Interphase (53 page)

The group walked onto the track, and David activated the command to load the hover-bikes. The module lurched, the landscape around them blurred, and they found themselves at the starting line. David looked in surprise over at Clyde, who arched an eyebrow in return. "Your program is being a little cantankerous, Dave."

"Tell me about it," David muttered. "There's nothing we can do about it from inside. We have to finish the track if we're going to find out what's going on."

Each of them took a helmet from their chosen hover-bike, and together they mounted up. The starting bar above the track flashed green, and they raced down the straightaway.

They took the course at an easy speed. David chafed at the delay, but he didn't trust the program to protect any of them if they crashed or went flying off the course.

A faint rumble drew his attention. He glanced over his shoulder and saw an enormous machine rolling down the raceway from the starting point. A pair of mechanical claws jutted forward over a massive spiked roller that tore up the track as it passed by.

=Dave, what the hell does 'Survival Mode Engaged' mean?=

Clyde demanded.

David looked down at the text flashing on his bike's display. Oh hell.

=It means get your ass moving right now!= David hit his accelerator and sped ahead of the group. =The silver button on the right handlebar is your booster, use it,= he sent to everyone.

The others obeyed, and soon their bikes were keeping pace with his.

=Damn bro, this place is awesome. And having a Survival Mode just makes it even cooler,= Lucas practically shouted over the channel.

David rolled his eyes. =Considering that this whole thing is a trap, I'd guess that both the railguards and the safeties are off-line. Crashing right now would most definitely
not
be awesome or cool, so keep your eyes on the track.=

Shaking his head, David risked another look behind. The roller-mech gained steadily on them, jagged chunks of pavement littering the ground in its wake. Despite the adrenaline pumping through his body, he forced himself to remain calm. The mech was designed to accelerate constantly until it claimed a victim, at which point it would slow for a short period, repeating the cycle until only a single racer remained. Since none of them could afford to be caught, he had to find another way to stop the mech.

=Clyde,= David sent. =In another game mode, I equipped the bikes with weaponry and defense systems. I need you to unlock those tools right now.=

=Sure. No problem,= Clyde replied blandly. =I'll just hack your system internally with no tools while piloting a vehicle at unsafe speeds
and
avoiding being crushed by a killer death robot. No problem at all.=

=Just do it, wonder boy.=

David watched his bike's display like a hawk, hoping that the systems would come online in time. He leaned into the next turn and glanced behind again. Just a little longer, and the mech would overtake them.

They barreled down the course, winding into a corkscrew. The bikes drifted dangerously close together, and Lucas strayed into the guardrail, the faint pulse barely keeping him on the track.

The corkscrew ended. All four bikes shot forward on the straightaway, but the track shook as the mech pulled up behind them.

=Keep going!= David sent. He released the accelerator and dropped to the back of the group.

I don't know if this will work, but I'm not going to leave them to the mercy of my creation.

The mech's arms lashed forward and swept across the track toward David. He hit the thrusters, and the bike leapt ahead, narrowly dodging their grasp. He alternated slowing down and speeding up, doing everything he could to confuse the mech's tracking system.

I made you, I know how to beat you.

Frustrated in its attacks, the mech folded its arms into its chassis and lunged toward David. He hit his boosters, barely keeping clear of the menacing roller.

It's in Surge Mode. We're not going to be able to stay ahead of it any longer.

=Clyde, I need those weapons
now
,= David shouted.

=Then you're lucky that I really am
that
good,= Clyde replied.

David watched the display light up as the weapon systems came online.

There's just one thing left to do.

The group passed over a series of hyper-accelerators as they climbed into the biggest loop of the course.

David could hear the engines churning behind him, feel the tremble of the roller as it ripped apart everything it touched. He kept his eyes trained on the track, waiting for just the right moment…

The bike shot toward the apex of the loop, and David hit the button to disable the hover pads. He flew into the air, leaving the track behind. Beneath him, the other three bikes curled down the far side of the loop with the mech in hot pursuit.

David's bike sailed toward the track at the far end of the loop, and he pulled on the handlebars to draw parallel with the ground.

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.=