4.02: Praise the Word and pass the ammunition.

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All is peaceful in the Supercomputer's Clockspeed Room. Daemon sits on her throne, flanked by her masked attendants, and her disciples stand before her.

...but where's that organ music coming from?

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And here comes Mike in sequins and a nice wig. It really does look good on him doesn't it? A choir rises up behind Daemon and begins to sing.

Hear the Word of, hear the Word! Hear the Word of, hear the word!

The spotlight is now on Mike as he starts into the main song,

"I was standing at the cross nodes, a huge celebrity! I was standing at the cross nodes, zoom room came for me! Hardest working TV in show business "

Mike nears Daemon and croons as only a televangelist can.

"I said Daemon, have mercy, don't you infect me please!"

The choir motions a bit as the begin to clap again.

"Infect me please! Please infect me!"

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What a delightful song! Daemon laughs and claps along to the music.

[99-99-99.livejournal.com]

"I tried to run, I tried to run, tell my friend Bob, I've seen Daemon rising, she's the comin'!"

Mike starts to run in place as he sings,

"Oh, I tried to run, but the infection, it got me! "

He slides across the floor on his knees as he continues to preach,

"When Daemon touched my code I heard the Word and it set me free! Woo!"

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The assembled Guardians step back a bit to give Mike room to do his thing.

[99-99-99.livejournal.com]

Now Mike began to speak.

"Oh, I have to tell you that I have heard the Word! I was corrupt data! Oh, but the Word found me and, and I was restored. Thank you, heh. Oh, the Word is so high you can't get over it!"

He started off walking and then began to crawl,

"So low that you can't get under it!"

And now he's sliding across the floor.

"And so wide you can't get around it! Oh, and it's in BOLD CAPS too! There's no escapin' it! Ooh-hoo-hoo!"

He then slides in front of Daemon and bows his head, his wig falling off.

"Oh, you go girl!"

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Daemon beams and applauds the media sprite's dancing. Then she rises to her feet.

The cycle's entertainments are over. Now there's work to be done.

The assembled Guardians all turn to face her as she steps forward into the crowd. Each Guardian is carrying an egg-shaped purple capsule; Daemon touches each capsule in turn, making them glow green with viral energy.

Her work ends there. The Guardians' work, however, is just beginning.

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Actually, Daemon's work might not be done just yet.

"My Lady... bad news, I'm afraid."

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Daemon raises an eyebrow, then turns back to the crowd of Guardians.

"You know your functions. Now go."

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"The Mainframers are stronger than we thought," says Daecon quietly after the Guardians have left. "They are actually fighting back. They have protected another hub..."

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"Time is against them." Daemon fingers the tiny hourglass strung around her neck. "They do not realize that it is already too late."

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"But, my Lady... they close systems that have not yet been seeded."

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Now Daemon is starting to look concerned. "Show me."

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The great stained-glass window at the back of the Clockspeed Room fades into a map of the 'Net. One large system glows red; everything beyond it is an even blue.

"It is now impossible to gain access to these systems without a portal."

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"Only my messenger can help us now."

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"Then Mainframe," says Daecon solemnly, "must fall."

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"We need information," replies Daemon after a long moment. "Bring me our two 'Net-surfing friends. It is time for Matrix and AndrAIa to hear the Word."