centerbfont size=6The Daemon Conflict:p

Prologue 6

Much could be learned from just watching, Melissa realized. Mostly she traveled at night. Infiltrating homes and gathering information as the families talked openly or in whispers.

The people who now resided there feared Lost Angles, but Melissa thought it was a beautifully chaotic place. The spire, which sat at its center, held a certain majesty. It was there, she discovered, that her sister lived. Even though she stood on the mainland, observing the tower from afar, Melissa could sense Hexadecimal's presence. She dare not get closer, lest Hexadecimal sense her as well.

A black and green null nudged her on the ankle. Absently, Melissa picked it up and began to pet it. It wasn't until a few nanos later that she noticed dozens of them had gathered around her.

"Come closer," and to her utter shock, the nulls obeyed. She couldn't believe it! She could control nulls! Just like the bugs and the worms. She wondered if Hex (now why had she thought of her sister like that?) could do the same thing. She didn't want to stretch her power too far in case someone was about. Melissa melted into the shadows.

When daylight came, she returned to the dump. Nemesis wasn't around and Melissa knew that the viral assassin was doing the same thing she had been doing. Biding her time, gathering information, and waiting for the right opportunity.

She checked Pearson and the dog, what was his name? Frisket. Both were still unconscious. Eventually someone would miss them, so it was time for her to take control. She had been curious as to why the dog had not attacked her out right.

Melissa concentrated, "Wake up."

The binome's single eye came open and the dog lifted his head.

"Eh, where am I?"

"In your own bed," Melissa said. "And under my control."

"What da ya mean? Under your --,"

"Quiet!" She was almost surprised when Pearson shut up. Frisket whined once and Melissa silenced him with a glare. "You'll do exactly as your told, understand?"

"Yes, little lady."

"Don't call me little lady. You will address me as Mistress Melissa, understand?"

"Aye, I do."

"Good. Now you will behave as you normally do. You will tell no one we are here. Anyone who comes here must --," Melissa halted. She had to be careful what she said. Viral induced control tended to make the victims behave quite literally. "Be made to leave immediately. Understand?"

"Yes, Little Mistress."

"Don't call me little! You," she pointed at Frisket, "outside. Guard this place well."

Frisket whined once and bounded out the door.

"Get up. Go about your business."

Frisket began to bark and Melissa attached herself to Pearson. She let the binome have enough freedom of movement so as not to arouse suspicion. A green-skinned sprite was approaching on a zip-board. He seemed to be about her age in relative hours (viral's tended to live much longer than sprites). Pearson began to fight her, and Melissa tightened her grip. She could not, unfortunately, control both him and Frisket but since there was little the dog could do Melissa wasn't concerned.

"Hey, Mister Pearson," the boy landed his zip board. "Sorry I'm late, do you have the parts that Dot needs?"

"Ah no, sorry lad, haven't had the time."

The boy was utterly baffled, "Mister Pearson, you know how important this is. If Dot doesn't --,"

"I know how important this is!" Pearson was fighting again and Melissa was astonished at his strength. There was something about this old man, although she wasn't sure what.

"Hey are you okay, Mr. P? You look kinda funny."

Frisket whined and Mr. Pearson finally gave up his fighting, "I'm okay, Enzo lad, I'll get those parts for ya."

Enzo? So this was Dot Matrix's little brother. The newer version that is. This information could possibly be used to her benefit.

"Frisket you look weird too," Enzo eyed at them both. "Maybe you two should go to the infirmary."

"No, no, we're fine, aren't we Frisket?" Pearson said. They were by a metal bin filled with various mechanical parts. Pearson rummaged through them for a moment, then produced a device that Melissa didn't recognize. "Here ya go."

"Thanks," Enzo gave them one last assessing look before turning away.

Melissa leapt away from Pearson and attached to Enzo.

"What the --," Enzo turned sharply.

Pearson looked ready to say something, but Melissa made him turn and go back inside the shack.

"Be seeing you," Enzo said. The sprite's voice was full of puzzlement.

Melissa relaxed and Enzo Matrix zipped over the city. With luck, he was heading right for the Principal Office. As long as Hexadecimal wasn't around (Melissa wasn't entirely sure if her sister would see her but she didn't want to take the chance) she would go undetected.

When the clean white dome of the Principal Office came into view Melissa urged Enzo on gently. They passed through the security field with no problem.

"Dot," Enzo carried the device into a large circular room with a control panel in its center. There was an elderly sprite and two other binomes there.

"Ah, Enzo, my son, we've been --," the elderly sprite stopped, then squinted at Enzo.

"What's wrong, Phong?"

So that was Phong, the Keeper of the Core. The way he was staring so critically at Enzo made Melissa almost believe – no he couldn't possibly see her! Phong smiled suddenly, an almost knowing smile that made Melissa uncomfortable.

"There is nothing wrong, young Enzo, everything is perfect," Phong adjusted his glasses and Melissa could have sworn he winked at her. "Lets take this to Hugh, shall we?"

Hugh turned out to be a well-dressed binome working in what Melissa found out was the armory.

"Ah good," Hugh greeted them. "This is all we'll need."

"Captain Syn would go totally random if he found out what we were using his machine for," Enzo said. "It's a good thing we know how to use it."

"I must admit, this is quite a piece of equipment considering it's made of recycled parts." Hugh said.

"It troubles me that Syn has the knowledge to create something like this," Phong said, "Are you certain we should not detain him?"

"Yes," Dot said, "I don't want Syn to think anything's out of the ordinary."

"Hopefully, this will work," Phong said. "There is a risk that we may be discovered."

"It's a risk we'll have to take," Dot said. "Have this ready within the millisecond, Hugh."

"Yes Ms. Matrix."

Enzo wasn't close enough for Melissa to infect the machine and she knew there was no logical reason for the little sprite to touch it, so she allowed Enzo to turn and follow the others back to the main room.

There was a call waiting as they returned. A young man's face appeared in the vid-window. One of the Fleet Captains, Melissa learned.

"We're ready to transport the refugees off system," he announced. "Is this all that's going?"

"Surprisingly yes," Dot smiled. "The rest are choosing to stay. We've even gotten volunteers to help and soldiers to fight."

Melissa nudged Enzo, "Ask them how many soldiers."

"How many do we have so far, Dot?"

"Sweetie, you know we haven't counted yet," Dot said, "Looks like a few hundred, though. Offers are still coming in."

Another nudge, "Who's going to train them?"

She felt him resist, which meant he probably knew and would look random for asking. She'd have to find out another way.

"Touch the console."

Again, he resisted. Melissa pushed harder. He took a step forward. She had to be careful she didn't push too hard or she would reveal herself. Enzo laid his hand on the console. Melissa was in. Several vid-windows popped open, displaying military information, schematics of the Principal Office, passwords, plans, and various other classified information but nothing on Hexadecimal's Lair. Melissa took in all the information she could. The more they had, the better chance they had of taking this system. She wished she could crash the whole system, but that would mean revealing herself and now was not the time.

"What in the net's going on?" Dot began frantically programming and Melissa withdrew. Phong and the other binome were at the computers hastily following Dot's lead.

"Dot, what can I do?" Enzo asked.

"Start a diagnostic on all systems and a full system scan," Dot said.

Stopping him would have again drawn attention so Melissa watched as he performed his duties.

"Dude!" Enzo suddenly said. "Dot, you're not going to believe this! There's viral energy disrupting the system."

"Viral energy? What type?"

"I – I don't know," Enzo shook his head as Melissa influenced him again. She wasn't worried about the scan because as long as she was attached to Enzo, the scans couldn't find her, unless someone did a scan on Enzo. It was a risk she didn't want to take, but had to.

"Specks scan the viral energy. Do a system wide check to determine if there are similar energy signatures."

"Dot, you don't believe --," Phong began.

"How could there be viral infection in the system unless it was placed there by a virus? That means we do have a spy here in Mainframe. If we use the energy signature and can match it with a similar signature here in Mainframe --,"

"Dot," Specks straightened his glasses, "we have a problem."

"Besides this one?"

"The analysis indicates --," he broke off and looked nervously at Phong.

Phong checked his own screens, "Oh dear."

"What is it?" Dot came around.

"According to this, the viral energy is similar to – Hexadecimal's."

"What?" Dot came around the console to stand behind Phong. "What do you mean, 'similar to'?"

"Well, there are some minute differences, but for all intents and purposes, it almost exactly matches Hexadecimal." Phong suddenly looked at Enzo.

"But Phong, Hex has been helping us all this time. Why would she suddenly fight us?"

"Who knows what she's thinking or doing," Dot threw up her hands in exasperation. "I don't believe it. I've done it again. Totally misjudged someone."

"Dot that isn't fair," Enzo said, "At least give her the chance to explain herself."

"All right, Enzo," Dot said, "I want you to be careful going into Los Angles. Take Hack and Slash with you. Ask Hex to return to the Principal Office."

"You got it, Dot," Enzo said.

Melissa couldn't believe her luck. This boy was going to take her right into her sister's lair. It seemed she would be completing her mission after all. Melissa smiled to herself and settled back to go along for the ride.

***

CHAPTER 6

ARRIVAL

Enzo had been feeling weird all day. It had started at Old Man Pearson's. And dude, had he been acting strange. And Frisket? And now he had this totally random feeling that someone was watching him. Or more accurately described as someone standing behind him like a shadow. It made no sense. Then again what did, nowaseconds?

"Do you think he's all right?"

"He's awfully quiet"

"Yes, awfully."

"Not like him at all."

"No, not at all."

"Maybe we should start a conversation?"

"We're having one."

"I mean with him."

"You or me?"

"Guys!" Enzo said. "I'm fine, okay?"

"Um, Enzo, I know the boss said to go with you but we were wondering --,"

"Yes, we were wondering --,"

"Well – will Hex smash us into bits again?"

"Will she crush us like nulls?"

"Well she --,"

"She's not going to do anything as long as you're with me." Enzo said. I hope.

Hex's Lair came into view. He felt more anxious to get there than usual. When he was within shouting distance, he called, "Hexadecimal?"

Nothing. "Hey Hex, its Enzo, can you hear me?"

"Umm Enzo, maybe we should – whoa!"

Enzo looked at his hands as they began to fragment into colored sparks. And when the lights faded he was in Hex's throne room. She was sitting on her throne, smiling at him.

"And what brings you here, little one?" Then her smile faded. "Who is your companion?"

Oh no, not her too, Enzo thought. Why was everyone acting so weird? Then again, that was normal for Hex. Suddenly a throbbing pain shot through his head. "Ow!"

"What's wrong, Little Boss?"

"You okay?"

"Did something happen?"

"Okay guys," Enzo stressed. "Hex we have a problem at the Principal Office, could you come back with me?"

"What sort of problem?"

"We ah – need you to identify some type of viral energy we found."

Hex's eyes narrowed and glowed red, "You mean they think I had something to do with it?"

Hack and Slash moved up on either side of him, "I don't think you did. But I think you could find out."

"Really? How intriguing." Hex leaned forward. "Very intriguing."

Hex floated towards them. "Very well. Let's go. Will your guest be staying here?"

"Umm – what guest, Hex?"

"Oh never mind, I suppose they'll make themselves at home," Hex said. "Let's be off shall we?"

The Lair faded around them and they were suddenly in the Principal Office. Everyone in the room jumped at their appearance.

"Don't do that!" Dot exclaimed.

"Now what's this problem you're having?" Hex looked around. "Oh I see."

Dozens of vid-windows were open each displaying nonsensical data and abstract pictures. Pulses of energy leapt from panel to panel, some remaking or erasing the circuitry and files. A vid-window came open directly in front of Enzo, with a display of fireworks.

"Specks has informed us that this energy is similar to yours," Dot said carefully. "Do you suppose you could positively identify it?"

"Are you saying you suspect me?"

"Should I?"

Hex's eyes glowed again, "Well let me have a look-see. Ooh! How wonderful! I just love fireworks!"

Hex floated from one side of the room, to the other, tapping and checking a panel every so often.

"Could it be something left over from my dear brother?" Hex smiled evilly, "Or have I really sabotaged the Principal Office after promising Bob I'd help? Maybe I have an evil twin?"

"Is it possible that it's a viral spy from Daemon? Possibly someone from your strain?"

Hex did her famous sweeping turn, "My dear Dot anything is possible. Did you want me to fix this?"

"If you ca – would."

"Ms. Matrix!" Specks suddenly said, "My sensors are indicating that several portals have opened – no wait one – no wait --,"

"Follow the one! Where is it?"

"Over Floating Point – now there are several, a ship is coming through."

"Identify."

"It's Ship."

"I know it's a ship. What type?"

"No, it's Ship, Mouse's ship."

"Mouse?"

Seven more vid-windows came open and Mouse's face was in every one of them. "Mayday! Mayday! Coming in hard and fast! Can't hold her!"

The images in the windows distorted.

"Hex, get on this viral problem now! Specks get two emergency crews out to the crash site. Mouse? Mouse, can you hear me?"

"Come on you guys!" Enzo waved to Hack and Slash, then hopped on his zip board.

"Enzo, be careful!" Dot called after him.

***

The CPU's and the emergency crews were already at the scene when Enzo arrived. Mouse's ship had skimmed one of the floating patches and knocked it askew, but amazingly, Mouse had managed to land Ship on a lower patch. Two of the CPU's were trying to wretch the cockpit hatch free.

"Stand back you guys!" Enzo called, "Hack, Slash, get them out of there!"

"Yes Little Boss!"

"Right away Little Boss!"

Hack and Slash tore the hatch off easily.

"Get them out of there!" Enzo watched as Hack lifted out Mouse and Slash, Ray. "Careful, careful! Lieutenant, get them to these doctors. I want these two to have the best of care!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Enzo," Mouse's opened her eyes, "Dot – get to Dot. Tell her -- a viral may be here, she may be in danger."

"We know," Enzo said. "Don't you worry, we're getting you help."

"What should we do, Little Boss?" Slash asked.

"Yes, what now?" Hack chimed in.

"Follow them there, I'm going back to the Principal Office," Enzo said.

"Yes sir!"

"Oh yes, sir!"

"Doesn't he remind you of Dot?"

"Oh yes, a chip off the old mother board."

***

Dot looked up from the console and smiled as Enzo walked in, "Looks like you had everything under control."

"What?"

"As you can see, we have rectified – or rather Hex rectified the situation here," Phong nodded to where the virus floated in a corner "We watched you at the crash site."

"It was a simple matter," Hex said. "You behaved well."

"Yes, I'm very proud of you. You took control of the situation admirably," Dot said.

"Oh well, thanks," Enzo blushed.

"Let's get to the infirmary," Dot said. "If Mouse is back, it must be important."

***

"I told you sugah, I ain't sleepy, get Dot here now!"

"Steady love," Ray said.

"As pleasant as ever, Mouse?" Dot walked into the infirmary.

"Bout time," Mouse smiled, "Good to see ya'll again."

"How are they, doctor?"

Doctor Chancery, a gray-haired binome, smiled, "Just some minor cuts and bruises Ms. Matrix. They'll both be fine."

"All right," Dot sat down on the edge of Mouse's bed. "What happened, why are you back?"

"Got a few nanos? It's a long story."

"Now that Hex dealt with the viral infection, yes."

"Viral, infection? Looks like you've got something going on here yourself. And I think I may have an explanation."

Mouse began her tale, and the longer Dot listened, the more worried she became. So they definitely had a viral spy here in Mainframe and they had somehow gotten into the Principal Office.

"Do you think they're still here?" Dot interrupted to ask. "Although we also need to be concerned in how they got in here in the first place."

"And if they were inside, why didn't they just take over?" Mouse said. "Why not infect all systems, bring the whole Principal Office down?"

"Did this Nemesis seem powerful?" Dot said.

"Well she's a damn good fighter," Mouse said. "She did something to Ship, that's why we crashed."

"Um – Mouse love, why would she make Ship fire on herself?" Ray said.

"Well what other explanation is there?" Mouse snapped.

"Now what's this about?" Dot asked.

Mouse continued with the story, until the time they arrived at Mainframe and Ship had given out. "We were having problems the whole time. I figured maybe they had sabotaged Ship, but when we did a diagnostic, there was a residue of viral energy."

An uncomfortable feeling began in the pit of Dot's stomach. "Phong, we should specify if the viral energy matches."

"I will arrange it."

"But that still doesn't make any sense," Ray said. "Why would she infect Ship and then let us go free? Unless she can't control her powers?"

"Well that's a possibility, however slim," Dot said. "You know, despite everything, I'm glad you two are back. We could really use your help here."

"Like I said to Bob," Mouse smiled, "We're your sprites, sugah!"

***

Melissa waited within her sister's lair. It was a peaceful there. She had explored at will and had come upon a secret room that to her surprise was filled with all types of art. Paintings, sculptures, and 3-D holographic images. Some were serene and others were chaotic. She never knew her sister had such talent.

A pity she would have to delete her.

Melissa knew she would have to strike and quickly. Her sister had actually seen her, although Melissa was certain Hexadecimal hadn't recognized her. When they had left the Lair, Melissa had hopped from Enzo, to the ones called Hack and Slash, and to Hexadecimal's throne. Hex had seen the entire progress.

Returning to the throne room now, a small creature, which looked to be a cross between a cat and a beach ball, sniffed at her ankles.

"Hello," Melissa said, she reached down to rub its head. Then she pricked it with her claw. "Sorry, but I can't have you warning your mistress. Now go hide somewhere." The cat-ball obeyed.

Melissa felt her sister drawing near. She attached herself to the throne. Hexadecimal faded into the room. Funny, Melissa thought, she didn't look anything like their mother had described. When Melissa had first seen Hex, she had received another shock to find Hexadecimal had a 'speaking mask' similar to Melissa's own. Mother had said Hexadecimal's mask was 'ever changing'.

"Now then," Hex suddenly spoke, "Who has entered my Lair uninvited?"

Melissa integrated herself deeper into the throne.

"Would you be the same being who disrupted the Principal Office files?" Hexadecimal waved her hand and a fire hydrant sent a searchlight to shine on the throne. "The same person who's aura I saw on Enzo? Where are you? Are you playing hide and seek?"

Melissa didn't move.

"I asked you a question!" Hexadecimal screamed.

"I grow bored with this. When you decide to come out, I'll be here."

Hexadecimal sat down on the throne. Melissa felt a jolt, so powerful and familiar, that she nearly revealed herself. Melissa gathered her power. She almost didn't hear Hexadecimal's wistful sigh.

Melissa flooded the throne with her power. The back spines and armrests became malleable in her grasp and Melissa caused then to wrap around Hex's body, effectively trapping her. Or so she thought.

"Now this is interesting," Hexadecimal smiled.

With her own shriek, Hex sent a blast of power through the chair that struck Melissa with such force she detached and went flying backwards. She struck the floor hard and slid, until she felt the floor drop away. With a scream, Melissa went over and was falling.

"You dare attack me in my Lair!" She heard Hexadecimal scream. "When I'm through with you, there won't be a pixel left!"

Melissa came to an abrupt halt mere centimeters from the bottom. The fire hydrant shone over the edge and Melissa melded with the wall of the platform.

"Where are you? Don't make me look for you!"

As the hydrant floated near, Melissa sent a blast at it that shattered the device and plunged the room into darkness.

"So you want to fight blind do you?" Hexadecimal taunted. "Very well, I'll give you the first shot."

Again, she poured her power into the stone, sending it upward to where Hex stood. The stone melted around the viral's feet and Hex sank into now liquefied stone.

"How quaint!" Hex said. "Trying to trap me again?"

Melissa concentrated again, molding the stone to her will. Spears shot up from the floor, to form a circular cage around Hexadecimal. Melissa detached from the platform and flew upwards. She gathered a ball of energy while keeping her face hidden in shadow and hurled it at the cage.

A spectacular explosion of stone and fire lit the room, spewing razor sharp fragments so far and fast, that Melissa couldn't avoid being injured. The amount of devastation completely caught her off guard. She had not expected the blast to be that powerful.

A cloud of choking dust filled the room. Silence descended, eerie with the darkness. Melissa frowned. From what her mother had said, Hexadecimal had unlimited power. This had almost been –

A cry of rage shattered the silence and was followed by a blast of blinding red light that had Melissa raising her arms to her face. When she lowered them a horrible monster surrounded by a red aura, with a twisted jester's mask and a mouth full of razor teeth, floated in the air above her.

"This," Hexadecimal hissed, "is no longer amusing!"

-- too easy.

***

"Ms. Matrix, here are the diagnostic results," The binome technician handed her a disk.

Enzo leaned over the console eagerly. Phong, who was at his station looked up and adjusted his glasses.

"Well this is a big surprise," Dot said, "The viral energy is the same."

"But that makes everything even more confusing," Enzo said.

"Young Enzo is correct, my child," Phong said. "The actions of this virus are very unusual. One moment she seems to be helping, the other, hindering."

"It's strange," Dot mused.

A vid-window opened and the CPU Lieutenant's face appeared, "Ms. Matrix! We have reports of what sounds like a battle going on within Hexadecimal's Lair!"

"If it, not one thing – scramble all available CPU's and have them secure the area. Commence with Evacuation Procedure Epsilon. I want those refugees out of there now. I'm on my way."

"Yes, Ms. Matrix!"

"Come on you two," Dot said to Hack and Slash.

"Dot what about me?" Enzo asked.

"You're staying right here," Dot said. "If this is the viral that we're looking for, I don't want you anywhere around."

"But Dot --!"

"Enzo, you promised me."

"Okay, okay."

"Here Enzo, we may observe on the vid-window," Phong said as Dot, Hack, and Slash left the room.

***

Dot heard the explosions even before she was half way to Lost Angles. They seemed to shake the very foundations of Mainframe.

"Whoa!"

"Oh yes, whoa!"

"Did you see that?"

"See it? Did you feel it?"

Dot only half heard Hack and Slash's banter as they zipped towards Lost Angles. Just as the spire of Hex's Lair came into view, an explosion blew out a chunk of the upper story of the wall, sending a plume of smoke and fire into the air. As she had ordered, the CPU cars hovered at a safe distance, and already transports were leaving with the terrified refugees.

"Lieutenant report," Dot said and she stopped to hover next to his car.

"We were alerted to the first explosion within the Lair approximately seventeen nanos ago," the binome reported. "A citizen reported seeing Hexadecimal enter, but no one else. Then the explosions followed. We attempted to enter but – well, there's no door."

Another explosion blasted a chunk of the wall outward and smoke poured from the hole.

"Should we attempt to enter?"

"User, no! We don't know what's happening or what we're dealing with. Keep the area secured. We can only wait. But I want emergency medical teams --,"

"Dot!"

Dot turned at the sound of Mouse's voice calling to her. What was she doing here?

In the next nano, the agonizing sensation of a red-hot knife blade being plunged into her shoulder caused Dot to scream. She didn't know where the blast had come from, and she didn't care. The pain wiped out any coherent thought. Her strength fled and she felt herself slipping backwards, her zip board flying from out under her.

And she was falling.

Dot couldn't even scream. The pain and terror stole her voice. Strangely, her mind began to process various images. There was one of Bob crying, while standing at her memorial. Matrix releasing his anger and grief in destructive ways. Little Enzo withdrawing into a private world from which he never returned. And her other friends feeling lost, and empty in various degrees.

Then someone was there. Hands were reaching out for her, voices were soothing her and her terrible plunge ceased. She still felt as though she was floating but she didn't know how or why. Everything around her was growing dim and blurred.

"Easy love," Ray's voice worked its way through her pain, "I've got you."

"We've both got you!"

"Yes, we have!"

"You two go and help Mouse! I'm going to get her to the infirmary!"

"Right away Mr. Tracer!"

"Yes, sir!"

"R-Ray, what happened?" Dot managed to form the words.

Surf Baud streaked over the rooftops of Mainframe, "You were shot, love. Don't worry; you're going to be okay. You stay with me, you understand?"

"What are you doing out of the infirmary?" Dot demanded weakly, and fainted.

***

For a moment, Enzo's world had come to an end.

He had been upset that Dot hadn't allowed him to go, but watching on the vid-window was good enough for him. Besides he had promised to behave, so he hadn't made a fuss. He figured this way; Dot may give him even more things to do.

"Wow!" Enzo exclaimed as another blast rocked Mainframe, "Who do you think's winning?"

"For our sakes, I hope it's Hexadecimal, my child," Phong's face contorted. "Did I just say that?"

Phong looked back at the vid-window, "Now what in the net are those two doing there?"

"Hey, why aren't they in the infirmary?" Enzo squinted at the image of Mouse and Ray streaking through the sky. Mouse was screaming something to Dot.

Enzo saw the laser blast come out of nowhere and slam into Dot, hurling her backwards off of her zip board.

"Dot!" Enzo screamed.

"My User!" Phong cried.

"Dot! Dot! Someone shot her!" Enzo turned and ran from the room. He ignored Phong's calling after him. The little sprite ran through the halls of the Principal Office. Tears streamed down his face. He ran until his lungs burned and his side ached.

Enzo came to a skidding halt, right inside the exit. Ray was streaking towards him on Baud. Dot was in his arms.

"Dot!"

Ray didn't stop, "Got to get her to the infirmary!"

"Wait!" Enzo ran in the board's wake.

Phong was already there and the medical team had been assembled. Ray flew right into the operating room and laid Dot down on the table.

"Hey!" Two binome nurses ushered Enzo out. "Stop! I want to see Dot!"

Ray came out after him, "Enzo, they'll save her."

"No, no, no!" Enzo tried to enter the room again, and Ray held him back. "I want to see her! Dot! Dot!"

"Enzo!" Phong's commanding voice made Enzo pause. "You must be strong for Dot's sake."

"Phong," the tears began again, "why would anyone want to do that to Dot?"

"Come on, Little Mate," Ray lifted Enzo into his arms and Enzo allowed himself to be carried away. "Don't you worry, your sister will be fine. She's a strong one remember?"

Enzo barely heard his words. His body shook with a dozen emotions. Fear, anguish and rage battled within him.

Someone had tried to delete his sister.

***

The battle was going poorly for Melissa.

They were still in semi-darkness despite several holes being blown into the outer walls. The light barely filtered through the black smoke. Melissa was again attached to the side of the platform. She was hurt and she knew it, but still she kept going.

What had began as a confrontation was rapidly becoming a fight for survival.

Melissa had almost matched Hexadecimal blow for blow. Almost, until Hexadecimal had stated she was growing bored and Melissa had witnesses her true power. Now her sister taunted her, even as the Lair fell down around them both.

"Peek-a-boo! Where are you my little assailant? Had enough yet? I'm ever so bored. Why don't you come out and play some more?"

Despite everything, Melissa had managed to keep her face hidden and had not spoken. Hex had not been able to pinpoint her location yet, but there had been several uncomfortable near misses.

"Are you through? Shall we continue later? Shall we use Mainframe as our playground? Of dear, no, Bob wouldn't appreciate that."

Melissa closed her eyes and integrated her power once again in an attempt to get a fix on Hexadecimal.

"Don't make me come get you!" Hexadecimal said.

Now, she would finish it. Melissa detached, gathered as much energy as she could and flew swiftly upwards. Hex had been standing at the very edge of the platform looking down, but on the opposite side. For a split nano, Melissa contemplated hurling the energy ball at Hexadecimal. Instead she shot the power straight upwards. It made a high-pitched whistle as it traveled towards its unseen destination.

Hexadecimal turned and saw her. Shock was evident on her mask. Then her sister graced Melissa with her evil jester's grin.

The ball smashed through the ceiling with an ear numbing sound. Chunks of burning stone rained down on them both. There was an ominous snap as a large portion of the roof collapsed and shattered as it hit the floor. Great cracks webbed across the floor on impact.

Melissa was caught in the midst of it all and barely had enough time to dodge some of the bigger pieces. She attached herself to the far wall and squinted her eyes shut and placed both hands over her ears. The deafening roar seemed to go on forever.

When there was no sound besides the occasional shifting of dirt and pebbles, Melissa opened her eyes. The air was still thick with dust. When Melissa detached, she began to cough violently. Her sight enabled her to make her way across the room with little difficulty. Light filtered in. A single beam shone upon a pile of rubble from which protruded an arm.

She had done it. Hexadecimal was deleted.

Melissa didn't feel anything as she stared at the hand. She had expected triumph, or guilt, or remorse, but there only what felt like a gaping hole in her chest. She felt numb, detached even, as though she was watching another viral standing there, staring at her sister's remains.

Melissa shook herself from her trance. Her mother would want proof. Quickly, Melissa floated over the arm and snapped off two of Hexadecimal's claws. Then she flew up until she came to the hole in the roof. There was a least two-dozen cars surrounding the Lair. Melissa recognized them as Mainframe's CPU's. None of them were near enough for her to jump to without being seen. She had to escape somehow. Strange how none of them were coming near. Why hadn't any of them come to rescue Hexadecimal?

She went back down into the silent Lair. Now what? She heard a noise and turned sharply, but it was only the cat-ball. It sniffed at its mistress' hand then turned to hiss at Melissa.

"Show me a secret way out of here," Melissa said.

The cat-ball rolled over to her and stopped at the only one of the four bridges left standing. It slid down the bridge and Melissa followed it to the doorway. When the young viral stepped through there was a flash of light and she was outside. She was standing under a large marble arch several hundred meters from the Lair.

Something was going on. There were vid-windows open everywhere and a siren was sounding. Melissa was trying to make sense of the messages flashing across the screens. A vid-window popped open before her and she jumped back. The message stated simply:

THIS IS A CITY WIDE ALERT: BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A SUSPICIOUS VIRAL, ARMED AND DANGEROUS. DO NOT APPROACH THIS VIRAL IF THEY ARE SEEN. CONTACT THE NEAREST CPU OFFICE IMMEDIATELY WITH THE PERTINATE INFORMATION. ALL CITIZENS OF MAINFRAME ARE ADVISED TO REMAIN WITHIN THEIR HOMES UNTIL FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ARE RELAYED.

They couldn't possibly mean her! One way to find out. Melissa made her way across the expanse of Lost Angles and left the island by attaching to and following the twisted bridge. She slipped into the first home she came near and attached to an unsuspecting sprite. A few nanos listening in and she was certain they weren't talking about her.

So Nemesis had succeeded. The Command.com was deleted. Apparently, there were witnesses, so that meant Nemesis would deal with them too, which wouldn't take long. She would return to the Data Dump and wait for her. Soon she would be going home.

***

Mouse crouched behind the remains of the building. There wasn't much left, just the upper stories of the melted structure. A leftover from the Twin Cities explosion.

Mouse bared her fangs and hissed. Her katana was in a death grip.

Her prey was near. Dot's assassin.

She hoped to the User that Dot was all right. Mouse wasn't sure what she'd do if Dot died. When she had first met Mainframe's Command.com, Mouse had thought her to be somewhat of a bit-brain. She smiled at the memory. Sugah was I wrong about that!

She had sent Hack and Slash away. Ray should have known better than to send those two when she was hunting. Besides, Little Enzo – my User, what must he be feeling right now? – would need all the support he could get.

Mouse had trailed the woman; yes she knew that for certain, to this area of Lost Angles. Now that Phong had issued a citywide alert, maybe this would make the assassin reckless. She had led a merry chase, but now Mouse had her. They had unfinished business and now with the viral witch making an attempt on Dot's life, it had become a little too personal.

Mouse dashed across an open area and a group of nulls followed her. She hissed and they ran away. Something, she didn't know what, alerted her. It might have been a sound or a shift in the very air itself, but it was that something that made Mouse looked up just in time enough to see the viral come leaping down from a ledge above her.

Mouse jumped back as Nemesis brought her sword down where Mouse had been standing nanos before.

"So we meet again," Nemesis smiled evilly.

"That we do, sugah, but the fun and games are over," Mouse's teeth ground, "Ya hurt my best friend and for that, I'm gonna have ta cut ya real nice like."

"I'm going to enjoy deleting you," Nemesis smiled. "Just like I enjoyed deleting the Command.com."

"What makes ya think she was deleted?"

"I always get my mark," Nemesis said. "But if she isn't, no matter. Once I get you out of the way, I can finish the job."

"Don't ya ever stop talking?"

Nemesis charged and this time, Mouse was ready. She knew the viral's fighting style and used that knowledge to her advantage. It was Mouse now who pressed, driving Nemesis back with innumerably vicious blows. Mouse used her fury and anguish to fuel her strength and it was Nemesis who was now being backed into a corner and who was working hard to defend herself.

The time came when Nemesis made a fatal error and Mouse cornered the viral, her katana blade pressed to the Nemesis' throat. Mouse smiled with her fangs, "Any last requests?"

Nemesis pursed her lips and spat in Mouse's face. The flame-haired mercenary cried out as the disgusting substance burned her skin. Mouse ignored the pain and pursued the escaping viral.

The sound of an engine powering up had Mouse increasing her pace. An air cycle rose high above her. Nemesis gave Mouse a rude gesture and shot away. Mouse uttered a few colorful metaphors of her own. No problem. There was no way Nemesis could leave Mainframe. The poison was slowly infecting Mouse. She would need to be treated; otherwise she wouldn't be around to avenge anyone.

***

The sounds of the infirmary went on around him, but Enzo barely noticed. Ray had sat him down and had placed a comforting arm around his shoulders and hadn't left his side. Enzo realized he liked Ray and was glad the surfer was with him.

He must have slept for a few nanos because when he opened his eyes, Hack and Slash were there, speaking to Phong in quiet voices. Enzo closed his eyes again, that is, until he heard Ray say, "Mouse!"

Enzo sat up and gaped. Mouse's stood at the waiting room door. Her clothing format was dirty and torn, and there was a blistering burn on her cheek.

"Love, what happened?" Ray gently removed his arm from around Enzo and approached Mouse, taking her in his arms. "Why'd you send Hack and Slash back you silly girl! They could have helped you! Who did this? When I find the ruddy

null-face --,"

"Ray, I'm fine, what about Dot?" Mouse said.

"You are not fine! You need medical attention. They're looking at Dot now. We don't know anything yet. Please love, let me get you to a doctor," Ray ushered her down the hall.

Phong rolled over to Enzo and settled himself next to him. "My son, you must get some rest. Perhaps you should go home."

"No, I'm staying with Dot," Enzo hoped his voice conveyed that he wasn't going to take any arguments.

"Very well, my child," Phong said.

"Dot'll be all right."

"Yes, yes, she will."

"She's very strong."

"Yes, very strong."

"Thanks guys," Enzo said it more out of politeness than anything.

A millisecond or so later, Ray and Mouse returned. Mouse had cleaned up and her cuts and bruises had been treated. A thick bandage covered the side of her face.

"How are you, my child?" Phong rolled over to Mouse.

"These bit-brains want to keep me overnight," Mouse said. "I told them I'm fine."

"Love, you should stay," Ray's voice was heavy with concern. "Please. Do this for me. You've been poisoned for User's sake."

Mouse smiled at him, but it was filled with pain, "All right, love." Then she turned to Phong, "Phong, it's definitely Nemesis. She can't leave Mainframe without us knowing." Mouse knelt and whispered, "She won't leave, she missed her mark. So keep a heavy guard on Dot."

"Already done, my child," Phong whispered back.

"All right, let's go, handsome," Ray placed an arm around Mouse and led her from the waiting room.

"Hack, Slash, go perform your duty," Phong nodded to them.

"Yes, sir Phong!"

"Yes sir!"

"Do not worry, my child," Phong laid a spindly hand on Enzo's knee.

Enzo slept again. When he woke up, he realized Ray was there and Enzo's head was in his lap. Enzo smiled up at him before he drifted off again.

"Enzo."

Enzo came awake and was surprised to find the waiting room full. Captain Capacitor and his crew, Mai, Captain Covar, and Ronnie were all there.

Mouse smiled down at him. "Wake up, honey. Dot's awake. She wants to see you."

Enzo was up in one motion, "Thanks for coming everybody," he said before he walked out between Ray and Mouse. Dot's room was dimly lit. A number six nurse was just tipping a glass to Dot's lips. The six looked up and smiled, "Is that handsome young man your little brother? I'm Nurse Six."

Enzo smiled politely, but his eyes were on Dot. He didn't care how babyish it looked. Enzo ran across the room, climbed onto the bed and into Dot's arms. Once there, he promptly burst into tears.

"Ssh," Dot soothed as she stroked his hair. Her voice was weak, but she filled it with reassurance. "I'm okay."

"Really?" Enzo sniffed, "You're going to be okay? You're not just saying that?"

"Of course not," Dot said. "The doctor said I'm going to be fine. Would you believe they want me to stay here for a few seconds? There's too much to do."

"Dot," Enzo scolded. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"

"Believe me, I won't."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you," Enzo murmured.

"Oh sweetie, I'm glad you weren't. You might have gotten hurt too, and I couldn't stand that."

"We'll find them," Enzo said. "I promise you we will. I won't let you down Dot."

"I know," Dot smiled. "Just be careful."

"Don't you worry," Nurse Six smiled. "She's not going anywhere for awhile. Now you need your rest, Ms. Matrix."

"Do I have to go? Can't I stay a little while longer?"

"You can come first thing in the morning. That liquid will help her sleep."

"Wait," Dot said, but already she was drifting off, "What's going on? Did you catch the person who did this?"

"They're still here in Mainframe, Dot honey," Mouse said. "It's Nemesis. Don't worry I'll catch her. She won't leave."

"Be careful, you," Dot's eyes closed.

"All right, all three of you out," Nurse Six ushered them out.

Enzo wiped the tears from his eyes. Mouse knelt in front of him, "You okay, sugah?"

Enzo nodded, "I am now that I know Dot's okay."

"Come on, let's tell everyone else."

Upon arriving back in the waiting room, the first thing they saw was the open vid-window and the CPU Lieutenant's face.

"How long?" Phong was saying.

"For the past few milliseconds, sir. Not a sound. Shall we continue to keep the area secure?"

"Yes," Phong turned to the trio as they approached. "It appears that whatever was occurring at Hex's Lair has ended."

"Dude! I forgot all about that!" Enzo said. "Everybody, Dot's going to be fine. The doctor's said so."

A cheer went up. Enzo told them that Dot was resting now, and that they were allowed back in the morning.

"Why don't we go check out Hex's Lair, love?" Ray smiled.

"You read my mind, handsome," Mouse smiled. "Want to come along, sugah?"

"Are you kidding?" Enzo said.

***

Searchlights had been brought to the scene of Hex's Lair. Armed with flashlights, Enzo, Mouse, and Ray slowly descended into the gloom.

"Dude," Enzo took in the destruction.

"What in the net happened here," Mouse said.

The trio reached the platform, which was strewn with rubble. The walls were pockmarked from energy blasts and the twisted remains of Hex's throne lay on the far edge of the platform.

A sound had them all jumping and Mouse shone her light on Skuzzy.

"Skuzzy?" Enzo slowly approached the animal. "It's all right. Come here."

Enzo frowned. Skuzzy looked strange although Enzo couldn't quite figure out why. A nagging thought itched his processor, something that he had forgotten that was important. Skuzzy rushed past him and to a pile of rubble. He sniffed at it and some of the rubble shifted.

"What the net!" Ray said.

They saw it at the same time, the protruding hand.

"Hex," Enzo knelt beside the pile, "We've got to get her out of there!"

"We need a demolition crew and medical team down here now!" Mouse called. "This is giving me the jaggies. I know it wasn't Nemesis and there's no one else in Mainframe with power enough to do this, unless --, "

"I don't even want to think about that," Ray muttered.

***

Hexadecimal came to momentarily while they were transporting her to the infirmary. Enzo took her hand, "You're going to be okay."

"Your guest was very rude," Hex said in a hoarse voice. "She didn't even stay for tea and biscuits." Then she passed out again.

"Guest?" Mouse asked.

"She's been talking like that all day," Enzo said. "It must have been the person who did this."

"It couldn't have been Nemesis," Mouse said.

"Two viral spies?" Ray said.

"To coin a phrase from Bob," Enzo said, "This is bad. Very bad."

***

"Ah, come in my children," Phong was waiting for them back in the War Room. "I have some news for you."

"Likewise," Mouse said.

"I hope you are not angry with this old sprite, Mouse, but I had them do an analysis on the wound you received from Nemesis," Phong said.

"Don't tell us," Mouse said. "Two different viral signatures?"

"So you have figured it out. We have not one, but two viral's here," Phong replied.

"One with a signature similar to Hexadecimal's," Mouse said.

"You don't suppose it's --," Enzo began.

"No way, sugah, you remember what happened to him," Mouse said.

"Um – no Mouse, not really."

"Oh," Mouse said, "Oh right."

"Could Hexadecimal give you any information?" Phong asked.

"She was pretty out of it," Mouse said. "I'm surprised she survived. They're working on her right now. Unfortunately, they're having trouble because she's viral. We're going to go back there. Someone should be with her when she wakes up."

"You may want to post a guard on her to, Phong," Ray said.

"This all couldn't have happened at a worst time," Phong said. "The armada is drawing ever near and now we have possibly two viral assassins?"

"Continue with the city-wide alert. We're going back out to search," Ray said.

"Take care, my children," Phong said. "I will inform you the moment Hexadecimal awakens, but first could you --?" Phong pointed to where Enzo had sat down on the steps. The little sprite was fast asleep.

"Poor kid, he's had quite a second, hasn't he?" Ray lifted Enzo up and carried him into Dot's office. He laid the little sprite on the couch.

"You've been real good with him, sugah," Mouse said as she fetched a blanket. "You'd make a good father."

"Would I now?" Ray smiled, "I suppose if there was someone who'd let me make an honest woman out of her."

"You wish, sugah," Mouse smiled. "Come on, let's get back out there."

***

Searching at night proved fruitless. The two viral's were nowhere to be found. The citywide alert was continued and Phong saw to it that their fleet continued with their exercises.

Enzo's mind was on one person, Dot. He arrived in her room at the infirmary. A bouquet of daisy wheels in one hand, and a Holomark card in the other. He stepped into the room, and sighed in exasperation.

Dot was sitting up in bed, surrounded by five vid-windows; her glasses perched on her nose, her organizer open in her hand. Nurse Six was trying to get her to rest. Enzo knew what an impossible task that would be.

"Dot, what are you doing?" Enzo placed the daisy wheels in a nearby vase and gave Dot the card.

"Thank you, sweetie," Dot said after the message played. "I'm sending out the scouts today and checking with Ray and Mouse. We have to monitor the activity in the city."

"Okay, okay, as long as you stay in bed."

"How's Hexadecimal?"

"Still unconscious. I brought her some flowers and a card too. Dot, you should have seen her Lair."

"I did, sort of. They sent me a full report," Dot took off her glasses, "Sweetie, I want you to be careful while you're out there. Whoever these viral's are, I don't want you accidentally running into them."

"As long as one of them isn't Megabyte."

Dot gave him an assessing look, "Why would you think that?"

"Well, Megabyte was pulled into a web portal, right? Bob survived in the web. What if someone found Megabyte? What if Daemon got him back and sent him here? Wouldn't that explain the similar signatures? The other viral could be someone Daemon sent with him."

"Yes it would," Dot said. "Let's hope it's not him, Enzo."

Enzo crawled up to sit beside Dot at the head of the bed; he laid his head on her shoulder, content to watch her work.

***

Dot was in the infirmary for four seconds. She knew it probably wasn't necessary, but the doctors insisted. Dot supposed Phong had a hand in that.

In a way, she was grateful for the rest. She had had trouble sleeping those nights, as she had been plagued with nightmares about the assassination attempt. When it wasn't that it was even more frightening dreams about Bob, Matrix, and AndrAIa being captured by Daemon.

She was aware the first night of Hack and Slash standing guard outside her window and at her door it alternated between two CPU's and Princess Bulla. Dot understood what Mouse had said about Nemesis not leaving Mainframe. After all, she was still alive.

Immersing herself in her work was the only way she could keep from giving in to her paranoia and fear. No one had ever been after her before in her life. Certainly, Megabyte had wished to destroy her and take over Mainframe, but this was different. This viral's one format was to delete her.

Time was running out and the Command.com worked in daylight and darkness. The two viral's still hadn't been found although there had been dozens of reports and false leads. The scouts were overdue to return. Dot sat in her bed with seven vid-windows and her organizer. A constant stream of visitors staved off her loneliness and provided her with the reports she needed.

She managed to convince the doctors to release her that afternoon, and with Enzo's help, she made her way to the War Room.

Everyone was there, Phong, Mouse, Ray, Captain Capacitor, Mr. Christopher, Hack, Slash, Specks, Mai and Max Covar. They broke out into applause and cheering when she entered.

"Welcome back, my child. How are you feeling?" Phong smiled at her.

"Much better," Dot smiled in return. "I had to get out of that bed."

"Everything's in order, commander," Specks said.

"Have we heard from the scouts yet?"

"No word as of yet."

"Right back into the job," Mouse muttered.

"I heard that."

"Ms. Matrix!" Specks looked up from the console, "My sensors just went off the scale. I think – yes, a portal has opened! It may be the scouts returning."

Three vidwindows were opened. The portal was over Sector 1001. It flickered then a single ship came through. A plume of black smoke trailed out behind it.

"That's one of mine," Captain Covar said.

"Oh no!" Dot said. "Emergency crews to Sector 1001 now!"

"This can't be good," Mouse said.

Dot, Mouse, Ray, Enzo, and Captain Covar rushed from the Principal Office to the crash site. They arrived just as the emergency crews did. The pilot was lifted from the cockpit.

"Captain Covar," the sprite pilot called weakly.

"I'm here," Covar said. "Don't worry, you're going to be fine."

"Get him to the infirmary," Dot said.

"Wait!" The pilot suddenly said, "Ms. Matrix?"

"Yes?"

"The others – gone," the pilot said, " – came upon enemy scouts – closer than we thought."

The pilot grasped Dot's arm with his final strength. His eyes bore into hers and with his last breath he whispered, "They're coming."