Paris session part 2

<Sciencegar> 57 minutes later, the team find themselves at the door of a set of non-descript office buildings quite some distance from the Etoile building. One would have to look very closely at the signs outside to see that one of the companies on the third floor is a subsidiary of Etoile Distribution.

<Sciencegar> This is where the instructions have led them, so presumably, their meeting is inside.

<RickDominated> Thirty-Five absent mindedly puts out his ciggarete, flicking the butt away. "Well then."

<Haken_Browning> "...sure won't be able to get away with Alphabet Men in the interview. Ideas for aliases? Or screw it and go real-name full-bore?"

<RickDominated> "Watson Gladstone." He says easilly enough, changing his outward persona slightly, like he was putting on a new set of clothes.

<AdventFalls> The new guy chuckled. "You sound like something out of a book."

<Haken_Browning> "Sounds reasonable...ugh, can't think of anything that wouldn't be THAT obvious..." Ms. B. turns to their third. "...you think I could get away with 'Excellen Browning' with my hair?" Her complexion suddenly turns a LOT more bubbly than what either of the two males have been accustomed to so far.

<AdventFalls> The new guy blinked. "...Whaaaa?"

<Haken_Browning> "...taking that as a yes~"

<AdventFalls> "How- Thought you needed hair dye."

<RickDominated> "...Leaving behind the wrong impression can work just as well, actually."

<Haken_Browning> "I guess it does. So now all Mr. C needs to do is project the image that he has an idea what's going on~"

<RickDominated> "I certainly hope he can."

<AdventFalls> "Just need to avoid answering questions," he grinned.

<Haken_Browning> "Whatever gets us in." 'Excellen' pulls the door open. "Shall we, boys?"

<RickDominated> "Lets."

<AdventFalls> "Sure."

<Sciencegar> Inside is a personless reception with several lifts and an interface screen to talk with the buildings computer. The cheap solution to running your business.

<Haken_Browning> "Aaaaaaaaand that's two minutes of work in the toilet. Maybe."

<Sciencegar> *PLEASE STATE YOUR BUSINESS*

<RickDominated> "Watson" nudges C into it. "You're up, kid."

<AdventFalls> "We're here to meet Mr. Grenier in fifteen," C replied.

<Sciencegar> *ACKNOWLEDGED. A POSSIBLE MATCH HAS BEEN FOUND IN MR GRENIERS SCHEDULE*

<Sciencegar> *PLEASE CONFIRM WHICH ORGANISATION YOU REPRESENT*

<AdventFalls> "We're with a security firm known as Shrapnel," C answered.

<Sciencegar> *ACKNOWLEDGED* One of the lifts opens. *PLEASE PROCEED TO YOUR MEETING*

<AdventFalls> C nodded as he proceeded to the lift. "Shall we?"

<RickDominated> Thirty-Five has already turned on his heel and and begun walking the instant it opens.

<Haken_Browning> And 'Excellen' was right behind.

<Sciencegar> The lift takes them up to the third floor and opens on a non descript corridor

<Sciencegar> As they arrive, one of the offices sounds with activity, and a small man in a business suit opens the door to look out.

* Decessor has quit (Quit: Why is the alphabet in that order?   Is it because of that song?)

<RickDominated> "That him?" Thirty-Five prompts.

<Haken_Browning> "Mr. Greiner?" Ms. B waves, dropping the Excellen act for a bit. "Was scared the automation had screwed up everything for a moment."

<Sciencegar> "Ah, Oui, I am Monsieur Grenier."

* AdventFalls is now known as REDAdventFalls

<REDAdventFalls> C raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

<Sciencegar> "I assume you are here to, eh, take zis contact we discussed?"

<Haken_Browning> "Yes. We've been informed that your company requires a comprehensive temporary security detail. And we're here to deliver."

<RickDominated> "Indeed, Monsuier." 35 inclines his head to the man.

<Sciencegar> "Good. Then we can begin talking about matters." He indicates his office, which only has two free seats other than his own.

<REDAdventFalls> "Ladies first," C smiled.

<RickDominated> 35 makes no effort to sit, merely finding a wall to lean on.

<Haken_Browning> "If you insist~" Of course, with that kind of skirt, there's GOT to be an ulterior motive for offering Ms. B that seat. Nevertheless, she takes it...and precaution to cross her legs.

<REDAdventFalls> C took the other seat, and kept his eyes on the mission at hand.

<Sciencegar> Grenier sits in his own seat, looking at each of ther arrivals in turn. "The situation is simple. Pas Difficile to understand. Our company has been robbed, and we feel outside help is nessecary to retrieve our stolen goods, or, if this is no possible, to prevent it happening again."

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<RickDominated> "And what exactly was stolen from you?"

<Sciencegar> Mr Grenier looks rather shocked that this topic has come up at all.

<Sciencegar> "...."

<Sciencegar> ".................I don't think thats important."

<REDAdventFalls> "If you want us to retrieve the goods, then it is."

<Sciencegar> "....I think we should concentrate on the theives and how they stole it. C'est le true problem."

<Haken_Browning> "Of course. Find the one, and we discern the other."

<RickDominated> Thirty-Five glowers slightly. "Indeed."

<REDAdventFalls> "Mmmm...."

<Haken_Browning> "So. Next question: what leads do we have on the thieves?"

<Sciencegar> "They attacked electronically as well as physically. Our companies network was hacked at the same time. We contained it but it meant the theives were able to get away without being spotted."

<REDAdventFalls> "So you don't know who they are."

<RickDominated> "Smart of them." Thirty-Five grumps.

<Haken_Browning> "No wonder you needed an integrated solution. Luckily, C here-" Quick nudge to her fellow chair occupant- "-knows his way around a corp network, and I'm told further Shrapnel electronic support can be obtained if necessary...for additional rate, of course."

<REDAdventFalls> C grinned.

<Sciencegar> Grenier frowns at this. "I-I am unsure if we want to resort to outside connections just yet. Breaches in our network are problem enough."

<Haken_Browning> "Understandable. We will require some clearance to provide local support, regardless."

<Sciencegar> "This will be arranged. So, would you like to begin?"

<Haken_Browning> "Shall we, boys~?" Whoops, Charm Mode somehow got reactivated.

<REDAdventFalls> "Sounds good," C replied.

<RickDominated> Thirty-Five nods.

<Haken_Browning> "It's settled, then. We're in."

<Sciencegar> "Excellente." Grenier doesn't look very relieved. "How shall we begin?"

<Haken_Browning> "How indeed - our only clue is that they had the foresight not to leave any. Currently our best plan is to install C as a network supervisor and ourselves as physical security. It's painfully simple, but covers all our bases."

<RickDominated> "The real question is, do you have anything worth comming back for?"

<RickDominated> "Or have they already made off with everything you have of Value to them?"

<Sciencegar> "...." Grenier frowns at 35.

<REDAdventFalls> "A truthful answer to the question would help me figure out what parts of the network I need to prioritize."

<Sciencegar> "The situation is such that one of our companies important distribution contracts is under threat. There are a lots of things of value in this company, monsieur, but the  most vital is that the company is still able to operate."

<Sciencegar> "How much 'valuables' we have is a secondary concern."

<RickDominated> "Then we need to work to secure those routes, like Miss Browning suggested."

<Sciencegar> "Yes....Will I take you to our main offices? We will have to be discreet."

<RickDominated> "That would be advisable."

<Haken_Browning> "How discreet we talking? It's only a few blocks out from here...unless you've got another crazy e-receptionist setup."

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* REDAdventFalls ([email protected]) has joined #SuperAgentWars

<Sciencegar> "We will use a side entrance, and you may talk to some people from security. D'accord?"

<RickDominated> "Works."

<Haken_Browning> "Better than I expected."

<Sciencegar> Grenier nods and stands up, indicating to a different elevator.

<RickDominated> "Elevators, always in vouge." Thirty-Five mutters, walking towards it.

<REDAdventFalls> "Fingers crossed there's no music."

<Sciencegar> ==========

<Sciencegar> After a quiet car ride, the team arrive at the rear of the Etoile building and in through a security entrance. There don't seem to be more than a few guards though, and they're lightly armed if at all.

<Sciencegar> Grenier ushers them into another elevator, and silently stands at the back waiting for them to get in.

<Haken_Browning> "My, someone's in a rush to keep everything secret...thoughts, gentlemen?"

<REDAdventFalls> "Color me curious for now."

<RickDominated> Thirty-Five just shrugs and enters.

<Sciencegar> The elevator closes as they enter, and proceeds upwards with no command.

<Haken_Browning> "Go figure, the main branch is just as well-wired," 'Excellen' muses. "Trade secret, Greiner, or would this particular marvel be one you can let slip?"

<Sciencegar> The man looks over at the woman. "We aren't one of the continents top megacorps for nothing. We have top of the range technology on all our operations."

<Sciencegar> "....Unfortunately, the theives found a way to take advantage of this."

<REDAdventFalls> "If you've got the best technology- and I'd assume the best people- how'd they get access?"

<Sciencegar> The door opens and Grenier leads them into a very stark part of the building. "They must have the same. Certainly, there would be no point asking the police for help. Not in this economy."

<Haken_Browning> "Your average police couldn't handle the kind of man-machine interface you've set up, that's for sure."

<Sciencegar> "These assailants had great technical and physical assets, and they knew what they wanted."Grenier grimaces and points them towards a room full of tired-looking tech people. "This is why we need exceptional people such as yourselves to track how they did it."

<REDAdventFalls> "Have you considered the possibility of an inside job?"

<Sciencegar> Grenier does respond to this, but he seems to glare at the various staff in the room.

<Sciencegar> doesn't*

<Sciencegar> "We won't rule out anything. This is your investigation, we're paying you to find the truth, no?"

<Sciencegar> A brunette in a tight shirt and a loose skirt walks out of a side office. She seems to ignore Grenier and addresses the trio.

<Sciencegar> "Bonjour, I am Mrs Evanier, head of security here. I am eager to see how you intend to help us."

<Haken_Browning> "The how is fairly evident right now. What you ought to be watching for is how soon we get to help you, Madame."

<RickDominated> "Like getting our friend here into your Database as fast as we can, I belive."

<REDAdventFalls> "In a nutshell, yes."