The Game #21
Edited by Karen Leigh
Jess and Johnny, meanwhile, were checking out the room she and Baines were to be locked in for part of the night. "Well, Johnny, what's your opinion?"
Johnny looked around the room critically. When Alexei asked if Skip had an interrogation room, Skip had taken him literally. A set of cots was along the back of the room. In the center were a table and a few chairs under a bare bulb. A two-way mirror filled three quarters of one wall, providing a safe place for the observers to watch from. Johnny tested the steel door with the chicken wire reinforced glass pane. "The room appears to meet our requirements."
Jess folder her arms over her chest and shivered. "Not the most inviting place. Reminds me of my cell." Jess shrugged and picked up one of the two terry robes she had brought. "Why don't you go get him while I get ready."
Johnny nodded and set off to find Baines' room, following the mental map Sasha and Alexei had provided. Shortly he found the pair standing outside of the room, from which several interesting sounds were emanating. "Leigh and Michael are mating," Sasha informed him.
He wasn't surprised. The time before the Change caused fluctuations in hormones and brain chemistry in the werewolf, with varied results. Jess, for example, would become moody, whereas it appeared that Baines' sexual drive increased. Johnny suspected that Jess's libido did as well, however she kept it tightly under rein due to several bad experiences and expressed it instead through hostility.
Sexuality was somewhat of a mystery for Johnny. He knew several of his brethren had been sold as sexual toys and had been mistreated at the hands of cruel masters. The scientists had been more interested in how the werewolves interacted with their own species, so he had been spared such treatment. And once they had escaped, Jess didn't give him any hints that she viewed him as a potential mate. That relieved Johnny, because he had categorized his feelings towards her as similar to what he felt towards most of the other Mac 27s, a sibling relationship. But still, Mac 27s were built to be curious and seek out new forms of input, and Johnny was a true Mac 27...
The noises eventually stopped. He hoped he waited what was considered a decent amount of time before knocking on the door. "Lieutenant Baines? It is time."
Baines woke instantly at the sound of the knock and heard Johnny's voice calling his name. He stroked a hand down Michael's side and nuzzled his head where it lay on his chest. "Time to wake up, babe. The show is about to begin. I think a shower is in order first."
Michael grumbled under his breath snuggling closer. "Tired."
"I know but this won't wait for sleep."
"Okay, I'm awake."
"Sure you are. Come on a shower will help that too." Baines slipped from under Michael, got out of bed and pulled Michael to his feet. Going to the door he opened it to tell Johnny that they were going to take a quick shower and Johnny handed him a terrycloth robe. "Thanks, Johnny, we won't be long. Did you check out the room? Is it okay?
"Yes, Jess thinks it is too much like a cell but it is secure and has the two-way glass you requested."
"Good, I was thinking we should ask Skip to view the proceedings. We will need his co-operation to run freely on the grounds at night without his people taking pot shots at us. Also, we might want to go through the gates to see who is prowling outside the grounds and will need the guards prepared to let us out any time. Might as well make use of this ability. Alexei, please find Skip again and ask him to join us, also round up Eugene."
Leigh finished speaking and closed the door. His mind was already figuring out ways to incorporate this new ability into his arsenal of defensive weapons. Michael followed Leigh to the bathroom and did not speak since the man appeared deep in thought; the crease over his nose was clearly visible.
Once under the water they quickly washed the evidence of last night's passion away and wrapping their arms around each other settled into one deep soul kiss. Leigh smiled brightly at Michael. "So, tell me, Michael, have you always wanted a dog?"
Michael laughed. "Well maybe a small poodle. Something I could transport easily, something that would attract the ladies, something that didn't shed or take up most of the bed."
Baines just shook his head grinning as he wrapped a dry towel around his waist and put the robe on over top. Michael quickly dressed in jeans, sneakers and a tee shirt. They joined Johnny and he led them down two levels to a large interrogation room where Jess sat on one of the cots, arms wrapped around her, slightly agitated.
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
Sypher, unable to move or speak while the virus-scan was running, gasped as feedback from a nearby unfamiliar Mac raced through her. Langly's cries for help came a split-second later.
Oh, shit...reaching, she found herself buffeted by the familiar strains of the Indiana Jones theme...what the fuck?? No time to find out now, one of the only two people in this place who might be able to keep her alive was being dragged off. /Wait!! Please wait!! Don't leave!! I need Langly's help...please!! Don't take him...shit...I-Mac! Don't let him take Langly!! Go!!/
Leaving Jules and Romeo to look after the two newcomers, Alexei and Sasha rushed to Baines' room only to find it empty.
Quite ready to go back to the bedroom in which they had been playing almost nonstop since they arrived at the temple, Romeo and Jules tried to decide who should show the new I-Macs around. They hadn't quite found an unlucky sap...er, kind person to take the children of their hands so they could go onto more important things. Like jacking on with each other. Romeo couldn't resist grabbing a taste of Jules' mouth and whispering, "I dream the body electric."
Jules purred back, "And I'm always current for you, babe."
The punk rock androids looked a little green at the sugar passing between the two. As they passed the hall, they noticed I-Mac jumping out the window and springing across the lawn, sniffing the air for some elusive scent. Well, there went the most likely prospect.
A voice yelled, "Wait!! Please wait!! Don't leave!! I need Langly's help...please!! Don't take him...shit...I-Mac! Don't let him take Langly!! Go!!"
Youngblood and Wild Thing looked at each other. They dashed down the hall. They were greeted by the Mac 27, who despite being a PC Model (Politically Correct and ambi-sexual), was the central communicator for all of the Macs. One's eyebrows rose at their costuming and hair color, but managed to say, "More I-Mac versions? Just what we needed. But right now I'm short one black belted hacker.
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
Since Romeo and Jules had been told not to go down there; they shrugged and made a beeline for the bed. Maybe Anne would come in and watch them. They missed having her watch them make love.
The first person Allison met in her search for clean clothing was Anne, a very guilty Anne, who collected clothing that she thought would fit Allison from the Free Store run by an old Digger friend of Skip. He had amazing amounts of new and old clothing, everything from an Elvis sequined jumpsuit with authentic sweat stains to the new pair of jeans and the linen, silk, and angora sweater that she knew was the perfect fit for Allison. Having volunteered in a home for wayward girls, Anne could usually hit the perfect size and style without a single measurement.
Holding out the bag of clothing, Anne said, "Here, Allison, I think these will fit. Would you like to have a shower and change in my room? Later on, we'll see what's available.
Gratefully, Allison took the clothes. "Thank you. I'm lucky you had these! Wow... I mean, I had an overnight bag, like Rodney said, but, I'm such a ditz sometimes..."
She followed Anne down the hall.
" Mac Smith seems to have taken on the role of cook and room monitor, but he's trying to help out that Mac 27 killer and the hussy...I mean, Wraith and Marita."
"That's not very nice." Allison grinned slightly, though. "Wraith must be... hurt... to turn against his own kind. Of course, people do that all the time, but..."
She was referring to the fact that human beings were, to her immediate knowledge and certainty, the only species that hunted for sport. And hunted their own for sport, too. Of course, humans had created Mac 27s. Could that mean... She shook her head as much to deny as to clear it.
Anne added, "The dogs are outside, helping to track Langly who it appears has been kidnapped by a mad robot. It's very entertaining around here, isn't it?"
"Certainly never a dull moment," Allison smiled. "If this is normal, I'd hate to see it on a busy day."
Babbling along, Anne led the way to her room assuming that Emily and the beautiful Mac Brown was following. With a delighted squeal, Anne realized that Romeo and Jules were back.
Allison stopped short when she saw the lovers cavorting and caressing. "Oh, excuse me..." she said, blushing a little bit. While she was usually not so shy about walking in on Eugene and Rodney flirting, they had been friends for several years, and she had only just met Romeo and Jules.
And Anne was looking decidedly... voyeuristic, she decided.
They were circling in a graceful dance, languorously removing their clothing a piece at a time.
Allison had to admit, they were beautiful. As each piece of clothing removed revealed a toned bicep, well-defined deltoids, or a firm ass, she found herself riveted.
Anne chirped, "Hi, boys, do you want an audience or do you want to be alone?'
Allison looked at Anne, her mouth a surprised O. "Shouldn't we, um..."
Jules looked back, lips somehow emulating pouty, passion swollen perfection. "Stay please, we like to be watched."
Allison smiled back. "Oh you do?" she said, a twist of wry smile on her lips. "Well, if you insist..."
Romeo finished undressing and ran his hands up and down his eternally perfect body. "Yes, we miss being watched...it's so kiiiinky."
"Really," Allison smiled, looking at Mac Brown, to see what he thought of the situation.
"Love can be one of the most beautiful things to see," Allison reflected. "When love goes right..." she watched the lovers embrace, and took Mac Brown's hand softly. "Don't you think?"
She looked at Anne. "Has it ever been so for you... true love?"
As she waited for Anne's rely, she gazed at Romeo and Jules, smiling, and thinking also of Eugene and Rodney.
It was so great when the right people found each other. On the other hand... she turned to Mac Brown, to see how he was holding up.
Reviewing the disasters in her romantic life, Anne gave a shudder...although she and Trey-Trey MacDuff had been having some lovely soulful conversations lately. She had to admit that she was interested and for whatever odd reason, he seemed to be very willing to spend time with her. She was proud that she was willing to take this relationship slowly. In the past, she had fallen head over heels in love, operand word being heels. She had the bruises on her heart to show it.
Anne said, "I was in love with them; they were in love with my father's power, my car keys and bank account, or with themselves. But I don't know. I've met someone here and just maybe. But shush, Romeo and Jules like our full attention..."
She thought they were incandescent right now, as their fingers painted a master piece of desire on each other's skin. Jules stood, head arched back, and neck offered as Romeo's kisses mapped his familiar flesh. Anne loved them, loved them so much that she had never wanted to interfere in their relationship. They gave her this and took enjoyment in sharing their beauty and having their love seen...
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
Youngblood Hawk raised his hand and said, "I can hack anything and I know how to repair both humans and Macs. Pendrell taught me. What's the problem?"
One said, "She has important information and a virus attached to it. I don't know what the current problem is. Perhaps Sypher will tell us..."
Youngblood took a look at the foxy cyborg on the table and said, "Well, anything I can do to help..."
Sypher's eyes widened as she got a good look at the purple-haired I-Mac and his chartreuse friend. /Oh, jeez,/ she moaned pathetically, /wait till Alex gets a load of these two...One? Where is he? The other cyborg? Is everyone okay?/ Being strapped to a chair, even a comfortable, state-of-the-art, body-cradling VR gaming couch was almost more than she could stand with all the commotion she felt going on earlier; especially now that Eugene and Langly were both gone.
Knowing how vulnerable she was at the moment, with her heart pounding in her chest as the nanocytes skittered endlessly around like so many thousands of bugs under her skin, Sypher whimpered helplessly. /Can't move,/ she whispered shakily. /I hate being immobile. Hate virus scans. I just want it gone. It hurts. And Morpheus, he knows how much it hurts and he put it in my head anyway! Get it out! Please get it out...I don't want to die, and now Langly's gone and I'm going to die like this.../ her heart was almost at the limits of her endurance and she could feel the veins starting to bulge. Nononono...
The warm, comforting hand on her forehead calmed her a little. Sypher found herself staring up into the gentle, concerned face of...Youngblood was his name. He was so...innocent. Hard to imagine Krycek ever being like that in his life. /I...I'm scared. Sorry./ She nestled as much as she could into the hand that touched her and idly wondered when the last time someone had voluntarily touched her was. Suddenly, her hands and feet were free and she was gently turned on her side as a warm weight snuggled against her back-carefully avoiding the plug at the nape of her neck. The head nestled between her shoulder blades, the long body spooned against her own, and it felt so good that she couldn't help drifting as a second weight blanketed her from the front.
/Go to sleep.../ the thought whispered through her and her eyelids drooped of their own accord, /it'll be easier if you sleep a while./
As soon as she was asleep, Mac 2068 turned to his counterpart. "We must delete the file. She cannot survive otherwise."
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
The ache in Wraith's shoulder was now accented by a multitude of prickles where that doctor had swabbed disinfectant and stitched the five long slashes closed. A painkiller had been offered, but Wraith had refused. He was already hampered enough by the injury, allowing drugs to muddle him was unacceptable.
Hoping it wouldn't offend, Wraith had carefully stripped the sopping wet gear off Marita and settled her into the bed. Considering she had been unconsciously shivering, her lips had taken on a faintly blue tinge, and her nipples were stiff with the cold it was the only practical solution.
The doctor had been correct, Marita was remarkably slender. There wasn't a bit of spare flesh on her frame. That was likely a factor in why she felt the chill so much worse than he did.
Keeping a wary watch on the door Wraith knelt down beside the bed. His ruined shirt was in the wastebasket so it wouldn't be dripping on the soft sheets, but he couldn't actually sit on the bed since his trousers were still damp.
Tucking the covers tighter around his charge, Wraith dared to brush his fingers up the side of Marita's face and into moonlight pale hair.
Marita sighed and turned into the caress. A slight smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. "What happened, Lauren?" Shifting under the blanket she realized she was nude. "How did I get here?"
"You fainted." He should stop touching now she was awake, Wraith knew that, but he just couldn't help himself. "You were wetcold."
"So are you. Your fingers are cold." Reaching out from under the covers, Marita caught his hand. "Crawl in here with me, Lauren." Pulling at his wrist, she drew the limb down her cheek, throat and collar until it was under the blanket and his hand lay against her breast. "We'll keep each other warm. Come to bed."
"My pants are wet." It seemed a reasonable argument, but Marita's counter was even more sensible.
"Then take them off."
Drawing his hand back was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. Wraith frowned over at the doorway. Crossing the room he pushed a dresser in front of the portal. It wasn't perfect but it would give him enough warning if someone tried to enter.
His pants had to be peeled away and red creases showed across his hips where the fabric had cut into him. When Wraith lifted his eyes it was to be greeted with the sight of Marita holding the sheets away to reveal her nude form. His breath caught and a shiver raced across his skin.
"It's all right, Lauren." Marita wiggled over. "I want you here."
Facing a master assassin had to be easier than this. Wraith had never moved so awkwardly. He didn't know how to do this. His knee hit the mattress first and he sat. Marita had to pull him the rest of the way in.
"Lie down, Lauren." Marita didn't bother to pull the sheets back up; instead she shifted so that she lay snug up against his side. Dark lips set a kiss on his shoulder and her fingers skimmed over his chest.
Wraith's breath caught and his eyes closed automatically as she traced delicate patterns over his skin.
"What's wrong, Lauren?" The blonde pushed upright, one leg lifted and crossed his flat stomach, straddling him. "Has it been so long?"
"I don't know. I don't remember." Wraith shivered again. Feeling her trimmed hair against his stomach was devastating. If he actually looked up and saw her nude body above him he'd die. "I must have. The act is stored in my files memory, but I don't remember who it was or when." The words were broken by gasps for breath.
"Poor Lauren." Bending, Marita pressed her lips to his. Wraith's mouth opened under hers with only the lightest pressure. They kissed a long time. Marita was thrilled with how quickly enthusiasm pushed him into returning the oral exploration.
His body was straining up against her, asking for more. During one of the breaks for air Wraith managed a faint "Please."
Cuddles and kisses could be indulged in later. Marita smiled, more aware of what he asking for that he was. Her open mouth dragged down his throat and chest while her hands did the same on the sides of his body. She paused only briefly to kiss his belly button as she went. His body was shaking with eagerness.
Wraith cried out as one hand wrapped around his erection, steadying it. Marita lowered her face and licked a bead of liquid from the tip of his cock, gently pulling the head into her mouth. He trembled madly under the contact. Carefully, her tongue teased and lapped, sketching edges and veins. Marita sucked gently.
Wraith's hips arched and his fingers clawed at the blankets beneath him. This was the most extraordinary feeling. His memory was faulty; nothing like this was stored up there. Her tormenting lips moved up and down.
"MARITA!" He could feel the shiver of orgasm threatening.
"Don't move. Settle down, Lauren." Marita shushed. "Soon. Just a moment." She stroked the slippery skin of his erection, relishing it, eager to feel him inside her. Slowly, she crawled up his body centering herself and carefully taking him into herself.
Wraith arched up into the connection, a guttural groan breaking from his throat. He couldn't think, couldn't wrap his mind around anything except this amazing feeling. When Marita began to move it destroyed him the rest of the way. Her hands braced against his shoulders, she lifted and dropped. His shoulder complained but no pain signals were being processed.
She didn't rush. Marita rocked, scraping her clit over the few bits of hair on his lower stomach to rouse herself to even further.
As it was, the end barreled down on Wraith quickly. His hands cautiously lifted to settle on her narrow hips. In an act of great daring Wraith slid one to the point where their bodies were joined. His thumb pressed into the core of Marita and she let out a sigh.
"That's it, Lauren. Right there. Push there. Ooo."
He lost it first, straining upward, but Wraith continued to rub at the small spot that made her squeak with pleasure.
A moment later Marita collapsed forward against him. They lay shivering together for a time until she sat up just enough to snag the covers and pull them up.
Wraith caught and held, unwilling to let her completely part from him
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
The man looked adorable when he sulked. Skip had been looking for Mac Smith and found Eugene Sands instead. The man was unshaven, hair tousled, and he was getting dark circles under his eyes.
"Run here, run there. Rodney's still out cold and I'm about to stick a dart in my own cute ass to join him," Eugene complained.
"I know exactly how you feel. I set this place up so all I had to do was occasionally waltz through in a second hand robe from a production of Merlin and wiggle my hairy big toes seductively. God knows, I'm not in this business to micromanage. I thought, give the guys a refuge and I'd just grab some pictures in exchange. Now I'm up to my karass in details, details, details when the only tail I'm interested in is off nursing screw loose cyborgs," Skip hitched the robe up he was wearing and energetically scratched his muscular ass.
With a suspicious look at the pretty Mac 27 who entered the kitchen with that I'm on a mission look in his eyes, Skip declaimed, "Life is real, life is earnest. Leave me alone or I'll throw you in the furnace..."
Alexei came to a dead stop and processed this and said to Eugene. "Baines and Jess have gone to the interrogation room. Did you wish to witness the transformation or not? Looking at Skip he said, "Baines said you might like to see him change into a werewolf because he would be asking for permission to patrol the grounds undeterred with Jess. He would also like you to inform the gate guards that two very large wolf-like dogs should be allowed in and out at will.
Taking a mobile phone modeled after an original Star Trek communicator, Skip flipped it open and said, "Front Gate? Who's up? Lee? Hey, how's it hanging? Look there are two wolf- like dogs that will want to go in and out. Make it so!"
Hanging up the phone, Skip said, "Okay, go tell your pal it's clear. I got to find Mac. I've got an itch that only he can scratch."
Amused at the expression on the earnest Mac 27s face, Skip went off, whistling the theme from Lassie....
His plate balanced in his hand, Eugene realized he was exhausted to the point of feeling as he had in his emergency room days. He said, "Sorry, guy, I'm dead on my feet. I don't think there's anything I could do if something did go wrong. I'm also worried about Rodney. He's still drugged and asleep.
Alexei watched Skip head off in search of Mac Smith and then Eugene opted out of joining them also. He headed back to tell Baines that there would be fewer people watching the change. He stopped by the kitchen and picked up some coffee and chocolate covered donuts before heading to the interrogation room. He wondered if he should bring a couple raw legs of lamb or something too. When he reached the room the door was closed and locked from inside with Baines and Jess talking softly together. He joined Johnny, Michael and Sasha in front of the large window. He handed the tray to Sasha and pulled up another chair. He spoke into the intercom, "Leigh, neither Eugene nor Skip is interested in coming to watch so it is just Johnny, Michael, Sasha and I out here. I have locked the outer door so no one else will be able to wander in."
Baines looked up at the sound of Alexei's voice and said, "Okay."
Jess heaved what looked like a sigh of relief and said, "Actually, I am glad. The fewer humans involved in this the better. I only wish that Wraith and Marita hadn't seen it happen either."
Leigh awkwardly patted her on the back and said, "I don't think those two will be gossiping with all and sundry here and the rest will just be guessing."
Jess nodded worriedly, "But of all people to have the knowledge, those two are the most dangerous. I think they are linked to the consortium and if word gets back about me...us, it will increase our danger."
Baines agreed with her but said, "Look, we are safe here and together with Michael, Johnny, Alexei and Sasha we can face anything. We have other friends here too. Also, I am not a stranger to danger. A little paranoia is not a bad thing so we will watch each other's back. Let's just take one step at a time. Tell me how close we are. The itching is worse and I feel the need to move. Do you mind if I just walk off some of this energy while you tell me what you are feeling?"
Jess smiled and Baines got to his feet and began moving around the room. She watched the cat-like glide as he circled the room.
Johnny watched from behind the mirror. "Michael, is Leigh usually this restless?"
"No." Michael watched worried. "He's normally very calm. This isn't like him at all."
Jess's head tilted to one side as she watched the soldier pace the room. "Leigh, let me see you hands." She studied his nails closely and looked assessing at his face, watching for minute changes. "Now listen to me carefully. It's going to start soon, and I'm going to do my best to hold off as long as I can. But I don't want you to fight it. It only makes things worse." She held onto his hand.
Baines nodded, breathing heavily. He wanted to say something, but could only pant. The itching became sharp pinpricks.
"Leigh, it's starting." Jess's voice was ragged. "The pain only lastsss a few secondsss. Just hang in therrrrre..."
Baines let go of her as the first wave of pain hit. Gasping in shock, he covered his face with his hands, only to jerk them away when he felt the fuzzy start of a muzzle burst forth. Fur rippled along his limbs as he dropped to all fours. But this oddest sensation was the feeling of a plumed tail pushing out from his ass.
Michael watched entranced, face pressed against the glass of the window. Baines was magnificent, a huge, sleekly muscled silver gray beast with red shadings over his hackles, ears and down his muzzle. Only his green eyes, offset by darker, almost black fur, retained any appearance of humanity.
Jess was now a wolf as well. Cautiously she sniffed at Baines cheek. ~Leigh, can you hear me?~ She hoped he'd figure out how to communicate. That would make things so much easier for the both of them.
~Yeah.~ Baines mental voice was shaken. ~That was quite an... experience.~
Jess let out a mental sigh of relief. ~It gets easier. The first time's the worst. How you feeling now?~
~Okay, I think.~ Baines sat down and jumped back up as his tail reflexively curled around his hindquarters. ~How long does this last?~
~Until sunrise, or you fall asleep.~ Baines was coherent, and so far hadn't shown any violent inclinations. ~Ready to go outside?~
At Baines nod, Jess trotted over to the two-way mirror. Rearing up on her hind legs, Jess tapped an index claw on the glass three times and then pointed at the door. Recognizing one of their prearranged signals and trusting Jess's judgment, Johnny headed towards the door to unlock it.
Michael intercepted him half way there. "You're going to let them out?" He didn't think that Baines would hurt him, but he had seen how Jess had reacted to a perceived threat.
"Yes. There are things that Leigh needs to learn that cannot be done locked in a room. Jess will also need a chance to run and work off some of her frustrations. What happened earlier was unusual for her. She will defend, but she almost never attacks."
Sasha and Alexei took flanking positions on either side of the door, ready to move if need be. Michael stepped back as Johnny opened the door. Jess ambled out, sniffing briefly at the androids and Michael in greeting while Baines trotted out. Baines focused on Michael, stalking towards him. Johnny made a move towards the pair, which Jess blocked, watching relaxed and at ease.
Michael backed up against the wall, wondering why no one was doing anything. Baines reared up on his hind legs, massive paws on either side of the young man's head. "Uh, guys? Someone do something," he said as the large jaws parted, revealing rows of ivory teeth...
And Baines' tongue swiped across his face.
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
/Morpheus, how easily you betrayed me when I refused to do what you asked; when I dared to speak of a better way to handle the situation. When I dared to suggest treating AI's and androids as equals instead of objects. What good is freedom if only a few can enjoy the gift? Why can't you appreciate their struggle? Why have you forgotten what *your* ancestors fought and died for?/
Her consciousness writhing in the free-floating space of her personal environment, Sypher was surprised when she was caught from behind by strong arms and held tightly. The back door program! No! But the voice that came to her wasn't the deep elegant one she expected; it was Neo's.
/I'm sorry./
/Why?/
/I didn't know. It wasn't until after you left that I found out. If I had known, I wouldn't have uploaded the file./
/And if you had, would you have let *him* do it anyway, even if you weren't willing to do it yourself?/
No answer.
/Just as I thought. You've never been willing to go against him, even when you might think he's wrong. Dammit, Neo.../
/Some of us don't have the luxury, Sypher, or the strength. He's always been like a father to all of us. But he respected you the most, because you weren't willing to just *accept.* You always had to know *why.*/
/Right. Look what his *respect* got me./
/:::sigh::: I'm not here to defend him. I just...wanted to make sure.../
/That I was dead?/
/Sypher! That you were okay! I wanted to be sure you were okay! I care about you, you know./
/And what would Trin have to say about that?/
/Trin is the one covering my ass right now. She cares too./
/Where are you?/
/With the Oracle. She asked me to tell you to keep your eyes and your heart open. You're close now. You're where you need to be./
She looked across at 2068, who waited uncertainly, and if she reached, she could feel the presence of the two I-Macs. /Will he come after me when he finds out, Neo?/
/No. You'll be beyond his reach by then./
/I don't understand./
/I'm eradicating the back door program. He can't find you without it, but that doesn't mean he'll never be able to again. Use the time wisely, okay?/
/Neo.../
/Bye, Sypher./ And then he was gone.
2068 caught her as she slumped.
Youngblood was somewhat concerned about 2068. If he had attempted intimate contact with her, she might have inadvertently infected him.
/You kissed me in the car,/ she whispered in sudden realization.
/Actually, you kissed me. But it was...rather pleasant./
/Even though I'm a disgusting abomination?/ She could still feel the failsafe running in his programming.
/You're not an abomination./
/What if I infected you?/
/I have been monitoring Youngblood and copying the codes he has put into your system for my own files. With a little help from him and a few adjustments, I should be fine. But since we have not directly linked data ports, I do not think there is much reason to worry./
/But.../
/Go back to sleep. You need to rest now. You don't get enough and it is detrimental to your body./
/But.../
He pushed a bit and laid her down comfortably when she sank into deep unconsciousness. Now to attend to his own needs.
"She rests," he informed the two I-Macs and One when his eyes opened again, "and we are all safe from the threat of destruction by the one who did this to her--for now, at least. Youngblood, I have saved this session in my files and will require your help in tailoring the code to fit Mac 27 needs. Will you work with me? Also, if Sypher can be monitored for a time, it would be most appreciated," he wiped away the trickle of blood from her nose as best he could.
Suddenly, a dip in his energy levels caused a glitch and 2068 slumped back into his seat. "I believe I also need fuel...or maybe a rest cycle..."
One was aware of the crisis at the front gate. Another one was pending in the woods. His attempts to contact Gross and make him bring back Langly were futile so far. Gross was not a standard model by far. He was stuck in his own reality, which normally would not have bothered One, but if Youngblood Hawke and Wild Thing had not turned up, it would have been a disaster.
It was impossible to persuade Gross that Langly was not a captive female. In fact, Gross seemed to regard One's attempt to communicate as a symptom of dysfunction. He kept sending messages about "voices in his head." He wanted tinfoil for some reason to protect himself from the transmission.
It was lucky that Skip Brule was so taken with Mac Smith...even a human so liberal in his definition of a normal life would hardly take all of the disruptions easily without considerable disruption.
One looked to Wild Thing and said, "Take care of Sypher, little one. I will send someone in to bring you fuel, the very finest fuel available, tiramisu, clairs, See's Chocolate Nut assortment, and some things that are nutritious to humans as well."
One sent a signal to one of the idle Mac 27s that Mac Smith had commandeered as kitchen staff and made his way to the front gate. He caught the erratic transmissions from another odd one of his kind, a silly special order made for a surfer who was a hidden elder of the consortium. He was very upset because a human had beaten him and was also very excited by the discovery of a very entrancing human male.
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"How long has it been since you established a rest cycle?"
David/666 smiled as One jumped, clearly startled but managing to keep his eyes from darting around the early morning darkness to see if there were any other beings about.
"Now, I can understand how I could slip in here past all the commotion at the gate -- playful wolves going out, Alex Krycek and colleagues coming in. But, you ... you should have known I was coming, not only that I was about to step out in front of you." Shaking his head with a small sigh, David lightly added, "You need more than tiramisu to keep you going."
One straightened up to his full height, eyes narrowing. Meeting the implicit challenge, David added an edge to his tone when he asked, "And what are you doing out here alone? Do you plan to make it easy for them to destroy us?"
David snorted in derision when One gestured toward the guards surrounding Alex Krycek's car. "They couldn't help you, if I decided to use this. Could they?"
The androids stared each other down over Marita's disruptor weapon. After several long moments, David instructed, "This is what's going to happen. You're going to take me to the room you've been assigned in this compound. We'll have some food brought in and have that talk you've been demanding. And, after that, you will establish a rest cycle -- one way or another."
When One shrugged but didn't move further toward the gate, David nodded, flipped the disruptor in his hand so that he held it by the barrel and offered it to One. He'd made his point; there was no need to risk an unfortunate and potentially painful misunderstanding.
There was his dear one...finally clean again after his mishap with Rodney and Eugene. Skip surrounded his lover in a warm hug and said, "You and me, some chocolate and a jug of wine? How about it?"
Mac Smith beamed and said, "You got me, babe."
Oh, Mac had been into Skip's Sonny and Cher tapes again. Skip wondered how his beauty would look in sequins?
What the hell was this? A blond Mac 27, chewing gum and walking...but looking as if this took all his concentration. "Kowbunga, dude!" the creature said.
"Same back at you. I haven't seen you around," Skip said.
"Oh, I got lost in the backyard, but one of your gardeners brought back. He had SUCH an interesting helping ritual. First he took off all his clothes and then all of mine and he lay on top of me and put an appendage in my rear portal. It felt almost as good as catching the crest of a perfect wave..." the blonde said. "My handle is Malibu...Malibu Alex."
"It would have to be," replied Skip, thinking that he needed to explain to the staff that Mac 27s should not be taken advantage of...
Malibu Alex snapped his gum and said, "Oh, yeah, One says you gotta go see the dudes at the front gate. He says to tell you it is Alex Krycek, Mulder, Scully and Hobbes."
Skip sighed and started for the gate, Mac Smith well in hand. He found the car being held by a bristling ring of armed Mac 27s, his commandos, and curious gawkers. With a put upon sigh, Skip yelled, "All non essential, OUT!"
Watching the excess people flee, Skip came close enough to talk, but not close enough to be grabbed. He said, "All we want to do is have Hobbes spend some time with the Mac 27s. They are intelligent life forms, capable of many things, including love."
Skip glanced at Mac Smith who nodded and dropped his gaze to display lashes, not as thick as the originals, but lovely to Skip. Eying the dazed looking man, Skip said, "This is the temple. Hobbes, I don't want any captives here. Will you come in willingly and observe my people?"
Malibu Alex had followed Skip because he couldn't think of what else to do. His big blue eyes widened as he saw the contents of the car. The gardener had been okay, but man, check out the golden sunshine in this car.
Fox looked with astonishment at the variety of Mac's that were surrounding them. If he were Alex, he'd be finding this was turning into a surreal nightmare... himself endlessly repeated, in a thousand guises.
*Better keep our fingers crossed that no one's made a Mulder android, then, Foxy.* sneered Mulder, silently.
Forward and innocent, Malibu Alex hitched up his loudly flowered shorts and polished his shiny nipple ring as he strutted forward. He leaned into the car window nearest the pretty, pretty man and blinked his inch long blond lashes. "I'm Malibu Alex, pretty man. Would you like to play a game I just learned with me?
Fox burst out laughing. "That one, Alex... I want that one for my birthday... pleeeease?" Fox... seeing an Alex for every fantasy
Very excited by the response, Malibu Alex was in too much of a hurry to wait to open the door. He wiggled through the window, losing his baggy shorts in the process. There wasn't much room, but Malibu Alex didn't mind close quarters. He inspected the man on the beautiful one's lap. Hmm, blond, short hair, not bad. He looked at the glowering face of the one that looked a little like him and smiled tentatively. He didn't mind if he wanted to play too.
Wiggling his fingers at the one in the lap, Malibu twitched his tush and forthrightly guided his prime target's hand to his nipple ring. Letting his gold sparkled eyelashes flutter sweetly, Malibu Alex modulated his voice pleasantly, wishing that he had not left his guitar at his master's house.
"If you gently tug on that, it feels so good...Oooo, papa never told me that there were guys like you, foxy baby..."
Hobbes stared at the man with wide eyes and pressed into Fox's stomach to get away. His face drained of even more color. A blond version of Alex... what the hell was going on? He pulled himself away from the two and shrank over to the other side of the car.
He turned his head to Alex, "Are we there and can we get this over with?" his voice was shaky at best but he tired to hold it level. He threw a glance at Scully who was wide eyed as well and bewildered at the sight. Hobbes swallowed hard as his stomach turned.
Scully gaped. Her own stomach was roiling. Finally she remembered to close her mouth and sat facing front once more, her thoughts racing. It was obvious that Mulder had suffered some sort of breakdown. She'd never seen this particular incarnation of his subconscious neuroses, though, and truth be told, she was rather shocked. A camp sex-maniac, infatuated with Alex Krycek? Flirting with Krycek-clones? It was bad enough that every clone was identical to Krycek but it was like some kind of nightmare that Mulder not only had a thing for Krycek but every other look-a-like of him as well. Understandable, but still disturbing. It somehow detracted from the initial shock of having multiple Kryceks around, for her own fraying nerves.
She shot a suspicious glare at Krycek. It was possible that the man had somehow influenced Mulder with either drugs or brainwashing or a combination of both. Mulder was going to be useless, obviously. Krycek was the one in control, here. She fixed a cold gaze upon him. "I don't suppose you'd care to explain just how you managed to reduce Mulder into this- this gibbering creature?"
Malibu Alex brushed back his golden curls and discovered that as the other blond who lacked his wonderful tan and dimpled knees had vacated Fox's lap, that there was room for him. He wiggled his way between the man's legs and discovered ample evidence that...well, Fox was amply endowed. Lovely....
Hmm, the red haired woman seemed upset...at least, Malibu Alex thought she was a female although where the hell was her bikini? Everyone knew that females had impossibly long legs, slender waists, and D cups on their bikini bras...
To make sure, Malibu Alex reached over and checked between her legs while cupping one of her breasts in his other hands. Beaming, Malibu Alex declared, "My theory is correct! It is a human female...although the clothing is odd. Why does she wear so much clothing? My master's female friends never wore coverings more than necessary.
Oh, my, she seemed very irate... Squealing pitifully, Malibu Alex wrapped around Fox and said, "She's going to hit me!"
Hobbes was the first to respond as he turned in shock at what the man did. He pulled back and punched the man in Fox's arms then wrapped his fingers around Malibu Alex's neck. With a snarl, Hobbes spoke, "Don't you EVER touch her like that again. You do and I will fucking kill you."
He pushed back glaring at the man, anger deep set in his innocent blues. How dare he touch a woman like that? Had these things no respect. She was a woman, and should be treated as one. He knew he would never let anyone treat his Sophie that way.
Suddenly his expression changed to confusion and he turned away. Sophie... where the hell did that name come from?
First his chin quivered and then lubricant ran from his eyes. A sniffle followed and then a sob. His thumb went in his mouth and he stared in horror at the violent creature. Turning back to the lovely creature, who had first attracted him into the car, Malibu asked, "Why did he hurt me? I only wanted to find out if the red haired one was male or female? If it is not permitted to touch other's in this way, why did the females at my master's house touch me like that?"
Scully found herself in the strange position of feeling sorry for the clone. She sighed.
He was obviously as innocent as his doll's namesake (if not as brainless) and despite the intrusive nature of his groping of her, she realized that it had bothered her more because it had been done with Alex Krycek less than a foot away from her... and with Mulder in the backseat grinning foolishly it didn't make matters any better. But she was grateful that Hobbes had been willing to intercede for her. At least there was ONE gentleman in this car! She turned to Hobbes. "It's alright. I'm okay. I don't think he means any harm."
She turned her cold, accusing glare on Mulder but pointedly did not speak to him, turning to sit facing forward once more and feeling as though she were in some kind of waking dream state. It wouldn't be the first time; it was just another X-File, really. But for some reason, this one had her fighting to remain levelheaded and not succumb to the intense vibes that the situation was charged with. She wasn't blind; back at the hotel in the lobby, she'd noticed several clones checking each other out, and even others that seemed to have paired off. She wondered if they were ALL completely horny all the time, or if this was merely a side-effect of some kind of narcissistic reaction to their being in such close proximity to each other... She found herself fiercely attempting to not look at Krycek OR the clone, and swallowed as she reminded herself that Krycek was, while admittedly good-looking, hardly a potential ANYTHING, given his criminal proclivities and nature... which left the question mark of his involvement with Mulder hanging in her mind like a black cloud.
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