Lusaka Technologies' Project Horizon. Kunda's face was unreadable, but Mwansa could sense the gravity of what they were facing sinking into him.
"We need more than this," Kunda finally said, his voice steady but serious. "This data is enough to raise questions, but it won't be enough to take them down. If we're going to expose them, we need concrete evidence—proof that they're actively developing Horizon for malicious purposes."
Mwansa leaned against the lab table, rubbing his temples. "I know. But getting deeper into their systems won't be easy. They've got some of the best cybersecurity in the world."
Kunda shook his head. "It's not just about hacking in. Lusaka Technologies is paranoid, and for good reason. A digital break-in could trigger alarms we can't afford to set off."
"Then what do you suggest?" Mwansa asked, dreading the answer.
Kunda paused for a moment, staring at the monitors before turning to Mwansa with a glint of resolve in his eyes. "We go in physically. We need to get into their main facility and access the servers directly. That's the only way to find out what they're really hiding."
Mwansa's heart skipped a beat. "You're serious? You want us to break into Lusaka Technologies?"
Kunda nodded. "I know it sounds insane, but it's the only way. They've got physical backups—hard drives that contain sensitive data they don't keep online. If we can get into their server room and access those, we'll have everything we need to prove their involvement in Project Horizon."
Mwansa felt a lump form in his throat. He had never considered himself a criminal, but the thought of breaking into a high-security tech corporation sounded like something out of a spy thriller, not real life. But he also knew Kunda was right. There was no other way to get the proof they needed.
"Alright," Mwansa said, exhaling slowly. "But we're going to need a solid plan. Lusaka Technologies isn't some random office building. It's a fortress."
The days that followed were a blur of preparation. Lucy provided the technical expertise, mapping out Lusaka Technologies' security systems and identifying weak points in their defenses. Mwansa and Kunda spent long hours poring over blueprints, planning every detail of the break-in with military precision. There was no room for error.
Lucy's voice was calm and collected as she guided them through the details. "The main facility has three layers of security. The first is the perimeter: guards, cameras, and motion sensors. We'll need to bypass those without alerting anyone inside."
"And the second layer?" Kunda asked, his eyes fixed on the blueprint.
"The second layer is biometric access. Once you're inside, you'll need to pass through a retinal scan and fingerprint recognition to get into the server room. I've already created a bypass for the retinal scan. The fingerprint will be trickier."
Mwansa nodded, already feeling the weight of what they were attempting. "And the third layer?"
Lucy hesitated for a moment before answering. "The third layer is something even I can't fully decode. Lusaka Technologies has a proprietary security system in place for their most sensitive areas, including the server room. I'll do my best to disable it, but there's a chance you'll need to think on your feet once you're inside."
"Great," Mwansa muttered, the tension growing in his chest. "So we're going in blind for the last part."
"Not entirely blind," Lucy reassured him. "I'll be monitoring everything in real-time and providing guidance. But we have to assume there will be unexpected variables."
The night of the break-in was a cold one, and the wind swept across the city as if in warning. Mwansa and Kunda sat in the car a few blocks from the Lusaka Technologies building, the glow of the city's lights reflecting off the glass windows of the towering structure.
"You ready?" Kunda asked, his voice steady but low.
Mwansa took a deep breath and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They exited the car, moving quickly and quietly toward the building. Lucy had disabled the perimeter cameras for a few minutes, giving them just enough time to slip through undetected. The guards at the entrance were making their usual rounds, and the pair waited in the shadows for the perfect moment to approach.
"Go now," Lucy's voice said through the earpiece.
Mwansa and Kunda sprinted across the open space, hugging the walls as they reached the side of the building. Lucy had marked a maintenance door on the blueprint that would give them access to the lower levels.
"Five minutes before the cameras reboot," Lucy informed them as Mwansa worked on the electronic lock. His fingers moved with practiced speed, and within seconds, the door clicked open.
"We're in," Kunda whispered.
Inside, the hallways were dimly lit, and the hum of distant servers filled the air. The building had an eerie stillness to it, a sense that it was always awake, always watching.
"Head to the east wing," Lucy directed. "The server room is located in the sub-basement, but you'll need to pass through the lab area first. Watch out for the night shift engineers. They usually work late."
Mwansa and Kunda moved with purpose, keeping low and quiet. They passed through the lab area without incident, though Mwansa's pulse quickened when he saw a technician still working at one of the stations. They slipped by unnoticed, heading toward the elevator that would take them down to the server room.
The elevator ride felt like an eternity. The soft hum of the machinery was the only sound, and Mwansa couldn't help but imagine the alarms going off, the building locking down, security guards flooding in.
"Almost there," Lucy said. "When you exit, head straight to the left. The server room door is at the end of the hall."
The doors opened, and they moved quickly down the hallway, their footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floors. Mwansa's heart pounded in his chest as they reached the server room door.
"Now for the tricky part," Lucy said. "Place the retinal scanner in front of the camera."
Mwansa pulled out the small device Lucy had given him, holding it up to the camera by the door. There was a soft beep, and the lock clicked open.
"Fingerprint scan next," Lucy instructed.
Kunda moved forward, placing the false fingerprint over his thumb and pressing it against the scanner. For a moment, nothing happened, and Mwansa's heart leaped into his throat. Then, with a soft hiss, the door slid open.
They were in.
The server room was massive, rows upon rows of servers humming quietly in the cool air. The lights blinked in rhythm, giving the room an almost alien feel. Mwansa and Kunda moved to the main console at the far end of the room, plugging in the device Lucy had provided.
"I'm in," Lucy said after a few moments. "Give me a minute to extract the data."
Mwansa stood watch at the door, his nerves on edge as he listened for any sign of movement. The room was silent except for the constant hum of the servers.
Then, just as Lucy said, "I've got it," the alarms went off.