Hello again Fanfiction! Thats right I'm back once again! Before I get on with the chapter though, I want to thank you guys for your patience. It's been a pretty difficult and barren year for me, and if you stuck with me for this long, it really makes my day to know that. But enough rambling! Onto today's chapter!

Chapter 28: Web Search

Spex_Guy: Well… I appreciate your time, and we'll take your offer into consideration. Farewell.

Mech_Wiz_420B: Ey oh, anytime! Catch ya on the flip Spex!

Session Ended.

Bentley groaned as he placed his head into his into his hands, as another candidate bit the dust. He had been at this for over a week, and he had seen over two hundred users, none of which could fully keep up with him. And after that last one, he was seriously beginning to lose hope. As he moped, there was a knock at his door.

"Come in…" he said dejectedly, as the door opened, and Neyla walked in carrying a glass of water. She grimaced seeing, Bentley, in such estate.

"Oh dear… what's the number today?" she asked setting the glass by him, which he accepted, and sat up to take a drink.

"Fifth one today, two hundred five overall this week." he said his voice a touch hoarse from being quiet. Setting his glass down, Neyla took this time to sit on his bed. "I'll be honest, I think I've combed through ninety percent of Thief Net by now." he says clearing his throat after.

"Come now, Bentley, look on the bright side. There's still ten percent left to check." she says in an attempt to cheer him up, only to receive a sigh from Bentley.

"I guarantee you, five percent of it is staff, another four percent vendors, leaving only one percent, one, measly percent, to find the answer to our problems…" he says taking another drink from his glass.

"Well, to be fair, you and the gang have faced slimmer odds before." She said laying down. "That was certainly the case in your previous endeavors with the Klaww gang, but I digress." she continued on, with Bentley giving her a look that asked "where are you going with this?". "My point is, have a little faith. Who knows, maybe that last one percent, is that big sweet spot." she concluded, before standing up, and patting Bentleys shoulder.

"But, if not, don't sweat it. There's other prospects beyond ." she says heading off leaving Bentley to his devices. He sighed softly, taking time to gather his thoughts, soon after, he went back to his screen where he saw he had a message, an invite to be precise. Clicking on it, it read.

Air_Heart_Babe has invited you to R.C. Elite, Do you wish to join? Right under the message was a red "No" and a green "Yes".

The turtle blinked, surprised, he didn't expect there to be invited somewhere so soon. Let alone by an unknown user. But, thinking back on Neylas advice, he thought, "What do I have to lose?". With that thought fresh in his mind, he clicked 'yes' and his screen was lit up with a fresh chat page.

Air_Heart_Babe: Hey! Welcome to the R.C. Elite Tech Chatroom! I'm Air_Heart_Babe, but you can call me Penelope

Spex_Guy: Howdy, I'm Bentley, A.K.A. Spex_Guy

Air_Heart_Babe: Nice to meet ya Bentley! I've actually been hearing around the other Chatrooms that you're looking for an R.C. expert~

Spex_Guy: As a matter of fact I am, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find one would you?

Air_Heart_Babe: You're looking at her~ I've been working with R.C. Technology for as long as I can remember

This took Bentley by surprise. For the entirety of the conversation, she had not used an over abundance of abbreviations, and even sought him out on her own Initiative. This could be a very interesting conversation.

Spex_Guy: If, I may be silly for a moment, I must say that, THAT RULZ

Penelope's next response was an embarrassed blush emoji.

Air_Heart_Babe: Awww shucks, but in all seriousness, what's up? You need any advice? Maybe a few troubleshooting tips?

Spex_Guy: Actually, I was hoping for something more direct. I was wondering if you were interested in a "Gig"?

There was a few minutes of silence. Now he was starting to worry. This could be very well his last shot to find them an expert and if he scared her off, well, he'd never get over it. Which led to a great deal of relief when she responded.

Air_Heart_Babe: I dunno… I don't usually freelance.

Spex_guy: But surely, as a ThiefNet member, you've heard of me and my crew? We're notorious worldwide

Air_Heart_Babe: PFFFFT Haha, that's what they all say LOL :p

Okay, so she had a quirk or two, that was fine. So far, this was the best conversation he had so far.

Spex_Guy: haha :D

Spex_Guy: But I'm serious!

Spex_Guy: In fact, during one of our mist Daring jobs, an interpol officer told us that we pulled off more jobs than any1 in their computer! BOOOOOYAH

Another brief pause, then:

Air_Heart_Babe: Haha! Sorry, but, I only work for The BEST.

This got Bentley's attention. Who in the world outranked their thieving reputation? Now things were getting interesting.

Spex_Guy: You have my attention, if I may ask, whom do you consider the best?

Air_Heart_Babe: Oh that's an easy one! That would be my boss, the Black Baron.

From there, she explained to him the Barons reputation. How he was the lead Ace in Hollands Dog Fighting circuit. So much so, that he devised a competition dubbed ACES to attract worthy opponents.

Spex_Guy: My goodness, he certainly sounds amazing to have you as his mechanic. I'm impressed.

Air_Heart_Babe: Like you wouldn't believe~ Oof! Speaking of which, I got to go! I'll talk to you tomorrow. It… it was nice meeting you Bentley, good luck with the heist- er, Gig ;D

Session ended with Air_Heart_Babe

While it was abrupt, Bentley couldn't stop smiling. She was EXACTLY who they needed, and he had a way of communicating with her. And even if she didn't join in, period, the silver lining would be that he made a new friend.

"GUYS! I THINK WE HAVE A WINNER!"he shouted at the top of his lungs as he wheeled hinself out of the room to share the great news.

"Oooh! Thank you boss man! I promise you, with Dimitri on the beat, I'll spice up your competition with the most Colorful of words!" Dimitri spoke as he talked to the man across from him. He was stocky, dressed in a black pilots suit, goggles, and sporting what could be described as a record setting sized moustache.

"Yes,yes,yes now keep in mind, I AM very strict about protocol here." He spoke with a very heavy masculine British accent. "I want this years competition to be FLAWLESS!" He said slamming his comically large fist on the desk, spooking the iguana.

"Ah! G-Got it b-boss, Dimitris lips, are sealed tighter than a silky purse." He said earning what he suspected a glare from the pilot. "R-Right, I'll be going now! Peace!" He said bolting out of the office earning a facepalm for the Baron. It really was hard to find good help these days. He hoped he found SOMETHING before the actual competition began. Thank goodness it was a few months away. But, for now, he had more preparations to make.

and thats this chapter done! I do apologize again for the wait, but if you stuck with me this long, I'm eternally grateful. It's been a hard year, and I'm thankful for you guys. Coming up is another chapter~ I had three I wanted to give you guys but I ran out of time. But number three should be done soon! Till then, enjoy these, and merry Christmas!