CHAPTER TWO
PRESSURE
The present
"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman, welcome to the
Matrix Enterprises Online Conference." Enzo said, "Our CEO Dot Matrix will be with you shortly. In the meantime, I invite you to view the
quarterly reports."
Dot Matrix watched her brother with a proud smile. Again, she thought of how glad she was that
he would be working beside her. She had
missed being with him over the past few hours when he had chosen to spend his
summers away from Mainframe. It had worried
Dot that her brother seemed to be developing an uncharacteristic
wanderlust. Dot couldn't imagine Enzo
ever leaving Mainframe for good but lately she had begun to wonder.
So she had been pleased, if not a little surprised that
he had accepted her job offer. Even
after all this time, even though her business had grown to monumental
proportions, Dot still enjoyed running them herself, only lately, her overly
tedious work schedule had taken its toll.
Looks like that husband of mine was right, Dot mused. Bob had been on her case about hiring a PDA
for cycles, claiming she was working way too hard. Dot hadn't had the time or the inclination and besides, didn't
think there would be anyone she could trust with her business secrets. Until the day Melissa, on a rare break from
the Academy, had suggested Enzo.
To Dot's delight, her brother had grasped the business at
a phenomenal rate. Well it wasn't
surprising. Top in his class at the
Science Academy, 'intelligent' didn't begin to describe him. But Enzo still had a thirst for even greater
knowledge; hence his forays away from home. His presence made Dot realize that she would need someone to learn the
business. As much as a workaholic that
she was, she didn't plan on doing this forever. She wondered would Enzo be interested in taking over
someday? His primary interest seemed to
be science.
That worried Dot somewhat. Science had taken away her parents and had destroyed the lives of
thousands of innocents. To think that
Enzo may be taking after their father made her both proud and
apprehensive. She knew it would
ultimately be his decision.
Yet she was amazed at the ease in which he spoke to the
shareholders. It was still hard for her
to believe that this serious studious young man was her hyperactive little
brother. She felt a pang of sadness at
that. He had changed so much, yet he
was nothing like Matrix.
Dot sighed. That
was one thing that hadn't changed. The
rocky relationship her two brothers (Enzo refused to acknowledge Matrix as such
and became angry anytime anyone did.) shared had lasted over the hours. She was proud of how they had both created
separate identities but Dot often wondered if Enzo only did so to become as
little like Matrix as possible.
Although tall and muscular, Enzo wasn't as 'bulky' as
Matrix was. And he wore his hair
radically different. It was longer and
even more "spiky" then his counterpart's. He wore it swept to the right side of his face with spiky bangs covering
his right eye and long in the back, done up in a single braid that rested
between his shoulder blades. Two
silicon rings that had once belonged to Melissa secured the braid. The braid was his tribute to his love for her,
like Matrix's tattoo was for AndrAIa.
Many of the ladies in the office had commented on how
'pretty' he was. Enzo hated the term,
but that was the first word everyone thought of when they saw his smooth boyish
face. The glasses he had begun to wear when
he was sixteen lent an air of maturity.
Still Dot was proud of him. Now if only he would make peace with Matrix.
It was time for the conference so Dot turned her
concentration to it.
***
The office at the penthouse of the Bookmark Tower was a
guilty pleasure for Dot. With the
advancement of her business, it had become impossible to do her work from the
Diner. Although she missed it she knew
it was in good hands and she really did like the way her new office
looked. When Hex had volunteered to decorate
the Tower, Dot had said, "Why not?" So
a lot of the viral's presence was here.
The office was in the shape of half-circle but it was the
thick burgundy carpeting and the paneling made of rich dark wood that was the
first thing people noticed.
Ornate glass doors let out onto a balcony where Dot often
had lunch delivered. Plush leather
chairs were situated in strategic spots for maximum comfort. Pictures from Hex's Gallery also
complemented the room.
The second was usually the circular console; similar to
the map in the War Room except here Dot had access to any and all functions of
the corporation. It sat directly to
the left of the entrance at about 22:00 hours.
To the right, sitting at 14:00 was a conference table
surrounded by six leather chairs and beyond that was two doors to the washroom
and kitchenette, respectively. And just
beyond the kitchenette, was a small booth, one of only seven that existed in
Mainframe. An invention of Mouse and
AndrAIa's (with the help of some engineers from the Super Computer) it was
called simply a 'jump portal'. By
programming certain coordinates into the controls, a sprite or binome could be
instantly teleported to a different section of Mainframe. They could only be used by the Senior Staff
and only in cases of emergency.
On the opposite side, next to the console was a spiral staircase
leading up to a mezzanine where there were three private offices, one of them
Dot's.
With only her and Enzo around and her secretary Ms. Pink
in the foyer. Dot was content.
Now as she and Enzo went about the daily monitoring of
the business, with twenty vid-windows open around the console, Dot took a
moment to observe her brother.
"I've noticed the Mitchell account is overdue again,"
Enzo was saying, "Have we contacted his daughter?"
"Yes Mr. Matrix."
"Please, call me Enzo."
"Of course, Mr. Matrix."
Dot moved the vid-window aside and smiled at her brother,
"Enzo?"
He looked up and smiled at her, "Yes Dot?"
"You're doing a great job."
His smile broadened, "Thanks Dot."
Dot went back to her messages and frowned at the one
marked: URGENT. "Oh no, not again."
"What?" Enzo
asked.
"I've received a communiqué from the Command.com of
System 500."
"The industrialist?"
"Yes." Dot
frowned, "he still wants to meet with me concerning a merger of Matrix
Enterprises with his organization."
"I thought you told him no the last time you met with
him."
"I did," Dot said. "I don't know Enzo, the guy just rubbed me the wrong way. He seemed so – sleazy."
"A sleazy industrialist?"
"You're going to have to meet him to see what I
mean. Which is what I'm going to have
to do. Apparently, he doesn't know the
meaning of the word no."
"Shall I arrange the meeting then?"
"Yes," Dot frowned again. Why did she think she was going to have trouble with this
man? Dot was interested in a good
business deal as well as the next sprite but this guy – this – Mr. DeCrypt –
just gave her the jaggies.
***
Seven hours into the past.
The conference hall at Outlook Center was packed with the citizenry to its walls. Bob watched from offstage as even more people tried to squeeze into the room.
"It would seem the whole population of the Capitol is
here." Katiyana's voice came from
behind him.
"So we're supposed to sit down there?" Bob nodded to the rectangular conference
table that had been placed below the stage. "And our accusers sit there?" There was a podium on the stage and another conference table set up with
seven chairs.
"Of course. So
they can look down on us."
"Perfect."
"Have courage, my Prime Guardian. We have nothing to hide."
"Actually Katiyana we have a lot to hide. The question is how much will we have to
reveal?"
***
"Mind if I join you?"
Matrix looked up to find Colonel Tempus. He frowned immediately. He had come outside behind the conference
center to catch a few minutes alone before the inquisition.
"If I say yes, will you go away?"
"Don't play the big bad renegade with me boy, you're
liable to get your ASCII kicked."
Boy? "The
last person to call me that I kicked his ASCII."
"Couldn't have been much of a fighter."
Matrix straightened away from the wall. "He was a virus called Megabyte."
"How very unimpressive," Tempus said, "But since I have
as much right to be out here as you do, I think I'll stay. I don't know what your problem is --,"
"My problem," Matrix broke in, "Is that I'm about to be
raked over the coals by a bunch of whining pixel brains."
"You are?" Tempus
said, "You think I'm here for the atmosphere? And what of the Prime Guardian? Of all of us, he has the most to lose."
Tempus drew a small satchel from his belt and opened
it. From within he withdrew a pipe and
tobacco and proceeded to pack and light it. Fascinated, Matrix watched the old warrior take a long drag and blow out
a pungent smoke in the shape of rings.
"Just who was Neuron Cyber?" Tempus asked.
"He was a member of the Resistance, I deleted him by
accident after he attacked me," Matrix couldn't believe he had answered the
question. The smoke must be
affecting my mind, he thought.
"Hmm," Tempus took another drag, "Looks like they don't see
it that way." Tempus looked Matrix up
and down for he first time, "You have the Guardian Protocol, why aren't you at
the Academy?"
"Don't you think I'm a little too old to attend the
Academy?"
"Not for the advanced classes," Tempus said. "Just what is your role? I mean what do you do?"
Matrix had had enough of Tempus' prying, "Excuse
me." The renegade turned and walked
back inside but he couldn't escape the colonel's words.
What is your role? What do you do?
They were the questions that had been plaguing Matrix as of late and he was distressed to find he had no answer for them.
***
Bob sat at his place in the center of the table. Katiyana was to his left and Tempus to his
right. Matrix was looking as menacing
as ever and Cooper looked bored. Bob
hoped Cooper didn't do or say something to get them in worse trouble. The one Bob felt the most sympathy for was
Mina. The poor girl was trying her best
to put on a brave face, but Bob could tell she'd rather be hundreds of sectors
away.
The noise in the room was deafening. The mood could only be described as
volatile. The smell of too many bodies
and the oppressive heat made Bob squirm uncomfortably. He felt a trickle of sweat at his temple and
the Prime Guardian absently reached up to wipe it away.
Katiyana took his hand, "Are you well?"
"Can't we at least get some water over here?"
Katiyana motioned to one of the binome attendants that
was situated around the perimeter of the room and made her request. A few nanos later he returned with an armful
of bottles of water. Bob opened his and
drank deeply, then moved the bottle across his forehead.
"Try not remain calm," Katiyana said.
"It's hot in here," Bob muttered.
The noise level lowered suddenly and Bob saw why. The representatives of Web Alliance were
coming onstage.
Of course there was Desdemona and Captain Lynx. Bob recognized some but others he had never
seen before. Three of the people were
sector Command.coms. One of the first
things Bob had done in his capacity, as Prime Guardian was to contact the
Command.com of each sector of the Super Computer. He had received no response from any of them and was told the
majority of them had either been infected or perished in the war. Either way, this was the first Bob had seen
of any of the sector commanders.
"The binome on the end is – was – the leader of another
resistance faction that failed," Katiyana whispered to him. "I have no idea who the other sprite is."
"His name is Lieutenant Bell," Tempus said, "A deserter."
"I wonder if Web Alliance is aware of that?" Bob said. Well at least they weren't here to point fingers.
No one had to wait long for it to begin, the moment Web
Alliance sat down and all notebooks and files were situated, Lynx took the
podium and spoke. "Thank you all for
coming here. We appreciate that the
representatives of the Guardian Collective accepted our invitation."
"Invitation indeed," Bob heard Cooper mutter and the
Prime Guardian shot him a warning look.
"The purpose of this meeting," Lynx went on, "Is to
determine what measures need to be taken to halt the unrest that is currently
plaguing the citizenry of the Super Computer."
"Also," Lynx continued, "the citizenry of the Super
Computer need and demand clarification of the measures the Collective will take
and/or have taken, to apprehend and punish those responsible for the acts of
violence against the peoples of this system."
"In addition what plans the Collective have and/or will
make to re-establish the Super Computer to its former prominence."
Bob felt a stab of annoyance as Lynx finished. They would know all of this if the sector
commanders had answered the many messages he had sent or if Lynx had just taken
five nanos to sit down with him and talk. Then again, Bob had all but ignored the messages from Captain Lynx, a
decision he now greatly regretted.
"We will begin," Lynx said, "by opening the floor to
questions, with the consent of the representatives of the Collective?"
"That's fine," Bob said.
"Prime Guardian, what measures have the Collective taken
to re-establish net trade within the system?"
Bob stood and took a nano to call up the proper
information in his files, "As of now, reestablishing net trade has not been
foremost on our list of priorities --,"
"And why not? The
people need food, clothing --,"
"Food and clothing are being donated by several systems,"
Bob said. "I have been attempting to
contact the remaining sector commanders, but I have only received seven replies
from the twenty-seven registered." Bob
let his gaze travel to the three that sat at the table, "Did you receive them?"
"No we didn't, Prime Guardian," was basically the answer
the three gave and Bob had a lot of trouble believing them.
"Then my apologies," Bob said, "the sector commanders I
have contacted have been already given information on how much in supplies they
will be allotted and when they may obtain such supplies. As for the sector commanders I haven't heard
from, I've already dispatched representatives to their respective sectors. They are due to report back to me at this
evening at 18:00 hours."
Several shouts came from the back of the room. Bob couldn't make out what they were
saying. Lynx was rapping a gavel on the
podium, "We will have order here."
Bob wondered what the yelling was about. He turned and saw a small group of people in
the rear of the room, "What is it? Let
them have their say."
"We don't want Guardians in our sector!"
"We don't want the Guardians here period!"
"Down with the Guardians!"
"Order!" Lynx
cried. "It was agreed by all those
involved that this meeting would be the first step in settling these matters."
"Settle it by getting rid of the Guardians!"
"I said order!" Lynx said. "What of the remnants
of the enemy army? There have been
reports of stragglers, deserters --,"
Bob looked directly at Bell for a nano then back at Lynx.
" – causing all sorts of malicious mischief. I see very little policing of the sectors."
"Unfortunately," Bob said, "our military and police base
was decimated in the war. Colonel
Tempus can give you some idea of the state of our forces. Colonel?"
Bob sat down and Colonel Tempus took the floor.
"Well done," Katiyana whispered to him.
"My core-com is in my throat."
As Colonel Tempus advised the group of the state of the
military and what they would be doing to police the rougher areas of the
Capitol, an uncomfortable feeling, like a touch of icy fingers started at the
base of Bob's spine and began to travel their way up. At first he thought it was just nerves, but it began to increase
to the point where he was beginning to have trouble concentrating.
"Prime Guardian?"
"Yes?" Bob said
abruptly and Katiyana gave him a look. "Yes, Captain Lynx?"
"And what of the surviving members of the Guardian
Collective? Have they been properly
reprimanded?"
"What?" Bob said,
"Are you asking me if I've punished the Guardians that were under Daemon's
control?"
"Of course," Lynx said. "Terrible atrocities were committed against the citizenry by the
Guardians. It is only fitting that they
be punished."
"Punished why? For having their minds turned inside out? For having their bodies violated? The Guardians, myself included, had no control over what was
happening to them," Bob cringed inwardly at the memory of some of the things he
had done. "You of all people know that
under the influence of viral infection, a normally sane decent person can be
made to commit those terrible atrocities."
The icy feeling was now permeating every nerve in Bob's
body but he continued, "If the Guardians are punished then I would have to be
punished as well."
More shouts erupted. Did Bob imagine it or did Lynx wait a few nanos before pounding for
order.
"Yes," Lynx said when the group quieted, "Not many people
are aware that you were once the infamous General Dariem."
This time the screams that erupted drowned out anything
else Lynx said. The crowd began working
themselves into a maddened state. Bob
turned and held up his hands shouting for order.
"Please everyone remain calm!" Bob shouted. "No violence!"
When the press of bodies surged towards the table, Bob
conjured a sphere of light, which grabbed and held everyone's attention.
"Please, everyone calm." Bob said.
"My family died at your hands Dariem!"
"Their blood is on you!"
Bob turned away as the words tore through his core-com
because he knew they were truth.
"I can never began to express how sorry I am for what was
done while I was under Daemon's control," Bob said. "I can only promise you that I will do whatever is within my
power to make amends."
"Just what are you going to do?"
"My family is gone! You can't bring them back!"
"Out with the Guardians!"
"Silence!" Lynx
eyed the assembled group. "So no
punishment is forthcoming to the Guardians involved?"
"No."
That time there were only dark murmurs coming from the
crowd.
"So," Lynx went on, "What of the murder of Neuron Cyber?"
"Captain Lynx I believe that is something that should be
discussed in private between the parties involved and has nothing to do with
the situation here in the Capitol."
"It had everything to do with it!" Desdemona, who had been miraculously silent
the whole time, came abruptly to her feet, "He murdered Neuron and he has
escaped judgment."
"I didn't murder him!" Matrix, who had also been uncharacteristically silent, stood as
well. "He fired on me first! I was defending myself!"
"Desdemona," Lynx said.
"Matrix calm yourself," Bob said.
Still the two sprites stood and exchanged a hate filled
glare.
"I must agree with the Prime Guardian on this," Lynx
said, "The death of Cyber is a personal matter, however, that does not explain
why Matrix has avoided justice concerning his other numerous crimes."
"What in the net are you talking about?" Matrix hissed.
"You know very well what I'm talking about," Lynx said,
"Your time in the net. We know about
you Matrix. Many of the members of Web
Alliance were witnesses to your crimes and many were victims! You will be made to answer for them!"
"Lynx you had better explain yourself," Bob said.
Lynx regarded him for a moment, "You don't know either,
do you Prime Guardian? Just like Dot
Matrix. You have absolutely no idea!"
"Lynx --," Bob began.
"Very well," Lynx continued as though Bob hadn't spoken,
"We will need time to prepare case. I
suggest when you leave this place Prime Guardian you prepare an adequate
defense for your young friend. We will
be bringing in witnesses to testify against him."
"Testify? When
did this become a trial for Matrix?"
Lynx lowered his head, "Very well, we will convene another
meeting of the Council and at that time – members of Web Alliance will be
brought in to – speak against him. I
think the two of your need to have a long talk before hand."
"No wait just a nano," Cooper said, "We're not obligated
to attend anymore of these meetings. We
did this as a courtesy to you. I mean
who in the net do you people think you are?"
"Cooper!" Bob
warned. The feeling was now like of a
swarm of angry hornets in Bob's mind.
Over the jeers Captain Lynx said, "No you are not obligated
to attend but I wouldn't recommend that you not attend, as you can see, the
people want justice – it's either this way or --,"
"Don't think you can threaten us Lynx," Cooper said, "The
Collective is the law here!"
"Cooper, be silent!" Bob suddenly realized what the feeling was and a lance of ice was
figuratively stabbed through his core-com.
Someone was here.
Someone evil.
A virus.
"Bob what is it? What's wrong?" Katiyana placed her hand on his.
When Bob had yelled out at Cooper, all eyes were drawn to
him, but Bob didn't notice. He had not
felt that way since being in Daemon's sphere of influence. Someone close to Daemon – or rather someone
that had been previously close to her was in the room. Somewhere in the crowd watching them. And their malevolent amusement was a stench
that made Bob want to gag.
The Prime Guardian looked at Matrix and knew immediately
that his young friend felt it as well.
"Prime Guardian!" Lynx yelled. Bob didn't know how
long the Captain has been trying to get his attention, "What in the net is wrong with you?"
"Someone is here," Bob said, and he looked at Matrix,
"Can you --?"
"Yes," Matrix said. "I sense it to. Someone
from -- back there."
"Prime Guardian --,"
"There's a virus here!" Bob said, "Someone who was in Daemon's service! They're somewhere here, right now!"
The crowd became agitated. Murmurs spread and heads craned to get a view although no one
really knew what to look for.
"Bob are you certain?" Katiyana asked.
"This is absurd," Lynx said.
Bob turned his eyes scanned the room. The sensation changed, a swift tremor of
fear from the other one then it was gone and Bob knew the virus had made their
escape.
"It's too late," Bob said grimly, "They're gone now. You need to increase the security on this
place!"
"This is nonsense," Desdemona said, "Now he's seeing
imaginary virals?"
"And just how did you know one was here?" Lynx asked.
"I --," Bob began. "How in the net could he explain it without coming off as completely
random? How would they understand the
feeling of cold fingers and the certainty that someone who had shared that
horrible disease that was the Infection was nearby?
"I can't explain it," Bob said finally, "Only that I can
sense someone who once was infected by her or was within her inner sanctum."
"Ridiculous," Desdemona said,
"Actually," Lynx said, "I've heard of such
occurrences. Usually it means the
person who has these heightened senses still had some of the viral infection on
them."
Bob was suddenly reminded of his previous conversation
with Melissa. How she had said Daemon's
aura was still on him and Matrix.
"There's no way you'll catch them now," Bob said by way
of changing the subject. "I'll provide
guards for the next meeting."
"Then you agree to attend and to our conditions?"
"Yes," Bob smiled.
"Prime Guardian this is absurd," Cooper said, "Are you
going to let these peasants tell us what to do?"
The cries of rage erupted again; the crowd converged on the table.
"No!" Bob
screamed, "Cooper, go now!"
The sharp report of Gun caused the whole crowd to drop as
one.
Bob turned in disbelief to the renegade. Matrix, seeming to realize too late what he
had done, lowered Gun and re-holstered it. His violet eyes grew wide and pleaded with Bob but before Bob could say
anything --,
"How dare you fire that weapon in here!" Lynx screamed at Matrix. "There are innocent people about!"
Lynx turned fiercely to Bob, "Prime Guardian, I suggest
you keep a tight lease on him until the next meeting." With that Lynx, gathered up his things,
"This meeting is adjourned. We will
reconvene at oh-eight-hundred in two days." And the captain turned form the
podium and stormed off the stage with the rest following.
"Let's get out of here," Bob said grimly, "While the crowd
is quite."
Between Cooper and Matrix, Bob had a feeling that these
meetings were soon going to develop into something with much more serious
implications.
