Yes, she's slow. She is aware of this. *throws hands up into air at
unfairness of Life.* Bite me! (Ack! Don't even think about it, Lacroix!)
Thanks to those of you who continue to show an interest in this story
despite it all.
And if anyone knows how to get the pause marks (three periods in a row) to work in an upload of a Word Doc so that Fanfiction.net doesn't keep turning them into plain periods (sighs) Let me know. It's driving me nuts!
Part 26: The Only Good Digimon Is a Deleted Digimon!
Merlin kept his gaze askance as the Elder considered what he'd been told. He'd related everything that had happened from the commission from De Brabant to create an identity for an odd entertainer, to the appearance of a 'Gennai' on his offline laptop. Part of him was afraid that Lacroix would stake him for creating some outlandish story involving his favored offspring.
"You're sure it asked for that animated scarecrow?"
"Affirmative, General, whoever this 'Gennai' is he was quite insistent that he speak with one 'Wizardmon'. I did the usual inquires and when those failed I moved to less. . . common. . . channels of inquiry," Merlin smiled a bit, thinking of his vast array of contacts that he'd carefully groomed over the centuries. "Alas it was for naught: the mystery is still that, which is why I came to you."
"Hoping that I could shed some light on the matter," Lacroix poured them both some of his private stock of 'wine'.
The computer whiz inclined his head as he accepted the offering. "Just so, General; No one knows more about Nicholas's affairs than his sire."
Chuckling mirthlessly, Lacroix sipped his wine, seemingly intent on the cut of the goblet that held the scarlet liquid within. "I'm loathing admitting it, Merlin, but I'm afraid I must disappoint you. My one encounter with this flamboyant pest my son has hooked up with resulted in very little information. Like yours, my inquiries have left me empty fingers." He downed the wine in one gulp, musing on the memory. "However, according to the creature itself, it is a 'digital monster'.
"A digital. . . monster, sir?"
Lacroix smiled at Merlin's obvious interest beneath the veneer of disbelief. Merlin lived and breathed all things electronically fashioned--- especially if it had one of those silicon chips embedded in it. "Those were its words. If you believe it, it came from another dimension entirely, one made up of-"
"Computer data!" Merlin finished for him in rising excitement. "Of course! Given the advancement in computer technologies these past decades it makes an odd sort of sense that the energy created by it might manifest themselves into variant kinds of life forms! Much the way if you mix the correct biological ingredients along with certain atmospheric conditions you can 'create' life in a glass receptacle. "
Containing his own annoyance at being cut off by the younger vampire, Lacroix snorted. "You believe that poppycock?"
"Well, it may not be a probable theory, but it is scientifically possible, sir. Look how humans have already developed computers that can 'think' for themselves: Make independent decisions based on input received through their own data sensors. Fundamentally, there is not much difference between a man and a machine save that man has a soul. So if a dimension created from captured data--- loose data particles--- somehow also gained 'souls'... "Merlin's eyes shown with wonder "it would be a digital Genesis!"
The Elder banged one hand down on the surface of his desk, the sound making Merlin start. The computer wiz turned his eyes down in apology.
"At the moment I am more interested in finding a way to reduce it to a pile of binary dust to be placed in the Recycle Bin," Lacroix growled, "not participating in some evolutionary discussion. "The creature is dangerous. It would be best for the Community if this particular digital creation were terminated."
The Elder smiled wolfishly at the other vampire. "As far as I'm concerned, the only good digimon is a deleted one."
~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicholas flew down to where they had agreed to meet with Natalie and Wizardmon. The street looked empty as did the closed store that they were huddled by.
"Nick--- thank God!" Dr. Lambert flung herself into the vampire who hugged her back.
"Sorry I was late," he held her shaking body to his, trying to calm her down. He had never seen the usually unflappable coroner look so stressed. The knight in him rose to the surface as he silently vowed to protect her come what may.
"Nicholas?" Wizardmon had also come to greet him, waiting patiently for the vampire to notice him. The small mage's eyes kept roving around their immediate area as if he expected to be attacked at any moment. "I really think we should go. I 'm too underpowered right now to effectively fight DemiDevimon nor do we know what effect one of his darts might have if he managed to hit you with one."
"Actually, I was rather hoping he would show up," De Brabant let a little of his Beast rise to the surface. "For someone I haven't even met yet, he's rapidly risen to my 'Top 5 Least Favorite Person' list."
Wizardmon snickered a little, letting his smirk show in his eyes. "Yes, he does have that effect on those who've come to discern his true nature."
"But if that thing found out about Schanke. . . " Natalie bit her lip a little.
"He might know about the loft," Nicholas finished for her, "and your apartment as well." He bent and took her legs over his arms so as to carry the coroner. "Wizardmon, hop onto my back and hold on. I'm going to take us somewhere that should be safe." Or so Nicholas hoped. His first thought had been to take them to Janet for safe keeping, but he didn't think that either De Charme or Natalie would appreciate that arrangement even if he was willing to trust his sister with Wizardmon. No. he'd have to take them someplace he didn't ordinarily go which would also have the equipment he needed to communicate with Merlin.
Wizardmon nodded, already having read his friend's thoughts. Still unfamiliar with much of this world, he declined to comment one way or the other as he did not yet have enough information to go by.
After all, the digimon had never heard of a University.
End of chapter 26.
And if anyone knows how to get the pause marks (three periods in a row) to work in an upload of a Word Doc so that Fanfiction.net doesn't keep turning them into plain periods (sighs) Let me know. It's driving me nuts!
Part 26: The Only Good Digimon Is a Deleted Digimon!
Merlin kept his gaze askance as the Elder considered what he'd been told. He'd related everything that had happened from the commission from De Brabant to create an identity for an odd entertainer, to the appearance of a 'Gennai' on his offline laptop. Part of him was afraid that Lacroix would stake him for creating some outlandish story involving his favored offspring.
"You're sure it asked for that animated scarecrow?"
"Affirmative, General, whoever this 'Gennai' is he was quite insistent that he speak with one 'Wizardmon'. I did the usual inquires and when those failed I moved to less. . . common. . . channels of inquiry," Merlin smiled a bit, thinking of his vast array of contacts that he'd carefully groomed over the centuries. "Alas it was for naught: the mystery is still that, which is why I came to you."
"Hoping that I could shed some light on the matter," Lacroix poured them both some of his private stock of 'wine'.
The computer whiz inclined his head as he accepted the offering. "Just so, General; No one knows more about Nicholas's affairs than his sire."
Chuckling mirthlessly, Lacroix sipped his wine, seemingly intent on the cut of the goblet that held the scarlet liquid within. "I'm loathing admitting it, Merlin, but I'm afraid I must disappoint you. My one encounter with this flamboyant pest my son has hooked up with resulted in very little information. Like yours, my inquiries have left me empty fingers." He downed the wine in one gulp, musing on the memory. "However, according to the creature itself, it is a 'digital monster'.
"A digital. . . monster, sir?"
Lacroix smiled at Merlin's obvious interest beneath the veneer of disbelief. Merlin lived and breathed all things electronically fashioned--- especially if it had one of those silicon chips embedded in it. "Those were its words. If you believe it, it came from another dimension entirely, one made up of-"
"Computer data!" Merlin finished for him in rising excitement. "Of course! Given the advancement in computer technologies these past decades it makes an odd sort of sense that the energy created by it might manifest themselves into variant kinds of life forms! Much the way if you mix the correct biological ingredients along with certain atmospheric conditions you can 'create' life in a glass receptacle. "
Containing his own annoyance at being cut off by the younger vampire, Lacroix snorted. "You believe that poppycock?"
"Well, it may not be a probable theory, but it is scientifically possible, sir. Look how humans have already developed computers that can 'think' for themselves: Make independent decisions based on input received through their own data sensors. Fundamentally, there is not much difference between a man and a machine save that man has a soul. So if a dimension created from captured data--- loose data particles--- somehow also gained 'souls'... "Merlin's eyes shown with wonder "it would be a digital Genesis!"
The Elder banged one hand down on the surface of his desk, the sound making Merlin start. The computer wiz turned his eyes down in apology.
"At the moment I am more interested in finding a way to reduce it to a pile of binary dust to be placed in the Recycle Bin," Lacroix growled, "not participating in some evolutionary discussion. "The creature is dangerous. It would be best for the Community if this particular digital creation were terminated."
The Elder smiled wolfishly at the other vampire. "As far as I'm concerned, the only good digimon is a deleted one."
~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicholas flew down to where they had agreed to meet with Natalie and Wizardmon. The street looked empty as did the closed store that they were huddled by.
"Nick--- thank God!" Dr. Lambert flung herself into the vampire who hugged her back.
"Sorry I was late," he held her shaking body to his, trying to calm her down. He had never seen the usually unflappable coroner look so stressed. The knight in him rose to the surface as he silently vowed to protect her come what may.
"Nicholas?" Wizardmon had also come to greet him, waiting patiently for the vampire to notice him. The small mage's eyes kept roving around their immediate area as if he expected to be attacked at any moment. "I really think we should go. I 'm too underpowered right now to effectively fight DemiDevimon nor do we know what effect one of his darts might have if he managed to hit you with one."
"Actually, I was rather hoping he would show up," De Brabant let a little of his Beast rise to the surface. "For someone I haven't even met yet, he's rapidly risen to my 'Top 5 Least Favorite Person' list."
Wizardmon snickered a little, letting his smirk show in his eyes. "Yes, he does have that effect on those who've come to discern his true nature."
"But if that thing found out about Schanke. . . " Natalie bit her lip a little.
"He might know about the loft," Nicholas finished for her, "and your apartment as well." He bent and took her legs over his arms so as to carry the coroner. "Wizardmon, hop onto my back and hold on. I'm going to take us somewhere that should be safe." Or so Nicholas hoped. His first thought had been to take them to Janet for safe keeping, but he didn't think that either De Charme or Natalie would appreciate that arrangement even if he was willing to trust his sister with Wizardmon. No. he'd have to take them someplace he didn't ordinarily go which would also have the equipment he needed to communicate with Merlin.
Wizardmon nodded, already having read his friend's thoughts. Still unfamiliar with much of this world, he declined to comment one way or the other as he did not yet have enough information to go by.
After all, the digimon had never heard of a University.
End of chapter 26.