Aftermath: Daemon's Chosen
By: LadyBard
Chapter 4 - Confrontations
The
present
The man who walked down
the dark and silent corridor on the penthouse floor of DeCrypt Enterprises
would immediately command one of two reactions, fear or awe. That is, if others
were present to see him. It was almost 22:00 hours and the offices were empty.
Women called him
handsome. He supposed he was. He never gave it much thought. He knew he favored
his mother, which he was proud of. She had been his life and his world until he
was fifteen. Until she was so horribly taken away from him and there hadn't
been a blasted thing he could do about it.
His skin like hers, was
metallic gold, his eyes were the same color except for the flecks of ruby
sprinkled through. Those eyes had inspired many things, fear, desire, and
respect. He wore his hair long in a single braid that traveled down the length
of his back and unruly spikes in the front. Only the best warriors wore long
hair as a sign of their skill. It was too easy to use as a grip to expose your
throat.
He was dressed entirely
in black trimmed with gold. His clothes were impeccable, made from the finest
leather. He never went unarmed, and his swept-hilt rapier and matching main
gauche were strapped to his hip and at the small of his back respectively. He
had foregone wearing his sash. Hopefully, he wouldn't need his grenades here.
He did have on his special cape, which seemed almost alive, flowing like liquid
obsidian down his back.
He approached the door to
Ran DeCrypt's office and they opened in mock welcome.
Ms. Warren was at her
desk, doing some late-night work and her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"Raven!"
Raven couldn't help but
smile at her. He truly liked the elderly sprite and there were few people Raven
liked. He took her hand and raised it to his lips, "Ms. Warren."
"Raven," Ms.
Warren said, "how can I convince you to give up this profession?"
"We've been through
this before," Raven said, patiently. "I must be who and what I am. I
must do what I can to survive."
"I know," she
said quietly and inadvertently, she glanced at the closed double doors.
"So what does he
want this time?"
"I don't want to
guess. You'd better go in." She pressed a button on her desk console.
"Mr. DeCrypt your guest is here."
The doors opened and
Raven gave her a half smile, before striding into the office.
Ran Decrypt was standing
and staring out the window that ran the length of the office. He didn't turn,
even after the door closed.
"Did anyone see you
come in?" Ran said.
"Of course
not," Raven said. "Your security is sorely lacking."
Ran turned to face him
and Raven stared at him mildly. People were so afraid of this pompous ASCII.
Raven couldn't for the life of him see why.
"I want you to
investigate a woman named Dot Matrix," Ran walked over to his desk and
picked up a Notepad lying there. "Here's all the information we have on
her."
Raven's eyes scanned the
data. "Dot Matrix, Comman.com of Mainframe. Yes, I've heard of her and her
system. They were instrumental in defeating the super virus Daemon."
"Her husband, the
Prime Guardian, supposedly single-handedly did so."
Hmm, he may pose a
problem, Raven
thought. "She seems to have quite a respectable business."
"Everyone has
secrets," Ran said. "I want you to find all of hers. I want to know
all about her business practices and associates and what little skeletons she
may have in her hidden files. I want to know when she goes to bed and night and
what kind of java she drinks in the morning."
"Very well,"
Raven said. "So you wish to acquire her little operation as well?"
"I will have
it," ran said. "No one says no to me."
"So I've
noticed," Raven said and he ignored Ran's scathing look.
"And if you cannot,
by some miracle of the User, find anything on the prim and proper Ms. Matrix,
you know what to do."
"I see," Raven
said darkly. Why did he continue to take work from this man? "I'm assuming
you don't mean her husband."
"Don't be a smart-ASCII.
She has children."
Raven's head snapped up
and his gold and ruby eyes narrowed. "How old?"
"What difference
does --,"
"How old?"
"It's all
there," Ran nodded to the Notepad Raven held.
Again his eyes scanned
the data, "No."
"What do you mean,
no?"
"I mean no! You know
I don't take little kids."
"You'll do as you're
told," Ran said.
Raven shut the Notepad,
"Then this conversation is over. Find yourself another spy." Raven
turned to leave.
"Wait you son of a
--," he broke off.
"Yes?" Raven's
voice became dangerous.
"Very well,"
Ran hissed, "She has a brother. Her PDA."
Raven picked up the
Notepad again, "It says she has two."
"You want the
younger one. A real pretty boy. He's around your age."
Raven nodded. One look at
Enzo Matrix's picture and Raven was confident he'd have no trouble if it came
to that. As always, it seldom did, since business owners had their secrets.
"My usual fee, plus
expenses, deposited into my account by midnight tonight," Raven said.
"Done," Ran
muttered.
"I'll report by the
end of the cycle."
Raven closed the Notepad
and walked out without another word.
Ms. Warren looked up as
he passed, "Raven?"
"Yes?"
"Was it about Dot
Matrix?"
Raven smiled at her
again, took her hand and kissed it once more. Then as silently as he entered,
he left and went to prepare for his task.
***
Seven hours into the
past.
There was nothing like
flying on Baud and it was a nice evening for it. Too bad they were on such
serious business. Ray had been looking forward to taking Mouse on a long
romantic flight, finding somewhere nice and quiet, and showing her just how
much she had come to mean to him in the few short minutes he had known her.
They had been taking it
slow. Sure, there had been a lot of flirting and some heavy petting, but that's
as far as sprite and search engine had ever taken it.
Now Ray began to wonder
if it was time to take things further.
He had never felt this
way about a woman before and in his line of work, there had been few and far
between.
"So I understand
you do all your surfing alone?"
"Never found
anyone who likes to take the risks I do."
"I can't imagine
where you'd find a girl like that."
"Well I found you,
Bluey," Ray smiled at her from behind, "Now the question is where
should we go from here?"
"You say something,
sugah?" Mouse called back.
"Yeah, what are you
trying to do? Out fly me?"
"Of course. Someone
has to knock you down a few megs."
"You wish!" Ray
said.
Mouse dropped back
however, "So what do you think this is all about?"
"Don't know,"
Ray said. "I have a feeling though it's going to be something real
unpleasant."
"Maybe involving
Daemon's Chosen?"
"Maybe."
"I'm real worried
about Bob, sugah."
"Don't worry love,
between Matrix and us, we'll protect him."
"What if we can't? What
if --,"
"Now don't start
getting' pessimistic on me now love," Ray smiled.
"Yeah, you're right,
sugah," Mouse motioned ahead of them, "Looks like we're here."
The factory was alive
with the sounds of people working and conversing. From their distance all
seemed well. It wasn't until Mouse and Ray landed that they realized how
nervous everyone was by the suspicious looks and the abrupt way people ended
their conversations.
"Security is kind of
lax," Ray commented.
"They didn't need
security, or at least they thought they didn't. We'll talk to Dom about
starting a security force."
Someone who recognized
them from the Conflict gave them directions to Dom's third floor office. Even
inside the building there was construction going on. Dom had apparently moved
to the office as it was quieter, more out of the way and had a working computer
console. The door was open but Mouse knocked on the doorframe before entering.
Dom was speaking with someone on a vid-window but he motioned them inside when
he looked their way. Mouse and Ray took two of the four available chairs.
"Yes, I
understand," Dom said. "You'll need to speak with my head of
personnel. We haven't completely registered our workforce yet. Well sir,
there's only two of us. Thank you, I'll speak with you tomorrow."
"Union rep,"
Dom said when the window closed. "SiRCe will handle him."
"SiRCe is
here?" Ray asked and he saw Dom's face flush slightly.
"I convinced her to
stay, at least temporarily, she's handling personnel, if we ever get the
business up and running again. I still have to hire more people." Dom
pressed a button on his desk console and the door closed. "I never close
my door."
"So what about these
disappearances mate? Anything more on them?"
"Nothing," Dom
said. "We've questioned everyone and no one's seen anything or anyone
suspicious, but like I said, how can you tell? I don't know really what else
you can do, but I'd appreciate anything."
"Well first off, we
noticed your security was kind of --," Mouse said.
"Lax?" Dom
said, "Yes. We have a small security force, mostly former members of the
Resistance. They've been hard pressed to keep the peace within the
community."
"What about all the
soldiers?" Ray asked.
"Very few remained.
Those that did are part of the security force. The unofficial leader is a man
named Harmean. He's doing his best with what we have but he's not -- well,
you'll have to meet with him to see what I mean."
"If he needs help
all he has to do is ask," Ray said. "Do we have your permission to
act?"
"Of course,"
Dom said. "What ever decisions you make you can use my name."
"Good. We'll need to
meet with this man and his security force. We'll also need all the personal
information on those involved," Mouse said, "And the stuff that
doesn't usually go into the files if you get my meaning."
"Yes," Dom
said. "We've tried cross-referencing certain similarities of all the
victims involved but all we've come up with is that they are all male between a
certain age. Except for the little boy, which totally blew any of our theories
away."
"Question for ya,
Dom," Mouse said. "In your investigations, did anyone mention, or did
ya hear anyone mention, Daemon's Chosen?"
"Daemon's Chosen?
Why no. What's that about?"
Ray and Mouse exchanged a
look. "Better let him know."
By the time they were
finished explaining Dom was staring at them in wide-eyed amazement.
"Surely you can't be
serious? Daemon worshipers?"
"Yup," Mouse
said.
"I'm assuming Bob
knows? And that he's being protected?"
"Well you know
Bob," Ray said. "He didn't think he needed it, so Matrix, Mouse and I
volunteered ourselves."
"Matrix is with him
now."
"Then he should be
perfectly safe," Dom said, "No one is that random to go
against Matrix."
Mouse stifled a giggle
and Ray cleared his throat.
"What?" Dom
asked, "Oh no, Ray?"
"Um - yeah, well
--,"
"Oops - sorry
--,"
"No problem
mate," Ray smiled. "Not something I'll ever try again."
Someone knocked and the
door came open, "Dom? Why is the door closed?"
SiRCe entered, then
halted when she saw Ray and Mouse. "Mouse! Ray!" The former leader of
the Underground smiled at them both.
"Close the door,
please, SiRCe," Dom said.
SiRCe nodded and did so,
"You're here about the disappearances, aren't you?" She pulled up a
third chair and sat down.
"We're here to help,
sugah," Mouse said. "Now I understand you're in charge of personnel
here?"
"For now,"
SiRCe said quietly.
Ray saw a flash of
disappointment in Dom's eyes. So he is sweet on her, the Surfer thought.
"Then we're going to
need some info on the people involved," Mouse said, "And a place to
work."
"Then we'd like to
do some snooping of our own," Ray said.
"Anything you
need," Dom said, "There's an office down the hall with a computer and
workstation. You're welcome to that. SiRCe?"
"Thanks Dom, we'll
get to the bottom of this, I promise," Ray said.
"I hope so,"
Dom said. "After all we've been through, I was hoping for some peace.
Guess it was just wishful thinking."
***
Three milliseconds of searching
and cross-referencing on the computer proved futile and Mouse was becoming
annoyed.
"Dom was right,
we've tried every angle and the only thing the victims have in common are the
fact that they're all male," Mouse hissed in frustration. "We can't
even say age."
"There's nothing off
the record that states they were acquainted in any way, either," SiRCe
said. "But here's a list of various people each victim were known to
associate with. We cross referenced that too but the closest we came to a match
was this woman --," SiRCe punched up an image on the monitor, "- her
name is Pixel Shim. She's one of the refugees that came in. She's the fiancée
of one of the men that went missing. Apparently she was acquainted with the -
um - married man."
"Umm hmm --,"
Mouse said. "As good a place to start as any. But this could use a woman's
touch. Sugah, you want to go talk ta that Harmean fella?"
"Why not?"
"Is there a place we
can meet, SiRCe?"
"Well a pre-fab
building was erected as sort of a common area where the people meet. It's like
a tavern-slash-club. Ray will probably find Harmean there."
"Then I'll meet you
there in two milliseconds, Ray."
"Will do. You be
careful, Bluey."
"Sugah, you call me
that one more time --,"
Ray left before she could
finish the sentence.
"What does it
mean?" SiRCe asked.
"A woman with red
hair."
"What?"
"Don't ask."
***
The city of
pre-fabricated and retrofitted temporary homes spread across the clearing that
had once served as the landing area of the rebel forces. Mouse could see the Libertas
and the Mercurius from where she floated on her zip board. She wondered
how the repairs were going and decided she should stop in a talk to Irina and
Max anyway. It was possible that they could provide some useful information.
First she needed to talk
to Pixel Shim.
SiRCe had told her where
the woman was residing. She and her fiancé had been sharing one of the homes,
but another woman had moved in with her when her fiancée disappeared. Mouse
made her way there.
The place reminded her of
System 998 about as grungy as a place could be but until construction was
finished there was nothing else that could be done. Again Mouse knocked on the
doorframe when she stood in front of the place.
"Yes?"
"Hi, I need to talk
to Pixel Shim?"
The door opened to reveal
a young lavender-skinned woman, "You found her. Who are you?"
Mouse decided Pixel Shim
would be more inclined to talk to her in an official capacity, "I'm
Constable Mouse, of the New Collective."
"Constable Mouse?
What kind of a name is that?"
"It's my name
sugah," Mouse decided she didn't like this woman at all, "And it's a
name I'm proud of, you got a problem with it?"
"No," Pixel
whispered, "The Collective? What do you want with me?"
"I want to talk to
you about your fiancé. Dom Markup asked me to investigate."
"What, Mr. Markup
can't do his own investigating?" Pixel asked. "You had better come
in."
No, Mouse didn't like
this woman one little bit. "I understand you were also acquainted with one
of the other missing men?"
"My you get right to
the point don't you Constable?" Pixel snapped at her. "My fiancé
thought I was seeing him but I wasn't. We had an argument and he left. That was
the last time I ever saw him. That's the same thing I told the people Dom sent
out."
"Okay so what didn't
you tell Dom?" Mouse asked.
"If I didn't tell
Dom something, what makes you think I'd tell you?"
"Well," Mouse
casually leaned against the wall, "I could get you in a lot more trouble
than Dom could - seeing as I'm a constable with the Collective and all. Not to
mention --," Mouse drew her dagger and took out a whetstone and began to
sharpen the blade, " - I'd be real upset if you held something from
me."
Pixel looked at her for a
moment. "Well there's this guy that he recently started hanging out with
but --,"
"But?"
"Listen, you have to
promise me protection."
"Protection? From
who?"
Pixel crossed the room to
the door and opened it on a crack, then closed it. "My fiancé was recently
approached by this man that has sort of gang here. They have a few things going
on, you know illegal things. This place is perfect for it with all the
transients and refugees and minimum security. I don't know what he wanted my
fiancé for. He wouldn't tell me, but this man, well he has the kind of reputation
- well you don't go against him that's all. He kind of runs this place."
"Damn it,"
Mouse swore, "Should a known something like this would happen here. Dom
definitely needs a better security force. Okay sugah, you want protection you
got it, but you're going to have to go to the factory complex and tell Dom
everything you told me, got it?"
"Yes. And thank you,
constable."
"No problem. Now
where can I find this guy?"
***
Ray strode into the
pre-fab building that SiRCe had indicated. All eyes turned towards him. The
search engine shrugged inwardly. He was used to stares and strange looks.
"Evening,
mates," Ray gave them his most charming smile, "I'm looking for a man
goes by the name of Harmean?"
Several heads turned in
the direction of the far corner of the room. Sitting at a table cloaked in
shadows was an aging obese sprite that looked like he hadn't seen soap and
water for at least a cycle. Ray sighed. Couldn't he ever have to deal with a
decent clean individual?
The search engine
sauntered over to him, "Mind if I join you for a drink, mate?"
"Who are you and
what do you want?" Harmean grunted in a hoarse slurred voice.
"Name's Tracer.
Constable Tracer of the New Collective."
Instantly a flush
reddened Harmean's face at the same instance several heads turned in their
direction.
"Sure, sit
down," Harmean said. The sprite signaled for a waitress and she brought
him a fresh bottle and a second glass. Ray eyed the bottle - Chevara Whiskey -
dubiously. He didn't prefer hard liquor. It slowed the reflexes. Yet, he
accepted the shot that Harmean poured for him.
"So I repeat,"
Harmean said, "What do you want?"
"Is there a more
private place we can talk?"
"This is fine,"
he waved his hand in an expansive gesture, "These people don't care."
Ray shrugged and tipped
back his shot glass. "Dom Markup asked me to do a little investigating
into the disappearances."
"Oh so Dom doesn't
believe I can do it myself?"
"Why should
he?" Ray said. "Look at yourself. Why should Dom feel confident you
could do anything?"
For the first time,
Harmean actually laughed. "I guess I can't blame him at that."
Then Harmean seemed to
sober. "Shame about that little boy going missing."
"Yes it is,"
Ray said. "And you found nothing in your investigation?"
"There was no
investigation," Harmean said. "I asked a few questions and that was
it."
"What's your problem
mate? If you were having trouble why didn't you ask for help?"
"Because --,"
Harmean suddenly broke off and a look of sheer terror crossed his features. The
source of his fear seemed to be over Ray's shoulder. The search engine turned
in his seat to see a sprite and two binomes approaching.
The binomes were
nondescript in appearance but it was the sprite that caught Ray's attention. He
was completely yellow; his skin, eyes, and hair. His frame was thin with a
weasel-like face and crooked teeth that showed in his malicious grin.
"Hey there,
Harmean," his voice was high and nasal. "Who's your friend?"
"He's not my friend,"
Harmean mumbled.
"Sharing a drink
with him and he's not your friend?" The yellow man said. "What is he
something else?"
Ray moved his chair back
in slow motion, turned and stood, "And who might you be?"
"I asked you
first."
"No, you asked him."
His smile faded,
"Call me Crack."
"You can call me
Constable Tracer," Ray said.
"Well
la-de-freakin'-da," Crack wasn't the least bit impressed. "So what?
You takin' Harmean's place as the law around here?"
Several snickers from the
gathered patrons followed his remark. Ray failed to see the humor.
"I might be,"
Ray said. "You got a problem with that?"
Instantly the mood
changed. Some of the patrons moved away, out of the line of fire Ray supposed,
but they watched with rapt attention. Ray sent a silent message to Baud in
preparation. Crack's smile turned into a sneer.
"Yeah I got a
problem with it," Crack said. "People around here tend to listen to
me."
"You wouldn't have
anything to do with the disappearances would you?"
Crack's expression turned
mean, "Maybe. What you going to do about it?"
The two binomes moved
slightly towards Ray.
"Take you in for
questioning for starters," Ray said. "Release you when I bloody well
feel like it, if at all."
"Is that so?"
Crack snapped his fingers and three more sprites, all of varying sizes and
weights, rose from their table to rush to his side. "Harmean if he's
really not your friend, you'd better get clear now."
Harmean obeyed, slinking
into the shadows against the far wall.
Ray donned his web armor.
"What in the net is
that?" Crack laughed. "Oh well, won't protect you from getting' your
neck broke." Crack signaled again and the sprites advanced on him.
The sharp noise of a door
being slammed caused everyone's attention to shift to the tavern's entrance.
"Sugah," Mouse
leaned casually against the doorframe as she sharpened her katana with a
whetstone, "You in need of a little help?"
"No, love, got it
covered," Ray smiled and before his enemies had a chance to react, Ray's
fist lashed out, smashing Crack in his mouth just as the sprite turned his
attention back to the search engine.
His companions watched in
shock as their leader hit the floor hard, blood poured from his mouth and he
spat out teeth. Crack said something, but the words came out garbled. Whatever
it was didn't sound flattering.
The two binomes turned
and ran but the three sprites advanced on Ray. The first to reach him got their
teeth knocked out as well and when the other two rushed him, all three went
down in a fierce tangle of limbs. The two had Ray pinned at first, giving them
the advantage but Ray managed to free one hand and rammed the flat of his palm
against the chin of one, but the other struck him across the temple and ended
up breaking his fingers for his trouble. Now free, Ray rolled, came up and as
his second attacker was struggling to his feet holding his injured hand, Ray
kneed him in the groin. He went down and didn't rise.
By now, the patrons had
gathered in a semi-circle to watch the spectacle and Ray looked at the sea of
faces in heated excitement and the sounds of voices goading him on. A quick
glance told him Mouse was still by the door, which was fine with him because he
didn't want her in the way.
Suddenly arms wrapped
around his torso, pinning his arms to his side as the first attacker recovered.
Ray struggled, and then brought his foot down hard on the other man's. The
attacker released Ray and spun him around, aimed a swing which Ray ducked and
the search engine smashed the sprite's nose to splinters.
Movement on the other
side of the room caught his attention. Mouse saw him too. Crack, running out of
a side entrance. Calling for Baud, Ray pushed through the crowd. "Mouse,
that one! We have to catch him!"
The red haired mercenary
dashed out the front door. Ray hopped on Baud and followed in her wake. Crack
disappeared behind some buildings, the spaces between them too narrow for Ray
to navigate. Ray lost sight of his quarry for a while, but Mouse was easy to
spot and Ray hovered behind her.
"Ruddy null-face
must be hiding somewhere." Ray didn't want Mouse facing him alone so he
alighted on the ground and followed her down the alley she had taken. He had a
feeling she knew he was there, so he didn't call out to keep from alerting
Crack to their presence.
Suddenly the sounds of a
scuffle reached his ears. Ray dashed forward in time enough to see Crack,
clambering over a wall and Mouse in hot pursuit. Ray followed. More twists and
turns and the felon continued to run, until he ran out of places to hide. The
open space between the buildings and the woods was small, but once out in the
open, Ray hopped on Baud and was closing in, in the next nano. Crack turned
suddenly and fired a shot. Ray had had no idea he was armed and it glanced off
Baud. The search engine experienced a moment of pain, but ignored it as his
quarry plunged into the woods with Mouse following.
"Mouse, don't go in
alone!" Ray called but of course the mercenary ignored him. Ray maneuvered
through the trees, but still had clear sight of Mouse. Suddenly she stopped
running and Ray glided to a stop just a few feet behind her.
"Thank the User
you're here!" They heard Crack said not too far ahead. "There's this
crazy sprite and some red-haired hell-cat chasing me --,"
The forest was suddenly
lit up by laser fire. The silence pierced by Crack's dying scream.
"Ruddy net!"
Ray leapt from a Baud as two more shots barely missed him. Mouse had taken
cover behind a tree. There was movement in the forest ahead of them, then
another blinding light and an explosion. An eerie bluish incandescence that Ray
instinctively knew was a tear appeared. Three figures were silhouetted in the
light before it converted into portal and they disappeared through.
Using the cover of the
trees, Ray was soon beside Mouse.
"You think they're
gone love?"
"Yup," Mouse
said. "But still watch yourself."
The pair moved forward,
dashing from tree to tree. An acrid scent reached them, an odor of ammonia and
rotting meat combined. As they stepped into the clearing Mouse gave a sharp
hiss and Ray stepped in front of her to shield her from any danger.
Of danger, there was none
but the sight that assaulted his eyes had the bile rising to his throat.
It was not the sight of
Crack's slowly defragmenting body that made Ray ill, but the site of something
else that gave off the stench of decomposing flesh. Actually several
something's barely recognizable as what Ray somehow knew to be the missing
sprites.
In his entire processing
Ray had never seen anything so - he couldn't think of words strong enough to
describe it. How could you describe a stinking rotting diseased thing that was
once living?
As if coming from a daze,
he remembered Mouse standing there, "Go and get help love."
Mouse didn't move.
"Mouse, go
now!" Ray demanded. He half expected to her come back with her usual
defiance, but instead, she nodded mutely and started back out the forest at a
run.
Ray turned away and a
tremor passed through his frame. His stomach lurched violently and he dropped
to his knees as it emptied of its contents. He was relieved Mouse had left. He
didn't want her seeing him like this. After a time he stood and moved a ways
from the clearing and paused, taking in great gulps of air.
So the disappearances
were now murders.
***
"That's the best we
can do for now," Harmean said, "I don't want anybody touching the
bodies until we can get a qualified team down here."
"Dom's taking care
of it," Ray said. He glanced again at Mouse who was standing rigidly
beside him. The normally talkative mercenary had been silent from the moment
she had returned with Harmean and his security team. She was pale, her facial
muscles tight and to Ray, she seemed like she would go random any nano.
"What do you suppose
happened to them?" Harmean asked. He was looking to where his security
team had cordoned off the area and had covered the remains with blankets.
"Don't know,"
Ray said. "Looks like some sort of plague. Nastiest thing I've ever --
,"
Mouse suddenly made a
noise, like a strangled gasp, then turned and ran deeper into the woods.
"Ruddy net!"
Ray swore. He started after her just as Harmean spoke.
"Wait! You may need
this." Harmean handed him a silver flask. Ray took it without comment and
started after Mouse. He opened it as he walked and took a healthy swallow. The
Chevara Whiskey burned his throat as it went down. He came upon Mouse in
another clearing. She was on her knees, her arms wrapped around her stomach as
it rebelled. Ray knew she was aware of his presence so he didn't approach
immediately. When her heaves quieted Ray moved forward and knelt besides her,
handing her the flask. Mouse took several gulps before wiping her mouth with
the back of her hand.
"Thanks sugah,"
she said in a horse voice.
Ray rubbed the palm of
his hand up and down her back; "I'm taking you back to the Hall."
"No - no, I'm fine
now," Mouse said. "I just - I ain't never seen --,"
"I know, me
neither," Ray said. He coaxed her to drink some more and she did without
protest. "At least go back to the factory."
"I said I was
fine," Mouse rasped, "Don't you worry none, sugah."
"Of course I'll
worry you random hacker," Ray said. "This is too weird."
"That's an
understatement," Mouse said. "Come on, we'd better get back."
Ray helped her up and the
two made their way back to the scene.
Harmean approached
immediately, "Just got a message from Dom. He's contacted the Prime
Guardian. He's on his way here now with a special team."
"So what are you
going to do, mate?" Ray said.
"Just wait for
them," Harmean said, "Look, you said so yourself, I'm no
investigator. I'm going to let you guys handle this. As of tonight, I
resign."
"Here," Ray
handed him the flask.
"Keep it
Surfer," Harmean said. "I have a feeling before the night is out
you're going to need it more than I am."
***
The cold sterile room
gave Bob the jaggies but it was necessary for the work that had to be done. He
stood there now watching his friend Doctor Rose Norton; examine what was left
of the bodies.
Upon his and Matrix's
arrival at the factory they had found Mouse and Ray leading the security team,
the former security chief having walked off the job. Neither the mercenary nor
the search engine looked well and Bob had ordered them both back to Council
Hall. Both had refused, Bob had Mouse return to the factory to begin
questioning the members of Crack's gang, whom Bob's security team (with Mouse
as their leader) had no trouble rounding up. Ray had accompanied him and
Matrix.
The special team from the
New Collective had taken every precaution (or so Bob hoped) to carefully handle
the remains and transport them to Capitol Memorial, where Rose had set up her
new residence. Now in the basement morgue, Bob watched as Rose examined the
bodies through a sterile containment field, which was the only reason Bob was
allowed to be in the room with her.
After what seemed like
milliseconds of tests, prodding, and muttering, Rose moved away from the
remains with a belabored sigh and approached him, "Bob I'm going to have
to run more tests, but the preliminary results are we're dealing with some type
of viral infection. But one I've never seen before."
Bob expelled a breath,
"This seems to be more than just a mere infection. This is almost like
-," The Prime Guardian shuddered at the memory.
"Your power, when
you were Dariem?"
Another tremor raced over
his body, "Yes. What I did was more like a disease, but it corrupted then
deleted. It didn't leave the body in tact and certainly not in the condition
those bodies are in. Why haven't they fragmented?"
"I have no idea.
That's what I'll need to find out, but I'll need some assistance."
"Whomever you need,
I'll get them."
"If they're still
alive," Rose said. "I don't know how this works at all, or if it can
be spread. It's good that no one touched the bodies - um - Mouse and Ray didn't
did they?"
"No," Bob said.
"Well I think they
should get a full examination anyway," Rose said.
"Do you think they
need to be quarantined?"
"Well it would be a
moot point now if they did, but I don't believe so. Still have all the people
who were anywhere near the bodies have a full examination."
"All right. Do what
you need to do, you have my full support," Bob said. Unexpectedly, Bob
felt ill.
"Are you okay? You
look pale." Rose said.
"I need some
air," Bob turned quickly and walked out.
In the corridor Matrix
was leaning against the wall and Ray was sitting on a bench. Bob halted as a
wave of dizziness over took him. He leaned against the wall, resting his
forehead against the cool cement.
"Bob?" Matrix
was beside him instantly, "Bob are you okay?"
"Yes --," Bob
swallowed his throat suddenly dry.
"Here, mate,"
Ray handed Matrix a flask. The renegade sniffed at it, made a face and handed
it to Bob. Bob took a massive swig and wished he hadn't for the whiskey set his
insides on fire.
"What's
happening?" Ray asked as Matrix led Bob over to the bench.
"Rose isn't certain
what it is," Bob said, "She believes its some sort of viral infection
but - well she says she has to perform more tests. She did say she wanted you
and Mouse to get checked out."
"Why?"
"Precaution. You
were nearest to the - remains."
Ray muttered an oath,
"That stuffs not contagious is it? Should Mouse and I be
quarantined?"
"I asked. Rose
didn't think that was necessary," Bob took another drink.
"This is too
weird," Ray walked a few steps way, "Maybe it's time I surfed on.
Just take Bluey and get the net out of here." The search engine seemed to
be talking more to himself.
Matrix and Bob exchanged
a look. Bob stood, "Ray? You have every right to leave if you want to.
Maybe I'm being kind of selfish here, but I wish you wouldn't. We need
you."
Ray turned, "What
for?"
"What do you mean,
what for? You've been an immense help to us. You make one net of an
investigator. Maybe I should make that Constable position permanent."
"Besides," Bob
managed a smile; "I haven't had a chance to repay you for helping Matrix
and AndrAIa find me."
"Oh that," Ray
said. "Well -- Dre asked for help (Ray cringed at Matrix's look) and they
seemed so fond of you and well -- it was worth it." The search engine's
words cemented their friendship. "Aw ruddy net, Bluey probably wouldn't go
with me anyway."
"So what now?"
Matrix said.
"Rose won't be able
to tell us anything until she finishes her tests." Bob said. "Ray, I
need to know everything you and Mouse found out. We need to find those sprites
and binomes who were with Crack and bring them in for questioning. You didn't
see who went through the portal?"
"Afraid not
mate," Ray said. "Just that there were three of them, one looked to
be a small sprite. The other two binomes."
Bob frowned thoughtfully.
"What is it?"
Matrix asked.
"We know we have a
virus to deal with, one of the three could have possibly been the virus
responsible. Remember we felt the presence of a virus at the meeting?"
"Yes," Matrix
said, "One of Daemon's Chosen?"
"But wasn't anyone infected
by Daemon cured when she deleted?" Ray said. "So what you felt was a
true virus?"
"Someone from
Daemon's Army? But that's impossible! They were all destroyed in the final
assault!" Matrix said.
"Were they?"
Bob asked. "I think we need to check the records of the final assault.
What exactly happened."
"All that info is in
Mainframe." Matrix said.
Bob nodded, "Hold on
a nano." The Prime Guardian went back to the examination room but Rose was
just coming out to meet him.
"I have to go back
to Mainframe for a little while and do some checking of my own," Bob told
her.
"I was about to tell
you to. There's nothing we can do until the test results come back. You look
exhausted, why not go home and get some rest."
"There's too much to
do. I have to continue to investigate while the trail is still fresh." Bob
said, "We may be obtaining some new information soon."
"I'll keep you
posted on the status here."
"Thank you
Rose."
Bob went back to Ray and
Matrix, "I'd like you two to return to the factory and assist Mouse with
the security team. If Mouse hasn't already, let me know what you found out
about Crack and what exactly made him so powerful. As soon as you have
anything, return to Mainframe through the Hall, I'll give you full clearance to
use the portal generator."
"Will do, Prime
Guardian." Ray said.
"Anyone you've
brought in for questioning will need to be confined in the Hall Detention
Center. Be careful though."
"You got it
Bob," Matrix said. "What are you going to do?"
"I need to question
the prisoners we have in Mainframe," Bob said, "And we need to get
Dot into the loop here. All the information on the final confrontation is in
the Principal Office database. If I find anything, I'll contact you immediately.
Stay Frosty."
"You to Bob."
As the three men went to
go about their separate tasks, Bob couldn't help but remember the feeling of
icy fingers and the presence that had caused them. He didn't like not knowing
who his enemy was.