Chapter 8: A Message Of Hope
'Sam has a change of heart and is determined to help Inez escape from Sector. He has also broken his partnership with Hacker. What is going to happen now?'
Control Central
The scanner is continuing to look for Inez's life signs in cyberspace. Having searched the last and final cybersite in the realm of cyberspace, which is sensible flats, green letters now flash on the computer's screen saying: No search results found! Scanner turned up zero results!
"Inez's life signs can't be found anywhere in our cyberspace which means that I have to now open up a hyperspace portal and begin looking for her." Dr. Marbles sighs. "I was honestly hoping to avoid this option due to how much of control central's power I'm going to have to use just to perform the operation, but I don't have any other choice."
Pressing a few buttons on the control panel, the prompt to open the hyperspace portal appears on the screen, asking for permission to continue.
"If the hyperspace scan runs for the entire two hours, that will use half of the power here, which will be easy to restore once the operation is complete." Dr. Marbles calculates. "That should be all that's needed, provided that I don't have to run the scan for longer than that. Well, I better get this scanner started."
Before Dr. Marbles gives the computer permission to continue, the incoming call alert suddenly begins beeping.
"Doctor, I am receiving an incoming call from an unknown location." Motherboard informs the doc. "I'm going to put it through. It could help us with our search for Inez."
Dr. Marbles nods as Motherboard disappears from the main screen with an image of Inez appearing. Seeing Inez puts a smile on Dr. Marbles' face, knowing that one, he doesn't have to perform the energy draining operation and two, that Inez made contact with control central and that she appears to be free of injury. From Inez's end, she can see Dr. Marbles and all of control central clearly.
"Inez, thank goodness you are alright!" Dr. Marbles cheers, nearly in tears. "It is very good to see you and know that you are ok!"
"Likewise Dr. Marbles." Ines replies with a smile. "I thought I wouldn't see any of you guys ever again."
"Inez, where are you?" Dr. Marbles questions. "Please give me specific details."
"I'm on a cybersite called Sector." Inez answers. "It sits at the very edge of cyberspace. When I was pulled into the black hole, I was transported here."
"At least now we know where you are." Dr. Marbles says with a nod. "How exactly are you able to make contact? From what Matt and Jackie says, they haven't been able to reach you on your SWKAK."
"I haven't been able to reach them either." Inez replies. "Because of the location of this site, hardly any radio signals of any kind are able to reach the site and I'm able to contact you guys thanks to Sam."
"Who?" Dr. Marbles asks with a look of confusion.
"Sam." Inez repeats. "He is the prince over this entire site."
Sam appears on the screen and waves. Dr. Marbles waves back in a confused manner.
"Ok Inez, where exactly are you on Sector?" Dr. Marbles asks.
"I'm at Prince Sam's castle." Inez answers. "It's the only real establishment on the site."
Digit, who have just left from the spare room, now enters the main room and notices Inez on the main screen.
"Does my cyber-optics deceive me?" Digit questions, not believing that he is really seeing Inez. "Inez, is that really you?"
"Hiya Digit." Inez replies. "Yep, it's really me."
"It is you Inez!" Digit happily cries. "Thanks goodness you are alright! Matt and Jackie will be more than thrilled to find out about this! Where are you?"
"I'm on a cybersite called Sector." Inez answers.
"That's all I needed to know." Digit says.
Digit now runs off to the vault room to spread the good news to the remaining two teammates.
"Inez, stay where you are." Dr. Marbles instructs. "Once I locate Sector, I will send Matt and Jackie there right away to rescue you."
"You go it doc." Inez says. "Inez over and out!"
The transmission now ends with Motherboard reappearing on the screen.
"I am so glad that Inez was able to make contact with us and I am definitely glad that I don't have to perform the power consuming operation." Dr. Marbles says. "All I have to do now is locate Sector and Matt and Jackie will be on their way."
"This is very good news indeed." Motherboard says with a smile.
Digit, who have run off to tell Matt and Jackie the good news, now enters the vault room. He notices that Jackie is continuing to console Matt.
"I just wish I had a sign telling me that Inez is ok and well." Matt says as Jackie loosens her embrace.
"Today is your lucky day Matty." Digit speaks up, catching the two kids' attention. "Your sign just made an appearance. Inez just contacted us and she is alright!"
A smile instantly appears on Matt and Jackie's face, with Matt being the happier of the two.
"Where did she call from Digit?" Matt asks in an anxious tone.
"She called from a cybersite named Sector." Digit answers. "The doc is locating the site as we speak."
"I guess this is the sign you've been looking for." Jackie says as she turns to Matt.
"You can definitely say that." Matt agrees.
"Come on you two." Digit instructs. "It shouldn't take marbles' long to locate the site."
Matt, Jackie and Digit now exit the vault room and enters the main room, taking notice of Dr. Marbles at the main computer. Dr. Marbles has begun his search for the site Sector in cyberspace.
"Dr. Marbles, have you located Sector yet?" Matt asks anxiously.
"Matt and Jackie, just the two I've wanted to see." Dr. Marbles says as he turns to the two. "Inez just made contact with us, informing us of where she is. Once I locate Sector, I will be sending you two there to get her and I will be sending you two there through a special type of vortex."
"Why send us there through a vortex and not a portal?" Matt asks.
"Because if my prediction of how far Sector is from our location is correct, a portal wouldn't hold up over the amount of distance from here to Sector." Dr. Marbles answers as he turns back to the computer. "However, a vortex has the right amount of stability and has the right structure to hold up over even the longest distances in space."
The computer beeps, indicating that it has located Sector. A map of cyberspace now appears on the screen and makes a projected path from Control Central to Sector. The distance between the two points in space are very far apart.
"Just as I predicted." Dr. Marbles says as he reads the status of the projected path.
"What is it doc?" Jackie asks.
"The projected path from here to Sector is one light year." Dr. Marbles answers. "The vortex is our best and safest method for this type of mission."
"One or ten light years, nothing is going to stop us from bringing Inez back!" Matt speaks with determination.
"Ok, here is what is going to happen." Dr. Marbles begins. "I am going to open up a vortex from here to Sector using the UVO. Once the vortex is open, you have exactly one hour to locate and rescue Inez. If you don't make it out before that hour is up, the vortex will close on both sides, thus trapping you all there forever. I won't have any way of opening it from here once it closes so use that time very wisely."
"We won't even need the entire hour." Matt replies with confidence. "We'll find Inez in no time flat and be back here before you know it."
"Alright then." Dr. Marbles says as he types in a command. "One vortex coming right up."
Typing in the final code of the command and hitting enter, the UVO now lights up as the lights in control central begin to flicker. The flickering ends as a greenish blue portal opens in the middle of the room.
"This vortex will take you straight to Sector." Dr. Marbles explains. "Once you enter, the vortex will remain open until you return. Remember, you have exactly one hour to find Inez and get out before it closes. Once you return, I will be able to close the vortex."
"Good luck Cybermates." Motherboard greets to the kids. "I do wish for you a safe return with Inez."
"Thanks Mother B." Jackie greets back. "We're going to need it."
Matt and Jackie now enter the vortex and are on their way to Sector.
"I hope they make it back in enough time." Digit says with concern.
"Don't worry Digit." Dr. Marbles replies. "I have faith in knowing that they will return safely."
Sector
Sam has made contact with Hacker, informing him of his change of heart.
"What do you mean you changed your mind and you're letting her go?!" Hacker argues. "That was not part of the deal!"
"You heard me hacker!" Sam argues back. "The deal is off and I am letting Inez go!"
"You can't do this!" Hacker yells. "You can't go back on your word! We had a binding verbal agreement!"
"Well I'm breaking the agreement!" Sam replies. "By the way, nice hair Hacker. The charred and done look really suits you!"
Sam now ends the transmission and turns to Inez.
"Inez, once again I am so sorry about everything." Sam apologizes. "Especially trying to hold you here against your will. I should have never sided with hacker."
"It's alright Sam." Inez smiles. "You righted your wrong and that makes you alright in my book."
Sam now embraces Inez in a hug.
"Thank you so much Inez." Sam says as Inez returns the hug.
Loosening his embrace, Sam now catches with Inez's gaze.
"When you go back to where you belong, I'm really going to miss you." Sam confesses.
"I'm going to miss you too Sam." Inez replies. "You weren't that bad a guy after all."
"Hearing you say that really means a lot to me Inez." Sam says, keeping his gaze locked with Inez's. "Thank you so much."
"My friends should be here soon." Inez says. "I really want you to meet them. Come on."
Taking Sam by the hand, the two begins making their way to the exit/entrance of the castle.
Grim Wreaker
Hacker couldn't be more disgraced by Sam breaking their partnership.
"He can't do this!" Hacker yells as he slams his fists down on the control panel of the main computer, causing it to spark a bit. "He can NOT go back on his word and release that earth brat! Oh he is going to pay dearly for this! They ALL will pay for this! Buzz! Delete! Power up the transformatron! I have destruction to spread on a certain cybersite that will soon be nothing more than a pile of space junk when I'm done with it!"
"But boss, we don't have the NIC or that accelerator thingy." Delete says. "How are we going to power up the machine without either of those?"
"We don't need the NIC because I have a secret weapon that will do an even better job." Hacker replies. "Now power it up!"
Both robots obey and head over to the transformatron to get it started up. Walking over to his shelf, Hacker grabs a glass jar full of a silver substance that has a skull and crossbones warning label on the front of the jar. (Clearly, he has lost his mind)
"I will teach them to disappoint the hacker." Hacker says to himself.
Walking over to the transformatron, Hacker unscrews the lid of a canister that is attached to the machine and pours the silver substance into the canister. Screwing the lid back on, he presses a few buttons on the machine that causes the substance to be sucked into the main mechanism of the transformatron.
"Perfect." Hacker says in a victorious tone. "They will never know what hit them. Buzz! Delete! Set a course for Sector!"
"Right away boss." Both robot say in unison.
With the machine fired up, Hacker now steps into the transformation chamber as he is covered by a purple cloud.
Sector
The vortex Dr. Marbles has opened now opens on the site with Matt and Jackie exiting it.
"Man, what a ghost town." Matt says as he looks around.
"No kidding." Jackie agrees, also looking around. "There isn't a house or mall anywhere in sight."
"Now to find Inez and get out of here before the vortex closes." Matt says.
Sam and Inez, who have already left the castle, are outside looking for any signs of Matt and Jackie. Continuing to search, Sam now notices two kids off in the distance from them that he has never seen before on the site.
"By any chance, would those be the kids that you are looking for?" Sam asks and notifies Inez.
Turning in the direction Sam is looking in, Inez spots the two kids off in the distance and recognizes them to be her friends.
"Those are my friends!" Inez cheers. "Hey guys, over here!"
Matt and Jackie, who are also continuing on their search for Inez, hears someone calling out to them. Continuing to hear the voice, Matt and Jackie now turn around and spots Inez with a guy and the both of them are running towards them.
"Inez!" Matt shouts with overwhelming happiness.
Matt and Jackie begins running towards Inez and Sam with the gap between the kids closing rapidly. The gap between the kids now close as Matt and Jackie reach Sam and Inez with Matt embracing Inez in a hug, a very tight hug. (Another running through the flower field scene)
"Oh Inez, I never stopped worrying about you!" Matt says, almost in tears. "I am so glad that you are ok! I missed you so much!"
"Having…trouble…breathing…" Inez chokes out through Matt's tight embrace.
"Oh sorry." Matt apologizes as he loosens his embrace and catches with Inez's gaze. "I am just really happy that you are ok. I missed you more than words can say.
"I missed you too Matt." Inez replies with a smile. "I missed you both."
"I am so happy that we found you." Jackie says as she embraces Inez in a hug. "Thank goodness you are alright."
"Thanks Jax." Inez replies as Jackie loosens her embrace. "I wouldn't have been able to contact you guys if it weren't for Sam. Matt, Jackie, this is Sam. He's is the prince over this entire site. Sam, these are my friends, Matt and Jackie."
"It's very nice to meet you both." Sam greets.
"Inez, he is cute." Jackie whispers to Inez. "Is he going back with us?"
"We don't have time for introductions." Matt says with slight jealousy. "We have to get out of here before that vortex closes and we're trapped here forever."
Inez now turns to Sam, who has been overcome by sadness.
"Well Sam, this is good-bye." Inez says to the prince. "Thanks for everything."
"Please don't forget me Inez." Sam says. "Please do stay in contact."
"Will do." Inez replies as she hugs Sam. "Bye Sam."
Sam returns the hug. Loosening his embrace, Inez, Jackie and Matt begins heading towards the vortex as Sam watches on sadly. As the three are continuing towards the vortex, a dark shadow now appears over the area. Looking up, the three notices that the dark shadow is being cast by the Grim Wreaker.
"Oh no Hacker!" Jackie begins panicking. "We don't have time to deal with him right now!"
"We're getting off of this site, even if we have to run circles around him." Matt says with determination. "Come on, let's make tracks."
The three begins running towards the vortex when the Grim Wreaker lands right in front of the opening, completely blocking the kids off from escaping and stopping them dead in their tracks. With the wreaker parked, the hatch now opens as earthquake like vibrations from heavy footsteps begins causing the area to shake.
"What is going on?" Inez asks as Matt grabs onto her and Jackie.
"I don't know, but you can guarantee that whatever it is, Hacker is behind it." Matt answers, continuing to hold onto the girls.
Jackie takes out her and SWKAK and looks on the screen, to the time they have left to exit Sector.
"We have fifty minutes left to get out of here!" Jackie notifies the two. "Hacker has got to be our last worry at the moment!"
The earthquake like vibrations continues shaking the area for when the source is revealed. With the hatch of the wreaker open, a huge green lizard with sharp teeth, long claws, sharp reptile eyes, and who's black hair is in the form of descending spikes down its back now steps out of the wreaker. Everyone's eyes grow wide at the sight in front of them.
"Tell that to him." Matt says to Jackie.
"What is that?" Jackie questions.
The big reptile now looks down at the kids and grins, revealing its razor sharp teeth.
"Hello Kiddies!" The lizard speaks, continuing to eye the kids. "Welcome to the rest of your lives! You are never leaving this site! Ever!"
"Hacker!" Sam, Inez, Jackie and Matt say in unison.
The opening of the vortex has gotten a bit smaller and the kids now have to deal with a beyond transformed Hacker. This doesn't look good for the squad. This doesn't look good at all!
A/N: Ok end of chapter 8 and I hope you all liked it. We're almost at the end of the fic, but not quite as there are a couple of chapters left. As usual, please no flames and chapter 9 will be out next week as planned. If you find anything confusing or out of place, I worked on this while fighting off a throat virus that caused me to lose my voice, but I'm getting better. I want to apologize now if anything is confusing. If it is, please let me know and I'll fix it in the editing. If nothing else, please review.
Review Please!