| From: | Ed Matuskey <MATUSKEY@***.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Rescue of Powerhouse, part something-or-other |
| Date: | Thu, 18 Nov 1993 19:43:17 -0800 |
defeated....But I get ahead of myself.
I had gone into the Matrix ahead of the lads and lasses forming the
physical assault force, and made sure everything went smoothly. I didn't
even have to suppress any alarms, their entrance was so smooth. I did
disable some computer-guided defenses, just in case Jules managed to figure
out what was up before they got to him. Then I went and sat in the node that
would be connected to the off-line system, and waited for IBA to throw the
switch.
Well, all I can say is that Jules must have warned someone, probably Ganz,
considering the info I found later, that people were nosing around his
complex looking for stuff. No sooner had the off-line system come on-line,
when a mercurial laddie came rushing into my node from somewhere outside.
He was making a beeline for the datapath, but stopped when he saw me.
Well, we both started running our combat utilities as fast as we could,
dumping our various non-offensive software as fast as our decks would let
us. I managed to hit him with my scarf, slowing him down enough for me
to get in a couple blasts with the phaser. He threw some blobs of gunk
at me, and one of his hands formed into a rather vicious looking blade.
We duelled it out for a couple minutes before I got a lucky break; there
was a chink in his defensive programs that I was able to exploit with a
fast adjustment to my phaser. Once I landed a solid hit, the rest of the
fight went pretty quickly. The lad jacked out rather than face the
dump shock, and I sauntered into the dataline.
There was a LOT of information, so I started scanning for the antidote for
PH, and any dirt on Ganz. The antidote was pretty easy to find and
download; less so the stuff on Ganz. I found one really big datastore
with all sorts of info there, and covered with all sorts of scramble and
barrier ice.
Out came the trusty sonic screwdriver: down went the barriers. With a
slight adjustment, I went after the scramble. I had almost cracked it
when this voice came from the surrounding cyberspace.
"Greetings, Jules. Please enter the passcode." A little panel appeared
before me, and a timer started counting down on it. I ran the deception:
no result. I tried again, waving the screwdriver wildly. Still nothing.
Frustrated, and beginning to panic ever so slightly, I pulled out the
phaser and put everything I had into one shot, hoping to overcome the
scramble.
It was beautiful, the entire program seemed to hold out for just an
instant, then it just collapsed. I started downloading the info. That's
when I heard the breathing. Deep, mechanical breathing. I slowly turned,
and saw another program materialize. It looked like a man, dressed all in
black: cape, body suit, weird mask....everything except the glowing red
lightsabre swinging at me.
I will refrain from repeating the lesson in Gaelic cursing I gave at that
moment: I knew what the icon represented--I was friends with the lassie who
designed it, back in the UK. She was another 20th century sci-fi buff. She
had a whole line of software based on the Lucas Canon. Including the
Lord Vader black ice I was now facing. Know what I was wishing at that
moment? I was wishing that I had paid more attention to her coding, instead
of her....ah, never mind.
Anyway, I had just yelled the Gaelic impression of "Fragging hellfire!" (much
longer, and MUCH more profane) and dodged to the side. I swear, I felt heat
from the blade passing by my ear. If my hat had been real, it would have
been minus a brim.
I fired a few ineffective shots, to no effect. The wench had even
programmed the ice to appear as if it was deflecting the blasts with its
sword and--once--it's hand. Bloody maddening, I can tell you. Even my
best, all-or-nothing shot merely caused it's breathing subroutine to
stutter, and almost cost me my virtual head. And yes, to all you
bench-warming wannabees, I did check the code for weaknesses: there weren't
any. I'm sure if I'd taken some time, I might have found a small weakness,
but my cursory scan had gotten me a slice to my arm for my trouble.
I needed more of that Ganz data. Gambling that I'd be able to jack out in
time, I dodged past the ice, and threw myself into the datastore, downloading
as fast as I could. I had a few seconds of uninterrupted retrieval, and then
I felt a burning sensation start in my back. With a massive effort of will,
and not a small scream of agony, I tapped my combadge, and jacked out.
I'm feeling much better now, thank you. I got a severe scolding from Cerise,
though. I've got some of the info on Ganz, though not all. I'm going to
want some help if we want to go back for it.
At least I'll be able to return to cooler climes soon, this bloody humidity
is going to kill me faster than any black ice.
You know, I think I'm going to drop that lassie in UK a note. Maybe I can
get her to give me some pointers on defeating her programs. For old
times sake....]<<<<<
--Highlander (19:38:21/11-18-54)
