CHAPTER ONE
THE SURGE, PART 2
Matrix muttered a few choice words to himself as he walked by the docks. One thing that irritated him about his younger self — besides the disturbing resemblance — was Enzo's naïve and annoying ways, which got on his nerves. And he didn't quite appreciate baby-sitting the little sprite, either.
He scanned the docks, and growled under his breath when he didn't see the small sprite. Suddenly he picked up Enzo, bending over by the edge of the dock, where the data sea lapped against it. He was reaching out for an object in the data.
Matrix's vision clouded over, and he saw a large black shape explode from the water and lunge for Enzo, screaming hungrily. The boy stood frozen with fear as the thing clawed viciously at him.
"Kid!" Matrix shouted, breaking into a run toward him. "Watch out, there's something —"
He ran to save Enzo. When he reached the dock, however, his vision cleared, and the only thing he saw was Enzo, holding a small, harmless-looking bundle. "It's all right," he said. "The only thing here was this." He gestured at the bundle.
Matrix shook his head, but the creature was nowhere to be seen.
The small sprite eyed Matrix carefully. "Are you okay?" he asked uncertainly.
"Yeah, fine," he snapped. In a less agitated tone, he asked, "What did you find?"
Enzo shrugged. He pulled back the cloth, revealing a tiny gray face, eyes closed, thumb stuck in its mouth as it slept.
Enzo's eyes grew wide. "Pixelacious," he breathed. "A baby."
"How did it get here?" Matrix asked.
Enzo shrugged again. "Got me. I heard crying, so I went over to see. Then you came. Wait," he added, "I remember: there was a tear, over that way. It disappeared, though."
Matrix looked over his shoulder, but there was only air. He looked back at the sleeping baby, confused. There was no way it could have come from a tear that suddenly disappeared; at least, none that he was familiar with.
"Come on," Matrix said, "let's take it to the P.O."
"Y'all must really not want us ta leave," Mouse drawled as Enzo and Matrix entered the room, "the way yer takin' so long."
Dot approached the baby interestedly. "Where'd you find that?"
"At the docks," Enzo answered. "Where did it come from? Is it a boy or a girl?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Dot admitted.
"Lemme see," Mouse said, taking the baby from Enzo. She peeked under the cloths and confirmed, "It's a girl. But she's got no PID, so we can't tell where she came from."
The baby had come awake, and she grinned toothlessly at Mouse.
"Yeah, yer such a cutie," the hacker cooed, smiling back. "Well," she addressed the others, "Ray n Ah'd better be goin'." She handed the baby to AndrAIa, and good-byes were about to be exchanged, when —
WARNING: INCOMING GAME. WARNING: INCOMING GAME.
Dot groaned. Bob laughed softly. Matrix muttered something. Enzo grinned. Mouse, for her part, spread her hands with an "I told you so" look.
Shaking his head, Bob declared, "The User must be Game-happy since the restart. Come on, guys."
AndrAIa handed the baby to Dot and started after Bob, when she stopped. "Aren't you coming, Enzo?" she asked Matrix.
He had a strange look on his face, and he shook his head hastily. "No thanks. I'm — I'm not feeling up to it."
"Are you all right?" AndrAIa asked worriedly. She thought, Whether he likes it or not, Matrix always goes into a Game — it's in his protocol.
"I told you — I'm fine. I'll join you next time. All right?"
AndrAIa nodded uncertainly, and she raced to catch up with Bob before the Game landed.
Just as the cube landed, a VidWindow opened, displaying none other than the face of Gavin Capacitor, riding in Mr. Mitchell's boat (generously lent until they found a new ship), towards Mainframe.
"Dot, m'lady, git ready," he called over the sounds of sloshing data. "Me and m'crew are nearing yer docks."
"We'll be there in a few milliseconds, Gavin," Dot replied. She shut the window and turned to Phong. "Phong, could you look after the baby?"
"Of course, my child," the old sprite replied. He took the baby and cradled her carefully, as she giggled and tugged on his beard.
The sprites set off for the Mainframe docks, where the pirates were due to appear.
Bob grinned at AndrAIa. "Looks like it's just us."
She nodded. "Let's do it."
Bob tapped his icon. "Reboot!" AndrAIa followed suit.
When the green light cleared, Bob found himself standing in an office; AndrAIa was gone. As his senses returned to normal, he realized that a middle-aged game sprite was pacing in front of him, talking.
". . . That's why we do all these things — because it's Big Block of Cheese Day."
Bob shook his head. "`Scuse me?"
The game sprite stopped pacing and turned to Bob with an annoyed look on his face. "Josh, weren't you listening? You've been asking me all day, and I just explained Big Block of Cheese Day."
Bob stared blankly. The game sprite waved a hand in front of his face. "Welcome to Earth, Josh. It's me, Leo."
Bob blinked, finally understanding. "Oh, right, right, Leo. Sorry, I spaced out a bit."
"Whatever. Let's just get to the meeting," Leo said impatiently. "If you spend any more time spacing out' we'll be later than we already are."
Bob followed Leo to a large meeting room. Game sprites sat at a long wooden table, all holding folders and talking amongst themselves. Bob saw AndrAIa sitting in a chair, with glasses and wearing a gray business suit. He threaded his way through a cluster of people to reach her.
"Bob, there you are," AndrAIa whispered when he reached her. "Where have you been?"
"I don't know. I rebooted, and suddenly this Leo guy is telling me about a day dedicated to a big block of cheese."
AndrAIa snickered. "I appeared in this meeting room, talking to everyone."
"Any idea where exactly we are?"
AndrAIa shrugged. "I asked a couple people, but they stared at me like I'm random. I guess we're supposed to work here."
Bob grinned ruefully. "Not that we're doing a good job of it. Look, I can use my Glitch powers and figure out the stats —"
He was cut off as Leo called for silence. When everyone had quieted, Leo began.
"Andrew Jackson," he began, and everyone groaned, expecting his speech, "had a two-ton block of cheese. It was kept in the main level of the White House, where anyone could take some to eat, or for other uses." He went on to talk about some more history, and why on Big Block of Cheese Day the White House arranged meetings with small companies to discuss things they usually wouldn't have time for. Several game sprites announced the companies they were assigned to work with, and then the meeting ended.
Bob tried to follow AndrAIa out, but Leo caught him. "Not so fast, Josh. You can peek in on C.J.'s meeting with the Cartographers for National Equality Society later. There are some things Sam needs you to do."
Bob groaned, but followed, staying in character. As he followed Leo, he went over the Game statistics Glitch had located. Okay, we're in the White House: the West Wing, to be exact, and the goal is to find the president by the end of Big Block of Cheese Day — what a basic name! Well, that shouldn't be too hard; all I've got to do is get to AndrAIa, and we can find this president. He smiled and quickened his pace.
When he was able to, Bob stole away. By asking several game sprites, he was able to locate the room where AndrAIa was meeting with the Cartographers for National Equality Society. He arrived just as some intelligent-looking game sprites were setting up a large map.
"Did Leo get you again?" AndrAIa whispered as Bob slipped into the seat next to her.
He nodded. "Man, that guy is getting on my nerves. I did manage to get the Game stats; we need to find the president before the second is over. That should be easy; based on my knowledge of the User world, the president works in the White House, and we're in it."
"Show-off," AndrAIa murmured. She glanced at the game sprites setting up. "First, we need to get this over with."
"Ah, it'll be easy," Bob assured her, leaning back in his seat. "All we do is listen to these guys drone on about some map thing and say yes or no."
After being shown two "projections," though, Bob realized he was very wrong. Both he and AndrAIa became lost when the game sprites started babbling about the locations and sizes of unknown places called Greenland and Africa, as well as others. The two sprites stared at the maps presented, flabbergasted.
"Do you see Mainframe anywhere on there?" Bob whispered to AndrAIa.
She shrugged helplessly. "Not at all."
"So, will you consider our offer?" the lead game sprite asked.
"Uh, yeah, sure," AndrAIa said, waving a hand. "Knock yourselves out." She and Bob nearly ran out of the room.
"No wonder this Big Block of Cheese Day only comes once an hour," he said.
AndrAIa nodded. "I couldn't bear listening to all that nonsense every second."
"Let's find the president," Bob decided.
"What if the president is the User?" AndrAIa countered.
"Then we're in trouble." Bob smiled at AndrAIa's eye-roll. "We better hope he isn't."
"Fine. What about if the User has a normal character?"
"We'll have to find him; but how? Everyone looks the same; even us."
AndrAIa shrugged. "Let's just get to the president before the User does."
Bob nodded. They started down a hallway, when a blond female game sprite appeared beside Bob.
"Josh," she said, "you have to come by Toby's meeting."
"Uh, later," Bob said, walking to one side.
The game sprite stepped in front of him, blocking any escape. "Josh, it's one day out of the year; just go. You'll be back soon; and besides, doesn't C.J. have a meeting to go to?"
AndrAIa traded a confused glance with Bob. "Let's get past her," she whispered.
The blond game sprite waited impatiently. "Well — Josh?"
Bob quickly pushed past her and he and AndrAIa walked briskly toward a group of people heading for another meeting.
"Josh, what's wrong with you? Come back!" the game sprite shouted. She ran after them, but the two quickly hid themselves in the crowd, and the woman gave up, shaking her head in confusion.
"That was close," Bob remarked. "Look!" The crowd had reached a door. They stood waiting, muttering about themselves. Listening carefully, AndrAIa was able to pick up "president." She looked through the window and saw a sprite talking with others.
"This is the place," she said to Bob.
"Great." He started for the doorway, but he heard a voice.
"Josh, what are you doing?"
Bob groaned. Leo stood next to AndrAIa, frowning.
"We need to see the president immediately," Bob said. "It's a matter of utmost importance."
Leo sighed and rolled his eyes. "Can't it wait? He just got out of a morning of meetings, and on his break he's talking to Sam."
Bob looked through the window. A character was entering the office. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled deviously at Bob.
"Spam, it's the User!" Bob hissed to AndrAIa.
Dot, Enzo, and Frisket stood at the docks, awaiting the pirates' arrival. A slight breeze blew past; but Dot shivered and hugged her arms around herself, as if the weather were frigid. For a moment, she thought she felt a presence beside her; but when she glanced to the side, the flash in her vision was gone.
A speck appeared in the distance, growing larger as it steadily approached. Soon, Mr. Mitchell's boat was close enough that they could see the pirates hanging over the edge, shouting and waving their cutlasses.
Just as the ship neared the dock, the sky darkened to a pure black. A ball of energy appeared in the sky. It condensed on itself, and suddenly a bolt of energy seared through the sky. Dot started to scream a warning. The energy pierced the data, sending waves of electricity sizzling across the surface. They struck Mr. Mitchell's boat, causing it to lurch violently. The waves tore across the boat, ripping it to pieces. Binomes screamed as they were electrocuted. The boat descended into the data with a mighty splash, sending the crew into the data, some unconscious, others not.
The electric waves continued across the city, heading for the Principle Office.
Three CPUs, two Ones and a Zero binome, stood guarding the Mainframe Archive doors and sharing a snack of donuts as they talked. Suddenly, the Zero went rigid with alarm, able only to point ahead of them. The two Ones looked over and dropped their food; speeding toward them was a deadly wave of electricity.
The CPUs jumped up; one pounded the alarm and shouted, "Run!" They sprinted away just before the wave reached them and blasted into the Archives.
Inside the grotto of information, energy exploded, causing VidWindows to crash to the ground. Their cracked screens flickered before going black. The entire room echoed with the roar and din of collapsing windows. Then the power was cut.
The energy traveled onward, racing through the city and deleting power, until it struck the mighty purple cube in G Prime.
Everyone in the White House fell to their knees as the building shook, and lights flickered rapidly.
"What the hell was that?" Leo shouted. He ran to another game sprite, demanding information. "I said, what happened?"
"I — I don't know, sir," the game sprite stammered. "Maybe it was an earthquake, or . . ."
The User, as Sam, ignored the people milling around the office, and pushed his way through. Bob grabbed AndrAIa's hand as they raced after the User.
They burst through the doors. The User was running toward the president, but another wave rocked the White House, and everyone fell again. The User found himself wedged under a table, and Bob was stuck, too.
AndrAIa regained her balance and raced ahead to the president, who was gripping a chair for balance, his dark gray hair astray. She tapped him on the shoulder. "Mr. President?"
He turned around. Green eyes studied AndrAIa before a smile broke out on his ocher-colored face. "Hey, Andi! You haven't changed a bit!"
"Kode?"
GAME OVER.
Enzo wriggled out of Dot's arms; she had tried to shield him in the energy blast. He ran to the edge of the dock with Frisket trotting behind him. Dot followed him, and they viewed the wreckage of Mr. Mitchell's boat, slowly sinking. The pirates floundered in the data, cursing and shouting to one another.
Already, several citizens had come to the docks. Mr. Mitchell ran toward his ruined boat and fell to his knees. "My pride, my joy," he moaned.
Dot shot him an irritated look. "We need someone to get the pirates out of the sea," she called. Soon, CPUs came in answer and in milliseconds the pirates had been hauled out of the data and were lying on the docks.
"Gavin, are you all right?" Dot asked, bending down by the Crimson Binome.
"Aye, m'lady," he said, clapping a hand against his chest to dislodge the data. He looked to the ruin of Mr. Mitchell's boat and declared, "Never in all the days I've sailed the two seas have I witnessed such a storm! How's me crew?"
"They're fine," Dot assured him. She pulled out her organizer and dialed the number for the Principle Office, but the screen showed nothing. Dot tapped it, but no image appeared. She looked up and gasped. Mainframe was pitch black; not a single light illuminated the buildings.
In G Prime, the Game flickered violently, then suddenly it condensed, as the System Voice announced:
GAME OVER.
The cube rose into the sky.
Do turned back to the assembled Mainframers. "Everyone, into the Principle Office," she ordered. "We'll try to get the power back and plan from there."
CPUs began to herd the citizens to the Principle Office. Then went the pirates, and Enzo and Dot followed last.
Bob turned to AndrAIa, confused. "Excuse me? Who's Kode, and how do you know him?"
"I'm Kode," the strange, orange-skinned sprite said, stepping forward. "And to answer your question, I knew AndrAIa and Enzo in the Games."
"We game-hopped for a few minutes," AndrAIa supplied. That wasn't the exact truth; actually, Kode had been a bit of a nerd who had followed the two sprites into the Games, where they had been forced to let him stay.
Now AndrAIa shook her head in amazement. "I don't believe it. Of all the Games, and all the systems. . . ."
Kode nodded. "I know." He turned to Bob, dark gray eyebrows raised. "Who're you?"
"Guardian 452 of Mainframe," he replied stiffly.
Kode nodded again, a small smirk on his face. "Right, you're the one Daemon was after. I've had a few run-ins with her goons myself."
"We can talk in the Principle Office," Bob said tensely. He didn't trust the new visitor. He glanced across the city, and his expression clouded. "What the Net — look!"
AndrAIa and Kode followed his gaze and noticed the darkened buildings.
Bob pursed his lips. "Let's go," he said simply. When they realized that Kode had no zipboard, Bob constructed a small portal (Kode nodded in approval), and they stepped through it.
Dot stood in the Principle Office hall with Phong, Enzo, and Matrix. Mouse and Ray were working to get the power back.
As Bob walked in through the doorway followed by the others, Dot ran to him. "Thank the Net you're all right!" she cried, hugging him.
"We're fine," the Guardian assured her. "We just experienced a slight jolt in the Game."
Matrix went to embrace AndrAIa; but when he saw the visitor, a hard look came over his face, and one hand drifted to Gun's handle. "Who is that?"
"Enzo, do you remember Kode?" AndrAIa asked. "From the Games?"
"I'm sure he hasn't forgotten," Kode said. He slipped past AndrAIa with practiced ease. Grinning broadly, he offered one hand to Matrix, who looked shocked and surprised at the sprite's attitude. Reluctantly, the renegade shook Kode's hand. "Hey, Enzo. You sure look different since I saw you."
"It's Matrix," he muttered tightly.
"AndrAIa calls you Enzo."
"Yeah, and she's the only one who can."
"Oh, I see; you two still have that puppy love thing going," Kode said; his voice held an unmistakable bitter taunt.
Matrix released his hand and stepped back, his face still stony. Enzo looked from his older self to Kode and back interestedly; at his side, Frisket growled viciously at the newcomer. Kode glared at the dog; and Enzo could have sworn his green eyes flashed.
The tension hung in the air for nearly a millisecond.
Finally, AndrAIa cleared her throat. "Dot, Matrix and I still need to find a place to live; and now it looks like Kode does, too."
"Right, AndrAIa." Dot frowned. "The only question is where?"
"Well," Bob spoke up, "they all could stay at my place."
Dot raised an eyebrow. "Your apartment?"
Bob shrugged. "Sure. AndrAIa and Matrix can have my room, and Kode can have the guestroom. How does that sound?"
"Fine," Matrix said. "But where will you stay?"
Bob grinned. "If your sister would permit me, I could take up temporary residence at the Diner?" he asked, speaking to Dot now.
She flushed a darker color. "Sure, Bob. There's a guest room at the Diner."
AndrAIa grinned and gave her a congratulating look, making Dot blush more.
"`Re y'all ready in there?" Mouse called from the other room. Suddenly, the lights snapped on. Mouse and Ray walked into the hall, looking extremely satisfied.
"Hey, Mouse; you got the lights back," Bob congratulated her.
She winked at him. "Never expect the Mouse to fail a job." When she saw Kode, "And who is that?"
More introductions were made. As the second began to fade into downtime, lights flickered back on inside the numerous buildings of system Mainframe.
At Bob's apartment, Matrix finished setting up the small bed in one of the rooms.
AndrAIa grinned. "One bed?" She walked over to Matrix and placed her arms around his neck. "Sure you won't mind?"
He wrapped his arms around her and stared into her eyes. "I think things will be fine," he murmured with a small smile.
AndrAIa grinned and leaned up to kiss him when they heard a noise behind them.
"Excuse me," Kode quipped from the doorway, "I hope I'm not disturbing anything."
"It's all right," AndrAIa said, pulling away from Matrix to stand by Kode. "Do you have everything you need?"
"Yeah." With a glance at Matrix, Kode added, "Sleep well, Andi." He turned and left.
Matrix crossed his arms over his chest and watched the orange sprite go, making a low sound in his throat. AndrAIa came over and placed a hand under his chin, making him look at her. "It's not his fault he ended up in Mainframe," she said.
"I'm sure," Matrix muttered.
"Enzo," AndrAIa admonished him slightly. "I know you're jealous," she said with a smile. "Remember, Enzo: a long time ago, I chose you."
Matrix nodded, and half of his mouth turned up in a smile. He pulled AndrAIa back into his arms and kissed her for a long time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss.
They broke away and nuzzled noses, gazing adoringly at one another. "You know," AndrAIa whispered huskily, "it's just us now; we're completely alone."
Matrix smiled slowly and kissed her again, for a longer period. AndrAIa leaned in closer to him, and they rested against the wall, in a deep embrace.
An orange hand still rested on the door, and green eyes flashed as the sprite watched the two lovers. With a soft growl, Kode shut the door, turned on his heel, and strode back to his room.
Bob sat down on the couch next to Dot. She snuggled up to him, laying her head on his shoulder. They sat quietly, watching the last embers from the fire.
"You must think you're pretty smooth, planning that," Dot whispered. "Admit it, Bob — you were planning to give Matrix and AndrAIa the apartment anyway, weren't you?"
"I can't get anything past you," he chuckled, stroking her dark hair. "You're not angry?"
"No. . . . Actually, I'm glad we could get some private time . . ." Dot murmured, her violet eyes sparkling mischievously. She wrapped her arms around Bob's neck and kissed him deeply. When the kiss ended, Dot settled her head back on his shoulder, and Bob wrapped his arm around her waist.
Enzo tiptoed into the living room. Dot heard him, though, and lifted her head. "Hey, Little Brother, what do you need?"
"Can I sit with you guys?" Enzo asked haltingly. When they nodded, he jumped on the couch, making Dot laugh. Enzo sat between her and Bob as Dot stroked his hair and smiled at Bob over his head.
Enzo grinned at the couple. "This is how I always thought it should be," he said softly, his voice uncharacteristically solemn. "Back when you two would never admit you liked each other, I always wanted us to be a big family. Bob, can you stay forever?" he added, breaking back into his childish mood.
The Guardian laughed. "Well, it's up to your sister," he said, leaning over and kissing Dot on the nose. "But I'd love to."
Enzo looked at his sister expectantly. "Dot?"
"I'll think about it," she laughed. "Now, it's time for a little sprite to get some sleep."
"Aww, do I have to?" Enzo whined. "This is so much more fun."
"Tell you what, if I have time, I'll go circuit racing with you tomorrow," Bob said. "How does that sound?"
"Alphanumeric!" Enzo shouted. He jumped off the couch and started for his room, then stopped. "Bob?"
"Yeah, Little Man?"
"Could you tuck me in?"
"Sure," Bob smiled. He got off the couch; Dot caught his hand and smiled at him. "Thank you," she whispered.
Bob shook his head. "It's no problem. Come on, Enzo." He picked up the not-even-ten-hour-old and carried him to his room.
Dot sighed and settled back against the couch. Five milliseconds later, Bob rejoined her.
Dot turned and gazed lovingly at Bob. "I'm so glad you came back."
Bob stroked her cheek with his finger. "Nothing could keep me from you."
Dot pulled him to her for a soft kiss. When they broke away, she rested her head on his shoulder again and closed her eyes, reveling in the peace.