He's ordering me around. I don't like it. -_-copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7zKMV11o5
Well, that's because he's in charge of the operation. Of course he's gonna tell you what to do.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡGum4mkRQW6
I can figure out a location ping and hack some stupid hardware on my own. I don't need him. I'm not a goddamn plebe.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbZokxbAsK
I know that, but it's his mission. He asked for assistance and you offered.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoRY8DTaFi
See, that's the thing. I distinctly remember you telling him that 'Yeah, Wrench would just LOVE to help out with your fucking errand,' but neglected to tell me about it.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡglNCpaWg0S
Because otherwise you would have said no. :)copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt3mSoU3Zm
If you weren't so insanely smart and gorgeous, I just might not like you…buuut, then again I can't resist such a devil woman. copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoKFnTjh4Y
Such a gentleman. ;) Just think of it as a…bonding activity? Get along. Work together. I don't know, gain each other's trust. You just might need it one day.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkjnWJxS0x
I'd rather be locked in a room, completely naked and covered in honey, with 10,000 angry bees than put my faith in Ray.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn1PKUdFYd
A great mental image, thank you. And you're stuck with him anyway, so just get it over with already. You can complain when it's all done with. :)copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MBMrYGKgK
Does complaining about not being able to complain count?copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ43d1MLUN
Yes.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFakuVfIAd
Fuck, fine…copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCZxprw5cM
Riley smiled down at the text messages from Wrench, wondering how things were going with the op. All she'd heard from him so far were complaints, but she was sure things were going well despite his bad attitude. Wrench got things done, that was certain. You just couldn't always guarantee he would enjoy himself along the way.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVCUZQWMBQ
She'd suggested to Ray that Wrench help him out for several reasons. One, she was tired of hearing him complain about not having a fun mission to do for such a long time. Two, it would probably help them repair the relationship since the whole Wrench Jr. incident. And three, Riley wanted some alone time. It was great seeing Wrench all the time and all, but she hadn't had some time to herself in a long while. Some fresh scenery would do her some good.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUvKf0FuJf
The brunette rose from the couch in the hackerspace and grabbed her bag, intent on heading out to go…somewhere. She'd decide on the way. She stood there another moment, selecting some music to listen to on her way, when Josh approached with a laptop in hand.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFRHch9Jml
"Riley?" He asked quietly, and she swung around to look at him.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡvch87gY42z
"Yeah, what's up?" It wasn't often Josh sought her out specifically. This must be important.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBuqlJr1ea
Josh, in his usual habit, rocked back and forth on his feet, as if he always had somewhere else to be, and talking to you was just slowing him down. "If you're not busy, I need your help. We got an email from a supporter, asking us to look into something."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWQ8E3pNMM
He opened the laptop a bit more and turned the screen around so she could see. The email was sent directly to Josh himself, which in of itself was unusual. Riley knew, only just recently in fact, that requests for help normally came through Snickerdoodle, a trusted DedSec agent, who would then forward any messages to one of the main DedSec members.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iZqq7HpbK
"I know you're probably busy with way more important things and everything, keeping our privacy and personal information safe and all, but if you could spare some time, there's an issue with Stanford University that nobody seems to want to solve.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6ltwHdXIr
I applied to be part of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority last week. Thought it might look good on an application or something. I don't know. Mom said it would be good for me. Either way, I applied and they accepted me in. But they have a really messed up hazing that…I don't really want to get into. It was awful. It shouldn't be allowed to continue.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZnY811yPO
I tried bringing it up with student resources, and even the safety administrator's office, but because I didn't have proof or any evidence, it was just filed as a complaint. How messed up is that? Somebody needs to know about this, but I can't do anything from my position. In fact, I'm transferring schools, just so I don't have to run into any of them again. I'll be going to UCLA from now on.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY6kpxs6WD
If there's any way you could look into their hazing practices, maybe it'll save other girls from experiencing the same thing I did. Please do something."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWKcpgUDdD
"Isn't hazing a banned practice?" She asked, and Josh nodded.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lDskLulkj
"It is. But it doesn't stop it from happening. Most houses have just learned to keep it secret now." He closed the laptop again, turning to her wit that usual serious expression. "This isn't something that directly benefits DedSec. It's not even related to ctOS. But I don't like the idea of universities turning a blind eye to abuse and bullying. It isn't right. I want to do something about it."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FigZINsOK
Though she'd previously felt like she needed some alone time, now her interest was piqued. Plus, it wasn't often Josh approached her with a request. Or even at all. They were friends, but mostly acquaintances when it all came down to it. Riley hoped to change that. Spending a bit of time helping him on this mission might just accomplish that.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FGPR66MJk
Riley smiled, setting her bag back onto the couch. "Well, let's do something about it then, shall we?"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOG2g0OLm8
Stanford University was a buzz of activity. Students were scattered about the lawns with laptops and books scattered around them, or biking down the walkways, on their way for their next class. A few had pets on leashes, and some even were allowed to freely roam, though they mostly stuck close to their owners.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wNnMN5AfU
It was still recruiting week for the Greek houses, as several stands and booths were lined up along the pathway all around the commons, enticing to students to join a fraternity or a sorority. She saw the house in question on the corner of the commons area, with several girls holding flyers and information for joining. Riley passed them by, thinking it would mean less people at the house to catch her snooping.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡklz1br7hdQ
Complete with fake glasses and a book bag slung over her shoulder to make her look more like a student, Riley walked her way through the main common grounds. Many of the main halls surrounded the square commons area, but that wasn't why she was there.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDEiGViuGE
"Where is Greek Row from here?" She asked, walking towards the huge tower in the middle of the campus.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLar8Xfexu
"Fraternity and Sorority houses should be on the eastern side of campus. Turn left at the tower and keep going. Sigma Delta Tau should be second from the last house on the right."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SQIT1a1jo
"Thank you." She said kindly, doing as she was told.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV1wdHrwc8
There was several minutes of silence, as Josh wasn't really that big of a talker unless he needed to say something. Everything he did was necessary and logical. Sure, he had his moments of unexpected humor and social integration, but they weren't often, and Riley had hoped this op would bring them a little closer together. It seemed she'd have to do most of the instigated to get him to talk.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQTlh2jwhR
"So, I know you don't like bullying and it's obviously completely unjust that the university isn't taking this seriously but," she started, having been wondering herself about this, "you seem a lot more invested in this op than I would assume you to be. This is a little more personal to you, isn't it?"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pKR8DTiFd
There was a long silence. Maybe her questions wasn't appropriate, but she wanted to know more about Josh. Maybe this would glean some information. Plus, she'd picked up a sort of familiarity vibe from the girl who sent the email. It sounded as if she knew him personally.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx9I3mqvTC
"Yes, actually. The email came from my cousin, Megan." He eventually said.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3txpKzJhQ
"…oh." She didn't know what to say about that. "Well, knowing that, is she ok after everything that's happened?"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡAigkapY3ID
"She's alright. I think she's more angry than anything. Megan normally wouldn't do something like that, but her mom pushed the issue."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoaq7eNxJG
Riley stepped out of the way of a bicyclist who nearly ran her over. She shot the guy a glare as he passed, though knowing he wouldn't see it. "Well, that's not her fault. She couldn't have known."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡanKDV9nvTF
"Obviously. She's just venting. Stress can make you irrational."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtXDO82McK
By that time, she'd reached the tower and swung a left towards Greek Row. She could see several houses further down the way. "How close are you and Megan?"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt9ATgPHOy
"She's the only one of my cousins that live nearby. Our families spend every holiday together. We're very close." There was a pause, before he continued. "Please don't mention this to anyone else. I don't like bringing my family into anything to do with DedSec. They don't need to be involved."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYW7BShZna
"My lips are sealed." She promised. It wasn't easy keeping secrets from a hacker group, and most likely the rest of the members knew about everyone else's family anyway. When you dug through information systems like they did, things could unintentionally be discovered, after all. But it wasn't hard to imagine that he'd want to keep most aspects of his personal life private.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJECmsKpfX
He had a right to it after all. And it honestly wasn't anyone else's business. Josh had probably only asked for her help because he couldn't exactly go snooping through a sorority without being caught acting suspicious, and she just happened to be in the hackerspace at the right time. And Josh wasn't one of the more hands-on members of DedSec. He was a genius when it came to straight coding, but he normally wasn't the best fit for field work. But Riley didn't mind it.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFqkgkB51p
"Thanks." He said, tone always remaining the same. Sometimes it was hard to tell if he were being serious, or if he was happy or didn't care at all. Oh well. She'd learn his vocal cues eventually.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpnAwZtOYQ
Before long, she came across the Sigma Delta Tau house, seeing the greek letters displayed on the front, so there wasn't any confusion. At first glance, she'd thought it said 'eat,' which made her smirk with amusement. Man, she'd have loved to be in the EAT sorority in her community college. They must have the best barbecues.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDADfX50ml
Shaking her head to rid herself of the ridiculous distraction, she looked around for anyone that might be watching. The trick to blending in seamlessly was to make it look like you were supposed to be wherever you were going. The more confident you looked, the less likely someone was going to say something.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx0oRgJslK
Stance and stride never changing, she veered directly towards the right side of the house. "Any idea where the panel is?" She asked hopefully, knowing it would save her the trouble of having to use her drone. She'd prefer not to be caught using it to spy on a sorority that wasn't hers. It might put a kink in their plans.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ9fAGe3ud
"I'm not sure. I don't have access to the architectural or electrical plans." He explained evenly. Well, it was a long shot but worth the try.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtQu76rd7O
She snuck behind a tall tree, scanning the side of the wall for any sign of the signature ctOS electrical panel that she'd grown so used to hacking into. There wasn't any sign from this side, but a quick detour to the other end of the house revealed it's location. Just in front of the the backyard's gate, and behind another tree.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5lztcPcEb
It gave her a bit of cover to work with, thankfully. Listening around for any shouts of 'You shouldn't be here!', she popped open panel's cover and pulled out her phone. With a few button taps and some lines of code transferred between devices, access to the house was all hers.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwb7LLO0Pi
"Alright, I've got access to the cameras." She said, standing from the panel and walking back towards the main commons walkway. Now that she had gotten the hacking part over with, she could blend in seamlessly and just appear to be studying something on her device. No need to be next to the house to check the feeds now.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKM3eUaG7h
"Megan said the hazing was a week ago. Try pulling the records from that date."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGmPfQ243H
She popped down under a tree across from the house. This way she could watch the people going in and out as well. Might be useful to start familiarizing herself with faces, to match names to later.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0dr8ZdWZ3
Laptop open, she clicked through the security cameras to try finding anything suspicious. Nothing overtly wrong, though one girl was hiding away down a corridor with a bond, but that wasn't really what she was looking for. Focusing her attention to the stored security feeds, she followed the time stamp to the same day Megan had claimed she'd been hazed on.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcN2g1WqI4
Riley copied the feeds and sent them off to Josh to look over. "You should have them now."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcK42ZV44Y
"Got it." Even through her earpiece she could hear the faint tapping of computer keys as he got to work. Riley started fast forwarding to try pinpointing specific points during the day when things weren't quite normal.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkZZL7YZ4Y
"What does Megan look like?" She asked, thinking it would be more beneficial is she knew which one was her in the cameras.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jaPlqRiRz
"Long, straight brown hair. Fairly tall. She isn't that great in crowds."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzL6DO5zS9
As soon as he described her, Riley spotted the girl in question on the cameras. Megan didn't seem to talk to many of the other girls all that much. She had been a new recruit after all, but it just seemed strange. She was almost…shunned, would be a good word. And Josh's cousin wasn't the only one. Several other girls in the sorority seemed to also get the cold shoulder rom the more interact and talkative girls in the feeds. Maybe there was a wide gap between those who were established members and the new recruits. Perhaps the results of the hazing determined if you were respected by the others. Riley wasn't sure though.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEuwDgECfI
They searched through days and days of camera footage just in case, but neither of them found anything. All just normal come and go of the female students, and the occasional boy brought inside in secret. "Whatever this hazing ritual is, I don't think they hold it at the campus house." She concluded.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh1L7ncYF3
"Looks like it. I can ask Megan to tell us more information."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1Cj8g8dP0
Riley paused. "I don't think we should. She almost sounded traumatized because of what happened. We don't need to have her relive everything again. She's probably trying to forget it all anyway."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnFSTj8yVn
"But we don't know where the hazing takes place." Josh said evenly, not exactly mad, but wanting to find the answers..,copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwFihNFtLl
Riley's gaze drifted back over to the commons area, just visible at the end of the lane. Lots of people still milled about. Hmm… "Maybe there's another way to get that info…" She trailed off, closing the laptop and putting it back into her bag. She stood from the tree and started walking towards the main commons again.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjnaDvrLJg
"What? How?" Josh asked curiously, but she didn't answer, hoping that this idea would in fact work.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7ErZxK86G
The brunette approached the Sigma Delta Tau recruitment stand, and was greeted by a boisterous blonde girl with extremely curly hair. "Hi there! Are you looking to have an amazing academic year? You should join Sigma Delta Tau! We've got a whole bunch of activities we do every year, lots of fundraising, discount tickets to sports games," the blonde girl was piling paper after paper into Riley's hands, one after another as each key feature about the house was listed off, "study sessions and group tutors, scholarship opportunities, member's only parties and events, and a great place to meet lasting friendships!"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmcbEtYkXK
Her ears were nearly ringing by the time she was overladen with the thick packet of information she'd been given. If she'd been asked to recite any of that garble, Riley wouldn't have bet her life on her ability to do so. "Oh…yeah, I was interested in applying." She said simply.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv44FHz6tj
"Riley, what are you doing?" She heard Josh ask in a slight panic in her ear. But she ignored it.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfq1HqzryF
"Awesome!" The blonde girl turned around to the other girl manning the stand with her and snatched one of the application papers from her pile. "Alright, you just need to fill out this information, and attach a copy of your class schedule that lists your current GPA."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ842kgHOf1M
"Ok, how long are you guys out here recruiting for?" She asked, wondering where she'd turn the stuff into. The last thing she wanted to do was turn it in late and miss the opportunity.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIh4MWLm2e
"I don't think you-" He started, but the rest was overtaken by the blonde girl speaking.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqu6rbx1D6
"We'll be recruiting for another couple days. You'll have to file the application before that time, or the recruitment offices won't accept any more applicants." She explained kindly. She pointed back down the Greek Row, at one of the first buildings. "Recruitment offices are right there if you have any questions. You can turn in the application to us, or give it to them and they'll distribute them out to the right houses."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLbI6rpUHr
"Ok, thank you!" Riley replied cheerily, walking away casually and stuffing the application into her bag. She'd have to get all the information the sorority house needed to confirm her place as a student on campus, but she had every bit of confidence that Josh could forge those documents.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHaYLWUxjX
"This is a bad idea." Josh stated nervously in her ear, but she only shook her head.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZng5PsDQ6
"I can join and get the evidence myself. I'll set up cameras or something, some microphones. We'll record the whole thing." She reasoned, but Josh didn't seem convinced.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxSUgYmGT4
"Look what happened to Megan. Please don't risk it. We'll find another way."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ALjzxgt4z
She blew a strand of hair out of her face and adjusted the stupid glasses. She wasn't used to wearing things on the bridge of her nose. They were bothering her. "Well, any other ideas? Because I don't see another way. They only let potential members know the location, right?"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQyP7EFAhw
Josh groaned. "I really don't like this…"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡG13yWkwj1q
"I know, but I volunteered. Even came up with the idea myself, so you don't have any of the blame if things go wrong." She shrugged, not seeing the big deal. What's the most that could happen? Megan survived, and Riley had gone through a long session of legitimate, thorough torture. Surely nothing could be worse than that.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡn919sAGI3L
"…alright."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡivCQlKv0kM
She nodded, glad they'd come up with a plan of action. "I'll need you to get me enough documentation to pass me off as an actual student here, though."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0NAyKV53W
"If you get me access to the school records, it shouldn't be too hard."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq6xAz7gib
"Done and done."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AGFr2pW2J
A few hours later, Riley returned with the application filled out, her new student documents Josh had forged stapled to the back. She gave them back to the blonde girl, who beamed happily.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzJw9ig5oj
"Yay! I'm so excited to get to know you!" She said with joy, and Riley tried returning the same enthusiasm. She left after that, knowing it would take up to a week to hear back from them about the application. These things took time, after all.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UK7rkHzBZ
"Now we just sit back and wait." Riley said.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEzrj1tIXw
"I just hope you know what you're doing." Josh didn't sound as confident as she did in regards to the plan, but at least he was sticking to it. It was nice to be trusted enough to come up with a valid plan with the group. Marcus had always been the unspoken, unofficial leader of DedSec. He had that unmistakable ability to get people to trust him. They all naturally gravitated towards him, and believed wholeheartedly in his plans. Riley tried emulating some of his own confidence with this mission. She legitimately believed this was the best course of action. She just needed Josh to believe she could carry it out.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG5bcfutkS
After about a week, Riley got a call from the recruitment offices, saying her application to Sigma Delta Tau had been accepted. She nearly sighed with relief. All of this would have been for nothing if they'd denied her request, but Josh had made her grades and student profile appealing enough that any sorority would probably want to recruit her.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmNxtfSbOt
She expressed her excitement to the woman who'd informed her, and asked for all the information in terms of the rest of the acceptance process. The woman notified her of the Rush date to get a tour of the house, and Riley thanked her, already trying to figure out how to hide a camera on her person to capture evidence.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz7K1rLv9I
Turned out that the glasses were the best bet. Josh helped her attach a camera to the inside of the frame, leaving a small hole for it to be able to record out of, but nothing big enough to notice. On Rush day, Riley participated in all the cringe-worthy activities and getting-to-know-you parts of the orientation. There were several different sections of the day. One was to get to know your fellow members. Another to familiarize herself with the house itself. And another for learning the rules and dress codes.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bp7NCmh5G
Riley would have loved to make fun of the dumbest of the rules with Wrench, but she'd sworn herself to keeping this mission between her and Josh. Wear pink on Sundays? No thank you. In an effort to stay healthy, no sugary foods or drinks on Mondays, and workout sessions for one hour? Hell. To the. No. Thank god she wasn't actually hoping to be a part of this sorority. Why would anyone agree to these terrible rules? No one was taking sugar away from Riley on the day she'd always needed it most.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT2YrwdjI2
The list went on, seeming to get worse the further down you went. The members went over the forms, emphasizing how important it was to follow rules.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSCVDEmo9v
It was a slog getting through all this shit, but it was necessary. Riley needed to keep up the appearance of a potential future member of the sorority so they would give her the time and date of the hazing. And the location. That was the most important thing. She wasn't even sure how long into the recruitment process they initiated the hazing. Megan hadn't mentioned.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b7xiU9Fce
Luckily, it apparently wasn't very long, because by the end of the day, the potential members that had expressed a genuine interest in the house were given a slip of paper inviting them to an outdoor retreat to, as the flyer described it, 'gain a deep and spiritual understanding of your fellow sisters and the values of the Sigma Delta Tau house.' Riley wasn't sure whatever the hell that meant, but it had a date, time, and location on it, which is all she'd really come for.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm8olzVySD
This next Friday, 10:00 pm. At the edge of the northern woods, across from the 8th street bus station.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGweB9SYy1
"You got all that?" She asked Josh after reading it aloud, walking back to her car after the long day or orientation. She desperately wanted to get out of these shoes and put on some comfier clothing.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGdBdwwmbI
"Yeah. We should stake out the area and set up some cameras." He said logically, and Riley nodded agreement.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx5JWqjSZb
"Definitely, but I'll still need to attend and-"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBS2PtcHsL
"There's no need to actually go through with this if we set up surveillance." Josh interrupted, sounded slightly agitated. "You're putting yourself at risk."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWsWxFs32E
"I know that, but think of it this way. We know the meet-up spot of the hazing, great. However, that doesn't mean that's where it actually all takes place. They might meet up there to all travel to the actual location together. I doubt they'd hold a hazing ritual right next to a main road." She explained.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEbRo7hHZh
"If I don't go in there with a camera to make sure we get the video, there's no guarantee those cameras we set up will catch anything. And if we miss this opportunity? We have to wait another 6 months before being able to try again."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvSLyHfLoH
There was a long silence on the other end, and she knew Josh was realizing she was right. He just didn't like the idea of her actually going through with something that had given his cousin acute trauma. He didn't want his friend having to go through that too. Danger wasn't something he was comfortable with.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8DY5bEyeH
"I'll be ok, Josh." Riley pressed convincingly. She legitimately believed it too. She'd seen way worse shit in her life than anything these college students could throw at her, surely. Riley had overcome nearly dying. "Just trust me on this. I'll get that evidence, and Megan won't have suffered for nothing."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0lnRJu9qu
"…" Besides a heavy sigh, Josh didn't respond for several seconds. "Why do all of you take these stupid risks?"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk0i5yZlko
She smiled, amused. "Well, if we didn't, DedSec wouldn't be where we are today, right? And my stupid decisions highlight the best parts of my personality."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QwGPCRta6
"Welcome, ladies!" The blonde girl from the recruitment stand addressed the group of female students that had applied to enter the sorority. Maybe 9 or 10 in total. They were all gathered a bit further back from the bus stop on the street, a two big vans parked on the grass. "I'm so excited to see you all here tonight. You've all made it past all the boring orientation stuff and all the rues and whatnot, but you have yet to experience something truly fun from your new house of sisters."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡam6vJYfe8G
Riley stood between several other girls, all watching and listening her talk about what was going on. The brunette glanced around at all of the senior members, getting them all on video. Camera glasses still in place on her nose, Riley panned over all of the participants, as well as the hosts. Best to get a count of everything going on if she could help it. It was dark so making out specific features or faces was a little difficult, but Josh could probably enhance it with lighting and make it legible. The blonde girl kept going on about how the activity was supposed to bring them all closer together.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy0JR5iRqC
"Our goal is to strengthen the bond we have with our fellow members. We may go in as strangers and acquaintances, but we come out as sisters and friends. That connection is what we strive to emphasize with you tonight on this retreat. By morning I promise you. You'll feel like a new person."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡfttM9io1Mz
"Honeyed words and nice promises. They're good salesman, at the very least." Josh said quietly in her ear. She agreed, but could respond without acting suspiciously. Still, it was comforting to know he'd have her back throughout this experience. For all the confidence in the world, if things did go wrong, having backup never hurt.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WVdsFcITk
Riley noticed that a few of the other senior members were starting to get closer to the group of girls, and as if on cue, the blonde girl held up her own cell phone. "In order to do this, we ask that you turn over all electronics and devices, to prevent distraction and keep the focus on face to face communication."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDTpnKuFBV
"No…no, no, this isn't good." Josh said in a rush as soon as he heard that bit.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRpMEy53AR
A couple girls grumbled, but the members began collecting phones without too much protest. Riley narrowed her eyes, feeling uncomfortable with the requirement. Parting with her phone? Well, there went her attempt at recording audio for the duration of the hazing. Of course, there was always her earpiece. She saw a couple members doing physical pat-downs of some of the participants, and she realized they'd find her tiny earpiece unless she hid it.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHOyVhd7Z7
Shit, where was she supposed to put it? Pulling it discreetly from her ear, she immediately put it in her mouth and relaxed the muscles in her face, making it seem as though there was nothing out of place. Hopefully it wouldn't ruin the device, but there was no other alternative at the moment.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoKlN76iNI
She could feel minute vibrations from the earpiece, meaning Josh was saying something, but she couldn't hear.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6zDSecXhM
Another girl came up and extended her hand. Riley reluctantly put her phone into her hand, didn't resist the short pat-down that followed, and tracked the device with her eyes until she disappeared somewhere behind her. Man, this sucked. If things got bad, all she would have was her earpiece now. Calling for help wouldn't be an option. She'd have to rely on the camera for most of the evidence now.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUtDspUGwU
"You'll have your phones returned at the end of the retreat. They'll be kept in one of the vans we have with us." The blonde girl gestured to the vehicles parked there, and finally clapped her hands together. "Alright, now lets all head off to the retreat area!"copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZixk6Frot
The girls began piling into the vans one by one, piling together tightly in the back of the vans. Riley was nestled in and pressed up against another girl. The black-haired girl looked up at her and smiled shyly. She returned the gesture and was pressed in closer when another girl sat on the brunette's other side.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DzJgsXtqf
"Are you ladies ready?" The blonde girl called back from the driver's seat once everyone had been piled in. Most of them let out an excited cry, but Riley was one of the ones who stayed quiet, along with the black haired girl beside her. Then the door was shut, and plunged them into darkness. Riley took the moment to pluck the earpiece from her mouth and stick it back into her ear.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡffaJTD8OjF
"This is how they ensure no evidence gets back. They rid victims of all means of documentation and communication." Josh was speaking quickly, mind going a mile a minute. "But with the amount of people that participate, there must be more than one person that comes forward with a claim. They can't all possibly end up as complaints in a metal filing cabinet somewhere."copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6E1EZ7krw
They bumped along in the back of the van together, in pitch darkness, for quite some time. There were no windows in the back part, so Riley had a hard time judging direction. It was slow-going simply because of the terrain; the woods didn't have any pre-paved or well-kept roads anywhere, meaning they were left to drive on the grass and dirt and trees that littered the ground. More than once the back occupants were jostled around harshly, no doubt having hit a hidden rock or tree branch laying in the vehicle's path.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA9njqPhTg
The whole while, Josh formulated his theory, jabbering away in Riley's ear. "Unless, some sort of blackmail is involved. Victims who are too scared of consequences don't come forward. Perhaps the actual number of people that snitch is much less than I anticipate." She could already hear the keys tapping away.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9wHSpk1eD
Some of the girls started talking amongst themselves, quietly discussing how excited they were to be part of something for their college experience. Or finding lifelong friends. Riley wasn't so sure, trying to peer around and get evidence with her glasses, but it was too dark for any sort of real footage. Hopefully Josh would be able to clean it up a bit more at the hackerspace.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWKmYpm5KN
"I just got the results fr-…the database. I w—…righ-. There—…on-…two com—…" The rest of his sentence faded away into snippets of sounds and vowels, until even those were completely gone. Just silence on her end. An eerie silence of being alone.copyright protection25ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxoLVHbLZ4
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