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"Ah, good morning Dot. So kind of you to visit me. I receive so little company in my chambers. How are the resource allocations progressing?"
"Fine, Phong." Dot smiled. "We've got full services restored now to all sectors - the maintenance crews have finished the system checks. Well, except for Lost Angles..."
"Ah yes, Lost Angles." the old sprite nodded. "That is indeed an interesting conundrum, Child."
"We've offered to provide services to her sectors, Phong - but no response. I didn't think we should force the issue."
"Indeed, Child." Phong nodded. "I have lived a good long while, but never did I imagine I would live long enough to see a virus offered protection by the Principal Office."
"Well - that's just it, isn't it?" Dot sighed. "She isn't really a virus - not anymore."
"Do _you_ want to explain that to her?" Phong asked wryly.
"I suppose not. She's still - well..."
"Yes, she is." Phong agreed. "I am certain she will prove to be a most - interesting - companion for the rest of Mainframe."
"There is another matter that needs to be decided." Dot frowned. "The Tor - well, where it used to be. All that empty space - what should we do with it?"
"What indeed?" the old sprite said quietly, closing his eyes. "I think, perhaps, it a fitting memorial - a reminder of what we have all suffered. It would be disrespectful to those who have suffered for us to build there, would it not?"
"Perhaps it would, Phong." Dot said dubiously. "The sectors are certainly valuable, though..."
"It may be so, Child. We will decide in the fullness of time - there is no urgency. Let nature have those sectors, for now." The old sprite adjusted his glasses and looked down his nose at the Command.com. "Now, Dot - what have you come to see me about?"
"What do you mean, Phong?"
"Ah, Dot. I have not lived four days and learned nothing of the workings of sprites. The concern is etched deeply into your face. Please - speak."
"Well - there _is_ something..." she sighed.
"Please, sit down. Perhaps you would like a cup of cocoa?"
"Thank you." Dot replied absently, settling into one of the old sprite's Spartan chairs.
"There is much for us to be joyous about, Young One." Phong smiled, pouring two saucers of steaming liquid. "And yet, I sense great unease in you this morning."
"Unease? I suppose..." she whispered, accepting the cup from the old sprite. "There's so much to do, it seems like I'll never catch up with it all..."
"The burdens of responsibility weight heavily, Child." Phong nodded. "Yet I sense that matters much less grand - and much closer to your heart - are burdening you this morning."
Dot took a quick sip of cocoa and a deep breath. "I never thought we'd see this day, Phong. I thought I'd lost everything - Enzo, Bob, yourself... I thought I'd lost Mainframe."
"We have all survived long odds, Dot." Phong nodded understandingly.
The Command.com smiled a weak smile. "I never thought we'd all be together again, Phong. Even when the city itself seemed doomed, that was all I really dreamed of - Bob, Enzo, you, me - that was all that mattered. And now it's come true..."
"But?"
The woman discreetly wiped away a tear. "It wasn't supposed to be like this... Bob and I are fighting, about Enzo... Matrix acts like he hardly knows me. And he _doesn't_ know me, Phong! My own brother is like a stranger, and Enzo - he thinks I don't believe in him..." The tears began to flow freely now.
"Child, Child..." Phong sighed. "There was an old read me file that my father told me, when I was but a little sprite: 'Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it.'"
"Phong?" Dot sniffed.
"My Child, these feelings - they are not yours alone, I promise you. When a sprite sets a goal in their mind, when it fills their dreams - often, the most difficult moment is the realization of that dream. Reality is never the same file as expectation. And, absent that now achieved goal, the sprite must find something new to fill their dreams..."
"Why does everything have to be so complicated?" Dot grumbled, wiping her eyes.
"We all process in out own way, Dot. No two sprites are alike. It is what provides the color, the texture in our existence."
"Of course, of course. You're right." she sighed. "Phong, what - what should I do? Am I wrong to keep Enzo from the games? Should I let him go with Bob? He's just a little sprite..."
"You know I cannot answer that, Child." Phong replied gently. "You must trust what is in your heart - and only you know what is there."
"How did I know you were going to say that?" the woman laughed bitterly. "And Matrix - he and Enzo can't seem to see eye to eye... Why can't they understand how alike they are, Phong? How can I make them understand?"
The old sprite wrung his hands thoughtfully. "It is most difficult, Child - this question you ask. Enzo is but a small sprite, true - yet he understands much, more than you believe him to, I think The changes he sees, in himself and in his surroundings - they frighten him. And Matrix - he has seen much, survived much - and now he feels as a stranger in his home."
"Why, Phong? Why does he feel like a stranger?"
"Child, I think that of all the possibilities your brothers envisioned, the existence of each other was not among them. They, each, are troubled. Each feel threatened. You must allow them to choose their own paths, Young Dot. Their futures must be of their own design - not yours. You must allow this, even if those paths bring pain to you. Only then will the cloud that hovers over them be lifted."
"It's not easy, Phong - what you're asking." Dot sighed. "I've lost a brother once already - I don't know if I can survive it again. Perhaps even twice..."
"I understand, Child. You are a source of strength, of comfort, to many. The weight of their suffering is heavy on you. Your instinct is to guide and protect, and it serves you well. You must support them, Dot, and love them. There is little else you can do, I fear. And to know when to do nothing is the most elusive insight of all."
"What are you saying?" Dot whispered, feeling the tears welling up again.
Phong studied her for a long moment. "Trust your heart, Dot. Accept comfort from those who offer it, and offer it to those who need. Your brothers' paths are intertwined, I feel certain of this. Allow them to find each other on their own terms. What the future holds, only the User may know. It is not our lot to presume - only to process in our own way. Do you understand, Child?"
"Not really." Dot answered with a teary smile. "But I'll try to remember."
"That is good Child, that is good..." Phong smiled. "Did you enjoy your cocoa?"
----
"That was awesome Bob - totally Alphanumeric! Thanks a gigabyte!"
"No problem, Enzo." Bob grinned, turning his zip board towards the diner. "You're getting pretty good at that game, you know. In a few minutes you might even be able to beat _me_!"
"You really think I'm _that_ good?" Enzo enthused.
"Who knows - maybe by your first birthday." the Guardian answered with a wry chuckle.
"D'you think there's gonna be a game soon, Bob?" Enzo asked hopefully.
"I dunno, Partner. Maybe so." Bob replied warily. "Enzo - you know I can't take you into the games unless Dot says it's OK-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know!" Enzo grumbled, skidding to a stop outside the diner. "Enzo's only a _little_ sprite - we wouldn't want him to get deleted!" the boy mocked.
"Don't do that!" Bob scolded. "Dot's only doing this because she cares about you, you know. Besides - maybe she's right. Games are pretty dangerous places, Enzo..."
"Oh no! Don't tell me you're on _her_ side now!" the youngster wailed.
"I'm not on _anybody's_ side!" Bob sighed. "Just try not to be so hard on your sister. She's had it pretty rough, you know?"
"Fine!" the boy relented. "Aren't you coming inside?"
"Naw - I've got some business at the Principal Office. Life isn't all jetball and circuit racing, y'know. See you later."
"Bye, Bob." Enzo sighed, watching the Guardian slowly disappear into the distance. Shoulders hunched, he slowly trudged through the double doors and into the diner.
----
"There ya go, Sweetie. I think this oughtta prevent any repeat of that business last cycle."
"That is good, Mouse." Phong nodded. "Games are dangerous enough at normal speed..."
"They ain't come up with a game yet that Bob can't handle, Sugar!" Mouse laughed. "Still, a few more handles here, a minor adjustment to the FAT tables - The Mouse is very good at what she does, Phong."
"Indeed. It occurs to me, Child, that everything we do from now on will be of great interest to those that follow us. There are no read me files about system reboots..."
"Well, there will be now, If I know my Phong!" the Hacker grinned. "Why, if it ain't ever'body's favorite Guardian! Earn any father o' the year points this mornin', Sweetie?"
"Mouse." Bob smiled. "Always a pleasure. I trust you've taken steps to make my job easier?"
"You know I have, Handsome! Can't have anything happenin' to you, Bob. I think Mainframe'd just about go to pieces..."
"Uh - thanks." Bob chuckled. "Phong, I was wondering if we could have a chat about the... P.I.D. encryption protocols?"
"Indeed?" the old sprite mused. "P.I.D. protocols you say..."
"Oooh. Sounds pretty important." Mouse arched an eyebrow. "No need to drop a data bomb on my head, Guardian - I was leavin' anyways. I got a date!"
"A date?" Bob grinned. "Don't tell me you've gone all soft on us, Mouse! Anyone I know?"
"Could be, Sweetie - we run in the same circles!" Mouse replied with a shrug. "See ya 'round, Sugar."
"A most interesting young lady." Phong reflected, watching the hacker's departing back.
"That she is, Phong. So - did you have a few nanos?"
"Oh! Yes, indeed, Guardian - the encryption protocols, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, well..." the Guardian mumbled awkwardly. "That wasn't actually what I wanted to talk to you about..."
"Indeed?" Phong nodded, adjusting his glasses. "I would not have guessed, Bob. What can I help you with?"
The Guardian lithely sprang onto the console and sat, legs dangling. "It's Dot, actually. And Enzo. I'm kinda off-lined about the whole thing."
"How so, Young Guardian?"
"Well... I don't know if you noticed, Phong, but Dot and I, well - we've kinda taken things to another level - you know, interface-wise."
"Really? I had absolutely no idea!" Phong gasped, with a miniscule shake of the head.
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you." Bob said dryly. "Anyways - Dot and I - we're kind of... _seeing_ each other now - at least I _think_ we are... And she seems to disapprove of the way I'm handling things with Enzo..."
"I see." the old sprite murmured, bridging his fingers thoughtfully.
"It's just - I feel like things are different now. I feel like what happens to him is - well... _my_ responsibility too. I mean, Enzo's always meant a gigabyte to me, Phong - I love the little guy. But things are just - different. I'm having a hard time trying to file and sort this whole thing. What do you think I should do?"
"That is a most complex question, Guardian." Phong sighed. "Perhaps you need to focus more on the source of your concern?"
"Focus? Well..." Bob paused. "I don't think she wants him to go into the games anymore, Phong. I think she's worried that I'm trying to take Enzo away from her..."
"_Are_ you?"
"Of course not!" the Guardian replied indignantly. "It's just - Enzo really likes me, Phong. He always wants to do stuff with me - jetball, circuit racing. And the games - especially the games. Especially now that Matrix is here... And I have a hard time saying no to him."
"Indeed, Child. He is a most persuasive little sprite."
"It's not just that, Phong." Bob sighed. "I _want_ to take him into the games. It's what he wants to do, and it's not right that she won't let him go if he wants to. But he _is_ her brother. Maybe it's not my place to get involved."
"Do you care for the child, Bob?"
"Of course I do! A lot!"
"And you care for Dot, of course?"
"Very much." Bob sighed.
"Than it would appear that you are already very much involved." Phong reflected, whirring about the room contemplatively. "Some things they cannot teach you at the Academy... The operations of a single sprite can be far more complex than the very supercomputer itself, can they not?"
"Phong?"
"My Son - it is the role of every sprite to determine their own path. This is why I cannot tell you what to do in this case. You must decide what you feel is right and act upon it."
"But Phong-"
"Please, Child - I have not finished yet." the old sprite sighed. "The mere fact that you have come to me is most telling. You are a part of this equation, Bob - this you cannot change. The problem cannot be solved by avoidance. Do not run away from your feelings - embrace them. Share them with the others. I believe you will find the common ground you seek."
"Share - my feelings?" the Guardian said dubiously. "I'm not sure I know what you mean..."
"Perhaps not, Young Guardian. Perhaps not." Phong said softly. "I can only tell you that it is this which has caused your conflict - the feelings that you have carried with you for many seconds, which now demand to be explored. Only by being honest with yourself may you be honest with others, Bob. Remember that."
"If you say so..." Bob nodded. "I'll try - even if I don't know exactly what you mean."
"No one ever does, My Son." the old sprite smiled sagely. "No one ever does..."
----
"Please, get your feet of ze table, Young Master!" Cecil tittered in annoyance at the little sprite who was currently adorning one of the booths at Dot's Diner with his pedal extremities. "It is most unsanitary!"
"OK, OK..." the youngster grumbled, bouncing lithely to his feet. "I'm bored, Cecil! Maybe I'll go cook something..."
"No!" the server interrupted hastily, throwing up his white-gloved hands as if thwarting off a blow. "I mean - surely zere are more important things which demand your valuable time?"
"Like what?' Enzo demanded.
"Perhaps _Bob_ requires some assistance in whatever he is undertaking?" Cecil asked hopefully.
"Aw, Bob's got some boring business at the Principal Office. And Dot's off somewhere with Captain Capacitor. This is totally basic!"
"Wait at ze bar!" Cecil snapped at a group of binomes as they strode through the door. "Thank you so much... Now where was I? Ah yes. Why don't you go play with infernal - er, delightful - dog of yours?"
"I dunno where Frisket is. I haven't seen him since I got back from jetball." Enzo pouted.
"A shame." Cecil mumbled.
With a sigh, the boy sat down at the bar and put his chin in his hands. "I dunno where Ray is, either - prob'ly off kissing Mouse somewhere. I think I'll make some binary brownies. I saw Dot bake some once..."
"Sacre Bleu!" Cecil sighed. He turned, and a wide grin appeared on his face as he saw a familiar appliance jauntily enter the diner. "Ah, Michael! 'Ow lovely to see you again - perhaps you would like to join our young friend?"
The little television bounced onto a stool next to Enzo at the bar. The boy half lifted his head. "Only in theatres... He's scarier than Nulzilla... more dangerous than Megabyte... it's Destructo-Boy! This time, he's bored..."
"Entertain him!" Cecil whispered urgently in Mike's ear.
Enzo's attention was already beginning to drift off. "Feelin' a little lonely?" the TV began in a sultry voice. "Getting bored with everyone in your program group? Well, pick up that modem and call Spriteline now! Spriteline - the hottest binomes and subroutines in Mainframe-"
"Nnng!" Cecil hissed, drawing a finger across his absent throat. "B, S & P!" he whispered urgently.
A large purple null appeared on Mike's screen. "He loves you - you love he - we're offline as we can be..."
"Yuck! Low density!" Enzo spat. The boy grabbed his zip board and headed for the exit. Enough was enough. Mike put on a wounded frown.
"On ze house!" Cecil grinned, sliding a tall, cool energy shake in front of the television.
"This is totally basic!" Enzo grumbled, turning his zip board and heading off down Baudway. "Everybody's so deleted busy all of a sudden..." The boy felt frustration welling up inside him. Why did everybody have to treat him like such a _kid_ all the time? He could help them, if they'd only give him a chance!
The boy hovered for a moment, considering his options. Bob seemed like the only one who wasn't mad at him, so Enzo didn't want to bother him - especially if he was doing stuff with Phong. Ray was fun, but Enzo had absolutely no idea where he was. Dot and Gavin were off somewhere talking about profits, and spreadsheets - how boring was _that_? Leave it to Dot to delete all the fun out of a pirate... He couldn't go back to the diner - that was completely low-density!
That only left one option. With a sigh, Enzo headed off towards Bob's place.
"Maybe we could play some jetball. We haven't done that since we got back. You love that-"
"Nah - kid's stuff."
"Well, you're always complaining about how uncomfortable Bob's spare docking bay is - we could go look for our own place - get out of his garage..." AndrAIa offered, scratching Frisket's ears. The dog had quietly stationed himself at Bob's apartment that morning.
"We haven't got any credits - remember? I'll have to borrow some from Dot before we can afford to move anywhere."
AndrAIa sighed. "D'you want to go down to the Principal Office and see if Phong needs any help?"
"What help could _I_ possibly be to Phong?" Matrix grumbled.
"Oh, I dunno - maybe he's writing a file on how to act like a basic little kid?"
"I liked you better before you thought you were funny!" the bearded sprite muttered.
"C'mon Matrix - it's a beautiful cycle!" AndrAIa yelled, throwing open the door to Bob's apartment and letting the clear, warm air inside. "Do you just want to sit around here all day and do nothing?"
"You catch on fast!" the big youth chuckled.
With a groan of exasperation, the game sprite threw herself down on the sofa next to Matrix. "I never thought I'd say it - it was more fun out there, in the games. It was better in the web! I've never seen you like this. What is it?"
"Maybe I just wanna be left alone - did that ever occur to you?" Matrix snarled.
"That might be arranged, if you keep this up." the young woman said softly.
"Well, alphanumeric!"
"Please, Matrix - I don't want to do this anymore." AndrAIa moaned. "Maybe we should go talk to Phong - he's always helped you before, hasn't he? Maybe he can help you figure out what's wrong..."
"I don't need _Phong_ to figure out what's wrong!" Matrix snapped. "I _know_ what's wrong! Bob doesn't respect me - he thinks I'm totally basic! He thinks I can't reason my way through a game - all I know is brute force. And he's right! I'm still the same basic, single-sided little sprite I was then!"
"Enzo-"
"You want more? All right - my sister's afraid of me. She doesn't know what to say to me - she looks at me like I'm gonna system crash any nano. She doesn't even think I'm really her brother..."
"Matrix, that's spam and you know it! Dot loves you..."
"Sure she does." Matrix sighed. "But she doesn't have any place for me in her life. No one here does, AndrAIa - I'm a stranger to these people. The only other sprite here who really knows me is Ray - and I don't even _like_ him!" The youth ran a massive hand across his face. "Why do you even stay with me?"
"Because I love you." she answered grimly. "Believe me, there haven't been any other reasons lately..."
"I love you too..." Matrix whispered wearily. "You know I do. Don't ever leave me - promise!"
"I promise." the game sprite sighed. "Let's be honest - all this stuff about Bob, about Dot, everything else - it's all really about Enzo, isn't it?"
----
Enzo tried to work himself into a positive frame of processing as he approached the Kits District. At some point in the last few cycles he's accepted that Matrix and he were really the same sprite. Sometimes the thought horrified him - the big sprite seemed so basic, so boring - so _mean_.
Still, at other times the boy found himself getting excited about the prospect. He wasn't going to be a scrawny little sprite that everyone ignored forever - Matrix was the proof! He was going to be a big, strong Guardian, for real! Well, if Dot let him. He'd survived being lost in the web - even managed to find Bob. That was pretty pixelacious, Enzo had to admit. The big ugly guy couldn't be totally basic if he'd pulled that off...
If only Matrix wasn't so mean, though - especially to _him_. There were so many things Enzo wanted to ask him, to talk about. Maybe if Enzo was just a little nicer Matrix would make time for him, talk to him. And that AndrAIa was totally cool. Enzo had found himself thinking about her at the weirdest times, and for no good reason. If _she_ liked Matrix he couldn't be all bad...
Enzo hopped off of his zip board and stowed it. Bob's door was open - that meant Matrix and AndrAIa must be inside. The boy approached the open door, then stopped. His kid radar had picked up a signal - someone in the apartment had said his name. Feeling slightly guilty, the little sprite crouched next to the door to listen.
"Oh come on, AndrAIa - don't start _that_ again, please..."
"Well - I'm right aren't I? Isn't that what you're all off-lined about?" the game sprite insisted. Frisket looked towards the door and whined softly.
"What if I am?" the big sprite snarled. "Why shouldn't I be? How would you like it if you showed up and had to face your worst nightmare - every day? I thought I'd put all that behind me, AndrAIa - I thought I put _him_ behind me!"
"Why does he bother you so much? I loved you then, Matrix - I thought you were sweet, and funny, and brave. I still do."
"Can't you see, AndrAIa? Can't you see how he makes a fool of himself, gets in the way, always bothering everybody..."
"He's not always bothering anybody!" AndrAIa sighed. "The only one he bothers is you."
"I worked so hard, AndrAIa..." Matrix hissed. "I waited so long, dreamed about finding Mainframe every cycle - dreamed about coming home. I finally make it - and what happens? _He_ shows up and ruins it! I could have dealt with the rest of it, but why did _he_ have to show up?"
"What was that?" AndrAIa frowned, sitting up. Frisket raised his head and barked.
"What was what?"
"I thought I heard something, outside..." the game sprite whispered, bouncing to her feet and walking over to the door. She looked around quickly and spotted a small shape on a zip board disappearing in the distance. "Enzo - Wait!"
"Oh, no!" Matrix moaned. "Was he there the whole time?"
"I don't know." the girl snapped, grabbing her zip board. "What do you care?"
"AndrAIa-"
"Just shut up!" she called back over her shoulder, already hot in pursuit of the youngster. "And _grow_ up while you're at it!"
"AndrAIa!" the bearded sprite shouted after her. Frisket barked furiously and took off after the game sprite. "About time!" Matrix growled, kicking the door shut behind them.
Enzo didn't much care where he was going, just so long as it was as far away from Matrix as possible. The boy furiously blinked back tears of anger, wishing fervently that he were big enough to show the ugly hulk just what he could do with his diagnostics...
It wasn't true - it _couldn't_ be true! He wasn't in everybody's way, always ruining things! Sometimes he just got a little excited, that's all. Matrix was the one who ruined things, not him! _He_ was ruining everything - ruining the games. Ruining them for Enzo....
The boy ducked into an alley between two drive bays and angrily tossed his zip board against a recycle bin, scattering the files inside noisily. He flopped down against a wall and felt the tears starting to flow freely, even as he tried to wish them away.
AndrAIa hovered for a moment, surveying the area. She'd lost sight of Enzo a nano earlier - the kid was a whiz on a zip board! Where would he have gone - back to the diner, maybe? It wasn't his style - he'd be sulking somewhere, if she knew him as well as she thought she did...
There was a clatter from off to her right, and the game sprite followed the sound to a small alleyway. Enzo was there, leaning back against a building and hiding his face in his hands. "So there you are..." she said softly.
"Go away." the boy answered, burying his face farther in his hands. She couldn't see him like this - she just couldn't! To his horror, the youngster heard the game sprite sit next to him and felt her hand on his shoulder.
"So - I guess you heard what Matrix said, huh?" AndrAIa asked gently.
Enzo desperately willed himself to stop crying. "What - I d-didn't hear anything." he managed in a hoarse croak.
"C'mon - don't hide." she prodded, gently squeezing his hand. "It's all right - I've cried lots of times. Sometimes - "
"Just go away!" the youngster spat, uncovering his face but looking away from AndrAIa. "I don't need you to be nice to me - I'm not some basic little kid..."
"I know you're not." she nodded. "Sometimes it's nice just to talk, though. Isn't it?" The boy said nothing, and both sprites sat in silence for a moment. Frisket appeared and immediately stationed himself next to Enzo, messily rolling his tongue over the boy's already wet face.
"Get away, Frisket!" Enzo growled, not sounding as thought he meant it.
"I guess Frisket wants you to talk, too." AndrAIa grinned. "Don't ya, Boy?"
Enzo sniffled a few times, still refusing to look at the game sprite. "Why's he have to be so mean?" he snarled after a moment. "Why can't he just _talk_ to me? What's his problem?"
"That's a tough question." AndrAIa sighed. "He's had it pretty hard, Enzo. He's not really used to being around people. He just needs to grow up a little..."
"It's true - isn't it?" the boy sniffed. "Nobody wants me around! I'm just the basic little kid who can't do anything right..."
"Bob doesn't think so." AndrAIa interrupted, brushing a tear off Enzo's cheek gently. "He loves having you around. Dot doesn't think so. And neither do I. I think you're funny, and clever. And brave. Just like I always thought those things about you. You were always my hero." she smiled.
The youngster looked at her for a moment, bewilderment in his eyes. "_He_ - thinks so though - doesn't he?"
"Oh, Enzo... When Matrix says those things, he's not really mad at you. He's mad at himself."
"What's the difference?"
"I'm not even sure." the game sprite sighed. "Enzo, I know it hurts - but they're just words. I remember once you almost let someone beat you with words - but you fought back. You never gave up. The Enzo I know never gives up - not when he knows he's right." AndrAIa smiled down at the youngster. "That's why I love you so much."
Enzo said nothing for a moment, then grabbed his zip board and stood. He gingerly stepped around AndrAIa and headed for the street, Frisket a step behind. "Where are you going?"
"I just wanna be alone." the little sprite said softly. He hopped on his board and started away.
"Enzo - wait!" AndrAIa, called, standing. "You don't have to-"
"I'm fine! I just wanna be alone." the boy shouted irritably. AndrAIa considered following him again, but instead stood, watching the small figure slowly disappear, Frisket gamely striding along behind him. After a moment, he was gone.
----
"Hello, Boys." Dot called, walking into the diner, Gavin Capacitor limping along beside her.
"Dot. Capacitor." Bob grinned. "Did you two have a productive discussion?"
"Yes, very productive. I think it will prove to be quite profitable for the Captain and myself..."
"Any discussion with Dot always turns to profitability before long." Bob winked at the pirate. "But then, I guess you've figured that out by now."
"Watch your smart mouth!" Dot reprimanded half-heartedly. "You'll never understand, Bob - business is so comforting, so uncomplicated - it behaves the same all the time..."
The pirate laughed. "Aye, Lad - and it always seems to follow Miss Matrix' orders! A finer processor for profiteering I've never accessed..."
Dot wearily positioned herself at the bar next to Bob. "What's the matter?" the Guardian frowned, grabbing her hand. "You seem kinda low-res today."
"I'm fine." the woman smiled. "Just a little overwhelmed with everything that's going on. Where's Enzo?"
"Which one?"
"The little one!"
"I dunno - I dropped him here after we played jetball." the Guardian replied. "I was over at the Principal Office. Cecil?"
"Yes Monsieur?" the served asked stiffly, rolling across the diner to the bar.
"Have you seen Enzo?" Dot queried.
"Yes Ma'am - but not for a few milliseconds. He left after tiring of watching Mike the Television, I believe."
"That quickly, huh? Guess he wasn't here long..." Bob chuckled. "What's the matter Dot? I'm sure he's fine. He just got bored or something."
"Of course." Dot sighed. "I just wanted to talk to him about something, but I guess it can wait..."
----
"AndrAIa - how lovely to see you, My Child. This is my lucky cycle - I have never received so many visitors to my sanctum!"
"Huh?" the game sprite frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Never mind Child, it is of no importance." the old sprite replied, waving a hand dismissively as he whirred across the room to greet the girl. "Please, sit down. What may I help you with - would you like some cocoa, perhaps?"
"No - no thanks." she smiled, sitting. "I was actually hoping to ask your advice about something."
"Indeed, My Child." Phong chuckled. "You know, there was a time when I required all of my guests to defeat me in a game of skill before I would advise them. If this traffic keeps up I may have to resume the practice... In any case, I would be more than happy to try to ease your burdens, Young AndrAIa. It seems only a nano ago that you were just a small sprite - as small as Enzo is now..."
"Seems a lot longer than that to me!" the game sprite sighed. "Actually, it was Enzo I wanted to talk to you about."
"Is that so, Child? Which one?"
"Both, actually."
"Indeed." Phong mused. "That is a subject of much discussion lately, it seems. In what way may I help you, specifically?"
"Well... They had a kind of fight today, Phong. I guess it wasn't really a fight - Enzo - Little Enzo - overheard something he shouldn't have. Matrix was upset - he's always upset lately - and he said some pretty nasty things..."
"Oh dear." Phong sighed. "The feelings of the young are so easily bruised, are they not? Was Enzo very upset?"
"Yes." AndrAIa frowned. "And I don't blame him, Phong. He's trying to get to know Matrix, and Matrix - well, he doesn't even want to be around Little Enzo. He says it makes him uncomfortable. And you know how Enzo is - he always wants to be involved, he wants everyone to like him. All that would hurt him enough-"
"If it weren't his older self that was rejecting him." Phong finished. "This is a most difficult problem, I'm afraid. I have spent many milliseconds processing it-"
"You have?" the girl asked, surprised.
"Indeed, Child. I feared that some of these difficulties would arise when Young Enzo arrived, but I had not fully realized the depth of Matrix' alienation from himself. There are no easy solutions, I am afraid. Each of them must come to accept the other, on their own terms. I have no experience with this particular problem, so I am operating on pure guesswork..."
"But in the meanwhile, Matrix is driving me offline!" AndrAIa exclaimed. "And I'm really worried about Little Enzo - I know how sensitive he is - I think Matrix really hurt him..."
"Where is the boy now?"
"I'm not sure." AndrAIa sighed. "I talked to him for a nano, but he said he wanted to be alone and he took off. He'll be all right - Frisket was with him..."
"Ah, pride." Phong frowned. "It is a most powerful force, Child - and in the male it often drives one to seek solace in solitude. I fear this is part of the problem - neither of our two Enzos feels as if they can ever really be alone anymore."
A claxon filled the air. "What's wrong?" AndrAIa shouted.
"I am not certain, Child!" Phong answered. "Come, we must get to central command at once!"
----
"She's worried for her brother, Guardian - both of 'em'!" Capacitor winked at Bob as he took a sip of his rum and java. "Ain't been shipshape all cycle, have ye Lass?"
"I'm fine!" Dot protested.
Bob sipped his drink and coughed guiltily. "Dot, I'm sorry if - if I caused any problems with you and Enzo. I didn't mean-"
"Bob!" A vidwindow opened and Phong's face, clearly agitated, peered out at them. AndrAIa was visible over his shoulder, bent over the console.
"What's up, Phong?" the Guardian replied, bouncing to his feet.
"A tear has opened up - a big one!" the old sprite fretted. "Downloading scans now!" A string of text began to flash quickly across the vidwindow.
"Hmmm." Bob whispered, squinting in concentration. Gavin and Dot crowded in behind him. "A class six - big one too!"
"Guardian, if there are any residual system instabilities lingering from the reboot-"
"I know, Phong." Bob nodded grimly. "This is bad - _very_ bad. And it's in sector nine-nine!"
"That's all the way at the edge of the city!" Dot exclaimed. "We'd better hurry!"
"We're on our way, Phong!" Bob shouted.
"I'll meet you there!" AndrAIa called.
"Wait!" Dot protested. "What about Enzo? Have you seen him, AndrAIa?"
"Don't worry, he's fine." the game sprite replied. "I've got it under control. See you in sector nine-nine!"
"Right." Bob nodded, closing the vidwindow. Quickly, he opened another. "Mouse! Mouse, you home?"
There was emptiness in the vidwindow for a moment, then Mouse's face appeared, Ray right behind her. The surfer's cheek was smeared with lipstick. "This better be important, Sweetie!"
"It is!" Bob answered, cursing the fact that he didn't have the time to exploit the opportunity before him. "We've got trouble - major tear in sector nine-nine. Class six. I'll need your help - both of you!"
"We're on it, Sugar!" Mouse nodded grimly, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. "Nine-nine? All the way out there, huh? Perfect... See you there, Bob!"
"Chin up, Mate - no worries!" Ray added. The window closed.
"Let's get out there! Better take my car..."
"Gavin, will you wait here - in case Enzo comes back?" Dot grasped the pirate's good hand. "Let him know where we are, tell him not to worry!"
"Of course, Miss Matrix." the pirate bowed. "Go on now and take care of things - just like ye always do." Dot gave him a quick smile and followed Bob out the door. With a sputter and a cloud of smoke, they were gone.
----
"Matrix! Matrix, you there?"
"Yeah yeah, don't have a system crash!" the big sprite answered the vidwindow at last. "What's up?"
"Trouble. There's a major tear in sector nine-nine. I'm meeting Bob there now."
"So? What do you want me for - I'm no expert on tears!"
"Don't worry, it's under control!" she sighed. "We don't know where Enzo is - he ran off. He was pretty upset. You'll need to go find him!"
"Aw, no!" the bearded sprite protested. "I'm sure he's-"
"Matrix, we don't have time for this now!" the game sprite snapped. "I told Dot I'd make sure Enzo was all right. Now go find him!"
"All right, I'm going! Just go deal with the tear - I'll deal with Enzo."
"Be nice!" the girl warned menacingly. The window closed.
"I'm always nice!" Matrix grumbled, reaching for his zip board. "I think I have a pretty good idea where I might be hiding..."
----
Enzo hopped off of his board and quietly approached the rickety old building under the big "Pearson's Data Dump" sign. Good - it was dark inside, the old man must have gone for the cycle. Enzo kinda liked the weird old binome in a way, but he could be very strange sometimes - and very defensive about his property. Besides, the boy just wanted to be alone...
Frisket caught up with the youngster and half tackled him from behind, with a whimper. "Quiet, Frisket!" Enzo hissed. "The old guy might be hanging around somewhere..." The red canine looked at him quizzically.
Taking a last peek though the window of the office, Enzo satisfied himself that Pearson was indeed absent. He effortlessly climbed over the binary fence that guarded the outer junkyard, unlatching the gate and swinging it open a hair, allowing the panting Frisket to follow him inside.
The boy looked around. On happier cycles he loved the explore the place - there were interesting gizmos and gadgets everywhere to be investigated. Today, though, he just wanted to sit in the dark and shut the world out - and the old junkyard had a safe, comforting feel to him.
The boy nestled down next to a box of 8086 chips and hugged his arms tightly around himself. His eyes were red, and burned from crying. Enzo hated to cry - all it did was show the world what a low-density little sprite he was. Why did he have to cry - especially in front of AndrAIa? Now she knew he was just a basic little sprite...
Thinking about that threatened to bring more tears, so Enzo willfully banished the thought from his mind. Instead, he thought of Matrix - that made him mad. It felt better to be mad right now than to think about AndrAIa... "Stupid jerk!" the boy growled, hands forming into fists. He couldn't even picture that ugly face without wanting to smash it. But he couldn't, of course - he was just a little sprite, after all.
"Why did he have to come to Mainframe?" the youngster grumbled. "Everything was fine - now I can't even go into the games, all because of him." Frisket whimpered quizzically. "But that's not right - is it? I wouldn't _be_ here, if he hadn't come back. I wouldn't even exist! Mainframe would be deleted." The thought made the little sprite even angrier, and he kicked out, sending a CGA card clattering away. "Basic, this is totally basic..."
----
"Mouse, can you see anything?"
"Negatory, Guardian." the hacker replied through the window. "Are you sure these were the coordinates Phong downloaded?"
"I'm positive." Bob frowned at Dot, who shrugged back at him from the passenger seat of the red convertible. "Keep searching - We'll catch you up in a nano."
"Somethin' ain't right, Mate." Ray's voice chimed in. "When ya spent as much time in the net as I have, ya get a sense for tears - almost like ya can smell 'em. If there was a class six anywhere in this sector I'd know it."
"Well, Phong doesn't make mistakes." Bob answered. "See you in a nano." The Guardian closed the window and turned to Dot. "I don't get it - Ray's right. We're close enough that we should be able to see it by now."
----
Matrix slowly approached the old junkyard, frowning. It was dark, and quiet - and quiet usually didn't mix with Enzo. He ought to know. Still, he also ought to know where the boy would retreat to. The bearded sprite tried the gate, and, finding it unlatched, smiled a tight smile to himself. "Gotcha!" he whispered.
The big youth heard Frisket panting in the darkness even before his eye picked up the energy readings from the dog and the boy. "Thought I might find you here." he said aloud.
"Go away." the boy replied simply, not raising his head.
"I didn't want to come here - Dot was worried about you, that's all. You-"
"Well, I sure didn't ask you to bother me, did I Megabutt?" Enzo snarled. "So just leave me alone!"
"Temper, temper!" Matrix chuckled.
"You win, OK?" the boy snapped, still refusing to look at his older self. "You didn't want anything to do with me, so I'll just stay out of your way. That's what you want, isn't it?"
"Sounds good to me!" the big youth replied curtly.
"Lemme just ask you one thing." Enzo said softly, finally lifting his gaze. "Why do you hate me? What did I ever do to you?"
Matrix felt seconds of pent up frustration welling up inside him, breaking through, at last, his efforts to quell them - and the nano of sympathy he felt at the sight of Enzo's upturned face. "You... you ruined my life!" he snarled through gritted teeth. "Is that enough?"
"You must be as stupid as you look!" Enzo laughed bitterly. "I don't even know you!"
"You don't see it, do you?" Matrix growled, all semblance of control slipping away. "Everyone was counting on you - and you let them down! You failed Bob, you failed Dot - you failed Mainframe! And _I_ paid the price! I lost my family, my home. I had to spend my life trying to make up for what you did! And just when I thought I could get past it, _you_ showed up to remind me!"
"No!" Enzo bellowed tearfully. "That's not fair! I didn't do any of that!" Frisket lifted his muzzle and began to howl furiously.
"You were weak, pathetic! You-"
"No, no, no! That's not true! Just end file!" Enzo wailed. "It was _you_ that did all that! _You_ were the one that lost the game, not me!" The youngster panted heavily, marshalling his strength. "I'm not even really Enzo anymore! I'm not even real! You stole my life!"
"This - this is stupid!" Matrix snarled halfheartedly, turning away from the boy. "What's the point even talking to you..." The youth stumbled towards the fence, Enzo's sobs plainly audible behind him.
----
"Ya see? I _told_ ya, Mate - no tear!" Tracer frowned. "Somethin' ain't right here..."
"I just don't understand it!" Bob scratched his head. "Phong - this is Bob, we're in sector nine-nine. There's no sign of a tear of any kind, much less a class six. What in the net's going on?"
"I do not know, Bob." the old sprite answered quizzically through the window. "My readings were most definitive... Perhaps it has closed itself?"
"I ain't never heard of a tear closin' by itself, Sugar!" Mouse protested. "Leastways without gettin' a little help along the way."
"I haven't either, Phong." Dot added nervously. "It doesn't seem possible..."
"We are living in an hour of wonders, My Children." Phong shrugged. "Many things may be possible after a reboot that we thought impossible. We do not have the benefit of a beta version to guide us through this."
"Could it be a - trap- of some kind?" AndrAIa asked. "Could Daemon have something to do with this?"
"It's possible..." Bob allowed. "But I doubt it. Doesn't make any sense. Why open a tear and then close it? If she wanted to enter Mainframe, she'd come through the front door."
"Maybe Hex - some kind of gag?" Dot wondered. "A joke?"
"Doesn't seem like her style." Bob frowned. "It's-" A familiar voice interrupted the Guardian.
"WARNING - INCOMING GAME
WARNING - INCOMING GAME."
"Great. Just great." Matrix sighed.
Enzo raised his head and wiped his eyes, scanning the sky. "Look! It's coming down right on top of us!"
"Perfect." the big youth growled. "Get away from here, Enzo - I'll handle this."
"Make me!" the boy spat derisively.
"It's not the time for this, Boy! I've got serious business to attend to! Just backspace out of here - games are no place for a little sprite. You'll just get in my way!"
"Get used to it!" Enzo sneered. "If you go, I go!"
----
"Bob, the game cube is dropping in sector one-zero." Phong warned. "You must hurry!"
"One zero?" Bob gasped. "Old Man Pearson's place. Naturally - the opposite end of the city! Come on!" the Guardian jumped into his car, pulling Dot in next to him. He engaged the ignition, but the convertible responded only with a strained sputter of defiance. "Cursors! What a time for engine trouble!"
"Forget it! Zip boards! Come on!" Dot cried, leaping over the door and zipping off in one motion. The others followed close behind. "How much time do we have, Phong?"
"Only a few nanos, Child!" the old sprite fretted, his face looming over them in the vidwindow. "You must make haste!"
"We're hasting!" Bob panted. "What're the odds, we're at the very edge of town and the game cube drops at the opposite edge? If there's no one in that game when the cube drops-"
"There _is_ someone." Phong said softly. "According to my readings, Matrix is there-"
"He'll take care of things if we don't make it!" AndrAIa shouted confidently.
"_And_ Enzo." Phong finished.
"Enzo?" Dot gasped. "No! It's too dangerous!"
"Don't worry!" Bob yelled, watching the purple cube descend. "We're going to make it!"
----
Two figures watched interestedly from atop the Principal Office as the cube descended. They turned to watch the approaching quintet on their zip boards. "They aren't going to make it!" Hack exclaimed.
"No - they are definitely not going to make it." Slash added. "Definitely not..."
"Nope - definitely." Hack agreed. "I speak from experience here. I bet Bob's gonna be mad."
"Yeah, mad. Did you touch me?"
"No, I did not. There was no touching."
"I thought I felt you touching..."
----
"Fine, fine! Just stay out of my way, Little Boy!"
"I don't take orders from you!" Enzo grinned. "I can take care of myself, y'know! You shoulda seen me win the Olympics - _I_ was great!"
"_You_ were lucky - I was there!" Matrix snarled, looking up as the cube fell, now a mere few nanos away. "Just don't get in the way and let me take care of business."
----
"Bob!" Dot yelled. "We're too late!"
The Guardian skidded to a halt. "Damn! This is _not_ good! Missing a game cube in my home system - I must really be slipping!"
"It ain't your fault, Honey." Mouse sighed. "One if a gigabyte chance, that's all. Us all the way out in sector nine-nine, just when the game came down in sector one-zero. Nothin' you could do about it."
"Don't worry - Matrix and I won more our than share of games." AndrAIa said confidently. "Just lucky he happened to be in that sector."
"Yeah - lucky..." Mouse mused.
Dot stood silently, watching the shimmering cube and wringing her hands. Bob slid next to her and gingerly slipped an arm around her shoulder, joining her in her vigil. "Not again." she whispered. "It can't possibly happen again..."
----
Enzo felt a rush of excitement as the purple cube washed over his body. There was a thrill when the momentary disorientation hit, the buzz ran though him. Nothing could compare to it - not jetball, not circuit racing, nothing. Not even Matrix could spoil this for him.
The blindness and disorientation faded, and the surroundings began to take shape. The first sensation Enzo felt was being indoors - in a vast room, fairly dark, an acrid smell in the air. The place had a menacing feel about it.
Matrix felt the hairs on his neck stand on end. His stomach began to churn, and he fought down a rising panic which threatened to overcome his reason. The room began to take shape, to clarify. "No - it can't be! It's not possible..."
"Alphanumeric!" Enzo gasped. The two spites stood in a large bowl - an arena. There was sense of an audience in the darkness, but they were beyond his field of vision. A series of large images on windows formed a circle around the arena - images of heroes and gladiators, armed for battle. A driving, electrical sounding music began to fill the room.
"Noooo!" Matrix screamed. Enzo looked up at him in alarm. "It can't be! It can't!"
One by one, the images surrounding the arena were illuminated, then darkened. Finally, the light fell upon one image, a fearsome looking beast, two horns crowning its cruel head.
End Part Four