Interphase (43 page)

An incoming communication from outside the system caught his attention. "Lucas?"

"Yeah, 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 it 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.

David and Analara were already there when he arrived, and he halted in mid-stride when he saw her. It hadn't been a dream or a hallucination; instead of wearing Jessica's form, she looked like herself again.

Thomas approached slowly, and he struggled to find the right words to say. In his anger he had struck her too, and she had still come to his aid. Before he could speak, Analara smiled at him and came forward to wrap her arms around his neck. "It's all right, Thomas."

"Thank you, Analara," he whispered in her ear. "Forgive me my foolishness."

"It's good to have you back," she replied.

Lucas and Clyde appeared shortly afterwards. The former looked none the worse for wear after their fight and shrugged off Thomas's apology with a grin. "Hey man, it was a good scrap. I'll just have to practice some more before I try dueling you again," Lucas said.

Clyde's eyes were flat when their gazes met. "Hello, Clyde."

"Lancelot," Clyde responded with a nod. His expression was unreadable as he absently rubbed his jaw. "Still feel like hitting stuff?"

Thomas flinched. "No. I tried beating myself up and found that it wasn't really pleasant." He fixed Clyde with a steady gaze. "You were right about me. I refused to let go of my anger, and it nearly destroyed me in the end."

"Nearly destroyed more than that, from what I hear." Clyde glanced over at David and raised an eyebrow. "Laid you out, did he?"

"It's not important anymore, Clyde," David replied, blushing. "It's all in the past. Right?"

Clyde shrugged and turned back to Thomas.

"Clyde, I apologize for my earlier actions. I had no right to—"

"Bunch of sentimental saps," Clyde snorted, and he cracked a half smile. "If you say it's done, it's done, simple as that. Now, if we're all through with the group therapy session, would anyone mind getting to the business at hand?"

"All right," David said. "Something major happened to V-Net yesterday. What has VERA been able to figure out?"

"VERA still hadn't fully recovered from Totarakh's attack when things hit yesterday," Clyde mused. "There were hints of some sort of viral code in the new assault, and her protocols pulled her back into the mainframe in full defensive mode. Even I don't have access to her there. I'm still shoring up her subsystems to make sure she's not vulnerable to another attack, but I haven't been able to figure out what exactly happened."

Thomas sighed and shook his head. "It appears we have not heard the last of Totarakh yet."

All eyes turned to him. "
What
?" Clyde asked.

He quickly relayed everything that had happened in the castle, from the appearance of the shadow creatures through the battle alongside David.

"I don't know how that bastard keeps on surviving, but one thing's for sure," Clyde growled. "He needs to die."

"Totarakh has managed to stay hidden for quite some time," David said. "He must be getting better at manipulating the system. Everyone will need to be on alert, looking for any signs of viral corruption in the network. Clyde will do what he can from the system core to keep an eye out for him." David paused. "At least we have one advantage this time around: he's all alone."

To that, Thomas nodded in agreement.

"So that begs the question," Clyde remarked. "How many more times are we going to have to save the world?"

Chapter 36