Early morning, the mild rays of the summer sun woke up the girl. She stretched her limbs and said good morning to her teddy bear, with whom she shared her bed. This house was her birthplace, all her toys were here, yet she was attached to this bear with a charred spot on its fur the most. Maybe because they survived that terrible night together.

It was vacation in school, she had nothing to do the whole day. She changed into her favourite red t-shirt with the broad white stripe, and green jeans leisurely and checked her pigtails in the mirror. She turned down the bed and went to the kitchen. She filled Brain's bowl with dog food and fixed breakfast for herself.

After moving in his late brother's house, her uncle was very busy with the Academy first and then with duty later; and she was eager to help out with chores. During the past couple of years, she learned doing the laundry, ironing, cooking, dish-washing, tidying, and to aid her uncle generally. He was very pleased with the help, and provided several tips on safety for her, when doing household tasks together.

After breakfast, Penelope entered the living room. Her first glance went to a pair of pictures with mourning band, standing on the cupboard.

"I love you Mom and Dad!" she whispered. Even though most of her memories were they arguing with each other (so much, that they were unable to find a family photo of the two of them together), she missed her parents deeply, and felt that she has to verbalize that. Especially today.

Her canine friend was lying on a mat, following the girl from the corner of his eye. She picked up a brush, and began grooming his golden-colored fur. Gadget groomed his pet regularly, but Brain preferred Penny doing it; she had a much finer touch for it, than her uncle's Gadget-hands. As for food, Brain preferred canned dog food to the cooking of either of the human members of the family. Gadget was an eager cook, but the products of his cooking were dubious, to say the least. Because she had nobody else to learn from, Penny's creations were similarly unpalatable, until she took home economics class in school later. (As a matter of fact, the whole family would've starved occasionally, if not for fast food delivery.)

"Where is uncle Gadget?"

Understanding has developed between the two during the years. The girl comprehended better and better Brain's barking, which resembled human speech more and more. And if that wasn't enough, he had a good talent for miming, he was able to explain almost anything by gestures. But it was not needed this time:

"Woork" he yapped.

It wasn't a big surprise. Uncle Gadget spent almost all of his time on duty. So much that he didn't find the time to get a wife so far. Yet, he didn't feel the urge to have such a relationship at the moment, he lived his life as a happy bachelor, married to his job. And as for children, the 13 years difference in age was small enough for Penelope to be like a little sister for him, yet it was a gap large enough, to feel for her like a daughter of his own, since her parents passed away.

After his high school graduation (where he succeeded by his teachers' sympathy, respecting his great trauma), he was admitted to the Police Academy by the courtesy of Chief Quimby, who kept his word and supported him greatly. (Somehow he even managed to have Gadget's date of birth changed to one year earlier on official records, thus making him old enough for the guardianship of his niece.) The young man wanted to become a detective, like his brother, but at the moment he was just an employee at the traffic department of Metro City Police. (Statisticians and the city's transport analysts worked overtime, but never revealed the secret, why the number of traffic jams soared in town during this period of time without any detectable cause.) Although he was sure to work his way up on the ranks by hard work, promotion didn't come his way yet. While no-one would deny he's being determined, utterly brave and dedicated; to be honest, he lacked many skills at the Academy already to do well. Instructors helped him pass exams by the requests of the Chief, who kept his eye on the progress of the young cadet. 'The boy has to go through a tough period in his life' he usually said. 'Losing his parents and his brother in the line of duty, taking care of his niece alone, while attending the Academy… We just have to give him some time.' Quimby firmly believed that young Gadget will put all that behind him, show his true potential and go on to become the world's best detective. (And he was proven right in a couple of years time… But we all know how that happens, don't we? So let's get back to our story for now.)

Penny turned on the stereo to play her favourite hit, Look Out by Shuki Levy & Haim Saban. All she could make out of the French lyrics was, that the song is about a little girl, called Sophie, but she just loved the instrumentals and the synthesizer. Her uncle was only 13 years her senior, but he preferred classical melodies and had no idea about the music of 'these kids of today', like Rick Rocker, for example; thus, she mostly listened this track while alone. And she had to spend much more time without her uncle, than she would've liked, unfortunately.

Quand Sophie part chercher
N...
S...
P...* – came from the speakers.

Her life was one continuous house-arrest. Not because she did anything wrong, she became an exemplary kid with flawless behaviour now. (Clearly, the influence of her uncle.) In addition, she felt that the loss of her parents was a sort of punishment for misbehaving many times, for being naughty and for sneaking out that tragic night. Although the rational half of her mind knew exactly, that she only survived thanks to that little excursion (an examination by the Fire Department found that the first missile hit her upstairs room directly), it took many years for her to get over the remorse. She was still afraid that the whole thing may repeat, if she were to do anything forbidden again.

Quand son chien a trouvé
D...
S...
P...*

But make no mistake, it wasn't this fear, that made Penny comply, whenever her uncle asked her to do something. She did it voluntarily, because deep inside she felt, that he deserves her full support for his tireless caring and love toward her. Thus, she never hesitated to fulfil Gadget's wish, that when he's not around, she shall take the shortest route to and from school and stay home, in fear of that Dr. Claw might have some sinister plan to finish off the work he began years earlier.

Et quand tout semble perdu
E...
C...
Q...*

Fortunately, no such thing had happened.

Gadget also hated that his niece must be alone, but he had no choise. While attending the Academy, he had to take a part-time job as a delivery man to balance the budget of the family, which was in jeopardy, despite the money coming in from the life insurances. Apart from this, he took all opportunities to be with Penny, whenever his jobs allowed it. They did chores together and she usually joined her uncle for his workouts, required by the Academy. However, physical exercises were not necessary for his mechanically enhanced body, so apart from teaching her some basic self-defence, they often just played sports or games instead, like table tennis or darts. Gadget let his niece win on a couple of occasions in the beginning, but after some time, he had to rely more and more on his gadgets to score a win. (Well, who needs video games to improve reflexes and agility, if one has a cyborg at home to compete against?) The family – Brain included, of course – often went to visit the amusement park or the zoo, to see a movie or a circus performance, swimming at the beach (Gadget deemed it important for her safety, that his niece learns to swim well); or just watched tv together at home.

Puis quand tout est résolu
E...
C...
D...
L...*

Despite all this, time passed slowly for the young girl when being home alone with Brain. Yet, she made the most of all that spare time: while becoming the 'lady of the house' basically, her intelligence, taken after her parents, craved for more, than just doing the chores or to watch tv whole day. Books were the most obvious, accessible thing. She began by exploring her story books. First, she was just looking at the pictures. As her uncle read bedtime stories for her every night, she knew them by heart, and soon she started to associate sounds with the printed letters; thus she learned to read quickly, well before attending elementary school. She turned her attention to other books now, with her uncle's lecture notes of the Police Academy being what were available at home. While other kids were trying to spell 'cat' in first class, Penny was reading about the latest developments of forensic science, criminology, information technology, chemistry, ballistics & physics and anatomy & criminal pathology.

Mécanique, computer,
R...
T...
P...*

Her brain was craving for knowledge and she supplied her grey brain cells with it. When she went to the local library, her uncle had to help carry the heavy books; then even he had to register and borrow books his niece picked, due to the library's policy, that no more than six books can be loaned for one person per week. She loved school, learning new things and particularly enjoyed solving problems and unraveling secrets of natural sciences. (The idea of untangling social mysteries, called crime, sounded appealing too, but she never considered to try her hands at it for real. She had only a vague recollection of her dad's stories, they seemed to be so long ago, as if they were just a dream.)

Avec elle, pas d'erreur
S...
T...
P...*

Unfortunately, excelling in studies and winning science competitions had its downside too. While impressing her teachers, some of her schoolmates found her rather strange, not really wanting to make friends with her, because of her intellect. Cute, blonde, blue eyes… Those features made her very popular with boys years later, but at this age, boys find it more cool to be cruel to girls.

The track was over, the stereo moved on to the next one, which was about a canine, named Finot. It was Brain's favourite, he raised one of his long ears to hear it better. He was enjoying the grooming, the massaging strokes by the brush and the sweet idleness. He had his work cut out over the past years, and now he was happy to just relax while Gadget is away.

'Look after Penny, Brain!' his master said years ago, and he did that ever since. Making sure Gadget doesn't mistake washing detergent for baby shampoo, that pins are not cooked into the morning cocoa, that the iron – which Gadget left plugged in, while, during ironing, he read his Academy notes held by the Gadget-hands – doesn't alight the whole house, or just yank the little girl aside when the gadgets went haywire, provided many duties for the pet. It's very questionable if a 4-year-old could've survived the caretaking of the very eager, but the-clumsiest-of-the-world uncle, without being rescued, almost on a daily basis by her four-legged companion.

Actually, this expression suited him less and less. Brain had to stand up on his hind legs so many times – to catch a falling dish with his front paws, or drag Penny out of harm's way –, that by now he could balance and walk bipedally securely if he wanted.

Fortunately, as the blonde girl grew, she was able to take care of herself more and more, as well as to prevent accidents caused by her uncle; so Brain's tasks rarefied recently. But all that practice made him a sort of 'trained life-saver dog'.

"Woof!" Brain sprang to his feet. (On all four of them this time.) A familiar sound mixed into the accords of the music. Penny looked out of the window and saw what her friend's sensitive ears detected earlier. The Gadget-van just turned into the garage.

At the first place, he longed for a sportscar (which young man does not?), but eventually Gadget realized that a van suits much better the needs of a family man, and the safety of a young child. He bought the vehicle in his niece's favourite colors even: red and white.

"Hello Penny, hello Brain!" came his voice from the garage. "Could you help me in the kitchen?… Go-go Gadget-hands!"

"Hi, uncle Gadget!" Penny shouted while turning off the stereo. The girl and the dog attended to the kitchen and they saw Gadget carrying a huge cake. It was so big, that he wasn't able to hold it just by his two hands, a couple of yellow-gloved hands from his hat had to help out by taking it at the opposite end. He was wearing his police uniform and hat, as always. He may not be a detective, but was an officer of the law enforcement, nevertheless; so he had his trench coats tucked away in his wardrobe and wore the uniform of Metro City Police Department proudly.

"I'm so glad that you came home, uncle!"

"But that's self-evident, Penny. Today is a special day, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I just had to pick up this cake Chief Quimby sent… There is an inscription on the icing."

"Dear Penny, Best Wishes For You! Happy 8th Birthday! P.S.: This message will melt in 10 seconds" she read. "The Chief is a very kind man."

"Yes, he is." Gadget put down the cake. "Go-go Gadget cigarette lighter!" His left thumb opened up and he lit the candles on the cake. "Go-go Gadget-karaoke!"

Yellow-gloved hands emerged with a microphone and a monitor from the hat and he began:

"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, dear Penny,
Happy birthday to you!"

Brain joined him whining from the second line, but even that couldn't make Gadget's singing worse. Despite the grinding performance, the birthday-girl was touched; she wouldn't have this 'melody' exchanged for a song by even Rick Rocker himself.

"Thank you, uncle!"

She hugged him and when the embrace unfolded, Brain posted his congratulations by licking her face.

"Thanks, Brain!" she giggled. The little girl had to stand upon a chair to blow out the candles on top of the gigantic cake. If she had made a silent wish, it will remain her secret forever; but anyhow, great changes were approaching for the whole family in a short while.

Meanwhile Brain's red nose was sniffing around the cake. The letters of the icing were oozing down, as predicted by the message's post script.

"No, Brain! Human foods are not for pets!" his master warned.

"That's right. Especially sweets! Chocolate might be even lethal for dogs. I get you some festive pet food" said Penny and poured dog biscuits into Brain's bowl.

"Go-go Gadget-presents!"

Flowers and a neatly wrapped small box emerged from the hat by the courtesy of the yellow-gloved hands. The girl took the bouquet and smelled it.

"Thank you, uncle Gadget!"

"Actually the flowers were sent for you by professor von Slickstein."

Penelope filled water into a vase and placed the bouquet into it, then she started to unwrap the box.

"Why don't you just rip off the paper?" asked Gadget.

"Like this, it can be re-used. Do you know how many trees are cut down each year to make paper?"

"Too many, I think" he agreed.

Penny finished unveiling the package.

"A watch! Thank you!" she said with a big smile and slipped the red band on her wrist.

"It's not just any watch!" Gadget raised his forefinger. "I have asked the professor to make it specially for you, for the case something were to happen. You know, Dr. Claw is still up to no good, one can't be careful enough. I'll be more easy about you if you wear it. It has a built-in positioning system, flashlight, electromagnet, a laser, and you can communicate via the watch. You can call me or Chief Quimby if you need us. Like…"

A couple of beeping sounds was heard.

"The top-secret Gadget-phone" said Penny.

"Exactly. It's just like my top-secret Gadget-phone."

"No, uncle!" she chuckled. "I mean, you have a call on the top-secret Gadget-phone."

"Oh, yes!" He pulled out an antenna from his right thumb, tapped his little finger and spoke into it: "Is that you, Chief?… You're where?… I'll be right there."

He removed the cake's top layer and Chief Quimby appeared inside with his ever-present pipe in his mouth.

"I have a message for you, Gadget! Here, read this!"

"M.A.D. is planning to launch a new wave of crime" Gadget's eyes were scanning the lines. "Dr. Claw wants to take organized crime to a level, never seen before. You are promoted to Police Inspector. Your mission is to stop him, and prevent their operations. Caution: this message will self-destruct."

"Congratulations, Gadget!" His boss shook the hand of the newly appointed inspector. "Here is your new badge and ID."

Gadget's face was beaming with joy. He pocketed the ID and a yellow-gloved hand submerged in his hat with the badge.

"I'm so happy for you, uncle!" The little girl was delighted that her uncle's hard work has been rewarded and got his desired job.

"Thank you, Penny! It's a dream come true. And thank you, Chief! You can count on me! Inspector Gadget will be always on duty, until we have Dr. Claw behind bars."

"You are now a member of my squad, you'll get your orders from me directly. Your first task is to visit the Police Department's garage. Your van is great for undercover work, but it will be updated into a high-tech police car and equipped with concealed devices."

"Right. I keep this message in case I need it later."

A yellow-gloved hand disappeared in the hat with the note.

The metal-clad hand pressed a button and the picture disappeared from the screen.

"Excellent" said a voice, that was not high pitched nor ridiculous anymore. It was deep and rasp, thanks to a voice modulator. Nobody would dare to laugh at the new voice; on the contrary, it sent shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it, may it be an innocent victim or the most seasoned M.A.D. agent.

The covert cameras and listening devices in the Gadgets' house have never been revealed, they still provided an insight on the family's life for Dr. Claw.

"I have got rid of one Gadget, and now they send another one after me" the bass voice was talking much more to himself than to his pet (the only creature, who more-or-less accustomed himself to this sound); but he responded nevertheless:

"Meow."

The grey cat had put on some weight, courtesy of all the food, which his master provided him richly; and the transversal black and white stripes on his back made him seem even fatter.

George Gordon was only 29, but he had a handful of grey hair grown during the past four years; M.A.D. expanded all over the planet by now, and running such a huge organization was troublesome. Despite his hopes when getting Detective Gadget out of his way, he still didn't rule the world; police forces provided more of a resistance, than he expected. But he was convinced that it will change soon now.

He looked down at his pair of removable artificial legs. He was able to walk with their help, if he wished; still, he settled on an even less mobile life recently, commanding M.A.D.'s operations from his chair via his control board and screen. He even spent most of the little time he took for recreational activities, in that large, comfortable, revolving chair.

It was a strange thought, being somewhat in common with the late detective's brother. He never felt threatened by the boy, he didn't bother about him. Until now:

"I got your brother years ago; I'll get YOU this time, Gadget!"

"Meow" the aptly named M.A.D. Cat expressed his compliance; and his tittering mingled with his master's laughter, echoing throughout the corridors of the spooky castle.

While her uncle was reading the message, Penny obtained a spatula and cut a slice of the cake.

"Would you like some cake, Chief?"

"No, thank you" Quimby shook his head. "I must watch my weight." Not only M.A.D. Cat, the Chief had grown quite a belly in the past four years also. "It's important for my job. I was hardly able to squeeze myself in here."

"But it's my birthday…" she pleaded.

"Oh, alright! But just one slice. Thank you!"

Penny passed the dish to the Chief and cut a slice for her uncle also.

"Thank you, Penny! Go-go Gadget-cutlery!"

The inspector set to his festive meal. Brain has finished his biscuits and was sniffing around the cake again. Penny took a piece of the bakery for herself, but she was glancing at his uncle's hat anxiously.

"Mr. Quimby, how will the message destruct itself?" she inquired.

"It's latest police technology, the paper is saturated with a mixture of dextronium and utrytium."

The girl rushed out from the kitchen, and returned a moment later with a large, blue book.

Gadget lost most of his belongings when his parents' house was reduced to ashes; this book was one of the few things he brought with him to his new home. It remained in his possession by accident; when he realized that he still has it in his hat, he tossed it upon the bookshelf, wishing to forget about it completely; it revived painful memories.

His niece came across it a couple of years later, when she was home alone and looking for something to read. She tried to turn the hardcover, but she couldn't, the whole thing opened up in the middle. She was very surprised to learn that the book was in fact a computer. She began exploring it and found it to be a great source of information, as its databank was containing much more facts, than any single book. She relied on this computer-book more and more when doing homework or just browsing for some reference to satisfy her craving for knowledge. While doing so, at one occasion, it accidentally activated Brain's collar, her grandfather's invention, which she had completely forgot about in these years. Further experimenting proved that the device can remote control every electrical household appliance. Step by step, the girl discovered the book's many other useful features and the its true potential.

Just like in this instance: she pressed a couple of keys and found quickly what she was looking for.

"It says that the elements of dextronium and utrytium form an explosive mixture, but their ratio must be set very precisely for the exact timing of the blast."

Gadget has finished his portion of cake.

"Go-go Gadget paper napkin!"

A yellow-gloved hand wiped his mouth.

"Would you like one more slice, uncle?"

"That would be great, but it's not possible. I must be going now. Dr. Claw won't wait."

He filled a glass of his favourite drink for himself.

"Maybe you should take Brain with you, you might need his assistance."

"Nonsense, Penny! I'm a police inspector now, I can handle any situation" he replied while drinking his milk. "You two stay here in safety. Take care of Penny, Brain!"

He set forth to the living room's door but turned back.

"You have some crumbs on your moustache, Chief. Go-go Gadget reserve paper napkin!"

"Thank you!" said the Chief. He took the piece of paper from the yellow-gloved hand and wiped his mouth. But the paper felt strangely rigid for a napkin. He took a closer look at it.

"OH, NO!"

It was the message! He tried to get out from the cake desperately, but his rear end was stuck… BOOOMMM! The saturating mixture got to the point of explosion and the cake was torn into bits. Brain, who was still sniffing it, got covered in icing top to bottom.

"Uh!… I must be more careful with dosage next time!" the charred Quimby made a mental note, spitting out the remains of his pipe. "This shall not happen again!"

Gadget has left the kitchen already and didn't notice a thing. When he returned he was proudly wearing a trench coat, which he hunted out from his wardrobe, and a matching hat.

"Look, it still fits me perfectly!…" Only now he noticed the mess. "Penny, please don't let this marzipan figure lay around like this" he asked on the soft but serious voice, which he used, when he had to remind his niece of her liabilities.

"Marzipan fig…?" the girl was puzzled for a moment, but then caught a glimpse of the icing covered Brain. She was getting more and more worried about her uncle. Maybe this task is too much for him. He'll need all the help he can get. She looked at the computer book. An idea has nestled in her mind. Maybe it's time to be unruly again for once. After all, she has an unsettled business with Dr. Claw; it's not just her uncle's job to do justice to the family.

She grabbed her four-legged friend quickly, before he could lick himself clean.

"You'd better follow him, Brain!" she whispered in the long ear. "Uncle Gadget might need our help. Just make sure to always disguise yourself, so he doesn't recognize you." She glanced at her new wristwatch. She was sure she can find the right frequency with it to activate the collar; Grandpa Jules's invention – which to complete, he was denied the chance – will realize eventually. "I will contact you."

The dog nodded, indicating that he understands the task.

"Uncle Gadget, I prepared this marzipan figure for you. Please take it with you in case you get hungry on the way!"

"That's a good idea, thank you!" the inspector took the 'figurine'. "But I really must be going now. 'Bye, Penny!"

"Goodbye, uncle Gadget!"

He took the 'marzipan Brain' under his arm, and walked out the door. Little he knew that he is heading for a brand new life. While humming his favourite tune from Edvard Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King, he sank his hands into his pockets and directed his waddling steps towards the garage in the warm, bright summer sunshine. And – as they say – the rest is history…

* The rest of the verse is removed, because quoting of lyrics is not allowed by site policies.