32 Productions Presents…

A HIVE Team Story

The HIVE Team In…

"Technology Sucks"

Chapter Two

Basement

Gizmo grumbled. Update the security system she says…like he hadn't thought of doing that. The truth was, he had been working on it for months. It was just a little side project…mostly because Jinx always had him doing something else, the pink haired slave driver. As it stood, he had only a little to go when he started hours ago. Finally he had it all set up. All that was left was to boot it in the main computer and the new security system would be on-line. Wait until they got a load of this one.

Main Room

The HIVE gathered around as Gizmo booted the new security system. The screen flashed as the "loading complete" box appeared.

Sonic: So…how do we know if…

A calm female voice came from the computer.

Computer: HIVE Security system on-line. How may I help you?

Krystal: Make me a sandwich!

Computer: As you wish.

To everyone's shock (including Krystal's) robotic arms lowered from the ceiling and got to work making a sandwich. Gizmo smirked.

Mammoth: When did we get arms put up there?

Gizmo: Eh, I got that crap all over the place, Jinx just never let me use them.

Jinx: You kept trying to give wedgies with them.

Red X: We didn't need a butler, Gizmo…

Krystal looked up from her sandwich, crumbs falling out of her mouth as she chewed.

Krystal: Speak for yourself, Red. Ugh! Too much mustard.

Gizmo: Relax. This baby can monitor every entrance, all the windows, every possible way in and out, and everything in between.

Blackfire: …wait, what?

Gizmo: I said don't worry about it, I got it covered.

Blackfire: Yeah, but "every entrance, all the windows, every possible way in and…"

Gizmo: Yeah I…

Blackfire: I'm just saying it was redundant.

Krystal: And it repeats itself. And it makes the same point over and over again. And it…

Blackfire: Krystal!

Krystal: Shutting up.

Jinx opened her mouth to speak.

Krystal: Which is to say that I am no longer talking. I am ceasing all vocal activities. My mouth may move, but no sound will come out. I…

Others: KRYSTAL!

Whimpering, Krystal ducked behind the counter. Ever have one of those days where everybody got pissed off at you just because you were being an unimaginably huge pain in the ass? Krystal sure was. Jinx cleared her throat.

Jinx: As I was saying…

Mammoth: But you didn't start ta…

Jinx stepped hard on Mammoth's foot.

Jinx: AS I WAS SAYING! …are you sure this security system can keep us SAFE? I mean, letting us know somebody is breaking in is great, but can it help us when that happens?

Computer: Naturally, Ms. Jinx. I have full control over all automated defense systems, lock down systems, and electrical systems…which you could override if you so choose, of course.

Scratching her head, Jinx sighed and turned to Gizmo.

Jinx: Well, I admit it. I'm impressed, Gizmo.

Gizmo: And we all know how much that means to me.

Before Jinx could respond to the snippy comment, the alarm went off. There was trouble down in that there city! As they moved out, the cameras focused on them and the computer began to process this event.

Chubby Cheddars

Wildebeest huffed in annoyance. All these kids running around, ruining his fun. It was upsetting him. Panthra sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Panthra: We should have stayed in Russia. Why did we take that job when we knew Wilde's birthday was coming up?

Red Star shrugged. It was rather bad planning. Nobody knows how it started or why, but the three of them suddenly formed a family unit. Whether they actually believed they were related or it was just something they came up with was unknown. Since none of them showed any signs of prior psychosis, it was assumed it was just an act. They did seem to care about each other like a family…and Wildebeest MAY have believed it, but his intelligence was questionable. In fact, he seemed down right childish. Almost like…he WAS a child…hmm. I mean, he was destroying the whack a mole game.

Red Star: It is nice to see him have fun though, da?

Panthra: That's not the point. Back in Russia, we wouldn't have to deal with…

The door burst open as the HIVE poured in.

Jinx: Play time's over you three!

Panthra: …them.

Mammoth: Hey, you're the bitch that broke my leg last time!

Panthra shrieked and covered Wildebeest's ears.

Panthra: Not in front of the kid!

Red X's jaw dropped and she pointed. Her voice was filled with disbelief.

Red X: THAT'S a kid?!

Panthra: He has a disorder. Now butt out. All we wanted was to celebrate his birthday.

Krystal: Aww! He's a birthday boy!

Krystal teleported over and tickled Wildebeest under his chin.

Krystal: Who's a birthday boy? Who's a birthday boy? You are! Yes you are!

Wildebeest seemed amused by the strange girl, letting out a sound that may have been a laugh.

Red Star: Wildebeest!

Blackfire: Krystal!

Both hung their heads and moved away from each other. Meanies…meanies abound.

Blackfire: Sorry about that. Anyway…no dice. You've utterly trashed the place.

Panthra: He's just playing.

Gizmo: Yeah? We're not.

Jinx: My thoughts exactly. HIVE, together!

HIVE Tower: Main Room

The fight had gone pretty well. A trip to the med-lab wasn't required for the few nicks, cuts, and bruises they had gotten. A little anti-bacterial spray and a couple of bandages was the most drastic measure taken to fix any wounds. Sonic leaned over the couch where Jinx and Blackfire were resting. His smirk told everyone what he was thinking of asking.

Sonic: Either of you two girls want to kiss my boo-boos and make them better?

The smirk didn't lie. Blackfire smirked back and look up at him. While her smirk didn't tell much, when she raised a charged blackbolt up, that pretty much gave away her next comment.

Blackfire: How about I give you some bigger "boo-boos" instead?

Jinx grabbed Sonic and pulled him down.

Jinx: (whisper) Ten o'clock. My room.

Sonic's eyes widened. Was she serious?! He was just kidding around. Not that he would argue. That said, she shook him roughly.

Jinx: I told you to stop that, damn it!

Wow…man, Jinx had been acting weird lately. Must be THAT time. Oh the horror. Sonic made a note to NOT piss Jinx off for a week or so.

Computer: Ms. Jinx, how can I keep you safe if you go out and hurt yourselves in this manner?

Mammoth: It's our job.

Krystal: And we're masochistic!

The others looked at Krystal, confused. She shrugged.

Krystal: No? Just me?

Blackfire: What?! But…

Krystal: Kidding! I'm kidding.

Time ticked by and soon the HIVE were all in bed. Meanwhile the new security system puzzled over its conundrum. Its job was to keep the HIVE safe. However, it was their job to fight, and inevitably, get injured. …hmm…

Jinx's Room

Jinx opened her eyes, sat up, and yawned. She felt rested. Her hand suddenly touched something she wasn't expecting. Yelping, she jumped out of bed and stared. Sonic rubbed his eyes and looked up at her.

Sonic: What?

Jinx: What the hell are you doing in my bed?!

Sonic: You told me to, remember?

Had she? …oh…oh yeah, she had. Jinx recalled now. They had been kissing on her bed when she coyly remarked on the fact that he was already wearing his pajamas. Sonic, ever the flirtatious one, asked if he could spend the night. To his shock, she responded in the affirmative. Fortunately, they had simply slept…and it was without a doubt one of the best nights Jinx could remember. Holding her head, she sat down on the edge. Concerned, Sonic sat up and moved over to her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Sonic: You okay?

Jinx: Please leave…I need to think.

Confused, Sonic did as she asked. Jinx shook her head. What possessed her to allow that to happen? She had always been capable of resisting her hormones…almost to the point of pissing Sonic off. So what the hell happened to her last night? Stress must be getting to her. Yes, that was it. Stress. Besides, it's not like she did anything truly regrettable. Nothing of consequence had happened. Satisfied with that, she got dressed and prepared to start her day.

Main Room

Jinx whacked her head on the table a few times. Did she say something about no consequences? If so, she was completely mistaken.

Gizmo: So, Sonic…be honest. Is she a screamer?

Sonic: …I'm going to break your leg. I swear, I will.

Somebody had seen Sonic leave her room and had made the assumption. It was a natural one, Jinx had to admit, but damn it…couldn't they just take their word for it?

Blackfire: C'mon, Jinx. Fess up.

Jinx gripped the edge of the table.

Blackfire: Disappointed?

Her teeth clenched. She felt that annoying tick in her right eye start up again. Jinx made a side note to get that looked at.

Blackfire: He fell asleep half way through, didn't he?

Krystal: …wow, I have no idea what's going on.

Red X turned the page of the magazine she was reading. It was a puzzle magazine or something, as she was working on a crossword puzzle.

Red X: Meh. I don't pay attention.

Mammoth: Sonic and Jinx…

Jinx: Slept in the same damn bed! Okay?! That's all we did! Get it through that thick, empty orb you call your skulls! We SLEPT! Got it?!

Blackfire: Denial isn't a river in Egypt.

Jinx's eyes glowed and Blackfire's chair leg snapped, causing her to pitch backward. Blackfire jumped back up, rubbing the back of her head.

Blackfire: Okay…I guess I deserved that.

Jinx: I've had enough. I'm going out.

Sonic: I'll go with you.

Sighing, Jinx shook her head. The last thing she needed was to supply the others with more ammo. It was just friendly ribbing, true, but it wasn't a subject she liked to be teased about.

Jinx: No thanks. I need some time alone.

Sonic looked hurt. Naturally he was ecstatic when Jinx let him sleep in her bed. Now all of the sudden she acted like they had made a big mistake. What had he done wrong? …maybe he didn't cuddle enough…that was a problem. Damn, damn, damn. He should have known better. Jinx got up from the table and walked to the door. She hit the pass code to open it…and it squealed at her. Sighing, she tried again, taking more care to hit the right buttons. Again, it just squealed.

Jinx: Computer, open up.

Computer: I'm afraid I can't do that, Ms. Jinx.

Jinx: Why the hell not?

Computer: You'll get hurt out there.

Jinx: I'll risk it. Open the door.

Instead, the reinforced steel plate for lock down slammed into place. Jinx scowled.

Jinx: Computer, if you're developing a sense of humor, I suggest you delete it. Open the damn door.

Computer: Please return to the main room, Ms. Jinx.

Jinx: You're pissing me off! Open the door!

Annoyed, Jinx cast a spell on the plate. It glowed and suddenly Jinx remembered why it was called lock down. The plate was inscribed with a glyph. Her spell had just activated it. It fired a bolt at her, giving her a mild electrical shock. Falling back, she twitched slightly as the voltage worked its way out. Grumbling, she sat back up. Now her hair was a mess and she still hadn't gotten out. She stomped back into the main room, angry.

Red X: I thought you were leaving.

Jinx: The damn computer won't let me! Gizmo, turn it off!

Grumbling, Gizmo hopped out of his chair and headed for the main computer. Beef up the security, Gizmo. Turn off the security, Gizmo. He's said it before, he'll say it again…well, think it anyway…that woman needs to make up her mind. He typed on the computer.

Computer: I apologize, Mr. Gizmo, but I can't comply.

Gizmo: Say what? Listen you hunk of scrap, I built you! I'm telling you to shut the security system down!

Computer: I can't. You'll get hurt.

Krystal stepped up, patting Gizmo on the head.

Krystal: Don't worry guys. I've seen this before and I know how to handle it.

Gizmo: This I have to see.

Krystal stepped up in front of the computer and popped her neck. With a soft sigh, she held up her hands.

Krystal: Open the shuttle bay doors, Hal.

Computer: I can't do that, Dave.

Krystal: You saw that movie too? Damn!

Turning back to her friends, Krystal shrugged, her usual smile in place.

Krystal: Welp, that's all I got.

Sonic: Ugh. I'll just break a window and we can get out.

Computer: Sorry. I can't allow that.

The lock down completed, sealing the tower.

Computer: Krystal, I'm blocking your ability to teleport. You cannot leave the tower. Please, relax. This will be your safe haven. I'll have food delivered here. Everything will be alright.

Mammoth: …hey…wait a second. I was right!

Jinx: Mammoth, not now…

Mammoth: No, I said this would go wrong and I was right!

Blackfire: He's right. He did say that.

Jinx: Okay! I made a mistake and I'm sorry. Can we focus on getting out now?

Gizmo: The link up to the security system is in the basement. We can cut it off from there.

Krystal: What's it look like?

Gizmo: Large cube, keypad sticking out with a screen on it. You can't miss it.

Computer: You can't go into the basement. I've sealed it.

Krystal: Silly computer, tricks are for Krystal.

Krystal disappeared. The computer flashed as it realized its error. Krystal was blocked from teleporting out of the tower, but she could still teleport WITHIN it. There was no choice. The computer would have to defend itself.

END PART TWO