CHAPTER 27
STRENGTH OF SPIRIT
The present
"Gavin, do you read?" Bob asked.
"Loud and clear, me hearty."
"Have the fleet surround the system. I don't want any ships leaving here unless they identify themselves. Use my name if you need to. I don't care who they are or who they know. Detain them if you have to."
"It shall be done," Gavin said, "And good luck to ye."
"Thanks Gavin."
"Matrix do you read?"
"I read you, Bob."
"Enzo will probably head for the net port," Bob said, "We'll try there first. Ray?"
"I read you Bob."
"Try and find what passes for the authorities on these systems and alert them. Tell them we're going to get Enzo. If they want to help they can. If not, they should stay out of our way."
"You got it Bob."
"Raven?"
"Yes, Prime Guardian?"
"Where would Flame take Enzo?"
"If he is still in her custody, to the Bazaar at Sector 200 – she'd – well that's where she'd --."
"I'm aware of what she's planning to do," Bob said, "Very well, I'll try there. If you find anything, contact us on the secure channel. Meet us at the net port in two milliseconds. Since Raven seems to think Flame will have help, everyone watch your backs. Bob out."
Bob turned to the shining globe that was the portal. He called on his power. He was going to enter the system his way.
***
The Nevermore entered System 998 through the net port. Raven brought his ship to hover while he awaited clearance to dock.
Matrix drew Gun and checked the power levels and was satisfied with what he saw. "How well do you know this system?" He asked mildly.
"Well enough. Unless Enzo has quite a bit of units on him, it will be hard to travel using these ports. They're basically controlled by the wealthy."
"You obviously don't know how resourceful Enzo is."
For the first since his warning him on the Saucy Mare, Raven looked directly at him. "Yes I do."
Matrix's eyes narrowed. He wasn't certain if Raven was being sarcastic or not. The bit-for-brains actually sounded sincere. Matrix found out he was right about one thing. They had to pay an outlandish amount (which Raven did after a look from Matrix) and then they were allowed to land.
"Don't try anything funny," Matrix said, "I won't hesitate to shoot you."
"I know. You have my word, I won't."
"So if he's not here, we'll head for that bazaar," Matrix said.
"Agreed."
"Then let's get started."
Searching and inquiring in the port terminal yielded nothing. None of the ships were going to Mainframe, however, there were two going to the Super Computer,
one at 13:30 and the other at 17:30. It was 10:00 now, so Matrix decided they should head for the bazaar. They traveled via zip-board, high over the rooftops.
The area they were in blared the wealth of its owners, with opulent residences, businesses and hotels. All on prime data sea-front property. Matrix noticed the farther away they traveled from the port, the more run-down the area became until finally Matrix knew they were in the worst section of the city.
They landed at the bazaar and selected an unobtrusive corner. Matrix contacted Bob on the secure channel.
"Any luck?"
"Yes," Bob said, "I just talked with a shop owner who sold him supplies. Had to pay him a pretty penny though, said he was headed for the net ports."
"We just came from there," Matrix said. "There was no sign of him and there are no ships to Mainframe. The first one to the Super Computer isn't for another three and a half milliseconds. Raven was right, you do have to pay some serious units to get in and out."
"Where could he be?"
"Where are you Bob? We'll start searching the bazaar and meet you somewhere," Matrix turned to Raven, "Where's a central place we could meet Bob?"
"Well," Raven mused, "Here it would be the Angelfire Inn. In fact, you could probably get some information there for the right price."
"Bob, we'll meet you at that inn, in a millisecond."
"You got it."
"All right," Matrix turned to Raven again, "Show me some of the places Flame would take him."
Raven nodded, "This way."
***
Enzo ducked his attacker's swing and his own fist shot out, smashing bone. He dropped, rammed the flat of his palm into the man's sternum. He dropped.
Enzo straightened just as several people ran into the alley. They all stopped as one, looked at the man, then the seventeen-hour-old sprite.
"Must have been something he ate," Enzo commented, before turning, shouldering his pack and moving away hurriedly.
Now why had he expected to get to the net port unmolested? Still this had been the third person to attempt to accost him. It was more than a coincidence. He had barely defended himself against the first man, who had drawn a knife on him. Luckily, he had been trained in disarming someone.
He was hungry but was afraid to stop at one of the restaurants or inns and the food being sold at the bazaar stalls didn't impress him as being too sanitary. So, he continued on, ducking through alleys and narrow spaces between buildings and avoiding people when he could. After a time, he came out on a wide main avenue.
Across the way, he saw a large amazingly well kept inn, the Angelfire Inn. Maybe he wouldn't be noticed in the large crowd? Enzo crossed the avenue and entered the dim smoky interior. It was crowded to capacity. The nose level was deafening, but Enzo was glad for it. As he suspected few people glanced at him.
He found a seat at the end of the bar and was immediately approached by a pretty sprite server, "What can I get you handsome?"
He'd delete someone for a cappuccino right now but he doubted they served them and he didn't want to look basic for asking, "Whatever the special is and an energy shake, please."
"You got it, cutie." She placed a bowl of peanuts in front of him, which he devoured with gusto. As he sat there, he noticed a presence behind him. Enzo turned to see two rough-looking male sprites behind him. One was a thin ferret-faced runt and the other was a bloated monstrosity with a scar running down his left eye.
"Can I help you, gentleman?"
"You're him aren't you?" The bloated one asked.
"Excuse me?"
"The Matrix boy. The one Flame is looking for."
Enzo hoped nothing showed in his face, "I don't know what you're --,"
Both men lunged for him and the same time. Enzo tried to dodge them, but the ferret-face, tackled him and both of them went down over the nearest table upsetting the patron's drinks and the patrons even more.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Enzo wrestled with ferret-face, fighting to throw him off, just as he heard the bloated man say, "This kid's worth a shit-load of money!"
Enzo got one hand free and rammed a finger into the weasel's right.
The man screamed shrilly and Enzo shoved him off and was on his feet, only to be knocked down again and as the press of bodies began to suffocate him he realized that maybe coming in here wasn't such a good idea after all.
***
"What in the net?" Matrix halted as they approached the inn, "What's going on in there?"
Matrix was frustrated and not a little worried. None of the places Raven had led him to knew anything about Enzo or Flame and Matrix had been very adamant in his quest for information. He could barely believe such places existed. Matrix was beginning to wonder if Raven was conning him. Surely, he couldn't be that random?
"That happens all the time," Raven nodded, "This is System 998 after all."
Matrix started for the inn entrance.
"You're not going in there?" Raven said.
"Bob might be in there," Matrix said, "What, is the Raven really a chicken?"
Raven's jaw tightened, "All right."
***
Enzo was dragged to his feet, two men on either side held him despite his struggling. The bloated man approached him, reached out and grasped Enzo by the chin, "I can see why Flame wants you so much."
"Maybe we can really make a unit hmm?" ferret-face said held his hand over his bloodied eye, "I owe the little prick for this."
Enzo was sick and tired of being treated like a thing, "Piss off."
"You little --,"
"Hey!" Two more men approached, "We're taking him to Flame."
"What, you random or something? Get out of our --,"
The newcomers drew lasers and the two holding Enzo loosened their grip, Enzo didn't hesitate, he broke free, did a roundhouse kick, taking down the first captor but he had no time to do more, for the shooting began. He dropped and crawled while chaos erupted all around him. He came to the end of the bar, was on his feet and bolted through the door to the kitchen. He thought for one weird moment he heard someone call his name, but he didn't stop to find out.
*
Matrix shoved his way through the crowd exiting the inn. His efforts were hampered for the people fought to escape whatever was going on inside. He saw several rough looking men fighting. Hoped to the User, Bob wasn't in the midst of it, Matrix shoved moving bodies out of the way, trying to get closer. A woman, a bar maid was on top of the bar screaming. Someone shoved him from behind, Matrix stumbled, righted himself and turned to confront his assailant -- and saw Enzo escaping out the door behind the bar.
"Enzo!" Matrix screamed above the din, "Enzo!"
Now Matrix fought to get back out, which was less trouble, as the crowd trying to escape, shoved him along. Raven was by the door and slipped out with him.
"Did you see him?" Matrix demanded.
"Yes," Raven said, "There's an alley behind the kitchen --,"
Matrix was running even before Raven finished the sentence.
*
Enzo ran and didn't look back. He cut down an alley, ducked between two abandoned buildings and came out on another busy crowded thoroughfare. He took a moment to frantically glance left, then right. To his right, the road led to a bridge over an aqueduct. If he went left, that would lead him deeper into the city, so he chose right. His feet hit the stone of the bridge and he moved through the foot traffic, then halted in the middle. And for the first time he felt a glimmer of hope. He could see the net portal from where he stood as it pierced the mid-morning sky. The city stretched out before him and ended in rolling hills where he could clearly see the opulent residences and businesses of the criminally wealthy. The portal seemed a million kilometers away. He wished he had a zip board.
"Might as well get started," Enzo took a step forward, then froze as a silver glimmer of something made him turn back. Enzo leaned over the bridge, certain his eyes were deceiving him.
Just below the bridge where he stood, striding purposefully down the sidewalk, ignoring the merchants calling to him to buy their wares was a commanding figure in silver armor.
Bob.
"Bob," Enzo whispered, "Bob!"
Bob halted, turned and looked up at him.
Something was wrong. Enzo knew immediately. Even from the distance, Enzo could see the warning look on Bob's face.
"Enzo!"
He felt the presence behind him too late and turned sharply. Before Enzo could react, Cracker struck out at him. Enzo heard a sharp crack, realized it was the force of his head snapping back, then the world started spinning before going dark.
***
Matrix and Raven came out on the thoroughfare and halted. "Which way?"
"There!" Matrix started forward
"Matrix," Raven nodded behind them.
Several armed men were coming down the alley.
"Friends of Flame's?" Matrix drew Gun.
"I'm wagering," Raven drew his rapier and main gauche. "Matrix, you saw Enzo?"
"Yes," Matrix raised Gun as the men advanced.
"Go to him," Raven said, "I'll hold them off for as long as I can."
"What? Do you think I'm basic?"
"Trust me," Raven said, "Besides what choice do you have?"
Matrix looked at him, gauging his sincerity. Why should he believe this man? He'd escape – and yet, he was giving Matrix the opportunity to get to Enzo. "This isn't over Raven."
"No," Raven said, "Tell Enzo this makes us even."
Matrix turned and ran for the bridge.
***
Enzo came to and immediately wished he hadn't. His skull seemed to explode repeatedly and the jostling seemed to make it worse. His vision swam into focus as he realized he was flat on his back, lying on the cold sidewalk of the bridge.
"Told you I'd get you back for my hammer," Cracker reached down and grabbed Enzo by the collar hauling him up, and twisting the material, cutting off Enzo's air, "You know, I really don't think you're worth all this trouble."
Enzo struggled, trying to pry at Cracker's fingers. His vision blurred and his head swam and he couldn't think of a single way to get out of this situation. Where was Bob?
Cracker leaned him over the bridge the edge of the bridge; "Flame and a few of her choice friends are taking care of the Prime Guardian, if you want to know. So that just leaves you and me."
He began dragging Enzo across the bridge. The young sprite's feeble struggling didn't deter Cracker in the least. Enzo couldn't even cry out of help. He doubted anyone would help him. "You see, I do what Flame says but I figure accidents do happen and it ain't my fault if you fall in the water and get deleted."
"No!" Enzo managed to choke out. This random sprite was going to delete him. He had to do something but it was hard to function, let alone come up with a plan around the pain.
Then miraculously, Cracker released him. Enzo crumpled to the ground and broke into a fit of coughing, "You're not going to murder me in broad daylight in front of all these people."
"You think anyone's going to care?" Cracker said, "Get up!"
Enzo climbed shakily to his feet. He glanced around, saw people gathered watching, and knew they wouldn't help him. Should he make a run for it? No, he was going to finish this here and now.
Enzo gathered his remaining strength and went into his stance.
"So the little boy wants to fight again? Good." Cracker said. "Like I said, accidents happen and I'm looking forward to tossing your dead body over the bridge."
"Shut up and fight," Enzo said.
***
"No!"
Bob could only watch helplessly as Cracker came up on Enzo from behind and struck him. After all this, the searching and the pain and the worry, Bob was not going to lose his brother-in-law again.
He broke into a run, gathering his power as he went and as he reached the edge of the bridge someone – actually several someone's -- moved to block his path.
"Going somewhere, Prime Guardian?"
"Flame," Bob hissed.
She smiled as she pointed a laser at him, "Congratulations. I admire a persistent man."
"Out of my way, Flame!" Bob hissed.
There were at least ten other mean-looking looking people with her, and they moved to surround Bob.
"I don't think so," Flame said.
"That's my line," Bob said.
"What?"
Bob blasted the nearest man but the others attacked as one. Bob surrounded himself with a shield of his power as they converged on him and he went down. Several blows were landed but his armor repelled their efforts. Someone kicked him in the ribs and only hurt themselves for their trouble. Bob heard Flame screaming, "Hold him, hold him! Do you know how much he's worth?"
Bob sent another blast of his power sending electric fire through the bodies that covered him and suddenly he wasn't trapped under their weight anymore.
"Don't just stand there you ASCII's get him!" Flame was screaming.
Now they approached more cautiously. Bob gathered his power, "Who else wants a piece of me?"
Someone drew a laser and Bob faced him.
"Don't kill him!' Flame screamed and by looking at the man's face Bob knew he had no intention of obeying Flame.
The shot came, so close to Bob's face he felt the heat of it as it slammed into the man's chest, knocking him backwards.
Bob turned, "Matrix!"
"No!" Flame turned and ran.
"Stop!" Bob gathered his energy but as his concentration was now on Flame, a few of the braver mercenaries jumped him from behind.
"Bob!" Matrix started forward,
"No!" Bob cried as he struggled. "Get to the bridge, Enzo needs you!"
"Enzo?"
"Go, now! That's an order colonel!" Yet, Bob could see Matrix's indecision. It would cost Enzo his life if Matrix didn't act.
"Matrix, go!" And he was too busy fighting after that to notice if Matrix obeyed him or not.
***
What in the net am I doing? Raven wondered as he bolted down the thoroughfare towards the bridge. These people would as soon as throw me in jail forever then look at me. He had fought them off, and when he faced being overwhelmed well – Raven knew when to retreat. Unfortunately, his pursuers didn't know when to give up.
Raven hit the bridge when the first laser shot barely missed his head. Panic ensued. Raven crouched and kept moving. More shots came. Someone screamed when the poor soul was caught in the line of fire. Raven pinned himself against the side of one of the support beams, drew his own laser and waited.
***
"Not doing so hot, are you, pretty boy?" Cracker taunted.
Enzo was still standing, although he couldn't tell anyone, least of all himself, how. He knew he had links broken but by now, he was numb from the pain. His left eye was blackened, he had a busted lip, and the salt and metal taste of his own blood filled his mouth. "It took a sucker punch for you to be able to fight me. I would have kicked your ASCII otherwise."
"Then let's see you do it now, you little prick!"
They were on the other side of the bridge now, Cracker having forced Enzo back. Enzo's head was throbbing horribly and his vision refused to clear. Still he faced Cracker. He'd never back down.
Cracker lunged for him and Enzo dodged, and struck, busting Cracker's nose. It was the third time. He punched, kicked and dodged again. Cracker drove his fist into Enzo's stomach and the air rushed from his lungs as his knees buckled. He barely had time to recover before Cracker was on him again, hitting him three times. Enzo blocked a blow, went to strike back, but Cracker dodged his blow and hit him in the face once again, making his head snap back. Enzo hit the ground hard.
"See what I mean?" Cracker drew a knife from his belt. "But you know, this is getting really boring so I think I'll cut your throat and be done with it.
Cracker advanced on him. Enzo back crawled, unable to think around his pain and his fear. Still Cracker was coming for him.
"Oh stop running away and take it like a man," Cracker said. He reached down and grabbed Enzo up and positioned the dagger.
"No," Enzo growled in defiance.
The next thing Enzo knew Cracker had let him go and the man was being dragged back by a sinewy arm around his throat.
"Matrix!"
Enzo watched as the two men struggled. Cracker broke Matrix's hold, took a swing, which Matrix blocked before smashing Cracker's already broken nose to a bloody mess. But Matrix didn't stop there, landing blow after blow, never giving Cracker the opportunity to strike back.
Some how Enzo regained his feet and just as he did, he heard the unmistakable sound of laser fire. The suddenly panicked crowd converged on him alone it seemed, and Enzo had to move back against the pilings to keep from being swept up in the rush. Matrix and Cracker still struggled, being dragged as one with the tide of fleeing people.
More shots filled the air, causing a mass hysteria. Enzo fought his way through the tide, was tripped and barely managed to pull himself back up again. He caught sight of Matrix facing a bruised and bloodied Cracker, beckoning him to get up.
Cracker made a feeble attempt before falling flat on his face.
The crowd was thinning now, Enzo fought his way over, but movement to his left drew his attention as three heavily armed men crested the bridge and were heading straight for them.
"Matrix!"
The former renegade heard him, then saw the advancing men. Matrix drew Gun just as the three drew weapons of their own. Matrix fired first, hit one man then dove as the other two fired on him.
"Hey!" Enzo yelled, "It's me you want isn't it? Come and get me!"
The other two turned to him, distracted and therefore, were unprepared when Matrix leapt to his feet and fired a second shot. Enzo dashed forward, hoping to catch the third man before he recovered, but he wasn't fast enough and the third man raised his laser to point at Enzo's chest. "Tell him to throw down his weapon or I'll delete --,"
Another shot came out of nowhere cutting the man down before he had a chance to
finish his threat.
Enzo looked in total disbelief at the black clad figure that stood there, clutching his own laser, "Raven?"
Raven turned to him, gave him a half smile and inclined his head slightly.
Matrix moved up next to him. "Enzo are you --,"
"Bob!" Enzo said, "Where's Bob?"
"Damn it! This way," Matrix took off down the bridge. Enzo was still weak and in pain from his ordeal, but he did his best to keep up with Matrix as they dashed back across the bridge.
They came across Bob standing calmly in the middle of the sidewalk. Around him were his attackers, either contained or unconscious. Bob placed his hands on his hips and smiled at them, "So, what I miss?"
"Bob," Enzo said, "Bob!"
"Whoa!" Bob smiled as he stopped Enzo from tackling him, "You're a little too big for that too, you know."
"I'm not to big for this," Enzo smiled and pulled Bob into an embrace. "Bob, I knew you'd come after me, I just knew it! I knew you'd never give up!"
"We're so glad your safe," Bob said.
"Do you know you had us all worried sick?" Matrix said, "Don't ever do something like this again!"
Enzo didn't even look at Matrix, "Can we go home now?"
"Yes Enzo," Bob said quietly. "We can go home."
***
Seven hours into the past
There was no more pain. No more nightmares, or fire, or ice. No more voices. There was only darkness and silence.
Bob was content at last.
He lay there in his own personal universe. Not seeing or feeling. It was as though he was no longer solid, but more of a presence in – well wherever he happened to be. Still it wasn't a bad place and Bob was quite satisfied to stay there.
"Bob."
Oh no, Bob thought, not the voices again.
"Get up Bob."
"Get up? I don't think so."
"You must get up!" The annoyingly familiar voice said. "Your friends need you."
"They don't need me," Bob said. "I'm just a burden to them. Even Mouse said I was in the way."
"Dot needs you!"
Bob gave a harsh bark of laughter, "She especially doesn't need me. Not only did she leave me alone here, she's taken my command from me. Guess Mainframe wasn't enough for her."
"Now you just being silly," the voice said, "I said get up, now!"
For the first time in a long time, Bob became aware of a sound. A steady rhythmic beating. His core-com? No wait – it was – that blasted machine. Bob lifted his hand and it was agony doing so and after a moment of fumbling, switched it off.
The light hurt his eyes when he finally pried them open, then his sight swam as he lifted his hand to look at it. It was unrecognizable.
You look bad. Very bad.
The sound of the door opening alerted Bob to the fact that he was no longer alone in the room, "My User!" A surprised female voice cried.
Bob reached out and closed his hand around the young nurse's wrist. "My icon." The sound of his own voice frightened him.
"No, let me go!"
A power that Bob thought he would never have again, came to life in him and he used it now, "My icon!"
"Yes."
She returned later as Bob was struggling to stand, using the machine to pull himself up. If anyone asked, he wouldn't be able to tell them where he got the strength to do all of these things. It was there but he wasn't certain he liked the feel of its source.
She handed him his icon without comment. "Sleep," Bob said and placed a hand against her temple. The nurse fainted. Then he pushed the machine into the middle of the room and stepped back. He replaced his icon and activated his full web armor. Then he aimed a blast at the machine. It exploded, creating a tear, which he converted into a portal.
But where would he go?
Council Hall. That was the only place they could be. Bob leapt through – and came out right in the middle of the battlefield. It was strange but somehow, none of it seemed real to him. The colors seemed washed-out. Everything was in various shades of gray. The sounds muffled echoes. But he knew the sounds of screaming and of laser fire and hastily shouted orders.
Bob examined his surroundings. He was standing behind a transport. He couldn't tell if it belonged to his friends or his enemies. He gathered power, just to be safe and again, came an unsettling sensation with it. He was floating, not too high, but high enough to see over the transport.
Mildly he realized what he was looking at. Dot standing, looking beautiful, defiant, furious and terrified all at the same time. Her laser was pointed at a man that Bob knew instantly to be Quicksilver.
"Dot shouldn't be facing him alone," Bob said aloud. He went to move around the transport. Something had happened. Dot was on the ground. Matrix was kneeling beside her and all at once, fury and hatred came to vivid life in him. His beloved Dot was hurt. Yes, he still loved her, despite everything. Bob's fists clenched and the hate radiated from him, crackling about him like static electricity, lending itself to the dark power he seemed to be wielding.
Quicksilver turned to face him.
Bob smiled at the terror etched on the viral's face. It infused him with a strange sense of euphoria. Strange – he remembered another time when he was another being and fear and pain had given him nourishment.
"No," Quicksilver said, "No!" And the viral assassin turned and ran.
"Coward," Bob smirked and with an almost leisurely indifference, followed him.
***
"Matrix!" AndrAIa came running and knelt beside them, "What happened?"
"Stay with her," Matrix said of Dot.
"Matrix don't!" Dot cried.
"Where are you going?" AndrAIa said.
Matrix was already up and running, "I'm going after Bob!"
"You're going after – who?"
***
No, Quicksilver thought as he made his panicked flight. It can't be true. He's supposed to be deleted! He can't be here now!
But he was, relentlessly pursuing him. The Prime Guardian. But something was different about the man now. He had felt Bob's hate as he stood there under his scrutiny. He didn't think a sprite was capable of such malevolence. Normally those emotions were reserved for –
Quicksilver halted. He turned back and although he didn't see Bob, he knew the man was still after him. He's just taking his time about it. He's confident he'll catch me.
Perhaps he could still salvage this situation. He needed to find a place to make a stand and thought he might know where. Quicksilver moved through the city streets, avoiding enemy patrols. His troops had lost. So be it. As long as he was processing and escaped, he would return. And if not, the woman was safe, far away from the city.
After a time, he came upon the place he knew would be perfect to suit his needs. It was one of the many abandoned sectors of the city. An aqueduct badly in need of repair and only half filled with water stretched the length of the sector. Its walls were crumbling and Quicksilver found a natural entrance into the cool interior.
The walls were slick with moisture. His footsteps echoed mutely on the damp stone. The corridor in which he walked came out into a circular tunnel. And the data running along the canal smelled sour. He continued along the narrow passage. After a time, the sound of running water met his hearing and he hurried down a tunnel to his right and came out into a cavernous room. Here, the data flowed quickly and had a fresher scent. It tumbled down from a high ledge into another canal, which flowed until it disappeared into a dark tunnel. Although he wasn't certain the water was entirely pure. Quicksilver knelt down and scooped up a handful to drink.
The ledge could be accessed by a ladder. To Quicksilver, it seemed to be as good a place as any to wait.
***
Bob was a patient sprite. Quicksilver was laughably easy to track. His viral stench soured the very air. Bob was a little wary of entering the hole in the aqueduct wall, but he knew Quicksilver was there. He felt strange, not as strong as before. The power that had kept him going was waning but it didn't matter. He'd delete Quicksilver with his bare hands if he had to.
As Bob stepped from within a narrow tunnel, the blast came at him and he had barely enough time to dodge it. It struck the arch at the tunnel entrance. Rock exploded in chunks and razor-sharp fragments, which rained down on Bob. He fell prone to the walkway, the debris, burying him.
"Very bad move, Prime Guardian," Quicksilver called. "Your over confidence will be your down fall."
Bob struggled to stand, found the last of the power ebbing. He felt worse than he ever had. Each stone seemed to weigh a ton on his body.
"I must admit I'm impressed," the voice was moving closer. "You should have been dead by now but here you are, fighting. I now see why Daemon chose you as her general."
Bob couldn't see, but he did sense Quicksilver kneeling beside him. Bob felt a sharp tug at his head and realized Quicksilver had removed his helmet. "But I shall now take what you could have had. I will rule all."
"You know," Bob muttered hoarsely, "I'd pay good units if you'd just shut up."
There was a momentary silence, then Quicksilver burst out laughing, "What a sense of humor, even in the face of your deletion. And that is what I shall do, Prime Guardian, leave you now to delete."
The world was fading again. Quicksilver's voice was a far away echo. The nightmares began again and Bob silently cursed the voice that had made him leave his comfortable little world of darkness. Quicksilver was still talking but his words no longer made sense. It was just background noise.
"Bob," a different voice spoke to him, yet still familiar. "Time has not completely run out. You still have a chance."
"No," Bob moaned not certain if he'd even said it aloud. "Just leave me alone. Let me delete."
"Now we can't have any of that young man," the voice insisted. "Now do you wish to defeat your enemy or not? Or do you wish to die like a coward?"
A sigh of resignation escaped his lips, "All right. What do you I have to do?"
"Wonderful! Why it's quite simple my love, merely open the door."
And Bob saw it. The door was a monstrosity of steel, which held something evil at bay in his mind. The door was locked and bolted tight. It was several inches thick but Bob knew what was behind it. Could sense it's fury at being locked away and Bob knew that he had to be careful for once he released what was imprisoned there he would be at its mercy. Bob stood before the door and reached out a tentative hand and touched it.
It came open – more than that, it exploded open and the thing came rushing out and Bob in his weakened state was ill prepared to fight it. It wrapped around him, smothering him, permeating his skin, filling his mouth and going down his throat and squeezing icy fingers around his core-com. It raced up his spine flooded his processor and took hold there. Bob screamed.
Dariem emerged.
The power! It filled his senses and infused him with the driving strength of hatred. Free! Free to destroy, infect, and conquer! Foolish Guardian! I am that dark part of you that you must suppress, but you can't survive without me! And you will never be the dominant part again. I posses you totally now and I will have everything I desire.
Dariem gathered the power and it flowed through him, the fire and ice now being controlled by him. A mere touch and the rubble burying him began to rot away. He laughed at the ease at which he freed himself.
Dariem stood and his eyes fell on Quicksilver as the man was walking away, towards the ledge. The blast had blocked the tunnel, Dariem realized, there was no escape for his traitorous minion.
"Quicksilver."
The viral assassin turned and the fear that came to life in him appeased Dariem's hunger.
"What? How?"
Dariem smiled, "How do you think?"
"Why can't you stay deleted?" Quicksilver gathered a flaming orb of power.
Dariem watched calmly, totally unconcerned with the pathetic display. Quicksilver hurled the orb at him, and Dariem swatted it away like an annoying insect. The blast went wild, smashing into the tunnel, blowing away the debris and unblocking the entrance.
"No! You couldn't have --," Quicksilver stared at him in wide eyed horror, "Y-you can't have that kind of power."
Dariem raised his palms up and brought to life his own dark orb of energy.
Dariem gave Quicksilver a malevolent grin. Quicksilver stared at the globe and then at Dariem. The viral general saw the realization come into Quicksilver's eyes. The viral assassin knew he was about to die. His terror was intoxicating.
"You're him now aren't you?'' Quicksilver whispered, "You're not the Prime Guardian anymore. You called on that dark power to save you."
Oh yes, I'm going to enjoy punishing you, Dariem thought. All those who had improvised him and betrayed him would be punished.
Quicksilver gave him a trembling smile, "I – I am pleased to see you have returned my liege."
"Are you?" Dariem whispered.
"Y-yes --," Quicksilver cautiously approached. "Forgive me for doubting your ability. I was merely wreaking my revenge on the Prime Guardian for the death of our mistress."
"I suppose that's understandable."
Quicksilver visibly relaxed, "I am here to serve you, my liege." Quicksilver knelt before him, "Command me."
Dariem couldn't stop the harsh laugh, "Command you, hmm? All right then." Dariem caused the dark orb to dissipate. He approached the kneeling virus. "I command you to delete."
Quicksilver looked up, horrified as Dariem grabbed him by the throat and burned Quicksilver with his corrupting power.
"No, don't!" Quicksilver screamed, clawing at Dariem's hand, "Master I will serve you!"
"I already have a servant," Dariem said. "And I don't need a traitor as a servant."
Quicksilver's body went into convulsions. The virus clawed wildly at Dariem's' hand, choked pleadings issued from his lips. Soon his struggles began to weaken.
Dariem let him drop to the floor. One by one his claws extended.
Quicksilver looked up, and whispered, "Prime Guardian, this is murder. If you delete me – you'll become me."
Dariem laughed again, "News flash bits-for-brain. I already am you!"
Quicksilver opened his mouth to scream. Dariem's hand shot out and grabbed Quicksilver by the collar, and slashed Quicksilver's throat.
*
Quicksilver's last coherent thought was not one of fear or defeat, but one of resignation. He had come so far and had expected triumph, but with Dariem's return, he had failed. Very well.
You have destroyed me my master but rest assured I have taken steps to assure my victory in the future.
*
Hundreds of kilometers away, a transport traveled quickly over the countryside. It contained two occupants. One binome male, who piloted the shuttle and a female sprite turned viral.
The female had not spoken the entire time since leaving the Capitol. She sighed and looked out the window. After all the time she had fought during the war, after all the time hating virals, she was one of them. Her hand automatically dropped to her stomach.
And now she would bear a viral's child.
*
"Well," Dariem said, utterly pleased, "Now that that pleasant diversion is over. On to other things."
Outside a whole system, the system -- was his for the taking, along with other rewards.
Like Dot Matrix.
Dariem heard movement coming from the tunnel but he didn't turn immediately. He did however smile at that thought that soon his colonel would be joining him again.
"Bob!" Matrix's voice echoed through the cavernous room. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm better than all right," Dariem really looked at his hands for the first time. This body – his body -- was still in bad shape – but already, he could feel his viral energy eradicating Virogen. He would need much time to heal but for now, his energy was supplying him with strength. Now to bring back Valadare.
"Bob?" He heard Matrix tentatively step forward, "How did you --?"
Dariem turned. "Really now, Valadare, haven't you figured it out yet?"
"No!" Matrix cried, horror and shock on his face, "Bob --,"
"Bob is gone forever," Dariem started forward. "I'm here now and no one is getting rid of me again."
The shock was replaced by fury. Matrix raised Gun and pointed the deadly weapon at Dariem's face. "Gun – command line – full delete."
"Come on, you really want to go through this?" Dariem asked. "You're not going to shoot me, so just put Gun down."
Matrix was shaking, but still kept Gun pointed at him.
"I need my colonel," Dariem walked forward without fear, and as he did his claws extended.
"Don't," Matrix growled.
"Valadare, I promise you it won't hurt as much as it did the last time," Dariem said. "But I have to have you viral. It's the only way I can truly trust you."
Dariem placed his hand on Matrix's wrist and pushed until the younger man lowered his hand. Dariem took Gun from Matrix's grasp and tossed it into the tunnel entrance. He turned back to face his colonel.
"You've always wanted power haven't you?" Dariem said, "Well here's your chance. We can have the Super Computer, Mainframe, the net, hell even the web."
"Bob – please," The distress in Matrix's voice and core-com just provided more sustenance for him.
Dariem raised both hands to either side of Matrix's face, "And we'll have AndrAIa and Dot, so you don't need to worry about that either."
The tips of Dariem's claws rested at the entrance points on Matrix's face. Matrix looked at him, his eyes wide and pleading, then his head lowered, his face tightened in a look of grim acceptance.
"That's it," Dariem's voice was a gentle whisper, "You know it's better this way. You know I love you, don't you? Like the son I never had."
Dariem began applying pressure with his claws. Matrix threw his head back and gave a defiant cry.
Something, Dariem didn't know what, slammed into his back. Dariem screamed, his back arched, electrical currents danced across his skin and an eerie green light surrounded him, draining his strength from him. Now it was Dariem who gave the defiant cry and his legs could no longer support him and he collapsed and the darkness rushed to meet him.
***
Matrix couldn't believe what he was seeing. Bob, his hero, standing there facing Quicksilver. For a moment he thought, Rose found the cure. But would Bob have recovered so quickly? Something wasn't right here, and Matrix was going to find out what. So when AndrAIa he told her, "Stay here," and went after Bob.
He wasn't hard to follow, which disturbed Matrix somewhat. Even when he lost sight of Bob, he seemed to instinctively know where Bob had gone. He came to the hole in the aqueduct wall and training his infrared into the interior, drew Gun and started resolutely forward.
He heard the first explosion but couldn't tell where it was coming from as the sound bounced off the walls. The second one came a few milliseconds later and Matrix saw the flash of light at the end of the tunnel and could now hear the echoing voices, which became after a time, a man's dying scream. His core-com in his throat, Matrix rushed forward and came out into an immense cave-like room.
And standing by himself, his back turned to him was Bob.
"Bob!" Relief flooded his senses, "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm better than all right."
"Bob?" Something wasn't right. Matrix took a tentative step forward. "How did you --?"
Then Bob turned and the relief fled, became horror as Matrix saw that Bob looked no better than he had in the hospital. His face deformed, unrecognizable, except for blank yellow eyes. Eyes without pupils
"Really now, Valadare, haven't you figured it out yet?"
"No!" Matrix cried. Not this, not that thing! Bob couldn't have given in to Hex's random scheme. Even as he thought it, Matrix knew that Bob had. It was the only way he could be present in this place, "Bob --,"
"Bob is gone forever," the thing was moving towards him. "I'm here now and no one is getting rid of me again."
Matrix raised Gun. If Bob was gone, he couldn't let this thing lived. A shudder started across his body. He knew what the thing was like and the evil it contained and he refused to let it live. Dot would understand but would probably never forgive him. "Gun – command line – full delete."
"Come on, you really want to go through this?" Dariem asked. "You're not going to shoot me, so just put Gun down."
Matrix could barely hold Gun steady. Every instinct in his body screaming for him to pull the trigger, but his core-com wouldn't allow it. This was Bob, his hero.
"I need my colonel," Dariem walked with a confident air.
Matrix looked down and saw his claws extended. Then Dariem was too close.
"Don't," Matrix growled.
"Valadare, I promise you it won't hurt as much as it did the last time," Dariem said. "But I have to have you viral. It's the only way I can truly trust you."
Still Matrix didn't move, didn't that is, until Dariem wrapped a clawed hand around his wrist making a shudder of revulsion race across Matrix's skin. And he realized as Dariem disarmed him and tossed Gun away, that he could never hurt this man.
"You've always wanted power haven't you?" Dariem said, "Well here's your chance. We can have the Super Computer, Mainframe, the net, hell even the web."
"Bob – please," there had to be something left of Bob. Bob knew Matrix wouldn't – couldn't fight him. Please Bob, he wanted to plead, don't make me go through that horror again!
Dariem was speaking to him again, in an almost kind voice. Matrix felt sick when the need to please him to make him proud, to do what he asked, came to life in his core-com. He needed Bob's approval in everything and he would have it. Matrix felt the first pressure and looked up to see the insane triumph in those sightless yellow eyes and he realized, No, this is not Bob, this is a thing, another Daemon!
"No!" Matrix threw his head back and cried aloud.
The blast came from the tunnel mouth. Matrix caught a glimpse of a figure there moments before she was illuminated by the discharge of the blast. It hit Dariem in the back and the force of it knocked Matrix down. The renegade looked up, saw Dariem's body reacting violently to the plasma field that surrounded him, then the viral general pitched forward on his face.
Dot stepped from within the shadows of the tunnel mouth. The plasma cannon, the barrel still smoking, suddenly slipped from her grasp.
"Dot!" Matrix said.
"Bob," Dot whispered.
Matrix watched as she fainted. "Dot!" he was by her side in nanos. She had just saved his life. Matrix lifted his sister into his arms, then looked back at Bob's still conscious form. "Don't worry Bob, I'll be back for you. I'll get you some help, I promise."
***
Dariem floated within the darkness. He was not angry. No there really wasn't a reason to be. So, someone had gotten the drop on him. If he hadn't been so distracted with Valadare, not to mention the poor condition of this body, the blast would have never harmed him. In a way, this was a good thing. Now his body would have a chance to heal. He could play the invalid for a few cycles, pretending to be cured, until his friends and loved ones relaxed their guard. Then he would strike.
He could wait if it meant having everything he desired: Mainframe, the Super Computer, the net, the web and Dot Matrix, especially Dot Matrix. Yes, that was one desire he intended on making use of extensively. And if she resisted well a little rough persuasion would take care of her fire.
Dariem was so deep into his musings and so comfortable in the dark universe he found himself in, he didn't notice the presence stealing up on him until it was too late.
"Take over my body, conquer my system, threaten to hurt my fiancée, and get away with it --?"
Dariem turned sharply and gave a defiant cry.
"I don't think so."
***
"Bob!"
Dot came awake from her nightmare. She bolted upright and for a moment, had no idea where she was.
Then Matrix was at her bedside. "Ssh, sis, it's okay, I'm here."
"Where am I?" Dot frantically looked around.
"The medical center," Matrix said, "You passed out after --,"
"Where's Bob?" Dot demanded, "I want to see Bob!"
"Dot, calm down, please," Matrix said, "Rose said you needed rest --,"
"No!" Dot flung off the blankets and Matrix supported her with his strong arms. "Matrix what happened to Bob?"
The door to the room came open and Rose walked in, "What's going on – on no you don't – get back in bed."
"Damn it, I want to see Bob!"
"Dot please calm down --,"
"Don't patronize me, Rose."
"I'm not!" Rose said, "But you'll only make yourself sick this way. I'm sorry you can't see Bob."
A feeling of dread settled in her core-com, "Why not?"
Rose sighed, "Would you like to get dressed and come outside?"
"Yes."
"I'll get your icon."
When brother and sister were alone, Dot turned to Matrix, "How long have I been out?"
"Four milliseconds," Matrix said.
"The battle?"
"Over, we've won," Matrix said, "Mouse led our remaining forces in a final assault. The nano they realized their leader had turned tail and run, they either surrendered or ran themselves."
"Quicksilver?"
"I'm pretty sure he's gone to," Matrix said, "But Bob would know for sure."
"Matrix," Dot reached up and felt his temple. "I'm sorry, I had to do it. Are you all right? Did he --?"
"No Dot," she saw the shudder pass over his large frame, "He didn't get a chance, you saved me. Thank you." He embraced her.
"I couldn't let him do it," Dot said. "He – he was that thing again. My User, I knew the moment I saw him, even if I couldn't see his face."
Rose came in carrying Dot's icon, "Everyone is waiting outside for you. Matrix, did you tell her anything?"
"No," Matrix said quietly.
"What's going on?" Dot's distress was rapidly becoming panic.
"Let's go," Rose said.
Dot held onto Matrix for support as he led her outside the room and down the hall to a small waiting area. Rose was right when she said everyone was there. Mouse and Ray, AndrAIa, Zif, Peg Walrod and to Dot's utter surprise Dom and SiRCe.
"SiRCe?" Dot crossed the room and the woman smiled at her holding out her arms.
"Dot," the two embraced.
"You're all better!"
"Yes, Rose found the cure," SiRCe said, "I'll still be laid up here for awhile, but Rose expects me to recover fully."
"That's wonderful news," Dot embraced her again. Then realization struck. Dot turned to Rose, "Then does that mean – you found the cure for Bob?"
"Yes," Rose's tone of voice was less then pleased.
Dot noticed that, as well as the uncomfortable silence that filled the room. When she looked at her friends – those that would look at her – they seemed as distressed as she felt.
"What is it?" Dot said.
"Sugah," Mouse stood up and walked over to her and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Dot," Rose said, "The antidote will do no good now. Now I don't know how this happened but his code was corrupted again, with Dariem's pattern. It completely eradicated the Hybr – Virogen. Giving him the antidote wouldn't make much difference."
"So Hex was right," Dot said more to herself.
"I did, however give him the serum I made when his code was first corrupted but it doesn't seem to be working," Rose said, "And even if it did, his body – well the deterioration had gone beyond the stage where his body can heal itself."
Dot gave a slightly hysterical laugh, "So in essence, you're saying 'you've stopped the bleeding but the patient is too far gone to save'."
"I'm sorry Dot," Rose said. "It's only a matter of time now."
"No," Dot said, "No! That can't be true!" Hot tears spilled down her face, "I can't lose him now!"
"I'm sorry," Rose turned and walked quickly away.
"No!" Dot said. Matrix turned her in an embrace, "No, no, no!" She beat against Matrix's chest with her fist. She had nothing left her strength was gone. She didn't care who saw her or what they thought. She had reached her limit. Dot broke down into hysterical tears.
"You can't leave me Bob," Dot cried, "You promised!"
***
Inside the mind of the Prime Guardian, Robert Lan, a battle had raged. It was fierce and there was much pain and suffering but in the end, Bob was victorious. Bob locked Dariem away for good, bolted the door, sealed it within the walls of his mind, and buried it deep into the farthest regions of his processor.
But the price had been severe. Bob was tired. Too tired to fight any longer. He had no strength to return. Even as he floated within the dark universe, he could feel his consciousness being pulled to yet somewhere else. He was unable to resist the call.
"Bob."
No! He would ignore the whispers in the darkness. He wouldn't stay here – he couldn't.
"You can't leave me Bob. You promised!"
A memory came to him. It was an unwelcome intruder in the darkness. Yes, he had made that promise to the beautiful woman in his arms that he loved above all else.
"Don't ever leave me again."
"I promise."
No, he wouldn't listen. He was tired he was through. He had done his part for Collective and Net. Besides, whatever it was that was pulling at him was becoming insistent.
"Bob," another voice came. "Please don't leave me Bob. I need you. I need my hero."
No, I won't listen!
"Bob I'm nothing without you – please come back and show me my purpose in life."
I can't do this! I can't be everything to everybody! Why can't you all just leave me in peace?
"Bob, you've taught me so much. I owe you so much, please don't leave us."
"Sugah, you gotta come back to us. You're my friend. It won't be right without you."
"We just got to be friends, mate, don't go away now."
Stop it, stop it!
"Daddy?"
What? A voice he didn't recognize. The voice of a little boy, his unborn son.
"I need you daddy. I need you to be born."
No, please. Even as the sound of that last voice undid his resolve, Bob felt himself slipping away. Even if he wanted to stay now, he couldn't. Whatever the force was that had called him had the strength that he lacked. He passed through that place to the next and the voices faded.
***
Light from an unknown source washed over him. Bob felt it on his face and had to shield his eyes from it as he opened them. He sat up and examined his surroundings, realizing that he was surrounded by velvet blue darkness. Yet the floor, he realized, was solid under his feet. The light source was directly in front of him, and seemed to dim even as he looked at it to a soft white glow pulsing with rainbow colors.
Then he saw his hands. They were whole again.
His hands flew to his face. He felt his smooth skin and even as he did so, he realized he felt perfectly fine. And much to his surprise, he was in his old Guardian 452 uniform.
The light seemed to draw him and Bob remember tales of people passing on and being revived and always, they saw this bright light.
"No," Bob said and realized that this time, there would be no second chance. No turning back, no one coming to his rescue. It was truly over. He supposed he should feel peaceful. Wasn't that what all the people said who had been here and back? But he didn't. All he felt was worry. Concern for his loved ones. How would Dot get along? My User, Dot – the voice of the child, Dot was carrying his child! She would have to raise their son alone. And what about Matrix? He felt he had no purpose and had looked to Bob to help him find it. And Little Enzo. What would he do with his hero? And AndrAIa, Ray, Mouse, Phong –
It came to Bob, that Phong's voice was the only one he hadn't heard calling him back. Didn't Phong care?
"Why do you worry of such things?"
Bob turned towards the light from where the soft voice had emanated. He took a tentative step forward. "Who are you?"
The rainbow colors swirled and pulsed for a time before the answer came. "We are that which you have sought all these years."
"Years?" Bob frowned. He hadn't been processing for one year. And something else he noticed. It was not just one voice that spoke to him, but hundreds – perhaps thousands.
"We keep time in a different way, but you will come to know it. We have watched you Bob and you are one of our favorites."
"You've watched me?"
"Yes," the voices said, "You have sought us all this time and now we are here. We are ready to bring you to us."
"I've sought you --?" Bob gaped, "You're the User."
"There is not one of us," the User said.
Suddenly a countless number of images flashed through Bob's processor in a split nano. Faces, names, sights, sounds, and smells. Some were familiar, others as alien as the web itself if not more so but the general impression Bob received was that there was not one, but millions of Users – all separate, yet part of a whole, connected in some way. He couldn't begin to know how it was possible but it was.
"All your questions shall be answered once you are with us," the User said. "All the knowledge you seek will be yours."
"I can't leave --," Bob looked behind him as though he could look back through the darkness to what he desired the most, "My family needs me – Dot needs me!"
"It is your time, Robert Lan," the voice was gentle, yet firm, "Come forward now and be one with us."
Bob sighed. It appeared he didn't have a choice. He hoped once on the other side he found peace but for now there was only regret. He started forward.
"Stop!"
Bob froze at the sound of the voice crying out. It had come from behind him. Not a voice of the User but someone else. Someone who couldn't possible be here. A familiar whirring broke the ensuing silence and a familiar figure came to stand at Bob's side.
Phong.
The venerable sprite looked up at him, his expression unreadable. Phong took a moment to clean his glasses before placing them back on his nose. Purposefully he rolled to the light, until he was completely bathed in its glow. Bob could only gape at the sight.
"He will not come with you now," Phong said. "He has too much to do back there. Too many people need him and he needs them."
The voices didn't reply at first but again there was a display of the rainbow lights, vibrating and exploding like tiny fireworks.
"Very well," the User said, "As a gift, we will restore his full power. Does that suit you?"
"That is fine," Phong said.
The light faded, to an ember glow and Bob realized the User had departed. Phong rolled back to stand expectantly before him. Bob stared down at Phong seeing him in a totally new light. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. Phong had faced down the User.
"Who --," Bob found his voice at last, "What are you?"
And of course, Phong didn't answer his question. The venerable sprite merely held out one of his spindly hands to Bob and said, "Would you like me to take you home now, my son?"
Bob reached out and took Phong's hand and with an almost child-like acquiescence whispered, "Yes, please take me home."
