xp_logs | Hope and Reed: a search for information

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When Hope needs information, she turns to an unexpected source...

"Dr. Richards?" Hope paused at the entrance of the lab when she saw he was intently bent over what only she could only recognize as a piece of machinery. "I hope I am not disturbing you?"

She was, and that was why he didn't respond for a few minutes, choosing instead to finish with what he was doing. Standing up abruptly, he brushed some hair off his face, leaving a streak of grease. "Yes?"

"I do not think I have introduced myself before, but I am Hope Abbott. I work with Sue at XFI." Hope explained as she moved further into the lab. "I come here on her recommendation."

That piqued his attention, but not by much. "And?"

"I need some assistance, but Sue was unable to do it. She spoke highly of your skills and said you were the man for the job, so to speak." Hope replied, a faint smile playing around her lips. Sue had spoken very highly of Reed's skills, so that was definitely not a lie. Nor that he was the man for many jobs... She just hoped Sue would not be to cross with her when she found out.

"There are very few tasks that Sue is unable to do, and even fewer that I couldn't do." He straightened up. "How can I help you?"

"Oh... nothing much." Hope pulled up her best innocent look as she pulled some paper from her bag. "Just a spot of hacking the federal government. That is all."

"Only?" Reed gave her a curious look. "Is there a particular reason you're wanting to do this? Or why you're coming to me?"

"I need the information for an investigation of mine. And the reason why I am coming to you is quite simple... Sue recommended you as the man for the job to me." Hope explained as circumspect as possible.

"Oh right, you just said that." Reed shrugged. "Alright, well, no problem then." It didn't even occur to Reed that there was probably a procedure with any type of investigation. If Sue said that he was the man for the job, then he was the man for the job. Walking over to his laptop, he thought for a moment. "Maybe you'd better tell me where I'm trying to get information, so that I can ascertain if I'm able to do it. Computer sciences, while fascinating, aren't exactly my area of expertise."

"I am sure you are capable, otherwise you would not have come as high recommend. Sue does not tolerate fools." Hope gave him the piece of paper. I need from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Trade Commission everything they have on this man. Any complaints made, any investigations started and any evidence that may be related to them. His name is Charles Murray, born on February 3, 1959 and he is currently CEO of a company called Regent Crest Trading."

Reed nodded. "With all that information, it shouldn't be too hard." booting up his laptop, he glanced at the paper. While government agencies, even their encryption and firewalls were no match to his programs, and intellect. "Unlike the movies, this information will take some time to compile. Did you want to wait here, or come back later?"‎

"I can wait, if I am not in your way. Oh, and I also brought this." Hope handed Reed one of the specially secured thumb drives Doug had given her. "Can you put the information on this?"

Reed nodded absently. He'd already started his work, and he had to admit, computer sciences were fascinating. There's was something so comfortable with black and white, yes and no. There was very little room for anything else, so the fact that he could escape it...well, that was thrilling.

After a while (and who knew how long), he stretched his neck and lifted his arms above his head, stretching them out. Leaning all the way back to his head touching his toes, he blinked. "Oh. Hope. I forgot you were behind me." Almost like a toy, his body parts moved quickly back into place. "I'm done. That wasn't as hard."

"Thank you so much for your assistance, Dr. Richards." Hope didn't blink at the strange contortion in front of her. "How much data is it if I may ask? It went quicker then I thought."

"It's exactly the amount of data you requested." He blinked. "Anything else you require? Oh -- and did you record how fast it went? I want Sue to know that I did it quickly," he asked proudly.

"I did." Hope replied, feeling kinda guilty at she saw how proud he was. "It was just under thirteen minutes." She accepted the thumb drive from him and tucked it in her pocket.

He gave a slow nod. "An adequate, if not a little disappointing time. It's hard to remember that the media has skewed such activities to appear almost instantaneously, when reality is far different."

"Unfortunately they manage to do so in many ways. I remember reading about the CSI effect among juries." Hope replied as she gathered up her blazer and purse. "But I should not disturb you any further."

"Yes," Reed responded. "I'm a very busy man." He watched her leave, and when the door closed, he finally allowed himself a smile. Hopefully Sue would get to see a different side of him. He bet she didn't know he could do any hacking.