Chapter 8: Optical Illusions Zone
Later that night, back at the evil virus company Optical Illusions, an adorable little chao with orange hair, a school dress and a wing pin on her hair was locked in a cage and was watching secret surveillance footage of Void and SNT celebrating together. It was SNT's friend Saki Chao.
"SNT..." Said Saki Chao as she looked up at her friend looking sad, "Please don't forget about me..." said Saki Chao as she held onto the bars of the cage and began to cry.
Suddenly, one of the evil clones entered the room. Saki Chao was ready to put up a fight.
"What are you gonna do with me?!" yelled Saki Chao in anger as she watched the evil clone walk around the cage.
"My father has a very insidious plan in motion, all I can tell you is that it has something to do with this." Said the clone as he held up the red script which Void Ranger refused to install earlier.
"What's that supposed to be, a menu for a restaurant or something?" Saki Chao snarked.
"Mock this beautiful creation all you want, little chao. Soon, your little chimera friend SNT will be joining you as you both will become the guinea pigs for my father's beautiful new project... VIRUS-ai." Said the evil clone as he looked out the window and pointed towards the moon.
"Ha! VIRUS-ai. Pfft, what's your end goal, rob a couple of banks until you're finally satisfied?" Taunted Saki Chao.
The evil clone turned his head and stared at Saki Chao, "Even worse, we will infect the entire computer world with the payloads of 2 insidious forms of malware which we like to call; MyDoom and Stuxnet."
The evil clone looked back outside the window and explained the purposes of both viruses, "You see miss Saki Chao, the biggest threat of these 2 viruses is known as Stuxnet. It was responsible for the destruction of the uranium enrichment program in Iran back in 2009.
My father reassembled the code and altered the virus to affect all machines controlled by computers. If Stuxnet infects, every machinery operated by the infected computer will be destroyed causing instant death to the user if they get inches within the blast site." Said the evil clone.
"Then comes MyDoom, tis a nasty worm that can distribute a denial of service attack on any website we damn well please for 11 days. At which time, once Stuxnet infects and destroys the user's computer and possibly causing death, the victims or whoever is left of the victim's family will be forced to weep and suffer as the manufacturer websites will be shut down during destruction.
By cutting off all of customer support, the computer world will bend to our will, and no one, not even the entire U.A.V will be able to stop us."
"How could you?!!!" Shouted Saki Chao realizing that the VIRUS-ai project will destroy most computers and kill almost half of the computer world's population. "What did the computer world ever do to you to deserve this?!!"
"They ridiculed my father to the point that he rebelled against the very company he worked for, and when the U.A.V finally caught on with what father was trying to do, he fled and was never to be seen again... until now." Said the evil clone.
"Wow, I feel really sad for you, boohoo!!!" Said Saki Chao sarcastically, "My friends will stop you!!!"
"Stop me?!... No my dear, they will all bow before me." Said the evil clone as he approached Saki Chao and laughed maniacally. She bent down on her knees and squirmed into a corner holding out her hand to gesture the clone to stay away.
...
Meanwhile, back at the U.A.V, another big muscular figure wearing orange and white armor, and an orange cape with a logo on his armor was checking specifications for a brand new glide cycle. As the orange minister was laying down the final preparations for the glide cycle, Void and SNT entered the room where they saw lots of gadgets being tested.
"Ahh, Void and miss SNT, i've been expecting you, Minister Avast, at your service." Said Minister Avast as he tried to shake Void's hand until he saw his sword on his belt and nervously stepped back, "Umm, follow me please."
"I have a couple of new toys for you to try out on those damn viruses of Optical Illusions." Said Avast as he gave Void a smaller sword with an electro shock stick attached next to the blade.
"This weapon is called the network tap. It can disable computers, robots and machinery and then reverse engineers it to be used against the enemy.
The payloads within this network tap are those of Virus Ranger's Gruel worm as well as the Poison-Ivy virus. Together; they can hang your PC indefinitely and disable all admin privileges while granting remote control access to perpetrators." Said Avast.
"What's this?" Asked SNT as she held a blue glowing blaster that looked similar to Tails' which he used in previous adventures.
"This is the Quantum P2K blaster. If homing attacks or boosting doesn't work, this baby will do the trick." Said Avast as he hoisted it inside SNT's arm.
Suddenly, SNT fired the blaster which emitted a glowing blue beam of binary codes. The codes blasted into a wall causing an explosion which sent the employees running away in a panic.
SNT looked up towards Avast with a guilty face as he looked back at her unimpressed, "It is recommended to be used in case of a last resort, miss SNT." Said Avast as he took the blaster from her and placed it on the table to perform the specifications check.
As Avast took out his clipboard to perform final inspections on the quantum blaster, Void walked next to him and asked, "What about the glide cycle you promised?"
Avast put down his clipboard and walked towards the open space of the laboratory to show off the aqua and blue glide cycle. "Ah yes, the Mantra Porsha Cayan 627. Featuring Bridgestone tires, Rolls Royce jet engines on the side, and pop-able airplane wings; allowing this glide cycle to function as a mini jet airliner for 2." Said Avast as he was polishing the glide cycle with a towel.
"And what if I need additional support?" Asked Void, Avast looked at Void unimpressed,
"It's tested for 2 people only, Void Ranger." Said Avast. Suddenly, the trio got scared by the airbags deploying immediately after he answered his question prompting him to call out the employees.
"Will you b*s quit slacking off?!!! We have a glide cycle to repair!!!" Shouted Avast to the employees taking a break as he then looked back at Void and SNT annoyed.
Hours later, after the bugs were fixed and inspections were completed, Void and SNT hopped inside the glide cycle with their new weapons in hand.
Norton and Hacker suddenly entered the hanger and approached Void and SNT who were ready to head off to Optical Illusions to save Saki Chao.
"SNT... Void Ranger." Said Norton as he looked at both of them, "Good luck to you both. Live long, prosper... And may the firewalls protect you." Said Norton as he and Hacker bowed before the pair.
"Thank you Norton, and good luck to you as well." Said Void.
"Stay out of trouble, we'll be back! We promise!!!" Said SNT.
SNT then gets on the back of the cycle, "Hey Void, where are the seatbelts." Asked SNT,
Void went to the front of the seat, "Hold on." He said as he looked at her and pushed the ignition button on the glide cycle to start the motorcycle. A few seconds later, Void switched on the jet engines and drove off towards the runway. After positioning himself to the runway, SNT held onto Void as he floored the glide cycle at top speed. But as Void drove into the runaway, SNT fell off the bike and fell face first to the floor.
Void turned back and asked her, "SNT, why didn't you hold on?" Asked Void, SNT did not respond and looked unamused, she grabbed Void's hand and held on to him. Void then started the engines once again and finally took off with SNT.
As SNT and Void flew in the air, she saw the beautiful shining moon and the breathtaking clouds that didn't look anything like what she experienced back home.
"Beautiful." Said SNT as the view she was witnessing took her breath away.
"It sure is beautiful." Said Void as he turned around and looked at SNT, "And so are you."
SNT blushed and giggled at the same time as she held onto his waist,
"You know what would be more romantic?" Asked SNT, "Just the 2 of us on a beach, this beautiful night sky. These lovely clouds and the beautiful moon in front of us." Said SNT as she was imagining 'the dream date' she was picturing in her head between her and Void.
"Well, this may not be much, but it can bring us one step closer together." Blushed Void as he pulled SNT closer.
SNT couldn't hold the strange feeling she had for Void, "What's going on with me? Why do I still feel like this?" She questioned,
"Did Void completely disinfect me when I was locked in quarantine? Is it possible that the effects of the LoveLetter worm are still inside me?!" Suddenly, their ride was cut short when their glide cycle was attacked from behind.
"Aghhhh!! What's happening?!" Cried SNT as she held onto Void for dear life.
"We've been hit!!!" Shouted Void as he attempted to regain control of the glide cycle.
Just then, Void looked behind and noticed 3 Red spaceships piloted by the evil Void clones who were shooting lasers at them.
"SNT, hang on to me!!!" Shouted Void,
"What are you woah!!!!" Yelled SNT as Void began to perform multiple barrel rolls to dodge many lasers. Unfortunately, the last 2 lasers were a direct hit to one of the jet engines.
"Dammit, one of our engines are down!" Shouted Void.
"Void, do something! I don't want to die!!!" Cried SNT who was frightened that she held him tighter and tighter.
Suddenly, SNT had an idea. She carefully got up from the back seat and sat down in front towards Void and hugged him with all her might.
"Don't get any ideas!" Smirked SNT as she positioned and loaded her blaster on top of Void's shoulder and began firing at the red spaceships that were attacking them.
After 3 hits on all 3 spaceships, the spaceships engines were down which caused them to crash down to the city bellow.
One Void clone actually fell down and hit a billboard down bellow with a sign displaying, "Distracted driving is bad for you. Slow down when driving."
Void then regained control of the glide cycle and looked at SNT as she was still holding on to him,
"Wow SNT!! How did you do that?" Asked Void as he was shocked at the dangerous manoeuvre that SNT performed.
"What can I say Void, i'm special." Said SNT as she smiled and hugged Void.
Void then saw a large file cabinet on a meteor and proceeded to park his glide cycle so he can walk to the file cabinet and open it without hesitating.
VOID & SNT FOUND A SYSTEM FILE
VOID & SNT FOUND ALL 4 SYSTEM FILES
VOID CAN NOW CREATE 8 SYSTEM RESTORE POINTS
"Wait, 4 system files? I thought we only had 2!!" Shouted Void as he looked shocked and confused.
SNT blushed and pulled out the other 2 from her pocket.
"SNT!!! You!!! You have so many surprises to share with me cutie!!!" Shouted Void who was excited to see what SNT was holding.
"I honestly thought these files were useless, but I guess these system files were intended for you after all." Said SNT
"I can't believe we did it." Said Void as he sighed with tears of joy.
SNT was still confused, "But Void, I still don't understand. What's so special about these system files?" Asked SNT.
"Remember when you revived me with system restore back at the gauntlet?" Said Void, "Imagine that the next time I blue screen and you try to use system restore, your powers will no longer be functional."
"Really?!!!" SNT shouted looking shocked after hearing the words he said.
"Really." Said Void, "When I was created by my father along with my 5 brothers... he only installed one system backup file on each of us in case we blue screened and crashed. One system file can give us only 2 system restore points for backup purposes." SNT looked more curious.
Void continued, "These were the standards that all programmers had to use under orders of the U.A.V during the development stage of anti-virus authoring for testing purposes.
But with these system files, I can create up to 8 new restore points, kind of like 1-up power-ups but times 8. So with that in mind, you can use system restore on me 8 more times if I ever blue screen." Said Void as he explained to SNT.
Realizing what he had said, SNT grabbed Void and kissed his cheek as they finally exited the meteors and landed towards the enemy's runway where SNT suddenly grabbed Void's network tap sword and threw it into the security blasters, disabling them.
Void and SNT then double boosted towards a couple of spyware who were blocking the entrance into the building. SNT used her blaster to disable the security cameras immediately upon arriving.
As SNT and Void continued to fight off the army of viruses heading their way, a strange familiar voice suddenly began to speak into the intercom to 'greet his guests'.
"Void Ranger, my son. Before we cross together into cyberspace, it's time to unveil the final stages of Project VIRUS-ai. The utter transformation of your planet you'll soon view from your shuttle windows. The capitalists, communists, socialists and fascists were all destined to fail at their efforts of global cyber security.
The answer is simple, a corporate takeover by Optical Illusions, on a worldwide scale. No more security boundaries, but continent-wide regions of computer threats, scams, and black market research. Quarrelling governments will be replaced by a single board of directors.
Of course, our new order will be resisted, but we have the ultimate leverage. 10 virus loaded missiles armed with MyDoom and Stuxnet which are being mounted from an unassailable command centre as we speak. They will then be controlled by our custom built space defence platform, to which we have the tax payers to thank for making all of this possible.
Unfortunately, our security has been breached. Therefore I've advanced the launch sequence. All employees of Optical Illusions are to board their space shuttles at once and prepare for liftoff. Project VIRUS-ai has finally begun."
Realizing Total AV being aware of his son's presence, Void and SNT look at each other and held each other's hands, "SNT, listen to me. As soon as you find Saki Chao, get the hell out of here." Cried Void as he wept into tears.
"NO!!" shouted SNT, "I won't leave you!!!"
Without hesitating, SNT hugged Void and both Void and SNT began to split up to search for Saki Chao.
SNT began her search by zipping and zooming floor to floor, checking for every large room for Saki Chao, "Saki Chao!" Shouted SNT,
SNT even checked every office cubical for any clues to where Saki Chao was being held.
"Saki Chao, where are you?!!!" Shouted SNT as she opened almost all the doors within the building.
Meanwhile, Void headed down towards the basement where he came across a large auditorium with the Total AV logo on the screens.
On stage itself was a large empty laboratory which intrigued Void to perform some snooping.
As Void began to snoop towards the laboratory, he heard the sad sounds of tears coming from someone.
Void pulled back the curtains of a suspicious box next to a couple of crates and found Saki Chao still locked in the cage crying.
Void bent down and comforted her, "Hey... Saki Chao, is it?" Asked Void as he smiled at her.
Saki Chao stopped crying and looked at Void very angry as she thought he was another clone who was ready to torment her "What do you want? Aren't you one of those f*g clones?!" Shouted Saki Chao as she stared at Void with anger in her eyes.
"If I was one of the clones, would I do this?" Asked Void as he drew his sword and stabbed the lock causing the force of his sword to break the lock in half.
Void then opened the cage door as Saki Chao hesitated to exit the cage at first. Eventually she flew towards Void and slapped his face.
"Oww, hey! What was that for?!" Asked Void as he held his face in pain.
"Thank you for saving me a*e." Said Saki Chao. "Don't think for one moment that we're in good terms until I can trust you completely."
"So be it." Said Void while rubbing his face, "Come with me, i'm here to get you out of here." Said Void as he picked up Saki Chao and placed her on his shoulder.
"Not so fast!" Shouted a voice, it was the evil clones. One of them held SNT who was tied up while the other clone had his sword aimed at her neck.
"SNT!!!" Shouted Void and Saki Chao in unison.
"I'm sorry Void, they got me!" Cried SNT,
"I checked every room in the upper floors, and when I was heading for the elevator... that's when they ambushed me and pinned me down." Said SNT as the clones brought her towards Void and Saki Chao as they were awaiting the evil minister behind VIRUS-ai.
"Well I must admit miss SNT, you sure are one feisty little girl." Said Total AV who suddenly emerged from the back curtains. It turned out that he was hiding behind the curtains the entire time.
"And you my son, such a pity that our conflict has come to this." Said Total AV as he then snapped his fingers. Just then, the clones that weren't occupied with SNT drew their swords and surrounded Void and Saki Chao.
Saki Chao hid behind Void's shoulder, "Void, what do we do?!!!" Cried Saki Chao as she was terrified.
Void looked at SNT who was looking sad towards him, he then looked back at Saki Chao who was tearing up. Finally, Void gave an angry look towards Total AV.
"You want me father? Very well, but under one condition." Said Void,
"And what might that be my son?" Said Total AV.
"You and me... Last Anti-Virus standing" Void then drew his sword, "And we leave fate to chance."
Total AV approached him and drew his own sword. "So be it."
Total AV then snapped his fingers and the entire room went dark. Suddenly, the sound of punches and kicks were heard within the room. When punches and kicks stopped, silence was imminent for a moment.
When the lights came back on, SNT found herself tied up and suspended in the air where she was unable to move or fly. All she could do was squirm and swing around in hopes that the rope carrying her would break.
On the opposite end of the room, Saki Chao was once again locked in the cage where she held onto the bars and tried to reach for SNT.
"SNT, what's going on?!!!" Shouted Saki Chao,
"I don't know!!!" Shouted SNT as she looked down to the stage where the 5 clones lined up in single file and stared at the 2 combatants.
"SNT!!! Do something!!!" Cried Saki Chao as she bursted into tears.
"I can't! I cannot fly, I cannot move!!! I especially cannot fight!" Cried SNT as she looked back at Saki Chao and began to cry.
SNT and Saki Chao were looking down towards the stage in sorrow, "Void, please save us." Said SNT as she was hoping for Void to win the fight.