The Daemon Conflict
By: LadyBard
Chapter 18 - Mind Games
"What do you mean if
she survives?" A shrill voice broke through Dot's slumber, "I don't
want to hear if, do you understand me? Save her any way you can!"
Dot wondered whom Mouse
was screaming at. Why couldn't they just let her sleep?
"Unless I can figure
out how to stop the corruption she won't," another voice said. "But
I'll promise you this, I'll try my best."
"I know," Mouse
said, "I'm sorry I yelled at you - it's just that --,"
"I know," Dot
realized it was Rose Norton.
Then Rose's words slammed
into her consciousness like a missile.
If she survived?
* * *
When Mouse looked up and
saw the portals opening she knew it was time to retreat. Her instincts were
right on the units when enemy reinforcements burst forth from the shining globes.
"All fighters
retreat to fall back positions!" Mouse yelled over the comm. She frowned
as a message came through.
"Mouse,"
AndrAIa's face appeared on the screen, "Mission accomplished, I have the
data, but I need your help!"
"Where are you
sugah?"
Mouse fed in the
coordinates as AndrAIa gave them to her. "I'm on my way."
"I need a med
transport here! I have Matrix."
"What?" Mouse
dodged some enemy fire nanos before she blasted the ships out of the sky. She
flew low, over the rooftops of the city and was relieved to see their ships
following her orders.
Another message came in
as Mouse caused Ship to hover over the area. Mouse called for a
transport, then worked to keep the area clear of the enemy.
"Mouse! We've got
big problems!" Now it was Ray.
"You've got to be
--,"
"Dot's hurt!"
Ray had never looked so distressed, "And Bob -,"
"Bob? User, you have
Bob?"
"No --," Ray's
voice was heavy with remorse, "I couldn't catch the both of them - Bob,
he's --,"
"No," Mouse
said, "I'm on my way!"
Mouse signaled AndrAIa,
who reported the transport had arrived. Mouse piloted Ship to Ray's
coordinates. The surfer approached her, with Dot stretched out on the board.
"I'm going back
after Bob," Ray said, "Get her out of here, now!"
"I'm not --,"
"Go, before they cut
you off!" Ray said, "I'll be fine, I promise."
Even as he said it, enemy
transports were approaching. Mouse blew him a kiss, a Ship streaked into
the night.
* * *
The sounds of battle diminished
as Ray Tracer went into a steep dive back into the bowels of the city.
Be processing, he silently pleaded, please
be processing. Ray didn't know what was worse about war, the battle at its
hottest, or the eerie silence afterwards. The streets were deserted as he
searched.
He had to hide from some
passing enemy soldiers, and it was a good thing he had for he heard a moan
coming from deep within the alley where he had taken refuge. Cautiously Ray
made his way forward.
A dumpster had been
overturned and spilling half in, half out, was a body.
"Bob!" Ray slid
Baud up beside him and nimbly hopped to the ground. Ray knelt beside him and
turned him over. "No."
This was not Bob, at
least not the Bob he knew. The thing that lay unconscious at his feet was some
grotesque monster. Ray shook off his foreboding and wrestled Bob's body onto
the surface of Baud. For a brief moment, Bob's eyes fluttered open. The sight
of those yellow orbs further unnerved Ray. He found himself relieved when Bob
slipped back into unconsciousness. As fast as his trusty board could carry him,
Ray escaped the city.
* * *
It was all wrong.
Mouse stared into the
night sky. A chill, not from the cold, raced across her skin as she stood
watching and waiting for her love's return. She ignored the cold and the
silence as her mind raced.
The flame haired
mercenary had always trusted her instincts and they were screaming one thing.
The battle, taking Matrix and hopefully Bob, and their escape had been too
blasted easy.
Because of her feeling upon
their return, she had insisted to Dom that they remain on alert. She could see
where their troops patrolled.
"Ray," Mouse
whispered. If that surfer got himself deleted she swore by the User she'd find
some way to follow him into the Ethernet and break every link in his body.
Then Mouse spied the blue
and silver comet streaking towards their base. An alert was raised but it
wasn't necessary as Ray guided Baud to the ground. People came from all around
to welcome the surfer back. Mouse was surprised at the number that had kept
silent vigil with her. Then again, it could have been out of just plain boredom
or curiosity. Not caring either way, Mouse wasted no time in welcoming Ray
back. When they parted she said, "I was about to come lookin' for ya."
"I told you I was
right behind you, love."
Then Mouse looked down at
the figure that lay unconscious across Baud. "User, is that, Bob?
The group pressed
forward, each trying for a glimpse of the famous Guardian. But what they saw
was a monster and they recoiled as one in horror
Mouse knelt beside Baud,
"Oh User, Bob what did those animals do to ya?
Ray hopped on Baud and
balanced expertly despite the weight of Bob's body, "Where to, love?
Mouse decompressed her
zip board. "Follow me, sugah. Matrix is on the Libertas in the
brig. We thought it would be safer that way. Bob will have ta go there
to."
"How's Dot?"
Ray asked as Mouse flew beside him.
"Not good, sugah.
Dr. Norton's with her now. Bob infected her," Mouse replied, "Dr.
Norton was counting on you bringing Bob back. She says she might be able ta
make an antidote from a sampling of Bob's code."
"Thank the
User," Ray said.
As they approached the Libertas,
Mouse said, "Look you make sure Bob's secure. Go see AndrAIa she's with
Matrix. She'll tell you what to do. I'm going to get Dr. Norton."
When Mouse arrived back
at the factory she went straight for the infirmary where she found Enzo and
Melissa sitting in chairs in the small waiting room.
"Mouse,"
Melissa smiled.
Enzo looked up at her,
his eyes red from crying, "Mouse, they're still working on her."
Mouse embraced the young
sprite. "Don't you worry honey. Dot's been through more in one cycle than
most people have in their entire lives and we both know how strong she
is."
Enzo looked up at her hopefully
and Mouse prayed Dr. Norton could put her plan into action. When Mouse entered
the examining room, Dr. Norton and the staff she had been assigned were working
feverishly with various machines and making calculations and administering
various treatments. The A.V. looked up, and Mouse could see the stark lines of
exhaustion on her face.
Mouse's eyes strayed to
where her friend lay deathly still on the bed. Tubes and wires were connected
to her body. When Mouse stepped closer she could see the yellowish corruption
spreading across Dot's skin and got right to the point. "Ray just brought
Bob back. He's on the Libertas."
"Lets go," Dr.
Norton said. She grabbed up Dot's organizer, which she had been utilizing and
turned to her staff, "Have everything ready by the time we return."
Then Dr. Norton grabbed some essentials, stuffed them in a case and followed
Mouse from the room.
Upon reentering the
waiting room Enzo stood, "What's wrong?"
"Dot may have a
chance, honey. We have Bob here."
"Bob?" Enzo's
face lit up. "Where is he? I want to talk to him! How --?"
"No sugah, you stay
here and see to Dot all right?"
"But--,"
"Dot needs ya now.
Bob would want you to look after her."
"Okay Mouse."
"Bob is Enzo's
hero." Mouse said when they were out of earshot. "I didn't want the
little guy to see him that way."
Captain Irina met them as
they ascended the ramp to the Libertas. "Your Guardian and the
renegade have been secured," she announced as they walked. "Neither
has regained consciousness."
The small brig had four
cells. The two occupants were on the cots, held down by containment fields.
AndrAIa was inside the
cell with Matrix. The game sprite was sitting on a stool apparently dozing but
she came awake as they approached.
"You just missed
Ray. He went back to the factory. I'm surprised you didn't meet him,"
AndrAIa waited for one of the two binomes guarding the cells to let her out.
Dr. Norton stepped in
when the binome opened Bob's cell. "All right let's begin."
* * *
"Hear me, my
children."
"We hear you
mistress."
"Are you within
the inner sanctum of our enemies?"
"Yes mistress, as
planned."
"When the time is
right you will destroy them. Then nothing will stand in our way."
"Mistress?"
"Yes,
Valadare?"
"I would ask a
favor of you."
"Speak."
"Let me have the
boy."
A derisive laugh,
"That is your wish? To feed on his energy?"
"Yes,
mistress."
"You have been a
loyal and faithful servant, so your wish is granted. Through you I will corrupt
and torment him."
"Thank you,
mistress."
"Wait for the time,
then strike."
"As you say,
mistress."
* * *
Mouse found it impossible
for her to sit still for more than a nano. Milliseconds had passed since Dr.
Norton had gone into the examination room and their had been no word.
"Love, sit
down," Ray said for the nth time.
"I can't help it,
sugah," but Mouse obeyed and sat down heavily next to Ray. The surfer
draped an arm around her shoulder. The two were alone in the waiting room. They
had managed to coax Enzo and Melissa to leave and get some rest. Every so often,
someone would stop in and inquire about Dot's condition. It was always the
same. Captain Capacitor was only a few micros gone.
The door came open
suddenly and Dr. Norton stepped out.
"Doctor?" Mouse
was on her feet instantly.
"She's fine,"
Dr. Norton managed a tired smile. "The anti-viral serum worked like a
charm."
"Thank the
User." Mouse said, "And thank you. Can we see her?"
"Yes," Dr.
Norton said.
"I'd better go get
the Little Mate," Ray smiled, "He'd never forgive us if I
didn't."
Dr. Norton escorted Mouse
into the room. Dot was indeed fine. The Command.com was sitting up and sipping
from a glass held by a binome nurse.
"Sugah," Mouse
said, "I swear by the User I'm going to tie you down to that bed and not
let you outside to see the light of day for a least a year. Didn't I tell ya ta
stop scarin' me like that?"
"Sorry Mouse,"
Dot smiled. The she became serious, "Where's Bob and Matrix?"
"In the brig aboard
the Libertas."
"Make sure they
place an additional guard on them," Dot ordered. "Mouse maybe I'm
being paranoid but - well is it me, or did our attack seem to go off a little
too easy?"
"Well," Mouse
said, "I'm glad to know I'm not being paranoid. I was thinking the
same thing."
"Do you think they
were tracking us?"
"Possible. We're
still on alert."
"Good," Dot
turned her head as the door opened and Enzo came barreling in, followed by Ray.
As the brother and sister embraced, Mouse quietly slipped from the room and
motioned Ray to follow.
"We haven't had a
chance to talk, sugah," Mouse said. "When you made your escape, were
you followed?"
"Not as far as I
could tell."
"Somethin' ain't
right," Mouse said. "They didn't follow us, there was no sign of a
tracking device? What do you suppose --?"
An uncomfortable feeling rose
in the pit of Mouse's stomach, "I'm going to check on Bob and
Matrix."
* * *
"You won't hurt
Dot, do you hear me? I won't let you!"
Dariem came awake
abruptly and was immediately aware of his surroundings and the fact that he was
contained. It was unimportant. He extended his claws and infected the bonds.
They rotted away. The viral general climbed unsteadily to his feet.
The binome that was
supposed to be guarding him was napping. Dariem sneered at him. Well with
soldiers like that, they wouldn't have any trouble defeating these rebels.
Dariem touched the field around the brig and it corrupted and diss
The binome came awake and
turned. His mouth opened to scream, and Dariem clamped his hand over the
binome's mouth and infected him. The second binome turned a laser rifle on him
but screamed in agony as Valadare thrust both hands through the containment
field and drained the energy of both the field and the binome.
The viral colonel smiled
evilly, "This is what they have for soldiers?"
Dariem laughed, "We'll
disable this ship first. I'll go after Dot. You get Hexadecimal and Melissa out
of the way."
"I want the boy.
Daemon said I could have him."
"Fine," Dariem
said, "But take care of business first, understand?"
"Yes."
Dariem gathered his
energy and ran down the hall. An alert sounded but Dariem didn't care. Soldiers
poured from the rooms and made a barricade in the corridor. Dariem continued to
move and they opened fire. He laughed and created an energy shield that
deflected the shots. He raised a hand and viral energy poured from his
fingertips, corrupting everything it touched. Dariem laughed. He ignored the
cries of pain and continued to move.
Dariem destroyed whatever
he could lay his hands on. Machines, people, he didn't care. All around him was
fire and smoke and screams. For a time he wasn't even aware of his surroundings
until the cool night air brushed his face. Behind him, the screams continued.
The viral general smiled into the darkness, "I'm coming for you,
Dot."
* * *
"Dot are you sure
you're all right?"
Dot smiled at Enzo as she
strapped the laser to her thigh, "I have to find out what's going on at
the landing point. You stay in the nursery with Melissa and the others,
understand?"
"Yes Dot."
"Where in the
motherboard are you going?" Rose entered the infirmary.
"Trouble at the
landing site," Dot said. "Mouse, AndrAIa and Ray are on their way
now."
"You're in no
condition to handle any trouble."
"I'm fine. You cured
me," Dot said. "It has to be Bob and Matrix. Maybe I can stop
them."
"Bob and Matrix?"
Enzo said, "Dot, what's wrong with Bob?"
"I'll explain it all
later, I promise," Dot knew she would have to sometime. "I'll be back
as soon as I can."
"Dot I insist you
stay here. You're not nearly strong enough to --,"
"Just have the
infirmary ready," Dot had a feeling there would be many injuries before
the night was over.
* * *
Dariem watched the chaos
from the cover of the trees. For now, he had quieted the screaming voice in his
processor. He smiled in anticipation of seeing Dot again and of making her
truly his.
Then he saw her.
She was on a zip board
flying with Mouse and AndrAIa. He could tell she was taking charge of the
situation. Sprites and binomes that had been in a panic now calmly followed her
orders and worked to bring stability to the volatile situation.
"You won't hurt
her!"
Dariem angrily shoved the
presence away.
When some semblance of
calm had been obtained he saw Ray and Mouse leave while AndrAIa and Dot
remained and spoke for a time with Captain Irina and a man Dariem didn't
recognize. When groups of soldiers began to gather, Dariem moved deeper into
the forest.
He was growing weak, he
knew that much. He needed power, but he knew he was strong enough to do what
needed to be done. When he saw Dot fly away on her zip board followed by
AndrAIa, Dariem gathered his power.
He fired a single bolt of
energy as she passed overhead, barely missing her. The excess of energy damaged
her zip board and she went down to make an unceremonious landing in a clump of
brush. AndrAIa had followed her down.
Two files with one click,
Dariem thought. He used the cover of darkness to stalk them.
* * *
Hexadecimal smiled into
the darkness as the viral stalking her moved ever closer.
This is where she came
when she needed to be alone in order to contemplate how she would destroy her
mother. She would eventually, but in her own sweet time. For now, there was Bob
and Matrix to deal with. The forest was quiet, which Hex knew wasn't natural,
but she liked it that way. She sat on the ground with her back against a tree
and waiting for the viral to reveal himself to her. He was very close now. In
the distance Hex could hear the chaos and knew its cause and she was delighted.
A dim red light floated
in the air as it moved towards her. Of course he would know she was there.
"Traitor," the
voice came from the darkness.
"Yes, I
suppose," Hex smiled in reply. "So you are here to destroy me?"
"Yes," he said.
"Then I'll get the other traitor."
Hex's amusement fled,
"I really don't think it would be healthy for you bother my little
sister."
He laughed, "You
won't be around much longer to care."
Hex stood and gathered
her energy. By its light she saw the face of her assailant.
"You look absolutely
awful," Hex smiled, "My mother did quite a number on you, didn't
she?"
Claws extended, fangs
bared, the two virals faced each other.
"I have always
wanted to test my power against you," Hex's voice rose to a maniacal
screech, "Now that we are so evenly matched, it will be such fun!"
The first strike was
Valadare's and the power set the forest on fire.
* * *
Melissa came awake
abruptly her core-com beating rapidly. Something had happened to Hex. She had
dreamed that something wanted to delete her sister. In the darkness of the
nursery she looked around at all the sleeping forms. One in particular stirred
in his sleeping bag.
"Enzo?"
"Mmph?"
"Enzo, wake up,
something's wrong!"
"W-what?"
"Did you hear
that?"
"Hear what?"
The explosion shook the
foundations of the building.
"What in the net was
that?" Enzo cried.
The other occupants of
the room came awake and a cacophony of weeping and screaming filled the room.
"Enzo, something
happened to Hex!" Melissa was struggling to throw off the sleeping bag.
"I have to find Hex!"
"Hey wait!"
Enzo followed after.
Somehow the young viral
girl knew what had happened. Hexadecimal was in mortal danger. She had to find
her sister before it was too late.
* * *
Enzo was hard pressed to
keep up with Melissa as they ran through the halls of the factory. The explosion
had roused the entire building and now people ran frantically around. Although
Enzo had no idea where they were going or what they might be doing. He was
worried about Dot and was wondering where Melissa might be leading him.
Once outside, Melissa
halted. Enzo took note of the fact that the sky was becoming lighter and it
would be morning soon. He was glad for that. It had been one long night.
"Where to?" He
asked above the noise of the activity all around them.
"I don't know,"
he had never heard her so distressed. "She's in trouble, I know it. We
have to find her Enzo!"
"We will, don't
worry," Enzo decompressed his zip board. "Where could she be?"
"She has this place
in the forest she likes to go to, maybe she was there when --,"
When what? Enzo wondered.
What could possibly have happened to Hexadecimal? "Okay, let's go."
They zipped above the
chaos below them and Enzo was relieved when they finally cleared the fence. Two
thick columns of smoke were coming from the direction of both the forest and
the landing site. Flames licked at the data trees a short distance away.
Soldiers were being mobilized and searchlights pierced the darkness.
Pandemonium ensued below them.
"What in the net is
going on?" Enzo cried.
"This way,"
Melissa suddenly pointed towards the forest and zipped away before Enzo could
stop her.
"Wait!" The
young sprite followed her wake.
Melissa landed at the
edge of the forest. "In there. Stay here."
"No way," Enzo
said, "I'm not letting you go in there alone."
"Enzo, there's
nothing you can do."
"I can protect
you," Enzo said.
Melissa smiled, "I
don't know what's in there."
"Don't worry. Come
on."
Melissa generated a ball
of light, which led their way. They crashed through the underbrush for a time
until Melissa halted.
"What is it?"
Enzo asked.
There was a flash of
light and something like a comet exploded from the darkness and slammed into
Melissa knocked her several hundred feet away.
"Melissa!" Enzo
cried and was about to rush to her when a sound alerted him to another
presence.
Slowly, the young sprite
turned.
Something was moving
through the darkness towards him. Enzo had never felt such malevolence
emanating from a single being. Not even Megabyte had ever made him feel this
way, so utterly afraid.
The thing that stepped
from the darkness bathed in the eerie red glow emanating from his right eye,
smiled maliciously at Enzo. A shudder of revulsion passed over the young
sprite. Every nerve and instinct screamed for him to run but his traitorous
legs refused to obey him. He stood staring at the beast that glared at him.
"I'm going to enjoy
this," the thing spoke. "Thank you for making it so easy for
me."
Enzo's fear still held
him in a paralysis, even as the thing moved purposefully towards him.
"I'm going to drain
every drop of energy from you," the creature continued. "I'm going to
suck you dry and enjoy your pain. Do you know how much I hate you?"
"No!" Enzo
wretched himself from his trance and ran. The thing laughed.
Something grabbed at him
from behind. An invisible hand forced him to his knees. Enzo screamed in
disbelief. The monster was coming for him and there wasn't a thing he could do
about it. Then it was standing over him, gracing him with that malicious smile.
"You're a weak
pathetic thing," the beast said. "Once you're gone, there'll be no
more reminders. And I'll be the reason you're dead. I'll be rid of you once and
for all and I'll never have to see you again."
The thing reached for him
and closed a clawed hand around Enzo's throat. "Remember how you couldn't
save yourself. Take that thought into the Ethernet little brat."
Enzo struggled against
the iron grip to no avail. The thing was crushing the breath out of him. It
smiled as it extended its fangs and its eyes glowed with yellow fire. Enzo
tried to scream, but he couldn't.
When the thing began to
drain his energy pain like he had never experienced set every nerve on fire.
Hot tears streamed down his cheeks. He wanted to scream and cry and beg, but he
wasn't even allowed that.
Then something else
happened. Something that Enzo couldn't comprehend. Memories flooded his mind.
Memories that weren't his own. Memories of another evil thing that he had
fought and that had gouged out his eye. Memories of things that he would never
consider doing but did because he no longer listened to his conscience. He knew
where these memories were coming from but there was nothing he could do as they
integrated themselves into his processor and after a time, he knew they were a
part of him.
But they were unimportant
as the pain increased and he felt the thing drain his energy and after a time
his struggling ceased and the last thing he heard was the thing with his face
laughing at him.
* * *
"AndrAIa!" Dot
screamed out her friend's name as the game sprite was covered in corruption.
Dot crawled over to her. AndrAIa's body was seized with convulsions. "Hang
on."
Dot looked up at the
figure that moved with an almost bored air towards her.
"Dot," Dariem
smiled at her. "I really don't want to hurt you."
Dot snatched up AndrAIa's
trident and brandished it before her, "And I don't want to hurt you
either, but I will."
"We've been through
this before, look around you Dot. Your rebels lost this time. It won't be so
bad in Daemon's service. You'll see."
Dot could feel the heat
and see the ominous red glow as the forest fire drew ever closer. "I have
nothing to say to you, Dariem. I want to talk to Bob."
"Bob no longer
exists," Dariem said. "He can't stop me anyway no matter how hard he
tries."
"What?" Dot
caught his words. "So Bob is still inside of you somewhere. He's fighting
you isn't he? He fought you on the roof when you hesitated to delete me."
"Silence!"
Dot stepped closer,
"Please come back to me."
Dot leapt back just as
Dariem lunged forward and slashed at her with his claws. Dot swung the trident
hard and it cracked across Dariem's chin, sending the virus sprawling.
Dariem recovered quickly.
"I'll make you pay for that."
When the corruptive blast
came at her, Dot barely managed to dodge out of its way. She took off at a run,
hopefully heading away from the fire. Another blast engulfed a tree, sending
flaming debris to block her path. Dot turned just as Dariem came upon her. She
swung the trident again and Dariem dodged and slammed a fist into Dot's
stomach.
Dot feel hard to her
knees and tears burned her eyes. Her breath left in a rush and she felt her
body go numb. The trident slipped from her fingers. Even in her agony she
thought, he hit me! I can't believe Bob hit me!
"Dot," the
voice was very far away, "Dot, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"
Through the haze of pain
and the blur of tears, Dot looked up the figure towering over her.
"Bob."
The power gathered at his
fingers. Dot concentrated on her pain, on the heat, and the acrid scent of
smoke. She forced her fingers to grasp the trident just as Dariem laid a gentle
hand on her shoulder. The corruption burned.
Dot swung the trident
upward and the blast caught Dariem in the face, but she didn't stop there.
Anger and pain fueled her with a mad rush of adrenalin. She swung the deadly
weapon again and again and with the sound of each satisfying strike, the
monster was being driven back into the flames. When it finally lay unmoving at
her feet the inner heat that had driven her to such fury began to fade.
Dot looked around. Flames
and black smoke surrounded her. Bob lay unconscious and broken at her feet.
"Oh no" Dot
knelt before him. "Bob, oh no, Bob!"
"Dot!"
Dot looked up and through
the smoke as several figures were rapidly approached on zip boards and rocket
cycles. Mouse was at the lead.
"Come on sugah, this
is no place for us to be!"
"But Bob --! And
AndrAIa, she's somewhere to!"
"We have
AndrAIa," Mouse pulled Dot away. "Come on now!"
Dot realized the other
members of the group were Gavin and his crew. Princess Bulla pulled Bob onto
the cycle she road. The flames almost had them but they managed to escape the
inferno. Once above the tree line, Dot breathed great gulps of the moist dawn
air. Down below, Dot was relieved to see a fire break being constructed.
Several cycles and transports were in the air dumping what Dot assumed to be
fire retardant chemicals on the flames. She was only curious for a moment as to
where they had come from.
"You all right,
sugah?" Mouse asked.
"No," Dot said.
"We've got to get AndrAIa to Rose. I need a status report Mouse. What's
the situation?
"We've assessed the
damage on the Libertas and she's repairable, thank the User. Looks like
we underestimated Bob and Matrix's strength. We've had some injuries but no
casualties. Dom was the one who got the fire brigade going."
"Thank the
User," Dot was relieved when they approached the factory. "Has anyone
seen Matrix?"
"Sugah --,"
Mouse said, then abruptly halted.
"What is it?"
Dot said. "What's happened Mouse?"
"We have Matrix
sugah, contained in the infirmary, but --,"
"What?"
"It's Little
Enzo," she said.
The remorseful tone in
Mouse's voice sent a lance of ice through Dot's core-com. "Where is he?
Where is my little brother?"
"I'll take you to
him but Dot - I'm sorry sugah, it ain't good."
* * *
The moment Melissa awoke,
pain shot through her to her very core-com. She was aware of the noise, the
smell of smoke, and of someone screaming. The young viral forced herself to her
feet. Her eyes at first refused to focus, but the viral power that coursed through
her lent her strength.
A virus stood not too far
away from her, his back to her, and she knew who and what he was immediately.
"Valadare!"
Melissa screamed.
He turned and it was then
that Melissa saw whom he held in his grasp.
Enzo.
Her Enzo.
The weak energy that
remained in the little sprite's body flickered dangerously close to
dissipating. Enzo's eyes were open, but Melissa knew he saw nothing. Something
gathered itself in Melissa chest. An unfamiliar emotion took hold of her as she
saw what the virus had done.
"Enzo," Melissa
whispered and was further enraged when Valadare smiled triumphantly. "Enzo!"
Then Melissa was running
towards them, even as she gathered her power. An animalistic cry burst from her
lips. Valadare tossed Enzo's body aside as though it were so much trash and
turned to face her. Melissa's first blast would have stopped a transport, but
Valadare brushed it off with a laugh of derision.
"You really think
you can beat me you little traitor?" His claws extended.
"Your viral powers
can't hurt me!"
"Oh no?"
Melissa was barely able
to dodge Valadare's second blast but the force of it knocked her down again and
before she could recover, he was grabbing her and lifting her up, to let her
dangle by one arm in front of him. "Your mother will be so pleased to see
you."
Something caught
Melissa's eye behind Valadare's back. It was streaking through the pre-dawn sky
at a terrific rate and Melissa knew what - or who - it was almost immediately.
Valadare must of see her
look because he dropped her and turned quickly.
Surf Baud slammed into
Valadare's chest, sending the viral flying. Melissa watched as the board sat
upright and with a shower of sparks materialized Ray Tracer.
"He's built like a
brick wall," Ray said. "You all right, love?"
"Look out!"
Melissa screamed.
Valadare charged for the
surfer and barreled into him. Now it was Ray who went flying backwards, only to
have Baud catch him. Valadare was on him immediately, grabbing Ray by the arm
and flinging him aside, he clutched the edge of Baud.
"I've got a score to
settle with you to, Surfer," Valadare hissed.
The instant Valadare
began to drain Baud's energy, Ray gave a strangled cry of agony and fell to his
knees.
"No!" Melissa
rushed for them. In one fluid motion, Valadare released Baud and his hand shot
out to grab Melissa by the throat. He lifted her up again and growled,
"Wait your turn." Then tossed her aside. He went to reach for Baud
and Melissa could only watch when a new voice said, "Stop!"
Melissa looked up through
tear filled eyes to see Mouse and several others flying towards them. Valadare
smiled arrogantly. "More sprites to feed on."
"Stay back!"
Melissa called, then wished she hadn't for it drew Valadare's attention to her.
He moved over to her and lifted her up once again. "Surrender yourselves
to me now or I'll delete her."
Mouse drew her katana and
leapt from her board, to land a few feet away. "Let her go."
"Just as soon as you
throw down your weapon and come here Mouse."
"What do take me
for?"
The others following Mouse;
Melissa realized they were Captain Capacitor and his crew; also landed.
"You're out numbered, sugah."
"Matrix, lad,"
Gavin called. "Ye don't want to do this. Think of Dot and yer lovely lass
AndrAIa."
"Dot?" Valadare
said, confusion on his face. "AndrAIa." Valadare said the name more
to himself.
"Matrix," Ray
was struggling to his feet as Baud glided over to him. The Surfer leaned
heavily on the board. He was pale, but not in as bad shape as Enzo.
"They're right, don't do this."
"No!" Valadare
growled, "I am Daemon's servant. I will delete you all!"
His claws extended and he
went to thrust them into Melissa's throat. The little viral screamed - and
suddenly she was free-all the way on the other side of the clearing in a blink
of an eye. Valadare turned her way and his eyes widened in shock and Melissa
knew exactly what had happened.
She didn't need to turn
to know here sister was beside her. The scream of pure rage split the air a
nano before a red-hot blast slammed into Valadare's chest. That time, the virus
did not get back up.
"Are you all
right?" A rather battered Hexadecimal asked her.
"Hex!" Melissa
threw her arms around her sister, then pulled away when Hex flinched.
"You're hurt!"
"Oh, I'm fine,"
Hex said. "My apologies for my tardiness. He put up a better fight than I
imagined."
"Enzo," Melissa
suddenly remembered her fallen friend. "Oh no, Enzo."
Melissa ran back across
the clearing where Mouse and Gavin's crew were standing in a semi-circle.
Princess Bulla lifted Enzo gently into her arms.
"No!" Melissa
reached for him, but Hex, who teleported to her side held her back. "Help
him, please!"
"We will,
sugah," Mouse said. "Melissa honey, do you know where Bob is?"
"He --,"
Melissa looked up at Hex, knowing she would sense him better.
"He's nearby, my
dear Mouse, you had better hurry."
"Ray honey, are you
all right? Can you fly on your own?"
Ray attempted to stand
straight; "I can love, put Enzo on Baud."
Bulla did so and Ray
climbed slowly on, "Find Dot and Bob. I'll send a transport back for
Matrix."
"We'll go after Bob
as soon as it gets here. We'd better not leave Matrix alone."
"I'll see that
Matrix behaves himself, you need to go after Bob." Hex said.
"All right then,
Gavin and I'll go after them."
"I want to go with
Enzo," Melissa said.
"All right love,
climb aboard."
Melissa climbed on Baud
and knelt beside Enzo, "Please be okay," she whispered as Ray
ascended. If she lost him now her life would be meaningless.
* * *
"This is all your
doing!" Desdemona said the moment Dot entered the control room.
"We're only fortunate that we have the fire under control."
Dot ignored Desdemona
entirely and instead turned to Dom, "What's our situation?"
"We managed to
contain the fire," Dom said. "We have some injuries and damage, but
no causalities. Everything's --,"
"I've had
enough!" Desdemona screamed. "You and your people have been nothing
but trouble since you arrived here! I have a mind to --,"
It was Dot who had had
enough. She grabbed Desdemona by the collar and forcefully slammed her again
the control panel. "I've just come from my brother's bedside," Dot
hissed. "He may die and I've been told it was Matrix who attacked him. The
man I love just tried to delete me and I had to club him senseless to protect
myself. I'm on the edge here, so now is not a good time to push me."
Dot shoved her away,
"The only reason why I'm here right now is to let you know that both Bob
and Matrix have been re-captured. It was all a trick. They allowed themselves
to be captured to try and destroy us."
"You said they've been
re-captured," Dom said into the ensuing silence. "Where are they
now?"
"They're in the
infirmary," Dot said. "Zif and Mouse rigged containment fields. We
don't know how long we'll be able to keep them there so stay on alert. Now if
you don't mind, I'm going back to my brother." And with that, Dot strode
angrily from the room.
* * *
Seven guards had been
assigned to the infirmary, three outside and four in the room where Bob and
Matrix had been placed. The infirmary had three separate rooms with four beds
each. Injuries from the trouble were being treated in one. AndrAIa was there,
recovering from the infection after Rose's treatment, along with Ray who was
safely resting within Baud. AndrAIa had to be convinced that she needed to rest
and that Matrix was secure. In the second, a curtain had been rigged up to
separate additional injured from the area where Enzo had been placed.
Dot moved the curtain
aside and anguish once again tore at her core-com at the sight of her brother.
The memory of her seeing him in his condition for the first time came back to
her. Mouse had held her while she cried. It was truth when she told Desdemona
that she was near the edge. Dot wasn't certain how much longer she could keep
it together. She had just gotten Enzo back. Losing him would be too much to
bear.
Melissa battered but
responsibly well, sat in the same position Dot had left her, on a stool at
Enzo's bedside. Rose was monitoring the devices that kept Enzo alive but had
told Dot she could do little else, still Dot found herself asking, "How is
he?"
"No change,"
Rose said. "I'm sorry Dot but this isn't an infection. All we can do is
hope he's strong enough to survive until his energy levels increase."
Dot moved to stand next
to the bed and gently laid her hand atop Enzo's, "Enzo, sweetie, I'm here.
Hold on, please."
"If we could get the
right equipment and a suitable volunteer, we could do an energy transfer."
Rose said.
"I volunteer,"
Dot said.
"No," Rose
said, "you're not strong enough. You'd be in his place."
"Do you think I
care?" Dot said.
"He would
care," Rose said. "I know how much he loves and respects you. How do
you think he would feel when he woke up to find you near deletion's door?"
"We have to do
something," Dot said.
"If his older
counterpart weren't infected, he would be the logical choice."
"What about
them?" Dot said. "Didn't you say you could make an antidote?"
"With a sampling of
Daemon's code, yes."
"What about a sample
of her daughter's?"
Dot and Rose turned to
look at Melissa when she spoke for the first time.
"It may just
work," Rose said. "It's worth a try. But perhaps we should take a
sample of both yours and Hexadecimal's."
"It won't be
enough," Hex teleported into the room, causing both Rose and Dot to jump.
"Hex!"
"Sorry," Hex
smiled. She glided over to Melissa and put an arm around her. "You have to
chase my mother away first."
"What do you
mean?" Dot asked.
"Why from up
here," Hex smiled and tapped the side of her mask. "You can make all
the antidotes you want but as long as my mother has them, they'll be naughty
boys."
"Hex what are you
--?" Then it came to Dot. "Are you saying that Daemon has control of
their minds?"
"Well of course I
am. Why is that so hard to believe?"
"But how?" Rose
asked. "Oh my mother has many talents," she said. "That's why
we're here aren't we my love?" Hex smiled down at Melissa. "Without
us, you don't stand a chance of defeating her."
"Hexadecimal,"
Dot said evenly, "Can you do anything to help Bob and Matrix?"
"Perhaps, but it may
be more difficult than any of us can imagine," Hex turned to Rose,
"my dear Doctor Norton, take what you need from my sister and I now. When
your antidote is ready call me, then we will see to Bob."
Rose proceeded to take
samplings of each of their codes, "Can you teleport me to the lab on the Libertas?"
She asked Hex when they were finished. In reply, the two women disappeared.
Mouse entered the room a
few nanos later, "Dot, how is he?"
"No change,"
Dot went on to explain what had been happening, from Dr. Norton's prognosis on
Enzo, to Hex agreeing to help Bob.
"Ray came out of
Baud a little while ago." Mouse smiled. "I'm not doing any good here,
maybe we can round up some volunteers for that transplant for Enzo."
"Thank you Mouse,
anything you can do." And the mercenary departed. Dot and Melissa sat in
silence for a time, then Dot began to tell Melissa stories about Enzo's
childhood and after a time coaxed Melissa into talking about herself. The
stories Melissa told were very different. There had been no nurturing or love
in the little virus girl's life and Dot felt her core-com fill with sympathy.
A few milliseconds later,
Hex and Rose teleported back into the room.
"We're ready,"
Rose announced. "Dot did you want to come?"
"Yes," Dot
said. She kissed Enzo gently on the forehead, "I'll be back little
brother, I'm going to help Bob." She turned to Melissa, "Keep talking
to him, okay?"
Melissa nodded.
The next thing Dot knew
they had teleported into the room where Bob and Matrix lay, much to the
consternation of the guards outside.
"I'm assuming the
containment field isn't all that strong." Dot commented testily.
Hex merely grinned at her
then turned serious when she faced Bob. "You will act if you see me having
trouble."
"I'll watch your
back, Hex."
"Copy that,"
Rose smiled. She held up the hypo with the serum in it.
The Chaos Virus released
the containment field, then climbed onto the bed next to Bob (much to Dot's
annoyance) and made herself comfortable. She draped one arm across Bob's chest
and rose up on her elbow to splay her hand over his face. Hex's mask went
blank. For a few micros's nothing happened.
Then Hexadecimal began to
scream.
* * *
How long had she waited
for the day she could be close to Bob? And now that she was, there wasn't a
blasted thing she could do about it. With Rose and Dot watching, Hex lay down
next to Bob.
The stench of the
infection sickened her. The mark of her mother covered him. Hex concentrated
beyond that and let her own mind work its way into Bob's processor.
A flash of yellow light
and she was there, or at least her mind-self was as she made her way through
Daemon's corruption. Memories of pain and anguish assaulted her as she
continued on. Pictures of what had happened to Bob in her mother's inner
sanctum made even the Chaos Virus shudder. The worms boring their way into his
skull, the ugly nightmares that her mother had used to torture him into
submission, the acts that Dariem had committed (now what was this with that
girl named Em? Fortunately, Bob had not acted out his desires; Hex could
imagine what Dot would say to that) while under her mother's power.
Deep within Bob's mind,
Hex came upon the core of darkness where her mother's power flourished. A worm
writhed and twisted in the center of the darkness. Hex could only imprison the
foul creature within the confines of Bob's mind and even that was no guarantee
that Bob would be free. Her mother merely had to break whatever walls Hex set
up but maybe if that serum worked it would give Bob a fighting chance. But
basically, only her mother's deletion would destroy it.
Voices assailed her from
every direction, another means of torture that her mother favored. These voices
whispered things what would cause any sprite to sink into despair, but in the
midst of the cacophony, Hex distinctly heard a voice, however faint, cry out in
protest.
Bob, Hex thought, so you're still
here. I'm impressed. So my mother has not completely destroyed you.
Hex wondered if Matrix
was that strong, well she wasn't as concerned with him as she was with Bob. For
now, Hex was more concerned with pushing her mother out of bob's mind. She
probed deeper until she could almost touch the core of darkness.
SO!
The voice startled her at
the same moment something seized at her mind and tried to pull her towards the
darkness.
Did you think I would
not be watching for you daughter? How dare you defy me!
How you I? How dare
you? The web creature, mother, I haven't forgotten, I will make you pay for
that!
A laugh. Foolish daughter
of mine, you'll never have the opportunity!
Then Daemon attacked in
earnest attempting to tear Hex's mind asunder. The Chaos Virus fought with all
the anger and hatred she possessed for the virus who had given her life. Hex
then turned from her mother's onslaught and struck at the core of darkness.
Daemon's scream was harsh, then seemed to fade but the attack re-commenced.
Then something unexpected
occurred, something, which caught her mother unawares. Another presence forced
its way into the psychic battle.
Leave her alone; I
won't let you hurt her!
No!
The force struck at her
mother and Hex once again joined the battle. Together they forced Daemon back
into the dark recesses of Bob's mind. The new presence was exhausted as was Hex
but not before he made a whispered thank you.
Hex smiled inwardly. Now
we are even, Guardian. Now we are even.
* * *
Dot helped Hex to stand.
"Are you all right?"
"Of course, my
dear," Hex smiled weakly. "I have chased my mother away for now. You
may proceed, Dr. Norton."
Rose injected the serum
into Bob.
"I was worried when
you started to scream," Dot said, "I wasn't sure what to do but my
instincts told me not to interfere."
"Your instincts were
correct," Hex said. "Wait did you just say you were worried about
me?"
"Well - yes."
Hex regarded Dot for a
moment. Dot resisted the urge to squirm uncomfortably. Then without another
word, Hex teleported away.
Dot's puzzlement lasted
for only a nano as Rose stepped away from Bob's bed. "Well, let's see what
happens."
There was nothing at
first, then Bob's face contorted. He moaned softly and began to struggle
against his bounds. Dot stepped forward but Rose held out a hand to stop her.
The veins under Bob's
skin began to pulse erratically and Bob's moans increased to cries of pain.
Sweat dampened his forehead. His eyes came open. They were still yellow, but
now a pupil was visible. Ignoring Rose, Dot rushed to his bedside, "Bob,
can you hear me? It's me, Dot! You'll be all right."
Bob continued to
struggle, straining against his bonds but seemingly unable to break them. Dot
took his hand and held it tightly, continuing to speak to him, pleading with
him to come back to her.
After a time, Bob's cries
began to diminish. The Guardian blinked, his eyes focused on her face,
"D-Dot? Dot where am I?"
Dot couldn't answer his
question. The moment Bob had spoken, the Command.com of Mainframe burst into
relieved tears.