The members of ZeroCrypt were divided into two teams: the on-field team stationed in San Francisco and the remote team back in the Philippines. The on-field team had gathered in a single safehouse with many rooms, a base for their operations in California, while the remote team was spread across different hotels in the Philippines, each working independently but staying connected via encrypted communication channels. Despite the physical distance, the mission connected them as one.
As the morning settled over San Francisco and the night deepened in the Philippines, the members took a break from their preparations and turned to their phones. The group chat on Telegram buzzed with activity, keeping everyone in the loop. They used their codenames, maintaining anonymity even in private conversations.
Dezer, Glaiza, and Dominic in the Group Chat
The group chat lit up with playful banter between Dezer, Glaiza, and Dominic. Dezer, ever the rebellious spirit, kicked off the conversation with a cheeky message from his hotel room in the Philippines.
CryptoKnight:
Guess what, guys? I found a bar nearby that has a 24-hour happy hour. Who's down? 😏
Glaiza, replied quickly, her playful and quirky nature showing through.
AIRebel:
Happy hour all night? Count me in! Let's see if you can keep up with my drinks. 🥂
Dominic, lounging in his own hotel room joined in with a lighthearted tone.
Decompiler:
You two better not be all talk. I don't plan on babysitting anyone tonight. 😂
CryptoKnight:
Babysit? Please. You'll be the one who can't keep up. 😏
AIRebel:
I'll believe it when I see it, Dezer. 😘
The chat remained light and teasing, keeping everyone entertained. But soon, as the conversation drifted, the trio moved their more playful banter to a private chat, leaving the rest of the group out of the loop.
Private Chat: Dezer, Glaiza, and Dominic
Once the group chat quieted down, Dezer, Glaiza, and Dominic continued in a private message thread, all from their respective hotel rooms.
AIRebel:
I hope you boys are ready for round two. Last time, I wasn't sure if you were trying to party or take a nap. 😘
Dominic quickly responded, picking up the playful challenge.
Decompiler:
Oh, now it's a challenge. You two are on. Better be ready to prove yourself, Glai. 💪
CryptoKnight:
Challenge accepted. You just make sure you can handle both of us this time. 😏
AIRebel:
Trust me, I'm more than ready. Both of you at the same time until I'm completely drained tonight. 🔥
CryptoKnight:
So, are we taking you at the same time, or will we take turns again? 😈
Decompiler:
Yeah, Glai. What's the plan tonight? Same routine or something more exciting? 🤭
Glaiza didn't hesitate with her response.
AIRebel:
Same time. Until you can't keep up anymore. Just remember to keep things fun and respectful, okay? Stick to the plan, and we'll all have a good time. 😘
Dezer's Personal Reaction
Dezer lay back on his bed in his hotel room, one arm draped over his eyes as he typed with the other hand.
"These two never back down," he thought with a grin. His mind wandered back to that night not too long ago, after an evening at Marikina River Gold. There had been a carefree buzz in the air as the three of them stumbled back to Glaiza's hotel room, laughter spilling into something more intense. He could still remember the warmth of Glaiza's breath as she whispered in his ear and the mischievous glint in Dominic's eyes as they shared a knowing look.
He glanced at the messages, chuckling as the teasing continued. The banter was their way of easing the tension before a big mission.
"Better enjoy it while we can," he thought.
Dominic's Personal Reaction
Dominic lounged in a chair in his hotel room, a glass of whiskey in hand as he read the messages.
"These two always know how to liven up the mood," he mused, taking a sip.
The memory of Glaiza's smile as she pulled him closer and Dezer's laughter as they joked about their crazy night made him grin. It had been a good release, a perfect way to let off steam before diving back into the seriousness of their work.
Decompiler:
Just make sure you're ready, Glai. No bailing out halfway through. 😏
Samantha Interrupts the Group Chat (San Francisco)
Meanwhile, over at the safehouse in San Francisco, Samantha (Cipher) couldn't resist jumping in. The on-field team—Samantha, Christy (Echo), Bobby (ShadowLock), Jerry (GearTech), and Rommel (TechSpark)—had stayed together in one location to ensure seamless coordination for the upcoming mission. Samantha had been up early, reviewing the final mission plans when her phone pinged with the group's increasingly off-topic conversation.
Cipher:
Guys, this group chat is for mission-related discussions. Focus, please. 🙄
Back in the Philippines, Dezer responded quickly.
CryptoKnight:
Come on, Ms. Samantha. We're just blowing off some steam. You can join us. 😉
AIRebel:
Yeah, Ma'am. Don't be a buzzkill. You need a drink too. 🍷
Decompiler:
Exactly. A little fun won't hurt. 😏
From the safehouse in San Francisco, Samantha sent the message with a sigh, shaking her head at their antics.
"These idiots," she muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
Samantha couldn't deny that part of her found their playful attitudes endearing, even if she had to act like the responsible one.
Cipher:
Fun or not, we've got a mission. Don't forget that. 😑
The Devil in The Code's Dilemma
Meanwhile, Zark (Devil in The Code) sat at his desk, scrolling through the group chat with a half-smirk when suddenly, a personal message popped up on Telegram from Christy (Echo), who was staying in the safehouse in San Francisco.
Echo:
Hey Devil, just checking in. How are you holding up?
Zark's brow furrowed slightly. He wasn't used to receiving personal messages, especially not ones that asked about his well-being.
"Weird timing," he thought, his fingers hesitating over the keyboard. Just as he was about to reply, another message appeared—this time from Samantha.
Cipher:
Hey Devil, just wanted to see how you're doing.
Zark let out a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead.
"What is this, a competition?" he wondered.
He typed a quick response to both, keeping his replies neutral.
Other Members Checking the Group Chat
As the conversation continued, other members of ZeroCrypt in the Philippines casually checked the messages, some rolling their eyes, others chuckling at the exchange.
Hiro read through the chat with mild amusement, while Angelica busied herself with reviewing new vulnerabilities but kept half an eye on the group's antics.
Jojo scrolled through the messages with a laugh before returning to his online poker game.
"Always the same with these three," he thought, shaking his head with a grin.
A Night at the Bar
Later that night, Glaiza, Dezer, and Dominic met up at a bar not far from their hotels. The dim glow of neon lights flickered outside, casting a soft light on the busy street. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with a low murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses. It was a perfect spot for a rendezvous—unassuming, yet alive with energy. The music was just loud enough to keep conversations private, and the low lighting made the space feel intimate.
Glaiza was the first to arrive. She made her way through the crowd, her eyes scanning the room until she spotted a quiet booth in the back corner. Sliding into the seat, she leaned back, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of an empty glass, waiting with a small smirk playing on her lips.
A few minutes later, Dezer entered, his eyes searching for her. When they met her gaze, a knowing grin spread across his face. He made his way over, his movements confident but relaxed. Sliding into the booth next to her, he gave her a teasing look.
"You're early," he said, his voice low and playful.
"Eager?"
Glaiza raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk.
"Just making sure you two don't chicken out," she replied, her tone dripping with playful challenge.
"Besides, I like having the upper hand."
Dezer chuckled, leaning back in his seat.
"We'll see who has the upper hand by the end of the night," he said with a wink.
Before Glaiza could respond, Dominic appeared, sliding into the seat across from them with a grin that mirrored Dezer's.
"I see you two started without me," he said, his eyes flicking between them.
"I'll have to catch up."
The waiter came by, taking their orders—drinks, something strong to match the mood of the night. As the drinks arrived, the trio settled into a comfortable rhythm of banter, each comment laced with subtle undertones. The anticipation of the night hung in the air, unspoken but ever-present.
"So," Dominic said after taking a sip of his drink,
"are you ready for round two, Glai?"
Glaiza leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming.
"You better believe it," she replied, her voice soft but firm.
"The real question is, are you ready for me?"
Dezer laughed, shaking his head.
"She's not going to make it easy for us, is she?" he teased, his hand resting casually on the table, fingers tapping rhythmically against the surface.
"It wouldn't be fun if it were easy," Glaiza replied with a smirk.
She took a long sip of her drink, her eyes flicking between the two of them.
"But enough talking. Let's finish these drinks and get to what we came for."
Dominic raised his glass, his eyes never leaving hers.
"To a night we won't forget," he said, clinking his glass against theirs.
They all took a long drink, the weight of the moment settling in as the tension between them thickened.
As they finished their drinks, the trio exchanged a look, the unspoken understanding passing between them. Glaiza stood up first, her movements slow and deliberate as she stepped out of the booth, her hand reaching out toward them.
"Let's go," she said simply, her voice filled with anticipation.
Dezwr and Dominic exchanged a quick glance before following her out of the bar. The air outside was cool, a stark contrast to the warmth inside the bar, but it did nothing to dampen the tension that lingered between them. They walked in comfortable silence, the night stretching out before them, filled with possibility.
They didn't need to say much. The plan was clear, and all three of them were eager to see it unfold.