"It's not your fault. You're programmed to be this way. We've just gotta work out a way to reprogram you."
"So I won't be a Virus?"
"That's the plan!"
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It was a regular sight by now. There they were, sat in the corner of the Diner, arguing over the logistics of the new tour dates and the economics behind the price of the new iTune and whether or not it was worth being available to older Systems and how she didn't understand art.
Dot and the large blue metal Sprite with the red crest.
"Creative differences again?" asked Bob, sauntering over with his shake.
"Tell your wife to cease and desist," said Megabyte, disgust in his voice.
"All I'm saying is that Kazaa is a dead venue and we should be concentrating on getting you onto more lucrative ones."
"It's a matter of tradition and loyalty!" He threw up his hands in despair. "I should have managed myself."
Dot smirked. "You say that but you always keep coming back. Bob, can you talk him round? I've got some paperwork to catch up on."
"Sure thing." He raised an eyebrow at Megabyte as she left. "She wants you to stop performing at Kazaa? But that was where you had your first big gig!"
"She'll probably want me to start performing that foul brand of noise young Enzo is into, for 'commercial reasons'." He shook his head and sipped on his drink. "I don't know. I should have realised Dot would conquer me in the end."
"You could have managed yourself."
"No. That sort of control, it…" Megabyte gestured at his chest, at where there had been the mark of the Viral Skull so long ago. "It would bring up memories. I don't want that. I don't want anything resembling that life again." His voice had become a whisper, as if he hadn't meant for the Guardian to hear it. "No, the musical career is preferable."
"You given any more thought to us doing a duo on stage?" asked Bob, trying to lighten the conversation.
"Oh dear. Letting you on an audience of innocent Sprites would far outstrip anything I did as a Virus. Sorry Bob, you've just let your talents slip."
"Ah, you're just jealous I'll show you up." He pointed at Megabyte as Dot came back, yelling "He's jealous!"
"Of course, dear."
The three of them continued to banter and discuss the upcoming Pirate Music tour Megabyte was going to do on the Saucy Mare. Everything was simple and light. An old and bitter enemy was now a valued friend, all evil gone by the reprogramming, just as Bob had thought and hoped from the beginning. There was no death and conflict, just peace and the company of friends.
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And every year since the Hunt, Bob went to the grave – and he had fought to have it made – and placed the flowers on it and thought about what might have been.
"I'm sorry I failed you, Megabyte."