| Logs |
2002 March 07
| Cosmic Guardians |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Guardians Logs |
The First Mission - Part 4
Cosmic Guardians: The Double-Edged SwordPart 4: Arrival
Nikki steps out of the side door on the van. "Sasha? You think I could get a soda for Bookworm?" Sasha grins and forks over a five. "Get one for me to. I drink diet cola, Bookworm gets Sprite." Nikki smiles and walks into the store and goes to the fountain to get the sodas.
Lupis finds some good meaty snacks inside, whatever the locals have in the way of meat jerky. He gets a pepsi, and 6 packs of cigarettes, and waits in line to pay. Outside, his bike recharges quietly by itself
Reynard, meanwhile, eyes the periodical rack. After snooping over the headlines, and finding nothing of interest, Rock star in drug rehab, people fanning over new teen popstar, political scandle, all the regular things, he finds the restroom. Grabbing something chocolate, and a drink, the hunter settles in behind Lupis. "Nice vocals," He comments absently.
Lupis smiles, but doesn't turn around. "Yeah, I'm blessed with a good voice."
"And a colorful vocabulary, too," Reynard offers with a light grin. Nikki slips in line behind the other two, having aquired her booty.
Lupis grabs a music magazine and some Slim Jims off the impulse buy rack. He pays, and walks over towards the door, flipping through his magazine. "Didn't know you spoke Spanish... And mexican style to boot. Did you translate the lovely song for her too?"
Reynard follows the big man out, wiggling fingers at Nikki as he moves through the door, and finds his place to lean against the van absently. "Actually, no. I left that up to you, friend."
Nikki glances around a little, feeling a little awkward in public. She pays the clerk when she gets to the counter and holds the change in one of her hands along with the soda cup. Her pockets work, but she tends not to put things in them, as she'll turn insolid, forgetting there's something in her pockets, and spill them out onto the ground. She turns around and uses her back to push through the door and follows Reynard to the van, smiling as the other two banter. Sasha watches the three from the car, exhibiting relief that they all seem to be getting along.
Lupis goes over to pay the kid who recharged his bike. He asks him for directions to the Univserity. "I got a gig to play, meeting my band there," he tells him. The man apologizes, he doesn't know Mesa that well. Lupis nods understanding, tips the gas jockey, then walks over to where the others are gathered at the van.
Nikki walks to the van's passenger-side door and shows Bookworm the soda. "Hey Bookie. Roll down the window...I got you somethin' ta drink."
Lupis peeks inside the van, and tosses Bookworm a Slim Jim. Nikki glances over her shoulder as the jerky sails over it. Lupis says, "Whoops." Nikki grins, and Lupis responds with his own chuckle, stepping back and taking a long drink of cold pepsi. He looks at Sasha then and smiles, brushing a stray lock of long black hair from his chin, back over his shoulder.
Bookworm weaves back and forth. "Image is nothing. Obey your thirst. Sprite." he says monotone, and takes the Sprite. The boy doesn't seem to notice the Slim Jim as it whizzes by, and actually ends up in Sasha's lap. Sasha tsks. "Say thank you, Bookworm." "Thank you, Bookworm." the boy parrots. She chuckles, and presses the jerky into Bookworm's hand. "Snap into a Slim Jim." He murmurs in response.
Nikki tries hard not to laugh. She climbs in the side door and hands Sasha her soda and the change.
"Guys?" Reynard offers, as everyone gets together. "I got something off the phonecall."
"Mm?" Nikki looks at Reynard. Lupis says, "What's the word?"
Reynard climbs into the van, to buckle up. "Well, the fellow we're hunting seems to be a marksman hacker. Well, he has to, to have breached the Labrynth, but, he's a big dog."
Nikki says, "Oh yeah?" Reynard gives a nod, popping the top to his caffine rich drink. "Right. Slipped into the NEw York Stock Exchange, and had the tickets spewing poetry, a minute before the bell."
Nikki blinks. "The exchange? That's heavy iron..." Lupis shrugs. "So we might just have to unplug him."
Reynard nods. "The hacker I speak to is rather uncomfortable. He doesn't want to go up against this fellow; likely has ICE on him." He glances at Nikki. "The fellow's heavy, yes. He's destroyed two competitor's machines, to record."
Sasha frowns. "I should probably contact the others...see if they know of anything else. I didn't realize that Sauvagine might be doing other things..."
Nikki chews her lip. "Maybe the only type of hacking we should be doing involves sharp pieces of metal?"
Lupis snarls, and says "Well, maybe he'll get to see what it feels like soon." Reynard's brows arch. His hand lifts, drifting back and forth. "Slice of Tension, anyone?" Lupis smirks. "I'll take two please. Where's our next rendezvous?"
Sasha looks grim. "I'm thinking we should try to make Phoeniz tonight, hole up, and then head to the university in the morning. Time can only be an aid to Sauvagine."
Lupis says, "Alright. Where in Phoenix am I meeting you?"
Reynard nods his head. "Right. Sasha, could you try and get ahold of the poetry that Sauvagine had spewing at the Exchange? See if it might have a clue for us." Nikki nods. "That's a pretty good idea."
Sasha thinks. "I'll make reservations at the Holiday Inn just off the interstate. And I'll have to wait till we get there to make the call, Reynard, but that's a good thought. For now, lets just get going, and hope Sauvagine wont be able to hack the highway."
Nikki says, "I doubt it'd be for lack of ability." Reynard looks grim. "I'm rather glad there're no stoplights on the way."
Lupis nods, and finishes his bottle of Pepsi. He heads over to his bike, tosses the bottle into the garbage can, and stuffs his extra packs of smokes into his saddle bags and the luggage boxes on the back of his bike. He starts his bike up, and revs the throttle up. He rips out of the gas station, leaving a black streak on the pavement, and heads out onto the highway, riding hard for Phoenix. Sasha starts up a moment later, and follows at a not -quite as fast clip. Sadly, the cycle can go faster than her. A few moment after they get back on the road, Nikki decides to rest, fading out and leaving the other three seemingly alone.
The crew manages to go the next four hours without stopping, watching the sun slowly set further in the sky, and well past dark as the van pulls up to the parkinglot of the Holiday inn. Lupis's cycle is already there, but there is no sign of the man himself.
Reynard says, "I don't think we should use our names. Or, any of the names we tried to stuff into Mesa's computer."
Nikki appears back in the seat as if she'd always been there. "Did you notice which names I used, then?"
Sasha shakes her head. "I gave the hotel the name Richard Stevens. We're good."
Reynard nods to Sasha. "Ok, good. I don't want that mongoose finding out we're here." He peers sidelong at Nikki. "Could he tell where you were online from?"
Nikki shakes her head. "Naw...I bounced off of several misdirects and I had tracewatch going the whole time." Reynard ahs. "Ok, good. So he couldn't tell you were approaching his little hackhut." Sasha grunts. "We hope." She gets out, comes around, and helps Bookworm out into the evening air, which is comfortably warm.
Sasha smiles at Reynard. "Feel like being my Richard Stevens?"
Nikki picks up her pack and hefts it out of the van. "Well...unless he were electricity...he'd have to be really really fast to get past all my tracewatches without tripping them off...and even then we'd know we'd been had...afterwards."
Reynard pushes out of the van. "What the hell. But, I feel the need to be American." Shifting into a slightly southern accent, testing out on a few key words, like 'Beer', and 'T-shirt', the hunter heads the front desk. Sasha chuckles, walking inside behind him as she ushers Bookworm along. Nikki follows a little behind the others, looking around and wondering where Lupis got to.
As it turns out, Lupis is already inside, seemingly talking on a payphone. He hangs up a few minutes after the others get in. Reynard nods to him, and then moves up to the desk, and waits for a clerk, fingers tapping absently. Richard Stevens. Ok, I can remember that. The man at the desk smiles. "Can I help you sir?"
Lupis ambles over to the others. "Hey, I was just talking to a buddy who lives in Phoenix. We need a band to play a gig, they're down for it." Nikki blinks. "Yeah? I play some keys..."
Reynard says, "Yes, I'm Steven Richards, I have a room reserved here?" The man looks up the name, his brow knitting. "I'm sorry sir, I don't have your name here...." Reynard claps his hand. "Right, m'good man, 'cuz you'll find it as Richard Stevens. Sorry, a little lysdexic."
Sasha blinks at Reynard, caught somewhere between frustration and amusement. Nikki leans towards Sasha. "I think Bookie's gonna have a new friend..." Her eyes twinkle. The desk clerk seems confused, uncertain if Reynard is joking or not. "Right...sir. Room 205 and 206. Here's your room keys....and if you'll fill out these forms..."
Sasha glances down at Nikki. "What do you mean?" Nikki quickly looks up at her. "I mean Reynard." "I got your intention, Nikki, I just don't....Oh." Sasha finally gets it, and giggles. "Be nice, dear." she shushes.
Reynard's eyes cross a second. "Alrightie, thanks." Taking up the papers, he stares at it a moment, before jotting down the needed stuff. He visibly takes a little longer, before handing over the papers. "There y'go." The clerk squints, trying to make out some of the things Reynard wrote. He then gives up, and just accepts it. "Right, sir. Thank you for Choosing Holiday Inn."
Nikki shakes her head. "Let's just say he's not going to be the one entering college anytime soon." She notes to Sasha quietly. Sasha just smiles. Lupis just hangs back and waits, looking cool. Bookworm, for his part, doesn't seem to be paying attention to any of this.
Reynard takes the keys. "Thank ya," Then turns, heading over to Sasha. "Here y'go, honey." Tossing the 206 key to her.
Lupis glances between Sasha and Reynard, Maybe I should let Reynard have a shot... yeah that's it, play it cool.... Resisting the urge to hit on Sasha, he goes out towards the van to get his guitar
Reynard tips his chin towards the Clerk, as he draws close enough to be out of earshot. "He's suspicious." Sasha looks around the bountyhunter. "He doesn't look suspicious to me. Right now, he's asking someone else if they can read what you put in." She looks like she's trying to stiffle another laugh.
Nikki grins and starts moving towards the door. "He might get suspicious, though. Let's go."
Reynard nods his head. "I'm tellin' you man," He offers in as best an impression of a stoner he can, "They're watchin', man. Comin' down on me! It's the Man, man."
The group heads up to the second floor once they have all their things. Once at the rooms, Sasha looks at the two men. "Right. The both of you will share a room, and Bookworm, Nikki, and I will get the other."
Lupis says, "Don't trust me with the kids, huh?" Sasha smiles knowingly. "Don't trust you with me, Mr. Suave." She glances at Reynard, then. "Either of you, really." her eyes seem to laugh.
Reynard snaps his fingers, glancing at Lupis. "Bookworm gets all the women. It's that cute kid thing, y'know?" Lupis puts a hand on Reynard's shoulder. "Sorry Mr. Stevens, looks like he's got it won." Reynard shakes his fist at Yin. "You've won this round, Mr. Worm." Bookworm doesn't respond, just sort of staring into space.
Lupis flashes Sasha a smile. His eyes glow eerily. Sasha just shakes her head in amusement. Nikki grins, leaning on the wall and waiting.
Lupis leans on his guitar case, and strikes a cool pose while he waits for Reynard to open the door.
Reynard turns back to Sasha. "Does Nikki actually need a room?"
"No, Nikki doesn't really need a bed or a room in the strictest sense, but there's no point in having her with you two where she'll be privy to who knows what kind of things." Sasha chuckles. Reynard, with no further adue, unlocks the door, and bumps his hip against the door, letting it swing open. A glance at his wrist. "Do I need to take the watch off?"
Lupis says, "How do we know she's not spying on us anyway?" Nikki smiles. "What? Are you two gonna watch the 'dirty' channels?" Reynard shakes his head. "Oh, no, not with impressionable ladies next door. Don't want to corrupt your innocent minds. Say no such thing!" Nikki laughs.
Lupis winks at the ladies and picks up his guitar case, dragging his things into the room
Reynard eyes Nikki in return. "Going to eat smores, gossip, and make prank phone calls?"
Nikki smirks. "Do you have a sister?" Sasha bleahs as she opens the door to the other room and shooes Bookworm in. "Can't stand marshmellows myself."
Reynard nods. "Right. Best part's the gram and chocolate. Or the chocolate. Infact, forget the gram." He shrugs to Nikki. "What? Have trouble picturing me as 'one of the girls'?" Nikki laughs. "Uhm...you could say that."
Lupis calls back, "Don't think I want to picture that..."
Reynard just points his fingers at Nikki and grins. "All right then. So...d o I need to take the watch off?" Nikki shakes her head. "Not if you don't go very far. I'm not going to return to it tonight."
"Right," Reynard opts, and heads toward the interior of the room, bags in hand. He then gets a thought, and comes back out the door, calling into the open door to the girls' room. "Sasha? What time are you knocking us up in the morning?"
Lupis says, "Aren't you the one that wants to knock her up?" Sasha comes out of the room, her eyes wide. "What did you say?" she says incredulously
Nikki furrows a brow at the turn of phrase. Reynard smirks over at Lupis. He gestures to the man. "Maintenance." A gesture to himself. "Construction." Glancing back to Sasha, "What time are we getting up?"
Sasha looks between the two, and then finally rolls her eyes as if to say, 'Men'. "We'll be leaving at nine. We'll get breakfast on the way."
"Right." The hunter turns back into the room. "I call the bed by the air conditioner." Lupis follows Reynard back in, and closes the door behind him. "Suit yourself."
Lupis sets his guitar case down on the bed, and puts his saddle bags and coat on a chair near his single-bed. "I'm going out for a drink later. You coming?"
Reynard drops himself onto his own bed, stretching somewhat and giving a yawn. Been one hell of a long day, traveling. He gives a wave of his hand at Lupis's question. "Nah. I'm going to rest up. I want to be on my sharpest, tomorrow, when we sniff out this fellow."
Lupis says, "Cool. I gotta go meet my friends. I'll have to get a time frame for our run soon though." He thinks a moment. "This gonna take more than a few days?"
Reynard gives a shrug in response. "Ask Sasha." A pause, "Out of curiousity, you never mentioned your speciality."
Lupis sits down on the bed and opens his guitar case. He takes his guitar out and says to Reynard. "Heavy metal, I guess... I play the blues pretty well too though. But my specialty is probably metal." He starts to tune his guitar.
Reynard waves his hand aside. "No, no. Nikki's our computer card. I'm the man who can shoot holes in things." Head inclining, "So, why did they call on you?"
Lupis says, "Oh." He doesn't answer for a moment, finishing his tuning, and then sets it down and reaches for his pack of Marlies. He lights a cigarette, and takes a couple of puffs. "In case they need someone to tamper with the arcane forces."
Reynard looks a little off, at this. "Ah...hah." He remembers his last run in with 'The Arcane'.
Lupis adds, "I'm pretty good at thug-work too. I can beat most guys up. But mostly, I use magic. I can heal wounds, so you won't need to go to the hospital and attract attention when someone shoots a hole in you." Reynard snaps his fingers. "And here I was looking forward to the nurses. The 'wounded puppy' works well."
Lupis laughs. "I can shoot big balls of flame from my ass too." Reynard blinks, and then joins in. "I knew a guy who could do that, too. You did not loan him your pants."
Lupis chuckles and takes another drag. "I manipulate sound a lot too. Handy for sneaking around. Or backup music, when there is none. I've even been working on a new spell lately. To control electromagnetic forces... I dunno what use that could be though. Mostly just playing around to get wierd sounds of my guitars." He finishes his cigarette, and packs his guitar up.
Reynard heys, "Maybe it could pull bullets off course, mayhap?" Lupis says, "Hey, maybe.. I haven't had occasion to try it. Haha! Worth keeping in mind though. I'll have to practice.
Reynard says, "Yah, though the electromagnetic field'd likely need to be larger... Of course, that could likely wreck Nikki's computer, or any electronics near by, you kow." Lupis says, "Hey.. that's even better. I could trash that gibson's server banks. If I can do it... Be worth a try though."
"Anyway, if you don't need me, I'll go out and hook up with my buddies." Reynard points at the big fellow, offering a thumbs up. "Not to worry, I'm solid."
Reynard nods. "Have fun, friend. Try not to sing at Sasha's window tonight; you'll likely wake up half the hotel." Lupis chuckles, "Okay, I'll be good." He puts on his coat and picks up his guitar case. He leaves his saddlebags here, and heads out to go meet his friend's band.
Meanwhile, after checking the room for bugs, Sasha unpacks some clothes, laying out some for tomorrow, and then getting out what looks like a nightshirt for Yin.
Nikki is looking a bit dumbfoundedly at the door. "Uhm...did I just hear him say a moment ago that he wanted to knock you up?"
Sasha shakes her head, rolling her eyes briefly. "No...that's what I thought at first, but it seems that was just some slang way of asking when I'd be waking them up." She snorts amusedly. "Those two." she says, as if that explains everything.
Nikki shakes her head slowly. "No...Lupis was suggesting something else, it sounded like to me." Sasha clucks her tongue. "I know. It was just a bad joke, I think. I hope." She smiles wryly. She hands the nightshirt to Yin. Apparently, this is something the boy is used to, as he goes into the bathroom and closes the door, presumably to change. Nikki sits on the edge of the bed. "At least...geez."
Sasha smiles kindly at Nikki. "They're two of a kind in some ways, Nikki. I wouldn't worry about it too much." She rummages around in her suitcase some more. "At the very least, the attention is flattering. I try not to take it too seriously, as a whole."
Nikki smiles a little and nods. "The serenading was cute, anyway. Heh."
Sasha stops a moment, and sits on the edge of the bed. "Look, I've read your file...I know you're not that much older than you appear, so some of the party banter might be confusing. The Alliance doesn't frown on fraternizing: we're not the military after all. But if either of them starts giving you unwanted attention, I suggest you let them know...or at least, tell me. Okay?"
Nikki lifts a brow and smirks. "Uhm...sure. It's the twenty-first century, you know, though. I think I pretty much get this stuff."
Sasha waves a hand. "I'm not talking about 'getting new feelings' ,and all that euphemistic crap. I'm sure you know all about sex and the like. Besides, you're a ghost, and you don't have hormones per se, any more. I'm just implying that it's likely to come up, in a party like this, and you're also probably well aware of that." She smirks wryly. "Hecate and Hermes are legendary to certain parts of the Alliance."
Nikki smiles a little. "Uhm...yeah. I got that firsthand. But don't think you know all about ghosts. You didn't know my roommate Linda, I bet." Sasha arches an eyebrow curiously. "She's was one of your housemates, yes? What about her?"
Nikki grins. "Well...I kind of get the impression that she may've had a more active sex life after she died than before. And maybe she didn't have hormones, but it sure as hell seemed that she did." Sasha blinks, and then hrms at Nikki speculatively. "Well, in that case...let me just say, 'dont be in too much of a hurry to experiment.'"
Nikki shrugs and nods. "I'm not. I'm more interested in catching this Sauvagine guy. That or demising a certain Mr. Kent."
Sasha looks grim. "Yes, well....not that I want to see you gone, but I hope you get your chance in that later regard." she murmurs, getting up then and rummaging in her briefcase for something.
Nikki watches the older woman. "So...what's your deal, then? You don't have glowing eyes or slit pupils. In fact...you seem pretty normal." Sasha looks up in response. "You're right, I look normal. And for the most part, I am. I'm not a ghost or a furry or a vampire or anything like that. I'm just a psychiatrist that ended up taking the wrong patient. Got in over my head. But....Richard saved me." she says in a small voice.
Nikki's brow furrows. "Richard? Was he with your last Coincidence?"
Sasha nods solemnly. "He was just a Phantom at the time...when the original Coincidence was formed at the beginning of last year, I ended up being one of the candidates with him. The relationship got...pretty intense. The group kept getting put in the meat grinder and only got stronger for it. We thought we could do anything while we were together. Then we tried to tackle the Argentum Astrum in Montana....and suddenly it was down to me and Richard. All the other members were dead. And he....sacrificed himself so that Yin and I could get away."
Yin had alreday come out of the bathroom, and was apparently standing there, weaving back and forth slightly, as if listening. He had his night shirt on and holding a pile of folded clothes. Nikki swallows and nods. "Sasha...I'm sorry. I know what it's like. At least it meant something, though."
Sasha doesn't answer. She's not crying, but her pain is clear on her face. Yin, who is sort of staring at the ceiling, puts his clothes aside and goes to Sasha. Sasha wraps her arms around him, kissing the quiet boy's forehead. "Can't believe I actually volunteered to do this again." she says, more to herself than anything.
Nikki watches awkwardly and stands. "Uhm...you guys want a soda or anything?" Sasha shakes her head. "No, I'll be fine...I should make that phonecall." She kisses Yin again, and then goes to the hotel phone. Pulling out the cord, she takes something out of her briefcase and plugs the cord into it. It looks like a small black rectangular box, with a small phone cable extending from it, which she plugs back into the phone.
Nikki walks over to Yin and smiles at him. "Hi....you want to play a video game on my computer?" Yin doesn't respond, but Sasha smiles. "He likes computer games. Just put it out for him." Nikki solidifies and crouches down to get out the computer. She sets it onto the table in front of the chair and pulls up the game menu while pulling out the power cables to give the laptop a juicing up. "Why don't you pick one you think you'll like, okay?"
Sasha seems to think a moment and dials a number. At first, Nikki thinks she saw wrong, as she watches Sasha dial a number that apparently has the area code ##*. Nikki blinks and sits on the floor near the computer, back against the outside wall of the hotel room.
Yin, meanwhile, comes over to the computer, and types on the keys without looking at them. This particular computer has three modes of interface: voice, mouse and keyboard, and also keyboard alone. He seems to be able to manipulate the keyboard well, and brings up what looks like a first person shooter called Doom 2025.
Sasha seems to be waiting, and then, starts talking, but as if she's leaving a message, and not talking to a person. "This is Daedelus Twelve. Need information on recent NYSE incident, and also any other major events either hacking related, net-related, or that can be attached to entity known as Sauvagine. Send to Gorgon, but page me before sending: am keeping contact computer off net for security reasons. Out." She hangs up, then.
Nikki glances over. "Do you think they'll get back soon?"
Sasha glances back at Nikki. "Don't know. There's more going on right now than just us...Coincidence Nine is having some trouble up in Massachusetts, I know, and there's word that Coincidences Four and Five are working together on something. But Justin will probably get back to us tomorrow. I'm not asking for anything that research intensive."
Nikki nods. "So...have you thought which of us should be enrolled?"
Sasha taps her lip. "You, perhaps...maybe Lupis, as well. I want to keep Reynard mobile. Besides, he's too old." Nikki laughs. "No one's too old for college nowadays." Sasha considers that. "I suppose so. Still. In fact, why don't you have the both of you enrolled in some sort of independent study...that might explain why you're not going to class."
Nikki hmms. "I think we need to have six units to have a student card. I heard they don't take roll in college, though. If all the classes are lectures." Sasha nods. "See what you can do about that, then. I'll defer to your better judgement." She chuckles, watching Yin, who seems to be entraced with the game, a small smile on his face.
Nikki glances up at the boy and smiles. "When he gets tired." She looks at Sasha. "I can tuck him in if you want to sleep now." Sasha considers. "Yes, I suppose I should." She ends up undressing behind Yin while he's distracted by thee computer, and slips under the coves of the small single bed, turning out the light right next to her bed.
Nikki quietly watches Yin play, visible but not solid. She talks to him occasionally, hoping to draw him out, but not really expecting anything. Yin does not, in fact, respond the whole time. He plays for the better part of an hour, but finally shuts the game down. He then does something odd. He looks right at Nikki.
Nikki notices he's stopped the game and looks up at him, and starts as she sees him looking at her. Yin looks sad. "Help her." He doesn't elaborate, and then turns around and climbs into bed. Nikki stares after him after he goes to bed, trying to fathom what he means. Help her what? Isn't that what I'm doing? She shakes her head and gets up, sitting on the chair. Time to enroll in school. Remanifesting, she cracks her knuckles needlessly and gets to work.
The Gorgon appears on the screen, but it looks like Pete Townshend. "Kid's a Pinball Wizard." he comments.
Nikki holds a finger to her lips. "Keep it down, 'kay? First thing...have you managed to get an image capture of everyone on the team over the last day? It'll make it a lot easier to put into the database with the false names to create the ID cards."
Gorgon nods. Course, kid. You know I'm a nosy bastard. And I'm thorough. I'm so thorough I was preparing to lay siege to the database while the kid was blasting zombies. I am stoked man! He doesn't say this aloud, though, it appears in a text balloon. The Gorgon suddenly has boxing gloves, and is shadow boxing in a corner.
Nikki smirks and types: Sometimes I think that aside from Ares and Linda, that you're my closest friend. They say that gibson personalities aren't real, but it sure feels like it to me sometimes.
The Gorgon seems to blink, and then gives a thumbs up. You're the best Nik, you know that? If I had cheeks I'd be blushing right now. That's a hell of a compliment to give a poor program. You've sure been nicer to me than any of the others were, even my own programmer.
Nikki smiles. Your programmer probably knew too much to think this way. Anyway. Have you got a list of services we can do our multipath attack from? I want them to be four hops deep this time.
Gorgon pulls up a window. I tagged the most probable, but it's your call, Nik. Nikki looks the list over, deciding based on latency and diversity of location. Are you ready to go? Let's do it.
Gorgon abruptly turns into Elvis. Ready to rock, babe. Nikki grins. Alright. Let's go. Reconnect and make sure you've got the tracewatch up and any ICE in place in case that heavy is looking for us. She starts typing, getting set up to crack the school's admission database.
Gorgon reappears in a Sherlock Holmes outfit, looking around with a magnifying glass. Finally, he lookms up. Looks safe, boss. Do your thing. Nikki nods and starts working on getting into the school. She manages to dance around the security this time, and, within seconds, she has superuser access.
Nikki smirks and pulls up a course catalog in another window and starts setting up herself and Lupis as students, with different names, of course. Lupis will be taking a couple of music lectures, one of which she signs herself up for as well. She also puts herself in an AI theory lecture which should give her access to the buildings on campus that they will need.
Nikki talks quietly, "Okay, Gorgie, where did you put those pictures. I need mine and Lupis's." The database window gets shunted off to one side, and another directory comes up. Had to do a little work with Lupis's, kid. Didn't have a face forward pic, so I extrapolated from several, and did a little digital work. Look okay?
Nikki blinks and lifts a brow. "I didn't know you could do that. I find out more about you every time we work. It looks good."
Gorgon appears, and buffs his fingernails on his chest. Yeah, well,I'm sma-a-a-a-rter than the average Gibson, babe. He grins.
Nikki laughs softly and puts the pictures into the database along with their fake identities and checks the bit that authorizes them to get a replacement card. "Well...looks like we're all set. I'm going to log out, but save that access information now that we have it. We may not have to hack in next time. Never know how often these guys change the password. Hmmm...might as well bury a backdoor down in here deep. Just a minute...."
Once again, Nikki easily sets about her task, creating a hidden account with the ability to superuser to root access. Nikki nods, satisfied. She logs out, closes the network down and puts the gibson to sleep. She leans back in the chair and lets herself drift off a little, thinking.
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