The Daemon Conflict
By: LadyBard
Chapter 19 - Reparations
Bob closed his eyes for a
moment. He let himself search near that part of his mind that had been shielded
by Hexadecimal. "No," he whispered into the semi-darkness.
"Dariem is still there, just subdued."
That thought sent a lance
of fear through him. He had been afraid only once before, after he had been
banished to the web. The fear of never seeing his friends or his home. The fear
of dying alone in that cold alien place.
Yet he was alone now. It
was what he had requested, or more accurately, demanded.
Bob jammed the heels of
his hands into his eyes until they ached, despite that, a bitter tear escaped
from beneath his lid. "I'm sorry Dot."
How many times had he
muttered those words into the silence? Still he repeated it like a mantra.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm
sorry.
Unexpectedly, the door
came open and light spilled into the room from outside. Bob sat up abruptly and
glared at the figure that stood in the doorway, "Go away! I don't want to
see anyone!"
"I don't give a
rat's ASCII what you want, sugah," Mouse strode angrily into the room,
"Have you lost what little is left of your mind? After all we've been
through to save your sorry blue hide, you push Dot away like that?"
"Shut up. You
wouldn't understand."
"I'll let that
slide, sugah, because you're sick, but you ever tell me ta 'shut up' again I'll
break every link in your basic body, ya got that?"
"Don't you
understand, Mouse? Look at me!" Bob struggled to stand, to face her. Fury
like he hadn't experienced in some time rushed through him. "The things I
said -- the things I did!"
"I know what you did
- Dot knows - do you think she cares?"
"I care!" The
rage suddenly left him as quickly as it had surged through him. Bob leaned
wearily against the side of the bed. "I had to send her away. I can't face
her. Not after what I did."
To Bob's complete
surprise, a chuckle floated through the darkness.
"What in the mother
board is so funny?"
"Um - what ya just
said - I mean, talk about deja vu."
"Mouse --,"
"Look sugah, Dot's
waiting for ya." Mouse smiled. "There's a shower in the other room.
If ya don't mind my sayin' ya need to use it."
"Thanks a bunch
Mouse."
"And sugah, don't
push Dot away. You both need each other right now."
"I know -- I just
--,"
"Go take a
shower," Mouse said. "I'll be back a little later. Can ya make it on
your own?"
"Yes,"
surprisingly, Bob felt his strength returning. He was still glad when Mouse
left him alone again. He was surprised he was alone considering all the damage
he and Vala -- Matrix had caused. He hadn't expected to remember everything but
he did, in rather stark detail.
True to her word, the
next room sported a small shower stall. Bob guessed it was probably for people
who suffered from burns. Someone had removed his clothing format and replaced
it with one of those annoyingly flimsy hospital gowns. A great position for a
Guardian-turned-viral general. Bob shuddered at the thought. He located a light
switch and squinted at the stark fluorescence.
Scratchy, yet serviceable
towels were stacked in a bin. Shelves sported bars of soap and bottles of
shampoo. They had an antiseptic smell, but Bob chose some soap and shampoo set
the shower at a reasonable temperature and let it run for a few nanos.
He climbed inside when
steam began to rise and spent the next few nanos lathering up and washing away
the grime, but no matter how hard he scrubbed, the stench of Daemon remained.
After a time, Bob leaned his head against the shower stall and let his eyes
close while the spray stung his back and let his mind drift.
* * *
Dot lay across Bob's
chest her body shaking with sobs.
"Dot?" Bob
struggled against his bonds. "Dot what happened? Oh my User, what have I
done?"
"Bob," Dot
smiled at him with tear-stained cheeks. "Oh sweetheart, I'm so --,"
"Let me up! Let
me up now!"
"Bob?"
"Guardian Lan you
must calm yourself," A woman Bob didn't recognize approached the bed.
"What is it Bob? Are
you in pain?" Dot went to deactivate the field.
"Dot, I
wouldn't."
"Trust me,
Rose," Dot said.
When Bob was free of the
field he raised himself up on his elbows but nothing was even remotely
familiar. Dot and the woman - what was her name, Rose? -- were staring at him
with a mixture of relief and sympathy that Bob wasn't sure he could tolerate.
"Bob --," Dot
reached for him again.
"No!" Bob held
out both hands to ward her off, "Don't touch me Dot, please go away."
"What?"
"Go away! Get out
now!" Bob couldn't stand to see her beautiful face so full of
understanding. He didn't deserve it or her. Not any more.
"Bob --," Dot
seemed to take more caution in her approach.
"I said go,"
Bob laid back down again as exhaustion took hold but it was nothing compared to
the shame. "Please go."
"Bob it's all right,
I understand."
He knew she did, and that
made it all the worse. Memories assaulted him, taunting him with the knowledge
that he had hurt her. Violated her. The love of his life and he hadn't been
able to stop himself. Turbo had fought, why hadn't he been able to?
"I don't want your
pity," Bob made the words harsh and cold. "What part of go away,
don't you understand?"
"Why you lousy
--," Rose began.
"No Rose, it's all
right," Dot said.
Despite what Dot had
said, Bob knew his words had the desired effect. He saw the fleeting look of
hurt in her eyes. "All right Bob," she smiled sadly. "I'll come
back when you're more yourself."
"Dot," Rose
said.
"It's all right,
Rose," Dot smiled sadly, "Believe me, I know Bob."
"Fine, but we're
putting a guard on the door," Rose said, "I'll have someone come in
and remove Matrix. Perhaps it would be best if they're separated." Then
she turned and strode from the room. Dot went to reach for him, seemed to think
better of it, then left the room as well. Bob ignored the guards who entered a
few nanos later and wheeled the renegade's bed outside. He could see their
looks of fear and pity. When he was alone again, Bob climbed from the bed and
turned out the light and was only relieved when the darkness descended.
* * *
Bob turned off the shower
and climbed from the stall. He grabbed one of the towels and began to dry
himself, and as he was wrapping it around his waist, he caught a glimpse of
something alien in the room that had him turning quickly.
He came face to face with
a full-length mirror.
Robert Lan felt sick.
The image that presented itself
was not Robert Lan. Not even Bob, not Guardian 452. It was a horrible thing
with scarred limbs and a network of thin yellow veins all over its body, not as
pronounced as before, but they were still present. Bob reached a hand up to his
face and touched his cheek below his sickly yellow eyes. He turned his hands
around and shuddered at the sight of his black claws. He wasn't a sprite and he
wasn't a virus. He was some freakish 'in-between' being that defied
classification.
He heard a door open and
close in the other room. "Bob, where are ya?"
Before Bob could protest,
Mouse stepped into the room.
"Sugah, I --,"
"Get out!" Bob
screamed. How could she just walk in like that? The way he looked! My User,
what must she think?
"What in the net is
your problem?" Mouse screamed back, "I told you the next time you did
that --,"
"Spamit, Mouse, I
don't want anyone to see me like this!"
Mouse crossed the room
quickly and pressed her face close to his, "Like what? You're still Bob,
ain't ya? You just went through the web a second time, sugah. You think I'm so
shallow that I'd treat ya bad because of this?"
Bob sighed, again, the
anger drained away. There was a small bench outside of the stall and Bob sat,
"I'm sorry Mouse. User this is so --," he couldn't find a word to
describe it. A gamut of emotions had him turned inside out and he was hard
pressed to deal with everything he was feeling right then.
Mouse sat down beside
him. Bob didn't speak at first. He sat there; staring at his callused hands,
"Look at these hands, Mouse."
"What about
them?"
"These are the hands
that hurt Dot. Me! I hurt her!"
"Not by your own,
volition."
"Come on Mouse,
Turbo fought! Why couldn't I?"
"Cause according to
Melissa, what happened to you was a lot harsher than what happened to
Turbo."
Yellow worms boring
into his skull...
"Yes," A cold
shudder raced across the Guardian's flesh. "What was done to me? How is it
that I'm back to normal? I mean, I remember Hex fighting off Daemon." That
thought brought new anxiety to Bob. Hex had been in his mind. How much had she
discovered? All of his secrets, his fears had been open to her.
"That's something
you'll want Rose - Dr. Norton to explain," Mouse said.
"Wait - that was Dr.
Rose Norton?"
"Um hmm - you know
her?"
"I know of her. Her
father's works are required reading at the Academy."
Mouse shook her head,
"She said her father was killed in the first assault."
Bob muttered an oath,
"Her father was one of the foremost experts on viral antidotes." Then
something else Mouse had said struck him like a laser shot, "Wait a nano -
did you say, Melissa?"
"Sure, sugah, don't
you remember?"
"So it's true,"
Bob mused, "She really is fighting on our side now?"
"Yes."
"But how?"
"Well, it was Enzo's
doing really. The little guy really impressed her."
"Enzo!" Mention
of the little sprite's name brought on new fears. "My User, Mouse, is he
all right? Valadare --- I mean Matrix --,"
"I --," for the
first time Mouse looked away.
"Oh no," Bob
said, "Oh User, please no! He's not --?"
"No, not that!"
Mouse said. "He's in bad shape though. I've been gathering volunteers to
donate energy. Rose is gonna try a transfusion."
"And I can't donate
anything because my code is corrupted," Bob spat bitterly.
"That's the gist of
it."
"Matrix," Bob
said. "Where is he?"
"In another room
down the hall," Mouse said, "He reacted much like you did. I don't
know what's going on with him now."
"My fault," Bob
said. "All of this is my fault. I was supposed to stop Daemon --,"
"And we will,"
Mouse said. "Now don't go blaming yourself."
"I - I don't think I
can do it, Mouse. Not after what happened." Bob looked at his hands again.
How he despised them. "I hurt Dot."
"And you'll hurt her
even more if you don't go to her."
"I can't Mouse. I
just can't."
Mouse rose without
another word and strode from the room. Confused, Bob walked back to his bed and
lay down. After a few nanos, he dozed, until he heard the door come open again.
Seeing Dot's beautiful
face, so full of love for him, caused all his resolve to push her away to
deteriorate. Her stunning violet eyes pulled him into their depths and tossed
him on a raging sea of emotions.
"Dot." Her name
was a whisper on his lips.
She turned away from him
and he heard the audible click of the door lock. "I'm not going to go away
Bob. I said I'd give you some time and I did. I know you need me. Please don't
shut me out anymore. You know you don't have to be the big brave Guardian with
me."
"Dot," the
emotional turmoil suddenly erupted within him and Bob felt the tears sting his
eyes. He didn't want to cry in front of her but he realized he had little
choice. All the fear, shame, and anger spilled forth with a groan, and before
he could protest, Dot had crossed the room and had crawled onto the bed beside
him.
The urge to send her away
was nothing more than an afterthought. She was right, he did need her now, in
more ways than she could imagine but he wouldn't take advantage of her. For
now, he contented himself with lying in her arms; his face buried against her and
surrendered himself to the tears.
* * *
Basic! Weak! Useless!
Over and over, Matrix
hissed the words between clenched teeth. His hands fisted, itching to destroy
more of the space he had confined himself in. Everything in the room that had
not been secured was a victim of his wrath. Now as he sat in the shadows,
relishing his solitude, he wished he could just fragment and be done with it.
He was relieved that they
had left him alone. He had hurt enough people and he has succinctly told those
who had come near him, including AndrAIa, that if they didn't leave him alone,
he'd very well hurt someone again.
He regretted the words,
even as he had uttered them. The looks of pity only enraged him further.
Although AndrAIa had looked more - what, understanding? He had been in such a
fury he couldn't remember.
And the absolute worse
thing that haunted him and tore at him bit by bit was not being Daemon's
servant, or the torture, or even the destruction he had caused, but it was the
look of all consuming terror and agony that had been on the face of a little
sprite.
Matrix cringed against
the memory. It was one of many that threatened to drive him random. With his
anger there was shame. After so boldly telling Daemon he wouldn't give into the
pain, he had proceeded to scream, cry, and even beg for it to end. It was his
pleading with Daemon that seemed to amuse her the most. She had asked him what
would he give her in order for the torture to end and he had said anything.
"Including the
lives of your friends and family?"
"Yes."
And guilt. He had almost
forgotten the guilt.
So now what was to become
of him? He knew he wasn't completely well. Hexadecimal had driven Daemon out of
his mind, but that other presence was still there. Matrix laid a hand over his cyber-eye
and felt the hunger. It was another reason why he had demanded that they leave
him alone.
Any brave man would face
his fears and leave the room, not hide like some frightened animal. But he was
a coward and he knew what he had to do.
* * *
WARNING: INCOMING GAME.
Bob didn't move. The
computer voice sounded very far away. He doubted he would make the game in time
anyway. His Guardian protocol was warring with the viral infection so the need
to make the game wasn't as great. Still, when he sensed the cube slam down with
an ominous finality, Bob shuddered.
"Hmm - Bob?"
Dot said softly into the darkness. "Was that a game cube?"
"Yes," Bob said
quietly as he pulled her closer. How many times had he dreamed of being with
her like this and now that he was, there wasn't a blasted thing he could do. He
had promised he wouldn't take advantage. She had held him the entire time he
cried, caressing his hair and offering no platitudes. He was grateful to her
for it all. He didn't know how he was ever going to repay her.
"Are you all
right?"
"Yes," Bob
sighed, "the protocols aren't as strong as usual. I'm not as uncomfortable
as I normally would be."
"Believe it or not,
that's the first game that's fallen since we've gotten here."
"That is
random," Bob smiled into the darkness.
Dot pulled away from him
and he immediately felt the loss, "Do you feel up to going outside? I need
to go to Enzo. Mouse should have gotten all the volunteers she needed by
now."
"Yes," Bob
said. "I need to see him too. My User Dot, what must Matrix be
thinking?"
"Matrix asked to be
alone, like you," Dot said. "AndrAIa asked me to let her see to him
and I'm going to honor that request."
"It must be hard for
you."
"It is, he's still
my brother after all, even if he is six feet tall."
Bob chuckled slightly.
"Here, lean on me,
that's it."
"I'm sorry I yelled
at you."
"We've been through
this, Bob. I understood then and I do now."
Bob managed to stand on
his own. Dot reached into her belt. "Here's a new clothing format for
you." She handed him an icon. "We got rid of the viral one. Does
Daemon have Glitch?"
"Yes," Bob said
bitterly, "And without my Glitch-icon, there's no way I can stop
her."
"Don't say that Bob,
there must be a way!"
"No," Bob said,
"You don't understand. It was all dependant on having Glitch."
"You sound like
you're giving up."
Bob felt his cheeks burn,
"Maybe I am."
The look Dot gave him
eventually made him squirm.
"There's nothing I
can do, Dot."
"Let's go see
Enzo," Dot said as though he had never spoken. Bob wondered what she was
thinking.
The clothing format was
some sort of uniform that Bob soon discovered was from the factory. He
hesitated as he stepped outside of the room. Two guards, a sprite and a binome,
turned and leveled rifles at him.
"It's all right,
he's with me." Dot said.
"Miss," the
male sprite said, "We were given orders that the prisoner --,"
"He is not a
prisoner," Dot said.
"-was not to be
allowed outside without a guard accompanying him."
"I'm accompanying
him."
"Mistress Desdemona
won't like this."
"Desdemona?"
Bob turned to Dot, "Katiyana isn't here?"
"No Bob, I'm
sorry."
Bob muttered an oath,
"It was Desdemona wasn't it?"
Dot nodded. Then to the
guards she said, "Tell Desdemona I'll take full responsibility for
Bob."
Bob had to fight not to
flinch at that. Although he loved Dot, having her 'take responsibility' for him
was a bit embarrassing. But since it was necessary the Guardian offered no
protest.
There was a lot of
activity throughout the building and Bob noticed that most of it ceased as he
walked by. He felt his face warm, "Guess I'll have to get used to
that." He muttered more to himself.
"People are
frightened because they don't understand," Dot replied.
Bob knew he could take
the accusing and fearful stares and the whispered comments. There was only one
sprite's opinion he cared about now, and if that person feared him, he knew a
part of him would delete then and there.
Further on, Bob noticed a
mass exodus in generally the same direction and it only took the young Guardian
a moment to realize what it was. The corridor ahead of them was filled with
people, mostly lounging and talking, which ceased abruptly when they caught
sight of Bob.
The Guardian sighed and
moved forward.
"By the code!"
The familiar voice filled Bob with relief and broke the tense silence.
"Tis good ta see ya up and about, Bob lad."
"Gavin," Bob
shook the Crimson Binome's hand vigorously. "It's so good to see you
again."
"We was worried
about ye, weren't we mates?"
The crew, which was
gathered around him, gave exclamations of agreement.
Two massive arms suddenly
wrapped around Bob and hauled him off his feet. Bob realized a nano of panic
until he realized what who it was.
"Bob all
right?" Princess Bulla set him down after the link-crushing hug.
"After that hug,
pretty lady? I'm not sure."
Bulla flushed slightly,
"Good to see Bob."
"Yer' here ta see
the boy, I'll wager?" Gavin said. "Poor lad. But look at all of these
people just willin' ta help."
"I wish I
could," Bob said.
"You'll help by
bein' with him when he wakes," Gavin said. "Yer his hero, ye
know."
"I was," Bob
sighed, "But will I be now? After everything?"
"I think ye
will," Gavin nodded, "He's a good lad. Smart too. He'll know it wasn't
ye. Now get along lad."
"Thanks Gavin, I
mean for everything. You're a good friend."
"Aye lad, yer a good
friend ta me. Ye could have run me in all those minutes ago, and ye
didn't."
They continued, weaving
their way through the crowd. Bob halted when he caught sight of Desdemona
leaning against the wall, while she spoke quietly to another binome.
There must have been
something in his face for Dot whispered, "Bob."
Desdemona noticed them
and her eyes narrowed to slits. "Is this a good idea Ms. Matrix?"
Again the noise level
lowered. "I've already told your guards I'd take responsibility."
"Fat load of good
that'll be if he decides to go random on us."
"I can't promise
anything," Bob said through clenched teeth, "But believe me, you'll
be the first to know if I do decide to go random."
"Was that a threat,
Guardian?"
"No --," Bob
hissed, "Just an - observation. I am curious though. Did you give any
consideration to Mistress Katiyana's safety?"
"Did you?"
Desdemona shot back.
"You have absolutely
no idea what it's like in Daemon's inner sanctum," Bob's voice was low.
"I only hope Mistress Katiyana isn't a prisoner."
With that, Bob strode
away. When he was far enough away he halted until Dot was next to him,
"I'm sorry."
She kissed him on the cheek,
"Believe me, I understand. I've been dealing with her all this time."
Bob learned from Dot that
Enzo had been moved to one of the conference rooms that had been converted into
a sick room. It was large enough to accommodate the machinery that kept Enzo
alive. Dr. Norton as well as four technicians were running about and making
adjustments to various machines that had been set up. Some Bob actually
recognized, such as the energy extraction machine. Mouse at that very moment
was sitting in a chair; the sleeve from the extractor was around her arm. Ray
was next to her holding her hand. The only sign of the mercenary's discomfort
was the sheen of sweat on her forehead.
"Love you can yell
if you want." Ray said.
"I'm fine,"
Mouse looked up. "Hey there."
"Mouse, Ray,"
Bob looked around and noticed how the room had been divided into two sections
by a collapsible wall. "Enzo?"
"They're about
ready," Ray nodded towards Dr. Norton who, although she continued to work,
was watching them furtively.
"Dr. Norton,"
Bob approached the woman, "I know we got off to a bad start and I'd like
to make amends."
Dr. Norton smiled,
"I should apologize to you. I wasn't very doctor-like back there, I was
just angry for Dot. Actually, it's quite common for infectees to experience
anger or humiliation."
Bob said, "Would it
be all right --? I mean to see Enzo?"
"Well," Dr.
Norton began, "I'm not sure --,"
"It'll be all right,
Rose," Dot said.
"No, it's not that.
It's just that Enzo will still be very weak for a while and the shock of seeing
Bob --," she halted.
"The way I look
now?" Bob finished the sentence for her. "I promise to leave at the
first sign of upset on Enzo's part. Please Dr. Norton."
"Rose," Rose
said after a moment. "I can see you love him almost as much as Dot does.
All right."
Bob found himself
gathering his courage as he followed Rose around the partition and found that
despite doing so, it failed him.
He briefly noticed the
little girl sitting on a stool at Enzo's beside and knew without a doubt that
she was Melissa. Bob could also see the lines of exhaustion on the little
she-viral's face but he guessed she had been told to go get some rest and had
refused.
But when he saw Enzo, his
core-com shattered into an infinitesimal number of sharp fragments.
The wraith-like form lay
still on the sick bed. A mere shadow of the energetic youth he had come to
think of as a surrogate son. His skin was translucent and pallid gray-green.
Dark bruises under his eyes were a violent contrast to his coloring.
He was only half aware of
Dot moving away from him to approach her brother and of Rose saying something
about having to run a few more test on the gathered energy to make certain it
was pure.
"Enzo," the
name came from Bob's lips in a pained whisper. Then the anger returned in force
and Bob cried out an expletive. He cringed away; his hands clenched and without
thought slammed his fist into the partition.
The wall fell with a
crash and some of those gathered scattered like frightened mice. Then Dot was
beside him and Ray was standing in front of him.
"Bob --," Dot
began.
"Easy mate,"
Ray whispered, as he planted both hands on Bob's chest.
Bob fought for control.
In the instant he had let his anger surge, he had felt Dariem's presence
strengthen. I can't give in, the Guardian thought bitterly.
Ray was speaking to him
again.
"What?" Bob
focused on his face. Those that had not run were staring at him fearfully.
"Okay?" Ray
said. "You need some fresh air?"
"N-no," the
thought that they wouldn't allow him to see Enzo strengthened his resolve to
remain calm. "I want to see him."
Bob moved towards the bed
and halted as he met the hostile stare of Daemon's daughter.
"Hello
Melissa."
She didn't speak at
first, and Bob could tell she was fighting her exhaustion. Now that he had a
better look at her, he could see the pieces of her heritage in her appearance.
He not only saw Daemon and Hexadecimal, but a bit of Megabyte as well.
"Dariem," she
said at last.
That time, Bob did flinch.
"Please call me Bob."
"Why?" She shot
at him, "You're not Bob anymore. Bob doesn't exist. You are Dariem."
Bob pushed the anger
away, "I was Dariem. Your sister helped me."
"My sister only
subdued him. The Deep Infection can't be pushed aside. You are Dariem and will
be even after my mother is destroyed."
"I think you're
wrong," Bob hoped he didn't sound as unsure as he thought. He moved closer
to Enzo.
"Don't touch
him," Melissa hissed.
"I'm not going to
hurt him."
"No, you're
not."
Bob reached out a
tentative hand towards the little sprite, then drew away, afraid that his touch
may cause him to fragment. It was then that Bob became aware of Enzo's struggle
for each breath. The sound of his battle tore at Bob's core-com. Various wires
and tubes were connected to Enzo's body, making him appear as vulnerable as a
newborn sprite.
"Enzo," Bob
whispered again. The Guardian leaned over the little sprite and gently pressed
his lips to Enzo's forehead.
"We're ready,"
Rose suddenly said, "Stand aside, please."
"I could help
him," Bob's voice was laced with bitterness, "If it wasn't for this
infection I could transfer my own energy into him and heal him
immediately."
"This will
work," Rose said. "But you must let me do this. Please."
"Bob," Dot
gently took his arm and took him aside. They watched as the technicians rolled
in the machine and Rose made the final adjustments.
Bob was barely aware of
what was going on around him. His mind focused only on Enzo. People moved in
and out of his line of vision but he paid no heed. The thought that this
wouldn't work - that he would never again see Enzo's exuberant face so full of
adoration for him was more than Bob thought he could bear.
One of technicians
brought Rose an oblong glass container which she placed into a compartment
within the machine, "All right Little One." The A.V. whispered and
activated it. The glowing energy traveled from the machine and began to
integrate itself into the sprite. After a few moments, Enzo's form solidified.
The little sprite took a deep shuddering breath. Slowly, his violet eyes
opened.
"Enzo?" Dot
rushed to his side.
Enzo blinked,
"D-Dot?"
"Oh Enzo!" Dot
and Melissa said as one. Dot gathered her brother into her arms. Word spread
quickly that Enzo had survived and a cheer went up.
"Dot?" Enzo
looked thoroughly puzzled, "Where am I? What happened?"
"Not now
sweetie," Dot smiled through her tears. "Just let me hug you."
"I-I'm cold,"
Enzo said. "Why is it so cold?"
"Rose?"
"It's normal. He
needs time to recuperate. His body has to adjust to the energy. He should be
fine."
"Here sweetie,"
Dot climbed onto the bed beside him.
The entire time the scene
unfolded, Bob didn't move. How would Enzo react when he saw him? He had no
right to be here. He felt like an intruder. Enzo hadn't noticed him yet, maybe
if he slipped away?
"What are you
waiting for mate?" Ray was right next to him before he realized it.
"You weren't
thinking of running out on him were you?" Mouse was on his other side.
Dot looked at him,
"There's someone who's been deleting to see you, sweetie."
Before Bob could protest,
Dot drew away from Enzo and the small sprite caught sight of him.
"Bob?" Enzo
squinted at him, "Bob, is that you?"
"Enzo," Bob
started forward, "Please don't be afraid."
"Afraid of you
Bob?" Enzo struggled to sit up straight, "I'd never be afraid of you!
I told you you're my hero."
Bob crossed the room and
sat gently down on the bed, "I missed you Little Man."
"I missed you
too," Enzo smiled weakly and Bob was unable to resist pulling him into his
arms.
"I'm so glad you're
all right."
"Bob what happened
to you?"
"Long story small
fry. Maybe I'll tell you later."
"You look so -
different." A shudder passed across Enzo's body. "I'm tired Dot. Can
I go back to sleep?"
"Of course,
sweetie."
"You'll all stay
won't you?" Enzo was already drifting off.
"Of course we will,
sweetie." Dot stretched out beside him and draped an arm around him.
"I'm so cold,"
the little sprite whispered and fell into sleep.
Bob moved from the bed
and motioned Melissa over. Before the little virus could protest, Bob lifted
her up and placed her on the bed beside Enzo. Then Bob took her place on the
stool. He had promised Enzo he wouldn't leave but as soon as it was feasible he
would seek out Matrix.
* * *
AndrAIa stared pensively
at the closed door. The two binome guards fidgeted behind her and AndrAIa was
rapidly losing patience with them.
Once again, the game
sprite pounded on the door with the heel of her hand, "Matrix! Open up
this instant!"
It was too quiet within
the room. A few milliseconds before there had been the unmistakable sounds of
destruction but now there was silence. It made AndrAIa nervous.
"Who has the manual
override codes to this door lock?" AndrAIa turned to the guards.
"The command center
personnel," one guard replied.
"Go ask Dom for them
now," AndrAIa didn't have the patience for niceties. Something wasn't
right within that room. "Didn't you hear me? Go!"
"Um --," the
two guards fidgeting increased, "We were given orders not to --,"
"To the net with
your orders," AndrAIa's claws extended, "Go now!"
The two binomes scurried
down the hall like rats. AndrAIa had a sneaking suspicion that they were both a
couple of Desdemona's bootlicks and she doubted either one of them would return
soon with the codes if at all.
AndrAIa drew and extended
her trident and blew the lock apart with a well-placed blast.
It was pitch dark inside
the room, but her night-vision enabled her to see clearly, the damage her love
had caused. She heard running footsteps behind her and the two guards returned,
"What happened?" One asked.
"Go away, I've got
everything under control."
"But Mistress
Desdemona said --,"
AndrAIa whirled in a
violent motion and brandishing her trident, she hissed at them, "Go
away!"
The two guards retreated
immediately. AndrAIa shut the door, then welded it closed with a low-level
blast.
"Matrix?"
"Go away," the
muttered command came from the far right corner of the room.
"No," AndrAIa
said, "Talk to me, Sparky."
"AndrAIa, if you
don't leave now - I - I'll --,"
"What? Delete
me?" AndrAIa approached him. He was sitting against the wall surrounded by
broken furniture and shards of glass.
"I'm a monster
AndrAIa. I could drain the life from you. Is that what you want me to do?"
"You're being an
ASCII, you know that?" She knelt before him and reached out a gentle hand
to touch his face. "Oh Lover --,"
"No!" Matrix
slapped her hand away. He climbed to his feet and moved away from her. His back
was to her. "Don't call me that! Don't ever call me that again! How can I
- how can we --?"
Again silence filled the
room for a time, then, "Leave AndrAIa. It's better that you're not
here."
Again, she approached
him. "Why, Sparky?"
"Don't talk to me
anymore. I don't want you here. I don't deserve you. I don't deserve to
--,"
Even in the darkness
AndrAIa could see the shudder pass over his massive frame, "Leave me alone
AndrAIa, I have to do this."
His words and their
meaning infuriated her, "Oh what? Hang yourself with your
bootstraps?"
That got to him. He
turned to glare at her and she took the opportunity to bring her face close to
his, "After what I went through to get you back?" AndrAIa jabbed her
index finger into his chest, "No way, buster!"
"AndrAIa --,"
"Plus," AndrAIa
cut him off, "it would kill your sister!"
"You don't
understand."
"I don't understand?
You big green ASCII! You think you're the first person to have something bad
happen to you? You think Bob is planning on ending it all? What's the matter?
The big bad renegade lost his circuits?"
Matrix looked as if he
would speak, his mouth opened and abruptly closed. He turned away again. His
next words were a whisper, "I deleted Enzo. I'm a murderer."
"No, you didn't.
Enzo is going to be fine."
He turned back to face
her, "He's still processing?"
"Yes."
"He'll know,"
Matrix seemed to be speaking more to himself. "He'll know it was on
purpose. Daemon saw to that."
"What?" AndrAIa
took his hands. "What are you talking about, Lover?"
"He'll know,"
Matrix had never looked so distraught, and to AndrAIa's utter astonishment,
tears began flow from his good eye. "It wasn't an accident."
AndrAIa wasn't certain of
the meaning of his words but she decided not to question them at that point.
She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into an embrace. "We'll
stay here until you're ready."
All the while the two
sprites stood there, Matrix muttered the same thing over and over.
"He'll know it
wasn't an accident." The words left an uncomfortable feeling in AndrAIa's core-com.
* * *
"Bob?"
Dot reached over and laid her hand atop his. She wished there had been another
way but how do you tell someone that their mentor is gone?
"How?" The
Guardian looked at her, his eyes moist.
"He was saving
Dot," Enzo broke in, "from Ashar."
"What happened with
Ashar?"
"Well Turbo deleted
him for one," Dot skirted the uncomfortable issue. "Ashar would have
deleted me and Enzo and Melissa if it wasn't for him. He died a hero."
"That was
Turbo," Bob managed a sad smile.
"I'll be all right
Bob," Enzo placed his hands over Bob's own. Dot saw the mixture of
emotions of Bob's face. There was anger, guilt, shame and relief all in the
most infinitesimal moment.
"Thanks Little
Man." Bob ruffled Enzo's already unruly hair. "I just wish -- "
He stopped abruptly and
Dot could see his struggle to remain calm in front of Enzo. "I guess they
wouldn't let me have a moment alone," Bob muttered.
Again, Dot reached for
him, laying her own hand atop Enzo's. "Probably not now. You'll will have
your time to mourn, I know."
Bob smiled at her and
leaned in for a kiss.
"Um...you two aren't
going to get all mushy on me are you?"
"Enzo," now it
was Dot ruffling his hair.
"Um...Dot,"
Enzo suddenly said, "Could Bob and I have a moment alone? I mean, it's
nothing personal but I need to talk to him. You know, real man to man
stuff."
Dot exchanged a knowing
look with Bob, "Of course, sweetie. I have to see what's going on at the
command center anyway. I'll be back in a few milliseconds."
"Okay," Enzo
smiled, "Could you turn up the heat a little more?"
"Sure," Dot
gave him a worried glance. It was hot outside, she knew that much, but Enzo had
been saying how cold he was. Rose; who was currently treating the enemy forces
taken prisoner in an effort to free them from Daemon's infection; had said it
was natural for the first few microseconds but Enzo had been complaining of
being cold for the past few milliseconds. She was going to try and contact
Phong once in the command center and maybe see if they could get Dr. Chancery
here as well. Dot left them as she continued her musings.
* * *
Cold. Absolute cold.
And Darkness. Never had he seen such empty nothingness.
Then...
Enzo crept through the
dank catacombs, holding the sputtering torch before him. Behind him AndrAIa -
Wait a nano --
AndrAIa? That wasn't right. Why was he with AndrAIa?
He paused at an
intersection and placed his hand against the wall, then drew it back sharply as
a spider scuttled across it. Enzo swore.
What happened to his
voice? It was lower. He looked at his hand. It was larger, calloused. Was that
his hand?
"What now?"
AndrAIa asked him.
"This way,"
the sound of his own voice was creeping him out.
The corridor opened up
into a large domed chamber and in the middle of said chamber was a metallic
silver snake coiled in apparent slumber around an immense golden egg.
"There it
is," Enzo hissed. "Circle around the other side in case it wakes up.
I can distract it."
"All right, Enzo.
Be careful."
No, no! I don't want
to go near that thing! Where's Bob? Dot? Where am I?
Unexpectedly, the
snake raised its head and blinked sleepily. Its eyes focused on Enzo. With a
hiss, the snake reared. Enzo drew his sword and slashed upward, just as the
snake plunged its head towards him. Acidic bile dripped from its fangs.
"AndrAIa get the
egg!"
Enzo rushed the
gigantic beast and was very suddenly and violently being slammed to the floor.
The snake's tail had
wrapped around his ankles and was dragging him across the floor. The young
sprite was lifted off his feet.
"Enzo,
Enzo!" AndrAIa was screaming.
The snake began to
wrap itself around Enzo's legs, his torso ...
There were flashes of
white light and a screaming voice and suddenly the snake began to tighten its murderous
hold. Enzo opened his mouth to scream and nothing came out and the coils
continued to tighten until ...
Enzo came awake and
looked up into the tear-filled eyes of his sister and realized he had almost
been deleted. But it hadn't been him, it had been Matrix and Enzo knew then and
there that he had Matrix's memories and the nightmare would be the first of
many.
* * *
"So Little Man, what
did you want to talk about?"
Enzo drew in a breath. He
was so happy to see Bob again, even though he looked really weird now. He had
heard people whispering about what Bob had done and Enzo refused to believe
that his hero had actually tried to injure his sister. Enzo decided he'd deal
with anyone who said anything about it in front of him.
He was glad they were relatively
alone. Enzo had managed to get Melissa to finally go and get some rest.
Somehow, even while he was unconscious he had known she was there the entire
time. She was his best friend.
Enzo was even gladder to
be alive. The memory of his assault at the hands of Matrix was still vivid in
his processor. Bob had assured him Matrix was himself, but Enzo refused to
believe it. Not after the hurriedly whispered conversation that he and Melissa
had while Bob and Dot dozed, his sister beside him and Bob sitting on the
stool.
So Enzo figured that he
had better say what he had to say to Bob right now because he doubted he'd get
the chance later.
Enzo drew the blanket
closer to his chin, "Well - I wanted to say I was sorry."
"For what?"
"I --," Enzo
looked into the Guardian's eyes and had to struggle not to look away. That
yellow was really freaking him out. "I lied to you."
"You Enzo, about
what?"
"What you asked me
back in Mainframe about Matrix?"
A peculiar look crossed
Bob's face. Enzo wasn't sure he knew what it meant. "You asked me to give
him a chance and I said I would."
"Yes, I remember,
Enzo," Bob said quietly.
"I know this might
not be the best time to tell you this. I mean, I know you're sad about Turbo
and all, but I wanted to say I'm sorry before it was too late."
"What do you mean
before it's too late?"
At his question, Enzo
looked away. A shudder passed over his small frame.
"Enzo look at me.
What did you mean by that?"
"I mean
Matrix," Enzo had to get Bob to understand. "I wasn't going to give
him a chance even when you asked me. Because I thought he hated me. And now I
know I won't because --,"
The figure that appeared
from behind the partition abruptly tore Enzo's attention away from Bob.
Instantly, a chill seized him at the sight of his older counterpart, who looked
even more alien than Bob did. It was suddenly and uncomfortably closed in the
room. Enzo took deep lungs-full of air but his throat seemed to constrict and
he was reminded of being crushed by the giant snake.
"Matrix," Bob
started to rise, but Enzo frantically grasped his arm.
"Don't leave
me," Enzo muttered.
"Enzo, it's okay
--,"
"No! It's not
okay!" Enzo's attention was once again diverted as AndrAIa stepped beside
Matrix. "You don't understand!"
Enzo turned what he hoped
was a hateful glare on Matrix, "But you do, don't you!"
Matrix didn't speak, but
continued to stare almost impassively at the little sprite. AndrAIa said,
"Sparky?"
"He hates me Bob,
it's true!"
"Enzo --,"
But the little sprite ignored
his hero, his attention, his extreme dislike, all on Matrix, "He wanted to
delete me Bob!"
"Enzo, you know that
isn't true!" AndrAIa said.
"Of course it's
true!" Enzo still refused to take his eyes off Matrix. Enzo knew Matrix
could strike anytime and although Enzo also knew there was little he could do
about it he still didn't want to be caught off guard. "You and Dot were
asleep and Melissa and I were talking. Melissa told me all about how Daemon
works. She told me to watch out for Bob and Matrix." The little sprite
turned his head then to look at Bob, "But I know you won't hurt me Bob
because you don't have any bad thoughts about me."
His eyes back on Matrix,
he said, "But you do!"
"Enzo," AndrAIa
said carefully, "You have to understand that Daemon had control of them
both --,"
"I know she
did!" Enzo's voice was high and shrill and he barely heard Bob's
admonishment for yelling at AndrAIa. "But you don't know how she does it!
Melissa told me! She takes all the bad thoughts inside of you and uses them
against you! She makes people do bad things that way."
When no one spoke, Enzo
looked from AndrAIa to Bob, "Don't you two get it?"
When the tense silence
lengthened, Enzo muttered, "Doesn't anybody care that he tried to delete
me?"
"Of course we care,"
Bob said, "But Enzo --,"
"No," he had to
make them understand before --, "Do you know what he said, while he --? He
said he hated me. That he wanted to delete me and that I was weak and pathetic
and once I was gone, he wouldn't have any more reminders. I remember
everything!"
Still Matrix didn't
reply. Enzo went on, "Daemon did something to me. I know things that only
he knows. I've had bad dreams about things, places, I've never seen or been to
before."
Bob made a noise that
drew Enzo's attention, "No. Bob, you knew?"
"I'd forgotten until
now," Bob whispered. "Yes, I knew about - what Daemon planned to do -
but that was when I wasn't myself. And neither was Matrix. If you're willing to
forgive me why not him?"
"You know why,
Bob." Enzo said accusingly. He didn't know what to do about Bob's
admission. Things were rapidly becoming a waking nightmare. "If he didn't
really feel that way, Daemon couldn't of used his bad feelings to make him come
after me. He wanted me to delete even before Daemon got to him."
"Matrix, tell him
that isn't true," Bob spoke to the renegade for the first time.
"He can't,"
Enzo spat the words, "because he knows I'm right." Enzo threw back
the covers and despite his chill and fatigue, crawled to the edge of the bed,
"Look at the proof. The things he said in the Principal Office. Yeah I
heard that, and all those other times when things went wrong for him, he blamed
me."
Enzo climbed from the
bed. His legs barely supported him but he forced himself to stand erect and
face his glowering mirror image and for the first time addressed Matrix
directly. "You're even ashamed of our name."
His tiny hands fisted,
"I am Enzo Matrix. You - you're nothing! That's what you are!"
"I'm nothing!"
Words exploded forth from the renegade at last, "Big words coming from a
cheap carbon copy!"
"Matrix!" Bob
came violently to his feet.
"See!" Enzo
said. "You just proved my point. Get out!"
Bob was saying something,
trying to calm him but Enzo barely heard.
"Get out!"
Enzo's strength fled, but he wouldn't rest until the big ugly green guy was
away from him. He started screaming the phrase repeatedly, "Get out, get
out, get out!"
He didn't want to see
Matrix. He wished he would never see him again. Rose rushed in demanding to
know what was happening. Things took on a surreal quality as Enzo was gently
forced back to bed by Rose and Bob and AndrAIa all but dragged Matrix from the
room.
Rose was handing him
something in a glass and he drank it without questioning what it may be,
"Bob?" He said afterwards, "Don't leave me okay? I know he'll
try to delete me again. Please don't say he won't. You know as well as I do he
will."
He heard Bob expel a
breath. "All right, Enzo, I won't go anywhere."
"Thanks Bob," Enzo
snuggled against the Guardian's chest, feeling safer than he had in a long
time. "And Bob?"
"Hmm?"
"I know you didn't
mean to hurt Dot," Enzo muttered and as he drifted off to sleep he knew it
would not be a peaceful one.
* * *
Bob ignored the fearful
looks he received as he made his way through the corridors of the factory. He
knew he was being shadowed but quite frankly he didn't care. If he wanted to,
if Dariem was still in control, he could take control of the entire complex.
The lax security on the ship had proven that to him. He figured someone would
eventually alert Desdemona to his roaming about, but he hoped he could get what
he had to do finished before - what? Surely Desdemona wouldn't think of
imprisoning him again?
He wanted to get back to
the infirmary before Enzo woke up although Rose had assured him the little
sprite would sleep for the rest of the second. Ray was with Enzo now. It wasn't
hard to locate Matrix and AndrAIa. They wouldn't be allowed to leave the
complex grounds. Behind the factory a grassy area had been created with benches
and data trees for shade for the employees to have lunch. It was there that he
finally located the renegade and the game sprite.
AndrAIa did not look
happy. Which Bob supposed was understandable. Matrix was sitting on the bench,
his head lowered, while AndrAIa paced back and forth, her hands waving in
exaggerated motions. As Bob drew near he could hear AndrAIa yelling.
"I don't understand
Matrix. I just don't. What's wrong with you?"
"I told you AndrAIa,"
Matrix muttered.
"Matrix --,"
AndrAIa took his big hand in hers, "Enzo - I want to understand."
"So do I," Bob
said, alerting them to his presence.
AndrAIa stood just as
Matrix turned.
"Can we talk Matrix?
AndrAIa, a moment?"
"Sure Bob,"
AndrAIa said. "Maybe you can reason with him."
When the two were alone,
Bob sat down on the bench next to Matrix. For a moment there was an
uncomfortable silence. Quite different from what the two had shared in the
past.
"We really blew it
didn't we, Bob?"
Bob sighed, "I'll
say it didn't turn out like we expected did it? But no, I don't think we blew
it, because what happened was unanticipated."
"Desdemona,"
Matrix spat, "I can't believe she did it."
"Fanaticism makes
people do senseless things," Bob said, "Not that I'm making excuses
for her, mind you."
"Can you sense his
presence Bob?" Matrix asked after a few nanos. "Is Dariem still
there?"
"Yes."
"And Hex knows our
thoughts now...our memories. And Little Enzo --,"
Bob realized that was the
first time Matrix has spoken his other self's name aloud. "About Enzo
--,"
"I already went
through this with AndrAIa," Matrix abruptly stood.
Bob fought to control the
surge of anger, "Why didn't you say anything? Enzo thinks you wanted to
delete him!"
"I know what he
thinks," Matrix seemed to be fighting his own inner battle. "I can't
help that."
"Of course you
can!"
"I can't!"
Matrix whirled, "Because - he's right."
"What?" Bob
stood to face him. "You can't seriously believe you meant to --?"
"No, not that,"
Matrix turned away again. "What I said in the Principal Office - did he
tell you about that?"
"Yes." Bob
said. "I wanted to talk to you about that too."
"Yeah, I figured you
would."
"You're not being
fair to him. Hating him for who he is isn't right and I think you know
that."
"It's not him I
hate," Matrix muttered. "It's me."
"But why?" Bob
moved to stand behind him. He reached out and after a moment's hesitation, laid
his hand on Matrix's shoulder.
"You know --,"
Matrix expelled a breath. "Don't you want to know what happened to my
eye?"
The abrupt change of
subject surprised Bob, "Well - I have, but I figured you tell me in your
own time."
"It was in the last
game before AndrAIa and I started game hopping," Matrix said, "It was
- the User took the form of this monster - and I was so basic - I thought I
could win. I was stupid and I lost! I let Dot down and you and myself! Because
--,"
"Why?"
"I was a weak little
boy! I wasn't you Bob! I wanted to be you, I wanted to make you proud of me and
--,"
Matrix's massive frame
shook and his hands balled into fists. Bob moved to stand in front of him but
the brawny sprite wouldn't look at him.
"We've been through
this Matrix," Bob said. "I already told you I was proud of you.
Didn't you believe me?"
Finally the
emerald-skinned warrior looked at him, "Of course I did!"
"Well?" Bob
suddenly noticed something over Matrix's shoulder. Several binome guards were
hurrying towards them. "You did your best and isn't that all I've ever
asked of you?"
"Yes."
"Stop beating
yourself up over this. I've made my share of mistakes too. Look at what
happened with Megabyte. Maybe none of this would have happened if I hadn't
trusted him."
"But Bob, there was
no other way! You did what you thought you had to do."
"And so did
you," Bob said emphatically. "Maybe I owe you an apology. I should
have never made you feel like you had to be like me. The only thing I ever
wanted from you was to be Enzo Matrix."
"Yeah but now there
are two of me. Who is the real one? He said I was nothing. Maybe he's
right."
"No, he wasn't
right, and he'll realize that," Bob said. "Maybe - I don't know, this
was meant to happen for a reason. Phong always says nothing is merely 'chance'.
In any event I think you two are going to end up being good for each
other."
"All right
Bob," Matrix sighed. "I'll try. I can't promise any miracles."
"Not asking for
them," Bob smiled. "You have to make peace with him."
"He won't
understand. Especially not with Melissa telling him to watch his back."
"Hmm - that is a
problem," he wondered if Dot could talk to Melissa. "You'll have to
win her trust to. Because it looks like she's going to be around for
awhile."
"And what about that
Bob? I mean Hex was causing enough problems and now this? I would never have
fallen for a viral!"
"Matrix," Bob
stepped away as the guards approached. His big friend still had a lot to learn.
One dark blue binome
stepped forward, obviously terrified of the two ravenous virals, "By order
of Mistress Desdemona, you are to return to the command center with us,
immediately."
Matrix grinned evilly,
"Is that so?"
"What do you say
Matrix? Blast them into pixels?" Bob smiled, showing his fangs.
"Works for me."
The binomes scattered in
panic.
"That wasn't very
nice of us, was it?" Bob said.
"Nope," Matrix
smirked and the two sprites started back inside.