Title: Shadow Stalkers
Author: trin_chardin
Summary: What if viruses were vampires?
Categories: Action/Original Character
Author's Note: I hate my *bleep* computer and internet. -_- Finally, I can post this chapter! ^_^ Oh and I'm sure you've noticed that the tone of this series has changed - with sentiments of a soap opera instead of the promised "Action/Adventure". Is that good or bad? ^_^ Please feel free to voice your opinion. For the meantime, here's some action - and a plot twist to spice up the situation. ^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix concept or anyone/anything in it - but I do own the original characters.

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Shadow Stalkers
Chapter 8

Del closed her eyes for a moment then slowly opened them to adjust to the blinding whiteness of the containment room. Avi sat at a table just a few feet away. Her fingers ran through her braided red hair, only to tangle. A nervous habit. Unconscious of it, she absently moved away her hand and then returned it to smooth back the disturbed strands. An auburn-haired Agent was seated across her, his head similarly bent over a thick stack of papers. Neither looked up at her arrival. Only Neo greeted her. With a reassuring nod, he pulled a chair out of nothingness and offered it to her. He himself remained standing with a vigilant eye on the one known as Brown.

"What do you need?"

"We compiled a list of similarities in the witness reports," Avi said. "Look them over."

Del arched an eyebrow.

"You called me in for this?"

"You need to see this also."

Brown turned a laptop to face the young programmer.

"I chronologically arranged these visuals to aid you."

With a jab on the keyboard, the Agent opened the file.

After the second time, Del understood the pattern that the others had spoken about. Like a predator at work, the vampire pack had hit at specific places and not the random that they'd originally thought.

"The rationale behind the madness." She smiled.

"Precisely." The Agent nodded tersely in return.

"What I don't understand is how they'd know there would be someone there to hit on?" Avi asked with a frown.

"They probably didn't...they just lay in wait," Neo said with a grim smile.

"The variables of their prey appearing in those areas are high," Brown agreed. "They did not have long to wait."

"If we're comparing these...things to animals, then the pattern should repeat itself. Look here." Del pointed to a roughly sketched diagram. "It's already begun. This should be next."

"A routine scan will be held in that area in two hours," Brown stated flatly.

Neo checked the clock for time within the Matrix.

"That's going to be six a.m.," he said, meaningfully.

"Considering the time frame, evolution to a higher state is not unlikely. They may have already broken through the environmental settings."

"Two hours?" Del hissed at the Agent. "That's not enough. I need more time!"

"Then, we'll just have to work faster," Brown said, expressionlessly.

"That's easy for you to say, Super Agent," Avi snapped at the program.

"And there's another thing," Del cut in, nervously. "If what you say is true and they've evolved...I'll need a new code sample."

"Shit," Neo cursed under his breath.

"Under these time constraints...I'm going to have to go in with you guys and get it first-hand."

Avi stared in disbelief at the blonde.

"But, you're not qualified for this sort of field work! Neo?"

She turned to the silent One. He snapped out of his stupor.

"She's right," Neo cut in. "She's coming. Morpheus' orders."

He looked gravely at the girl.

"You think you can do this?"

"I have to," she said, softly.

"Then, let's go in. ...Brown?"

A nod from the Agent and all four disappeared from the room.

*****

The group found themselves in the dusty remnants of a condemned building. The first rays of sunlight were already starting to taint the sky a rosy pink. But, dim streetlights still illuminated the back alleys of the city's gangland territory. Del wrinkled her nose and stifled a sneeze as Avi stood at attention behind her chair. The redhead kept a wary eye at the only door out, tapping fingers at her gun holster. Meanwhile, Neo and Brown watched the streets from the window, their dark shadows cast across the room. Then, the phone's shrill ring cut through the overwhelming silence.

Brown just eyed the newcomer blankly, while Neo's lips pursed in disapproval.

"You need backup," Trinity calmly stated.

The Agent turned back to the window without another word. Jones walked below.

"Why do you still have routine scans? We aren't around. At least not now."

"Routine," Brown flatly returned.

"That or a safety percaution in case we -are- the ones behind the virus?"

The Agent didn't respond to Neo's quip.

"How's Del supposed to take a new code sample for Tank to download into our system?" Trinity asked. "We need actual interaction with the virus...and you can't go near them until we know how dangerous they really are, Neo."

"I could get her close enough and then pull her out afterwards," Brown volunteered emotionlessly. "I have the advantage since the virus no longer holds the element of surprise."

"But, it still moves as fast - if not faster - than you guys do," Neo retorted. "We can't risk that."

"There's no other option."

"He's right, Neo."

"Del...you're sure?"

The young girl nodded as she rose from her chair.

"How will we do this?"