Free Gamers' Challenge by George Ivanoff Page B

It turned on Hope. Zyra grabbed the opportunity, launching herself at it, kicking out with her booted feet. She caught it on the back of its neck. There was a sickening snap and it fell to the ground as Zyra continued over it. She ran to Hope and flung her arms around her.
    And they jumped.

15: IDD
    ‘It is complete,’ announced Professor Palimpsest.
    ‘The Interface Discharge Device. Yes. Or the IDD. Yes, yes.’
    He proudly displayed the cobbled together apparatus. It looked like a weird cross between a gun and a syringe. Held together with wires and electrical tape, its large glass cylinder was filled with static from the Interface.
    ‘It’s been a long time coming.’ Tee took hold of it, feeling the weight of it in his hands.
    ‘I know. Yes, yes, yes.’ The professor nodded. ‘Asyou see, the syringe is filled with the substance of the Interface. When you press the trigger, a portion is released along an electric discharge, which is generated here.’ He tapped the rubber-enclosed chamber beneath the syringe. ‘Here, here.’
    ‘Hangs on a tick,’ interrupted Tark. ‘Aren’t the VI things made of the same staticy stuff as wots in there?’ He pointed to the syringe. ‘Won’t ya just kinda be feedin’ ‘em?’
    The professor looked shocked. ‘No,’ he said slowly, moving his head from one side to the other. ‘No. No.’ He shook his head more vigorously, as if dispelling unwanted doubts. ‘No, no, no, no, no. As far as I can tell, the VIs are some form of virus. Their make up is similar to the static substance of the Interface between environments - but it is a corrupted version. The pure substance from the Interface should counteract the viral aspects of the VIs. Should. Yes. Should.’
    ‘Like when the VI absorption of an essential character causes a rift to the Interface?’ said Tee.
    ‘Which always ends in the destruction of the VI.’
    ‘Indeed. Indeed.’ The professor smiled, relief clear on his face. ‘Yes, yes, yes. That is it. Yes. Should.’
    The lack of conviction was plain upon Tark’s face.
    ‘Should? As far as ya knows?’
    ‘Well ... urn ... ah ...’ Palimpsest fumbled for words. ‘It is all theory. Yes. But.’ He held up a finger and waggled it at Tark. ‘But, but. Theory based on prior experience and observation. Yes. All our anti VI developments have been based on this theory. Yes. The patches. Yes. The bolts. Yes.’ He smiled triumphantly. ‘They work. Yes. As shall the IDD. Yes, yes.’
    Tark glowered, still not entirely convinced.
    The professor shifted his attention back to the IDD before Tark had the chance to raise any more questions. He indicated a dial on the side of the rubber-enclosed chamber. ‘This controls the amount of electricity that is discharged and therefore the amount of Interface substance that is released and fired at the target. I am not sure how much will be needed, so I have set it to the lowest setting. You will need to try it and adjust the setting if necessary. Yes, yes. Adjust.’
    ‘Why nots just bumps up the setting now?’ asked
    Tark.
    ‘Brim-full of questions, aren’t we? Hmm.’ The professor fiddled with the buttons on his lab coat, his lips curling into a tight smile. ‘The higher the setting, the fewer times the IDD may be fired.’
    ‘Oh.’ Tark stared at the professor.
    ‘Oh, indeed,’ said the professor. ‘Indeed, indeed. At its lowest setting, you have fifty shots. At its highest, you have ten.’
    ‘What if the highest setting isn’t high enough?’ asked Tee. h. Yes.’ The professor scratched at his goatee.
    ‘Yes. I did take that possibility into account. There is an override switch.’ He slid aside a panel next to the dial on the IDD, revealing a small switch. ‘That will override the settings and empty the remaining contents in one continuous discharge.’
    ‘Whats if -’ Tark began.
    ‘If it doesn’t work?’ Palimpsest cut him off. ‘Run, run, run!’
    As Tark and Tee turned to leave the professor’s