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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8C3X5SmsR
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ve0ipJ2Eo
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZtqL6GcXb
"I've never seen him like this. Maybe something's wrong…" She said, casting a concerned gaze in his direction.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXjz0hETE7
Marcus pursed his lips, humming thoughtfully. "Yeah, I doubt that. If something was wrong, we'd know."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLDYMVovX3
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡT42nvOub0r
He perked up, cracking an amused smile. "Oh really? Like when?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXoGxpYciC
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3oW1bRqGP
He stumbled forward a step, rolling his eyes, before approaching the masked man quietly.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAUwXpkrAl
"What're you working on there?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYiiEPHD10
"Hmm?" Wrench hummed, as if surprised by his presence, then turned his eyes back to the things in his hands. "Oh just…this."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl3Fh5Q9vw
"'This?'" Marcus raised a brow, gesturing to the items. "What exactly is this?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY6Tu4iOwT
"…" Wrench was silent a moment, then finally shook his head and put them down on the counter. "I actually can't remember now."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pRsIwipak
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqFt5XzW64
Wrench shrugged, trying to play it off. Problem was, it all came out in a rush. "Idon'tknowwhatyoumean-"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡt53AYyEgna
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxA1ZixhIH
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡB88hCeecak
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDpkdoSSEf
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OMEQMWo4F
His friend scoffed in disbelief. "Uh huh. So if it ain't her, than what is it?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GOeXrsbDD
Wrench looked around blankly for a moment, as if searching for a suitable answer. "Uh…death in the family."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUgWeuk7mZ
Marcus replied instantly. "You hate your family anyway."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqO94EV02Z
"My dog ran away."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8FvmDWPOz
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡsluJhIeCPA
"I was diagnosed with schizophrenia?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc1pl53h66
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMeWhBzero
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUJhD10RDQ
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡse2tEozHGF
"Ok!" Marcus held up his hands defensively, allowing him to continue.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXs3UJFtY6
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL0B3ED4wg
Marcus held a hand up, palm upwards. "We already talked about this at the party, man. Did you forget everything from that night?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZvXt9m2R2
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFZ9ITTnnR
"Yea…" Marcus slowly began nodding his head, but it quickly morphed into a definitive shake negative. "…nah. What's the difference?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡufDvRH9uLG
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGFgD8p0ag
Marcus shrugged. "So, what…you love her?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SW22FVW2j
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxys2q9bVV
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGCxXgFmgQ
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiJAkLfgIh
"No…I don't know if I should." He admitted uncomfortably, crossing his arms as if to ward off the question.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxO8ZQy82t
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UaGr7W7uc
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8vHIQtX6b
"What? For real?" Wrench nodded. "Why?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFI4NHVmQX
"Not sure. But the point is, if she's leaving, how would a relationship work?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVS0Bj7yrC
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpKg6s6zqc
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFStJGbE22
"Well, yeah. But you won't know 'til you take the chance, Wrench."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSXuSzO07g
"…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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSFn9LQfkg
"If you didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5WkyF0Kk3
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXVKrOjgOr
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrjcOtXFIi
Riley, Marcus could use some help getting into the ProviBlue servers. We need to install a backdoor. Think you can help?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡVanRvWxwGR
You bet. What do you need?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡztOvdgjwx7
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4zhhoKe3t
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYEUQaQnGx
I'll see if I can figure something out. I'll keep you posted.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg04Ldl5JT
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHXMZeaKtd
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0cSU32KrJ
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG0iLLv6Rf
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4WXQWc0GF
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUGqMAuPlV
The guard gave an obviously fake smile, and a not-so-subtle eye roll before rising from his chair. "Yeah. Come on over."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDByVnkqtb
"Thank you." She said, following him into a side office.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtfCq6yD7e
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡil8ZMVzgKV
"Try not to lose that one." The security guard grumped, following her out the door into the lobby.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiyNRuabUE
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA7DdyKLbR
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ud9t043hO
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt7xhZ1raW
After a few minutes, Josh responded back.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ywdcJMWvX
That should work. Where and when can you meet?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvr1FV2JYj
I take lunch at 12:45. Meet me at Spruce, if you can.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXNFu4EvwP
There were a few more minutes before a reply.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCoYQAICxe
He'll be there.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlK1npXp8V
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHTwnnA2T6
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlJgjzR2co
"How's it going, Riley?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMK0O7qLwz
She smiled, setting down her drink. "Pretty good. You guys looking to target ProviBlue again?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡHggAMDXnFQ
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxbdOvNFyZ
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OLOPzWgls
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2J5CvJASp
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmXDAM8nrG
"I bet." She said. Marcus suddenly leaned forward, a mischievous grin on his face.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwv8llIhB3
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking…what do you think of Wrench?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr5txIZgiR
The question took her by surprise, and her brows furrowed naturally. "Wrench? What about him?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKeEnPqwcS
Marcus shrugged, giving a noncommittal expression. "Just…first impressions, thoughts, feelings, anything."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzoJHK4q1G
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL7zfEheVA
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CkkgI9Gem
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrVXbDHf3I
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxu36JIoYE
"Uh huh. So if you had the chance to go on a date with him, you'd say no?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4gjpx1zdf
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMHRKSvr8z
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡa46E8doRBn
"No reason. Just had to know."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡwArNTQkUqy
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡallSd5LIwT
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHYom7CLZd
"Oh, no thanks. I was just leaving."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vOziHqDCQ
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNcxGpCr89
"Ooh, tempting," He said, pointing tow fingers her way, "but I really should get going. Lots of things to do."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqRkPdrrYq
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6WtGfb6SO
Did Wrench mention something to him?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4B9ChzfJH
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡp58gpXuRps
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5zezgtKnm
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡykrat3s3jc
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIhSZGQtxg
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPlw3UMxF9
You're slipping…She thought with amusement.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeuloXpR0J
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LrkEq0vUy
Riley was just about to enter her car when Sitara sent a message.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQn7mr29ZI
I've got a special mission for you. Interested?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTWMflKEcL
Riley smiled, somewhat tired but always enthusiastic when it came to anything DedSec.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfxPAbgBHa
Sure. What've you got?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t1xAoZDxY
Come by Gary's Games and Glory, and wait for further instructions ;)copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQRiD7DnLP
Ooh, cryptic. What exactly will I be doing?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ995GZFSfgA
You'll just have to go there and find out!copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq3rXEQXho
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDeNVRUyfG
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡopQt6P8Z4p
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvQCXNgNKy
Ok, I'm here. Now what?copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGcqt8hoGx
Go all the way to the back. There should be a door. Open it with the code 0935.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55XVy3KH2P
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BkWeiKv5v
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hcgHGoZ45
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9au5IxPqA
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxc0uqieVn
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZFWfnCEmH
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡJURToXCWM2
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡwszIs39Ki4
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ834OZjbCXx
"Allow me to officially welcome you to DedSec, Riley. Feel free to come and go as you like."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHrcBQ9dMW
Riley felt a small swell of pride. "Thanks."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjoQ2RUbCc
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLfkzfEKSC
"Hey, Marcus. How did the backdoor install go?" She asked, gaining his attention.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡidjKqUAz8n
"Pretty well, thanks to that badge."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpHVfJMaVp
She raised a brow. "But…?"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbaCwJSauL
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNZ6xp18Za
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvzdrPXeZT
"Shit, you try doing it next time. See how well you do."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm5NZBxSM2
Riley shook her head, not liking that idea. "I think I'll let you handle the dirty work."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyPDEn3Gw2
He nodded smugly. "That's what I thought."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ypgZfedf
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RCdFBPdtB
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡf895LOtOuZ
"Hell yeah! The greatest horror movie of it's time. No contest."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl1qLiq0wE
Riley laughed, eyes returning to the screen. "I still can't watch it without the lights on or someone else with me, though."copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEvRRatGoX
"Really?" He asked, turning to her in disbelief.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD5sJRgcFL
Riley shrugged. "What? I have an overactive imagination. I might love horror movies, but I'm terrified of them!"copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx7dYSvoS2
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Hy0zIug7
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡryKw0unhG3
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SBa5z2BXV
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡE04ly4Uhyb
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0J9xKDU1k
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4cAfi9iU7
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy8hTGmOXU
"How is it they can just waltz right through our front door? I want answers." She demanded, and the chief nodded evenly.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmUJvst8nu
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlzFWPY57S
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkqlCk2Y80
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8mNRRfl0C
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtYp9Ue70m
"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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeGpAiKCgT
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 protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡC91YXTQdeQ
"Yes, Ma'am." He said, taking her wave of dismissal as his leave.copyright protection88ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5kPutJJAK
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