Chapter 9 Gigabyte
Megabyte held Rom by the neck. The sprite's feet dangled in the air. "I would have liked it better if you were Bob but my dear sister seems to have a soft spot for you. It seems that even she has found a replacement for Bob."
Behind a stack of crates Matrix aimed his gun and had it knocked away by Turbo.
"Don't, you might hit Rom," said the Prime Guardian harshly.
"Hexadecimal!" called out Megabyte. "I know you can hear me. If you don't come out I will slice your new beau open." He squeezed Rom's neck causing the doctor to let out a gurgled cry. "You have until five, one, two."
"Don't!" said Hex firmly. "I'm coming out."
Turbo witnessed the bravest act in all his life. Knowing full well what Megabyte wanted the young girl stepped up to her brother. Her face was immobile, set with an expression of determination. When she got to her brother, Megabyte flung the doctor away like a sack of garbage and took hold of Hex's throat. Lifting off her feet, he tore off the shirt she wore.
Looking his sister up and down he leered at her, "Mmmm, nice, well if this doesn't work, we'll just have to continue our duet we started by the organ."
Hex tried to control the feelings of revulsion as Megabyte merged with her. Bob frantically signalled for everyone to take cover, quickly. It soon became obvious why as the two viruses exploded and when the dust settled there stood one virus not two.
"I am Gigabyte, destroyer of the Net," roared the abomination.
Gigabyte was even more ugly than before. The huge virus was now encased in dirty grey ceramic armour and its muscles bulged in all the wrong places. It had matted reddish brown hair on its head. Its face was just a sketch with mere slits for its nose and mouth but its eyes were definitely Megabyte's.
"A virus, all this time I was caring for a virus," squeaked Rom.
Once Rom had run off to safety, Dot gave the signal. The defence force fired with everything they had. The virus merely roared with laughter.
"That tickled," said Gigabyte. Now it was the virus's turn shooting out a jet of fire he killed 5 binomes instantly.
"This is no fun, I think I'll use my bare hands," said the abomination.
With that he shot up into the air and tore a hole in the Principal's Office's roof. He broke through the barriers that were meant to keep him out easily and proceeded to wreck carnage.
Mainframe, Baudway
The virus strolled down the streets knocking down building after building and destroying entire families at his leisure. CPUs flew in wave after wave throwing all the firepower that they had but it did no good. Gigabyte simply laughed it off and with a flick of his wrist engulfed them in flames. The flaming vehicles crashed into even more buildings destroying them.
The survivors watched in horror as their defenders deleted before them. The Principal's Office was in flames and all seemed lost. Then Ray Tracer stepped in.
The Surfr being an outsider and expressing views not popular to the present Command Dot Com had been kept out of the loop. It had been a mistake. In many cases Search Engines are more powerful than Guardians are. The blonde man charged at Gigabyte on his flying Baud. It seemed he didn't care if he lived or died.
"New look Megabyte, I'll have to pay you back for tricking me into taking you into Mainframe," shouted Ray.
The virus shot fireballs at the brave sprite but Ray was too fast. The Surfr darted around the virus and shot bolts of energy of his own, even hurting the virus.
The virus roared in rage and leapt at the sprite knocking Ray off his baud. On the ground Gigabyte held a helpless Search Engine as he twisted and squirmed in the virus's grip.
"Impudent little worm I'll make you suffer," snarled Gigabyte. The virus began to snap the Surfr's limbs as the citizens of Mainframe watched helplessly. The Search Engine didn't even cry out. Gigabyte not satisfied proceeded to pummel the Search Engine again and again until Ray was seemingly near deletion.
"See that Bob, that is a taste of what I'll do to you after I delete everyone in your precious system," called out Gigabyte. Then he snapped the Search Engine's neck and the sprite faded from existence. Then he turned heel and proceeded with his rampage as before.
Unnoticed by the virus the Baud sputtered and coughed to life after he was gone. It flew to Lost Angles and the other Principal's Office there.
Lost Angles, The Principal's Office
What was left of the group had met up in the Lost Angles Battle Room. The room was a much plusher version of the old battle room. Through the vid window they watched in horror as Gigabyte casually deleted entire sectors.
"All right people we need a plan. Gigabyte is heading straight for us," said Dot.
"I have a question, why hasn't Gigabyte tried to leave the system," asked Ray. The Search Engine appeared to be unhurt which in fact he was. In Search Engines they are the vehicles, the sprite is just a projection. In Gigabyte's ignorance he attacked only the sprite not the Baud
"He doesn't want to. Gigabyte won't even try to leave until he has deleted us all," said Phong.
"Ah ken set up a few firewalls but that won't hold him for long," said Mouse.
"It's better than nothing, try putting some around sectors he hasn't touched," ordered Dot. "Bob can you and Turbo get a tear and rip those two apart like last time?"
"Dot that won't work for one thing Gigabyte is fully powered up and Megabyte is in control. He won't fall for that again," said Bob sadly.
"Alright then we need to get more firepower," said Dot.
"Er, Dot an explosion of that magnitude would delete the entire system," said Ray.
"Why don't you fight him again? With my gun we could probably finish him," suggested Matrix.
"Firepower again, not enough of it," said Turbo. "We need to contain him, not destroy him but we need to get some supplies."
"I have an idea," said Dr. Chandra. "We must try to reach Hexadecimal herself, get her to force a separation."
"She's a virus, how do we know she isn't willingly participating in this carnage herself," said Rom gloomily.
"Because Hexadecimal hates and fears her brother," answered Bob. "However I don't know if she has the strength to separate from him. I say we support Turbo"
Lost Angles Bridge
Talon once known as Old Man Pearson led the binome survivors he could find across the bridge to safety. He gave a few pot shots at the new virus but the Code master knew he was out gunned. The best chance of protecting these people was to find them a safe hiding place fast. The virus strolled down the bridge following the frightened people.
Talon realising there could be no safe place spun round and faced Gigabyte. Talon had not reverted back to his old binome form; he crouched with his Gibson coil pike raised ready to strike.
Gigabyte paused and then continued walking. With a yell the reptilian Code master shot out a bolt of energy from his pike. It scorched the abomination nothing more. The virus returned the fire bolt but Talon quickly jumped out of the way. Gigabyte tried again and again but the Code Master kept getting out of the way. Finally Talon landed a weak piece of pavement, which broke underneath his feet. He fell half way through, his legs scrabbling for some purchase. Gigabyte smiled horribly and slowly floated up to him.
The new virus grasped Talon by the forelock, unsheathed his claws and got ready for the deathblow.
"DON'T YOU THINK YOU SHOULD FINSH ALL YOUR JOBS BEFORE YOU START ANOTHER?" called out Ray.
The Search Engine floated on his baud just above Gigabyte's head and smiled contemptuously down at the abomination. Ray Tracer made a rude sign and zipped off.
The virus snarled and flew off after Ray. Gigabyte was so angry he didn't see he was flying straight into a trap. Ray landed in the middle of a town square; tall buildings surrounded him on all sides. The virus flew down on him. Before Gigabyte reached the ground Ray rolled out of the way.
"Now!" shouted Ray.
From the shadows both Guardians stepped out and bound the abomination from head to foot in energy bonds. The virus screamed and strained at his bonds, it wasn't going to hold him for long.
"Dot file lock Gigabyte now!" shouted out Bob.
Being the Command Dot Com, Dot had the power to file lock any program in her system as long as it held still. Pulling the glowing program from her clothes she threw it Gigabyte. It engulfed the virus in a white light. Gigabyte didn't even have time to scream as the program collapsed in on itself trapping the virus in a prison the size of a baseball.
"Well that about wraps it up," said Matrix smugly.
With a hideous roar Gigabyte broke free of his prison.
"Fall back, fall back," ordered Turbo. The others didn't need to be asked twice as they ran back to the Lair.
Gigabyte's Mind
In dark quiet place, Hexadecimal hid herself from the horrors that were happening outside. She curled up in a tight little ball and tried to shut out all thought and feeling.
Lost Angles
While the others ran as fast as they could from Gigabyte Hack and Slash flew Dr. Chandra right to the abomination.
"You're crazy," said Slash.
"Absolutely random, Megabyte's I mean Gigabyte's gonna destroy you," said Hack.
"Totally delete you."
"I just said that!"
"Guys log off I have a plan," said an exasperated Chandra.
"But where's your weapon?" asked Slash.
"Yeah watcha packing?" said Hack.
" None I don't need any!" replied Chandra.
"WHAT?!" they both said together.
Before she could explain they were right there. The trio landed right in front of Matrix who had tripped over a rock. Gigabyte smirked as he loomed over the group. Matrix cocked his gun and ordered Chandra to get down. The doctor merely waved for Hack and Slash to take the swearing Matrix away. The virus was about to follow when Chandra stepped in his way.
"Hexadecimal I know you're in there. Stop this madness now!" ordered the old woman.
"Hexadecimal is deleted, I'm in control here," sneered Gigabyte.
"I don't believe that. Hex I know why you try and hide your feelings you're afraid of being overwhelmed by them losing control."
"Old woman I am in control!" roared Gigabyte.
The group of sprites by this time had stopped running and watched the pair intently. Bob stepped forward to try and help his old friend but Mouse held him back. She shook her head signalling to Bob that she had faith in Chandra's plan.
"Hex you shouldn't be afraid of your feelings they are the source of your power. You're a passionate being by nature it is your strength. It has brought you this far, turned you into a hero. Don't let Megabyte destroy all you've worked for don't let him manipulate you again take control, use your feelings. Go to your dark place, use your anger, your hatred break free. You hate Megabyte, you hate being trapped. Don't let him chain you like he did before. You have the power don't be afraid of using it."
Gigabyte clamped his hands on his head and roared but this time in was in Hex's voice. Thousands of masks flew in from the Lair and surrounded the virus. They melted into the monster as it desperately tried to swat them away. Finally when they were all gone Gigabyte fell to his knees. His torso rippled and twisted as he split in two. Bits and pieces fell off of him. Chandra could make out two forms, one large and male and a smaller more familiar female form.
Megabyte desperately clawed at the female. Trying to pull himself together. Trying to stay in control but Hex pulled back away from him with even greater strength. Finally with a spurt of viral blood the girl was free. She collapsed exhausted and wet on the ground. Megabyte scrabbled forward to try and remerge with his sister but a bolt of energy struck him down and encased him like a fly in amber.
Chandra whirled around and saw Bob with his left arm raised, his key tool smoking. An expression of utter loathing was on his face.
She surveyed the scene Megabyte struggled against the bubble he was trapped in. The shrink could see the virus suffered the brunt of the damage from Hexadecimal's forced separation. As for the girl, she had come to, she looked at her hands, which were covered in blood. Hex started to cry small hiccups at first then sobs wracked her body. The sprites stared a little while in amazement at what happened.
The old woman held the girl to her chest as continued sobbing. She could feel the girl shiver, in the first symptoms of shock. Bob her old patient searched desperately for something to cover the girl with.
"Rom, she's in shock give her your coat," pleaded Bob.
Rom merely shook his head not willing to help Hex anymore not after what he found out. He turned away.
"Rom, if it weren't for her we'd all be deleted, Rom!" called out Bob.
The young Guardian was about to continue begging when Turbo put a hand on his shoulder. "Forget about it son, I'll handle this."
The Prime Guardian stepped up to where Chandra held the girl. "May I?" he asked and with a tenderness that he thought he'd never show to a virus a picked the girl up in his arms and used Copeland, his own key tool, to form an energy blanket around her.
"Take her to the Lost Angles hospital all the equipment should be intact there," said Chandra.
Megabyte held Rom by the neck. The sprite's feet dangled in the air. "I would have liked it better if you were Bob but my dear sister seems to have a soft spot for you. It seems that even she has found a replacement for Bob."
Behind a stack of crates Matrix aimed his gun and had it knocked away by Turbo.
"Don't, you might hit Rom," said the Prime Guardian harshly.
"Hexadecimal!" called out Megabyte. "I know you can hear me. If you don't come out I will slice your new beau open." He squeezed Rom's neck causing the doctor to let out a gurgled cry. "You have until five, one, two."
"Don't!" said Hex firmly. "I'm coming out."
Turbo witnessed the bravest act in all his life. Knowing full well what Megabyte wanted the young girl stepped up to her brother. Her face was immobile, set with an expression of determination. When she got to her brother, Megabyte flung the doctor away like a sack of garbage and took hold of Hex's throat. Lifting off her feet, he tore off the shirt she wore.
Looking his sister up and down he leered at her, "Mmmm, nice, well if this doesn't work, we'll just have to continue our duet we started by the organ."
Hex tried to control the feelings of revulsion as Megabyte merged with her. Bob frantically signalled for everyone to take cover, quickly. It soon became obvious why as the two viruses exploded and when the dust settled there stood one virus not two.
"I am Gigabyte, destroyer of the Net," roared the abomination.
Gigabyte was even more ugly than before. The huge virus was now encased in dirty grey ceramic armour and its muscles bulged in all the wrong places. It had matted reddish brown hair on its head. Its face was just a sketch with mere slits for its nose and mouth but its eyes were definitely Megabyte's.
"A virus, all this time I was caring for a virus," squeaked Rom.
Once Rom had run off to safety, Dot gave the signal. The defence force fired with everything they had. The virus merely roared with laughter.
"That tickled," said Gigabyte. Now it was the virus's turn shooting out a jet of fire he killed 5 binomes instantly.
"This is no fun, I think I'll use my bare hands," said the abomination.
With that he shot up into the air and tore a hole in the Principal's Office's roof. He broke through the barriers that were meant to keep him out easily and proceeded to wreck carnage.
Mainframe, Baudway
The virus strolled down the streets knocking down building after building and destroying entire families at his leisure. CPUs flew in wave after wave throwing all the firepower that they had but it did no good. Gigabyte simply laughed it off and with a flick of his wrist engulfed them in flames. The flaming vehicles crashed into even more buildings destroying them.
The survivors watched in horror as their defenders deleted before them. The Principal's Office was in flames and all seemed lost. Then Ray Tracer stepped in.
The Surfr being an outsider and expressing views not popular to the present Command Dot Com had been kept out of the loop. It had been a mistake. In many cases Search Engines are more powerful than Guardians are. The blonde man charged at Gigabyte on his flying Baud. It seemed he didn't care if he lived or died.
"New look Megabyte, I'll have to pay you back for tricking me into taking you into Mainframe," shouted Ray.
The virus shot fireballs at the brave sprite but Ray was too fast. The Surfr darted around the virus and shot bolts of energy of his own, even hurting the virus.
The virus roared in rage and leapt at the sprite knocking Ray off his baud. On the ground Gigabyte held a helpless Search Engine as he twisted and squirmed in the virus's grip.
"Impudent little worm I'll make you suffer," snarled Gigabyte. The virus began to snap the Surfr's limbs as the citizens of Mainframe watched helplessly. The Search Engine didn't even cry out. Gigabyte not satisfied proceeded to pummel the Search Engine again and again until Ray was seemingly near deletion.
"See that Bob, that is a taste of what I'll do to you after I delete everyone in your precious system," called out Gigabyte. Then he snapped the Search Engine's neck and the sprite faded from existence. Then he turned heel and proceeded with his rampage as before.
Unnoticed by the virus the Baud sputtered and coughed to life after he was gone. It flew to Lost Angles and the other Principal's Office there.
Lost Angles, The Principal's Office
What was left of the group had met up in the Lost Angles Battle Room. The room was a much plusher version of the old battle room. Through the vid window they watched in horror as Gigabyte casually deleted entire sectors.
"All right people we need a plan. Gigabyte is heading straight for us," said Dot.
"I have a question, why hasn't Gigabyte tried to leave the system," asked Ray. The Search Engine appeared to be unhurt which in fact he was. In Search Engines they are the vehicles, the sprite is just a projection. In Gigabyte's ignorance he attacked only the sprite not the Baud
"He doesn't want to. Gigabyte won't even try to leave until he has deleted us all," said Phong.
"Ah ken set up a few firewalls but that won't hold him for long," said Mouse.
"It's better than nothing, try putting some around sectors he hasn't touched," ordered Dot. "Bob can you and Turbo get a tear and rip those two apart like last time?"
"Dot that won't work for one thing Gigabyte is fully powered up and Megabyte is in control. He won't fall for that again," said Bob sadly.
"Alright then we need to get more firepower," said Dot.
"Er, Dot an explosion of that magnitude would delete the entire system," said Ray.
"Why don't you fight him again? With my gun we could probably finish him," suggested Matrix.
"Firepower again, not enough of it," said Turbo. "We need to contain him, not destroy him but we need to get some supplies."
"I have an idea," said Dr. Chandra. "We must try to reach Hexadecimal herself, get her to force a separation."
"She's a virus, how do we know she isn't willingly participating in this carnage herself," said Rom gloomily.
"Because Hexadecimal hates and fears her brother," answered Bob. "However I don't know if she has the strength to separate from him. I say we support Turbo"
Lost Angles Bridge
Talon once known as Old Man Pearson led the binome survivors he could find across the bridge to safety. He gave a few pot shots at the new virus but the Code master knew he was out gunned. The best chance of protecting these people was to find them a safe hiding place fast. The virus strolled down the bridge following the frightened people.
Talon realising there could be no safe place spun round and faced Gigabyte. Talon had not reverted back to his old binome form; he crouched with his Gibson coil pike raised ready to strike.
Gigabyte paused and then continued walking. With a yell the reptilian Code master shot out a bolt of energy from his pike. It scorched the abomination nothing more. The virus returned the fire bolt but Talon quickly jumped out of the way. Gigabyte tried again and again but the Code Master kept getting out of the way. Finally Talon landed a weak piece of pavement, which broke underneath his feet. He fell half way through, his legs scrabbling for some purchase. Gigabyte smiled horribly and slowly floated up to him.
The new virus grasped Talon by the forelock, unsheathed his claws and got ready for the deathblow.
"DON'T YOU THINK YOU SHOULD FINSH ALL YOUR JOBS BEFORE YOU START ANOTHER?" called out Ray.
The Search Engine floated on his baud just above Gigabyte's head and smiled contemptuously down at the abomination. Ray Tracer made a rude sign and zipped off.
The virus snarled and flew off after Ray. Gigabyte was so angry he didn't see he was flying straight into a trap. Ray landed in the middle of a town square; tall buildings surrounded him on all sides. The virus flew down on him. Before Gigabyte reached the ground Ray rolled out of the way.
"Now!" shouted Ray.
From the shadows both Guardians stepped out and bound the abomination from head to foot in energy bonds. The virus screamed and strained at his bonds, it wasn't going to hold him for long.
"Dot file lock Gigabyte now!" shouted out Bob.
Being the Command Dot Com, Dot had the power to file lock any program in her system as long as it held still. Pulling the glowing program from her clothes she threw it Gigabyte. It engulfed the virus in a white light. Gigabyte didn't even have time to scream as the program collapsed in on itself trapping the virus in a prison the size of a baseball.
"Well that about wraps it up," said Matrix smugly.
With a hideous roar Gigabyte broke free of his prison.
"Fall back, fall back," ordered Turbo. The others didn't need to be asked twice as they ran back to the Lair.
Gigabyte's Mind
In dark quiet place, Hexadecimal hid herself from the horrors that were happening outside. She curled up in a tight little ball and tried to shut out all thought and feeling.
Lost Angles
While the others ran as fast as they could from Gigabyte Hack and Slash flew Dr. Chandra right to the abomination.
"You're crazy," said Slash.
"Absolutely random, Megabyte's I mean Gigabyte's gonna destroy you," said Hack.
"Totally delete you."
"I just said that!"
"Guys log off I have a plan," said an exasperated Chandra.
"But where's your weapon?" asked Slash.
"Yeah watcha packing?" said Hack.
" None I don't need any!" replied Chandra.
"WHAT?!" they both said together.
Before she could explain they were right there. The trio landed right in front of Matrix who had tripped over a rock. Gigabyte smirked as he loomed over the group. Matrix cocked his gun and ordered Chandra to get down. The doctor merely waved for Hack and Slash to take the swearing Matrix away. The virus was about to follow when Chandra stepped in his way.
"Hexadecimal I know you're in there. Stop this madness now!" ordered the old woman.
"Hexadecimal is deleted, I'm in control here," sneered Gigabyte.
"I don't believe that. Hex I know why you try and hide your feelings you're afraid of being overwhelmed by them losing control."
"Old woman I am in control!" roared Gigabyte.
The group of sprites by this time had stopped running and watched the pair intently. Bob stepped forward to try and help his old friend but Mouse held him back. She shook her head signalling to Bob that she had faith in Chandra's plan.
"Hex you shouldn't be afraid of your feelings they are the source of your power. You're a passionate being by nature it is your strength. It has brought you this far, turned you into a hero. Don't let Megabyte destroy all you've worked for don't let him manipulate you again take control, use your feelings. Go to your dark place, use your anger, your hatred break free. You hate Megabyte, you hate being trapped. Don't let him chain you like he did before. You have the power don't be afraid of using it."
Gigabyte clamped his hands on his head and roared but this time in was in Hex's voice. Thousands of masks flew in from the Lair and surrounded the virus. They melted into the monster as it desperately tried to swat them away. Finally when they were all gone Gigabyte fell to his knees. His torso rippled and twisted as he split in two. Bits and pieces fell off of him. Chandra could make out two forms, one large and male and a smaller more familiar female form.
Megabyte desperately clawed at the female. Trying to pull himself together. Trying to stay in control but Hex pulled back away from him with even greater strength. Finally with a spurt of viral blood the girl was free. She collapsed exhausted and wet on the ground. Megabyte scrabbled forward to try and remerge with his sister but a bolt of energy struck him down and encased him like a fly in amber.
Chandra whirled around and saw Bob with his left arm raised, his key tool smoking. An expression of utter loathing was on his face.
She surveyed the scene Megabyte struggled against the bubble he was trapped in. The shrink could see the virus suffered the brunt of the damage from Hexadecimal's forced separation. As for the girl, she had come to, she looked at her hands, which were covered in blood. Hex started to cry small hiccups at first then sobs wracked her body. The sprites stared a little while in amazement at what happened.
The old woman held the girl to her chest as continued sobbing. She could feel the girl shiver, in the first symptoms of shock. Bob her old patient searched desperately for something to cover the girl with.
"Rom, she's in shock give her your coat," pleaded Bob.
Rom merely shook his head not willing to help Hex anymore not after what he found out. He turned away.
"Rom, if it weren't for her we'd all be deleted, Rom!" called out Bob.
The young Guardian was about to continue begging when Turbo put a hand on his shoulder. "Forget about it son, I'll handle this."
The Prime Guardian stepped up to where Chandra held the girl. "May I?" he asked and with a tenderness that he thought he'd never show to a virus a picked the girl up in his arms and used Copeland, his own key tool, to form an energy blanket around her.
"Take her to the Lost Angles hospital all the equipment should be intact there," said Chandra.