"…dishonor is like a scar on a tree, which time, instead of effacing, only helps to enlarge."  Bushido - The Warrior's Code, Inazo Nitobe

It was a cerebral exercise, nothing more. Simply prove it could be done. It was Marc West's justification for stealing intellectual property.
And he had done it.

The result of his exercise displayed across the computer monitor in black and white; proof he'd cracked the firewall. Now that he'd tested the waters, they tempted him, daring him to plunge in.

Unfortunately, this is where the exercise grew complicated. He sat at a crossroad. If he breached further into the system, the die would be cast and he would have no choice but to continue down the path. If he retreated, he'd avoid breaking any laws. What to do? There was doing what was right, and then there was doing what would bring peace to his existence. His heart bumped from the emotional strain.

Regardless of the air conditioning to keep the state-of-the-art computers running at an optimum, sweat beaded on his forehead. Seconds stretched to minutes as his index finger hovered over the delete key while his conscience struggled with the decision.

He jumped as the chime on the clock over the fireplace rang out. Two a.m. It was now or never. He only had access to the system for a few more minutes. A glint on his desk drew his eyes to the framed picture of his mother. It was because of her his decision was so difficult. He would do anything to bring her happiness again. Even if it meant breaking the law.

Her happiness, his choice. The two intertwined until there was no beginning, no end-no choice. With his decision made, Marc hands flew over the keyboard. In less than ten key strokes, the file was sent. Now that the game had started, who would be his opponent? Who would Northstar pit against him?

Step one was complete. The next move belonged to Northstar Security Firm. Once Northstar's technicians began to patch the firewall, his special delivery would go to work, wreaking havoc on the reputation of the most elite security agency in the country.