Chapter 10 - Omega takes over (1/2)

~Tesla University, women's dorm~

With a confident smirk on her face Sarah was anticipating seeing the end results of the event.

Her performance was good, and she dominated position #1 on the list of top contributors through the event. She is eagerly waiting to see final total for the amount awarded and confirm that she is #1.

Sarah was enjoying thoughts of her glory as a hacker, when unknown chat window opened on her computer screen with text:

…ping successful...

...session established...

[unknown]: ”Don't be upset, you did well”

Sarah was startled. 'Who is this, and what kind of a chat app is this... am I getting hacked??? I have latest firewall and defender app, how is this possible?' Sarah's eyes opened wide in disbelief, and she almost choked on BBQ chips she was eating. Reluctantly she typed:

[Sarah]: who are you?

[unknown]: you know who I am

Sarah gave it a moment before giving a response:

[Sarah]: omega?

[unknown]: :)

She was not sure why he would contact her, but somehow, she knew or maybe she just hoped that it's him. 'What if it's someone pretending to be him?', Sarah thought, 'there are not many with these skills, and why would anyone pretend to be Omega? Any hacker wants to keep the credit of his exploits'. At the same time, Sarah decided to make her move. With sharp look in her eyes, her fingers were already flying like a wind on her keyboard. She was back tracking through the network, with intent to find where is Omega.

[Sarah]: what do you want?

She needs to keep the conversation going, if he ends the chat session, she will not be able to find him.

[unknown]: just to tell you that you did well and not to be upset

[Sarah]: I don't get it

[unknown]: you will

[Sarah]: why are you contacting me?

Sarah was getting on her screen series of numbers representing network addresses and various other data. She was getting closer as she eliminated noise within the data and focused on finding the IP from where the session is established.

[unknown]: I find you interesting

[Sarah]: ?

[unknown]: I need to go... you are getting close. Will chat again soon.

...end session...

'Cr*p, he closed the session!', Sarah fumed with mix of anger and disappointment. At the same time, she felt excited as challenge presented in front of her was something that stimulates her mind. She looked at the results she manages to get, and with surprise realized that chat was initiated from Tesla University network!

She compared it with her previous data and information in active directory. After quick analysis, Sarah was able to confirm that session originated from one of men's dormitories! 'Well, at least I know it's a man... probably a student' Sarah's thought.

She was not happy that he ended session before she could locate him, but consoled by the thought that she was able to narrow down her search for the mysterious Omega. Sarah concluded to herself, 'He is at the University, male, probably student. Do I know him?'