In The Realms of the Unreal

Chapter 22

While the Doctor, Mcclane and Emma were facing their sentence, Mulder, Scully and Jerry were fleeing through the sewers of Mega City One. To Jerry's dismay, the sewers were absolutely filthy and smelled like something out of the lowest level of hell. The thought that even in the future, mankind was still unable to eradicate filth and germs was a little disappointing to say the least.

After running for a while, the hackers eventually stopped.

"Ok" the woman said, between breaths "I think we can take a break"

"I second that" Scully said as the group flopped down onto the floor. Even Jerry didn't complain too much.

The group had been sitting on the ground exhausted for several minutes when Mulder spoke

"I think introductions are in order here. Who are you guys anyway?"

For a second, the trio looked around nervously. They then decided that at this point they really had nothing to lose from telling the group their names

"My name's Case" said the younger man.

"Names Turner" said the older man

"And I'm Mona" said the woman "Nice to meet ya"

After Mulder, Scully and Jerry had given their names to the hackers, they decided it was for the best that they explained why they'd been hunting around the backwoods of Mega City One in the first place.

When they'd finished, Case, Turner and Mona looked at them confused

"So let me see if I get this" Case said "You're trying to find an ancient powerful rune that's hidden somewhere in the vast expanses of Mega City One that's the key to preventing an ancient powerful dark god from destroying the entire world."

"You got it" Jerry told him

Case chuckled "And you really expect us to believe that shit?"

"But it's the truth!" Scully fired back "If you saw the stuff we've been through already, you'd understand"

"You sure?" Case put his hands on his hips "It really sounds like you just hit your heads too hard"

"I dunno" Mona looked disapprovingly at Case "I think they're serious"

Case frowned at her

"You really think? If you believe em, then you're dumber than I thought!"

Jerry then scowled "So why else do you think we're running around this place? I promise you, we ain't doin' it for fun!"

"You could be after the red eye system" Case fired back "And if you are, then I promise ya, you ain't gonna get it!"

Mulder blinked in surprise "The what?"

"Don't play dumb with me!" Case fired back "Every hacker worth their weight in The Sprawl's heard of the red eye system! Or at least heard the rumours"

"Well what if I said we weren't from the Sprawl?" Scully asked

"I'd say you were bluffing!" Case fired back "Nobody just comes to the Sprawl! They're either born there, or they come looking for an opportunity!"

At this, Turner put a hand on Case's shoulder "Easy there. I'd have to agree with Mona on this one. They don't seem like they're lying and they don't look like criminals either"

For a second, Case opened his mouth, only for Mulder to interrupt him

"Your friend's got the right idea. We're not interested in your red eye thing, we're only looking for a rune"