>> Enigma,
I am Dreamer. I have an information you'd absolutely wish to know. Prove your identity and we'll have a deal.
An inconspicuous message, something bordering a prank appearing on the most popular forum on the dark net—the den of hackers, criminals and of course, all secretive works. Members from all over the federation dwelled in this virtual space.
As such, they knew many secrets common people weren't privy to. That included Shadow Guardians and Enigma.
Of course, they also didn't know a lot of things. Roxana's death, for example, wasn't even speculated.
All said and done, everyone here knew Enigma and more or less, heard of Dreamer.
Everyone laughed off at this prank.
"Dreamer? What's the number?"
"Lemme check. He's the 1763th guy. Tsk. Who is still impersonating him?"
"Must be one of the Xander bastards. They're labelling Shadow Order's activities as Guardians'. What enmity do they even have?"
"I wonder…someone here must know the answer."
"Could also be the government agencies or the army. They are always trying to bait her. Who the fuck is she anyway?"
"Enigma…has anyone ever heard her speak?"
"Nope. Blue Flash did make several announcements…if you can call them as such. But you know the deal. The government censored her announcements."
"Anyway, I really wonder who the real Dreamer is."
"…."
"I am." Varian face palmed on his seat.
"I told you no one would believe you." Boo said in glee. It was really enjoying seeing his expression.
Varian leaned back in his chair and his lips curled up into an evil smile. "I know. Add the Guardian Island videos and pics with that post. Throw a challenge for everyone to verify it."
"….Fuck! Charles is going to hate you." Boo cursed uncharacteristically, but still did the deed.
In no time, three sets of pictures and a video were posted with some time gap under the same message.
The first set of pics showed an Ariel view of Guardian Islands.
The second set showed the residential island with main members of the Xander Family.
There were many familiar faces. Top officials, military brass, geniuses and beauties—they were all captured in the pictures.
These sets of photos had the effect of carpet bombing on the rather calm forum. In an instant, the forum was on fire.
"…Are you for real?"
"I've seen Guardian Islands once in a documentary….what the fuck?"
"I recognize them! They're the leading members of the Xander Family! Heck! He's so serious outside, but he's smiling at his cats!"
"There's that arrogant beauty! Priscilla Xander! Is she really wearing that teddy shirt?"
"Damn! She's hot!"
"If I could be with her, I am willing to die a year early."
"Ten years early!"
"....I am an old man who only has a few months left, what about me?"
"...."
"Men will be men."
Amidst the chaos, one member pointed to the elephant in the room.
"Is this enough evidence to prove that it is Dreamer?"
The forum fell silent.
"I've verified the pictures, they're…authentic."
"…"
"…so he's the real deal?"
"He's actually Dreamer?!"
But there were still a lot of people that remained unconvinced.
Level 8 or Level 9 Technocrats could hide fake photos and not be caught by the AIs.
The only way to check the authenticity would be by having an equal Technocrat scrutinize them.
Then came the bombshell. A video.
It showed Charles Xander entering a lab and dashing to put out fire to save a book.
Then he blabbered with someone before finally collapsing to the ground and coughing out blood.
The voices weren't recorded, but the quality of the video was extremely high.
The video was lit and was soon shared frantically.
Videos were much harder to fake. Thus, alarm bells went off in every power.
Right from the weakest member—a family with a level 7 awakener to the highest unit: Human Armed Forces, everyone was aware of this video.
Soon, the powerful people and big organizations on dark web deployed the best technocrats they could find.
Most settled with level 7. Few got level 8.
But considering the scale of the Federation, even if only a small percentage of people were informed, there were already thousands of level 7s trying to verify the video.
The army, trade union, adventure guild, the prime families and some regional powers had level 9 Technocrats checking the video.
At the same time, the Xander group responsible for dark web operations was frantically trying to use its influence and delete the video.
Even though dark web was technically anonymous, no place was truly safe.
The major powers had a hold of the dark web too. Of course, they could not easily find a person or break their anonymity.
But with sufficient resources and time, they could.
As long as you were part of the major powers, you were shielded.
But if you're not, the key to remain safe was to not to become 'worthy' enough of the resources.
Of course, if one was smart enough, they could still avoid from being caught.
There were those who posted the truth about Shadow Guardians. Their posts were taken down, and they were investigated, but never caught.
But now…
In one of the many floating skyscrapers on the Main Guardian Island, people scurried to and fro from the office cubicles as curses, screams and orders were fired into the air.
"Sir, we can't track the poster!" A middle-aged man said in defeat as he stared blankly at the holographic screen.
Around him, fifty young men and women hung their head in shame.
"…The best cyber defense team's captain can't solve a small thing? Hmph!" The manager's virtual body snorted in disdain.
If he was not on another planet now, he'd have slapped them to coma. Lucky for them.
Shaking his head, he walked to a small group in the distance.
"You're the best technocrats we have. Tell me something I want to hear." The manager said grimly.
The faces of the small team of ten paled. In the end, the leading young woman stepped forward and said.
"Sir, using the favors, we got admin powers for some time. But…we still can't take down the post!" She closed her eyes and said in despair.
"Arghh! Fuck it! We'll die! Everyone will die" Amidst the manager's hysterical screams, the sound of something cracking came from the hologram.
The same scene was repeating across the Solar System. Just, no one else told their team they'd die.
Because they all identified the strength of the opponent.
Even Military couldn't take down Dreamer's post!
And it really pissed off one man.
"Can't we just shut the goddamn forum down?" Evander growled and gripped the edges of his desk.
"…I'm afraid not, sir. We tried and failed. The other party now controls the forum. Even Level 9 Technocrats can't do anything about it…" A hoarse but loyal voice sounded as the hologram of a dark haired middle-aged man saluted him and explained.
Evander calmed himself and clasped his hands as he rested his chin on them. "I had my doubts, but now I'm sure. Dreamer is a Sovereign in Technocrat path."
"Yes, sir! Every major power feels the same." Horan nodded, his voice overflowing with positivity.
An extra Sovereign…it was a trump card! They might be witnessing a pivoting movement in the history of humanity.
"…But why did he contact Enigma? Not the military or any other power?" Evander muttered gloomily.
Haron stayed silent. He knew better than to answer words not directed at him. Besides, Evander's words were also the biggest worry of every power.
"Even if we can't be allies...." Evander's face grimaced. "I hope we don't end up being enemies."
Haron in the hologram shuddered.
An enemy Sovereign technocrat…that was the stuff of dystopian fiction.
"Do not let any of this news spread to the outside world. Take down all related posts on web and warn all media to behave." Evander finally said with a sigh.
"Yes, sir!"