by Kira Wilson
Somebody had messed with his toy. Now he was pissed.
Pulling his D-gun from its holster, Randall marched toward the trespasser. "Boy, you picked the wrong module to hack. You're in deep shit now."
The figure glanced at him wordlessly, then turned and looked off into the distance, concentrating on something else.
Randall's friends came up beside him, weapons drawn as well. "Hey, I'm talking to you, asshole. It looks like you get to spend a few years in a metal box, cause that's where you're headed when the bots come for you. All right, boys, let him have it."
The squad of V-Cops opened fire, sending golden sparks of energy flying into the strange hacker. The bolts disappeared into his body, but nothing happened. Randall found that to be quite odd.
The figure turned back to them and frowned. He waved his hands in their direction, and a gust of icy air swirled around them. Slowly, they found themselves encased to the chest in ice. Another wave of his hand, and an invisible force struck their hands, knocking their guns clear. Several more people ran through the gateway.
The robed figure pointed at them, and the newcomers moved over to lift their chilled bodies and carry them toward the gate. Despite the fact that his lower body was frozen, Randall managed to wet himself.
***
Shalaron surveyed the strange landscape as his men took the captured humans into Analath. He didn't know how a weak point between the worlds had been made in such a strange place, but it had served to allow another gateway to be opened.
He turned to walk back into Analath and cast one last glance to the horizon. "And so it begins…"
***
David massaged a sore spot in his forehead as he read a code line, checking for irregularities. He was maintaining a soft connection to the network, trying not to overstimulate his brain, but even that was getting taxing. The castle module had reported some strange errors a few minutes ago, but he couldn't see what—
A warning shrieked in his ear. David snapped his gaze toward a monitor and the code lines flashing across the screen. "No… no, that's impossible!"
The system shut down around him, forcibly disconnecting him from V-Net before the viral wave could sweep him away.
Chapter 35
"Come on… come on!"
Analara's phone continued to ring without answer. David checked his computer again; the connection to V-Net was still down. He had no way of knowing whether she had been inside the system when the wave hit. "What the hell is going on?"
Throwing the earpiece onto the table, David grabbed his jacket and walked toward the front door. A loud pounding startled him and a voice called out, "Bro, it's me!"
David opened the door, and Lucas stumbled into the apartment. "We're in deep trouble," he panted, clutching his side and collapsing into a chair.
Torn between concern for Analara and concern for his brother, David turned away from the door. "Are you all right? What happened to you?"
Lucas winced. "I went looking for Thomas. He was holed up in Annie's castle, and I… I challenged him."
"He did this to you?"
"No. He kicked my ass pretty good, but he didn't—" Lucas shook his head and growled with frustration. "You don't understand, bro! Something happened inside V-Net. Some kind of surge. A huge creature showed up and started tearing through the castle. I went back in, and found Thomas fighting it. He yelled something about Totarakh before he got chased away. I tried to follow, but the thing saw me."
Lucas doubled over, and David put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"The thing hit me," Lucas gasped. "I don't know why, but the safeties didn't protect against the attack. Right now my ribs feel like they're broken."
David rubbed his aching forehead, struggling to make sense of what was happening. "Thomas is still fighting that thing?"
"Last I saw." Lucas stared fearfully into David's eyes. "The system's going crazy. What if Totarakh is still alive? We saw what he could do last time. I'm still pissed at Thomas, but I don't want him to die!"
David nodded in agreement. "What about Analara?" he asked. "Did you see her anywhere?"
"No."
At least she wasn't directly in danger. David squeezed his eyes shut and forced his nerves to calm. He had to focus on one thing at a time. "All right. I'll go and help Thomas, but I need you to do me a favor. Go to Analara's apartment and make sure she's okay. She isn't picking up the phone, and there aren't many other places here that she knows yet. Contact me as soon as you get there!"
Lucas frowned at him. "What about your head? I thought you weren't supposed to use V-Net for awhile."
"I'm still able to connect, it's just not going to be comfortable. If a headache is what it takes to save Thomas, then so be it. I've had worse. Get to Analara and make sure she's safe."
Lucas nodded and stood up slowly. "Take care of yourself too, okay bro?"
David flashed him a confident grin. "Hey, we fought off an alien invasion last week. What V-Net monster can compare to that?"
Lucas chuckled without thinking, then winced and limped out of the apartment.
David checked his computer again. The network connection was still down. He launched a local scan, hoping to find a working V-Net access point in the area. All residential connections were disabled, as well as the nearby public access points. There was a single functional connection within range: Roger's office.
Oh, this is going to be fun.
The station was in complete chaos when he arrived. Officers shouted reports and statistics across the front room. From the sound of things, most of the network was afflicted, and the system was beginning to destabilize. V-Cops were frantically trying to get everyone out of the network before it crashed. David slipped through the crowd, looking for Roger.
It didn't take long to locate him. He was giving orders to a group of techs hunched over powerful computers. He didn't look up immediately when David put a hand on his shoulder. "Roger, I need to use one of your link chairs."
Roger's head jerked up in surprise. "David? What are you doing here? You should be at home resting." After a moment, the question registered, and Roger frowned. "What do you need a chair for?"
"A friend of mine got trapped inside when the system locked up. I have to get him out," he replied.
"No, absolutely not."
"Roger, you know as well as I do what can happen if the network buckles with him inside."
"Tell me what sector he's in, and I'll send—"
David shook his head. "We both know you don't have the manpower to spend on it."
"Our connection is functional, but we're cut off from the core network. You won't be able to reach him."
"The module isn't in the core."
Roger opened his mouth to retort, but stopped himself. A look of resignation passed over his face. "I'd ask you to be careful, but I know you're just going to do what you have to. All right. The chairs are in the back. The access code is JMW505."
David gave a faint smile. "Thanks." He turned and squeezed his way through the busy hallways until he found the room he was looking for. Dozens of access stations lined both walls, some of them already occupied by active V-Cops. He climbed into the closest chair and lay back. A familiar hum filled his thoughts, drowning out the cacophony of sounds and drawing him into the digital realm.
The blue horizon appeared before David's eyes, but he bypassed the usual loading procedures, launching himself directly into the castle module and shifting into the Wraith. The landscape seemed to shudder slightly before it faded away and was replaced with the proper vista.
Lightning danced across the dark clouds, illuminating the castle's spires. The usual calm breeze had become a chilling gale that tore at David's cloak. Surveying the area, he unsheathed the Wraithblade and sprinted through the courtyard toward the open gates of the castle. The spectral guards were nowhere to be seen.
An incoming communication from outside the system caught his attention. "Lucas?"
"Ye
ah, it's me." He could barely hear his brother's voice over the crashing thunder and pulsing static. "I had to reroute the call through one of the open connections to reach you. I'm at the apartment. I found Annie unconscious in the link chair, so she must've been inside V-Net when things went crazy. The system didn't send out any med alerts, so I think she'll be okay."
"Stay with her." David kept his sword raised and his mask on, his gaze sweeping around the courtyard as he approached the castle entrance. "I'm inside the module, but there's no sign of Thomas or the monster. Maybe he defea—"
A bellowing roar rang out over the thunder, and a massive ape-like fiend leaned out from atop the castle roof. A flash of lightning reflected off its wild eyes.
"Never mind," David shouted, and ended the call. The monster launched itself from the roof and landed with a crash, causing a tremor that nearly knocked David to the ground. Backing up slowly, he channeled his energy through the Wraithblade. A surge of power built up and fired outward in a razor-sharp lance of force. The bolt tore into the creature's black body, just below the ribs, and it howled in pain. Baring midnight fangs at David, it charged.
As large as it was, it moved extremely quickly. David sprang to one side, his movements a blur. The monster charged past and came to a lumbering stop. It looked around, confused at the absence of its prey. David sent another blast toward it, slicing a piece of its arm away. It cried out, and he saw it raise a jointed and spiked tail. The tail quivered, then plunged into the monster's body, slicing away chunks of black flesh that fell to the ground. The pieces shivered and sprouted limbs and claws of their own. With a snort the larger creature retreated back toward the castle.
One of the minions spotted David, shrieked, and began clawing its way toward him. The rest of the pack turned and followed. David glared at the last sight of the monster squeezing into the castle, and charged into the swarm. The Wraithblade hummed as it was swung through the air, slicing into dark bodies that dissolved into puddles of black ooze. Carving a path through the mob, David dashed for the castle entrance.
=Thomas, where are you?= he blindly sent, but the tell-channel was inoperative. In the darkness of the entryway, he could barely make out the shape of the beast crouched near a stairway. Patches of darkness trickled along the floor toward it, flowing up over its body. Rising to its full height, it towered over David and let out a shattering bellow.
He ran for the banquet hall. He could hear the creature charging after him, forcing itself through the narrow hallways with a crash. Jumping onto the main table, he pivoted and leapt, lunging toward his foe. The creature burst into the room and howled in surprise as David came streaking toward it. He thrust the Wraithblade deep into the monster's chest.
Bracing himself against the beast, he tugged the sword free and sprang away. Roaring, it swung a barrel-sized fist his direction. The blow caught him across the side, driving the air from his lungs and sending him crashing into a wall. He fell to the floor with a thump, gasping desperately, as his head swam with dizziness.
Dimly, David heard a roar of triumph and felt the shuddering of the ground as the creature stomped toward him. He looked up and saw a fist raised to crush him. He willed his limbs to move, but his body refused to obey.
A shout rang out through the room as a silver blur descended on the beast from a balcony above. It screamed in pain and fell backwards. A figure landed on the ground near David with a clank, and he was roughly hauled to his feet.
"David, you have to get out of here now," Thomas shouted. His face was bruised and his silver armor was blood-spattered, but his eyes were clear. The creature rose to its feet, charging toward them and Thomas shoved David aside. Greatsword met fist as Thomas held his ground, the two figures battling each other like a primordial duel between good and evil.
David's limbs slowly recovered, and he staggered to his feet. Shaking his head clear he circled around behind the beast. Enraged by Thomas's defiance, it lowered its shoulder and charged, slamming into the wall as Thomas dodged to the side. Seeing an opening, David rushed forward and launched another force lance into the beast's side. It stiffened in pain as it struggled to right itself.
A moment too late, David saw the spiked tail streaking toward him.
Something passed in front of him, and the metallic screech of tearing armor echoed through the chamber. David gaped, horror-stricken, as Thomas was lifted from the ground, the creature's tail jutting from his left shoulder. With a sickening lurch, the monster flung him into a wall, spraying drops of blood on the floor.
The wound was deadly. If they couldn't defeat the beast in time and get out of the system…
Thomas, bleeding profusely, rose from his knees and shakily raised his greatsword. It blazed with an inner light. Bracing himself, Thomas pulled his good arm back and hurled the glowing weapon toward the shadowy creature. The greatsword left his hand, spinning through the air, and sliced the creature's arm away.
With a groan, Thomas collapsed.
A wave of burning despair rolled through David. He charged at the broken creature, ducking beneath its feeble swing, and leapt onto its knee. A final jump put him within striking distance of its throat, and he jabbed his sword as hard as he could. A warm sensation covered his hand as black ooze spilled from the wound, then the beast seized up. His blade had found its mark. He pulled the sword clear and leapt away. With a gurgling shriek, the creature fell.
***
Thomas shook his head, trying to pull his senses above the waves of pain that battered him. Dimly, he noted that the room had become very quiet. Blood seeped between his fingers, and he pressed his hand harder against his shoulder. He heard footsteps approaching and struggled to sit up. The shadow on the ground paused in front of him. "Thomas?"
It was David's voice. The beast had been defeated. The rush of battle had receded, leaving a heavy weight of guilt in its place. Shame twisted inside his stomach like a dull blade, and his words emerged hoarse and angry. "I thought I told you to leave."
"I couldn't leave a friend alone to face something like that," David replied neutrally.
The bitter irony seared Thomas to the core. Could he still call himself a friend to anyone? A friend would not have done the things that he had: to Steve, to Lucas, to David. He had let himself be consumed with an unjust anger. That Totarakh had whispered poison in his ear did not excuse his actions. His rage had been his own… as was the responsibility for his actions now.
He was to blame. The only way to salvage any of his honor, was to accept that.
Thomas braced himself against the wall and stood. David stepped forward to offer assistance, but Thomas waved him away as he steadied himself. Releasing his shoulder, he walked stiffly past the pooling remains of the shadow creature. His greatsword was imbedded in the far wall; he pulled it free, cleaned the blade as best he could, and turned around. Balancing the weapon against his arm, he knelt down and offered it hilt-first to David.
"I am unworthy to be called your friend," Thomas said. "My actions were inexcusable. Take your retribution on me. Let justice be served."
He waited, but nothing happened. He risked a glance upward and found David staring down at him. "Please. My crimes cannot go unpunished."
David sighed and took the sword from his hands. Thomas bowed his head and waited for the blow to fall. Time passed in silence, before the blade clattered to the floor. A hand appeared in front of his face.
Thomas stared at it in confusion. "No, I… I must have atonement."
"Get up, you noble jackass," David said with a chuckle. "If everyone had to be punished for having bouts of stupidity, there wouldn't be much left of humanity."
"I'd call my crimes more than mere stup—"
"Thomas." Something in David's voice made him look up. "You were there for my best friend in a way that I never could have been. You made her happy. I know that you loved each other, and that, even if nothing else, would earn my gratitude and forgiveness despite everything else you did. The past is past. Let i
t stay there in peace."
Letting his breath out in a shuddering sigh, Thomas accepted David's hand. The pain and memory of his loss had been pulled to the surface once more, but this time he let it flow through him, accepting it. Tears came unbidden to his eyes and wracking sobs sent a fresh wave of pain rolling through his shoulder. As quickly as it had come, the grief passed, not leaving him empty, as he had feared, but quietly contemplative. Jessica had given her life to protect her friends and loved ones, and he would carry on that mission in her name.
David watched with sympathy in his eyes, before looking more closely at his wounded shoulder. "I think you're going to be feeling that even after you log out," he said. He tapped at his wrist interface and brought up a status screen. "The system seems to have been stabilized. Whatever was attacking the network has pulled back. Let's go home."
Home. Thomas could not remember the last time the word sounded so good.
The world faded into darkness. Thomas opened his eyes and pulled himself painfully from the link chair. He probed his aching shoulder carefully, but there was no physical harm, just the lingering feeling of the gaping wound from inside. Idly, he wondered what purpose the V-Net safeties served when nearly everything they'd fought recently found a way around them. He retrieved a chill pack for his shoulder and collapsed on a couch. He lay awake for a time, remembering Jessica, and quietly saying goodbye.
It was late the following morning when a call from David roused Thomas from his slumber. He wanted everyone to meet up at the castle. Thomas got up and stretched, noticing that the pain in his shoulder had already begun to subside. He hopped in the link chair and quickly headed to the module.
From the outside, it looked as if David had repaired most of the recent damage. Everything looked as it had when Thomas had first launched his assault.