They were connected in virtspace, a realm of electronic reality, existing only in the screaming mesh of wires and fiber optics that encircled the globe. One at a time, they winked into existence. Though separated by thousands of miles, they were connected more intimately than most human beings could even imagine. Their images hovered against an electric blue background. One, two, three, they winked into being. A pause. And then one more. Three were male. African. Skin color identical to the dead man’s. Physical characteristics very, very close. One was female, of the same stock.
“My brothers. What do we see?”
“We see a man afraid of his own death.”
“He is not one of us, Roku. He is not a brother.”
“No, Ni. He is as we are. He is worthy. He killed Shi.”
“Shi was but a beast, but I agree. I will kill him. He will have a good death.”
“You cannot kill him as easily as you killed the woman, San. He will not die asleep, as did the policemen, Roku. He will kill you both, and then I will kill him.”
“You have such pretensions. Go. You and your armor. After I kill him, we will match. I would see your blood.”
“You are dreaming,” Go said. “You will see. With your death, I will earn a name.”
“What name?” Ni asked.
“I do not know. But to think of it, I rather like the name Aubry. He did not earn it. He will not miss it. He will be dead.”