Ch. 3: New Guy in Town
Previously on Inspector Gadget: Reboot
"I still have a lot of questions," I said as I paced. "What exactly happened to me?"
"You've just come out of a very long recovery."
"What did I have to recover from? And why do I have super human abilities all of a sudden?"
"You were caught in an explosion thirty two days ago. You suffered severe injuries but you were miraculously still alive. You flat lined in the hospital and we did the only thing we could to save you."
"And what exactly was that?"
"You were chosen as the candidate for the Cyber Cop Project. You are the world's first prototype cyber police officer designed for the Detroit police force. You'll be stationed at Metro South."
"I think I understand what you're saying but could you repeat that in English?"
"David, you're a cyborg."
Cyborg. I heard the word but didn't quite believe it. What had I become? I wasn't exactly human anymore. Dr. Ramirez was giving me a basic run through of my systems but I was only half listening. Then she got to a part that grabbed my attention.
"This piece is of the utmost importance to your operation," she was saying as she pulled a diagram of what she was talking about up on her computer monitor. "This is the Neural Wave Amplifier. It's an advanced processor chip that augments the power of the human brainwave to the degree that it is able to run your systems. Without this processing chip it wouldn't be possible for your new body to function. Is there anything else that you wish to know at this time?"
"No, I can't think of anything else. It's just going to take me some time to assimilate and process all this information."
"Well that's fine. Before I forget here's your instruction manual," she smiled as she slid a tablet across the table to me.
I picked the tablet up and turned it on and took a quick look at the first two pages. I looked at the bottom and noticed that it said there were twenty-five thousand pages in the manual.
"Two more things," said Taylor as she walked over to a tall cabinet. "This is also important; it's your new uniform."
She opened the doors and I got my first look at my new outfit. It consisted of a tan trench coat, light brown fedora, boots, grey trousers, a blue button up shirt, maroon tie, and a black vest.
"This is the last thing you need for now," she continued as she took out a silver case. "This is your firearm. It's a CS 6-P machine pistol. It's capable of firing like a machine gun and uses armor piecing rounds. There are extra magazines in you left hip compartment and each clip holds forty five rounds."
"I guess I'm all set then," I smiled.
"That's all for now. The guard outside will take you to your quarters for the night and you'll be stationed at Metro South tomorrow."
While I was getting accustomed to my new body, things were rather busy at UniTech's chief rival, Ion Technologies.
"An android like this will catapult me back into my rightful place as one of the chief suppliers for the military instead of UniTech! This is sure to revolutionize the way war is waged across the globe. An army of metal soldiers all under the control of one man controlling them with his mind," Lloyd Xavier, aka, Dr. Claw, gloated as he observed the prototype battle android. "Are you sure it will function as promised Dr. Kenneth?"
Gary Kenneth was a thin and somewhat mousey man but was not to be underestimated because he had a brilliant mind that had yet to fail Xavier even once.
"The droid has past all its tests on the computer simulation and I have no reason to believe that it will not put you back on top. Since it's based off of UniTech designs you might even be able to put them out of business."
"That's exactly what I want. Hook me up."
Lloyd sat down in a chair that was connected to a helmet that featured several wires and cables trailing out of the back. It lowered onto his head and he concentrated hard.
"Is the drone moving yet?"
"Not yet Dr. Xavier."
Xavier concentrated harder but it didn't do any good. The battle android remained immobile. He became infuriated and tore the helmet off, almost throwing it across the room.
"Something must have gotten left behind," mused Xavier as he paced furiously. "Kenneth! I want to see all the information we have on the Cyber Cop Project! We must find out what they have that we do not."
UniTech vans pulled up outside the Metro South Precinct. Technicians got out and poured into the building.
"Bring him in through the side door," Ramirez said as the station chief walked up to her.
"What's going on here Dr. Ramirez?"
"It's official UniTech business Chief Steele. We have the backup that we promised your station."
"Well I don't see any special S.W.A.T. team suddenly swarming the place," Steele said sarcastically. "UniTech promised to give us a backup. That's something we sorely need because as you know, this is the most violent sector in Detroit. We're getting creamed out there and there aren't enough of us to respond to every corner drug store getting robbed!"
"We said we'd give you the equivalent of ten of the best S.W.A.T. teams. And trust me, your reinforcement will ensure that you'll never be out manned again as he's a whole police force by himself," Dr. Ramirez said coolly.
"I'd like to meet the man that can do all that if what you're saying isn't all hot air. Where is this wonder cop?"
"He's coming in right now."
There was a wall with frosted glass and a doorway in on the left side of the precinct. Movement behind it caught Chief Steele's attention. I came out through the doorway a second later and extended a hand to the chief.
"I understand that you're gonna be my new boss," I said as we shook hands.
"Are you pulling my leg Ramirez? He's our reinforcement? I'm sorry, but I doubt this one man is going to make that much of a difference."
"He's not just any ordinary man. He has special equipment to help him battle the particularly difficult to handle offenders in this area that you are unable to apprehend."
"I'm sure that I'll prove my usefulness to you in the days to come, if not by the end of the day," I grinned and turned to follow Dr. Ramirez to where my station was being set up.
"She's off her rocker," the chief muttered before returning to his duties.
"Right then, we're just going to run a few preliminary tests to make sure your systems are functioning properly before you go out to fight the crime in this sector," explained Taylor as I sat down in the chair the technicians had brought for me. "Your functions can be activated by your mind. All you have to do is think it and it'll happen. Just let us know if something is or isn't working. Now give us a targeting grid."
I thought about it and a targeting cross appeared in my vision.
"Check," I said to confirm that the targeting cross was in my vision.
"Target the quarter."
The words 'Acquiring Target' followed by 'Target Locked' flashed in the lower center of my vision briefly.
"Check."
The technician holding the coin moved it around and my targeting system followed it.
"Is the target lock following it?"
"Yes."
"Acquire second target," Ramirez said and held up an automatic screwdriver.
The targeting system left a targeting cross on the quarter and locked on to the screwdriver.
"Check."
"Alright, bring up the vocal stress test," ordered Taylor.
A bar appeared in the lower left of my vision with the words 'Vocal Stress Analyzer' underneath.
"Ask me a question."
"What's your name?"
"Taylor Ramirez."
The bar showed the fluctuations in her voice as she answered and showed a truth percentage of 100%.
"Check."
"Try the audio enhancer."
The same bar remained in the lower left corner of my vision but the text was replaced by Audio Enhance.
"Try to detect the ticking of this pocket watch."
I concentrated and picked up the noise.
"Check."
"Flip through your different vision modes, x-ray, thermal, infra-red, ultraviolet, and night vision."
"Check."
"OK, record for five seconds and then play back."
Text reading 'Recording' appeared in the upper left corner. I then replayed the footage in a small screen in the same corner.
"Check."
"That takes care of everything," Taylor smiled. "You're officially ready for duty, Inspector Gadget. All you need is your car. Just follow me and you'll get to see it."
I walked with Dr. Ramirez to a garage in the back of the precinct.
"Here it is," she said as she flipped on the lights with a wide grin, "the Gadgetmobile. I made it with John."
Taylor got a little teary-eyed at the mention of her dead brother.
"Are you gonna be alright?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It just still hurts."
I felt compelled to give her a comforting hug and when I wrapped my arms around her she responded the same way and cried into my shoulder for a minute before letting up.
"You alright now?"
"Yes, thank you. I needed to let that out."
"Did you already have the funeral?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there. But remember this," I said as I tapped the section of my chest where the Neural Wave Amplifier was, "as long as I'm around a bit of your brother is too."
She smiled and wiped the tears away. "Thanks. What do you think of your car?"
"Looks like a 2012 Ford Mustang GT modified to have four doors," I answered.
"On the outside it does," agreed Taylor. "But my brother and I tricked this car out to the max. It was the second most expensive undertaking for the Cyber Cop Program after you. Here are the keys."
I caught the keys she tossed to me and we got inside.
"Wow, this car is certainly impressive," I whistled.
The inside was very futuristic with touch screens and buttons lining the dash. The interior was also had a wood finish and tinted windows.
"The shell is a new alloy that is thin and lightweight but extremely robust. This car can take a tank shell at forty yards and only get a minor dent. We equipped him with a modified twin turbo charged V-12 engine that delivers over twelve hundred horsepower and he'll do knot to sixty in two point four seconds with a top speed of two hundred and forty-five miles per hour. The stopping distance is four yards from two hundred. The fuel used is a high octane bio-gas which produces zero emissions and will allow a top speed of three hundred and fifteen in pursuit mode. He also has a camouflage system, satellite tracking, wireless access to the police database, a Sat-Net up link, and voice control. The full instruction manual is in the glove box."
"This car sounds as impressive as I am. And if I recall correctly, you referred to this car as a 'he', right?"
"Oh, I almost forgot, sorry. I equipped this vehicle with an artificial intelligence matrix. When he's activated he'll be able to talk to you. He'll even be able to drive himself."
"Absolutely incredible," I muttered.
"Well, I won't keep you from your duties any longer inspector," grinned Taylor as she got out of the car. "Now you go out there and show all the criminals in Detroit that justice just got an upgrade."
"I'll make it painstakingly obvious," I promised as I started the engine and hit the gas pedal.
The Gadgetmobile launched forward and I was out on a quest to clean up the streets of Detroit.
"Alright Gadgetmobile," I said after we had gotten underway. "Let's see what you can do. Activate artificial intelligence."
"Greetings inspector, I am Gadgetmobile. May I inquire as to what we are looking for?"
"Crime, what else Gadgetmobile? I've gotta prove my usefulness to Chief Steele somehow and I figure that nipping some major crime in the butt will do the trick."
"Then you'll be pleased to hear that there is a hostage situation at the commerce building. They are asking for all available units to respond."
"Pedal to the metal Gadgetmobile, we've got us a crime to stop!"
I pushed a button on the dash and lights appeared on the roof of the Gadgetmobile and the siren wailed as we tore down the streets to the commerce building.
Police cruisers and news vans flooded the street where the commerce building was and reporters were crowding around Chief Steele pestering him with questions. Inside the commerce building the group of robbers was holding a group of college students' prisoner with the leader issuing demands through a megaphone.
"Listen up coppers! Don't jerk us around! You don't want to do that because we're a really nasty bunch! If you try anything or don't meet our demands these people will be getting wings and a harp!"
"Well you can give your damn demands for all I care but it won't do you any good 'cause we don't negotiate with terrorists!" Chief Steele shot back.
"Well that's too bad chief! If our demands aren't met within ten minutes then these people start seeing Saint Peter one by one starting with this girl!"
He pushed one of the hostages up to the window he was speaking through. It was Shelby.
After the criminal had given his warning to the police another police car's sirens could be heard in the distance. It got closer and closer until the Gadgetmobile spun around a corner and came to a shuddering halt in front of the building. I got out and the news reporters started swarming around me pushing cameras and microphones up to my face and bombarding me with questions. I ignored them and looked at the commerce building giving it a quick scan with my x-ray vision before walking over to the chief.
"Well if it isn't wonder cop."
"Hi to you to chief. What's the situation?"
"Terrible, they've barricaded themselves inside and they have machine guns which were reported stolen from Metro East two days ago."
"I have an idea. Keep them talking and leave the rest to me."
Shelby was terrified. She had stopped by the commerce building bank to withdraw some money when three thugs carrying machine guns and wearing ski masks barged in and demanded all the money in the bank. A teller had tripped the silent alarm and when the first police arrived on the scene Shelby and everyone else in the bank suddenly found themselves in a hostage situation. The leader of the gang had grabbed Shelby and dragged her to the window where he was making his demands and was threatening to kill her if the demands weren't met. Now Shelby thought that she was going crazy. She could have sworn she saw me get out of a Mustang GT that had pulled up outside the building. But it couldn't have been me.
'I must be losing it,' she thought as she lowered her head and shed a tear. 'He's dead.'
"What's your idea inspector? Inspector! Answer me!" yelled Chief Steele.
"Just keep the robbers occupied chief and I can take care of the rest," I offered for an explanation. Steele just stared at me as I entered the commerce building and then got back on his megaphone.
"Alright, don't hurt the girl; we'll give you whatever you want."
"That's more like it! First off, we want to leave here with the money. Second, we don't want to be followed. Third, we want you to drop your guns. Fourth, we want a new car! And for insurance we're taking the girl with us! You got that flatfoot?"
"Yeah, we got it. What kind of car do you want?"
"We want something that goes really fast, like that Mustang down there. In fact, we might just take it!"
"I suppose you also want to take all the toasters that the bank is handing out for each new account opened."
"Are you trying to jerk us around? I told you not to do that! And just to show you that we mean business, I'm gonna kill the girl now!"
While the chief was keeping the thieves busy I had wasted no time in getting to the second floor where they had barricaded themselves in. Using my x-ray vision and audio enhancer I was able to hear and see the leader make the gang's demands. I was about to confront them when I heard the scuffing of a boot on the carpet behind me. I whirled around and saw one of the gang behind me with a machine gun pointed at me. He fired before I could draw my CS 6 from its holster. The bullets fired form the gun merely bounced of my metal endoskeleton. My attacker stopped firing and stared stupidly at me. I smirked and got a target lock.
"My turn," I said as I drew and shot the gun out of his hands. "Your move."
He turned tail and ran down the hall towards the elevator. I extended one of my arms after him and dragged him back by the collar of his shirt. I turned him so his back was facing the door to the room where the hostages were and dealt a punch that sent him right through it.
"Alright missy, make peace with whatever gods you believe in because you're about to meet them."
The gang leader pushed Shelby down on her knees and pointed the gun at her head. But before he pulled the trigger the door burst inward and the thug from outside flew through the room, hit the second gang member, hit the wall, and fell into a heap.
"Release the girl, you are under arrest," I ordered with my gun raised, my face in the shadows of the dimly lit room.
"You'd better back off copper, or the next bullet's going right through her pretty little head," the man growled.
I almost laughed. The gang leader's position, to the right of the girl, was a much easier position in which to disarm him. If he had been holding his hostage in front of him with the barrel pushed against her head from behind, it would have complicated my job.
"You know you're not really in a position to be making the demands here. I mean that figuratively and literally."
"Hey, I've got the girl so you'd better just put that gun down and get over there with the others."
"I'll admit that you do have a good hand but I have an ace up my sleeve."
"I'm getting tired of this! Shut up and drop the gun!"
"I told you you're not in a position…"
He cracked and opened fire on me. "I said SHUT UP!" He grinned as the smoke cleared but it disappeared as he saw I was still standing.
I looked at the holes in my vest and sighed. "And these are new clothes. Oh well," I said and fired. The gun flew out of his hands.
I advanced and picked him up by the lapels of his coat and threw him against the wall on the far side of the room. He didn't move. I turned my attention to the hostages.
"Thank you for your cooperation. There are medical units standing by outside to treat you and take you to a crisis center if you have suffered from emotional shock." I then turned my attention to the girl who was still huddling on the ground. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I-I think so," she answered as she took the hand I offered to help her up. As I did this my face came into the light and she saw. "David, is it you?"
She fainted and I caught her. Her face fell into the light as well and I got a good look. She had a slightly oval shaped face, red hair, and brown eyes that were nearly as dark as my own. She seemed familiar but I couldn't remember where I'd seen her before. Damn memory loss. The doctor's had said that my memories would return on their own and that I shouldn't force them. I took a quick video recording of her for later analysis, picked her up bridal style, and carried her out of the building. When I appeared outside the commerce building the press immediately swarmed around me and asked a flurry of questions. I ignored them and made my way to the chief.
"The thugs are inside taking a nap with hand cuffs on, Metro East has its guns back, the hostages are being treated, and this woman is in need of a hospital."
"I've got to hand it to you, you certainly took care of that gang. They've been given us a run around for months now. I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong, good work."
"Thanks chief," I said as paramedics took the woman from me. I gave a quick address to the media and then departed.
"I assume that we're going to find more crime?" asked Gadgetmobile.
"You'd be correct, there's a crime happening somewhere and it waits for no one."
Shelby sat up so quickly that she startled the paramedics that were examining her.
"David?"
She looked around but all she saw was police, media types, and some civilians running around. Shelby was about to get up when a paramedic stopped her.
"Ma'am, we're going to have to ask you to lie back down."
Shelby struggled but the other paramedic slid a mask over her face.
"N-No," she struggled weakly as the gas began to take effect. Her last view was one of me getting into Gadgetmobile and then everything went dark.
A/N: I know that I said I'd post this chapter when I got another review but I couldn't keep you in suspense. I had to release another chapter. This was also supposed to be a two part chapter with the robbers getting busted in the next one. I decided last minute to include that in this chapter as well. How was this one? Will the inspector remember Shelby? And what's Claw's game? Find out in the next exciting installment of Inspector Gadget: Reboot. R&R for next chapter.