Aftermath: Daemon's Chosen
By: LadyBard
Chapter 11 - Strange Seconds
The present
“Wake up, Mr. Matrix.”
Enzo came awake with
painful slowness. His head ached and his mouth had a bitter taste. It was still
a struggle to regain consciousness and when he finally did, he looked with all
his loathing at his captor.
“My apologies for
drugging you, Mr. Matrix,” Raven said, “But it was necessary to keep you
subdued. I couldn’t have you making any escape attempt.”
Enzo tried to make a
scathing retort, but his voice had abandoned him.
“Take a nano,” Raven
said, “The drug will keep you groggy for awhile.” Then Raven walked away.
Enzo shook his head in an
attempt to clear it. He lowered his hand to his belt to activate an organizer.
A diagnostic would help, when he realized that his belt wasn’t there. Raven had
taken it. Enzo swore inwardly. There was a homing beacon on his organizer. He’d
have to try and convince Raven to let him have it back.
After a few nanos, Enzo
attempted to stand and had to sit immediately down again. He lay back down and
frustration built in his chest. He had to move. Finally he forced himself to
stand and walked forward, forgetting about the containment field, but to his
surprise, it had been deactivated. Well of course, Raven had just walked
through it.
Raven. Obviously another
alias. Enzo walked down the narrow corridor and the space opened up to reveal a
small cargo area. Enzo went about checking some of the boxes in hopes of
finding a weapon but they were all securely locked. He swore again, knowing he
could open them if he had his organizer. Some of the locks were old-fashioned
key locks while others were password protected. He spent a few futile micros’
trying to hack his way in without success. He sighed. He really needed Mouse to
continue his training. Thoughts of her led to thoughts of the rest of his
family and an ache began in his core-com. He rose and went in search of his
captor.
To his right was a door
and when Enzo walked towards it, it opened. As he expected, it was the ship
cockpit. Raven sat in the pilot’s seat. His kidnapper didn’t turn as Enzo
approached. The young sprite looked frantically around for anything he could
use as a weapon.
“I suggest you not
attempt to accost me in any way,” Raven said without turning. “Even if you were
to escape me there’s no place you can go.”
Raven motioned out to
cockpit window and Enzo saw they were flying over the unfamiliar terrain of a
new system. As far as the eye could see there was a vast expanse of trees and
in the distance, mist enshrouded mountains. By the level of the cyber-sun in
the sky it was early morning, the light setting the low-handing mist ablaze
with ruby fire. Under normal circumstances, Enzo would have been impressed by
the majesty.
“My family will come for
me,” Enzo said. “Keeping me will only piss them off more. Why not let me go and
you can fly off on your merry way? As long as I’m with you --,”
“As long as you’re with
me, they will not attempt to injure me or you will suffer,” Raven stood and
turned to look at him. Enzo felt a fleeting moment of panic, when he realized
the ship must be on autopilot. “Besides, there is much I have to do. Once I
complete my task you will be released.”
“I don’t believe you,”
Enzo said. “You’re going to delete me, aren’t you?”
“No,” Raven said. “I’m no
murderer.”
“Just a liar and
kidnapper.”
Raven approached quickly,
his eyes blazed with fury, and for one terrifying moment, Enzo thought he had
pushed him too far. The young sprite steeled himself for an attack, but none
came. Raven instead turned and walked back to his chair. “We’ll be landing in a
few nanos. I’d suggest you sit down.”
“Landing where? Are you
totally random?”
“Sit down, Mr. Matrix.”
The demand was voiced low and menacing.
Surely he couldn’t be
serious? Enzo couldn’t stand to be in the same room with him, let alone sit
next to him, but Enzo realized he had little choice. He took the passenger seat
and took a nano to examine the man. Could he take Raven by any chance? Enzo had
a green belt in Tae Kwon Dos but hadn’t had a chance to utilize his training.
Besides, he wasn’t studying the martial arts to fight but for the discipline
and physical fitness. Enzo tried his best to stand by his convictions when it
came to fighting. That didn’t mean, however that he wouldn’t defend himself or
use it to escape.
Raven seemed intent on
piloting his ship. Enzo knew with his organizer, he could probably figure out
how to do it himself or at least how to send a distress call. That would mean
subduing Raven, getting his organizer and –
“I will say it again,”
Raven suddenly spoke without looking at him, “do not attempt to accost me. I am
a much better fighter than you are. A green belt isn’t much compared to the
type of fight training I’ve had.”
Enzo drew in a sharp
breath. What was this guy a mind reader?
“All of your emotions
show in your face and your eyes,” Raven said. “And don’t you think I did my own
checking? Cease your plans to subdue me. They will do you little good.”
“You arrogant son of a
horse’s ASCII,” Enzo muttered turning away.
“Your insults are
becoming tiresome.”
“Get used to them.”
Raven gave a sharp
negative shake of his head, “Our destination.”
Outside the window, Enzo
was astonished to see what could only be described as a fortress sitting at the
edge of a sheer rock face. The place was immense, as large as the ancient
castles he had seen and toured while on one of his summer trips. It was
complete with its own landing pad. Raven touched down his ship with expert
skill.
“This will be your new
home for a time,” Raven stood and drew his laser. “Get up. Move.”
Enzo hesitated for just a
nano before standing and walking forward in the direction Raven indicated. They
went back to the cargo area and Raven said for him to stop.
“Egress,” Raven said and
the door opened and the ramp lowered.
Walking before his captor
Enzo stepped on solid ground for what seemed like the first time in cycles. It
was then that he got a better look at his surroundings.
The mist was just burning
away as the cyber sun continued to rise and the forest of majestic pines
gleamed almost newly, like the User had just created them. The air was fresh
and crisp and from far away, came the mournful keening of a forest bird.
But the scene was
suddenly rendered frightening by the feel of the laser being pressed between
his shoulder blades, “Get moving.”
Enzo turned rapidly, one
hand shot out knocking the laser away and the other lashed out connecting with
Raven’s midsection. The man went down and Enzo took off at a run. If he could
make it back to the ship –
The laser shot
ricocheting off the ground at his feet stopped him cold.
Enzo didn’t move his eyes
on the ship, his first real look at the vessel which he realized, with some
astonishment, was in the form of a great black bird.
“A raven,” Enzo
whispered, almost entranced by the sight. He had never seen anything like it.
“Nevermore,” Raven’s
voice came close to his ear. “A beauty, isn’t she?”
Enzo flinched and a stab
of icy fear went through his chest at the feel of the laser barrel against his
face.
“Do not attempt something
like that again. I will hurt you understand?”
“Y-yes,” Enzo’s voice
broke. It was hopeless there was no escape. He was trapped.
“Move,” Raven ordered
again and Enzo turned and started towards the fortress.
* * *
Seven hours into the
past.
The first thunderstorm
hit the next second. Bob was forced to temporarily suspend the search as strong
icy winds and rain battered the towers and the citizens of the Super Computer.
The Prime Guardian stood grimly over the console in the former command center
of the rebellion and swore softly once again.
At least the mother and
daughter were safe at Council Hall under Katiyana’s watchful eye. The Keytool
Mistress had come out of the melee with a broken wrist and some cuts and
bruises but other wise, she was fine.
It gave Bob little
solace. The defenseless toddler was still out there and he was powerless to do
anything about it. When the storm let up, he and the others would start
searching again, although he doubted they’d find any trace now since the rain
had probably obliterated it.
“Never thought I’d be
back down here again,” Dom’s voice drew him away from his musings.
Bob made a noncommittal
noise.
“Don’t worry Bob,” Dom
said, “We’ll find the boy.”
“I hope so,” Bob pound a
fist against the console and swore again.
The lights went out.
“Oh for User’s sake,” Bob
muttered.
Dom pressed a button on
the console, “Looks like trouble in the power station. I’ll send someone out.”
Bob conjured a ball of
light.
“Wow,” Dom said, “That’s
amazing.”
“It comes in handy,” Bob
smiled.
“Can I ask you something
personal?”
They were relatively
alone in the room. Two technicians were working on the machines. Everyone else
was either preparing to go back out or was resting.
“Sure.”
“When did you realize you
loved Dot?”
Bob’s face warmed. “From
the moment I first met her, although I didn’t know it at the time. I was on the
floor in pain.”
“What?”
“When I first arrived in
Mainframe, I portalled into her apartment in the middle of the night,
accidentally. She thought I was a burglar and she hit me with one those plastic
baseball bats.”
Dom tried unsuccessfully
to smother his laugh.
“But I didn’t really
admit how I felt to myself until after I spent some time stranded in the web. I
swore to myself if I got out of it alive, I’d tell her first thing. And I still
took way too long.”
A faraway look came into
Dom’s eyes, which rapidly became sadness.
“We’ll find SiRCe, Dom,”
Bob said. “And when we do, I suggest you tell her how you feel then and there.
We’re seldom given seconds chances.”
“Yes,” Dom said
decisively, “I will. Thanks Bob.”
“Looks like the storm is
letting up,” Bob once again leaned over the console. “Let’s get back out
there.”
* * *
Although the storm had
let up somewhat there was still a cold drizzle that made the searching tedious
but no one complained. Matrix and his group, which included AndrAIa was
investigating a water-filled gully, slogging through the knee deep mud and
hoping that the little boy had not made his way down there.
They met up with the
group being led by Ray and Mouse who had a message from Bob.
“Sugah, he needs you to
come back to the factory,” Mouse explained. “They found a doctor for you.”
For a moment, Matrix
looked at her in stunned silence. “I – I can’t leave now.”
“Look sugah, you’ll be of
more use to us if we have that eye of yours.”
“I’ll have to go back to
Mainframe to pick up a few things,” Matrix said.
“Then you can check
things out there and bring Dot up to speed. You know how the storm has messed
up communications,” AndrAIa said. “Take care of things and we’ll continue with
the search. I’ll join you at the hospital when the time comes.”
“All right,” he gave her
a quick kiss. “Be careful out here you guys. While I’m at the Hall, I’ll talk
to Zif about that project of yours AndrAIa.”
“See you in a few
Sparky,” AndrAIa said.
* * *
Matrix entered the
command center but found himself hesitating. He still hadn’t cleared the air
with Bob and now he was going in for this operation. To be honest, Matrix was a
little worried about it. Sure, he’d had it before but the man who had performed
the surgery was someone who he had come to trust. Matrix sighed inwardly.
Because of him, a fine cyber-surgeon and friend was deleted and he hadn’t been
able to prevent it. But he had avenged his friend’s murder and he knew he would
have to be satisfied with that.
“Zif says we should have
somewhat of a lull until late evening,” Bob was telling Dom, “Then it’ll hit in
full force again. Communications will be out.”
“Bob,” Matrix walked
forward, “Mouse tells me they found a surgeon?”
“Zif says he’s waiting.
Whenever you’re ready,” Bob said mildly. “Did you need to go back home for
awhile a pick up a few things?”
“Yes.”
“Then while you’re there
tell Dot what’s been going on,” Bob said. “We’ve been having serious
difficulties reaching Mainframe and I know she’s worried.”
“All right.”
Bob, for the first time
since their fight, walked over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. His
touch felt good. “Nervous?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t worry. Zif tells
me this doctor is the best and I’ll only have the best for my friends.”
Are we still friends,
Bob? Matrix wanted to ask but kept silent. “AndrAIa’s going to meet me at the
hospital,” he said.
“We’ll all be there,
including Dot, I’ll bet,” Bob smiled. “I’ve already arranged a transport for
you.”
“Okay,” Matrix muttered.
“Don’t worry. Everything
will be all right. I promise.”
* * *
AndrAIa literally dragged
herself into the factory later that evening. She was cold, soaked and covered
in mud and just on the hide side of disgusted. Mouse, Ray and several others
were in the kitchen area, the same one that she and Melissa had their
conversation not too long ago. A large older binome woman was serving cups of
broth and AndrAIa accepted one, before plopping herself down in a chair that
Ray and Mouse had saved.
“I’m going to talk to Bob
in a few nanos,” she began without preamble. “Did you guys notice anything
wrong with that situation between Tempus and Cooper during the game?”
“I noticed you hit the
nail right on the head sugah,” Mouse replied. “Why would Cooper wanna sabotage
his own position on the Council getting back at Bob?”
“Jealousy?” Ray
suggested.
“Maybe, sugah but, if he
were jealous why accept the position? Why not publicly campaign against Bob for
Prime Guardian?”
“No one would accept him
for one. Bob’s not a total wanker like Cooper is,” Ray said. “And incidentally,
where is the ruddy bloke?”
“I haven’t seen him since
the game,” AndrAIa sipped the broth. “He is up to something, whether or not
he’s the informant well I’m still not sure, but Tempus seems to think so.”
“Unless it’s Tempus,” Ray
said.
“Tempus, the informant?”
AndrAIa frowned. “I don’t know Ray. He doesn’t really have any reason either.
It would have to be someone in the shadows with a grudge against Bob and that
could be anyone.” AndrAIa rose. “I’ll be right back, you guys.” The game sprite
didn’t want to delay any longer.
* * *
Bob agreed with her
wholeheartedly.
They had gone to talk to
one of the empty offices and AndrAIa told him of what had happened during the
game.
“I always thought it was
a mistake offering Cooper a position,” Bob said. “I guess I shouldn’t say this
but it was a token gesture.”
AndrAIa gave him a
sympathetic smile and laid her hand over his, “That’s the kind of man you are, Bob.”
He looked up at her, his
large brown eyes distressed, “But look at all the trouble its caused.”
“Bob did you think being
Prime Guardian was going to be easy?” AndrAIa said.
He smiled slightly, “Well
actually--” and almost immediately, the smile faded. “If Cooper is the
informant, we’ll need proof.”
“Well if you can locate
him, I can tail him. At least until Matrix gets back.”
“He’s going to be okay
you know.”
“I know.”
“I’ll contact Rule and
have her try and locate Cooper. If she can’t find him, Mistress Katiyana should
be able to trace him through Meta.”
“All right,” AndrAIa
stood.
“I know I can trust you
to do the job, AndrAIa.”
She smiled at him, “Thank
you for that trust, Bob. Not just with this, but with everything.”
* * *
Dot and Phong waited by
the portal generator as Phong made the necessary adjustments.
“It appears to be in
working order now,” Phong said. “Shall we try again?”
“Go ahead,” Dot had been
worried since she had been unable to communicate with the Super Computer
because of the storm. She had no idea what was going on there, so she was
relieved that Matrix was returning.
Not that she had been
sitting idle. The meetings with the representatives of the other systems had
gone well. All had agreed to a joint business venture and Dot had a feeling it
would be very profitable for Mainframe. Not only that but the Saucy Mare’s
reconstruction was going remarkably well and one of the other systems had given
them additional construction supplies.
But the most amazing
thing that had happened was the discovery of the small fighter, deep underneath
the Data Sea. Dot guessed it was Nemesis’ ship and it was found just by
accident. One of system representatives had been doing a long-range scan from
their ship and had discovered it and sent a message back to Dot. They were
amazed that the ship had been intact albeit waterlogged and it was being
salvaged even then.
All this good news was a
little overwhelming and Dot was glad for all of it.
As the portal came to
life, Dot stepped back and smiled as Matrix stepped through.
“Hi Dot, Phong, what’s
processing?” He actually smiled at them.
“Welcome home, my son,”
Phong said.
“Hey there, I have a lot
of good news,” Dot said, “Now what’s this about them finding a surgeon?”
Matrix went on to tell
her about the operation he was soon to have. Dot could tell he was nervous
about it. She linked his arm with hers. “You shouldn’t be nervous. Bob was
right when he said you deserved the best.”
“And Bob will make
certain you will have the best,” Phong said. “How long will you be with us my
son?”
“I just need to get a few
things together, just a second I guess,” Matrix said. “That is if the storm
doesn’t disrupt things again. Then maybe I’ll be here a little longer.”
“Well I can’t say that
would be bad,” Dot said. “Everything’s been quiet here, thank the User.”
“Um – where’s Little
Enzo?” Matrix asked.
Both Dot and Phong halted
and looked at him.
“I believe he is at
Floating Point with Melissa,” Phong said.
“Maybe I’ll talk to him,”
Matrix said.
“Maybe?” Dot said.
“Okay, okay,” Matrix
said. He was not looking forward to this.
* * *
“What are you thinking?”
Melissa asked him.
Enzo leaned a little
farther over the edge of the tier. His eyes watered at the breeze buffeting his
face. “I was kind of thinking about what’s been going on.”
Melissa swung her legs
back and forth over the edge. “You mean all the stuff in the Super Computer?”
“Yeah,” Enzo sighed. He
was glad his family was safe. When the riot had started he had been terrified.
He had only been that scared one other time. “But not just that, everything
else that’s happened involving the Guardians. I mean your mother really did a
number on them.” He looked at her apologetically, “Sorry.”
“No, it’s the truth,”
Melissa said. “They all fell to her whims.”
“Even Bob,” Enzo still
couldn’t believe Bob had been turned into a virus. Not that he had lost faith
in Bob, but it was just scary to know Daemon had gotten to him too. Still Bob
had beaten Daemon, which was what Enzo had expected.
“Bob defeated her,”
Melissa said, “That makes him above the others. Well I guess that’s why he’s
the Prime Guardian now.”
“All that other stuff
though. The things that the Guardians did,” Enzo said, “I know it wasn’t their
fault but some of them well they were doing stuff they shouldn’t have been
doing, stuff that didn’t have anything to do with your mother controlling
them.”
“No one can claim
perfection Enzo,” she said. The looked at him puzzled, “Did you think the Guardians
were perfect?”
“Well – maybe not perfect
but – I guess knowing Bob, I thought they’d all be like him,” Enzo sighed. “But
even Bob knew about that Protocol 999. Even before the web creature invaded.”
Melissa gave him a
concerned look, “So your opinion on Bob has changed?”
“Well not really,” Enzo
said. “He’s still my hero and all. I guess I’m just starting to see certain
things differently. You know what I mean?”
“Actually I do,” Melissa
said. “So what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet,” Enzo
said. “This is a lot to take in, you know? Sometimes I wonder if I should do
something different. Sometimes I think I don’t want to be a Guardian after
all.”
A shadow fell over them
and both little sprites turned in unison to see Matrix’s massive form blocking
the light. Melissa was on her feet instantly, baring claws and fangs and
hissing at him.
“Calm down,” Matrix said.
“I’m not going to do anything.”
“You bet you’re not,”
Melissa said.
Enzo stood next to her,
“So what do you want?”
“To talk to you.”
“So talk,” Melissa said.
“Alone,” Matrix said.
“No.”
“Get lost, Melissa,”
Matrix’s voice had a hint of annoyance.
“Hey, don’t talk to her
that way!” Enzo stepped in front of his friend.
Matrix expelled a breath.
“Look, I really need to talk to the kid alone, okay Melissa? I’ll tell you what
--,” Matrix pointed to the tier just above and in front of them. “ – You fly up
to that tier while I talk to Enzo. If you see me making so much as a
threatening gesture, you have a clear shot at me, okay?”
“Well,” Melissa said, “Is
that okay with you, Enzo?”
“Yeah, it’s okay
Melissa,” Enzo said. “I’m not afraid of him.”
Melissa turned and leapt
away from the tier and floated smoothly to the one above. Enzo stared at Matrix
with what he hoped was a defiant look, “Well?”
“Why don’t we have a
seat?”
Matrix settled himself at
the edge of the tier, like Enzo had been doing, his legs dangling over the
side. “So what’s processing?”
“You came all the way
back to Mainframe to ask me that?”
“No,” Matrix grunted, “I
came back to pick up a few things. I’m going in for surgery.”
Despite himself, Enzo was
concerned, “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Matrix leaned
over the tier in a perfect imitation of Enzo’s action. The wind ruffled his
spiky hair.
Enzo took that moment to
really get a good look at his older self’s profile. So that’s how I’ll look
when I grow up, he thought. Well not exactly that way. He’d change a few things
just to be sure he didn’t look too much like Matrix.
“I’m getting my cybernetic
eye replaced,” Matrix continued.
“Oh,” Enzo said, “So
you’ll be able to shoot things again.”
“I use my gun to defend
myself.” For a nano he was silent. “Um – I could teach you how to use Gun --,”
“No!” Enzo said
vehemently, earning a completely astonished look from Matrix, “I don’t want to
ever touch a gun again.”
“What? What do you mean
again?”
“Nothing,” Enzo said.
“You may like shooting people but I think it’s wrong.”
“I don’t like--” Matrix
modified his voice, “I don’t like shooting people.”
“Bet Ray wouldn’t agree
with you,” Enzo muttered.
“What’s that’s supposed
to--” Matrix said. “Oh.”
“Yeah, ‘oh’, I know about
that too,” Enzo said, “I know about everything. That stuff Lynx said at the
meeting was just a little bit of the stuff you’ve done.”
“Enzo--”
“And I know how you feel
about virals,” Enzo went on, an uncharacteristic surge of anger in the pit of
his stomach.
“Okay, so you know
everything about me,” Matrix snapped, “Why can’t you understand that I did
those things to survive? I wasn’t that basic when I was your age.”
“Are you calling me
basic?”
Matrix sighed, “No.”
“Look what did you want?”
“I wanted to clear the
air with you,” Matrix said. “I wanted to make sure you knew I wasn’t going to
delete you.”
Enzo just stared at him,
waiting. Would he say it? When Matrix remained silent Enzo said, “And?”
“What do you mean ‘and’?”
“Don’t you have anything
else you wanted to say?”
“What else is there to say?
I’m not going to delete you okay?”
Enzo shook his head,
“You’re not going to say it are you?”
“Say what?”
Enzo made a noise of
disgust and climbed to his feet. “Are you basic or something?”
“What’s with you,
anyway?” Matrix said. “I told you I wasn’t going to delete you. Don’t you
believe me?”
“That’s not what I’m
talking about,” Enzo said. “You just don’t get it do you?”
“No, I don’t,” Matrix
snapped, “Why don’t you explain it to me like I’m a ten hour old?”
Enzo snorted, “I am so
outta here.”
Enzo decompressed his zip
board and was on it and flew away before Matrix could say anymore. He reached
the tier from which Melissa had watched.
“What did he say?”
Melissa asked when he landed.
“Nothing important,” Enzo
said, “Nothing at all.” Matrix hadn’t said the one thing Enzo wanted to hear.
Then again, Enzo wouldn’t of believed him if he had said it. Two simple words,
I’m sorry.
* * *
Of all the basic, low
density –
Matrix threw more
articles of clothing in his duffle bag. What did that kid want from him? Why
couldn’t he understand that Matrix had no intention of deleting him? Well, now
at least he could say he had talked to him when Bob asked. It wasn’t his fault
that the kid wasn’t cooperating. He wasn’t going to kiss Enzo’s ASCII.
Besides he had more
important things to think about right now. He needed to get back to the Super
Computer before the storm flared up again. He had waited to long for this. He
wouldn’t feel complete until the connection to his weapon had been
reestablished.
Yet no matter how hard he
tried, the incident was foremost in his mind. Matrix sat heavily on the bed and
ran his hands over his face. What did the kid want from him? Why couldn’t he
figure it out? They were the same code after all. Matrix allowed himself a
bitter smile. They were alike in one aspect. Never willing to give an inch.
* * *
“Sure you don’t want me
to scrub your back, love?” Ray tried once again to peek over the top of the
shower stall.
“Sugah, if you do that
one more time I’m gonna take those goggles of yours and make you eat them.”
Ray sighed, and leaned
against the wall, glad that they had gotten a chance to use the shower in the
infirmary. The storm had kicked up again and Bob had called another halt.
“I’m just looking forward
to a few milliseconds downtime,” Mouse said. “Although that cot is just
deleting my back.”
It wasn’t the first time
that Mouse had made that complaint and it had given Ray an idea. He wasn’t
certain that Mouse would go for it, but it was worth a shot. He needed to get
back to Mainframe and talk to Dot.
“Ray, Mouse, you two in
there?”
AndrAIa entered and Ray
straightened away from the wall, “What’s up, Dre?”
“I’m going back to the
Capitol to talk to Zif and help him with the schematics for – well I don’t know
what I’m going to call it yet. I guess I’ll know when it’s done,” AndrAIa
smiled.
“Hey, why don’t I fly you
there? I need to drop in at Mainframe for a little while,” Ray said.
“What you sayin’, Ray?”
Mouse turned off the faucets.
“I’m going back to
Mainframe for a bit, love.”
“Why?” Mouse peeked over
the shower stall.
“I’ve got some things to
take care of,” Ray said. “You get some down time.”
“Wait a nano,” Mouse
said, “What kind of ‘things’?”
“Just things, okay? I’ll
tell you about them when I get back,” Ray said, “You ready Dre?”
“Um --,” AndrAIa said,
“Sorry Mouse. Yeah sure, I’m ready.”
“Now wait you two!”
“See you when I get back
love.”
“Ray Tracer, if you don’t
get your search engine ASCII back here --!”
“She’s going to be really
pissed when you get back,” AndrAIa said. “I guess you don’t want to tell me
what’s going on?”
“You’ll find out soon
enough, Dre,” Ray said. “Do we need to get Bob’s permission first?”
“No, we’re okay. We’re
the Prime Guardian’s close personal friends.”
“Don’t you just love your
power?” Ray smiled.
“Almost better than sex,”
AndrAIa replied.
Ray was about to come
back with his own remark when a voice halted them, “AndrAIa, Ray.”
Both turned and exchanged
greetings with Captain Irina.
“How go the ship repairs,
Captain?” Ray asked.
“Both vessels will be
flight ready in two seconds which I am glad of,” Irina was soaked, but seemed
not to notice. The only indication she gave was when she wrung out her dripping
hair. “My crew and I have been feeling like a bunch of outdated software not
helping with the search and we are eager to lend a hand. I was just going to
speak to Bob. Are you on your way to see him?”
“Actually we’re on our
way to the Capitol,” AndrAIa said, “I’m going to talk to Zif and Ray’s on his
way back to Mainframe.”
“Then would you do me a
favor, Mr. Tracer?”
“Be glad to,” Ray said.
Irina drew a disk from
her belt, “Would you please deliver this to Dot Matrix? It is a petition that
myself and my crew be allowed to join the Mainframe military forces.”
“Really, that’s
wonderful! I’m sure Dot will agree,” AndrAIa said.
“I’ll be certain she gets
it, captain,” Ray said.
“Thank you,” Irina said,
“Then I shall see you upon your return.”
“Mainframe’s going to get
quite a soldier in her,” Ray said.
“Absolutely,” AndrAIa
agreed. “Dot will be pleased.”
* * *
Bob zipped over the
expanse of the trees and searched the terrain. He signaled to his troops and
pointed out a path that they could take.
The sky was an angry
bedlam of cumulonimbus clouds. Bob knew he couldn’t stay in the air for long.
The ominous rumble of thunder confirmed that thought.
His memory of this area
served him well. He could see the forest giving way to neatly cultivated
farmland. He knew it would be a miracle if the boy had traveled far enough to
reach one of them but Bob hoped it was so. The thought that maybe he was safe
and snug in some elderly couple’s farmhouse filled him with hope, but then
again, anyone finding the toddler would have contacted the authorities by now.
When the first flash of
lightening charged the air Bob dropped low quickly. Colonel tempus was leading
a party of ten men across a small stream. Bob landed on the other side. As they
approached Bob heard someone say, “It’s doubtful a boy that young made it so
far away from the factory grounds.”
“Prime Guardian,” Tempus
approached, “Still no sign. All our other search parties have reported in.”
“Then have them return
and the next groups go out.”
“Prime Guardian--”
“We’ll search every sector
of this area if we have to,” Bob said. “We’ll search everywhere and anywhere
but don’t say we’re giving up, is that clear Colonel Tempus?”
“Yes, Prime Guardian.”
The Colonel made to turn away.
“Colonel?”
“Yes sir?”
Bob averted his eyes for
a brief moment, “Have them start to drag the lake.”
“Prime Guardian,” Tempus’
voice was soft with disbelief.
“Yes, I know, colonel,”
Bob’s voice was laced with bitterness, “You think I want to give that order?
You think I want to even consider --?”
“No, of course not sir,”
Tempus said. “Right away.”
Bob truly wished Dot were
with him.
* * *
The two sprites stood in
the midst of the Operations Center. AndrAIa wondered if she would have an area
like this and a team of her own if she accepted Dot’s offer.
“AndrAIa, you are truly a
genius,” Zif smiled at her. “These preliminary schematics are amazing.”
“I just have the idea,
you’ll do the actual work,” AndrAIa said. “And with Mistress Katiyana’s
assistance, we’ll have what we need in a few seconds.”
“Perhaps sooner,” Zif
said. “We already have the technology to locate a portal, now we just need to
do a little tweaking.”
The lights took the
opportunity to black out.
“Looks like we’re doing
this by emergency light,” Zif said.
AndrAIa and Zif began the
adjustments on the current scanning equipment. Katiyana joined them later
giving her own specifications. AndrAIa was almost surprised at how much she
knew and how technically knowledgeable she was.
The Keytool Mistress left
them later that night, and Zif and AndrAIa worked into the wee hours.
They were making some
final adjustments (they had to call Mouse for advice at one point and like
AndrAIa suspected, she was fit to be tied about Ray’s leaving) when the lights
came back on and Zif immediately turned most of them out. The two were
relatively alone, with only a skeleton crew of three other people.
“Well that’s it,” Zif and
AndrAIa stood before the newly refurbished scanning device. “Now all we need is
a test run. I guess Bob can help us with that.”
“We’ll ask him at
daybreak,” AndrAIa said.
“I have to say it,” Zif
smiled at her, “You are as intelligent as you are beautiful.”
AndrAIa blushed, “Thank
you,” she said quietly. Zif was looking at her in a way that made her
uncomfortable and she suddenly remembered what SiRCe had told her. She had
never been in this situation before and for once didn’t know what to do. She
liked Zif, but only as a friend. Well one thing she did know, men never liked
to be told by a woman that they wanted to be ‘just friends’.
“Zif,” AndrAIa said, “I’m
very fond of you too. You’re one of my closest friends.”
“Friend,” Zif said
quietly, “Yeah, I thought so.”
“Zif--”
“Look, I understand Dre.
You have Matrix. What would you want with a guy like me when you have someone
like him?”
AndrAIa turned fiercely
on him, “Oh and what’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying I’m shallow?”
Zif inhaled sharply, “No
– no! I mean--” Zif lowered his head, “I’m sorry Dre. You’re right that was
basic of me. You and Matrix grew to love each other over the hours.”
“Yes, that’s true,”
AndrAIa said, “You’ll find someone.”
“Yeah right,” Zif said.
“You’re selling yourself
short, you know.”
Zif began working the
machine on the pretense of testing it, “Yeah I guess.”
AndrAIa didn’t say
anything else. She doubted there was anything she could say to make the
situation any better. Zif would have to realize that there was someone out
there for him who would love him for who he was. His situation made her even
more thankful for Matrix.
* * *
Early that same morning,
the storm abated long enough for the cyber sun to peek out from behind the
clouds. Everything had the crisp ‘after storm’ scent. When Bob was young he had
loved the time after the storm, now it meant little to him.
Dragging the river had
thankfully yielded no results. Bob and his troops trudged wearily back to the
factory. The Prime Guardian had to fight to lift his leaden arms and legs.
“You’re doing it again,
Prime Guardian,” Colonel Tempus moved to walk beside him.
“What’s that?”
“You know very well
what,” Tempus grumbled, “Working yourself to exhaustion. Why not return to the
Capitol and get some rest? There’s nothing more that can be done for now.”
“There’s always more,” it
was then that Bob spied AndrAIa standing by the gate speaking to the guard.
Looking at her, Bob realized for the first time what an intelligent and capable
young woman she had grown to be and he had missed it all. And he had no one to
blame but himself. “Get some rest yourself, colonel.”
“As you wish sir,” Tempus
said. “I must return to the Capitol for a time anyway.”
Bob watched him as he
walked away. He was a good soldier and a great man. At least he made a good
council member.
“What’s processing Dre?”
Bob asked when he approached her.
“Zif and I finished the
PSI,” AndrAIa said proudly.
“PSI?”
“Portal Signature
Identifier,” AndrAIa said. “Zif’s inside installing a relay now. We need your
permission to install additional relays. This way, if a portal opens with a
sector radius of a relay, we’ll have the information and its signature
frequency. Then if a portal with the same frequency opens, well be able to
identify it and trace it back to its source. It works with any normal scanning
equipment.”
“Dre you’re a genius,”
Bob said, “You’d better take that job with Dot before I snap you up for the
Collective.”
“Sorry Bob, I’ve already
decided. I want to go back to Mainframe and tell Dot in person. Besides, I want
to see what’s taking Matrix so long.”
“The communications were
still out last night,” Bob said, “Let’s go in and try now.”
“Been meaning to ask
you,” Bob said as they walked back into the factory, “Why did Ray go back to
Mainframe?”
“He wouldn’t say,”
AndrAIa said, “Mouse still pissed off?”
“Oh yeah,” Bob said.
And speaking of Mouse,
the mercenary was in the control center when Bob and AndrAIa entered, helping
Zif install the relay hardware. She glanced up at them.
“Been waitin’ for you to
come back Dre,” Mouse was clearly pissed, “Did Ray come back with you?”
“Um – no Mouse,” AndrAIa
said, “I’m sure whatever it was it was important and he’ll tell you later.”
Mouse snorted and went
back to her work.
“Dom, could you try
Mainframe again?” Bob asked.
Dom who had been leaning
over the console began making the necessary adjustments, said, “I’ll do my
best. There’s still a lot of interference despite the clearing weather.”
They managed to barely
get through to Phong. They were having trouble with the portal generator but
Phong stated Matrix would be arriving shortly. AndrAIa suggested and Zif agreed
that they could use that portal to collect a signature to make certain that
function of the device was operational. Bob then gave permission for Zif and
his team to start placing the additional relays. AndrAIa went back to the
Capitol to meet Matrix.
Bob spoke to Dot as long
as the communications would allow. She was coming back to the Super Computer at
the end of the second, and Bob suspected she would want to be near Matrix
during his operation.
* * *
The storm returned in
full force as Dot stepped out of the portal. Lightening flashed followed by a
horrific crash of thunder. Dot gave a squeak of alarm.
“Need someone to cuddle
up with?” Bob entered the portal room.
“You’re late, mister,”
Dot slid her arms around his shoulders and they kissed.
“Sorry, a Prime
Guardian’s work is never done.” Bob slid his arm around her waist as they
walked.
“Neither is a
Command.com’s, but Phong has everything in order. He wants an update as soon as
possible.”
“I don’t know,” Bob
sighed as the lights flickered. “Zif says the big one is very close now, about
two seconds away. This has been child’s play so far.”
Another flash, another
crash, “If this is child’s play, I don’t want to be here when baby finally
throws a tantrum.”
“How is that big brother
of mine?” Her voice softened.
“Nervous,” Bob said.
“He’s at the hospital getting a preliminary exam done. Hope you don’t mind
driving over in the middle of a storm. Portalling might not be a good idea
right now.”
“It’s for Matrix, I don’t
mind.”
* * *
Matrix couldn’t believe
it. This was the doctor who was going to replace his eye?
Dr. Thea Align looked
liked someone’s maternal grandmother.
At least the
silver-skinned, silver haired woman hadn’t made him put on one of those flimsy
gowns.
“I see you’re in excellent
shape,” Dr. Align said, “I’ll just need the schematics for your weapon and your
friend Zif provided me with the information for your eye.”
“I brought Gun’s
schematics with me,” before the man who had given him Gun had been deleted he
had given the information to Matrix. “Are you sure you can do this?”
“Excuse me? My
credentials are easily accessible--”
“It’s not that it’s just
that--”
“You were expecting a
man?”
“Well – um --”
“Surely you’re not gender
biased in this second and clock speed?”
“No! Of course not,” how
could he tell her that he didn’t trust her?
“You’ll have to trust
me,” Dr. Align said. “But if you don’t feel comfortable doing this I can get a
male surgeon in. It will take time and he won’t be as good as I am.”
“You’re very modest,”
Matrix muttered and regretted it the moment he did.
“Modesty has nothing to
do with it. I am the foremost expert in my field,” Dr. Align said. “Feel free
to check my credentials. Now would you like this done or not?”
Matrix sighed, there was
no getting around it if he wanted to be back to peak efficiency again. “Let’s
do this.”
* * *
Dot watched with no
measure of worry as they wheeled Matrix into the operating room. She rubbed her
hands nervously and Bob slipped an arm around her shoulders.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be
fine,” Bob said.
“I wish I could be in
there with him,” Dot said. “I hate it that’s he’s going through this alone.”
“He’s not alone,” AndrAIa
walked up and handed Dot a cup of java. The game sprite motioned to the waiting
room where Ray, Mouse sat. Rose would be stopping up soon for a progress report
on Matrix and also to give hers to Bob.
“I know,” Dot took her
hands. “I know you’re concerned about him too.”
“Don’t worry,” AndrAIa
smiled.
“I guess all we can do
now is wait.” Dot took a sip of the java
* * *
The portal came open and
two figures stepped out.
“Cursors!” Chaos
muttered, “I hate the rain!”
SiRCe didn’t reply.
“Well it will provide
excellent cover for what we must do,” Chaos said. “Our operative has informed
us that they’ll begin the search again once the storm abates. So you should
have ample opportunity to act, understand?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
SiRCe hesitated, the
denial on her face, “Yes, master.”
“Good, very good.” Chaos
smiled. “Don’t disappoint us, SiRCe.”
“I won’t – master.”