Chapter 1 - Calm night? (2/2)

Sarah tried to hide irritation in her voice. ”I'm fine, why are you calling?”

”Hey, why you sound unhappy? Can't I call my baby girl to hear how are you doing?”

Sarah plastered a fake smile, forgetting that he can't see her. ”You never call just to hear how I'm doing. Can you get to the point? I'm busy right now.”

”Fine! I want to remind you that next week exams are starting. Are you keeping this in mind? Are you getting ready?”

Sarah paused for a second. 'Is it that time already?' She forgot! But she does not have time to dwell on it, her father is listening, and she needs to snap out of it. ”Ohhh.... hmmm... Of course, I know that! And I'm getting ready!”

”You don't sound very convincing.” Sarah could hear doubt in her father's voice. ”Are you sure? You remember that last semester you skipped on exams because you were gaming few days straight? I'm concerned that this will happen again.”

Sarah rolled her eyes, happy that her father can't see her. ”Dad! Do you need to remind me of that again? I'm telling you that I remember, and I'm preparing to ace my exams, as usual. That is why I said I'm busy!”

”OK. If you say so...” He didn't sound convinced.

Sarah remembered that she was in the middle of the hacking. She needs to end the call quickly and focus on the event. ”Anything else?”

Edward sighed, he noticed that Sarah wants to end the call. ”Nothing else. Have a good night. Talk to you soon...”

”Good night.” Sarah ended the call and focused back on the screens in front of her.

Huh, Sarah did forget about the exams, good thing he called to remind her. It's not a problem to prepare for exams with only few days' notice since she has an excellent memory and is a very fast reader. Her analytical skills are also amazing, and all that makes it a great set of skills to pass the exams with top scores. Sarah set a reminder for herself, so that she does not forget (again) to go and check location and schedule for exams she plans to take.

Now she is free to go back to cracking that encryption.

At the next moment, Sarah saw a notification that contributor Omega found a crucial flaw and will be getting the top prize. There was a thank you note for all current participants and the event ended.

Sarah is looking at her screen in disbelief. 'How is this possible? I was so close to cracking this and getting the top prize!'

This was one of the top prizes in last few months, and who knows when next event will be open to earn such a hefty amount! Of course, it's not only about the money, it's bragging rights as well. No one knows that it's her operating under alias Sigma, but she knows. And she enjoys when Sigma stands proudly on the top at every event she participates in, when online forums buzz discussing the results and have wild guesses who the person behind that alias is.

'Uh, Omega? Who are you? I will find you and teach you a lesson for snatching this prize from me!'

She is familiar with Omega whose skills are undeniable. But Omega was inactive for some time. Why did he show up now, at this event?

Calm winter night was not so calm anymore, at least not from Sarah's perspective. Her emotions stirred and she started her search for information on this mysterious Omega person. Her initial search yielded no results, at least nothing that she didn't know already… which is not a lot.

She turned off her computer and went to her bed, trying to calm down and get some sleep with a thought that the morning is always smarter than the evening.

~Tesla Technical University, men's dorm~

Window on fourth floor is dimly lit with only light from a screen of a laptop. Young man, in early 20-ies, with long black hair, was looking at the screen with a content smile on his face. His long black hair is reaching halfway down his back, framing his perfect masculine face and dark eyes. His long and slender fingers are suspended above keyboard without moving, while he read the message:

'To: Omega.

Thank you for your contribution in this event. Amount of $10.000,00 will be transferred to your account within next 3 hours. We hope to have more opportunities for collaboration in the future. With respect, management of TargetSecurity'.

He took a minute to enjoy reading the message few times before dismissing the dialog.

Young man closed his laptop, revealing its silver case with black symbol 'Ω'. He paused for a second and traced the black symbol with his index finger, before keeping the laptop in the drawer, away from any prying eyes.

He is not aware that on the same campus, Sarah noticed his online presence and is coming up with plans to find out who he is.

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