Summary: A new dawn has occurred over Cyberspace as everyone rebuilds from Hacker's campaign of chaos. People are trying new things. Friends are achieveing new roles in life. But a the loss of a life is being mourned. A life that hasn't really been lost. And a new evil is coming...

Rating: T

A story that takes the Cyberchase universe in a new direction. Picks up from where "Neutramatter" left off. A few surprises in store for you all. I begin with a brief and to-the-point prologue that's really more for new readers than anything. Next chapter will actually take about a month after this.

For new readers who want to start at the beginning of my series of Cyberchase fanfics, the order is as follows: "The Time Traveler", "Parallelism", "Mishap", "Backup Support", "Devil's Advocate", "Breeched", and "Neutramatter". It is highly recommended that you at least read "Neutramatter" first before reading "New Order." Enjoy!

CYBERCHASE

NEW ORDER

1.

Prologue

"If I may have your attention please, we are ready to begin."

Matt turned and glanced at the podium standing in front of the monument. It was actually a bit unneeded now, because the person who was going to do the speaking wasn't a real person. Dr. Marbles was going to say a few things in dedication of the monument, but at the last moment and for reasons unknown, Motherboard had taken his place. As such a screen had been set up behind the podium for her to use, which, quite frankly, looked odd.

"To begin with," Motherboard began, "I would like to thank you all for coming here. I am very pleased you all could make it, and that we could fit you all."

She scanned the crowd that had gathered at the podium, and as she did so, Matt did the same. In addition to himself, Jackie, Digit, Alex, Peter, Lara, and Dr. Marbles, there was a wide variety of people. A good deal of them Matt recognized from his many adventures in Cyberspace, such as Shari Spotter and the Crab Prince from Aquari-Yum. But there was also many he didn't recognize.

But, with a pang of guilt and sorrow, he knew there was one person that should be here, but wasn't.

In fact, it was because of her they were all gathered here today.

"Inez Garcia," Motherboard continued again suddenly, "was a great ally to Cyberspace. She was very intelligent, and despite her young age, very capable. She had proven herself to be a brilliant helper, and a friend to everyone on many occasions, and once even helped to save Cyberspace from total takeover. She would frequently put her life before others, risking it constantly. Yet she always seemed to come out of each scenario unscathed. That is, until now."

Matt hung his head, and not for the first time shook his head in disbelief. She couldn't be gone. She had always been there, as a friend and as so much more. She had faced death straight in the eye, at times without even knowing it, and had always managed to come back out of it alive and well. Maybe it was a matter of luck, and it merely ran out finally. But regardless, it seemed impossible Inez was dead.

"As you are all aware, Hacker was recently defeated once and for all, destroyed along with his ship and his most evil invention ever, the neutramatter cannon over the cybersite of Sensible Flats." Motherboard went on, using a graver tone than before. "This is a matter to celebrate indeed, but you all need to realize it did not come without a price. In addition to the lives of others who have been lost throughout Hacker's campaign of chaos, Inez Garcia lost her life while fighting Hacker. And of all the lives lost, hers will be the one most missed. By everyone."

She stopped to look over everyone again, and then, as if receiving inspiration from out there, suddenly looked out into the depths of Cyberspace. Matt, mostly out of curiosity, followed her gaze, peering out beyond the open balcony they stood upon, surrounding the monument. Hanging out there in all directions was the brilliant green-black glow of Cyberspace. Each blinking light that could be seen was a Cybersite. Out of all of them, Control Central was the closest, only being a couple cybermiles or less away. It was a truly inspirational view; Inez would've loved it. But it was the fact she wouldn't get to that prevented Matt from enjoying it.

"Today, we dedicate this monument in her honor." Motherboard said, motioning to the structure behind her. "So we can all remember her, and remember what she did for us all. And here it will stand for untold years, continuing to do so. So I ask you, that whenever you look upon this monument, remember who it was built to remember."

And with that, Motherboard concluded her statement. Matt half expected the crowd to applaud or cheer at the end, but a long moment of eerie silence fell. Matt realized the crowd all felt like he did; saddened at the lost of such a significant person. At least, they all felt like he did to a certain extent. But it was enough. Matt was touched so many people could relate to his pain.

As for the monument itself, it looked wonderful. Originally, it had been planned to build a statue in Inez's likeness, but then it was agreed that seemed too vain, and almost cheesy. Instead, the monument was shaped as a eight-pointed star, three dimensionally built so one could see all eight points no matter what direction you look at it. It had been built out of a special, reflective material that made it seem almost glow. Dr. Marbles had indicated that the material had cost several snelfus to build, yet it was worth every penny.

Matt had to agree. It looked very pretty, and as Inez loved stars of all sorts, she would've been very touched to see it. If only she could. With really meaning to, his eyes traveled down to the base of the monument, where a simple plaque had been placed. It read:

Inez Garica

May she rest in peace