*********************************************************************************************************************************************
Disclaimer: I do not own Metropolis. Happy? Sheesh...
Another chapter uploaded! Right now the only reason I'm writing in chapters is to make reading a little easier, and to keep up a steady post rate.
As ever, R&R is really appreciated, I'll take any flames in my stride (I hope). Enjoy.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
"Okay it's ready." Kenichi said typing in the final few commands and sending them
to the throne. He and Aki turned to watch as the throne, silent for so long, once again
began its ominous activation cycle. The throne's headrest began to fan out as two
poles slipped from its sides. A pair of conductors rose up above the seat, and the
poles were covered by a metal coil, hundreds of wires, and finally a protective shell.
The seat inset to almost perfectly fit Tima's small body. Kenichi looked at the
infernal contraption in disgust.
Seeing Kenichi's expression Aki touched his arm, "Kenichi it can't hurt you. You
disabled the integration systems."
"I know Aki… but it… it seems like some monster waiting to pounce. How must
Tima have felt to have been forced to sit in it…?" he shuddered.
"It's the only way to bring Tima back. It may have harmed her once but… maybe
now it can save her."
"…You're right."
Kenichi stepped up to the throne's side and began to sit down. Just before his hand
touched the arm he stopped. Was this machine really safe…? Kenichi shook his head
violently, sat down, and braced himself for what he was afraid was about to happen.
Nothing. Slowly Kenichi opened his eyes to see Aki standing before him.
"See?" she said.
Kenichi nodded and reached up above his head for the neural relay they had taken
from an old medical centre. For some reason, Kenichi was far less afraid of this
shoddy contraption which he shouldn't in reality trust as far as he could poke it with a
stick, than he was of the throne.
Pulling the sieve like helmet down over his head, Aki made sure all of the attachments
were in place, then stepped back.
"Ready Kenichi?"
"Yes."
"Good luck." Aki activated the connection program.
* * * * *
Tima was hanging silently from her bonds, drifting in and out of consciousness.
Constantly she would feel herself slipping toward oblivion, but every time she came
close she would remember Kenichi, and decide she had to be close to him just once
more, even if she may not be able to hold on past that moment, rather than have
everything simply end. There were so many questions she had to ask him, so many
things to tell him and… she wanted Kenichi to hold and shield her. Tima desperately
wanted Kenichi to tell her everything would be fine.
A warm feeling swept through her. Something in this world felt different. She could
feel a presence a great distance away. Somehow it felt so much like Kenichi.
Immediately she raised her head and looked around her. She couldn't see anything
but perhaps, just perhaps…
Tears came to Tima's eyes. She could feel him now. If she reached out toward the
presence she could feel Kenichi. Being able to touch the glowing warmth of his
presence seemed to numb the burning and acted as a teddy bear would to a small
child. He was coming, she just knew it. Kenichi was coming to find her.
* * * * *
For a moment Kenichi was bombarded by what seemed to be the entirety of
Metropolis stretching out before him. Miles upon miles of buildings swirling and
bending in some surreal world, then with flash of white he was standing in an
alleyway. In his hand was the stunner, and all around him was a faint glow.
At the end of the alley hundreds of robots moved backward and forward along one of
the roads that criss-crossed the city. It was as if Kenichi was once again in walking
through Metropolis only instead of being jostled by humans, he was being jostled by
many thousands of robots.
"TIMA?" Kenichi yelled.
Silence. Well, he had expected as much. But where to start looking?
"Aki, any idea where Tima is?"
Aki's voice filled his ears. It was as if she was speaking directly to his mind.
"No Kenichi. The best I can suggest is to just keep walking until you come across
something. Also, another shockwave is due any time now. Try to avoid exposing
yourself and stay close to shelter."
"Alright… Here goes." With that Kenichi stepped out into the crowd and was swept
away.
Kenichi tried to move with the robots but it was impossible. They were all moving as
one, and he could do little but allow himself to be dragged along. Up ahead of him
was a parking area of some kind where all manner of robots, or as he was coming to
realize programs, were being picked up by bus like vehicles at intervals. Seeing this
area as a chance to take stock of his surroundings, Kenichi began to fight his way
towards the pick-up point, and eventually managed to drag himself from the flow.
One of the buses drew to a stop in front of Kenichi, and before he new it he was being
dragged forward again. He hadn't seen this coming, in fact Kenichi had been hoping
for a few moments respite. One thing was sure though, he didn't want to get on that
bus. He had no idea where it would go, or what would happen when he got there. If
that vehicle was a databus, as he thought it was, it might even take him to a deletion
point.
Kenichi began to struggle franticly, but to no avail. The swell of robots was sweeping
him toward the door in the bus's side and there was nothing to hold on to.
"Aki! Can't you do something?! Help!" Kenichi called out.
Again his ears were filled by the little robot's voice, "Kenichi what's going on?
You're to deep for anything more than text transmission!"
"I'm being dragged into what looks like a databus, and- What-?"
What appeared to be a wall of wind was roaring down the street towards Kenichi,
throwing programs in all directions. As it bore down on Kenichi he realized the wall
was the shockwave, and as it struck him, Kenichi heard the words "Who am I…?"
scream around him, then all was black.
* * * * *
Tima was smiling. It had been so long, so very long, and she had felt so terribly
lonely… but that was over now. Kenichi was there, she could feel him. Even though
she couldn't see him, his thoughts reached out to her, and she happily basked in their
warmth.
It was like one joy after another, first that feeling of hope in the dark time when Tima
hung crying silently, lifting her away from the oblivion she could not resist, the
realization that it was Kenichi who had brought forth that feeling, that he was coming
to find her, and now the warm embrace of his presence, and if she closed her eyes, her
imagination allowed her to almost see him with her, or rather almost feel his arms
holding her in a protective embrace, fighting away all of her fears. The best part was
the knowledge that soon Tima wouldn't have to use her imagination anymore; very
soon Kenichi would really be there with her! Caressed by these happy thoughts she
slowly closed her eyes and, for the first time since she had found herself in this
terrifying place, Tima fell asleep, and dreamt happily.
In her dream nothing was different. She still hung from her bonds, she was still
surrounded by cold and darkness, but somehow it just didn't seem to matter anymore.
Kenichi's presence shielded her from it all. She was so calm, like a little girl in the
arms of her parents.
Again she closed her eyes, but now instead of Kenichi, she could feel a terrible
blackness pulling at her. Desperately Tima tried to open her eyes, but suddenly they
would do nothing she told them. She tried to resist the pull but she simply wasn't
strong enough. Terrified, Tima cried out for Kenichi, but still she could not find him.
The blackness was close now, waves of freezing cold swirled around her and Tima
was becoming panicked. Just as she felt the touch of the blackness a great warmth
moved to shield her from its influence.
"Kenichi!" Tima cried, her terror immediately changing to joy.
Defeated, the darkness faded away, and all that was left was the presence. Slowly it
turned to face her, and Tima could almost see Kenichi standing before her, a kind
smile on his face.
"Kenichi…" Tima whispered.
Slowly Kenichi walked forward and placed his arms around Tima. Oh so tenderly he
lowered her head onto his chest and gently held it there. Tima felt safe and warm, and
her mind thrilled at the touch of Kenichi's.
Tima awoke with a start. She could barely feel Kenichi anymore. What had
happened? Again Tima's eyes began to fill with tears and a loneliness began to rise
within her.
"Kenichi?" she called.
Tima searched desperately for his presence, and after a short time she found him. He
seemed so tired, as if he himself were finding it hard to gather the strength to stay
alive.
As her mind touched the presence however, she began to feel its strength once again.
Kenichi was still there, and his strength was slowly coming back to him. Her fears
allayed, Tima relaxed as Kenichi's presence once more began to glow, whatever had
been wrong had now faded away and his thoughts still soothed her.
* * * * *
"Kenichi? Kenichi what happened is everything alright?" Aki's worried voice
dragged Kenichi back to reality.
"Ow… Ugh… No, not really Aki. Oh my head…" Kenichi slowly sat up. He was
lying against a pile of rubble at the side of the road; dismembered programs were all
around him.
"Well, you're alive at least. Your shield took most of the damage, but I'm afraid it's
crashed and won't be fully operational before the next shockwave. You're going to
have to be a lot more careful."
"That's twice the shield's saved me…" Kenichi suddenly jumped up, then fell back
down again clutching his head, "Uhn… Aki how long have I been unconscious?!"
"Two hours."
"Great… How long do I have left?"
"Thirty one hours, although the network you're in at the moment isn't going to
survive the next shockwave so you'd better leave soon."
"Okay."
Kenichi lifted himself to his feet gingerly fingering his head. He looked around him.
All about was a scene of complete destruction, not a building was left standing and a
huge rent ran down the middle of the road as far as the eye could see. In the distance
a faint shape would flicker and appear every few moments. On Kenichi's second look
he realized what it was. The Ziggurat was towering over the city.
"Aki… Why does the Ziggurat keep appearing?"
"That part of the network's in a worse state than I thought. What you're seeing is a
frozen image of the shockwave's entry port. Apparently the network server barely
has enough memory to support a basic system. I'd give it an hour at most."
"Maybe if I went to the entry port it would take me to the centre of the network and…
Tima."
Aki's voice was apologetic, "Kenichi… that area's dead. Anything that gets near it
just crashes so you're going to have to find another way round."
"So, which way do you think I should go?"
"Either direction ought to be fine for now, just get yourself as far away from that part
of the network as you can."
"Okay." Kenichi spent a moment carefully deciding his course.
"…so out goes you," he muttered before heading for the left hand junction.
As Kenichi walked down the road his thoughts were interrupted by a low whine.
Looking around him Kenichi drew his stunner nervously.
"Aki, what's that noise?"
"We've got trouble Kenichi. It looks like the antivirus protocol's quarantine area just
collapsed. It's released three viruses into the server, two of them are blocking the
entry ports, and the third's looking for you." Aki said.
"Well it just found me!" Kenichi quipped as a bolt of corrupt data whizzed passed his
ear. A piece of wall exploded behind Kenichi sending rubble flying in all directions,
but the remnants of the shield easily blocked this non-malicious threat.
Facing down Kenichi was what looked like a communications robot, but with two
startling differences. Where hands should have been its arms ended in weaponry, and
on it's otherwise handsome face the virus wore an evil grin. Over its eyes were a pair
of goggles, and covering its body were a sleeveless metal vest and a pair of jeans. On
it's feet were a pair of metal boots. Apparently this particular virus had already
infected and bound itself to a program.
"Aki…? Anything helpful?"
"No Kenichi, just blast that thing. It'll only need one hit."
Again Kenichi dived aside as another shot nearly hit him.
"Be careful Kenichi! You're shield still isn't ready for that sort of punishment!"
"I know!" Kenichi pulled the stunner's trigger. The barrel glowed for a moment then
with a snap the algorithm flew towards the virus.
A look of boredom clouded the virus' features and it stepped aside the shot, but just
before it was out of the way, something strange happened. It's features changed to an
expression of pain, and the dark set of its face faded away. The virus groaned quietly
as it struggled to move, and with a sudden yelp of pain it was knocked over by the
stunner's blast.
Kenichi ran to the program's side and knelt down.
"Aki, will he be alright?" he asked worriedly rolling the program onto its back.
"Yes for now."
"Uhn…" the program lifted himself to a sitting position and raised his goggles, "What
happened…?"
"You were infected by a virus. I just paralysed it." Kenichi helped the program to its
feet.
"Thank you. Wait what's going on? Where am I?"
Kenichi looked puzzled, "You mean you don't know?"
"I don't remember anything."
"Kenichi this is amazing!" Aki sounded astonished.
"What's the matter Aki?"
"That carrier program just achieved sentience! The virus somehow bonded to its
neural net and is working like a human mind!"
The carrier program looked confused, "Whose voice was that?"
Kenichi turned and smiled. The program appeared to be a young man, about four
years older than Kenichi. He had waist length platinum blonde hair, slightly pointed
ears, a kindly face, green eyes, and his skin was an unnatural pastel brown.
"That's my friend Aki."
"But where is she?" the program asked.
"Outside."
"Where?"
"It's hard to explain. What's your name anyway?"
"My name? It's… I don't know."
"Oh sorry. I guess you don't have a name do you?"
"No."
"Hey Aki, you think we should give him one?"
Aki sounded excited, "That's a great idea! Let's see… how about Koh?"
Kenichi turned to their new friend, "What do you think?"
The carrier program seemed to mull it over for a while, then finally said, "It sounds…
good."
Kenichi grinned, "That's settled then! You're name is Koh!"
Suddenly he stopped smiling. This whole situation reminded him of Perro. It was
almost exactly the same… Oh for Uncle Shinsaku to be here now. He'd be a great
help. But he wasn't there and that was that. Shinsaku was in another world, hundreds
of miles away. Kenichi would have to deal with this himself, something that in the
past he had not shown much talent for… He had failed to protect Tima three times
now… he had gotten Fifi shot… No! He shouldn't be thinking about those things.
Fifi had come out okay in the end… and now was his chance to put everything else to
rights. Kenichi was going to find and save Tima this time.
Kenichi clenched his fists, "Yes…"
"Are you alright?" Koh asked.
Kenichi realized he must have been silent for quite a while and felt a little
embarrassed, "Oh, um… Heh, I'm okay Koh. I was just thinking about something."
"Well, alright…"
Aki's voice was suddenly in their minds, "Look you two, I hate to interrupt but the
network is on the brink of collapse. Do you think you could continue the
conversation while you walk?"
Kenichi grinned, "Sorry Aki. Come on Koh, you'd better come with me."
Koh looked puzzled, "Why?"
"I'll explain everything along the way. It's quite a long story."
* * * * *
The two walked in silence. A short time ago Kenichi had finished recounting his
tragic misadventures, and afterwards neither he nor Koh could think of anything to
say.
They were nearing the exit port now, and it was a good thing too. All around Kenichi
and Koh the network was failing. After the third piece of masonry went crashing onto
the pavement they had decided it would probably be safer to walk down the middle of
the now silent road, only moving away to find another path during the times they
discovered part of the road had faded to nothing, blocking their path.
After a long time Kenichi broke the silence with a sigh.
"What's the matter?" asked Koh.
"Oh I was just thinking about seeing Tima again…"
"You really do love her, don't you Kenichi?"
Kenichi's felt his face becoming hot, "Well I… I don't really know…"
"Yes you do Kenichi. It's obvious."
"What do you mean?"
"Tima. You see? I do as little as mention her name and you can't help but smile.
Your cheeks redden, your eyes glaze over, and you become almost oblivious to the
world… Kenichi?"
Kenichi let out a heartfelt sigh.
At this Koh began to laugh, swiftly followed by Aki. Disturbed from his
daydreaming by all the noise Kenichi looked at Koh, "What's so funny?"
Wiping a tear from his eye Koh suppressed his laughter, "You! I mention Tima's
name and you become completely oblivious! Boy, I can't wait to meet her if just
thinking about her does this to you!"
Kenichi was blushing and grinning like an idiot now, "Oh Koh stop teasing me!"
"Alright Kenichi I'll stop. But I doubt you'll get a similar offer from your little friend
at the terminal!" Koh jerked his right arm up toward the sky.
"Pipe down Aki, please!" Kenichi's embarrassment was growing by the moment.
"Hehe… Okay Kenichi… Grmph… I'll try…" Aki's giggling quieted a little but was
still openly distinguishable.
"Bah. Hey Koh?"
"Mm?"
"How is it you know so much about that sort of thing anyway?"
"You know I'm not sure. I guess that virus had some sort of memory of all the
systems it had visited, and when it became my mind I inherited that knowledge."
"It sounds like you're mind spent a lot of time hanging around a romantic novelist's
terminal or something." Aki suggested.
"It'd explain why our friend here's such a romantic." Kenichi said with a smile.
"Yeah…" Koh murmured.
"By the way. Can you take those off?" Aki asked.
"What?" Koh cast a glance over his body.
"Those guns."
"Oh these? No. I don't have hands."
"Speaking of your weapons Koh, I need to run a test." Aki said.
"Yes?"
"Shoot something."
"Well okay." Koh levelled his arms and fired on a nearby building. The blast released
by his cannons vaporised a large chunk of the structure.
"I thought so. Your weapons are still viral. Anything they hit that isn't protected by
some pretty heavy shielding will be instantly deleted. Is it okay if I reprogram them
so that they can only paralyse?"
"Please do Aki. I don't want to be responsible for anymore destruction." Koh's face
became clouded.
"You weren't Koh. Really. The virus became your mind. It wasn't you before all
this happened." Kenichi touched Koh's arm.
"I'm initiating the procedure. You won't be able to fire them for a little while." Aki
said.
* * * * *
"Now what do we do?" Koh asked as he and Kenichi hid behind a pile of rubble.
"How should I know?" Kenichi looked frustrated. The virus guarding their chosen
exit port was huge, about twice Koh's height and carrying not only double blasters but
a hefty shielding system as well. Without Koh's weaponry there was no way he and
Kenichi could match it, and they didn't have time to wait for Aki to finish
reprogramming them or to try the other exit. The network was in a terrible state. In
fact the only functional area left was the small area around the exit ports. Everything
else would periodically disappear with very little chance of reappearing.
"Aki how smart is that virus?" Kenichi asked quietly.
"Not very. Simple carrier program designed to seek important data. What's making
it so huge is its payload."
"The word overkill springs to mind." Koh muttered ruefully.
"Can't we trick it somehow?" Kenichi wondered.
"Maybe." Aki said.
"Why don't you send something big to get its attention?" Koh suggested.
"You know that might just wok! Let's see… Kenichi how about your logs?"
"Can you back them up?"
"Some of them, but there isn't time to do it completely."
"Well… alright, just get as much of the important data as you can."
"Okay, data sent. I'm backing it up as it's uploaded."
About a hundred feet away a glow could be seen, steadily growing larger. At first the
virus didn't pay it any attention, but as the light grew stronger it seemed to become
more and more agitated. Eventually the virus stopped guarding the exit port and
wandered off in search of the source of the glow.
"It worked Aki! Come on Koh let's get going." the two of them stood up, ran over
to the small tunnel in front of them, and climbed in.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
I was kind of pleased with this chapter for some reason. Hope you enjoyed it too. As I said, R&R please!
Disclaimer: I do not own Metropolis. Happy? Sheesh...
Another chapter uploaded! Right now the only reason I'm writing in chapters is to make reading a little easier, and to keep up a steady post rate.
As ever, R&R is really appreciated, I'll take any flames in my stride (I hope). Enjoy.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
"Okay it's ready." Kenichi said typing in the final few commands and sending them
to the throne. He and Aki turned to watch as the throne, silent for so long, once again
began its ominous activation cycle. The throne's headrest began to fan out as two
poles slipped from its sides. A pair of conductors rose up above the seat, and the
poles were covered by a metal coil, hundreds of wires, and finally a protective shell.
The seat inset to almost perfectly fit Tima's small body. Kenichi looked at the
infernal contraption in disgust.
Seeing Kenichi's expression Aki touched his arm, "Kenichi it can't hurt you. You
disabled the integration systems."
"I know Aki… but it… it seems like some monster waiting to pounce. How must
Tima have felt to have been forced to sit in it…?" he shuddered.
"It's the only way to bring Tima back. It may have harmed her once but… maybe
now it can save her."
"…You're right."
Kenichi stepped up to the throne's side and began to sit down. Just before his hand
touched the arm he stopped. Was this machine really safe…? Kenichi shook his head
violently, sat down, and braced himself for what he was afraid was about to happen.
Nothing. Slowly Kenichi opened his eyes to see Aki standing before him.
"See?" she said.
Kenichi nodded and reached up above his head for the neural relay they had taken
from an old medical centre. For some reason, Kenichi was far less afraid of this
shoddy contraption which he shouldn't in reality trust as far as he could poke it with a
stick, than he was of the throne.
Pulling the sieve like helmet down over his head, Aki made sure all of the attachments
were in place, then stepped back.
"Ready Kenichi?"
"Yes."
"Good luck." Aki activated the connection program.
* * * * *
Tima was hanging silently from her bonds, drifting in and out of consciousness.
Constantly she would feel herself slipping toward oblivion, but every time she came
close she would remember Kenichi, and decide she had to be close to him just once
more, even if she may not be able to hold on past that moment, rather than have
everything simply end. There were so many questions she had to ask him, so many
things to tell him and… she wanted Kenichi to hold and shield her. Tima desperately
wanted Kenichi to tell her everything would be fine.
A warm feeling swept through her. Something in this world felt different. She could
feel a presence a great distance away. Somehow it felt so much like Kenichi.
Immediately she raised her head and looked around her. She couldn't see anything
but perhaps, just perhaps…
Tears came to Tima's eyes. She could feel him now. If she reached out toward the
presence she could feel Kenichi. Being able to touch the glowing warmth of his
presence seemed to numb the burning and acted as a teddy bear would to a small
child. He was coming, she just knew it. Kenichi was coming to find her.
* * * * *
For a moment Kenichi was bombarded by what seemed to be the entirety of
Metropolis stretching out before him. Miles upon miles of buildings swirling and
bending in some surreal world, then with flash of white he was standing in an
alleyway. In his hand was the stunner, and all around him was a faint glow.
At the end of the alley hundreds of robots moved backward and forward along one of
the roads that criss-crossed the city. It was as if Kenichi was once again in walking
through Metropolis only instead of being jostled by humans, he was being jostled by
many thousands of robots.
"TIMA?" Kenichi yelled.
Silence. Well, he had expected as much. But where to start looking?
"Aki, any idea where Tima is?"
Aki's voice filled his ears. It was as if she was speaking directly to his mind.
"No Kenichi. The best I can suggest is to just keep walking until you come across
something. Also, another shockwave is due any time now. Try to avoid exposing
yourself and stay close to shelter."
"Alright… Here goes." With that Kenichi stepped out into the crowd and was swept
away.
Kenichi tried to move with the robots but it was impossible. They were all moving as
one, and he could do little but allow himself to be dragged along. Up ahead of him
was a parking area of some kind where all manner of robots, or as he was coming to
realize programs, were being picked up by bus like vehicles at intervals. Seeing this
area as a chance to take stock of his surroundings, Kenichi began to fight his way
towards the pick-up point, and eventually managed to drag himself from the flow.
One of the buses drew to a stop in front of Kenichi, and before he new it he was being
dragged forward again. He hadn't seen this coming, in fact Kenichi had been hoping
for a few moments respite. One thing was sure though, he didn't want to get on that
bus. He had no idea where it would go, or what would happen when he got there. If
that vehicle was a databus, as he thought it was, it might even take him to a deletion
point.
Kenichi began to struggle franticly, but to no avail. The swell of robots was sweeping
him toward the door in the bus's side and there was nothing to hold on to.
"Aki! Can't you do something?! Help!" Kenichi called out.
Again his ears were filled by the little robot's voice, "Kenichi what's going on?
You're to deep for anything more than text transmission!"
"I'm being dragged into what looks like a databus, and- What-?"
What appeared to be a wall of wind was roaring down the street towards Kenichi,
throwing programs in all directions. As it bore down on Kenichi he realized the wall
was the shockwave, and as it struck him, Kenichi heard the words "Who am I…?"
scream around him, then all was black.
* * * * *
Tima was smiling. It had been so long, so very long, and she had felt so terribly
lonely… but that was over now. Kenichi was there, she could feel him. Even though
she couldn't see him, his thoughts reached out to her, and she happily basked in their
warmth.
It was like one joy after another, first that feeling of hope in the dark time when Tima
hung crying silently, lifting her away from the oblivion she could not resist, the
realization that it was Kenichi who had brought forth that feeling, that he was coming
to find her, and now the warm embrace of his presence, and if she closed her eyes, her
imagination allowed her to almost see him with her, or rather almost feel his arms
holding her in a protective embrace, fighting away all of her fears. The best part was
the knowledge that soon Tima wouldn't have to use her imagination anymore; very
soon Kenichi would really be there with her! Caressed by these happy thoughts she
slowly closed her eyes and, for the first time since she had found herself in this
terrifying place, Tima fell asleep, and dreamt happily.
In her dream nothing was different. She still hung from her bonds, she was still
surrounded by cold and darkness, but somehow it just didn't seem to matter anymore.
Kenichi's presence shielded her from it all. She was so calm, like a little girl in the
arms of her parents.
Again she closed her eyes, but now instead of Kenichi, she could feel a terrible
blackness pulling at her. Desperately Tima tried to open her eyes, but suddenly they
would do nothing she told them. She tried to resist the pull but she simply wasn't
strong enough. Terrified, Tima cried out for Kenichi, but still she could not find him.
The blackness was close now, waves of freezing cold swirled around her and Tima
was becoming panicked. Just as she felt the touch of the blackness a great warmth
moved to shield her from its influence.
"Kenichi!" Tima cried, her terror immediately changing to joy.
Defeated, the darkness faded away, and all that was left was the presence. Slowly it
turned to face her, and Tima could almost see Kenichi standing before her, a kind
smile on his face.
"Kenichi…" Tima whispered.
Slowly Kenichi walked forward and placed his arms around Tima. Oh so tenderly he
lowered her head onto his chest and gently held it there. Tima felt safe and warm, and
her mind thrilled at the touch of Kenichi's.
Tima awoke with a start. She could barely feel Kenichi anymore. What had
happened? Again Tima's eyes began to fill with tears and a loneliness began to rise
within her.
"Kenichi?" she called.
Tima searched desperately for his presence, and after a short time she found him. He
seemed so tired, as if he himself were finding it hard to gather the strength to stay
alive.
As her mind touched the presence however, she began to feel its strength once again.
Kenichi was still there, and his strength was slowly coming back to him. Her fears
allayed, Tima relaxed as Kenichi's presence once more began to glow, whatever had
been wrong had now faded away and his thoughts still soothed her.
* * * * *
"Kenichi? Kenichi what happened is everything alright?" Aki's worried voice
dragged Kenichi back to reality.
"Ow… Ugh… No, not really Aki. Oh my head…" Kenichi slowly sat up. He was
lying against a pile of rubble at the side of the road; dismembered programs were all
around him.
"Well, you're alive at least. Your shield took most of the damage, but I'm afraid it's
crashed and won't be fully operational before the next shockwave. You're going to
have to be a lot more careful."
"That's twice the shield's saved me…" Kenichi suddenly jumped up, then fell back
down again clutching his head, "Uhn… Aki how long have I been unconscious?!"
"Two hours."
"Great… How long do I have left?"
"Thirty one hours, although the network you're in at the moment isn't going to
survive the next shockwave so you'd better leave soon."
"Okay."
Kenichi lifted himself to his feet gingerly fingering his head. He looked around him.
All about was a scene of complete destruction, not a building was left standing and a
huge rent ran down the middle of the road as far as the eye could see. In the distance
a faint shape would flicker and appear every few moments. On Kenichi's second look
he realized what it was. The Ziggurat was towering over the city.
"Aki… Why does the Ziggurat keep appearing?"
"That part of the network's in a worse state than I thought. What you're seeing is a
frozen image of the shockwave's entry port. Apparently the network server barely
has enough memory to support a basic system. I'd give it an hour at most."
"Maybe if I went to the entry port it would take me to the centre of the network and…
Tima."
Aki's voice was apologetic, "Kenichi… that area's dead. Anything that gets near it
just crashes so you're going to have to find another way round."
"So, which way do you think I should go?"
"Either direction ought to be fine for now, just get yourself as far away from that part
of the network as you can."
"Okay." Kenichi spent a moment carefully deciding his course.
"…so out goes you," he muttered before heading for the left hand junction.
As Kenichi walked down the road his thoughts were interrupted by a low whine.
Looking around him Kenichi drew his stunner nervously.
"Aki, what's that noise?"
"We've got trouble Kenichi. It looks like the antivirus protocol's quarantine area just
collapsed. It's released three viruses into the server, two of them are blocking the
entry ports, and the third's looking for you." Aki said.
"Well it just found me!" Kenichi quipped as a bolt of corrupt data whizzed passed his
ear. A piece of wall exploded behind Kenichi sending rubble flying in all directions,
but the remnants of the shield easily blocked this non-malicious threat.
Facing down Kenichi was what looked like a communications robot, but with two
startling differences. Where hands should have been its arms ended in weaponry, and
on it's otherwise handsome face the virus wore an evil grin. Over its eyes were a pair
of goggles, and covering its body were a sleeveless metal vest and a pair of jeans. On
it's feet were a pair of metal boots. Apparently this particular virus had already
infected and bound itself to a program.
"Aki…? Anything helpful?"
"No Kenichi, just blast that thing. It'll only need one hit."
Again Kenichi dived aside as another shot nearly hit him.
"Be careful Kenichi! You're shield still isn't ready for that sort of punishment!"
"I know!" Kenichi pulled the stunner's trigger. The barrel glowed for a moment then
with a snap the algorithm flew towards the virus.
A look of boredom clouded the virus' features and it stepped aside the shot, but just
before it was out of the way, something strange happened. It's features changed to an
expression of pain, and the dark set of its face faded away. The virus groaned quietly
as it struggled to move, and with a sudden yelp of pain it was knocked over by the
stunner's blast.
Kenichi ran to the program's side and knelt down.
"Aki, will he be alright?" he asked worriedly rolling the program onto its back.
"Yes for now."
"Uhn…" the program lifted himself to a sitting position and raised his goggles, "What
happened…?"
"You were infected by a virus. I just paralysed it." Kenichi helped the program to its
feet.
"Thank you. Wait what's going on? Where am I?"
Kenichi looked puzzled, "You mean you don't know?"
"I don't remember anything."
"Kenichi this is amazing!" Aki sounded astonished.
"What's the matter Aki?"
"That carrier program just achieved sentience! The virus somehow bonded to its
neural net and is working like a human mind!"
The carrier program looked confused, "Whose voice was that?"
Kenichi turned and smiled. The program appeared to be a young man, about four
years older than Kenichi. He had waist length platinum blonde hair, slightly pointed
ears, a kindly face, green eyes, and his skin was an unnatural pastel brown.
"That's my friend Aki."
"But where is she?" the program asked.
"Outside."
"Where?"
"It's hard to explain. What's your name anyway?"
"My name? It's… I don't know."
"Oh sorry. I guess you don't have a name do you?"
"No."
"Hey Aki, you think we should give him one?"
Aki sounded excited, "That's a great idea! Let's see… how about Koh?"
Kenichi turned to their new friend, "What do you think?"
The carrier program seemed to mull it over for a while, then finally said, "It sounds…
good."
Kenichi grinned, "That's settled then! You're name is Koh!"
Suddenly he stopped smiling. This whole situation reminded him of Perro. It was
almost exactly the same… Oh for Uncle Shinsaku to be here now. He'd be a great
help. But he wasn't there and that was that. Shinsaku was in another world, hundreds
of miles away. Kenichi would have to deal with this himself, something that in the
past he had not shown much talent for… He had failed to protect Tima three times
now… he had gotten Fifi shot… No! He shouldn't be thinking about those things.
Fifi had come out okay in the end… and now was his chance to put everything else to
rights. Kenichi was going to find and save Tima this time.
Kenichi clenched his fists, "Yes…"
"Are you alright?" Koh asked.
Kenichi realized he must have been silent for quite a while and felt a little
embarrassed, "Oh, um… Heh, I'm okay Koh. I was just thinking about something."
"Well, alright…"
Aki's voice was suddenly in their minds, "Look you two, I hate to interrupt but the
network is on the brink of collapse. Do you think you could continue the
conversation while you walk?"
Kenichi grinned, "Sorry Aki. Come on Koh, you'd better come with me."
Koh looked puzzled, "Why?"
"I'll explain everything along the way. It's quite a long story."
* * * * *
The two walked in silence. A short time ago Kenichi had finished recounting his
tragic misadventures, and afterwards neither he nor Koh could think of anything to
say.
They were nearing the exit port now, and it was a good thing too. All around Kenichi
and Koh the network was failing. After the third piece of masonry went crashing onto
the pavement they had decided it would probably be safer to walk down the middle of
the now silent road, only moving away to find another path during the times they
discovered part of the road had faded to nothing, blocking their path.
After a long time Kenichi broke the silence with a sigh.
"What's the matter?" asked Koh.
"Oh I was just thinking about seeing Tima again…"
"You really do love her, don't you Kenichi?"
Kenichi's felt his face becoming hot, "Well I… I don't really know…"
"Yes you do Kenichi. It's obvious."
"What do you mean?"
"Tima. You see? I do as little as mention her name and you can't help but smile.
Your cheeks redden, your eyes glaze over, and you become almost oblivious to the
world… Kenichi?"
Kenichi let out a heartfelt sigh.
At this Koh began to laugh, swiftly followed by Aki. Disturbed from his
daydreaming by all the noise Kenichi looked at Koh, "What's so funny?"
Wiping a tear from his eye Koh suppressed his laughter, "You! I mention Tima's
name and you become completely oblivious! Boy, I can't wait to meet her if just
thinking about her does this to you!"
Kenichi was blushing and grinning like an idiot now, "Oh Koh stop teasing me!"
"Alright Kenichi I'll stop. But I doubt you'll get a similar offer from your little friend
at the terminal!" Koh jerked his right arm up toward the sky.
"Pipe down Aki, please!" Kenichi's embarrassment was growing by the moment.
"Hehe… Okay Kenichi… Grmph… I'll try…" Aki's giggling quieted a little but was
still openly distinguishable.
"Bah. Hey Koh?"
"Mm?"
"How is it you know so much about that sort of thing anyway?"
"You know I'm not sure. I guess that virus had some sort of memory of all the
systems it had visited, and when it became my mind I inherited that knowledge."
"It sounds like you're mind spent a lot of time hanging around a romantic novelist's
terminal or something." Aki suggested.
"It'd explain why our friend here's such a romantic." Kenichi said with a smile.
"Yeah…" Koh murmured.
"By the way. Can you take those off?" Aki asked.
"What?" Koh cast a glance over his body.
"Those guns."
"Oh these? No. I don't have hands."
"Speaking of your weapons Koh, I need to run a test." Aki said.
"Yes?"
"Shoot something."
"Well okay." Koh levelled his arms and fired on a nearby building. The blast released
by his cannons vaporised a large chunk of the structure.
"I thought so. Your weapons are still viral. Anything they hit that isn't protected by
some pretty heavy shielding will be instantly deleted. Is it okay if I reprogram them
so that they can only paralyse?"
"Please do Aki. I don't want to be responsible for anymore destruction." Koh's face
became clouded.
"You weren't Koh. Really. The virus became your mind. It wasn't you before all
this happened." Kenichi touched Koh's arm.
"I'm initiating the procedure. You won't be able to fire them for a little while." Aki
said.
* * * * *
"Now what do we do?" Koh asked as he and Kenichi hid behind a pile of rubble.
"How should I know?" Kenichi looked frustrated. The virus guarding their chosen
exit port was huge, about twice Koh's height and carrying not only double blasters but
a hefty shielding system as well. Without Koh's weaponry there was no way he and
Kenichi could match it, and they didn't have time to wait for Aki to finish
reprogramming them or to try the other exit. The network was in a terrible state. In
fact the only functional area left was the small area around the exit ports. Everything
else would periodically disappear with very little chance of reappearing.
"Aki how smart is that virus?" Kenichi asked quietly.
"Not very. Simple carrier program designed to seek important data. What's making
it so huge is its payload."
"The word overkill springs to mind." Koh muttered ruefully.
"Can't we trick it somehow?" Kenichi wondered.
"Maybe." Aki said.
"Why don't you send something big to get its attention?" Koh suggested.
"You know that might just wok! Let's see… Kenichi how about your logs?"
"Can you back them up?"
"Some of them, but there isn't time to do it completely."
"Well… alright, just get as much of the important data as you can."
"Okay, data sent. I'm backing it up as it's uploaded."
About a hundred feet away a glow could be seen, steadily growing larger. At first the
virus didn't pay it any attention, but as the light grew stronger it seemed to become
more and more agitated. Eventually the virus stopped guarding the exit port and
wandered off in search of the source of the glow.
"It worked Aki! Come on Koh let's get going." the two of them stood up, ran over
to the small tunnel in front of them, and climbed in.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
I was kind of pleased with this chapter for some reason. Hope you enjoyed it too. As I said, R&R please!