by

Yanick Champoux (38%)

Lee Watts (18%)

Josip Nað (17%)

Michel Lacombe (16%)

Dorian (4%)

goldkngt55 (3%)

Andrew Avila (2%)

Marten (1%)

Oliver (1%)

Part 16

Lee Watts (22/11/2001)

A disembodied voice answered. "Bull Locks released. Please state parameters?"

"Neural grid, Alpha Gamma Delta, 0.0.0," said Demuel hoping that the base system still had some terran components.

"Neural Grid Activated. Please specify interface?"

"Anything damnit. Give me a reference point, now!"

"Will this do as a reference point?" came a voice from behind him. Demuel turned and looked at his reference point, a woman more beautiful then he had ever seen. If it had not been for the nimbus glow in strategic places, he would have sworn she was nude. Not a bad site to wake up to after all the falling and misdirection he had just suffered. She batted her eyes at him.

"Who are you? And where do I plug in?" Only after saying that did he remember that it was just a construct. His charms would be wasted on a mere program.

"I am Default System Interface Protocol." She extended a long slender arm, cupping his right ear. "Initiating scan. Scanning for Connectivity Protocols."

Demuel had been through several default scans on numerous systems, but never anything like this. She leaned her head back, arched her back. Who ever programmed this, must be butt ugly or never have had a real relationship. Or even a one-night stand. OR wrote porn entertainment plug-ins. Who ever he was, he was good.

She opened her eyes and removed her hand from his ear. "Hello, Demuel. I was expecting you. One moment while I adjust the environment for your equipment. You really should upgrade. Might I suggest a Dyno-Sys XX, Manufactured by Dyno Computers on Leaguhiem. Contact them at Grid Mark 15.158.25.Dyno once you have arrived on Leaguhiem. This link will gain you a 20% discount and they except trade-ins." She batted her eyes at him again to emphasize her point.

"A fucking advertisement built into the systems scans," thought Demuel. " Yea, this guy was a pro alright. Left me his fucking business card."

The darkness surrounding him faded, as connection lines began to appear. Now he had a direct line to the system's datasphere. He turned and began to move in that direction, to that island of light in the darkness.

"If you are in need of other services, please use the command, 'Assistance,' and I appear to assist you," she called after him. If you need additional data stores, please contact---"

He moved quickly to not hear the remainder of the next advertisement. He needed to find a nice quite location where he could download his stored data and keep it safe from other prying eyes. He pierced the datasphere surrounding the island, entering a crammed and active cell. He was near the ship's sensors, and saw the grouping of fighters accelerating fast to catch up with the Fearless Baboon.

"Shit."