Riven had been with Anti-Virus.exe for some cycles now and it was the kind of uneventful day that promises to be a drag. He had just finished checking in when the Prime Director called him into his office.

“Riven, have a seat.” Riven pulled up a chair next to an attractive, purple haired sprite.

“Here’s the read me file on your next assignment.” Riven scanned it over while assessing the newcomer from the corner of his eye.

“Debacle, class three chaotic, Infects and destroys.” It was a standard assignment, why Director Mac Fee had given this to him was beyond his comprehension.

“Sir, anyone on the force could handle this case.”

“Yes, but they specifically asked for you.”

“Who, specifically, do you mean by 'they'?” The Prime Director motioned to the purple haired sprite next to him.

“Riven, meet Alicia Keys. The purple haired woman nodded politely. “She’ll be escorting you on your assignment as an observer.”

“I generally work alone, sir. She’ll just be in the way.” Alicia gave him a steady glare.

“You don’t have a choice in the matter Riven. These orders are from Guardian high command. We can’t ignore them without some unpleasant consequences.”

“Well, now that we’ve cleared that up, we had better get started. This way please.” Alicia got up and walked out of the Prime Directors office.

“I better get double credits for this.” Riven muttered as he grabbed his trench coat.

They rode in silence to the principal office, where the portal to the net was located. After the usual scans and other typical web travel precautions, Riven activated the web shielding and drove his anti-viral, hover assault jeep through the gateway.

“Are you all right? You look a little green.” Web travel is never very pleasant and it takes a strong constitution; which Alicia didn’t seem to have.

“So do you.”

“Yeah, but this is his natural color.” Alicia answered by retching over the side rail. At that point, we hit a data stream and the ride got a little bumpy.

“I hope you didn’t eat before this trip.” The sound of a regurgitated lunch was her reply. When they finally arrived, Ms. Card was particularly cross.

“That was one of the worst experiences of his life. How do you stand it?”

“Well, those of us without key tools to instantly transport us have to learn to deal with the instability of the web.” Riven ignored the dirty look she threw his way and took in their surroundings. It was nothing but desolate ruin as far as the eye could see. Flashes of his own ravaged home filled Riven’s mind. A light tap on his shoulder brought Riven back to his senses.

“Where were you just now? We’ve got a job to do.”

“We? I’m the one who’s....” Riven stopped mid sentence with a vacant look in his eyes.

“What, what is it?”

“He’s here.”

“Who?”

“Debacle.”

“What? Link, wide range scan.” Without warning, Debacle leapt out of the nearby wreckage and charged Alicia. She was caught totally off guard, and would have been deleted by Debacle’s onslaught if Riven hadn’t jumped in. A jump kick to the head sent him flying through the rubble.

“Foolish sprite, now you will die!” roared the enraged virus, as he sprang from the debris.

“Yea, whatever.” Riven pulled out his range rifle and lined up the cross-hairs with his head.

“What in the Net do you think you’re doing?” demanded Ms Card, stepping into the line of sight.

“Taking care of him.” Riven nodded in the direction of the oncoming virus.

“You’re supposed to bring him back alive, remember?” Riven sighed.

“Hold this.” He said shoving the range rifle into her arms and pushing her aside just as Debacle slammed into him. Riven was thrown a good five feet by his insane charge. I got up, brushed the dust off his clothes and charged right back at him.