[Modern AU - Fic: What it's For]
When Batista returns from Brazil, it's with enough paydata to more than make up for the Luxembourg mess. They meet, as usual when sensitive data is involved, at the bar of one of the numerous hotels near the Zurich airport - this time it's the Crowne Plaza. A nice place, though as usual, Batista complains about their beer selection. It's one of Ray's favorites for these sorts of meetups, mostly because unlike most of the other hotels, they actually have decent security on their wi-fi. Nothing he can't get around, but it's a nice change to see places that actually realize there's more to internet security than just buying the default security package.
They share a couple of drinks and chat about the inconsequential of the trip, mostly for appearances, before Batista gets a room, and they both ignore the knowing smirks of the desk attendant and the barkeep as they both head up to it. Sex may be in the offering, but there is far more interesting work to be done first.
Ray sets up his laptop and various accoutrements at the room's desk while Batista unpacks the papers he's obtained, sorting them in to various piles across the floor. Photocopies of incriminating documents, private memos, even a few shredded letters Batista has carefully reconstructed. And that's just the physical data. As he sorts, Batista rattles off a series of names and addresses, both physical and electronic, of the contacts and informants he's found. Ray types up the list, once again amazed at the sheer variety of people Batista's been able to meet.
"This is why I keep you around," he says as he finishes typing up the list, encrypts it and transfers it onto a flashdrive.
"No, you keep me around for this," Batista replies with a smile, handing over the first stack of papers. They're in Portuguese of course, but he knows just enough of a smattering of the language to piece together the general meaning.
"If these translate out like I think then yes." He ran a finger across the raised seal and smiled. This, this was what he worked for, ran the site for. The chance to expose the constant corruption of governments. The chance to shine a light on how stupid how selfishly blind power could make people.
Yes, Batista had quite made up for the Luxembourg debacle.