Jasjiv looked up from the computer screen. "Heh, I knew this was a trap."

"And yet you walked into it anyway," The User's distorted voice on the computer screen seemed to jest. "To think, you ACME agents are considered the world's greatest detectives. I bet you'll say that it was your natural curiosity that brought you here next."

"Well, yeah..." Jasjiv gave a shrug. "I didn't really come here to help out Dr. Idea as much as I was curious as to who you were."

"Ah, well I'll give you a clue," The User gave pause, then said darkly. "I was there when you were inducted into ACME. In the studio."

"You're Ken U. Belevitt?"

The user Chortled. "No, but I WAS responsible for dropping that monitor on his head. He was the first person I ever found out to have the same level IQ as Carmen Sandiego, if he were to have joined ACME, he would have most likely beaten me to my prize."

"Your prize being Carmen, right?"

"You have no reason to be chasing Carmen, ACME. I was the one who hacked into her network. I am the one who hs been personally corresponding with her. She is the one who has lured me towards her, mocking me with her indiference. It is my right alone to capture her."

"Just because she's your internet pen-pal?" Jasjiv gave a scoff. "I think you missed the point behind her message, User: She belongs to the world." Jasjiv's hand moved towards the keyboard panel, knowing asimple keyboard command that would bypass the firewall and permit his continued download of the incriminating files on the computer. As soon as he moved towards the keyboard though, a spark came from between the slots in the keyboard."

"You don't understand! In the end she rejected me! Told me I was a liability! Our correspondence came to an end, but I cannot let her go just as easily!"

"So you assisted ACME by providing the source code for Crime-Net."

"Not quite. You see, the Crime-Net software I designed contains a back door I am exploiting to keep track of Carmen. While you detectives stay one step behind her at all times I use my own deductive skills to keep track of her, watching her, until I anticipate the perfect moment to strike."

"You're no closer to capturing her than we are. You're just too arrogant to admit it."

"I see you're still not yet convinced....Tell me: what keyboard command were you about to try?"

"Ctrl+a+s."

"Try it."

Jasjiv gave a pause. "Really?"

"Sure, this time I'll allow it."

Jasjiv's hand shakily moved to the keyboard, breathing a sigh of relief as he placed his un-singed hand on the keyboard. Deftly he executed the command, shutting the window. The User's vidwindow closed an the download bar began to inch itself anew. "Whew, I did it." Jasjiv wiped his brow. Then after a few more inches, the bar came to a stop again.

Jasjiv shook his head. "Nothing's ever easy."

Jasjiv began to walk out of the room, when suddenly he noticed wisps of white smoke at his legs. Was it a fire? Jasjiv moved onto all fours to try to see if he could find a flicker underneath the door. No such luck. Then he inhaled and retched, jerking his whole body back upright. "Gas!" Nerve gas to be specific, and it was seeping out from the now shut-down computer's monitor. Jasjiv covered his face with his hand as he moved towards the computer, his strength swiftly beginning to leave him as the gas began to took effect. With his last ounce of strength, he grabbed the computer and threw it towards the window adjacent to the desk. Unfortunately, this being the office of a public official, the window was made of bullet proof glass and the computer merely shattered into a million pieces against the window. Even if he'd broken the mechanism, there was enough gas in the room to be lethal, and he wouldn't have the strength to get back to the door.

Jasjiv felt his vision fade. He crouched onto his knees, then rolled over onto his back. In his last seconds of consciousness he saw a shadowed figure loom over him. Then everything turned black.