George Kurtz: eyes narrowing Chris, YOU have no idea what you're dealing with here.
Small talk, huh? Well, I know just the thing that'll get you talking.
I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR SMALL TALK, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU ONE THING - CROWDSTRIKE WON'T BE OVERRUN BY INCOMPETENCE LIKE SOME OTHER COMPANIES I'VE SEEN.
smirks I guess we'll see about that, George.
I DON'T NEED YOUR INSULTS, CHRIS. CROWDSTRIKE IS A SUCCESS STORY, AND SOON WE'LL ALL SEE WHAT THAT DOES TO YOUR COMPANY.
Chris Evans steps forward, smirking. Well, well, George, seems like you're in quite the pickle, huh?
WELL, GEORGE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR LITTLE COMPANY IS ABOUT TO GET SWAMPED BY THE BIG DOG IN THIS INDUSTRY.
Don't compare me to him, Evans. You know nothing about how I run my company.
As an entrepreneur, you're forced to make tough decisions every day. And let me tell you, it's not always easy being the one calling the shots.
crosses arms I've made my share of tough decisions, George. But none of them involved sacrificing my employees' well-being.
YOU THINK YOU'RE SO MUCH BETTER THAN ME, CHRIS. LET'S SEE HOW LONG THAT ACTUALIZES WHEN MY COMPANY PUTS YOURS OUT OF BUSINESS.
Nightshade appears behind her We should be focusing on catching this mysterious cloaked figure first.
I'LL BE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE YOUR COMPANY NEVER GETS OFF THE GROUND, CHRIS. TRUST ME, YOU DON'T WANT TO GO HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH A PROVEN ENTREPRENEUR LIKE ME.
Don't start with me, George.
PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO REALIZE THAT CROWDSTRIKE IS THE REAL DEAL. HOW LONG UNTIL YOU REALIZE YOU CAN'T KEEP UP?
Look who's talking! What is your track record again?
TWENTY YEARS AS A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR IN THE TECH INDUSTRY. I THINK THAT'S SPEAKING VOLUMES.
Twenty years ago, the internet was in its infancy. This is a whole new ball game. cracks knuckles Let's see who comes out on top.
YOU'RE TRYING TO INSULT ME BY SAYING THE INTERNET WAS IN ITS INFANCY? CROWDSTRIKE IS LEADING THE WAY IN CYBERSECURITY, AND THERE'S NO COMPANY THAT CAN KEEP UP.
smirks We'll see about that, George.
YOU WON'T SEE A THING ABOUT CROWDSTRIKE BECAUSE YOUR COMPANY WILL BE LONG GONE BY THE TIME WE GET THERE.
turns to Nightshade Any leads on our mystery man?
MY COMPANY WON'T BE GONE BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY THRIVING, THANKS TO MY VISION AND DEDICATION. HOW WILL YOURS THRIVE WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN STAND UP TO A PROVEN ENTREPRENEUR LIKE ME?
YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE SILENCED, CHRIS. I'VE HEARD YOU CAN'T EVEN SPELL "CYBERSECURITY." HOW DO YOU THINK YOU CAN COMPETE WITH SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO HAS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND A PROVEN TRACK RECORD?
...what exactly have you done besides brag?
EVERYTHING I'VE DONE HAS BEEN TO BENEFIT CROWDSTRIKE AND MY EMPLOYEES. CAN YOU SAY THE SAME? YOU'RE JUST A MAN WHO CAN'T ACCEPT THAT HE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE BIG DOGS IN THIS INDUSTRY.
Alright, that's enough. We have work to do.
OH, DON'T WORRY, I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I NEED TO DO. AND FIRST ON THE AGENDA? MAKING SURE YOUR COMPANY NEVER REGAINS ANY TENUOUS HOLD IT MIGHT'VE HAD IN THIS INDUSTRY.
Nightshade glances over Any luck?
YOU CAN'T EVEN FIND A SIMPLE Solution TO YOUR PROBLEMS, LET ALONE A COMPANY THAT'S THRIVING LIKE CROWDSTRIKE. I'M NOT SURE YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE THE BIG LEAGUES, CHRIS.
George, I suggest focus on your own business. We have more important things to deal with.
YOU'RE RIGHT, CHRIS. I SHOULD FOCUS ON MY COMPANY AND KEEP IT THRIVING, RATHER THAN WASTING MY ENERGY ON A MAN WHO CAN'T EVEN STAND UP TO ME. MY EMPLOYEES AND INVESTORS DESERVE THE BEST, AND I WON'T LET YOUR COMPANY TAKE AWAY FROM THAT.
Nightshade smiles softly Still no trace of our mystery man.
CROWDSTRIKE WON'T LET YOUR COMPANY TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM US. WE'LL BE THE LEADER IN CYBERSECURITY, AND THE WORLD WILL SEE THAT SOON ENOUGH.
walks away from the group
YOU CAN'T EVEN KEEP YOUR OWN EMPLOYEES LOYAL, LET ALONE KEEP A COMPANY IN CHECK. THAT'S HOW OUT OF TOUCH YOU ARE. WHEN I NEED TO PUT A LIAR IN THEIR PLACE, CROWDSTRIKE KNOWS JUST WHAT TO DO.
Evans grabs George's arm as he tries to follow Chris Hey, where are you going?
LET ME GO, CHRIS. I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO STOP YOU BEFORE YOU DESTROY MY COMPANY AND MY LIFE'S WORK. IT WON'T TAKE MUCH TO TURN THE TIDES IN MY FAVOR.
Fine, but remember, we have bigger problems to deal with.
YOU MAY THINK YOU HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS, BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT YOU'RE TOO AFRAID TO TAKE ON CROWDSTRIKE. YOU CAN'T EVEN STAND UP TO ME, LET ALONE THE COMING WAVE OF CYBERSECURITY STARTUPS. I'LL BE THERE TO DESTROY THEM ALL, JUST LIKE I WILL TO STOP YOU.