A Dangerous Game Part 5

“Got everything you’ll need?” Joy called from the bedroom as she got dressed.

“I think so,” Ark responded as he slid his only gun into it’s holster. A small Colt America, that Ark rarely used but he was going in loaded for bear this time. As Joy slid out of the room holstering her sleek looking Hammerli. With a smile she let Ark lead her out of the apartment and down to the sleek looking car Trey will be driving for them. Well remotely. Being split up so much it was always good to have Trey along, he was more in tune with vehicles than Gozer was and it seemed like he could be everywhere at once. As Ark slid into the driver’s seat and Joy slid into the passenger she laid her small bag in her lap and flipped on her comm. “We’re good to go Trey,” she said, a few seconds later the car started by itself and they were off.

Ark checked the digital clock on the panel of the car, as they pulled into an alley near their building. Joy watched him quietly as he removed his gun holster and handed it to her. When she looked at him quizzically, he merely mumbled, “wouldn’t do me any good in there.”

“Oh,” she responded softly.

Ark leaned over and kissed Joy softly, before opening the door, “you have a place picked out to jack in?”

Joy nodded, “just across the street, you get in position and I’ll give you the signal after I hack in.”

Ark returned the nod and sprinted off down the alley before vaulting over a fence and onto a narrow ledge. As he began to climb Joy flipped on the commlink again, “Ok Trey take me to the next stop.”

The car revved in response and pulled out of the drive way to circle the block and park across the street in the parking lot of a small motel. Joy had already booked a room earlier that day so she just headed there. As she sat down on the bed she began to unpack her gear. Soon she was sliding into the Matrix, and speeding across the waves of data and into the lobby of the building Ark would be sneaking into. Joy was a talented hacker by all means, and she was more than capable of changing the Matrix to her whims, but she never bothered. Her persona didn’t even look that different, mostly she seemed to always be shrouded in a halo of bright white light. As Joy made her way to the elevator, a large looking troll strode by her armed with a very lethal looking shotgun. He paid her no mind and she slipped into the elevator. As she ascended Joy mused at the fact that that was likely to be the only ice she came across and it had waltzed right by her. This was going to be far easier than she had hoped. Soon enough she was inside the simulated security room, tapping away on a keyboard, flicking off security programs and cameras.

As Ark slowly climbed up the side of the building, he heard Joy click on into his ear, “the deeds done.”

Ark smiled and responded as he slipped onto the closest balcony, “you got my location?”

“Yep you got three more stories to go you think you can do it on the outside or do you want me to get you inside?” Joy responded cheerfully.

Ark's smile widened, she was always cheerful when she got an easy hack, truth be told they didn’t expect much it was just a residential building. It didn’t even have any offices in it, light security for the suits that lived here. “I’ll go on the outside,” he responded, “it’ll be easier that way. Am I at the right location?”

“You bet,” Joy said, “three flights straight up and you’re there.”

“Beautiful,” Ark said as he began to climb again, jumping from the railing to catch hold of the bottom of the higher up balcony, “how do you think the others are doing?”

“Sure they’re doing fine hon,” Joy said in her cheerful tone, “they’ll be fine. T, and Gozer can take care of they’re own and Bard’s the biggest guy I know.”

“Yeah,” Ark responded as he pulled himself onto another balcony, “one more to go you ready to let me in?”

“You bet,” Joy responded, “if this run goes off without a hitch you’re gonna be tired tomorrow.”

Ark didn’t respond but Joy knew he was grinning.