Project I.R.I.S.

Chapter Seventeen: We've Only Just Begun

Marvin

As night fell, Marvin stayed low in the bushes out in the courtyard of a large museum. He could tell it was owned by I.R.I.S. because security was high, and all the guards had that same three-eyed symbol under their security badges. Waiting for a guard to finish locking up the front door, Marvin glanced to his side and asked an Iplier skilled as an officer and in Black OPS. "I can take care of the cameras, but how do you suggest we go in?" The Iplier beside him looked over the front of the building before whispering. "The roof. There is a ventilation shaft up there that I.R.I.S. doesn't have much security around. It's an easy way to get in... Or... we could go up through the sewer to get into the building?" Biting his thumb, Marvin asked curiously. "Where would the sewer take us inside?" The Iplier removed a blueprint of the building from his bag, informing him quickly. "The sewer leads up into the employee showers and bathrooms here. It's a disgusting trip, but if you can stomach it... we can be in and out."

Moving his hand on the blueprint, he added quietly Marvin. "If we go by the roof, we should make it into the dining area. It's a bit farther from the exhibit but it should have less guards there. While the bathrooms are closer to the exhibit but won't know if anyone is in there until we lift that heavy manhole they've got in there." Lifting a finger to stop him, Marvin closed his eyes and consulted his visions. After a flash of images from both, he told the Iplier confidently. "We go to the roof and exit through the sewer. It's safer." The Iplier nodded, telling him with a smile. "Alright. Let's do this." The Iplier rushed out to the wall, removing a grappling to fire at the roof. Then used it to pull himself up quickly. Stepping out from the bushes, Marvin made sure no one was watching before waving a hand to erase the data and shut off the cameras. Then used his magic to disappear and reappear on the roof just as the Iplier was rolling over the side. Pointing to the ventilation shaft, the Iplier panted out. "Would you mind...?"

Snapping his fingers, Marvin traced a line over the vent to cut it silently open. Allowing the Iplier to yank the cut piece from the frame. The Iplier then crawled inside first, and Marvin followed. They crawled through the vent for a bit, until they came to a grate. Removing his tools, the Iplier began unscrewing the bolts as he told him quietly. "I hope this thing is worth it. If we get caught..." Marvin shushed him, then snatched the Iplier's vest as he almost fell out of the ventilation shaft. The Iplier thanked him, then took his hand, letting Marvin help him down to the floor below. Hovering out of the ventilation shaft himself, Marvin asked him curiously. "Now what?" The Iplier pointed off toward a door that led out of the dining area as he whispered. "That way." Staying low, they crept through the door and split up to hide better from the patrolling guards behind the encased artifacts on display. Marvin cursed silently as he read the nameplate of some of the artifacts. He recognized them as artifacts that had been destroyed or lost in history... but the I.R.I.S. company was abusing time to save and find them.

It was blatantly criminal. Since they had no idea what bringing it from there to here would do to the timeline. Putting his frustration aside, he followed the Iplier up to a solid glass-looking door that needed special keys to get inside. Yet, inside was what they were after. The object was on display under a glass case and the room it was in was locked up tight but allowed it to be viewed from all angles. Tapping the glass door, the Iplier informed him seriously. "Safety glass. There is no breaking that without a massive amount of force. Guess we can try to hunt down some guards and hope they have the-" Before he could finish, Marvin placed his hand to the key pad and it clicked softly as it unlocked. The Iplier shrugged, replying bluntly. "Or... you can just do that too. That works. Show off." Pushing the doors open, they slipped inside, where Marvin told the Iplier in a worried tone of voice. "You have to be careful. This tablet is very... temperamental." The Iplier nodded, removing his gloves as he told him calmly. "Ya, I know. Just sit back and watch the master."