Chapter 4
The Dark Approaching Storm
In a Underground laboratory near Los Angeles. Lab techs were busy working away on their various projects. They were some of the world greatest minds in programming, physics, chemistry, and biology. They were working in a darkly illuminated room. In the center was a large towering, reddish green Supercomputer. It was shaped like a pyramid and was connected to several large cables running across the room towards the terminals that sat on the large number of desks in the room.
The two agents from New Mexico Walked out the elevator in the far room. They were still carrying the brief case holding the Flash drive with the section of AI codes from New Mexico. They walked into the main laboratory, In the room was the large pyramid shaped supercomputer, two story's high standing in the middle of the room. Around it were smaller lab sections with technicians studying all different types of code's in a Strange almost unearthly text.
The two agents approached the main office were the head of the lab was sitting in his office Reading over several cases that were strangely interesting. The case of Peter Duncan and a case of Uranium that was never found. Several supercomputer hacks around the world, and the Vorseas project.
"Mr. Estrada, We brought the code's for the AI" Conner's said as he laid down the brief case on the desk.
"Excellent. We can finally finish Xervix on time." The old man behind the desk said as he stood up.
Estrada was a short old man with perfectly jet black hair. He wore a nice black and Grey suite and brandished a single piercing on his left ear. He was of Mexican decent and was one of the leading members of Mal-tech industries.
"Agent Conner and Agent Thompson, You two have done an outstanding job. With the code's you have brought us. Shaffer's AI will be reborn as our own. As Xervix"
The lead scientist walked out with the flash drive as the two agents followed them. He slowly walked to the large supercomputer in the middle of the room and the installed the flash drive in one of the computers many usb ports.
"ATTENTION!!" Estrada spoke into the comm speaker. "We will know begin operation second coming. Prepare all stations for the birthing."
The staff in the room soon started working hard and tediously preparing several computers and servers for what they were about to do.
A staff member approached Estrada and showed him a brief picture of what the AI would look like
"With what we have designed and specified for the initial design and look of the AI. We have programed it to look like this when its finally Online."
The tech opened the design and showed it to Estrada. The creature was human shaped with black and green colored armor. It had a strange tube on its right hand and a large pair of black bat looking wings. It had a wolf like face with reddish eyes. Its eyes were the shape of the very symbol that Franz Hopper used in all of his work. On his head was a helmet with small pointed horn's at the very middle of the helmet, hanging over his forehead. And 3 smaller horns wrapping around the edge near were the face was exposed. On its chest was a kinda roman armor plating, and on its side was a weapon. A large scythe. With a twisted vein looking handle. The edge of the blade was serrated and also brandished another symbol on it.
"Excellent." Estrada explained as he closed the design and walked over to the main terminal. Conner's and Thompson stood next to the door of the office as the supercomputer started to glow and hum a kind of soft buzzing noise as the techs continued to prepare for their creation.
"Sir we have our virtual envelope ready, our data intergrater ready, all of program Xana's codes and records are ready. We Are ready to begin virtual creation of the body." one of the tech announced as he read down the list of items that were in the green.
"Very well." Estrada confirmed as he walked over to the main terminal and finally typed in his authorization. The screen ran through a number of codes before it finally displayed the words
"Execute y/n.".
"And know Ladies and gentleman. A project that has been several years in the work's will now become a reality. For years we have stridden for the Keys to Zion. And know this servant will retrieve those keys. Our monster will rise from the remains of another monster. And will reveal itself to the world. What the Schaeffer family has hid from us for so long will be revealed. And at long last. Our goal will be in our grasp."
With that long speech, Estrada reached across to the key board and finally pressed Y.
The machine started humming louder as it glowed. Deep inside the machine a series of code were drifting around, till the machine started to spin these code together. Soon their was a flash and the codes started to form a being. The being that was on the design sheet that Estrada had seen. It's Eyes suddenly blazed Open with the Eye of Xana. It roared in a high peached scream as it spread its bat like wings from its back. The beast then calmed down and looked at its self. It had no idea what it was. It then noticed a virtual screen appeared. It starred out the window into the human world. As it looked at the lab technicians working hard to finish up its creation.
"Sir the main body is active. As is its Virtual memory banks." One technician declared
Jerald turned to Chris and asked if it was finished.
"I'm not sure. I'm no computer whiz my self. All I know is that its suppose to do our dirty work for us."
Estrada flipped a switch next to the flash drive and brought up a menu. He clicked on the operation FILTER. "Beginning Xana code memory install know."
Inside the computer the AI starred at the humans in curiosity. It wondered what they were doing. Then suddenly a Bright light appeared above it. And a series of black and red codes filtered into its head. The AI Screamed in pain as the code imbeded themselves into its core program. Suddenly it remembered things. Waldo and Antea Schaeffer. The old Renult factory that was once its home. The supercomputer that was stationed in, The keys to Zion, Carthage, And more importantly. The children. The children who had tried to kill it. And those two out of all of them. The boy and the daughter of its creators. How it despised them most of all. They were its most hated enemies, the worst of group and how they and Waldo worked together to kill it. Then it finally realized that it could not remember them. It had no idea who they were. Or what their names are. Finally it remembered that it was dead, but know it was alive, alive and well. It finally had a body and voice. And now a new name.
"XERVIX!!" the AI growled as it was finally finished and complete. "I am Xervix.
"Yes you are." A mans voice came through out of no where as Xervix floated their in a blank, black space. "You are the clone of Xana. A program that was created by Waldo Shaffer. And know you are reborn by me. Emilio Estrada. You're master."
"Why have you recreated me ?" the monster demanded as it starred out the window at its creator.
"We share a mutual thought my friend. You feel That humanity is to immature to survive ungoverned. I feel Humanity is to sick to survive. To twisted. They need order to continue into the next century. We tried to Make the Schaeffer's realize that but they didn't. They felt that humanity deserves the right to choose for themselves. So they went into hiding. We did however find the wife."
"Where Is she?" Xervix asked as it crossed its arms.
"She has been...sleeping For the past 18 years. She chose her fate. But when we captured her we realized she was not the one we needed. It was her daughter, Aelita Schaeffer." Estrada explained as the AI listened.
"AELITA!!" the monster bellowed as its eyes glowed red with hatred.
"Yes. We need that girl. We need the keys to both Lyoko and Carthage. For the keys to Zion." Estrada said
"What is Zion." Xervix said
"That you will know in time. Here is what you should do. First find your original computer. Their you will upgrade it to you're specification's." Estrada removed the flash drive and installed a new one. "In here you will find the original code for Lyoko. There are 5 sectors. A forest, a desert, a glacier and a mountain, and the main section. But secretly there are also 5 others. We know this because they where in Schaeffer's original schematics. This code will replenish those sector's. Each sector holds one fragment of the key and the location of Carthage. Carthage as well will have the same sectors. You will need to find the keys to Lyoko to find the keys to Carthage. These code's will also help you create several new servants to assist you. Use it well."
"What of the Infidels that killed my earlier version. They will have shut down the computer?" Xervix asked as the code's were downloaded into his program. "And I want revenge on those fools."
"You may have you revenge on the warriors. But you must locate Aelita Schaeffer and any one she has associated with. She is the Key Bearer. We need her for the keys to Zion." Estrada explained
Xervix knew who Aelita was. But Why did Estrada want her? What was the reason?
"I will think of a way to get them to turn on the supercomputer. What do I do when I find the keys?"
Estrada looked through the window as the AI starred back. "When you have the Keys and the Key bearer you will report to us were you will then weep your reward. You will be materialized in our world and will help us govern this world."
"What is Zion?" Xervix demanded
Estrada noted this. It was learning much to fast and was asking to many questions. Nevertheless, he knew that if Xana's original programing was working. It would lead them straight to what he needed then he would delete the AI before it was to late.
"You have your orders, now go and don't come back till you have the keys."
Xervix growled and agreed as a bright white vortex appeared next to him. He then turned and revealed his bat like wings, as he flew into the vortex. He knew that Estrada might double cross him. He calculated that he had to outsmart Estrada. After all he was a mere human. Regardless if Estrada built him from the remains of Xana, he was still a incompetent creature. One who was expandable. He didn't need Estrada, instead he would use the foolish scientist to his advantage. But first he had to get the kids to turn on the computer...and he knew how...
The cafeteria was busy with students standing in line waiting for their chance to get their lunch and sit down with their friends. Today it was subs and chips. Something the students had been requesting for a while. So eventually the cafeteria workers finally gave in to the students request and decided to give it a try. Odd stood in line anxiously waiting for his turn. He was the one who decided to try to convince the cafeteria ladies to give it a try. He was tired of mashed potato's, soup, and the assorted Salisbury steaks. Already sitting down at the table was Jeremy, Ulrich and Yumi. He hoped that they would of saved him a spot but unfortunately they waited to long and decided to just go ahead and get their lunch and sit down.
"Hey cutie." Odd heard as he turned around to see the Tall cute new blond girl standing right behind him.
Odd started to studer a little. "Oh hey their uh...Tanell was it?"
"Mmm smart and cute. I like you." Tanell giggled back with a smile that made Odd sweat even more.
"Do you think yo could be a dear and let me cut in front of you?"
" Yeah sure of course you can. I always say, cute ones first." Odd replied back trying to sound confident and cool at the same time. Not realizing he was actually next in line.
"Well your definitely on my list then." She replied as she walked in front of Odd and grabbed her lunch.
Odd looked at her as she walked away. First day here and he was already on her list. He liked that. He had made a impression on her. And he would definitely attempt to collect on that deal later.
Odd walked up to the lunch table and was finally ready to receive the fruits of his labor. He spotted The main lunch lady Rose. Who looked at him with a sign of grief.
"Hey Rose." Odd greeted as he laid his try on the table looking for any sign of the submarines he had waited all day for. "Let me get one of those awesome subs you made."
"Ehh sorry Odd. The new girl took the last one. We ran out of Bread and meat for the subs minutes ago as well. Fraid you were just a little to late." Rose said as she brought out some spaghetti and meat balls.
"WHAT!!" Odd whined as he looked to rose as if it were some kinda joke. "You mean after all that hard work I just missed it. This sucks."
Odd grabbed some spaghetti and meat balls and walked over to the table. Every where he saw he saw other students enjoying their subs. He really felt left out, after all he was the one who managed to get rose to even give it a try. And for the fruits of his labor all he got was, sorry no more Odd. And got a scoop of the same food he had grown tired of.
Odd finally walked to the table and sat down. Yumi and Ulrich noticed Odds lunch and starred as the Blond sat down and silently ate his food.
"Uh.. you do know that were having subs don't you Odd." Yumi asked as she drank some of her Gatorade she got from one of the vending machines.
"Yeah and they ran out of subs. After all I did and not even one reward for my contribution to every one. Not even a thanks."
Ulrich took a bite from his sub and looked over towards Odd and said thanks for the Sub's
"Haw haw very funny." Odd snapped back as he started to stir his spaghetti. "If only I hadn't let Tanell cut in line."
"You mean the new girl you were Drooling over?" Jeremy asked as he tried to hide Aelita's subs from Odd even though he hadn't noticed he did want to take that chance.
"Yeah her." Odd smiled his cool and casual smile like he always had when ever he had a chance with the ladies. Yumi though always thought it made him look like a creep. "She said I was on the top of her list." Odd spoke with the same, glory filled voice he always had when it came to girls.
"How do you know she didn't use you to cut in line?" Yumi asked as she finished off her drink.
"Oh no, she didn't use me. She gave me one heck of a wink. You know like the kind You always give Ulrich."
This caused both Ulrich and Yumi to blush as they tried to hide it from Odd and Jeremy. Even though it was the truth.
"So have you seen Aelita lately Jeremy?" Yumi asked as her face finally returned to normal and she turned to face the boys.
"I'm going up their after lu..." Jeremy was cut off when at that moment Aelita walked into the lunch room looking as healthy as ever. She spotted the gang and walked over to the table and sat down.
"Hey guys, how was the test ?" Aelita asked as she settled down at the table and looked at every one.
"Well I feel good about it. Jeremy I'm sure did. But Odd did, Well." Ulrich started to stammer off as he looked at Odd.
"Great as usual." Odd said as he finished his spaghetti.
"In other words you failed." Yumi joked as she stared down the table at him.
"Yeah pretty much." Odd answered back .
"So are you feeling better?" Jeremy asked.
"Yeah I think all I needed was a good sleep. I slept for about 5 hours but I feel much better."
Jeremy pulled out the sub's he had saved for her and passed them to her. Odd saw this and spoke out in astonishment. " HEY!! you save food for you're her, but not for you're best friend?"
"Well let see." Jeremy said as he held the sub in his hand and pointed back and forth. "Odd or Aelita.
Hmmm... Yeah i'm going to say Aelita."
"Thanks a lot you, couldn't even help out a friend." Odd said as he folded his arms.
"Here Odd il share." Aelita said as she split the sub in half and handed him half.
"Thanks. You're a true friend, unlike some other people that I wont name!!" Odd said as he looked around the table.
"Hey I could of given you some.' Ulrich said as he stood up to dump his tray.
"Well why the hell did int you say anything?" Odd asked as he started to take a bite out of his half of the sub.
"Uh you didn't ask." Ulrich responded as he walked away from the table.
"Oh...dang. So do you guys wanna hang out in the rec room tonight. I wanna try out that new pool table tonight."
"Il play you Odd" Yumi replied as she handed Ulrich her tray after he came back to the table and offerd to take it for her. Ulrich also agreed to play as well. "What about you guys?' Yumi asked.
"Oh im terrible at pool." the pink haired girl at the table spoke as she finished her sub.
"Just ask Jeremy. When we were at his house last weekend, I kinda...well..hit the ball to the point where it flew off the table."
"It came this close to hitting Patrick. Funny but ehh. Other than that il play."
As Ulrich was walking back to the table he noticed William over in the corner. He was sitting by himself trying to study. William looked up to see Ulrich staring at him, William tried to ignore him but instead closed his book got up and walked out of the lunch room. As he left, Ulrich couldn't take his eyes of him. Ulrich then walked back to the table to join the others, who were getting ready to leave.
After that the gang got up to leave for their afternoon classes. As soon as they got up though the lights went out. Their was'nt a flicker or anything they just went out. Every one in the cafeteria stood up and started talking loudly as the light's finally cam back on. Suddenly the lights glowed brighter as they hummed louder and louder.
"Whats going on?" Odd asked as suddenly their was a loud explosion.
Every light bulb in the room suddenly exploded at the same time. The Explosion was powerful enough to send glass flying at dangerous speeds. Kids screamed in fear as some bolted for the door, while others took cover under tables. Ulrich used his jacket to cover him and Yumi, as Jeremy grabbed Aelita and hid under the table. Odd covered his head and ducked down near the floor as glass and metal fell from the ceiling. The electrical outlets around the room started to explode in order as they hissed and fizzled from some unknown electrical surge.
The machines in the lunch room suddenly blew away from the wall. Others caught fire as they kicked on as if they were being used normally. Rose and the lunch ladies in the back scatted as the microwave exploded and sent pieces of shrapnel flying in all directions. A large piece of glass landed next to rose as she fainted from fear.
The sudden chaos subsided as the lights and outlets all blew out. The room was eirealy silent as kids in the lunch room came out of hiding and ran out the door in fear. Some of the kids left shaking in fear as some of the younger kids left crying a little from the sudden chaos that ensued.
Ulrich lowered his jacket as he looked Yumi over to see if she was okay. She was a little shaken but okay.
Odd looked around the lunch room as he saw outside the windows other student and faculty running to the cafeteria. He saw Jim running with a first aid kit.
"Hey are you alright Odd?" Odd turned to see William walking into the room. He saw the whole thing on his way out. He left the cafeteria and was on his way to his room when he heard the explosion. He immediately ran into the cafeteria to see if any one was hurt.
"Yeah I'm good."
William shook his head and walked over to a table to check on some younger students that where sitting on the floor. . Odd turned to see Jeremy and Aelita crawling out from under the table. As they stood up and looked around to see several kids were cut from the flying pieces of glass and metal.
Jeremy lead Aelita outside. She was shaken but okay. She stopped to help another student up as he tired to get on his feet. Thats when she noticed what was on Jeremy's arm.
A large piece of glass was jabbed into Jeremy arm. Aelita pointed it out to Jeremy as she walked over to him. He looked down and finally noticed the sharp pain in his arm.
Jeremy tried to remove it but it hurt to much. "I must of got it when I threw you under the table."
Jeremy said as he winced in pain. As he starred at it.
"Does it hurt?" Aelita asked as she looked at Jeremy and back at the glass.
"Yeah it does." Jeremy squeaked as he tried to remove it again.
William walked over from the other side of the room, when he noticed Aelita and Jeremy. He walked over and noticed the large glass in his arm. He pulled back as much of Jeremy brown turtle neck sleeve as possible so that he could get a better look at it.
"What ever you do, dont remove it" William said. he grabbed a couple napkins and placed them around Jeremy's wound. He raised Jeremy's arm up high as he lead them to the door.
"Why?" Aelita asked.
"You can cause more damage if you remove the glass. Right now its acting like a stopper to keep you from bleeding any more." Will said as he lead Jeremy and Aelita to the door.
"Okay, go get it looked at." William instructed Jereme and Aelita as he led them outside. "Their's a Ambulance over their, Good luck."
They thanked William as they walked outside. They walked out in time To see police, fire department and paramedics pulling up to the school. Aelita walked with Jeremy as a medic ran up to them and escorted Jeremy to a waiting ambulance. Aelita walked with him as she notice Odd and the others finally spotting them near a police car.
The medic looked at the wound and grabbed some bandages.
"Boy you're lucky." The medic spoke as he pulled out some tools and stitches. "It barley cut into you're arm. Missing most of the veins in you're arm. If they were cut then you would need some serious medical attention."
"I'm not that lucky." Jeremy replied. "It still hurts."
"Actually theirs only a few kids who got hurt. And their injuries are not that severe."
Aelita held Jeremy's hand as The medic prepared to remove the blade. The medic took a spray out and sprayed around the wound. Jeremy's arm tingled a little as he noticed the medic a pair of clamp like instruments to help cut off the blood supply to the wound. Jeremy's arm tingled a little as he noticed the medic pull out a pair of what looked like tongs and prepared to remove the glass. Aelita closed her eyes as the medic placed the tongs on the glass. She heard Jeremy shriek a little as the glass was removed from his wound. Jeremy saw a little bit of blood trickle down from the wound. The medic sprayed the wound again as he pulled out a needle and thread and started stitching the wound.
"So what do you know about what happened?" Jeremy said.
"I'm not sure. I heard that their was a severe power surge from the power plant. Dont worry it should be fine."
Jeremy noted this as he stepped out of the ambulance.. "Hows you're arm?" Aelita asked as she stared at the large bandage on his arm.
"It's okay, it hurts but not real bad." Jeremy Answered as they walked over to the others.
Ulrich and Yumi where sitting on a bench. They where watching as some of the students who where hurt where loaded into the ambulances and carried off to the hospital's. Odd was walking back to them with a couple of sodas. He was carrying about 5 and also looked a little stressed out. Odd couldn't understand just how he avoided getting pelted with shrapnel. He literally just stood their as the glass and metal flew every where.
"You okay Einstein?" Odd asked as he handed Aelita and Jeremy their soda.
"Fine. What about you guys?"
"I'm good. And so is Ulrich." Yumi replied.
"Not a scratch, I must be indestructible." Odd joked trying to releave the tension in the group.
"So William helped you out Jeremy?" Yumi asked
"Yeah. I need to thank him later." the blond boy spoke as he rubbed the bandage.
"Umm I hope I don't scare any body but you don't think that what caused this was you know who?" Yumi asked as she looked around the now full school yard.
"Actually I heard some of the police talking and they said the Transformer surged badly and exploded so I doubt it was." Odd replied as he pointed at a large burnt piece of metal on a power pole.
Yumi stared up at the transformer in question, It was fired and blackened, their was pieces of it on the ground and it showed signs that it caught fire. Yumi thought that maybe it really was just a coincidence. But after all the years of Xana Attacks, she couldn't shake the fear off so easily.
"I don't think its you know who. But it is interesting though that it happened when we were at lunch" Yumi stated as she stared at the apparently blown out transformer. "I mean look at that thing. It looks like some one shot it with a bazooka or something."
"I can run a scan later...just to be safe." Jeremy said
"I thought you needed the Supercomputer for that?" Ulrich said.
"No. Its to find any sign of Xana on the Internet. I don't need the supercomputer for that." Jeremy said.
"Well I heard that classes are going to be canceled for the rest of the day while the power company checks the other transformers on the grounds. You guys wanna go into town and get some air?" Ulrich asked.
The group agreed as they walked back to their dorms to drop off their bags. Aelita looked back at the cafeteria in time to see William walking back to his dorm. Since he was freed from Xana, he had been a quiet, silent person. He was always their to help the others out when they needed it. To Aelita and Jeremy, William was OK. Sure he still remembered what he did when he was controlled by Xana. But it wasn't William who commuted those acts. It was Xana. So in their mind there was nothing to really forgive him for since it wasn't his fault. To Ulrich and Yumi, They still had their doubts. To Ulrich. William reminded him of a stalker in the days before Xana kidnapped him. He remembered all the grief William had caused them and wasn't ready to forget it. Yumi just wasn't sure. She originally liked William. But over the months he became a little creepy. She never wanted him to know about Lyoko or the factory. But eventually she was out voted and he was let in. When it came to letting William know that she was done with him, he took it pretty hard. He walked around like a zombie for a few days and looked completely miserable. She had tried to avoid William a lot, since she felt uncomfortable around him. Odd was half and half. He felt that William had matured a lot since his return. But then again he thought that by hanging with William, he might cause problems with Yumi and Ulrich.
"Hey come on slow poke" Odd shouted halfway across the school yard.
Aelita snapped back to reality as she walked past the transformer. She couldn't shake the feeling that their was more to this than a fried circuit or wire..