Chapter Two- The Search
Xanatos raised an eyebrow as Matt finished his story in greater detail. "Honestly, detective, I don't see how much I can do. The carrier virus Sevarius created was done while he worked at Nightstone so the files for it would most likely be encrypted and difficult to crack. However, if we had a pure sample, it's possible to design a counter for the one Demona would use. Unfortunately, it would be useless in your case, detective."
Elisa gave Matt a look of sympathy while the tan gargoyle simply nodded. "I thought as much. I'm more concerned about making sure this second virus isn't unleashed." He then smiled grimly. "The window to her office is still open as far as I know. We could enter, locate the virus, destroy the files, and leave."
"Lexington and I will go with you," Goliath said.
Matt made no objections as all three left the office. Goliath was a strong gargoyle as well as a decisive leader who knew who was best suited for any given situation. This situation was a prime example. Lexington was the most tech-savvy of the clan and able to get around security systems in a way that was incredible. If Lex can get into the files, maybe we can print a copy before destroying them.
It took no time to find Lexington and explain the situation to him. Soon, all three were gliding to Nightstone with Matt leading them to the window once they drew close to their destination. The three entered and Lexington quickly found the button to open the secret door and grant them access to the office. Lexington quickly got onto the computer while Goliath and Matt probed the room and examined the papers in the desk's inbox/outbox and the drawers. No hinted of a contagious virus in a paper form.
"There's a lab two floors down," Lexington reported having accessed the building's floor plans. "Let me just do one thing before…there. Cameras are off on that floor."
"Great." Matt came around behind the small gargoyle. "Any sign of the files on the carrier virus?"
"No, but there may be a separate computer in the lab that has the files."
I hope so, Matt thought as they headed down the stairs to the lab floor. They needed to find the files, a sample of the virus, and prevent Demona from carrying out her plan. I can handle being a gargoyle every night, but the rest of the world doesn't deserve it.
The lab was spotless and there was indeed a separate computer. Lexington immediately logged on and explored the files while Goliath and Matt examined the room. A door with a security pad beside it caught Matt's attention. He went to it and slashed the pad off. This resulted in the door hissing open. He rushed in to see an empty room. "Nothing," he said, his voice echoing in the metal room.
"Either she has not started creating the virus or she is doing so in another location," Goliath surmised.
"She may even have it ready and secured it somewhere," Matt added.
"Well, hopefully Xanatos can have a counter made," called Lexington over the sound of a printer.
"You found the notes on the carrier virus?" Matt asked as he crossed over to Lexington.
"Yup and now that we've got a printed copy…" Lexington seized the monitor, yanked it free of its computer tower, and threw it on the floor where it crashed, wrecked. He then plunged his claws into the tower and tore it to shreds.
"Perfect," Matt said as he gathered the papers and put them in a folder to protect them. "Let's head back to the castle." Matt was elated as they headed back to Wyvern. They didn't find a sample of the virus, but they did obtain a copy of the virus' composition and destroyed the computer that held the file. His elation then died as other thoughts occurred to him. He was sure Demona had made backups of the file in other locations. That's what I would do if I was in her place and she's been alive for centuries, so she's surely learned to be patient. He felt numb as he, Goliath, and Lexington delivered the papers and reported what they hadn't found. He distantly heard Xanatos thank them for the papers and that he would put his scientists on it. Matt then headed outside and just stared into space.
"Matt?"
He looked back and gave a nod. "Hi, partner."
"Goliath told me about finding the file on the virus but nothing else."
"That's true and even though we got the papers, it may not help."
"What do you mean?"
"Demona may already have the virus and just needs to add the parts she needs to make it contagious."
"Or she may not. Xanatos might be able to produce a counter in time to stop her."
"Man, I hope so." Matt had to admit that Xanatos had a knack for salvaging a situation that seemed hopeless, desperate, or dark. Elisa could be right. Xanatos might save the world from the fate that befell me.
Elisa discreetly looked Matt over while she talked to him. She had not taken a good look earlier due to the urgency of needing to stop Demona. Now, with the papers about the virus in Xanatos' hands and sure he could produce a counter, she could look Matt over calmly.
The first thing she noticed was that Matt's hair had grown a little, ending just past the shoulders and hung down the back. Her eyes then went up to the horns and wings. The horns were like Brooklyn's while the wings were like Goliath's. Both features were tan like the rest of his body which had gotten taller due to his feet and there was a bit more muscle to his torso and limbs.
Elisa then blushed a little when Matt turned with an amused smile that said he knew Elisa had been staring. "Not bad, right Elisa? I've already seen myself and I think I don't look bad."
"You're right. Not bad, Matt. You know, you'll need to tell Chavez about this."
"Of course. You know this might mean I'll end up on day shift."
"Yes, but it's better than being fired."
Matt nodded. He would rather move to day shift instead of being jobless. It won't be easy explaining this but hopefully the Captain will understand. Heh, I've been hoping a lot of things tonight.
Demona smirked as she held up the container. She was about to finish creating the virus that would infect any human in the world. Even babies would be infected once in the arms of an infected person. Humans, like gargoyles, were social creatures and liked to gather in crowds. Avoiding skin contact was practically impossible, especially in a place like Manhattan.
And there are tourists who will be infected; with some luck they will return home unaware of having contracted anything. This version takes a full day and night to take effect so it will be easy to spread. Best of all, no one will be able to figure out how it happened or find a cure.
She added the finishing touch and the virus shimmered slightly. Her smirk became a triumphant smile. It was finished and now she needed to use it on some humans who would spread it. I think I'll start at the airport, she thought.