Ice-Make: Software

Mile High Club

The weekend had not really been restful. Although Gray spent Sunday with Natsu, relaxing on the couch and cuddling in bed, he still felt worn out on Monday. He had hoped to get more work done on the anti-virus program he was designing, what he decided to simply call Ice Devil. The whole time on the couch, his mind had been calculating ways to combat the E.N.D. virus. As he and Natsu ate a homemade spaghetti dinner, he had doodled code onto a napkin until Natsu scolded him to take a break.

He couldn't, though. So long as there was this virus threatening ICEMAKE, the software his mentor Ur had created, he felt like E.N.D. was an attack on him as well, and he was determined to exterminate it.

Now it was Monday, and Gray was back at work, waiting for the anti-virus to do its thing. He had opted to sit at a spare desk, away from his usual cubicle, hooked up to a computer that was off the company's network to be safe, just in case the anti-virus reacted caustically to ICEMAKE and the rest of the computer's systems. Code flitted across the monitor, and his eyes followed it with rapid flashes. His face grew grimmer, angrier, until his lips began to twitch in rage.

"FUCKING SON OF A BITCH!" he screamed, punching his desk with both fists.

Heads popped up in the cubicle farm, dozens of corporate gophers reacting instinctively to a curious sound. Invel shot him a frigid glare, and Gray cringed down, trying to hide behind his monitor. He really did it this time.

He tried to focus back on the computer. He removed the USB stick, threw it aside in anger, and tried another. Code was just starting to flash up, his fingers tapping to run another diagnostic, when he saw a prim suit standing in front of him. He looked up to see Freed Justine.

It was never good news when one of your company's executives came to your desk just after you screamed profanity.

"Mr. Fullbuster," Freed said in a low voice. "Mr. Dragneel wishes to see you."

Gray sighed. He was fired, right? First he failed to do the one thing he was hired to do, and now he cussed like that in the middle of work. He glanced at his monitor just as a warning popped up. His latest attempt also failed. He yanked the USB stick out, packed up his gear, and trudged away. Lyon peaked over the edge of his cubicle.

"No luck?" he asked, looking worried.

Gray only shook his head, following Freed out. They came to the elevators, and Gray stared ahead as they were lifted up to the top floor.

"You really should manage your anger. I could hear your shout from down the hall."

"Yeah, well, I'm trying to save your company from a huge disaster. I think I'm allowed one fuck for my efforts."

Freed gave a single, soft laugh, but otherwise he said nothing more. The elevator dinged, the two stepped out, and Freed led him to the left. Gray had begun to go right toward Natsu's office, so he stumbled to correct his direction.

"Where are we going?"

"Mr. Dragneel has a surprise for you."

"A surprise? What is it: a motorcycle? Knowing him, a surprise could be my own private island."

"Do you like motorcycles?"

"I used to ride one. Seriously, don't tell him to get me one. I already have a car, and I don't have the money to pay extra insurance."

"Well, it's not something you drive," Freed said with a faint smile.

They came to a locked door, and Freed pulled out a set of keys. When he opened it, sunshine burst through along with a roaring sound and massive gust of wind. Gray squinted as he walked out into the morning sunshine.