Tobias: Unmasking the Culprits
The Evergrand Penitatas School computer lab hummed softly as Tobias, Martha, and Bruno worked late into the evening. Martha’s fingers flew across the keyboard, her floppy ears twitching with focus as she traced the logs left behind by the culprits who had hacked the school system.
“We’re close,” Martha said, her tone steady but determined. “They tried to cover their tracks, but they weren’t good enough.”
“Who do you think it is?” Bruno asked, leaning on the desk. “Someone who really hates Tobias?”
Tobias’s tail flicked irritably. “That doesn’t narrow it down much.”
Martha smirked. “Well, we’re about to find out.” With one final keystroke, the screen filled with logs identifying two sources. Tobias’s ears flattened as the names appeared.
“Cassie... and Connor Green,” Martha read aloud.
---
Shock and Realization
Tobias’s claws tapped nervously on the desk as he processed the revelation. “Cassie? Again? I can’t say I’m surprised. She’s been after me ever since we broke up. But Connor?”
Bruno frowned. “Connor hates anthros. That’s been obvious since his first day here.”
Martha nodded, her floppy ears drooping slightly. “Remember in the cafeteria last week? He called you a ‘mangy alley cat’ and said this school was ‘a zoo.’ He even made fun of me for being a rabbit.”
Tobias’s tail bristled at the memory. “And now he’s teaming up with Cassie to mess with me. Perfect.”
“Cassie doesn’t even go here,” Bruno added. “She had to hack in from the outside.”
“She did,” Martha confirmed, her fingers flying across the keyboard again. “Her logs trace back to her home system, while Connor used his school account to access the data.”
---
Tracing the Hack
Martha worked quickly, narrowing down the evidence. “It’s amateur hour. Cassie’s remote access points and Connor’s school credentials are all logged. We’ve got everything we need.”
“Connor used his school account?” Tobias said, his ears perking up. “That’s just sloppy.”
Martha grinned. “Sloppy enough to get caught.”
---
Reporting the Truth
The next morning, Tobias and his friends brought their findings to Principal Ember. The dragoness listened intently, her sharp eyes scanning the evidence displayed on Martha’s tablet.
“This is clear misconduct,” Ember said, her voice calm but resolute. “Cassie’s involvement as an external actor complicates things, but Connor’s actions are just as serious. He violated multiple school policies and collaborated with an outsider to harm you and frame Martha.”
“They wanted to hurt me,” Tobias said. “And they didn’t care who else got caught in the crossfire.”
Principal Ember nodded. “You’ve done the right thing by bringing this to me. I’ll handle it.”
---
The Fallout
By the end of the school day, whispers spread through the halls like wildfire. Connor’s absence didn’t go unnoticed, and the revelation of his involvement in a hacking scandal became the talk of the school.
Principal Ember addressed the students over the intercom during the final period. “Effective immediately, one student has been suspended pending investigation into serious breaches of conduct, including unauthorized access to school systems. Additionally, a non-student collaborator has been referred to the authorities for their role in these activities.”
Tobias felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Justice was finally being served.
---
Reflecting at Home
Later that evening, Tobias sat with his father, Edwin, recounting the day’s events. His repaired plushie rested on his lap as he explained Connor’s involvement.
“Connor Green,” Edwin said thoughtfully. “He’s made no secret of his hatred for anthros. This doesn’t surprise me.”
“It’s not even about me being a Penitatas for him,” Tobias muttered. “It’s just because I’m a cat. He called me a filthy stray and said Martha shouldn’t be here because she’s a rabbit.”
Edwin’s expression hardened. “Prejudice like his has no place here, and now he’s facing the consequences.”
“And Cassie,” Tobias said bitterly. “She doesn’t even go to this school, but she still found a way to hurt me.”
“She’ll face her own consequences,” Edwin said firmly. “Both of them will.”
---
A New Resolve
As Tobias curled up in bed that night, the events of the day replayed in his mind. Cassie’s vendetta and Connor’s prejudice had caused chaos in his life, but with Martha and Bruno by his side, he had uncovered the truth.
“They thought they could break me,” Tobias whispered, clutching his plushie tightly. “But I’m still here.”
With a small smile, he drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
