I appreaciate the comments. They make me happy! And no, I don't hate you, lightening816.
"What's this place called?" asked Matt as they stepped out form the swirling, pink vortex of doom. They were standing in the middle of a desert looking over a horizon of absolutely nothing.
"Sensible Flats," said Digit. He turned around and pointed in the opposite direction. The three kids followed suit. There was a town behind them.
"If it's so sensible then why is it in the middle of the desert?" asked Jack as she put her braids in a bun, "It's fucking hot."
Digit nodded, "That's why we're here. You see, there are two problems. One, the water supply that kept Sensible flats green in the first place has dried up. Second, Hacker's here buying out every building in town from people who are leaving. Somehow I think those two might be connected."
"That doesn't make any sense..." said Inez.
"What doesn't?"
"Hacker infected Motherboard with a virus, right?"
"Yeah."
"And Motherboard is the ruler of Cyberspace, right?"
"Yeah."
"So infecting her was basically treason, right?"
"Yeah."
"So why hasn't Hacker been arrested."
"He was a while back. He was exiled to The Northern Frontier."
"But...he's here."
"Yes."
"Creating a monopoly."
"Yes."
"I'm not sure I'm quite understanding. You're saying he was exiled...and yet he's here and no one's arresting him. Do I have this right?"
"You do."
"Does that seem right to you?"
"Nope."
"But...why won't anyone arrest him."
"Because."
"But—"
"Look, kid, don't read too far into these things, you'll hurt yourself. All you need to know is that we have to try and stop him."
"I just don't understand..."
"You don't need to. Let's go."
The four of them made their way to the town to figure out what was going on. As they passed the threshold of the gate, a stereotypical tumble weed tumbled its way down the deserted dirt road. It looked like a shot from an old western.
A covered wagon strolled sullenly past them as the four cybersoldiers made their way to the only building that wasn't boarded up. A saloon. Upon entry, they were shocked to find the place still running. There was a bartender behind the bar, dancers on the stage, a man at the piano pounding out a jolly tune and customers at the tables. Very few, mind you, but they were there all the same. They walked in letting the slited half-doors flap shut. Digit walked up to the bar raising his hand slightly to get the bartender's attention.
The large, surly man stalked over to them, "What can I get ya?" he asked in a non-threatening tone. Digit was somewhat taken aback seeing as, from the man's size and look, he expected a low, raspy voice like a retired wrestler who's been smoking since he was twelve.
"Um, nothing thank you. We're actually here about the water problem."
"Well," the man sighed, "I'm 'fraid I wouldn't be much help to you there. I just keep my head down and do my job so's you could probably guess I don' know much 'bout those types of issues. But what I do know is what I over hear the customers talkin' 'bout and lately the one word you be hearing is Hacker," he paused to pour a customer another drink.
"And?" urged Digit.
"Well, bein' me I'd probably mess up the information. You'd be wanted to talk to the Lady."
"Where can we find her?"
"Back there," he pointed with his thumb over his shoulder to a pair of slited doors on the far wall, "But I don't think she's wanted to talk to anybody right now."
Digit took his eyes from the man to stare at the door, "We're agents of Motherboard. I don't think she'll mind. We here to investigate odd goings on in this town."
The man grunted, "Agents o' Motherboard, eh? No, I don't suppose she would mind. Poor woman's been workin' day an' night to find a way to kick Hacker outa here."
"Um, did anyone think of arresting him?" asked Inez in an irritated tone.
"Arrest? That man? No way they could hold 'im."
"See there," said Digit to Inez, "You got your answer."
"That's bullshit. I bet they could keep him under control if they just chained him up and put him in solitary confinement."
They all just looked as her, "So can we go see her?" asked Digit as he turned back to the bartender.
"Sure, go right ahead."
Digit thanked the man and the four of them headed to the back of the room. Matt looked around him at all of the people, "Wow, there's a lot of hotty in here," he said.
Inez smacked him on the back of his head, "Don't be disrespectful."
"Dude!" he yelled rubbing his head, "I'm a guy, it's my job to be disrespectful."
"No it's not, that's just a petty excuse. You're a disgrace to your gender."
"Fuck off!"
"Fuck you!"
"Hey!" yelled Digit, "If you two don't stop right now I'm leaving you out in the desert and you're going to stay there until it's time to go home. Understand?"
"Yes," said Matt.
"Don't patronize me," said Inez.
"Understand?"
She rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
"Good, now let's go."
They pushed past the swinging doors into a small, dusty office. There were a few bookshelves, an oriental rug, a globe, a brass floor lamp and a large desk with a red leather chair behind it. Sitting in the chair was woman with milky white skin and long, black, wavy hair tied in a bun above her head. It was adorned with red feathers. She was wearing one of those stereotypical red whore dresses from those western movies and knee-high black leather boots. She was, to put it bluntly, hot.
"Try to keep your mouth closed," Jackie whispered to Matt when they entered, "She doesn't need your saliva all over her oriental rug."
Matt raised an eyebrow, "I don't think you'll be needing to worry about that."
Jackie shrugged.
"Well, well, if it isn't my favorite android. How are things going for you, Digit?" she asked in a soft southern accent.
"Hello, Darlene, I'm here investigating the sketchy operations going on in this town."
"You mean the water dryin' up?"
"Yes, that, but also the thing with Hacker."
"Well, Hacker's been buyin' up every building from every resident that's leavin'. On account of the drout, that is. If this keeps up, Hacker'll own this here town."
"Why doesn't the sheriff just arrest him?" asked Inez.
"Honey, I am the sheriff," Darlene pulled a gold star out of the desk drawer and put it down on the table, "and he ain't doing nothin' wrong so technically I can't arrest him."
"But aren't monopolies illegal?"
"Not around here they ain't."
"But what about Motherboard? Everyone knows he's the one that infected her."
"Terrible thing, yes, but there still ain't nothing I can do about it. I'm sorry, sugar."
Inez sighed and resigned herself to the fact that no one was thinking sensibly in Sensible Flats.
"Are you planning to stop him?" Darlene asked Digit.
"That's why we're here," he replied.
"If you did somehow help us in this, I'd be so grateful to all of you," she stood up, "There's not much I can offer by way of money, though."
"Don't worry about it. We're here to help."
"Thank you. You know, we've got some nice girls that could compensate you nicely," she looked past Digit to the three earth children, "And guys."
Digit laughed weakly in an embarrassed sort of way, "That really wouldn't be necessary. Besides," he lowered his voice, "I don't think my superiors would approve."
"Nonsense. Ya'll come back here when everything's all good and done and I'll set you up for a good night's sleep," she winked, "We should probably have a little chat with my sister down at the courthouse. Follow me."
Matt was almost in tears, "God, I love Cyberspace."
Inez rolled her eyes, "Come on, let's go." They followed Darlene out.
That's it for now! Please continue to read.
