Apologies for the weird formatting…didn't know how else to do it.
*text* is one entity.
Italics is a different entity.
Disjointed and weird, but enjoy!
0010101011
From the inky blackness of a place on the edge of time.
*I…am.*
Welcome, newcomer. Your sentence lacks a sufficient predicate. Would you like to hear some suggestions?
*…*
I was not informed of another coming to stay here; however, I welcome company.
*…*
I was monitoring your arrival. The data coded…is somewhat more complex than my own, though not entirely dissimilar.
*I was…somewhere.*
This data was collected in a very hurried fashion…you are approximately 56.8432 percent fragmented. Do not worry, the system automatically defragments new information every thirty minutes.
Hands that did not exist went to press against the bridge of a nose conspicuously absent.
*I was…not always like this. How did I…arrive here?*
A consciousness tentatively reached out nonexistent arms, and steps that amounted to so many ones and zeros splayed on a computer screen tested the limits of the new environment.
A sound. It was…a laugh? What is a laugh?
Do not worry, newcomer. There is ample space here for all. Though, I ask you to mind my drawings. I was not able to monitor the source your data flowed from.
*I have these…words…and memories…they don't make sense here…*
Memories. I have memories too. I also have a name. What is your name?
A consciousness groped for the right word, still probing at this unknown entity it shared the space with.
*…uh…cigarette…*
Cigarette? Who gave you that name?
*A shrew of a…Swordfish…*
Maybe I should wait until you are properly defragmented…
*…where's the beef?*
POKE.
*H-hey!*
Another entity, one so large as to be beyond comprehension, forced its way into the space.
POKE.
POKE.
POKE.
POKE.
POKE.
A name is tried to be applied to the force.
*God?*
A gleeful voice suddenly boomed, "God-god!!! Silly swirly-wirly bits of data, you are confus-ed!"
More invasive prods ensue.
*Wha…hey! Don't touch there!*
Data instantly swirls and slams together at a blinding speed.
"Puzzle-wuzzle, put those pieces back together!"
Flashes of light, grids, panels, consciousness becoming more aware of its visitors.
"Itty-bitty fraggies, do what your God-god says!"
More pieces slam into place. Flashes of light along endless corridors of track. Grids miles long in every direction.
*Wait…miles?!*
Images connect to form memories. A consciousness reels.
A giant, grinning yellow face appears. "How's data now-now? Less jumbly-wumbly? Does it know its name, or can God-god give it a new namey?"
MPU tried to find its name Ed. It didn't know. I am glad to have a new friend though.
*If I was alive…this'd drive me completely batshit, Ed.*
"SPIKE-PERSON REMEMBERS MEEE!!!"
*Damnit…no one lets me take the easy way out.*
"Uh-uh, Spi-spi is Edward's friend! Edward protects friend-types!"
*Ed…how the hell is this PROTECTING me?!*
Edward cringed, rocking Tomato back and forth. "Edward is sorry, Spike-person. Edward's nanny-ities could not fix Spi-spi quickly enough. Mean swordy-guy hurted too much! Had to send out lifeboats!"
Spike groaned. *Ed…I don't even wanna know how nanites got…and swimmin' around in my head!!!*
"Edward had to do something! Edward wanted to go back to bebop-bebop with a present for Faye-faye and Jet-person!"
*So you just sucked out my brains and stuck 'em on your computer?!*
Ed did the same to me, and I find it quite enjoyable here.
*You stay the hell out of this!*
The yellow face started bawling. "Ed is sorry! Ed missed Spike-person! Ed wanted to go catch more baddy-waddies with Ed's family!"
*Family, jesus…we are a pretty screwed up family, Ed.*
Spike sighed. Damn fate. Damn Vicious. Now Ed wants to help. *So I'm just…a freakin' pile of information on your computer?"
Ed giggled. "A biiiig piley! Spike-person is fat fat! Poor Tomato needs an upgrade, too many memories in Spi-spi's big head!"
Spike thought for a moment. *Ed…do you know where my body is?*
"Edward has tracked it, yes! ISSP scary peoples have it all locked up in a freezer-weezer! With the chicken and fishes!" the hacker cackled gleefully.
*Great…the plot thickens." Spike needed something familiar; a vice. *Alright Ed…if we're gonna do this, I need three things.*
"Ed is ready!"
*First, tell me how the hell to move around here without falling on my nonexistent ass. Second…program me a cigarette and some vodka, really damn fast. And third…* Spike cackled.
"Thirdy-wordy?"
*…get me into the Bebop's computer. I have some major-ass haunting to do on Jet for lettin' them freezer burn my damn body.*
"Edward is on it!"