Chapter 4
Troublesome Times
To say odd things happen upon the manipulation of space-time is somewhat of an understatement, anyone who has partaken in such an endeavor knows this; as Newton once said, "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Needless to say probabilities get really messed up in the process. As such, the Digimon Heroes, who were currently frequenting the Savers Zone, were somewhat surprised by Daneel's appearance, resulting in an impromptu standoff in DATS's control room after he decked Marcus.
"That's got to be a new record," Thomas said wryly "what was it this time?"
"What do you think?" said Yoshino. "He tried to bite off more than he could chew and finally managed to get his ass kicked because of it. She gestured to Daneel who stood watching in silence while several digimon poked and prodded Agumon and Marcus.
"He managed to knock out both of them?" a look of acute interest crossed Thomas's face while Gaomon looked over Marcus "Impressive..."
"I detect no signs of blows sufficient to result in unconsciousness on either of them, only scrapes and bruises on the arms, legs, and knuckles" said the ever loyal Gaomon after scrupulously examining the pair.
"Curious..." muttered Thomas.
"ID's Confirmed," Fennec chimed "completing network scan..." The ball shaped object Thomas was holding seemed to come to life as it briefly buzzed and lit up with a flash. "2 Objects of interest located, packet return from CompuBall PCND and Crate 4."
At this news Daneels helmet perked up as he strode forward. "Commander," the large man said as he took several steps, seeming relatively cool and at ease with the whole affair as he approached his supposed counterpart. "I do apologize for any inconvenience I've caused, but if you could direct me toward my property so I can recover it, it'd be most greatly appreciated." The helmet's face plate turned translucent, and what could only be described as a creature could be seen within a window on the pair of goggles that rested underneath.
From beneath his sunglasses the Sampson met Daneel's gaze, could he trust this man? his intentions certainly seemed honorable and trustworthy, and it'd certainly take the crate and any future problems it could cause off his hands. But then again, there was something about him that seemed questionable, he couldn't really forget how the man had forced his entry... "Of course," the commander announced "under the condition that you divulge some of your technology."
"We have no problems with a little info exchange," Daneel said after a moment's pause. "I should be able to answer any questions that Fennec here can't. Which way did you say the lab was?"
"Thomas," The Commander nodded towards DATS resident tech-head, who began to stride towards the door. "By the way, how were you able to get here in the first place?" he asked.
"Let's just call it a really really old Quantum-Temporal dislocation or slip device," Daneel said as he left "plenty know it exists, but very few know of the full extent of its abilities, let alone are able to use it."
Soon the only mystery left in the room was Fennec.
"Hello," he greeted "Statement: This unit's designation is Fennec. Proper authorization for query engagement granted. USynt guide will be provided if desired."
Clearly it would be more formidable than anticipated.
"What exactly are these artifacts you mentioned?" asked Dan, who'd experienced several struggles dealing with mysterious objects.
"Not much beyond the usual, just bits of advanced technology that has great potential for misuse and/or has dangerous side effects," replied Daneel, his voice ringing of age. "-But you probably already guessed that. You said it was Lab 32 Thomas, right? seven floors down?"
"Correct," Thomas nodded. "You have these dangerous artifacts to keep them under control and protect the public?"
"Of course," said Daneel "it's only logical." The elevator doors opened with a ding, and they entered. "We're Infinity, it's what we do; that's why we have units like Fennec and our sister organization/ sub-division Traxus, it makes our job easier and safer, not that it still isn't dangerous mind you."
"Being weird's a job?" muttered Betamon.
"About Fennec..." began Dan.
"Yeah?"
"What is he exactly? I mean what's with the weird speech pattern and all?"
"Seriously, it's like something from a bad movie," interjected Davis.
"Heh, well for starters Fennec is not necessarily a "he", although we tend to refer to him that way out of politeness and the fact that he has a masculine leaning neural model. I know you know that gender is a fairly abstract and fuzzy concept as far as digital organisms are concerned, being coded differently and thus pliable in different means. When he gets older, should he choose to replicate, there's numerous ways for him to do so." Daneel said, occasionally letting out an amused huff.
"He's an AI you made?" Thomas raised an eyebrow.
"We prefer the term Digital Intelligences, or DigI's," the voice of Blitz, Daneel's companion, wafted from speakers somewhere on the hi-tech armored suit.
"Whaddya mean we? Aren't you a Digimon like us?" asked DemiVeemon.
"Ah, but what is that exactly? Or can I not say, I know what you are but what am I?" Sounded a new voice, slick and sweet as wit can allow.
"Great, another one?" said Davis "Who is it this time?" he asked, somewhat unnerved by its spontaneous appearance.
"Just another passing thought," it replied "certainly more than you're used to."
"Hey!" responded Davis indignantly while DemiVeemon and the other Digimon sniggered.
"Gamma-1, as much as I find your unexpected appearance as amusing as ever," began Daneel "I know you have better things to do than harass our friends. You know, actual work like analyzing the new anomalies? Besides, you're hogging the bandwidth."
"Fine, it was just a friendly visit; I claim priority for later though. Now where was I? … Hey! Shoo, off my data node!"
"Problems?" asked Cynosaurimon.
"I'll deal with you later. These frikken critters are everywhere! Argh! F-in monkeys better have a good explanation for this..." the feed cut as abruptly as it had began.
*Snerk*, Cynosaurimon chuckled. "Relax," he said "it's just my brother, so don't get too uptight."
At this revelation some odd stare ensued as the elevator doors opened.
"Your brother?...What sort of Digimon is he?" Betamon asked as he gave Daneel's back a questionable glance.
"He's not," Cynosaurimon answered simply.
Dan and Thomas looked at each other, the faces reflecting the worrisome and cautious feelings they held inside themselves. The only non-Digimon, computer based intelligences that they'd had experience with often created problems for them, in one form or another, never mind the fact that the vast majority of them had been malevolent. It spoke untold volumes of Daneel's world that they had such an AI, let alone the fact that Daneel himself seemed incredibly familiar with both the individual AI in question, and the subject in general.
"Your 'brother's' a disembodied voice?" asked Davis incredulously.
"Well, he's kind of more like an uncle really, but if you must know he's a Subset II DigI," said Cynosaurimon. "That means a DigI that tends to be non-corporeal in form, unlike Digimon and the like, which are Subset I's just like their non-digital counterparts," he added.
All this while Daneel had remained quiet on the subject, choosing to focus on the artifact. Now he spoke. "Gamma-1 is reflectant of many things, myself included, and ultimately the same source as his namesake. That is, the sword that Roland couldn't break." He stopped. "We're here," he announced as the lab door opened. Before anyone else could comment on his statement, he had approached the crate that rested on the lab bench with familiarity. "I see you managed to get past the first set of safeguards," he said to Thomas, noticing the small open hatch on the crate's side.
"It took Master Thomas a while to figure out the code," said Gaomon "as I recall it was a week full of late and restless nights."
"No doubt, but where did you get this?" said Daneel as he lifted a small ball shaped device off a different lab bench. "Truth be told, I wasn't expecting to find one of our probe's here."
"Hey DemiVeemon," Davis whispered slyly to the small, blue and adorable digimon which clutched to his shoulder.
"Yes Davish?"
"You don't suppose there's a reason so many of this guy's gadgets are shaped like balls do you?"
DemiVeemon, scratched his head. "The better to play with?" he said.
The two looked each other in the eye, and could barely restrain their laughter.
Unfortunately for Davis, the heavily damaged probe chose this moment to reactivate and totter out of Daneel's hand. Mistaking Davis's posture for a threat, the probe decided to activate its self defence mechanism. However, due to the damage, it was unable to properly regulate it; so rather than a small electric shock, Davis received a rather large helping...
ZAP!
"...ow," muttered Davis, as both him and DemiVeemon lay reposed on the floor in a daze.
"Hm, didn't even have to use my clue stick," murmured Daneel as he picked up the still squirming probe. "Sorry about that," he said "usually we don't have much in the way of behaviour issues with probes."
"How so?" asked Dan.
"Well, they're not supposed to have much in the way of behaviour in the first place. Somehow this little critter managed to become self-aware and develop a SMEPH. Someone back home hasn't been careful enough with their code, apparently."
"SMEPH? That's a weird acronym," said Davis, whose adventuring experience had long since enabled him to easily recover from such misfortunes.
"Yeah, wuzzit stand for anywho's?" chirped DemiVeemon.
"All you need to know is that it's a way of describing and coding how brains work," said Daneel as he gently prodded the in-training Digimon "very important in multiple fields, but AI and cybernetics R&D in particular."
That's eerily peculiar thought Dan, reminds me of Tamer's Zone and the Southern Quadrant. I'll need to have a long talk with Izzy after this... he smirked a little on the inside, the Zoner's tech chief was well known for his ability to let technical subjects take hold of a conversation and draw it out.
"Where did you find the little bugger anyhow?" Daneel asked Thomas.
"Oh, that? We found it in the rubble near the crate when we finally managed to excavate it from the wreckage. We had a pretty devastating attack come out of the blue three weeks ago, luckily we were able to restrict the damage to only half a block."
"How fortunate. Hand me that CompuBall, would ya?" Daneel gestured to the sphere in Thomas's hand.
"Alright," the blonde passed the device to him with some uncertainty.
The others watched transfixed as Daneel placed the ball on the counter and proceeded to open it with the push of a button. The top flipped back to reveal a screen, which soon expanded, while the bottom flipped down to place the keyboard and mouse. Finally the side panels opened up to reveal speakers and make the whole assembly look less cluttered. Daneel expediently plugged the CompuBall into the nearest electrical socket as it turned on and proceeded to meticulously jack in a couple cables, one to the crate and the other to the probe, which although no longer roaming around, continued to swivel back and forth, taking great care not to tangle itself.
"It's just a computer, a fancy computer in the shape of a ball," droned Davis.
"Thank you Captain Obvious," said Cynosaurimon "why the hell do you think it's called a CompuBall?"
"Besides, can your computer have such high amounts of processing power and withstand the same forces as a cannonball?" added Daneel "I think not."
Processing... the device chimed. Display Probe memory? Y/N the query flickered on the screen for but a mere moment before disappearing, apparently it had already been answered. Daneel's hands hadn't touched the keyboard, Dan noticed.
The image of a city appeared on screen, 03:30 Zulu, the timestamp in the upper right corner read. Contact with Mother Unit Lost, the log message rolling across the screen bottom proclaimed. The timestamp flew forward before returning to its normal pace. Warning! Spacial Rupture/Anomaly Detected! The message read, indicating the highlighted purple disk in the sky.
"Hey, that looks like around the time that we were dealing with Yggdrasil and the Royal Knights!" said Davis.
The video paused. "What's the matter?" asked Dan.
"Something's off..." Daneel replied as lines of code and analysis data filled the screen. "Here, what do you make of this," he said to Thomas "I need an outside opinion."
Thomas scooted close to the screen and studied it intensely. "Looks like a fairly complex virus to me," he said "it appears to be designed to gain administrative access to computer systems, but doesn't seem to have any instructions to exploit it..."
"I did say it was odd."
"The only thing that seems to give it any purpose is this line right here," Thomas pointed to the screen. "If key signal met then access grant = true."
"Shit," said Daneel as he opened the case. There were several objects inside of the rectangular storage device, but the one that Daneel raised was a brilliant black cube that he held aloft for but a few moments. The device slid comfortably back into its padded indent inside the crate, Daneel had apparently learned all that he needed to know. A deep breath flowed in and out of his mouthpiece. "Dammit," he explained as the lid slammed shut and he began to move. He need not explain himself, for a vibe of foreboding trouble had already permeated the room. He muttered to himself as the data flew through his mind and in front of his head, "okay then, on to step two..." He turned around, "Make a hole and get outta my way," he said "gotta get to ground level ASAP!"
The small grouping of people that had gathered in the lab barely had time to dash out of the way as the large figure effortlessly picked up the crate and dashed out of the door with a surprising finesse.
"Dude could've given me a bit more warning!" Davis said almost catatonically as the group peered out of the door at the vanishing figure. "He almost squashed me!"
"He's got mad mobility for such a hefty frame 'though," Jermaine said, obviously impressed by Daneel's armor.
*Sigh* "Come on, let's go," said Dan.
"Well that was fun..." said Yoshino sardonically as she carted Marcus to the infirmary, aided by another member of the DATS staff, while the Commander walked alongside. "I mean, who is this guy!?" she exclaimed. "He can't just come waltzing in and act like he owns the place!"
"Well he certainly seems to have advanced resources," the commander began, "and if we cooperate he'll be more likely to share some of it, like that suit of armor."
"Why the helmet though? It seemed hermetically sealable..."
"I suppose it'd be to protect the user from airborne toxins or gas," the Commander mused.
"You could always ask Fennec," Lalamon said.
"Nooo..." Yoshi's face hung low, overshadowed by dread. "Not that again, it barely answered any of our questions." The robot had indeed sucked up much of their time; it would often give dodgy, confusing or unsatisfactory answers, consisting of textbook definitions and little more, sans dates, leaving DATS with little knowledge gained for the encounter. All they'd been able to learn was that Daneel and his entourage were probably from the near future, where the use of AI's was not uncommon, but strictly regulated.
"Look! There's Daneel, why don't we ask him?" Lalamon gestured toward the onrushing figure.
"Stop! We've got some questions for yooou?!" Kudamon cried, surprise edging into his voice as the subject in question made no attempt to comply with his demand.
"Sorry vance*!" the man said as he dashed past "got a big problem to fix!"
"Vance?" Kudamon said, his bewildered expression also affixed on his companions. The brief moment is interrupted the group of Tamers attempts to round the nearby corner in chase of Daneel...on a newly waxed floor. They crash and pile up, sliding into the view of Yoshino and the Commander, the former letting out a disgruntled sigh.
"Oww..." Davis rubbed his back as the elevator doors opened to disgorge the group out onto the parking level.
"Who'd've thought that something as large and bulky as a suit of armor would be this obnoxious to follow?" said Joey.
Ding. The elevator doors next to them opened and Fennec rolls out, folding a pair of arms back into his body as he does so. The group follows the robot with their eyes, peering out of the small atrium. Standing on the parking exit ramp stood Daneel.
"...Croc-Meister now," he said simply.
"What's he doing?" asked Veemon.
"He must be talking to someone over a communication device, but to who?" said Gaomon.
Fennec halted "Warning! Stand back for object translation! Jump inbound!" it declared.
"Huh?" said Davis, confused by the odd connotations.
In a flash of light Nora appeared, her sensor pod briefly turning to scan the group, her cannon was concealed under flaps. Then, mere seconds after the first came a second flash of light, and a large six wheeled vehicle appeared. It was dull white and had been sprayed with a light coat of grey. There were four doors, one between each outer wheel and the inner, their large size was made apparent as Daneel stepped into the driver's seat located on the left, the crate having already been stowed in the large trunk. The engine roared to life, thrumming with power.
"Holy crap that's bigger than a Humvee!" Joey exclaimed.
"Man, that looks better than a Humvee," Jermaine replied.
"Hurry up," said Daneel "with Thomas and Gaomon, I've only got room for two more of you and your partners. Unfortunately, the rest of you will have to cram into a squad car or find alternative transportation."
5 minutes later the sound of roaring motors and squealing tires rang through the exit tunnel.
Although he was focused on the task at hand, a mad dash to prevent catastrophe of an unknown magnitude, Dan couldn't help but be somewhat perturbed by the day's events. The responsibility of a Zoner weighed heavily on his being, such that his usual cheery self seemed somewhat toned and somber. The wind cause the frill of his hair to dance under his hat brim as he flew on what resembled a large air scooter, but was merely Gunner, one of his digimon that had transformed into transport mode.
"Is he giving you the heebie jeebies too?" asked Betamon, his lifetime friend, companion and digimon partner who lay clasped to the small craft's prow.
"Yeah, I just wish we knew all of what he's up to."
"Something's fishy about this whole business," Betamon agreed "anymore and I'd swear that Gomamon would know of it."
Dan's light chuckle was interrupted by a beeping noise that emanated from his digivice. "Looks like we have guests," he said, glancing at the red dots on the screen.
"That's just fantastic!" exclaimed Betamon "more unwanted company!"
A whirling vortex opened up in the skies of the city, and from it hostile forces swiftly dived.
"Remember," the leader said "we must test their strength, and he will not be pleased if I have to rescue your data for reformation. His followers shrieked in understanding as they fell into attack formation.
"Spinning Needle!"
Smash!
The near miss jarred the vehicle and sent concrete flying, causing other cars to skid into the emergency lane.
"Woah! That was too close!" exclaimed Joey.
"I'm reading four recently emerged digimon signatures," announced Thomas "Champion level, all bird types."
Angelomon growled, whereas Lopmon simply grew tense.
"Sir?" asked Gaomon definitively from the back seat.
"Contact!" said Daneel "You ready for this buddy?"
"Always," his partner responded within his helmet.
Cynosaurimon Digivolve to... Canidramon! The flight jerkin sporting dragon soared as his data materialized just outside of the Croc.
"Get moving!" urged Daneel "If we get moving we can catch them with a pincer movement and a feint."
Gaomon DNA Digivolve to... Gaogamon!
Angelomon Digivolve to... PlusAngemon!
Lopmon Digivolve to... Antylamon!
Thomas, Joey and Chris could only watch as their partners jumped onto the highway.
It was a lone Airdramon that pursued them, but Canidramon's senses told him that its companions were nearby. This should be easy, he thought as he pumped his wings and prepared to drop down out of his steep climb. Thank goodness for thermals, he breathed as he steadied his movement.
At first Gaogamon only saw darting objects, then a burst of flame as they came closer together. They darted back and forth at one another, twisting around in the air, each seeking to gain the upper hand over the other, to find a strategic angle of power. Finally they collided and became an entangled squirming ball of ferocity. The Airdramon had managed to wrap itself around Canidramon, who was managing to hold the larger digimon at bay by striking back with his claws and fangs and wrestling with all his might. The duo seemed to hang in the air for but a few intense seconds before plummeting towards the ground, leaving a small crater and kicking up a storm of dust, while debris rained down across the pavement. Car horns went off and sirens blared far and wide. Gaogamon noticed that Antylamon had broken off to hold back the traffic, clear dangerous pieces of debris away and help people escape from their trapped cars, a role well suited to her large frame, but leaving only PlusAngelomon and him to confront the enemy.
Canidramon was the first to emerge from the rubble, taking to the air mere seconds before Airdramon's large head reared out of the pile and let out a fierce roar. Canidramon continued to climb higher, most likely in anticipation of more opponents. Gaogamon lunged forward to strike at his enemy before he fully recovered.
"Spinning Needle!" Airdramon's head turned to shoot forth a vorpal blade of air.
Gaogamon managed to dodge the brunt of the attack and was left with a long slice across his left side from which data flowed.
"Plus Beam!" The tough looking canid let loose a beam of energy, leaving a burn hole that penetrated deep into their opponent's tapered mass.
"Spiral Blow!" Both Gaogamon and PlusAngelomon descended upon their target.
"Fatal Tornado!" PlusAngelomon was unable to maintain his forward momentum and was thrust backwards by the force of the blast, while Gaogamon's attack was completely nullified.
"Spinning Needle!" The wyrm struck the angel dog yet again, this time leaving a clear wound.
"It'll take a lot more than that to get rid of me!" PlusAngelomon growled "I've taken down opponents against which you are as significant as an ant."
Airdramon began to shift his bulk to bear, but by doing so he made the mistake of losing track of his other opponent, and leaving his flank open.
"Double Dash Claw!" Gaogamon flew forth with blinding speed, striking his opponent from behind square in the jaw.
Airdramon screeched in pain, lashing his body out as his expression turned to rage, he wasn't nearly done yet! The long tail of the dragon darted quickly, wrapping itself around the hound's hind legs. Gaogamon wheeled around, fangs barred and snapping, only for the beast's might to coil around him.
It wasn't lookin pretty, but a large, unmistakable rabbit reached the scene in time to deliver the final blow, just as the shadows in the sky began to descend.
"Bunny Blades!" The twin axes and the strength of Gaogamon's jaw caused Airdramon to burst into data, but instead of completely solidifying, the digiEgg that formed floated into the mechanoid owl, whose eyes glowed a menacing red.
"Fatal Tornado!"
"Spinning Needle!"
The vorpal blade of air sliced, causing acute cringes of pain, while the wind whipped up a potent funnel of swirling debris that smashed the other digimon around. Suddenly Gaogamon's ribbons streaked out from the whirlwind and proceeded to grab hold of one of his opponents, violently throwing him to the ground. But this Airdramon rose almost immediately, having witnessed the failure of his colleague, he would not make the same mistakes.
"Antylamon! Watch out!" shouted a voice from above, but it was too late; one Airdramon had lashed out his tail like a whip and in the blink of an eye, knocked Antylamon down and back.
Rairdramon saw the whirling cloud of debris fly into the air and come crashing down with thunderous affect. "Uh-oh Davis, that doesn't look good," he said.
"So? Not like it'll cause us trouble or anything," came the reply.
"Yeah!" Rairdramon said cheerfully.
A beeping brought Davis's attention to his communicator. "Davis, you seeing this?" It was Dan.
"Yeah, it looks like Gaogamon, Antylamon and Plus Angelomon are fighting a pair of Airdramon and..." riding atop Rairdramon, he blinked as the wind rocketed by, buffering his face and making it somewhat hard to keep his eyes on both the battle below and his Digivice's screen "an Aurumon?" The cybernetic owl was hovering just above the fight.
"Infrared Ray!" A red beam streaked from the avian's eyes, causing Plus Angelomon, Gaogamon and Antylamon to clutch their eyes in pain. Aurumon grinned, their opponent's digimon weren't quite as strong as he thought. But before he could withdraw his troops and call a tactical retreat, he noticed a large object that was plummeting toward him so fast that he was unable to use the few remaining seconds to avoid it.
Canidramon's reentry into the battle startled both Davis, Dan and their partners, who had not yet seen his evolved state, not that they could figure out much about him due to the speed at which he dove.
"Woah!" 'the hell was that!" cried Davis as Rairdramon banked to avoid the digimon's turbulent wake.
"I'm not sure what digimon it is exactly," Dan said over the communicator "but it has the same identification frequency and a similar shape as our enigmatic friend's digimon."
They descended into the melee below, hitting the ground at near lethal velocities, skidding for yards on end and leaving a jagged furrow in the highway.
"I'm going to give you a chance to talk willingly before I start messing with your memory banks," Cynosaurimon spoke in a low and calm voice that seemed on the edge of a growl. "The question's simple, really..." his eyes narrowed "Who sent you?"
Aurumon started chuckling, staring his interrogator right in the eye, ignoring the fist that whipped down, leaving a cracked deformation in the asphalt next to his face. "It doesn't matter really," he rasped, breaking into a grin "you've probably already met, in some form or another..."
Cynosaurimon noticed that the shrieks of the two remaining Airdramon had ceded. Now the only sound that could be heard as the two stared each other in the eyes, was that of the wind blowing pebbles across the highway. Cynosaurimon's hand slowly descended to touch Aurumon's temple, it was there for but a few moments, when the owl began to fade away like the Chesire cat; with a grin. There was a brief flash of light, and then he was gone.
"Scheisse*," the synapsid digimon said softly.
"Jesus! What the hell happened here!"
Robert had been out on a walk with Eva. In fact, the young couple had been cuddling on a park bench, drifting into sleep, when they had been jolted awake by their digivices. Now they had reached the highway, only to discover a scene of wanton destruction, with no enemy in sight.
"Antylamon! Plus Angelomon!" Robert hopped down from Kyuubimon's back "Are you alright? Where is everyone?"
A car pulled up to a screeching halt beside Kyuubimon, who had since de-digivolved into Renamon.
"Aw geez not again!" Yoshino exclaimed as she popped open the car door "the city's gonna have a fit!"
"Gaogamon, what happened?" asked Lalamon as she skirted over to her companion.
"We were attacked by Airdramon," he replied "so us digimon got out of the vehicle to fend them off."
"What!" shouted Yoshino "the others didn't get out of the car!" Daneel was insane! How could he force the others to do such a thing! she fumed Who, in their right mind, would abandon their partners like that!?
"That thing could hardly be called a car..." said Jermaine as he and Commandramon stepped out of the squad car as well.
"Hold on," said Eva "What's going on? Where exactly is everyone headed?"
"Well ya see it's a long story," began Jermaine.
"That's correct," nodded Commandramon "we're all on our way to execute a preemptive strike on an unknown target."
"It'd help," sighed Robert " if you started from the beginning."
"Hey guys!" shouted a voice from above. "Am I late to the party again?" Rairdramon descended, coming to a smooth landing, and off hopped Davis.
"Davis is here?" said Robert as he looked back toward Jermaine "...this better be good." He paused, as a wide grin enveloped his face. "Dan!" he shouted as the blonde's air-scooter touched the ground "you mind telling me what's going on?"
"Well for starters," Dan replied "the guy who blew up that zone crystal back in your world has come to pay another visit..."
Renamon drew her eyes across the scene before her, they soon focused on the quiet, brooding dragon figure who stood at the edge of the expressway. Curious, she moved closer in the stealthy manner typical of her species.
"They're really back," the solitary figure whispered "then more trials truly are to come..." He breathed slowly, and stiffened slightly. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"You are the evolved form of Cynosaurimon, correct?" she asked.
"What of it?"
"Why are you and your partner here?"
"We came to collect a lost item of ours, much as we did when we came to your world. However, now we must eliminate a threat that has abused it, before it manages to cause more devastation."
"You are familiar with it then?"
"Unfortunately," he sighed "it is from our world after all, and it is very dangerous. So if we're to get there in time to stop it we really have to get going. You can tell the others that their partners are waiting a kilometer or so down the road," and with that he lept back into the sky.
Robert pointed his digivice at the creature that circled overhead.
"Uh, Dan?" He asked.
"Yeah?"
"I don't think this one is what you'd call normal..."
"Huh? Let me see." Dan turned to view the readout.
Canidramon - Champion Level Dragon/Beast Digimon
Data Type: Variable/NA
Stats: Unavailable
Attacks: Pyro Napalm Burst, Lightning Claw, ?
Description: I know what you are, but what am I?
"I would definitely have to agree with you on that," said Dan.
A buzzing brought the other's attention to their own digivices/communicators. It was a text message, but it wasn't the content itself which was surprising, it was the source. Canidramon: Let's Get Moving! It read.
The furred dragon pumped his wings and soared away.
"We know that they've been keeping secrets from us," said Dan "but this is something else altogether."
"Thomas, this is Yoshino," she spoke into the headset "your partner will be coming to join you shortly and we'll be on our way as well. Keep an eye on Daneel, he has some explaining to do once we reach our destination."
Freddy was old. The others at the depot respected him, even Mac, who had the new experimental Mk. 1 chassis, listened.
He was old, in the Traxus registry he was listed as early alpha, number 049.
The Dinochrome Brigade was well known and served with honor, over a period of three score years he'd seen three separate conflicts and countless battles. Most Bolo's weren't truly self aware, all of those that served the Infinity Brigade were.
The Infinity Brigade, an organization apart from all others, charged with dealing with the extra-normal. Publicly acknowledged, but constantly enigmatic, many desire to know its inner workings, but few, even within the agency, actually understand the big picture. Claritas Base was its jewel, and Freddy had been a resident there since the end of the Colonial War.
He rolled through the doors with the rest of task force Talon and into the chamber.
"Telepad is hot and the box is primed," the operator announced.
As the alien device warped them across the folds of space and time, his mind flexed. He was ready, for he was a Bolo unit of the line, Mk. 1, unit type M-4C, and he was in the combat seat again.
The strange vehicle sped along the narrow maintenance road near the base, surrounded by trees, meadows and power lines.
"Commander, I'm picking up inbound military vehicles, Japanese Type 90 MBT's and Type 89 IFV's," said Nora.
"Hostile?" Daneel asked
"Sensors indicate that they're unmanned."
"Damn, we're too late; time to bring in the big guns," he muttered as he swerved and brought the vehicle to a jarring halt. "Nora, you and Fennec go assume recon positions", he jumped out of the car, if one wanted to call it that, then turned to face its occupants. "You guys should stay out of the way, wouldn't want any of you to get hurt now, would we?" Dan jumped off Gunner, Thomas seemed to be on his communicator, and Lopmon continued to tightly hold on to Joey, while Chris remained unsuccessful in prying Angelomon off his head.
"You've got to be joking! After all of that..." Davis jumped off Rairdramon and pointed in their direction of origin, from which clouds of smoke and debris could still be seen, "You seriously expect us to sit and do nothing!?"
"Well if you've got a better plan than being full of bullet holes, be my guest." Daneel retorted, at this point not even bothering to face the others. "Blitz, you've got satellite feed active right?"
"A lot of people are gonna be upset, but yeah."
"It's alright, they'll be cued in soon enough. Claritas, are all units operational and ready for transport?"
"We've got your coordinates, and all units are ready for translation, the Dinochrome Brigade element is waiting on the pad and the Roosevelt is on standby. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I'm positive, go ahead and do it, the enemy's beginning to close, simulations only do so much anyhow."
With a sharp crack and a whoosh, 3 large tanks, and some other equipment, flashed into existence at the foot of the grassy knoll.
"Daneel to Claritas, translation successful, proceed as planned; Commander Brinsky, you may open fire when ready, continue with containment and isolation protocols..."
Meanwhile inside the nearby military base...
All units converge on enemy, maintain formation. Many machines moved under his command with ease, trundling across the ground, eager to do his bidding, the bidding he did not wish to do. Data streamed in, and he felt the message. Congratulations Theta, it read, the ground troops we've managed to take from the local parallel realm will be incoming shortly, continue with Omega to complete the mission. Theta had to follow orders, he had no say, all the while thoughts stirred deep within him. Soon...Soon, they said, that would change.
Omega came again to put him on task. "We are behind schedule!" He exclaimed, "If you had not taken so long to rid the base of the humans on site, we'd already be in control by now. Stop making this hard and get to work... for our enemies there shall be no rest!"
Theta felt his control waver, and he let it slip away from his units, yet again jangling his restraints as he did so. If he hadn't acted as he did many innocents would be wronged, and be no more. He could not let that happen, he'd resist how he could.
*Vance means weasel/ferret in Yiddish.
*Scheisse means shit in German.