Authors Notes: I'm about to put up the rest of this part! So be patient!

Of Smoke and Steam

Fractured Code

Chapter 5

My baby

Min woke up early as usual. Having felt Inky pull away from him. He was having the most pleasant dream. About tea, sunhats, and even a dress. He did so love sun hats. He pulled the ham from the fridge and started to set up to make ham and cheese omelets. One of Inkys favorites. He sat back picking up the whisk and began to hum as he made them. Placing two plates on the table and walked into the bedroom seeing that Cryptor was waking up and the shower was in use. Mindroid decided to go snatch Inky. He looked around trying to spot Inky in the garden. Their were so many cherry blossoms and willow trees it was hard to see where anyone was. You couldn't see the ocean from where he was either. All he could see was a fountain, with a few birds in a bird bath. Actually it was pretty peaceful. He hoped this didn't bother anyone but…

Mindroid whistled really loud. This was normally his warning sign for Inky back when the city was in turmoil. Inky was supposed to come to him instantly if she heard it. However...today wasn't one of those days. He stood there for a moment looking around for any signs of her. Perhaps she was down by the beach again? Mindroid ran around the other side and looked. Inky wasn't there. He looked around and spotted something. A small plum of smoke coming from a brick building in the back of the garden. Perhaps she was there talking to the artist. Once again running into the garden and slowly walked toward the back. He looked within the room. He let off a little yoohoo whistle and his optics flashed. Standing there within the kilm was Inky. What clued him into the fact that she was human were the tears. She couldn't move. He ran forward and tried to pick her up. She was so heavy. He tapped his ear piece and whistled frantically.

Inky made muffling noises. At least she wasn't cooked all to long. She seemed to have only just been put in there. Mindroid reached up running his fingers along her face. Trying his best to move the tears out of the way. He heard fast footfalls on the sand. He turned to look up at Cryptor and Zareth who took one look at Inky. Cryptor scanned her and motioned for them to follow him.

"Her body structure is just cosmetic for now. But it looks like the clay is spreading slowly. We'll need to find the man who did this."

"Kade…" Zareth said hatefully.

"I'll go pay him a visit. In the meantime...keep her moist." Cryptor said and motioned for Zareth and Mindroid to carry the poor teen into the bungalow.

Cryptor beat on the mans door and waited. Soon enough the door opened. Cryptor looked down at an old woman.

"Oh good afternoon." The woman was shaky and very old. Cryptor leaned down to look at the woman.

"Good afternoon madam." He reached up for his police cap, but it wasn't there. He gasped and cleared his throat. "I'm here looking for the owner of the inn. I'm afraid something happened that requires his attention."

"Oh dear I'm afraid he's only just left. Theirs an artist convention and he really must attend to show off his late wife's work of art. Its being featured there as a memorial. If you hurry you might catch him." She said and gasped as Cryptor turned and ran back toward the bungalow.

Cryptor looked on seeing that Inky was at least resting now. Light snores could be heard.

"It looks like she's pretty weak from what happened. But luckily the ink isn't allowing for the clay to harden quickly.

"Min...keep an eye on Inky. Zareth and I have a job to do."

"Oh?" Zareth looked rather interested in seeing just what this nindroid had anything to do with him. Although he was very thankful for him for looking after his Inky while he and Danny were in the rift. He still had no clue why he decided to go with him and Inky...him and his pet rat.

"The guys gone to some convention. If we hurry we can catch him." Cryptor said. "He might know how to fix this!" Cryptor said and stopped seeing Zareth pick up the suitcase. "It'll be quicker without that."

"No…" Zareth ran his thumb over the top of the suitcase. "Take care of her for me Min!" Zareth waved over his shoulder.