CHAPTER 16
RUMORS
Once again Enzo found himself in that dark place and he
struggled to escape from it.
"Just relax, Mr. Matrix, we're almost through."
"What?" Enzo tried to speak but his tongue seemed too bloated for him to form words. The voice was the only thing with him in that place. It was terribly familiar but something within Enzo's processor made him want to reveal all his secrets.
"Is there anything else you wish to tell me?"
Enzo laughed, "I don't think so. Hey, Bob likes to say that!" What was wrong with him? Why did he feel like he had been drinking I/O shots?
"Very well. Go
to sleep."
Enzo came awake not sure where he was or how he had gotten there. He was still in the study in the same chair and he surmised he had been there for quite some time for it was dark now and a fire burned in the hearth.
And sitting across from him, the flickering shadows across his face heightening the air of menace, was Raven.
"Amazing," Raven said, "Either you're fighting the mind drug or you're telling the truth."
"Mind drug?" Enzo tried to think around the fog in his brain.
"I'm certain you're not strong enough to fight the drug," Raven said. "It took me hours to build up an immunity."
"You drugged me again?"
"With your position, it would be almost impossible for your sister to keep any indiscretions from you."
"Indiscretions?" Enzo said, "Oh User --,"
Pieces of memory appeared briefly in his mind. Memories of questions he had been asked and the answers he had given. Personal questions about Dot's background, her history, her loves. There had been questions concerning her morals and whether or not she had engaged in any lewd activities. They were all horribly embarrassing despite the fact that there had been no incriminating information for Enzo to give to him. The one consolation was that again Raven had failed.
"You realize that you've failed don't you?" Enzo smirked.
"So it would seem," Raven said, "however, failure has often been turned to success. Your sister may be the pillar of integrity but several of her business associates are not."
Enzo had no time to mask his reaction and Raven picked up on it.
"I see you are unaware of this. Your sister is to more than likely," Raven said, "There is an old read-me file, 'be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as by the latter'."
"Paxton Hood," Enzo said. "If you do anything to hurt my sister or her business, I'll make you pay."
Raven turned, "Go back to your room. I have work to do."
Enzo clenched his fists in helpless rage. He took a step forward and Raven turned sharply.
"Don't do it," Enzo growled, "I won't let you hurt my sister."
"I will merely pass on the information to my client. What he does with it is no concern of mine," Raven turned away again.
Enzo lunged for him with a cry but saw too late the security drone outside the door and as his hands closed around the front of Raven's shirt it fired a single blast.
***
The Pit echoed with the bloodlust filled screams and curses of spectators and combatants alike. Matrix found himself in a long corridor, which he knew led into the bottom of the pit itself. The renegade leaned against the wall in a casual stance.
He was not alone in the dark confines. A man-beast, nine feet tall with shaggy matted fur and thick horns curling from his forehead stood at the opposite side. There were others there but none as imposing as this one and Matrix wondered briefly if this was his opponent. The one who had never been beaten.
A little man holding a Notepad came down the corridor between the combatants, "Which one of you is fighting Shankar?"
"I am," Matrix said. Flame had been kind enough to tell him his opponent's name. The man-beast raised a shaggy eyebrow at him.
"What's your name?"
"No name," Matrix knew he very well couldn't use his name.
"Fine, you'll be called The Cyclops."
"Whatever."
He wasn't looking forward to this. Gun was safely stowed away on his ship and he felt naked without his trusty weapon. The little man returned again and smirked at him, "Good luck." And he motioned Matrix down the corridor.
An electrified gate was at the end of the corridor. It opened now and Matrix could see the smooth circular sides of the pit. As he stepped past the gate it slammed shut and began to hum with energy. Opposite him was an identical fence that was just opening.
The crowd was in a murderous frenzy by now. Matrix looked up and saw Flame sitting in her customary seat. She mimed a kiss at him and Matrix turned away in disgust. He let his eyes travel over the crowd, wondering why no one was throwing things down at him then he figured it probably wasn't permitted.
A figure was moving down the opposite corridor, a mere shadow in the darkness yet there was something oddly familiar about him.
As his opponent stepped from within the darkness, Matrix sucked a sharp breath between clenched teeth. Fury, and shock warred within him but it was the fury that dominated. He couldn't believe what his own eyes were telling him, that the being that stood before him couldn't possibly be there, but he was. And he was the last being in all the net Matrix expected to see.
Megabyte.
***
Bob refused the wheelchair. He could still walk under his own power, however much in pain he
was. Rose had insisted but Bob had been
adamant until she relented. Still she
helped him along as they made their way to the waiting room.
He paused for a moment at the door. Everyone was engaged in mindless busy work
but the worry was evident on his or her face. Those with weapons cleaned and polished, those without paced back and
forth and stopped to arrange things like the magazines or the flowers.
In the midst of rearranging some magazines for what Bob
figured was the nth time, Dot looked up and caught sight of him, "Bob!"
In a nano, everyone was around him, asking
questions. How was he? What did the tests show? What was going on?
All words lodged in Bob's throat. For a moment he let his eyes roam over their
faces, reacquainting himself with each nuance, each color and shape. After a time, their questions quieted. They looked at him expectantly.
"Bob, what is it?" Dot's soft-spoken question nearly shattered his resolve. He was almost willing to let Rose tell
them. Almost.
"Dot," Bob said. Like Rose, there was no need to hesitate, to draw things out and make
them worse. "Everyone – Rose has
informed me that I – I --,"
He couldn't do it. He wasn't Rose.
"Bob," Dot said, "It's bad isn't it?"
Bob almost laughed. He would have replied, 'very bad', if the situation weren't so
serious. "I've been infected with
Hybrid-X."
"No!" Matrix
cried out. He turned and strode
fiercely from the room. AndrAIa
hastened to follow.
"Bob," Dot held a deletion-grip on his hands. "No, please --," Tears pooled in her eyes.
"Bob --," Mouse said, "You sure?"
"All our tests indicate so," Rose answered the question.
"Oh Bob," Dot fell against his chest and her body
trembled as she cried softly.
"Aw mate," Ray whispered, the anguish clear in his
voice. Then he turned almost fiercely
to Rose, "Isn't there anything you can do?"
"Yeah, you can't let it end this way!" Mouse yelled. "You got to do somethin'!"
"Mouse, Ray," Bob's voice held a note of authority,
"Don't blame Rose. She's going to do
everything she can."
"I --," Mouse bit down hard on her lower lip and Ray
pulled her against him, "I know – I saw what they looked like --,"
Dot looked up suddenly, "No. You made me a promise Bob and you're going to keep it. I'm not going to give up. Neither should you."
"I'm not," Bob said. "I'm going to need all of you to help me through this."
Mouse lifted her hand and wiped away tears. "Well you got it, sugah. And I ain't gonna let you give up either."
"You know I'm behind you," Ray said.
Bob led Dot over to one of the couches sat down beside
her, "Rose has also informed me that this is no ordinary viral infection."
Mouse turned to Rose, "And just what is it we're dealing
with here?"
Rose looked at Bob for permission and Bob nodded,
"Poison."
Dot drew in a sharp breath, "Poison?"
"What do you mean sugah?" Mouse demanded, "This was an assassination attempt?"
Rose flipped the Notepad close, "If I don't find the
cure, it will be a successful assassination."
"Some bodyguards we turned out to be," Mouse muttered
bitterly.
"Mouse," Bob said gently, "You couldn't have anticipated
how and when they would strike."
"Daemon's Chosen," Mouse said, "Had to be them."
"Or whoever is their leader," Bob said.
"I'm bettin' it's those lousy virals that Melissa and Hex
were talking about," Ray said.
"That would be the most logical choice," Bob stood,
"There's a lot we have to do."
"What do you mean we?" Rose said above the protests of the others. "You're not going anywhere. Your admission to the center at the Super Computer is already being
finalized. You need to stay there and
rest --,"
"No."
"Bob, Rose is right," Dot said as she stood and laid a hand
on his chest, "You can't just go gallivanting around everywhere."
"I can't just lay on my ASCII either," Bob replied.
"Bob," Rose said, succinctly, "The more you exert
yourself the faster the infection will progress. With rest and the proper care --,"
"Rose I refuse to play the helpless invalid when there's
a murderer to apprehend," Bob said, "Now I suspect you can still treat me and
run your tests without my being there every second."
"You'll be in constant pain," Rose said, "I can tell you
are now just by looking at you."
"You've got something to remedy that I'll bet."
"I'll do, but it will do you little good in the long
run."
"Sugah," Mouse broke in, "I gotta agree with Rose. We'll find the sorry son of null that did
this to you."
"Don't you trust us to do the job without you mate?" Ray said, "Or was the constable thing just a
crock of chips?"
"Ray you know I trust you both," Bob said, "But I have to
do this. No one here will be able to sense
the virals – except Matrix of course, and he can't be everywhere."
"Bob," Rose said, "I wouldn't be a doctor of medicine if
I let you go out there."
"You really can't stop me Rose."
"Can't I?" Rose
stepped forward, "As a duly appointed medical representative of the Collective,
you know I can have you declared unfit for command."
Bob stiffened, "Yes you could. And can you imagine the humiliation I would suffer? Not to mention my reputation as an effective
leader would be destroyed."
"At least you'd be processing longer," Rose muttered.
"Rose – please."
Rose sighed, "All right. I do have some medication for you. It may help a little. I'm going
to give you some instructions on how to care for yourself and you'd better damn
well listen to them, understand, Prime Guardian, sir?"
"Yes, I promise," Bob said.
"I'll be right back, then." Rose turned and left the room.
"Bob, are you sure?" Dot said. Her eyes once again pooled with tears.
"It will be all right," Bob hoped he sounded more confident
than he felt, "We need to find Matrix and AndrAIa. Like I said, we have a lot to do. We need to tell Phong and we need to find out who did this to me
and how."
"Well, I'm already on Matrix's hit list, so I'll go find
them," Ray said.
Bob watched his friend leave before he sank back down on
the couch weary beyond measure. Dot and
Mouse sat on either side of him.
Rose returned after a few micros carrying a slim metal
case. She opened it, and handed it to
Bob. Inside were five equally slim
vials with a clear blue liquid within them.
"Take one of these every second," Rose said, "The best
they'll do is cause the pain to be less severe and quiet your stomach. There's a supply here in the infirmary and once
I return to the Super Computer I can make more."
"Thank you Rose," Bob said. "So what exactly is going to happen to me? I mean before – how will it affect me as it
progresses?"
Rose pulled up a chair and sat down, "Well, first
there'll be some discoloration of your skin, they'll more than likely be red
and painful, like first degree burns. They will advance into blisters. I'll give you some salve for that when the time comes. You'll more than likely suffer a loss of
appetite, dizzy spells and constant nausea. Then --," she broke off.
"Go on, Rose," Bob said.
"Eventually," Rose said, "You'll begin to
hallucinate. The chemical changes in
your processor will be the cause."
"Perfect," Bob muttered.
"The hallucinations will progress into dementia."
Both Dot and Mouse drew in a sharp breath. Bob balled his hands into fists, "So
eventually I'll go insane."
"Eventually," Rose said.
"No more, please Rose," Dot said.
"No, I have to know," he squeezed Dot's hands, "Do you
want to go get some air?"
"No, I'm not leaving you for a nano," Dot said. "I'll be all right. Finish Rose."
"Your body will continue to deteriorate until – well you
saw the other victims," Rose said.
Bob asked the question that everyone was dreading, "How
long?"
"I don't know, Bob," Rose said. "It seems to affect people differently. You could have six cycles or six seconds."
Bob bowed his head for a moment and clasped his hands,
"Then I better get moving." He stood,
"Let's get to the War Room."
***
AndrAIa slipped quietly into their apartment and halted.
The place was in utter chaos. Furniture had been overturned, pictures had been smashed and
there was a fist-sized indentation in the living room wall.
She'd be furious later.
She found him sitting in the dark in the bedroom, in a
far corner. The soft glow of his
cyber-eye the only indication that he was there.
"I'm sorry," was the first thing he said.
AndrAIa sighed and sat down beside him. She draped an arm around him and pulled him
against her, "I'll be mad at you later."
"It's my fault Dre. I was supposed to be guarding him and they got to him anyway."
"It isn't your fault," AndrAIa said, "How were any of us
to know this is how they would strike?"
"Yes," Matrix spat, "Whoever did this is a deleted
sprite. I won't rest until they're
fragmenting in my hands."
He was silent for a moment then, "I can't lose him
Dre. Not now, not after everything."
"We won't," AndrAIa said, "Rose will find the cure." She has to, AndrAIa silently added.
The chiming of the doorbell broke the ensuing
silence. Now who in the net could that
be? AndrAIa thought. "Stay put, Sparky."
AndrAIa was mildly surprised to find Ray at the door.
"Hey," the search engine said rather nervously, "thought
I'd find you here. Bob needs us. Everyone went to the War Room."
"We'll be right there," AndrAIa said.
"Everything all right?" Ray said noticing the condition of the apartment, "You need some help?"
"No, I'm fine, really Ray, we'll be right there," AndrAIa
smiled.
Ray still looked uncertain but he said, "All right."
When AndrAIa closed the door and turned she fond Matrix
standing there.
"What did he think? That I'd hurt you?"
AndrAIa crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him,
"He was just concerned. You know
Matrix, Ray can be a good friend to you."
"I guess," Matrix muttered. "He's okay."
"Ready?"
"I --," Matrix turned to looked at the destruction he had
caused. "I don't think I could see Bob
right now. Knowing --,"
"He's going to need us now," AndrAIa said, "Let's go,
Sparky."
***
Phong handed Bob the cup of steaming herbal tea, "This is
most dire news my son."
Bob's hand trembled slightly as he lifted the cup. Phong noticed the action but didn't comment.
They had chosen to talk in Dot's office, which afforded
more comfort. Dot sat next to Bob on
the sofa. Ray leaned against Baud
propped against the wall and Mouse had one of the chairs turned and was
straddling it, with her head resting on her arms.
As Bob raised the cup to his lips, Dot lifted her hand to
help him, but Phong laid his slim fingers over hers and squeezed gently. She looked at him then nodded her
understanding. Bob was grateful. He didn't want to be coddled especially not
now.
"This tea is helping Phong, thanks," Bob said after
awhile.
The attention of everyone was diverted when Matrix and
AndrAIa entered.
"Good, I'm glad you're all here," Bob said. "There are things that need to be done,
before – well our main thing is finding out who did this. Someone went through a lot of trouble just
to poison me."
"Someone obviously and completely random," Phong said.
"We have to keep this silent as long as possible," Bob
said, "That means no one outside this room must know what's going on. When we return to the Super Computer, you
can't talk about it around anyone."
"Not even Mistress Katiyana?" Dot asked.
Bob sighed, "Well – her I'll tell, but no one else. Not even Zif, Dom, or Colonel Tempus."
"User!" AndrAIa
suddenly said, "You don't know Bob. We
found SiRCe!"
"What? When?" Bob said.
"During the storm. There wasn't time to tell you before. She's at the medical center."
"I want to talk to her when we get back," Bob said. "AndrAIa, I'm going to ask Katiyana to locate
Cooper Black. I want you to follow him
like we agreed."
"I bet it was him," Matrix muttered.
"I hate to think, but he's a suspect," Bob said. "Mouse, Ray, I need you to track down and
bring in the members of Web Alliance."
"Our pleasure, sugah."
"You got it, mate."
"Matrix --,"
"I'm not leaving you Bob. Not this time."
"I wasn't going to ask you to," Bob said, "In fact I want
you nearby to watch my back in case --,"
Matrix nodded grimly.
Another stab of pain hit Bob and he set the cup down, a
little abruptly, for it clicked loudly on the java table, "Dot I've been out
for six milliseconds, what happened with Daemon's Chosen?"
"We have Syn, Ripper and their two companions in the
detention center," Dot said. "Ripper
was treated and is still out of it, but Syn can be questioned. The CPU's are scouring the city for the rest
of them. Don't worry, I'll take care of
it."
"We'll continue the search for the viral," Bob said,
"After I question Syn I'll meet you all at the Super Computer. I want you there especially Matrix because
Syn is terrified of you."
"Good," Matrix said.
"When you bring the suspects in just tell them an attempt
was made on my life. Don't give them
any details," Bob said. "Good luck
everyone."
As the others filed from the room, Bob turned to Dot,
"Where's Little Enzo?"
"At the Lair with Hex and Melissa," Dot said, "You don't
know about the Diner either. Daemon's
Chosen firebombed it."
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry," Bob took her in his arms.
"It – it's all right," Dot said, "The damage isn't as bad
as it could have been and the insurance will cover it. I can't believe the sprinkler system
malfunctioned right at the precise moment. Isn't that always how things are?"
Despite her brave front, Bob could tell the destruction
of her Diner upset her, "Everyone is
all right?"
"Oh yes – well Cecil's a little miffed at me. I knew he was perfectly safe in his recharge
chamber in the basement. I knew Enzo,
Ronnie and the baby wouldn't fair as well."
"What, he thinks you should have taken the time to
disconnect him from his track and carry him out by yourself?" Bob said.
"That's the gist of it," Dot said, "I have to go down
there and see to the cleanup."
"Take some CPU's with you, sweetheart," Bob said, "I
don't want you out alone even in broad daylight. I'd feel better if you did."
"All right," Dot said, "I told Enzo as soon as you were
up and about we would call him."
"I don't think we should tell him what's wrong with me,"
Bob said. "I don't think he could stand
it. What do you think?"
"I agree," Dot said.
"I don't," Matrix spoke for the first time and both Bob
ad Dot turned to look at him. "Believe
me, I know. He'll resent the fact that
you didn't trust him enough to tell."
"I guess you would know, wouldn't you," Bob said, "Still,
I want to shield him from this as long as possible."
"It's your decision," Matrix said, "I could tell him
myself but I doubt he'd believe me."
"We'll see what happens," Dot said, "Matrix not a word to
him, all right?"
"I said I wouldn't, Dot," Matrix said.
***
The detention center was quiet as Bob and Matrix made
their way to the area. The prisoners
from the war for once made no comments but regarded them with malevolent
stares.
Captain Syn had been placed in a cell apart from the
rest. The captain sat on his cot, his
head down, staring at his hands. He
didn't even look up until Bob addressed him.
"You're alive!" Was the first thing Syn said.
"Oh? Didn't you
expect me to be?"
"You look like hell," Syn said.
"Don't you worry about that, Syn," Bob didn't feel the
need to address him by his title anymore. "You made a terrible mistake allying yourself with Daemon's Chosen."
"Yeah, that's kinda obvious," Syn muttered.
"You're facing some serious charges here," Bob said, "We
may go easy on you if you cooperate."
Matrix, who had been leaning against the far wall
straightened, "Of course, you don't have to cooperate. I've been really bored lately."
Syn turned pale, "Keep him away from me. He's random."
"Not as random as I am," Bob hissed stepping forward in a
menacing gesture, "You crossed the line when you took Dot."
"Look – I'll tell you both whatever you want to know but
--,"
"But?" Bob spat
the word, "There are no conditions here!"
"No – you don't understand," Syn said, "You gotta protect
me. These people are crazy insane
random!"
"So I gathered," Bob said. "Well?"
"I don't know much, really, that guy, Ripper, came to me
at Al's Wait and Eat. Said he needed me
to help him get to you and Dot Matrix," Syn said, "anyway, I said, why not, so he takes me to this warehouse and
there's about twenty or thirty people there and there are candles all over the
place and this real ugly picture of a spider carved on the wall and these people
are hollering and chanting."
"Where exactly?" Bob asked.
Syn told him, "Anyway, Ripper goes to the front and he
makes this big speech about welcoming me to the 'fold', whatever the hell that
means, but I gotta do something to prove my loyalty."
"You made the worst possible decision," Bob said.
"He said to bring him Dot Matrix so I did," Syn
said. "They were gonna – do something
to her – leave her for you to find."
Bob's hands fisted and that all too familiar and
consuming rage threatened once again, "Lucky for you they didn't! How many of them are there, Syn?"
"I only saw the twenty or thirty," Syn said, "But I kinda
got the feel that there are a few hundred here in the system and thousands more
all over the net."
"Damn," Bob muttered, "Anything else?"
"Well --," Syn said, "I don't think so."
"Are you sure?" Bob felt a swell of nausea and dizziness. He would have to hurry this up.
"I don't think Ripper was the big man," Syn said, "I
think there was someone over him."
"Got a name?"
"Nope," Syn said, "But Ripper probably does, if he
regains consciousness."
Bob figured he probably already had the name if what he
knew was correct but a little confirmation never hurt. "All right Syn, consider yourself in
protective custody. Can you point out
some of Daemon's Chosen?"
"Just the people in that warehouse, but yeah, I guess I
could," Syn said.
"Then we'll be back later," Bob turned without waiting
for a reply from Syn and strode from the area, Matrix walking calmly in his
wake. The moment Bob was away from
prying eyes, he collapsed against the nearest wall, he moaned in pain as he
slid down the smooth surface.
"Bob!" Matrix was
beside him, supporting him with his strong arms around his shoulders.
"I'm okay," Bob muttered, his teeth gritted against the
pain.
"You're not okay!" Matrix said, "I'm taking you to the infirmary right now."
"Matrix --,"
"Bob --," the renegade lowered his head. "All right Bob."
"It'll be okay," Bob tried his best to give his young
friend a reassuring smile. "I want to
take a squad down to that warehouse. I doubt we'll find anything after all this
time, but it's worth a shot. Then I
want to go check on Dot and see how things are going at the Diner."
With Matrix's help, Bob regained his feet and the two made
their way outside to Baudway.
***
A quick call to Dot had them escorted by a contingent of
ten CPU's. The warehouse on Level 31
reminded Bob of the place where the web creature had made its nest. That thought brought a shudder on. The area appeared to be deserted. One of the CPU's had been provided with the
door code and he entered it on the pad. The door opened easily and Matrix positioned two guards in front. Beyond the door, the corridor split three
ways, left, right, and straight ahead. Matrix sent pairs down each corridor, four remaining with the Prime
Guardian and Renegade.
The place was damp and stank of evil and Bob could well
understand why the Chosen made this their base. There was little of interest to be seen and the only signs of
life they witnessed were a few dirty nulls slithering for the nearest cover.
The end of the corridor revealed double doors that opened
out into a larger room.
"Can we get some lights in here?" Bob asked.
The CPU's had brought their light sticks with them. They activated them now and the dull
illumination revealed the contents within the room. Both the CPU's made noises of horror.
Bob's faced tightened in disgust and his lips became a
harsh line. Matrix grunted, then turned
fiercely to the CPU's, "Two of you go back outside and call for a cleanup
team." Two of them hastened to
obey.
Bob stepped towards what appeared to be three large
crates with a tarp draped over them set against the far wall. As Syn had said, drawn crudely above the
boxes was Daemon's symbol. Light poles
had been set on either side, deadened now. The setup formed an obvious and makeshift altar.
But what had everyone staring in disgust was the site of
dozens of mutilated nulls, spread across the altar surface. Null energy was splattered all over the
walls and floor, long since dried, but still a disturbing sight.
"They haven't been here for a while," Bob moved closer
and examined the area. "The blood is at
least a few seconds old."
"Sick," Matrix muttered, "Sick and twisted."
"Syn said there were at least a few hundred of them," Bob
said, "A few hundred of these freaks running around Mainframe." Bob turned abruptly to Matrix; "We need to
get a forensic team down here. Make it
so."
"You got it, Bob," Matrix said.
Was this what they had planned for Dot? Bob turned back to the scene and felt
the rage again.
***
"BOB!"
Enzo was coming right for him and Bob braced himself for
what he knew would be an excruciatingly painful experience. Dot cried a warning but Enzo kept coming and
Bob squinted his eyes shut, waiting but nothing happened.
"Hey! Put me down
you big ugly green guy!"
Matrix had scooped Enzo up in mid-dash and had his young
counterpart over his shoulder. Bob
breathed a sigh of relief and gave Matrix a grateful nod. Matrix set Enzo down on solid ground.
"Calm down, Kid, can't you see Bob's not feeling
well?" Matrix said, "He did just get
out of the infirmary."
Enzo glared defiantly at his older self for a moment, his
tiny hands fisted, "Yeah," Enzo said, then turned to Bob, "Sorry."
"No problem, squirt, it's good to see you're all right."
Enzo beamed at that, "I was real worried about you. The funniest thing happened, when we went
looking for Ronnie's baby, we found Syn lying on the ground saying he couldn't
move and that Phong made him that way!"
"Syn said Phong was in the game?"
"Yeah, isn't that totally random?"
"Yeah," Bob agreed but in the back of his processor, the usual
questions about the Keeper of the Core were raised. And just why hadn't Syn mentioned that to him? Oh well, probably embarrassed that he got
his ASCII kicked by Phong.
"Geez, Bob, look at the Diner," Enzo said.
Dot and Melissa were standing in front of the Diner and
Matrix had walked over to join them. Bob and Enzo approached.
The front window had been completely smashed and the
flames had gutted the entire front area. Surprisingly enough the rear and kitchen was almost whole, save some
scorching and soot. Cecil inside
muttering and dusting with a blackened cloth like it would do any good. The
cleanup crew was working under Dot's instructions and Bob was relieved to see
three CPU's patrolling the area.
Dot smiled up at him with sad eyes, "The firebinomes did
a fast efficient job. It could have
been much worse."
Bob took her by the elbows and kissed her forehead, "I'm
just glad you're all right." He turned
to assess the damage. "They've gathered
the evidence and the warehouse is locked down," Bob had vid-windowed her while
they were down on Level 31. "There are
things I need to discuss with you in private."
"All right, as soon as I'm finished here," Dot said,
"I'll meet you in my office."
"Good because I want to get a progress report from the
Super Computer," Bob said.
Dot reached for him, "Bob – why don't you lie down in my
office for awhile?"
"You're going to be okay, aren't you Bob?" Enzo's violet eyes were very wide.
Bob smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way. For once, the pain wasn't as bad and he was
functioning somewhat around it. "Yeah,
squirt, I'm just probably going to be worn out for awhile."
"Well, okay," Enzo said.
Bob looked up at Dot and she gave an imperceptible shake
of her head. Bob hated lying to
Enzo. Maybe Matrix was right Enzo did
deserve to know. Unless Rose found a
cure soon, it would become evident that he was more than 'worn out'.
"Enzo," Dot said, "You know we can't stay in the
apartment. I was going to get us some
rooms in the Principal Office, but if Hex says it's okay, you can stay at the
Lair."
"Really? Cool,
Dot! Thanks," Enzo smiled at
Melissa. "We can try my new vid-game,
Melissa."
"Yes," Melissa wasn't even looking at Enzo. She was staring at Bob in a way that made the
Prime Guardian wary.
"You okay, Melissa?" Enzo asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Melissa finally turned her attention to
Enzo. "That would be cool, Enzo."
Bob frowned at the little she-viral's back. That looked had caused him some
consternation. It was almost as if
Melissa knew something.
Then that would mean she knew what was wrong with him.
***
They were in Melissa's room, which Enzo found to be the
most random place he had ever seen but then again that was normal for Hex's
Lair. Everything was done up in red and
black and the wall were this soft, squishy material that Enzo couldn't
identify. Melissa could open up holes
and tunnels and doors anywhere and she often stashed treasures, or she and Enzo
would explore Hex's Lair which Enzo thought was one of the many things he liked
about having her for a friend.
Well, there was one thing he wasn't sure he liked. Melissa had begun to keep a pet null, a tiny
red and black thing that she had named Bit. It sat on her lap now, while Melissa worked the game controller. He wanted to say something about it, after
all the null was once a sprite like him. User, it could be someone he knew.
"What's up with you, Melissa?" Enzo said, "That's the third time I've beaten you and you always
kick my bitmap at these games."
"I know," Melissa said absently stroking Bit's head. "You're just on a – what do you call it –
lucky strike?"
"Streak," Enzo smiled. "And like Bob would say, 'I don't think so'."
"Bob," Melissa looked away, but Enzo caught her look
before she did.
"What's up, Lissa?"
She smiled at him, obviously pleased with the nickname,
"Nothing really."
"Your nose is growing."
"It is?" Melissa
said, panicked as she tapped her facial appendage.
"No!" Enzo
couldn't help but laugh. He had to
remember Melissa still took many things literally. "That's a figure of speech. Dot says that to me when I haven't been – um – entirely honest with
her."
"You mean when you lie?"
Enzo felt his face warm, "Well yeah."
"Oh," she said, "Enzo, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Bob is your hero, isn't he?"
"Well yeah, you know he is."
"How would you feel about him if he ever lied to you?"
Melissa said
"What do you mean? Bob's never lied to me," Enzo said. "I mean, sometimes he and Dot will keep stuff from me but that's what
they call, 'doing what's best for me'. Sometimes, they don't give me a lot of credit. I mean they think I know less than they do, so they think they
gotta protect me by keeping things from me."
"So if Bob lied to you, in his mind he's protecting you?"
Melissa said.
"Well – I guess – I mean, say what's this all
about?" Enzo wasn't certain he liked
where this line of questioning was going.
"It isn't right, no matter what he thinks," Melissa said. "Bob is lying to you, Enzo."
"What?" Enzo
said, "What are you talking about?"
"He's a lot sicker than he led you to believe," Melissa
says, "He asks me to trust him but then he lies to you and expects me to do
so?"
Enzo tossed the video game controller down and took her
by the shoulders, "What in the net are you talking about?"
Melissa began to speak and like the time that Enzo had
witnessed the attempt on Dot's life, Enzo's whole world shattered.
