Chapter 14 Consequences
Lost Angles Principles Office
Tears of joy streamed down Ray's face. "My Lady, I can hear My Lady's voice, at last."
He struggled inside his straight jacket to complete Daemon's final command.
On the other side of the observation window Dr. Chandra turned to Matrix and said vehemently, "He is just one of billions. Because of your brutal act the counter virus is deleting along with Hex."
They had moved to Lost Angles after Hex's botched deletion. The virus along with destroying the Mainframe Principle's office had brought back all the sprites lost during an explosion that gave birth to the two resident viruses. She also brought back Bob's old partner. Hex somehow managed to survive but Matrix far from being grateful shot her and then all Dell broke loose as millions of data forms everywhere tried to kill themselves or others just like Ray.
"I don't care about a few weaklings," said Matrix sullenly.
"You'd better," said Dr. Apple. " If the counter virus deletes, Daemon's infection will consume us all. I've stabilized the counter virus for now. If it is to any chance of survival it'll need a tissue transplant."
"Her name is Hexadecimal," said Bob firmly.
Matrix stalked out of the room in disgust.
When he got back to his apartment, he found AndraIa in the garage packing away her few possessions.
"Hey Dre whatcha doing?" he asked half playfully.
"I'm leaving you Matrix. Shooting Hex was the last straw!"
"Hey that Bat deserved it. After all it was her execution!"
"And you still wanted to kill her? After bringing back Lost Angles, your family and saving us all twice? You're something else! I've stood by you all these cycles trying to justify your actions and I can't, not anymore."
He grabbed her arm, yanking her back and announced "I'm not letting you leave not, for some stupid virus."
The next thing he knew he was flying through the air. He crashed into the tool cabinet crumbling it. A screwdriver landed near his head.
"Don't you listen? I can't stand your bullying, your love of danger. The War's over and so are we."
Then Dre hopped on her hover bike and sped off. Matrix noticed that Frisket had left with her.
Meanwhile inside the Lost Angles principle's office Megabyte paced nervously in his tiny cell as the guards dropped the force field and came in with Turbo. He stopped pacing and looked at the Prime Guardian. The virus did not like the look on Turbo's face, though he couldn't describe it.
"Is it time for my execution already?" sneered Megabyte. "Don't I get a trial like my dear sister?"
Turbo merely shook his head, "You're sister's been shot and is dying. If we don't save her the entire net will delete along with her."
"And what does that got to do with me?"
"Her best chance of survival is a heart transplant from a relative, like a twin brother."
"No."
"Yes, take him away and have him prepped for surgery."
The virus screamed and twisted. He desperately tried to infect the guards but thanks to Hex they were now immunized against Megabyte. Then he tried morphing but the hold of the guards and the damage Hexadecimal had inflicted on him made it futile. Finally one of the binome guards zapped him in the back of the skull knocking the virus out.
Very carefully the guards tied Megabyte up and carried their dangerous parcel to Dr. Apple.
When they got there it did no good. Dr. Apple waved one scanner wand over the now trussed up virus and said, "No good, the counter virus will reject this tissue. If we are to survive at all we have to find a compatible donor. My best guess is one of the sprites from Lost Angles."
Megabyte sighed in relief.
************************************************************************ Mainframe Al's Diner
Later in the night cycle Matrix drowned his troubles at Al's Diner. Outside fires burned as rioting ensued. Inside most of the few binome patrons stayed well away from him. Even this rough crowd were frightened by Matrix.
Suddenly a public vid window opened right up in front of Matrix's face. Inside was Mike the TV. "Attention all adult sprites of Lost Angles. Strapped for cash? Well of course you are! Well head on down to the Lost Angles Hospital and check yourself in for some tissue donation.
"You see there's this little girl that you all know who's carrying the counter virus and if she deletes, well boys and girls that's the end of everything!
"So come on down and get yourself tissue typed and if you match you'll receive a huge cash reward of 99, 99,99,99,99. That's 99,99,99,99,99 for that I'm willing to give a pound of my flesh how about you?"
Lost Angles Hospital
The next morning the hospital was absolutely overflowing with sprites. At the front of the huge line up Dr. Apple waved his wand over one sprite after another.
"No, No, No, "droned Rom.
He felt a tug on his lab coat. Dr. Apple looked down and saw it was Young Enzo.
"Dr. Apple, I'd like a tissue scan," said the boy.
"Enzo, you're too young and besides you know what Hex is."
"But Rom, Hex is my friend. Before she got shot she was my only playmate. Please let me help her, please."
"Okay, if it'll shut you up. See..a perfect match!? Oh no!"
He took Enzo's hand and headed straight to the principle's office.
"So you see Ms. Matrix, why I'm reluctant to harvest the tissue," said Rom.
They were in Dot's new office with Bob and the other Guardians listening in closely.
"And you've found no other compatible donors?" asked Dot.
"Sadly no, even when I've made tissue scanning mandatory, my assistants have found no other acceptable donors."
"Acceptable?"
"Well you and your father both have compatible tissues. The virus would live although neither of you would survive the tissue harvest."
"Bob, I'll go pick up Matrix. I know you don't have the taste for this," said Turbo.
"No, I'll do it. Besides I know where he'll be," said Bob fiercely.
"You'd better take backup," said Dixon.
Bob didn't really know exactly where Matrix would be but he could see the signs. He scanned Mainframe and Lost Angles for any signs of gunfire, any blank looks of fear. He didn't have to look far at level 31 Al's Diner was having a happy hour.
"So Dix, how come you aren't mad at losing Glitch?" asked Bob.
"I'll get a key tool Turbo promised me that. You and Glitch have changed so much anyway. I never thought your theory on benign viruses would pan out let alone this. Right now, I'm just glad to be alive."
"And saving a virus? You're Okay with that?"
"You and Glitch aren't the only ones who've changed," she said softly.
They landed just as an ex- viral ran out the bar screaming. The Matrix was in.
Inside a terrified busboy cowered in the corner as Matrix helped himself to yet another IO shot from the bar. On the main view screen Net Wide News reported the ongoing spate of murders and suicides as civilization crumbled all over the Net.
"Sweet User, I'm glad it's not his liver we need," said Dixon.
"Enzo Matrix, we're taking you in. We've found a donor for Hexadecimal, you," announced Bob.
The few people in the restaurant fled. The hulking green giant stood slowly up.
"Bob, you don't know how long I've waited for an excuse to pound your sorry blue face."
"Come and try it, little boy."
The renegade charged at Bob. The pair crashed into a set of tables. Bob brought Glitch up to Matrix's face but stopped when a chair crashed into Matrix's skull. The hulking green sprite slumped down on top of Bob.
"Forget about me gorgeous? Let's take this boy down to the hospital."
Mainframe Last Chance Hotel
While all this was happening AndraIa had set the last of her affairs in order. She could no longer live in Mainframe, not after all she'd witnessed. There was one last thing to do.
From a cheap dingy hotel room's vid window Dre decided to book passage on the Saucy Mare.
".And I need to go secretly, some place Matrix wouldn't be caught deleted in," instructed the Game sprite to Gavin.
"But Lass ye grew up together, all these cycles, wasted," protested Captain Capacitor.
"And I've watched him get worse and worse. It was only a matter of time before he turned on me," she showed him her bruised arm where Matrix grabbed her.
"Aye I see your point. Very well them ye ken stay aboard. We'll be leaving once the Web settles down. That'll give you time to think things over."
"I don't need to. It's high time Matrix suffered the consequences of his actions, Dre out."
It was only a short way to the docks but AndraIa never made it. The streets here were quiet, dark and appeared to be deserted. As she was walking to past a warehouse near the Saucy Mare a shadow fell upon her. The Game Sprite turned around and saw a familiar sight.
"You!" she cried in shock.
Lost Angles Hospital Post Op Room
It was late morning in the post op room. Frisket tenderly laid his head on the bed waiting for the occupant to wake up. It had been a gruelling operation. The Guardians and Dr. Apple waited expectantly.
"Shouldn't we get rid of the dog? It isn't sanitary," whispered Dixon.
"You try getting rid of him," whispered back Bob.
The patient stirred in her bed and woke up to a hero's welcome for the first time in her life.
"Welcome Hex, you gave us quite a scare,' said Turbo.
"How do you feel?" asked Bob tenderly.
"For the first time free. I didn't know if there would anything left of me if I got rid of them but now I know there was someone behind the masks."
"He was asking how you felt after the heart tissue transplant," said Rom sharply.
"Transplant? So that's why my chest hurts."
"Yes, that's why your chest hurts. Excuse me I've got to check on the other patient," said Rom.
"Well I'm so very glad to meet the girl behind the masks," said Bob as he gently kissed her.
A purple binome nudged his way up to the front, "I've got a special hero's meal. What?!"
"The last time a waiter smiled like that he put nulls in my food," said Hex.
"No! Well this is the finest slow food from Al's, eat up you'll need your strength."
With a flourish the waiter revealed a fantastic array of jellies and soups. Hex raised her eyebrow.
"You've just had surgery!" said the waiter defensively.
"Er yes, thank you," said the virus reluctantly. "Turbo what's going to happen to me? Will I have to go to jail?"
Turbo looked at the expression of naked fear on the girl's face. He hadn't gotten further than forcing Dot not to try and execute her again. "We'll talk it over with Dot. I promise you, your suffering here will end."
"Hex, I've brought a special visitor to see you," said Bob.
Little Enzo rushed in beside her and plopped himself firmly on the bed. This was an improvement over his normal behaviour. Bob once had to get back surgery after Enzo bowled him over.
"Hey, Hex once you're done want to play a video game?" asked the boy.
"How about we go jet bowl racing. I've never tried that!"
"Er yeah, how about we do that when you're better!"
And so that Guardians left the young pair alone with their games to visit Matrix in another hospital bed.
Dot was already there holding Matrix's hand. The green giant had still not regained consciousness.
"About time you got here! Where's little Enzo?" she said harshly.
"Hex are Enzo are playing some video games together," replied Bob.
"I have got to separate those two, she's a bad influence."
"Er, Dot I wouldn't recommend it. Like it or not they've formed a bond. They're healing together and if you cut them apart you'll only hurt Enzo!"
"I suppose you have experience in that. Dr. Apple has been here, he says that Matrix might never fully recover."
Turbo frowned, "He's lucky he isn't in prison. That little stunt he did cost us millions of lives."
Matrix's eyes snapped open. "Where's AndraIa?"
Dot spoke softly, "Stay still Baby Brother, we're looking for her. She'll be here any moment."
"In the mean time, young man, we're taking away your guardian protocols and game sprite icon. You're under system arrest," said Turbo firmly.
"No, why?" protested Matrix.
Turbo explained harshly, " We've been receiving complaints about your conduct during your game hopping adventures. We would have let it slide but with the behaviour that I personally witnessed I am forced to agree."
With that he ripped off Matrix's icon. As he turned heel and left Turbo added, " Oh and by the way you're ordered to get some psychological counselling."
Bob just shook his head sadly and then he left too.
"This is all Hex's fault!" said Matrix bitterly.
"I know, I know," said Dot
Lost Angles Principle's Office
It was early evening and Dot sat behind her desk getting the system's affairs in order. She had reluctantly left Matrix a few micros ago to work on the new problem that Hex posed; What do we do about the newly reborn sprites of Lost Angles.
Her office, though she hadn't been here long, was plush. That viral witch had kept all the good stuff for herself. Dot gladly relieved Hex of some of it.
Dot's head shot up from her work when she heard a soft knocking at the door.
The door opened revealing a large golden sprite. It was the spokesman Alistair McAffee for the Lost Angles sprites. He looked at her shamefacedly with a cap in his hand.
"Miss Matrix, you've done a wonderful job of seeing to us, giving us places to sleep, feeding us, but.." said McAffee.
"Yes," said Dot kindly.
"But we need to think more long term. We'd like our property back the houses and - the businesses that you inherited from us."
"I see."
"You'll be compensated, I promise you for all your trouble. Look at this way no Command dot COM has ever owned a business while in office. This will give you more free time to really do the job."
"And you don't think I'm doing it now?"
"No, no. Look being a Command dot COM is truly a full time job. Owning a business let alone all of yours is a distraction. We need to keep ourselves occupied, a purpose in life, please give us back our lives. You've impressed with how you've run our businesses it shows great savvy but as I've said no Command dot COM ever owned a business."
The tone and meaning was clear. Give up the businesses or give up your position.
"Okay, I see your point. I'll have Miss Pink set up everything," said Dot resignedly.
A few micros later the next visitor came with news no better.
"Dixon Green, come have a seat," welcomed Dot insincerely.
"Dot I've been ordered to tell you not to bring any reprisals on Hexadecimal."
"But she still has to answer for all her crimes before and after she returned. At the very least we'll have a trial."
"Look see this it's a med file Hex's source code and brainwaves both before and after her fragmentation. It basically states that she was an amalgam of over 2000 sprites, your sprites, so if you're going to have one trial you'd better be prepared to do 2000."
" I think you're just trying to protect this virus."
"Spammed right, Daemon's cure is in her. The Net's fate lies in her well- being if she's not happy millions of people will suffer and we just might mention how a certain system came out relatively unscathed from the Daemon Wars."
"So if I don't do what you want you'll release a flood of refugees on us. You can't possibly agree with this policy, you're a Guardian."
"That's right I'm a Guardian and my first priority is to protect the Net and if that means keeping a virus happy and safe so be it. We may not be happy with this but remember we will be watching."
"Alphanumeric," said Dot sarcastically as Dixon left.
************************************************************************
Lost Angles Hospital Late at Night
Matrix was sleeping fitfully when AndraIa crept into his room.
"Hello - Lover," she said as she hugged him awkwardly.
"Angelfish you've come back to me!"
"You where right about everything."
"Oh AndraIa don't ever leave me again," Matrix said as he kissed her.
"Don't worry I won't."
He didn't notice how her hair moved like tentacles as he held her again.
In the nearby room Hexadecimal suddenly stopped her vid game. "Enzo I've had a terrible thought! What if Daemon's infection works the same way as my counter virus?"
"Dude that would mean that Daemon would still be out there."
The next morning the Game Sprite left Matrix's room with an evil smirk on her face. In Hex's room, the virus started to show Enzo her magic.
"Hex, I've been talking to Dr. Chandra and she says I should change my name, get a new identity like Bob did. And with all the cool stuff you've been showing me I've got the perfect name... is that a hospital mirror?"
"Yes, I'm teaching you scrying today."
"But don't we need your magic mirror?"
"My mirror wasn't magical, I just liked how it looked in my lair. Now who should we look at? How about the good Doctor Rom?"
With a wave of her hand the mirror misted over.
"Now Enzo, look beyond the reflection, visualize Dr. Apple, keep it up Enzo. I can see something."
The image formed of Dr. Apple in the principle's office. Dot was crying on his shoulder.
"And the time that he's spending with - with that Bat! I thought he loved me and all the awful things I found out about him," sobbed Dot.
"You're not the only one who's had an unpleasant surprise," said Rom softly cupping her chin.
"So is there anything I should know?"
"My name is Rom Apple and I am a surgeon. Other than a childhood accident my life has been normal and stable."
Then he kissed Dot softly and passionately the way Hex always wanted to be kissed. Hexadecimal slammed the mirror face down on the table and ran out of the room.
Lost Angles Principles Office
Tears of joy streamed down Ray's face. "My Lady, I can hear My Lady's voice, at last."
He struggled inside his straight jacket to complete Daemon's final command.
On the other side of the observation window Dr. Chandra turned to Matrix and said vehemently, "He is just one of billions. Because of your brutal act the counter virus is deleting along with Hex."
They had moved to Lost Angles after Hex's botched deletion. The virus along with destroying the Mainframe Principle's office had brought back all the sprites lost during an explosion that gave birth to the two resident viruses. She also brought back Bob's old partner. Hex somehow managed to survive but Matrix far from being grateful shot her and then all Dell broke loose as millions of data forms everywhere tried to kill themselves or others just like Ray.
"I don't care about a few weaklings," said Matrix sullenly.
"You'd better," said Dr. Apple. " If the counter virus deletes, Daemon's infection will consume us all. I've stabilized the counter virus for now. If it is to any chance of survival it'll need a tissue transplant."
"Her name is Hexadecimal," said Bob firmly.
Matrix stalked out of the room in disgust.
When he got back to his apartment, he found AndraIa in the garage packing away her few possessions.
"Hey Dre whatcha doing?" he asked half playfully.
"I'm leaving you Matrix. Shooting Hex was the last straw!"
"Hey that Bat deserved it. After all it was her execution!"
"And you still wanted to kill her? After bringing back Lost Angles, your family and saving us all twice? You're something else! I've stood by you all these cycles trying to justify your actions and I can't, not anymore."
He grabbed her arm, yanking her back and announced "I'm not letting you leave not, for some stupid virus."
The next thing he knew he was flying through the air. He crashed into the tool cabinet crumbling it. A screwdriver landed near his head.
"Don't you listen? I can't stand your bullying, your love of danger. The War's over and so are we."
Then Dre hopped on her hover bike and sped off. Matrix noticed that Frisket had left with her.
Meanwhile inside the Lost Angles principle's office Megabyte paced nervously in his tiny cell as the guards dropped the force field and came in with Turbo. He stopped pacing and looked at the Prime Guardian. The virus did not like the look on Turbo's face, though he couldn't describe it.
"Is it time for my execution already?" sneered Megabyte. "Don't I get a trial like my dear sister?"
Turbo merely shook his head, "You're sister's been shot and is dying. If we don't save her the entire net will delete along with her."
"And what does that got to do with me?"
"Her best chance of survival is a heart transplant from a relative, like a twin brother."
"No."
"Yes, take him away and have him prepped for surgery."
The virus screamed and twisted. He desperately tried to infect the guards but thanks to Hex they were now immunized against Megabyte. Then he tried morphing but the hold of the guards and the damage Hexadecimal had inflicted on him made it futile. Finally one of the binome guards zapped him in the back of the skull knocking the virus out.
Very carefully the guards tied Megabyte up and carried their dangerous parcel to Dr. Apple.
When they got there it did no good. Dr. Apple waved one scanner wand over the now trussed up virus and said, "No good, the counter virus will reject this tissue. If we are to survive at all we have to find a compatible donor. My best guess is one of the sprites from Lost Angles."
Megabyte sighed in relief.
************************************************************************ Mainframe Al's Diner
Later in the night cycle Matrix drowned his troubles at Al's Diner. Outside fires burned as rioting ensued. Inside most of the few binome patrons stayed well away from him. Even this rough crowd were frightened by Matrix.
Suddenly a public vid window opened right up in front of Matrix's face. Inside was Mike the TV. "Attention all adult sprites of Lost Angles. Strapped for cash? Well of course you are! Well head on down to the Lost Angles Hospital and check yourself in for some tissue donation.
"You see there's this little girl that you all know who's carrying the counter virus and if she deletes, well boys and girls that's the end of everything!
"So come on down and get yourself tissue typed and if you match you'll receive a huge cash reward of 99, 99,99,99,99. That's 99,99,99,99,99 for that I'm willing to give a pound of my flesh how about you?"
Lost Angles Hospital
The next morning the hospital was absolutely overflowing with sprites. At the front of the huge line up Dr. Apple waved his wand over one sprite after another.
"No, No, No, "droned Rom.
He felt a tug on his lab coat. Dr. Apple looked down and saw it was Young Enzo.
"Dr. Apple, I'd like a tissue scan," said the boy.
"Enzo, you're too young and besides you know what Hex is."
"But Rom, Hex is my friend. Before she got shot she was my only playmate. Please let me help her, please."
"Okay, if it'll shut you up. See..a perfect match!? Oh no!"
He took Enzo's hand and headed straight to the principle's office.
"So you see Ms. Matrix, why I'm reluctant to harvest the tissue," said Rom.
They were in Dot's new office with Bob and the other Guardians listening in closely.
"And you've found no other compatible donors?" asked Dot.
"Sadly no, even when I've made tissue scanning mandatory, my assistants have found no other acceptable donors."
"Acceptable?"
"Well you and your father both have compatible tissues. The virus would live although neither of you would survive the tissue harvest."
"Bob, I'll go pick up Matrix. I know you don't have the taste for this," said Turbo.
"No, I'll do it. Besides I know where he'll be," said Bob fiercely.
"You'd better take backup," said Dixon.
Bob didn't really know exactly where Matrix would be but he could see the signs. He scanned Mainframe and Lost Angles for any signs of gunfire, any blank looks of fear. He didn't have to look far at level 31 Al's Diner was having a happy hour.
"So Dix, how come you aren't mad at losing Glitch?" asked Bob.
"I'll get a key tool Turbo promised me that. You and Glitch have changed so much anyway. I never thought your theory on benign viruses would pan out let alone this. Right now, I'm just glad to be alive."
"And saving a virus? You're Okay with that?"
"You and Glitch aren't the only ones who've changed," she said softly.
They landed just as an ex- viral ran out the bar screaming. The Matrix was in.
Inside a terrified busboy cowered in the corner as Matrix helped himself to yet another IO shot from the bar. On the main view screen Net Wide News reported the ongoing spate of murders and suicides as civilization crumbled all over the Net.
"Sweet User, I'm glad it's not his liver we need," said Dixon.
"Enzo Matrix, we're taking you in. We've found a donor for Hexadecimal, you," announced Bob.
The few people in the restaurant fled. The hulking green giant stood slowly up.
"Bob, you don't know how long I've waited for an excuse to pound your sorry blue face."
"Come and try it, little boy."
The renegade charged at Bob. The pair crashed into a set of tables. Bob brought Glitch up to Matrix's face but stopped when a chair crashed into Matrix's skull. The hulking green sprite slumped down on top of Bob.
"Forget about me gorgeous? Let's take this boy down to the hospital."
Mainframe Last Chance Hotel
While all this was happening AndraIa had set the last of her affairs in order. She could no longer live in Mainframe, not after all she'd witnessed. There was one last thing to do.
From a cheap dingy hotel room's vid window Dre decided to book passage on the Saucy Mare.
".And I need to go secretly, some place Matrix wouldn't be caught deleted in," instructed the Game sprite to Gavin.
"But Lass ye grew up together, all these cycles, wasted," protested Captain Capacitor.
"And I've watched him get worse and worse. It was only a matter of time before he turned on me," she showed him her bruised arm where Matrix grabbed her.
"Aye I see your point. Very well them ye ken stay aboard. We'll be leaving once the Web settles down. That'll give you time to think things over."
"I don't need to. It's high time Matrix suffered the consequences of his actions, Dre out."
It was only a short way to the docks but AndraIa never made it. The streets here were quiet, dark and appeared to be deserted. As she was walking to past a warehouse near the Saucy Mare a shadow fell upon her. The Game Sprite turned around and saw a familiar sight.
"You!" she cried in shock.
Lost Angles Hospital Post Op Room
It was late morning in the post op room. Frisket tenderly laid his head on the bed waiting for the occupant to wake up. It had been a gruelling operation. The Guardians and Dr. Apple waited expectantly.
"Shouldn't we get rid of the dog? It isn't sanitary," whispered Dixon.
"You try getting rid of him," whispered back Bob.
The patient stirred in her bed and woke up to a hero's welcome for the first time in her life.
"Welcome Hex, you gave us quite a scare,' said Turbo.
"How do you feel?" asked Bob tenderly.
"For the first time free. I didn't know if there would anything left of me if I got rid of them but now I know there was someone behind the masks."
"He was asking how you felt after the heart tissue transplant," said Rom sharply.
"Transplant? So that's why my chest hurts."
"Yes, that's why your chest hurts. Excuse me I've got to check on the other patient," said Rom.
"Well I'm so very glad to meet the girl behind the masks," said Bob as he gently kissed her.
A purple binome nudged his way up to the front, "I've got a special hero's meal. What?!"
"The last time a waiter smiled like that he put nulls in my food," said Hex.
"No! Well this is the finest slow food from Al's, eat up you'll need your strength."
With a flourish the waiter revealed a fantastic array of jellies and soups. Hex raised her eyebrow.
"You've just had surgery!" said the waiter defensively.
"Er yes, thank you," said the virus reluctantly. "Turbo what's going to happen to me? Will I have to go to jail?"
Turbo looked at the expression of naked fear on the girl's face. He hadn't gotten further than forcing Dot not to try and execute her again. "We'll talk it over with Dot. I promise you, your suffering here will end."
"Hex, I've brought a special visitor to see you," said Bob.
Little Enzo rushed in beside her and plopped himself firmly on the bed. This was an improvement over his normal behaviour. Bob once had to get back surgery after Enzo bowled him over.
"Hey, Hex once you're done want to play a video game?" asked the boy.
"How about we go jet bowl racing. I've never tried that!"
"Er yeah, how about we do that when you're better!"
And so that Guardians left the young pair alone with their games to visit Matrix in another hospital bed.
Dot was already there holding Matrix's hand. The green giant had still not regained consciousness.
"About time you got here! Where's little Enzo?" she said harshly.
"Hex are Enzo are playing some video games together," replied Bob.
"I have got to separate those two, she's a bad influence."
"Er, Dot I wouldn't recommend it. Like it or not they've formed a bond. They're healing together and if you cut them apart you'll only hurt Enzo!"
"I suppose you have experience in that. Dr. Apple has been here, he says that Matrix might never fully recover."
Turbo frowned, "He's lucky he isn't in prison. That little stunt he did cost us millions of lives."
Matrix's eyes snapped open. "Where's AndraIa?"
Dot spoke softly, "Stay still Baby Brother, we're looking for her. She'll be here any moment."
"In the mean time, young man, we're taking away your guardian protocols and game sprite icon. You're under system arrest," said Turbo firmly.
"No, why?" protested Matrix.
Turbo explained harshly, " We've been receiving complaints about your conduct during your game hopping adventures. We would have let it slide but with the behaviour that I personally witnessed I am forced to agree."
With that he ripped off Matrix's icon. As he turned heel and left Turbo added, " Oh and by the way you're ordered to get some psychological counselling."
Bob just shook his head sadly and then he left too.
"This is all Hex's fault!" said Matrix bitterly.
"I know, I know," said Dot
Lost Angles Principle's Office
It was early evening and Dot sat behind her desk getting the system's affairs in order. She had reluctantly left Matrix a few micros ago to work on the new problem that Hex posed; What do we do about the newly reborn sprites of Lost Angles.
Her office, though she hadn't been here long, was plush. That viral witch had kept all the good stuff for herself. Dot gladly relieved Hex of some of it.
Dot's head shot up from her work when she heard a soft knocking at the door.
The door opened revealing a large golden sprite. It was the spokesman Alistair McAffee for the Lost Angles sprites. He looked at her shamefacedly with a cap in his hand.
"Miss Matrix, you've done a wonderful job of seeing to us, giving us places to sleep, feeding us, but.." said McAffee.
"Yes," said Dot kindly.
"But we need to think more long term. We'd like our property back the houses and - the businesses that you inherited from us."
"I see."
"You'll be compensated, I promise you for all your trouble. Look at this way no Command dot COM has ever owned a business while in office. This will give you more free time to really do the job."
"And you don't think I'm doing it now?"
"No, no. Look being a Command dot COM is truly a full time job. Owning a business let alone all of yours is a distraction. We need to keep ourselves occupied, a purpose in life, please give us back our lives. You've impressed with how you've run our businesses it shows great savvy but as I've said no Command dot COM ever owned a business."
The tone and meaning was clear. Give up the businesses or give up your position.
"Okay, I see your point. I'll have Miss Pink set up everything," said Dot resignedly.
A few micros later the next visitor came with news no better.
"Dixon Green, come have a seat," welcomed Dot insincerely.
"Dot I've been ordered to tell you not to bring any reprisals on Hexadecimal."
"But she still has to answer for all her crimes before and after she returned. At the very least we'll have a trial."
"Look see this it's a med file Hex's source code and brainwaves both before and after her fragmentation. It basically states that she was an amalgam of over 2000 sprites, your sprites, so if you're going to have one trial you'd better be prepared to do 2000."
" I think you're just trying to protect this virus."
"Spammed right, Daemon's cure is in her. The Net's fate lies in her well- being if she's not happy millions of people will suffer and we just might mention how a certain system came out relatively unscathed from the Daemon Wars."
"So if I don't do what you want you'll release a flood of refugees on us. You can't possibly agree with this policy, you're a Guardian."
"That's right I'm a Guardian and my first priority is to protect the Net and if that means keeping a virus happy and safe so be it. We may not be happy with this but remember we will be watching."
"Alphanumeric," said Dot sarcastically as Dixon left.
************************************************************************
Lost Angles Hospital Late at Night
Matrix was sleeping fitfully when AndraIa crept into his room.
"Hello - Lover," she said as she hugged him awkwardly.
"Angelfish you've come back to me!"
"You where right about everything."
"Oh AndraIa don't ever leave me again," Matrix said as he kissed her.
"Don't worry I won't."
He didn't notice how her hair moved like tentacles as he held her again.
In the nearby room Hexadecimal suddenly stopped her vid game. "Enzo I've had a terrible thought! What if Daemon's infection works the same way as my counter virus?"
"Dude that would mean that Daemon would still be out there."
The next morning the Game Sprite left Matrix's room with an evil smirk on her face. In Hex's room, the virus started to show Enzo her magic.
"Hex, I've been talking to Dr. Chandra and she says I should change my name, get a new identity like Bob did. And with all the cool stuff you've been showing me I've got the perfect name... is that a hospital mirror?"
"Yes, I'm teaching you scrying today."
"But don't we need your magic mirror?"
"My mirror wasn't magical, I just liked how it looked in my lair. Now who should we look at? How about the good Doctor Rom?"
With a wave of her hand the mirror misted over.
"Now Enzo, look beyond the reflection, visualize Dr. Apple, keep it up Enzo. I can see something."
The image formed of Dr. Apple in the principle's office. Dot was crying on his shoulder.
"And the time that he's spending with - with that Bat! I thought he loved me and all the awful things I found out about him," sobbed Dot.
"You're not the only one who's had an unpleasant surprise," said Rom softly cupping her chin.
"So is there anything I should know?"
"My name is Rom Apple and I am a surgeon. Other than a childhood accident my life has been normal and stable."
Then he kissed Dot softly and passionately the way Hex always wanted to be kissed. Hexadecimal slammed the mirror face down on the table and ran out of the room.