Chapter 3

Matt sighed as he relaxed into the chair next to his computer. He had been pacing around his living room for about an hour, trying to decide where he should take his life from this point.

"Okay, I obviously need money," he began thinking out loud, "but I don't just want millions of dollars in cash to appear all of a sudden. That could cause problems. I need a way to sustain a large income, without really causing me much trouble."

He couldn't help jumping a little as Alyssa began speaking; he had forgotten the she was standing beside him.

"Why don't you just use me to create a product you can sell? It would be pretty simple, I imagine."

Matt nodded. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I could become a sort of professional inventor. A modern day Edison perhaps... I don't really see anything to limit my potential with you and Master PC at my side."

Alyssa blushed at the attention. "So what would you like me to create, Master?"

He sat in thought for a few minutes, cradling his head in the palms of his head. He kept staring at his now completely outmoded computer; he had always been somewhat of a nerd, and he wouldn't mind giving something back to the computing community. After a while more, it finally clicked.

"Alyssa, I want you to instantly write a code for a heuristic anti-virus program. I want this thing to be able to squash pretty much any virus, any malware or spyware, or anything malicious on a computer without any definitions files or anything like that. This program should be an ultra security suite for computers, both Mac and Windows based. In addition, it should have a highly advanced firewall function- as in, if anyone attempts to hack a system using the firewall, the hacker's computer will be destroyed. Perhaps you can have the firewall launch a sort of counter-virus that would mess with a motherboard's power settings."

Alyssa looked thoughtful for a moment, and nodded.

"How would you like to distribute it, Master?"

Matt had to think a few more moments on that one. "Hmm. Perhaps... if you can, have every major company or organization that could potentially benefit from this receive a demo copy with my phone number included earlier today. I know that's a lot to ask- I have no idea whether you can move things through time or not- but I don't like waiting for things."

Alyssa shook her head. "Unfortunately, Master, time is completely linear. I cannot transport anything back in time. However, I can have the software arrive immediately, and raise instant attention. Will that be acceptable?"

Matt nodded, and settled back into his chair to wait.

Two hours later, the phone rang. Matt eagerly grabbed it, holding it up to his ear.

"Matthew Harris here. May I ask who is calling?"

"Hello Mr. Harris. I am Commander Mark Smith of the United States Military, Anti Cyber Crime Division. We received a highly interesting program from you several hours ago, and we have been scrutinizing it carefully. It is quite... unique. So far, it has not been tricked by our most advanced viruses, and we are completely at a loss as to explain how the hell it works. It has even taken out one of the Pentagon's smaller supercomputers that we threw at it."

Matt couldn't help but smile. "So I take it that you are interested in purchasing it for the Anti Cyber Crime Division, Commander?"

"Hell yes!" The Commander responded. "Under the condition that you turn over the rights to patent it to us, and do not attempt to sell it to anyone else. This program could really aid in our national security efforts."

"Those are some pretty damned bad conditions for me, Commander. I would be throwing away possible billions that I could make off it on the open market. I recommend you give me some large figures as a matter of compensation."

There was a minute of barely audible whispering in the background before the Commander replied. "Of course. The generals around here have been arguing our funding with Congress for the last hour. We have secured two hundred fifty million dollars which we can transfer to any bank account- tax free- of your choice. Will that be acceptable?"

Matt whistled. "Not a bad number. Sounds good to me. Work out the details of the transfer with my secretary."

He threw the phone to Alyssa at the same time as he leapt up from his chair, barely managing to keep himself from dancing with glee.

After a while of silent celebrating, Matt decided it was time to head off to bed. It had been quite possibly one of the longest and best days in his life, and he needed some rest after all the emotional attacks he had gone through. He had just walked into his bedroom, pulled off all of his clothes, and plopped face down on his mattress when Alyssa walked in after him.

"Master, the money has been transferred to several bank accounts, and the Commander has his program. I spread out the money as a security precaution."

Matt groaned. "Thank you Alyssa, but right now I'd like to rest. No business talk."

"Of course, Master. Would you care for a massage to help you relax?"

Before Matt could respond, firm hands were pressing themselves into his back, working out the stress in his muscles. He couldn't help but let out a loud sigh. Alyssa's touch was like magic, her technique superior to that of any masseuse. Every once in a while, her hands would pulsate or send out a mild shock, relaxing or tensing certain muscle groups as needed. Her hands traveled over his neck, his back, his harms, down across the cheeks of his ass, and even going down to his calves to work out the remnants of an old Charlie Horse.