GrimmFall: Toonami Rebirth
Episode 8
Xxx
Opening File: Toonami (Updated Version)
Toonami is a programming block that airs more action-animation oriented shows. The block was hosted by Moltar of Space Ghost Coast to Coast for the block's first two years until he was replaced by the original TOM. The first TOM hosted the show aboard the Absolution for over a year until he was destroyed by The Intruder. Sara, the Absolution's AI, downloaded TOM 1's memory matrix into a new unit on the ship.
The new TOM, dubbed TOM 2, saved the ship by separating the starboard engine, now almost fully consumed by The Intruder, by setting charges and blowing apart the connecting section of the engine. After bringing the Absolution to Startower for repairs, he continued to host the show for three years. At the end of the third year Sara was stolen by a space pirate who made his way onto the Absolution. TOM 2 went after him, only to be killed during their encounter.
Friendly robots found his remains on a scrap pile and repaired him into a new body, his most famous model, dubbed TOM 3. TOM 3 was eventually able to save Sara and continued to host the show for exactly four years aboard a new Absolution Mk II. This version of TOM remained in service for four years, at which point it just mysteriously disappeared. His demise has yet to be disclosed on-air and on-line.
He was replaced by TOM 4 who hosted from Flowus 3 which was stationed on an unnamed planet. TOM 4.0 officially ended the Toonami block upon its cancellation due to a low budget, TOM 4's unpopularity and the Adult Swim block that started airing actions shows and attracted attention away from Toonami. Four years later Toonami made a sudden return when a transmission sent by TOM 3 but was considered TOM 3.5 due to subtle alterations to him and the Absolution from an unknown location. His sudden reappearance along the petitions of many fans to bring it back sparked a new and renewed interest in Toonami and it was brought back but TOM's routine evolved to compensate the block's low budget; new messages with each intro, promoting Twitter Hashtags, introducing a Media Chamber, and switching the dark red graphics to blue.
He disappeared shortly after again and was replaced by the current host TOM 5.
(Accessing Recording:
The Absolution was seen, looking heavily upgraded and fully repaired before being replaced by the image of the new bridge as TOM stepped inside, taking a seat in his chair and began broadcasting with techno music playing.
Welcome to the telethon revolution.
As we travel through space aboard the Absolution
With TOM back and acting captain.
In charge of bringing superior anime action.
Yeah, Toonami's back bitches.
To celebrate TOM's return to television.
The recording ended with the words TOONAMI appearing on the screen.
End Recording)
Close File
Xxx
"We're doing the best we can to upgrade the Absolution but it will be sometime before SARA is fully integrated with the new systems. So you'll be on your own for a while."
TOM could only nod, watching as the drones from DexLabs continued working with the Clydes in fully refitting the Absolution. "She can still speak with me?"
"Absolutely." The old man named Dexter nodded, looking over the drones work and directing them when it was necessary. "The drones were designed for repairing the only orbital space station we've ever launched to run occasional scans over the planet and our moon. They've been keeping it up and running for the last decade and I almost thought I'd never be using them for anything else."
"Good. With the transceivers back up and running I can start broadcasting back into my universe and try to contact the producers." TOM nodded, turning away from the giant computer screen.
"What is it about this show that is so important to you?" Dexter Senior could not help but ask.
TOM shrugged simply. "It's what I was created for. A friend of mine asked me to bring it back and I plan on trying. It's my purpose and I couldn't be there when it all fell apart so I have to see if I can put it back together."
Dexter Senior seemed to consider his words. "I see…Then I offer my best hopes and wishes that you succeed."
Xxx
TOM stepped onto the new bridge that was more spacious than before with a sun roof above the command chair and only a forward view port behind the main view screen. The Absolution was nearly identical to its previous version but was re-skinned and re-lighted.
It was already labelled as the Absolution Mk II.5.
"SARA, you there?" TOM asked as he sat down.
SARA's face appeared on the screen. "I'm here, TOM. I am a bit busy with integrating into the new equipment. DexLabs has given a lot of new upgrades that I still haven't figured out."
"Good to know. What's the word with the producers?"
SARA seemed to be smiling. "That's the extra good news. They've been working on restoring Toonami, except it'll be bit more like Adult Swim, appearing on late nights from 3-6 AM but if it's a success they will add more hours."
"Good to know." TOM nodded in satisfaction. "So we're not out of a job after all."
"It's about to get better."
"Oh yeah?"
"They read up on everything we have on this dimension and they want us to monitor and broadcast events from this dimension to them to learn more about it and for a chance for the folks at home to see more action."
"Is that so?" TOM brought a hand to his chin.
"They've given us the authority to make our own staff in this dimension to work with us in recording and broadcasting events. I was just looking through the potential list right now."
"How many have you got?"
"Not a lot. I figured we should keep it small for now but I've got several who show a lot of promise. For obvious reasons they want to keep their real identities secret and have sent me usernames and contact information."
"All right, let's see it." TOM accepted.
SARA brought up the names one by one.
Lord Maximus
GREAT-CELESTIAL DRAGON
Endeavor-T
Titanic X
Zaft Prime
Nightmaster000
"How good are they?" TOM asked once he was done looking over the names.
"Pretty good. Lord Maximus has sent me enough data that he can provide the main broadcast, covering most of the world. Most of the others are focusing on specific people with their important roles in this world while the last one, Nightmaster000 supplies the rest of the staff with important facts that they send to us. It's enough that we'll be busy for a good long while which is why the producers at home are making plans for a new TOM, SARA and Absolution to take over for the action shows back home when they are ready."
"So we'll only be hosting half with our other selves taking over." TOM shrugged. "At least we'll still be running the show. Let these guys know they're hired and we're ready to begin."
"Right." SARA nodded.
"Let's start over." TOM let out a relaxed sigh as he leaned back in his chair. "It's good to be back."
The Absolution was repaired.
TOM and SARA were ready.
And Toonami was back.
In one universe and the other.
And it was time to start the show.
"I love my job."
Xxx
Deep in the secured vault of DexLabs the comet pieces that TOM had attempted to 'burrow' remained secured.
At least until a man in a grey radiation suit suddenly appeared in the containment tank, standing right in front of the pieces.
"It's a good thing he keeps me around in case of problems like this." The man mumbled as he put the pieces in a special case he had brought with him. "Hopefully this will calm him down when he gets home."
The End?