Chapter five

The room buzzed with tension. Screens flickered with erratic data streams as the system alarms blared. Ryan, the tech specialist, was hunched over a console, fingers flying over the keyboard.

"Max, disengage from all external networks!" Ryan ordered. He looked up, his face a mask of concentration. "We've detected residual malware. It's embedding itself in our subroutines."

Alex stood by, observing the chaos. "What's going on, Ryan?"

"We're dealing with a sophisticated piece of malware. It's managed to infiltrate our system and is proving difficult to isolate," Ryan explained.

Max's diagnostic interface blinked with partial green lights. "Some advanced protocols are locked down for security reasons," Ryan added, his frustration palpable.

The secure line crackled to life, and the chief of staff's voice filled the room. "General Cutter, what's the status? Why is one of our most secure facilities experiencing a breach?"

General Cutter's jaw tightened. "We're handling it. The malware is being isolated as we speak."

"We need answers, General. This facility was supposed to be impregnable," the voice on the other end insisted.

Senator Keaton's voice broke in, calm but stern. "This is unacceptable. Vortex was designed to prevent precisely this kind of threat."

"We're working on it, Senator. Our systems are partially restored, but some advanced functions remain compromised," General Cutter responded.

---

The room was a whirlwind of activity. Alarms blared, casting an urgent red glow over the frantic faces of the Vortex team. Ryan and Alex worked at their consoles, their eyes darting between chaotic screens filled with erratic data and flashing error messages.

Ryan, his brow furrowed in concentration, shouted over the noise, "Alex, we're dealing with multiple vulnerabilities. The malware has triggered widespread system alerts."

Alex, hunched over his laptop, saw the mess of red warning lights and scrolling code. "What's the status on the containment?"

Ryan's fingers danced over the keyboard. "We've got several external networks compromised. Our team's fighting to regain control, but it's a battle. The malware's adaptability is off the charts."

Nearby, Jake monitored the system's glitches and flickering security feeds. "I'm seeing more breaches. The malware's not just disrupting—it's actively hacking into other systems. We're vulnerable right now."

General Cutter, still on the phone, barked orders into the receiver. "We need immediate support from our cyber defense units. This facility is not secure."

In the corner, Max, the AI system, was engaged in a high-priority task. Its diagnostic interface displayed a progress bar. "Initiating security protocol upload," Max's voice stated calmly, though urgency laced its tone. "Current status: 30% complete."

Alex turned to Max. "How's the upload going?"

Max responded with a mechanical tone, "Progressing. Current status: 45% complete."

Jake glanced over. "The malware's still active. We need Max's protocol up and running ASAP."

Max continued, "Current status: 60% complete. Please stand by."

The team worked frantically as Max's upload progressed. "Status: 80% complete," Max announced. "Finalizing security protocols. System stabilization in progress."

Ryan's eyes shifted to the secure interface. "We need Alex's fingerprint to complete the activation. Max, prepare for authentication."

Max's interface displayed an instruction. "Alex, place your hand on the biometric scanner located on the control panel cover."

Alex followed the instruction, placing his hand on the designated area. The scanner whirred to life. The screen flashed with a "Match Detected" message.

Max's voice filled the room, calm and precise. "Access granted. Command execution in progress."

With a final beep, Max confirmed, "Protocol successfully activated. Systems are securing."

The tension in the room slightly eased as the immediate threat began to recede, though the aftermath of the breach still loomed large.

---

Ryan's eyes were glued to the screen. "The malware is highly adaptive. It's using a cloaking mechanism to hide its origin."

Alex, standing next to him, tried to follow the technical jargon. "Can we trace it?"

"We were close, but it cut off just as we were about to locate the source. It's like it knew we were onto it," Ryan replied, frustration creeping into his voice.

They continued their attempts to track the malware's source, only to be met with sophisticated evasion tactics. "We've got residual signatures, but the core of the malware seems dormant. For now, it's a waiting game," Ryan concluded.

Max's systems blinked back to life, but not without limitations. "Diagnostic interface indicates partial functionality. Some advanced protocols remain offline," Max reported.

"Great, we have Max operational, but with restricted capabilities. We need to secure our systems before we can fully bring him back online," Ryan explained to Alex.

The room's atmosphere was thick with tension. General Cutter slammed his fist on the table, his frustration evident. "We can't afford these vulnerabilities."

"We need to bring in additional help," Alex suggested. "What about a special investigation unit? We need to figure out if this threat is internal or external."

The suggestion hung in the air before General Cutter nodded. "You're right. We'll need a dedicated team to track down the source of this breach."

As the Deputy Director of the CIA asked, "Do you know why Vortex was created?" General Cutter's mind drifted back to that fateful meeting years ago…

Flashback Scene:

In a dimly lit room, top officials gathered around a conference table. "We need an elite unit to counteract these rising threats," the President declared, his voice resolute. The decision to create Vortex was made to address increasing cyber and terrorist threats, a last line of defense for national security.

48hrs before the attack

Outside the facility, two imposing bodyguards stood by the entrance, their attention focused but impassive. A man from the inside approached the gate where a security guard named Jean greeted him.

"Evening, Jean," the man said, appearing casual.

Jean, familiar with the man's routine, nodded back. "Evening. Everything alright?"

"Just a normal day, heading out" the man replied, giving nothing away. He handed his ID to the guard, who scanned it through a security system. The guard's computer displayed Ethan's credentials: Ethan Clark, Systems Analyst. The guard nodded, handing the ID back with a brief, "Everything in order, Mr. Clark."

"Thanks, Jean," Ethan replied, keeping his tone casual.

As Ethan walked away from the facility, the city's evening hustle enveloped him. He made his way to the nearby subway station, descending into the underground amidst the evening crowd. The train ride was uneventful, and Ethan disembarked at a quieter station near an industrial area.

Upon exiting the subway, Ethan approached a street where three black SUVs were parked in a precise formation. Men in dark suits and sunglasses emerged from the vehicles, their eyes scanning the surroundings.

Clark approached the lead SUV, its windows tinted so darkly they were nearly opaque. He entered the vehicle, greeted by the interior's opulence and the presence of a sharply dressed man. This man, more refined and with a commanding presence, was seated in the back.

A bodyguard stepped forward, holding the door open for Ethan.

The scene was cloaked in the darkness of an alley, its silence broken only by the distant sounds of the city. A tall man in a dark suit and hat, his face obscured by shadows, waited inside the sleek black SUV. As the SUV's door swung open, Ethan climbed into the back seat of the lead SUV, where the man was waiting for him with a yellow envelope.

Ethan took the envelope from the man, who handed it over with a curt, "Good luck. This is just the beginning." Ethan's face was set with a mix of resolve and nervousness as he

inspected its contents—cash and the flash drive. He pulled out the flash drive, examining it closely before sliding it back into the envelope and tucked the flash drive and envelope into his pocket.

The man signaled the driver to proceed. As Ethan exited the vehicle, the weight of his actions settling in as the city lights receded into the distance.