NULL AND VOID
PROLOGUE
It was hard for me to look at the diner, even now. Too much memory. System overload. Abort, Retry, Fail. I turned my head quickly and started walking towards Kits, eyes cast straight down.
Every step felt like an inch, my feet were so heavy. I knew Bob would be waiting, and I didn't want to be late, but it was so hard, making that walk for what would be the last time - at least for a long while.
How many times had I dreamed about this cycle - what it would mean to me? Sure, there were doubts, but it had always felt totally alphanumeric in my mind. It was supposed to be perfect - everything I'd dreamed about since I was a little sprite. I knew leaving Mainframe would be hard, but I'd be back. And it was what I'd always wanted.
That was what I'd always thought, anyways. But now that it had all happened, it was totally basic. Low density. The Mainframe I was leaving wasn't the one I'd imagined leaving. I wasn't sure if I'd ever come back. If I ever _wanted_ to come back. Except for one reason. Except for Bob.
I looked around me, at Baudway, back towards the Principal Office - the city was kinda quiet today. I knew that wherever I went, anywhere in the net, no place would ever be as beautiful to me as this. I could go to the Supercomputer itself, but Mainframe would always be home.
But that wasn't really true, was it? Mainframe would always be home, in my mind - but not this Mainframe. The Mainframe I'd remember would be the other Mainframe - before everything had happened. I'd file and sort it, back it up in my memory. But it wouldn't be real. I couldn't ever go back to a place that didn't exist any more. Maybe we Matrixes were destined to wander around the net forever - maybe it was part of our code...
I was almost startled when I looked up and found myself outside our apartment in Kits. I'd made the walk so many times, I guess I could do it in my sleep - and I just about had. Bob was waiting for me. It was time.
"Hey, Partner!" he grinned as I slowly walked through the door. "Where've you been? It's almost 1200, you know!"
"Sorry Bob!" I said sheepishly, forcing a smile to my face. "I was over at the diner. I guess I... I guess I had to have a - you know..."
"I understand." Bob smiled sympathetically. "Enzo, I know this is kind of rough for you - but you know it's for the best. It's what you've always wanted, and you deserve it-"
"Thanks." I nodded, even if I wasn't sure I agreed with him about the second part. "You've done a great job training me, Bob. There's no way I could ever go to the Academy if you hadn't helped me every nano along the way. There wouldn't even _be_ an Academy if it weren't for you, and Matrix, and AndrAIa. And..." Thinking about them brought even more pain. "Bob, I-"
"It was easy!" Bob grinned, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I guess there had been kind of a distance between us for a while, but it was forgotten now. It seemed unimportant. "By the User, Enzo - I can hardly believe it! You're nearly as tall as me, now. It seems like only a few nanos since the reboot, and now you're almost fully compiled. Where do the cycles go?"
It was strange hearing Bob talk this way - but then, everything seemed strange to me now. I blushed a little. "I'm still a little sprite and you know it. Those cadets at the academy are gonna tear me to data bits..."
"Spam!" Bob chuckled. "You're a Matrix - and we all know how tough Matrixes are."
"Yeah..." I whispered, all the memories flooding back to me. I could hardly believe that we'd ever fought, ever been mad at each other. It made me feel totally low-density. Bob and I were all we had, now. That thought made today seem even worse to me. I was shocked to feel a tear on my cheek.
See, I hadn't cried in a while. Since - since the last time. I promised myself that I never would again - I wouldn't let anything hurt me that much, ever. Maybe that's why Bob and I hadn't talked much, for a while, even though we lived in the same apartment. It seemed easier. But now, it all came crashing down.
"Come on, now." Bob said softly. "She'd be proud of you, you know. She _is_ proud of you. She-"
"It's not that!" I sobbed, ashamed of my crying but unable to stop.
"What is it?" Bob frowned.
I shook my head angrily, trying to rattle the tears out. "I just keep thinking about you, and Mainframe... And about how - how lonely you - it'll be! Bob, I-"
"Crash that!" he smiled, tousling my hair like he used to when I was a little sprite. "I'm a Guardian, Enzo - and so are you. Defending Mainframe is a full time job. Besides, we'll be seeing plenty of each other. Don't you worry about me. Just go to the Academy and make me proud."
"Bob-"
"You've always made me proud - why should it be any different now?"
I stared at him for a nano, startled to realize that we _were_ almost eye to eye. How was that possible? "Thanks!" I whispered, sniffling. I tried to keep control of myself, but I couldn't. I guess I was still a little sprite, when everything was filed and sorted. I buried my face in his shoulder. "Bob... I - I..."
"I know." he said softly, patting my back. "I know, Enzo. Me too. Come on, now - you don't want to be late on your first cycle, do you? Did you get everything uploaded all right?"
"Yes." I whispered, lifting my head and forcing a smile. "All set."
"Need anything from your room?"
"No - I finished uploading my stuff last night." I sighed. I didn't want to see my room now - I didn't need any more memory downloads pushing me over the edge. More than anything, I wished a game cube would drop - just so I wouldn't have to go through with it. Anything to delay things. But the games never seemed to come when I wanted them to, and now was no exception. "Say good-bye to Phong for me, OK?"
"I will."
"Thanks..." I sighed, looking around the apartment one last time.
"I guess that's it, then." Bob grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. "Just be yourself, Enzo, and everything will be fine. Remember everything I taught you. And make me proud."
"I will. I promise." I croaked, unable to muster my voice above a whisper. "Thanks - thanks for everything, Bob. I - thanks..."
"You're welcome." he said softly. He looked down at his wrist. "Copeland - portal!"
A shimmering sphere opened in the air in front of us, hovering in place. I took one last look at Bob, who smiled and nodded. "Stay frosty!" he mouthed. I nodded back, closed my eyes and stepped towards the portal.
PART I
"Bogey! Eight o'clock!"
"I see him, Cap!" the diminutive fighter pilot grinned, banking his F-14 sharply to port and swooping low over the desert terrain. He pointed his nose directly at the oncoming MIEG and throttled up in a scream of jet fuel. The smaller jet banked upward, gaining altitude and disappearing into a bank of low clouds. "Cursors - lost him!"
"Stay on him, Cadet!" Bob spoke evenly into his mike, absently dusting off a stray MIEG that was attempting to outflank him. "I got you covered - he's all yours."
"I'm on it!" Enzo shouted excitedly, entering the layer of overcast and eyeing his radar screen. "It's pretty thick up here! I can't find him..."
Bob banked his own F-14 and followed the boy into the clouds, keeping a discreet distance between them. "Use your tracking, Enzo! Stay frosty!"
"I got him!" Enzo cried, as his radar locked onto the fleeing fighter. He tensed his finger on the trigger of his laser-guided missile, his hand barely large enough to manipulate the device. "Just a few more nanos..." At the last instant, the MIEG dove to port and disappeared off the youngster's targeting computer. "Delete it! He's gone! Where is he?"
"Find him!" Bob urged, moving his F-14 into position well behind the MIEG, which he'd never allowed out of his field of vision. "Just be patient - he's out there!"
The clouds gave way to a stunningly blue sky, the sun blazing directly overhead, and the three fighters now sped over a landscape of low dunes. In the distance, a complex of steel buildings was visible. "I can't, Bob!" I can't find him!" Enzo shouted. "I can't get a lock on him! I-"
"Use your radar, Enzo!" Bob urged. The MIEG swooped in from off of Enzo's starboard wing and slipped in behind his F-14. "Enzo! Stay sharp!" Bob engaged his targeting computer and followed the MIEG nervously.
"I'm trying!" Enzo's voice, sounding desperate, replied from his radio. "I can't find him!" The boy's fighter darted quickly back and forth as he tried to get a fix on the MIEG. The smaller plane matched maneuvers with the F-14, slowly settling into firing range. With a sigh, Bob locked on his targeting computer and began to squeeze the trigger.
Suddenly, Enzo's plane rolled wildly to port and towards the ground as Bob watched, mouth agape. Then the F-14 straightened and took off straight towards the sun, disappearing from view. The MIEG hesitated, looping slowly in pursuit, then back to it's original course. Enzo's F-14 reappeared, glinting in the bright sunshine, almost directly on top of the MIEG.
The boy banked downwards, towards the smaller fighter. "Be seeing you!" a high-pitched voice crackled from the speaker of Bob's headset. With a plume of flame, a missile disengaged from the wing of the boy's F-14 and the plane rolled off to starboard. In a few nanos, the MIEG was reduced to a spectacular cacophony of twisted metal and orange fire.
"Yeee-HA!" Enzo screamed into his radio. "Didya see that, Bob? Didya see it?"
"What're you trying to do - make me deaf, Cadet?!" Bob chuckled ruefully.
"Sorry, Bob!" Enzo answered sheepishly, his grin bursting through his helmet. "Man - what a rush!"
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Bob said sardonically. "Now, if it's not too much trouble... That's the weapons factory up ahead, eighteen degrees port. Would you care to do the honors?"
"Roger, Cap!" Enzo rolled his F-14 to port and locked his targeting computer on the central reactor housing. "It's a lot easier when the target isn't moving..."
"Very insightful. Watch out for flak!"
"Target locked..." Enzo breathed, tensing his finger. "Fire!"
GAME OVER
"Thank goodness!" Dot sighed.
"You worry too much, Dot." AndrAIa said confidently. "Bob can handle things just fine. He wouldn't let anything happen to Enzo."
"How do you do it, AndrAIa?' Dot sighed with a hint of bitterness. "How do you keep from going crazy, with all the stuff you've been through? Don't you _ever_ worry about anything?"
"Sometimes I get a very bad feeling about things..." AndrAIa replied a little defensively. "I guess when you've spent almost your entire life in games, you tend to look at things from a strategic point of view. And you don't waste too much time trying to figure out why sprites act the way they do - they just _do_."
"Do what? And who are they?" Matrix asked, walking into the archives, grinning slightly. "My ears are burning..."
"Why, nothing to do with you, Sparky!" AndrAIa giggled, as they kissed briefly.
"How did the backup go?" Dot asked, as ever charmed by - and a little envious of - the easy familiarity AndrAIa and Matrix shared.
"Alphanumeric. Phong says all the utilities are functioning properly. We're totally on-line. Get the survey finished?"
"That's good to hear." Dot answered. "Bob and Enzo had to go into a game cube so we're running a little behind schedule, but we've seen enough to know we lost a lot of valuable data. I guess it's not too great a price to pay, but the archives aren't what they were before. It's going to be a slow rebuilding process."
"Doesn't sound like anything you can't handle." Matrix nodded. "I know my sister well enough to know that. What-"
"Matrix!" Enzo shouted, bursting into the archives as the bearded sprite spun reflexively. The boy launched himself at his elder at full speed. "OOF!" he grunted, bouncing off of the young man's chest and landing on his ASCII. AndrAIa stifled a giggle.
"You were going to say something?" Matrix asked with an arched eyebrow as the boy glared up at him. The big sprite couldn't resist a smile. He easily hoisted the youngster in a burly arm. "Hup you go! What's processing?"
"Matrix - it was totally cool!" Enzo gushed, his momentary indignity forgotten. "It was a desert fighter game, Dude - MIEGS and F-14s! You shoulda seen us, we were great! And I shot down the last fighter and blew up the weapons factory - it was totally alphanumeric! You shoulda been there!"
"I've seen that one." Matrix nodded. "I figured out that the MIEGS can't track you if you fly into the sun - gets 'em every time."
"Dude - that's what _I_ did!" Enzo laughed. "That's totally cool!"
"Like minds think alike." Bob said, strolling into the archives. "How are things going here?"
"As well as can be expected." Dot answered. "We've lost a lot of data, but we'll get by. How was the game?"
"Didn't Enzo tell you?" Bob grinned. "No worries, Dot. The Guardians are on the job."
"Dude - it was awesome!" Enzo enthused. "Games are totally so much fun, Bob! D'you think the next one'll be a flying game, too? Those are totally cool!" Matrix, Enzo still perched on his arm, frowned.
"No way to tell, Enzo. We take what comes. It's out of our control."
"Now that Bob's back, he and I can finish the survey here." Dot smiled. "Why don't you two go access a bite and get some rest?"
"Sounds like a plan." AndrAIa answered. "Stay frosty, gang." Matrix set Enzo down and followed her towards the door.
"Can I come too?" Enzo asked Dot pleadingly. "I wanna tell Matrix and AndrAIa about the game! Can I?"
Dot looked questioningly at AndrAIa, who looked in turn at Matrix. "Sure, no problem. We can take Enzo to a quicktime movie afterwards. You two can have the evening to yourselves." AndrAIa arched an eyebrow in surprise.
"Cool!"
"Thanks." Dot smiled. "I guess we'll see you later, then. Have fun!"
"Frisket!" Enzo exclaimed as the feral dog launched himself at him, barking and licking his face. "Ha ha! Where ya been, Boy? Wanna go to the diner and get some grub? C'mon Boy!"
"Not too late! School night!" Dot shouted after the departing quartet.
"Awww..." came the faint reply.
"Not to worry - we'll have him home early!" AndrAIa called, laughing.
"Still got a lot of work to do..." Bob sighed, looking around at the cluttered archives. "Better get started."
"Work , work, work! Too much work makes Bob a dull Guardian!" Dot grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck and accessing a lengthy smooch. "That wasn't too much work, was it?"
"N-no. Easy as falling of an analog."
"I love your hair this way, Bob." Dot said softly, nuzzling his neck. "I can actually feel you under there, now..."
"Whatever makes you happy." Bob smiled. "You don't think about haircuts out there on the web, I guess."
"Don't talk about that. Talk about anything else. How was the game? Enzo did all right?"
"Enzo did fine." Bob said. "He's still a little green - no offense! He makes a lot of mistakes, and he panics too fast. But he'll learn. The main thing is that he never gives up - he's got a lot of spirit. And besides, I wasn't even playing games when I was his age..."
"Maybe there's a reason for that." Dot frowned.
"Dot-"
"No, you're right, never mind. Shut up, Dot!" the Command.Com. smiled ruefully. "So it was what - a flying aces type of thing? Jet fighters?"
"Pretty much. Desert Storm, you know - knock out the enemy fighters and take out the weapons plant. Pretty routine."
"So - Enzo was in a plane by himself, then? Isn't that kind of dangerous? How can you keep an eye on him if-"
"Don't worry! I kept him on a pretty tight leash. He was never out of my sight. And he did take out the User's MIEG on his own, you know. It got a little hairy when it got a target lock on him, but-"
"Target lock?! On Enzo? Bob, how could you let that happen? What if-"
"Dot! I told you - he was never out of my sight. I was ready to take out the User myself, but I wasn't gonna tell Enzo that. How's he ever going to get better if I don't let him try to get through these things on his own? That doesn't mean I'm going to put him at risk!"
"You're right, you're right!" Dot sighed. "Maybe it would be a good idea if - if we agreed to just not talk about the games at all. It'd drive me offline, but I think it might be better..."
"Enzo - not talk about games? I don't think so!" Bob chuckled. He kissed Dot gently on the forehead and surveyed the room. "These files aren't going to review themselves... I suppose we'd better get started."
"Hmmnm. But we've got the whole place to ourselves... There's plenty of time to finish the file sort, isn't there?"
"What did you have in mind?" Bob smiled.
"Try me! I'm open to suggestions..."
"I'm going towards the stone cairn now... I can't see anything, it's very dark. Bring the camera in closer." Mike intoned. "Is this it - could this be the lair of the legendary 'Nair Witch' - the beast who shaved the legs of innocent children from this village all those minutes ago? Move in closer, I - OMIGOSH What in the net? I - She! AUUUGGGHHH!"
"This movie is terrible!" Matrix growled, shaking his head. "It looks like something a bunch of drones threw together!"
"Looks like Enzo agrees with you!" AndrAIa giggled. The boy, positioned between them, was peacefully reclining, his head on her shoulder. "Must be a Matrix thing."
"Shhh!" a zero binome reprimanded from the row behind them.
"Sorry!" Matrix snarled, reflexively reaching for his absent gun. "Andri - let's get out of here! If I have to watch another nano of this..."
"Really! Save one city and you think it exempts you from good manners!" the zero binome tittered. He rose and moved to the opposite end of the theatre, leaving AndrAIa and the two Matrixes alone in their section.
"You're still processing - that says something about my manners!" the bearded sprite grumbled. "Whaddaya say, Andri?"
Enzo mumbled something unintelligible and burrowed his head deeper into AndrAIa's shoulder. "He looks so comfortable, Matrix." she smiled. "Let's just sit it out - let him sleep for a while."
"What're you - his mother?" Matrix whispered. "He looks a little too comfortable to me..."
"Chill out, Sparky." she sighed. "I just don't want to wake him up - he's had a big cycle. Besides, we promised Bob and Dot a night to themselves."
"OK, OK..." Matrix answered, pointedly ignoring the action on the screen. He was silent for a moment. "Andri - what do you think about this business - about Enzo going into the games?"
"I think it's fine." she whispered. "Why - don't you?"
"Games are no place for a little sprite." the young man said softly. "I just don't - I don't like to see him getting his head full of ideas, that's all..."
"Is this Enzo Matrix I'm talking to? Have you totally forgotten what it was like for you then, after - after Bob - you know..."
"Yeah."
"You know what it was like, Lover. You know how much it meant to you. Have you forgotten?"
"Have you forgotten? Have you forgotten what happened? Doesn't that count for anything?"
"You can't make Enzo responsible for that. Things were different, circumstances were different. Bob is here, now. Doesn't that change things?"
Matrix crossed his arms over his chest defiantly. "I just don't like seeing him get his head full of ideas, that's all. I don't like it. Daemon's still out there. I don't like it..."
"Well, when it's all filed and sorted it doesn't really matter what we think. It's Bob and Dot's decision to make - and Enzo's. Don't you think we should be supportive of whatever they decide?"
"Cursors, Andri - why do you have to be so deleted reasonable all the time?" The bearded sprite waved a burly hand at the screen in disgust. "I've had enough - let's get out of here. We'll stop off at Al's for an energy shake, or something..."
"All right." AndrAIa sighed. Enzo was still snuggled against her, a blissful smile on his face. She tapped his nose lightly. "Come on, Guardian! Time to go!"
"No - it's OK." Matrix said softly. "C'mon, Sprout." With surprising gentleness, he hoisted the boy out of his chair and onto his shoulder, and started for the exit. Enzo stirred, but didn't wake. "Aren't you coming?"
"Sure." AndrAIa grinned.
"What?" Matrix challenged.
"Nothing - nothing at all." she chuckled. "Come on - let's go get that energy shake..."
"Can I come too, Bob? Can I?" I begged. I couldn't bear the thought of any action going on that I wasn't a part of. They probably wouldn't have even let me into the command room if I hadn't made a total pest of myself.
"I don't think so, Tiger." Bob smiled at me. "This sounds like it might get a little hairy. I don't want to take any chances. Stay here and look after Dot for me."
I knew Bob was trying to humor me in a nice way, but it still hurt. It was hard to be mad - it wasn't like Bob never let me have any fun, but whenever there was any real danger involved, he always thought I couldn't handle it. Or that I'd get in the way. And Dot certainly wasn't gonna argue with him.
"But Bob..."I said softly, knowing it was futile. "I'm one-zero now - I'm not a little sprite! This sounds pretty important-"
"No, Enzo - not this time." he said firmly. I could almost see what I looked like to him - pouting like a little kid. I hated it, but I couldn't help it.
"Bob, do you think it's possible that - could this be..." Phong said hesitantly.
"It's possible. We don't want to jump to any conclusions. Still, it doesn't hurt to be proactive." Bob answered grimly. As usual, it was like I was no longer in the room.
"You're not going alone!" Dot protested. "If Phong's right, it could be almost anything - even web creatures! I'm coming with you!"
"I don't think so." Bob frowned. "If anything, it's more likely that they're testing our defenses - trying to be subtle. Or the whole thing could be a false alarm - we shouldn't go off-line because of a few reports of strange sprites. After last time, everybody's a little paranoid."
"You're not paranoid if everyone's out to get you." Matrix muttered. What a grouch.
"I wish Mouse was here - I could use her expertise." Bob sighed.
"Well, I'm going with you anyway." Dot said firmly. I was hoping she would - Bob _had_ told me to look after her, hadn't he?
"It's not a good idea for a whole squadron of us to go out there." Bob said. "Better to keep this low-key, for now. It's probably nothing, and if it isn't we're better off not letting on we're even concerned. Besides, you're Command.Com - you know your place is here, in case you're needed. You can't try to put out every fire yourself."
"I suppose..." Dot sighed. Cursors!
I hated this - what was everybody talking about? What was this 'last time' Bob kept mentioning? "Hey! What's going on? Somebody tell me! Bob? Dot?"
"Later, Enzo." Dot said, without looking at me. Like I wasn't even there. Then it hit me - could it be Daemon? Was that what this was all about? I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen all the grown-ups looking so worried. All of a sudden, I was real scared for Bob.
"Bob - you gotta let me go with you! We're partners, remember?" I begged. "Who's gonna watch your back?"
"I'll go." Matrix said softly. I turned to glare at him.
"Enzo-"
"The kid's right, Bob - someone has to watch your back. It could be dangerous out there. Who's gonna do it - him?"
"Hey!" I shouted. "_I'm _ the one who's been going into the games with Bob, not you, Null-breath! Why don't you-"
"Easy, easy!" Bob interrupted, raising his hands. "That's enough of that, you two. Let's stay frosty here." He turned to me. "Enzo, Matrix is right. It's better if he goes with me, in case anything happens. He's got more experience with -with..."
"You think it's Daemon, don't you?" I was really mad - how come Matrix could just waltz in and take my place like that? I was the one who'd been working with Bob, playing the games with him! Delete it, he and Matrix barely even _talked_ with each other anymore! "Just when things get serious, you don't wanna be partners any more? I can help, Bob - just give me a chance!"
Bob and Dot shared a look they thought I didn't see. They always thought I didn't, and I always did. They were surprised I'd figured out what was going on. "No one's taking your place, Enzo." Dot said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "You and Bob are still partners. He just needs someone with a little more experience this time, that's all. Right, Bob?"
"Right." Bob smiled. "Like I said, Enzo - this is probably nothing. Don't forget, we've got a study session later on game sprites and how we deal with them. I expect you to be ready." He turned to Matrix. "All set?"
"Let's do it." Matrix growled. Typical macho Matrix. The two of them zipped off, leaving the rest of us in the command room.
It really hurt, knowing that when something serious happened Bob didn't really believe in me. I was the one who'd earned my place with him in a fight - not Matrix. What had he ever done, except glower around all the time? He hardly spent any time with Bob at all. It just wasn't right...
"Well, hullo there, Lovely!" Ray grinned. "What're you doin' home so early? No dire crisis at the Principal Office today?"
"Same old same old, Sugar." Mouse sighed. "Just doin' a little tune-up on Ship, been kinda neglectin' the old gal lately. Ain't had need to use her much. What've you been up to?"
"Finally got a chance to try out that circuit racing with Bob and the Matrix lad. An interesting little game - can't quite match the rush o' web surfing, though."
"Yeah, web surfing." the hacker mused. "Sounds like quite a thrill ride, Sweetie. I've been known to be a bit of a thrill seeker myself, ya know..."
"That's not hard to imagine." Ray chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I'll show it all to you someday, Milove - I've got the whole web at my fingertips. There ain't a door anywhere that's closed to me and my board. Now that's freedom."
"Freedom, huh? I been free for a long time, Surfr. Thought maybe I was gettin' a little sick of it, but now I'm not so sure."
"What's wrong?" Tracer frowned. "You're not yourself today. You an' Phong having problems with the system maintenance or somethin'?"
"No problems at all, Sugar. Smooth as a baby's butt. It's been quiet as a millpond around here."
"So - that's good, isn't it?"
"Yeah, that's good, Honey." she sighed. "Couldn't be better."
"And mark all the power down files 'read'. Bob and I logged and sorted them last cycle."
"Of course, Child."
Dot busily tapped away at her organizer for a nano. "That should about cover everything, Phong. It's a major loss, when you look at it all at once. There's a lot of valuable data we'll never get back."
"What you say is true, Young Dot." Phong nodded, bridging his fingers in front of him. "Still, we have gained far more than we lost - have we not?"
"More than I could have ever hoped for." Dot smiled, watching Enzo chasing Frisket through the halls of the Principal Office. She clasped Bob's hand in hers. "It's almost like we've all been given a new life - a chance to start over, to get it all right..."
"Indeed." Phong frowned. "We must make certain that we do not squander this gift. It is an opportunity we have been given, My Children - no more. What we do with that opportunity is up to us."
Dot found herself oddly unsettled by Phong's words. "Of course..."
"How are our virus check utilities?" Bob - ever practical - asked. "Do we have any idea which version survived the Reboot?"
Phong craned his neck and stared down at a display panel. "The news is not good, Young Guardian. Several upgrades were lost. We have some function, but I do not know if even our most advanced weapons would have proved useful against Daemon. As it is..."
The virus' name hung in the air for a long moment, throwing a pall over the three figures in the command room. "Well then, we'll just have to rely on the weapons we do have." Bob frowned. "We've survived Megabyte, web creatures, a system crash - we'll survive this. We're our best weapon - all of us."
Phong frowned, tapping his fingers on the console thoughtfully, as Dot cast a glance at Enzo. Neither shared their thoughts. "There is one other possibility, Guardian - we have a possible resource at our disposal, although I would hesitate to call her an ally..."
"Hexadecimal." Bob sighed. "I know, Old Friend - that idea hasn't been lost on me. She knows the ways of viruses better than any of us. If she's willing to help us upgrade our defenses-"
"She can't be trusted!" Dot interjected. "Surely you both realize that! Bob, she and Megabyte sent you into - into..."
"I know." Bob smiled, squeezing her hand. "But is this really the same virus, Dot? She might still be unstable, but not as much as before. You don't know what those masks were like for her..."
"She's still a virus!"
"Is she, Child?" Phong mused. "I have spent many milliseconds pondering that question."
"And?" Bob asked expectantly.
"My answer is - I do not know!" Phong shrugged. "Would you like to ask her? Certainly, after the reboot she was registered as a sprite, not a virus. How much of her viral ability survived the reboot is an open question. If she has any sense of honor, she certainly owes all of us a debt - particularly young Bob."
"Honor? Hexadecimal? I don't think we can assume that!" Dot protested.
"Agreed." Bob said. "The one thing I think we can assume is that she's still chaotic - unpredictable."
"True, Young Guardian. There is little doubt of that."
"I think it would be in all of our best interests to pay Hex a visit - feel her out about helping us." Bob said thoughtfully. "Maybe we can even try to get some idea of what kind of powers she's retained..."
"That sounds awfully dangerous..." Dot began. Enzo flashed through the command room, laughing wildly. Frisket was hot on his heels. They disappeared just as quickly.
"If that energy could be tapped, Mainframe would have an inexhaustible source of power." Phong said dryly.
"As I was saying Phong - that sounds awfully dangerous! Hex has never taken kindly to unwanted guests..."
"That is true, Dot. However, it would be accurate to say that she has always had a certain..." the old sprite fidgeted awkwardly for a nano. "Fondness. Towards Bob. Perhaps if he were to approach her-"
"I don't want you going anywhere near that virus!" Dot hissed. "I mean - we need you here, Bob! If anything were to happen-"
"Nothing will happen." Bob said calmly. "Phong's right - Hex likes me, in her own strange way. We could really use her help, and it makes sense for me to ask for it."
"I don't suppose it'd do any good for me to try to talk you out of it, so I won't bother." Dot growled. "But you be careful! And don't go alone - take Hack and Slash with you. Hex shouldn't see them as much of a threat..."
"Oh, they'll love that!" Bob chuckled. "If you say so, Dot. Ill pay her a visit tomorrow..."
"That is good, Guardian. That is good. If I may alt_tab to a slightly happier topic?" Phong asked. Bob and Dot looked at him expectantly. "In the course of surveying the archive reports, I decided to examine the file history on Young Enzo." The old sprite craned his neck, peering down the long corridor to where the boy and Frisket were wrestling playfully.
"And?" Dot asked.
"And - it appears based on the restore data that our young friend is due for an upgrade - in less than a minute, as a matter of fact. He will be turning one-zero. Again."
"Cool!" Bob grinned. "Another birthday party, huh Dot?"
"Not like the last one!" Dot sighed. "I haven't got the energy to go through that again. That's wonderful news, Phong. Does Enzo know?"
"If he does, he has not heard it from me, Child. I suspect that with all that has happened, he has no idea."
"Good. I'll throw him a nice little surprise party, at the diner. Just family and friends. He'll like that."
"You don't seem too happy about it, Dot." Bob frowned. "What's the matter?"
"I'm just not in that much of a hurry to see him grow up, that's all." she sighed. "I let too many cycles go by last time, and didn't appreciate them. I know better now. Every cycle that goes by is one you never get back. Once he turns one-zero, he'll never be zero-one again."
"That is the way of life, Young One." Phong smiled. "Every cycle is a gift. You are one of the lucky ones - you will appreciate them now in a way you never would have before, I think."
"You're right Phong. A gift." Dot sighed. "I wonder how long we'll be left alone to enjoy them..."
"I just don't like it, AndrAIa - Bob going off to see Hexadecimal? I don't want to depend on that virus for help..."
"He's just doing what's best for Mainframe, Sparky." AndrAIa answered as the two sprites zipped through Baudway towards the diner. "Hex isn't our biggest worry right now - Daemon is. If she can help us in any way-"
"Mainframe doesn't need that kind of help!" Matrix snarled.
"I don't know, Lover - I don't think you should turn down any help when it's offered. We wouldn't have survived the games and gotten home if we'd-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know I know! Tracer, Gavin, the Web Riders. But that's different, Andri - none of them is a virus. You all may have forgotten what Hex did to me - did to Bob, mean. But I haven't! And I never will..."
"I'm sure you won't! But you know Bob - he's all about building alliances, teamwork. I wonder where he got that from?"
"I wonder." Matrix frowned, as they pulled up outside the diner. "Wonder how Dot's holding up..."
"Please , Bob! Please let me go with you to Lost Angles! You'll need backup, won't you? I'm been working real hard in the games - you know I have! I'm getting better, aren't I? Please??"
"No, Enzo - not this time." Bob sighed. "I don't want anyone else going near Hexadecimal until I'm sure she's stable. This isn't a game - it's serious. Compile up!"
"I am compiling up! But you don't act like it!" Enzo scowled, crossing his arms defiantly.
"That's enough, Enzo!" Dot said wearily. "Bob has to concentrate. No means no."
She looked up as Matrix and AndrAIa entered the diner. "Wait at ze bar!" Cecil snapped briskly, whizzing by on his track.
"Don't worry, we're not staying!" AndrAIa laughed. "Still here, Bob? I thought you'd be in Lost Angles by now."
"I'm on my way." the Guardian smiled, absently patting the still pouting Enzo on the head. He wrapped an arm around Dot's waist and kissed her gently. "Don't worry - I'll be fine. Who knows - it might even be fun!"
"That was the wrong thing to say..." AndrAIa whispered under her breath.
"I'm glad you can be so glib about it!" Dot frowned. "Just be careful - and don't forget to take Hack and Slash with you! Although what good they'd be against Hex is beyond me..."
"I'm picking them up at the Principal Office." Bob smiled, heading for the door. "They're really looking forward to it... Stay frosty!"
"You too." Dot whispered, watching him go. Of all the stubborn, null-headed...
"This is totally basic!" Enzo muttered, jumping onto a barstool and kicking the counter. "Bob zips off to Lost Angles with Dumb and Dumber, and I get to sit here twiddling my bitmap!" Dot cast a pleading look towards Matrix and AndrAIa. "How single-sided can you get? What kind of backup are those two-"
"Hi, Enzo!" AndrAIa smiled, hopping onto the adjacent stool. "What's processing?"
"Oh! Uh... Hi, AndrAIa!" the youngster blushed. Suddenly, he'd lost his train of processing. It seemed to happen whenever AndrAIa smiled at him. It was irritating and invigorating at the same time. "I, uh... uh..."
"Did you have fun at the movies the other night?" the game sprite asked. Matrix rolled his eyes.
"Uh, yeah! It was totally cool!" Enzo beamed at her, then looked down at his feet. "That is - yeah! Thanks..."
"You're welcome!" she laughed. "Matrix and I thought we'd go over to Floating Point Park, Dot. Why don't you two and Frisket come along?"
"Thanks, but no." Dot sighed wearily. "Gavin's coming over for a business meeting- you know how it is. Why don't you take Enzo along, though?"
"But Dot-"
"She's right, Enzo." Matrix interrupted, having heard the response they'd both been expecting. "You know how much work their business is. Go grab Frisket and let's get going."
"But-"
"What's the matter, Enzo?' AndrAIa asked, looking hurt. "Don't you want to spend time with us?"
"Uh... Sure!" Enzo stammered. There was that train of processing thing again... "Anytime, AndrAIa!"
"Well, let's go then!" she giggled, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and leading him towards the door with a wink to Dot. "So where's Frisket gotten off to..."
Matrix shook his head ruefully, watching them go. "Thanks." Dot said softly.
"Don't mention it." Matrix sighed, following them outside.
"I wonder what I shall do today..." the masked figure mused, twirling about in her chair. The light cast strange, angular shadows in the great hall, seemingly diffused and distorted by an unseen prism far above. A few nulls skittered and squeaked along the floorboards, intent on achieving some unknown destination.
"How frightfully boring, being sane." Hexadecimal sighed. "How decidedly predictable. All of my old friends have left me. I wonder if they're angry at me. Perhaps I shall make them some biscuits, and they'll come back. Come back and speak to me..."
A small, round figure floated into the parlor, a low purring sound escaping it's throat. "Scuzzy!" Hexadecimal grinned, in a flash of teeth. "How delightful to see you! Where have you been, naughty boy? Not out chasing a Mouse, I hope?" The virus laughed uproariously at her own joke. Her face smoothly shifted into a snarl. "I said - where have you been?!"
Quivering slightly, the cat leaned forward, and the vidscreen on top of its head flickered to life, showing three figures crossing a bridge, one on a zip board.
"Why did you say we were going to Lost Angles, Bob?" Hack asked.
"Yeah why?" Slash added. "Hack's afraid of Lost Angles!"
"You just cannot keep your input shut, can you?" Slash howled. "It's always Hack this, Hack that! Besides, you're the one who's afraid!"
"No, you are afraid. You said so before. 'I am afraid' is what you said."
"You'll just never let me live that down, will you? I make one little-"
"That's enough, you two!" Bob snapped. "We've got work to do. You know why we're here. Try to keep your minds on the job at hand."
"Company!" Hexadecimal exclaimed. "How delightful! Thank you, Scuzzy - you may go." With a flick of her hand, she sent the little cat hurtling through the air and out of the grand parlor. "Let's see - what shall I wear? I wonder if I have time to put my face on? But - it already is!" The virus laughed - a brittle, screeching cry. The nulls stopped in their slime trails, shivering, then scurried off.
"Have another memory wafer, Boys." AndrAIa offered. "I brought a whole box."
"Maybe later." Matrix yawned, stretching his arms behind his head and leaning against a tree. "Haven't been back here since I was a little sprite. Forgotten how nice it was..."
Enzo sat, chin on his knees, and absently help up a wafer for Frisket. "This is basic - there's nothing to do! I hope Bob's OK."
"Bob's fine - he can take care of himself." AndrAIa said confidently. "Besides, this is important, Enzo. We need to find out if Hex is on our side now."
"I don't like it! Bob shouldn't be going to see Hexadismal!" the boy scowled. "Mainframe doesn't need help from a virus!"
Matrix opened his eyes, shooting a surprised look at AndrAIa. "What'd you say, Sprout?"
"You heard me!" Enzo muttered. "And don't call me 'Sprout'!"
"Whatever you say, Kid!" Matrix chuckled. "Actually, that sounds like pretty good thinking to me."
"Don't encourage him!" AndrAIa sighed.
"Fine!" Both Enzos replied in unison.
"Two of them! One was bad enough... I'm gonna take Frisket for a walk around the park. You two low-densities want to come along?"
"Nah - gonna take a little nap." Matrix yawned. "Maybe later."
"Enzo?"
"Naw, I don't feel like it." Enzo sighed, not certain why he didn't want to go with her, but certain he didn't. "Thanks though."
"You sure?"
"Nah - I'm fine." Enzo smiled at her. "I'm just gonna hang for a while."
"OK..." AndrAIa relented, a little nervous at leaving the two Enzos alone together. "Try not to delete each other while I'm gone..."
Three figures slowly progressed down a long, serpentining corridor. A pale light, just enough to guide their steps, shone around them from an unseen source. Doors and windows appeared at in the walls, floor and even the ceiling, most of them leading nowhere.
"Why must you toy with my emotions like that?" Slash complained. "You know how I get when you talk about Hexadecimal."
"What else am I going to talk about in her lair?" Hack countered.
"I dunno - talk about anything. Wasn't it a nice cycle today? You could talk about that. But no, it's always Hex this, Hex that-"
"You're the one who's always bringing her up - not me! I'm trying to concentrate on my job, and you-"
"No I'm not - you are! Hex this, Hex that-"
"There! You just did it again!"
"One little compliment a cycle, is that too much to ask? I polished my gears today, but did you notice? Not a word out of you. I don't know why I even bother-"
"Sometimes I think I don't even know you anymore-"
"Shut up, you two!" Bob hissed. "I'm trying to concentrate! I always get lost around here..."
"Sorry, Bob."
"Yeah, sorry. I am sorrier than Hack, though."
"No you're not! I'm even sorrier than you."
"Why cannot we both be sorry? Why must everything be a competition with you? Why-"
"Enough!" Bob snapped. "I'll give you both something to be sorry about if you don't keep quiet. I don't want to be wandering these halls forever."
"That would be bad."
"Very bad."
"Not good..."
"I know one of these doors opens onto the parlor - which one is it?" the Guardian sighed, exasperated. "She keeps changing things around."
"Perhaps she is not here."
"Yes, perhaps. Perhaps we should return to the diner."
"Zip out of here without seeing Hex and then have to face Dot afterwards? I don't think so!" Bob answered. "I think I'd rather face Hex, thanks a lot."
"Why Bob - I thought you'd never make it!" A voice called out. "Don't you know it's rude to keep your host waiting? They must not teach you manners out there on the web!"
"Wasn't there a wall there a nano ago?" Bob asked dubiously, staring at the parlor spread out before them. Hack and Slash began trembling uncontrollably.
The anachronistically simple chair in the center of the great hall spun, revealing a large, burgundy clad figure. The virus grinned toothily. "Well, isn't this lovely! You've come all this way - surely you're going to sit down and stay a while?"
"Don't do it." Matrix growled, deep in his throat. He didn't open his eyes.
"How'd you know I was back here?" Enzo demanded from the far side of the tree against which Matrix reclined.
"Because that's what I would have done if I was a bored little sprite. I'm sure leaping out from behind a tree and jumping on me seemed like a good idea when you thought of it."
"I wasn't gonna do that..."
"Sure you weren't. Just remember one thing - I don't like surprises. Try to never forget that."
"Yeah, I'll remember." Enzo pouted. "D'you ever get tired of being such a null all the time?"
"Takes one to know one."
"I know you are, but what am I?" The bearded sprite still refused to open his eyes. Enzo kicked at the tree listlessly. Neither sprite said anything for a few nanos. Enzo leaned back against the tree and slowly slid down to the ground. "Matrix?"
The big sprite didn't reply. Enzo glared at him. After a nano, he crouched down behind the tree. He snaked out an arm, tugged lightly on Matrix's beard and withdrew it quickly. The young man remained silent.
Enzo frowned thoughtfully. He poked his head around the tree and studied the big sprite closely for a nano. Cautiously, he inched his arm towards Matrix' face, finally flicking him lightly on the nose. In a flash, the boy was back behind the tree. Still nothing.
Slowly, Enzo poked his head around the tree, watching Matrix' chest slowly rise and fall for a moment. Emboldened, he inched his body forward, leaning over the bearded sprite's shoulder. In a single blinding motion, the young man darted his arms out and somersaulted the boy, head over heels, over his shoulder. Enzo landed in his lap with a thud, letting out an enraged wail.
"What'd you do that for?" the youngster howled, struggling in Matrix' vise-like grip.
"I told you - I don't like surprises!" the big sprite growled. "How do you like 'em?" He began tickling the boy mercilessly under the chin, chuckling as he did.
"No fair!" Enzo screamed. "Stop it! Stop it!"
"Why - don't tell me you're ticklish there?" Matrix taunted.
"Stop!" Enzo begged, and the young man finally relented. "N-no fair!' Enzo panted. "You know everything about me - it's totally basic! What chance do I have?"
"None. And make sure you remember that!" Matrix grinned. Enzo fell back against his chest, exhausted. "I haven't had that much fun in seconds..."
"Yeah, it was a blast!" Enzo snarled, unable to resist the urge to grin after a nano. Who would have thought it - Matrix having fun? It hardly seemed possible.
"No hard feelings, Sprout?" Matrix chuckled, roughly tousling Enzo's hair through his cap.
"Naw - it's OK." Enzo answered. "And don't call me that! I'll get even, don't worry!"
"Everything OK here, Boys?" AndrAIa interrupted. She arched an eyebrow at the scene before her.
"Oh, Hi Andri, Hi Frisket. Didn't hear you come back. Yup, couldn't be better - alphanumeric." Matrix replied, Enzo still perched on his lap. "That was a short walk, wasn't it?"
"I thought I heard Enzo screaming." the game sprite answered dubiously. "Are you OK?"
"I'm fine!" the boy smiled.
"What was all that screeching about?"
"We were just playing, that's all." the youngster replied. "Right Matrix?"
"Yeah, that's right Sprout. Playing."
AndrAIa's jaw dropped. "Playing? You were playing? If only Ray Tracer were here to see this!"
"Why does everyone assume I have no sense of humor?" Matrix snapped, his trademark scowl returning to it's accustomed perch. "I could run rings around that flashy show-off if I wanted to!"
"Yeah!" Enzo added. Both sprites stares defiantly up at AndrAIa.
"All right, you win!" she laughed, throwing up her hands. "You were playing. So it's safe for me to take Frisket for a run now? No file deletions? No noogies? No 'death blossom mode'?"
"Yeah, go nuts!" Matrix waved sarcastically. The game sprite shook her head, winked at Enzo and took off at a run, Frisket at her heels.
"Are you enjoying your biscuit, Bob?" Hexadecimal asked sweetly, hovering in front of the chair where the Guardian was discreetly attempting to avoid ingesting any of the virus' confection. Hack and Slash floated nervously behind him.
"Yes, it's very nice Hex. Thanks." Bob smiled. "Would you boys like some?"
"No! I, that is-"
"What he means is-"
"I didn't slave over a hot oven all day preparing those for your lackeys, Bob." Hex smiled with a hint of menace. "I didn't slave over a hot oven at all, actually. If I didn't know better I'd think you didn't like my savories..."
"That's not it at all, Hex." Bob answered calmly, adopting the patient tone that he'd always found worked best with the virus. "I was just trying to be polite."
"I like your new haircut, Guardian!" the virus purred, running her hand slowly down Bob's neck and across his back. "It's oh so very seductive..."
"Er - thanks." he sighed, squirming lower in his chair. "Dot likes it better short."
"Oh she does indeed!" Hex stiffened. "Well, we mustn't displease our precious Dot, must we Bob? You always were the selfless one, weren't you? Always thinking of others, never yourself..."
"I guess it's my code." the Guardian smiled lopsidedly. "So - how are you feeling, Hex? It seems like seconds since we've talked-"
"Every nano is like an hour, Guardian!" Hex cooed. "I was beginning to think you didn't like my company, it's been so long since you've visited me. Since that lovely little system restart, as a matter of fact."
"Yes, well - we've been busy. System settings, games -you know the routine."
"I don't like routines, Bob. Why don't you stay with me for a while, since you've come all this way? You wouldn't have to worry about routines with me, Guardian. Every cycle would be an adventure!"
"Well, I guess I've had enough adventure to last me a day, Hex. A little routine seems like a downright luxury to me now..."
"A pity." Hex scowled.
"So how's that new mask treating you - well? What have you been up to since the reboot? Have you noticed any-"
"Let's cut through the palace protocols, shall we Bob?" Hex smiled, casually waving her hand. Hack and Slash were blown through one of the tall windows and out of the parlor in a clank of tortured metal. "I don't feel like being a part of one of your games just now..."
Enzo was still catching his breath after the tickling attack from his older self, so he was content to recline against the bearded sprite's barrel chest, watching AndrAIa lead Frisket in a jog around the park. He could hear the game sprite's laughter faintly, and her long hair flew out behind her as she ran. "AndrAIa's totally alphanumeric!" he said dreamily.
Matrix frowned down at the boy, but swallowed his irritation when he saw the look on his face. "Yeah... you're right, Kid. She sure is..."
"She's so cool." Enzo sighed. "I still can't believe she's a game sprite - that's awesome, Dude! And you've known her since you were as little as me!"
"Almost. She's the best thing that ever happened to me. I dunno what I'd ever do without her." Enzo stared at the girl for a few nanos, then cast his eyes down, looking crestfallen. Matrix noticed the youngster's forlorn look and cursed himself internally. "Enzo - that is..."
"She's the best." the boy whispered. "I wish I'd met her when she was my age..."
Matrix struggled for something to say, but couldn't find the right file. Instead, a wave of memories came crashing over him, seeming as though they were only a few seconds old. He wrapped his arms around the youngster and held him gently, awkwardly, cursing the hours he'd spend in the net, away from contact with people. "I know." was the best he could do.
"It doesn't seem fair!"
"I guess it isn't. But things happen for a reason, Enzo. We just don't always know what it is. We're here, now - let's just enjoy it. At least AndrAIa can be your friend. That's something."
"I guess." Enzo replied dubiously. The boy was silent for a moment, then turned his gaze up at Matrix. "You too?"
"Sure." Matrix smiled, remembering loneliness. "That's something, isn't it?"
"Sure." Neither sprite said anything, content to watch Frisket chasing AndrAIa in the distance. "Y'know, it's totally basic, everything that happened. I mean - all that stuff. Mainframe almost crashing, Bob getting blasted into the net. It's terrible. But the weird thing is, it's kinda OK, too." The boy looked up, making sure than AndrAIa wasn't looking in their direction. Satisfied, he quickly twisted himself around and wrapped his arms around Matrix' neck for a nano. "I'm glad you're here. It's totally alphanumeric."
Matrix was speechless momentarily, as Enzo smiled briefly and blushed a little before looking away. When did talking go from being so easy to being so hard? "Thanks, Kid. Thanks. I'm pretty glad I'm here too. Wouldn't really want to be anywhere else."
"Cool." Enzo grinned. "Does that mean you're gonna be on my side when I get in trouble now?"
"We'll see." Matrix sighed. "Try not to put that to the test any more than you have to."
"Hey - it's not like I do stuff on purpose! Things just kinda ...happen. Y'know?"
"Yeah... Like that time I accidentally almost erased Dot's memory with a magnet."
"Hey - yeah!" Enzo exclaimed. "I was just playing with Glitch, that's all. Bob said I could! And it just kinda happened. I didn't mean to. I felt terrible about it afterwards..."
"Yeah." Matrix echoed.
"And that time I accidentally slowed down the whole system's clock speed and almost crashed Mainframe. That was basic! All I wanted was to be smarter, that's all."
"I dunno about that one." Matrix chuckled. "I still think Phong never told me the whole truth about that..."
"Phong's cool. He's really smart."
"Smartest sprite I know. But he's tricky, too. You never quite know what he's up to until after he's done it - and sometimes not even then! You've got to watch him closely...
"Oh! And that time I almost got Bob nullified with that delivery service. That coulda been it - end file, quit without saving! I didn't mean to get him into trouble - it just seemed like it'd be so much easier if he didn't know Megabyte sent that package. And I almost got him deleted..."
"And even after that Bob still trusted me. He's pretty cool, huh?"
"He's the best!" Enzo nodded. "Dot too. Sometimes she can be kinda bossy, but she's always there whenever I need her."
"She only bosses you around because she thinks she knows what's best for you. She does it to everyone - even Bob! And she's usually right too..."
"Yeah! Remember that big fight she got into with Bob, all about us?"
"Sure I do!" Matrix nodded sympathetically. "Man - I thought they were gonna delete each other that time. But it was kinda flattering too, if you think about it."
''Whaddaya mean?"
"Well - it meant that she and Bob both cared enough about me - about us - that they were willing to not talk to each other because of it. It meant we were pretty important to both of them, right?"
"Hey yeah - that makes sense!" Enzo grinned. "I never really thought about it like that before..."
"Well... neither did I, for a while. I've had a lot more time to think about it than you have. But I always knew how much Dot loved me. Look at that surprise party she threw!"
"What surprise party?" Enzo frowned. "I don't remember that."
"Oops! I forgot!" Matrix chuckled. "That didn't happen yet. Well it did happen, but not to you. I guess it happened. That's pretty basic! I can't quite make sense of it."
"Dude! Tell me about it!"
"Maybe later, Enzo." he sighed. "There's plenty of time for that. I haven't thought about all this stuff in minutes. I forgot how alphanumeric some if was..."
"If you say so." Enzo frowned. It was so basic - he was sitting here, talking to himself! And Matrix remembered all that stuff - stuff that was in his head, that felt like it had just happened. Except for Matrix it had been forever. And a whole bunch of other stuff, too, that Enzo didn't know about. And now he never would - it would never happen to him. The thought made him feel weird all over.
"You OK?" Matrix asked, concerned. "You're shivering."
"I'm fine. Just a little cold, I guess."
"Cold? It's a beautiful cycle! Maybe I should take you home..."
"I'm fine - Dot!" the youngster scowled.
"OK, OK. You win." Matrix laughed. "We stay."
Enzo leaned back on the crook of Matrix' arm and looked up at him. "Matrix, will you... will you teach me to fight? Like you did, in the net?"
"What? No! Why would you ask me that?"
"I just wanna know." Enzo said defensively. "I think I should know the stuff you know how to do."
"Isn't Bob teaching you how to win games? What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing! Bob's great, he's teaching me gigabyes of stuff. But you're different. You're totally strong, and you act basic and everybody's scared of you."
"Thanks a lot!"
"No! I didn't mean it like that..." Enzo sighed, frustrated. "It's just - if I'm gonna be just like you, you know. When I grow up... maybe I oughtta learn to fight like you now. And you could teach me-"
"I don't know what you're gonna be like when you grow up, Enzo. You don't know." Matrix said firmly. "You're going to be a different sprite than I am - at least if I have anything to say about it. You're gonna be right here, in Mainframe- not stuck out in the net like I was. What's your hurry, anyways?"
"Well... I heard you guys talking. About Daemon. And if she comes back, I might have to fight-"
"Don't worry about Daemon." Matrix interrupted. "Don't worry about fighting, or the web, or anything else. Just worry about being a little sprite. Bob and I will deal with Daemon if she tries to hurt you, believe me."
"I can help!" the boy protested. "I might have to!"
"All right, that's enough. Let's not talk about it anymore, all right? And don't pout - Sprout!"
"Fine!" Enzo hissed.
"Sorry!" Matrix chuckled. He punched the boy's shoulder affectionately. "I do understand, believe me. Better than anyone else. Just remember that, when you're feeling lonely - there's always gonna be at least one other sprite around who understands. So you'll never be alone."
Enzo was surprised by the big sprite's burst of eloquence. Somehow, it had been exactly the right thing to say. "That's totally cool, Matrix. Thanks." he smiled.
"No problem. And you can call me Enzo, if you want. But only if there's nobody else around..."
Bob casually took a sip of his tea, a bemused expression on his face. "Well, you've finally got me alone, Hex. What's on your mind?"
"I think I should be the one asking you that, Guardian." she purred. "Besides, there's so little on my mind these days. I'm just living a simple, quiet life in the country, all alone..."
"So you're enjoying your new face, then?"
"It's a very strange face, Bob. It's so quiet, I can almost hear myself think."
"I can see why that would be a problem." Bob sighed, noting the PID affixed to the virus' breast. He ran his mind over the events of the last few nanos. That little gesture, tossing Hack and Slash away like nulls - it had done for show, obviously. Everything Hex did was. But had it been a demonstration of something - or an attempt to cover something up? It could have been, quite literally, a parlor trick...
"You're awfully quiet, Bob. I don't like that - it's been altogether too quiet in here lately. If you're not going to say anything I might have to-"
"Sorry - just thinking about your delicious biscuits." Bob smiled. "How are you fixed for power, Hex? It's awfully dark in here. Maybe Phong could arrange to have your sectors connected to the main power grid-"
"Such generosity, Guardian!" Hex purred, running a finger along his cheek seductively. "And offered with only the purest of intentions, no doubt! Such selflessness from my dear old friends. I think I may need to sit down and have a good cry..."
Bob sighed. The virus was obviously as coy as ever. "If you need the power, Hex, we're happy to provide it - maybe there's something you could offer in trade. Even if you don't, we could always offer something else-"
"Trade?!" Hexadecimal snarled. "You insult me Bob - to think I can be bought off by anything from your little world of trinkets and toys!"
"I didn't mean-"
"If you want something from me, Bob, you need only ask for it. I shall either give it, or I shall not. Nothing you could offer me would sway my mind - predictable as it seems to have become." The virus smiled thinly. "I have everything I could ever want or need already, Bob - well, except perhaps for one little thing..."
"You happy, Boy? Was that fun?" AndrAIa grinned, hands on knees. Frisket dropped down onto his chest, panting and grinning. The game sprite wrapped her arms around his neck affectionately, marveling at how important the dog had become to her during their hours of companionship. Strangely, though, she still knew so little about him - even Enzo didn't seem to understand just what the strange animal was. He was clearly like no other dog she'd even run across...
"Come one Boy - wanna go see Enzo?" Frisket woofed enthusiastically and nodded. AndrAIa chuckled. The first few times the dog had actually nodded or shook his head, she'd tried to tell herself that it was her imagination - she was humanizing the beast. But now she took it as fact, even if she couldn't explain it. Frisket understood things, even if she wasn't sure just how. She took off at a languid walk towards the directory tree where she'd left Enzo. Both of them.
That was another thing she was sure about Frisket - his devotion to those two green-haired sprites was almost human in it's depth and complexity. AndrAIa was pretty sure Frisket wouldn't hesitate to injure or kill anyone - even her - if he got it in his processor that they were a threat to Enzo. Fortunately, she'd convinced the pooch early on that wasn't likely to be the case with her. Not that she couldn't understand how he felt...
The game sprite grinned as she approached. Enzo was still reclining on Matrix' lap, and both sprites were smiling - smiling! - and talking animatedly. How she'd longed for that sight, during all those long minutes of lonely isolation in the games. Her love had never wavered - only her patience. But she always returned to the sprite that was her whole existence. He'd freed her from the prison she'd been trapped in, and she always knew she would return the favor. Whatever it took.
"Hey!" Matrix smiled as Frisket bounced up to the pair and began licking Enzo's face. AndrAIa smiled in return but said nothing, content to watch in silence. "What?" the bearded sprite challenged after a nano.
"Nothing." she chuckled, kneeling down and giving both sprites a kiss on the cheek. "Just thinking about how much I love both of you." The two recipients stared at each other, Enzo blushing bright red.
"Gee... Thanks AndrAIa." the boy stammered. The game sprite was charmed by his embarrassment - it brought back so many memories...
"What brought this on?" Matrix grinned quizzically.
AndrAIa joined Enzo on the big sprite's lap and leaned back luxuriantly. "Nothing - I'm just feeling particularly lucky today, that's all. And I'm happy to see you two getting along. What've you been talking about?"
Frisket bounced on top of AndrAIa and Enzo, prompting a grunt from Matrix. "Oof! Anyone else wanna climb on? Nothing much, just - stuff. Right, Enzo?"
"Right." Enzo grinned, thrilled to have a shared secret with his older self. It was totally alphanumeric.
"Well, that's just pixelacious." AndrAIa teased. "Some kind of 'no girls allowed' thing, huh? I guess you two are just one big shared file, aren't you?"
"Don't start with me, Andri!" Matrix sighed. The big sprite wrapped and arm around Enzo and AndrAIa and leaned back against the tree. Frisket stretched himself across their laps and promptly went to sleep.
AndrAIa giggled and lay her head on Matrix' chest with a sigh. She wished she could save and end-file that nano - it felt perfect to her. Matrix's arm was strong and comforting around her shoulder, and Enzo's grin lit the sky around them with pure exuberance. The only nagging concern in the back of mind was Bob. She couldn't help but worry a little, knowing Hex - but the Guardian knew how to take care of himself...
Hexadecimal waved her finger, and a dainty cup and saucer appeared in Bob's hand. "Er - thanks." he sighed, braving a sip of the steaming liquid. "Since you're so keen about getting to the point, Hex - what do you want?"
"All in good time, my sweet lovely - you just enjoy your tea now." the virus purred. "There you go again - always thinking of others, never yourself. Don't worry - there'll be plenty of time to discuss my needs later, Love." Hex grinned and delicately planted herself in Bob's lap, running a hand through his hair. "Now why don't you just tell Auntie Hexadecimal what it is that _you_ want?"
"If you like." Bob replied calmly. "I - we - want your help."
"My help? Oh, how precious! You know I'd do anything at all for you, Bob! Anything..."
"I'm glad to hear it. I'm here as a Guardian, Hex - the defender of this system. We've already been attacked, once - and we surely will be again. We need your help to upgrade our defenses."
"How frightfully tedious – is that all?" the virus snarled. "My Dear Boy - surely you realize that your petty disputes bore me to tears? Isn't there anything else you'd like me to do for you?"
"You owe me, Hex - you know it." Bob said in a low voice. "You'd have been nullified along with the rest of us when the system crashed if-"
"Yes, yes. Is that why you came here, Bob - to give me a history lesson? I'd much rather teach you a few things..."
"Concentrate, Hex!" Bob sighed, exasperated. It was like talking to the most dangerous child in the net. "Don't pretend ignorance with me - I know you understand everything that's happened. If Daemon destroys Mainframe, your bitmap will be just as deleted as all of ours."
"Why would I want to help you, Guardian - after all, you were the one who destroyed my dear brother-"
"The same brother who caged you like a null and used you to lay waste to Mainframe?"
"A small sibling quarrel, no more." Hex grinned, standing. "It broke my heart to see him lost in the web - he brought so much chaos into my life. So much chaos... It's all so predictable now, isn't it? And it's your fault, Guardian!"
"I don't think you really believe that, Hex - but maybe you do. Frankly, I don't care." Bob answered, standing and setting his teacup down gently. "If you don't want to help me, than don't. But I don't have the time to-"
"Please, Sweet Boy - I didn't say no, did I?" the virus laughed screechingly. "You might perhaps persuade me to assist your little band of sprites, Bob. It would certainly be fun to hear you try."
"It's pretty simple, really. There's a supervirus out there, somewhere. She's got a lock on my icon, and Matrix' too. Mouse has done her best to hide Mainframe from her, and Mouse is the best at what she does. But Daemon will find us, sooner or later - I know it, you know it, all of us know it. If we're not prepared for her, we'll all be deleted."
"But what does that have to with me, Bob?" Hex cooed.
"You're - well... sneaky. Deceptive."
"Why thank you!"
Bob couldn't resist a half-smile. "You understand how viruses think, Hex - whether you are one anymore, or not..." The Guardian paused hopefully, but Hex merely grinned sweetly back at him. "You understand better than anyone in Mainframe. If we can rewrite our virus detect protocols, anticipate how the attack will come-"
"That would be treason, Bob!" Hex hissed. "You're asking me to be a traitor to my own kind! What possible reason could I have for wanting to do that?"
"Because I'm asking you." Bob frowned. "Because I helped you, freed you from a torment that I can't even begin to understand. Because I saved you, when everyone else in Mainframe would have been more than happy to see your code erased for good with the Reboot. Because you owe me."
"How very inspiring, Guardian! How could I possibly have been so selfish? I'll never do anything bad again!"
Bob laughed, shaking his head. "I can see I'm wasting my time here, Hex. If-"
"What's in it for me Lovely Boy?" Hex interrupted.
"What?"
"You heard me, Sweet. What can you offer me in return for my invaluable assistance? What do you get the girl who has everything?"
Bob hesitated. "Well... As I said, if you need it, Phong can hook Lost Angles up to the main power grid. We can offer you protection when the attack comes-"
"Boring!" Hex snarled. "Try again!"
"Well-"
"WARNING: INCOMING GAME
WARNING: INCOMING GAME"
"Cool!" Enzo exclaimed. "A game cube! Let's hit it!"
"Hold up, Sparky!" AndrAIa said, grabbing him by the collar. "What about Bob?"
"I dunno." Matrix frowned. "He's probably still at Hex's - who knows what's going on there..."
"Looks like it's gonna hit right on top of the Principal Office!" AndrAIa shouted. "If there's any chance Bob won't make it in time-"
"We have to go!" Enzo cried urgently. "Come on - what're you waiting for? Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. Bob's been training me-"
"All right, that's enough!" Matrix snapped. "He's right though, Andri - better not take any chances. Let's do it."
"Wa-hoo!" Enzo laughed.
"By the code! A game cube! I wonder where it will come down..."
"I don't know, Captain." Dot answered, worried. "If Bob is still at Hex's - it might not be the easiest thing for him get away from her..."
"Do you want to go to the game, M'lady?" the pirate asked gently. "I can watch over things here, of course..."
"I'd better not." Dot answered, eyes closed. "Bob might need me, if - if anything... Matrix and AndrAIa will go to the game, I'm sure. If we're all in the game, and Bob needs help..."
"Are you certain, Lass? What of young Enzo?"
"If - if Bob can't get to the game, Matrix will handle it. He'll make sure things are taken care of."
"Things, Miss Dot?"
"I trust him." she said, not opening her eyes. "I trust him, of course I do..."
"Let me go, Hex!" Bob snarled. "I'm not playing - this is a game!"
"Just like a boy - running off to play games just when things are getting interesting." Hex sighed. "I think you'll stay with me for a while, Guardian. I'm not ready to end the party."
"Cursors, Hex - that's enough!" The Guardian turned towards the door, but it was gone. "It won't work, Hex - you can't keep me here!"
"But I think I-_can_, Guardian!" Hex shrieked, waving her hands. A flood of nulls began pouring through the tall windows of the parlor, forming a wall around the Guardian and the Virus. "That should nullify any plans you had to leave, Bob! Hee hee Ha ha!" The virus laughed merrily, her voice rising to a shrill shriek that rose above even the deafening squeals of the wall of nulls.
"Cursors!" Bob spat. "This just isn't my minute for missed games..." He looked sidelong at the virus, still consumed with mirth. Maybe it'd be best to reserve judgment on her sanity after all...
The purple cube descended towards the Principal Office, where a smattering of screaming binomes were scurrying out the doors, trying to avoid the path of the cube. "Still no sign of Bob!" Matrix cried over the static as the three sprites and the dog positioned themselves under the descending cube.
"Looks like we're on our own then." AndrAIa replied, clapping Enzo on the shoulder. "You ready, Guardian?" she asked.
"Ready!" Enzo grinned.
"I hope Bob's all right..." AndrAIa sighed.
The telltale crackle of static filled the air as Bob threw his zip board to the ground in disgust. "Delete it, Hex - you don't understand! Enzo will try to go into the game without me! He's not ready for that, I've barely started training him!"
"So devoted. So caring. You're quite the little den mother, aren't you Guardian? Let someone else play nursemaid to the child for once, Bob - we have grown-up matters to discuss...
Enzo felt the familiar tingle on his skin as the cube reached them, along with the rush of adrenaline that made him feel like he could jump right out of his socks. There was a moment of disorientation, then his vision returned.
"What the..." Matrix hissed. They stood on a hard gray surface, surrounded by patches of green grass and small, odd-looking dwellings, all in rows. Little tendrils of the gray surface snaked off the main length of it, leading up to the dwellings. "Where are we?"
"I don't recognize this one." AndrAIa mused, looking around her. "This is totally basic - low-res!" The entire environment had a blocky, crudely drawn look about it.
"Dude!" Enzo whispered, pointing. A small cadre of yellow-skinned children rushed past them on some sort of strange, self-powered two-wheeled vehicles. "This is twisted!"
"I have a very bad feeling about this..."
"Yeah... Yeah, me too." Matrix said softly. "Well, no point in wasting time. Ready?"
"Ready!" Enzo answered, a serious scowl on his face. AndrAIa nodded, and the big sprite reached for his icon. "Reboot!"
"Reboot!" Enzo echoed, reaching down and double-clicking Frisket's icon along with his own. He opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. They were the same bright yellow as the children they'd seen nanos before, and contained only four fingers. "Basic!" he whispered. The boy looked up and, seeing the others, a choking laugh escaped him.
"What?" Matrix scowled, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Enzo was still a boy, but his appearance was strange - his hair was spiky blond, and he was dressed in strange clothes that Matrix hadn't seen before. Frisket had rebooted into a sleek brown canine form. And AndrAIa's appearance was even more bizarre. What was this game? "You two look ridiculous!"
"Cowabunga, Dude!" Enzo laughed.
"Have you checked _yourself_ out, Sparky?" AndrAIa asked wryly.
Matrix surveyed himself, only to find a huge pot belly draped in a white shirt. He felt his head. He was bald! "D'oh!" he sighed, slapping himself on the forehead.