As the sun rose above New York City, the tall towers were bathed in a golden glow. It was meant to be just another Tuesday. However, it was going to be one of those days for struggling journalist Aaron Cole, where everything that could go wrong does.
Aaron’s alarm failed to sound. He woke up with a start, realised it was 8:42 a.m., and became alarmed. “One more missed deadline, and you’re out,” his editor, Maya Brooks, had warned him. He had a 10 a.m. deadline for his exposé on corporate malfeasance at the tech company SkyNet Dynamics, but his laptop was dead and the charger was… nowhere to be seen.
Aaron hurried outdoors after grabbing his suitcase and putting on his clothes from yesterday. His landlord had left a voicemail on his buzzing phone. “The rent must be paid by noon, or you’re out “
Naturally, the tube broke down in between stations since it was so crowded. Aaron ran up the stairs and squeezed out at the next stop, desperate. “Watch out!” was yelled abruptly, but it was too late. He was clipped by a bike and fell into a puddle. His phone fell on the sidewalk, face down. The screen broke.
“Really?” His shirt was drenched, and he moaned.
But self-pity was not an option. When he ducked into a café to use the Wi-Fi and email his draft, he discovered that the internet there was unavailable because of a cyberattack that affected the city grid as a whole.
In the meantime, Maya sharply phoned him from the office, saying, “Aaron! At 11 a.m., SkyNet has just announced an emergency news conference. Arrive there. This could be your opportunity to reveal the narrative in real time.
A street demonstration against SkyNet’s new privacy-invading software broke out as he ran out of the café. Officers’ sirens sounded. Aaron attempted to swerve, but a protester in a mask grabbed him and yelled, “SkyNet isn’t what you think.” Something terrible is being concealed by them. In his palm, she pressed a USB drive. “This is the truth. The only person who can reveal it is you.
The cops moved forward before he could enquire further, and the woman disappeared into the confusion.
Aaron’s hand gripped the drive. How could he confirm it without a functioning phone or laptop? This might be the year’s biggest story. Across the street, he noticed a cyber café, but as he got there—BOOM! Due to a transformer explosion, power was cut off to the entire building.
10:47 a.m. was the ticking clock.
Aaron’s heart pounded. He found an unexpected lifeline out of desperation: Jaden, a former college acquaintance who was a hacker before becoming a specialist in cybersecurity. Fortunately, he could recall Jaden’s workplace address.
Breathless and with his clothes ripped, he ran 12 blocks before bursting into Jaden’s office.
“Jaden, I need your assistance. Right now!
Jaden gave him a quick glance. “Bro. How are you finding the day?
“It was one of those days,” Aaron exclaimed. Simply plug this in. Quickly.
Jaden had a look at the USB. Horrible plans were exposed by the data: SkyNet was developing a program that could control smart devices to snoop on every citizen under the pretence of “city safety.”
The news conference began at 11:02 a.m. The text message read, “Where are you?
Thinking fast, Jaden broke into the rear of the live stream. “You wish for everyone to know? Let’s interrupt their celebration.
Aaron emerged live from Jaden’s office on the SkyNet video as the CEO was in the middle of speaking when the image flickered.
“To everyone observing—you are not being protected by SkyNet. They’re observing you. Pay close attention—
The feed abruptly ceased. “They’re tracking us!” Jaden yelled.
Outside, a black SUV screamed. “Get moving!” Jaden grabbed his hard disc and roared.
They ran down an alley and out the emergency escape. Aaron felt a rush of exhilaration. “This needs to be covered by the mainstream media!”
Jaden handed Aaron his phone. “Post it immediately on all social media platforms!”
Aaron hit POST with trembling fingers.
The video became viral in a matter of minutes. Notifications buzzed on phones. The number of protests increased. It caught the attention of major news networks. The truth quickly spread.
SkyNet was popular by midday, but for all the wrong reasons.
This time, Maya’s voice was different—shocked, amazed. “You broke the internet, Aaron.”
Aaron was sweating and covered in dust as he leaned against the wall. A tired, weak smile.
“Yes, it was one of those days.”
