Interphase

by Kira Wilson

  "Master!"

  Analara started forward, but Shalaron gripped her shoulder. "He is trying to subdue it. Do not interfere. Both of you, stay here!" He ran swiftly toward the wall, his robes swirling behind him. Before he could reach the stairs, one of the vines broke loose of Nathalion's control and grasped the Artisan around the waist, dragging him off the wall.

  Shalaron leapt onto the battlements and braced himself. He raised his arms, and a vine seized his wrist. Turning his head toward it, he frowned. The vine flared and shattered into fragments. He opened his hands, and a field of white spread through the air in front of him. Even from several yards away, David could feel the blast of cold air. The tendrils recoiled, then lashed around Shalaron's chest and arms. Light blazed, and ice flowed over the vines. It raced from tendril to tendril, coating leaves and thorns, running all the way to where the Rethkor held Nathalion trapped. As the vines froze, they lost their grip on the Artisan. Shalaron snapped the plants that clung to him, leapt off the wall, and caught Nathalion in mid-air.

  Analara grabbed David by the wrist and dragged him with her. "Master, are you all right?"

  Nathalion was bleeding and winded, but very much alive. Shalaron set him back on his feet, and he clapped Analara on the shoulder. "The Heartroot. We must calm it while it is stunned." The two of them ran toward the center of the city. David trailed after and emerged in a wide circle surrounded by fountains. The flow of water converged around a thick knot of vines that towered into the air. Analara and Nathalion placed their hands against the Heartroot, while David kept his eyes on the battle at the walls. Slowly, the writhing tendrils quieted and finally grew still.

  When it was over, Shalaron gave orders for Nathalion to be tended. He turned back to David. "As you can see, now is not the time for visitors in Ilinar. Have the remainder of your wounds seen to, and then leave our walls before sunset. If you wish to return, you will bring an introduction from your Sage, Vera."

  Analara's lips tightened, but she didn't dare oppose Shalaron's decision. She bowed her head, and Shalaron gave David one final glance before he turned and left.

  Chapter 11

  In spite of Analara's protests, David insisted that he needed to leave before the mid-harvest bell. After he retrieved his weapon and some supplies from Varlath's house, she reluctantly agreed to escort him beyond the last watch post. Those they passed offered their greetings, but suspicious whispers followed in their wake. Soon they were free of the confines of the city, and the grasslands stretched endlessly before them.

  Roanan groves dotted the hillside ahead, branches waving as the pair slipped into the shade. Even walking beneath the sheltering boughs did little to improve Analara's gloomy spirits. She watched David out of the corner of her eye, calmed by his presence, and pondered the possibility of never seeing him again. Though she'd only known him a short while, he'd somehow become a part of her life, and she felt a pang of loss at the thought of his absence.

  Analara recalled how she'd found him this last time and started worrying about what further dangers he might encounter. If nothing else, perhaps she could arm him with knowledge on his journey home. "There's something you should know about feranals or eldranals, just in case." She looked away before continuing. "When our warriors hunt them, they attack weak points in the tail. Promise me that you'll remember."

  David nodded and looked as if he were committing the information to memory. "My thanks." He smiled wanly. "Though I'd much prefer not to encounter another of those anytime soon, it is comforting to know how to face them."

  Analara gazed at David's smile, and another pang pricked her heart. There had to be more she could do. What Shalaron had done to him was not fair!

  An idea popped into Analara's head, and she gasped. It would mean defying the will of her elders, but—

  She looked at David and grinned mischievously. "You know, Shalaron said that you needed permission to return to Ilinar."

  "Yeah," said David. A look of frustration passed across his face. "That's a problem. My leader isn't someone that I can simply speak to."

  "That's quite a problem," Analara echoed coyly. "But he said nothing about needing permission to visit the woods."

  David stopped and stared at her. His expression shifted from amusement to concern to hope. "I'm sure that if he had thought of it, he would have specified."

  Analara's eyes shone with excitement. "But he didn't."

  David folded his arms across his chest. "I'm already on his bad side, Analara. I don't like the idea that you could get in trouble on my account."

  Analara smirked. "Trouble and I are close acquaintances. I can not stand back and watch you be cast out of my home like this. And I just…" She stumbled, her heart pounding fast. "I want to see you again."

  David smiled, and Analara knew her point was won. "Only if you'll promise me to be careful?"

  She nodded. "Can you meet me at my grove in, say, two days?"

  "I will be there." David's smile widened. "Until then, my lady. And this time I'll try not to injure myself again."

  He took her hand, squeezed it, and started back on the trail. Analara turned toward Ilinar, but could not resist taking a final glance behind. He gave her one last smile before slipping through the trees.

  Once Analara was back within the walls of the city, she checked on Nathalion. Thankfully, his wounds were not serious. They discussed the attack, as well as David's presence, and while Nathalion scolded her for not letting him examine her patient, he said he was very proud of all that she had accomplished. Blushing at the compliment, she promised to come back in the evening for her lessons and returned home.

  In the garden, children swarmed around Analara like insects, clamoring to know where David was and if she knew the walls had been attacked. She managed to disentangle herself and escaped into the house. Lemna was at her usual place in the main room, mending a torn shirt.

  Analara gave one of her sweetest smiles. "Lemna, have you seen your son recently?"

  "Yes, dear, he is in his room."

  "Thank you very much."

  Rupu was lounging against a floor cushion, studying a piece of parchment when she entered. Analara grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Rupu's head. It bounced off, and he looked her way, grinning. "There you are, 'Nala. I wondered where you had disappeared to. Quite an eventful day, wouldn't you agree?"

  "Indeed," she replied coldly. "In large part, thanks to you. Would you care to explain just what got into your head?"

  Rupu set the parchment aside and sat up, wearing an impish grin. "You seem troubled. Is something amiss?"

  "You could have hurt him, Rupu. And for what? Did it bother you that much to have a stranger in the city? Have you become that distrustful?"

  "Oh, is that why you like him, 'Nala? Because he is a stranger? Because he is new?"

  Analara glowered. "I like him because he is a kind and courageous person. He traveled all the way from his home, braving the wilds of a distant land, just to thank me!"

  "Would you have done the same?"

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  Rupu calmly looked her in the eyes. "If your positions had been switched, and he had been the one to render service, would you have risked yourself just to thank him?"

  "Without hesitation! Any decent person would do that."

  "There you have it." Rupu grinned triumphantly. "David is a decent person!"

  Analara gaped at him, and Rupu burst out laughing. "Just what is so funny?"

  "Oh, forgive me, 'Nala. It was completely worth it just to see that look on your face."

  "What was worth…? Wait, in the square, that was a ruse?"

  Rupu finished chuckling and smiled. "A test. From your first meeting with David, it was obvious that he had attracted your eye. I wanted to know if he was worthy of you."

  Analara wasn't sure whether to laugh or hit him. "How was challenging him to the game a way to test him?"

  "It told me what I needed to know." Analara frowned, and Rupu shru
gged in response. "People reveal their true selves under pressure and during conflict. He played with honor and poise, in an unfamiliar place, against several opponents. Having met him myself now, I think I rather like David, although I doubt the feeling will be mutual for some time."

  Analara finally broke down and smiled. "When did you become so smart and mysterious?"

  A faint blush touched Rupu's cheeks, and he opened his arms to her. Giggling, Analara crouched down to hug him. "You have always been my little sister, 'Nala," he whispered into her hair. "How could I do anything less?"

  Analara sat down next to him on the floor and leaned against his shoulder. "In that case, maybe you can convince Shalaron that David is no enemy."

  "What do you mean?"

  "He seemed very suspicious and questioned David harshly. After the Rethkor attacked, he told David to leave and only return with permission from his Sage." Analara sighed.

  "That is strange." Rupu frowned. "There is something about David that is… different. He has a power within, though I don't feel it is dangerous." He made a thoughtful sound and shrugged. "Shalaron must have other matters on his mind. He is a sage, and their ways are quite mysterious. The only thing we can do is wait and see what the future brings our way." He eyed Analara warily. "Knowing you, you've already set your own plans in motion. Just try not to be too obvious about them."

  Analara merely grinned.

  ***

  "What exactly does that mean, sir?" Detective Smith's nervous little assistant asked.

  David continued to stare out of the third-story window at the lamp-lit streets below. A light rain fell on the city, driving men in hats and trench coats indoors. He liked this place, this era of Earth history. Whenever he needed to ponder something, he always came back to this module.

  Turning back to his assistant, David ran down a mental checklist. "Let's review the facts, Neville. First, the phantom from Analara's module can create and control a strange energy. Second, this energy seems to be of the same type that caused my injury during the first Storm. Third, it appears to warp whatever it comes into contact with, be it air, code, or flesh. Are you with me so far?"

  Neville winced, incomprehension apparent on his face.

  David sighed. "It means, Neville, that whatever this phantom is, it is related to the Crash Storms. Whether it is a byproduct, or the creator of the Storms, remains to be seen." He sat and propped his feet on his desk, pleased with his deductions.

  Neville shifted nervously in his chair, plucking at his stiff collar. "Crash Storms are dangerous, sir! You can't go back there. Can't you let someone else handle the mystery for once?"

  David tipped his hat and gave Neville a suave smile. "Handling mystery is what I do. Besides, who else would be crazy enough to take this case?" He fingered the handle of his gun. "Let's go over the rest of the information."

  Neville grabbed a notebook and pencil, poised to start scribbling notes.

  "The lightning used by both the Storms and the phantom appears to have a destabilizing effect," David dictated, "but Analara's module seemed to be protected from its effects."

  "Err…" Neville coughed, pencil hovering hesitantly. "What kinds of effects, sir?"

  "Well, it physically destroys the things it comes into contact with, similar to a normal bolt of lightning. However, it breaks objects down on a code level, as evidenced by the destruction of the race track. Also, it can animate intelligent programs and fuse them together, like what happened in Eternity."

  Neville resumed his notes.

  "Except when it struck Analara's module, it didn't damage the environment at all, nor did it animate the feranal after it was killed. Why? What makes her world different?"

  "Maybe she has insurance?"

  David paused to grin. "Crash Storm insurance. What a novel idea. No, I think perhaps whatever protects her program from the outside also guards it from within."

  "Ah." Neville's thin lips twitched with vague disappointment. "I see, sir."

  "Anyway, something about the module is different. The Crash Storm energy doesn't seem to affect it at all. If I can find out what that difference is, perhaps I could use it to help protect the rest of V-Net. All I need to do is get back there, find the ghost again, and study it."

  Neville raised his pencil like a schoolboy answering a question. "Without raising the attention of the head-man, sir. I finished that sketch based on your descriptions." He reached into his briefcase, pulled out a sheet of paper and laid it on the desk. David moved over and picked it up, studying it by the light of the desk lamp.

  The shoulders were a little broader than he remembered, and the eyes weren't quite so close together. Also, David hadn't described the clothing that the citizens of Ilinar wore, so Neville had filled in those details himself… in the form of a three-piece suit, gold-chain pocket watch, and polished loafers. Aside from that, however, it was an accurate depiction of Shalaron. He set the sketch down.

  "Yes, he is definitely someone to avoid for the time being." David paced around the office, rubbing his chin. "There's another problem that remains unsolved. I need to patch things up with Ms. Spencer."

  "Oh dear."

  "Yeah. She's still angry with me, and I need to find a way to make things up to her."

  "Hmmm." Neville rolled his pencil through his fingers. "Maybe you could take her somewhere nice. There's a new restaurant that just opened up on 5th—"

  David snapped his fingers. "Brilliant idea, Neville!"

  Neville blushed. "Well, sir, I am always hap—"

  "I can take her to see Analara's module. She's a fantasy nut, she'll love the place. Hmmm, I'm supposed to meet Analara two days from now, which should also give me the opportunity to introduce them to each other. It's perfect." David rubbed his hands together in excitement.

  Finishing his notes, Neville looked up. "Will that be all for today, sir?"

  David pondered the question. "I think I'd also like to do something nice for Analara. She's taking a risk to continue seeing me."

  "Well, you're a dangerous man for dames to be around."

  "No, Neville, this is real danger. From the single meeting I had with him, I sensed that Shalaron was not someone to be crossed. She deserves something special for caring enough to try."

  Neville tapped the pencil against his lips. "Maybe you could get her a pretty diamond necklace? I'm not the best person to ask about this though, I've never had much luck with the ladies."

  David frowned. "That wouldn't quite do. She seems fairly down to earth, and I'm not sure a fancy piece of jewelry would catch her eye. She does like to explore, though. Perhaps I can take her somewhere new and exciting."

  "I've got it, sir. You could take her to see one of those new 'color' motion-pictures they've got playing downtown. I hear the current film is some sort of love story that takes place in a castle."

  David smiled to himself, an idea forming in his head. "A love story in a castle, eh? That may just be the idea I'm looking for."

  Chapter 12

  Something tickled the edge of David's awareness at work the next day, startling him out of his routine. Checking to make sure he hadn't dropped any code connectors, he accepted the incoming tell.

  =Hey, Harris.=

  =Clyde!= David smacked himself on the forehead. How could he have forgotten? =You okay? I couldn't find out what happened to you after we broke through to the other module.=

  =You don't even want to know. Some sort of synaptic feedback. Let's just say I felt very happy for a few minutes, until the damnable network couldn't lock the neural tracers and let me log back in. It took two hours for my brain to unscramble itself. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I tweaked out one of your modules, so you don't need to call me every time you want a trip into the command core. Call it a gift.=

  =Seriously?=

  =Oh, don't sound so shocked.= There was a pause. =Listen, do me a favor. Take a couple pokes at your mystery module's code. I'm in the middle of something… big, but I want to kno
w more about that thing's defenses.=

  =All right. In the meantime, stay in touch?=

  =We'll see.= The link faded; Clyde's presence was gone.

  A warning flashed on David's work screen, and the assembly line bringing him code blocks suddenly halted. Slowly, lines of text filled the screen.

  "To Employee #5057 - David Harris - Re: Unacceptable Work Performance. Due to frequent absences over the past week, as well as unauthorized use of data channels for personal activities at the workplace, you are hereby given a mark 2 reprimand. Failure to correct these behaviors will result in further disciplinary action. -Building Operations Bot Serial #027."

  Rolling his eyes, David sighed and resumed his data construction, but his thoughts were far away. He remembered being seventeen, exploring the ins and outs of an electronic universe with his former friend. From digital shadows and crawlspaces, they had learned how to pick virtual reality apart and reconstruct it to their whim, all the while laughing silently behind authority's back.

  Until the day authority had turned around…

  "Your mother is crying in the hall outside right now. I would have expected better judgment from you. Hell, any sort of judgment would have been good," Roger shouted.

  He felt a lump in his throat and swallowed hard, his face burning. "What do you want me to say?"

  "I don't want you to say anything! I don't want you to think about doing anything for the next 12 hours. They are going to question you about everything, David. Everything. You have to tell the truth, it's the only way out of this."

  "But we didn't hurt anyone!"

  "It doesn't matter! Damn it, David, do you have any idea who his parents were?"

  That had been the breaking point for his ties with both Clyde and Roger. He couldn't bring himself to look his friend in the eye after that; his confidence was too badly shaken. Clyde had drawn out that rebellious side of him, encouraging him to cultivate the forbidden fruit of his talents.