Chapter 225: Caught
Chapter 225: Caught
September 15th, 2027. In New York.
Autumn had settled in New York, bringing cooler temperatures and a change in scenery. The leaves were turning shades of orange, yellow, and red, creating a picturesque backdrop against the city's buildings. People in Manhattan were beginning to wear their coats and scarves, adjusting to the crisp air.
Central Park was filled with fallen leaves, children playing, and couples taking walks, enjoying the mild weather.
The smell of roasted chestnuts and hot coffee filled the air from street vendors' carts. Yellow taxis moved through the busy streets, their drivers occasionally honking in the typical New York traffic. The city had transitioned from the heat of summer to the refreshing coolness of autumn, and there was a renewed energy as everyone prepared for the upcoming holiday season.
In the financial district, inside a towering building, was the office of Elena Skies. Across from her sat a man, looking tense. He leaned forward slightly, hands clasped on the table, focusing intently on Elena.
"Mrs. Skies, this is what I have gotten from the Reyes Corporation," Carter said as he slid a flash drive across the table toward her.
Elena took the flash drive without a word, her expression unreadable. She examined it for a moment before turning slightly and beckoning her assistant. The assistant stepped forward promptly.
"Please insert this into your tablet," Elena instructed.
The assistant nodded and took the flash drive, quickly inserting it into her tablet. She tapped a few buttons, and a series of files began to load on the screen.
Elena's assistant reviewed the contents briefly and then handed the tablet back to Elena. She scanned through the documents and data, her eyes narrowing slightly as she absorbed the information. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the tablet.
"This is no good, Mr. Carter…all of this is just data of the Medipod, not the actual schematics of the technology itself."
"Mrs. Skies, it's hard to locate where Reyes saved the schematics of the Medipod," Carter admitted, looking slightly nervous. "He keeps that information extremely secure. What you see here is the closest we could get without raising suspicion."
Elena frowned, tapping her fingers on the table thoughtfully. "But I can't do anything with this data you have given me. I am paying a huge sum of money, Mr. Carter and your mission is simple, to obtain the schematics of the Medipod," Elena finished.
Carter nodded, visibly anxious. "I know, Mrs. Skies. I'm doing everything I can. Reyes has top-notch security. It's like trying to break into Fort Knox.
But I'll keep trying, I promise."
Elena's gaze hardened. "You do that. I need results, Carter, not excuses. I suggest you take a direct approach, any means necessary."
Carter nodded again, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Understood, Mrs. Skies. I'll do whatever it takes to get those schematics."
"Good," Elena said, leaning back in her chair. "Keep me informed of your progress. I expect an update soon."
***
Two weeks later, in the Philippines.
Carter used his position as Michael Reyes's bodyguard to gain access to restricted areas. His role gave him the privilege of controlling all CCTV cameras, allowing him to navigate the building without raising suspicion. Tonight was the night he would attempt to get the Medipod schematics.
Reaching the door to the server room, he pulled out a keycard he had acquired through less-than-legal means. With a quick swipe, the door clicked open. Carter slipped inside, closing the door behind him. The room was filled with the hum of servers and rows of blinking lights casting a faint glow.
Carter approached the central terminal, quickly connecting his laptop to the network. He bypassed the first layer of security using a script designed to exploit a vulnerability in the firewall. The second layer required a brute-force attack to crack the administrator password, a process that took longer but eventually succeeded. He knew this would trigger an alert if he didn't move quickly.
With access to the network, Carter began his search. He used advanced search algorithms and data-mining techniques to locate files related to the Medipod. The screen flashed as he navigated through the system, scanning directories and subdirectories. He found numerous files on the Medipod – research papers, progress reports, patient data – but no schematics.
Growing frustrated, Carter implemented deeper data-trawling techniques, sifting through encrypted folders and hidden files. He used decryption tools to unlock several layers of protection, hoping to find the elusive schematics. Despite his efforts, the specific folder labeled "Medipod Schematics" was nowhere to be found.
Realizing he was running out of time, Carter tried a different approach. He accessed the network logs, looking for recent activity that might indicate where the schematics were stored. He found traces of data transfers but nothing conclusive. The system was designed to mislead intruders, creating a web of false trails and dead ends.
Finally, he decided to use a network mapping tool to visualize the entire server structure. This advanced tool revealed the intricate architecture of Reyes Corporation's digital infrastructure. He saw several off-site servers linked to the main network, indicating that the critical data might be stored remotely.
Time was slipping away, and Carter knew he had to leave before he was caught. He disconnected his laptop and carefully erased his digital footprints, ensuring no trace of his presence was left behind. Frustrated but determined, he exited the server room and made his way out of the building, as simple as that.
However, that didn't happen. As soon as he exited the server room, he found himself face-to-face with Michael Reyes, flanked by his own security team.
Michael's expression was stern. "Carter, I expected better from you," he said, his voice calm but icy.
Carter froze, his mind racing. "Michael, I can explain—"
Michael cut him off. "Save it. You've been caught red-handed. Did you really think you could outsmart our security systems?"
Carter's heart pounded in his chest. He had underestimated Michael's vigilance and the sophistication of Reyes Corporation's security.
Michael turned to his security team. "Take him away. We'll deal with this properly."
As Carter was escorted out, he realized the full extent of his failure. He had not only failed to secure the schematics but had also jeopardized his position and safety. The stakes had never been higher, and the consequences of his actions were now unavoidable.
***
John Carter was forcibly escorted by Michael Reyes's security team down a narrow, dimly lit corridor in the Golden Topper. His hands were bound with cuffs, the cold metal biting into his wrists.
Two stern-faced guards flanked him, their grips firm on his shoulders as they guided him to a secluded room at the end of the hallway. The door to the room was heavy and reinforced, a clear indication that it was designed for situations exactly like this. One of the guards swiped a keycard, and the door clicked open, revealing a sparse, windowless space.
Inside, a single metal chair sat bolted to the floor under the harsh glow of a fluorescent light. The guards roughly pushed him into the chair, securing his cuffs to the metal armrests. They stepped back, their expressions unreadable, but the underlying message was clear: escape was impossible.
Michael Reyes entered the room, his demeanor as cold and calculated as ever. He closed the door behind him with a soft click, the sound echoing ominously in the confined space. He took a moment to observe Carter, his eyes flashing with disappointment and anger.
"So, John," Michael began, his voice steady but laced with a chilling edge, "I think it's time we had a little chat about your extracurricular activities."
John Carter's heart pounded in his chest as he met Michael Reyes's piercing gaze. The room's silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of the fluorescent light above.
"Michael, I can explain—" Carter started, his voice trembling slightly.
Michael held up a hand, silencing him. "I don't need an explanation, I need to know who hired you and why you thought you could betray me and get away with it," Michael continued.
Carter swallowed hard, trying to find the right words.
"I... I can't tell you that, Michael," Carter said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Michael's expression hardened. "You can't, or you won't?"
Carter looked down, unable to meet Michael's gaze. "Both. If I tell you, it will ruin me. Please, Michael, you have to understand."
Michael's patience was wearing thin. "You think I care about your ruin right now? You betrayed me. Do you have any idea what that means?"
Carter looked up, desperation in his eyes. "I had no choice, Michael. They have something on me. Something big. If I tell you who it was, I'm finished."
Michael leaned closer, his voice dangerously low. "And you think you're not finished already? You're playing a very dangerous game, John."
"I can help you, Michael. I can still be of use to you. Just give me a chance. I'll do anything."
Michael's eyes narrowed. "Anything, you say?"
"Yes, anything. Look, I will not gain anything by giving them what they want. But I can give you inside information. Just please, don't make me say who it was."
Michael stood up straight, contemplating. "I don't think so, I have another plan."