Chapter 8
Its Tanker the good news is we got Jon out of Cyber Space but he took a real pounding. But in the real world people are asking a lot of questions about what happened. And you just know aren't about to cut us any slack.
"Shelby over here," Rebecca says seeing Shelby entering the waiting room. "Is he alright? What happened?" Shelby asks. "The doctor is checking him out now. We aren't sure he might of over done it in the pool. You know hot sun not drinking enough water," Rebecca lies. She had been the one to call Shelby but she couldn't her the full story about Jon getting beaten but an evil computer program that was a copy cat of the program he turned into. "I hope he's okay," Shelby says. "Hey it's Jon he will stick around just to annoy people," Rebecca says. "He just might. You know he asked me out so many times. I always just wrote him off as the moron that liked to get in fight and blow off class. Than he actually took me on a nice date. Showed me there was more to him," Shelby says with a sad smile.
Over in set of chair Sam is pacing. "What is taking so long?" He finally asks. "You have to let work Sam. Better they check everything," Sydney says trying to comfort him. "I know its just that is my son. I never should have let him keep going into the digital world. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened," Sam says. "Sam you know the circumstances. The Servo program only works with Jon these days. You know how dangerous the mega viruses are and they need to be stopped," Tanker tells his best friend. "I do know how dangerous they are. We should have figured out a way to the old Servo and support programs running again. We are sending our kids into battles," Sam says. "Battles just like the ones we fought when we were that age," Tanker reminds him. "And if my parents had known they would tossed that old computer in a trash compactor," Sam says.
In another set of chairs Linda and Will sit. "He's going to be okay," Will says to Linda. "I know," Linda replies. "Jon is tough. You have to believe that. He can bounce back from anything," Will claims. "Yes he can," Linda says. "Like I remember this one time when Jon and I were on the wrestling team. We are at this meet and Jon has this match he makes a huge mistake in the first period," Will recalls. "I remember he came down on his head the referee wanted to stop the match," Linda adds. "Yeah and what does Jon do pops up and shows everyone his fine. And than gets in there and wins being the only guy to pin that guy all year. See Jon will be fine," Will says. It dawns on Linda that he's not trying to convince her he's trying to convince himself. She takes his hand and gives it a squeeze to comfort him.
Back over with Syd, and Tanker they have gotten Sam to at least sit down. A doctor comes out and approaches them. "Mr. Collins I'm Dr. Stanley and I've been assigned to your son's case." "Is he going to okay?" Sam asks his voice cracking. "Well Mr. Collins very unusual case. Your son shows no signs no signs of injury or illness a tox screen came back clean. Is there anything more you can tell us?" "Dr. Stanley asks. "Just what we already told you," Sam says. Everyone pushes the story of Jon passing out after an afternoon of swimming. The doctor says he sees and walks over to a nurse. "Any updated on where the cops are getting here?" He asks. "Yes doctor. They are in the parking lot. Is its really necessary?" The nurse asks. "This kid is perfectly healthy. Given what happened to Jennifer Collins I have a bad feeling the dad did something," The doctor states looking over at Sam with disgust.
The Digital World
"Master please allow me to hunt down the Servo program and destroy it," Dark Servo says looking at the master program. "You shall soon enough Dark Servo. But the conservation of power is key. We must weaken Servo further. Your last battle at key times was fought a stalemate," The master declares. "Than the Creator should send another virus," Dark Servo says. "Sadly with the human I have learned I can not push her to hard. She still allows things to distract her such as this boyfriend," The master says. "We should destroy this boyfriend," Dark Servo says. "A human flaw is that they have feelings. If I were to destroy this boyfriend I fear it would cause Shelby to stop caring about the gifts I have given her."
Someplace
"Hello?" Jon says walking around an empty room. There is no one around there nothing around its just an empty void. Jon thinks out loud, "how did I get here? Last thing I was doing I was fighting a virus and than..." He yells in pain as memories of his battle with Dark Servo play in his head. Jon drops to a knee. "You must remember the good," A voice says. "Whose here?" Jon yells standing back up and looking around. The blue energy appears. "Jon..." the voice is coming from the energy. "What is this?" Jon asks he can swear a face is starting to appear in the mist like energy cloud.
Jon sat up in the hospital bed. "Good you are awake," a nurse in the room says. "I'm in the hospital?" Jon asks trying to get up. "You shouldn't do that," the nurse says. "Where is my dad?" Jon asks. "You should let the doctor check you first," The nurse tells him. "No thanks," Jon says getting up glade they had put him in scrubs and not one of those backless things. The door opens and Dr. Stanley opens. "Doctor I tried to keep him in bed," The nurse says. "Its alright nurse I'll take it from here…. Hello Jon I'm Dr. Stanley and I'm the one that has been treating you. And you gave us quite a scare coming in showing no signs of illness or injury yet unresponsive," Dr. Stanley tells him. "Where is my dad?" Jon asks. "He's out in the waiting room. Look Jon now is the time where you can tell me anything," Dr. Stanley offers.
"Meaning what?" Jon asks. The doctor take a deep breath. "You are a perfectly healthy young man and yet you come in here unconscious. Something had to happen to you," Dr. Stanley says. "What you think my dad hurt me?" Jon asks getting mad. "My job is to make sure you are okay. And given your family history. I have my worried," The doctor says. Jon point a fingers in the man's face. "My father didn't hurt my mother. And he sure as hell didn't hurt me," Jon insisted. "Calm down. Let me check you than we can bring your father in. We still need to know what happened to you?" Dr. Stanley says staying calm. "Look Doctor I am fine," Jon claims. "If you were fine you wouldn't have passed out. Something had to happen," Dr. Stanley says. "Best lies are based on truth," Jon thinks.
"Promise you won't tell my dad?" Jon asks starting his lie. "Depends on what you tell me? You did something to hurt yourself or if someone did hurt your I have to follow the law," Dr. Stanley admits. "Look this kid and I at school have had some issues. Well he and I decided to settle it. And we did that a couple of days ago. I've been pretty sore but I've had to push it so people don't know I had a fight," Jon claims. "You don't seem like you have been in a fight." "Well I was. I used to be on the wrestling team and this guy knows BJJ. It was a fight fight it was a grappling match," Jon claims. "So you swear your father didn't hurt you?" "No!"
Back in the waiting room
"You have got to be kidding me?" Sam says seeing a man and a woman come off the elevator. "What is it?" Tanker asks. "See the bald guy. That is Detective Mansell. He was in charge of Jennifer's case," Sam says. "Right and he's the guy that was convinced you did something to her," Tanker says. "Yeah," Sam says bitterly. The Detective and the woman move toward Sam. "Hell Mr. Collins," Detective Mansell greets coldly. "Detective." "Mr. Collins I am Detective Carmichael," The woman introduces herself. "Nice to meet you. Can I help you?" Sam asks. "Well Collins we need to talk. I understand your son in in the ER," Mansell says. "Yes he is and let me guess you want to go another wild goose chase trying to prove I did something to Jon," Sam says bitterly. "We shouldn't do this in public. Maybe we could stop in private room or an office," Carmichael suggested.
"Not a chance. I made the mistake of talking to this guy before it ruined my life," Sam says starting to seethe. "Easy buddy," Tanker says knowing this could go very bad very fast. "Tanker is right. Tell them you won't speak to them without you lawyer," Sydney adds. "Look Collins if didn't do anything you have nothing to worry about," Mansell claims. "That is what you said you last time! And I was tried in the press. The worst part is you never found what really happened to Jennifer," Sam tells Mansell. "Jon?" They turn and see it was Shelby who said that as Jon walks out of a door. Shelby and the rest of his friends run up to him. Jon hugs his girlfriend. "I'm okay," he says. "Excuse me," Sam says to the two detectives before walking away.
"Hey dad let's get out of here," Jon says. "Did the doctor say you are cleared?" Sam asks. "I did not. But you son says he is refusing any further treatment. I think he should stay overnight," Dr. Stanley says to Sam. "And its not going to do any good," Jon claims. "Mr. Collins.. if anything goes wrong please bring him back," Dr. Stanley pleads. "Jon maybe you should stay," Shelby says. "Yeah just the night," Rebecca adds. "I want to go home," Jon says getting annoyed.
The Next Day
Sam hadn't slept the whole night. At some point he had given up and wound up in the living room looking over old photos. "Morning Uncle Sam," Rebecca says coming downstairs. "You are up kind of early," Sam says. "I don't sleep well when I am worried," Rebecca admits. "We must be two peas in a pod. I didn't sleep the whole night," Sam says. Rebecca sits in a chair across from him. "Uncle Sam how are we going to stop that evil Servo?" She asks. "Trying to figure that out is what I've been doing all night. You folks and I, Amp or Lucky we always found a way. So far you kids do as well," Sam says. "Did you ever face something as strong as that Dark Servo?" She asks. "Only when I fought Kilokahn," Sam admits. The door bell rings.
"What you two doing here?" Sam asks as he opens the door the door to Will and Linda who both look exhausted "Jon called us and said it we there was a virus threat," Will says. Rebecca moves to the computer and checks. "Everything seem normal." "Okay so I stretched the truth a bit. But the sooner we start the better," Jon says appearing. "Start what?" Rebecca asks. "Hunting my evil twin. I figure between the four of us we can... well its better than me searching one at a time," Jon says going to pick up the guitar. Sam stops him. "Absolutely not." "Dad you not going to change my mind," Jon says. "You just got out of the hospital," Sam yells. "And its time for payback," Jon says.
"Jon buddy this is not a good idea. Are you sure Servo even has his full power back yet? I mean if you going to fight that thing you will need all the power you can get," Will says to calm his friend down. "I can't believe this. We should just wait for another attack? Why are we always reacting instead of being proactive?" Jon asks. "Look Jon this isn't about being proactive. Its you reacting to taking. We are scared you going to charge into another beat down," Rebecca says. "That is why its best I…. Ah," Jon stop talking and suddenly has to shake out his arm which is locking up. "Jon you are to beat up. Please don't do this," Rebecca says. "Fine," Jon says through gritted teeth clearly in pain.
Shelby's Room
"Are you done yet?" Shelby look at monitor making no effort to hide how annoyed she was. "I have been working all night. I have to go to school in a few hours. Just let me work," Shelby tells them. "You are just reformatting an old virus. It should not take this long creator," Dark Servo says. "Well I need to make the work I am doing is correct. Servo already knows how to defeat this one," Shelby says annoyed. "We just need the virus to last long enough to drain Servro of his energy," The master program reminds her. "I'm almost done," Shelby says. "Hurry up Creator. I am ready to destroy Servo," Dark Servo says. "Okay I'm done. My first virus back for a second try," Shelby says. "So where are you sending it?" Dark Servo asks. "We must send it to someplace that Servo will find it. We must bait the trap," The master program says.
"A plane. We upload it to a flight take over it's controls have it flying around unable to land. I'm sure Servo will come flying," Shelby says. "If I could feel emotion I would feel pride. Off the virus shall go," The master program says before empowering the virus before it takes off into into the digital world. "Soon we will meet again hero," Dark Servo says before he takes off as well. The virus arrives in the system and start to wreck havoc. "Great now I get school," Shelby says. "Very well. But do no visit the boyfriend," The program warns. "I would like to make sure Jon is okay," Shelby says. "The flight I sent your creations into is supposed to take off from LAX shortly after you school day ends. I will need you here." The tone of it's voice leaves no room for argument. Shelby knows if she tries to argue the threats will start. "I'll be here," Shelby finally relents.
Later that day on the flight
It was supposed to be a cross country flight from Los Angeles to New York City. The pilot had done this numerous times in his long career. Many of those flight with this very same co-pilot. They were in the sky when the first problem showed itself. "What's wrong?" The co-pilot asks. "The controls are responding we are drifting off course," The pilot says. The co-pilot checks his. "Mine are off as well." Suddenly the plan move suddenly. The tower radios in asking what is going on. "Tower we have major problems. Our controls are not working," The pilot says.
Collins's Manson
Sam had kept Jon out of school for the day wanting him to recover. Sam was in the living room claiming he was working on a song but nothing was coming to him. "Hey Sammy we got problems," Tanker says bursting into the room. He turns on the TV as a news report about the problems with the flight. "Ah man that is terrible," Sam says. "I called Syd she can't get away from this job she's on. The kids should be home soon. You fire up the computer I'll get Jon and we will see if we have a virus," Tanker says. "Hold it on getting Jon let's check if there is a virus first," Sam says as he moves to the computer. "Oh I knew it... I think that's that the virus Jon smashed when he became the new Servo. Good way for him to get back in the game," Tanker says. Sam isn't sure. "How long until the other kids get back from school?" Tanker checks his watch. "Soon but Sam come on that airplane could crash at any second."
"Yeah well Jon could get killed," Sam snaps. Tanker looks at his friend. "Look Sammy I get it. In my head I freak out every time Rebecca goes into one of these fights. But Sam they are heroes like how we were," Tanker says to his friend. "Yeah well I'm about tot be a hero again," Sam says going over to a desk drawer and pulling out his old wrist communicator and than picking up the guitar. "Buddy Sydney said anyone that used the old Servo programs can't access the new ones," Tanker reminds him. "Maybe she is wrong. You are right Tank someone needs to stop that virus but I don't know if Jon is up to it. Its worth a shot," Sam says to his friend. "Alright… I'll be hoping to kick some giga butt again lets try it," Tanker says calling up the Servo program. "Let's Samuraize, guys!" Sam yells before playing the power cord. For a second he starts to move into the computer only to be shot back out.
"Dad what happened?" Jon says coming into the living room. They help Sam back to his feet. "What happned is I got reminder Syd is never wrong with computer stuff. Look Jon there is a plane that is out of control because a mega virus has taken over. Servo is needed…. But if you aren't up for this don't do it," Sam says. "Dad if a virus is putting people in danger I don't have any choice," Jon says as he takes the guitar. "Alright Sam says. But watch your back. This feels like a trap," Sam says. "Once the rest of the teams gets here we will send them in," Tanker says to Sam more than Jon. "Let's Samuraize, guys!"
Digital World
"I can feel him! Servo has come online," Dark Servo says. Sure enough a portal open and Servo appears and grows. "The master has made it clear I must wait until Servo has been weakened before he can strike. Servo has reached his full height. "I recognize you and somehow you're even uglier than last time," Servo declares before charging at the virus and landing a big kick. The virus launces a fireball attack but Servo doges it. Series of punches by Servo. Back in the Collins's home Sam and Taker watch. "Good he's being smart and saving his grid power," Sam observes. "But he got to destroy this thing in order for the pilots to get control of the plane back," Tanker reminds him. Sam knows he's right but also can't help but worry about Dark Servo.
Meanwhile the virus lands power blast on Servo. Jon goes for a grid powered kick. He than grabs the virus by the tail and swings it around. "Round and round you go where you stop no body knows," Servo taunts as he lets go. "Enough of this foolishness," Dark Servo says before growing. Jon is locked in battle with the virus which is trying to bite him. Dark Servo launches a fireball attack that hits the heroic Servo in the back. Distracted this also lets the virus bite Jon/Servo on the arm. Servo tries to strike to virus to get free but can't meanwhile Dark Servo advances toward him. "Master send me a weapon to finish him," Dark Servo yells a second later a dark version of the shield appears in his arms. Dark Servo removes the sword. Jon/Servo is still trying to get free leaving his back exposed. "Its the end of you hero!"