CHAPTER 21
PIECES OF THE PUZZLE
The present
"Computer," Raven said, "Target approaching ship and fire ten degrees off their port. Warn them off."
"Engaging laser cannon," the computer replied.
Enzo watched as the ship veered wildly to dodge the laser fire, then swung around to approach from a different direction. "Will you destroy them?"
"I'll try not to," Raven said, "I have too many people pursuing me as it is."
Raven muttered a curse as the ship landed on the pad next to the Nevermore.
"I'll go out to meet them," Raven said, "You can watch on the console. Remember what I told you." Raven donned his leather armor.
"All right," Enzo said.
When Raven was gone, Enzo opened both his organizer and a vidwindow. Two people climbed from the ship. An ugly thin woman, and a bear of a man, carrying a war hammer.
While keeping half his attention on the scene, Enzo sent a distress call through his organizer via Raven's system. He wasn't certain if it would reach Mainframe, but he had to try. He programmed his organizer to bounce the message through any available communication sources, but he doubted it would work, since he had no idea where he was and even less of an idea where the nearest power source would be, but if his signal somehow reached Mainframe and Mouse was at a console – well he could only hope.
When he completed his calculations, Enzo turned his full attention to the scene outside.
"So, where is he?" Flame was saying.
"Where is who?"
"Don't be funny, Raven," Flame smiled at him but her eyes were cold. "The boy, Enzo Matrix."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Flame," Raven said.
"You're kidding, right?" Flame said, "Do you realize how many people are after you? And I don't just mean the New Collective, pirates, mercenaries and assorted bounty hunters. Do you know you have virals after you too? You're in deep chips, Raven."
"Really?" Raven smiled without humor, "And you're here to help me out?"
"Of course," Flame said, "Give the boy up to us and we'll take him off of your hands. Then you can go into hiding for an hour or so until all the heat dies down."
"Even if this Enzo Matrix were here, which he isn't, he'd be part of a job I'm doing and without him I wouldn't get paid."
"What's mort important, the units or your skin?"
Enzo noticed the man with the hammer was carefully positioning himself behind Raven. It didn't take a genius to know what the man planned.
"There's no one here but me Flame," Raven said, "You and Cracker can go your way."
"Raven, I'm not leaving without that boy," Flame said. "So you can give him up nicely, or we can take him."
Cracker was slowly drawing his war hammer. Raven moved slightly to the right. Good, he knows, Enzo thought.
"Leave now," Raven said, "And don't return."
Flame nodded and Cracker lunged, swinging the hammer. Raven dodged the blow and slammed his fist into Cracker's face just as Flame drew a jagged edged knife. Flame slashed and Raven dodged just barely enough as the knife sliced through the leather. Raven avoided a second slash from Flame and drew his laser, just as Cracker recovered and slammed his entwined hands down on the back of Raven's skull, the mercenary went down.
Raven's words flashed in Enzo's mind, the moment you see me go down, head for the Nevermore.
But Enzo didn't move. He watched as Flame advanced on Raven with the knife, a look of murderous glee in her eyes, and as Cracker recovered the war hammer.
"I'm going to have so much fun with you Raven," Flame said, "Then I'll take the boy, collect the reward and send him back to Mainframe in little bitty pieces!"
My User!
Enzo opened his organizer, wracked his processor for a moment, and then came up with the perfect solution. "The classics are always the best."
Enzo's fingers flew over the keypad, words, calculations and computations reflected in his large violet eyes. In a matter of nanos, he had hacked into Raven's weapons system and had complete control of the mounted laser cannons. He repositioned the cannon's trajectory, aimed at Flame's ship and caused it to fire.
"What the hell?" Flame screamed as the left wing of her ship was incinerated.
Enzo continued feeding in computations, sending the next shot dangerously close to where Cracker was standing, the explosion threw the man off his feet and he landed heavily and did not move.
"How are you doing this?" Flame shrieked at Raven and advanced on him with the knife.
"Don't make me hurt you Flame," Raven drew his rapier.
"Hurt me, you stupid ASCII!" Flame screamed and lunged again.
Enzo caused another shot to tear through the cockpit of Flame's ship.
"No!" Flame cried and Raven tackled her. They struggled; somehow, Flame had managed to hold onto her knife. Then Enzo noticed Cracker struggling to his feet.
"Oh no," Enzo swung the laser around again, but Cracker was too close to Raven and Flame for him to fire a shot without hurting all three. Enzo dashed from the room and only hoped he wasn't too late.
He was outside just in time enough to see Cracker raise his war hammer to smash Raven's skull. "Hey, bits for brains!" Enzo yelled, "How many big ugly morons does it take to beat up on one sprite?"
Cracker turned, "What the --?" Then a malicious grin split his face, "Well look at what we have here! A real pretty-boy, ain't ya?"
"So I've been told," Enzo said.
"Well I'll try not to bruise that pretty face of yours. Think of how much Flame and I could get for a piece like you in the brothels of System 998."
Enzo spared a glance at where Raven and Flame still struggled amidst the choking smoke of the fire consuming Flame's ship.
Movement drew his attention back to Cracker who was advancing on him. Enzo went into his stance.
"What's this, does the pretty boy want to fight?" Cracker said, "Why do that when I can smash your skull?"
Cracker raised the hammer and with a cry advanced. Enzo dodged the first swing and caught Cracker with a shot to his midsection. Cracker doubled over but quickly recovered, "You little pixel-brain."
The hammer came down again. Enzo darted under the swing and rammed his palm into Cracker's chin snapping back his head, then two more quick shots to his midsection.
Cracker recovered and smiled at him, "You're pretty good, but now you're pissing me off."
"Trust me," Enzo said, "It gets worse."
"That's for damn sure!" Cracker swung wildly, missing; now Enzo couldn't get under Cracker's guard as the man was expecting that move.
A cry from Raven distracted Enzo for a precious nano and Cracker took the opportunity to swing again, Enzo didn't even consider his next move, acting on pure reflex, he twisted his body under the swung and using Cracker's own downward momentum, Enzo's slammed the side of his palm against the haft of the weapon, snapping the wood in two.
"You little --," Cracker backhanded him and stars exploded in Enzo's vision. The young sprite hit the ground hard, the air rushing from his lungs.
"Reward or not, you're a deleted --,"
As Cracker went to reach for him, Enzo slammed his foot as hard as he could into Cracker's groin. Enzo was up, and executed a fluid kick to Cracker's chest. Now it was the mercenary who went down hard.
Enzo turned at the sound of a shriek and turned to find Flame bearing down on him. Enzo yelled an expletive but the sound of a laser shot came and Flame screamed and pitched forward on her face.
Raven stumbled towards him, his laser still drawn.
"I thought you didn't like to fight."
"I don't," Enzo replied, "That doesn't mean I won't defend myself."
A moan from Cracker had both men staring at his prone form, "We should take care of them both now."
Raven gave him a wide-eyed look.
"Not that way," Enzo said, "Watch." Enzo opened his organizer and punched in the necessary codes. There were two small explosions of rainbow light and Flame and Cracker were suddenly surrounded in containment fields.
"My own invention," Enzo smiled slightly, "Well containment fields are nothing new but this should hold them for a little while. Not for too long though, so we have to hurry."
Raven grunted and Enzo noticed him holding his hand to his side but that didn't stop the blood from seeping through Raven's fingers.
"You're hurt," Enzo stepped forward.
"I'm fine," Raven said through clenched teeth.
"You're not fine!" Enzo said. "Come on."
Enzo draped Raven's arm around his shoulders and helped him back into the fortress. Once inside, Enzo led him to the nearest room (it was sort of like a sitting room) with a comfortable chair, "Do you have a first aide kit?"
Raven nodded behind him to a doorway, "Through there, on the far wall."
Enzo entered the small washroom and retrieved the kit. It only had the basics, but it was enough. When he returned to Raven, the mercenary was stripping off his shirt. Raven muttered a curse.
"Let me have a look at it," Enzo knelt, and again accessed his organizer, "A level one diagnostic should do the trick."
"What in the net did you think you were doing, boy?" Raven suddenly demanded.
"What? I'm treating your wound," Enzo said.
"I didn't say, what do you think you're doing, I said, what did you think you were doing," Raven said, "I distinctly remember telling you to head for the Nevermore."
"I wasn't going to run like a coward while they deleted you," Enzo snapped, "And stop calling me boy, damn it! You're only a few hours older than I am!"
Raven looked completely taken aback, "I'm twenty."
Enzo didn't look up from his mending Raven's wound, "So let me see if I'm understanding this. You have a specially crafted ship, several mansions, more units than you can shake a ruler at and you can't even legally purchase liquor?"
Raven got the most unusual look on his face. For a moment, it seemed as though the mercenary would actually – but no, the look vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Enzo burst out laughing. "Come on, Raven, you can laugh can't you? I'm sure it won't completely destroy that 'creature of the night' persona of yours."
Raven opened his mouth to speak but for a few nanos, nothing emerged. Finally, he said, "You – quite possibly saved my life."
"I did save your life."
"Why?"
Enzo looked up at him for the first time, "Why did I save your life?" Enzo expelled a breath, "Good question. That deserves some deep thought."
"I will not be in your debt."
Enzo looked mildly at him, "So, what are you going to do about it?" Enzo closed the first aide kit, "It looked worse than it was, just messy. You'll be fine."
Enzo stood and looked at him. "Well?"
Raven slowly came to his feet, the pain slight on his face. "I'm going to do what I said I would do and take you home." He turned and started to walk away, "By the way, thank you – Enzo."
"You're welcome," Enzo said, but he was alone in the room.
***
Seven hours into the past
Deep within the bowels of Level 31, Chaos stood before the outdated computer console. Three vid-windows opened before him allowing him to spy on the inhabitants of Mainframe.
"What a back-data system this is," Chaos muttered to no one in particular. He wasn't alone in the room. Three binomes and four sprites were there as well. Just lackeys actually and so unimportant that Chaos didn't even know their names. Since they all seemed to be doing something and staying out of his way, he was reasonably content.
Chaos once again looked into the window that showed Hexadecimal's Lair. They must have sensed his presence by now, why hadn't they attacked? He knew for certain that the renegade had, but Chaos had to be within a certain proximity for Matrix to do so. With Hexadecimal and Melissa, it would be different.
They were up to something. They had to be. Possibly planning how they would attack him. Well he had already taken precautions. Hopefully they would work. Chaos muttered a curse, he'd be so glad when he finished this job and could blow this dismal little city.
"Um – excuse me, sir?" one of the sprites had approached him.
"What do you want?" Chaos snapped.
"Our spy has returned and wishes to make his report," the sprite cringed away.
"Well don't just stand their like a pixel brain, bring him," Chaos snapped.
"Yes sir."
The spy was a dirty zero binome with missing front teeth. He smiled hugely and said, "For the Glory of Daemon!"
"Report," Chaos said in a bored tone.
"At least three-dozen members of our faction have been captured," the binome said, "Many have betrayed their comrades."
"Then they will be deleted," Chaos had the perfect method for that.
"The leader of our faction, Ripper, was assaulted by the Prime Guardian, he gave Quicksilver's name."
"Then add him to the list of those to be executed," Chaos commented.
"The Prime Guardian doesn't appear to be in Mainframe, but we've been spreading the rumors that he's dead."
Chaos chuckled, "Very nice. Now what of Matrix?"
"His current location is the Principal Office, along with Dot Matrix and the game sprite."
"And nothing from the virals?"
"All is quiet around the Lair."
Chaos didn't like that one bit, "I must be completely random, but maybe we can find a way to draw them out."
Chaos turned back to the vidwindows, "Keep up with the rumor mongering. I'll soon have the perfect way to get the traitors. Get back to work."
"Yes sir."
Chaos smiled, feeling much better. He walked into a small room adjacent the makeshift command center.
"Old Quicksilver isn't the only one who can dabble in science," The wild virus said aloud. Although what he did could not actually be called 'science'. He just had a power to call and control. And when he had first arrived, he had called with his power and these little beauties had answered.
The bugs were leftovers from the war he guessed. Too hearty to die and in the space of the few milliseconds he had been in Mainframe they had reproduced and multiplied at a very pleasing rate and were already responding to Chaos's power. He released them from the box now and they scattered to the dark corners and recesses of the room and waited.
"Not yet, my pretty little ones," Chaos smiled. "But soon."
It was time to see what his viral enemies were up to.
***
Hexadecimal frowned into her mirror at the section of Level 31 where she knew the virus called Chaos was hiding. She truly hated to wait but she wanted Chaos to come to her, in her own Lair, so Melissa could destroy him. And if it seemed Chaos would best her sister (which Hex doubted) the Queen of Chaos had her own means of destroying her enemy.
For now, thanks to Hex, Melissa was barred from sensing her enemy's presence in Mainframe. Hex wouldn't do that forever, but for now it was necessary.
"Yes, let him worry and wonder about me," Hex smiled, "Let him make the first move and the first mistake and it will be his last."
***
It was raining in the Super Computer. Although it was summer and the rain was warm, it came down in a torrent drenching everything and anything. People frantically ran for cover like frightened rats.
Three seconds Desdemona had been sitting on the front steps under the overhang of Ram's townhouse but it became apparent to her that he was not coming back.
Her tears mingled with the rain. Now another person she had come to trust had abandoned her. It was bad enough that he hadn't come to see her in the hospital, but she figured he didn't know where she was. She had wanted to try and contact Lynx for help but had heard that the Guardians had taken him and the other members of Web Alliance into custody. Rumors flying all around the city were that the Prime Guardian had been assassinated. But if that were true, who was leading the Collective? Her guess was Mistress Katiyana.
Maybe she should go back? Plead with Katiyana for mercy? No, Desdemona hardened her resolve. She would not go back, not after Katiyana's betrayal. She needed Ram not only for companionship but so she could have her revenge.
Lightening split the evening air and Desdemona drew herself closer to the wall. Through the gray deluge, she saw someone approaching quickly. Desdemona expected them to pass her by but was surprised when the person – a sprite woman – stopped and ducked under the overhang with her.
"Are you Desdemona?" The woman asked without preamble.
"Yes."
"Ram sent me for you," she said.
Desdemona's core-com leapt. "Where is he?"
"In hiding," the woman said. "Will you come with me?"
Desdemona knew she shouldn't trust this woman but what other choice did she have? "Yes."
The woman led her a little ways down the street to a transport waiting in an alley. A binome man was behind the wheel as the sprite woman slid into the front seat.
"That her, eh?" the man asked.
"Yes," the woman said as the binome started the transport.
Desdemona was tired from her three-second vigil. She fell asleep and by the time she woke up, she had no idea where she was.
"Where are we going?" She asked sleepily.
"We're already here," the binome said.
Apparently, they were in a warehouse district. The binome stopped the transport in front of a dilapidated building. Now eager, Desdemona leaned forward in her seat as the binome and sprite climbed from the transport. She was led within the musty interior of the warehouse and was immediately assailed with a nauseating scent that she didn't recognize and wasn't sure she wanted to.
"Wait here," the binome said as they approached a narrow doorway. The binome knocked and went in and a few nanos later returned and beckoned Desdemona inside.
"Come in here and see to this child!" Desdemona heard Ram yell.
Child? The woman, rushed past her into another room as Desdemona stepped forward.
Ram was standing in front of a table covered with what appeared to be medical, or scientific apparatus. He was staring at a vid-window and the look of fury she saw on his face frightened her.
But when Ram turned to her his face softened and he was the familiar sprite she had come to love.
"Ram!" He opened his arms as she ran to him, "Where have you been? Why didn't you come to me in the hospital? Did you know I was in a riot --?"
"Desdemona," he held her away from him and Desdemona frowned at the impatient tone in his voice. "I'm sorry I didn't come to you, but I couldn't. I didn't find out where you were until recently."
"That's all right," Desdemona smiled.
"I called you here because I need your help desperately," Ram nodded towards the vid-window and for the first time Desdemona saw, he was watching a news story. It was focusing on the rising incidents of graffiti in the city proclaiming the Prime Guardian dead and that the Super Computer was without leadership.
"I've seen that," Desdemona commented. "Rumors are rampant all over the city that he was assassinated."
"Was he?"
"Excuse me?"
"Is the Prime Guardian dead?"
"I --," Desdemona began, "I'm not sure. No one has seen him in ages. I've been out on the streets for days and mostly the stuff I hear is from conversations I've listened in on or the media."
Again, came a flash of impatience in Ram's features, "I need you to find out for certain," he said.
"If the Prime Guardian is dead? How would I find that out? They arrested all the members of Web Alliance. If I go into the Capitol --,"
"I have a solution to that problem," Ram reached behind her and picked something up off the table. It was a small silver disk, "This is an re-do command – a disguise – watch."
Ram placed the disk over her icon and it attached. He tapped it twice and a shower of red sparks surrounded Desdemona.
"Now look," Ram opened a mirror vid-window with the controls from the first window.
Desdemona looked like a completely different person.
Her hair was now long and white and her face green, her eyes were blue and her facial structure was no longer her own. The changes amazed and frightened her all at once. "So you want me to steal into the Council Hall and confirm the Prime Guardian's condition?"
"No matter what it may be," Ram said, "Even if he isn't dead I want to know and I want to know what condition he's in. If he is dead then it will be the time for us to finally act. At least if he's ill beyond the capacity to lead, then we can begin preparations."
"So our success all depends on me now," Desdemona stated.
"Yes."
"Then I won't fail you, Ram."
"Here," Ram gave her a laser pistol, "For protection. Don't take it into the Hall though, it will be detected."
"All right," Desdemona said, "While I'm there, I'll see if I can make contact with the Web Alliance informant."
"Yes," Ram smiled in a strange way, "Let me know of everything."
She kissed him quickly, "You'll hear from me soon."
"I'll have the man take you back," Ram walked her to the door. "If you need to get in touch with me or to return here he will assist you."
Desdemona smiled as the man piloted the transport back to the Capitol. Once again, she had her purpose.
*
And Quicksilver began to laugh out loud, his mind filled with dreams of victory.
***
Mouse stepped into the Operations Center and faced utter mayhem.
Sprites and binomes rushed around in a mad frenzy. Mouse grew dizzy just watching it all. Control panel lights flashed erratically, alarms buzzed with an annoying noise. Mouse caught sight of Ziff and deftly moved past the rushing workers to him.
"Zif, what's going on?"
The Operations Chief had been bending over a Notepad in deep conversation with another technician. He looked up at Mouse's words, clearly annoyed, but his face softened when he saw it was her.
"Oh, Mouse, forgive me," Zif said, "As you can see we're in the middle of a crisis here."
"So I see, need any help?"
"Are you kidding?" Zif looked grateful.
For the next few milliseconds, Mouse assisted in getting systems back online, removing viruses and repairing files. The viral infection, she took special note of. That would bear some deeper probing.
Mouse learned that a new group of technicians had been hired, and somehow, somewhere, someone had pushed a wrong button and all hell had broken loose. Of course, no one knew exactly what had happened at this point, but Mouse was determined to discover the truth. Communications were out, the security grid was out and to Mouse, most important of all, the portal relays had been out for a brief time.
"I need to know what time the relays were out," Mouse said, to a passing technician, "And what time the comm went down."
The binome just stared at her.
"You hard of hearin', sugah?" Mouse demanded.
"Do what she told you!" Zif approached. After the binome scurried away, Zif said, "He's the one who caused all the trouble. He's been disciplined, of course."
"Hmm," and that was something else, Mouse would look into.
When the Operations Center finally achieved some semblance of order, Mouse took Zif aside and told him about Katiyana.
"I want to see her, right now," Zif said, "Would you watch things here?"
"I need to do some research of my own," Mouse said, "If you don't mind me utilizing your systems and your staff?"
"No, not at all, the Operations Center is at your disposal," Zif said.
Which is good, Mouse thought, I'm going to need all the cooperation I can get.
***
Mike The TV fidgeted nervously as he sat in the hardback chair facing a very angry Dot Matrix.
"Now," Dot said, as she held a Notepad in a white-knuckle grip, "I want to know where this story came from Mike."
Mike swallowed, "You realize my freedom of journalistic expression --,"
"Stow it, Mike," Dot said, "And start talking!"
"Well – um --,"
"Mike," Dot said on the very edge of her patience, "You like Bob don't you?"
"Like him, like him?" Mike said, "Why Bob is the personification of the word heroism. Bob is the dispenser of justice! The true and ultimate --,"
"Mike!" Dot tossed the Notepad on her desk, "Whoever gave you this story did so to harm Bob. We have to know who it was."
"Well – for Bob, anything," Mike would have given Dot the information anyway. He hadn't really liked the scummy-looking zero binome at all.
***
Dot looked at the Notepad and her face twisted in disgust. She read the words again and her anger increased tenfold.
But they were just words after all, and hadn't Mouse once said words weren't important?
Still Dot could barely contain her irritation.
Her office door came open and she looked up as Matrix walked in.
"You wanted to see me, Dot?" Her brawny brother pulled up a chair and straddled it.
"Yes," Dot said, "How goes the search for the virus?"
"Nothing so far," the disgust was plain in his voice, "I haven't sensed the presence in milliseconds and we can't seem to get Hex out of the Lair to track them down for us. I don't know if she's ignoring us or --,"
"Maybe she decided to go after the virus herself?"
"Possibility," Matrix said, "Which would save us a lot of trouble, but I'm not betting on it."
"Did you see this?" Dot handed him the Notepad.
Her brother's eyes scanned the screen and grew cold, "Damn it," Matrix muttered.
"You're familiar with this type of thing," Dot's voice softened.
"Unfortunately," Matrix grunted and Dot could see by the tension in his face how the old memories assailed him.
The renegade tossed the Notepad back onto Dot's desk, "You've talked to Mike?"
"Yes," Dot said, "He could only tell me it was a zero binome. Mike had never seen him before and the man refused to give Mike his name."
"Mike should have known better," Matrix said.
"You know Mike," Dot said, "I want this thing nipped in the bud. I'm calling a town hall of sorts to allay everyone's fears about Bob and answer any questions they may have. I'm going to have some CPU's there just to be safe."
"Want me there too?"
"Well I would like you there but finding this virus takes top priority," Dot said, "Keep on with the search."
"You got it, sis," Matrix rose, "AndrAIa is meeting me back in Sector 1000, we're going to continue the search from there. She's at the lab now, completing the final work on Hack and Slash."
"I'm glad those two are going to be all right. You know I actually miss them."
"I'm glad to," Matrix surprised her by saying, "I'll report in two milliseconds."
"Good luck," Dot said.
After Matrix departed Dot picked up the Notepad again and read the words that filled her with disgust:
"…according to my source, Bob has a highly contagious terminal illness. Everyone in Mainframe is at risk of contracting it…my source also states that this could elevate to a plague that could delete thousands…"
Dot tapped her fingernail on the edge of the Notepad and continued to read:
"…and much to the horror of this newsperson, my source has also hinted that Bob did not destroy Daemon – that the super virus is in fact alive and processing and is in control of the New Collective using Bob as her puppet…"
How could Mike even print this trash? Dot wondered. We've got enough troubles. The news from Matrix that he had sensed a new viral presence was unnerving enough. Add to that, the fact that Hex couldn't be reached and Little Enzo was currently in the Lair had Dot stressed to her limits.
But first she would calm the populace, then she'd deal with this binome. As always one thing at a time.
***
Bob wasn't looking forward to what he had to do at all. He felt an uncharacteristic melancholy. He figured it was the result of the 'chemical changes' Rose had mentioned. He lay on the couch in his darkened office, staring at the ceiling, gathering his courage to face the people.
Perhaps he should cancel? No, it was too late to back out now. He had called the press conference and if it were abruptly canceled, they'd assume the worst and that was the last thing Bob needed. Still he seemed to have trouble shaking this depression.
A chime sounded from his desk, stating he had an incoming message. He ignored it. Rule had been at the door several times, but he had locked it and didn't have the energy to rise from his place and answer.
He didn't know how much later it was but there was a sound at the door and he was mildly surprised when it came open and light flooded in.
"Bob?" Mouse's apprehensive voice filled the room.
"Yes?"
"Why is it so dark in here?" Mouse went for the light.
"I prefer it dark," Bob said evenly.
Mouse didn't speak for a moment. She turned back and closed the door, "Sorry, sugah you're gonna need that lock replaced. You worried me. I've been trying to call you."
"I'm sorry."
"Rule tells me you're gonna do a press conference in another half millisecond?"
"Yes."
"Sugah --," Mouse approached him and knelt beside the couch, "You sure you feel up to this?"
"No Mouse, I don't," Bob said, "Rose's medicine isn't working anymore."
"Oh User."
"Mouse – there's something I need for you to do," Bob said. "Since Katiyana is incapacitated, I'm making you interim leader of the Collective."
"Me?"
"You're the only one I can truly trust. Protect Katiyana until she's ready to resume her duties. Promise me?"
"All right, Bob, I promise," Mouse said, "What about Tempus?"
"Until I'm certain he can be trusted, I'd rather you do it."
"He won't like that."
"He'll have to deal with it."
"I wanted to give you my report on the situation with the Operations Center," Mouse said.
Bob ponderously sat up, "All right." He tried to force himself to think around the pain.
Mouse turned on it light and dimmed it when Bob squinted. She approached his desk and activated a vid-window.
"The problem was an overload in the main power grid," Mouse began, "One of the technicians made a little boo-boo – some new guy -- Zif said he was disciplined. Had a run-in with him myself. A real pixel-brain."
"So it was an accident?"
"Now I didn't say that, sugah," Mouse said, "Look at this."
Bob read over the report quickly, "So at 07:00 that was when this supposed accident happened?"
"Um hm," Mouse said, "We're just now getting everything back to normal, but the comm and the relays were out from about seven to eight."
"So someone could have opened a portal between that time and we would have never known it."
"Well when a portal opens some residue of energy is left, we could do a floor by floor scan of the building but depending on how long ago it was when the portal was opened we may not find anything,"
"Make it so," Bob said. "When did Katiyana say Tempus reported?"
"About 07:15," Mouse said.
"We need the time Katiyana was attacked," Bob said, "But then again that wouldn't matter. Tempus reported from Sector 2000 at 07:15, we were talking to Katiyana around 07:30, there was no way he could get to the Hall in fifteen micro's."
"Unless he used a portal, sugah."
"Yes," Bob said, "But how would he create one? He'd need a tear – unless he had help with that and the portal."
"And even if he did create one, no one saw him at the Hall?"
"Even more important, what would be his motive? Why attack Katiyana and take Tracker?"
"To send a message to you, maybe?" Mouse said gently.
"Like the Chosen tried to do with Dot in Mainframe," Bob muttered darkly.
Mouse hastened to change the subject. "Maybe I should have a little talk with the binome who had that accident?"
"We need to talk to the portal room technician too and get the report for the last few milliseconds," Bob said, "I doubt Tempus would be that bold to use the portal room and risk having the technician see him and report it – unless the
technician --,"
Bob broke off abruptly when Rule knocked, then entered, "I'm sorry to disturb you Prime Guardian," Rule didn't move from her spot by the door.
"It's all right Rule, sorry I didn't answer you earlier, I wasn't feeling well."
"It's almost time for your press conference and Colonel Tempus has returned."
"Where is he?"
"He went to visit Katiyana, he said he'd be back soon."
"Contact the security detail and have them keep an eye on him."
Rule gave him a puzzled looked but said, "Very well, Prime Guardian, sir."
"You ready for that conference, sugah?" Mouse asked when they were alone again.
Bob rubbed his eyes, but when he opened them again, yellow sparks were dancing in front of his vision, "Yes, although this isn't going to be easy."
***
Mouse stood against the wall, right outside the main doors and observed Bob as he spoke to the gathered members of the press and the representatives of the city. Questions were thrown at her friend in rapid-fire succession. Mouse could tell Bob was in agony but somehow; he managed to answer all of the questions with a minimum of faltering.
"Constable," Colonel Tempus approached her, "I would have appreciated it if you had waited for me. Who's handling security for this?"
"I am," Mouse said. "Bob – the Prime Guardian – appointed me interim leader."
"What?" Tempus hissed. "You?"
"Yeah, me." Mouse straightened to face him. "You see we've got Guardians and CPU's around the perimeter --,"
"I don't give a rat's ASCII what you've done!" Tempus' voice rose and Mouse gave him a warning look. There were way too many reporters around for them to be starting an argument. "How dare the Prime Guardian do this?"
"Cause – he's – the – Prime – Guardian," Mouse enunciated each word.
"I will not let this go unchallenged," Tempus turned and strode away.
Mouse frowned after him, then drew her katana and calmly began to sharpen the blade.
***
Dot Matrix was having her own share of problems.
Dot had decided it would be better to hold the meeting in the concert hall, but now she realized what a mistake that was when the room was filled to overflowing. Specks stood next to her and shook his head mildly.
"I know, I know," Dot muttered, "But the people have a right to know."
In the front row sat Gavin and his crew. Gavin gave her a nod of reassurance and Dot began to feel much better.
Also in the front row was Mike the TV and his camera crew and several sprites and binomes who claimed to represent the newer citizens – the refugees – of Mainframe.
She knew Phong watched from the Principal Office on a vid-window. She could only hope that Hex was watching too. Still no word from the Lair and Dot was past worry and heading towards panic.
As she stepped up to the podium, the crowd quieted. Several binomes as well as Mike would be supplying microphones for the questioners, although it was the people in front who would ask most of the questions.
"Shall we begin now?" Dot asked, her voice carrying across the room. "As you all know, this town hall was called to address the rumors circulating concerning Bob."
"First off," Dot said, "Let me clarify the situation by telling you that Bob is alive and currently in the Super Computer."
"What about his illness?" Someone, Dot couldn't discern who they were yelled from the crowd.
"Yes, Bob is ill but --,"
The crowd exploded into a myriad of questions.
"Please, everyone settle down," Dot raised her hands, and then nodded to one of the representatives a binome female, in the front row. "Yes? Your question?"
"That is the main question," the woman said, "What of this plague that's supposed to be spreading throughout Mainframe?"
Again, the crowd erupted into questions.
"There is no plague," Dot said, "That was a malicious rumor spread to discredit Bob, we are currently investigating it."
"But Bob is ill," the woman said.
"Yes," Dot said, she had decided to tell them what Bob had agreed to tell everyone else, "While he was at the Super Computer, an attempt was made on Bob's life."
Exclamations of horror swept through the crowd. "Please everyone. He was poisoned. The poison did affect him, so he is ill, but it's nothing contagious."
"What about the rumors that Daemon's alive?" Another representative, a sprite male, asked.
"That is absolutely untrue," Dot said, "Daemon is gone and you are safe from her."
"What about Daemon's Chosen?" Again came the voice from the crowd. Dot's eyes scanned the masses but she couldn't find who had spoken.
"Another situation we are handling."
"How?"
"My brother and AndrAIa are currently conducting a system wide search to apprehend the members of Daemon's Chosen. When Bob returns, he will be assisting us."
"Bob is dead!"
"What? Who said that?" Dot demanded.
"You're lying! He's dead!"
"Bob is not dead!" Dot had almost pinpointed where the voice had come from, when the crowd erupted into shouting again.
"If he's not dead where is he?"
"Call him back!"
"Prove he's alive!"
"Everyone, everyone, listen to me please!" Dot said, "I will have Bob here as soon as possible. He has many responsibilities as Prime Guardian in the Super Computer as soon as he is able, I'll ask him to return."
"Daemon's Chosen will destroy Mainframe!"
"Who is that?" Dot looked in the direction of the voice. At the same time she saw Captain Capacitor signal to his crew. The pirates began to move through the crowd as they went into a frenzy.
"Please everyone, remain calm!" The last thing Dot wanted was to be caught in the midst of another riot. "It appears we have a very outspoken attendee, would you care to come forward and advise us as to how you've obtained your information?"
Silence. The voice didn't speak again and Dot figured the instigator either had left or knew they were pushing it.
"Very well," Dot said, "Any other questions?"
"When can we see Bob?"
Dot sighed, although she had expected to rehash the same subjects. When she finally called the press conference to an end, Dot wearily made her way back to the Principal Office where Phong was waiting.
"I have already been in touch with the Super Computer," Phong followed her into her office.
Dot plopped down behind her desk and opened her organizer, but didn't have the energy to look at it. "You were watching?"
"Yes, my child, you handled that well," Phong said, "I thought perhaps you would like to view the recording I made?"
"Recording?"
"Of the proceedings," Phong straightened his glasses; "Perhaps it will assist you in locating the rather rude individual who upset you?"
A broad grin lit Dot's face, "Phong, you are alphanumeric!"
The Keeper of the Core blushed.
***
Chaos nodded in approval at the zero binome who knelt before him, "I see you caused quite a ruckus at that meeting."
"Not as much as I would have liked, sir," the binome said. "But I have more planned."
"Well you just keep it up, I have plans of my own," Chaos said, "Get the populace nice and riled up and I'll take it from there."
"Yes sir," the binome departed.
Chaos laughed, "No worries, no worries."
He approached the room where his little surprise was safely tucked away. The walls and floors were thick with poisonous bugs scurrying in a living obsidian mass.
"I love being a wild virus," Chaos smiled.
