Wild Boot: The Net Games
By David Farr

   Tenchi Muyo is copyright of AIC : Pioneer LDC, INC. ReBoot is the
property of Mainframe. Ranma 1/2 is copyrighted by Rumiko
Takahashi/Shogakukan,Inc. All are used here respectfully for the purposes
of fanfiction. This story may be redistributed only if unchanged and no
fee is charged.
   The prequel to this story "Wild Boot", other parts of this story and
my other works of fiction may be found at:
   http://www.homepages.co.nz/~djfarr/

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v2.0 No Need for Teasers

   The Net is a large environment, with many systems, peoples and cities,
but its size is nothing compared to what I called home. The Web, a place
so hostile that just being there degrades your code. Data storms and null
holes were only a few of the hazards that plagued travelers. However the
systems accessible through that churning bandwidth hold a bounty of both
hard- and software comparable to nothing held within the net.

   And so I hunted the web as a software pirate, until I made the mistake
of visiting Jurai net. I became the prey, to a system master unlike any
I'd encountered before. He hunted me through the system of the web,
dogging my tail through even the deadliest data storms, until he caught
and trapped me in this blasted system. Now I sit and wait, until I'm
released from my prison, deep below the caves.

*****

   Our system was once the shining jewel of the net, but now the virus
grows stronger and its influence grows daily. Our mightiest protector is
gone and with him our hopes and dreams. Those I serve no longer stand
tall. Instead they cower, waiting for the end they think is so
inevitable. Only my sister and I stand against the evil tide, for we know
of another hope.

*****

   We search... for home.

*****

   He looked at me, fear in his eyes. I had watched over him for most of
his life, and in some way I thought he knew me, yet here he was, scared
as if I a terrible creature. I had hoped that the kitten would have
softened the blow of my sudden appearance, but I could see it hadn't.

   It was strange. The fear sparked something in me, a strange
playfulness. Yes, I thought, I'd play some before talking to him.

   I gently cradled the gold bell against my cheek, closing my eyes and
listening to the code softly ringing. A smile crept onto my face and with
a flick of my wrist I set the collar flying through the air. He caught it
clumsily.

   "Ryoko," I said. He looked up and made a questioning sound. I chuckled
in answer. "That's my name."

*****

   I threw her hard against the wall. That I was able to even do that was
a testimony to her condition. "SNAP OUT OF IT!" I yelled in
uncharacteristic rage. "You're no good to anyone like this!"

   "What's the point?" she sighed, closing her eyes and looking off to
one side.

   My fist slammed past her nose and smashed into the wall. "HIS MEMORY,
IF NOTHING ELSE!" I screamed, again showing my anger. "He's gone, but we
don't have to fall as well. He'd want us to continue, to protect the
system. That was his function and he'd never forgive us if we didn't at
least try."

   Akane raised her head and looked deep into my eyes, the pain welling
up into sight. "How can I, Nabiki? How can I?"

*****

   My eye glowed in anger. "Is not Mainframe!"

   "It never is," came the depressed reply.

   "Don't get all depressed, one day we'll get there." Our leader was
always confident, despite what we had lost. Already we were one fewer
less than when we had last been in Mainframe, how could he not let it get
to him.

   "Yeah sugah, ya never know," the fourth member of our group smiled,
flexing her crome arm absently.

   Ignoring her comment our leader turned to me. "I've never seen a
system like this. Shampoo, take a look will you."

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Author's notes:
   There are 3 different POVs, repeated twice in the same order, as if
you hadn't guessed. Comments, suggestions?

-----------
Rarstarr,
David Farr
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~djfarr/
djfarr@ihug.co.nz