Ch. 6: Shut Down

Previously on Inspector Gadget: Reboot

"Take over Gadgetmobile," I said once we hit the road. "I've got to go over these files."

I interfaced with the computer and the case files scrolled down the screen at high speed. After completing the reading I turned my attention to the solid evidence. There wasn't much, just some scrap metal that must have come off one of the drones when it rammed through the wall and pictures of tread marks that the drones had left in the dust from when they smashed through the wall. The fact that it was ordinary reinforced sheet metal with nothing special about it suggested to me that the drone had been designed to be taken apart and disposed of quickly, neatly destroying anything that could connect the culprit to the murder.

I removed a piece of the scrap metal from the evidence bag and turned it in the light. It reflected off of something engraved on the metal that caught my eye. It was tiny but I zoomed in on it until I could read it. It looked like a manufacturer's logo that read 'IT.'

"I-T," I muttered to myself as I pinched the bridge of my nose, thinking. "Gadgetmobile, pull up a list of businesses in Detroit that use the letters 'I' and 'T' in their logo."

The list scrolled across the monitor. Twenty-four thousand results.

"Just show the ones that specialize in electronics."

Twelve thousand results.

"What are you looking for inspector?" asked Gadgetmobile.

"I'm trying to find the company whose logo is on this piece of scrap metal," I answered. "Eliminate the stores and show the corporations."

Five hundred results.

"Display the corporations that manufacture and sell drone technology.

One result: Ion Technologies.

While I was busy playing detective Robo-Gadget had finally been unleashed on Detroit. He walked into a bank and approached a teller.

"Inspector Gadget," she greeted warmly. "Can I do something for you?"

"Yeah, there is," he answered and he pulled out his gun. "You can give me all the money in the bank."

I was en route to Ion Technologies when the vid-phone in Gadgetmobile went off. The caller ID said the caller was Shelby. I answered and a real-time picture of her showed up on the screen.

"It's been almost a week and you haven't called me!" she exclaimed before I said anything.

"Yeah, I know. I've been really busy responding to calls this week. Crime is on the drop but even I can't be everywhere at once. I haven't had any off time except for rest cycles."

"Do you have any off time coming soon?"

"Shelby, as great as it is to be talking to you, this isn't the best time. I'm on a case and on my way to pick up a suspect."

"Where are you going?"

"Ion Technologies, I found evidence to link the CEO to the murder of John Ramirez."

"What? Wait outside, I'm coming!"

"NO!" I exclaimed. "You'll do no such thing! You are going to wait at home for me to call you. I don't know what kind of security the place has and it sold weapons to the military, especially drones! I don't want you getting caught in the crossfire."

"But-"

"No buts Shelby! No arguments. You stay home and you stay safe! If you don't, then I'm not talking to you for a month!" I said and then disconnected the call before Shelby could argue further. Then I realized what I had told her and slapped my forehead. "Idiot! Why did I tell her where I was going? She won't listen! She's probably on her way to the tower right now!"

"You did lose your memory," Gadgetmobile reminded me. "In a way you're learning about Shelby all over again."

"Thanks, that helps a bit. Can you patch me through to Taylor's private line at Ion Technologies?"

"I'm on it."

Taylor was working in her private office at Ion Technologies when a newscast on the TV caught her attention.

"We have breaking news here in downtown Detroit where Inspector Gadget has gone on a violent crime spree. We have eyewitness reports of him walking into a bank, pulling a gun on one of the tellers and demanding all the money in the bank. Other reports say that he has already damaged private property, set fire to a corner store, and attacked a group of teenagers. Stay tuned for more reports as they develop."

"What's gone wrong?" Taylor asked herself.

After watching the news for a few more minutes the vid-phone on her desk rang with the words 'David Harder Calling…' flashing on the vid-screen. She answered immediately.

"David! What's going on? Are you alright? Why are you destroying the city? Have you lost your mind? Do you even know that there's a termination command in you that can be activated by the CEO of UniTech?"

Taylor said all that without taking a breath.

"Whoa, slow down. What are you talking about?"

"It's all over the news! They're saying that you're destroying Detroit. They even have live footage of you setting a building on fire."

I swore under my breath. "It's not me destroying the city, Taylor, it must be Xavier."

"Xavier? What's he got to do with all of this?"

"I found evidence linking him to your brother's murder."

"WHAT?"

"Ouch, those are some strong lungs you have. Were you on a swim team when you were younger?"

"Sorry, but why would Xavier kill my brother and steal our research?"

"I don't know. He must have needed it for something he was working on. And the fact that there's an evil duplicate of me wreaking havoc on Detroit suggests that he's finished whatever he needed your research for. We have to move fast."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Yes, go to Metro South, get Jay, and then get to UniTech to prevent the CEO from activating my termination command. I won't be much good to anyone if I'm dead. Now get out of there! I'm almost at the building, I'll leave Gadgetmobile outside and you can take him."

"Thank you. And inspector?"

"Yes doctor?"

"Good luck."

"Thanks. Now get out of there!"

"Alright Gadgetmobile, you stay here and wait for Dr. Ramirez. Make sure she goes to Metro South and then UniTech."

" I've got it inspector, good luck."

"Thanks Gadgetmobile, see you in a few hours."

I made my way to the back side of the building being careful to not be seen as I heard a warrant for my arrest had been issued on the police radio before I had parked Gadgetmobile. I looked up at the sheer size of the IT building. Fifty floors straight up. I raised my arm and a grappling gun extended from my forearm. I fired and the grappler went all the up and hooked on the building. I was unprepared for the sudden tug however and accidently bashed myself against the side of the skyscraper a few times. I finally got it under control and reached the top of the building. There was an exit up there that would allow me to get inside. I tried the handle but it was locked. I lifted my arm and spoke into my wrist com.

"Gadgetmobile, are you still parked outside?"

"Yes inspector, I'm still here."

"Great, the exit door on the roof is locked and there's bound to be an alarm hooked up to it. Can you do something about that?"

"I'm on it inspector," Gadgetmobile assured me. "The alarm has been disabled and Dr. Ramirez has just arrived."

"Good job, now you know what to do."

"Of course."

"Good, Gadget out."

I entered the building and made my way down the stairs. I opened one of the doors that I heard machinery behind. The door opened onto a catwalk that overlooked a huge manufacturing area that was making battle droned equipped with Neural Wave Amplifiers. I was right. Xavier had killed John and stolen the plans. And that meant that he had attempted to take my life. I closed the door with a look of determination on my face and made my way further into the corporate building. I opened another that lead into a hallway that had one large door that was far away from all the others.

"That must be Xavier's private lab," I whispered to myself.

I made my way over and slowly opened the door. Thankfully, there were no alarms. The lab was dimly lit and had workbenches and computers scattered all over. I approached the main computer bank and interfaced with it. I was able to bypass the security password with a virus and started scrolling through the files. I found the stolen research and downloaded that into my CPU. I was about to log off the computer when another file caught my eye. It was the largest file on the computer and it was labeled 'Project 16.'

"What's Project 16?" I muttered to myself.

I opened it and set off an alarm.

"Warning! Intruder alert. Intruder alert. Begin lock down of building."

"Oops. Well, time to dash."

I turned and made a mad dash for the exit but the doors closed before I reached them. No problem. I just rammed right through them. I made a turn in the hall only to be faced with more of IT's drones. I pulled my CS-6 and fired a round at the closet one. It fell and then the others started firing. It didn't have time for this. I set my gun to automatic fire and mowed down the rest of the drones. I was about to make my get away when my systems were suddenly compromised.

WARNING!

SYSTEM ERROR!

ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT

WARNING!

SYSTEM EFFICIENCY AT 60%

CORRECTION FAILED

SYSTEM EFFICIENCY AT 38%

WARNING!

SYSTEM FAILURE IMMINENT!

SYSTEM EFFICIENCY AT 20%

COMMENCING SYSTEM SHUTDOWN_

Shifting lines and static filled my vision as the warnings flashed on my HUD. My last view was of an immaculate leather shoe stepping next to me and the grinning face of Lloyd Xavier. Then my systems shut down plunging me into darkness.

Shelby was pulling up outside the IT building when she saw Taylor leave it and head towards Gadgetmobile. Her curiosity piqued, especially because Taylor seemed nervous, she got out of her Jeep and followed.

"Dr. Ramirez!"

Taylor spun around. "Who are you?"

"I'm Shelby, David's girlfriend. Why do you look like you're in such a hurry to leave IT?"

"I am in a hurry because David found evidence to connect Xavier, my boss, to my brother's murder. He told me to go to Metro South to get Jay and then head straight for UniTech because there's a termination sequence in him that can be activated by the CEO, Mr. King if he chooses to."

"What?"

"I know, that was his reaction. Now what are you doing here?"

"David told me he was coming here and I wanted in on the action."

"That's rather foolish, Xavier is a very smart man and if he was willing to kill my brother and almost kill David to cover his tracks then he'll have no qualms killing you to get to David. If you really want to help then you can come with me to Metro South and UniTech."

"Alright, let's go."

Chief Steele was being run ragged because of Robo-Gadget. The force was stretched to the limit trying to respond to all the calls pouring in because of him.

"I want absolutely everybody out on the streets right now! Gadget has us short manned and I want him brought in no matter what! And don't bother filling out the paper work before you leave, there isn't enough time!"

"Sir, call for you on line one."

"I'll take it in my office."

A few minutes after the chief had left for his office there was a huge commotion outside the precinct and Robo-Gadget walked in a second later. Jay approached him and attempted to talk him down.

"David! What the hell are you thinking? The chief is going ballistic and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. Do you understand that? Your arrest! And he's authorized the use of lethal force if necessary! Now you need to— HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Robo-Gadget had picked Jay up by the lapels of his lab coat and was preparing to slide him on the floor into a door. He threw Jay onto the floor and he slid through the door and into a group of officers who were arming themselves before heading out to try and catch me.

The chief was finishing up with his call when Robo-Gadget smashed the glass on the door and walked in.

"Got a minute chief? I'd like to talk."

"Uh… sure. What do you want to talk about?"

Robo-Gadget activated a flamethrower and lit part of the desk on fire.

"Now, Gadget, I know you're upset about earlier. The truth is I want you on the Ramirez case. In fact, I want you to lead the case."

As he finished the sentence Robo-Gadget grabbed Chief Steele by the lapels of his uniform and made a move to harm him but was interrupted by a group of officers showing up in the door.

"Freeze Gadget! You're under arrest!"

He didn't waste any time. He swung around and fired his flamethrower again to throw off the cops.

"It's been fun boys, but I've got to take my leave, lots more to destroy!"

Robo-Gadget lunged out the window, breaking the glass, doing a complete somersault and landing on his feet on the concrete below. He walked away from the precinct firing a machine gun at the cop cars parked outside as he made his way back into town.

Gadgetmobile had gone full speed with sirens blaring all the way to Metro South. When he came to a halt outside the precinct he was immediately surrounded with armed cops.

"Get out of the car with your hands in the air Gadget!"

"Don't shoot!" exclaimed Taylor. "Don't shoot! It's me, Taylor Ramirez!"

"Dr. Ramirez," said Chief Steele. "What are you doing here? And who are you?"

"I'm Shelby Lutton."

"Chief Steele, we're here because we need Jay. Where is he?"

"He's inside. What do you need him for?"

"To help us prove to Mr. King that the Gadget destroying the city isn't the real Gadget!"

"What was that?"

But neither Taylor nor Shelby answered as they bounded into Metro South.

"Jay!"

"Taylor? What are you doing here?"

"We came to get you. The Gadget that's attacking Detroit isn't the real Gadget. We have reason to believe that he's a drone form Ion Technologies."

"Really? Well let me have a piece of that blasted CEO! I'll tear him to pieces! His creation tossed me on the floor and caused me to slide head first into a bunch of officers. It nearly broke my arm!"

"Well we've got more important matters to attend to right now," Shelby reminded.

"She's right, we have got to get to UniTech and keep Mr. King from activating Gadget's termination command."

"Damn, you're right. If we don't then the real Gadget will die. Come on! Let's get a move on!" exclaimed Jay as he bounded for Gadgetmobile.

SYSTEM REBOOT

POWER ON

SYSTEM INITIALIZING

CONFIGURE SYSTEMS

COMMAND SYSTEMS

SET PARAMETERS

MEMORY SET

BIO SUSPENSION ONLINE

SYSTEM BUFFERS ONLINE

SYSTEM REBOOTED_

POWER LEVEL

30%

"Greetings inspector, nice of you to drop in."

I was strapped to a table and had my coat, vest, tie, and shirt removed. The artificial skin panels had been removed from my chest, revealing the metal endoskeleton and cybernetics beneath.

"Normally I'd say you're under arrest but you clearly have the upper hand," I commented.

"Astute observation inspector. And don't bother trying to break the straps, your powers been drained to the point where you can't break them."

"Yeah, I noticed that. And another observation is the fact that I owe you one."

"Do you really?"

"When you blew me up you also blew up my Ford interceptor. Do you have any idea how good those cars are?"

"Well to me it doesn't matter because a car is a car, so get over it."

"So is this the part where you tell your plan, laugh in my face, and then tell me that the information isn't going to do me any good because I'm about to die? Because I rather like that part."

"Telling you my agenda was not in my game plan but the part about you dying was."

"If I may be permitted to ask a question, what was your motivation to steal the Ramirez's research and kill John in the process?"

"I see no reason not to tell you as you won't be around much longer.

"How generous of you."

"Because of UniTech Ion Technologies is going down the drain. We were the primary supplier for the military until UniTech came along and started stealing our contracts. IT needs something to put back on the top where it belongs but it's too late for that. This company is on the verge of bankruptcy. So I branched out and made business deals with… some who's use of my tech would have profound results on national security."

"Do you mean terrorists?"

"Terrorists are exactly what I mean. Thanks to the stolen Ramirez research the Ion Technologies Model 1-A Battle Drone is now a reality. We've even replaced you with one, take a look."

The table I was strapped to rotated me into a standing position so I could see a TV screen that was showing live images of the devastation Robo-Gadget was causing.

"I created him as part of my plan to bring down UniTech. You are a UniTech product and everyone knows it. Now that they think you've gone out of control UniTech stock will drop like a steel kite until it's worth less that paper towels. And it was all made possible with UniTech technology. Don't you just love the irony Gadget? The technology that made you, UniTech's greatest achievement to date, also led to UniTech's downfall. Comprende?"

"Si, yo comprendo," I spat.

"You got the verb right, good for you."

"I'm an American born citizen but I have a Hispanic heritage. I only got that right because I remembered what I learned in high school Spanish."

"You love to talk, don't you?"

"Kind of. I really only talk a lot when crazy guys have me strapped to a table and are threatening to kill me in a few seconds."

"Well there's one way to take care of that babbling of yours and that's to pull your Neural Wave Amplifier."

"Yeah, that would work. But you wouldn't really do that would you? Then you'd also be under arrest for the murder of a police officer."

"I killed John Ramirez and I nearly killed you. I have no problem with finishing the job."

At that point I'm sure that a hint of fear flashed in my eyes. Up to then the only thing I had felt was hatred for this particular individual.

"Sayonara, Inspector Gadget," Xavier stated as he pulled out my Neural Wave Amplifier with his mechanical hand.

WARNING!

CATASTROPHIC POWER LOSS

SYSTEM SHUT DOWN IN 5 SECONDS

4 SECONDS

3 SECONDS

2 SECONDS

1 SECOND

COMMENCING SYSTEM SHUT DOWN_

My head slumped to one side, my eyes went dim and the indicator lights in my body went out as my systems shut down for the last time.

"And thus ends the short career of Inspector Gadget. Good bye computer chip," Xavier said as he crushed my Neural Wave Amplifier before taking a cell phone out of his pocket. "Robo-Gadget, the inspector has been taken care of. Destroy the city."

"You got it boss."

"Hammer, take this out mode to the city dump where he belongs," he ordered indicating me. "We send the orders out tonight at midnight."

A/N: Oops, looks like I killed Gadget. Will he somehow come back? What about Taylor, Shelby and Jay? Will they have to face Claw on their own or can they save Gadget? One thing's for sure though, I'm not Disney. R&R to find out what happens next.