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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MFgCQWLq8
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWCVLgVsCx
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9BsbUYpkl
"I've never seen him like this. Maybe something's wrong…" She said, casting a concerned gaze in his direction.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz2kiDB69L
Marcus pursed his lips, humming thoughtfully. "Yeah, I doubt that. If something was wrong, we'd know."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ReYODIPCk
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tx7t74Mt4
He perked up, cracking an amused smile. "Oh really? Like when?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkOH9zQNki
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVXkPw0QZF
He stumbled forward a step, rolling his eyes, before approaching the masked man quietly.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyjKRqzN6o
"What're you working on there?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72roZED2hg
"Hmm?" Wrench hummed, as if surprised by his presence, then turned his eyes back to the things in his hands. "Oh just…this."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpzbcnXhVB
"'This?'" Marcus raised a brow, gesturing to the items. "What exactly is this?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡLktejtHq9A
"…" Wrench was silent a moment, then finally shook his head and put them down on the counter. "I actually can't remember now."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwBfEejFGB
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfOOQLoJjW
Wrench shrugged, trying to play it off. Problem was, it all came out in a rush. "Idon'tknowwhatyoumean-"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQFeZ43Myn
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWKoOR6WmY
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm55XsD0UP
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTLzUihJaF
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG57I5Yczm
His friend scoffed in disbelief. "Uh huh. So if it ain't her, than what is it?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9ZBSXj7ca
Wrench looked around blankly for a moment, as if searching for a suitable answer. "Uh…death in the family."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh7wZmmZwW
Marcus replied instantly. "You hate your family anyway."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiYlDlRweg
"My dog ran away."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tkoIz8mkj
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHW4rAkSsh
"I was diagnosed with schizophrenia?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIHsUIqUqG
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBtbnGsafK
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRK45YUG92
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfN3Rj8xtD
"Ok!" Marcus held up his hands defensively, allowing him to continue.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwXyB3x5iM
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2tWOCGuTi
Marcus held a hand up, palm upwards. "We already talked about this at the party, man. Did you forget everything from that night?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGPqZuojIM
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxxa14LeSo
"Yea…" Marcus slowly began nodding his head, but it quickly morphed into a definitive shake negative. "…nah. What's the difference?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4PSrf0CK2
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnuatLbO9M
Marcus shrugged. "So, what…you love her?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L1ZR0IVgW
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYL4DVNYq2
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGjmEHaWrm
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡeocVTyX2uc
"No…I don't know if I should." He admitted uncomfortably, crossing his arms as if to ward off the question.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAUMUQFXf6
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CbEAr2zQs
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeKNNWBhMa
"What? For real?" Wrench nodded. "Why?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡA54FghCyzv
"Not sure. But the point is, if she's leaving, how would a relationship work?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡf19fI3N0qY
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbkdpiRoOr
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uX1UKOfIW
"Well, yeah. But you won't know 'til you take the chance, Wrench."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd0S7XeRSP
"…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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmzq8pOBVl
"If you didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7MagplLQE
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ89huODo0
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6idRLRTsZP
Riley, Marcus could use some help getting into the ProviBlue servers. We need to install a backdoor. Think you can help?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpQwJIF1dZ
You bet. What do you need?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡFypqI8NXVV
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7Wc9qWFRK
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu31XGQzfv
I'll see if I can figure something out. I'll keep you posted.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsZNkXqIti
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ajLPUIXrC
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRhVnUohCL
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbRfodRifx
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRAiRtnvmV
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq6VCbyxpG
The guard gave an obviously fake smile, and a not-so-subtle eye roll before rising from his chair. "Yeah. Come on over."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgwtMqLojq
"Thank you." She said, following him into a side office.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡARtj6jbw1D
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHB0I8TSBJ
"Try not to lose that one." The security guard grumped, following her out the door into the lobby.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtLyHwphTW
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA1cGwXgR1
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT2rwdDXij
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡHslGpitiZw
After a few minutes, Josh responded back.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCTHKoo9Xg
That should work. Where and when can you meet?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipqpeRMny
I take lunch at 12:45. Meet me at Spruce, if you can.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZQNRrccxH
There were a few more minutes before a reply.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxYhUmSpad
He'll be there.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI1H2f41cR
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCP9eU06EJ
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBGduIzbrW
"How's it going, Riley?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3dZUuCOXg
She smiled, setting down her drink. "Pretty good. You guys looking to target ProviBlue again?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNuqVOcj0f
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g2ErqXLBI
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3iK58ULBQ
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0RUzoN4vu
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhOywCXEVC
"I bet." She said. Marcus suddenly leaned forward, a mischievous grin on his face.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL0aGkK3FS
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking…what do you think of Wrench?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtkXR4reZO
The question took her by surprise, and her brows furrowed naturally. "Wrench? What about him?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoh7phMVyd
Marcus shrugged, giving a noncommittal expression. "Just…first impressions, thoughts, feelings, anything."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpHmuj8QKT
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsINC2hBP0
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH5K6W6Sz9
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh0jbrgxeY
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU0K22ubBj
"Uh huh. So if you had the chance to go on a date with him, you'd say no?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡajtvX9Njnt
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkj9KYkHJG
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF3LrhYkgy
"No reason. Just had to know."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTm8bwt2Ci
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1tyHD0Siv
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ167wQs4EFy
"Oh, no thanks. I was just leaving."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOWqUUgd04
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfYVNpk2gH
"Ooh, tempting," He said, pointing tow fingers her way, "but I really should get going. Lots of things to do."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyDdhafrS7
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqgZTCM6rm
Did Wrench mention something to him?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNgHOFdS9g
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UPG65sSWh
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBP8Aucfhq
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcKTbACfZ4
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoqMOHkFfd
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh1VchDnYv
You're slipping…She thought with amusement.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpsPCZExIC
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yGexUl40t
Riley was just about to enter her car when Sitara sent a message.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZdKYAlvSt
I've got a special mission for you. Interested?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzd0LuZRis
Riley smiled, somewhat tired but always enthusiastic when it came to anything DedSec.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYOuisZuCT
Sure. What've you got?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUjpbw0lRE
Come by Gary's Games and Glory, and wait for further instructions ;)copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZnWT78IA4
Ooh, cryptic. What exactly will I be doing?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT7CgAi58g
You'll just have to go there and find out!copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eHXPn7SFk
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvDxpn1Ocv
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGK9Dh3Etz
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4H1Ncj97V
Ok, I'm here. Now what?copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVi6mS8HBr
Go all the way to the back. There should be a door. Open it with the code 0935.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0U4gmeDnH
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaonsMbOl4
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡchbMfvmxnA
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡkARf2I0tfb
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qHAWnwcq4
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oGGPsbPD9
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTlnvC0w3b
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7woik26Aw
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxkCcQSQjH
"Allow me to officially welcome you to DedSec, Riley. Feel free to come and go as you like."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGbbAnyPqJ
Riley felt a small swell of pride. "Thanks."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡabP76ezrJ7
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhbUjGsssf
"Hey, Marcus. How did the backdoor install go?" She asked, gaining his attention.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhHQmewEmZ
"Pretty well, thanks to that badge."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmFEbjwccU
She raised a brow. "But…?"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmHlPZf2hR
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpXfRFl6Ji
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡmydKTanjbm
"Shit, you try doing it next time. See how well you do."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3RNS0ha7T
Riley shook her head, not liking that idea. "I think I'll let you handle the dirty work."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsttDEuC2p
He nodded smugly. "That's what I thought."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡPidCnzugPx
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvIzUtpmif
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiWvUJAjmu
"Hell yeah! The greatest horror movie of it's time. No contest."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf5BwhbUVP
Riley laughed, eyes returning to the screen. "I still can't watch it without the lights on or someone else with me, though."copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O9pJrKH9X
"Really?" He asked, turning to her in disbelief.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wnXVA5oth
Riley shrugged. "What? I have an overactive imagination. I might love horror movies, but I'm terrified of them!"copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXsM5427ss
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGHqK4xOZV
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N82PcS8Jc
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8AzoTHFvp
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCmb88hsns
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhjEOFhznp
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QNAuYaliL
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBUDlwVIAT
"How is it they can just waltz right through our front door? I want answers." She demanded, and the chief nodded evenly.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhNvNLZqjx
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq5t0aUQrJ
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6WpLMlopf
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhmxrA5zKc
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwOtT7fD0Z
"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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1CZDBmJvp
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 protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcfU4uxusT
"Yes, Ma'am." He said, taking her wave of dismissal as his leave.copyright protection304ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZOtHr18vX
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