Sgt. Calhoun was relaxing with her soldiers in Hero's Duty. While the arcade was closed, there wasn't much else to do except perimeter checks or – more importantly – making sure her soldiers didn't step on an egg. Markowski tended to be rather clumsy and even some R&R at Tapper's didn't always help. Then again, their existence wasn't the easiest; every day it was the same, shoot bugs and try to help the First Person Shooter get through the gauntlet. She felt sorry for them but didn't show it. It wasn't in her programming, and she was still fairly new to the arcade.

It was only about a year ago that she was plugged in. Shortly after her 'plug-in' day, the whole blasted Turbo incident happened. It was a nasty ordeal, but with some sweet creamy filling in the whole Armageddon-coated nightmare. She had met a nice guy, and eventually married him. They couldn't be together during the day, but at night, they could spend hours doing whatever they wanted. She only wished that they could have a baby, but doubted their code would allow that. Not to mention the deal with code mixing. At least they would live as long as their games were plugged in, or at least as long as they were able to escape their machines in the event they were retired.

She heard the portal open, and reflexively turned around, whipping out her gun. Blushing as she saw who it was, Calhoun holstered her gun.

"Felix! Oh I'm sorry about that."

"It's all dandy," Felix said, "I've gotten used to it. Besides, ya know ya can't mess with the programmin'."

Calhoun chuckled and placed an arm around Feelix's shoulder.

"So, what are you up for tonight?" she asked, "Tappers? Maybe demolishing a few cars or sparrin' with Cammy in Streetfighter II?"

Felix sighed, looking strangely glum.

"What's wrong, Felix?"

"We got a situation here," he replied, "Somethin's up in the arcade. There's a recent addition. Have you seen it?"

Calhoun shook her head.

"Nope. Been busy doin' a perimeter check. Part of the demo mode, so nobody really notices when we go a little off-script. Gotta keep my troops from accidentally hatchin' any cybug eggs. Also had to deal with some other new-additions the other day – strange people who look like us but talk funny... like 'ralalalalib tidaou' or something."

The short superintendent let out a sigh.

"It's an old system. And it ain't just any old system either – it's Turbo Time."

"Turbo Time? Thought we'd gotten rid of that game-jumpin' lunatic! Looks like we're gonna get another foul taste of Armageddon, and it's already takin' away my appetite!"

She got up and turned to her battle-weary men.

"Troops, time to move out. No fun & games tonight ladies. We got trouble with a capital T – for Turbo!"

All of the NPC troops jumped to attention with a "Sir yes SIR!", and Calhoun pulled out her hoverboard, motioning for Felix to join her. It was going to be a long night.

"Indeed, that is a potential problem," Clyde said, "I was wondering why you came in tonight. Our meeting is tomorrow, and I would like it if Turbo would be able to come."

"Are you SERIOUS?" Ralph shouted, "You know who I'm talkin' about, right?"

Clyde 'nodded' the best he could, considering he had no neck.

"I am serious. This new Turbo could have a lot of problems to deal with here, considering the reputation of the former. He will need some friends, since for the majority of the characters who live here, he is a 'bad guy'. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Ralph looked down at his feet and sighed.

"That was different!" he argued.

"Was it so different?" Clyde asked, "Think about it."

"Nobody in Turbo Time was a nasty jerk to Turbo!" Ralph countered, "Everyone there loved him!"

"Did they?"

"Well I've never been there. Wasn't so into all this racing stuff until last year."

"Think it over," Clyde told him, "If bad is all that we expect him to be, then those expectations may fulfill themselves."

"Maybe you're right," Ralph sighed, "So, what should I do? Go toodle over to Turbo Time and have a little chit-chat with Mr. I'm-The-Best?"

At that, Clyde grinned, which Ralph took as a 'yes'.

"The key to harmony in this game world is understanding one another," Clyde continued, "Which reminds me. These newcomers who speak a strange language despite looking like you and Felix... we should learn to talk to them as well."

"Yeah, maybe," Ralph grumbled, sauntering out of the ghost-room.