Laika frowned, "Netto, you really need to stay awake," he said, trying to prod Netto out of the sleeping position he was in.

"But…" Netto said.

"No buts," Laika muttered. "Wake up."

Netto groaned and stirred, "But…" he tried again.

"I will pour another glass of water over your head," Laika warned him.

Netto sat up, "All right, I'm up," he said. Then he yawned, "Kinda."

"Netto…" Laika sighed.

"I'm sorry," Netto said rubbing his head, "But I can't help it."

Laika nodded, "I know, but giving into it won't do you any good."

Netto glared at him, "Who said I was giving up?" he snapped.

Laika held up his hands, "No one," he said. "I was just saying that you need to try a little harder."

Netto glared at him.

"That didn't come out right," Laika sighed. "Look…"

Netto shook his head, "I get what you're saying," he said. "But you're digging yourself further and further into your own grave."

Laika rubbed his head, "I'm not good at the inspirational talk."

"I noticed," Netto said dryly. "Than again, you never have been."

Laika shrugged, "I never pretended I was," he said.

Netto shook his head, "I know. Laika, you know when I first met you, you were possibly the biggest jerk I have ever met."

Laika blinked, then his expression soured. "I didn't know I made that big of an impression," he told Netto.

Netto smirked, "Laika, you know that when Videoman and I were fighting that day, I almost died? It wasn't you coming in on a loosing battle; it was you coming in on a lost battle. When you said what you did it was possibly the rudest thing you could have possibly said at the time."

"I know," Laika said simply.

Netto growled, "Now look," he said angrily. "I know that you know you were a jerk, but do you honestly have to keep up the tough guy act all the time?"

Laika frowned, "I don't act tough."

"Okay, but you act cold and heatless," Netto said.

"Ouch," Laika replied with no emotion what so ever in his voice.

Netto glared at him, "You're mocking me," he said.

Laika shook his head, "No I'm not, but you're not taking my answer seriously. I don't act tough, I act the way I am because of who I am. And that's going to have to be good enough for you or too bad."

Netto rolled his eyes, "You must piss off so many of your superiors with that attitude."

Laika gave Netto a half grin, "You have no idea," he said.

Netto shook his head, "You… are amazing," he said finally.

"And you aren't?" Laika asked in return. "You who has possibly broken every single rule you possibly could and you still remain a high ranking net savior?"

Netto shrugged, "Rockman and I are too good to let go."

"Now who has the superior attitude," Laika pointed out.

Netto frowned, "It's not a way of thinking," he said. "I do what I do when I think that making the right decision is more important than following some dumb rule."

Laika nodded, "I believe that. You certainly are the kind of person to think like that."

"Thank you… I think," Netto said.

"It was a compliment," Laika said with a small grin.

Netto laughed slightly, "You can give compliments?"

"When I feel someone deserves them, yes," Laika said.

Netto yawned, "Well then, isn't that a surprise," he said.

"Netto?" Laika asked.

Netto felt himself fall into Laika's lap. "I'm really tired," he said.

Laika shook Netto on the arm, "You can't. Come on Netto, stay awake," he said.

"I can't…" Netto groaned. "Whatever it is…" his voice trailed off.

"Netto?" Laika asked.

Netto shut his eyed and opened them, "I'm trying," he hissed. "The Virus just… did something…"

Laika forced Netto to sit up, "Come on Netto, what happened to not giving in."

Netto's ears went back, "There is a difference between giving in and being forced to do so against your will," he said.

"What?" Laika asked him.

Netto looked up at Laika with as much indifference as he could manage, "Laika, in case you haven't noticed, the virus has more control of my systems then is probably healthy for a human. I can't fight against the program…"

Laika shook his head, "Yes you can," he said. "Or I'll dunk you into a freezing cold pool to wake you up."

"You wouldn't dare…" Netto said.

"I would," Laika replied. "If it kept you awake."

/Netto-kun/ Rockman called.

/Rockman… you're awake/ Netto replied.

/Awake? I don't know, I can't move/ he said.

Netto gave a half hiss/No wonder I can't stay awake. Did cutting you off from the internet do anything/

/Not enough to make any difference/ Rockman said. /Netto-kun, what's wrong/

/Rockman, the virus…/ Netto tried to find the right way to word it, but Rockman understood.

/It's all right, Netto-kun/ Rockman said.

/I can't stay awake/ Netto said slowly.

He could feel Rockman's concern/Netto-kun, you shouldn't fall asleep./

Netto could hear Rockman's mental voice getting more distant/Rockman/ he asked.

/Netto-kun… answer me/ Rockman said.

Netto shook his head and Laika supported him as he almost slid off the couch, "Netto!" Laika said directly into his head, knowing it would make him wake up a little.

Netto couldn't even move, let alone reply to Laika. Instead he gave into his whims to fall asleep even though Laika was shaking him the whole time.

Laika felt Netto go limp and the first thing he did was check Netto's pulse, just in case. It was strong but he knew that if Netto remained completely under the viruses control for too long, that could very well change. He played with the idea of turning on his PET but then he decided against it as it might only make matters worse.

Laika laid Netto on the couch and covered him up before walking very quickly to his computer and opening up a video feed to Leon's computer. Leon answered with a shaky grin, "All the navis are under the program's control. Is Netto-kun…"

Laika nodded, "I couldn't keep him awake. Leon, what in the hell is going on here?"

"The virus is mutating, growing. Once it receives sufficient energy for it's power up I suspect everyone will wake up, but…"

"When will that be?" Laika snapped.

Leon sighed and rubbed his head, "Laika, I don't know. This virus is playing a survival of the fittest game with humanity and currently it's winning. The more we throw at it, the more it mutates to overcome us."

Laika hissed through his teeth. "This thing is becoming more then a nuisance," he said.

"You're telling me!" Leon said. "Humanity can't go on without navis. The idea isn't even conceivable at this point. But the Virus is growing and growing meanwhile every nation is running around blaming the other and Electopia is taking all the heat. The outside world isn't pretty right now, Laika."

"Yeah, my world isn't very happy right now either," Laika snapped. "Isn't there something, anything we can do?"

Leon shook his head, "Keep trying to wake Netto-kun up. And I'll keep you posted."

Laika looked quite upset but didn't say anything.

Leon sighed, "I'm sorry Laika," he said and cut off the connection.

"Damnit," Laika hissed and stood up. He needed to do something and fast, Netto saved him and now it was his turn.