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b(find)g(the)h (source)f(of)g(the)h(new)g(worm)f(that)h(was)g(giving)f(him)-75 2461 y(only) 10 b(headaches.)-33 2527 y(``Ok,)i(I)g(know)g(you're)f(all)i(tired.)i(I)d(wan\ t)i(a)e(short)g(report)g(from)-75 2577 y(each)j(of)e(you,)h(then)g(we)h(go)e (home.)20 b(Can't)14 b(expect)h(you)e(to)h(work)-75 2627 y(forever.'',)f(Blaz\ e)j(said)f(as)g(calmly)h(as)f(his)g(overworked)e(nerves)-75 2677 y(could)e (manage.)-33 2744 y(``Well,)g(it's)h(a)g(nightmare.)i(There's)d(no)g(way)h (we)h(can)g(remove)-75 2794 y(all)c(the)g(matrix)g(dependencies)g(from)f(any) h(of)f(the)h(Orange)g(or)f(Man-)996 527 y(darin)i(defense)h(systems.)f(They)g (have)h(had)g(matrix)f(dependencies)996 577 y(reduced,)16 b(but)f(it's)g(not) g(possible)h(to)f(make)h(them)f(effective)h(and)996 627 y(not)i(have)h(them)f (depend)g(on)g(the)h(matrix.'',)g(John)f(Yater)h(said)996 677 y(from)9 b(his) i(tilted)h(back)f(chair,)g(eyes)g(half-asleep.)1037 742 y(``Yes,)16 b(I)f(hav\ e)g(to)g(agree.)24 b(It's)14 b(just)h(not)g(possible.)23 b(O'Yatish)996 791 y (has)12 b(been)f(working)g(on)h(a)g(new)g(minimal)g(ICE)f(that)h(doesn't)f (need)996 841 y(any)17 b(matrix)g(but)g(he)h(doesn't)f(believe)h(it)g(will)g (hold)f(up)g(to)g(any)996 891 y(kind)11 b(of)g(attack)i(that)g(is)f(worth)f (shit.'',)g(Lacy)h(said)g(with)h(an)f(eager)996 941 y(excitement.)20 b(They) 14 b(kind)f(of)g(seemed)h(to)g(say,)g(``Let)f(us)h(go.)19 b(We)996 991 y(can'\ t)11 b(fix)f(it.'')1037 1055 y(``Ok,)f(that's)f(what)h(I)g(felt)f(was)i(inevi\ table.)h(Right)d(now)h(security)996 1105 y(is)14 b(working)g(with)h(the)g(gov\ ernments)f(of)g(several)h(nations)f(to)h(try)996 1155 y(and)d(erase)g(all)h (copies)f(of)f(the)h(worm)g(and)g(eliminate)h(whoever)f(or)996 1205 y(whateve\ r)d(wrote)g(it.)i(But)d(the)i(leads)f(are)g(slim.)h(Word)e(on)h(the)g(street) 996 1255 y(is)i(that)g(some)g(AI)g(wrote)g(the)g(damn)g(thing)g(and)f(started) i(spreading)996 1304 y(it)j(around.)22 b(I)15 b(am)g(almost)g(willing)h(to)f 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y(a)i(run)g(at)h(Hitachi,) h(Ltd.)k(and)15 b(with)f(this)h(new)g(worm)f(that)g(might)996 1917 y(even)g (be)g(possible.)20 b(Blaze)c(spent)e(the)g(rest)g(of)f(the)i(day)f(working) 996 1967 y(the)e(outer)h(matrix)f(defenses)g(and)h(putting)f(everyone)g(on)g (alert.)k(If)996 2017 y(it)11 b(was)h(going)e(to)h(happen)f(it)h(would)g(happ\ en)g(soon.)1037 2081 y(Back)17 b(home)g(in)f(the)h(gloomy)e(corporate)h(owned) h(apartment.)996 2131 y(Half-a-bottle)g(of)f(rum)g(later.)28 b(``Should)16 b (stay)g(sharp)h(tonight,'')996 2181 y(Blaze)d(whispered)f(into)g(the)h(air,)f (``But)f(I'm)g(in)h(the)g(mood)g(to)g(get)996 2231 y(a)g(little)h(wired.'')i (Blaze)e(popped)e(a)i(sleeping)f(pill)g(before)f(laying)996 2281 y(down)7 b (in)g(a)g(fitful)g(doze.)j(About)d(a)g(quarter)g(after)g(three,)h(the)f(conso\ le)996 2330 y(woke)17 b(him.)28 b(A)17 b(level)h(one)f(security)f(breach)h (was)h(in)e(progress.)996 2380 y(Blaze's)g(dizzy)g(head)h(groggily)d(slapped) i(the)g(electrodes)g(to)g(his)996 2430 y(body)8 b(and)g(punched)g(into)h(the) g(matrix.)g(The)g(familiar)f(bright)g(lights)996 2480 y(of)15 b(Hitachi,)i (Ltd.)24 b(surrounding)14 b(him)h(like)h(an)f(old)h(friend.)23 b(The)996 2530 y(never)16 b(ending)g(red)h(matrix)f(lines,)i(criss-crossing)e(into)g(infinit\ e)996 2579 y(space.)37 b(This)19 b(was)i(home.)37 b(A)20 b(kind)f(of)g(adrena\ line)h(that)g(you)996 2629 y(couldn't)10 b(get)i(with)g(drugs.)f(A)g(fire)g (that)h(singed)f(the)h(soul,)f(ground)996 2679 y(the)j(will,)h(and)e(blurred) g(the)h(mind.)k(A)c(lifeless)h(form)d(in)h(a)h(sea)h(of)996 2729 y(egoless)c (dark.)1037 2794 y(He)k(punched)e(the)h(throttle)g(and)f(zipped)h(within)g (four)f(grids)g(of)966 2918 y fj(9)p eop bop -75 -160 a fj(Quanta)1762 b(February)6 b(1990)-75 -15 y fg(the)16 b(brea\ k-in.)24 b(It)16 b(was)g(a)g(melee)h(of)e(ICE)g(and)g(fire.)25 b(The)16 b(wor\ m)-75 35 y(was)c(re-weaving)g(the)g(space)h(while)f(the)g(ICE)f(was)h(doing)f (its)h(best)-75 85 y(to)j(attack)g(it.)23 b(In)14 b(a)h(rhythmless)f(dance,)i (round)d(and)i(round)e(they)-75 135 y(went.)g(Behind)e(the)h(worm)f(the)g(dat\ a)h(jockey)g(was)g(riding)f(through)-75 184 y(it)19 b(all.)34 b(It)19 b(would) f(not)h(be)f(long)g(before)g(the)h(worm)f(had)h(cut)g(a)-75 234 y(hole)e(in)h (the)f(most)g(defensive)g(ICE)g(on)g(Earth.)29 b(It)17 b(was)h(almost)-75 284 y(beautiful,)13 b(but)g(Blaze)h(wasn't)f(there)f(to)h(admire)g(the)g(art,)g (only)f(to)-75 334 y(stop)17 b(it.)28 b(First)17 b(he)g(flooded)f(the)h(zone) h(with)f(a)g(new)h(anti-worm)-75 384 y(that)g(he)f(had)g(dreamed)h(up.)29 b (To)17 b(the)g(worm)g(it)h(looked)e(like)i(an)-75 433 y(infected)12 b(matrix) g(area,)g(causing)g(the)g(real)g(worm)g(to)f(not)h(work)f(its)-75 483 y(way)h (into)g(that)g(area.)i(The)e(only)f(difference)h(was)h(that)f(this)g(worm)-75 533 y(didn't)h(do)g(anything)h(but)f(look)h(like)g(trouble.)19 b(After)14 b (doing)f(this,)-75 583 y(Blaze)h(punched)e(behind)h(the)g(console)g(jockey)g (that)g(was)g(ridding)-75 633 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fc(.)c(.)g(.)t fh(,'')j(Anton)h(gasped,)f(``Morphine)p fc(.)d(.)g(.)t fh('')1037 1422 y(``Uh)p fc(.)g(.)g(.)e fh(,'')19 b(Keezor)h (almost)f(whimpered,)i(``Y-yeah.'')32 b(He)996 1472 y(found)11 b(a)h(small)h (packet)g(of)f(syringes)f(pre-loaded)h(with)h(the)f(drug,)996 1522 y(and)f (pulled)f(one)h(out.)g(``Where--where)e(do)i(I--?'')1037 1575 y(``ANYWHERE!'') 1037 1629 y(Keezor)18 b(forced)f(himself)g(to)g(stop)g(shaking)g(long)g(enoug\ h)f(to)996 1679 y(locate)d(a)f(vein)g(and)g(slide)h(the)f(needle)h(home.)h (After)e(a)g(short)g(time)996 1728 y(Anton's)f(wailing)i(began)e(to)h(subside\ .)h(Keezor)g(left)f(him)g(and)f(ran)996 1778 y(over)g(to)g(Sine.)i(The)f(navi\ gator)f(lay)h(twisted)g(on)f(the)h(floor,)f(but)g(he)996 1828 y(was)i(afraid) g(to)g(touch)f(him)h(for)f(fear)g(of)h(worsening)f(any)h(internal)996 1878 y (injuries)d(he)h(might)g(already)g(have.)1037 1931 y(``Friend,'')19 b(he)h (called)g(as)f(he)g(sat)h(wondering)f(what)g(to)h(do,)996 1981 y(``What)10 b (happened?'')1037 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