System Error Episode Three

With Artemis recovering and the data disk now being decrypted what will happen next? (adult themes)

System Error: Episode Three

By Leigh Hodgens and Jeff Margavage

System Error…

Data disk input

Corrupt data present

... Beginning repairs

60%... remaining.

Chase could not believe the Chief was serious about this. It was a day until the Police Department's annual charity ball. She had no dress and she was barred from wearing her uniform or her body armour and had to smile and wave as a million different kind of politicians took pictures with her. Their new shiny toy, to play with it. Truly it was ridiculous.  the entire party was just taking her off the streets.

She was doing well. She wasn’t rushing the scene. She could wait and find answers. She was almost as quick as Artemis himself but she still maintained a cool head. But this was simply infuriating to her to play the Barbie Doll as the night passes. Another night spent not protecting the city.

Artemis though had been healing well and was now following doctor’s orders to recuperate at home. Unknown to the chief, Artemis was now trying to decipher exactly what was on the data disc Clifford had thrown to him. It was a little worrying. Chase herself had only taken a passing look flicking through the file names on the device and just those were enough to raise her suspicious and to watch her back. She already knew it was something big someone wasn’t happy they had the disk.

Her proof? Her apartment had been searched very carefully but she noticed. It had made her wary of returning, so she had been at the precinct more often than not and was running on little cat naps. It was beginning to be noticed.

Artemis had to hand it to his new partner, this plan of hers for deciphering the disk he was given by the friend he believed was already dead was pretty ingenious. He knew the disk would be a b*****d to decrypt but for him to get his hands on a computer with enough computational power to crack it would have seriously raised more than a few eyebrows at the precinct.

Nope, Chase thought well enough ahead on that on her own. So when he arrived home from the hospital, what he found was a dinosaur of a laptop. Artemis smiled because he knew exactly what it was. Sitting right there out in the open with the rest of his collection of outdated electronics.

Artemis collected all sorts of gaming consoles from the long forgotten ‘video game era’ when everyone had some gaming device or other. Whether it was a gaming console, with clever names such as the Playstation or XBox, or all sorts of apps on their cellular phones, people used to be seemingly addicted to spending their leisure time playing games. Artemis marvelled at the thought. How glorious such times must have been.

But, ever since they discovered that cellular phones emitted a carrier signal that turned people into basically zombie addicts to the devices, and video game consoles were outlawed because a scientific study revealed that gamers tended to be ‘radical freethinkers who were using these games to train for murder, criminal activity, and even treason with their thoughts of overthrowing the government to set things right in a country where they felt everything was going wrong’... Video games truly became an underground, guilty pleasure.

Artemis didn't care that most of his collection was considered contraband. He and the chief actually spent more than a few nights playing his games. It was bonding time for the pair. It felt good to have fun outside of work without going to some seedy noisy bar like everyone else. They’d unwind playing electronic simulations of sports they remembered from their childhoods, like football and baseball. Artemis didn't remember them very well, but the chief would often wax nostalgic about spending lazy Sunday afternoons catching a ball game with Arty’s father. Artemis loved those stories, it was almost like having his father again.

But then the world had gone and changed. Not in a violent blink of an eye, but a slow slide from the bright days of Arty’s childhood into the dismal world of ever darkening shades of gray that just seemed locked into a downward spiral… Away from the light… Away from… Happy.

Here now, though, Artemis was looking at the newest relic for his collection. The case of the laptop resembled the concept of what people believed aliens looked like when they made it. For its time this laptop was considered pretty powerful but now… It was utterly ancient. Which made his partners plan all the more brilliant.A red bow and little card accompanied the computer. Artemis warmly smiled as he read the card.

“Artemis,

Welcome HomE, paRtner. i hopE you enjoy this. What do you gEt for a guy who is so MystErious ? iT wasn’t easy. now don’t get crazy ideas from these games like shooting a bandicoot or jumping off a CLIFF. take care, get well… and get your a*s back to work. J/k. :) your partner Chase.”

It was the nicest gift he had gotten from someone other than the Chief in a very very long time. For a cyber, Chase was… sweet. Kind of an uncanny trait for a cyber, but a welcome one. She had really made his day, and in her brilliance gave him the password to use the antiquated device. This partner of his was full of surprises.

Artemis took the new laptop to his favorite recliner and powered it up for what he figured was the first time in a very very long time. The laptop instantly sprang to life in his hands. He couldn’t imagine where Chase had gotten a relic like this one in such amazing condition, but he was sure it cost it quite a few credits. His mind instantly began trying to formulate ways to pay her back.

Thanks to her brilliant little message, he knew the password to log into the machine right away, keying the location where he had met Clifford before he killed himself. The computer was set with an animation of the Chief running around the precinct with little cloud balloons showing him swearing up a storm, just as he often did. Artemis had to smile at that little personalized touch. He immediately opened a “Read Me” file on the desktop.

“Comm me when you get this. I want to make sure it worked for you. - Chase” As he expected that was the only file on the entire computer. Reaching for the earpiece to access the comm system, Artemis made himself comfortable.

Artemis realized he actually enjoyed the tone the comm system made when he was communicating with someone. He so rarely had done it he had forgotten how chipper the little tune was, then the familiar voice of his partner interrupted the tune. “Greetings Artemis how goes the rest and relaxing? … You bored yet cause I’ll swap,” announced Officer Chase a slightly weary quality to her voice. “Hey… you interrupted the song… I was just about to start pole dancing… oh well,” Artemis replied slyly, “I’m doing well partner. You know I’d gladly swap… if only that damn doctor hadn’t gotten to the Chief before I did.” Artemis grumbled a bit. The doctor had made 48 hours rest and relaxation a mandatory part of the deal if Artemis wanted to be released as soon as he was. “You sound really tired, buddy. You ok?” Artemis asked hearing the weariness in Chase’s usually smooth tone. “I’m… alright  just not charging right.. It’s probably just a bug or something I’ll get it checked out when I have time” Chase replied infusing her voice with some cheer she didn't want to worry her partner about the true reason she wasn’t sleeping and why she had all but abandoned her apartment. “Why aren’t you charging right?” Artemis’s instincts told him there was a reason. He suddenly got an uneasy feeling that something had happened while he was hospitalized.

Chase deeply sighed  she really didn’t want to bring it up but she could tell Artemis wouldn’t let it go. “I… had some unwanted guests drop by... unannounced and very… inquisitive natures. I’ve been spending more time here than there anyway.” Artemis immediately could tell by her mannerism that Chase was choosing her words very very carefully, meaning the company she received was no usual pest, and she seemed to be under the impression that the lines might be bugged.

Artemis was glad his partner knew him well enough that she could give him a message as forward as that yet be completely subversive and still know he could figure it out. Suddenly he wondered if it was actually good that she knew him that well. He kind of smiled knowing she would have gotten a kick out of spooking him like that.

Now he had to play it cool, too. “Oh… not… the paparazzi again?” he tried to lighten the conversation’s tone to confuse anyone who MIGHT be listening in. “Little vermin… am being stalked. I swear… the Chief keeps the more persistent ones away but they are like rats always popping up and the questions they ask! God they are worse than Bleakly was and i can’t threaten then bodily harm or it gets spun the wrong way. Can’t they just wait until the ball?” Chase was well aware she was ranting but it was true ever since her presence was confirmed for attending Every reporter and photographer in the city was after her.

“Wow, sorry, buddy,” Artemis sympathized, “If you need a place to stay, you could always stay here. I have a spare bedroom. The media leeches learned a long time ago I don’t like being bothered.” Artemis chuckled. “Ask the Chief what he and the Mayor had to bail me out of some time.” Chase chuckled picturing the sort of mayhem Artemis would get up to. “I might just do that should prove a nice distraction so he quits asking if i got a dress.” The word ‘dress’ was spoken with such distaste it was clearly not a good subject for her.

“Hey, there was actually a reason why I called, I know you’re busy,” Artemis coughed trying to change the subject because his mind was flooded with a series of images of Chase in a variety of evening gowns… he knew he’d better change the subject before she detected the excitement in his voice. “I got your little present. And the card was lovely. Thank you very much, partner. It was a very thoughtful gift. I don’t know where you got it but it looks like brand new,” Artemis hinted that there was no data present on the laptop. “Oh? Well do you like the game I installed then?” She asked slyly hinting he should look again. A small progress bar appearing on the laptop.

System Error…

Data disk input

Corrupt data present

... Beginning repairs

60%... remaining.

“It’s going through final install right now, buddy. Looks incredibly interesting,” Artemis replied as he began receiving data from wherever Chase was decrypting the data disk from. Artemis sat in fascination at his partner’s handiwork. The first thing to install was an actual small game from the ancient days of gaming called “Space Invaders” The data that followed was a streaming form of data that was a feed of the decrypted data that would be erased from the laptop as soon as he shut it down, with no trace of it ever having been there. Chase it turned out was just as brilliant was she as beautiful.

“Woah… where did that come from?” Artemis thought to himself, shifting uneasily in his chair. “Dude… that’s your partner. Your PARTNER. You shouldn’t think about her like that,” his conscience scolded. But he couldn’t deny the fact both were very very true.

“Well,” Artemis suggested, “I don’t want to keep you from your job. I just wanted to thank you for everything. You are really awesome, Chase. I think I’ll be going to take a look at this game it looks really, really interesting.” Artemis began noting folder headers and names he recognized from the TriForce Operation in the data feed from Chase. “Hey before you go you can actually help me do my job and do your share of the paperwork.” Chase sniggered already knowing the reaction to her words as a separate file appeared on the laptop stating. “Boring tedious paperwork.” Chase was clearly enjoying her little tease. “Oh… look at the time,” Artemis groaned, “I should really be resting and relaxing… doctor’s orders… sorry buddy,” Artemis replied with a smile. “Yeah, yeah, you're not always going to be on leave. Oh...and what was that about you pole dancing before? Wonder if I should use that as a cover sometime,” Chase barely kept from sniggering out loud her shoulder shaking as she finally got revenge for his hospital prank a couple days ago. Artemis immediately flushed red, “Oop… gotta go. Later,” Artemis replied quickly ending the communication.

“Oh god…” came the familiar voice of the Chief from behind Chase as she giggled, “Do NOT tell me he’s moonlighting as a pole dancer…”

Chase exploded into laughter barely able to speak as silver tears streamed down her eyes. “Maybe… maybe you should give him a raise sir,” Chase quipped giggling more. The Chief laughed along with Chase for a moment and then just as quickly went stone strict, “No. That’s not going to happen.” Chase slowly calmed her giggles curious to the sharp change. “Sir?” she probed lightly a little cautious now. “Isn’t there something you could be doing better with your time Officer Chase, than giggling on the phone like a teenage girl with her little friends about makeup and gossip?” Chief Barlow inquired raising a bushy eyebrow and scrunching up his mustache in that fashion he always did when he was getting irritated. Chase sighed dejected her mood dropping as she responded “Yes, sir, right away.” Chase breathing out a put out sigh.

“I was thinking… perhaps you could… actually go the hell home for a change, Chase,” the Chief softened his tone with a warm smile. “Christ, you’ve been living in this dump ever since Artemis went down. You’re not the only officer on the force. Even YOU have to get tired some time.”

“You were messing with me? Need to get better at spotting that.” Chase trailed off in a mutter before shutting down her terminal, responding to the chief’s question “I’m not trying to be the only officer here, sir, Honest I just… can’t sleep. Not at home,” she softly admitted hoping the chief wouldn’t take it as her being paranoid or silly. “Well, first of all, don’t bother trying to figure out when I’m serious and when I’m not,” Barlow spoke, “Even Artemis can’t guess that every time. Second, seriously… why can’t you go home? The world will still be here tomorrow,” he smiled trying to reassure the second hardest working officer he’d ever seen, “I promise.”

Chase smiled “I know that, sir. It’s just that… there were people snooping around my place. It got to me I guess I haven’t felt safe there since,” Chase decided to admit a half truth. She didn’t feel safe there, but it was because she wasn’t safe. Not at home anyway. “Tell you what, “ the Chief offered, “I’ll take you home and if you like I’ll keep watch over your place at least until you get a good night’s charge. I insist. You need it. I have off tomorrow anyway. I guess they figure I need as much beauty sleep as I can get before the ball tomorrow night.” The Chief laughed at his own self deprecating humor.

Chase felt her stomach drop she wasn’t going to be able to say no now. The fact the ball was rapidly approaching was hardly improving her mood. Chase plastered on a smile “Alright, sir. Thank you.” she settled on already preparing to not sleep at all. In fact she would be the most aware she had been at nights., keeping her watch and guard up to protect the Chief. Who was unwittingly heading into an area that was already being watched. Chase couldn’t quite keep the smile on her face for long, sending a quick prayer to any deity she knew of to at the least protect the Chief.

The ride to Chase’s apartment was like a historical tour of San Antonio VII with the Chief in the car. Pointing out places and businesses that used to be popular but met some sort of untimely demise in his youth or time on the force. He often spoke of things he and Artemis did when off duty. He also frequently spoke of the times he spent with Artemis’s father. Chase actually managed to let herself realize that here with the Chief was the safest place she could be aside from being at Artemis’s side. Chief Barlow was obviously a very caring man. Especially for his officers. He genuinely sought their safety and well being far before his own. Chase wondered for a moment if this is what having a father was like. His deep warm voice actually relaxed her to the point that she went into sleep mode for a better portion of the ride home. A soft and contented smile still on her face.

Before she realized she had done the cyber equivalent of nodding off, Chase was awakened by the grunting and tugging of the chief. Immediately springing to complete awareness, Chase felt better than she had in some time, but she was confused as to why the Chief was trying to literally pick her up. “Oh, jeepers,” Barlow yelped a bit startled to see she was awake, “Honest to god… I tried to wake you. But you looked so content i figured I’d just pick you up and carry you into your apartment. But, no offense, you’re way heavier than I expected. At least to this old man. That’s all… I swear to god!” Chase smiled slipping out of the car with ease, “It was a very sweet gesture sir… I’m almost sorry I’m not lighter,” she smiled warmly patting the shoulder of the chief to reassure him. “I can take myself to bed though but thank you for… well… the nap. You were right i did need a little… down time.” she admitted with a slight shrug. It wasn’t easy for Chase to admit even she needed a rest now and then and for that she was thankful the the Chief.

Chase led the way up to her apartment. She was on the third floor up with a rather nice view of the sunset. The first thing to be noticed is her front door instead of the rather dull brown every apartment had. Chase had decided to decorate it. The result was half of the door was a fire engine red that appeared to be on fire as painted on three dimensional effect flames were climbing up the door. But, the top of her door was ‘cold’, a clashing blue with what looked like snowflakes. The effect was certainly eye capturing in every aspect.

Chase flushed a little this was the first time anyone would have seen her work she tended to keep her passion for painting and drawing rather secret but it would be very hard to do that with the chief now staring at her front door like she had just tasered him. “WOW,” muttered the Chief, “That’s… that’s a really impressive door. I ain’t never seen nothing like that before.” Chase smiled shyly “I wanted something different than boring brown, so…. I decorated it,” she responded as she opened the door gesturing for him to come inside, as she slipped in first. “Um do you want coffee or something? There is a few snacks if you’re hungry?” She offered politely a little nervous in her tone as she was well aware of the murals all over her apartment's walls and the various canvases and paintings dotted about the place some still works in progress. “You’re free to look around. I just need to move something.” she spoke out as she quickly walked to her bedroom hoping to hide a specific painting she was still working on as the door was slammed shut. Chase almost standing guard at the door as she sort of nervously smiled.

Chief Barlow wandered around Chase’s apartment amazed at the paintings and drawings hung around the room. He felt as though he was in an art gallery of some sort. “These are amazing, Chase,” he finally explained as Chase returned, “Did… Did you do all of these?”Chase nodded shyly. “I guess i never told anyone i painted… or drew so you’re kind of the first to know, Sir. Well the only person to know. I haven’t shown anyone these.” She gestured to the paintings a slight blush on her cheeks at the praise. “They’re beautiful,” Barlow espoused, “But this one really caught my eye in particular… It actually seems familiar to me.” Barlow fell silent for a moment, “And you say no one has seen your work before?” Chase shook her head rapidly, “No one… can i ask you to keep it to yourself for now?” she gently requested the woman now seeming to be intensely shy it seemed the chief had stumbled onto something that deeply mattered to Chase. “On my honor, Officer Chase,” Barlow replied unable to turn his attention from the painting before him. A horse in a meadow with red and blue flowers in the horse’s mane. Why did this painting seem so familiar to the chief?

Chase came to the side of the chief viewing the painting with a smile “Seems you like it..” Biting her lip as she glanced at the chief “I was wondering if i could ask you something sir?” Chase spoke after a minute of silence. Barlow “What is it Officer Chase?” he responded his gaze not leaving the painting. “Sir?... what exactly did Artemis do to get the paparazzi to leave him be?” What happened next was like hitting a switch the Chief silent one moment then Barlow bellowed in laughter. Collapsing onto the sofa to sit down. It took a moment for him to collect himself enough to speak.

“Well I’m off duty… and the statute of limitations is expired, so I can tell you all about it now.” The chief wiped his face with his sleeve and kept having to stifle his laughter throughout the telling of the story. “Well when Arty first joined the force, it was no secret who he was, and who his father was. So just coming into the force he was already a decorated hero and quite a celebrity which he certainly did NOT like at all.” Chase chuckled “Yup that sounds like him.” she mentioned with a smile. “Oh… yes… Artemis did not like that at ALL. Well, one night Artemis had discovered that a certain reporter was printing false information about him. Rather than have the jackass up on slander charges, he decided to take matters into his own hands… um… so to speak.” Barlow started giggling again, “He confronted the reporter saying the reporter didn’t know s**t about him. The reporter claimed ‘freedom of the press’ and Artemis had to PROVE it was false information, which because of his military background he couldn’t prove without revealing classified information. So the reporter THOUGHT he had the upper hand on Artemis.”

Barlow paused for a moment. “Hey, Chase, I’m going to let you in on  a little secret about your partner. Let him find out someone thinks they have the upper hand on him… No one ever will and he knows it and he LOVES proving it.” “So, one night when Officer Artemis was off duty, the fool reporter allegedly crossed his path. The allegation the next day from the reporter in the hospital was that Officer Artemis had knocked him out and dragged him into a van. When he came to, he had been tossed into a trailer of manure on the outskirts of the city at a farming operation… with a note saying “Now you know s**t… and if this isn’t clear enough, just check your pictures…” because Artemis had allegedly shoved the guy’s camera up his a*s lens first.”

“Now allegedly the reporter could not produce the alleged letter because it allegedly burst into flames shortly after he read it. Which seems like a HIGHLY implausible excuse in my opinion… if I didn’t know that Artemis wasn’t a highly capable chemist capable of creating paper that could spontaneously combust.”

Barlow laughed at the shocked expression on Chase’s face. “Now bear in mind the guy was making these allegations from the hospital bed where they DID in fact have to extract his camera from his rectum AFTER he called an ambulance to his location which was in fact face down in a huge trough of manure. The reporter wanted Artemis brought up on charges, BUT as there was in fact no evidence of Artemis’s involvement, Artemis’s response publicly was “PROVE IT, shithead!” and yes that was the headline on the Express media reader the next day.”

Barlow’s laughter was bawdy and quite contagious. “You can imagine the fun that the mayor and I had sorting the whole mess out.” The chief fell silent for another moment and eyed Chase curiously. “Can I let you in on one more little secret, Officer Chase… one that you MUST never repeat to anyone anywhere.” “Sounds serious, sir. But, sure, I’m listening.” Chase dutifully replied. “The mayor got so much flack about this whole shitstorm… if you’ll excuse the pun, that eventually he went on record stating that Artemis couldn’t have possibly done what he was accused of because he was actually spending the evening with the Mayor himself at the Mayor’s mansion. He used a loophole in the diplomatic immunity clause of the law to refuse security vids that would either confirm or deny whether he was actually at the mansion.” Chase suddenly realized the implications of that bit of information coming to light… the Mayor would lose his title, his pension and undoubtedly go to jail for a very long time for obstruction of justice.

“Mayor Collins really put his a*s on the line for Artemis. THAT is how much faith he and I have in your partner, Officer Chase.” Chief Barlow slowly leaned into Chase and whispered, “I went on record as saying I was there as well. Arty doesn’t know that bit. I’d prefer it stayed that way. Know what I mean?” Chase smiled nodding a little, “The secret is safe, sir.” “Gotta protect my boy, you know?” Barlow smiled. “And you know what, Chase, I want you to know something. I can see how you and Arty get along. I can see he’s happier than I can remember.” Barlow shot a devilish grin at Chase, “I guess with a partner who gives amazing ‘personal massages’ I’d be pretty happy, too. But Hey, that secret will stay safe with me, too.” Chase blushed a deep scarlet in response inwardly cursing out Artemis for ever stating that. “Sir, that isn’t… its not… I’m gonna kill him.” Officer Barlow raised his hand to cut her off, “Yeah I heard all about it. Hey… it’s all good. As long as it’s not happening on precinct time, I don’t care what you guys do. Besides, like I said, you’re taking care of the son I never had, but always wished for… so… you can expect me to support you as much as I support him. You get me?” Chase thought about attempting to actually state that is wasn’t like that between her and Artemis but it seemed the Chief was apparently happy that the two of them appeared to have something. “Yes, Sir. I appreciate it a lot, Sir.” Chase finally settled on replying Maybe it was kinder to let the Chief think what he wanted to. Though she would have words with Artemis about it. Very choice words.

Chase’s mind wandered back to the story about Artemis and the reporter. Her thoughts were a mix of stunned surprise and actually was kind of impressed at the sheer effort Artemis had gone to prove the reporter wrong. Then a thought entered her mind. “Hang on. Is that why he always hands me the damn camera at a crime scene?” Chase accused with a playful glare. “The sneaky menace! I always wondered why he was so damn giggly after.” Chase shook her head at her partner's behavior. “I am never underestimating him… but then again… I hope he doesn’t push himself too hard.” Chase trailed off a little worried that the case with the data disk might be something bigger even than Artemis might be able to handle. Something felt really off about it. She just hoped the two of them could out think the men playing in the shadows.

Chase and Chief Barlow spent several hours chatting that night about all manner of things. Mostly stories about Artemis. As the night progressed, Chase realized her nap though effective was losing its effectiveness. She decided to excuse herself to her bedroom covering up the picture she didn't want to be seen as she slipped into the comfy charge berth. Her eyes slipping closed rather instantly and her breath leveled giving the appearance of Chase falling into a deep sleep. Before completely surrendering though, Chase muttered out “Good night, Chief.” The woman soon drifted off. Leaving the Chief to ponder how and why he recognized the painting of the horse hanging in Chase’s living room.

True to his word, the Chief spent the night watching over Chase, not noticing the fact she only feigned sleep, sure she was linked to her charging station but as she remained aware the charge would be  very very slow, but some rest was far better than none. During her low recharge state, Chase actually slipped into a true sort of sleep. In her mind she found herself dreaming, something she didn't expect to be able to do, but here she was visualizing being in a rather expensive sort of office. Small hands using crayons to scribble onto a notebook. “Aww... come little Evee, he’s not that scary,” said a warm caring voice. Chase looked around and found a man trying coerce a little girl to his side. She soon discovered the girl being the source of the crayons and whose small hands Chase thought were her own. The image wavered a bit to the little girl cowering behind a fuzzy image of a man who was introducing a rather familiar person “Is that the chief?” she thought the man was much younger but still held the same sort of presence. “It’s ok Jack she’s just a little kid leave her to her drawing,” the chief smiled the little girl smiling back. It seemed she wasn't so scared now. In fact a few minutes later the little girl Evee, offered a drawing to the younger Chief. An eerily familiar drawing of a horse with little flowers in it’s mane. Just as suddenly as the dream started it ended… Leaving Chase all that much more confused. How could she dream? And what did the dream mean?

Meanwhile in the rainy street below, a shadowy figured glanced to Chase’s window. He muttered quietly into a comm piece, “Yeah. Subject has returned to her residence. No. She’s not alone. It’s Barlow. Yeah… It does stand to reason he probably knows too much already. Consider it done.” The shadowy figure closed the comm and walked off into the darkened street...

Author's Note

comments wanted (i do not own the image