A series of monitors of varying sizes lay on a large platform. The screens were full of data streams, lighting up the area in a light blue contrasting the surrounding darkness. A young man sat on a chair facing the screens. The upper part of his face was covered by a sea of scruffy hair barely concealed behind a blue beanie hat with yellow stripes while a pair of dark shades covered his eyes. A small boy wearing a sports jersey sat on a bench next to the man.
"Port configuration set to public. Overloading router traffic. Backup pathways initiating and full system scan intercepted by our little package. The scan should pick up the stats we want them to see while all their money will magically drain into an undisclosed bank account. Everything's going perfectly."
A man emerged from the shadows just outside of the reach of the glimmer of the monitors. It was the twenty-nine year old Alphonso Maratoni, the mastermind of a trio of professional hackers and con-artists known as the Praetorii Professionals. Alphonso had carefully groomed hair with matching well-trimmed facial hair. His expression was calm and confident, giving the man an aura of suave competence. Finally, Alphonso wore a black formal business suit to complement his looks, giving him an overall professional yet intimidating impression.
"As usual. Good job Snake, looking after the financial situation of your family."
Snake chuckled. "What can I say? I have a soft spot for pathetic little kids that have no direction in life."
"I'm only trying to be more like you," pouted the boy, "Since you're my big brother, you're supposed to be my role model."
"Ha, that I am, Gabriel, that I am."
Snake then turned around in his seat and patted the Gabriel to his little brother's annoyance.
"Hey, stop that," complained the boy, "I'm almost eleven. Old enough to become a contestant in the Underground League!"
"Not on my watch you're not. The Underground League is no place for kids. Trust me."
The man took off his shades, revealing a set of prosthetic eyes.
"Getting these babies nearly cost me a fortune, and I'm not about to pay a fortune to get you out of trouble with the so-called sponsors of the Underground League.
"Good thing other people are so generous," said Alphonso, "With their loosely protected bank accounts these days."
"You mean good thing I'm so good at convincing people to be generous," corrected Snake.
"Good thing you're so smart," added Gabiel, "I don't understand any of this hacking stuff."
Snake smiled. "Well, since I am supposed to be your model, I suppose I could teach a few things to get you started. First, do you understand the basic concept of the online banking system?"
"Of course, they're just like real banks except stored in virtual space and kept in check by computers."
"Smart kid," remarked Alphonso with a slight tone of sarcasm.
"Shut up Alphonso," chided Snake, "If you were such an expert on the subject, you wouldn't need me here."
Snake turned to face his little brother.
"They are stored in virtual space, but the system isn't quite the same. Virtual assets are stored in a collective server with randomly dispersed ids through the array of networks. In principle, no server can be hacked directly because all the wealth is distributed through complex computer-generated algorithms."
"Oh okay, so you just have to figure out what the algorithms are by testing the different constraints on the system by approaching from several different angles."
"Again, not quite right Gabriel," replied Snake, "Computer generated algorithms have incredibly complex mathematical axioms that they operate under. Since computers are thousands of times more efficient than the human brain at processing data and deciphering patterns, trying to manually decrypt the algorithms could take years, if not decades."
"I see… Uh, then how do you do it?"
"Well, each system has their own specific ways to keep track of transfers, deposits, any kind of interaction that requires a direct connection between both the input source and the output source. So whenever any kind of data is being transferred, the routers that normally turn away any kind of traffic relaxes. That's when I overload the system with an excessive amount of input, usually spam, causing any transactions to pause as they perform a full scan of all the traffic."
"Wow…" Gabriel tried to sound fascinated, but he still couldn't wrap his head around the idea. Apparently Snake noticed as he chuckled a little.
"Don't worry, it's not something I expect you to grasp until you're older. Would you like me to continue?"
"Sure."
"Well, since overloading the system usually reduces the reaction time of all of the built-in safety measures, a skilled hacker should be able to track down the id values any incoming traffic would need to be able to be properly transferred between the sources. Then, it just becomes a matte r of disguising any input you have with the matching ids well enough to fool the routers. Sometimes it takes a few tries, but I always manage to make it work."
Gabriel nodded slowly, but his facial expression gave away how confused he was.
"Good to know," stated Alphonso, "Make sure you're on top of your game tomorrow. We've got a serious contract."
"Any specifics," asked Snake.
"This one involves trying to manually counter-program overriding settings for a virtual gaming system."
"A virtual gaming system?"
"Yes, our old friends from the Underground League are looking for a chance for aggressive expansion of their enterprise."
"Is that another way of saying they want me to sabotage the servers?"
"No, nothing like that. In fact, they want to do quite the opposite. Business is slower than usual with the growing popularity of Duel Portal Online. Our clients aren't foolish enough to try to stop the progress of technology so instead, they want to be a part of it."
"Ah, I see. They want me to help them hack into the server for them so that they can form a virtual Underground League, so to speak."
"Essentially."
"That'd be a hard job, even on my best day. Will the pay be worth it?"
"They'll be tripling the standard rate. In addition, they said that they'd be willing to forgive any old debts we may have accrued over the years. As a sign of good faith, they've even given us a front payment of twenty-five grand to get started."
Snake whistled again. "If that's true…"
"We'll have enough money to start on that investment plan you designed. We'll never need another contract again."
"Almost sounds too good to be true. What's our schedule?"
"We have a month, max. I expect it'll take considerably shorter, but there's no need to rush it."
"I feel inclined to agree. It's a deal."
"All right then, you two go rest up now. We've got a big day ahead of us."
Alphonso walked away, leaving the two brothers alone. Snake shut down the computers and turned off the monitors.
"You heard the man Gab," said Snake, "We've got a big day ahead of us. You should go rest up."
"But I haven't done any training today?"
"Training?"
Snake gave his little brother a quizzical look before realizing what the "training" was referring to.
"You mean that training… right. Are you still set on becoming a pro duelist? Even if you do somehow get enough sponsors to get into one of the most popular entertainment industries in the world, the life of a pro isn't easy. Constantly dealing with fame, money, gorgeous women, lavish parties…"
"Can't be much worse than what you do."
Snake gave his brother a grimace before switching into an expression of amusement.
"Alright. I guess I could spare the five minutes it'll take me to hand you your behind."
"Not this time," proclaimed Gabriel with an air of confidence, "I've been practicing with Alphonso when he's not out making arrangements and stuff. I almost beat him a few times, and he's at least twice as good as you."
"That's a bold claim chump, considering that I always go easy on you."
"I guess there's only one way to find out."
"I guess you're right. Time to bring it."
The two brothers readied their duel disks, walked to opposite sides of the room, and simultaneously declared, "Duel!"
''
Duel Start
Snake || Gabriel
''
"I'll let you have the first move, Gab."
The boy nodded and drew a card to start his turn.
''
Turn 1
Snake: 8000 (5/0/0) || Gabriel: 8000 (6/0/0)
''
"I'll start by activating Pot of Duality!"
Gabriel picked up the top three cards of his deck and showed them to Snake.
Cyclone. Thunder Sea Horse. Mirror Force.
"I'll choose Thunder Sea Horse. I discard it to add two Pahunders from my deck to my hand. Then, I'll set two support cards and end."
''
Turn 2
Snake: 8000 (6/0/0) || Gabriel: 8000 (5/0/2)
''
"Playing it safe I see. Shame it won't do you any good. I set a support card and summon Voltaic Inducer."
''
Voltaic Inducer
Monster | DARK | **** | ATK: 1900 | DEF: 1500
Thunder | Effect: When this card is Summoned: You can destroy 1 card you control; destroy 1 card your opponent controls. If this card is destroyed by a card effect: You can add 1 "Voltaic" monster from your Graveyard to your hand except "Voltaic Inducer".
''
"Voltaic Inducer's effect activates letting me destroy my set card your right side set card."
The Thunder monster unleashed a discharge of crackling static bolts which rapidly consumed and obliterated the two cards.
"Then," continued Snake, "Since my set Unexpected Repercussions was destroyed, its effect activates, destroying your other support card!"
''
Unexpected Repercussions
Trap | Normal
When this card is destroyed: Destroy 1 card your opponent controls.
''
"That's so unfair!" pouted Gabriel.
"Hey, I told you I wasn't going to go easy on you. Now, Voltaic Inducer will attack you directly!"
Gabriel: 8000 - 6100
"To finish off," stated Snake, "I'll set one support card and end."
''
Turn 3
Snake: 8000 (3/1/1) || Gabriel: 6100 (6/0/0)
''
"I summon Pahunder! Then, I activate Volatile Sparks!"
''
Volatile Sparks
Spell | Normal
Activate only if you control a Thunder-Type monster. Destroy 1 card on the field. Neither player can activate cards of the destroyed card's type until the end of your opponent's next turn.
''
Snake only smiled as his set card was shattered into a spree of pixels, revealing the card to be Silver Sentinel.
"When will you learn, little brother, that you can't just rush into things?"
"I'm not done yet! I use Pahunder's effect to normal summon Sishunder. Sishunder's effect triggers, letting me banish Thunder Sea Horse from my grave and return it to my hand during the End Phase of this turn. Then, I'll overlay Pahunder and Sishunder to Xyz Summon Aegis Champion!"
''
Aegis Champion
Monster | LIGHT | Rank 4 | ATK: 2400 | DEF: 2000
Warrior | Xyz | Effect:
2 Level 4 LIGHT monsters
Once per turn: If this card would be destroyed, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card instead.
''
"Enter Battle Phase," declared Gabriel, "Aegis Champion, destroy Voltaic Inducer!"
''
Snake: 8000 - 7500
''
"With that, I'll end."
"During the End Phase, Silver Sentinel special summons itself and targets your Champion for destruction!"
"Chain," declared Gabriel, "By detaching a Xyz Material, Aegis Champion isn't destroyed. Then, Thunder Sea Horse returns to my hand."
''
Turn 4
Snake: 7500 (4/1/0) || Gabriel: 6100 (4/1/0)
''
"I set a support card and summon Voltaic Stabilizer!"
''
Voltaic Stabilizer
Monster | DARK | **** | ATK: 1800 | DEF: 1400
Thunder | Effect: When this card is Summoned: You can destroy 1 card you control; Special Summon 1 "Voltaic" monster from your Graveyard. If this card is destroyed by a card effect: You can add 1 "Voltaic" monster from your Graveyard to your hand except "Voltaic Stabilizer".
''
"I'll use Stabilizer's effect by destroying my sentinel to bring back Voltaic Inducer. Inducer's effect activates, letting me destroy my backrow to destroy your monster!"
"Chain," responded Gabriel, "By detaching the last material from Aegis Champion, its destruction is prevented!"
"My support card was Compensation, letting me draw one card."
"Not for long. I overlay my two monsters to Xyz Summon Super-Voltaic Magnetizer!"
''
Super-Voltaic Magnetizer
Monster | DARK | Rank 4 | ATK: 2400 | DEF: 1500
Thunder | Xyz | Effect:
2 Level 4 "Voltaic" monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; Special Summon 1 "Voltaic" monster from your Graveyard. Once per turn: You can target 1 card you control and 1 card your opponent controls; destroy them. If this card is destroyed by a card effect: You can add 1 "Voltaic" monster from your Graveyard to your hand.
''
Snake set another support card. "I'll Magnetizer's effect by targeting both my set support card and your monster to destroy both!"
Gabriel watched helplessly as the thunder-charged mechanical construction held out its hand towards the warrior, unleashing a storm of electricity, obliterating the warrior into a shower of pixels.
"Now, Magnetizer, attack him directly!"
Gabriel: 6100 - 3700
"Finally, I'll set another support card and end."
''
Turn 5
Snake: 7500 (1/1/1) || Gabriel: 3700 (5/0/0)
''
"I'll discard Thunder Sea Horse again to add two Mahunder from my deck to my hand. Then, I discard one of them to activate Lightning Vortex, clearing your field!"
"Chain," declared Snake, "With Voltage Discharge!"
''
Voltage Discharge
Spell | Quick-Play
Target 1 face-up "Voltaic" monster you control; send 1 "Voltaic" monster from your Deck to your Graveyard and destroy the targeted monster. Draw 1 card or destroy 1 card on the field.
''
"I'll send Voltaic Suppressor from my deck to the grave, destroy Magnetizer, and draw a card. Then, Magnetizer lets me return Voltaic Inducer from my grave to my hand."
"Fine, I summon Cardcar D and set two support. Then, I tribute Cardcar D to draw two cards and end my turn!"
''
Turn 6
Snake: 7500 (4/0/0) || Gabriel: 3700 (3/0/2)
''
"I activate Voltage Induction to return Voltaic Suppressor and Voltaic Stabilizer back to my hand!"
''
Voltage Induction
Spell | Normal
Add 2 Level 4 or lower "Voltaic" monsters from your Graveyard to your hand.
''
"Then, I'll summon Voltaic Suppressor and set two cards. Turn end."
''
Voltaic Suppressor
Monster | DARK | **** | ATK: 1500 | DEF: 1800
Thunder | Effect: Twice per turn: If a card you control would be destroyed: You can destroy another card instead. If this card is destroyed by a card effect: You can add 1 "Voltaic" monster from your Graveyard to your hand except "Voltaic Suppressor".
''
Turn 7
Snake: 7500 (2/1/2) || Gabriel: 3700 (4/0/2)
''
"I play Mahunder. Then, in response to the summon, I activate Judgment of Thunder, destroying your left side set card!"
"Using Suppressor's effect," stated Snake, "I'll redirect the target to my other set card - Dark Coffin! When Dark Coffin is destroyed, you can choose to either discard a card to destroy your monster."
"I'll choose the first option."
The duel disk's randomize function chose the right most card in Gabriel's hand which Gabriel proceeded to discard.
"Now, I'll use Mahunder's effect to normal summon Brohunder!"
''
Brohunder
Monster | LIGHT | **** | ATK: 1000 | DEF: 500
Thunder | Effect: When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Thunder-Type monster from your Graveyard.
''
"Using its effect," stated Gabriel, "I'll bring back Pahunder. Then, I'll overlay the three to Xyz Summon Ruler of Thunder!"
''
Ruler of Thunder
Monster | LIGHT | Rank 4 | ATK: 2500 | DEF: 2000
Thunder | Xyz | Effect:
3 Level 4 Thunder-Type monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to declare 1 card type (Monster, Spell, or Trap); your opponent cannot activate that type of card, or (if Monster) cannot activate its effects, until the end of your opponent's next turn. When this card destroys a monster by battle: Inflict damage to your opponent's Life Points equal to the monster's ATK. During the End Phase of the turn a Xyz Material was detached from this card: This card's controller takes 1000 points of damage.
''
"I declare spell," stated Gabriel as he detached a material from Ruler of Thunder, "Then, I'll enter the Battle Phase and attack your Suppressor with Ruler of Thunder!"
"I activate Dimensional Prison!"
"Chain," responded Gabriel, "With Forbidden Lance! Ruler of Thunder is now immune to spells and traps at the cost of a reduction of eight hundred attack points!"
Ruler of Thunder: (R4/X2/2500 - 1700/2000)
Ruler of Thunder raised its arm, causing a massive lightning bolt to strike Voltaic Suppressor, decimating it into a blaze of a thousand pixels.
''
Snake: 7500 - 7300
''
"Then," continued Gabriel, "Ruler of Thunder's effect activates, inflicting fifteen hundred to you!"
''
Snake: 7300 - 5800
''
"Not bad, Gab, you're really not as half bad as you used to be."
Gabriel ignored Snake's remark. "Main Phase two, I activate my set De-Xyz, returning Ruler of Thunder back into its original materials."
''
De-Xyz
Spell | Normal
Target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; return that target to the Extra Deck. Then, if all of the Xyz Materials used for the Xyz Summon of that monster are in your Graveyard, you can Special Summon them. If you do, your opponent can draw a card.
''
"I'll overlay the three monsters to bring back Ruler of Thunder again!"
"Doing so lets me draw a card."
"Like that'll make a difference. This time, I'll detach a material to declare monster, preventing you from using monster effects your next turn! Try to break that lock. Turn end. Now, Ruler of Thunder deals me a thousand."
''
Gabriel: 3700 - 2700
''
Turn 8
Snake: 5800 (4/0/0) || Gabriel: 2700 (1/1/0)
''
Snake smiled. "You know Gab, I'm starting to think you have what it takes to make in the Pro League. It'll be a relief knowing there's something you're good at because we all know you're not smart enough to become a hacker like me."
"Trash talking so soon? Does that you've given up on this duel?"
Snake examined the contents of his hand.
Voltaic Inducer. Voltaic Stabilizer. Mirror Force. Dark Honest.
Snake quickly scoured through the text on Dark Honest.
''
Dark Honest
Monster | Dark | **** | ATK: 1000 | DEF: 1000
During the Damage Step: You can discard this card to target 1 face-up monster you control; increase its ATK by 1000. If the targeted monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle: Inflict damage to your opponent's Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's ATK.
''
Not a bad draw. I won't be able to use it right now, but Gabriel's in no condition to kill me next turn. If I set a monster, I could at least chump block one attack if needed… But, if I summon a monster, then I might fool him into attacking me.
"I'll summon Voltaic Inducer and set a support card to end."
"A strange move," noted Gabriel with raised eyebrows, "Bringing out a monster in attack."
''
Turn 9
Snake: 5800 (4/0/0) || Gabriel: 2700 (1/1/0)
''
"If you say so," replied Snake with an expression of passive disregard.
"You're not fooling me this time brother," stated Gabriel, "I can see through your trick. You've purposefully summoned that monster in attack to trick me into attacking it. You've probably drawn Mirror Force or something."
Snake grinned. "Good deduction."
"It won't do you any good. I'll detach a material from Ruler of Thunder and declare trap. Now that support card of yours is useless! Enter Battle Phase, Ruler of Thunder, destroy Voltaic Inducer!"
Snake's grin widened as Gabriel was about to fall right into a trap. Then, Snake noticed the hopeful expression on Gabriel's face. It was composed of pure childhood innocence and delight. Something Snake hadn't seen on Gabriel's face in years, not since before the incident. Snake refrained from responding to the attack. Instead, he chose to simply put his hand on top of his deck, a signal of concession.
"I concede. You got me."
Gabriel's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow, really?"
"Don't be so surprised, there's a first time for everything you know?"
"I guess this means I'm finally a better duelist than you!"
"Hey now, don't get so cocky. That was one game. One measly game out of how many?"
"Doesn't matter. This proves it. This proves that I have what it takes to take you down and make it all the way to the Pro League!"
"Keep on telling yourself that. You've got a few years to go before you can even qualify."
Snake noticed that Gabriel was too captivated in the moment to pay any attention to his older brother's counsel. Snake simply smiled and let his little brother be, delighting in the wonder of the moment.
Maybe you will fulfill your dreams someday. You've still got a full life ahead of you. If anything, it should be my brotherly duty to help you out. I guess we'll just have to see what happens in the days to come.