Spy Tech, Class Nine (03/14)

[mi6-m.livejournal.com]

Wednesday, March 14, Period One

Once the students were all assembled, M stood in front of her desk, the screen behind her projecting the current absence list. She surveyed the group before her, looking stern.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
D'Anna Beirs (Class Eight)
JC Broots (Class Eight)
Jim Ellison (Class Eight)
Barbara Gordon (Class Seven, Class Eight)
Alex Krycek (Class Eight)
Ranma Saotome (Class Eight)

"Before we begin, I want to call attention to the names on the screen. I will need excuses for your absence by the end of the week. Written excuses are preferable, and ones that actually provide a legitimate reason for missing class would be ideal." Her expression suggested that she didn't expect to achieve that 'ideal'.

"Now, we will begin our lecture."

Then M did something rather unexpected.

She reached up, grabbed the skin of her neck beneath her collar, and pulled her face off.

Revealing Nadia Santos underneath.

"Right!" Nadia said brightly. "Today we're talking about masks. The technology behind the creation and maintenance of highly detailed and realistic latex masks, such as this one," she held up the M mask with a Home Shopping Network sort of flair, "has been greatly improved in the last several years. These masks are now light-weight, skin-tight, breathable, and comfortable, and most importantly, very realistic. Facial recognition software won't see through them without x-ray capabilities. The human eye doesn't stand a chance."

Nadia set down the mask and grinned. "They can even be layered." And she reached up for her collar.

And pulled off a second mask. The man beneath the mask smirked at the students, and moved behind the desk to produce a box, which he set up on M's desk and opened to reveal a high-tech-looking machine.

"This is the Facemaker. When an image such a photograph or video footage is fed into it, the Facemaker produces this highly realistic three-dimensional latex mask, just as 'Nadia' showed you. Since the material is breathable enough to be comfortable for long periods, and sturdy enough to stand up to physical exertion, it's a popular resource for our field agents. Coupled with the voice changer technology you've already studied, this is the most effective method of disguise we've developed to date."

The man stepped away from the machine. "Which should serve to remind you once again, that you can't always believe everything you see."

And then the man pulled off a third mask. Oh look. It's Marty.

"Your mission, which you have no choice but to accept, is to pair off with another student and create masks of each other," Marty instructed. "However one should always remember that just because you have a mask it doesn't mean you can pass yourself off as that person. It also takes a good deal of acting talent and mimicry to pass yourself off as your subject. So also take the time to get to know your partner and watch their habits. And before you have any questions I just have one more thing to add."

Marty reached up for his collar and...

Yes, removed one last mask, to reveal M’s face.

"Perhaps the cardinal rule in espionage, is to always have a healthy suspicion of what others are trying to pass off as the truth, and to keep in mind that your own senses can be fooled as well. A good spy knows this, and can use it to his advantage, in both the act of disguising himself and detecting it in others." She looked around the room. "Your homework assignment for is to use the masks you create in class today to convince one person outside of this class that you are in fact the person whose identity you duplicate today. So choose your partners wisely, and make certain that you know enough about them that you can successfully mimic their behavior and actions. I believe one of you already had some recent practice at this."

M looked at Annette. "We have a test next week, so you’ll have two weeks to complete this assignment. I then expect you to report back on your success or failure. And yes, I will know whether or not you’re telling me the truth."

[About the Assignment: Just to be sure that it’s clear – pair up with someone in the class, and essentially switch identities with them. You only need to convince one other person outside the class that you are in fact the person whose face you’re wearing. You can RP it or handwave it, just check OOCly with your “target” in advance to make sure you get the reaction you want from it. Keep it fun and angst-free too, please. And despite what M says, you can make completely inappropriate choices for your partner if you like. And many thanks to Nadia and Marty and John Voight for their help!]

[ooc: Please wait for the OCD is now up!.]

Syllabus
Class Roster
Linkdrop for classes

Comments

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker looked around. "Marty? Or Krycek?" She smirked. "Although it'll be more difficult to get someone to impersonate you. Given your life, it would take two seconds of running into one of your Thingies to blow their cover. Tired, are we?"

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"That's true, be even harder now that there's three of them," he pointed out and the look he flashed her was mostly smug with a dash of wicked. "Let's say I'm...comfortably exhausted."

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker rolled her eyes. "Braggart." She gave a snort of amusement. "I'm glad things are going well with River. And the other two. I just hope that trend continues indefinitely." She looked thoughtfully at the mask-maker, eyes narrowing for a moment.

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'm not bragging, Parker. I'm just happy." He shrugged. "So's River, so are Sam and Cedric. Everyone's happy, amazing as it sounds." Following her eyes to the mask-maker, he asked, "What's are you thinking?"

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I'm a pessimist. Ignore me." She tilted her head, and very softly said, "Rumor. This would come in handy..." She glanced over at M, then shook her head. "But not possible."

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Ahh." Drumming his fingers on the desk, he frowned at M. "You're sure it's not possible?"

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker stared down at her hands, thinking. "I'm not sure I'm that good a liar. If I could ask for it, without...." She was quiet. "Maybe. She has office hours tomorrow."

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack's voice dropped, low enough that only Parker would hear him. "I'm an excellent liar," he said, turning to look at Parker.

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker studied him, then shook her head. "She doesn't know you. Or trust you. But if I chicken out... I'll give you a call. Can't hurt, if I lose my nerve."

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Okay. If you need me..." He grinned, and waved his hand. "You know how that goes. So, D. That could be fun."

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker tilted her head, studying the other girl across the room. "Hmm. Never been blonde. Pink, once. But not blonde. But the height and build are close, and I wouldn't even need contacts; our eyes are close enough." She smirked. "She could be my sister, really. So yes. Possibly."

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Cousin, maybe," he replied, studying D, smirking a little. "No way you're going to be able to fool me, though. I know you too well. Other people, though, probably." He glanced at her, smirk widening into a grin, and he rubbed his arm pointedly. "Unless someone does or says something stupid, in which case all bets are off."

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Cousin," Parker acceded, then her eyes narrowed at Jack. "Ever notice people say a *lot* of stupid things to me, hoping I'll react? I'll bet it's easier to keep my temper as D'anna, then it is at myself, actually."

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Huh. Good point. Excellent point, actually." Jack looked speculative, considering the possibilities. "No one will think it's you if you don't smite the stupid. And no one will think it's me if I can manage to stop flirting for five seconds," he said with a laugh. "We might have an unfair advantage."

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker grinned wickedly. "I think I like this plan. Cool. I'll ask D, and if she's already working with someone else, I'll ask Nadia or someone." She smirked. "And I'll stay away from the usual victims, and talk to someone who doesn't know me except by reputation."

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"And telepaths," he said absently as he glanced around the classroom, taking in who was there and who wasn't, glanced back to Parker, and started to laugh as he was struck by an idea.

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I'm getting better at blocking them-- but even that's probably too much of a giveaway." Parker cocked her head at his amusement. "What?"

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Weiss." It was all he said, but he turned and grinned at her, looking way too amused by the idea.

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker stared. Then put her hands over her eyes. "Oh, you can not be serious. No. Noooooo. No way!"

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

The grin got wider, Jack looked even more amused, and nodded. "If he's game, why not?"

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Aside from the aneuryism the idea gives me?" Parker rolled her eyes. "Fine. Go for it. I seriously doubt you can pull it off, but this I gotta see."

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Since Parker's reaction might have been the reason Jack thought of the idea, he wisely remained silent on that point. "Don't worry, I'm not going to try to fool you. I want to live to see graduation."

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"And I don't need all three of your Thingies hiding my body somewhere beyond Selkie Cove." Parker stuck her tongue out at him. "So thank you for that. But see! People like to annoy me, I swear they do!"

Re: Class Activity

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"It's because you're so cute when you're annoyed," he said solemnly, nodding a little as he not so subtly shifted his chair away from Parker. "Adorable, even."

Re: Class Activity

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker kicked him on the ankle. "Liar. You all just like flirting with Death, we have a bunch of morbid fetishists at this school, and every time I let you all live, you think you're king of the world." She grumbled under her breath. "Some day you will be smote, and then you'll be sorry."