Part 26: Cyberdog (CD)

Pluto was still in the SB lab, working to find any leads with Wade, Team Possible's tech guru. It wasn't like he hated the kid, but the idea of a simple kid being smarter than him well…it made him envious. He let out a sigh as he slouched in his chair. Wade noticed this.

"Tired, Takada?" he asked the Dog Knight who responded with a yawn.

"Just jet lag," Pluto answered, rubbing his mask covered eyes. It wasn't an easy job, finding any leads. He kept replaying the footage over and over again but found none. He squinted his eyes as he stared at the monitor, "None of the security grids were tripped so how did the guy do it?' he yawned again and took a swig of coffee.

"Magic maybe?" Wade supplied. He has had a lot of experience with magic while he was Team Possible's tech guru.

Pluto rubbed his chin, "Possible…very possible. However, the lab has also been rigged with a paranormal/supernatural energy sensory device." It was true. Pluto had designed it based on Shadow's request since magic existed. Therefore, a PSE sensory device had been installed into the security system. "But so far, nothing. Besides Shadow and Draco, there hasn't been any evidence of psychic or magical energy at the site."

"Better keep checking, huh?" Wade suggested.

"Yeah," Pluto yawned, "I guess."

"Takada-san…How's the investigation coming along?" Prof. Murata asked as she entered the room.

Pluto shook his head, "So far, nothing. We've ran the footage through dozens of times and got only zip. First the bike is there then woosh it's not there like it vanished without a trace."

Wade contradicted, "There's always a trace, even a micro one. We just have to find it."

"It would be way easier to find the bike if a tracking device had been installed," Pluto groaned.

"We were getting to the tracking device, but it got stolen before we were able to install it," Prof. Murata admitted.

"Was it after you installed all of its accessories?" Wade punched in a few keys, pulling up the bike's schematics. Pluto stared at it.

"This is one tricked out bike," he said after gasping, "Laser cannon in the headlights, mini-rocket launchers in the back, fully functional battle AI, self repairing system…" he did a double take, "Self repairing system?"

"The bike also had nanotech built in so that it could repair itself," Prof. Murata explained.

"Sounds like the cybertronic technology Kim's dad worked on," Wade remembered.

"You mean those Lil Diablos?" Pluto shuddered, "Those things gave me the creeps."

"Well, it's like that but not exactly like Dr. Possible's cybertronic tech. It's our own design. Plus, it doesn't grow, which is a good thing," Prof. Murata said in a relieved tone. "So, what are Kim and Ron doing?"

Wade answered, "They think that Motor Ed may be behind this. It does seem to be his MO."

"Stealing hi-tech motor vehicles, seems like it," Pluto agreed, "But still doesn't explain how the footage didn't capture anything." He added, "He could've cut the tape or something but the time is still the same. There have been no alterations made at all."

"So, we can scratch Motor Ed off the list?" Prof. Murata asked.

Wade shook his head, "Not yet. He's still a suspect."

Pluto grinned, "Paperwork must really be killing Shadow right now."

"What makes you say that?" Wade asked.

"For starters," Pluto began, "He's a perfectionist, meaning he triple checks all the documents. This is both his strength and weakness. Added with the fact that he HATES doing paperwork at all. I mean, he's bound to blow up because of stress, right?"

"It does seem like Ichijyo-san to have a temper," Prof. Murata agreed. She then realized something, "Oh, by the way Takada-san, there's someone here I think wants to meet you."

"Who?" Pluto turned his seat around, anxious and curious. There was a loud barking sound and a silver blur leapt through the door and into the Dog Knight's lap, nearly knocking the wind out of him. "Oof!" he then looked down and a huge smile got plastered on his masked face. "CYBERDOG!" the little robotic dog looked up and barked. Actually, Cyberdog was really an AIBOU robotic dog. However, Pluto had slightly re-modified its programming and its circuitry so that it would move and acted like a real dog, without any of the unpleasant shortcoming of owning a dog. Pluto picked it up and a silvery tongue licked his face. Pluto laughed like a child on Christmas morning and Prof. Yuriko smiled. "Oh, I missed you CD! Yes I did! Who's the good boy!"

"CD?" Wade questioned.

Pluto explained, "When I was a kid, I wanted a dog. Unfortunately, my parents couldn't get me one because I had a tendency to be a little…"

"Absent minded?" Wade supplied. Pluto groaned but nodded.

"Anyway, a real dog would be too much responsibility and there was a possibility I may forget to feed it," Pluto continued, "Therefore, I saved up and bought myself an AIBOU robot dog. But, there was something about it that was missing, so I decided to use my technological know-how and did some tinkering. The result was Cyberdog, CD for short." Pluto scratched CD behind the ears and it growled happily, wagging its tail.

"But don't those things need to recharge?" Wade asked. Pluto shook his head.

"CD runs on an infinitely supplied power cell. He can last FOREVER on that baby, isn't that right boy?" CD barked.

"I've been keeping CD with me this whole time while Pluto was away. I've grown quite fond of him and he's helped me with my chores," Prof. Murata s smiled.

CD noticed Wade and leapt off Pluto's lap and into Wade's. Wade let out a yelp but smiled as CD looked up at him with its mechanical tongue out and tail wagging. Wade admitted, "In a weird kinda way, he's kinda cute."

CD responded with a bark.

Meanwhile, back in Titans Tower, Jump City, another cybernetic life form was slowly regaining his strength. Soon, it would be time for DT to show his metal, literally.

"I hope I don't freak them out," he said slowly and nervously. He slowly slipped his own clothes on and stared at the twin bracelets. The golden bands glinted in the light.

To Be Continued…

Well, looks like Pluto will be busy with the investigation with Wade and who knew he had a pet. Read and Review guys