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| Chapter Six Matrix was walking along the hallway toward the room AndrAIa and Mouse were staying, when he saw someone walking down the same hallway just in front of him. Guard high, he walked quietly. He thought all guards left along with Daemon and the guardians. Maybe he was wrong. The guard seemed to be talking to himself, but that didn't stop Matrix. Right as he was behind him, he put his hands together in a fist and banged it down hard on his head. The guard let out a cry (a familiar one too, at it) and fell to the ground. The vidwindow he was talking through crashed to the ground and disconnected. The guy was knocked unconscious. Satisfied, Matrix bent down and picked him up. He was surprised to feel familiar material, and he cried out when he found out what he had done. Rolling the guy over, he found himself looking down at Bob's familiar face! "Bob!" He cried, horrified. He shook his friend and slapped his face gently, trying to wake him up. "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you!" Bob groaned and opened his eyes. He blinked and looked up at Matrix. "…Matrix?" he frowned. Matrix grabbed Bob by the collar and pulled him to his feet. "Sorry about that, Bob," he said, "I thought you were a guard. How did you get here? I'm so glad you're here!" "I came in as Daemon's army went out," Bob replied, dusting himself off. "And don't worry, it's okay about the misunderstanding. Do you know where AndrAIa and Mouse are?" Matrix nodded. "Yeah. I'll take you to them. They've only had one dose of the infection, so they should still be in fighting shape. Mostly everyone else has had at least five doses, so they're pretty lucky." Bob nodded, following Matrix down the hallway. Finally they were getting somewhere. *********** Dot had slept all night, tossing and turning and nearly falling out of bed twice. She woke up nowhere near refreshed, and found herself in an unfamiliar room. Where was she again? Oh yes, the hospital. After that strange little boy said she had amnesia, he had called the Command.com and taken her here. Why? She didn't know who he was, and no matter how many times he called her Dot, it just didn't sound familiar. "I want out of here," she groaned. She sat up in bed and put her forehead in her hands. "Hello! This is your morning wake up call!" Dot looked up to see a weird, red dressed lady standing in the doorway. A virus! Dot stared at it with wide eyes and inched backward. The woman walked up to the bed, and when she saw Dot's fear in her eyes, she gave her a puzzled, sideways glance. "Are you alright Dot? Oh yes, that's right. You've lost your memory. Well then. My name is Hexadecimal, and there were times in the past when I nearly killed you." Dot stared at her, wide eyed. Oh great, she thought. Just then, Phong wheeled into the room. Dot was surprised to find him up so early in the morning. "How are you feeling, Dot?" he asked, ignoring Hexadecimal. Dot decided to follow his act and ignore her too. Who were these people? They said she knew them, but she felt she hardly knew them at all. Phong noticed Dot off in space, and sighed. Things seemed hopeless now. Bob and Ray were the only ones safe, the others were kidnapped, the military was infected, citizens of Mainframe were slowly getting sick, what was going to happen next? As he gazed out the window, it was like as if someone out there was answering his question. He could see a hoard of sprites on zipboards heading over to Mainframe off in the distance. They all were holding weapons, and in the very front, flew a tall woman. Even though he didn't know who she was, he still had a bad feeling about this. His eyes widened and dread filled from the pit of the stomach. "Oh dear," he said. *********** Mouse was glancing around the room, looking for some sort of lock pick or tool to get them unchained. If only they could get free, they could find Matrix, get the hell out of here, meet up with Bob and Ray, and try to stop the invasion for Mainframe. But what could they do? They couldn't even get the first part of that plan done. She looked up suddenly when she heard AndrAIa coughing softly beside her. Looking over, she saw her friend practically hanging from her bonds, breathing hard. "Sugah, are you feeling alright?" she asked, alarmed. AndrAIa cleared her throat and tried to stand up straight. "I don't know," she admitted, "is it just me or did it get really hot and stuffy here? I'm not feeling very good." "The virus is kicking in sooner than we'd hoped," Mouse realized. She felt tired herself, but it hadn't gotten that far with her. Why was that? "Honey," she spoke up, "you didn't get another dose, did you?" "Mouse, remember that starfish I had? The infected one that got me before we got kidnapped?" AndrAIa reminded her. "Well, since we've been in here for so long, I couldn't take the pills. The infection's spreading." "Mouse looked at her, dread building in the pit of her stomach. "Oh no, AndrAIa, I totally forgot about that, I'm sorry! We've got to do something." "I know," AndrAIa coughed again. Just then, the door flew open, and both girls jumped, expecting it to be a left over guard or even worst, Daemon. But when they saw the two sprites walk into the room, their eyes lit up, and they couldn't feel happier. "Bob!" Mouse cried, "Thank goodness you're here!" AndrAIa smiled weakly. "Matrix…Bob…you're here." Matrix grabbed his recently retrieved gun and aimed it at the chains. He put the power on low and shot, causing the chains to give way and freeing the girls. AndrAIa stumbled and tried to keep her balance, and Matrix had to grab her to keep her from falling down. "AndrAIa, what's wrong?" "She's had one infection too many," Mouse replied, rubbing her wrists. She looked at Bob. "We've got to get going, Daemon's army should've reached Mainframe by now." Bob nodded and glanced warily at the door, than at AndrAIa. Matrix was holding her in his arms. "Let's go. You okay, AndrAIa?" AndrAIa nodded weakly, and Matrix looked down at her sadly. "Don't worry, you'll be okay," he promised. They turned and left the room. **************** Bob and the others reached Mainframe only to find most of it in total ruin. Guardians had annialated the place, leaving only bits and pieces still in one piece. They were slowly closing in on the Principle Office, and that didn't leave much time for them. "Okay," Bob said, "we've got to hang on until Ray brings the webriders here. Try to fight the guardians as much as possibly, try to keep them as far away from the P.O. as you can. I'll go see if Hex can help, and see how Dot's doing. AndrAIa, come with me, you need some medical attention." "Oh sure," Mouse commented, "Leave Matrix and me to take care of all the fighting." "Odds scare you?" AndrAIa grinned good naturally. "Mouse don't get scared of nothin' sugah," Mouse grinned back. This was the moment of indecision. They were splitting up, and neither one knew what the outcome would be. AndrAIa was getting worst and she was really worried. Besides, how could two win against all those guardians out there? The odds did scare her, but she didn't want to show it. "Don't worry," Bob said. He was thinking the same thing, and he could tell so was Matrix and AndrAIa. "Hexadecimal would be a good ally. Her powers should take care of some of the problem. And don't forget Ray. Good luck guys." He nodded at them. Matrix hesitated before nodding back. "Take care of her, Bob," he said. Than he looked at AndrAIa. "I love you." AndrAIa smiled. "I love you too sparky." ************* Dot was sitting uncomfortable in the hospital room, watching as Phong charted her progression in his notebook. There was a long silence and she could sense Phong's tension. It had something to do with the battle out in Mainframe. Hexadecimal had left the room earlier. "What are guardians?" Dot asked. Phong finally looked up at her, than out the window. The guardians out there were slowly making their way toward the Principle Office. They didn't have much of a chance. "Guardians are sprites or binomes that pledged to mend and defend the systems. They're the protectors of the net." "If they're the protectors of the net, then why are they attacking us?" Phong nearly dropped his notebook, and he looked up at Dot with a sad expression. Dot looked back at him, a puzzled, blank look on her face. Why was he so sad? She thought. He stuttered for a reply, when the door burst open. "Phong!" A male voice cried out. Dot's eyes widened when a man came into the room. He was the most handsome thing she had ever seen and he had the look of something important. His hair was dirty, metalic gray and draped around his shoulders. His outfit was a shining, silver body suit with gold linings. His skin was blue and had beautiful brown eyes. She sat up straighter and smoothed her black body suit outfit. "Bob!" Phong cried out in surprise. "AndrAIa-" the man began, pointing to the waiting room. He stopped when he saw Dot sitting on the hospital bed. She noticed his gaze and shifted her position uncomfortably. Why was he staring at her like that? It was a mixture of recognition, dread, sadness, and relief all in one. Phong got the point though, and quickly wheeled out of the room, not even bothering to blabber an excuse. AndrAIa needed his help, afterall. Bob waited until Phong was gone and the door closed, before he slowly stepped toward Dot. She was so beautiful, how could this happen to her? He stopped though, when he anoticed fear in her eyes. She didn't know him, and by the way he was acting, this kind of situation was the kind of thing that would scare her. "Dot?" He asked finally. He was hopeful. Maybe, just maybe she'd remember him. She frowned slightly. "Who are you?" She demanded. Bob's heart sank, but he wasn't about to give up. He advanced a little more, but she inched backward and he stopped. "It's me," he said, "It's me, Bob. Bob? Dot, I'm your boyfriend, please say you remember me." Dot stared at him. That hunk of a man was her boyfriend? She surpressed a smile. After all, she couldn't remember him at all. What if he was lying? Besides, he sure dressed funny. Nothing like the others. "What are you?" She demanded, "What's your format?" "I'm a guardian," Bob replied, "Guardian 452." The minute Dot heard that, she cried out and stood up. "A guardian!" She yelled, "you're one of those…those things out there that are attacking us! What are you doing in here? Get out! Get out!" "Dot-no!" Bob cried. But she was going into hysterics. He walked up to her and held her by the shoulders. "Dot, if I were one of those guardians out there, do you think Phong would let me in here? Now listen to me. Guardians aren't what you think. They're here to mend and defend, to protect the systems and net. The same person that infected you and caused your amnesia has infected those guardians out there. You-" He broke off when Dot tore from his grasp. "Don't touch me!" she yelled. "I told you! I don't know who you are!" "Dot, listen to me!" Bob cried desparately. He had to make her listen. He had to make her remember. "Don't do this! You must remember who you are! Who I am! Who your friends are!" "I don't remember anything!" Dot yelled, putting her hands up to her ears. "leave me alone!" Bob couldn't take this any longer. She had shrunk herself into a corner, staring at him with hatred and fear. This couldn't be right. No it wasn't. He had to fix this. Without thinking twice, he strode over to her and kissed her on the lips. Dot struggled at first, then stopped, leaning in with the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. She felt safe in this position and even though she still didn't remember who he was, she didn't want him to go. Just then, Bob remembered his friends out there, trying to fight the guardians. Hexadecimal was sent out there shortly, but things still were hopeless. And Ray hadn't yet returned. He broke away from her and looked her deep in the eyes. She looked back at him, but he couldn't see any recognition in her face. "I got to go," he said, pulling away. "I'll be back. Stay here." He slipped something in her hand and with that, turned and walked out of the room. Dot stood there, stunned. Then she walked over to the door. Bob had left the Principle Office and the kiss they shared still tingled on her lips. Finally, she looked down at what he had left her in her hands. It was a ring. A beautiful engagement ring. She looked back up toward the exit, then toward another room where Phong was helping out someone else. Slowly, she slipped the ring on her finger. ************ Daemon looked down at where she was floating. They were making good progress toward the Principle Office. There were a lot of shield stations to get through, but they were making it, and in good time. She was going to succeed. Finally the net would be hers. So far, there had been no fighting back except for the few citizens that tried. But they were taken care of. ************ Mouse and Matrix stood there amid the city, looking over the distruction the guardians had left behind. They knew they were no match compared to Daemon's army, and even if they tried, they'd be crushed in no time. "Do you think anyone survived?" Mouse asked, finally. "I don't know," Matrix admitted, kicking a pile of rubble aside. "It found me! It found me!" A shrill voice came from under the pile. Matrix and Mouse jumped back with surprise. The crying continued, and Mouse finally started pulling aside wood and dirty. Underneath was… "Guys!" The TV cried, jumping from its 'grave' and hugging Mouse. "I thought I was a goner for sure! You saved my life! How could I ever repay you? Oh! I know! How about a-" "Mike!" Matrix and Mouse growled at the same time, and Mouse pushed him off her. "What happened?" Mike put on a crying act and hugged Matrix's leg. "It was terrible, I tell you! Just terrible! They just dropped out of the sky and crushed everyone in sight! I didn't even have time to hide! They just bashed right on through!" "Did you see a woman leading the army?" Matrix asked. Mike stopped crying and stepped back. "No. Why? There were a lot of women in the hoard! What do you think?" Matrix and Mouse exchanged worried glances and Mike frowned at them. "Well hello, Matrix, Mouse, and Mike. How are you today?" They all turned as Hexadecimal floated over to them. She had a smile on her face. "Bob said I should come and help you." "Yes!" Mouse cried, "Hexadecimal, do you think you can leash your power out on the army and stop them?" "Hmm…" Hexadecimal rested a finger on her chin thoughtfully. "Well…I could…but…" "But what?" Matrix demanded. "You do realize how many other innocent people would get hurt? Not that I care or anything like that, but I'm sure Bob would, and I sure wouldn't want to upset him…" Matrix and Mouse exchanged another look. She was right. People would get hurt, and they didn't want that to happen. "Maybe if we zone in on Daemon," Matrix suggested. "Hexadecimal, could you do that?" "You know, I really don't know," Hexadecimal replied slowly. Matrix groaned under his breath, than glanced down at Mike. He was silently listening in on them. Something told him it would take awhile for Hexadecimal to get the picture of what they wanted. Things were pretty hopeless. Just then, Hexadecimal started screaming in pain. She grabbed on to the sides of her head, than slumped to the ground, motionless. Mouse's eyes widened and she fell beside her. "Hex!" She cried, shaking her by the shoulders. "Wake up! Wake up!" She looked up at Matrix. "What happened?" Matrix shrugged and looked around, fear in his eyes. No one knew what had happened to her. "A side effect? I don't really know." Mouse inspected Hexadecimal over, searching for anything that could be the reason. Her headdress maybe? The rediculous thing was so huge and heavy, how could anyone wear it? She felt around it, trying to figure out what would happen. Her fingers brushed against something and she pulled it out. A chip. Matrix saw it and knelt beside it. "What's that?" "We're doomed!" Mike wailed. "We're going to die! I'm too young! This can't happen to me! Maybe you, but not me! No!" He started breaking into sobs. "Mike! Shut up!" Matrix shushed him. "It's a control chip of some sort," Mouse answered him, looking it over. "It's supposed to go off whenever the host is just regaining it's perfect health. Deamon must have planted it on her a long time ago." She shook her head in disgust. "She's sick, you know that? Daemon is a sicko." Matrix glanced up and his heart sank. The guardians had already advanced on the Principle Office. "It's too late," he said. Mouse stood up just as the shields were raised around the P.O. "We've waited too long," she said. "Matrix, our city lies beneath that little white ball. We have to protect it! The shields can't keep them out for long, you know. We have to fight until Ray returns!" Matrix nodded. "Yeah. I agree." Mike looked at them pathetically. "But what about meeee? I gotta do something!" "You want to fight them?" Matrix guestured toward the P.O. Mike gulped. "No. Not really." *************** Dot was no longer in the hospital room and was now standing in the main room of the principle office. There was a large window on one side showing the shields surrounding the building. Guardians were all over the place, fighting to get in. And somewhere among that crowd was Daemon. From what she'd heard from Phong, she was a bad person. "Bob must be out there somewhere," she said to herself. She felt her fingers brushing the ring he had given her and she looked down at it. Deep down, she could remember feelings. Small feelings. Small love feeling toward Bob, and hope and worry for someone she knew was also out there. She just couldn't remember. "Dot?" Dot looked down to see Enzo leaning against the window, looking out at the view. It was a devastating view, and she didn't know why she wasn't stopping him from looking out. "Enzo, don't look out there," she said, "There's nothing good to see for you." Enzo looked at her suddenly, eyes wide. "Dot! Are you remembering?" Dot looked at him, startled. "No. I don't remember anything more. I'm really sorry, but I can't." Enzo didn't look disappointed though. "But Dot," he said, "You're always warning me, always keeping me from doing things dangerous. Just a minute there, you sounded like you were back to your old self." Dot looked down at him, a sad look on her face. She wished she could tell him that she was remembering him, but she couldn't because she wasn't. Nothing new was coming to her, except for unknown feelings for that Bob. Other than that, everything else was a blank. This Enzo could've been a complete stranger to her. She didn't feel the love and warmth he felt toward her, and she felt awful about it. She couldn't think of anything to say, so she looked away and back out the window. In the corner of her eyes, she could see Enzo's face fall into extreme sadness. For a minute there, she felt like crying, for his sake. She felt so bad for him. He must have loved her very much, but she couldn't back. It was too hard. Curse Daemon for the pain she's causing. "Don't worry, Dot," Enzo said, his voice cracking. "Bob…he'll fix this. He always will. He's out there, and things will be better." Dot nodded, but deep down, she wasn't so sure. And she could tell that Enzo didn't believe it either. -To Be Continued |
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