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FOLLOW THE NOSFERATU
* CHAPTER 2 * - Lotus
* 6 * - Depth & Discovery
POST 043b / NOS / COCKPIT / JAYMAN:
Captain Jayman whispered, "Thanks."
Distractedly, Commander Crystal answered, "Sorry, did you ask something?"
He turned and opened his mouth a moment, then turned back and said, "No, nothing."
Glancing at the red-dotted trajectory display, Jayman caught the estimated time remaining. 0006.
Six minutes left.
"I'm gonna check on Hitch." He rose, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and focussed on her emerald
eyes. "I'll see you in a few minutes. Whenever you're ready."
POST 044 / NOS / COCKPIT / CRYSTAL:
Noticing Jayman's intention to answer something else, but not to her question, Crystal's eyes narrowed a bit,
curious and suspicious.
'No,' wasn't the right answer, she surmised. He wanted to say something, Crystal was sure. He sounded
unusual quiet, she noted, looking up at him as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Jayman told her, "I'm gonna check on Hitch. I'll see you in a few minutes. Whenever you're ready."
"I'm ready," Crystal replied immediately, without hesitation, her voice as detemined and sharp as her look.
Then she turned back to the controls, a stubborn look on her face, her eyes searching the dark, black tunnel.
Hell, why does he think I'm not ready? Does he suggest I prepare more? This isn't the first
time I do this job... I'm not a child anymore... I know what to do... She frowned, pushing a strain of red hair out of her face.
Damn, what's with me? Crystal gazed into the darkness, wondering.
POST 045 / NOS / CORE / HITCHHIKER & JAYMAN:
As Hitchhiker monitored the various screens flickering before him, he heard the sound of boots climbing down
the cockpit ladder behind him.
Clink! Clink! Clink!
"How are we doing, Hitch?" the voice of the captain called.
"All systems operational," the huge operator replied. "Broadcast depth confirmed. Ready to hack in whenever
Crystal is ready."
Jayman leapt down, walked over, and stepped up beside him. "Good."
Suddenly, the sound of landing gear meeting tunnel bottom reverberated throughout the Core.
CLUNK... CLUNK... Squeak...
Hitchhiker rocked in his operator chair as the ancient hovercraft landed gently with its familiar metallic groaning.
The Nosferatu finally touched down at the first broadcast point in the northernmost section of grid D-5
(see sewer map).
Not bad, Crystal... Not bad at all.
As the electromagnetic engines powered down, the operator glanced to Jayman. "Captain, I noticed Crystal
earlier... Is she ready?"
Jayman paused for a moment. Then, still gazing into the screens of green vertical code, he said, "As ready as
she'll ever be."
Hitchhiker nodded. I guess that'll have to be enough.
POST 046 / NOS / CORE / AVALON:
Avalon stepped out into the hall of the Nos, leaving behind her uncomfortable bed. It had offered her no
comfort, and she forsook it in search of something to distract her. The conversation with Lib and Miriam had shaken her with
memories and raised old doubts.
You are afraid. Afraid that something will go wrong. That another incident will happen and it will be all your
fault, all over again. You've already killed Kan-Chiang through your neglect, and Fall is dead because you weren't here.
Shaking her head, Avalon stopped that train of thought. What the hell could you have done about Fall?
You can't save everyone. Then she smiled bitterly. At least, I can do what I can to make sure no one else dies.
Up ahead of her were her captain and her operator. They were among the most capable in the Fleet, and
they were sending one of the best into the Matrix. Avalon called out to them, "What's new, buckaroos?"
POST 047 / NOS / MIR'S & LIB'S QUARTERS / MIRIAM:
Before she could say anything, Miriam finally let her eyelids fall, and let her exhausion pull her swiftly into
dreamland.
She was dreaming. She was back home. Back in the tenth century. A lifetime ago. Many lifetimes ago.
Walking in slow motion across the barren autumn wasteland, underneath the cold dark afternoon light, the
sky-hugging clouds drifted quickly, too quickly, while the dirt-hugging fog crept slowly, so slowly, at her boots. She shivered,
and as she moved to fold her arms against herself, she felt and found her left forearm and hand trembling in the sudden wind
before her. She broke down in joy as she caressed her cheek with her shaking left wrist and hand and fingers. Her thumb.
Her index finger. All her fingers. She missed them so much. So much that she smiled as she wiped away her tears and felt the
wetness in her fingers.
Suddenly, out of the distant fog, a voice called to her.
"We're here to cleanse your soul," it called. The terrifying words echoed in the whoosh of the wind.
Miriam froze. Within the growing gusts, she froze in utter horror.
No! No, it can't be! It can't be!
POST 048 / NOS / MIR'S & LIB'S QUARTERS / LIBERTAD:
Libertad woke up covered in cold sweat. She didn't remember her dream properly, but she felt really confused
and scared. The only thing about it she saw was some sentinels and Rodin screaming, his face full of wounds.
She tossed and turned, biting her lip anxiously. It's ok, kid. Your first night in here. You're an adult, that's
what you wanted, huh? Now face it!
Miriam didn't seem to be having a great time. Somehow she looked like she was having a nightmare.
Is it infectious?
She shrugged. She wasn't used to that kind of things. She didn't like sharing her quarters, she had always
had more intimacy despite living with a family. Looking at that single-armed woman lying on another mattress right beside her
was just so strange.
She stood up and sat down on the floor, then buried her head in her hands, sighing and shivering while thinking
about the dream. She closed her eyes and wished to be home. But what's home? Have you ever had a home?
she asked herself.
I don't think so, she answered herself after a while.
POST 049 / NOS / CORE / JAYMAN:
Avalon called out to them, "What's new, buckaroos?"
Jayman smiled. He was always fond of her sense of humor, darker at times, lighter at other times. But sense
of humor or not, she knew her job. Well enough to treat the wounds in his side a couple years ago. Internal wounds from virtual
bullets, shot by virtual Agents. And there always seemed to be Agents.
"Crystal will be ready soon," he answered. "Care to jack her in?"
"How many times have I told you not to paint your nails before a mission?" Avalon rolled her gray eyes, and
spoke in a falsetto. "Oh, no, I can't plug anyone in. My Tahitian pink will smudge." She smiled teasingly.
The captain laughed as the operator raised a bushy eyebrow in befuddlement.
"Truthfully," she added, "I was looking to see if I could get a training session in for myself. And I can always
jack Crystal in."
Jayman dark eyes lit up. "I think we can arrange your impromptu session." He turned to Hitchhiker. "What do
you think? Simultaneous?"
A wide toothy grin spread across the black man's face.
POST 050 / NOS / CORE / CRYSTAL:
Finally climbing down the ladder, Crystal kept her look of suspicion and stubbornness. I'm ready... I'm
always ready.
But then she heard Jayman's voice, "I think we can arrange your impromptu session. What do you think?
Simultaneous?"
Simultaneous? What is he talking about?
Turning, she saw Jayman, Hitch, and then Avalon. She didn't expect her especially during this mission.
What is she doing here? Did Jayman call her to look after me?
But with so many people present, Crystal put on her best smile, and walked to her favorite chair: second
one from the port side. "Simultaneous what?"
POST 051 / NOS / CORE / HITCHHIKER & CRYSTAL & JAYMAN:
"Simultaneous what?" Commander Crystal smiled from behind her chair.
Lieutenant Commander Hitchhiker answered with an even wider and brighter grin. Readjusting the old
orange cap on his bald head, he began, "The captain has just authorized me--" He turned, "You did, didn't you?"
"Yeah," Jayman nodded.
"Just making sure," Hitch replied then returned to Crystal. "The captain has just authorized me to operate
a simultaneous Matrix/Construct session. During your recon mission, Avalon will be training in the Construct. Not much different
from having multiple minds in the Matrix. In fact, it's less of a risk with fewer minds needing a hardline. In any case, don't
worry, my eyes will give priority to your mission."
Somewhat hesitant, Crystal finally agreed, and began to climb into her chair. "Okay."
The operator then turned to Avalon, "Okay with you too?"
POST 052 / NOS / CORE / AVALON:
Avalon smiled at her commander. There were times when Crystal, as capable an officer as she was, irritated
her to no end.
For the love of God, Crys, I'm not here to take over your mission.
"That'll be fine, Hitch. I'm sure you'll pull me out if you need to focus on Crystal."
Needy bitch.
The two women got along as well as they could in such close quarters. They both had strong personalities,
and there usually was only room for one of them in a given place. Avalon did her best to stay out of Crystal's way, seeing no
reason to antagonize a superior without need, and Crystal returned the favor. This unvoiced arrangement suited them both.
Turning her smile onto the operator, Avalon said, winking, "I think I'd like to exercise my right to party
tonight. Load me up something good!"
To be continued... [06 June 2004 - postponed indefinitely.]
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