“Are you okay, Morgan?” A dark shadow loomed over me. Brody, of course. My long-time work partner and very tall friend.

“Sure,” I responded. Was I really okay? Probably not. I didn’t know. I was too tired to think, to move, to talk. I was barely surviving off of three hours of sleep, not to mention I rarely has time to eat too. I slumped over my office desk, with my head buried in my arms. A braid of thick brown hair fell over my shoulder, tickling my cheek and neck.

“Want some coffee?”

“Yes, please,” My voice sounded hoarse and strained.

Brody handed me a steaming cup of coffee and placed a thick yellow file folder onto my disorganized office desk. I took a sip of the hot beverage, grateful to have someone getting something for me. Feeling a little bit better, I pointed to the paper-stuffed file. “What’s that?” I asked.

Brody shrugged. “Riggs shoved this into my hand this morning. He said it was a case. Told us to look into it.”

Ugh, Riggs. Our boss. I didn’t like him much; too controlling and naggy. Some people in our office worshiped him, but I often times found him annoying. However, he was my superior, and so I had to deal with him anyways as long as I wanted to keep my job. Sometimes I wished that I could switch places with Riggs for a day and then I could order him around and be the boss of everyone. I dreamt of being the head of the FBI several times, but I knew that dream would be extremely difficult to achieve. My current job already required a lot, and I couldn’t imagine the stress of having to be in charge of such a huge agency. Right now, though, I had Brody to help me out, which was pretty nice. Speaking of him, he apparently had a tragic past, but he always refused to tell me any details. All I knew was that his wife had passed away like 6 months ago, and every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday, he’d go to therapy after work. I’m sure it was helping because every couple of weeks he seems less grumpy and angry, but he still had sudden outbursts. As my thoughts wandered on, the grip I had on my coffee began to loosen. Suddenly, I felt a sharp poke at my shoulder. I shook my head, blinking back into reality.

I opened up the folder and looked at the top paper.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

File No. 022-6383 Report made at SAN FRANCISCO

Date made: 9/21/2032 Character of Case: INTERNAL SECURITY & BREACH RESEARCH

Coded: 2305 23011420 251521 2015 160125 151405 02091212091514 04151212011819 2015 2119

Translated: THIS IS RANSOM

ONE MILLION DOLLARS AT ONCE SHALL BE TRANSFERRED OVER TO US.

ONCE WE RECEIVE THE MONEY, WE WILL TRANSFER IT TO THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF) AND START DUMPING YOUR WASTE PROPERLY. UNTIL THEN, YOUR COMPANY WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR COMPUTERS. OUTSIDERS CANNOT ACCESS YOUR WEBSITE.

FROM THE ELEMENTAL CLAN

Assignment: Uncover Elemental Clan’s Identity

                Look into Energy Beyond

“I just got assigned this case on Energy Beyond. Apparently, someone or something called ‘The Elemental Clan’ hacked into all their computers.”

Anthony's eyes widen slightly. “Really? Riggs just assigned me to that case too! I’m supposed to help with the technical parts, like how they got into the computers and stuff.”

“Well, then I guess it’ll just be you, me and Brody working on this case,” I reply with a smirk. Anthony, while looking like a nerdy little kid, was actually super smart when it came to hacking. It’s one of the reasons the FBI recruited him when he was only just out of college.

“Yeah, I guess. So anyway, I was just about to head to Riggs’ to debrief him about my plan. However, since you’re basically my boss too, can I just run things by you?” he says. This shocks me. Never once has someone came to me to ask for my approval.

“Um, sure! Come on in,” I say.

“So,” he begins, “Here’s the gist. First, we have to find the motive of why the Elemental Clan hacked into their servers, right? Well, that’s pretty obvious. They wanted Energy Beyond to stop dumping their trash everywhere. However, it’s not stated officially that Energy Beyond’s even been doing this. We need to get in touch with Energy Beyond’s leadership to see what’s really gonna happen.”

“Alright. How are you planning on doing that?” I interrupt.

“You see, I was thinking an agent could go in as a reporter, looking for an exclusive interview. I could give them a recorder so I could listen in to whatever they’re saying. We can use that information against them!”

“Who are you planning on being the interviewer?” I ask.

“Well, I was gonna ask you, if you’re up for it,” he replies unsurely.

Again, I’m shocked. When’s the last time I was in the field? I don’t remember personally.

Still, I do remember the thrill of actually being on a mission, to have a purpose and to have people riding on your shoulders. As I spur of the moment decision, I agree.

“Alright, I’ll do it. When’s this going to take place?” I say.

“In 48 hours. We better get you ready with your backstory and recorder,” he replies giddily.

“What are we waiting for, then?” I say as I get out of my chair and exit my office.

Soon, the time comes for me to go to the Energy Beyond headquarters to meet with the CEO. In the van on the way there, I readjust my recorder, and glance back down at the papers. I'll need to be admitted into the headquarters.

“Just to recap: I'll go in there, show them the papers, do the interview, and use the back entrance of stage be to get out?” I ask Anthony as he readies his equipment.

“Yep, that's it! I'll be back there with the van listening on, and then we'll leave right away,” Anthony replies. “Be sure to use the right exit, or else you won’t find me.”

I exit our vehicle, which is concealed as a news van, and make my way to the foreboding entrance that stands before me. Before entering, I remember my training and put on a fake character of professionalism and authority. Putting my sunglasses on and walking with a quick stride, I walk up to the guard. When he asks to check my badge, I flash my fake ID at him without even looking in his direction. Before he can stop me, I'm in the building and on my way to the front desk. There, they ask for my papers and my purpose of the meeting. I deliver my lines exactly how I practiced them in the back of the van. According to my ID, my name is Haley Barier and I’m from the Wall Street Journal, here to do a portfolio on Mark Wahlberg, the CEO. From there, I go to the highest floor of the building, which is where the CEO resides.

When I enter the CEO’s office, my recorder feels awfully cold on my back. The first things I see are giant HD TVs plastered across every wall, playing news reports about Energy Beyond’s technical crisis. As I walk up to one of the TVs, I see a figure behind me. I whip around only to see Mark Wahlberg, the CEO of Energy Beyond. Wahlberg runs things behind the scenes, as Energy Beyond is known as a faceless company.

“Can I help you?” He questions.

“Yes,” I say, trying to sound composed. “On behalf of the Wall Street Journal, I'm here to ask you some questions about your past, present, and future.”

“Of course, of course!” he gestures. “Have a seat.” He points to one of the many long sofas in his office.

“Well,” I say while sitting down, “Can you please tell us some backstory about this company and why you started it?

“Well, I started this company while I was in college. I noticed that a lot of the energy providers at the time weren't supplying clean, safe energy for our country. I knew that in the long run, this wouldn't be good and I wanted to make a change.”

“And how exactly does this company work?”

“Well, it’s a solar company. Essentially, all the solar panels we put up on people's roofs create a certain amount of energy. However much of the energy that the homeowner uses, they get to keep. The rest of it goes to us, and we supply it to the rest of the nation.”

“Great!” I discreetly reposition myself in my chair to make myself look more casual.

“Now,” I say, clearing my throat. “I'm just a little curious. What’s the whole deal about you dumping your waste in oceans. Is it true?”

He frowns. “I thought this was about my backstory,” he says.

“It is, I assure you! However, I'm just a little curious myself. This is obviously off the record.” I add on.

“I'd rather not say. Now if you could please exit, I have some other business to attend to.” Wahlberg's voice has all of a sudden became cold and harsh.

Hesitant to leave, but not wanting to blow my cover, I begin to exit the room. I can come back another time with more questions, no doubt about that. It's blowing my cover that I’m more scared about.

“Don’t forget to take off that recorder on your way out,” his eyes glinting as speaks. His smile has become menacing, contrary to its inviting aura before. His hand reaches out for the phone, no doubt to call the security. Before he can do anything, I speed out of the office, making my way to the exit so I can make a quick escape.

I make my way down the steps of a fire escape as fast as I can, sprinting in my 5-inch heels. Behind me, I hear the distant yelling and shouting of the security guards. I curse and throw my shoes off so I can keep running. Finally, after some random turns here and there to throw off the security, I make it to the location where I’m supposed to meet Anthony. I throw open the doors, expecting to see the van parked and ready. However, Anthony isn't there! I fumble around in my small purse and find the small slip of paper I used during the initial planning. Exit 2A is where I was supposed to meet him. I glance around and see the sign reading 2A in big red letters. He’s supposed to be here. So why isn’t he?