Aftermath22 Wendy Simpson Wendy Simpson 2 33 2001-10-23T18:00:00Z 2001-10-23T18:00:00Z 26 5930 33806 n/a 281 67 41516 9.2720 0

CHAPTER 22

A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

The present

The barrage of laser fire kept the three men pinned.

"Ray!"  Bob called across the open space, "See if you can get around behind them, "Matrix, cover me!"

Bob leapt from behind the crates where he, Matrix and Ray had taken refuge when the occupants of the run-down apartment complex had open fire on them.  Bob dashed from one stack to the next, firing intermittently, drawing their attention while Ray circled the building on Baud.

As far as Bob could tell there were three of them, firing from the two windows.  A lucky shot from Matrix smashed the glass of one and from within they heard a cry. 

Then unexpectedly the firing ceased and there was the unmistakable sound of a commotion going on.  By the time Bob and Matrix entered the apartment, Ray was standing proudly over his trophies.

"Funny," the search engine gave them a cocky grin, "Once they saw me, they didn't put up much of a fight."

Ray turned to where a woman with a thick mane of fiery-orange hair and cat-like features.  When she spoke, she showed pointed teeth, "Prime Guardian."

"Hellcat I presume," Bob said, "So if you know who I am, you know why I'm here."

"I do."

"Raven," Bob said, "Where is he?"

"System 3145," she said.

Bob was taken aback by her immediate answer, "If you're so willing with your information why did you start firing on us?"

"Hell, at first I didn't know who you were or what you wanted," she said, "I figure now, I don't have much of a choice.  Raven and I keep tabs on each other, I owe him, unfortunately."

"He'll never know you were the one who told us," Bob said.

Hellcat smiled slightly, "You'd better hurry.  I heard Flame is after him too, and she's recruiting help."

"What?"

"Your brother-in-law is quite a prize," Hellcat said.

"He's not anyone's 'prize'," Matrix growled.

"He is to all the really nasty people," Hellcat said, "Flame included.  You had better get moving and watch your backs.  Flame never does something herself that she can hire a bunch of thugs to do for her."

Bob muttered a thank you to her and wasting no more time, they left the system.

Matrix piloted his ship, while Bob sat beside him, checking the reports coming in from the Super Computer.  Ray was following the ship on Baud.

"Message coming in," Matrix said.

"Ahoy, mateys!"  Captain Gavin Capacitor's voice boomed from the com, "Bob, Matrix, do ye read?"

"We read you Gavin, go ahead," Bob said.

"Me lovely bride and I are a mere three sectors away from ye," Gavin said, "How goes yer search?"

"We found out where he is, Gavin," Bob said, "Do you know of System 3145?"

"Aye, that I do, lad," Gavin said, "The SM2 will plot a course right away.  I'll inform me lovely bride and we'll meet ye there.  We'll catch the blackguard and make him pay for what's he's done!"

"I couldn't agree with you more, Gavin, Bob out."

The Prime Guardian of the New Collective turned to the former renegade. "We'll make certain Enzo's safe first before we deal with Raven.  Then --,"

Matrix gave a curt nod of understanding.

***

Seven hours into the past

"Prime Guardian!"

Bob turned at the sound of the colonel's voice.  The man strode toward him, his fury etched plainly on his face.  Mouse, who was accompanying Bob back to his office, stepped forward and blocked Tempus' path.

"Hold on there, sugah," Mouse put out a hand to ward him off.

"Don't call me 'sugah'," Tempus growled at her.  He tried to step around her to get to Bob.  "I wish to speak to you, Prime Guardian."

"Can it wait, Colonel Tempus?"  Bob couldn't seem to find any strength to put in his voice.  He didn't know what was worse, the pain, or the depression.  "I'm not feeling very well."

"I can tell," Tempus said, "In fact I have a feeling that you're a lot sicker than you let on."

They were in the hall down from Bob's office, so he said, "This isn't the place to discuss this."

"No, it isn't," Tempus said, "shall we go into your office?"

"I said later, Tempus."

"Prime Guardian, I must insist --,"

"You heard him, sugah," Mouse said, "Later."

Bob turned and started down the hall, wanting nothing more than to be alone with his misery.

***

"How dare you?"  Colonel Tempus demanded of Mouse.

Mouse wasn't the least bit bothered by the colonel's ire, "I happen to be interim leader, remember?  That's how I dare."

"So Miss Interim Leader, do you want to tell me what's really going on with the Prime Guardian?"

"If there's anything going on, sugah, the Prime Guardian will tell ya," Mouse said.

To Mouse's utter shock, Tempus grabbed her upper arm painfully.

"Now you listen to me you red-haired wench --,"

"Hey!"

Tempus released her and turned as Ray came striding down the hall, his features twisted with rage.

"Keep your hands off of her, you ruddy wanker!"  Ray hissed.

"And just what do you think, you're going to do to me, surfer boy?"  Tempus stepped forward.

Mouse stepped back and drew her katana in a fluid motion and rested the blade on the back of Tempus' neck, "You ain't gonna do nothing but back off!"

"I see," Tempus said, he stepped away from the katana blade, "This isn't over."

Tempus moved around the couple and strode away. 

Ray was before her in an instance, "Are you all right, love?"

Mouse sheathed her katana, "Am I all right?  What about you?  What happened?"

"Never mind me," Ray said, "Did that pixel-brain hurt you?  If he did, so help me I'll --,"

"Ray, I'm fine," Mouse gave him a cocky grin.  She had to admit, it was nice having a man fuss over her like this, even though she was quite capable of handling someone like Tempus.  "Where have you been?  What --?"

Ray grabbed her and kissed her.  "Sorry love, been waiting to do that all night."

"Hmph," Mouse grumped.

"Where's Bob?"

"Bob?"  Mouse looked around, "Oh no."

Mouse started quickly down the hall.  Rule wasn't at her desk, which was unusual, but Mouse entered the office without knocking.  Bob was lying on the couch again, apparently asleep.

"Bob?"

"Yes?"

"You scared me for a moment, sugah, we didn't know were you'd run off to.  Ray's back, do you want to talk to him?"

Bob didn't reply immediately, "Not right now Mouse, I just need to rest a bit."

"What --?"  Ray began but Mouse turned and placed a finger to his lips. 

"It's okay, sugah, you rest awhile we'll be back later."

Bob didn't reply and Mouse gently pushed Ray out the door.

"Something's going on isn't it?"  Ray said, "I've never seen Bob that way before."

"Neither have I," Mouse said, "It's the illness."

"Crash it all, there must be something we can do."

"Find out who did this so we can find the antidote," Mouse said.  "Something happened here sugah, if you're up to it, I could use your help in the Operations Center and I'll tell you what's been going on." 

Ray followed Mouse down the corridor.

***

Desdemona tried her very best to be inconspicuous as she moved through Council Hall.  She had to continually remind herself that she had the perfect disguise, which was proven when Zif walked by her and made no indication of recognizing her.  She made a mental note to pay him back later for his role in her being expelled from the rebel forces.

She had attended the press conference. Bob had looked worse than she could have imagined, like he was going to delete any nano.  She was sure Ram would be interested in this if he hadn't already seen the conference.

She had been trying to figure out a way to get to the detention area to see Captain Lynx when an opportunity presented itself.  She had been trying to talk with the very disagreeable binome guard when she caught sight of their informant walking down the opposite hall.  She moved away from the guards and followed.

"Wait!"

"Yes?"

Desdemona looked around, "Can we talk someplace private?"

"Who are you?"

"Desdemona."

At the confused look she said, "A disguise, I need to see Lynx and they won't let me."

They found a quiet corner.   "I can arrange it."

"I need information on the Prime Guardian.  What his current condition is."

"Weren't you at the press conference?  You know as much as I do."

"I see."

"However – the rumor is that he's dying."

"Dying?"

"Yes – some contagious disease so I've heard."

This was news, "Can you find out more?  Is it possible?"

"Perhaps.  I can't stay.  I'll arrange for you to see Lynx."

"Thank you, I'll be in touch."

The next time she approached the guard she was allowed in without question.

***

"You're sure about that?"  Ram said.  "I saw the press conference but --,"

"He said the Prime Guardian is dying."

"Excellent," Ram smiled.

"When I spoke to Lynx," Desdemona said, "He said the Prime Guardian had some sort of episode in the detention center.  No one knew for sure what happened but they had to call the medics.  They're being all hush-hush about it but our informant states the Prime Guardian looks like he'll delete any nano."

An almost random grin spread across Ram's face, "Yes," and her loved laughed, manically, "Yes!"

"Ram?"

But the man ignored her it seemed, "At last victory!  Revenge.  I only wish I could be there to witness his painful demise."

"Ram!"

Ram laughed, the sound chilled Desdemona to her core-com. 

"At last it is time," Ram moved past her, "Time to retake what we once conquered."

"Ram," Desdemona finally seemed to command his attention.  "It was you wasn't it?"

He seemed to notice her for the first time, "What?"  He demanded.

"Whatever has happened to the Prime Guardian?  You did it, didn't you?"

His eyes narrowed and seem to glow with a sinister light, "Do you have a problem with that?  You wanted to get back at the Prime Guardian didn't you?"

"Yes," Desdemona suddenly realized how little she knew about this man.  "But there's more to you isn't there?"

"Isn't there more to all of us, my dear?"  He smiled at her and moved forward to take her hands.  "You know I care about you?  You can be part of something glorious, if you do what I say."

The look in his eyes disturbed her.  His words came back to her, 'time to retake what we once conquered'.

Suddenly she was afraid.

"You're not having second thoughts about us, my dear?"  His tone of voice told her what her answer should be.  "You were once a leader, be one again.  I will tell you what to do."

She was trapped, she knew.  She had made her decision and chosen her allies.

"Just tell me what you need for me to do," Desdemona said in resignation.

***

Dot strode down the hall towards the War Room, her fists clenched, her face clearly showing her tension.  When she arrived, the gathered binomes working stayed out of her way.  They knew why she was so angry and no one was random enough to mention it to her.

Phong was waiting for her in her office when she walked in, "Have we been able to raise the Lair?"

"Not as of yet, my child," Phong said held a Clipboard in his hands.  "But I am certain Enzo is safe."

"I wish I could be as certain as you are, Phong," Dot said.  She looked at the Clipboard, "Is that it?"

"I'm afraid so, my child."  Phong handed her the board.

Apparently, her town hall had done little to dispel the rumors, or perhaps it had, because their enemies were now taking a different approach.

When Dot had come back from another meeting of system representatives, copies of the Clipboard message had been circulated all over Mainframe.  It was slander, pure and simple, but what angered Dot the most was the very first line, in bold print:

DOT MATRIX IS LYING!

The message continued to say how the disease that Bob had was spreading through Mainframe and Bob was away so he couldn't further endanger the citizens of Mainframe and that Dot was covering for him.  It also hinted at some sort of coup being planned, and that Daemon's Chosen would soon be taking over Mainframe.  Matrix and AndrAIa were continuing to round up members of the Chosen, but the crowd of people in front of the Principal Office demanding answers had made it almost impossible for Dot to enter the complex.

"Have we gotten in touch with Bob?"

"Not as of yet.  Apparently, there is trouble with the communications on their end."

"Great," Dot said.  "I guess we're on our own then – again."

The one good thing to happen was that after careful examination of the video of the meeting, Dot had pinpointed the slimy-looking binome that had spoken out.  Mike confirmed it was the same binome who had given him the 'dirt' on Bob.  His picture was all over Mainframe and Matrix and AndrAIa made him a part of their search.

"Sir, Ma'am!"

Dot looked up as Specks entered, "The crowd out there is getting ugly!"

"Notify the CPU's and recall Matrix and AndrAIa," Dot said, then she turned to Phong, "Phong would you continue to try and reach the Super Computer?"

"I will, my child."

"If I have to face one more angry mob --," Dot left her office.

***

Enzo and Melissa walked into Hex's throne room.  Well not walked per se, but at Hex's summons, Melissa had taken his hand and had walked him through a wall and a patch of darkness and the next thing Enzo knew they were standing before Hex and the java table she had set up with tea, milk and biscuits.

Enzo was worried.  He had been at the Lair for quite some time, he wasn't certain how long, without contacting Dot.  When he had asked to try, Melissa had told him that there was some kind of force blocking her powers as well as the communication that she recognized as Hex.  Their efforts to locate the Chaos Virus had been futile until her summons of a few nanos ago.

So now, they were here and without warning, Melissa gave a sharp cry and squeezed his hand hard.

"What is it?"  Enzo asked.

"He's here, isn't he?"  Melissa asked Hex fearfully.

Hexadecimal inclined her head.

"Who?"  Enzo asked.

"Chaos."

"That virus?  The one who --?"

"I am sorry, my love," Hex came down from her throne and walked around the java table.  "I didn't tell you because I wanted to be prepared for him so that you may face him on your terms."

"Hex, you're not really going to let her fight Chaos, are you?"  Enzo asked.

"She must," Hex said, "Don't worry, she'll win."

"I'll go with her," Enzo said.

"No," Melissa said, "Hex is right, I have to face him alone."

"No you don't," Enzo said.  "You know I'll always protect you, Melissa."

"I know," Melissa smiled.

"Has he been here all this time?  Is that why you kept me here?"  Enzo said.

"I'm sorry my love, it was necessary.  I couldn't have you telling Dot about this, but Chaos is about to strike and she'll find out soon enough." 

"So now what?"  Enzo asked.

"You run along, Enzo, Melissa will deal with Chaos."

"No, wait – Hex --,"

But the shower of silver light surrounded Enzo and the next thing he knew he was in the War Room.  And an even greater shock to him was finding Phong there talking to none other than Matrix.

Both elder sprite and renegade turned to him with equal expressions of shock.

"Enzo!"  Phong said, "Are you all right my son?"

"We've been worried sick about you," Matrix said.

Enzo stopped himself from saying, yeah right.  "Where's Dot?  I've got something important to tell her!"

"It's going to have to wait, Kid, we've got a crisis here," Matrix said.

"That's what I'm talking about," Enzo said, "Aw, just forget it."

Enzo bolted from the room, ignoring Matrix's, "Hey, where do you think you're going?"

Enzo dashed through the halls of the Principal Office and out into the bright sunshine and halted abruptly at the mass of people on the steps.  Why was Dot facing them alone?  Why wasn't Matrix out there helping her?  Wait, he caught sight of AndrAIa, standing nearby.  He had to get to Dot and tell her about Chaos.

The crowd hampered his efforts.  Dot was saying something but he couldn't hear what it was over the crowd.  Enzo attempted to shove his way through but it was like pushing against a wave from the Data Sea.

"Enzo!"  Matrix called to him but the young sprite ignored his bearded counterpart.  The little sprite moved to the edge of the crowd and decompressed his zip board.  He had only one objective now, find Melissa and protect her from Chaos – no matter what.

He'd start at Los Angles, if he could get there in time.

***

Where in the net was that kid going?

Matrix was torn between following Little Enzo, after all Dot had been worried sick about him, and helping Dot.  The crowd was getting ugly and this time he'd be damned if he let Dot and AndrAIa get caught up in another melee.

Matrix decompressed his zip board and flew over the crowd, drawing their attention.  He landed next to where Dot stood on the top step.  The distraction was enough for Dot to make a final attempt to quiet the crowd.

Mike and his camera crew were present and had microphones set up, Dot's voice carried across over the heads of the throng.

"I know you're all concerned about this," Dot was saying, "But we are handling the situation." 

The crowd seemed unconvinced.  Worse yet, more people were crowding onto the steps and spreading down the massive walkway.

Dot turned to him, "Think you can give them a progress report?"

Matrix nodded and stepped forward, "AndrAIa and I have apprehended dozens of members of Daemon's Chosen."  He nodded to where the game sprite stood, several yards away.  "We need to continue our investigation but the less interference we receive --,"

"The people have a right to know!"  Someone yelled out.

"And we promise to keep you informed of everything," Matrix said.  "But as I was saying the less interference the greater out chance of resolving this situation quickly."

"Everyone return to your homes," Dot continued.

"Tell us the truth!"

"You're lying!"

The crowd surged forward – then lurched back as one with a collective gasp of alarm.  Matrix didn't have to turn to know that Frisket now stood crouched and ready beside him, a low growl erupted from the junkyard dog.

"Good boy, Frisket," Matrix said.

The people, now uncertain, milled around.  Some started to slowly back down the steps.  Matrix took the opportunity to speak with Dot, "Little Enzo was just at the Principal Office."

"What?  Where is he now?  Did he say anything?"

"He said he had something important to tell you then he took off," Matrix said, "If you can handle things here now…?"

"Yes, please find him," Dot said, "We'll be all right."

"Stay Frisket," Matrix commanded the junkyard dog, "Keep an eye on things for me here."

Frisket growled in response.

***

"Is he coming?"  Melissa asked.

Hexadecimal leaned towards her mirror, "Yes, my love.  Try not to hurt too many people."

"I'm afraid."

"I know, my treasure, but you must face him."  Hex frowned into the mirror, "Oh dear."

"What is it?"

"It appears that Little Enzo doesn't listen very well."

"Chaos will hurt him."

"Well let's see what I can do about that."

*

The vid-window opened in Enzo's path.  The little sprite gave a cry of alarm and threw up his arms to protect his face – and passed through the window unharmed.  Like Alice through the looking glass, he was someplace else – specifically, Silicon Valley.

"Oh no you don't Hex," Enzo said, "You can't get me out of the way that easily."

*

"How was that my love?"  Hex asked.

"He won't give up," Melissa said as she peered into Hex's mirror.

"He cares for you a great deal."

"I know."

Hex reached out a touched the edge of the mirror turning it to a different angle.  Melissa saw what she saw.

"He's really coming here?  To challenge us within your Lair?"

"Oh no my dear. He'll more than likely wait outside for us but remember Lost Angles is your domain as well, use it to your advantage."

"Yes Hex," Melissa said.

Hex motioned with her hand and teleported her sister away.  The image in the mirror split into two very different scenes, of Melissa walking outside the Lair to where her enemy waited and the other of a very determined little green-skinned sprite.

"If you're going to do any rescuing," Hex mused aloud, "You'd better be quick about it."

***

Matrix didn't know what to call this feeling he had.  Somehow, without being able to explain it, he just knew Enzo was in Lost Angles.  As Matrix approached the ruined city, he was suddenly gripped with an all-too familiar and terrifying sensation.

The virus was there too.

"This is bad," Matrix whispered, "Very bad."

***

"Everyone please return to your homes," Dot said and was relieved when the people began to comply.

AndrAIa approached her, "Where's Matrix going?"

"To find Little Enzo, he was just at the Principal Office.  I told him we could handle things here."

AndrAIa nodded and reached down to scratch Frisket behind the ears as the hound moved to sit beside her.

"Let's see how Phong is doing contacting Bob," Dot said, "Maybe we can

prevent --,"

Dot halted as something – rather someone -- caught her eye within the crowd.

He gave her a gap toothed smile and made an obscene gesture.  A hot flush of anger burned Dot's cheeks.  It was him, the scummy zero binome who had started this whole mess.  The question was, why was he here?

Then came the screaming.

The crowd broke apart, scattering in a sudden uncontrolled frenzy.  Several more screams erupted and within the open space made by the sudden dispersion of bodies, a woman was engaged in a weird dance. 

Dot, AndrAIa and Frisket stared.

The binome woman was dancing around, screaming and flailing her arms, shaking her head so maddeningly, that Dot was certain it would fall off her shoulders.

The woman gave a banshee howl and a myriad of obsidian forms covered her, appearing as if from nowhere.

Bugs.

Dot gave a horrified cry and literally thousands of the things rushed from underneath the edges of the walkway, blanketing it in an oily wave, converging on the hapless crowd that was now trapped between the onslaught and the Principal Office.

The crowd went mad with fear and shared pain as the poisonous insects converged on their prey.

"No!"  Dot started forward, but AndrAIa grabbed her arm.

"We've got to get to safety!"  The game sprite screamed.

The bugs were relentless in their attack; more came, covering each of the walkways, and converging without stopping on anything in their path that processed.  Dot finally saw the deadly peril they were in, but still her sense of duty would not allow her to run like a coward, "Everyone, follow me!"  Dot cried, "There's safety in the Principal Office!"

Dot was uncertain if anyone heard her over the screams and the chittering of the bugs as AndrAIa hauled her up the stairs, Frisket howled and Dot saw him surrounded by the things, AndrAIa turned and aimed a blast at them with her trident, then whistled and the junkyard dog bounded for them.

Confusion abounded, people crowded up the even as the bugs continued their assault and they seemed to come in relentless waves.  Somehow, some way, they managed to get inside but the doors didn't close fast enough and a crowd of maddened people pushed their way in, covered in bugs.

Then Dot and AndrAIa were running, Frisket close on their heels.

"CPU emergency!"  Dot was screaming into her comm as she ran, "All CPU'S converge on the Principal Office now!  We are under viral attack, I repeat, we are under --,"

"Dot!"  AndrAIa had her by the shoulder and snatched something off of her forearm.  The game sprite crushed the bug under her boot.

"This, way, to the War Room!"  Dot cried as people filled the hall and threatened to separate them in their mad rush.  Those that had made it into the Principal Office ran by them, screaming in terror, some milled blindly about, still others were engaged in the horrid dance trying to extract the bugs from their person.

"All CPU's do you read?"  Dot was screaming as she was carried along with the flood of refugees.  Behind her, she could still hear the chittering that sent a shudder of revulsion through her.

"Ms Matrix!"  A CPU approached her, pushing his way roughly through the crowd. Dot figured he had already been in the P.O. before the doors had closed.  "We have trouble in the Detention Center!"

"Oh no," Dot turned and called to AndrAIa who was pushing her way back towards her.  "AndrAIa, get to the War Room now, I'm going to the detention center!"

"Dot wait!"  AndrAIa screamed but the crowd cut her off.

"Phong, this is Dot, can you read me?"  Dot followed the CPU down an adjacent hall.

"Dot, what is happening?"  Phong's frantic voice answered.

"Get the force shields up now!  We're under viral --,"

Another scream cut her off.  A sprite woman stumbled towards her covered with bugs.  Dot leapt for her and began tearing the offending insects away, only to have some attach to her, eating at her flesh, Dot ripped at them, ignoring the pain and the burning she knew was their poison.  Hopefully, Pearson's Serum would work on these bugs as well.  Dot left the woman in the CPU's care and ordered him to follow her to the center with any CPU's currently in the building and continued to run.

People were everywhere, crowding the halls, some were still, some were in agony, and Dot's core-com ached that she couldn't help them.  Bugs were on her, she tore them off, she crushed them under her boot and between her palms and felt the rush of dizziness as their poison took hold.

Then she arrived at her destination and halted, frozen in mute horror.  The bugs were thick there and the air was loud with screams.

"Emergency override," Dot drew her laser, "Open all prison cells, authorization, Dot Matrix, 4-5-2,"

The cells came open and the occupants stumbled out, the bugs covering them.  Dot began to fire, but it had little effect, as the bugs would scatter, then re-converge.  She ran, didn't dare stop, she heard a familiar scream of agony and came to a halt before the cell holding Captain Syn. 

The man stumbled for her, blood oozing from a thousand wounds, his eyes red, still they managed to plead with her.  Bile rose in Dot's throat as Syn opened his mouth and blood came out.  Sick to her core-com she turned and ran.

She heard the sound again, of thousands of swarming bodies and the chittering almost like a maniacal laughing and by the way her vision blurred and the burning on her skin she knew she wasn't going to make it.  The thought that she, Dot Matrix after everything she had survived would be done in by a bunch of nasty black bugs would be amusing if it weren't so ridiculous.

"Upsy-Daisywheel!"

She was delirious, she thought.  The poison was affecting her processor.  Why else would she be hearing a familiar voice saying such a clichéd phrase?  Why else would she suddenly be flying?

"AndrAIa is very cross with you!"

"Yes indeed very cross!"

"I do not like these bugs."

"Nor do I."

"No siree -- bob!"

"Where's Bob?"

"No, that's an expression."

"Oh I see."

Dot struggled to focus on her surroundings, knowing she was feverish and bleeding, knowing that she was having some weird dream.

"I am glad they do not like droids."

"You said a mouthful old buddy!"

"Here we are Dot, safe and sound!"

"Oh yes, safe and sound!"

"Now didn't we say we'd protect you boss?"

"Yes we did, yes siree – bob."

"Where's Bob?"

"Hack."

"Yes Slash?"

"I told you that was an expression."

"Oh yes, you certainly did!"

Hack and Slash?  Dot thought.  Now I know I'm delirious.

"Lay her down in her office," AndrAIa's voice came from far away.  "Let's hope this works.  "Watch the door boys."

"Yes sir, AndrAIa!  I mean, yes ma'am!"

"Will she be all right?"  It was Phong talking now.

"Yes, Pearson's Serum should work."

Dot tried to speak, but it was too much trouble.

"Phong, a message coming in from the Super Computer!"

"There you go Dot," AndrAIa's voice was soft.  "That should help."

It does, Dot said, or at least she thought she said it.  Her skin began to cool.  She didn't move as AndrAIa treated her.  After a time Dot was able to sit up, realizing she was on the couch in her office.

"How do you feel?"  AndrAIa asked.

"Still a little woozy, but I'm okay."

"Good," AndrAIa said, "Because as soon as you're well enough, I'm going to cold cock you for pulling a stunt like that!  Why didn't you wait for me?"

"I wanted you to get to safety," Dot said, "And I figured you'd be safer here.  Besides Matrix – oh, no, Matrix!  He must know about this!  And Little Enzo, they're both still out there!"

AndrAIa's eyes went very wide, but she said in a steady voice, "Matrix can take care of himself and I know he'll take care of Little Enzo.  He'll know Little Enzo will be his top priority."

Dot struggled to rise, "I have to know what's going on."

AndrAIa moved to help her and together the two entered the War Room.

Hack and Slash were patrolling the room.  Specks was at his station, and the rest of the staff were at their duties, but the tension was palatable. 

"Glad to see you two up and about, boys," Dot called to Hack and Slash.

Both droids floated over to her.

"And you boss."

"Yes, you too boss."

Hack did a turn around, "AndrAIa fixed us up nice and pretty didn't she?"

"Yes, I feel so pretty."

"Yes, so do I."

"I have to admit, you guys do look great," Dot said, turning to AndrAIa she continued, "Nice work, Dre."

AndrAIa flushed slightly, "Thank you."

Phong left his workstation and approached her.

"Phong, what's our status?"  Dot moved to her own workstation.

"The Principal Office has been sealed," Phong shook his head in dismay, "Many people were outside, but dozens are in, we have no way to help them."

"Phong those bugs are everywhere!  What about the air ducts?"

"They have been sealed off."  Phong nodded above her. 

Dot saw the grate had been melted closed.  "But we won't be able to stay here forever – not without air.  What's going on outside?"

Phong sighed, then opened a vid-window, showing the exterior of the dome.  A living oily thing blanketed all the walkway entrances. 

"What about the CPU's are they en route?"

"I do not believe so, my child, we are continuing to send the emergency message but we do not appear to be getting through."

"The signal is being disrupted," Specks volunteered, "You don't suppose those nasty insects --?"

"They're bugs," Dot said, "They can't be acting on their own accord."

"No," AndrAIa said, "Although they're not doing anything advanced, merely keeping us trapped, it would still take some sort of outside influence."

"Is there no way out of here?"  Dot said.

"The insects guard all exits, my child," Phong said.  "It appears that we are under siege."

***

Hidden among the deformed buildings of Lost Angles. Chaos and a group of his minions watched Hex's Lair for any movement.  The collar he would use to imprison Melissa was in his sweaty grasp.  Soon now, my sweet one, Chaos thought.  He had sent a few scouts ahead to find an entrance.  He merely waited for their report.

He heard whispers behind him and turned.  Chaos actually smiled at the zero binome when he approached, "Now didn't I tell you the bugs wouldn't harm you?"

"Y-yes sir," the binome said.

"What ever is the matter?" 

"It was  -- the whole thing just gave me the jaggies, that's all," the binome said.

"Well that's the idea, pixel-brain," Chaos said.  As basic as the bugs were, they would carry out his simple command of blocking all exits from the Principal Office. He didn't have to be there to continue exerting control, even though their presence was a dormant image in his processor.  So now Chaos was free to deal with Daemon's daughters.

"What about the CPU Headquarters?"

"Secure."

"Get our people together.  Once I deal with the virals, we can re-take this system.  Take as many prisoners as you can and force them to fight with us.  Do whatever you need to do, understand?"

"Yes sir!"

The scouts were returning.  Chaos waited impatiently.  A one binome stepped forward, "Sir!  We have a message from the she-virus."

"Which one you dipswitch!"

"The young one – the girl.  She challenges you to a battle."

"She does?"  Chaos said, "And what's the prize?"

"She says whatever you wish, if you by chance win."

"By chance?"  Chaos sneered.  He looked down at the collar.  "So the little virus whelp wants to challenge me, does she?  This will be so much fun!  So where is my little flower?  I so am looking forward to seeing her again!"

***

Now what do we have here?

Matrix again tried to raise Dot on the comm but it was no use.  The garbled frantic message had come through about being under attack but Matrix had heard nor seen any evidence of such.  Still he knew something was wrong, and seeing the group of viral binomes making a poor attempt at concealing themselves amidst the buildings of Lost Angles confirmed his suspicions.

He had wanted to rush back to the P.O. but his first priority, and he knew Dot would have agreed, was to make certain Little Enzo was safe.

The Kid is more trouble than he's worth.  But then sometimes, so am I. 

That thought disturbed him.

Matrix moved stealthily around the perimeter of their camp, using the many odd structures and examples of Hex's 'artistic side' as cover.  He could see at least a dozen men and three transports, no telling how many were in them.  He came close enough to a one binome who stood against a large chunk of what appeared to be the remains of a low wall.  The man was taking a leak.

When he was through, Matrix stole directly behind the wall reached over and snatched the binome up, smothering the binome's scream with both his big hands.  Matrix whirled him around and slammed him against the wall, "How many are you?"  The renegade growled, "And don't even think of crying out." 

The binome nodded, "There are about a dozen or so of us."

"Who's your leader?"

"Chaos."

The other virus that Melissa had mentioned, "What are you doing here?"

"We were going after he two virals.  Chaos went after the little girl.  She challenged him to a fight."

Matrix muttered a curse and drew Gun, "All right little man, here's what you're going to do for me."

Matrix suddenly noticed the binome's single eye was no longer on him but looking over his shoulder.  Matrix dove to the right just as the shot came, he rolled, saw it hit the unlucky binome point blank who fragmented instantly.

Matrix sat up, Gun flying into his hand.  The sprite – a tall purple-skinned man – aimed his laser cannon. Matrix fired Gun twice.  The man disintegrated.

Sounds of running feet had the renegade up as the remaining soldiers converged on the spot.  With a cry of rage, Matrix fired several times, then dove behind the wall for cover, hitting at least five, even as they returned fire.

He knew they'd be on him in moments.  Returning fire, Matrix stayed low behind the wall, crawled to the end and staying down, targeted one of the three transports he had seen.  The shot ripped through its hull.  The transport exploded, causing a chain reaction, which took the rest with it.  The men now halted in confusion, uncertain of what to do and the distraction was all Matrix needed.   He was up and had taken them all out before they even had a chance to react.

Matrix stood and cracked his neck bone with a swift motion and smiled.

The explosion from nearby had him breaking into a run.

***

The explosion nearly caused Enzo to fall from his zip board.  A bloom of red-hot light engulfed a section of Lost Angles.  When Enzo finally regained control, he carefully made his way through the black smoke, and covered his mouth with his hand.

When he landed, all was silent around him.  The wind came quickly dissipating the smoke.  Nearby, he saw a jagged hole in the ground but no one was there.

He wanted to call out but thought better of it.  Instead, Enzo took to the nearest cover, a sculpture of a man sitting.  Enzo scanned the area and noticed out of the corner of his eye, movement but he was unable to tell who it might be.  There was open space between him and a group of the remains of horribly melted buildings.  Enzo dashed across the space and took cover again. 

Now he was certain he saw someone, dashing in between the charred blocks of stones and twisted metal caricatures.  A small figure that just had to be Melissa.  Enzo jogged towards the space between a broken wall and halted.  No one was there.

Confused, Enzo scanned the area once more then risked calling out, "Melissa?"

"Not quite."

Enzo whirled sharply and came face to face with the being he knew immediately to be Chaos.

"Well, well, well," Chaos smiled, "If it isn't the little brat, Enzo Matrix."

"Who are calling a brat you null-face?"

Chaos's expression turned mean, "I'd watch what I'd say if I were you.  Now how can I use you to my advantage?

"What have you done to Melissa?"  Enzo demanded.

"Do you really want to know, little boy?"  Chaos raised his left wrist.  An armband encircled it.  Three jewel-like buttons of red, blue, and green adorned the device.  Chaos depressed the green button.

There was a familiar cry and Melissa stepped from behind a chunk of demolished

Wall.  A collar with three identical jewels on its surface was around her throat.  She stared at Enzo with desperate pleading eyes.

"No!"  Enzo said.

"Now I suggest you surrender or she will suffer," Chaos said, "Allow me to demonstrate."

Chaos pressed the blue button and sparks of blue fire emitted from the collar, dancing across Melissa's skin. The girl virus screamed.

"Don't!  You're hurting her!"  Enzo cried.

"That's the idea," Chaos smiled at him,  "If you don't do exactly as I say --,"

He pressed the button again and Melissa screamed and Enzo knew he had to do something, so he punched Chaos in the mouth.

Chaos staggered back, a look of total disbelief on his face.  The wild virus touched two fingers to his bleeding lips, "You hit me!"

"Duh," Enzo said, and hit him again.

"You little!"  Chaos hissed, his teeth needle sharp points.

"Look out!"  Melissa yelled the warning.

Chaos spat at him and Enzo jumped back but not fast enough.  The disgusting glob landed on Enzo's boot and began to eat its way through.

"Cursors!"  Enzo yelled, but before he could do anything about it, Chaos was on him, shoving him to the ground, razor claws extended and Enzo gave a cry of alarm.

"Chaos, don't you dare hurt him!" Melissa struggled against the binding of the collar. 

Melissa's cry was just enough to distract Chaos.  Enzo shoved the wild virus off of him and rolled away.  He ripped both boots off, then was up.  Chaos was just regaining his feet when Enzo barreled into him.

"Enzo stop, don't!" Melissa cried.

Enzo landed three blows before he noticed Chaos pursing his lips.

"Whoa!"  Enzo pushed back, the spit splashed onto his arm, burning and Enzo screamed as he landed hard on the ground.

"Enough!" Chaos yelled he held his hands above his head and a blossom of red light materialized.  "This ends now you little --!"

He never got to finish the sentence.  A shot cut through the air.  It exploded around Chaos's arm, shattering flesh and links.  Now it was Chaos who screamed as he held up the bloody smoking stump that was once his arm. 

Something landed close to Enzo, and the little sprite realized it was the severed hand and wrist of the virus.  He forced the bile back down his throat.

Enzo leapt up and smashed into Chaos again, but because of his pain, there wasn't enough force behind his action.  Chaos was thrashing underneath him yelling curses, the virus freed him uninjured arm from underneath Enzo and claws raked across Enzo's chest.

Enzo heard a shrill cry of agony and dimly realized it was coming from him.  Chaos threw him aside, his face twisted in a sneer.  Then the virus was on him, pinning him down and Chaos sank those awful needle-sharp teeth into Enzo's left shoulder.

The pain was indescribable.  Enzo couldn't even scream.  From somewhere he heard yelling but wasn't certain where it was coming from.  He noted however as the pain plunged him into darkness that there was some thing familiar about it as well.

***

From where she stood, Melissa could see Matrix, climbing down the wall from where he had fired the shot at Chaos.  The brawny renegade was rushing towards them, but Melissa didn't wait to see if he would reach them in time.

Free of the influence of the collar, Melissa leapt upon Chaos and dragged her hated enemy off of the sprite she loved.  They struggled; he struck her across the face and stood over her, his face twisted in his hate.

"This isn't over," Chaos said and the virus retreated.

Melissa let him go.  She crawled over to where Enzo lay, his body gripped in convulsions as the poison ate away at him.

"Oh no, Enzo no!"  Melissa moaned, "Oh please don't leave me now."

Melissa looked up as the immense shadow fell over him.  Matrix was just holstering Gun, "What happened here?"  The renegade bent down and broke the collar removing it from Melissa's throat.

"Matrix!"  Melissa completely forgot everything she had ever felt about Matrix, her mind only on Enzo.  "Please help him, Matrix!  Please don't let my Enzo die!"