Getting Schooled

"Now, lemme get this straight." Once more, SplashMan appeared as a hologram in front of his operator, who happened to be all by herself in a computer lab. "You walked on campus, which makes sense. Then you walked inside a building, where absolutely no one stopped you, or apparently thought you were suspicious?"

"Yup!"

"And then, to get in a student lab, you 'borrowed' someone's ID card, swiped it, and 'returned' it while they went to the bathroom, all without getting caught?"

"Yup!"

"Okay...one more question. Exactly how do you expect me to clear the security for this place?"

"It doesn't. DenTech Net is public access!"

"That's not what I mean. The Net is public access, sure. The computers here, however, aren't. If I get stopped at any point during the jack-in, we're toast."

"Not a problem! Just act natural, like you're supposed to be there!"

"...It's a good thing I don't have a face, or else everyone would instantly know how nervous I am..." The hologram faded, its image preparing for his attempt to somehow make it through the computer to the Net proper. "I'm not going to get any more ready, so you better jack me in before this sinks in!"

"Gotcha. The faster we do this, the less likely we get busted!" Plus, the less likely their detour would cost them. "Jack in! SplashMan, Execute!"

(TO ROGUE DENTECH)

SplashMan returned to his PET, his spirits down as his HP climbed up. There was silence for a few moments...then... "I'm sorry...I guess I'm not as strong as-"

"Jack in! SplashMan, Execute!"

"Huh?" And just like that, he was back on his way to DenTech...

(TO ROGUE DENTECH AGAIN)

"WOOOOO!!" A shout throughout the building was heard, as the intruder received her mission reward. Unfortunately, it also completely blew her cover. Not that it surprised her as soon as it came out of her mouth.

"Hey, isn't that computer lab closed?"

"Yeah, there's someone in there..."

"Come to think of it, I think I did see someone go in earlier..."

"Dude, I totally saw this chick take someone's card and swipe it before she went in. She looked Netopian, and totally hot."

"I'm calling security to find out..."

A couple of minutes later, a large, muscular man in security officer wear slammed open the door, laying eyes on one 16 year old trespasser. "I'm gonna have to see some campus ID."

"Sorry, don't have any." Sabrina then proceeded to give the sweetest fake smile she'd ever given. In part because that was too much muscle to not have any 'roid rage.

"...Then I'm afraid I'm going to have to escort you off-campus."

"Okay." Not like she needed to be there anymore, aside from possible college touring. "I just used that computer over there, if you're wondering. Check the records if you don't believe me." POINT! Her finger showed all who looked towards the tower she had jacked into. Not like she had anything to hide now that she was busted.

"Still in an area off-limits to non-personnel, and you're not personnel. You're coming with me!" Sabrina found her wrist being tightly grabbed as she was 'escorted' out of the building. The site certainly caused a bit of stir as actual students noticed the scene...

"So there WAS someone in there..."

"That took some guts!"

"Oh, that fanny pack's adorable!"

"Dude, told ya she was hot!"

"...'Dude', she's MAYBE 16..."

While it was nice to get, er, complimented by college guys, the Netopian girl couldn't help but be slightly creeped out by the age difference of that one person saying that about her...

"And stay out! If you know what's good for you, you'll get right on the Metroline and scram!"

And there she was, face to face with the outer part of a door. With a shrug, she decided to follow the guard's advice and leave. She was done, anyway. But, she had a couple of questions for her Navi..."So, SplashMan. Feeling okay after all of that?"

"Nope, all systems functioning normally!" Within the PET, SplashMan had a certain shroud framed, and started to investigate. "...Hey, there's some purple symbols on this cloak we got from that weirdo!"

"Purple symbols? Wonder what they say...too bad I'm already in trouble here, or I'd try sneaking into the library."

"...Yeah, you don't need to do that again. I'm not THAT curious...so, where do you wanna go?"

"Hmm...what time is it?"

"Uh...about 4. Why?"

"Ahh, I guess that killed most of our afternoon. ...But you know what I want to do tomorrow? Touristy stuff! I mean, we're in another country, but all I've really done is NetBattling! I want to do some stuff that has nothing to do with the Net for a change!"

"Okay, I'll look some stuff up tonight!...Hey, Sabrina?"

"Yeah? What's up?"

"Um, this is probably going to sound a bit weird coming from me, but...would you mind if we did some regular busting?"

"Huh? Uh, sure, but why? Don't you want to rest a bit after all that?"

"It's weird...it was a rough mission, but I still feel like more!"

"Okay, but first, we're going to the Navi shop and getting some stuff. Can't let all that money go to waste, right?" And naturally, there were the stairs down to the quickest form of public transportion. Netopia Town really should look into it.

And thus was the pair off to SciLab.

(TO SCILAB)