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heard of anyone physically breaking through to another module. There had to be some sort of explanation.
    The Crash Storm .
    It must have weakened the module during its rampage, and turned a gaming accident into a life-threatening error. He shook his head in amazement, before noticing Analara was patiently watching him.
    David opened his mouth to say something when the beeping began again, shifting from a pulse to a solid tone. It was a tracer pulse! But wait—
    No amount of protest could stop the V-Net protocols. The system had a fix on David's signal and had executed a recall. The last thing he saw was Analara's expression of surprise, before he felt himself pulled backward.
    David gasped sharply and opened his eyes. He was back in his apartment, reclining in the link chair. There were no verdant forests or beautiful women, only an overwhelming sense of vertigo. His eyes refused to focus as he stared blankly at the ceiling; the only thought that coalesced in his mind was a serious need for sleep.
    Struggling to his feet, David stumbled out of the alcove. He crashed into a couple of walls on the way to his bedroom. His foot caught on something that clattered to the floor. Tripping, he managed to aim himself toward the bed. With a soft thump, he buried his face against his pillow and let darkness wash over him.

Chapter 4

    David vanished, leaving Analara open-mouthed in bewilderment. She called out his name, sweeping her gaze across the clearing, but saw no sign of him.
    She grew frantic worrying about the state in which she had discovered him. It seemed like he had recovered, but she knew from training that a bad fall could produce injuries within that were difficult to detect. If he was still hurt, how would she ever know?
    Time passed as Analara searched, first the copse, then the surrounding plain. She explored the clumps of trees beyond that, losing track of the hours, until shadows crept from the trees to dance about her feet.
    The evening chirping of chints startled her. She realized she was long overdue. Nathalion would have a stern lecture for her, and Varlath would be worried. Torn between wanting to reassure her family and the desire to know if David was all right, she reluctantly conceded that there was nothing more she could do. With a final glance behind, she turned back toward the city.
    "Analara!"
    The sound rode on a tumbling breeze, muffled by distance. Recognizing the voice, she smiled and headed toward it.
    "I'm here, Rupu," she shouted.
    A tall, well-muscled figure emerged from the shadows of a nearby tree. Rupu breathed a sigh of relief and gave Analara his best scolding look. She met his gaze for only an instant before looking away. "Making your friends worry themselves sick again? I know a little anxiety is good for you, but this…" Something in his tone made her look up. Rupu wore a silly grin. "You could have invited me."
    Analara laughed. "I didn't stay out to play games. This time I had a reason for being late."
    "Tell me on the way home." Rupu lifted his fingers and gave a piercing whistle, which was quickly answered. The gate guards would return to their posts, leaving the two of them to wander back at their own pace. There was still an hour before the gates were shut.
    Analara wrapped an arm around Rupu's waist. "Am I in trouble?"
    "Not now that I've found you," he said, giving her shoulders a light squeeze. "Though Varlath may scold you a bit."
    "He'll just end with a laugh, the same as you. I did have a reason. Someone was in trouble." She told him about her brief encounter. Rupu listened intently, his gray eyes narrowing when she described the strangeness of David's appearance.
    "And then," Analara finished, "he just vanished! I searched everywhere, but he was gone. What does that mean?"
    She watched Rupu's face, trying to gauge his reaction. He shrugged, his expression neutral. "I can not guess, nor would I want to try," he said distantly. "I have no interest in getting caught up in