7 They Meet

[POV Bai Chang]

Tightening the screw bolts, this was the last of them. I first installed a few high-grade infrared security systems along with analogue and digital sensory systems with high frequency military great tools all over the property. To attack and disable threat you don't always need to pull the big guns, sometimes less would do too. All the security system was co-ordinated with my supercomputer 'Jiffy' (naming your computer is not stupid, specifically if it has initial artificial intelligence).

"You activate the grid" I commanded 'Jiffy'.

I went into the main building, had some lunch and then get on with point number 4 from my 'to-do list' i.e. snooping around the Hu Corporations and attacking their firewall. I decided I wanted to browse through the company details first and keep a backup of 'black material' if required then start to play with them. The whole evening I snooped through all the systems and reports of the company. After dinner, it was time to play hard with The Corporations' IT people.

'Will I be called a villain if I do so? Should I play Beethoven symphony or Debussy to justify the setup? Who cares, let's play William Tell theme tune and bully these IT people.'

[He he he]

***

[POV Hu Qiang]

It's Saturday, today I work from home, it's a habit that I developed while married to Bai Chang. I liked spending time with her; we would sit on computers and play games or code some program. There was silence among us but that never developed as awkwardness. Due to her Autism, she liked quiet places most.

Now it is mostly to give my employees a break from my presence, to lighten up the office tension. Work builds pressure, it needs to be released to increase the efficiency of the employees; that's how you make billions.

(A phone rang)

I answered.

Another side is frantic and fast-talking,

"Cyrus slow down and speak clearly."

"Boss we're under cyber-attack, someone is playing with us."

"Details Cyrus"

"Boss, cyber-attack, top-level, out of my grade" Cyrus replied in a panic.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes, till then hold the Fort."

After disconnecting I contemplated, for Cyrus to say- 'out of his capacity' it is a tough situation. After all, he is one of the three best hackers in the world. A few years back, he was in a tight spot and I gave him a helping hand since then he has stuck to me like a piece of gum to a shoe.

I rushed to the door, a car was standing outside, a low-key BMW, interior redesigned just like the one I gifted Bai Chang after her recovery.

I drove it at full speed and reach the office in thirty minutes, as the traffic was light, it helped.

As soon as I entered the IT room at 50th floor, Cyrus jumps towards me; this European lanky guy with long blonde hairs, wearing a sweatshirt as his Trademark uniform with an angular face (which is dirty) and the wiry frame is hard to believe to be a genius computer engineer from MIT.

"Point by point analysis, Cyrus" I reminded this kid in front of me.

"Boss, he is merciless he is toying with us from 9 p.m. He first broke our Firewall in one frontal attack. Then when the back program started to function he started selectively playing. Like first attacking the logistics department server then when we hold against him. He went on to crush the financial account server and the processes are still on-going."

"Cyrus. Cyrus ", I interrupted, "How much data have been lost?"

"It's strange the thing is we didn't lose anything, at least that's what looks like from the top."

"Okay, let me see."

I sit behind the system and looked through this hackers work, this is a special case of showing off, the hacker wants attention but the purpose is not clear yet. I started typing on the keyboard and try to counter-attack the hacker. We were in a battle for half an hour the opposite party is good I am not able to fully tackle them at all. Finally, I send a message to this friend- What do you want? I am the big boss of the company.

The other party went silent for a minute.

There was an encrypted message sent directly to my mobile.

[Meeting, Your office; Monday. 10:30 a.m.]

Interesting, even I want to see who is it who can circumnavigate the security system designed by Bai Chang, she was Autistic but highly gifted in the field of Computer Science and Arts. It is not too much to say she is one of the topmost geniuses the world kept their eyes on, if not for that accident and her medical condition made known to these people belonging to a group of high authorities around the world; it is hard to imagine how peaceful life would be?

Maybe this is a blessing in disguise; at least this person can take some of the limelight from Bai Chang, ensuring her safety. Let's see if we could reach negotiations with him.

Monday morning, I was waiting for our friend, not sure he would keep his words or not, Cyrus is in full overdrive he didn't sleep in last forty-two hours and tried to figure out the route of entry.

Poor kid with puffy eyes was pacing all around my office from morning to meet this new friend.

I believe he is irritated now but definitely would become the fanboy in near future.

"Stop pacing around, my head is feeling dizzy," I recommended him.

The office landline rang; I looked towards the clock mounted on the opposite wall, it is 10:30 a.m.

"Sir, here at reception someone asks to deliver you a message. [Meeting, your office, Monday, 10:30 a.m.]"

This was what the hacker sent on my mobile, only I and Cyrus knows about the text message.

I quickly replied, "Lead them to my office".

I put down the receiver, Cyrus looks at me with eyes full of passionate emotions.

I sighed "He is here."