It's been just a few seconds since Icarus has entered CFG headquarters and he's already got busy. Four MK units were guarding the main way in, but didn't have time to react. They were standing on the left and right side of the big glass entrance. Icarus struck with lightning speed, the two robots closer to the door. He stood between them and punched them with both hands spread, at the side of their heads. His fists were so fast, they went through the MK's heads. Once through, Icarus put his two fingers together and shot the other two enforcement units that were standing further away. It only took him a second; the MK units that got shot might have possibly heard an odd noise coming from Icarus.
"Pfrrrrr?"
Dr. Menos was informed for his burst in at the time he was entering the building's lobby. Icarus stares at the four MK units thinking that the hunt for the Speedy program was a worthwhile risk. The enforcement units open an almost blind fire towards him. In the center of the reception hall, he spots a structure of big glass pieces arranged and glued together form the shape of a standing man. Icarus is forced to slow down time again, as the huge sculpture is hit by hundreds of bullets and breaks into countless small and large, hazardous fragments.
He tries to wound his way through bullets and sharp glass shards. He avoids some of the pieces and gets hit by others. He runs straight towards the enforcement units and manages to grab a big flying glass fragment with his left hand. With a rapid move of his right hand and wrist, he grasps a smaller but sharp piece of the sculpture. He then raises both his hands and uses all his might to throw the glass fragments at his enemies. Two of the MK units receive the flying shards and collapse with them nailed on their robotic bodies.
The other two enforcement programs saw nothing but a blurry flash moving towards them. They were standing side by side when their heads were crushed on the wall behind them. Icarus reverts the simulation time to its normal speed and takes a deep breath. He pulls his fists from the wall and lets the headless MK units yield to the web world's virtual gravity. He sees two elevators on his left with their doors open. Icarus enters one of them, leans forward and puts his hands on the wall. He has taken several hits that seem to send a bunch of pain signals to his brain. He stares at the elevator doors as they close and takes a few quick breaths. Phoenix sounds worried.
"Are you ok Icarus?"
"I'm doing my best? We have to get through this."
"Maybe we?"
"It's too late now; Phoenix. I'm guessing that by now all log outs from CFG are blocked. Electra and Dr. Menos are waiting for us. We shouldn't let them down."
"You're right. We have to complete our mission and save the damsel in distress."
"Let's hope happy endings come true in -virtual- reality. Now we're in, can we trace her?"
"She's at the top of the building. At the terrace. Fifty floors up. I'm afraid I got some bad news. Elevator doors are sealed."
"That doesn't mean we're trapped? I got an idea. I want you to connect the virtual elevator object to me for a few seconds."
"Done. What for?"
Icarus hits the button and feels the elevator moving up. He instantly speeds up time. This time around he isn't the only one moving fast. The elevator covers lots of floors in an instant. Icarus takes a look at the digital meter above the door and prepares himself for the impact. He orders Phoenix to break their connection to the elevator after the hit.
They furiously hit the ceiling. The upper part of the elevator is destroyed and the walls tear and break. Luckily the lift manages to keep its shape, carries along the mechanisms above it and rips through the wall. Their speed and momentum are so big that the heavy object flies a few meters above the roof. Icarus has received a strong blow on his back while his left arm is missing a big part. Their brief flight gives him the time and perspective to evaluate the situation. Electra and Dr. Menos move very slowly and both seem to turn their heads towards him. He sees seven MK units at different parts of the terrace and observes the black monolith at its center. Icarus merges his two fingers once more.
"Phoosh! Phoosh!"
Two small rockets fired; straight from his right hand. The first one destroys two enforcement units that were standing close to each other and the second rocket hits a third MK in its feet. The robot's upper part is blown away and makes a big hole on the side of the dome. Icarus jumps from the elevator seconds before hitting the floor with a loud thud and breaking apart. Dr. Menos has now seen Icarus. He has turned towards him and looks upset; his eyes and mouth are wide open while his right palm and fingers are rolled up. Icarus tries to think his next move when he sees a big glass pot ahead breaking to pieces by an invisible force. The pot's soil spreads out like a big brown cloud. Icarus instinctively jumps to the side right before being hit by the destructive power of Dr. Menos blow. What's left of the broken elevator is right behind him. Icarus turns and sees the metal mass torn in half. A poor MK unit that was behind it, violently breaks in pieces as if it got hit by an invisible, giant axe.
The pulse blow. Pretty stronger now.
Icarus hastily gets up and runs towards Dr. Menos and Electra. He hears Phoenix once more.
"You'd better hurry. Our dear enemy is a coding expert, he'll soon find out about our little time trick."
With a few quick leaps Icarus approaches Dr. Menos; he seems to utter some short of order or curse. He sees the tension and the stretched skin on his face. Although he has the time for a strong, precise hit, Icarus chooses to grab Electra, turn back and run to the monolith. Dr Menos completes his phrase and lifts his palm; he attacks once more.
"Synchronize simulation clock to external time source! Now!"
Icarus is close to his target. He makes a big leap while holding Electra in his arms. He hears the sound of a wooden trunk violently ripping in half. CFG time returns to normal. Icarus and Electra touch the monolith and disappear. Luckily Dr. Menos blow follows an instant later; hits the monolith but doesn't even scratch its hard surface. He screams out loud and furiously hits his fist on the ground. He failed? Again...