marionut247: Actually, what happened to Barbara Gordon was what inspired this. In particular, it was the episode "Artifacts" from The Batman that gave me the idea. The name of the computer in her head is actually a reference to Babs' time as Oracle: the "Oracle" of "Delphi" being the most famous Greek oracle, after all.

Also, paraplegia is a form of paralysis, specifically paralysis of the lower half. We'll get a few more details into just what happened shortly.

systemcat: There is a bit more going on here than just that, but I already explained it over in the forum, so I spare the details here.

But, yes, he is being a donkey.

I hope you all enjoy!

All things IG related belong to Cookie Jar Entertainment.

Assignment 3.8: Recovery

Freymore's Lab

"So, we've got the prisoners here. What do you think the boss'll wanna do with them?" The two thugs who had been left to guard the trio were now starting to grow bored, and with boredom came a sense of malicious curiosity. This was not comforting to the trio, who had stated to come around by then.

"I dunno," the second one said. He motioned to Heather. "She's probably the one he'd be most interested in. The kid and the dog are disposable, but a W.O.M.P. agent?"

"Yeah," the first one said with a mean laugh. "I'd bet she's got some secrets in that pretty head of hers that would be worth quite a bit to find out."

"Of course," the second pointed out, "once the doc's plan pans out, he's not going to need to interrogate anyone to get the info he needs. Blondie up there will give him anything he wants."

"Well then," the first said. "Maybe he won't mind if we go ahead and start a personal interrogation." He went over and placed a hand on Heather's waist. "What do you say, Red? You got something to tell me?"

"Yeah," she scowled. "Go get a breath mint."

"Ha ha, real funny," the guard said with a snarl. "You're a real comedian. Now, I'm only going to tell you this once." He pulled out a knife and held it against the woman's cheek. "We can't kill you now, but you'd be surprised at what you can live through. You'd better get to talking, pretty miss, or else you might not come out of this as pretty as before."

Heather's two companions struggled to think of something they could do to help her, but considering they both were bound, and Brain was muzzled, nothing foolproof came to mind. However, a risky thought came to William, and seeing the desperation of the situation, he decided to try it.

"It figures you'd wait until now to do anything," he said aloud in the most disdaining voice he could manage. "It's not like you would have done anything before."

This did act did its job in attracting attention away from Heather. "You saying something, runt?" The second guard growled.\

"William, what are you doing?" Heather tried to whisper, but he didn't listen to her.

"Only that it makes sense that you two would wait until now to actually try to interrogate her." William shrugged, making a face as if what he said was common sense. "After all, you two really don't have what it takes to face her in actual combat."

"Are you calling me weak?" the first guard asked, turning his knife against the boy. "Because if that's what you're saying, kid, you'll soon regret those words."

"Oh, I'm not saying that at all." William fought to keep his voice steady as he spoke. "After all, you have all the appearances of someone who hangs out in the gym all the time. I'm sure you could bench press three of her. It's pretty clear that, between the two of you, none of us would hold a hope of every stopping you."

"Good," the guard said, turning away from the captive.

But William wasn't quite finished yet. "All I'm saying is, if you had more feathers, we'd be able to sell you to KFC. Not that even they would want such ugly chickens." The boy smirked. "I'd bet you be even too afraid to take me on in combat."

That did it. With several quick swipes, the guard with the knife cut the ropes binding the boy to the pillar and grabbed him. "That's it, you little runt!" the guard snarled.

Reacting as fast as he could, William kicked the guard's stomach, forcing him to drop his captive. As soon as he was free, the boy took off, racing out of reach of his pursuers. Not that it did him all that much good. The kid's pursuers were much faster and stronger than he was. His only recourse was the fact that he was able to dodge between two computers, where his enemies couldn't reach.

"Just you wait!" One of the guards yelled. "When we catch up to you-!" He was never able to finish his sentence, since at that moment, he was knocked to the ground by two hundred pounds of yellow fur. He attempted to whip his knife at Brain, but the dog was faster, biting down hard on the man's weapon arm and forcing him to drop the weapon.

"Huh, what-?" His companion spun around to see what was going on…in time to get pistol whipped across the face by Heather, who had retrieved her gun. He was knocked unconscious by the blow.

"Not a bad plan, kid," Heather laughed as she helped William out of his hiding place. She then turned to tying the two guards together, with Brain standing close to keep the conscious one from attacking. "Get 'em so mad they forget that we were tied together. It's kind of ingenious"

"It feels like the stupidest thing I've ever done," he responded with a chuckle. "If it hadn't been for you and Brain, I'd have been dead meat."

There was a sudden jolt of power, shunting off before coming back on. "I don't think that's anything good," Heather said, anxiety in her voice.

Spotting the computer book a distance away, William raced to it and opened it up. "It's wiped clean!" he exclaimed as he looked at the screen. "It's like everything's been pulled out and deleted. Even the most basic of programs has been pulled off and its data wiped out."

"I'll bet that brown-out had something to do with that," the agent responded, and Brain gave a snort in agreement.

"We'd better find out the source of this, and fast," the boy said as he closed the book. "I'd bet my life Freymore's behind this, and he's using Penny in some way."

There was a sudden scream followed by another jolt, this time a physical one, and the whole structure vibrated with a thundering crash. "Something tells me that's going to be major, too," Heather commented with a frown.

After the jolt, Brain's head shot up and he sniffed the air. A look of excitement came to the dog's face and he took off running. Since there was no way for him to communicate why he was so excited, the two humans just had to follow to find out what had happened, and why he was in such a hurry.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Just minutes ago

"Is this the place?" Gadget asked he hovered over the cell tower.

"It has to be." Brenda's voice came over the Gadget-phone, which he held to one ear. "This was where Penny had tracked the signal too, and it was where we were getting her message from."

"Then I'm going in." The cyber looked down on the building, determination shining in his brown eyes. If his niece was in there, there wouldn't be anything in the world that would be able to keep him out.

"Good." This time it was Quimby who responded. "Try to shut down the virus signal while you are in there, Gadget. It will make it easier for us to send back up."

"Got it," Gadget responded before hanging up the phone. He settled down, coming close to a door settled on the side of the tower. It was heavily locked, but at the moment, that really didn't matter all that much. Gripping either side of the door, he yanked hard, ripped the whole thing out of its frame, and tossed it aside without so much as a second thought.

Inside was what looked to be an elevator. He stepped inside, and near immediately the room moved, gliding down its shaft. "Well," the cyber murmured to himself, "at least the elevator attendant is attentive." He scanned around, looking for where the attendant might be hidden. "Wherever they are."

The elevator soon slid to a stop, and he was able to step out into a large room of different machines, which were wrapped around the room in a circular pattern. In the center there was a stairwell, which spiraled down into a long pit. In the room, guards and technicians ran about, and only paused when they realized that he had entered the room.

"Go-go Gadget Megaphone," he called up, deciding to take the matter into hands. "Alright, everyone freeze!" he called out. "My name is Detective John Brown, but you might also know me as Inspector Gadget. Right now you are all under arrest for the assisting of a conspiracy, the kidnapping of several people, and whatever other crimes I currently don't know about but will soon discover. Now, if you would all make things easy and come quietly, we might be able to work out some sort of deal."

There was a sudden jolt of power as the energy went out and sparked back on. Several of the guards, taking note of this, attempted to use that as an opportunity to charge the inspector and capture him. It almost worked; the ambushers were successful in taking him by surprise and grabbing him. They may have even succeeded in killing him, had it not been for a sound that pierced the air.

A scream.

Gadget recognized the voice instantly. "Penny!" he cried out. Almost not even noticing his attackers, he shook them off and raced to the stairwell. That had been where the scream had come from. He had to get down there, and fast! Without slowing down, he vaulted over the railing and plummeted down to the bottom floor.

He landed hard, shattering the linoleum and some of the concrete of the floor. Straightening himself, he turned towards the various hallways, his mind totally focused on finding where these maniacs were holding Penny.

Exiting the crater, he turned his attention to where he was going to go next. Unfortunately, there were several hallways, and not much of a sign as to where to go next. While the upper level had been near swarming with technicians and guards, this bottom floor was near abandoned, and there really was no sign as to where to go next.

Not that this was a discouragement. "Wherever you are, you had better come out right now!" he called out. "Cooperation will make things easier for you!"

"Hey, Gadget Boy! Up here!" The inspector jumped and turned quickly to see who it was that had called him. Thankfully, it was Heather, followed closely by a teenage boy who seemed to be around Penny's age. They were both following Brain, who was barreling down the stairs right in his direction.

"Agent Heather, Brain, you're alright!" Gadget exclaimed. "I'm glad you are alright, too, young man, but I'm afraid I don't remember your name."

"I can't tell you how glad we are to see you, but we've got big trouble right now," Heather said, running up to Gadget.

Brain had already arrived, and was attempting to drag the man by his coat down one of the hallways.

"You can tell me later," Gadget replied. "Right, I need to find where they're keeping Penny."

"I'm afraid she's part of the issue," the redhead responded, taking his hand. "I'd follow Brain's lead; out of all of us, he's the most likely to know just where she is."

Without hesitation, the three humans followed behind the dog, who made a beeline for the hallway on the farthest left. They moved along in silence until they reached a doorway at the far end. Once they made it through, there was no question they were in the right place.

Within, Penny had been hooked into some sort of machine. Her eyes were rolled up in her head, and she didn't seem to be very conscious of what was going on around her. There was also a number of people all around, manning the computers and devices, but the rescuers took notice of only the man in charge.

"Well, well, Inspector Gadget," Freymore said with a smirk. He was standing on a platform near where Penny was imprisoned, several feet above everything else. "You actually decided to brave a big hero moment."

"Get her out of there now," Gadget said, his voice almost more a growl then spoken words. "I won't ask twice."

"Now, detective, the last time we spoke, you weren't in control, and you're not in control now." The mad scientist pulled out a microphone. Speaking into it, he smiled. "Now, you are going to kill Agent Connelly, Mr. Cortez, and the chimera, and then you will go to destabilize what is left of W.O.M.P."

There was a moment where they all waited to see what was going to happen next. Gadget, especially, waited in fear. He had heard the voice echoing in his head, like he had before, so he waited to be forced to do what he didn't want to.

But nothing happened. Even though he heard the voice, he didn't have to obey it. Penny's encryption chip had worked; he was now defended against hacking attacks. Gadget realized this before anyone else, and a broad grin spread over his face. He shot his arm out, snatching the microphone away and crushing it in his hand. "No."

"What?" Freymore scowled. "You can't defy me!"

"I said, get my niece out of that piece of garbage," the inspector growled, extending his arms to pull himself to Freymore's level, "or I tear this whole place down, brick by brick. This is your last warning."

Sudden realization about who was really in control hit Freymore. Without warning, he shoved Gadget, causing the inspector to lose his grip for a moment and fall back. "Take them!" the mad scientist shouted, pointing to the heroes. "Don't let them get to the girl!" With that, he turned to run out a back entrance.

Responding to the call, several of the guards charged at them, firing off weaponry as they did. They were aiming to kill, or at least wound, first. None of them liked the idea of facing Gadget full strength.

"Go-go Gadget Shield!" the cyber called out, and immediately a force field pop up around them, shielding them from the fire. Wordlessly, he then moved up the staircase to deal with the foe. Brain moved along with him, and majority of the guards were handled between the two of them.

"Kid, do you think you can shut these things down?" Heather asked, motioning to the computers on the lower floor.

"I think so," William responded. "But I can't be interrupted."

"Just leave that to me," the agent replied with a smile.

The guards were not the issue at the computers. Due to the double threat Gadget and Brain were posing, the thugs were currently held back and unable to deal with anything that was going on at the tech. There weren't many technicians left either, considering a good amount had run away when Freymore bolted. By the time they made it there, only a single man had been left behind.

"Get out of the way," Heather growled, holding up her weapon. "Kid needs to work here."

"I'm sorry! I won't bother you!" the man, who had wiry hair and glasses, squeaked.

"See that you don't," the agent scowled.

Now open, William started working with the machine. All seemed well at first. "I've got the hacking signal down," he called out.

"Good," Heather responded with a nod. "That means we should be getting some help pretty soon."

Suddenly, however, the attitude change. "This is weird," the teen said aloud as he worked.

"What's weird?" Heather asked, growing anxious about that exclamation.

"Just that these aren't controlling the second wave and the accompanying information inflow; that's the one Penny's connected to," he answered. "This one's just directing and monitoring the flow."

"What's going on?" Heather scowled at the captive.

"It-I-uh-" the bespectacled man stuttered.

She was now losing what little patience she had left. "Spit it out!" she snarled.

That seemed to do the trick a bit too well. "That'sbecausesheactuallyisDElPHI!" the technician practically screamed in terror.

"What?" Gadget asked. By now, he and Brain had dealt with all charging foes, and were nearby the system, trying to figure out how to get the girl out of her prison without harming her. "What's going on with Penny?"

"Repeat that again, but slower this time," Heather said to the prisoner.

The man glanced over at Gadget in terror, but repeated again to the best of his abilities. "That's because she is the DElPHI system. All the computers are doing is monitoring her progress and making sure everything is going where it's supposed to. She's powering everything."

"How do we shut it down without shutting her down, then," William asked.

"There's a disconnect switch on the machine she's connected to," the captive answered, never taking his eyes off the inspector. "It's hidden near her right hand. Just don't-!"

"I've got it!" Gadget shouted out. He moves as fast as he could to find and active the disconnect switch. Immediately, Penny came loose from the machine and fell forward, where her uncle caught her. She was now totally unconscious, but breathing slowly and steadily. "It's alright," he said to her in a hushed voice. Much to his concern, she was a good deal thinner now, and this was all he could do to restrain the flush of worry. "I've got you now. I won't allow anyone to hurt you."

"It's too late for that!" the technician cried out. "We're all going to be dead!"

"What do you mean?" Heather asked.

"I think I see what he means," William responded. He was already working with the computers. "There was a DNA scanner on that switch. Things were set up so that if the DElPHI program was ever disconnected by anyone other than someone Freymore chose, the whole place would go up in smoke within ten minutes."

"We can't even try to get out! He didn't want either W.O.M.P. or M.A.D. to find his plans," the assistant sobbed. "If we even try to get DElPHI up to the first floor, the explosion happen instantly! Freymore the only one who can stop the meltdown, and now he's down in that bunker, and we're all going to die!"

"Wait, there's a bunker down the hall he ran?" Gadget asked.

"Uh-huh," the man sobbed. "What good is that going to do now?"

"Here," Gadget said, extending his arms out to hand Penny over to Heather before handcuffing the scientist. "Try to get the kids and the prisoner as far out of here as you can. I've got an idea, just in case you can't get out."

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Down in the bunker, Freymore waited with a small collection of bodyguard for the meltdown to finish. There was no doubt that the good inspector would have attempt to disconnect his niece from the machine. Once he did that, however, he'd have only ten minutes to get out, and considering those with him, there would be no way everyone would escape. Freymore would have to lose all of his tech and most of his personnel, but those were replaceable.

Suddenly, there was a loud clamor outside, and the whole door to the bunker was ripped out of its frame. There stood Gadget himself, looking incredibly ticked off. The guards did their job, but they were really no match. In his state of mind, all the inspector had to do was flick them away as if they were ants.

"You're coming with me," the cyber growled. "Go-go Gadget Handcuffs." Immediately, a pair of handcuffs popped out of Gadget's wrist and snared Freymore's. Now with his prisoner in tow, the detective simply turned and left. "Shut down that countdown, and we'll be good."

"What makes you think I can do that?" Freymore called in a panic. He did know the shut-down code, but he wanted to keep his designs away from anyone but himself, so he tried at calling the inspector's bluff. "Unless the bunker door is repaired, we'll both be killed!"

"Not if you cancel the self-destruct," Gadget replied. "Now, from how I kept count, you have about two and a half minutes to make your decision."

Freymore froze. He didn't want to let his designs get taken. They were too valuable, and too incriminating. Thus, he tried one more attempt. "If you go on, you'll die along with me!" he called out.

"My niece is at stake. There's no other way that I can save her, thanks to you. I am willing to loose my life to protect hers." The level tone used was much more frightening than if he had yelled. "Are you willing to lose your life to protect your designs?"

That finally hit the note. Without hesitating another second, the scientist looked up. "Cancel countdown: code 625 Alpha Delta Charlie!" There was a whir as the self-destruct was officially canceled.

"Now, see," Gadget said, his typical smile returning, "that wasn't so hard. Cooperate like that with the court, and I'm sure you'll end up with a nicer cell."

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Outside the cell tower, everything was just about wrapped up. A variety of cops had surrounded the area, and all the villains related to the recent events were rounded up and arrested. Furthermore, much of Metro City had been started up again, so there were proper vehicles and communications lines again.

Much to Gadget's disappointment, the ambulance taking Penny to the hospital had already left by the time he had a moment to catch his breath. However, he didn't have too much to time focus on that.

"Gadget! There you are!" The cyber turned to see Chief Quimby waving him over. Since Agent Heather was standing with him, Gadget supposed the Chief wanted to speak over what had happened, so he went over.

"Good job to the both of you on stopping Freymore," the chief said, placing his hand on both of their shoulders. "He and almost everyone he was working with has been rounded up, and there's no doubt they'll be joining the rest of M.A.D. in the Cistern."

"Almost everyone?" Heather asked. "Who did we miss?"

"Sadly," Quimby answered. "Talon and most of the under eighteen segment of M.A.D. were nowhere to be found. We have patrols out looking for them, and I have recently heard from my grandsons that they have more news on what M.A.D. is up to. You need to take what victories you can, and what leads you can when you lose."

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, how is Penny? Is she alright?" Gadget asked. "What were those things doing to her?"

There was a moment of awkward silence, before Heather answered. "I'm afraid you are going to have to speak with the doctors for the full update," she said, "but what I can tell you really isn't good. That creep tampered with her body in more ways than one. I'm sure Dr. Bradford can give you more details about most of the tech issues, but there is something else." She put an arm of his shoulder. "You might want to sit down for this."

He nodded and followed, aware he wasn't going to like where this was going, but willing to take the bad news.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Elliot Ness Maximum Security Penitentiary Center, ?

It was another cold dark night at the prison when the buzzer rang. Confused over who it could have been at that time of night, Jack wandered over to the screen. "State your name."

The face of a teen girl appeared on the screen. "Uh, sir," she stammered out. "My friends and I were on a road trip when our van broke down. We'll need some help in getting it fixed."

The guard sighed and shook his head. This was not the first time unfortunates on road trips had gotten stranded by the prison. "Alright, I'll be down there in a moment."

He headed down to the entrance, and could see, sure enough, a gathering of seven teens, two girls and five boys. Wandering out, he called over to the,. "Alright, what can I-"

Before he could finish, one of the boys charged him, catching him by the throat. "Oh, don't worry," the teen said with a malicious grin. "You'll be helping us a lot." The boy raised his free hand, and a long dagger slid out of his wrist. He then used it to stab Jack, killing the guard.

Still holding on to Jack's body, Talon turned the other cybers and the collection of teen M.A.D. "Alright! Who want a party?" A cheer rang out from the crowd.

"Now, Irving, please," Dr. Heidrich said, working inside the prison. "If you will only allow me to administer the medicine, we could block whatever impulses are causing this behavior and allow you to direct your attentions to more productive areas."

"You are wasting your breath, doctor." Claw didn't even bother to turn as he spoke. "I have already explained that I need no medication, and no treatment. There is nothing that I need from you."

"But-" the doctor started, about to continue the argument, when there was a swish to divert his attention. "If you will excuse me for a moment, Irving, I will be right back."

He turned to see who had come in, and saw his former guide, Jack, standing in the doorway. Or, more accurately, his dead body propped up as a dark haired teenager used his thumbprint to unlock the door.

The boy, who was carrying a bag over one shoulder, smirked. "Hiya, doc," he smiled. "Just wanted to let you know, the prison's under new management now. Your services will no longer be needed." He then dropped Jack's body and lunged at the doctor, grabbing him by the throat.

"Wait. Do not kill him now," Claw ordered, and the boy obeyed, dropping the stunned psychologist.

"Dr. Claw," the boy said hastily, pressing a fist to his temple. "My name is Talon. I bring word from Chow, Waruda, Reyas, and Montan. We have taken over the complex, and M.A.D. is now ready for your return." He scanned a card into the door separating the two side of the cell and handed the bag over to Claw.

Claw opened the bag. Inside lay two highly complex mechanical arms along with a small handheld computer. The villain wasted no time in reclaiming his true arms, before going over the files on the device. When he looked up, he turned to Talon.

"You are my nephew, are you not?" he asked.

"I am, sir." The boy never dropped the salute as he spoke.

"Have you nothing else to say?" Claw asked again.

"You have not asked anything else, sir, and it is not my desire to displease you by speaking out of turn." Talon kept his gaze down as he spoke. What he said was true. He'd mouth off to anyone who did not have the strength to command his respect. If anyone had that strength, it was Dr. Claw.

Hearing this, the older cyber laughed. "A wise decision, Talon. You will live longer that way."

"Please, Irving, don't do this!" Heidrich called out. "I can help you! You can live an honest life again!"

Claw turned to the captive. "I'm surprised at you, doctor," he said in a low voice. "Any good psychologist will tell you that treatments only work when the patient wants them, and as I have told you on many occasions, I do not desire what you have to offer."

"However," he continued, "I did promise you something the first time we met." He walked over and seized the other man by the head and twisted hard. The psychologist fell dead in a second. "I am a man of my word, after all."

Claw then walked out of the cell, followed closely by Talon. The villain observed the area of the Cistern, and he liked what he saw. All the older M.A.D agents had been freed and armed by the younger, and since they vastly outnumbered the guards, they had easily overrun the prison. The whole area belonged to M.A.D.

Standing straight, Claw stepped forward and called out. "Listen to me, M.A.D.!" he called out, and everyone froze. You did not disobey Dr. Claw. "Today, we throw off the shackles of this prison and start a new era of M.A.D supremacy!"

There was a cheer that rang out. Everyone present was on page, which was exactly what Claw wanted to hear.

As he turned, the villain called his nephew. "Talon, come here."

"Yes, sir?" the boy asked.

"I have heard from the lieutenants exactly what Dr. Charles Freymore and Mr. Richard Deboir were planning to do with M.A.D," Claw replied. "I want you to arrange a little meeting with them for me."

"It shall be done sir," the younger cyber responded with a slight smile.

"You enjoy your orders?" Claw asked, noting the smile.

"Those two have been getting way too bold," Talon answered. "They have needed a little…chat for a long time."

"Well, I am pleased to say it will be done." Claw nodded. "Now go. Alert me when all is ready."

"Yes, Dr. Claw," the boy responded with another salute.

Once his nephew had left, Claw turned to his own thought. "You had better be prepared, Gadget," he said, a dark tone in his voice. "You are not the only one capable of an unexpected comeback."

To be continued…

Author's Note: So, the crisis has been somewhat averted, but sadly things cannot fully return to normal. Log in next time to see the aftermath of the situation. Hope to hear from you all!-SilverWarriorWolf.