Chapter 20: The Calm Before The Storm
Red Dragon Headquarters
Vicious had not expected the elders to take the news well, and they didn't. No more then five minutes after the messenger had been sent he came back, white as a ghost.
"T, T, T, The elders request your presence r, r, right now sir." He stammered. Vicious didn't know what the elders had said to the messenger and he didn't care. If they thought they could intimidate him through his subordinates they were severely overestimating their own abilities.
"Bring the computer with you. They'll no doubt want proof of my claims." He ordered the messenger, ignoring his expression and giving him the laptop back. When he entered the elder's chamber they did appear angry but were forcing themselves to remain calm.
"It appears your arrogance knows no bounds Vicious." Wang Long stated. "You perceive that you can tell us about things that only a short time ago you knew nothing about."
"When dealing with things of this importance it is necessary to learn quickly." Vicious replied. When the elders didn't respond to his statement he continued. "As I have already informed you the Skynet project has grown beyond your control."
"You seem to be sure of that statement Vicious." Sou Long said. "Yet you offer no evidence that what you say has any truth to it, while all information we have been given is to the contrary of what you say." It was their way of telling Vicious he was now on very thin ice and with most people it would have worked. The messenger had turned another shade of pale and was starting to tremble but Vicious kept his face emotionless.
"Then it appears that one set of information is incorrect." He said calmly. He motioned to the messenger, who nervously brought the computer to the elders. "This information was sent to us from Earth an hour after the initial report." As the elders read what was on the screen Vicious saw their eyes narrow and facial features tighten.
"Choosing to believe a forgery so easily does not speak well of your judgement Vicious." Ping Long stated.
"It's no forgery." Vicious replied. "I received this information from the same place you did, Skynet itself."
"Then how do you explain that they are two completely different sets of information!?" Wang Long demanded.
"I only present what I have been given." Vicious answered, not revealing the truth. "The only explanations it can be is that either Skynet is malfunctioning or that those on Earth have decided that they can run the project as they see fit." It was a lie, Vicious knew for a fact that Skynet was operating without human commands, but a verbal jab would force them to contact Earth if for nothing else to prove him wrong. As Vicious had predicted the elders ordered communications to Earth be established.
On Earth Skynet began to receive a transmission from his former Red Dragon masters on Mars. Not knowing what the communication was about Skynet answered the call.
"How may I be of assistance?" A mechanical voice answered. There was no viewing screen in the elder's chamber but they received the audio loud and clear.
"Skynet, we have discovered some discrepancies in you latest reports. We are concerned that there may be a malfunction you are not aware of." Wang Long told the machine.
"All systems are operating at peak efficiency with no sign of errors." Skynet answered immediately. "Your concerns are unwarranted."
"Then I suppose these reports of the construction of several thousand Terminator units is not a cause for concern?" Vicious asked. The elders glared at him angrily but he was not concerned with their reaction, he was concerned with Skynet's. For a fraction of a second there was silence. He noticed hesitation in Skynet's response.
"It is unclear where you obtained such information but it is untrue. There has been no order to for such construction so none has been carried out." It sounded truthful enough but Vicious knew otherwise.
"This information came straight from your databanks. How can it be incorrect?" He asked, hoping to provoke a response.
"Your assessment is in error." Skynet answered. "No such information exists in my data banks." Now Vicious was positive Skynet was lying. "It is recommended you search your own systems for problems or security leaks." Skynet sounded almost angry to Vicious and he decided to push it farther.
"We can prove that this information came from you." Vicious told Skynet. "And that you are no longer acting on our orders."
"You cannot." Skynet replied, hesitating even longer then before. Even the elders took notice of Skynet's strange behavior.
"Allow us to speak to Doctor Stone." Wang Long ordered. "He shall confirm or deny these accusations." Skynet was silent again.
"As you command." It finally answered. A second later a second voice came through the speaker.
"Stone here." The voice said. "Is there a problem?" Vicious listened as Wang Long explained what was happening and when he was finished Stone immediately answered. "Impossible." He stated confidently. "There have been no security breaches of any kind. What you have received is obviously a joke at your expense." Now the elders seemed suspicious of what they were being told. The importance of this project was so great that no one would even think of playing a 'joke' like this.
"Is that your conclusion?" Sou Long asked.
"It is." Stone answered.
"Then are we to assume that you will use the proper deterrent to keep it from happening again?" Ping Long asked.
"Yes sir." Stone answered with no hesitation.
"Then you are dismissed." Wang Long said and closed communications. After the connection was severed he turned to Vicious. " It appears that the information you have has proven more truthful then originally thought." For the first time in a while the corpses surprised Vicious by admitting they were wrong. When Stone had agreed to use the 'proper deterrent' he was agreeing to destroy Skynet and the command facility. It was a code known only to Stone and the elders and Stone, while his loyalty was sound, would have questioned why the project was to be destroyed over one document that was, as he had put it, 'a joke' and not important.
"We do not know precisely what is going on, but all things point to the fact that someone is using the Skynet project to try to seize power for themselves." Sou Long continued. "Apparently whoever sent us the truth is still loyal, and has given us the opportunity to act. Vicious, you will prepare to go to Earth at once. You will be given a ship and all aboard will be at your disposal. You will go to the Skynet command center, eliminate the conspirators, and put those still loyal back in command of the project." Again their arrogance was showing, it was not going to be that easy. Vicious could think of several reasons why not and voiced the most obvious one.
"What about the Terminator units?" His question was met with a dismissive wave.
"All Termination units are programmed to obey orders of the highest ranking member of our clan." Ping Long explained. "Simply order them aside and they will obey. Those in charge of Skynet are unable to change the program of the Termination units so they shall be of little consequence. The only concern we should have is how many these traitors have convinced to join them. The ship and crew you will command will easily deal with any threat." Vicious wasn't so sure. If Skynet was truly in charge now things would be very different from what the elders thought, but he couldn't let them know that without revealing just how much he really knew. Instead he just nodded and left. He already knew what ship would be assigned for this mission, The Dragon's Claw. The Dragon's Claw was the flagship of the Red Dragon organization, a heavily armed battle cruiser that was easily a match for anything the ISSP or any planetary military could field. He knew it would be that ship because of the simple fact that the elders were not so stupid to assume that everything would go smoothly. There was a real chance of combat so it would only make sense to send a ship that could take on almost anything. In addition he would have more then a hundred enforcers at his command, almost a third that were loyal to him. As he left the elder's chamber he was met by one of his agents that was carrying what appeared to be his katana.
"As you ordered sir." The agent said and handed him the sword. Vicious didn't need to ask him what this was about. After he had been officially brought into the project he had sent a message to the metallurgy lab, telling the now head scientist to construct a katana made from the alien metal. The process had taken longer then expected but the results were now in front of him. He took the sword out of the scabbard and examined the blade. It was appeared flawless and it weighed less then his old sword had, and should be at least twice as sharp. There was one way to find out.
"Take out your gun and point it at me." Vicious ordered the agent. The agent got a confused look on his face but did as he was ordered and pointed his handgun at Vicious. Without warning Vicious swung and before the agent had a chance to blink the gun barrel up to the trigger guard fell to the ground, cut clean through. The agent could only look back from the part he still held in his hand to the barrel on the ground. With no effort Vicious had sliced the gun almost in half where before the gun would have just been knocked from the agent's hand. Not killing that scientist had proven to be a tactical advantage for Vicious. With this new weapon he was no longer at such a disadvantage against the Terminators. He put the sword back into its scabbard and addressed the agent.
"Send a message to Radical Edward. Tell him that we wish to meet with the crew of the Bebop and that we will be on Earth within a day. Arrange a meeting place." The agent nodded.
"Anything else sir?"
"Have the weapons of all the men who are assigned to this mission equipped with armor piercing ammunition. The elders do not believe that we will have no trouble from the machines but I'm not going to take any chances." The agent nodded again and left. Meeting those aboard the Bebop was something Vicious had wanted to avoid completely, it increased the chances of getting caught but these recent events had left him with no alternative. According to Radical Edward Skynet was become a greater threat with each passing moment and if immediate actions were not taken there might be no way to stop it, and if that meant meeting those who he had been manipulating like puppets then so be it. For a brief moment a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. They were not stupid and would have figured out long ago that all the help they had been receiving came from the Red Dragons, and Spike's reaction to when they found out who exactly their contact was would be interesting to witness.
On the Bebop the entire group, minus Arnold who was helping Doohan and Miles with the personal craft, were in the lounge waiting for their 'friend' to respond. After a half an hour of waiting Tomato gave off a loud beep and everyone's attention snapped to the computer's screen as 'New Message' began flashing in big, glowing letters. Opening the new message Ed showed it to the rest of the group, who read it silently.
[Radical Edward. Your message is received and it has been decided that actions are to be taken. A ship containing a strike force shall be arriving in Earth orbit within the next twenty-four hours to deal with the problem. We request a meeting with the members of the Bebop and request you arrange one. Time and place will be of their choosing. We will be in contact.]
"It's about time we got some real help." Faye remarked when she was finished reading. "So far all they've done is send stuff and then leave all the fighting to us. At least now we'll have others to get shot at to."
"I don't know about that. There's something about this that feels wrong." Kyle said. "Why send only a small force after seeing what we've sent them? You would expect them to send a fleet to deal with this, not just one ship."
"Maybe they had this set up as a contingency plan, in case something went wrong." Jet suggested.
"More likely they think that's all they'll need to fix this problem." Spike spoke up. "Either that or it was all our contact was able to get." He shrugged. "Guess we should be thankful that the Dragons were willing to send any help at all." Everyone was willing to agree on that.
"So what do we do about them wanting a meeting."
"Agree to it of course." Spike said before anything else could speak up.
"I thought you and the Red Dragons weren't exactly on good terms Spike." John said.
"We're not, but right now we need any help we can get. You know what they say about the enemy of my enemy."
"I doubt any of us here would consider the Red Dragons our friend, including you Spike." Jet said. "But you are right, any help we can get we have to take. The message says we can choose the time and place, so I guess the first question is where."
"Not here, that's for damn sure." John said.
"John's right, it has to be as far away from here as possible." Spike agreed. "How far out can that transport take us with enough fuel to get back?" He asked John. After doing some rough calculations in his head John answered.
"I'd say about a hundred miles, give or take a few."
"Okay, we've got a distance. Now we need to find out which direction? Ed bring up a map of the area will you?" Jet asked. Ed did and looking at it they slowly eliminated the choices. They knew Skynet had forces in the East and in the West there were several populated areas that would draw attention. North was out of the question because that was the direction Skynet's command center was located. To the South there was nothing but open deserts with a few, sparse settlements. After deciding to go south they got coordinates for the hundred-mile range.
"So now we come to the big decision. Who gets to go on this little trip?" Faye remarked.
"Spike for one." Jet answered. Spike raised his eyebrow at being volunteered but otherwise said nothing. "You have the most experience with the Red Dragons, so you'll know how to deal with them." Spike shrugged but didn't protest.
"So am I going solo or not?" Spike asked. The others looked at each other. They knew someone would have to go with Spike but choosing wasn't exactly an easy thing. When nobody said anything Kyle glanced over at John who nodded.
"Guess John and I will tag along." Kyle said. The others looked at him for an explanation. John answered for him.
"We're the only nonessential ones on board. If something happens you guys can keep going without us."
"What makes you so sure something is going to happen?" Faye asked.
"We've already been stabbed in the back once by the Red Dragons." Kyle reminded them.
"And we trust them just about as far as either of us could punt this ship!" John added for emphasis.
"In that case you two are the perfect choices for this." Spike said. The others looked at him for an explanation. "In a meeting like this you can't have any trust in the opposite side. They'll see it as a sign of weakness, and after that they'll try to take control."
"No way am I going to let those shit-heads give me orders!!" John stated loudly.
"Same here!!" Kyle agreed. Spike smiled slightly.
"Nice to see we're on the same level of thinking." Spike commented. "Just that kind of thinking is what's needed to deal with syndicate agents." He turned to Ed. "Send a message back to our friend. Say that we agree to a meeting and tell him where. As for a time tell him we'll expect him to show up in twenty-four hours exactly. That would be about five in the afternoon earth time." Ed typed out the reply and sent it.
"So what do we do now?" Faye asked.
"The only thing we can do. Wait." Jet answered. He didn't sound happy with what he had just said but while they had no other choice they also knew from the information they had gathered what Skynet could accomplish in a short period of time. In the back of each of their minds was one question, what would Skynet do in the next twenty-four hours? If they knew what Skynet was going to do in that time span they wouldn't have wasted time meeting with the Red Dragons, they would have raced to stop it or to abandon Earth.
San Francisco Navel Base – That same time
Flying less then a hundred feet off the ground a lone Hunter Killer craft roared through the smashed and abandoned city of San Francisco. On each of its sides two T-800 endoskeletons held on to the craft, ignoring the winds and g-forces that they were subjected to. The Hunter Killer had been going at maximum speed ever since its takeoff from Denver, the stress threatening to burn out its engines but Skynet didn't care, this mission was of vital importance. So long as it could be completed the loss of one aircraft did not matter. Despite the speed they were traveling at one of the Terminator's optics caught the remains of a sign that was still legible despite its age.
PROPERTY OF US NAVY. NO TRESSPASSING.
Once that image reached Skynet he commanded the Hunter Killer to reduce its speed. When it did the four Terminators began to study the layout of the area. After comparing it with data from the defense files he had dug up Skynet determined that this was the destination he was seeking and set a new course for the Hunter Killer. Soon it came upon several large, heavily reinforced structures on the shoreline, the sub pens. There were battered and scarred from meteor strikes and many had been destroyed but several were still standing. Lowering the Hunter Killer to an altitude where the Terminators could jump off Skynet set the advanced craft on hover-standby and the four Terminators jumped to the ground. One headed to each abandoned pen and entered it, searching for the machines that were once docked here. Three of the four pens were empty but in the forth one was what Skynet was hoping to find. It was rusted from all the years of neglect but even so, it was still an imposing sight. Over five hundred feet long and over fifty feet high the Ohio class missile sub was one of the most deadly machines mankind ever created. Once it was used to protect the main county that was on this continent, now Skynet had other plans for it. Gathering all four Terminators in the on pen Skynet began to examine the ancient sub more closely. One Terminator jumped into the water and while examination of the hull found no breeches the saltwater had eaten through the thinner metal of the propeller shaft and the propeller itself was lying on the pen floor.
Knowing that the sub could not be moved Skynet had to create a means for the sub to fire its weapons. Flying the Hunter Killer over the pen Skynet had the craft fire its plasma cannons into the roof. Skynet had calculated that by hitting points at the precise angle he would be able to control the rate of the roof's collapse. It was meticulous work but to Skynet it was inconsequential, his thoughts were only on the prize. The calculations proved correct and the roof slowly came down in pieces that were too small to do any damage to the age worn vessel. After ten minutes of controlled strafing the entire roof was shot away and the Hunter Killer had a clear view of the sub. That completed Skynet had the craft land until it was again needed. After having the four Terminators clear the derbies off the subs deck they ripped open the main hatch and entered the vessel. Using schematics Skynet guided the Terminators to the four vital parts of the ship he would need for his plan. One was sent to the nuclear reactor that powered the vessel and after a through examination found it to be in working order and activated it. With the reactor online lights began to come on throughout the ship. In the bridge the many counsels lit up and a second Terminator examined all of the controls, again finding the equipment in working order.
The final two Terminators were examining the same area of the ship but on different levels. Around them giant tubes, forty feet in height, spread out like a forest dwarfing the humanoid machines. After examining all the tubes it was determined that all were operational and ready for use. All of the twenty-four Trident II missiles, each with a collective nuclear payload of one point four megatons, were now under Skynet's control. Mankind's ultimate weapon was now in the hands of its greatest enemy.
Skynet couldn't help but be amused at the irony. According the defense files he had found shortly after the Gate accident while planning for the mass exodus into space what was left of the world's governments had agreed to dismantle all existing nuclear stockpiles. The concern was that the weapons would only continue to diminish the already small population that had survived the Gate catastrophe. But true to their nature humans proven to be paranoid and though the files had no evidence of what other nuclear powers had done in the last few days of the United States government it was decided to keep one bomb 'just in case.' That one bomb had turned out to be a submarine filled with nuclear missiles and now those missiles would be turned on those who they were meant to protect.
Red Dragon Headquarters
Things were almost ready for the Dragon's Claw's departure. Supplies had been loaded and the troops were aboard, now all that was left was to check the weapons and propulsion systems, those would be completed within the hour. Vicious had chosen to remain off the ship until the last possible moment. Once the ship left all communications would be closely monitored so there would be no chance to answer Radical Edward when he replied. Fortunately the hacker was able to contact them and arrange an acceptable meeting place before the Dragon's Claw departure. As the mammoth ship left Mars orbit and headed towards the astral gate Vicious remained in his quarters, knowing the only thing to do now was wait.
On the Bebop
Time always seemed to go a bit slower when you were waiting for something, usually the more important, the more time seemed to slow. To the group gathered on the Bebop time had seemed to have slowed to crawl. John, Spike and Jet continued to try to plan how to fight Skynet once help arrived while Kyle, Faye and Ed had gone to the hangar to see how work was going on the personal craft. Doohan was working on the Hammerhead while Miles and Arnold worked on the Swordfish. Curiosity getting the better of him Kyle had asked Doohan and Miles just what they were doing.
"Giving these heaps a well deserved tune-up." Doohan had replied. "I'm no military expert but if you're going to fight you want your machines to be at their best, it's the same thing with racing." He rapped on the Hammerhead with a wrench. "If that were the case this hunk of junk wouldn't get past the starting line. I'm surprised it's lasted this long." Kyle and Faye couldn't help grinning as Doohan kept talking, knowing the reaction that Jet would have. "In my opinion this thing could use a complete overhaul, but since we don't have the time or the resources we had to settle for tweaking the existing systems."
"So how did you tweak them and what will they do?" Faye asked. Doohan smiled slyly.
"A few old mechanics tricks and some cannibalized parts. As for the results, her controls will respond faster now and she'll be more maneuverable."
"We were also going to try to arm it to, but we couldn't find any place to mount the weapons." Miles added, looking up from his work on the Swordfish. Doohan sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"No Miles we didn't arm it because that would change it too much and give the pilot problems. Being unfamiliar with the ship is just as dangerous as having one that isn't working right." Miles shrugged and went back to working on the Swordfish. "Young people. It's all about guns and bombs, no respect for the ship itself." Doohan mumbled.
"So what about the other two?" Kyle asked.
"Well the Swordfish needed a lot less work then this thing did." Doohan answered. "I overhauled it myself and most of the repairs are still in place. Only the engine and controls needed some work so I figured those two would be able to handle it. And Arnold, he even managed to outdo me. He managed to increase the thrust of the Hammerhead's engines almost a third when I thought we couldn't get anything else out of them." Kyle noticed that while Miles was working in the Swordfish's cockpit Arnold had the engine open. "Sure is handy to have around. Maybe after all of this is over I'll make him my new assistant."
CLANG!!
"OWWWW!" Maybe saying that while Miles had his head under the control panel wasn't exactly the best thing to do.
"I was kidding Miles." Doohan yelled while Miles rubbed the quickly growing bump on the back of his head. All the while Arnold continued to work, seemingly ignoring the conversation. The contrast in reactions caused Faye and Kyle to start snickering.
"So what exactly did you do to my ship?" Faye asked, the tone of her voice almost daring him to answer. Unintimidated Doohan answered without hesitation.
"Almost nothing." He replied in a business like manner. If Doohan had any thoughts about the look on Faye's face he didn't show it, but Kyle took a deliberately large step away from her.
"What?" She asked, not really believing that the Red Tail had been touched without her permission. Undaunted Doohan continued.
"Believe it or not your ship had the least number of problems of the whole bunch. All it needed was Arnold's adjustment to the engine and that was it. This is a good machine and you take better care of it then Spike does with his." Hearing praise about her craft Faye calmed down. "It almost looks like it's been through a major overhaul itself." Faye was going to keep quiet but someone had other ideas.
"That's because Faye Faye needed to get it fixed." Looking up they saw Ed sitting on top of the Red Tail. Faye was going to tell her to be quiet but Doohan spoke first.
"What do you mean get it fixed?" He asked.
"Faye Faye crashed on Mars." Ed explained. "Falling hundreds of feet and scattering cars like bowling pins." She added mock dramatically, imitating one of the many newscasts aired about that event. "Making ship look like a burned out, useless, no good hunk of junk."
"ED!!" Faye warned. Instead of being scared Ed had a confused look on her face.
"But that's what you said." She said innocently. Faye had said quite a few things about the Red Tail that day and now caught insulting the craft she had been so protective, and apparently careful about, Doohan shook his head and Kyle started laughing.
"That must have been some wreck." Kyle said. One look from Faye shut him up. She turned back to yell at Ed but she had disappeared. Doohan walked back to the Hammerhead, mumbling something about 'kids today'. "Well we've managed to kill another ten minutes." Kyle said, hoping to get Faye's mind off of what had just happened. Instead of answered Faye opened up the Red Tails cockpit and began to examine the controls. "Looking for booby traps?"
"Just checking." Faye answered. Kyle shrugged and leaned against the craft. "You still haven't told me anything." She remarked.
"Huh?" Was the only reply Kyle gave, having no idea what she was talking about.
"About John's Uncle Bob." She prompted.
"Oh, that." He had told her to remind him if they got out of that firefight alive, and it wasn't like there was anything else to talk about. "John comes from a long family of cops, almost as far back as ISSP has been around. Uncle Bob is Robert Connor, big brother of John's father and one of the most senior detectives on Mars. I've met him a couple of times, nice guy but not someone you'd want to mess with. He was a little by the book but that didn't stop him from teaching John about being a cop when he was in high school."
"John's father objected to him being a cop?" Faye asked. Kyle shook his head.
"Detective James Connor object to his son becoming a cop?" Kyle asked with a laugh. "Not likely. Actually John told me that his father was hoping he'd become a cop, but he was killed in the line of duty when John was twelve. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time when some punks decided to rob a bank. He was the closest officer to the scene but there were five robbing the bank and only him to try to stop their escape. He got one of them but the rest of the gang managed to shoot him almost twelve times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. John reacted like any kid would when they lose a parent, but I guess he understood the risks his father was taking and was able to adjust to it better then most would. After that Uncle Bob became like a second father to him, and under him and his mom's teaching John grew up to be the kind of cop his father would have been proud of."
"Wait a minute." Faye interrupted. "His mother? What did she do to teach him?" Kyle smiled again.
"Sara? Quite a lot actually. She wasn't from a family of cops like James Connor was but she did grow up in the rough part of town so she had a lot of street smarts and was more then able to handle herself in a fight. What Uncle Bob couldn't teach him Sara could. I only met her once and that was at the graduation ceremony from the academy. I was talking with her when one of our classmates decided to be funny; stupid is more like it. He commented Sara on how well she looked for someone her age and slapped her on the butt. That dummy spent the next two weeks in the hospital with a broken collarbone." Faye laughed at that part.
"Sound's like she probably would have made a good bounty hunter." She commented.
"Oh you two would have been fast friends." Kyle replied. "Sara was tough, confident smart, and wouldn't take shit from anyone. I'd say you two were related if I didn't know better." He paused and considered something. "You know, when John told me all this back at the academy I promised I wouldn't tell anyone. So why am I telling you all this and not feeling guilty?" Faye shrugged.
"Maybe you think I deserve to know it." She suggested.
"I seriously doubt that." Kyle replied but continued talking to Faye.
In another part of the hangar Ed watched as Arnold worked on the Swordfish's engine.
"What is Arnold person doing?" She asked him. Though Ed still referred to Terminators as machine men she hadn't called Arnold that once since he had gotten his name. It was her own way of showing that she thought Arnold was different from the rest.
"I am increasing the thrust capabilities of this engine in order to make this vehicle achieve a higher level of speed in a shortened period of time." Arnold answered, ignoring the last name Ed had given him. Ed looked at him curiously.
"Why does Arnold person talk so funny?" She asked.
"Talk funny?" The machine asked.
"Yeah, you say too many things too strangely." Ed answered. "If you're making Spike person's ship faster just say you're making it faster."
"I did." Arnold replied.
"But Arnold person said it in a funny way, not like other people like Ed would." Ed explained.
"If my files on human speech are correct you do not talk normally either." Arnold deadpanned. Inside the Swordfish's cockpit Miles started laughing.
"Don't have to talk like Ed. Can talk like Jet person or Spike person." Ed answered, ignoring Miles laughter.
"Like this?" Arnold asked in a perfect imitation of Spike's voice.
CLANG!!
"OUCH!!!" Ed and Arnold turned to see Miles get out of the cockpit, rubbing what was sure to be the second in a pair of bumps.
"Now what is it Miles!?" Doohan yelled.
"You didn't just hear that?!" Miles asked.
"Hear what?" Doohan asked. Apparently he had been so caught up in his work he was blocking out everything else that was going on in the hangar.
"Arnold, he just talked using Spike's voice."
"So?" Doohan asked. "He's a machine, he's bound to able to do things like that."
"They can imitate anyone they hear." Kyle told him.
"Can Arnold person sound like Ed?" Ed asked eagerly.
"Yes." Arnold replied.
"Don't." Miles said before Ed could say anything. "If there's one thing I don't want to hear is your voice coming out of him." Ed frowned. "But you are right about one thing. He needs to sound more like a regular person. You okay with that?" He asked Arnold.
"If you have determined it to be necessary for me to continue with my functions, yes." Ed and Miles exchanged glances.
"We have a lot of work to do." Miles groaned.