Previous Story: 75. The Omicron Protocol - Part 1
Cyborg watched as the others filed out of the lounge, most of them looking depressed. Flyboy had suggested getting a drink and it seemed that Plate, Threads and Kuklacı were keen to join him. Only Hiko remained, and she now moved her hoverchair closer to Cyborg.
"Tough to hear," she said.
"I suppose none of us should be surprised," replied Cyborg. "But this protocol — it’s nothing less than state-sponsored murder. I just feel like all we’ve been doing is pointless now."
"Don’t give up," said Hiko. "There’s always hope. And at least someone is on our side."
Cyborg knew Hiko’s story; knew she had overcome tremendous odds to reclaim her life and become a success. He couldn’t let her and the rest of the city down.
"You’re right. We have to keep fighting. Excuse me a minute." Cyborg hurried to his study and called both the Peacemakers and the Survivalists. Soon, he was looking at holo-projections of Bolt and Gadget, who happened to be on duty. "Guys, it looks like we need to move fast. Shall we contact our Scientist friends?"
-----
Flash was looking forward to the end of his shift monitoring comms. Apart from the fact that he would have to wait for his dinner, he was seriously tired. As the oldest of the Peacemakers, the veteran detective didn’t want his younger compatriots to realize he simply didn’t possess their energy. Hearing a notification beep, Flash turned to the laptop screen and saw that a new message had come in: a very important one. He read it twice, then hurried through to the room where everyone else was eating.
"We got a reply. Seems like they want to help. Apparently, the inventor of the entropic disruptor-"
"The what?" asked Lance, a spoonful of rice halfway to his mouth.
"The barrier that surrounds SL," explained Pai.
"Ah, yes," replied the Canadian.
"Go on," demanded Buck.
Flash continued, now with the eyes of all the Peacemakers on him. "So this man is in SL, but he’s infected. The Scientists were in communication with him up to a few days ago. He was lucid then, but they haven’t heard from him since, so who knows? Anyway, his name is Dr. Herbert Altmann. He might be able to disable the disruptor, at least long enough for us and whoever else to escape the city."
Nix spoke up: "If he’s already a CyMS, he’s more likely to attack us than help us."
"I haven’t finished," added Flash, trying to be patient. "The scientists are working on version 2 of the Purge Script. They will try and get it to us today."
Buck had been listening intently and was now nodding.
"Some good news for a change," said Pai. "Could be time for a conference call."
-----
Lady Rose watched the tabby cat prowl across the dance floor. Little Jenny seemed to like the thing, but Rose had never been partial to cats. She still missed Xi and longed for her return. But she had plenty else to occupy her, and now watched the team gather beside the nightclub’s bar. Rose exchanged a knowing nod with Fei, who’d been ordered to keep what she knew of the latest developments to herself. Jenny picked the cat up and joined Gudu, Rhino, Fei and H3x. Rose slid off a stool to address her subordinates.
"Thanks to our taps, I’ve received some additional information. Basically, it looks like the government could act sooner rather than later, which means we need a backup plan for escaping the city."
"Leave now, boss?" said Rhino. "But we’re in a great position. When this thing’s over, we’ll all be multimillionaires."
"Hopefully," said Rose, staying calm despite his annoying outburst. "But, we need options in case it all goes south. There’s been another message to the do-gooders. Looks like there’s some expert who might be able to get the barrier down. There’s one snag — he might be a CyMS."
"Bit more than a snag," murmured Gudu.
"Right," said Lady Rose. "Which is why you and Rhino are going to take four men and grab him. I’ve just sent you the name and address."
Rose didn’t like the cynical glance exchanged by her subordinates. "You know what? Rhino’s right. You’re not millionaires yet. You do this for me, and I’ll do what I can to make it happen."
Rhino stood up. "Your wish is our command, boss."
"That’s what I like to hear. Now, listen, the do-gooders may well be a step or two ahead of us. If you have to take Altmann off them, so be it. But make sure no harm comes to him."
With a nod, Gudu followed Rhino towards the other side of the club, where their enforcers were cleaning a stash of assault rifles.
Lady Rose beckoned to H3x. The hacker ran her fingers along her mohawk as she approached the bar.
"We’re going to need puppets. Start assembling a large group. We need to keep them under control but have them available if necessary. Fei, help her out."
"No problem, boss."
As this pair departed — Fei still limping due to her injured ankle — Little Jenny put the cat down and approached. "Sounds bad."
"It is." Rose felt it important to be candid with her bodyguard and oldest friend. "Come to my office, Jen. I’ll tell you the whole story."
-----
Save them. Save them all.
Ryder smiled to himself as he typed manically. He was in the zone; everything was flowing. He didn’t need Winner any more. In the earliest days of Cynfo, he had done a lot of the tech stuff himself and he was glad to get back into it. For now, he had to keep all the important information safe, and that meant transferring it to a remote server. With a final flourish on the keyboard, he watched as Cynfo’s key directories began uploading.
There was a knock on his office door. Hoping it was Goddess, he hurried over, unlocked it and opened it.
"Why do you always look so worried these days, sweetheart?"
"Why do you keep this door locked?"
"Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. Thanks for coming on the date."
Even when she frowned, Goddess was beautiful. "This is a date?"
"Of course. Look — I got us some champagne." Ryder trotted over to the table opposite his desk. Here were two couches and an expensive sculpture mounted on a plinth. From the table, he took one of the plastic cups he had earlier filled.
When he gave it to Goddess, she sipped it and made a face. "Ryder, this is sparkling water. Listen, I need to talk to you."
"And I need to talk to you! Let’s sit down." Ryder took a seat on the couch and watched as Goddess hesitantly joined him. "I need your help. I’ll get straight to the point. We have to save them. The CyMS."
Ryder couldn’t understand why Goddess looked so horrified. But he was sure she would do as he asked. She always had before.
"Sweetheart, we have to save them all. That’s all that matters."
-----
An hour later, Goddess gathered Crimson, Beater and Zephyr and led them to the ladies’ restroom. She had taken three painkillers, but still had a pounding headache. Before she spoke, she glimpsed her face in the mirror. She looked tired and old.
"It’s … it’s worse than I thought."
"Worse than the boss killing Winner?" asked Zephyr.
"He didn’t actually kill … listen, this will sound crazy, but he’s talking about saving the CyMS. In fact, he isn’t talking about anything else."
"Saving them?" said Crimson.
The Brazilian siblings shook their heads in disbelief.
"We have to cut him loose," said Crimson. "Sorry, Goddess, but the old Ryder is gone."
"I know that. Believe me, I know."
"So, what do we do?" asked Beater.
"We’re going to need help," said Crimson.
"I agree," said Goddess. "Ryder’s been talking to Lady Rose of the Red Dragons. I think she might be interested to know that he’s now a liability. Maybe we can come to some arrangement. Thanks to QuickClone, I have her number. If we’re all in agreement, I’ll make the call."
Beater nodded, then Zephyr.
"Do it," said Crimson.
-----
Goddess didn’t need to make an excuse to Ryder; he was once again locked in his office. Escorted by Crimson, Beater and Zephyr, she was driven to Putt Loose, a long-abandoned miniature golf course. As agreed, she met Lady Rose at the fifth hole, the Red Dragon leader’s large female bodyguard lurking nearby.
"I was told you were beautiful," said Lady Rose admiringly. "Is that why Arcadia kept you around so long?"
"I don’t suppose you’d stand for a comment like that, so don’t repeat it! Let’s stick to business. You can forget Ryder. He’s lost it."
"I must admit, he has sounded rather odd when I’ve spoken to him recently."
"He’s having a full-on meltdown. He wants to help the CyMS."
Lady Rose took a moment to absorb this. "Just when I think the world can’t get any weirder." She looked Goddess up and down. "So, I guess you’re feeling a little abandoned?"
"I’m not going to deny that we need help. But we have plenty to offer. Crimson is very capable and Zephyr and Beater are as tough as they come."
"I’ll admit I was surprised that those two had gone legit. Not doubting their reputation, but I have plenty of muscle already."
"I also have full access to Cynfo. Our tech can help the Red Dragons."
Lady Rose kicked a nearby golf ball away. "Even if he’s crazy, Ryder might still try to stop you. Maybe I don’t need any partners. Maybe I don’t need any more problems right now."
"Understood, but I want you to know that we’ve no love for these other factions. Allies are always useful. We’re stronger together."
Then Lady Rose smiled: "Fair point. And I do appreciate the heads-up. Let me think about it."
"Don’t take too long," said Goddess. "I can’t help feeling that time is running out. For all of us."
Next Story: 77. The Omicron Protocol - Part 3