CHAPTER 9
THE CALM BEFORE
The present
"I want all video records of the Laroux's escape downloaded to the War Room system and I want it done last cycle!" Dot said.
"Sir, Ma'am!" Specks said, "The outer beacons were able to trace his course somewhat. I'll have a readout for you in a few nanos."
The War Room once again was the focal point in the crisis situation that had erupted. It had not been used in hours and Dot Matrix cursed the sprite that forced them to utilize it now.
It took all Dot's powers of reasoning to keep from going
random herself in her grief and worry. She should have insisted that a CPU accompany him. She should have – what? She knew self-recriminations were
useless. All that mattered now was
getting Enzo back.
Although she was deep into her work, she was aware of the
other activities going on around her. Bob was on at a vid-window speaking with his colleagues at the
Collective, putting out on all-system alert on Laroux, considering him armed
and dangerous with a hefty reward for his capture – processing or deleted. Bob had also contacted Melissa and had given
authorization for her to portal home.
Matrix was also speaking – actually yelling – at his
soldiers and the CPU's for letting Laroux escape but Dot figured he was angrier
with himself.
AndrAIa had come as soon as she had heard, despite her
doctor's orders to rest. She sat across
from Dot busy at her own workstation. She was interviewing any others who had come in contact with Laroux,
including the shuttle captain, who; despite evidence to the contrary; was
certain Laroux had not been on his ship.
Then came the familiar flash and Hex appeared.
Everyone froze all eyes were on the chaos virus. Her mask was twisted with hate and her eyes
blazed yellow.
"He took Enzo," Hex snarled. "He took my Enzo!"
"Hex --," Dot began.
"I will make him suffer a thousand hideous tortures for
his crimes! I will rip out his core-com
and feast on it!" Hex said. "When I get my claws into him --!"
"Hexadecimal!" Bob's authoritative voice cut through her tirade, "We need your help
now, but more important, we need you to remain calm."
"You have to tell us everything and anything about
Laroux," Bob continued. "I'm having an
alert put out on him but the more information we have, the better."
"Anything Bob," Hex calmed, but slightly, "But it is I
who will deal with him. No one else is
to have the pleasure."
Dot sighed, knowing Hex was as upset about Enzo as
everyone else, but also knowing the measure of shame Hex must be suffering
now. Dot could tell Hex had been lonely
as of late and the chaos virus had begun to like Laroux. It infuriated Dot on both counts, not only
for Enzo, but for Hex as well.
"Sir, Ma'am! I
have those course coordinates," Specks said.
Dot leaned over her workstation, "Good work Specks." Dot immediately began to calculate the
distance to the nearest inhabited systems. She swore at the numbers, "The sorry son of a null could be anywhere."
"He probably won't go to any civilized system," Matrix approached
and stood behind his wife. "He's knows
we'll use all our resources to find him."
"I think we can narrow those numbers a bit," AndrAIa
began her own calculations. "Using the
information we have we can estimate the systems he'd most likely travel to on
his present course heading."
"I should have just thrown him off the system," Matrix
muttered, "I had a chance to get him out of the way and --,"
"No," Dot said, "You're a representative of the
Collective and Mainframe. You acted
accordingly."
"If that sorry son of null hurts him --," Matrix
muttered. "Here – these systems are the
most likely candidates – small, less than reputable, we need to try them
first."
"That's still quite a bit," Dot said.
"We have the Collective at our disposal," Bob said also
approaching the workstation.
"We're getting some messages from people asking about the
system lockdown," AndrAIa said.
"Make the usual apologies for any inconvenience," Dot
told her. "We are to remain on system
alert until – this crisis is over."
The room was suddenly filled with an uncomfortable
silence. A stab of grief almost sent
Dot running from the room. Bob laid his
hands on her shoulders.
"You need a moment?" Bob whispered.
"N-no, I'm fine." Dot turned to AndrAIa, "Give them any excuse --, "
"Hex!" A new
voice interrupted the Command.com.
Melissa had entered the room, followed by Phong. Dot knew she-virus was much older than she
looked but right now everyone saw a distressed seventeen-hour-old.
"Oh my poor darling!" Hex embraced Melissa when her younger sister ran to her.
Tears streamed down Melissa's cheeks, "Someone kidnapped,
Enzo? My Enzo?"
"Oh my sweet, it's all my fault. I knew Laroux had secrets. I thought I could discover them – I never
dreamed --,"
"That's right Hex, you didn't," Dot said. "None of us thought this would happen so it
isn't your fault. If you have to blame
someone, blame Laroux."
"Laroux," Melissa said darkly. "He's a deleted sprite if I get my claws on him."
"Melissa," Bob said.
"But Bob! I want
to assist in the search."
"No," Bob said. "Wait, listen to me. I knew you
wouldn't be able to concentrate at the Academy, not to mention wanting to track
down Laroux yourself, that's why I arranged for your early leave."
"Bob please!" Melissa's eyes were wide and pleading.
"Right now we need you here to play the games," Bob
said. "Laroux, or whoever he is, was
here for a different purpose. I don't
believe he was here to take Enzo."
"Why?" Melissa
said.
"Look at the facts," Bob said, "He was here all this
time, yet he was with Hex. He threw us
first when we thought he was watching my kids. Now Hex you said he asked a lot about Dot?"
"About our businesses," Hex said.
"Then there was the explosion at the power plant that
blacked out only G-Prime. Enzo was at
home and found someone going through the business database. I think when Enzo went to the Tower he
surprised Laroux, which would explain why Laroux took him."
"Laroux didn't expect anyone to be at the Tower and the
explosion took care of the lights and the security system."
"It timed it with the game cube so the two people who
could stop him were occupied," Bob said.
"And he didn't think I would stop him because --," Hex
said. "So he used me. I was to be his alibi."
"And," Bob said quietly, "his information source. I'm sorry Hex."
"Oh don't be Prime Guardian," Hex smiled with her fangs,
"It is Laroux who will be sorry!"
"So he was after information about me, or rather my
businesses," Dot said, "He could do a
lot of damage with the information he downloaded."
"I've already begun rebuilding the security grid for the
database but it will take some time," AndrAIa said, "Also, we have to realize
that he broke Mouse's codes. It took
him awhile, but he did it."
"Which means he's really good," Bob said bitterly, "I
already tried to get in contact with Mouse. Too bad we don't know where Ray is."
"We may not need to know if he's on the net, he'll hear
about this eventually," Dot said to cover the second uncomfortable silence.
"We can't wait any longer," Bob said. "As soon as
possible, Matrix and I are going to track down Laroux. Sweetheart – we'll need a list of people who
would want to ruin your business."
"I can think of one right off," Dot hissed.
"Ran DeCrypt," Bob said. "I'll have my investigators download all of the information they've
acquired to the War Room system. If
DeCrypt is behind this, even remotely, he'll be sorry."
"I say we pay him a visit," Matrix said.
"We will," Bob said, "But we'll do it right. When can you have your ship ready?"
"In a few micro's," Matrix said.
"Didn't Enzo --? I mean. Didn't he do a check on Laroux?" AndrAIa asked.
"He did," Dot said, "But he didn't find much of
anything."
"That's because," yet another familiarly accented voice
broke in, "His name's not Laroux, sugah."
"Mouse!" Bob
said, "Thank the User, where have you been? I tried to reach you."
The flame haired mercenary descended the stairs, "That's
because I was on my way here. I picked
up your transmissions and got the info on this creep from the system."
Mouse walked over to Melissa and the two embraced, "I'm
sorry, sugah, don't worry, we'll get him back safe."
Next she went to Dot, "How ya holdin' up honey?"
"You know me, Mouse," Dot managed a wan smile. "Now how do you know this guy?"
"Well I don't know him personally," Mouse said, "I know of
him. Punch up his picture, Dre."
"That's Laroux," Dre said.
"Thought I recognized him. Damn, I wish I had been here, he's a mercenary and spy calls
himself Raven."
"A spy, that makes sense," Dot said. "He was into our database."
"We gotta find him now," Mouse said. "He's a vicious one so I've been told. Heard he likes to – look fill me in on
what's going on so we can get after him."
***
Bob finished the vid-call, "Well the official
investigation is underway."
"There," Mouse looked up from her workstation with a
smile, "That temporary security grid will keep anyone else out of the database
and let you know if anyone else tries to access it. Now this may help us."
"What are you doing?" Dot leaned over her shoulder.
"We may be able to get some more information on
Raven. When he downloaded the database
he left a trail for us to follow so ta speak. He'll have security up but I can get through it. It'll take some time though."
"AndrAIa can I get a 3D map of those systems?" Bob said. "We need to get started tracking this Raven down. Matrix and I will pay a visit to Ran
DeCrypt. If we can't get anything from
him we'll each take a system and meet back at a predetermined area. Mouse when you're finished here we could use
your help. Um – you didn't hear from
Ray by any chance?"
Mouse looked up and there was a brief flash of annoyance
in her eyes, "No. Now why would you
think I heard from him? He decided to
run off, I wasn't looking for him."
"Okay Mouse," Bob sighed. He wasn't going to pursue this; it was between Mouse and
Ray. "Keep trying to contact him, Dot,
we could really use his help." This was
for Enzo and Bob wasn't about to worry about whatever romantic difficulties the
mercenary and the search engine was having. Although she had not openly said so, Bob had the impression that this
man who had Enzo was a greater danger than any super-virus and Bob refused to
let little Enzo come to harm. It would
destroy Dot, Melissa and him as well.
***
Seven hours into the past
Quicksilver smiled with supreme satisfaction as Pixel
Shim took a last shuddering breath and deleted.
"Excellent," the virus whispered. "Have I at last succeeded?"
Quicksilver moved away from his two test subjects. The eyes of the remaining woman followed
him. Quicksilver approached the table and stared almost reverently at the glass
vial in its stasis field. All his work,
all his planning would finally spell victory for Daemon's Chosen.
It had been a frustrating few seconds. Pixel Shim had also been seemingly immune to
Virogen, just as the father and son had been. Quicksilver silently berated himself for so quickly getting rid of the
two. He could not abide failure of any
type in himself. He would not make the
same mistake again. He still had
samples of their codes and Virogen had had the same effect as it had on Pixel
Shim.
Daemon's blessing was upon him. It had to be. It was the
only explanation for having so easily found the answer he needed.
Quicksilver turned to look at the woman who remained
imprisoned in the containment field. Her cats-eyes gleamed with malice.
"So how does it feel little traitor?" Quicksilver smiled evilly at her. "You betrayed the memory of our mistress but
now you shall redeem yourself."
Now all he needed was one of their operatives to get
close enough to the Prime Guardian. Quicksilver had already chosen the one.
"So tell me SiRCe," Quicksilver knelt before her, "how
does it feel? How does it feel to know
your blood was the catalyst I needed to complete Virogen?"
Quicksilver straightened, stretched and laughed aloud.
"How does it feel my pretty little traitor?" Quicksilver hissed. "To know it was you who gave me the means to
finally be able enact my revenge?"
Quicksilver created a breach in the containment
field. "The Prime Guardian is going to
die painfully and I shall enjoy every nano of it."
"You murderous viral pig!" SiRCe cried.
Quicksilver grabbed her by the throat with one hand. "You try my patience, wench. Be grateful you live to see another
second." He shoved her violently away.
Quicksilver turned at the sound of someone entering the
warehouse. Chaos crossed the room
leisurely, "We've heard from our operative."
"Excellent," Quicksilver said. "For we shall need them. I believe I have succeeded my dear Chaos."
The wild virus gave a maniacal laugh, "Virogen is
complete?"
"See for yourself," he motioned to the corpse that had
been Pixel Shim.
"So what's that mean?" Chaos said, "The rest knocked off except for that father and son. Well they did to but they didn't look the
same."
"You would know if you had the capacity to understand
it," Quicksilver said.
"Now there's no need to get pissy," Chaos pouted.
"The same results occurred with the woman Pixel,"
Quicksilver approached the table. "My
testing discovered subtle nuances in the codes of certain sprites and binomes
that Virogen didn't affect. I've
discovered there is a gene in SiRCe's code that cancels those differences
out. The other one died quicker than I
would have liked but it will take the Prime Guardian much longer."
Quicksilver lifted the vial from the field; "I made an
error getting rid of the father and son too soon. I shall not make such again. I had to make due with the samples of their code that I took."
"He has another son," Chaos said, "Just a baby though."
"Oh? Very well,
bring him here." Quicksilver said, "If
the effect is the same, you will contact our operative in the Capitol."
"That's what I wanted to tell you," Chaos said. "We've received a report. Things are going to the web in a hand basket
in the Capitol right now. People think
there's a crazed viral serial killer on the loose. Isn't that rich?"
"Yes, that is rather amusing," Quicksilver said, "and the
Prime Guardian is feeling much pressure?"
"Much!" Chaos
smiled.
"And what of the efforts to discover the cause of the
conditions of the bodies?" Quicksilver
said, "What of that antivirologist?"
"She hasn't got a clue as to what's going on!" Chaos said. "Hey you sure you don't want her deleted? I mean what if she does find a cure?"
"She won't," Quicksilver said, "So let her stumble around
in the dark. And if she does get close,
well then, my dear Chaos you have my full permission to deal with her."
Chaos laughed again, "So close now. Yes, I will retrieve the other son
tonight. Maybe I'll try to take a crack
at that red-haired wench while I'm at it."
Quicksilver turned and regarded Chaos for a long moment
until the wild virus began to squirm, "It occurs to me that we have the means
to rid ourselves of that woman."
"We do?"
"Observe, my dear Chaos," Quicksilver approached SiRCe
again and opened the field around her face. "My dear SiRCe, how would you like to further redeem yourself?"
"What are you talking about you son of a horse's ASCII?"
Quicksilver slapped her. "Continue to test my patience and you will find I can make your
existence torture."
"She's got circuits that's for sure," Chaos said.
"You my dear are going to delete the mercenary called
Mouse," Quicksilver said.
"What?" SiRCe
cried, "Are you random? I'll never do
anything willingly for you!"
"I am aware of that," Quicksilver grasped her roughly
under her chin. "I must admit your
spirit is rather fascinating. I am
certain we can find many pleasurable ways to utilize it as soon as your task is
completed."
"No! Let me
go! I won't do it!"
Quicksilver extended his claws, "Oh you will my dear
SiRCe. You will do many more things for
me and you will enjoy them as much as I."
***
SiRCe remember little of the night she had been taken
from the factory. What had followed
seemed to go on for endless cycles although SiRCe was certain she hadn't been a
prisoner for as long as she thought.
One thing – actually, the thought of one person kept her
from despairing or going random.
Dom.
It had been another long and fruitless night. After working on the problem all second,
she, Mouse and Ray had come up with nothing to bring them any closer to solving
the mystery of the disappearances. They
had reached an impasse, and it had been horribly frustrating.
SiRCe had spent many useless milliseconds on 'would
haves' and 'should haves' knowing it was useless. She had chosen to walk to her room alone that night, refusing
Dom's offer to accompany her. It hadn't
been because she hadn't wanted his company. She had, too much in fact. She
couldn't be falling for him. She was
going to leave the Super Computer as soon as she got the opportunity. There were too many bad memories here and
too great a risk if her part in the war was discovered.
But Dom made her want to take that risk. He had never expressed his feelings but she
knew they were there. And now she would
never see him again and he would never know she felt the same way.
She had been sound asleep when the blazing globe of a
portal had exploded with her room. The
shadowed figures had converged on her before she could even scream. She had struggled, infected one but had been
subdued and taken.
When she had awoken she had been horrified to find
Quicksilver, Daemon's viral assassin, standing over her. Despite his hideous deformation, she knew
him at once. She tried to block the
memory of the events that followed.
Now she had the answers that they had searched for,
concerning the disappearances and the strange condition on the murder
victims. They were plotting to murder
Bob. She had to escape she had to stop
them!
When Quicksilver had removed the field from around her
face she had verbally lashed out at him for all the good it did. It had given her a small measure of courage,
which quickly faded when Quicksilver told her what he was going to force her to
do.
"You my dear are going to delete the mercenary called
Mouse," Quicksilver said.
"What?" SiRCe
cried, "Are you random? I'll never do
anything willingly for you!"
Never willingly, SiRCe knew what was to happen when Quicksilver knelt before her and grabbed her under her chin.
You will do many more things for me and you will enjoy
them as much as I.
SiRCe couldn't even struggle as Quicksilver pressed his face close to hers. Then panic set in, as she knew she would be helpless to prevent what was about to occur and all the other things she would in fact willingly do. Whatever Quicksilver commanded.
As the virus pressed his lips against hers, SiRCe
screamed within her mind as the first searing pain of Quicksilver's infection
began.
***
"Lights," Bob said and the room was instantly
illuminated.
"Well, what do you think?" Bob smiled at Dot.
"It could use a woman's touch," Dot smiled in return.
Bob helped her across the threshold and closed the
door. "How are you feeling now?"
"I'm still a little sore."
"Let's get you into bed and then I'll fix you something
to eat," Bob said as he helped Dot into one of the two bedrooms his apartment
had. "Matrix and AndrAIa should be here
soon."
"So they decide to stay here?"
"Yes. It'll only
be for tonight. Tomorrow, I want to
question the rioters. I think we've had
enough excitement for one day," Bob said. "I'm only glad no one else was seriously hurt."
"I'm glad Mina is going to be fine. She seems like a nice girl."
"I'm glad too," Bob sighed at the memory of Mina lying in
the hospital bed. She had smiled at him
bravely and had told him not to worry in the few nanos she had been
conscious. "They want to keep her there
for a few seconds but they expect a full recovery."
"It could have been much worse," Dot said. "Katiyana really came through it all. She's quite a woman. I think Tempus likes her."
"Really?" Bob
smiled. "I had a time convincing her to
stay the night at the hospital. She
figured if the rest of us were leaving she should go to. Matrix will be coming with me and AndrAIa
wants to rejoin Mouse and Ray at the factory tomorrow."
"And just where are those two staying?" Dot said as Bob settled her on the bed and
proceeded to remove her shoes.
"At the factory. Not sure what – um – arrangements they've made."
"You can tell Ray is head over heels for Mouse," Dot
smiled. "And the feeling is
mutual. Now if only the two of them
would realize it."
"Hmm," Bob said. "It isn't easy to tell the woman you love how you feel."
"No more easy than it is for the woman to tell the man."
Bob helped her off with her shirt and flinched at the
sight of the bandages, "I'm glad we're past that."
Bob smiled at the site of her in the undies as he helped
her off with her skirt. She was
blushing slightly, making her look all the cuter. "You are such a babe. I've always thought that."
"Stop it," Dot gave him that special smile that never
failed to melt his insides, "and get me something to wear."
"Yes ma'am." Bob
began to rummage through the dresser.
"I remember when you first called me that," Dot said.
"Were you really as angry as you looked?"
Dot smiled softly, "Not really."
"And you did have a nice tail."
"Bob!"
Bob chuckled dryly. The only thing he had that was suitable was some old sweats from his
Academy days. He retrieved a worn black
sweatshirt, which reached past Dot's thighs. He helped her into it then got her settled onto the bed.
"Just relax, I'll get your medicine. It's time I pampered you for a change."
Retrieving a glass of water from the kitchen on his way
back to the bedroom, Bob switched on the stereo and the soft notes of a jazz
station filled the space.
Dot seemed to be dozing already, but she awoke when he
re-entered, taking the pills with a grimace. "I hate taking these things."
All the while, Bob watched her with rapt attention. Even in the sweatshirt, she looked
incredibly sexy. A pang of guilt had
his cheeks warming. He couldn't believe
he was thinking about sex at a time like this.
"Something wrong?" Dot asked as she handed him the glass.
Bob sighed, "Do you have any idea how much I want you
right now?"
"Probably as much as I want you."
Bob's eyes widened, "This is bad, very bad. Guess there's nothing much we can do."
"You're the Prime Guardian," her voice was husky, "Think
of something."
***
Bob lay there, spent, his eyes closed. He heard Dot move back to the other side of the bed and settle
herself. The only sound in the room was
the Prime Guardian's labored breathing.
"I --," Bob began still caught in the afterglow, "I'd better get
up – and fix –
before --,"
Dot giggled.
"Very funny," Bob smiled.
"You really should get up, Lover," Dot said, using the endearment
that AndrAIa often used for Matrix. "You don't want to be caught in a compromising position. Think of what the tabloids will say."
"I'd love to be in a compromising position with you," Bob
ponderously sat up. "Hungry? I'll see what I have left."
"You can cook?"
"Hey," Bob said as he left the room, "I may surprise you."
***
"And all the prisoners are secure?" Bob lifted the spoon to his mouth and nodded with satisfaction at
the taste of the sauce.
"Yes sir," Colonel Tempus spoke from the vid-window, "Shall I
begin questioning them?"
"No, let them stew for awhile," Bob said. "I'll be down in the morning. I want to be there when they're
questioned. They're not going anywhere."
"Very well," Colonel Tempus said. "Um – Prime Guardian, sir? If
you don't mind my asking, just what are you doing?"
The sound of the door opening drew Bob's attention. Matrix walked in, supporting AndrAIa. Bob waved them in, "Cooking."
"Um – I see," Colonel Tempus said, "I'll see in the morning then."
The vid-window closed and Matrix entered the small kitchenette,
"Smells good. I didn't know you could
cook."
"I can't," Bob said. "Spaghetti with meat sauce is the only thing I can make – well besides
five alarm chili, toast, and cheese and crackers."
"AndrAIa and I brought supplies," Matrix said, "They gave her some
medicine. I have to bring everything up
from the transport. How's Dot?"
"Sound asleep," Bob felt his face warm and hoped Matrix didn't
notice. "I guess she'll eat in the
morning. "And AndrAIa?"
"She's fine, though little sore. I have her all settled in the other bedroom. I wish she'd relax a little more, but she wants to go back to the
factory tomorrow. I could never get her
to listen to me."
"I'm sure you know your sister is the same way," Bob said, "I was
just speaking with Colonel Tempus. All
the rioters that we arrested have been secured. Tomorrow morning, we'll go down and question them. Hex and everyone get home all right?"
"Yeah," Matrix said. "Did
you say tomorrow morning we question them?"
Something in Matrix's voice made Bob regard him critically, "Yes,
is there a problem?"
Matrix hesitated for just a nano, "No. I had better go down and get the rest of the supplies."
Then the renegade walked from the kitchen without another
word. Bob frowned after him.
***
A sound awoke him early that morning. Again Bob frowned as he tried to make out
what the sound had been. Dot slept
peacefully next to him. Bob eased
himself from beside her. He wore only a
pair of sweat bottoms but he figured that would but enough.
He left the bedroom and was surprised to find – actually
not so surprised, to find Matrix sitting on the couch making adjustments to
Gun. The renegade looked up and his
face registered shock, "Bob!"
"Couldn't sleep?"
Matrix's eyes narrowed, "You might say that."
"It's oh-one-hundred and you're fully dressed. Planning a late night stroll?"
"Yes," and Matrix continued to work on Gun.
"Go back to bed, Enzo."
Matrix looked up and his eye flashed with annoyance,
"Don't call me that."
"What, Enzo? That's your name isn't it?"
"Yes – but --,"
"But what? We've
been through this before," Bob said.
"Yeah, I know, look," Matrix stood and holstered Gun,
"I'll be back later, okay?"
"You won't be back later because you're not going
anywhere," Bob stepped in front of him.
"Look Bob, I have some business to take care of,
okay? It doesn't – it can't concern
you."
"So what is this? Some bid to protect me? Do you
think I'm basic Matrix?"
"No!" Matrix
said.
"And if it involves your going to the Detention Center
and questioning the rioters then it does concern me."
Matrix made to move past him, and again Bob stepped in
his path, "Don't do this, Enzo."
Matrix's face contorted into a sneer, "I'm not going to
let them get away with hurting AndrAIa and Dot." His voice was low and menacing.
"We'll take care of them," it came to Bob how much
stronger Matrix was. All that anger
integrated into his muscular frame. "But we'll do it the right way."
"And what way is that?" Matrix's voice rose and Bob held up his hand to silence him. The women were still sleeping. "Ask them questions, pat them on the head
send them on their merry way? I say we
go down there and knock some heads around."
"Time for brute force?"
"Why not?"
"Go back to bed Enzo, I won't say it again."
"And if I don't?"
Now it was Bob's face that contorted, "Would you like to
get sent back to Mainframe cadet?"
The third time Matrix tried to move past him and Bob
stepped in front of him, Matrix planted both hands on Bob's chest and shoved
him back.
"What in the net do you think you're doing?" It had been a long time since he had been
angry with his young friend. Not since
that accident on the Saucy Mare.
"I'm going Bob, that's final."
"No," Bob said.
Matrix pushed again and that time Bob pushed back and
then in the next nano the both of them were scuffling. Later Bob realized he couldn't quite
remember what started the astonishing situation. The two combatants were locked arm and arm and Matrix used his
bulk to shove Bob back against the wall, the air rushed from the Prime
Guardian's lungs but he recovered almost immediately, managing to free one arm
he shoved it under Matrix's chin, snapping back the renegade's head.
"Stop it!" Bob hissed at him. It was almost impossible for him to comprehend that he and Enzo –
that same eager hyperactive boy he had come to love like a son – were fighting.
Matrix recovered and for a moment, hesitated. He stood rigidly, his fists clenched and Bob
hoped he would back down. He didn't
want to hurt Matrix and the very thought almost made him laugh aloud. My User look at him he's huge, Bob
seemed to realize for the first time. Am
I going to be able to walk away from this?
Unexpectedly Matrix growled, came at him and the two were
locked in a violent embrace again. Matrix tried to force Bob back but the Prime Guardian's Academy training
kicked in. Hours of being drilled on
handling suspects ran through his processor in a split nano. Bob released Matrix's arms, and brought his
arms up between Matrix's own and broke the renegade's hold, then slammed the
flat of his palm under Matrix's chin. Matrix stumbled back and Bob rammed his elbow into the younger man's
stomach. The renegade hit the floor hard.
Bob swore loudly before moving to stand over him, "Why don't you use your processor for once
in your life?"
"Bob!"
"Matrix!"
Bob froze at the sight of Dot standing in the bedroom
doorway, her eyes blazing and her hands on her hips.
To Bob's left, AndrAIa stepped from within the second
bedroom.
"What in the net is going on here?" Dot demanded.
Matrix was just climbing to his feet. Bob's attention was drawn away from
Dot. The two men locked fierce gazes
and Bob knew the emotions on Matrix's face mirrored his own. Anger and shock but the one thing that
Matrix wasn't feeling that Bob was -- disappointment.
"Are you going to answer me?" Dot crossed the room.
"Start talking, Enzo," AndrAIa said.
"We were --," Matrix began.
" – having a disagreement," Bob said coldly.
"It seems to be more than a disagreement," AndrAIa walked
over to Matrix. She turned
questioningly to Bob.
But Bob's eyes were still locked in a glare with the
renegade's and that look spoke volumes in a language only they could
understand.
Don't try that again with me, Matrix
Don't order me around Bob; I'm not a little sprite
anymore.
"Matrix and I disagreed on how the rioters should be handled," Bob said, "I'm afraid we were a little vehement with our differences."
"Um hm," Dot said, "Is that the story you're going to
stick with or do you think we're that basic?"
"How about you, Enzo?" AndrAIa said.
Matrix grunted, turned and without another word walked
back into the bedroom.
"Stubborn, obstinate, hard-headed sprite!" AndrAIa hissed, following him in.
"You ready to come back to bed?" Dot asked. "You want to talk about it?"
As quickly as the anger had flared it died away, "Not
right now, okay?"
Dot took his arm, "Okay."
"I don't think you're basic Dot," Bob said as they
settled down on the bed, "It's just a --,"
"A guy thing?" Dot pulled him close. "I'm glad
you stopped him. It would have gone
badly."
Bob smiled. She
knew him so well. Then the smile, faded. Just a few seconds ago he and Matrix had
been enjoying a quiet drink and each other's company, now they were at each
other's throats. Bob wondered what was
happening to the both of them.
***
AndrAIa closed the door behind them, "You were going to
go down to the Detention Center weren't you?" She demanded of Matrix.
"Yeah, I was, so what? They hurt you and Dot. What am I
supposed to do?"
"Let Bob handle things his way. I thought you trusted him."
"Of course I do," Matrix said, "It's just that so much is
happening and I --,"
"What?" AndrAIa
approached him where he stood by the window. "What is it Lover? Something's
been bugging you for seconds. Talk to
me."
"Nothing's bugging me," Matrix said. "Look can we get some downtime?"
"Fine," AndrAIa huffed; she hated it when he was like
this. She was still a little groggy
from the medicine anyway. She lay back
down and a few nanos later Matrix joined her. Angry and frustrated she turned away from him but didn't go sleep
immediately; she just lay there in the dark, thinking how could one sprite be
so pig headed?
***
Matrix awoke the next morning to an empty bed. There was
also a bathroom adjacent to the bedroom and the brawny sprite stumbled his way
in.
A reddish bruise on his chest was the only indication of
last rights confrontation. The memory
of their brawl assailed him and Matrix fought the urge to slam his fist into
the mirror. He gripped the sides of the
porcelain sink and lowered his head, fighting the rage and embarrassment. He couldn't believe he had started a fight
with Bob, his hero. How was he ever
going to look him in the eyes again?
When it had been happening, he had only been thinking of
the ones who had hurt Dot and AndrAIa. Dot,
he thought, she's not going to be pleased with me either.
Matrix sighed
with resignation and avoided the image of his face in the mirror as he
undressed and took a quick shower and walked out into the brightly lit living
room.
Matrix first glanced into the kitchen to see AndrAIa at
the stove, fussing over something in a pan. In one of the systems where they had stayed for a time, a kindly old
sprite woman had taught her how to cook. Being an AI, she had caught on immediately.
Matrix instead turned and approached the other bedroom
and halted just outside the door at the sound of Dot's voice.
"Yes, I'm fine sweetie," Dot was saying, "I'm coming home
in a few milliseconds."
"Are you sure you're okay?" The voice of Little Enzo came from the vid-window.
"Now I'm fine. Don't you fret. You help Phong
until I get there, okay?"
"Okay. Love you
Dot."
"Love you too sweetie."
Matrix moved away from the door before Dot sensed his
presence. An unfamiliar emotion rose
like bile in his throat. What did Dot
need him for anyway? She had Little
Enzo to take care of now. That used
to be me. He had always complained
about Dot babying him, but now –
Bob was obviously not in the apartment. He had gone on without him. Matrix walked into the kitchen, "Hi."
"Oh, good morning," AndrAIa was still mad at him he could
tell. "I'm glad we brought in the
supplies. Bob doesn't have anything in
this place."
"Yeah," Matrix said. "Look, Dre --,"
"Why don't you take Dot her breakfast," AndrAIa
said. She set a plate with eggs, bacon,
toast and orange juice on a waiting tray.
"I – um --," Matrix really didn't want to. What was he going to say to her?
"Go on, Sparky," her voice took an annoyed edge. "You have to talk to her sometime. You can't keep running from things forever."
Angrily, Matrix snatched up the tray, spilling some of
the juice over the rim of the glass, "Yeah right."
Matrix carried the tray into the bedroom. Dot was sitting up on the side of the bed in
her business outfit, two vid-windows and her organizer opened. She was now speaking with Phong.
"Surely the dignitaries can understand the fact that I
was caught in a riot," Dot said. "See
if you can get them to wait Phong."
"It shall be done, my child," Phong said, "By the way,
Hack and Slash have reported in from Level 31."
"I hope all is well."
"Well," Phong looked at the Notepad in his hand, "They
say they've seen Captain Syn hanging around a 'really strange guy'."
"Oh that gives me a lot to go on," Dot turned and noticed
Matrix for the first time and waved him in, "Have them find out more about this
'guy' is and report back then. I'll see
you in a few milliseconds,"
"As you wish, my child," the window closed.
"Good morning," Dot said mildly, "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, I guess." Matrix put the tray down.
"Thank you."
"Sure," the renegade went to make a hasty escape.
"Enzo?"
He turned back and flinched at the sight of the cuts on
her face, "Yes?"
"Why don't you sit down and talk to me for a nano?"
Matrix hesitated. What could he say to her? He
feared what she thought of him, especially after everything. He had been worried she would despise him
for what he had done to Little Enzo – even more worried that she'd understand
and not blame him at all.
Cautiously, Matrix moved into the room. The bed squeaked under his massive frame.
"Bob said to tell you to meet him at the Detention Center
once you've seen me back to Mainframe."
"Yeah, right," Matrix grunted. By the time he got back, the questioning would be done.
"So do you want to tell me what happened last night?"
"Bob didn't?" That knowledge shocked him.
"No."
Matrix didn't speak.
"You were going down to the Detention Center to question
the rioters?"
Matrix stood, "I don't want to talk about it."
"You never do," Dot said. "Sit down Enzo."
"What?"
"You heard me, sit. You may be six feet tall but I'm still your older sister."
Matrix sat again. The look on her face made him squirm. Then again that look always did when he was a kid and she usually let
him have it after she caught him at something he shouldn't be doing.
"Why won't you talk to me?" Dot said.
It was the question he had been dreading. How could he tell her all the things he had
been feeling? The shame, jealousy and
the fear he felt that now that all the fighting was over that he had no purpose
in life?
"Are you angry with me?"
He turned, the question surprising him, "What? No!"
"Maybe you should be."
He couldn't believe it, "Why do you think that?"
"Because --," she sighed and Matrix was surprised to see
tears in her eyes, "It's my fault you lost your childhood."
Matrix could only gape at her. "No," he whispered after a time.
"I let you go into games," Dot said, "I shouldn't have
and now look what happened to you." She
turned away and raised her hand to wipe away her tears.
"Dot no, please," Matrix said, his core-com ached because
of her pain.
"I'm sorry Enzo," Dot said. "You don't need to tell me everything that happened to you while
you were away unless you want to. That
little bit I learned from Lynx at the Council Meeting told me how much you must
have suffered and I wasn't there to protect you."
"Dot --,"
"And you were hurt," she reached out and brushed her
finger underneath his injured eye, "and I wasn't there to comfort you --,"
"It happened in the last game," Matrix's voice broke. "The User --,"
"No, don't tell me please. I don't think I could stand it. Oh Enzo, I'm so sorry. Can you
ever forgive me?"
"Forgive you?" Matrix's was surprised by the sound of his voice. The words were an agonized whisper. The ache in his core-com grew until he felt
it consume him.
"I understand," Dot said after a time. "I don't blame you for wanting to stay mad
at me."
"What?" Matrix
realized that his silence made Dot believe he actually was angry with
her. If he didn't say something now,
there would be no chance that they would ever have any type of close
relationship again.
His lower lip began to tremble and despite himself, his
eye began to burn as tears pooled, "There's nothing to forgive."
She looked at him with her tear streaked face, "What?"
"Oh Dot," Matrix turned away, "I was never mad at you
about that. It was my choice to go into
the games."
"But I could have said no."
"And Megabyte would have won," Matrix said.
"You had to grow up and suffer without me there to guide
you. I know you had AndrAIa and I'm
grateful for her, but you were only children and --," her voice broke and the
sound of it shattered his core-com.
"Please," Matrix didn't realize he was crying until he
felt the moisture on his cheek, "I screwed up and lost the game. I was weak and basic and I put you through
all that worry."
"You weren't weak!" Dot's sudden vehemence caught him off guard, "You were just as good as
Bob. You just didn't have the proper
training at that time. And that's
nobody's fault. Not yours, Bob's, not
even Little Enzo's. If anybody is at
fault it's Megabyte and he's deleted."
Dot reached over and with a gentle hand, wiped the tears
from his cheek. Cringing away with
shame, Matrix muttered, "I was afraid you'd hate me."
She moved around the bed and was sitting beside him,
"Why?"
"Lots of reasons," Matrix muttered, "Look at what I did
to Little Enzo."
"You don't really believe I'd blame you for that do you?"
"No," Matrix moaned, "And that made it all the
worse. I knew you'd understand and love
me regardless. I know that sounds basic
but --,"
"No, it doesn't. It makes perfect sense," she said.
"I'm not your Little Enzo anymore."
"Of course you are," Dot said.
"No, no," Matrix shook his head. Dot lovingly slid her arms around his broad
shoulders and drew his head against her neck. His massive frame shook with emotion as she stroked the back of his
head. "You have Little Enzo. What do you need me for? You don't need protection and you have
Little Enzo to take care of. I can see
you like having him back."
"Why Matrix," Dot said gently, "You're jealous of Little
Enzo."
He knew it was basic of him to feel so. It just didn't make any sense that he wanted
that attention and at the same time, didn't want to be coddled.
"Little Enzo still needs me," Dot said, "But I realize
that you need me to. I can't promise to
give you exactly what you want but I'll try."
"You – you're not ashamed of me?"
"Of course not," Dot said. "I am so proud of you."
He drew in a sharp breath and fresh tears spilled. For a moment he enjoyed the closeness he and
his sister shared. "Things will be
different between us from now on. I
knew it was bound to happen soon but --,"
"Yes, I know. It
was too soon. I'm just so happy to have
you back in my life."
"I'm sorry for acting so basic," Matrix muttered and
mindful of her injuries, he slid his massive arms around Dot's slim waist. "I love you Dot."
"I love you too."
They held each other for a time, providing each other
strength. It was Matrix who pulled away
and wiped the tears from his face.
"Better?"
"Yes," Matrix said.
"You need to make peace with Bob now."
"I know and I will," Matrix said. "I'll walk you to the Portal Room,
okay? You eat your breakfast. I guess it's cold by now."
Dot shrugged, "It's fine sweetie."
Matrix got up and left the room, feeling better than he
had in cycles, he entered the kitchen again, "Dre?"
She turned and smiled at him.
"How much did you hear?"
"Not all of it but enough," AndrAIa placed a plate heaped
with eggs, bacon, toast and pancakes down on the table. "I'm proud of you too, Sparky."
