Location: The Sanctuary Bunker.
The relentless digital countdown on the main display glowed ominously: 'Destruction of Host: 19:18:22'. It was no longer just a timer; it was a stark reminder of the existential threat hanging over them. Dominating the central screen was a world map, its dark hues punctuated by three pulsating, bright red icons the last known locations of the Consortium's active servers in Singapore, Atlanta, and Riyadh. Beside it, a relentless stream of data scrolled by, a complex tapestry of the enemy's financial movements that Luky's team was desperately trying to unravel.
Luky Pratama was no longer pacing. He was anchored in his command chair, an ergonomic throne seamlessly integrated into a web of consoles and holographic projectors. His fingers flew across a virtual keyboard projected in the air before him, a blur of motion reflecting the speed of his calculations.
"Status on my family?" he asked, his voice low and focused, not bothering to turn from the screens.
Ariawan, who had regained his professional composure, answered from his station. "Your mother and younger siblings have arrived safely at the Bandung backup bunker, Boss. They are shaken and surprised, but physically unharmed. The medical team is conducting full check-ups as a precaution. The perimeter security of the Bandung facility is at maximum level. The Zulu extraction team is currently en route back to our location."
"Good. Ensure their comfort and security are absolute. I will contact them via a secure line once we've stabilized our position here," Luky stated, his tone leaving no room for error. He then shifted his entire concentration inward. "System. Initiate a full deep-level analysis of all data retrieved by the Echo team from the Ivanov villa. Primary focus: identify our 'uninvited friend' and pinpoint critical weaknesses within the Consortium's internal structure."
Ting!
[Request confirmed.]
[Accessing data from confiscated devices...]
[1x Ivanov's Laptop:Status: Hard drive encryption active. Bruteforce decryption in progress - 34% complete.
1x Satellite Phone: Status: Primary memory chip catastrophically damaged by gunfire. Probability of data recovery: 15%.
1x Leather-Bound Notebook: Status: High-resolution spectral scan and linguistic analysis underway.]
[Initial Analysis of Notebook Contents...]
[Handwriting pattern recognition: 98.7% match to Gregor Ivanov.]
[Scanning for keywords: dissent, rivalry, opposition, alliance...]
[Relevant entries identified.]
[Scanned Excerpts:]
...Henderson's decision to 'cleanse' Seattle was a strategic error. Too blunt, too much attention drawn. Lodge vehemently disagreed. Advocates for a more subtle, persuasive approach...
...The council meeting ended in another deadlock. The Chimera project stalled due to lack of funding. Vogel is livid. He threatened to withdraw his financial support entirely...
...My contact within the Triad confirms Xiang is deeply dissatisfied with his profit share from the Southeast Asian arms trade. He feels his contribution is being undervalued...
...Personal note: Monitor Lodge. His ambition for the Chairman's seat is becoming palpable. He may be seeking allies outside his usual circle, a dangerous move...]
"Lodge," Luky murmured, the name hanging in the air like a scent. "System. Cross-reference all instances of 'Lodge' within our entire intelligence database and intercepted communications."
Ting!
[Tracking...]
[Reference found: Alistair Lodge.]
[Profile: High-Level Member of the Consortium's Inner Circle. British national. Former Director of MI6. Specialist in psychological operations, cyber-espionage, and long-term strategic manipulation. Leader of the so-called 'moderate' faction within the Consortium, preferring economic control and subversion over overt violence. Frequently at odds with the factions led by Ernst Vogel (German industrialist, advocates for aggressive asset seizure) and General Xiang (Chinese, ex-PLA, favors military-style solutions).]
"Psychological warfare. Manipulation. It fits the profile of our 'friend' perfectly," Luky concluded. "System, calculate the probability that Alistair Lodge is our anonymous contact."
[Analyzing linguistic patterns from received messages...]
[Comparing to known speech and writing samples of A. Lodge...]
[Evaluating motive and current strategic position within Consortium hierarchy...]
[Probability that Alistair Lodge is 'Uninvited Friend': 84.3%.]
"Initiate a cautious approach," Luky ordered. "Identify a secure, deniable communication channel that we can use to probe him. We do not reveal ourselves. We need to confirm his identity without doubt."
[Analyzing known Consortium network architectures...]
[Identifying private, high-priority channels associated with A. Lodge...]
[Channel located: A private proxy server in Zurich, Switzerland, masquerading as a server for 'Alpenweis Asset Management.']
[Tactical Recommendation: Send an untraceable message containing bait that only Lodge would understand and find compelling. Proposed text: 'Seattle was an error. Chimera deserves funding.']
"Do it. Send the message," Luky commanded, his eyes fixed on the comms panel.
Minutes stretched into an eternity, the only sound the hum of servers and the tense breathing of the crew.
"Boss, we have activity!" a cyber analyst called out. "The Zurich proxy server is responding. Message is extremely brief. One word: *'Verification.'*"
"He's playing it cautious. He wants proof that we are a significant player, not just a nuisance," Luky said, a cold, thin smile touching his lips. "He needs to see our teeth. System, give me a real-time renewal of our wealth status. It's time to show him we can still bite."
[Premium Wealth System Status Report: Luky Pratama - Real-Time Update]
[Total Identified Assets: $144.3 Billion(Value has remained stable over the past hour).
Liquid Assets: $42.1 Billion (Stable). The freezing order appears to have reached a temporary plateau.
Investment Assets: $61.9 Billion (Increase of $400 Million). Our algorithmic countermeasures have successfully capitalized on minor market corrections.
Physical & Real Assets: $40.3 Billion (Decrease of $300 Million). Legal challenges and asset seizures are ongoing but slow.]
[System Note: Current stability is assessed as temporary. The Consortium is likely diverting resources to manage internal strife and identify the source of their intelligence leak (us).]
"Let's give them something else to worry about," Luky said, his voice dropping to a predatory growl. "System, launch a targeted cyber counterattack focused on the industrial assets of Ernst Vogel. I want his subsidiaries in manufacturing to feel immediate financial pain. Make it hurt."
Ting[
[Command confirmed...]
[Activating 'Digital Gold Rush' protocol with specific target parameters...]
[Scanning for vulnerable liquid funds in Vogel Group subsidiaries...]
[Initiating transfer of $500 Million from Vogel industrial liquidity funds to our encrypted vaults...]**
[Injecting 'Logistics Virus' into their global supply chain management systtem. (Projected to cause significant shipping disruptions)...]
[Attack launched.]
The results were swift and devastating.
"Boss, transfer confirmed! $500 Million is ours!"
"Financial news networks are reporting unexplained operational outages at multiple Vogel Group manufacturing plants across Germany!"
"Vogel Group's stock price has dipped 2% in after-hours trading!"
"Perfect. Now, send the proof of our attack to Lodge. Let him know precisely who he's dealing with," Luky ordered, a sense of grim satisfaction settling in.
[Compiling data package: Proof of transfer transaction logs and stock ticker data.]
[Sending to Lodge's Zurich proxy server with appended message: 'Verification enough?'
The response came back faster than before.
`Adequate. You have my attention. Vogel is incensed. He blames my faction for the security failure. What is it you want?`
Luky typed his reply directly, his words sharp and deliberate.
`I want the Consortium dismantled. You want the Chairman's seat. Our goals are parallel. Provide me with data on the clandestine operations of Vogel and Xiang. I will break them. You can unite the remnants.`
This time, the pause was significantly longer. The negotiation had begun. Finally, a reply flashed on the screen.
`The risk is monumental. Discovery means execution for treason. I require guarantees. My identity must remain absolute zero. And upon success, I demand 20% of the wealth confiscated from their factions.`
Luky's smile returned. Now they were negotiating.
"System, analyze the offer."
Ting!
[Analyzing...]
[Demand of 20% is within expected parameters for a betrayal of this magnitude.]
[Risk Level: Extreme. However, the potential intelligence gain from a high-level mole is immeasurable.]**
[Recommendation: Accept, but negotiate down to 15% with a firm promise of full support for his bid for leadership in the Consortium's new structure.]
"Agreed," Luky said. He typed his response: `15%. And your position as Chairman will be guaranteed with my full support. Send the first data package within the hour.`
`Accepted. Await the first data transmission. It will contain information on Vogel's illicit cleansing operations in Africa. Do not fail.`
The connection severed.
Luky leaned back in his chair, a complex wave of triumph, caution, and grim determination washing over him. They had just crossed a Rubicon.
"Boss, we've just made a deal with the devil himself," Ariawan said, his voice thick with concern.
"No, Ariawan," Luky replied, his voice calm yet terrifyingly resolute. "We are the bigger devil. And right now, their devil is fighting our devil. We are merely exploiting the chaos." He rose to his feet, his presence commanding the room. "Now, ready the full analysis team. We are about to receive first-class, actionable intelligence. I want every byte analyzed, every claim verified, and every piece of data weaponized for immediate use."
He strode toward the main viewing screen, which now displayed the stern, ruthless faces of Ernst Vogel and General Xiang.
"Vogel and Xiang believed they were the apex predators in this ocean. They thought by destroying my wealth and threatening my family, I would kneel." Luky stared at their images with eyes of glacial ice. "They were mistaken. Now, they will learn. You do not threaten the family of Luky Pratama and live to see the sun rise."
He turned to face the entire command center, his voice rising, charged with offensive energy.
"The defensive phase is over! Now, it is Time for Revenge! Everyone, maximum alert! We are shifting to a full offensive posture! We will launch attacks that will cripple them! We will turn the tables completely!"
The bunker echoed with a unified, determined shout from his team. The air, once thick with desperation, now crackled with the promise of retribution.
Luky focused his mind one final time, issuing the command that would formalize their new reality. "System. Establish a new primary mission: Operation Revenge. Objective: Cripple the operational and financial capacity of Ernst Vogel and General Xiang. Utilize all incoming data from the Lodge asset to its maximum effect."
Ting!
[New Mission logged: Operation Revenge]
[Difficulty Level: Extreme]
[Potential Rewards: Destruction of Vogel and Xiang factions. Significant restoration of host wealth. Dominant bargaining position with the nascent Lodge-led Consortium.]
Luky Pratama stood unwavering, his intense gaze fixed upon the countdown timer. It was no longer a countdown to his destruction. It was a timer counting down the last moments of his enemies' dominance. The war had fundamentally changed. He was no longer the prey; he was the hunter.