Ch. 4: Remembering

Previously on Inspector Gadget: Reboot

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.

My first night on the job had paid off. In addition to the attempted robbery of the commerce building, I had stopped a mugging, a drug store robbery, a car theft, a break-in, and a murder. Not bad at all. I was back at Metro South sitting in my chair watching the morning news with cables hooked up to me performing diagnostics.

"In local news Detroit's first cyber police officer stopped an attempted robbery of the commerce building last night and saved the life of a local woman. The cybernetic super cop would barely slow down to talk to the cameras but he did have this to say before departing."

"I was designed by UniTech for a specific purpose: to wipe out the crime that plagues Detroit. The citizens of this city can sleep safe and sound knowing that there's a new guy in town to lay down the law."

"How are you feeling this morning?" asked Dr. Ramirez as she walked in.

"All systems are functioning at maximum efficiency," I answered.

"That's good. By the way, you also made the front page of every newspaper in town and part of the state," she smiled as she handed me a paper.

Inspector Gadget Busts Gang in Commerce Building Robbery

"I take this means that I'm going to be the center of attention around here for the foreseeable future," I commented.

"You can bet your Neural Wave Amplifier on that," Taylor laughed. "By the way, you're going to be officially inducted into the police force at a gala tomorrow night."

"Gadget," Chief Steele said as he walked in. "Great job taking care of those disturbances last night. Thanks to you we were able to increase manpower in areas where it was needed. We really can use someone like you on the force."

"Thanks chief," I grinned and got up to do my rounds.

Back at Ion Technologies Lloyd Xavier, aka, Dr. Claw, was furious. He'd just spent the past two hours going through the data stolen from UniTech for the twenty-third time and came up empty-handed. He was pacing around his office when a newscast on the TV caught his attention.

"In local news Detroit's first cyber police officer stopped an attempted robbery of the commerce building last night and saved the life of a local woman. The cybernetic super cop would barely slow down to talk to the cameras but he did have this to say before departing.

"I was designed by UniTech for a specific purpose: to wipe out the crime that plagues Detroit. The citizens of this city can sleep safe and sound knowing that there's a new guy in town to lay down the law.""

"It's that security guard who followed us. So he's the one they chose to experiment on for the Cyber Cop Project. And he works, which is good news for me and my plans. My clients are growing impatient. I'll have to step up my game," he mused as he approached his desk intercom. "There's bound to be an induction ceremony soon for him. I'm sure that it'll prove to be most interesting."

Shelby had been released from the hospital earlier that morning and was at home trying to rationalize what she had seen last night. She knew that I had flat lined at the hospital, so that meant I was dead. But UniTech had taken my body and eight weeks later she could have sworn that I had been the one to get her and the others out of that hostage situation. What had UniTech wanted with my body? She glanced at her TV in time to catch part of the newscast that Xavier and I had seen. She quickly turned up the volume.

"…The citizens of this city can sleep safe and sound knowing that there's a new guy in town to lay down the law."

"That was all our new hero had to say before he departed the scene. The galvanized crime fighter will be inducted into the police force at a special gala to be held tomorrow at the Crown Plaza Hotel."

Shelby darted to where her morning newspaper was and looked at the front page.

Inspector Gadget Busts Gang in Commerce Building Robbery

There was a picture of me carrying her out of the building underneath the headline. Now Shelby was absolutely certain that she wasn't seeing things. She wanted some answers and she knew where and how she was going to get them. She walked to her closet and got out a sparkling sky blue dress.

The gala started at six and was in full swing by six-thirty. I was milling around talking with the guests. The people who were in the hostage situation and were not still in the hospital were there and they gave their thanks.

"Excuse me inspector," came a voice from behind me.

I turned around and saw Dr. Ramirez smiling at me. She looked beautiful in a lovely, flattering purple dress the hugged her figure and went down to just below her knees.

"May I have this dance?"

"Certainly," I answered as I offered my hand.

It had been awhile since the last time I had danced and I was grateful that I didn't step on her toes. We danced for a while and made small talk until we were interrupted.

"Mind if I cut in?" came a smooth voice.

The owner of the voice was a tall man with swept back hair and chiseled features. His voice put me on edge for some reason.

"Dr. Ramirez," he continued, "it has been a while hasn't it?"

"Do I know you?" she asked.

"Lloyd Xavier, we went to Harvard together."

"Ah, now I remember! You're the CEO of Ion Technologies now aren't you?"

"Yes I am. We're doing very well despite of the loss of contracts to UniTech. But there's nothing like some competition once in awhile is there?"

"Good competition is healthy," Dr. Ramirez agreed with a smile. "I believe this calls for some champagne. Would you mind getting some inspector?"

"Not at all. I'll be back shortly."

I left the two and headed over to the refreshment table. Something about Xavier made my servos twitch however and I turned on my audio enhancer to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Dr. Xavier, you've changed since our days at Harvard."

"You haven't. You're still as beautiful as ever. I like to keep an eye on competition occasionally. You and your brother were the top scientists assigned to something called the Cyber Cop Project right?"

"You're certainly well informed."

"The fact that it was one of UniTech's top secret projects wasn't exactly a secret. What the research pertained too was. I can only deduce that the inspector is the end result. If his first night on the job is a reliable yard stick then he's a stupendous success. You're done with the Cyber Cop Project."

"He works better than my brother and I hoped for. But he's only the prototype."

"But he's a success. So the project is complete."

"I guess."

"Since you're done with the Cyber Cop Project why not come and work for me at Ion Technologies?"

I had heard enough. I finished pouring the champagne and made my way back to them.

"Your champagne," I said crisply as I handed the glasses to them.

"Thank you inspector," Xavier replied and downed his champagne in one gulp. "Now if you don't mind, I must take my leave."

"Dr. Ramirez turned to me with a smile on her face after Xavier had left.

"David, he just gave me a job offer. I'd have unlimited funding, my own office and lab, complete control of all my research and projects, it's a dream come true!"

"But what about the Cyber Cop Project? Are you sure you've worked all the glitches out? You said yourself that I'm only the prototype and prototypes can have malfunctions."

"All I can say is if I do leave the company then the project will be in very capable hands. Dr. Jay Powell is to be my successor. He has a lot of potential and was a great asset in getting around some of the road blocks we encountered."

"Still, you're the chief scientist on the project and I think that…"

"Inspector Gadget!" boomed a voice.

I turned and say a portly man in a thousand dollar suit walking towards me.

"Mayor Harold Hammersmith," he grinned as he extended his hand. "I must say that I think that you're the best thing to happen to this city in a long time. The Cyber Cop Project was worth every penny the city invested in it judging from your first night's performance. Now If you don't mind, we need you for some pictures with your fellow boys in blue!"

I was dragged over to where the whole of Metro South was lined up for photo shoots. I was stationed next to Chief Steele.

"Hey chief?" I asked quietly. "When can I get started on my first case?"

"Soon enough inspector. But there are some things we'd like you to take care of first."

Soon after the shoot was over there was a sudden commotion at the front of the ball room. People started staring and a few guards rushed over to help take care of the situation. I walked in the direction of the disturbance and cleared the guests in time to see a flash of red hair as the person responsible was finally dragged out.

"What happened?" I asked a guard.

"Someone tried to crash the party. She said she was one of the people you saved at the Commerce Building robbery but she didn't have an invite with her and her name wasn't on the guest list. We turned her away and caught her trying to sneak back in."

"What was her name?"

"She said it was Shelby Lutton.

Shelby was in a terrible mood. How could she have forgotten the invitation? Now she couldn't get in. She was so mad that she kicked a nearby car.

"You really need to work on your anger management," came a voice. "Either that or find a better way of venting your anger than putting dents in people's cars. Have you considered meditation? Or perhaps kick-boxing would be more to your liking."

"W-who said that?" stammered Shelby as she looked around the parking lot. There was no one in sight.

"You just kicked me."

"You're in the car?"

"No, I am the car."

"That doesn't make any sense.

"Of course it does. I'm the voice of the UniTech Armored Automated Pursuit Vehicle. You may call me Gadgetmobile."

"Gadgetmobile? You're the inspector's car!"

"Indeed I am. Now why are you in such a heated mood?"

"This is crazy. I'm talking to a car," Shelby muttered.

"Yes, a car that talks back."

Shelby took a breath of air before continuing. "Inspector Gadget is my boyfriend, David Harder. He was caught in an explosion a little over two months ago. UniTech took his body and turned him into the cyborg that is now Inspector Gadget."

"UniTech did that?"

"Yes. But now he doesn't seem to remember me. He rescued me at the Commerce Building robbery and gave no indication of recognition."

"According to my data banks David Harder is officially dead. He died at the Detroit Mediplex, July seventeenth at 9:17 pm."

"I know," Shelby almost whispered. "I was there when he flat lined."

"The explosion he was in was massive. It's a very good bet that he's lost most of his memory"

"I was afraid it was because UniTech had programmed the memories out."

"According to the specs I have his brain is used to run the autonomics system and as a logic and reasoning center.

"Do you know anything about the Neural Wave Amplifier?"

"Yes, but it's against my programming to reveal that information to anyone without the proper authorization code."

"But I'm his girlfriend!"

"I'm sorry, but I can't violate my programming. However, if you wish to wait for the inspector feel free to get in," Gadgetmobile said as he opened the passenger door.

"Thanks," Shelby smiled gratefully as she got in. "It's a bit chilly out here."

"Not a problem Ms. Lutton."

Back at the party the mention of Shelby's name had jogged a few circuits. Now I had a headache.

Taylor walked up to me and asked "Are you alright?"

"I think so, I just have a headache."

"What happened?"

"One of the guards said a name that sounds familiar to me. But I can't remember where I've heard that name before for the life of me."

"The headache is probably because some of your memories are trying to resurface."

"Well I wish that they'd hurry up. I think it's getting worse. I might have to leave."

"Are your systems compromised?"

"No, all systems are still functioning normally. I'm sorry, but I have to go."

I walked back to Gadgetmobile rubbing my temples, trying to soothe my headache.

"Inspector, you have a visitor," Gadgetmobile informed me as I approached.

"A visitor?"

"Yes, she may be able to help you recover your memories."

That piqued my curiosity. I got in and Gadgetmobile turned on the interior lights. There in the passenger seat was the same woman I had saved in the commerce building robbery.

"David? It really is you isn't it?"

"Do I know you?"

"Don't you remember? It's me, Shelby!"

"The name seems familiar to me, as do you, but I can't recall any of my memories past three days ago. I'm sorry."

"What do you remember?"

"I… remember an extreme burning pain and then waking up at UniTech as a cyborg. Anything else before refuses to come back. The rest of my past is swathed in darkness."

"Well maybe this will jog a few circuits," Shelby said, sounding hopeful. "You were a security guard at UniTech before the explosion. There was a robbery there and you gave chase only to get caught in an explosion. You were taking to the Detroit Mediplex where you flat lined. UniTech took your body and made you into Inspector Gadget. Did that do anything to jumpstart your memories?"

"It certainly had. All of a sudden images were flashing in front of my eyes. I remembered the break in at UniTech, getting in my interceptor and pursuing the retreating van only to end up on the receiving end of an oil slick when a limo pulled out in front of me. I had crashed and someone came out through the sun roof of the limo. The face was the only thing that was still blurred. He had disabled the electronic systems and attached a bomb to the interceptor. I hadn't gotten away in time. I came back to reality after the flashback ended with a gasp. I was covered in cold sweat and it took a few deep breathes to calm my racing heart.

"Are you alright?" asked Shelby.

I looked at her and saw the concern in her chocolate brown eyes.

"I'm… fine. What you told me… caused a flashback. It wasn't exactly… pleasant."

We could have continued our discussion but dispatch chose that particular moment to interrupt us.

"Available units please respond. Warehouse robbery in progress at DeLorean Avenue."

"I'm sorry," I said as I looked at Shelby sheepishly. "I have to go. You can drop by Metro South or my house if you want to continue this conversation."

Shelby smiled understandingly, got a pen and paper out of her purse and hurriedly scribbled something down on it.

"Here's my number, call me," she said before getting out.

"I will," I assured as I glanced at the number and put it in my breast pocket. "Dispatch, this is Gamma One, am en route to warehouse. ETA: four minutes."

A/N: There you go, another chapter. How was it? The inspector has started to remember but will he be able to remember Shelby? And why does Xavier really want Dr. Ramirez to work at Ion Technologies? R&R to find out.