2
Within a few months, Sekhmet was technically loyal to the Merovingian. She had no choice, after all. There was a knock at her door; she rose to answer it. Aphrodite was there. "You have a job."
"Well, there's something new. What is it this time?"
"There's been an escape. You are to track him down."
"Any info?"
"He's tall, dark hair, red eyes. He will be wearing a long black coat that almost seems cape-like."
"Program?"
"Vampire."
"Fuuun," she muttered. "All right, I'm on him. Location?"
"The subway systems. 4th and Green."
"Lovely. A vampire in dark tunnels. My will's in the fourth drawer from the bottom, inside the fake book."
"Already have a photocopy," she replied.
"Why am I not surprised?"
She smiled mirthlessly.
"Do I get a key, or am I walking?"
Aphrodite handed the girl a key. "Woman's room, subway station." Sekhmet nodded and left. Vampire-hunting in prime vampire territory. Fun.
The station wasn't exactly in good repair, but it wasn't exactly out of shape, either. At this time of night, though, the tunnels were mostly home to empty tunnels, riff-raff, the homeless, and people who worked too late in general. Sekhmet walked alone through the tunnels, searching for the escaped program. She made certain to keep a hat over her ears and a trench coat on to hide her tail - If a human were to see her, the place would swarm with agents.
A shadowy form slipped ahead of her, stalking slowly with the movements particular to those also being hunted.
Hunting vampires was damn hard in the darkness. For all Sekhmet knew, she could be walking into a trap - she had a cat's hearing, but not sight or sense of smell. Of course, she knew it wasn't a "real" vampire, merely a programmed simulation of one...but in the Matrix, simulation was reality.
The form halted. "He sent you, didn't he?"
"Yes," was her simple response. "I won't go willingly," he replied.
"I am prepared for that eventuality."
The tall man turned, showing a relatively handsome face. "Then, shall we begin?"
"Yes," she replied, dropping into a combative crouch. He dropped into a similar stance. "Very well." She watched him for a long moment. For some reason, she felt sorry for him. Then, he rushed forward towards his feline would-be captor. She easily avoided him, feeling her fingernails lengthen into claws as she swiped at him. He dodged away, sweeping his legs out in a low kick. Sekhmet leapt over it, kicking out at him with both feet. The vampire bent backwards to avoid it, vaulting onto his hands and then into the air, away from the girl.
She landed on the ground with enough force to crack the pavement but sprang into the air after him. He rushed forward and rolled under her, jumping up behind her and launching a kick at the girl's back. With feline reflexes, Sekhmet turned and blocked the kick with her forearms.
He used the momentum of the attack to push back, landing on his feet and in a stance again. She landed in a defensive crouch as well. "You're good." "So are you." He smiled slightly. She felt an answering smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "What's your name?"
"Marcus. Yours?"
"Sekhmet."
"If only the circumstances could have been better." He bowed a little.
She blinked. "What?"
"Well, I much rather enjoy getting to know people the old fashioned way... not by engaging in mortal combat."
"Don't blame me; it's not like I've got a choice in the matter," Sekhmet replied bitterly.
"Then why not run away yourself?"
"He made sure I couldn't."
"How so?"
Sekhmet removed her hat, revealing the cat ears resting sedately atop her head. He didn't look surprised, instead nodding lightly. "They can be concealed." "The tail is harder to conceal," she answered. "The coat seems to work."
"Not in daylight."
He sighed. "Then must we continue this dance?" "Yes," she replied sadly. He seemed like a nice fellow, for a vampire… much nicer than the twins. Even the memory of them caused her to shudder. He fell back into the stance, strengthening it slightly. Sekhmet mirrored him, wondering if she dare lose this fight purposely. He started to move towards her, slowly, cautiously.
She stood her ground, blue eyes following his every move. He then rushed forward, full preternatural speed in effect. Sekhmet's eyes widened in shock, and she was barely able to dodge him. He pivoted on his foot, using the momentum to lash out a roundhouse kick. Again, she was almost too slow in blocking his blow. Such speed!
He then dropped into a flurry of punches and kicks, almost unfollowable. Sekhmet skipped backwards, but fell under his blows. He backed off before he hurt her too much. "I'm sorry, Sekhmet." She looked up at him. "Why?" "You don't deserve this pain..." He then began to slip off.
She hesitated, unsure. He turned. "Attack me, join me… do whichever you wish. I won't fight back anymore."
"I…"
"You what?"
"I'm so confused," she whispered. He returned to her side and kneeled. "We all go through life confused... as much as ours is life...." She buried her face in her hands. "Was this worth not getting deleted?" she whispered. Marcus wasn't sure what to do, now... he wasn't well programmed to possess the empathy necessary for this situation.
She looked up at him, tears shining in her blue eyes. "I'm… I'm scared…." He smiled weakly at her. "I am too." "I'm scared… that he'll give me to them if I fail…." Sekhmet shuddered, drawing her trench coat tighter around her slender frame.
The vampire program hesitated for a second, and then wrapped the girl in his arms. She leaned against him, struggling to remain calm. "I… I don't know what to do anymore…."
"I'll go with you if you want to take me in... and I'll take you with me if you wish to try to escape."
"Why… are you doing this for me?"
"Because it is futile to escape on my own... and I don't want to hurt another person with my futile effort."
"But… I'm not a person… I'm a program… like you…."
He looked around at their surroundings. "That line is very thin, in here."
She had no reply for that.
He continued to hold her. "I leave my fate in your hands."
Sekhmet froze at his words. It was as if he had told her he trusted her. But… to trust her….
He broke the hug and stood. "Which will it be?"
She remained huddled on the ground. "… Go. I can't bring you in, and I'd be a danger to you if I were to leave with you."
"I fear I'd be in more danger if I left alone. Is this truly your decision?"
"Yes. Facing them would be better than knowing I'd led you back to him." He nodded, sadly a little. The he raised his head and looked behind her. "You had better get up, there is a train coming."
She nodded, leaping to the platform. Marcus stepped to the side of the tracks. Then the train began to zoom by, and he leapt onto it, grabbing its side as the immense mass transit vehicle zoomed off.
Sekhmet stared after him for a long moment, then began her trek back to the Merovingian.
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Hello, everyone! Dark Puck and Soldier Zero return to you with the second chapter of PROGRAM. Eh, I dunno… is the title all right? What do you guys think?
Busy Little Crumpet: We're glad to hear that we've kept the Twins and Merv in character. Always nice to know. As for Sekhmet's ears and tail, well, I hope this chapter explained it for you. She was basically meant to be a night stalker anyway, hence the cat references. Besides ‒ the ears and tail are the physical manifestation of the Merovingian's programming. He was also making a pun of her name ‒ Sekhmet is one of the Egyptian cat goddesses, along with Bastet and (so I've heard) Ra. I could be mistaken on the last part, however. ::shrug:: It just seemed like something Merv would do.
Priestess of Anubis: Here you go. Enjoy.