Systems Operational, a static shock fanfic

Hello, curious reader, and thank you for clicking on this story!

I recently went on a "cartoons from my childhood" binge phase again, and the lucky winner this time around was 'Static Shock.' Surprisingly, I remembered quite a bit once I started and had the same feelings of disappointment at the end when I remembered this series never got greenlit for new seasons. Which is too bad since the animation and characterization was really tightening up!

Yeah, I know there's the pre-DC comics, the phasing into the DC/DCAU, and all that post SS stuff, so maybe one day I'll finally catch up. But until then, I'm gonna be that oldie rocking in a chair going "kids these days don't know what good shows are anymore!" for a while. I blame college and work for keeping me too busy xD

Any who, I got to writing a few plot bunnies out so I could contribute to the franchise. For some reason, I just really got hung up on Backpack when I started jotting some stuff down. Probably since technology has expanded so much in such a short time frame that it is fun going back through and seeing what people thought where we would be at by now.

With that, I'm actually pretty technologically illiterate. I know there's a bunch of codes, programing, materials, etc to get it running and you gotta be very specific with your commands. As in, don't skip a single step no matter how trivial or cumbersome it can be. Otherwise the program can't fully process and the device won't be able to complete the commands.

So this story is pretty much a very poor layman's idea on how a genius teenage programmed a sophisticated computer to help him and his friend fight crime. This is more like a basis for me to come back to when/if I come up with any more stories for Static Shock and I have something to point people toward if they want to know my thoughts on Backpack's early development.

Normal font is Backpack's 'POV' and Italic font is external dialogue. I originally had it switched, but decided since Backpack is the technical main character, it gets normal text.

Well that's enough rambling. Hope you enjoy this little story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Static Shock. Those rights belong to the original creators and Warner Brothers/DC.

System online.

System powering up.

System processing.

Processing….

Processing…

….. Processing complete.

Systems fully functional.

Running diagnostics….

Diagnostic complete. All systems functional.

Audio detected. Audio systems activated. Securing audio input connection.

Audio input connection successful.

Audio system activation complete. Processing audio information. Translating audio information…

Translating….

Translating…

"- if it works."

Translation complete. Audio input identification status: complete.

Audio input identification status: updated.

New file folder created. New "Audio input type:" identification classified. "Audio input type: speech."

"Source: voice." "Pitch: low." "Language: English." "Intonation: casual." "Identity: unknown."

"Alright. Everything seems to be in working order. No weird readings. Power seems to be flowing smoothly. Time to test this baby out."

Manual data inputted.

Request for manual keypad function. Request granted. Manual keypad exposed.

Manual data inputted.

Request for data monitor. Request granted. Data monitor exposed. Linking Data monitor to files.

Linking…

Link established. Data monitor successfully linked to files.

Manual data inputted.

Request for visual output. Request granted. Linking visual output to "Output Display". Link established. File data successfully linked to "Output display: data monitor."

Manual data inputted. Processing new data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. System processing new data. New data successfully filed.

Processing existing data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational.

Data synching…

Data successfully synched.

Manual data inputted. Processing new data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. System processing new data. New data successfully filed.

Audio input system update. Audio system synching with new data files. Audio system synching complete.

System updated.

Audio input identification status: updated.

"Audio input type: speech" file updated.

"Source: voice." "Pitch: low." "Language: English." "Intonation: casual."

"Identity: Creator."

Information update requested. Accessing further information. Processing information.

Processing….

Processing…

Processing….

Processing…

Update complete. "Identity: Creator" data expanded.

Creator data: Richie. Age: fifteen. Physical data: Insufficient data. Occupation: Insufficient data. Hobbies: Insufficient data. Relationships: Insufficient data.

Manual command inputted. "Identity: Creator" data requested on "Output display: data monitor." Request granted. "Identity: Creator" data sent to "Output display: data monitor."

Data displaying on "Output display: data monitor."

No new manual inputs. Manual keypad not recalled. Manual keypad exposed.

"Whoa! Much better results than I expected. Now then, let's see the status of your motor functions."

Manual data inputted.

Request for motor functions. Request granted.

Manual data inputted. Processing new data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. System processing new data. New data successfully filed.

"Command request: front, left appendage move up 45 degrees from resting position. Hold for three seconds. Return appendage to resting position. Hold for five seconds. Front, left appendage move down 20 degrees from resting position. Hold for five seconds. Return appendage to resting position."

Manual override. Request "Command request:" save as "Test 1." Request granted.

Saving…

Saved.

File renamed from "Command request:" to "Test 1."

Processing "Test 1"…

Data sequence commence.

"Okay, okay. No obvious hangouts. A little stiff between the movements, but nothing too bad or noticeable. Pretty smooth overall. May have to experiment a bit with the bolts to see if that will help."

"Test 1" command completed. Returning front, left appendage to resting position. Front, left appendage successfully returned to resting position.

Manual command inputted. "Test 1" data requested on "Output display: data monitor." Request granted. "Test 1" data sent to "Output display: data monitor." Data displaying on "Output display: data monitor."

No new manual inputs. Manual keypad not recalled. Manual keypad exposed.

New audio input detected.

"Source: Insufficient data." "Pitch: high." "Language: Insufficient data." "Intonation: high." "Identity: Insufficient data."

System processing.

Processing new data. Data transferring. Unable to create new file path. File path in-operational.

System processing- Override.

Accessing internal file. Running diagnostics. Diagnostics completed.

Pulling existing file path. Processing existing data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. New data successfully filed.

Synching data with existing file.

Data synching…

Data successfully synched. Audio system synching with new data files. Audio system synching completed.

System updated.

Audio input identification status: updated.

New file folder created. New "Audio input type:" identification classified. "Audio input type: whistle."

"Source: voice." "Pitch: high." "Language: Insufficient Data." "Intonation: high." "Identity: Creator."

"maybe the- Huh? Wonder what new file just got created. Let's see if I can-"

Audio input detected.

"Source: voice." "Pitch: medium." "Language: English." "Intonation: low." "Identity: Creator."

System processing.

Processing new data. Data transferring. Unable to create new file path. File path in-operational.

System processing- Override.

Accessing internal file. Running diagnostics. Diagnostics completed.

Pulling existing file path. Processing existing data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. New data successfully filed.

Synching data with existing file.

Data synching…

Data successfully synched. Audio system synching with new data files. Audio system synching completed.

System updated.

Audio input identification status: updated.

Internal command inputted.

New file folder created. New "Audio input type:" identification classified. "Audio input type: oral request."

System processing – Override.

Accessing internal file. Running diagnostics. Diagnostics completed.

Pulling existing file path. Processing existing data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. New data successfully filed.

"Audio input type: whistle" data requested on "Output display: data monitor." Request granted- Internal override.

"Audio input type: whistle" data sent to "Output display: data monitor." Data displaying on "Output display: data monitor." Internal command complete.

No new manual inputs. Manual keypad not recalled. Manual keypad exposed.

"…. I don't believe it. You created a new file, fully processed it, and displayed the data all without me inputting in anything or even requesting the new file. That's so cool!"

New audio input detected.

"Source: voice." "Pitch: high." "Language: English." "Intonation: high." "Identity: Creator."

Internal command inputted.

System processing.

Processing new data. Data transferring. Unable to create new file path. File path in-operational.

System processing- Override.

Accessing internal file. Running diagnostics. Diagnostics completed.

Pulling existing file path. Processing existing data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. New data successfully filed.

Synching data with existing file.

Data synching…

Data successfully synched. Audio system synching with new data files. Audio system synching completed.

System updated.

Audio input identification status: updated.

New file folder created. New "Audio input type:" identification classified. "Audio input type: excitement."

"Source: voice." "Pitch: high." "Language: English." "Intonation: high." "Identity: Creator."

No new manual inputs. Manual keypad not recalled. Manual keypad exposed.

"You just did it again! I know you did. This is turning out better than I thought. Oh man, and that's just from basic audio input! Once I establish the visual systems, fine tune the motor functions, establish better connections with in the hard drive, synch the display screen more-"

New audio input detected.

"Source: voice." "Pitch: medium." "Language: English." "Intonation: steady." "Identity: Creator."

Internal command inputted.

System processing.

Processing new data. Data transferring. Unable to create new file path. File path in-operational.

System processing- Override.

Accessing internal file. Running diagnostics. Diagnostics completed.

Pulling existing file path. Processing existing data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. New data successfully filed.

Synching data with existing file.

Data synching…

Data successfully synched. Audio system synching with new data files. Audio system synching completed.

System updated.

Audio input identification status: updated.

New file folder created. New "Audio input type:" identification classified. "Audio input type: rambling."

"Source: voice." "Pitch: medium." "Language: English." "Intonation: steady." "Identity: Creator."

Internal command inputted.

System processing.

Processing new data. Data transferring. Unable to create new file path. File path in-operational.

System processing- Override.

Internal request for action. Request granted.

Processing new data. Data transferring. New file path created. File path operational. System processing new data. New data successfully filed.

"Command request 2: Power down 'Audio input' from 100% to 45% when 'Audio input type: rambling' detected from 'Identity: Creator.'"

Internal override. Request "Command request:" save as "Creator Rambling." Request granted- Internal override.

Saving…

Saved.

File renamed from "Command request 2:" to "Creator Rambling."

Processing "Creator Rambling"…

Commence data sequence.

Audio system activate. Audio system synching with new data files. Audio system synching completed.

System updated.

Audio input identification status: updated.

Audio input function from 100% to 45%.

No new manual inputs. Manual keypad not recalled. Manual keypad exposed.

Running diagnostics….

"….. Why do I get the feeling you just programmed yourself to tune me out?"

Thanks for reading to the end!

Like I said, I'm not very well caught up on the actual technical side of programming. I did my best with my hour or so internet searches, and what I picked up on in my college classes whenever we went over Information Systems. If there's anything too wrong or there's ideas to make it better, feel free to let me know and I'll update it the best I can.

With that, I for sure see Backpack already having its own personality when it's originally brought online. We've seen it await commands in the show, but also take its own initiative whenever Richie/Gear doesn't explicitly tell it what to do. I'm wrapping up my thoughts on that dynamic in another story, so be on the lookout for that.

And yes, I do 100% believe one of the first things it did was program itself to tune out Richie/Gear when he goes off rambling. I ramble, I know people who ramble, and we all mutually accept we tune each other out when we ramble.

Anyway, thank you once again for reading this and please tell me what you think!