4.03: Time keeps on slippin'.

On the far side of Mainframe's firewall, a small group of Guardians are getting very, very frustrated.

"Go to level seven."

The terminal display lights up with a string of ones and zeroes, finishing with a stylized cartoon drawing of a mouse. Another dead end.

"Try eight," says the head tech. The power on the hacking probe is increased another interval... with the same result. The encryption on this firewall is more complex than anything they've ever encountered before.

The head tech jumps in surprise as a holodisc materializes in front of him. "Daecon!" he blurts out, recognizing Daemon's second-in-command.

"You should have hacked into that system cycles ago," says Daecon with a scowl.

"We're already at level eight. We've never needed to pass three before this!" The tech shakes his head. "There's no way through."

"That is not good enough. Our Lady has a schedule to keep! I cannot accept failure." The holodisc vanishes as abruptly as it had arrived.

* ~ * ~ *

Back in the Supercomputer, Daecon shuts off the comm with a sigh.

"...but it appears I may have to."

The hacking team has failed. The Guardians have failed. And, by extension, he has failed.

No point in putting it off. Daemon has a right to know what had happened. Daecon only prays that She will forgive him.