Marta finally got logged in and signed up for a computer class. Computer classes were a requirement, but this would be more advanced. Her wallet buzzed and she smiled. Sage had respected her request.
She laughed as she read his message. [An animated gif of Captain America saying "Language"]I'm a growing kid - I need sleep. It's just sometimes hard to do when you close your eyes and see your uncle murder your parents...and the things that happened at the brothel. I get not going after banks and governments, but I may out some politicians. It may or may not surprise you how many influential people are sick individuals. For one - Nolan Trace's opponent. I have no proof of that, but if I could get into their systems, I could probably find pictures of him entering or leaving. Wouldn't surprise me if Nuevo Leon had dirt on them for blackmail purposes either. I dare not make that accusation without proof because - well - politics sucks. Anyways...I digress...
I'm ready to learn whatever Jedi Master Wicked is ready to teach. I would be a very hardworking Padawan. It's kind of surreal that The Wicked Truth is offering to teach me stuff.
Nothing surprises me.
And I have dirt. All sorts of dirt. Green dirt. red dirt. Black dirt.
Sarcasm aside.
[An encrypted file sent to Marta's laptop underneath her working window]
On your laptop, to be only used in Nox's house -- ever! I've given you a program that connects to my collection of data. I've been following Nolan Trace since he was a kid. And those associated with him, rivals etc. You might find things you need there.
Your first assignment is to break the encryption to get into the program I sent you. Sky will not help you. But you have all the tools and knowledge you need to break the code. You just have to figure it out.
Got it! That’s how I’ll spend my insomnia today. Don’t know where to begin - but I’m guessing that’s part of the test. :-)
Question: if I get access - I’ll be able to prove to the world that he’s a pedo. And I should probably do so, but this could affect a lot of people. I mean - I’d hold the American election in my hands. Should I do that. I mean he’s a pedo - I should out him…right? I’m just thinking - he won’t be the only one affected by this. Is it too early for me to bring that kind of attention. Consequences.
She opened the app. It asked for a key. So that was the test. Find the key.
I don't know what you'll find. You could find information that proves you wrong. Unless asked by Trace himself I haven't examined his opponents in a long while. But I still collect the information.
Should you or shouldn't you? That is the question. Involving yourself in politics in this manner is dangerous. Putting away a normie for the same crime is easy.
Marta nodded at his response even if he couldn’t see her. Well maybe he could - he was probably watching through the cameras - or at least had the ability to.
I understand that for now. His guilt isn’t in question. I know he’s guilty, but now’s not the time. I’m not ready for that battle yet. Probably best to start with smaller fish. And that means Oracle will just be an encouraging voice for now.
You see…it’s knowledge is power. That means when I unlock this app, I’ll have a lot of power. I was a victim. I’m not used to having power. It’s kind of scary to think about. With great power comes great responsibility you know. Maybe it’s a good thing I’m a little scared of it. It will make me think how to use it.
I appreciate that when I ask you a question, you don’t tell me what to do. You’re making me make my own decisions. I’m serious when I say that I appreciate that. I am wondering though if there are rules I need to follow for my padawanship. I’m assuming you want my grades to stay up and abide by Nox’s other rules. I only use that app at the house (would that include Kallisti)?
Marta closed the laptop for now and stood up. She needed to think and walking helped that. Sage said she had all the tools and knowledge at her disposal. She’d figure it out. If she was reading Sage right, he’d give her a challenge, but not an impossible task. It was the middle of the night. Everything she needed was in this building. She just had to find it. She began to walk and observe, Splash at her side.
Sage wasn't going to get into the politics with her or proof or not he didn't really care. He just needed to make sure she kept herself safe.
A voice is good. Known many a hacker who start that way. So be careful.
That app only gives you information. Abuse the gift though and The Wicked Truth might not be so nice.
Kallisti is not secured with the same network. The app is to only be used in Nox's house. Period. No exceptions and I will know.
I don't have rules, Oracle. You fail your schooling that's on you. You piss off Nox. That's on you. I am not your babysitter. Do as I ask when asked. It's favor for favor in this biz. At least when working with me.
Sage said he had no rules, but in reality, he had one; don’t abuse his gift. She read his message loud and clear. Didnt think you were my babysitter, but I just wanted to make sure I understand what’s expected of me as your student. Message received loud and clear: do not piss off Wicked (can I call you wicked?)
Marta began looking around. She saw nothing here so went down to the bottom floor where the offices were. She could have started in the dojo, but didn’t feel like it. She was a little excited. Puzzles were her thing. Down here were the office’s of Borealis Industries and Durante Securities. Borealis was a weird name - she remembered that it was the northern lights or something like that. Durante at least made sense.
Marta looked around the floor and eventually found some sort of shrine. It almost seemed like a religious thing. It was well taken care of. She saw mostly pictures. Some of the Kallisti staff. It had a candid picture of a woman she did not know. Several sketches. A picture of Nox with two women. One older and one younger. They both looked like Nox enough that she assumed mother and sister. Marta remembered Sterling had talked about Nox having a sister. There was also a picture face down. Marta reached for it, but pulled her hand away. The picture hadn’t fallen. It had been placed like that. This seemed like something important to Nox, and she wanted to be reverent.
She went through the other floors and time passed. But the shrine was what she kept thinking about. She saw nothing about Sage - at least overtly. The only thing here that drew her attention was the shrine. And her answers were here - in this building. What was Nox to Sage? A friend, colleague, lover? Sage had mentioned him. They obviously knew each other.
She opened her mouth to ask Sky, but remembered Sky wouldn’t help. She found herself back on the couch. The problem had bothered her for about an hour. The answer was here and her gut said the answer was at the shrine. She went back down to it and stared. Nox - what did she know about Nox. Not much…but Elyse did. Marta sent her a message.
Elyse - you still awake?
Yes - you okay?
Yeah I’m fine. I have some questions. About Nox.
Okay? What do you need?
I just found these pictures downstairs- wondering who some of the people are. Looks like his mom and sister? A woman with black hair. Some sketches too.
You’re at his shrine. I’ve seen it. The woman is his friend aria - she passed. The picture with Nox and the two women - yeah that’s his mother and sister - don’t know his mother’s name, but his sister is Aurora - she passed too. The sketches are from his favorite artist. I think her name is Thalia? Not sure. Does that help?
Marta thought and added one more question. You know Sage - the guy who is sometimes at Kallisti? How does he know Nox?
Sage, Nox, and Aurora go way back. Childhood friends.
That helped. It helped a lot. Marta’s eyes went to the picture and locked onto Aurora. She was very pretty. Nox must miss her a lot. Sage probably did too. Then it hit her. Aurora Borealis. The northern lights were called the Aurora Borealis. The name now made sense. Thankfully she had paid attention in science class this week. She moved on the stairs quickly, not running. Most of the house was still asleep. She opened her laptop and the app. She typed in “Aurora Borealis” as the key. It buzzed at her - the key was incorrect. She shook her head. She was on the right track - she knew it. Her name. Her name wasn’t Aurora Borealis. She tried again, but with her name “Aurora Durante.” The app opened and Marta smiled.
”Hey Sky. Calculated the amount of data in this app,” she asked and Sky did. ”Holy shit!”
The amount of data was astronomical. Marta couldn’t believe it. She had so much knowledge right at her fingertips. She could have searched for the data she had talked about, but she had no interest in that right now. She instead searched for Aurora and began to read. There were images, sound bites, everything. It only took a short time to find out how she had died and she began to cry. She closed it. She had seen enough for now.
She sent Wicked a message. Im in. That’s a lot of data and a lot of trust you’ve placed in me. I appreciate the scope of the gift you have offered me.
Nox told me once he’s always sad. It’s because of her isn’t it? She was your friend too - I’m sorry.
Wicked is fine. Most people do.
She is one of the many reasons Nox is always sad and doesn't sleep well. And she's the reason I look out for him.
Be careful what you go snooping around about Nox. Things are not pretty. Nor are the simple
[font=courier new]I won’t snoop into his life too much. I wish I could help him though. Something is wrong. He tries to say that he’s okay, but okay people don’t smell numb. I’m worried about him and wish I could do something. It gives me some comfort that you’re watching him Wicked
She closed the app and went back to the scroll. Oracle had one last
message for today.
Of course something is wrong.
The nanobots cured the horde. And in doing so clipped his connection to the power. I don't understand it yet. But I will.
But you don't need to worry about him. You're a kid. You already grew up too fast. Don't let his problems burden you. He's got it. And I got him.