11.
There's Always a Catch
Control Central was home of many specialized rooms, but the ones that were used the most was the control room, hanger bay, dining room, and various bedrooms, namely Digit's and Dr. Marbles. There were, however, many other rooms in the cybersite that were fortunately were not needed to be used so frequently.
Such as the medical bay, where the still unconscious Digit lay in bed. Separated by a wall of glass stood the Cybersquad, both the original and the backup squad. They silently watched the cybird, hoping everything would be alright. Inside with Digit, conducting scans, was Dr. Marbles, who had been contacted and requested to come help. Upon hearing about the situation, Marbles agreed, adding that his experiments with Dr. Archimedes regarding their problem with Hacker weren't working out anyway.
Now, Marbles finished his scans, studied the scanner for a moment, then walked out of the room, and joined the Cybersquad behind the wall of glass.
"Well? Please tell me this isn't somehow my fault." Peter prompted, feeling guilty that Digit passed out within his house.
"Of course not, Peter." Marbles said, lowering the scanner. "In fact, if anyone is to blame, it would be Motherboard and me."
"What?" Inez said, shocked. "Why?"
"It was us that decided to send Digit into the Real World." Marbles replied.
"So you're saying that it was because he was in the Real World that Digit's like this now?" Matt asked, gesturing to their cybird friend.
"Yes." Marbles said with a nod. "But, fortunately, now that he's back in Cyberspace, his condition is improving, and will continue to improve."
"So...what happened...exactly?" Alex asked.
"As you know, Cyberspace and the Real World are two entirely different dimensions." Marbles explained. "As it turns out however, the Real World environment is not ideal for a cyborg."
Lara frowned. "It can't support cyborg life?" she asked.
"Oh, it can support it, it's just very rough on the cyborg in questions." Marbles assured them. "Certain elements in the Real World react badly with materials from Cyberspace. Inanimate objects wouldn't being to show the effects of these reactions for years on end, though, which is why things such as SKWAK pads seem to remain unaffected, but animate objects, such a Digit, can pass out and their health decay due to prolonged exposure to the Real World environment."
"Which explains why Digit didn't start showing the effects right away." Matt reasoned.
"But why has Digit succumbed to these effects before Hacker, who's been in the Real World for longer?" Jackie asked.
"Probably because he's sitting in the middle of a cybercraft." Inez reasoned.
"That's what I'm thinking, yes." Marbles agreed. "Theoretically, the Grim Wreaker would enact like a shield, protecting it's inhabitants from the harmful elements in the Real World temporarily. But eventually, they will start showing the effects."
"Then it's simple." Peter said. "All we have to do it hole out here in Cyberspace, and wait for Hacker and his minions to start feeling the effects of their prolonged exposure to the Real World, and come back to Cyberspace to start feeling better, then we nab 'em."
"Speaking of which, why does coming back to Cyberspace reverse the effects?" Alex asked.
"There could be several explanations, but it could just be a simple matter of the cyborg in question getting a chance to eject the toxins of the Real World and repair the damage done while not having to worry about more Real World toxins getting in." Marbles theorized.
"So then Peter's right." Matt said. "All we need to do is wait for Hacker to figure this all out as well."
"Unfortunately, it might not be that simple, Matt." Marbles said. "The chase will simply go back to the way they always have, with Hacker constantly avoiding us. That is, until he's recovered from the effects of exposure to the Real World, and tries again to venture into Cyberspace." he paused, then added, "And, no matter what, there is the case of all the Real World inhabitants you've brought to Cyberspace mostly for their own safety. Something still needs to be done about them."
The Cybersquad glanced at one another, realizing that Marbles had a very good point.
"Why is there always a catch?" Jackie asked aloud.
"This is amazing." Alex's dad remarked, as he looked around and around in the greenhouse he and the other parents were locked in. "Simply amazing. A whole new world to explore."
"Scientist, hmm?" Major Hardson remarked, where she sat on a bench, picking her teeth.
"Part time, but yes." Alex's dad remarked, turning to look at her. "How did you know?"
"I've met your type." the major replied with a shrug.
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I think this is all downright terrifying." Inez's mother remarked. "I mean, think about it. What have our kids, our kids, been doing here? Risking their lives! They could've all died here, and we'd never know it!"
"Well, I dunno about that." Peter's mother remarked. "That Motherboard person, program, or whatever, seems to be quite understanding. I'm sure they've always been under her watchful eye at all times, and even if it did come to the worse, I'm sure she would've tried to make it up to us."
"Agreed." Alex's mother said.
"This is ridiculous, though." Peter's father said, pacing back and forth. "How can any of this even exist? It seems more like a fairy tale than real life."
Alex's father tapped a nearby wall, listening to it's metallic ring. "Seems real." he noted.
"You miss my point." Peter's father said. "Besides, why would my son risk his life over stuff that wasn't his problem? Or any of our problems, for that matter?"
"It's our problem now." Hardson said. "Hacker is attacking the our world now. And no matter what happened to cause that and why, we have to work together to stop him."
"I refuse." Peter's father said flatly. "You can't make me get involved."
"Maxwell, we aren't exactly in a position to dictate terms here." his wife objected.
"No, he's right." Inez's father said. "We can't be forced into this like this. We could die doing that! We even have proof of that!"
"That's right!" Inez's mother exclaimed. "Lara's foster parents were killed during all of this."
"And there are others who are missing from this group." Alex's mother remarked. "At least two sets of parents. So what happened to them?"
"Jackie's parents are in military custody still, and several feet underground." Hardson said. "They're safe. And unaware. They don't have a clue about Cyberspace yet, although I believe once this is all over, they will."
"What about the last kid, Matt?" Alex's father asked.
"His parents live on a farm." Inez's mother offered, trying to be helpful.
"I don't remember hearing about any farms being attacked by this Hacker character." Peter's mother remarked. "I guess they're still safe in the 'Real World', as these Cyberspace folk call it."
Peter's father shook his head. "This is utter nonsense." he said. "Whether this is real or not, I will not get involved in this."
"And maybe you won't." Hardson agreed, standing, and facing Peter's father. "But what if something bad happens to either our world or Cyberspace? Something that could've prevented? And it happened because you weren't there to help? Could you live with yourself knowing that?"
Peter's father didn't answer, and avoided eye contact.
"Are you saying that we take it upon ourselves to stop Hacker?" Inez's mother asked.
"No." Hardson said. "In fact, it would probably be wise if all of you stayed here and followed the orders of others. Because things could get ugly. No, I'm talking about the kids. So they're kids, the very last people you'd think to get involved in this. But look at them." she gestured out the greenhouse window into the control room where the Cybersquad was returning. "Some of them have been doing this kind of thing for over two years now, and they're still alive and kicking, and have accepted the challenges they face each and every time! They've proven that they can do this! So why should we stop them? Besides, they've got the most experience out of all of us! None of have you said it yet, but I know you're thinking of trying and stopping your children from continuing what they do here. But don't. Cyberspace may be a dimension apart from our world, but we're still interconnected. Whatever happens in Cyberspace will no doubt affect the Real World in due course. And it's those kids that have been keeping things under control. If they had done what you are all now suggesting and refused to help, Hacker would've taken over long ago, and who knows what could've happened since then? In fact, those kids could be the only ones who truly know what will happen we if just stand back and let Hacker gets what he wants. So don't. Let's fight back. Let's stop Hacker. For the good of both our worlds."
She held out her hand, holding it in the middle of the room, offering the chance for the others to agree. Surprisingly, it was Peter's father who slapped his hand on Hardson's first. Once that was done, Alex's parents quickly and jointly followed. Peter's mother hesitated a second longer, then joined in. The silent military guards, even though they technically had nothing to do with this, also joined in.
All eyes then fell on Inez's parents. They glanced at each other for a long moment, silently debating with each other. Finally, they stood, and added their hands to the mass of others. Hardson grinned.
"But you realize that Hacker being in our world presents a problem, right?" Inez's mother asked the major. "Possibly more than our kids can handle, right?"
"I do." Hardson replied. "And I think I have the means to help."
Hacker rubbed his head again. It had been throbbing a whole lot more than it should. At first he thought it was just a telltale sign that he needed a recharge. Then he thought it was frustration for the fact that all of his intended targets had vanished from sight and were no doubt in Cyberspace by now. Then he thought it was due to the fact that the Real World military had again tried to shoot down the Wreaker and failed. Hacker had made quick work of them with his laser cannon.
But whatever the case, his headache had continued to get worse, and now it seemed to be spreading. He didn't have a clue as to what could be causing it yet, but his paranoid side, the side of him that was getting more and more control over him with each passing day, said it was something to fear, and that the Earth brats were somehow at fault. They always where.
Setting the Wreaker's autopilot to just fly straight, it didn't matter where at the moment, Hacker leaned back in his chair and moaned. And just when he thought his problems couldn't get any worse, they did.
"Boss, boss!" Buzz exclaimed, running into the room. "Something's wrong with Delete!"
"Yeah, he's stupid, that's what's wrong with him!" Hacker cried out angrily. "Why do I care?"
"No, you don't understand, boss!" Buzz said, running up to Hacker and tugging on his hand. "We were headin' for the kitchen to get some donuts when Delete just moaned, and collapsed, and now he won't wake up!"
Hacker frowned, and finally relented, allowing Buzz to lead him to Delete. Sure enough, the robot lay where Buzz had left him, out cold. Hacker looked him over, and decided that Delete wasn't faking.
"Get me a scanner." he ordered Buzz.
Buzz nodded, and ran off to get it without debate. He was too worried for Delete to object. He returned fairly quickly with the device. Hacker snatched from him, and waved it over Delete for a few moments. Frowning at the readouts, he did it again. Then, oddly enough, he waved it over Buzz, then himself.
"Have you been feeling a bit of a headache?" Hacker asked.
"Um, yeah, I have boss." Buzz admitted, rubbing at his head. "Not too bad of a one though. Why?"
"Because I have been feeling one too, and it's safe guess that Delete did too." Hacker replied.
"Gee boss, do you think it's some kind of sickness?" Buzz asked.
Hacker shook his head. "No, worse, and I bet someone on this ship knows all about it." he remarked, and started to walk off. "Carry Delete to the medical bay, get a pain reliever, then report to the bridge and await further commands."
"Yes boss." Buzz said, and quite awkwardly picked up Delete and carried him down the hall.
Hacker, however, went for a certain room in the Wreaker, and did not stop until he had entered it and stood face to face with his caged prisoner.
"Yes Hacker?" the prisoner said, looking amused.
Hacker waved the scanner over his prisoner and glanced at the results. "All right, start talking." he demanded. "Why is it everyone but you on this ship is experiencing ill effects?"
"Hey, I guess exposure to the Real World does cause problems for cyborgs after all." the prisoner remarked, looking thoughtful.
"It does?" Hacker said. "Wait, you know about this?"
"I had a hunch." the prisoner said. "Never quite proved it. But as you know, I know more about this kind of thing than most."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"You never asked."
Hacker fumed for a moment before continuing.
"How do I reverse it?" he asked.
"I dunno. I'd guess you'd start by going back into Cyberspace. Besides, I've been watching, it's not like you've got anything left to go after here."
"Oh no, I'm not leaving the Real World just yet."
"Suit yourself." the prisoner said, not looking like he'd care. "I'll just wait for you all to pass out then. Then maybe some real progress can be made in this situation we've all found ourselves in."