Pixels And Pistols (HBC) ∆14. A Competition?

Chapter 14: A Competition?

It was a miraculously strange day. Many could question that the sun rose from the west. You may ask why. Well, for the first time in many several years, Alpha was finally on time.

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

*walking inside the gates* Today's the last day... We have a mini competition if I remember right. What was it about again?

Alpha checks the mail he was sent regarding the Expo and reads it aloud

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

HackHour: A mini Hacking competition? The participants will be given an hour to hack into the database, extract information and not trigger any algorithm that may potentially reveal them. Starts at 9:15.

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

Hmm Sounds boring. I could hack into the original Avian database without even breaking a sweat if I'd want to. Meh I'll pass. Guess I should look for Rithika, she's more fun than these worthless competitions

Alpha walks around searching for Rithika. Once again he curses himself for not asking for her contact. After sometime though he stops and just looks around, tired.

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

God Where is she? *his thoughts start to wander as he thinks of roaming around with Rithika. Her laugh was so melodious...*

Suddenly, Alpha thinks of a scenario. —Welcome to Alpha's Delulu land—

? ? ?

And the Winner of The HackHour is..... Alpha!

Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩

*cheering* Yayyyy Well done Alphaa!!!! You are the best!!!!! (⁠人⁠*⁠´⁠∀⁠｀⁠)⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+ You really are the most impressi-----

Before he could continue dreaming, someone knocked into him and he snapped out of his daydreaming

Random Person

Oh-- *stumbles* I'm so sorry! I was in a hurry, the HackHour is about to start!!! *runs away*

And for that split second, Alpha's imagination made him think of a scenario where this random person is getting complimented by Rithika and she's cheering for him

Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩

Yayy!! Well done Maskyy!!

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

*snaps out* No. Way.

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

*grits teeth, clenches fist* Well. I guess I'll participate just for some mild warm up exercise.

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

I'm just practicing and challenging myself. Yeah. No other reason at all. *checks watch* I better get going, the competition will start in 5 minutes

Author

Once again, this my friends, is called trying to hide jealousy

Alpha reaches the venue and notices the crowd that has already gathered. Seems like many people wanted to participate in the event.

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

*takes a seat, turns on his laptop*

As he gets ready, he looks at the stage where a man was giving the instructions and wishing them luck.

Host

And that concludes the instructions for this competition. You can always find them in the instruction drop down menu on the website.

Host

*checks watch* And it is time to begin the competition now. We wish you luck!! Give it your best and try to emerge as the victor! May the Competition Begin!!

The projector was turned on, and it displayed the main screen with a timer underneath it

The website became active, the problems were stated in a list with a command prompt on the right. Soon the hall was drowned in the sound of typing as everyone began immediately

Alpha ⟨Alvin Jones⟩

*typing away, analysing the system* Hmmm This is interesting... *starts breaking into the barriers one after another*

Meanwhile in the Main Office

Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩

*looks up from his screen* You will be awarding the prize for HackHour at the closing ceremony, right?

Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩

*uninterested* yeah yeah I will, I will. You always make me do this

Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩

It is your company at the end of the day, My Queen. You need to show up occasionally

Rithika ⟨Rialta Flores⟩

*groans* Oh Please, This entire thing was your idea. Stop dragging me into this. Besides, focus on the competition. You are the examiner, aren't you?

Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩

*looks at his screen* That I am. This is boring, they aren't even trying hard enough.

As Regulus maintains an eye on the screen, he notes each participant's progress. Most of the participants weren't able to make it through even the first five lines of defence. Some managed to reach the sixth and even the seventh, but they seemed stuck.

There was one person though, who hacked till the ninth line of defence and was attempting to crack the further barriers.

Regulus ⟨Regulus Navarro⟩

*raises eyebrow* Hm? Interesting. Who might this be?

•

To be Continued...