Interphase

by Kira Wilson

  This is going to hurt.

  The bike slammed into the far side of the loop. Sparks and chunks of debris flew as it ground along the track. David punched the control for the hover pads and closed his eyes, hoping they would fire in time.

  An energy surge pulsed, and the bike lifted reluctantly off the ground. The thrusters fired and sent the bike racing down the straightaway.

  Error messages crowded David's display but he ignored them. The mech was already out of sight. He loaded a pair of tracking missiles and fired.

  This has to work…

  Seconds passed before an explosion lit up a curve in the track ahead. David accelerated as much as he could, and soon the mech came into view. The explosions had damaged it enough for him to catch up, but the turrets pointed at him indicated that it was still quite active.

  David dodged from side to side as bullets whizzed by. He accessed the weapon console again and loaded the Thunderbolt. A shot pinged the casing of the bike; another cracked the windshield. A power charge built up in the engines, and David smiled grimly.

  Game over.

  He fired the booster, and an energy field surrounded the bike, lifting it higher off the track and propelling it forward with intense speed.

  The blazing bike shot forward and tore clear through the mech, leaving a massive explosion in its wake as David released a loud whoop.

  The energy field dissipated and the bike continued down the track, leaving behind the dying explosions of the roller-mech.

  David's bike sputtered and failed as it drifted across the finish line. Rising shakily to his feet, he took off his helmet and looked at the three gaping faces before him. "Sorry I'm late, I ran into some traffic."

  ***

  VERA was waiting in the center of the antechamber when David and the others arrived. Clyde immediately went to her side. "Where is she?" David asked. "Have you found Analara yet?"

  "She can't answer, Dave. She's in a deep system scan. I'll try and find out what's going on." Clyde took VERA's unmoving hand and closed his eyes. She continued to stare ahead. Minutes crawled by, and David began to pace around the room, clenching and unclenching his fists.

  How does Shalaron know that Analara is alive? What is he going to do to her? Why did I push her away?

  A hand on his shoulder startled David from his thoughts, and he turned to find Thomas gazing at him. "He will not be given the chance to harm her again, David."

  "Yeah, bro," Lucas added. "Don't worry about it, we'll find Annie."

  David could only nod. Despite their reassurances, he continued to fear the worst.

  "Oh, hell no." Clyde stirred and released VERA's hand. He swore profusely for several seconds before turning back to the others. "Don't ask me how he did it, but Shalaron has taken control of a sector of V-Net! He's used the Analath code to surround and partition a piece of the network. Access points, surveillance, code control, everything's zeroed."

  "That's all well and good," David snapped. "But where is Analara? What's happened to her?"

  Clyde glared fiercely at David, and then lowered his eyes as a look of sympathy crossed his face. "Someone removed the limiter you placed on her connection. She logged into V-Net and went into the castle module just before Shalaron seized control of it."

  "Whoa, why would he do that?" Lucas asked.

  "My guess? He's holding her there."

  David's stomach went into freefall. Outside of VERA's limitations, a being as powerful as Shalaron could do anything he wanted. "How can we get to it?"

  Before Clyde could reply, VERA's eyes blinked open, and she turned toward them. "It will not be an easy task, David," she answered. "The Analath code is far more advanced then anything I have seen before. From what I have been able to decipher, it was designed to both mask and develop itself, to ensure its continued existence. While your recent discoveries have helped me see its presence in my systems, I can not yet exert much control over it."

  VERA took a deep breath before continuing. "If I extend myself, I can crystallize the outer layer of the intruding code. This will prevent the encryption from negating a transfer, but it will present a physical obstacle to your entry. In many respects, you would be in an environment similar to a labyrinth or other form of maze. You would have to breach the code wall manually."

  "What should we expect to encounter there?" Thomas asked.

  "I have detected multiple security layers within the code shell. These would most likely manifest themselves in a form similar to my security bots. I will not be able to assist you against them."

  "So we're on our own, against whatever nasty surprises Analath's creators dreamed up during their version of the Apocalypse," Lucas commented. "Sounds like our usual fare."

  David looked at his friends. Thomas wore his stoic battle-ready expression. Lucas seemed nervous but eager. Clyde just looked angry that someone other than himself was taking control of V-Net's systems. They were as ready as they would ever be.

  VERA's gaze was on him; he gave her a short nod. "Let's do this."

  A shudder ran through the chamber, and VERA staggered. A portal spun open in the air behind her. David loaded Detective Smith, and the others prepared their avatars. They formed up behind him and followed as he marched through.

  =Take care of each other and return safely. All of you,= VERA's voice whispered in his mind.

  They emerged on the other side of the portal and stood on a loading platform. Before them hovered a wall of sparkling green energy, similar to what they had seen in the Analath master level. It stretched to the horizon at either end. In front of them was a wavering entrance large enough for them to pass through single-file.

  =Hurry. I can not hold the outer layer stable for much longer.= VERA's thoughts felt strained.

  Analara… hold on. We're coming.

  David stepped through the opening. The green light disappeared. He was in a stone corridor, with flaming torches set along the walls at regular intervals. In front of him, the path split in two directions; behind him was an empty hallway back into darkness. He saw no sign of the network, or his companions.

  =Guys, come on through,= he sent. =We have to stay together.=

  =I am through,= Lucas replied. =Where are you?=

  =I am inside as well,= Thomas added.

  =Someone is getting an ass kicking when I get ahold of them,= Clyde snarled.

  David groaned and drew his pistol. He crept toward the split passage. =It's all right, we can get through this. Move slowly and stay in communication. I'm taking a right fork in front of me.=

  Keeping his weapon raised, he made his way down the next corridor. The low stone ceiling bore down oppressively, and the torches cast flickering shadows along the walls. It reminded David of being inside a dungeon. He communicated every turn he made over the tell channel, hoping that he could help the others find their way back together.

  =Okay, Dave, that's one down. Lucas and I just met up. We're taking this next fork to—=

  =Look out,= Lucas shouted.

  A wave of fear washed over David, and he quickened his pace. =Thomas, can you see them yet?=

  =I hear sounds in the next passage over, but I can't find a connecting path.=

  =Keep trying. I'm moving ahead.=

  David rushed forward as fast as he dared, but the screech of metal against stone brought him to a halt. A point of light blinked on and sped toward him. The flickering torchlight danced across the surface of a spinning blade. He took aim, fired his pistol, and something crashed to the floor.

  It was a mechanical patroller, with clawed arms and a central sawblade that could have easily taken an arm off if it had gotten close. David shuddered and hurried past it.

  He heard the sound of metal on metal ahead of him, and rushed around the next corner to find Thomas. The knight had his shield raised to protect against three attacking drones. They scratched at its surface relentlessly, moving too fast for him to counterattack.

  David fired at one, drawing its attention. A
second shot felled it. Thomas waited for the remaining two to turn, then struck with his shield, smashing them into the stone wall. They dropped to the floor, sparking, and he brought his boot down on them with a crunch.

  "Nice move," David said, relief filling him at seeing a familiar face.

  "I appreciate the assistance. These things came out of the shadows."

  David remembered the last tell from Clyde and Lucas. =What's going on? Are you guys all right?=

  =Dave… I really, really want to hurt these bastards,= Clyde replied.

  =Are either of you hurt?=

  =A saw bot caught me in the back, but I'm okay.=

  =Both of you, stay where you are,= Thomas sent. =David and I are back together. We'll find you.= He motioned to David and pointed down another fork. "I think they're this way."

  David let Thomas take the lead. He kept his weapon trained on the hallways they passed, but he heard no sounds of pursuit by the mechanical terrors.

  =Hey, bro?= Lucas sent. =Clyde's rocket broke part of the floor. It looks like there's something underneath it. I think it's a data conduit.=

  =Inside an encryption layer?= David asked. Warning flags waved in his mind. This place was a defense mechanism, not a module. An access point would have no place here. =I'll take a look at it when we meet up.=

  =You know, we might be able to use it to bypass this whole maze thing.=

  =Leave it be, Lucas. Wait for me and Thomas to get—=

  A shrieking alarm cut him off. David and Thomas clapped their hands over their ears.

  =Shit,= Clyde shouted. =What the hell did you—=

  The tell-channel went silent.

  David swore and tried to load a connection monitor. "I'm getting some interference, but I think the two of them aren't with us anymore. It's just us now."

  "Where are they?" Thomas asked.

  The sound of whirring blades surrounded them. "Somewhere a lot safer than we're about to be. Move!"

  Swarms of patrollers flowed down the corridors. David shifted into Rex; while the hallway was now a bit cramped, his shielding would help prevent them from being torn to shreds. "Stay within my shield," he shouted.

  "David, I can barely see where we're going!" Thomas replied.

  "Just pick a direction and start moving!"

  Blades buzzed against David's shield, but the energy field held them back. The bots swarmed angrily outside the barrier as David and Thomas hurried down the corridor. The spinning noises stopped, and David looked up to see the blades fold into the bots, to be replaced by small cannons. As if controlled by a hidden signal, the bots all fired together.

  The bolts fizzled harmlessly against David's shield, and the defenders paused again. A second, smaller piece swung down from their bodies and attached to the cannon. When they resumed firing, the energy streams flew unhindered into their targets.

  David could feel the sting of the blasts through his armor, and he knew that Thomas's defenses would not hold for long. He pushed past Thomas to absorb the brunt of the attack, and they stumbled on, hardly paying attention to which passage they took. He raised his rifle and fired a spray of bullets ahead of them. Sparks showered the corridor, and dozens of bots fell to the ground, only to be replaced by hundreds more. The stinging bolts pounded relentlessly, and David wondered if they would make it through. Behind him, Thomas stumbled. The defenders swooped in, but David reached back and hauled Thomas to his feet. Ahead of them, the torchlight gave way to a flickering green barrier.

  David pointed forward. "There. Run!" He poured every last ounce of strength he had into a final sprint and dashed through the opening.

  The corridors and the bots disappeared. David slipped on a patch of damp weeds and fell to the ground, gasping. His control faltered, and he reverted to his natural form. It felt like someone was driving burning needles into every inch of his skin.

  Thomas was in a similar state. Unlike David, he bore several scorch marks where his armor had not protected against the blasts.

  But, though wounded, they had made it. The castle towered above them. David clambered to his feet and loaded the Wraith. The pain was transitory. The mission was imperative.

  Analara is inside. I'm not leaving without her.

  "How should we do this?" Thomas asked, struggling to his feet and reloading his avatar. "Do we directly assault the castle gates? Or do we hope that they left the front door unlocked?"

  "Like any good designer, I left a back door open," David replied. He raised his mask and stared up at the castle. =Follow me, but stick to the tell channels.=

  =I think Clyde and Lucas will be sorry they missed the fun,= Thomas sent dryly.

  David led them into a forested area near the cliffs. The sun had already set, and the evening shadows were lengthening, but he moved unerringly through the trees to a clear stretch of rock wall. He pushed against an indentation in a outcropping, and a stone slab swung inward. They moved inside, and David took a burning torch from its holder.

  They moved rapidly through the tunnel, and David signaled a halt once they reached a narrow doorway. He extinguished the torch and crept forward. =I know it might be hard in that jingling armor of yours, but try and keep quiet.=

  Thomas paused, and in the dim light, David could see his armor shift into something smaller. Thomas snuck up beside him, and appeared to be wearing a suit of supple leather. =Just try and keep up with me.=

  David blinked in surprise, then shook his head. He motioned forward, and they slipped into the castle basement. His cloak was indistinguishable from the shadows. His boots made no noise against the stone floor, and he kept the Wraithblade sheathed but ready. Thomas kept pace with him, equally silent. =Since when did you learn to be so sneaky?= David asked.

  =I didn't start out in V-Net as a knight, if you must know,= Thomas replied, then moved ahead.

  David blinked again. Obviously there was more to his friend than he'd first suspected. But they were there for a reason, and other topics would have to wait. He hurried up the stairs ahead, looking for Thomas.

  =I see a guard,= Thomas sent from ahead. David caught up to him and peered around the corner. A figure waited, his gray tunic barely visible in the fading light from the window.

  =That isn't one of the Siathrak,= David sent worriedly.

  =Who is he then?= Thomas replied.

  =That looks like the uniform of a guard from Ilinar.= David thought back, recalling the fight against Shalaron in Analath. The guards who had come to Shalaron's aid had worn the same tunics. Had Rupu led a rebellion against the Sage?

  David shook his head. What had happened there was unimportant for now. The memory of the Anrathian he had killed the last time he'd gone to rescue Analara still burned in his mind. =I don't know what's going on between Rupu and Shalaron, but we will avoid killing any of the guards unless we have to.=

  Thomas nodded and pulled a thick cudgel from his belt. He took a deep breath, then rushed forward and clubbed the waiting guard. He caught the limp body before it fell and slowly lowered it to the ground. =We should split up, David. I'll send a tell if I find her,= he sent, and slipped down the passageway into the shadows.

  David walked back toward the stairwell and continued down the far passage. He searched room by room, his heart leaping with hope any time he saw a figure, but none were Analara. He finished the sweep of the first floor and counted three guards down. Creeping through the upper floors, he continued the hunt. He found nothing on the banquet hall balcony, the grand library, or the observatory, but the heavy doors to the throne room were shut. Peering through the keyhole, he saw two figures, one by the throne and another lying on the floor next to it.

  Analara!

  =Thomas, I found her. Get to the throne room.=

  It seemed like hours passed before Thomas knelt beside him. =What can you see?=

  =She's there, Thomas. Someone is guarding her. I can't tell if she's hurt, she's just… lying there!=

  Thomas gripped his shoulder. =Be calm. Can you tell how ma
ny there are?=

  David took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. =I can only see one. Let's hope that it isn't Shalaron.=

  =We won't know until we enter.= Thomas stood up. An aura shimmered around him, and his plate mail returned. He reached back and drew his greatsword. David drew the Wraithblade and stood back. =Now!=

  The two warriors kicked hard, breaking the door open. Thomas leapt forward and charged into the room. An unarmed man stood on the dais, with a powerful frame despite the gray at his temples. He held his hand up to them in a gesture of parlance. Thomas skidded to a halt and held his blade up, wary of any treachery. David advanced to his side and looked suspiciously at the figure.

  "I am Halathas, seneschal to Lord Shalaron. I must admit, your response to our incursion was quicker than I had expected." Halathas stepped down from the throne and stood before them.

  David lowered his sword slightly, still unsure about this encounter. "Where is Shalaron? What did you do to Analara? Why did you take her?"

  Halathas held up his hands. "Patience, young one. I can answer no more than one question at a time. Shalaron is not here, nor will I reveal to you his location. We have not harmed the girl, despite the fact that she remains a traitor to her people."

  David frowned, his gaze troubled, when he heard the word 'traitor'.

  Halathas paused for several seconds, studying David intently. "I will admit my surprise, invader. I had thought that you merely wished to use the girl to your own ends, but it seems that you genuinely do care for her. For that, I will share with you that our purpose in capturing her is for the good of our people. We bear no ill will toward her."

  Gripping the hilt of the Wraithblade tighter, David spared a glance at Thomas and saw that his friend was glaring at the grizzled warrior.

  Halathas's gaze shifted between Thomas and David. After several seconds, a look of resignation passed across his face. "I will be frank with you. I have no desire to destroy either of you in battle. However, I will not allow you to stand in the way of my master's plans for our people. If our conflict is a foregone conclusion, then I shall meet it with my full resolve. Prepare yourselves!"