Billy was getting ready for his meeting. He packed all the usual goodies one would normally expect for such an encounter: cellphone, tablet, stun-gun, hydrogen peroxide, spy-cam sunglasses, wireless camera detector, GPS tracker, multiple concealed hard drives, Fix-A-Flat, duct-tape, lockpicks, hand-sanitizer, gas-mask. He checked everything was in place, slung the backpack over his shoulder and headed out of the house, leaving a note on the fridge. “If I’m not back in three hours, type ‘Find’ on my computer”, and then headed out the door.
He rolled his way downtown to the aforementioned Cafe and found a seat. Trying not to be overly obvious he looked around, and checked for Cameras and listening devices. After a few moments, He was joined by the Girl he spoke to last night, wearing a green hat, a hoodie, baggy pants, and some Converse. She spoke first: “What’s with the dorky shades?” “Nothing they’re fine, nevermind.” came Billy’s response. She promptly produced a small laser-pen like device and shined it right in his eyes.
“Hey what the….” and then he heard the camera short out. He grumbled as he took the shades off and put them in his backpack. She spoke again: “A girl can’t be too careful these days.” “So I guess… we’re here huh?” asked Billy, and she smiled sweetly “you look nothing like I pictured, but how do I know it’s really YOU?” “Well how do I know it’s really YOU?” came his response.
She then proceeded to describe with great detail how he entered the system last night. With a satisfactory nod Billy then described what he found there, and corrected a few things that he was sure she got wrong on purpose. Having established details that only the both of them would know. At this point both were satisfied with the other’s answers but their conversation was briefly interrupted as a waitress came up to take their order. Beverages and light food for both, and then their talk resumed, with billy asking the first question: “So who are you anyway?”
She smiled, extended a hand “Witcher (W17CH3R). It’s a total pleasure to meet you, your name is well known in certain circles ‘Billysaurus’. “ Billy smiled and took her hand. “Yeah well I still haven’t decided if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
“Oh no no” she waved her hands” I’m a total fan-girl, I’ve been DYING to meet you, it’s half the reason I took the job there, I figured you’d hit the place eventually. But you dropped out of the scene for a while and I was starting to lose hope”
“Billy nodded a little “yeah there was some IRL stuff that came up, Big bad mojo, had to take care of real life. Cyber had to be put on pause”
“Oh that sucks” she responded” to me they kind of blend together. My cyberlife IS my real life.” She smiled happily at him. Billy was still a little uncertain, but more at ease than he was at the beginning. As he was about to speak again their meals were delivered, and he lost his train of thought.
The food smelled SO good, and he hadn’t eaten yet today in case he needed to run fast, he didn’t want to be lethargic. They both dug in and turned to small talk, The latest software & hardware what kind of setup they ran at home, and a few minutes later Billy found himself completely at ease. Just then the other shoe dropped.
“So…” she said, her tone changing slightly and her look getting a little more serious, “I do have another reason for asking to meet with you. I’m with Infinity Hoax, We want you to join us.”
Billy looked thoughtful for a moment, He’d heard of them, of course he had, most people had, they made the news all the time. They weren’t a huge group like Anonymous, but they were elite all the way. Some of the best around. He was both flattered and a little wary. He’d never really been a joiner. He was always a solo act. “Why?” was all he said.
“We’ve had an eye on you for a while, you’re good, and you’ve got the right set of morals, see we don’t recruit just anyone, skills fine and all, but skill can be taught. We need people that share our ideals, people that wont…. Do the wrong things.”
That’s when the gunshot rang out.