Marcus had noticed Wrench was strangely quiet the past few days around the hackerspace. Normally, it was a task in itself getting the guy to shut up once he started on a tangent. The guy always had something to say. Unusually, he mainly kept to his corner of the HQ and silently worked on his stuff. Or, at least, pretended to work on it. Marcus had a sneaking suspicion the man was too distracted by something to actually work.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DOEqPtZmD
Sitara seemed to notice this about him, too, because after two days of this odd behavior, she pulled Marcus aside and pointed at Wrench over her shoulder. "What's with him?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJEte1LAMf
Marcus shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know." He followed where she pointed, seeing him twirl around a few piece of cable in his hand, the other holding a wire cutter. However, he'd been staring at them for ten minutes already without doing anything.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKqPPQIa99
"I've never seen him like this. Maybe something's wrong…" She said, casting a concerned gaze in his direction.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡngMcUd2nco
Marcus pursed his lips, humming thoughtfully. "Yeah, I doubt that. If something was wrong, we'd know."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ158FymGkXt
Sitara lifted her hands up, clueless. "Well, go talk to him? You're his best friend. He might be more willing to explain things to you. And, you can be convincing when you need to be."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxd0n2R5d1
He perked up, cracking an amused smile. "Oh really? Like when?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBh1NbePzq
Sitara chuckled and rolled her eyes, not taking his bait. "Go work your magic, Prince Charming." She gently pushed Marcus in Wrench's direction, before returning to her own personal workspace.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAwmf4JWpG
He stumbled forward a step, rolling his eyes, before approaching the masked man quietly.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZdDZBFRGS
"What're you working on there?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVt9Xhlc7V
"Hmm?" Wrench hummed, as if surprised by his presence, then turned his eyes back to the things in his hands. "Oh just…this."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmv8ILdrIC
"'This?'" Marcus raised a brow, gesturing to the items. "What exactly is this?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87CmKCXqtE
"…" Wrench was silent a moment, then finally shook his head and put them down on the counter. "I actually can't remember now."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmzNww4RJc
Marcus laughed a little, crossing his arms and leaning up against the counter beside him. "Ok, something's up. You're a crazy motherfucker for sure, but I've never known you to be forgetful. Talk."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmyivh4IIM
Wrench shrugged, trying to play it off. Problem was, it all came out in a rush. "Idon'tknowwhatyoumean-"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRUXdFza53
"Bullshit. You've been…I don't know…drifting, the past couple days. Not once since I joined have you never been hyper focused on our goal." Marcus waited for him to say something, until he just made a blind guess. He had a feeling he was right about it anyway. "Is this about Riley?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡOppocVVhME
That got his attention. Wrench's head jerked up quicker than necessary "Shh, man, keep it down. Don't go shouting it out to the whole group."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz01SviWe1
Alright. So it was about her. Marcus could work with that. "Did something happen between you two?" Suddenly getting excited at the possibilities, Marcus grinned wider and punched his arm. "Yo, you two dating?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzSCx5h6gn
"What? No!" Wrench denied. The X's on his mask turned into angry slashes. The lack of embarrassment made Marcus believe him. "And I never said it was about her."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94MztZuogh
His friend scoffed in disbelief. "Uh huh. So if it ain't her, than what is it?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JR3LJy3FM
Wrench looked around blankly for a moment, as if searching for a suitable answer. "Uh…death in the family."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nlY0T4hZk
Marcus replied instantly. "You hate your family anyway."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9psISrchH
"My dog ran away."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡujrlmc4VgJ
"You don't have one. Also, you hate those too." These excuses were getting more and more ridiculous, but Wrench was adamant about not admitting it.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm73k7WopW
"I was diagnosed with schizophrenia?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡI458wO0Y1h
Marcus shook his head. "Ok, enough with that. Just lay it on me. I won't tell a soul. Promise." He held out his pinky in the old-fashioned yet still-honored method. Wrench stared at the offered finger and finally reciprocated, linking them together.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvB7RYkVTA
"Ok, ok…" He admitted, growing quieter so Sitara and Josh wouldn't hear. Marcus leaned closer to hear better. Though it took several moments of working up the nerve, he still got the words out.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBWMEhTBFi
"A couple days ago Riley was sort of…upset, and I offered to help her blow off steam." He saw Marcus' suggestive face and flashed two angry slashes again. "Not that!"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡxonDwUsxSt
"Ok!" Marcus held up his hands defensively, allowing him to continue.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyZqFQoZLi
"Anyway, I took her to a place I knew and we just sort of…talked. For a long time. I realize I like spending time with her, and she seemed to have fun, and all in all…I have a thing for Riley."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡArTxdyO79u
Marcus held a hand up, palm upwards. "We already talked about this at the party, man. Did you forget everything from that night?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHSNlpHNWz
"It's a little hazy, but that's not the point." Wrench waved his hand holding the wire cutters, dismissing that line of conversation. "It's just…I knew it was a thing but…now it's a thing thing. You know?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL7fcN6AMS
"Yea…" Marcus slowly began nodding his head, but it quickly morphed into a definitive shake negative. "…nah. What's the difference?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnjNUwlJDv
The masked man sighed, putting down his tools and cables. "A thing just means you're interested, whereas a thing," Wrench's mask flashed quotation marks to show emphasis, "is something…more."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3c5Ryuylq
Marcus shrugged. "So, what…you love her?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CcfSo2YZP
"That is a forbidden word!" Wrench hissed quietly, pointing at him accusingly. "Call it…an extreme crush that I can't get out of my head."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSc9F7G1Qj
Marcus finally smiled, punching him playfully in the arm a couple times. "Aww, the Wrench has feelings. Should I buy a tux for the wedding?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3nJ9ehDND
Wrench stood straighter and turned to walk away, but Marcus laughed and stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Stop, I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. But seriously. Good for you, man. Have you told her yet?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ufga7Fd5E
"No…I don't know if I should." He admitted uncomfortably, crossing his arms as if to ward off the question.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wxf5cnLed
Marcus held up both hands in confusion. "Why the hell not? And don't say the mask, because you know that won't be a problem if you trust her enough."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KhtuqHM3u
Wrench shook his head, looking away shyly. "…Her boss pulled the plug on her assignment, so she's going back by the end of the month."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8pFoAM3NS
"What? For real?" Wrench nodded. "Why?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQPf6UstGG
"Not sure. But the point is, if she's leaving, how would a relationship work?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLqXfVoWHr
Marcus shook his head, thinking the answer was obvious. "I've heard long distance things aren't the worst. And she'd only be, what, 2…3 hours away? You could make it work."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7zRMYsz2f
"That's betting on the fact she even feels the same way. Or would want to make it work." Wrench pointed out, and Marcus nodded his agreement.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK6h0ccsGT
"Well, yeah. But you won't know 'til you take the chance, Wrench."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mEzkUuJRc
"…Who says I want to?" Was his stubborn question, eyes changing into three dots on either side, but Marcus wasn't having it. All this naysaying was just Wrench's way of protecting himself from potential heartache, but even Marcus had heard enough of the pessimism. The dude had to either commit or give up his feelings. No other way. He straightened, slapping the masked man on the shoulder comfortingly.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡaikKa7JCHM
"If you didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaxZsxbEZR
Wrench had nothing to say to that. Giving him a few more pats on his shoulder, Marcus walks towards Josh's desk to go over some intel from the last op, and to see if there were any other leads on new targets. He looked back over his shoulder, seeing Wrench standing there thoughtfully.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8ecHz6ciX
Riley was practically giddy inside when she received another text from DedSec that morning. She had yet to leave the house, finishing up her makeup when they contacted her. Her inevitably boring workday was about to get a lot more interesting, she just knew.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡptgJerRY4y
Riley, Marcus could use some help getting into the ProviBlue servers. We need to install a backdoor. Think you can help?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXIiWaP8PP
You bet. What do you need?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mYezGOGS7
He just needs a way into the building without detection, but security has tightened since the exposure video was released. Maybe you have an idea?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiBU2PmTNq
Riley chewed on her lower lip in thought. Hmm. How could Marcus get into the building? There weren't a lot of options on the ground floor besides going directly through the front. All personnel went through the same front entrance, and they all had databased badges that were scanned when you walked in. Not very easy to bypass without alerting somebody.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡryn9QkkGs9
I'll see if I can figure something out. I'll keep you posted.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡwswuH6avM3
At least, she hoped. So far, she didn't have any ideas, and the last thing she wanted to do was let DedSec down.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqleln3IgR
Her drive to work was a very distracted one. Ideas kept turning around in her brain. Ways to infiltrate, possible rooftop entrances, and just the general location of the servers in general. They were located in the basement levels, but which exact floor and behind what door, Riley wasn't sure. Her daily duties didn't give her access to that information.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IqwSgQcXj
It wasn't until she parked in the employee parking lot did she come up with a somewhat solid plan. If an employee lost their badge, they were issued a new one at the security gate. If Riley could get a new badge, and maintain her old one, things might just work.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtLSYtY9YL
She walked into the building, trying not to look too inconspicuous. The security guard at the check-in was reading a newspaper, and looked up when she reached the desk. "Can I help you?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBbyPxWTfc
"Uh, yeah. I somehow misplaced my badge at home and I can't find it anywhere. I'm really sorry, but could I get a new one?" She tried to look as sincere and apologetic as possible. Which wasn't hard. She had plenty of practice pretending.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoVbVNsMZp
The guard gave an obviously fake smile, and a not-so-subtle eye roll before rising from his chair. "Yeah. Come on over."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mTReSkd1j
"Thank you." She said, following him into a side office.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeUaMKIIEX
He instructed she sit in a chair facing a small camera, and smiled for the ID photograph. Once done, he operated the computer and within minutes she had a new badge printed and dangling on a lanyard.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡVplQAhE33E
"Try not to lose that one." The security guard grumped, following her out the door into the lobby.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡt80mZefksg
"Thank you, I won't." She said, scanning the new badge across the scanner. It blinked green, and she walked into the sales area of the first floor.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqvxBhij0X
The walk to her desk was a quick one, and she had herself situated in no time. Dan was there before her this morning, an unusual occurrence, so she made sure to be extra careful when sending her text to Josh.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWmCNXTr0W
Ok, I think I have an idea. I told security I lost my badge, and they made me another one. I can get this to Marcus on my lunch break, and he should be able to use it to get inside. They would think he was an employee.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t55Q5k5pM
After a few minutes, Josh responded back.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2dSAOaT8a
That should work. Where and when can you meet?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo7d1UaVlb
I take lunch at 12:45. Meet me at Spruce, if you can.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqEYvv3PBt
There were a few more minutes before a reply.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYwPQ6E00M
He'll be there.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRbi4cce8x
She checked her watch, glancing around for any sign of Marcus. He was a little late. She'd already sat down in the outdoor patio dining area and ordered her food. Normally, DedSec was early, or relatively on-time. Maybe there was some holdup or-copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Y4ZtA3jb
Before she had time to finish the thought, someone hopped the little fence dividing the restaurant seating with the sidewalk beside it, and slid into the seat across from her. Marcus smiled back, folding his hands on the table in front of him.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW92L09p0a
"How's it going, Riley?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc1nu5AHkJ
She smiled, setting down her drink. "Pretty good. You guys looking to target ProviBlue again?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKKcPKGpN0
He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "Not specifically, but you never know when a backdoor into their servers will come in handy. Better to be prepared beforehand."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjWLmILw8M
"I understand." She nodded, twisting in place to reach for her bag hanging on the back of her chair. "And this is for you."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkYIItNia8
She produced the badge and slid it over to him. "You'll need to change the picture, but I'm sure digital picture editing is something you guys can handle, right?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pSMCHwj7j
"Josh'll have this fixed in no time. The kid's a genius when it comes to these things." Marcus said, inspecting both sides.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJDgu0Ygw7
"I bet." She said. Marcus suddenly leaned forward, a mischievous grin on his face.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ds2VavJtF
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking…what do you think of Wrench?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu5KgHrN0z
The question took her by surprise, and her brows furrowed naturally. "Wrench? What about him?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kiKBNKz3h
Marcus shrugged, giving a noncommittal expression. "Just…first impressions, thoughts, feelings, anything."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6v98qjEaM
Riley didn't know exactly where the question was coming from, but she didn't want to seem rude. Perhaps her silence would give him the wrong impression, that maybe she didn't like him or something. That wouldn't be good.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2hpMy7el7
"Uh, well, he's definitely different, that's for sure." Thinking back to the way he'd gleefully smashed up the junk in that junkyard had her smiling involuntarily. "And funny. I've never met someone quite with a sense of humor like him. And..well, he's a much better hack than I am."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡNss6c3TXDX
"That's all?" He pried, raising his brows. Riley tilted her head and thought, not quite sure what else she was supposed to say.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡek4JucaORl
"I mean…I wonder what he looks like under the mask but, I know that's important to him so…I guess?" She shrugged, taking another sip of her iced tea. Marcus didn't appear to believe her though.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbnSB9rInN
"Uh huh. So if you had the chance to go on a date with him, you'd say no?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbfihslbpZ
"Where did-" Riley coughed up some of her drink, not expecting so blunt of a question at all. Marcus handed her one of the table napkins, and she covered her mouth while trying to express the liquid that had accidentally gone down her airways. After a moment, most of it passed and she grimaced.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EjcnOpyCg
"I mean…I didn't say…why do you ask?" She was sure her face was bright red by now, and judging by Marcus' satisfied expression, it was.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdrg62qxLO
"No reason. Just had to know."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBZATh2fss
Riley was about to question him further on the matter, wondering why he was so interested in her feelings for Wrench, but the waiter returned to the table with her food. They paused, seeing Marcus.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA6xMulb2Y
"Oh, will there be a second for the table?" They asked, setting her food down in front of her slowly. He tucked the badge into his bag and held up his hands.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVbTchWDOH
"Oh, no thanks. I was just leaving."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9irJcIMrb
"Not staying for a bite?" Riley asked, already salting her baked macaroni and cheese. Part of her wanted some time to herself now that he was asking tough and embarrassing questions, but she'd be remiss if she didn't at least offer him lunch. "I'll buy if you're hungry."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFLldyPzKS
"Ooh, tempting," He said, pointing tow fingers her way, "but I really should get going. Lots of things to do."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcOI61Z3EO
"Suit yourself." She said, giving him a friendly wave as he left over the fence where he'd come from. She watched him saunter his was down the street, eyes on his phone, until he disappeared from sight. She returned her attention to her meal, slightly shaken by his questions. Did he suspect something of her? Or…another thought made her blush deeper.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6X3xHgguH
Did Wrench mention something to him?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJmd4zLU8v
The rest of the day went by as usual for her. Work was fast and then slow, busy and then dead. Her time was taken over by replying to emails and answering calls. At least the customers weren't too grouchy today, or at least, she managed not to get the calls with the pissed off ones. It was an average day, all in all.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFIBoOCnRg
For awhile, Riley hadn't been able to think of anything besides her conversation with Marcus earlier, but eventually work picked up and she had no time to do so. Her attention was completely thrown into completing tasks as they were given, and before long, it was only a few hours until her shift was over.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCm9GURWal
Suddenly, a couple security guards ran past her cubicle, talking quietly into their radios. It was too low to hear exactly what they were saying, but she was willing to bet what was happening. it wasn't too often a security issue came up, and her conversation with Marcus that morning was no coincidence to this. She hid a smirk, eyes never straying from her screen.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB40O9AA4J
There was a moment when the lights flickered throughout the first floor. At one point, she thought she heard a loud pop or low boom, barely out of her hearing, but she could have been imagining it. Some of the employees murmured suspiciously in the cubicles around her, no doubt having noticed the security running by and the strange occurrences up on the sales floor, wondering what was going on. She wasn't concerned, and continued talking with the customer on the phone at the time.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RpOsNC5bt
Marcus must have ended up getting noticed by security. There was no other reason for them to suspect anything had been wrong. Riley shook her head.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn6JxMDpJO
You're slipping…She thought with amusement.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmpPneZYO3
Higher management must have wanted to keep the incident under wraps so the employees didn't know, because there was no major announcement or alarm that rang out. The day ended as normal, and nobody stopped Riley at the door. She was half afraid they'd realize that she had a hand in him getting into the building, but that was a long shot. How would they know? The exchange had happened at a restaurant a few miles away.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUV7InUlt6
Riley was just about to enter her car when Sitara sent a message.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPuVz2Hcrq
I've got a special mission for you. Interested?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bNq1bF09t
Riley smiled, somewhat tired but always enthusiastic when it came to anything DedSec.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QoYY7mTtQ
Sure. What've you got?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiFudewVrX
Come by Gary's Games and Glory, and wait for further instructions ;)copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡms89Salxau
Ooh, cryptic. What exactly will I be doing?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dlqcjyzc1
You'll just have to go there and find out!copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcj5GwkcrL
Riley shook her head, opening her car door and sitting in the driver's seat. If this was all just to gain her interest, well, it was definitely working. What did they want her to do at a game store? Two missions in one day? It seemed their partnership was starting to expand a bit further.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NdiX6siDC
Riley reached the game store, and parked in the side parking lot. There were only a few cars here. She stepped out, looking around for any sign of DedSec. Nothing. Humming to herself with intrigue, Riley closed the door behind her, locking her car up, and walked to the entrance.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFQ853sDCE
The inside smelled…vaguely familiar. She frowned, trying to place it. It was nice and quiet, with people focusing on their games and comics and books. A few looked up when she entered, but most paid her no attention. She didn't recognize anyone inside, so she texted Sitara.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2QY7xurJW
Ok, I'm here. Now what?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTKrcHxE0b
Go all the way to the back. There should be a door. Open it with the code 0935.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNQ8WVcozO
Lifting her gaze, she spotted an smaller opening directly opposite at the end of the store. She made her way there, letting her eyes roam around the shop. This place was pretty cool. Some of the figurines she'd have to come back and get her hands on.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eRUcYrHqb
There was a woman on her phone in the back corner. She looked up but eventually lost interest in Riley, going back to whatever it was she was doing. There was a door on the other side, with a keypad beside it.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE4n5g5CV6
Glancing over her shoulder because, honestly she didn't know what exactly she'd find behind the door, Riley hesitantly typed in the code. There was a moment of nothing, before the door slid open sideways, like in a sci-fi universe. Riley's mouth formed a perfect 'O' from the sheer coolness of that, and she stepped inside a bit more eagerly than before.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdTElQAyf9
As soon as she looked at the long flight of concrete stairs heading downwards, Riley knew where she was, and a pleased smile overtook her lips. She descended the steps to see the unforgettable DedSec hackerspace.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡmioecAdEhD
Sitara glanced up when she heard Riley's footsteps. "Hey, you made it." She said, putting down one of her spray cans. "Hey gang, Riley's here!"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVhTinao06
Riley looked over to see Marcus raise a hand in greeting from the couch. Josh glanced over from his desk, and Wrench waved from his place on the futon facing the screens. It looked like he was watching a movie or something. They all called out in greeting. She looked back towards Sitara, smiling stupidly. "You guys are entrusting me with the hackerspace location?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOjosFe2dt
"Of course." The hacker said, as if there weren't any other answer. "You've definitely earned our trust and respect. Just, be sure not to break it."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAMzPYa2Ds
"I won't." Riley pledged hurriedly, shaking her head. Sitara laughed at her seriousness, holding out a fist. They fist bumped each other, and she held out a hand to the space.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsnXmGlx4l
"Allow me to officially welcome you to DedSec, Riley. Feel free to come and go as you like."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy9XWBDbDR
Riley felt a small swell of pride. "Thanks."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPsrphqAj3
Sitara went back to her art, leaving Riley to slowly step further into the hackerspace. She first went to Marcus, who was on his phone, laying back on the couch.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZvpXR6ioa
"Hey, Marcus. How did the backdoor install go?" She asked, gaining his attention.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2IN0FoDQ2
"Pretty well, thanks to that badge."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvRYWhfmRz
She raised a brow. "But…?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTyVjwMpOb
He rolled his eyes, shrugging like it wasn't a big deal. "Security might have spotted me on one of the cameras getting down to the lower levels, but despite that, everything went off without a hitch."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsejfeYESO
She laughed, rolling her shoulders to get rid of a knot. "Yeah, well, maybe next time be a bit more stealthy and you won't cause everyone up in the sales floor to realize something's up."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡGokymhQCDH
"Shit, you try doing it next time. See how well you do."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3BKYVgLl5
Riley shook her head, not liking that idea. "I think I'll let you handle the dirty work."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVxbeNqdri
He nodded smugly. "That's what I thought."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28GmG3DxFh
They both laughed, and she eventually wandered over to where Wrench was watching something on the many screens they had mounted to the wall. The iconic scenes of The Shining was playing, and she sat on the couch beside him.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQkQAiLR46
"You like The Shining too?" She asked, already rapt into the story. The 'RedruM' scene was just beginning. Wrench turned to her with happy eyes. She liked seeing that expression.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡW12tcggCtI
"Hell yeah! The greatest horror movie of it's time. No contest."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwQBSxEw4k
Riley laughed, eyes returning to the screen. "I still can't watch it without the lights on or someone else with me, though."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡNia79LqUCu
"Really?" He asked, turning to her in disbelief.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yv32HkjkO
Riley shrugged. "What? I have an overactive imagination. I might love horror movies, but I'm terrified of them!"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fkSRdpwJt
Wrench's mask now displayed two hashtag symbols, and he hummed. "Well, I can handle horror pretty well, so if you ever need a buddy, I'm your guy."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwM0EWM4Qp
"I appreciate that. Now I can finally go see 'It' without feeling like I'll be murdered that night." She smiled wide, and Wrench wasn't able to look at it long. Just looking at her vibrant smile sent a pang of…warmth…through his chest. He shifted in his seat trying to force it down, but luckily the movie afforded him the distraction needed so he didn't have to answer.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSX4W0Mgk7
Riley, on her part, wondered if he would actually go see all these movies with her, or if he were just being nice. Marcus' comments earlier at the restaurant gave her some hope, but only a small amount. No need to get her spirits up just to have them crushed again, right?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lmqeeDDKn
"Ma'am, I think we've got something you'll want to see." The chief of ProviBlue security said, holding up a tablet computer. Sandra Jennings looked up from her own desktop, staring at him a moment before waving him inside her office. The chief shut the door behind him and sat in the chair facing her.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ATUByQoCH
"What is this?" She asked when he handed her the tablet. The screen showed a still-frame of a security camera posted in the front lobby.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbzLgvL3M5
"Somehow, the culprit got their hands on an ID badge to get in. They passed right through without anyone knowing otherwise." Right in the middle was the dark-skinned man that the knocked-out guards had described regarding the break-in to their servers. They hadn't been able to catch him or retrieve the data he'd stolen, and Sandra was not a very happy woman at the moment.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSrxiFLWjv
She tapped the screen and it began to play, showing how he casually scanned the ID against the scanners, which let him through without incident. Without so much as a glance around him, he sauntered inside towards the elevator. Sandra scowled, placing the tablet on her desk angrily.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr6dlILb6n
"How is it they can just waltz right through our front door? I want answers." She demanded, and the chief nodded evenly.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTzsFQYqTK
"We might be able to help with that. See, we traced back to figure out the exact barcode number on the ID," he picked up the tablet from the desk and tapped the screen a few times, finally turning it back to her, "and were able to match it with one made this morning for a Riley Clarke."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4CYBVEmRX
Sandra stared at the employee picture of a young brunette woman. "She claimed to have lost her ID and needed a new one." The chief added helpfully. This…Riley, didn't look familiar by face alone, but they employed hundreds of people here. The boss of a company this big couldn't be expected to remember every single one of them. She narrowed her eyes, looking through her file.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaoYnKH9WN
"Hired about a year ago…" She muttered, scrolling down over the information. "A loan officer, with no previous offenses or reasons for concern." Sandra looked back up at the chief security guard. "Are we sure she didn't just have this one stolen?"copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPH6hmXgNQ
He shrugged. "That's what we thought at first, but we wanted to double check. And it turns out she used her original ID badge returning from lunch today. DIdn't say a word about her newly issued one."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kUDiwyWSq
"Hmm." Sandra felt an immense amount of satisfaction, finally having a lead as to who might be leaking the company information. But this woman had no other information or security clearance than the average worker. How had she gotten a hold of the information they had been exposed for?copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡULAjKY3r7Z
She handed him the tablet again. "I want a full investigation done, and then we'll bring her forward to face the consequences. Make it airtight. No room for doubt."copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEPWL7jIn6
"Yes, Ma'am." He said, taking her wave of dismissal as his leave.copyright protection163ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoru1J0AFT
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