The Core-System Revocation

Chapter 3 The System Crashes

At sunrise, messages flooded a secure channel I still shared with a few trusted former colleagues.

*Liam: Genesis is dark. All client portals are throwing 500 errors.*

*Ana: Can anyone access the primary database? I’m completely locked out.*

*Liam: Everyone is locked out. Total system failure. Every service is down.*

I read them over black tea. Then Ana posted another update.

*Ana: Security just pinged me. Forced entry alert on your old office, Serena. They’re trying to break down the door.*

They were searching my office for a switch or disconnected cable. Julian had never asked where the maintenance scripts lived.

The door would tell them nothing.

A moment later, an unknown number flashed on my screen. I answered, putting it on speaker.

Julian started shouting before I could say hello.

"Serena, what the hell did you do? You think this little tantrum is going to work? You have five minutes to turn everything back on, or I swear to God, I will sue you into oblivion."

I took another sip of tea and let him finish.

"I will make sure you never work in this city again. You'll be a pariah. A bitter, unemployable joke. Is that what you want?"

His last word cracked. Behind him, people were calling out error codes. Someone yelled that the primary database had rejected another key.

"I followed the agreement you signed, Julian."

"Don't lie to me! The entire system is down! This is corporate sabotage!"

I set down my cup. "It's a contract dispute. You should read what you sign."

For a second, only the office noise came through.

"What are you talking about?"

"Yesterday's project transfer packet. Go get it. I'll wait."

Papers rustled. A drawer slammed. He came back breathing hard.

"It's just standard transfer and compliance forms." More pages turned, then stopped.

"Page twelve. *Genesis Engine: Private IP & Access Rights Revocation Agreement.*"

He read in silence.

"Your signature legally revoked Apex Tech's access. The Genesis Engine is my intellectual property, and the loan has ended."

He tried to answer and coughed instead.

"If your team touches one line of my proprietary code, Apex Tech will face a patent infringement suit for several billion dollars. I have the signed agreement and the patents."

No answer.

I heard paper crumple near the phone.

The paper stopped moving on the other end.

He had signed away the access himself.

I ended the call before he found another threat.

The secure channel was still filling with 500 errors.