New York - Eastern Downtown
Western Downtown
easily merges into the eastern half of Downtown New York. The buildings
continue to stretch into the sky as hovercars and other vehicles whizz past on
many different highway levels. You can actually see the ground below in this
portion of the city, though why you'd want to, who knows? The ground underneath
all the bustle is poor and run-down, obviously where the vagrants, the
destitute and the dangerous live, preying on anyone foolish enough to come into
their realm. Up above is a world of grand walkways and highways with a lot of
open and public atriums where wildlife and plants flourish, nourished by the
sun's energy as well as those who take care of them. There are too many
ausitoriums or public forums to count, and all walks of life, from reploid to
human can be seen all over the city.
GNN Offices [#6665 Tn] Pyro Squirrel's Fireworks Store
Zero's Studio Apartment <ZSA>
South <S> leads to New York - Harbor.
Southwest <SW> leads to New York - Southern Downtown.
Northwest <NW> leads to New York - Wall Street.
Southeast <SE> leads to New York - Repliforce Island.
Bridge <B> leads to New York - Manhattan Island.
West <W> leads to New York - Western Downtown.
Ebony Fox has arrived.
Chest is currently at his desk. It's his backup offices, as
GNN Central in San Angeles has been evacuated due to the threat of the White
Rust. Chest was unwilling to put his staff in danger. In the upper-most level
of the sky-scrapper is Chest's office with his Secretary From Hell out in the lobby.
For the sake of not wasting much time, we'll assume you get by the secretary
without much hassle (much more than can be said about Norman Cassidy). Papers
litter the media mogul's desk, as Chest reads them intently and sifts through
them. Camera, his drone, is in the corner, offline at the moment.
Of course Ebony Fox had little trouble with the
secretary-She had an appointment after all. That and, mentioning a certain
felony her boss is unaware she had made the woman very cooperative. The door to
Chest's office clicks open, and the INTERPOl Agent enters, wearing business
attire and round lense, wire rimmed, mirrored sunglasses. " Hello Mr.
Chest..." She eyes her watch for a few seconds...and security systems all
over the building suddenly go AWOL. "...I'm here for that interview.
"
Chest knows all about that breaking and entering charge she
was found guilty for. But she was drunk at the time, so Chest let it pass. And
Norman had an appointment, and it didn't do him any good. The second applicant
got through quite quickly, however. The GNN CEO looks up from his papers and
snorts, "Bout time. Alright, missy, we have quite a bit to discuss. Now I
know you have all these fancy ideas about other arrangements of paying such as
free press passes and junk, but I'm looking for quality; not a free ride."
Chest sighs, "Where are my manners? Have a seat." He gestures to one
of the comfy chairs before him and draws out a tin box, "Cigar?" he
offers.
Ebony Fox smiles thinly. He didn't know about the Assault
charges, though, and how she dodged them on a technicality. " No, thank
you, but I don't smoke. " She sits down, a black leather briefcase is
placed upon her lap after the reploid crosses her legs. Pulling out a resume,
she places it on Chest's desk. " Thats a resume of all my...applicable
skills for field photographer and computer specialist, under the identity I'd
have according to all the paperwork. " Hacker Verpine. Reploid.
Skills:Advanced Central Processing Unit, Computer Mechanics Degree Equivelant,
and even a reference or two from low ranking UN Officials. " I have a
portfolio with samplings of what I could offer you as far as images, along with
a document confirming Director Abernathy's approval of the proposed
arrangement. "
Chest wishes he knew about the Assault charges. He woulda
hired her that much quicker. Nobody scares visitors straight than a secrtary
with a few convictions behind her. Chest shrugs and draws a cigar out for
himself, putting it between his teeth and lighting it up in a practiced motion.
You just know he's gotta be suave with the lady androids. He takes the resume
and gives it a once over in about two seconds. Looks organized, well layed out,
blah blah blah, he'll review the rest of it later. A lot of it's probably
doctored, but hey. "I'm not looking for a photographer, Miss Verpine. I'm
looking for someone to install and maintain a security system for our
communications' network. I'm sick of Robot Masters dicking around and hacking
into our video-feed whenever they damn well please." He lets out a puff of
smoke. "It upsets the advertisers."
Ebony Fox smiles, " The photography bit is just part of
the cover, Mr. Chest. A pure hacker attracts attention, you see. "
Otherwise, she uncrosses and recrosses her legs. " Check you computer.
I've created a few bugs that have caused your security systems to get freaky
for the next 20 minutes, to the second. " She eyes the watch, " And
I've removed pictures 149a, 294c, 065e from your database. Oh, and I checked
those confidential financial reports, Mr. Johnson is eating expensive lunches
on your bill, and not for business meetings at that. " She smirks, "
I've been in your system before, I know it's weaknesses. I can setup defenses
based off some of those we use where I work, but not enough for a connection to
be made. I'll counter direct hacking attempts as they occur, ideally from
wherever I happen to be, through a radio uplink to your systems. "
Chest raises a metallic brow. Geez, what is it with hackers
these days? They have one Hell of an attitude sometimes. Chest idly taps a few
keys on his laptop computer which rests on his desk, scrolling down to the
photos. Naturally, they are are gone. "To be perfectly blunt, Miss
Verpine-" Like that's her real name "-our security systems are as
weak as wet toilet paper. A two month old kitten could hack their way through
the crap we have installed. Windows my ass!" Chest taps another key on his
computer, and the screen goes blank. "Now you're not going to be too busy
with your own Interpol crap, are you? I won't have to worry about you telling
me that you're busy off fighting crime or saving lost puppies or whatever you
do when there's an attempt made to hijack our feed?"
Ebony Fox smirks, " No. And I can show you why..."
She reaches behind he head, and fiddles with something or another...and then
takes off her afro? Beneath it is a slightly bulbous protrusion from her head,
a clear see through material. She leans forwards, displaying her 'equipment'.
Cresting the sensors and radio equipment is a processor...the likes of which
only exist as rumor. " I have the most advanced data processing unit to
date. I can easily be a 'spy' and take care of hackers at the same time. Multitasking
is what I'm built for. "
Chest looks at the interior of Ebony Fox's head with mild
disdain. He idly twirls his cigar around a few times before giving it another
puff, "I see." Chest isn't a technical fellow. As it stands, he's the
type of boss that every tech-help employee hates. Reprogramming his VCR is a
five hour ordeal of epic proportions. Many a Law & Order spinoff episodes
have been missed due to this difficulty. "So, what exactly is the deal
you're offering?"
Ebony Fox replaces her hair, and takes a moment to adjust
it. " Simply. I protect your network, update it, and even install security
measures the rest of your staff can operate for the day-to-day stuff, while I
keep out hacks to the system as a whole and the like. " She puts out the
portfolio as well, to finish the cover of photographer. " I also bring you
occasional photos from up close and personal with the action. In
return..." Her head is tilted to one side, " Names and facial
profiles of INTERPOL Agents aren't published without sayso, period. Such items
don't even make it into your database. When we need it, you're willing to
create false employee files and press passes for INTERPOL Operations requiring
such, the likes of which we'll protect , along with you and your staff from discovery
of this deal. Also, should you need a favor, I'm willing to act as an envoy
with my superiors to see if something can be worked out. "
[Radio: (A) Global] Dr. Wily transmits,
"MUWAHAHAHAHAHHAAAHAHAHHA!"
[Radio: (A) Global] GNN Manager Chest transmits, "Top
o' the morning to you, Doctor."
[Radio: (A) Global] Dr. Wily transmits, "Thank you
Chest. Whats going on in the world of news today?"
[Radio: (A) Global] GNN Manager Chest grins and quips,
"Oh come on, Doctor, you generally know what's going to be on the agenda
before I do."
[Radio: (A) Global] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Tell
me, Doctor Wily... Do you find the maniacal cackling therapeutic?"
[Radio: (A) Global] Dr. Wily transmits, "You never know
Chest. *giggling* As for the laughing, you should try it my shiny friend. I
remember you seeming to enjoy yatta-ing quite a bit."
Chest leans back, puffing on his cigar and listening to
Ebony's deal. He takes the portfolio but doesn't go through it. What does he
care about a photographer who isn't going to take any photos? Or hardly any, at
any rate. Finally he takes the cigar out of his mouth and utters a single word,
"No." The GNN Manager sets his cigar down on a nearby ashtray, now
leaning forward for the reaction.
[Radio: (A) Global] Prismatic Spider transmits, "You
well know the effects of Chibi Radiation on a person's mind. After all, you're
the only one who uses such devices."
[Radio: (A) Global] Dr. Wily transmits, "A pity. The
chibi ray is quite amusing."
Ebony Fox shrugs, " Well, if there is something about
the offer you find unsatisfactory, let me know. Maybe I can help. " She
leans forwards, " Otherwise, I'll be on my way, Mr. Chest. "
Chest doesn't rush for his answer. He does have another
candidate in mind, afterall. Plus he can't been seen as being desperate, which
he isn't. His tone is one of slight annoyance. "I am not going to do
anything to compromise the functions of the press. Nor am I going to get
involved with the war, my dear. You want money? Sure. You want false press passes?
No can do."
Ebony Fox shrugs, " They won't be fake, at least not
with the documents backing up the IDs. But thats part of the deal, Chest. I can
hack into your servers anytime I want and take care of unwanted IDs on my
comrades. Hire a hacker if you will, that just means I get a fun new challenge
every time, which sounds like a lot more fun. " She stands, and picks up
the briefcase, and the document of the agreement from Chest's desk. " It's
been a blast. You'll find a frequency to reach me on that resume. " A hand
is extended.
Ah ah ah. An interesting ploy. Chest calmly stands up from
his desk and thrusts a finger at Ebony, "Are you threatening me? Are you
threatening to hack into my servers? You have some nerve, young lady, to march
in here and demand that if a deal doesn't go through, you're just going to take
what you want anyway. Freedom of the press means something!" He shouts,
clearly quite livid at this point, "And if you think I'm going to just LET
you do this you're off your rocker, lady." The extended hand isn't even given
a second glance, "Get the Hell out of my office!"
Chest reaches for Ebony's left resume and tears it in half
as a symbolic gesture. Ok, surely he could find the frequency on one of the
halves if need be, but it's the thought that count. Chest wasn't recording
anything, by the way. "I know plenty, miss." He mutters as Ebony
leaves. Chest shall not take this lightly. The GNN Manager looks at his cigar,
still resting on the ashtray. It's now burnt down to a stub.
"Damnit."
Ebony Fox strides out of the building, sighing. Well, that
was at least worth trying. Pity, she'd hoped for it to pan out. Just as she
steps out of the front door, and is down the street, security systems start
working agian. Those items she removed to give an example are returned, and Johnson's
coverup of lunches on Chest's budget is placed back up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Chest (Conn)
Date: Tue Apr 15 23:26:01 2003 Folder: 0 Message: 14
Status: Unread
Subject: E-mail
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
CC: None
Subject: The security system - Urgent!
You, Serges
m'boy, are the only applicant to make the grade. Congratulations. I'd like this
system in place ASAP. Despite your kind offer of doing this for free, I am
offering half a million zenny anyway. I want this done -right-, and I want the
best job possible. That's why I went to you. Another applicant, from Interpol,
made it clear she plans to bypass security whenever she feels like it. Hacker
Verpine. Probably not her real name, of course. Regardless, contact me as soon
as it's convenient.
Chest
GNN
CEO
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