Cyberpunk (MIKHAIAH AU)

Chapter 3 : Ghost in the code

Mikha sat hunched over her terminal, the blue glow of the screen casting shadows across her face in the dimly lit room. Her fingers danced over the keyboard, adrenaline coursing through her as she tried to decipher the encrypted file she had stumbled upon during her last hack.

“Come on, come on,” she murmured, biting her lip in concentration. The code was intricate, almost as if it were alive, resisting her every attempt to break through. Suddenly, the screen flickered, and a cryptic message appeared: "ACCESS DENIED. YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED."

“Damn it!” she exclaimed, slamming her fist on the table. “What are you hiding?”

Her mind raced with possibilities as she leaned back, rubbing her temples. Just then, her comm device buzzed to life. It was Aiah.

“Mikha, are you there?” Aiah’s voice crackled through the device.

“Yeah, I’m here,” Mikha replied, shaking off her frustration. “How did the infiltration go?”

“I’m in,” Aiah said, her tone laced with excitement. “I’ve managed to get into the gala. You wouldn’t believe the security they have in place. It’s insane.”

“Just be careful,” Mikha warned, her heart pounding. “If they catch you—”

“They won’t catch me,” Aiah interrupted confidently. “I’ve got this under control. I’m disguised as one of their upper management. I blend in perfectly.”

“Good. Just focus on gathering intel about Xyphos Industries’ latest project,” Mikha instructed, her mind still on the file. “I think it might tie into something bigger than we realized. I found a file that seems to have a mind of its own.”

“What do you mean?” Aiah asked, curious.

“It’s like it’s resisting decryption. It feels… sentient. I can’t shake the feeling that it’s important,” Mikha explained, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Sentient code? That’s wild,” Aiah mused. “Whatever it is, it’s probably connected to what I’m seeing here. I overheard a couple of executives talking about some new cybernetic enhancements. They’re planning to unveil them soon. If what you found is related, it could be a game changer.”

“Game changer? Or a nightmare?” Mikha replied, anxiety creeping into her voice. “If they can control people with this technology—”

“They won’t,” Aiah interrupted firmly. “Not if we can stop them. Just keep working on that file. I’ll get whatever information I can here.”

“Be careful,” Mikha warned again. “If they catch you snooping around, it won’t end well.”

“I’ll be in and out before they even know I’m here. Just focus on that code,” Aiah reassured her, and Mikha could hear the confidence in her voice.

They shared a moment of silence, both feeling the weight of their mission. Finally, Aiah broke the silence. “I’ll check in once I have something. Stay safe, Mikha.”

“Always,” Mikha replied before ending the call.

As Aiah navigated through the gala, she was struck by the opulence surrounding her. The gleaming chandeliers and lavish decorations felt suffocating, a stark contrast to the grim reality outside the walls of the corporate world.

“Good evening, Ms. Ivara,” a suave voice greeted her. Aiah turned to see a tall man in a tailored suit approaching her, a charming smile on his face. “You look stunning tonight.”

“Thank you,” Aiah said, returning his smile. “Just trying to blend in.”

“Doing a good job of it. Mind if I join you?” he asked, his eyes glinting with interest.

“Not at all,” Aiah replied, her mind racing. She needed to keep the conversation light while searching for any leads. “So, what’s the latest with Xyphos? I hear there’s a big project on the horizon.”

“Oh, you’ve heard correctly,” he replied, leaning in slightly, his voice lowering conspiratorially. “They’re working on something revolutionary—cybernetic enhancements designed to enhance productivity and… well, compliance.”

Aiah’s heart raced at his words, a chill running down her spine. “Compliance?”

“Exactly,” he continued, oblivious to her growing discomfort. “Imagine a workforce that’s not just efficient but also obedient. No more rebellious employees. It’s all about control. You understand?”

“Of course,” Aiah said, forcing a laugh. “Sounds amazing.”

As he spoke, Aiah’s thoughts drifted back to Mikha. She wondered what the file contained and how it might be connected to this chilling plan. A realization hit her. If they could control people through these enhancements, it could lead to a world where free will was a thing of the past.

“I should get back to mingling,” the man said, glancing around. “But keep an eye on the news. You won’t want to miss the big reveal.”

As he walked away, Aiah quickly accessed her comm device. “Mikha, are you still there?”

“I’m here,” Mikha replied, urgency lacing her voice. “What did you find?”

“They’re developing technology to control the population,” Aiah said, her voice shaking with anger. “It’s all tied to those enhancements. They’re going to unveil it soon, and we need to stop it.”

“I thought so,” Mikha said, her fingers flying over the keyboard. “The code I’m working on… it might be the key to dismantling whatever they’re building. If I can just decrypt it…”

“Do it. We’ll figure this out together,” Aiah urged. “I’ll keep gathering intel here. Just let me know what you find.”

“I will,” Mikha promised, her resolve strengthening. “We can’t let them win, Aiah. Not this time.”

As Aiah moved through the crowd, a sense of purpose surged within her. Together, they were unraveling a conspiracy that could change everything. They were no longer just surviving; they were ready to fight back.