CHAPTER 9
CONVERGENCE
Enzo didn't know why he had been taken back to the study but he had a feeling he wouldn't be pleased by the reason. For now he sat in the chair across from the one Fortune had sat in earlier and stared moodily into the dying embers in the fireplace.
He had to think of a way to delete Fortune.
Enzo didn't believe in deleting. Hated the very thought of it. But Fortune had to pay for everything he'd done. Matrix's blood was on Fortune's hands and Enzo would not sleep peacefully again until Fortune was made to pay.
As though the man had read his mind, the door opened and Fortune and Var entered the room. Enzo stood, "Why have I been brought here?"
"Show proper respect to your captain," Var hissed.
"I'm sorry," Enzo said, sarcastically, "Why have I been brought here, sir."
"We are about to embark on our journey," Fortune said, "There are a few minors matters to take care of first. It has been brought to my attention that you refuse to use weapons?"
"Yes."
"And you defend yourself strictly hand to hand."
"Yes," Enzo was suddenly struck with an idea, "I prefer to use logic to resolve a situation and find the best possible course of action. For example, where exactly are we going, sir?"
Fortune motioned to the chair and Enzo sat, "There is a system famous for its emerald mines. I'm sure you've heard of it?"
"I've been there," Enzo said, "They have quite a security grid. How do you purpose to get through it?"
"The weapons on my ship are formidable as you'll soon see," Fortune said.
Enzo shook his head, "There's an easier way."
Fortune leaned back in his chair a fixed Enzo with a suspicious glare, "You're being awfully accommodating."
Enzo hoped his true feelings didn't show in his face, "You're not giving me much of a choice."
"I'm not giving you any choice, boy," Fortune said, "Very well, say on."
"With my organizer, I can hack into the security grid and disable it."
"Impossible," Var said, "You don't have that skill."
Enzo didn't even spare Var a glance, "Have you heard of the mercenary and hacker called the Mouse?"
"Yes," Fortune leaned forward, clearly interested, "She's a friend of yours, isn't she? And of your home system Mainframe?"
"A very good friend," Enzo said, "She taught me everything I know. I've been to the system. My brother-in-law got me into their security center so I know what type of OS they use. I can get you through the security grid."
Fortune looked at Var, "What say you, old friend?"
"I say it wouldn't hurt to let him attempt it," Var said, "If he fails, he will be punished and we'll be no worse off. If he attempts anything, I'll delete him myself."
"Very well, boy, we'll try it your way," Fortune said. "You had better succeed. As Var said, the punishment for any failure on my ship is severe."
"I won't fail you, sir." Enzo said, coldly.
"Have some men take him to the ship, Var. Give him his organizer. Keep an eye on him. If he tries anything, you know what to do."
"Yes sir," Var motioned to the two guards at the door.
Enzo stood. Perhaps now he could stop Fortune. Even if it meant destroying Fortune's ship and himself along with it.
***
Var sat down in the chair Enzo had vacated, "I'm sure you are pleased captain that all is going according to plan?"
"Very pleased, my friend," Fortune nodded, "You have the situation with the Matrix boys under control?"
"Oh yes sir," Var said, "It is a simple matter of using one to coerce the other. The younger boy will recall how he felt when he thought his brother was dead. He should be easy to control if the threat that he could lose his brother in reality looms over him. The same can be done for the older one. Simply tell him his brother will be in constant peril if he doesn't obey us."
"Excellent," Fortune smiled. "And you didn't hurt Gavin too badly did you?"
"No sir," Var said, "The honor of killing your hated enemy is yours."
"He's not so much as hated my friend. I'm merely bored with him now," Fortune said, "But you are correct in saying the honor is mine. I have always controlled Gavin's life even when he wasn't aware of it, and it is I who will take his life for him."
***
"Gavin?"
The Crimson Binome fought his way to wakefulness, using the voice that called to him. It was familiar, and Gavin concentrated on the sound of it to keep him conscious.
"Gavin, can you hear me?"
"Aye," Gavin grunted. He peeled his eyes opened and got a close-up view of Matrix's scowling face. "Where am I, lad?"
"We're on the Blood Skull, in the cargo hold," Matrix said, "Lie still. You've been beaten pretty badly."
"I nary have a scratch, lad," Gavin protested although his aching body told him otherwise.
"Don't move," Matrix ordered, "Mr. Christopher? He's awake."
Despite Matrix's order, Gavin forced himself up on his elbows. From what he saw, they were indeed in the cargo hold, in an extra storage room judging by its size. Boxes were stacked around them, almost to the ceiling. Some of his crew was present, Christopher, Andrew, Sally, and Bulla. Where were the rest?
"Easy Captain," Christopher knelt beside him, and handed him a cup full of a dark liquid "Drink this."
"By gar, where's the rest of me crew?" Gavin demanded.
"We're all prisoners of the Skull," Christopher said, "The rest of the crew is topside. I guess The Skull figured we'd be less trouble down here until we left the system."
"Then we're still within the system boundaries?"
"We are, but not for long," Matrix said, "The Skull plans on sailing in the morning."
"Then we have ta get off this ship now --," Gavin grunted as a lance of pain pierced his side.
"You're not going anywhere, captain," Christopher said, "You're going to rest and let those wounds heal and drink this!" Christopher pushed the cup at him.
"Yer getting' a little too big fer yer britches, ya know," Gavin took the cup and drank. It was the foulest tasting thing he'd ever had, but he drank it down. "Can ye get at some of those boxes?"
"All file locked," Matrix said. "They gave us some blankets and that was it."
Gavin hadn't noticed the blanket under him until then, "I take it we don't have free run of the place?"
"No," Matrix said. "The main cargo hold is right outside that door."
Gavin looked to where Matrix nodded.
"My guess is this room is to store some very special items. Things they just can't mix with the regular cargo." Matrix said. "Wish I had Gun."
"Ye might not want ta use Gun," Gavin said. "Who knows what's in those boxes?"
"True," Matrix said, then he gave an almost inaudible sigh, but Gavin heard it loud and clear, "If the Kid were here, he could open those locks in a nano."
"Don't ye worry," Gavin thought to place his hand on Matrix's, but decided that might not be too good an idea, "I know ye are worried about the lad, but ye must continue ta believe he's well."
"He'd better be," Matrix muttered darkly, "If Fortune hurt him --,"
Matrix didn't finish the sentence.
"Right now, we have ta figure out a way out of this mess," Gavin said.
Unfortunately, no ideas were forthcoming. Gavin lay back down again. He was in greater pain than he let on, but he refused to show it. He had gotten his crew and his friends into this and somehow, by gar, he was going to get them out.
***
Enzo went over a dozen plans in his mind to escape the two guards that were escorting him to the ship. They flew low on zip boards over the village.
Not that it mattered. Either way, Enzo planned on halting the Skull here. His one regret, of course, was Melissa and the fact that he would never see his birthday wish come true.
As they cleared a group of townhouses set close together a sharp crack and the surprised cry of one of the guards suddenly interrupted Enzo's musings. The young sprite turned in time to see the man drop.
"What the --," the second guard began.
Enzo's lashed out with his left foot, while balancing precariously on the board with his right. Before the guard had time to react, Enzo hooked the tip of his boot under the pad connector and yanked the board out from under the startled man.
Enzo descended quickly and approached the man cautiously. He hadn't fragmented yet, so that was a good sign but by his shallow breathing, he would need medical attention.
A quick check of the other man (he had fallen in some garbage cans piled next to a building) proved the same thing. He needed a doctor.
"Enzo!"
Enzo turned quickly at the sound of his name, "Kai?"
The little girl rushed from the protective covering of a narrow alley. Enzo scooped her up when she was near and embraced her tightly, "I was so worried about you!"
"I ran like you said Enzo," Kai said.
"I thought they caught you. They said they did." Enzo looked over her shoulder as another figure moved from the alleyway where Kai had been hiding. It was Luna.
"I hid but I got cold when it got dark," Kai said. "I waited for my knight but he didn't come."
"He may just yet, little one," Enzo said. "Luna?"
"Follow me, quickly," she said and moved back into the alley. Enzo followed her. She motioned to a side door and opened it and slipped inside.
"They've relaxed the watch on us since their ship is about to leave," Luna said.
"Oh no, do they have Gavin?"
"I'm not sure," Luna said. "They took him and your brother away. We haven't seen or heard anything."
Enzo felt a fresh stab of grief. "They probably have Gavin on board. Fortune has some type of sick obsession with him and – he lowered his eyes – they deleted my brother."
Luna inhaled sharply, "Oh Enzo, I'm so sorry"
He couldn't lose it again, especially in front of Luna. Still Enzo couldn't suppress the trembling of rage that went through him, "Fortune will pay for what he did."
"Enzo?" Kai looked up at him, "Did something bad happen to Mr. Matrix?"
Enzo looked at Luna, not sure how to answer.
"Remember what I told you about how some people go to the Ethernet?" Luna said, "Well that's where Mr. Matrix went."
Kai looked up at him with wide innocent eyes, "I'm sorry Mr. Matrix went away, Enzo."
Enzo couldn't speak around the lump in his throat. He knelt and hugged Kai again. "Thank you."
"We managed to get something. Wait here," Luna said and she moved further down the hall and stepped through a door.
"Where did you go after you ran?" Enzo asked Kai.
"I ran back to the lodge but the bad men scared me," Kai said. "I found my mommy and me and Aunt Verdana and Page got --,"
"Enzo, here," Luna handed him a wrapped bundle.
The moment Enzo held it he knew what it was.
"Page managed to get this," she said, "One of Fortune's men took a liking to her and well --,"
Enzo looked up sharply, "She didn't have to do that."
"I know," Luna said, "She knew. We also know that it Fortune isn't stopped here, more innocent people will be deleted."
Slowly he removed the folds of cloth. He couldn't stop his own sharp intake of breath as the contents of the package were revealed.
Gun.
Enzo sighed. He looked at the weapon for a long time without speaking. Yet his mind was racing. Darting to and from various thoughts and tangents. But one thought was uppermost in his processor, so this is it. This is all I have left of him.
"Enzo?" He barely heard Luna speaking to him.
This is what I'll do, Enzo thought. This is how Fortune will delete. To Enzo it was a sign, an omen.
With a deep breath he spoke, "Thank you, Luna. I won't --,"
A sharp blow fell on the door behind them.
"Open up!" A muffled voice called, "Open up or we'll break the door down!"
"Oh no," Luna said.
"Is there another way out?"
"The front."
They probably have it guarded to, is there someplace you can hide in here?"
"Yes."
"Do something for me," Enzo handed her Gun, "Take Gun somewhere and hide it."
"But where?"
Enzo thought quickly, "The Shrine." He may not be able to retrieve Gun but he'd be damned if Fortune got his hands on his brother's weapon. "Stay here until they leave, I'll go out."
"But Enzo --,"
Several blows landed on the door.
"There's no time to argue, go now!"
"Thank you Enzo."
"Be careful Enzo," Kai called as they disappeared down the hall.
Enzo turned as the door was forced open and several of Fortune's men rushed in.
"Don't move!" The first one, a sprite male and obviously the leader warned him.
Enzo put his hands up. "I surrender."
"Good choice, who else is here? A woman and a girl were seen."
"They're gone. They escaped."
"See if someone went out the front way," the leader ordered one of his men. "You're going to be in big trouble when we take you to Var."
Enzo was marched outside. The second man approached the leader. "No one came out the front."
"Search the house."
A half a micro later the man reported back, "We found no one sir."
The leader nodded, "Take him to the ship."
Grateful that Luna and Kai were undiscovered, Enzo offered no resistance as he was shackled.
***
The Blood Skull was as immense a warship as Enzo had ever seen. Two sprites and two binomes now escorted him there. He couldn't help but stare at the vessel in fascination. Then a whole knew frame of mind kicked in as he began to mentally theorize on the ship's power and weapons capabilities. Fortune had said their weapons were formidable. How could he use that to his advantage?
As they came within shouting distance, Enzo could see the men preparing the Blood Skull for their voyage in the morning. He would just have to wait for his chance. As they touched down on deck, Var approached them immediately.
"Sir!" The leader stepped forward and saluted then began to speak quietly to the second in command.
For the first time, as he stood there, Enzo felt the first stirrings of apprehension.
Var moved around the leader and approached him, "So you made an unsuccessful escape attempt?"
"Yes," Enzo said.
Var regarded him mildly for a nano, then drew back his hand and struck Enzo across the temple. Enzo grunted as he hit the deck hard. The men started laughing and jeering. Enzo looked up at Var, knowing his defiance showed on his face and at the same time knowing it didn't matter.
"You'll get worse next time, boy," Var said. "Remember your place here and remember what could happen if you disobey."
"Yes sir," Enzo said without a hint of respect.
Var grabbed him up and twisted his collar cutting off his air. Enzo struggled in his grip.
"You will respect me is that clear?"
He shoved him back. Enzo stumbled but didn't fall. His body was seized in a momentary fit of coughing. He breathed deeply for several nanos, "Yes, sir." He managed to modify his voice. Now wasn't the time to go against Var.
"Put him in the room with the others," Var said.
Others? Enzo didn't dare ask as he was led below. He figured it was Gavin and his crew. Did Gavin know Matrix was deleted?
As he was led through the empty halls below, Enzo took in everything he saw. When they approached the immense double doors to what he surmised was the cargo bay. Enzo also took note of the code his guard input into the keypad.
It was the cargo hold. The cavernous room was stacked to the ceiling with boxes, and crates and burlap wrapped sacks, all file-locked. No problem. He still had his organizer.
As they led him past o row of large crates, something to his left caught his attention. Enzo halted and turned to stare in horror. File locked in stasis chambers; their faces grotesque caricatures of surprise and agony were the young men, boys and women of the village. For a nano, he was frozen himself, unable to tear his eyes away. It wasn't until one of the men shoved him from behind that Enzo regained his mobility. Still the image of the poor villagers remained in his mind.
He was led down a shorter hall to a smaller set of double doors and again, Enzo took note of the number.
"This will be your new home until we leave the system," the guard commented, "Then you'll be put to work. No lazing about on this ship, eh?"
The two men laughed as though what had been said was outrageously funny. The door opened and Enzo was shoved inside so unexpectedly, he fell to his knees.
"Enjoy yourself!" the guard taunted and the door closed behind him.
"Enzo!"
Enzo looked up from his kneeling position as Mr. Christopher, Miss Sally, Bulla, and Mr. Andrew suddenly surrounded him. Bulla helped him up in one swift motion and caught him in a link-crushing hug. "Enzo safe!"
But Enzo barely heard her. He was looking with wide-eyed disbelief over her shoulder at the brawny sprite that was striding towards him. A sprite that he thought he would never see again.
Matrix.
Suddenly no one and nothing else mattered. People were speaking to him and it came to him like muted background noise. He barely noticed that Bulla released him from her embrace. Or that the others had gone silent as they saw the look of pure astonishment that he knew had to be on his face.
"Enzo?" Matrix's voice cut through the fog that had invaded Enzo's processor, "Are you all right?"
Enzo didn't speak. He couldn't. He was frozen, as though file-locked in stasis like the villagers. Turmoil gripped him as his emotions went from one extreme to another. One nano he was filled with relief, the next blinding rage. Enzo's hands fisted. He began to shake. The myriad of feelings culminated in the center of his being building to the inevitable explosion. And when his gathered emotions burst forth it was with the one that most prevailed.
"Enzo?" Matrix repeated, worry creeping into his voice.
"You --," Enzo began, "You – you jerk! You big basic jerk!"
"What?"
"I can't believe you did this to me!" Enzo yelled, "Do you realize what put me through?"
"Enzo what are you --?"
Matrix never got the chance to finish. Enzo strode over to him. "I should pound you into the nearest bulkhead!"
Matrix somehow managed to look shocked and confused all at once. Enzo stood staring at him, his emotions continued to run rampant through his system. Then as suddenly as it had claimed him, his fury vanished, leaving only a sense of relief so profound, it brought tears to his eyes.
"Oh User," Enzo seldom displayed strong emotions around Matrix. If anything, he held back, only so his brother wouldn't look at him like he was a weak little sprite. But now, there was little he could do to stop himself from taking his brother in a fierce embrace. A sob escaped from his throat and the hot rush of tears came.
"E-enzo?" Now Matrix was thoroughly confused.
Enzo cried, embarrassed beyond belief, but at the same time, not caring. He tightened his embrace around his brother's broad shoulders, clinging to him like a lifeline, greedily hoarding the strength and warmth that Matrix exuded and thanking the User for this second chance.
"Enzo," Matrix's voice took on a dangerous tone, "What happened? What did they do to you?"
Enzo actually chuckled. He thinks they hurt me, he mused. Well they had, more thoroughly than if they had taken a whip to him. He felt the fury returning as he realized why they had told him his brother was dead. To break him. And now that Enzo knew Matrix was alive, they would use that to their advantage as well.
But I won't let them, Enzo swore to himself. I won't lose my brother again.
"Enzo," Matrix unexpectedly returned the embrace. The uncharacteristic show of tenderness brought fresh tears to Enzo's eyes. "Whatever it is, I'll make it right, I promise."
"Shut up," Enzo said, "Stop treating me like a little sprite. Do you know how pissed I am at you right now?"
"It would help to know why you're pissed at me," Matrix said.
Enzo drew away from him and violently, wiped the tears from his eyes. He was disgusted with himself for so totally losing it in front of Matrix, but it had been impossible for him not to. From the moment Fortune had told him they had deleted Matrix, a part of him had been living in safe mode. Only a portion of his system had been functioning and little else.
"Matrix, lad?" Gavin's voice seemed to surprise everyone. Enzo was shocked to see the condition of the captain with the many bruises and cuts on his face and torso. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure, yet," Matrix looked back at him. "Enzo?"
Enzo shook his head not trusting himself to speak. His hands gripped Matrix's shoulders. His head bowed, Enzo muttered, "User, I'm so glad to see you."
"Enzo look at me," Matrix said.
He couldn't. If he did, he just knew he'd break down again.
"Enzo!"
Enzo took a deep breath, gathering his strength. He looked into Matrix's eyes.
"Tell me."
It was then that Enzo noticed the bandage on Matrix's arm, "What's that?"
"That? Oh I had a little altercation with some of Fortune's men."
"So that's how they did it."
"Did what?"
Again, his emotions threatened to overtake him. He laid his forehead against Matrix's, not wanting yet to break contact, "They – they told me you were dead. That they tortured and deleted you."
"What?" Matrix said.
"Who told ye that, lad?" Gavin said in a quiet voice.
"Fortune," Enzo looked at Gavin, "My User Gavin, what did they do to you?"
"Never you mind," Gavin said.
"You're in pain, I can tell. You should be resting."
"I'm fine lad, listen," Gavin said, "Ye must never believe a word that Fortune tells ye, understand? He is a liar and a manipulator and the worst type of slime."
"Don't I know it," Enzo said.
"Captain, you must rest," Mr. Christopher said.
"Aye, yer right lad, let's give the brothers a nano shall we?"
The captain's message was clear. Mr. Christopher helped him and the crew moved to the other side of the room.
Enzo looked back at Matrix, managing to muster up a little more of his anger, "Don't you ever do this to me again. Do you understand?"
"I'm sorry," Matrix said.
"User," Enzo embraced him again, "You big ugly green guy."
Matrix chuckled.
***
He had been thinking about Enzo, wondering if he was safe and planning a dozens ways to delete Fortune if he so much as hurt as hair on the Kid's head.
Matrix sat against the wall and watched while the captain slept fitfully. He knew Gavin was in greater pain than he let on. But the fleet captain was a tough old salt and wouldn't let anything like a beating stop him. Matrix admired Gavin a great deal.
He ignored the others basically. Mr. Christopher was making a log entry and the rest were either exercising, or mock sword fighting, in preparation for when they'd make their escape attempt. And they would, not doubt about it.
Matrix dozed for a nano, but was brought abruptly awake by the sound of the door opening. He was on his feet instantly and the rest of the crew took defensive positions around the door.
Then it opened and Enzo of all people was shoved into the room.
Relief like he hadn't felt in a long time rushed through him. He didn't realize until that moment how worried he had been.
"Enzo, are you all right?"
The look on his brother's face – a mixture of relief and anger confused him. When Enzo didn't speak immediately Matrix was wary.
"Enzo?"
"You --," he could see Enzo trembling, "You – you jerk! You big basic jerk!"
"What?" Enzo's reaction left him stunned. Now what could he have possibly done to make the Kid so angry? When Enzo embraced him, Matrix had instinctively stiffened. He wasn't used to displays of emotion like this and he knew Enzo tended to think along those lines as well. Whatever had happened to the Kid must have been bad. The thought that someone had hurt him had Matrix's own anger stirring.
"Enzo," Matrix's muttered barely keeping his anger in check, "What happened? What did they do to you?"
Enzo laughed. It confused Matrix even more. Then he was crying again.
Matrix had never been one to believe in all that mystical hocus-pocus, not that is, until Daemon invaded his mind. Over the years, he had maintained a 'healthy respect' of the unknown. Somehow, standing there, so close to Enzo, he could sense the myriad of confused emotions coursing through his brother. Pain, anguish, grief, and now relief, which was the strangest of all.
What it culminated to be was that his brother was in pain. And those who had caused that pain would pay. But for now, Enzo needed him. Matrix knew this on an almost primal level. Had it not been for that, Matrix would have never done what he did, especially not in front of Gavin and the SMII's crew. But the former renegade didn't care what they thought. Carefully, he returned the embrace, as he mentally willed his strength into Enzo.
"Enzo," Matrix said, "Whatever it is, I'll make it right, I promise."
"Shut up," Enzo replied, "Stop treating me like a little sprite. Do you know how pissed I am at you right now?"
Matrix sighed. They had the same code and Matrix was sure he'd never figure his brother's motives out.
"They – they told me you were dead. That they tortured and deleted you."
"What?" Matrix felt his ire rise. So that was their game. Trying to break Enzo with the knowledge of his supposed deletion. But didn't they realize that now that Enzo knew he was alive, they no longer had a hold on him? Even as he asked that he knew the answer. Of course they knew, and judging by Enzo's reaction, they probably figured Enzo wouldn't want to risk losing him again.
"User," Enzo said, "You big ugly green guy."
Matrix couldn't help the chuckle that escaped, "Better?"
"I told you to stop that," Enzo said. A pause and then, "Yeah, lots better."
Matrix draped a brotherly arm around his shoulder and they walked to where Gavin was on his blanket.
"Yeah all right, lad? The Skull didn't hurt ye?"
"Not physically," Enzo said. "He plans on raiding System."
"We have to stop him," Matrix said.
"Did you all see?" Enzo said, "The villagers? They have the men and boys file locked in stasis chambers."
"If you had your organizer --," Matrix began.
"I do have my organizer," Enzo said.
Matrix smiled fully and clapped him on the back, "All right, Kid!"
"Can ye get us out of this room?" Gavin asked.
"I could, but it would do little good," Enzo said. "The majority of the Skull's crew is topside, but – Matrix, I have – or had – Gun."
Matrix listened intently to Enzo's explanation of obtaining Gun.
"We were anchored about a kilometer offshore when I was on deck. Can you summon Gun from here?"
Matrix shook his head, it would be rough, "That's pushing it, but I think I can."
"But what good would it do?" Gavin said, "The scurvy dogs still outnumber us and they'd know we be plannin' something' if Matrix called his weapon to him."
Matrix began to pace, his mind racing, "What we need is a distraction."
"That shouldn't be to hard ta arrange, Matrix lad," Gavin said, "The Skull plans on deleting me in grand fashion, will that be distraction enough?"
"More than enough," Matrix said, "I'll watch your back Gavin."
"That still doesn't solve the problem of us being outnumbered," Enzo said, "If only --,"
"What, Kid?" Matrix frowned at the look on his face.
Enzo seemed to zone out for a nano. Then he whispered, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"You've got a plan, don't you?" Matrix grinned at him.
"I might," Enzo said, "It will take some split nano timing and I'll need you to cover me, big brother."
"You and Gavin?" Matrix continued to grin, "Yeah, I think I can handle that."
"Let me do some calculations first," Enzo said, "And I'll let you know."
Matrix nodded, "So we have a plan. To coin a phrase from Dot, all we can do now is wait."
***
In a shadowed corner of the room, Princess Bulla had made up a 'bed' for Enzo. The young sprite didn't protest as the giantess pointed to it and told him succinctly, "Downtime."
Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't sleep. Calculations and computations continued to run races through his neural net. So he lay there in the semi-quiet and the shadows. Well not completely quiet, for Matrix was moving restlessly around the room. Enzo closed his eyes and focused on the sound, memorizing once again, his brother's familiar tread. If he concentrated hard enough sometimes, Enzo could sense the turmoil within Matrix. It was a feeling he shared, like their code.
After a time, Matrix settled. The moment quiet descended upon the room an uncomfortable sensation welled in Enzo's chest. He bolted upright, frantically searching until he spotted Matrix settled in a far corner. His eyes were closed but somehow, Enzo knew he was awake.
"Matrix --," Enzo whispered. Crash it all what was this feeling? Why couldn't he just lie down and rest?
Because if you close your eyes, he'll go away and you'll never see him again.
Disgusted with the childish feelings, Enzo lay roughly back down again, with his arms behind his head and willed himself to sleep. And was up again a few nanos later.
"What's wrong, Enzo?"
Matrix didn't open his eyes but Enzo sensed he was aware of everything around him. Enzo also noticed that Matrix hadn't called him, 'Kid'.
"Nothing."
"You sure?" The colonel opened his eyes.
"Yeah."
Matrix ponderously got to his feet. He stretched, then walked over to Enzo's corner and went down on his haunches, "Talk to me."
"I – it's nothing, really I'm just restless that's all."
Matrix regarded him mildly for a nano and Enzo had the acute sense that Matrix could see right through him. "Okay."
He rose and turned.
Involuntarily, Enzo reached out his hand towards him, "Wait --,"
Matrix turned back, again seeming to look deep into Enzo's core-com. His brother's regard brought a flush of embarrassment to his cheeks. Slowly, Enzo withdrew his hand, turning away from Matrix's steady gaze.
When he heard Matrix move again Enzo looked as the former renegade sat down beside him, his back against the wall.
"I know you're trying to sleep," Matrix said, "But I need for you to tell me everything that happened while you were with Fortune. It may be beneficial in some way."
He understands, Enzo thought, not quite sure how to deal with it. He had asked Matrix not to treat him like a little sprite but at that moment he felt like one. One afraid of the dark and the random notion that if he let his brother out of his sight, he'd disappear and it would be real this time. But he would never let Matrix know that and he realized he didn't have to. Matrix understood.
So Enzo sat up, and drawing his knees up to his chest he told Matrix everything that had occurred.
"I figure they'll try and use us against each other," Matrix said.
"Agreed," Enzo said, "They know I won't want to lose you again. They figure after what I've been through, even the threat of you're being hurt would keep me subdued."
Matrix nodded, "They said they would hurt you if I didn't obey them. Well, at least they don't have as much a hold over you as they do me. This way you can put your plan into --,"
"Wait a nano," Enzo interrupted, "What do you mean they don't have as much of a hold over me?"
Matrix looked taken aback, "Well Kid, I mean, if they threaten to hurt me to get you to do what they want, don't do it. I don't want you getting hurt and I can probably take it better --,"
"And I can't?" Enzo demanded loudly, then worked to modify his voice when some of the crew stirred. One nano he was worrying about the big ugly green guy, then the next, Matrix was pissing him off to the net, "So you still think I'm a weak little sprite!"
"That's not what I'm saying at all!" Matrix had to modify his own tone, "Geez, Kid, what do you want from me? You complain that I don't care about you and when I try to show you that I do --,"
He left the sentence unfinished and for the second time that night, Enzo felt his anger drain away. "I know you care, Matrix." Enzo reached out and grasped his shoulder, "But please, don't make me a liability."
Matrix sighed heavily, "I promised Dot and Bob."
"I know," Enzo managed a wan smile, "Would it help if I said I'll be careful?"
"No," Matrix leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, "Try and get some downtime."
"Okay," Enzo didn't mind the command. Matrix made no indication that he was going anywhere and for that Enzo was grateful.
***
Matrix was awake a long time after Enzo drifted off. Then he took a few nanos to merely look at his younger brother.
He was still in a mild shock over what had happened. Enzo's reaction to seeing him alive again weighed heavily on his processor. The raw emotion had hit him deep into his core-com. The scope of it had surprised him. Matrix would never have expected Enzo to react the way he did.
He really cares about you.
Matrix smiled slightly to himself, then just as easily, it slipped into a frown.
Tomorrow they would face the Skull and his men and despite Enzo's words, Matrix would take care of him.