Aftermath20

CHAPTER 20

DESCENT

The present

Matrix wondered how he got himself into these situations.

The renegade took the steps two at a time. The sprite he pursued had evaded him thus far but the renegade was closing in. The stairs seemed to climb forever, but Matrix knew they had to end at the roof eventually, so he pressed doggedly on.

The stairs finally ended at a door and Matrix burst through into the bright sun and oppressive heat, Gun held out before him. Stretched out for miles around were the dwellings and businesses of System 998, a haphazard piling of block-like structures, most run-down, all on top of one another forming a network of small mini-cities, each with their own chain of command. Word had it was you could get anything in System 998, anything you couldn't legally get anywhere else anyway.

Mouse and Ray had been here during the Daemon Conflict. It had been where they had first learned of Daemon's Armada. And it was here that they hoped to learn of Raven's whereabouts.

The other two systems Flame had mentioned had yielded no results and Matrix was thinking Flame had double-crossed them, but why? She had nothing to gain by lying. Or did she?

System 998 had been the third system and it was here that he and Bob had sought out Bob's contact. The contact had informed Bob that he might know someone who knew where Raven is. Unfortunately, they found the man in his apartment, having just been attacked. He fragmented moments later but not before telling Bob that his assailant had been the very sprite who could possibly lead them to Raven. They had tracked him down and Matrix and Bob had entered the tavern. A fight had ensued. Matrix hoped Bob was all right. The Prime Guardian had seen their quarry escaping and had ordered Matrix to pursue. Now Matrix moved stealthy past the various obstructions on the rooftop.

Movement to his left was the only warning he received before his quarry leapt out at him brandishing a metal pole. Matrix leapt aside, but not quickly, enough as the pole smashed against his shoulder. Matrix gave a growl of rage as he fell back and as his quarry lunged at him, Matrix raised Gun and fired. The stun blast – they had wanted him alive – struck the sprite man in the shoulder and sent him flying.

"Damn it," Matrix hissed regaining his feet and gingerly probed his aching shoulder. Unexpectedly he heard a sound behind him and he whirled, Gun raised.

"Whoa!" Bob said raising his hands.

"Bob! You're all right!"

"But you're not," Bob approached him, "I heard a shot, what happened?"

Matrix nodded to where his quarry lay flat on his back and out cold.

"Let's take him somewhere a little more private," Bob said grimly, "He's going to tell us what we want to know."

***

The motel room was draped in shadow. Bob leaned against the far wall, his arms crossed calmly surveying Matrix as he glared at the sprite, the red glow of Matrix's cyber eye increasing the sinister quality of the former renegade's features.

Matrix stood before the captive sprite, his face a grim mask of hate, "Before we beat the living chips out of you, you're going to answer a few questions."

"I'm not telling --," the sprite began.

Matrix lashed out and grabbed him by the collar, "Wrong thing to say!"

"Matrix," Bob said calmly, then to the sprite he said, "You'll have to excuse my friend, sometimes it's hard to control him."

"You wouldn't do anything!" The sprite said in a strangled voice, "You're --,"

"Don't test me," Matrix tightened his grip.

"Please!" the sprite turned terrified eyes to Bob, "Don't let him hurt me!"

"Well now that's up to you, isn't it?" Bob said, "No matter what happens here, you're going to rot in jail for murder. Now things could be fairly easy for you there – or – maybe something else can happen."

Matrix released the sprite with one hand and drew Gun, "Something like me blowing you away?"

"Okay, okay," the sprite turned to Bob, "Don't let him hurt me. What did you want to know?"

Bob smirked, what a pixel-brain, "Raven. Where is he?"

"You're kiddin', right? You want me to rat out the Raven?"

"Yes, I believe that's what I just said."

"Then you might as well take me to jail," the sprite said, "I'll take my chances there."

"No, you don't," Matrix hissed, "Start talking!"

"Well he could be anywhere!" the sprite said, "He had hideaways all over the place so I've been told. No one ever knows where he really is."

"Give us an idea," Bob said.

The sprite named various systems, all of which were the ones they had already checked out.

"Well – there's one more thing you can do," the sprite said. "There's a --,"

Their captive's next words were cut off when the door was suddenly smashed open. Neither Bob nor Matrix had time to react as several sprites poured in.

"Delete them!" Their captive yelled.

Bob raised his palms exploding balls of golden light and the room was bathed in over-brightness and Bob lashed out at the nearest man to him.

He heard Matrix's bellow of rage and the two men threw themselves into a second fray. In the midst of it all, Bob saw their captive escape out the door. The Prime Guardian yelled an oath and shoved violently through the circle of bodies. The pixel-brain wasn't going to escape a second time.

"Your turn!" Matrix screamed and punched the nearest man.

Bob forced his way from the room and dashed down the hall, he was out the front and into the street just in time to see the sprite duck around a corner. Bob was after him immediately, chasing him down side streets and narrow alleys. They came to an open road and his target dashed down another alley. He lost sight of him for a moment, then movement caught in his peripheral vision had Bob dashing down a side street to his left.

The Prime Guardian halted abruptly.

The sprite was standing there in the middle of the alley, by himself a grin of supreme confidence on his face.

"This is not good," Bob muttered and at the very same moment, movement behind him told him he wasn't alone. At least a dozen sprites and binomes surrounded him, coming from within doorways and from behind and to either side of him.

"Now who's in trouble?" Their former captive smirked.

"Bring it on," Bob said.

They advanced on him, and Bob turned to the nearest ones firing blast after blast until they managed to converge on him dragging him down, and pinning him to the filthy concrete, Bob continued to fight wildly, realizing it was futile. The sprite approached him, "Looks like you're just going to end up one of those missing persons of System 998."

The shot came from over their heads and grazed the sprite across his arm that time. Bob grasped onto the nearest arm and sent a searing blast over his skin. The man screamed and suddenly the weight was off him. Bob regained his feet and smiled at the sight of Matrix pummeling his attackers and once again, Bob was fighting alongside his comrade.

At one point Bob saw their captive climbing to his feet, holding his injured arm. He limped over to one of his fallen friends and lifted his discarded laser pistol, pointing it at Matrix's exposed back.

"No!" Bob prepared to fire a blast and before he could do so, another came from above. Silver-white it bathed the sprite in an eerie glow and the man screamed, before pitching forward on his face.

Gliding smoothly from above a blue-clad figure expertly piloted the Surf Baud to a smooth landing a few feet away from the body.

"G'day, mates," Ray Tracer smiled. "Need any help?"

"Surfer!" Matrix yelled.

Their attackers that remained standing turned and fled.

"Ray Tracer! You old surfer boy! Where've you been?" Bob strode up to him and clapped him on the shoulders and Matrix followed suit. "It's good to see you."

"I heard about the Little Mate while surfing the net," Ray said. "I – ah – stopped off at Mainframe and Dot gave me the lowdown. I did some checking myself and this is where I was told Raven last was."

"Us to," Bob nodded to the unconscious sprite, "We have the roughest time getting information from this pixel-brain."

"Really?" Ray looked at the sprite that was moaning piteously, "Maybe I can help with that."

***

"Wakey, wakey," Ray smiled down at the sprite that was sprawled across Baud.

"What, the --?" The sprite groaned.

"I'd watch where I stepped if I were you mate."

The sprite gave a strangled cry of alarm when he realized he was several hundred feet above the rooftops.

"No! Get me down! I'm afraid of heights!"

Ray clucked his tongue, "Too bad for you." The search engine leaned Baud slightly to the right.

"No! NO!"

"Wanna tell me where Raven is?"

"I don't know, I swear! But – I was going to tell your friends I know who will know exactly where he is. A mercenary named Hellcat. She's in the Celeron System. Word is she owes Raven a favor. She'll know, really!"

"Well now, I'd bet you'd be mighty happy to lead us to her, right?" Ray smiled and leaned Baud a little further.

"Yes, yes, I will! No funny stuff either."

"That's a good little dipswitch," Ray leaned down and patted him on the cheek. "Hang on tight, now."

They reached the ground and the sprite literally crawled off Baud and began kissing the pavement. Bob, Matrix and Ray looked on in disgust.

"Our mate here has agreed to take us to someone who knows exactly where Raven is," Ray said.

"He'd better be telling the truth," Matrix grunted.

"Oh, I am, I am!" The sprite said, "But once I take you to Hellcat, I'm free to go right?"

"As if," Matrix hissed.

***

Seven hours into the past

Quicksilver paced back and forth his footsteps echoing through the empty space of the warehouse. It had been much too long for his liking since last receiving a report. Since Chaos had left him and their informant had been unreachable, Quicksilver had not received any news from the Capitol in quite some time. He had been monitoring the news of the city and had heard the reported rumors of the Prime Guardian's demise but he wanted - needed -- to know for certain. He needed someone who could get into Council Hall with little notice.

Then it came to him.

"Of course!" Quicksilver's laugh was slightly random, "Why didn't I think of her before?"

Quicksilver had ordered one of his minions, a young sprite woman, to care for the child. He had the owner of the warehouse set her up in a room far enough away so they wouldn't disturb him. Quicksilver couldn't be bothered to dispose of the child and he didn't trust any of his minions to do it. Only Chaos would do the job to his satisfaction.

Quicksilver strode to where the woman was. He burst into the room and she hurriedly placed the child in a box she had been using as a bed for him and knelt before him. "You know of the woman, Desdemona?"

"Yes sir," she said.

"Have the owner of this place get in contact with her and bring her to me. She will come willingly."

"Yes sir - um - sir? What of the child?"

"Leave it here. It can survive a few micro's without you," Quicksilver snapped, "Get her here or the next body they find will be yours."

"Yes sir."

Quicksilver returned to the main area and activated the vid-TV again. Just a glimpse, that was all he wanted.

***

It had been a long, grueling night for the renegade and the game sprite.

Questioning had gone on all night, with the members of Daemon's Chosen either being tight lipped or spilling their circuits. Now someone, supposedly one of the Chosen who had been in the warehouse where they had taken Dot had pointed them to a house in Sector 1001 where supposedly, their lived a high-ranking member of his group. The plan was to watch him at first, then make their move.

But for now, it was morning and neither one of them had had a bite to eat since yesterday afternoon. Since Dot's Diner was still offline, Matrix and AndrAIa strode wearily into Al's Wait and Eat. The Waiter looked up, "Al, the breakfast rush is here."

"What?"

"Sure you don't want to get some sleep?" Matrix asked.

"Sure I do," AndrAIa said, "I'd love to, but this is the first solid lead we've gotten and I think we should take care of it now."

"So we stake this place out and see if our perp shows?"

"Hopefully he will," AndrAIa said, "Unless that Chosen member was lying to us."

"I hope it will be easier then when Dot and I --,"

The opening of a vid-window interrupted Matrix. Dot's worried face, appeared, "Matrix?"

"Dot, what is it? What's wrong?"

"Would you come to the Principal Office right away?" Dot said, "Bob needs to talk to you."

"I'm on my way," Matrix said.

"I'll arrange for a transport and meet you at the CPU office, Sparky," AndrAIa said.

"Better make that food to go," Matrix said.

***

Matrix knocked on the doorframe to Dot's office. She was just sitting there staring at the top of her desk. She looked up and smiled tiredly at him. Matrix knew immediately something was seriously wrong.

"What is it?" He walked in closing the door behind him.

"Enzo," Dot said quietly, "I --,"

"Dot?" An uncomfortable feeling was beginning in the pit of his stomach, "It's Bob isn't it?"

"Yes --,"

"Dot, what is it?"

"Enzo listen to me," Dot said, "Last night, Bob went into the second stage of the illness."

"Oh User," Matrix muttered, "Did you call Rose?"

"Of course we did," Dot said, "She still hasn't found the antidote although the medicine she gave Bob seems to be helping."

"Where is he?"

"With Phong in the infirmary," Dot said, "We'll go there now. I wanted to prepare you first -it's - he --,"

"I've probably seen worse," Matrix said. "Let's go."

***

Phong met them at the door to the examination room. "I am glad you came so quickly my son. He is waiting inside for you. Dot, have you prepared him?"

"I hope so Phong."

Phong bowed his head, then turned to open the door.

Matrix stepped inside and the door closed behind him. It was semi-dark within. Bob sat on the examination table; his back to Matrix, but the renegade immediately saw the large white bandages across his hero's back. "Bob?"

He turned and smiled slightly, "Thanks for coming."

"Bob," Matrix said again as he walked around the table. Bob's face was bandaged as well.

"Do I look as bad as I think I do?"

For a nano, Matrix couldn't reply. "I'm sorry."

Bob sighed, "Rose still hasn't found anything new, but that isn't what I wanted to tell you. Matrix, if I should - if the inevitable happens - well there are things I need for you to do. First off, well I know I don't need to tell you to take care of Dot. You'll do that anyway."

"Yes," Matrix muttered.

"But I also need for you to look out for and train Little Enzo."

"What?"

"I know how you two feel about each other," Bob continued. "But you need each other. Little Enzo needs a big brother. Someone he can look up to. Someone who can be his hero."

"I'm not --,"

"No," Bob cut him off, "Don't say you're not. You are. You may find this hard to believe, but despite everything Little Enzo has said, I believe he admires you a great deal, deep down. He's going to need you to teach him the things that -- well you know. He'll fight you every step of the way but you must keep trying. Someday, he'll realize the type of relationship you two can have if he meets you half way. Will you promise me you'll try?"

"Yes, Bob," Matrix said, "You have my word."

"Also," Bob said, "I've already made the necessary arrangements and discussed this with Katiyana. She will be interim leader of the Collective but that will put her in danger. I need you to protect her and make certain my enemy doesn't get to her. Do anything you can to prevent that, understand?"

"Yes."

"I'm leaving the choice up to you whether or not you'd like to complete your Guardian training. I only wish I could be here to see it."

"Don't talk like that," Matrix said.

Bob smiled sadly, "Mainframe will need a new Guardian. I'd like you to take on that role but don't feel pressured into it. Like I said, the choice is yours. I know no matter what happens you'll do well - Enzo."

"Bob," the renegade's powerful body began to shake with emotion, his voice once again dropping to that plaintive whisper, "Please don't die Bob."

He heard Bob moving to stand behind him and by his soft moan; Matrix could tell Bob was in pain. After a moment, Bob laid gentle hands on his shoulders.

"I'll always be proud of you," Bob said.

His shoulders fell under the slight pressure of Bob's hands and the anger, fear, and sadness left him to be replaced by an unwanted and stark realization. He didn't know how he would survive without the man who was his hero.

"I have to go," Matrix said after a few moments. He had to get out of there now, otherwise he was going to start smashing things or bawling like an infant. "AndrAIa and I have our first solid lead on a major player with Daemon's Chosen. We're going to stake out his place."

"Be careful," Bob cautioned.

"I will," he couldn't take it a nano longer. He quickly left the room.

Dot and Phong were waiting for him outside.

"Are you all right?" Dot laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I --," Matrix whispered, and then as always, he hid his true feelings behind a wall of bitterness, "I'm fine. AndrAIa and I are going after another Chosen member. We'll report in as soon as we nab the guy."

"All right. Just be careful."

Matrix nodded stiffly before he walked away.

***

The moment AndrAIa saw him she knew something was wrong. "Matrix?"

"Are we ready?" Matrix motioned towards the transport that AndrAIa had commandeered for them. She had parked it behind the CPU office.

"Yes," AndrAIa said, "Sparky, what happened?"

"Nothing," Matrix said curtly, "Let's go."

AndrAIa climbed into the transport after him and took the controls. Matrix didn't protest. The two made their way down to Level 31. The run down tenement seemed deserted, but there were signs of life within. AndrAIa halted the transport in a space between buildings, which afforded them a good view.

"Now do you want to talk about it?" AndrAIa said when she cut the transport engine.

Matrix let out a belabored sigh, "Bob – we talked for a while and --,"

AndrAIa could see the explosion coming. She had learned to read him so well over the hours they had been together. Still she was unprepared for when Matrix slammed his fist into the transport control panel and swore loudly.

"He went into the second stage of the illness last night," Matrix said, "How he can expect us to go on like nothing's wrong, Dre? Doesn't he know how this is eating me alive? How it's eating us all alive?"

"He knows, Sparky," AndrAIa reached over and took his hand and he flinched. AndrAIa sighed. He had hurt himself of course. AndrAIa left her seat and went to the rear of the transport, and got out the first aide kit. There was an ice pack within and AndrAIa took in back to Matrix and held it on his now swelling fist. Neither spoke, but the look of despondency in his eyes – the same one, AndrAIa knew was mirrored in hers told her he felt as she did. She loved Bob too, and like Matrix, didn't know what she would do if he died.

***

"Ray is missing," Mouse's worried face appeared in the vid-window. "He didn't report in all night. I'm going out to look for him but I need some back up."

Bob muttered an oath. "I'm on my way there. I'll contact Katiyana and have her send out a contingent of CPU's. Mouse, don't you dare go out alone understand?"

"All right, sugah, just hurry, okay?"

"On my way."

Dot was already talking to Phong, "The portal generator will be ready."

Bob contacted Katiyana finding to his confusion that he couldn't make a connection immediately. When he did finally reach her, she seemed harried, and the connection barely clear.

"My User, Bob?" Katiyana said when she saw him.

"I --," his face flushed, he couldn't prevent it.

"It's all right Bob," Katiyana smiled with sympathy.

"What's up with communications this time?"

"I'm not certain, I've tried to contact Zif. I'm sure he knows what's going on. I suppose I'll have to walk over to Operations," Katiyana replied, "Bob, you must make a statement soon. I'm not certain what we can do --,"

"They won't see anything but the bandages," Bob said. "Has it gotten that bad?"

"Yes," Katiyana said, "Even in this short time. I'm getting hundreds of frantic calls from sector commanders and various officials asking about the rumors."

"I'm on my way now, but I need you to do something," Bob frowned as the vid-window was distorted by static. "Mouse just called and said that Ray is missing. I'd like for you to mobilize some CPU teams."

"Very well," Katiyana said, "Colonel Tempus reported in earlier. He's in Sector 2000, quelling a disturbance. I wanted to ask you, did you authorize --?"

Abruptly, the vid-window closed.

"What in the net?" Bob asked, "Dot, what happened?"

"I don't know," Dot was programming on her console, "It was closed from her end."

Bob didn't like the sound of that.

***

Light barely filtered into the narrow and garbage-ridden alley. The sounds of the outside world muted by the solid walls of the buildings. Rats searched for food within the rotting waste. One such creature cautiously approached the figure lying haphazardly in a pile of refuse. It squeaked with alarm as an arm moved and the rat dashed for cover.

Ray awoke with a pain-filled groan.

"Bloody hell," Ray muttered. Where was he? He gingerly picked himself out of the garbage. Baud came to him with only a thought. The last thing he remembered was following Colonel Tempus –

Ray swore, his curses echoing to the rooftops. He had been ambushed from behind but not by Tempus. Ray had had the colonel in his sights the whole time. He had been patrolling with his men, quelling the various disturbances that had begun. Ray had followed at a distance, observing from the air or from tops of buildings. Then something – some news the colonel had received in his comm had the soldier mobilizing his troops in a hurry. Ray had taken to the air and followed.

There was a small disturbance, not a riot per se, but a group of teenagers causing mischief. Tempus had his men surround the area and round up the miscreants. The colonel had taken a group of men down another alley and Ray took to the air, making to follow.

The next thing he knew something had slammed into Baud, setting every nerve in him on fire, then he was plummeting. A frantic cry for help to Baud had been the only thing that had prevented him from being deleted but the landing had not been soft. He must have been out of the rest of the night.

"Mouse is going to be livid," Ray moved carefully from within the alley. It had to be early, because none of the businesses were open yet. Besides some broken windows and garbage strewn on the street, there was no sign of the disturbance.

Dizziness overtook him and Ray leaned against Baud, drawing strength from his other-self. He had to get back to the Hall.

"Hey, mister."

Ray turned and squinted through his goggles at the little boy who stood before him. "Well, G'day mate," Ray managed a wan smile.

"You okay? This ain't the place to be hanging out in."

"Isn't," Ray corrected.

"Geez, you sound like Peg," the boy said, "Can't you all just let me talk like I want?"

"Who's Peg, your mum?" Ray stood straight.

"Naw, she's just the lady who looks after us," the boy said, "My name's Rich." He stuck out his hand.

Ray shook it vigorously, "Ray Tracer."

"Wow! Cool board, totally schway!" Rich said, "You need a doctor. My Aunt Judy has a clinic."

"Aunt Judy? Wait a nano," Ray said, "Peg wouldn't happen to be Peg Walrod?"

"Yeah, you know her?"

"Know of her," Ray smiled, "How about ride, mate? I may need your help, I'm still a little woozy."

"Yeah? All right, I'll show you the way."

Ray climbed unsteadily on Baud, "Hop aboard, mate."

Rich clambered on and Ray had to concentrate around the pounding in his head to keep himself and Baud steady.

***

When Bob stepped out of the portal he was surprised to find Mouse waiting for him and the look on her face told him he needed to get things moving, "Don't worry Mouse, we'll find Ray."

"We got serious problems here," Mouse said, "I went to Katiyana's quarters to see about getting some back up and her door was ajar. I went in and – we have to get to the Hall infirmary. Katiyana was attacked."

***

Ray tried to be patient as Aunt Judy patched the bump on his head. He was anxious to return to the Hall but it would do little good if he took a headlong dive off of Baud again.

Someone knocked a few times on the examination room door and it opened a fraction, "Everyone decent?"

"Come in Peg," Aunt Judy said.

Ray got his first real glimpse at Peg Walrod. She was pretty – although no so much so as a certain red-haired mercenary.

"So, you're the Surfer," she smiled at him and extended a hand which Ray shook. "Nice to meet you at last. Now maybe you'll want to tell me what's going on with the Prime Guardian?"

"What?"

"I know something's up," Peg went on, "There are rumors running rampant that he's dead. I know I talked to him but that could have been a simulated voice and I haven't seen him in ages --,"

"He's fine," Ray said, a little harsher than he intended so he modified his voice, "But he may not be, if I don't get back to the Hall. Do you have a vid-phone I can use?"

"Yes, if you have Aunt Judy's bill of health," Peg said.

"He needs bed rest, but I doubt he'll get it anytime soon," Aunt Judy said.

Ray turned to the buxom women, took her hand and kissed it, "I promise I will as soon as sprite-ly possible, lovely lady."

Aunt Judy blushed, "You are a rogue, Ray Tracer."

"Thank you," Ray smiled, then turned serious, "Now where's that vid-phone?"

"Follow me," Peg motioned.

Out in the hallway, several children were gathered around Baud admiring while Rich bragged about having actually ridden.

"Yeah, it was totally schway!" Rich was exclaiming, "Ray!"

Ray almost expected the little sprite to tackle him Enzo-style but the child merely sauntered over to him.

"You okay?"

"Aunt Judy says I'm perfectly healthy," Ray said,

"Good," Rich said, "Do you think I can take a ride on Baud again?"

And before Ray knew what was happening the children had surrounded him and was begging for rides. Ray tried not to hurt the children's feelings by rushing off, but he really needed to get to that vid-phone, "You can all have a ride when I've taken care of my business and only if you're good and listen to Peg, agreed?"

"Agreed." The children said as one.

"Don't worry, Ray," Rich said, "I'll keep them all in line."

This of course earned him hits and admonishments from the others. Peg motioned to Ray again and he followed her down the hall.

The vid-phone was in Aunt Judy's office. Ray frowned when the call had trouble connecting but he finally managed to get Rule and asked immediately for Bob.

"He's at the infirmary Constable Tracer," Rule said.

"What? What happened to him?"

"Not to him, to Mistress Katiyana, she was attacked in her room."

"My User!" Ray said, "Is she all right?"

"We don't know yet sir."

"Wait, is anyone else with the Prime Guardian?"

"Constable Mouse is with him."

"Where's Colonel Tempus?"

"Well – out on patrol, sir as far as I'm aware,"

"Get a message to the Prime Guardian and tell him I'm on my way. It's imperative that he not be alone, understand?"

"Yes Constable."

Katiyana had been attacked. Surely it couldn't have been --?

Peg had left him alone to make his call. Although he knew it wouldn't be polite of him just to leave so Ray scribbled a note, thanking her and hurriedly returned to the Hall.

***

Bob slowly approached the bed where Katiyana lay. The doctor had only allowed them a few nanos. Mouse stood against the wall.

"Katiyana," Bob whispered, "I'm sorry."

Her face had been battered horribly. Both eyes had been swollen shut but she seemed to be aware of his presence for her lips, bloated as they were, parted and she whispered something.

Bob leaned closer, "I'm here, Mistress. I'm sorry I couldn't prevent this. It's all my fault."

"No," Katiyana's voice was a strangled croak. "Tracker --,"

Bob looked at her right wrist and noticed for the first time that Tracker was missing.

"Katiyana," Bob took her hand, and the sight of her brought tears to his eyes "Who did this?"

"Prime Guardian," the doctor, a tall sprite man stepped forward.

Bob leaned closer, "Katiyana can you hear me?"

Again, her voice was inaudible then she seemed to slip back into unconsciousness.

Bob turned fiercely to the doctor, "I want her to have the best of care, understand? And I'm putting a constant guard on her door."

"Yes, Prime Guardian."

Bob and Mouse moved back out into the Hall. For a moment the Prime Guardian stood there, staring at the opposite wall, his fist clenched. Unexpectedly, a headache started at his temples, "I can't let this go on," Bob muttered darkly, more to himself. "Who's doing this? I'll stop them, so help me I'll delete whoever did this to her."

"Bob --," Mouse began.

"No!" An aberrant rush of anger gripped him, "There's work to be done, you coming or what?" And Bob strode down the hall before Mouse could answer but not before he heard her mutter a curse. When she came up to him as he waited for the lift Bob muttered, "I'm sorry."

Mouse smiled with sympathy, "It's okay, sugah. You know whoever did this –

well -,"

"She must have known him," Bob said. They rode the lift together. "Anyone else wouldn't have gotten close enough to her to get Tracker."

The headache pressed against his forehead. Bob rubbed his palms together as they were slick with perspiration. Why was it so hot in here?

"We'll do city wide searches, door to door," Bob said, "Anyone who can't account for their whereabouts will be brought in."

"Bob --,"

"I want to call a meeting of all the Guardians present in the city," Bob went on. It seemed to him awfully closed in the room. Why was it taking so long? "Anyone of them could have done it and I will find out who."

"You sure you want to resort to that?" Mouse laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I should have a long time ago," Bob said. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, but the image of Katiyana's bruised face flashed before him.

"I understand," Mouse said.

They rode the rest of the way in silence.

***

"Prime Guardian," Rule said when they arrived back at his office, "I have some urgent messages for you. Constable Tracer has called in." Rule relayed the message.

"Thank the User," Mouse whispered, "I told that search engine of mine to be careful."

"Also, Colonel Tempus is requesting backup in Sector 2000. He says there's a major disturbance going on there."

Bob said, "Get him online, now."

"Yes sir," Rule said.

"You think it's him?" Mouse said, once they were in Bob's office with the door closed, "You think he attacked Katiyana?"

"I want to believe it wasn't him," Bob said, "But we need to check on his whereabouts. If he was in Sector 2000 when Katiyana was attacked it couldn't possibly have been him unless he used a portal and the relays would have detected them."

"Maybe we should call Zif to make sure," Mouse said.

"Good idea," Bob sat down, suddenly exhausted, "Thanks for sticking by me. Sometimes, it's not so bad. Other times it's hard to function around the pain."

"Sugah, I'll say again, I wish you'd follow Rose's advice and check yourself into the hospital."

The vid-window opening prevented Bob from having to reply as Colonel Tempus's face appeared.

"Prime Guardian, what happened to you?"

"Long story," Bob said, "Rule says you need back up?"

"We have a civil disturbance going on here," Tempus said, "It seems to be the same group causing these things, not to mention spreading the rumors of your demise."

"I'll handle that," Bob said, "I'm sending some backup for you but as soon as you've dealt with the situation, I want you to report back here immediately."

"Prime Guardian, with all due respect I'm needed out here --,"

"Katiyana was beaten," Bob said.

"What? Dear User! Who could have done such a horrible thing?"

Bob's eyes narrowed, "That's what I intend to find out."

"Then I will return as soon as I'm able," Tempus said.

When the vid-window closed, Bob said to Mouse, "Have Rule contact Zif. Let's check to see if a portal was opened besides the one we used." Another thought occurred to Bob, "And ask him what the disturbance was in the communications."

"You got it Bob," Mouse said.

Bob opened another vid-window. He wanted to call Mainframe and bring Dot and Matrix up to date and he had his own arrangements to make. They needed to continue with the search. This illness of his had caused him to waste too much time. They needed to find his enemy.

***

Matrix slammed a fist into the face of his attacker. The binome went down and didn't get up. The renegade turned in time to see AndrAIa crack her trident across the skull of a second assailant.

That time, there had been less trouble apprehending their suspects. Well Matrix couldn't exactly say it was less trouble but at least there had only been too of them in the apartment – their suspect and a buddy – and there had been no gunplay. But the two binomes had been foolish enough to try and attack them. Their suspects soon learned their mistake.

The CPU's escorted the two binomes downstairs and Matrix and AndrAIa followed them out. Matrix gave orders that the apartment be blocked off and an investigation of the scene begun. He and AndrAIa stepped outside.

"You okay?" Matrix asked.

AndrAIa collapsed her trident, "Fine. Hey, what's going on over there?"

AndrAIa had motioned to a group of people standing before an abandoned building. They were talking quietly amongst themselves and pointing at the wall. Curious, Matrix and AndrAIa approached.

The people saw them coming and scattered like frightened rats, giving the renegade and the game sprite an unobstructed view. The picture of a bloated spider was carved crudely into the wall directly above the sentence. AndrAIa let out a horrified gasp. Matrix stepped forward and his big frame began to shake violently. The fingers of his Gun hand flexed. Written in blood red letters was:

BOB IS DEAD

THE CHOSEN SHALL RULE

Gun was in Matrix's hand and his cyber-eye targeted with a red-hot glow. He raised his formidable weapon and fired a single shot, blasting the offending words and a good portion of the wall away.

When the smoke cleared. AndrAIa reached for him and lowered his Gun arm to his side. Matrix heaved a sigh and holstered his weapon.

Then something – an intense feeling Matrix couldn't describe – struck him like a blast from his own Gun.

"Matrix?" AndrAIa stepped before him and placed both hands against his chest, "What is it?"

Somehow, although he wasn't certain how, Matrix knew something was wrong. It was as though everything around him for one nano became sinister and repulsive. He realized with a shudder that the feeling was familiar. He had experienced it once before. Then it was gone, as quickly as it had come but Matrix remembered and knew what it meant.

"Sparky?"

He looked at AndrAIa as though seeing her for the first time, "AndrAIa, we've got a serious problem." Then without explaining, he turned and strode to the transport.

"Matrix, wait! What's going on?"

They had to get back to the Principal Office. Matrix was already starting the transport as AndrAIa climbed in.

"Sparky, if you don't tell me what's going on --,"

"AndrAIa," Matrix sighed, she'd probably think he was going random, "Do you remember at the meeting with Web Alliance when Bob and I sensed a viral presence?"

"Yes," AndrAIa said warily.

"Well I just got that feeling again," Matrix said, "It took me a little while to recognize it and then it was gone as quickly as it came."

"Oh no," AndrAIa whispered.

"I lost him," Matrix said more to himself, and then to the game sprite he said, "AndrAIa, I think there's a new virus in Mainframe."