Why did I say no? Vaughn asked himself. Actually, it was more like,
kicking himself mentally. How many times have I told Weiss "screw
protocol?" So many I can't even count. So why can't I just say the three
little words? "I'd like to." Hardly tough to say.
He sighed, downing all the water in his water bottle as he kept his eyes on the computer screen. Researching the EBC was not easy. In fact, information was almost sparse about them, except in their own system. But even that wasn't much help. Logging on to the EBC's system for longer than 30 minutes would raise suspicion, and they would probably be able to track him down.
----
Sloane was standing right next to the large screen TV in the conference room, the remote in his hand as usual. Sydney, Dixon, Marshall, and Jack were all seated in their usual seats.
"Sydney, this next mission is somewhat of a different one from any other you've gone on. It's not hard, but it's just what you have to do."
"What do you mean?"
"See this man? Norman Wake. He is the corporate owner of a large modeling agency that has given name to Armani, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, you name it. However, we have suspicions that he is holding something of great value to the enemies. A book that holds information about the atomic bomb he is helping to make. Apparently, he wants to take over the world, and like Marshall says, yes, like Pinky and the Brain," Sloane raised an eyebrow.
Sydney exchanged glances with Dixon, both stifling snickers.
"To the point. Sydney, you will pose as Noelle White, aspiring model. You will model on the runway in his show in Paris. Marshall has all the little details, and you will learn to be a model from him also. However, this isn't any fashion show. In this show, the models will choose their own dress, gown, or outfit, and they will show it off to the cameramen and celebrities."
"A model?"
"That's right Ms. Bristow," Marshall smiled. "Don't worry, I've got a pair of diamond earrings for you, but you'll have to pick out the dress."
"Yes, and don't worry about the cost. It's on us," Jack cut in.
"Right. Go for the best looking outfit you can find, and buy it no matter the price. Mr. Wake apparently chooses the top three models –"
"Like the Olympics kinda, 'cept with clothing, not athletic skills," Marshall interrupted.
"…Right…Anyway, he chooses the top three models, and invites them over to his house for dinner. That is when you are going to make the switch. The book is in his desk in his study, which is right next to the dining room. Obviously, he does not keep it under much security, probably because he never expects people over. Marshall?"
"What? Oh, right. OK. Once you get into his house, say you have to go to the bathroom or something…to powder your nose, whatever. Then get into his study and the book is in the second drawer to the left. Take it, and switch it with this," Marshall held up an ancient looking thing. "And slip the real thing into this bag. This bag is savvy enough to be coordinated into your outfit, and it's also big enough to hold the book. It has secret compartments. This one right here, is where you will put it. Then zip it back up, and no one can tell it's anything more than a bag. Oh, and Ms. Bristow? I'm looking forward to our modeling sessions," he smiled as his cheeks turned pink.
----
"Modeling? Oh boy," Sydney said out loud at the warehouse that night.
"It's the best way to get in," Vaughn tried, but to no avail.
"But modeling? And I'll have to waste precious time to go find an outfit."
"Well…actually, the CIA already has one for you. They added all little devices on it, like my favorite, the picture-taking pearls. But anyway, Devlin wants you to come down tomorrow afternoon to look it over. And to make sure you like it. It's not a dress…but more like a matching pantsuit thing. It's casual but elegant at the same time."
"Are you my personal Calvin Klein?" Sydney joked.
"Hey, I was quoting the device-makers," Vaughn defended himself.
Sydney laughed. "But seriously, thank them for making the outfit. I don't have time to go around shopping for stuff."
Vaughn nodded.
"So I guess my counter mission is to take pictures of the book and give it to you?" Sydney asked.
"Right. I guess this is getting to be pretty routine," Vaughn thought out loud.
He sighed, downing all the water in his water bottle as he kept his eyes on the computer screen. Researching the EBC was not easy. In fact, information was almost sparse about them, except in their own system. But even that wasn't much help. Logging on to the EBC's system for longer than 30 minutes would raise suspicion, and they would probably be able to track him down.
----
Sloane was standing right next to the large screen TV in the conference room, the remote in his hand as usual. Sydney, Dixon, Marshall, and Jack were all seated in their usual seats.
"Sydney, this next mission is somewhat of a different one from any other you've gone on. It's not hard, but it's just what you have to do."
"What do you mean?"
"See this man? Norman Wake. He is the corporate owner of a large modeling agency that has given name to Armani, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, you name it. However, we have suspicions that he is holding something of great value to the enemies. A book that holds information about the atomic bomb he is helping to make. Apparently, he wants to take over the world, and like Marshall says, yes, like Pinky and the Brain," Sloane raised an eyebrow.
Sydney exchanged glances with Dixon, both stifling snickers.
"To the point. Sydney, you will pose as Noelle White, aspiring model. You will model on the runway in his show in Paris. Marshall has all the little details, and you will learn to be a model from him also. However, this isn't any fashion show. In this show, the models will choose their own dress, gown, or outfit, and they will show it off to the cameramen and celebrities."
"A model?"
"That's right Ms. Bristow," Marshall smiled. "Don't worry, I've got a pair of diamond earrings for you, but you'll have to pick out the dress."
"Yes, and don't worry about the cost. It's on us," Jack cut in.
"Right. Go for the best looking outfit you can find, and buy it no matter the price. Mr. Wake apparently chooses the top three models –"
"Like the Olympics kinda, 'cept with clothing, not athletic skills," Marshall interrupted.
"…Right…Anyway, he chooses the top three models, and invites them over to his house for dinner. That is when you are going to make the switch. The book is in his desk in his study, which is right next to the dining room. Obviously, he does not keep it under much security, probably because he never expects people over. Marshall?"
"What? Oh, right. OK. Once you get into his house, say you have to go to the bathroom or something…to powder your nose, whatever. Then get into his study and the book is in the second drawer to the left. Take it, and switch it with this," Marshall held up an ancient looking thing. "And slip the real thing into this bag. This bag is savvy enough to be coordinated into your outfit, and it's also big enough to hold the book. It has secret compartments. This one right here, is where you will put it. Then zip it back up, and no one can tell it's anything more than a bag. Oh, and Ms. Bristow? I'm looking forward to our modeling sessions," he smiled as his cheeks turned pink.
----
"Modeling? Oh boy," Sydney said out loud at the warehouse that night.
"It's the best way to get in," Vaughn tried, but to no avail.
"But modeling? And I'll have to waste precious time to go find an outfit."
"Well…actually, the CIA already has one for you. They added all little devices on it, like my favorite, the picture-taking pearls. But anyway, Devlin wants you to come down tomorrow afternoon to look it over. And to make sure you like it. It's not a dress…but more like a matching pantsuit thing. It's casual but elegant at the same time."
"Are you my personal Calvin Klein?" Sydney joked.
"Hey, I was quoting the device-makers," Vaughn defended himself.
Sydney laughed. "But seriously, thank them for making the outfit. I don't have time to go around shopping for stuff."
Vaughn nodded.
"So I guess my counter mission is to take pictures of the book and give it to you?" Sydney asked.
"Right. I guess this is getting to be pretty routine," Vaughn thought out loud.