With the sound of grinding gears, a new boat full of trucks began to unload its cargo. Every single one carried advanced weaponry from across the net, all of them lethal, and all of them ready for battle. Mainframers gathered around the docks to watch the convoy make its run to the Principal Office. Response to Mainframe's call for help had been overwhelming, and system after system risked net travel, daring the Guardian's wrath, to beef up the city's defense specs.

A short distance from the main crowd was a smaller grouping of three young sprites. They had sat together at the great assembly when Dot had been made permanent Command.com, and had, for some reason, stayed together. Taazki prided herself on being able to talk anyone out of a funk (with Kem hanging around her all the time, she had to learn quickly) and had singled out Grid Run as her latest challenge. Kem thought she was sick. Grid tolerated the two sprites well enough by now, and had even greeted them when they met him at the docks that cycle.

Taazki was in full swing now, telling anecdote after anecdote to the Web Sprite, who looked only mildly interested, as though his mind was elsewhere. "So there I was, tired, hungry, and filthy as the Web, huddled up in a corner, when Nomestein here decides to pop into my cell, through the ceiling, mind you. The tile fell, clocked me over the head, and nearly gave me a code attack!"

A grin tugged at Grid's mouth. Kem inwardly groaned, and wondered if he was going to be the subject of all of his sister's embarrassing tales.

Taazki continued. "That's not the worst of it. You know how long he was up there? Two cycles! Two cycles, crawling around air vents, and jumping a centimeter every time he heard a null! He was in worse shape than I was by the time we got out of there."

This time, Grid actually stopped, looked at the two sprites a moment… and laughed. "I can just see it!" he chortled.

Taazki shot a triumphant look at Kem, who pretended not to notice.

From the rooftop of a nearby building, Dot Matrix watched the scene with interest. She was supposed to be overseeing the cargo download and keeping an eye out for the Guardians, but she allowed herself a moment to observe the people below. A slight grunt echoed behind her, the sound of someone climbing the stairs to the roof. She already knew who it was.

"Who would have thought twenty cycles ago I'd be happy to see Grid having a good time?" she asked the approaching figure.

"The cargo shipment is complete… I think that's all we're going to get," reported Bob. "They're just waiting for you to give the order at the Principal Office to quarantine the system."

Dot nodded. "That's good… I guess…" She waited. Bob didn't say anything else, but he didn't leave either. "Was there…?" she trailed off.

"Dot… It's like you said. I was in the Web for a long time… and every free nano I had… I was thinking about what I'd do if I ever got back to Mainframe, and to you." He sighed slowly. "I've decided that I never want to go away from this place again… this is my home now… and I never want to leave you …"

Slipping her hand around the Guardian's waist, Dot smiled. "I know… I don't want you to go either."

"So I… Look… What I came here to tell you…" Bob tripped over his words, and he frowned. Obviously he had rehearsed this many times, and was disappointed at his complete inability to say it now. "I… we can't… I mean… we could… uh…"

"Bob?"

"Um.. yeah?"

"Will you marry me?"

Bob nodded mutely, all his clever words blown away by Dot's blunt question. She grinned at his shell-shocked expression, then grabbed his hand and dragged him down the stairs. She smiled wickedly as he followed along, unresisting.

"So then I tell that big blue bully to log off! I'm not gonna waste my time on his sibling rivalry," recanted Grid, as he and his new friends slid into a row of seats, once again at the back.

It was another system-wide gathering, but this time it was not to discuss plans of battle or coming catastrophes. This time, it was a celebration. News had spread quickly that the Command.com was to wed Guardian 452, and a system full of well-wishers had turned out for the ceremony.

Grid was still telling his story. "He threatened my life, of course, so I looked him right in the face, and I asked him what crawled up his output and deleted!"

Taazki laughed, and even Kem cracked a smile. He had to admit, he might have been wrong about Grid. He seemed to be an all right sprite after all. This time, Grid sat between the two of them as the ceremony began.

Taazki leaned over towards Grid. "So this Emidecimal, what was she like?"

Grid shrugged sadly. "I barely knew her."

The rousing, upbeat sounds of the Fab Primitives drowned out any further conversation. Although the music didn't quite seem to fit the occasion, no one complained. They ended on a crashing drum solo, and had the congregation on their feet.

"Hey, they're pretty good!" observed Grid.

Kem looked at the Primitives, and then down at his icon. "So that's what it is…"

Phong wheeled out in front of the crowd, acknowledging Matrix, AndrAIa, and Enzo, who sat in the front row, with a smile. He quickly brought up Mainframe's records on the vid-window in front of him, and nodded to the back when he was satisfied with the results.

Through the center aisle came Bob and Dot. There was just barely enough room to squeeze through the crowds, particularly when binomes leaned over to shake their hands. Phong adjusted his glasses as he saw what Dot was wearing. An elaborate white dress that from this distance made her look exactly like… But no, it couldn't be. His foolish old eyes must be playing tricks on him. He busied himself with editing the system records as the couple made their way though the sea of people.

Grid leaned out into the aisle, digging his elbow painfully into Kem's leg as they passed by. His face was a picture of confusion and amusement.

"Look at them!" he chuckled. "I think Bob's dragging her all the way."

"How so?" choked Kem, who was slowly turning a more intense shade of blue from Grid's elbow, which was now jabbing him squarely in the stomach every time Grid moved.

"Look how tight he's grabbing her hand!" laughed Grid. "I guess Dot's having second thoughts."

Taazki, fearing for her brother's life, gripped Grid by the shoulder and sat him down again. "You've never been to a wedding, have you?" she asked bluntly. "It's a symbol of respect and affection. There's nothing confining about it."

Grid settled himself slowly back into his seat. "Oh…" he managed after a time.

"You're a good sprite, Grid, but I think you need a teacher," Taazki observed in an odd voice, as they turned their attention back to where Bob and Dot had joined Phong.

The former Command.com peered up at the pair and had to stifle a gasp. Before, poor eyesight could have explained the resemblance, but now, it was as if he was looking at a vid-window into the past. In that dress, the system's commander was an absolute spitting image of her mother. Suddenly he could recall Nadia's wedding day as if it were last cycle. All the crowds, the colors… He shook the echoes away with a clearing of his throat, and proceeded with the linking. No words needed to be exchanged. Phong had already linked their filenames. All the archives needed was the handprint verification of the two sprites. He spun the vid-window towards them.

Bob and Dot smiled at each other and the Guardian moved forward to kiss her. She was happy to accept. To Bob, the kiss seemed to last forever… then again, perhaps it did, as the moment was broken by a rude "a-hem" noise. They looked up to see Phong smiling. "At your convenience, of course…" he cheerfully prompted.

The two turned around to find that everything had gone quiet. The entire system was literally leaning forward, and many a binome was actually holding his breath. The couple smiled as they simultaneously turned towards the vid-window and pressed their palms to it. The cheers that had been on everyone's lips erupted, and had Grid not been so lost in the moment, he might have felt his own hand being gripped.

Phong smiled widely. "The archives have been upgraded!" he announced proudly. "Congratulations, Dot and Bob…" his smile grew yet broader "Matrix!"

"AND ABOUT SPAMMED TIME!" cried an unseen binome from the crowd.

Stepping quietly into the Command Center, Dot made her way for the nearest terminal. She sat down and let her finger hover above the large yellow button that flashed softly on the console. After a moment of contemplation, she brought up a vid-window.

"Is everything ready?" Dot asked.

Matrix nodded slowly. "All PIDs accounted for, and everyone's ready for your order… But first, I think you have a call."

Dot nodded. "I thought I might. Put it through."

Matrix's image vanished and was replaced by the face of The Crimson Binome.

"Ready to shove off, m'lady," he said with a bow. "I just wanted to say my farewells, and tell ye how much we appreciate ye lending us one of your ships. As much as we want to be with Mainframe, the call of the sea be too strong for these old ears."

"Of course," replied Dot. "The ship was the least we could do. You lost yours saving us. We're in your debt."

"Ah…" muttered Gavin uncertainly, as he looked about the tiny sailing vessel. "She's no Mare, but she'll more than do till we rule the seas once more. My best wishes, Dot. To all of ye."

The window popped out of existence and Dot took a deep breath: The pirates were clear. She pressed the large yellow button and pulled up the system specs. A dull golden wave slowly began to wash across the city.

"ATTENTION: QUARANTINE ACTIVATED. ATTENTION-"

Dot sighed. With the quarantine in place, no one could leave the city without considerable precautions, and no one could get in without her say-so. Now if there were only some way to turn off that annoying voice…

"It's done," She announced quietly.

Bob stood a short distance away. He had hoped she hadn't heard him come in, but apparently she had. "Dot," he asked after a moment. "What are you thinking about?"

"The future," she answered simply.

"I guessed as much. I meant specifically."

Dot stood wearily and walked to Bob, placing her head on his chest. "I don't know… I just wish there was more we could do… more we knew, and could plan for."

A long silence followed. "You know…" Bob began. "There's nothing wrong with a little uncertainty… Being spontaneous now and again can make things exciting and more interesting, can't they?"

Dot chuckled softly. "I guess you might be right…"

"His name?" asked Phong.

"Galter Matrix," answered Dot with a smile.

Phong placed his hand lovingly on the infant's head. "Welcome to Mainframe, Galter Matrix." He moved over towards Bob. "Her name?"

"Karta Matrix," answered Bob after a short, uncertain pause.

"Welcome to Mainframe, Karta Matrix." Phong took another look at Karta, then turned once again, extending his arms and neck to embrace Dot. "This is one of the things I miss most from my days as Mainframe's Command.com. But you have made me very proud, my child. As I always knew you would. We have waited for our enemies for some time now, but however long it takes, we will be ready. If you continue to do as fine a job as you have done thus far, Daemon stands no chance."

"I hope you're right Phong." Dot smiled. "These children deserve a happy, long life, and so help me, I'm going to make sure they get one." She took Karta from Bob's arms and held her twins close. "I'll never let anything happen to you," she promised. "Ever…"

"They're amazing, Dot," concluded Taazki. "Congratulations to the both of you."

Dot's Diner still existed as a central meeting place for Mainframe's sprites and still boasted the fastest food in Mainframe, but it was no longer run directly by the Command.com. She had left her old home and business in the capable hands of Cecil long ago. Bob's apartment had proved plenty large for the married couple, although now she wondered if there would be room for the new twins.

Bob, Dot and their children sat opposite Kem and Taazki as Dot voiced this particular concern. All of them looked up as Cecil placed a tray on the table and cleared his throat. "Madam," he offered. "I have kept your room precisely as you left eet. Perhaps zose accommodationz would be useful until you can make new arrangements?"

"Don't concern yourself," Bob interrupted. "I've got this one covered. We'll take the apartment next to mine, knock out a wall, and do some renovations. I've already called some people who could do the work."

Dot's eyes widened in surprise as she smiled. "Why Bob, how… thoughtful of you."

Bob winked. "Thanks anyway, Cecil."

The dedicated server wandered away from the table "Cesssssil…" he corrected under his breath.

Kem looked after him. "That was certainly… nice of him to offer."

Dot smiled. "I know. What a difference. He's had a real spring in his step ever since… well, since he got legs to step with, I guess."

The door slammed open. "There they are!" cried an excited voice. Within moments, Mouse was upon the group, leaning over the new twins. "There's Auntie Mouse's sweet lit'l shugah-pais!"

Mouse continued to ogle over the infants as Bob mouthed 'Sugar-pies?'. Everyone else simply shrugged.

"WARNING: INCOMING GAME…"

All heads snapped towards the source of the sound. "Dot…" began Bob.

"I know," replied Dot. "We have to go… Taazki, Kem! Stay here and watch the twins."

Before the two could protest, Bob, Dot and Mouse were out the door.

Taazki frowned, and after a moment's deliberation, stood up as well. "Kem, stay here and watch the twins!"

"But-!" began Kem. He was too late to stop her as she dashed outside. Kem sighed, and placed his head on the table. That's when the whimpering began. It evolved into a soft crying noise, and it didn't show any signs of stopping there. Kem shot a glare at the children. "What?!" he asked. The crying continued. "Do I look like I carry diapers around with me?"

Bob and the two women raced towards the game on their zipboards. "It's landing in G-Prime. That's where Grid stays now, isn't it?"

"Don't expect any help there," Dot reminded him. "Grid hates games. I don't think I've ever seen him go into one. He'll be long gone by the time it lands."

A short distance behind them, Taazki too zipped into G-Prime. She took a deep breath. This one would be close… She brought the zipboard down to the ground and let it scrape the pavement. Sparks flew dangerously out from behind her as she ducked under the purple cube just before it crashed to the ground.

The darkness inside the game cube hummed quietly. "Glitch, game stats!" whispered Bob. Silence.

"Bob, you really need to stop doing that," observed Mouse.

"Sorry…" grumbled the Guardian. "Force of habit…"

Dot looked around. They were standing in a dimly lit hallway of yellowish stone. "What can you tell about the game, Bob?"

Bob concentrated for a moment, accessing his keytool aspect to get game information. "OK… This seems to be some kind of maze that the User has to find his way through. His only required objective is to survive… meaning we can't win the game ourselves. He has to lose."

"Sounds like a challenge!" called a voice from further down the hallway.

"Taazki!" Dot spun towards the source of her voice, and squinted in the poor light. "You're supposed to be watching the twins!"

Taazki smirked as she approached. "I left them with Kem… don't worry, it'll be good for him." She gestured to Bob. "Shall we Reboot?"

Bob looked about to answer when he felt something tap his shoulder. He turned to find himself staring at a helmet-clad figure holding a large, futuristic shotgun.

"Catch the ball?" suggested Kem. "Baby want to catch the ball?" He tried to smile at Galter, and faked a throw of the small red command that had been stored in his code for some time now. He held the ball close to Galter's nose and was rewarded with another crying spell. Kem huffed and deflated in his seat. "Forget it. You're too young to play with File Corruption commands anyway." With that, the ball dematerialized into his hand once more.

Bob jumped back and into a ready position as the armored figure lowered the gun to its side. The visor on his helmet went up to reveal the disgusted looking face of Grid Run. "I hate games," He pointed out. "I don't know if it's a childhood trauma or if I have something against being pitted against some sadistic, possibly-mythical being in a do-or-die situation."

The group breathed a sigh of relief. "Boy, are we glad it's you. Finally decided to join us in one of these, I see?" asked Taazki.

Grid snorted. "It fell on me while I was asleep. Nothing worse than waking up to the sounds of gunfire."

"Gunfire?" asked Dot, still puzzled.

"I don't blame you for mistaking me for the User," interrupted Grid. "He looks just like this. And he's got the same sort of weapons. I suggest you guys suit up."

Bob frowned. "But I thought… Oh well. ReBoot!"

Everyone else followed his lead. Soon they all stood in filthy, tattered rags, holding comically soft foam paddles.

"Not good…" observed Bob.

"This one doesn't work either," Bob noted as his hand passed through another strange looking weapon. "Grid seems to be the only one who can pick this stuff up."

Grid nodded, and touched the gun. Then, reaching back, he tapped his backpack. The weapon appeared in his hand, replacing the shotgun. "Lucky me," groaned the web sprite. He fired the new weapon, sending a huge bowling ball-like projectile sailing into the nearest wall, nearly causing it to crumble and collapse the high ceiling. Grid allowed himself a half-smile and nodded his approval.

"It's just like I thought. When we rebooted, we were outfitted with useless weapons, and made into nothing but target practice for the User. Grid, I hate to say this, but it looks like it's up to you to win the game," explained Bob. "We'll do what we can to help, but we're not much of a match for him like this."

Grid sighed. "I was afraid you were going to say that."

"We don't have much time," said Taazki. "We have to find the User before he escapes the level." She glanced over at a distant box. "Hey… are those… grenades?"

Grid's face turned thoughtful. "This might be fun after all."

He was interrupted by the sound of ticking, and the sight of something metal bouncing towards him. Dot's eyes went wide. "Sounds to me like a live one!"

Everyone dove aside as the grenade exploded behind them. An armor-clad figure rolled out from behind a pillar, came up on one knee, and began firing at the sprites. He hesitated as he saw Grid, apparently confused for a moment, then took careful aim.

"Oh no ya don't!" shouted Mouse, grabbing the User's right hand. He tugged to get loose, but used his free hand to pull out another grenade, tossing it in Grid's direction.

Grid ran as fast as he could, but the grenade bounced after him. "I never liked this armor anyway!" shouted Grid, as he gave one final leap. The grenade exploded almost directly under him. Grid screeched in pain as the armor didn't quite absorb the explosion. He felt himself go up. And up. And up. Blindly, he twisted around in the air, pulling the trigger as he spun wildly.

The User could only sag his shoulders as the huge projectile cleanly removed his head. Mouse's stomach did a somersault as she dropped what was left of her captive.

"GAME OVER."

The purple cube lifted just as Grid began his descent. He could feel the ground gaining on him, and just as he was sure he was going to be deleted, he made a surprisingly soft landing. He blew out a shaky breath. "W-What…?"

Something beneath him groaned. "That's one more you owe me, you oaf."

Grid peered down to find himself sitting on the small of Taazki's back, where she had thrown herself to break his fall. He laughed. "Me owe you?"

"Off!" she commanded. "OFF!"

Phong exited the diagnostics room and wheeled into the waiting lounge where Bob, Dot and Mouse sat. "Taazki will be fine," He assured them, "as will Grid; but they need rest. I am pleased that none of you were harmed in the game as well."

"We would have been," Dot said, "if Grid hadn't ReBooted the way he did."

Mouse nodded. "Any thoughts, Bob?"

Bob nodded. "What Grid used to ReBoot the way he did was the multi-player aspect of the game. I recognized it almost immediately."

"Multi-player…" Dot thought aloud. "Where the Users fight each other? We never get any of those here."

"But many games do have that potential. The form Grid took would require a lot of energy to maintain. You said he had a lot of stored-up energy, didn't you?"

Dot nodded. "You're right… so that's how it happened."

"It explains how," said Mouse. "What it don't tell us is why."

"If I may make an observation?" interrupted Phong. "The young man placed himself in considerable danger, and very likely saved the three of you. This is not the time to allow suspicion to get the better of you, children." All three dropped their gazes to the floor. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am very tired… I must rest."

"Feeling better, Grid?" asked Bob.

Grid pulled himself into a sitting position on the bed. "A little…"

"Uh… we just wanted you to know, shugah, that…" Mouse stumbled over the words. "We really appreciate you savin' us and all… and if there's anything we can do to repay ya… well, just ask."

Grid was suddenly at attention. "Anything?" he repeated.

Mouse tossed Grid a familiar data padd. "There ya go," She grumbled. "All the files you wanted. No security check, and no questions asked." She stormed out of the command center, stopping next to Dot on the way out. "Let's hope he doesn't make us regret it…"

Grid smiled at his prize.

As she strode out of the Principle Office, Bob jogged up behind her. "Well?" he asked.

"Well what?" she returned defensively.

"I know you better than that, Mouse. So, what were those files he was after?"

Mouse sighed. "That's what Ah don't understand, hon. They're all restricted to Mainframe citizens, but none of them required high-level clearance."

Bob was still confused. "So… what were they?"

"Logfiles," said Mouse. "Mainframe's history."

Grid paced up and down the alley in Level 31. Even this place wasn't safe from CPU patrols anymore with the constant Daemon threat. So far, the virus hadn't tried anything. It was becoming obvious that two could play the waiting game.

Tapping the padd with his fingers, he sighed. Had he ever really planned to send this to the council? Of course not. He knew he could never betray Mainframe now. He wished he could warn them that Daemon wasn't their only problem, but he knew he could never betray the confidence of his people either.

Sadly, he wondered how long Mainframe had. It might take his people megacycles to prepare a proper invasion force, or they might be at his doorstep next second. One thing was for certain though, they wouldn't have this. He tossed the data padd into a nearby dumpster and sauntered back to G-Prime.

The crying continued from inside Dot's Diner, and was now accompanied by a second wail, slightly off-tune from the first.

"Would someone please give me a hand here?!"