Revelations
Mainframe The Saucy Mare
Mr. Christopher was balancing the Saucy Mare's accounts on the deck when a shadow fell upon him. The zero binome looked up startled and then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Little Enzo it's only you. I must say you've recovered nicely. What brings you here?" asked the timid little accountant.
"I wanted to see the ship it's really cool. How come they aren't more people?" asked the boy.
"Well everybody is having fun at the party I just prefer to balance my books."
"So you're alone?"
"Well Bula and Specky are below decks having there own private celebration."
"Mr. Christopher, why did you become a pirate?"
"Well I've always wanted to be one but my father forced me to take up accounting. I always wanted to see exotic systems and have excitement in my life. Accounting doesn't have that."
"Have you ever deleted anybody? What's it like?"
"No, no we all use stun batons on this ship. We don't want to hurt anybody we just want to have fun."
"How would you like to find out about deletion?"
The accountant had been looking at his data organizer but this comment made him look up. The last sight he saw was Enzo smiling horribly at him as the young sprite slashed at the accountant with a set of large claws. The poor binome didn't even have time to scream.
Megabyte washed his hands in one of the ship's water barrel. He should have waited, laid down low before he started the hunt but the truth was that with all his experiences in the web he was now addicted to the act of killing. He loved tormenting his victims and now he had a whole system to work with.
Mainframe Hotel Ritz
Meanwhile Hex sat dejectedly on the large bed nursing a headache. Dr. Chandra was true to her word and provided her with a couple of caretakers for the evening, much the virus's regret. She couldn't have asked for any more annoying nurses than Hack and Slash.
The two robots were sincerely trying to help her. They brought with them a pile of clothes for the girl to try but they had forgotten her size. All of her clothes were far too big for her and the two robots bickered among themselves about what to dress her in.
"Here try these pants, with a belt they should fit you," said Hack.
"She'll trip over the legs numbwad. Where did you get these from Matrix's rag pile?" said Slash.
"That is very cruel. You know that all the shops are closed tonight. At least I didn't get those basic boots."
"What's wrong with the boots?"
"They're too big and not appropriate for a girl her age."
"Well what about that shirt?"
And so it continued all through the night.
Mainframe Baudway Square
"He's planning to what?!" shouted Dot.
"You heard me the first time. Turbo's planning to leave Hexadecimal in Mainframe," said Mouse.
"Well, we'll see about that," said Dot as she stormed to Turbo's table.
Meanwhile at Turbo's table Dr. Chandra and Bob were playing catch up.
"Bob I heard all about what happened from Turbo. I'm so sorry," said Dr. Chandra.
"Thank you and you know what hurts the most? While I lay there dying not once did anybody, anybody come and visit me. The only one who had an excuse was a Hexadecimal and I felt her presence there even though she was stuck in a jar, " said Bob.
"Speaking about viruses, what the Dell gives you Guardians the right to dump Hex here," said Dot. She was practically shouting as she barged in.
Bob had never seen her so angry. She looked ready to delete with her fists clenched and heavy breathing. Bob knew he had to do something.
"Dot, Hex was born here she has as much right to be here as you do," said Bob soothingly.
"She's a virus and don't patronize me. Why, Bob, why did you betray me?" cried Dot.
She started to cry. Bob stood up and was about to put his arms around her when Turbo stopped him.
"I'll handle it, son," said Turbo. He turned to Dot. "Bob did not decide at all whether to leave Hex here or not. I did. I thought after saving this system, twice the people here might be grateful enough to overlook her format and as for betrayal that's your department not his."
Dot narrowed her eyes at Turbo and stormed off. The trio sat awhile in uncomfortable silence and then Bob spoke first. "Ray looks lonely I'll think I'll keep him company for awhile."
Mean at Dot's table the Command Dot COM interrogated her old friend mercilessly. "I want to know you and Bob's relationship with that fat old Bat." Said Dot as she stabbed a finger at Mouse.
The Hacker narrowed her eyes and pulled out her sword. "Never insult Dr. Chandra in front of me!" said Mouse dangerously.
"Why, what's this shrink to you?"
"That shrink is the sweetest kindest woman alive, she raised me. In fact she's the closest thing I have to a mother."
"You mean, you"
"That's right I was a patient of hers. You probably have seen my fangs; well they're a viral characteristic. You see Dot I'm part viral."
"And your parents they sent you to her?"
"I wish! No Dot they kept me prisoner and when I wasn't locked up they abused me. By the time I got to Chandra I was pretty messed up."
"What do you mean messed up?"
"Think of Hexadecimal at her worst only without the fireballs."
"And what does this have to do with Bob?"
"He was a patient of hers too, an abused child like myself only he was rejected for being a copy. When I met him he didn't even have a name. Kept on saying how he was nothing not real. So you can image how much Megabyte hurt him."
"Alphanumeric! You mean the two people I trusted the most are escaped mental patients?"
"Hey, we are not escaped mental patients. We were released by the best psychologist in the entire net. In fact I sincerely recommend you go see her after what Megabyte did to you."
Meanwhile at Ray's table Bob sat pouring out his heart, while an impartial Web Surfer listened. The Search engine was a relative newcomer to the system so had not experienced the chaos the Hexadecimal caused.
"- So you see I'm quite torn I love Dot but I've been having these erotic dreams about Hex. She comes on to me and each time it ends a little further along."
"How far are you?"
"Round three."
"Well mate it's only natural. You're a bloke you always will wonder what its like with the other girl. Besides the last words when Hex said was she about to sacrifice her life was that she always loved you."
"The thing is that Dot wants a commitment, now, but we never went further a kiss or two. She is a very capable woman. And Hex, well Dr. Chandra is exactly what she needs."
"Well the real question is how they treated you. I mean Hex seemed okay once you zapped her brain."
"Well you have to remember that during the Daemon Wars is couldn't keep her hands off me."
"So let get this straight you trying to decide between Dot, who loves you for your Guardian image and an over sexed powerful virus? You're bloody random."
"So I should stick with Dot?"
"No, Hex. Don't look at me that way! Think about it, a virus fancying a guardian. To her that's a big minus."
Bob merely shook his head in disbelief and went back to Turbo's table.
When he got there he found his leader and his shrink laughing it up together over some IO shots.
"So what does the P stand for in P. Chandra?" asked Turbo.
"Perigillium!"
"Ooo that's bad. What were your parents thinking?"
"They named me after the doctor that saved my life and get this she was named after her parents' marriage counselor."
The pair howled with laughter then Turbo straightened up. " Bob you done already?"
The younger Guardian looked disturbed about something, "Yes, Ray had an - interesting viewpoint on my love life."
"Well you should see me tomorrow. Hex will be due for some physiotherapy with Rom. In fact I'd like to interview other people, get the entire story on Mainframe."
"Good I'll tell Dot."
"Well that's good, I'll set up shop in the Mainframe Principle's Office. I'm going back to my hotel room check up on Hex. I left Hack and Slash to take care of her."
"That's punishment enough," laughed Bob.
Mainframe Hotel Ritz
When Dr, Chandra entered the suite the idiot robots rushed up to her.
"Oh we are very sorry, Hexadecimal did not have a good night."
"Not a good night at all, puked all over the place. Ruined her new clothes."
"Well actually they're castoffs."
"Well they were new to her."
"All right tell me what happened. Hexadecimal where are you?" said the doctor impatiently.
The girl shyly poked out her head from under the front bed.
Hack spoke this time, "She ate some bathroom soaps you know the ones like little seashells."
"Thought they were candy," added Slash.
"Why the Dell did she think that?!" said Chandra incredulously.
"Well we fed them to her," admitted Hack.
"We called for room service but no one was there and by the time we went to pick something up from the party all the food was gone."
These were not comforting thoughts. The two nurses recommended were so stupid as to nearly poison her and that Mainframe itself resented her so much for her past crimes that they were unwilling to even give her the most basic care after saving them twice. Come morning she'd have to have a serious discussion with the Guardians and the command dot Com of this system.
"Did you give them the question I asked them?" repeated Hex. She had now gotten out from under the bed.
"No dear, I didn't have the time. Why don't you ask that question after you apologize to them."
The girl frowned, "For what?"
"We'll talk in the morning. Right now I want you in bed not under it."
Hex seemed to comply with this request heading right into bed but when she was sure the doctor had fallen asleep she quietly barricaded the door, locked the windows and stood on guard until morning came.
Megabyte however slept peacefully in little Enzo's small bed. Dot looked down at the disguised virus gently ruffled his hair and kissed him tenderly. He looked so peaceful and innocent with a little small smile on his face. Little did she know that he dreamt of the horrors he would soon inflict on Mainframe.
Mainframe the Principal's Office
The next morning Megabyte disguised as Enzo was touring the Principal's office corridors when he bumped into a huge binome. It was the strangely named Princess Bula. The Amazon smiled down at him.
"Been sick this morning can you tell where doctor is?" said the dimwitted woman.
This was an opportunity to cause great agony and suffering. Bula had a lover working here. His scheming little viral mind formed a plan and he smiled evilly to himself.
"Sure it's two doors down and turn right," he said in a childish voice.
While all this was happening Hexadecimal was trying to make amends to Bob Turbo, and Dot in the conference room.
"-And I'm also sorry about the way I acted in the past two years. Can I ask my question now?" said the girl turning to Chandra. The shrink nodded her head. "Alright, was Bob's source code intact after the time he spent in the web?"
"No, no in fact I still have some anomalies in my code after glitch healed." Bob trailed off. He stared at Turbo with a sick realization.
"Now son maybe he heals better than us sprites," said Turbo calmly.
"He does but that isn't enough, Dot take the girls to a safe place, now!" ordered Bob.
Then he and Turbo rushed down to the cells where their prisoner was file locked.
Specky had snuck out from the battle room for a donut break when he saw the love of his life beckoning to him from the shadows. Bula had come for a quickie, sweet user how he loved her. Throwing away his snack he launched himself at the huge figure and got a nasty surprise. This wasn't Bula at all in fact it looked like a giant version of him.
The monster spoke in Megabyte's voice, "Feel privileged binome I thought it only sporting you get to see what your unborn son would look like before I delete you."
The form of Specky's unborn son snapped the greasy binome's neck cutting off his scream. The bespeckled binome faded away and when he was gone Megabyte unsheathed his claws and started to work.
Meanwhile in the cell Turbo pinned down a fiercely struggling virus with much more ease than he should have. The virus was fighting for his life but wasn't doing a very good job at it. It was all over with a quick energy pulse stunning the virus.
Hastily with the help of the binome guards they strapped him onto a table and brought out the thought probe. The virus shook his head from side to side pleading with them not to turn him into a vegetable.
"Son, son! stop crying. This thing is your ticket outta her," said Turbo firmly. "if you keep still and cooperate we can get a basic scan with minimal damage prove you are who you say you are."
The virus winched as they slid the probe up his nose. His green eyes glazed over as the probe hit home. Then he sang, "I'm a little source code short and stout."
"Oh sweet Billy Gates Hex was right," gasped a horrified Bob. He raced up to tell Dot and the others before any damage was done but he was too late.
There before him right next to the lunchroom were Megabyte's claw marks.
"THE HUNT HAS BEGUN" it spelled out.
Mainframe The Saucy Mare
Mr. Christopher was balancing the Saucy Mare's accounts on the deck when a shadow fell upon him. The zero binome looked up startled and then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Little Enzo it's only you. I must say you've recovered nicely. What brings you here?" asked the timid little accountant.
"I wanted to see the ship it's really cool. How come they aren't more people?" asked the boy.
"Well everybody is having fun at the party I just prefer to balance my books."
"So you're alone?"
"Well Bula and Specky are below decks having there own private celebration."
"Mr. Christopher, why did you become a pirate?"
"Well I've always wanted to be one but my father forced me to take up accounting. I always wanted to see exotic systems and have excitement in my life. Accounting doesn't have that."
"Have you ever deleted anybody? What's it like?"
"No, no we all use stun batons on this ship. We don't want to hurt anybody we just want to have fun."
"How would you like to find out about deletion?"
The accountant had been looking at his data organizer but this comment made him look up. The last sight he saw was Enzo smiling horribly at him as the young sprite slashed at the accountant with a set of large claws. The poor binome didn't even have time to scream.
Megabyte washed his hands in one of the ship's water barrel. He should have waited, laid down low before he started the hunt but the truth was that with all his experiences in the web he was now addicted to the act of killing. He loved tormenting his victims and now he had a whole system to work with.
Mainframe Hotel Ritz
Meanwhile Hex sat dejectedly on the large bed nursing a headache. Dr. Chandra was true to her word and provided her with a couple of caretakers for the evening, much the virus's regret. She couldn't have asked for any more annoying nurses than Hack and Slash.
The two robots were sincerely trying to help her. They brought with them a pile of clothes for the girl to try but they had forgotten her size. All of her clothes were far too big for her and the two robots bickered among themselves about what to dress her in.
"Here try these pants, with a belt they should fit you," said Hack.
"She'll trip over the legs numbwad. Where did you get these from Matrix's rag pile?" said Slash.
"That is very cruel. You know that all the shops are closed tonight. At least I didn't get those basic boots."
"What's wrong with the boots?"
"They're too big and not appropriate for a girl her age."
"Well what about that shirt?"
And so it continued all through the night.
Mainframe Baudway Square
"He's planning to what?!" shouted Dot.
"You heard me the first time. Turbo's planning to leave Hexadecimal in Mainframe," said Mouse.
"Well, we'll see about that," said Dot as she stormed to Turbo's table.
Meanwhile at Turbo's table Dr. Chandra and Bob were playing catch up.
"Bob I heard all about what happened from Turbo. I'm so sorry," said Dr. Chandra.
"Thank you and you know what hurts the most? While I lay there dying not once did anybody, anybody come and visit me. The only one who had an excuse was a Hexadecimal and I felt her presence there even though she was stuck in a jar, " said Bob.
"Speaking about viruses, what the Dell gives you Guardians the right to dump Hex here," said Dot. She was practically shouting as she barged in.
Bob had never seen her so angry. She looked ready to delete with her fists clenched and heavy breathing. Bob knew he had to do something.
"Dot, Hex was born here she has as much right to be here as you do," said Bob soothingly.
"She's a virus and don't patronize me. Why, Bob, why did you betray me?" cried Dot.
She started to cry. Bob stood up and was about to put his arms around her when Turbo stopped him.
"I'll handle it, son," said Turbo. He turned to Dot. "Bob did not decide at all whether to leave Hex here or not. I did. I thought after saving this system, twice the people here might be grateful enough to overlook her format and as for betrayal that's your department not his."
Dot narrowed her eyes at Turbo and stormed off. The trio sat awhile in uncomfortable silence and then Bob spoke first. "Ray looks lonely I'll think I'll keep him company for awhile."
Mean at Dot's table the Command Dot COM interrogated her old friend mercilessly. "I want to know you and Bob's relationship with that fat old Bat." Said Dot as she stabbed a finger at Mouse.
The Hacker narrowed her eyes and pulled out her sword. "Never insult Dr. Chandra in front of me!" said Mouse dangerously.
"Why, what's this shrink to you?"
"That shrink is the sweetest kindest woman alive, she raised me. In fact she's the closest thing I have to a mother."
"You mean, you"
"That's right I was a patient of hers. You probably have seen my fangs; well they're a viral characteristic. You see Dot I'm part viral."
"And your parents they sent you to her?"
"I wish! No Dot they kept me prisoner and when I wasn't locked up they abused me. By the time I got to Chandra I was pretty messed up."
"What do you mean messed up?"
"Think of Hexadecimal at her worst only without the fireballs."
"And what does this have to do with Bob?"
"He was a patient of hers too, an abused child like myself only he was rejected for being a copy. When I met him he didn't even have a name. Kept on saying how he was nothing not real. So you can image how much Megabyte hurt him."
"Alphanumeric! You mean the two people I trusted the most are escaped mental patients?"
"Hey, we are not escaped mental patients. We were released by the best psychologist in the entire net. In fact I sincerely recommend you go see her after what Megabyte did to you."
Meanwhile at Ray's table Bob sat pouring out his heart, while an impartial Web Surfer listened. The Search engine was a relative newcomer to the system so had not experienced the chaos the Hexadecimal caused.
"- So you see I'm quite torn I love Dot but I've been having these erotic dreams about Hex. She comes on to me and each time it ends a little further along."
"How far are you?"
"Round three."
"Well mate it's only natural. You're a bloke you always will wonder what its like with the other girl. Besides the last words when Hex said was she about to sacrifice her life was that she always loved you."
"The thing is that Dot wants a commitment, now, but we never went further a kiss or two. She is a very capable woman. And Hex, well Dr. Chandra is exactly what she needs."
"Well the real question is how they treated you. I mean Hex seemed okay once you zapped her brain."
"Well you have to remember that during the Daemon Wars is couldn't keep her hands off me."
"So let get this straight you trying to decide between Dot, who loves you for your Guardian image and an over sexed powerful virus? You're bloody random."
"So I should stick with Dot?"
"No, Hex. Don't look at me that way! Think about it, a virus fancying a guardian. To her that's a big minus."
Bob merely shook his head in disbelief and went back to Turbo's table.
When he got there he found his leader and his shrink laughing it up together over some IO shots.
"So what does the P stand for in P. Chandra?" asked Turbo.
"Perigillium!"
"Ooo that's bad. What were your parents thinking?"
"They named me after the doctor that saved my life and get this she was named after her parents' marriage counselor."
The pair howled with laughter then Turbo straightened up. " Bob you done already?"
The younger Guardian looked disturbed about something, "Yes, Ray had an - interesting viewpoint on my love life."
"Well you should see me tomorrow. Hex will be due for some physiotherapy with Rom. In fact I'd like to interview other people, get the entire story on Mainframe."
"Good I'll tell Dot."
"Well that's good, I'll set up shop in the Mainframe Principle's Office. I'm going back to my hotel room check up on Hex. I left Hack and Slash to take care of her."
"That's punishment enough," laughed Bob.
Mainframe Hotel Ritz
When Dr, Chandra entered the suite the idiot robots rushed up to her.
"Oh we are very sorry, Hexadecimal did not have a good night."
"Not a good night at all, puked all over the place. Ruined her new clothes."
"Well actually they're castoffs."
"Well they were new to her."
"All right tell me what happened. Hexadecimal where are you?" said the doctor impatiently.
The girl shyly poked out her head from under the front bed.
Hack spoke this time, "She ate some bathroom soaps you know the ones like little seashells."
"Thought they were candy," added Slash.
"Why the Dell did she think that?!" said Chandra incredulously.
"Well we fed them to her," admitted Hack.
"We called for room service but no one was there and by the time we went to pick something up from the party all the food was gone."
These were not comforting thoughts. The two nurses recommended were so stupid as to nearly poison her and that Mainframe itself resented her so much for her past crimes that they were unwilling to even give her the most basic care after saving them twice. Come morning she'd have to have a serious discussion with the Guardians and the command dot Com of this system.
"Did you give them the question I asked them?" repeated Hex. She had now gotten out from under the bed.
"No dear, I didn't have the time. Why don't you ask that question after you apologize to them."
The girl frowned, "For what?"
"We'll talk in the morning. Right now I want you in bed not under it."
Hex seemed to comply with this request heading right into bed but when she was sure the doctor had fallen asleep she quietly barricaded the door, locked the windows and stood on guard until morning came.
Megabyte however slept peacefully in little Enzo's small bed. Dot looked down at the disguised virus gently ruffled his hair and kissed him tenderly. He looked so peaceful and innocent with a little small smile on his face. Little did she know that he dreamt of the horrors he would soon inflict on Mainframe.
Mainframe the Principal's Office
The next morning Megabyte disguised as Enzo was touring the Principal's office corridors when he bumped into a huge binome. It was the strangely named Princess Bula. The Amazon smiled down at him.
"Been sick this morning can you tell where doctor is?" said the dimwitted woman.
This was an opportunity to cause great agony and suffering. Bula had a lover working here. His scheming little viral mind formed a plan and he smiled evilly to himself.
"Sure it's two doors down and turn right," he said in a childish voice.
While all this was happening Hexadecimal was trying to make amends to Bob Turbo, and Dot in the conference room.
"-And I'm also sorry about the way I acted in the past two years. Can I ask my question now?" said the girl turning to Chandra. The shrink nodded her head. "Alright, was Bob's source code intact after the time he spent in the web?"
"No, no in fact I still have some anomalies in my code after glitch healed." Bob trailed off. He stared at Turbo with a sick realization.
"Now son maybe he heals better than us sprites," said Turbo calmly.
"He does but that isn't enough, Dot take the girls to a safe place, now!" ordered Bob.
Then he and Turbo rushed down to the cells where their prisoner was file locked.
Specky had snuck out from the battle room for a donut break when he saw the love of his life beckoning to him from the shadows. Bula had come for a quickie, sweet user how he loved her. Throwing away his snack he launched himself at the huge figure and got a nasty surprise. This wasn't Bula at all in fact it looked like a giant version of him.
The monster spoke in Megabyte's voice, "Feel privileged binome I thought it only sporting you get to see what your unborn son would look like before I delete you."
The form of Specky's unborn son snapped the greasy binome's neck cutting off his scream. The bespeckled binome faded away and when he was gone Megabyte unsheathed his claws and started to work.
Meanwhile in the cell Turbo pinned down a fiercely struggling virus with much more ease than he should have. The virus was fighting for his life but wasn't doing a very good job at it. It was all over with a quick energy pulse stunning the virus.
Hastily with the help of the binome guards they strapped him onto a table and brought out the thought probe. The virus shook his head from side to side pleading with them not to turn him into a vegetable.
"Son, son! stop crying. This thing is your ticket outta her," said Turbo firmly. "if you keep still and cooperate we can get a basic scan with minimal damage prove you are who you say you are."
The virus winched as they slid the probe up his nose. His green eyes glazed over as the probe hit home. Then he sang, "I'm a little source code short and stout."
"Oh sweet Billy Gates Hex was right," gasped a horrified Bob. He raced up to tell Dot and the others before any damage was done but he was too late.
There before him right next to the lunchroom were Megabyte's claw marks.
"THE HUNT HAS BEGUN" it spelled out.