Matt and Inez were unsure that Jackie could have already known they got together. They also were unsure if they should personally tell them or let them tease the hell out of them and make them confess.
"So? Let's go shall we?" Inez said quickly. Math exhaled as Jackie stared at her for another moment, before turning around.
"I guess we're all skipping breakfast?" Matt asked, looking at Jackie.
"No, I made lunches." Jackie shrugged. "Mostly for me."
"Quick question." Inez ask as they stood outside of Slyder's door, "Have you and Slyder found out the reason for the side effects?"
Jackie shook her head, "Slyder said because we haven't been in Cyberspace for a long time; it's messing with our heads. So we're not actually..."
"In pain. Another one of Hacker's tricks." Matt grimaced.
"What is he? Some...illusionist now?" Jackie rolled her eyes as she let her two friends in his room.
Matt was always intimidated, at the same time, jealous of Slyder. His room reflected his life in about 10 years; probably working for Zap; leading in the market for their electronics. Slyder could probably renovate and create something better. He kept his sports equipment to one side; skis, snowboard, skateboard, and a soccer ball. To the other side was more science equipment and advanced math books. And so apparently, his favorite colors were red and silver; reflecting on the curtains and carpet.
"Hey guys." Slyder sat back in his chair with his ultra-laptop. "Welcome back Matt."
"It feels better being back than at home. Though, those clips been a major help Sly'" Matt thanked.
"Very interesting huh?" Jackie looked.
"What did you find Matt?" Inez asked. He looked at her, realizing she was the only one that didn't see them; probably because Slyder's intention was to let Matt see first before everyone else.
"A lot about Dr. Terabyte and Dr. Alvin. And a bit about Marbles and Hacker but it doesn't give us a lead to where they are." Matt said, rubbing his chin.
Slyder started tapping away on his laptop, ready to open the portal, "We should play more catch up on the way there; I want to get started on getting Digit running again."
"I told so far what to expect..." Inez looked at Matt. He remained tight-lipped, recalling Max.
"Sure; I'm just more concerned about him." Matt said as he stared into the portal. Slyder and Jackie jumped in. Inez's hand lingered into Matt's, as they both gripped each other.
"Let's go." Inez said as they both jumped in together.
/
Max's system awoken from defense mode; after his system detected abnormal levels of the space nearby. The density dropped, and a pink static portal opened as exceeded the earthlings. Max's systems were back to normal.
"Took you long enough." Max said, glaring at his human twin, Matt. They stood nose-to-nose in a staring contest.
"Glad to see you too." Jackie grumbled as she trudged to the garage with Slyder. Matt, Max, and Inez stood in a triangle.
"I already explained the truce to Matt. But it doesn't mean you two can get away without shaking hands. Now, go on." Inez folded her arms. Both of them stared at her, thinking she had gone mad. She remained stale-faced, tapping her foot.
Matt groaned as he stuck out a stiff hand. Max followed, tightly squeezing his hand until Matt jumped exceeding a loud 'yeow'. His anger flared.
"Oops." Max said nonchalantly, raising a brow "I hadn't adjust my strength level to... less lethal." Matt knew he did that on purpose. They were destined to hate each other. Nor they were interested of any further contact. But Matt promised to keep cool...mostly.
"C'mon." Matt told Inez as he gave Max one last glare. The android shrugged as he followed behind them.
/
Slyder sat on a stool, preparing to draft blueprints of Digit's new design. Jackie observed carefully, fully aware that Slyder was not the guy to just give a mere reboot and update. He was going to [reinvent] Digit.
"They look fairly decent." Slyder complimented on his blueprints.
"What's the status on Digit?" Matt asked.
"A coma." Jackie said. "He must've did it shortly before Dr. Marbles dumped him in the Bin. But why?"
"So Hacker would think Digit was...annihilated." Inez said, sitting beside Matt. "He wouldn't go after him if he wasn't around anymore. That was the best place."
"Very smart of him." Slyder said as he began sketching the designs. Max observed carefully from the bench nearby to the other room, isolating himself.
"Matt, didn't you say you had found out more about this crazy guy that made..." Jackie thumbed back to Max. "Him?"
Max raised a brow.
"A lot actually." Matt braced himself. "But I'll only state the most important point: Dr. Terabyte is human."
"WHAT?!" The gang exclaimed. Matt sighed, knowing that was the perfect reaction. Max stared at his twin as if he fell from the sky. He wasn't aware that his creator was actually human. This stunned him for a mere moment. And then it made sense. This changed everything. His mind went silently haywire.
"Are you saying he was the first human to travel here to Cyberspace? He was the one who first opened the portal?" Inez asked.
"Which is probably why he is under the radar. His identity as a human was leaked by Hacker...along with some controversy. Mostly because Hacker thought he was more superior than humans. Or should I say James?" Matt wondered.
"Felix James." Max stated. "That's his full name. He was held under the care of Dr. Marbles-"
"DR. MARBLES WAS HACKER'S FATHER?!" Jackie's jaw slacken.
"No no." Slyder held his head. "He was a guardian. There's a difference. But something must've happened to them rather than...they just died."
"There was a great war in Cyberspace shortly after Hacker was...born. It wiped out 2/3 of the population. Hacker's parents vulnerable to the attack and they hid Felix away so he was safe. He never saw them again. Then Dr. Marbles showed up." Max said.
"This makes sense. Honestly this is a lot to take in both of you. Take it slow and easy please." Slyder said. The rest of the gang braced himself.
"I have more that you all not going to take in well." Matt grimaced. "Might as well suck it up as much as possible."
"Okay." Inez sighed. "Go ahead."
"It appears that there were four main scientists that had worked together to create Motherboard, back in the late '80s. There was Hacker; when he was still Felix James, Dr. Marbles, Dr. Terabyte, and Dr. Alvin." Matt stated. Max became alert. He was aware of partial of Dr. Alvin's past, but not the fact that he worked with the best inventors of all of Cyberspace to create Motherboard...something wasn't right.
"Who is Dr. Alvin?" Jackie asked.
"Well, apparently he was a good friend of Dr. Terabyte. And then after the separation of the dynamic science olympians, he solely worked with Dr. Terabyte. But there was an accident...and he became a little bit...less human." Matt continued. "More...alien?"
Inez thought, "But wait a second; we're forgetting something: Dr. Terabyte created Max."
Max's systems were reading heavy tension in the atmosphere. He heard correct; they know he's a spy. He snarled. Curse that earthling! I need to get rid of her.
Matt glared at the android, "I was getting to the point. Max is hiding something." As the gang turned around and stared at the android Max. The android sighed in defeat as he stood up.
"Oh? I'm busted?" Max eyes began to glow while holding up his hands. Shortly after, Slyder caught the evil glance of Max as he shouted:
"DUCK!" As the gang went prone before Max's arms transformed into lethal cannons and almost hit Digit. Slyder flung himself over the vulnerable robot, as Matt found a hyper-cannon the size of a shotgun in the ship and aimed it at Max. The android chuckled.
"Really. So gullible of you to invite me into your little group and offer a truce. How daring of you to actually trust me." Max started. "Of course I have information on more things you'll never know about. All the answers lie in the whereabouts of Dr. Alvin."
"TELL US! TELL US NOW!" Matt ordered. The android aimed one arm at Matt. His eyes flashed to red.
"Don't tell me what to do earthling." Max growled. Jackie aimed a lazer at Max's head; him fully away that they were trying to pin him.
"Why did you do it!?" Slyder ordered as he gripped his wrench, wanting to throw it at him.
"You honestly thought I would let you have your way all by yourself? You would've ruined our plans. Everything would be screwed up." He shot a cannon at Matt as he ducked and rolled. Metals and tools flew around.
"No. We didn't." Slyder smirked. "We figured you would betray us at some point. But so early? That is very unlike you."
The android growled as he shot his other cannon at Slyder as he jumped down the bench with Digit.
Matt figure it out, unfortunately having to reveal the truth, "Dr. Terabyte created you because you resembled someone very familiar."
The battling aura evaporated as the gang ceased their weapons. Max calmed down, his arm cannons transforming back to normal arms.
"What do you mean...Matt? What are you talking about?" Jackie gripped his arm.
"My father called this morning. You think that would make me happy?" Matt started. "He hasn't seen me in four years." He paused. "And think about it; four years ago Max was created. Dr. Terabyte...has...a son."
Max cocked his head at the earthling, Matt. "How smart of you, brother."