Ch26
Slur examined the mainframe of Scilab. So this is the accumulation of humanity's knowledge. Sifting through the information she really didn't know what to expect. Yeah it was primitive but interesting.
Netto had come to practice cross fusion and was currently with Rockman as they helped Gorou Misaki make progress with his own cross fusion.
"Slur how are you doing?" Dr. Hikari asked.
She looked up at the man in the screen. His eyes had bags beneath them but his smile was genuine, just like his son.
"Fine Dr. Hikari. It all looks interesting," she said. A part of her wasn't ready to call him father, but she would be civil with him.
Calm down I may gain more knowledge about this world if I get on his good side. Her lord was always sentimental about the workings of less advanced civilizations.
"That's good. Let me know if you have any questions," Dr. Hikari said. "You three have been working a lot lately try not to work too hard."
"Of course," she said. I might as well try. "Dr. Hikari for what purpose did you make cross fusion?"
"I wanted to test how data transfers would work in the real world," Dr. Hikari said as he rested in his chair. "However, I am curious about how it can increase the bond between the operator and navi."
She raised an eyebrow. "The bond?"
Dr. Hikari nodded. "The bond between and operator and navi is crucial for cross fusion, without it the process would not work."
"I see," she said.
Thinking of the times they crossfused so far they haven't had any problems. Bonds. She traced her insignia. Who would've thought that I would've made one with Netto. She wasn't ashamed of it but deep down she knew she had changed. Besides Lord Duo always speaks of bonds, he has cherished them since our creation.
"Do you feel a difference when you cross fuse?" Dr. Hikari asked.
She flinched. "I feel our combined efforts." It was hard to explain how she felt, cross fusion wasn't like anything she had tried before. I have to admit that it is unique.
"I see," Dr. Hikari said. "Well I hope the more we learn of cross fusion the better we can improve the world."
"Improve the world?" She asked curiously.
Dr. Hikri nodded. "My own father worked hard on the internet and I want to improve on it. I know it is taxing on my family but I want to help improve the lives of other people."
She stared at Dr. Hikari curiously, she knew that Netto wished his father was home more but he never protested it that much. "Netto cares about you a lot," she said softly.
"I know," Dr. Hikari sighed. "But all I do is for them. I want to help improve the lives of all people."
She nodded, not knowing what to say. Dr. Hikari's words were earned and she knew that he did love his family. "I see and what is your end goal?"
Dr. Hikari gave her a curious gaze. "I guess you could say to better humanity."
Better humanity. It was a curious notion, humanity had a lot of troubling parts about it but she found it sort of admirable that Dr. Hikari wanted to help humanity in some way.
"The coding here is good," she said as she examined parts of the data. "But I think it could be improved on."
"Really how so?" Dr. Hikari asked.
"Just increase the performance with this code," she said as she typed the code into the program. It wasn't much but she might as well try to get along with Netto's father.
Dr. Hikari put the code in and the data reacted swiftly. "Wow thank you."
"No problem," she said. "Your lab is very interesting, your son talks a lot about your creations."
"Thanks. I try to be there for him, for my family," Dr. Hikari said. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them."
She noticed him furtively look at Netto who was cross fused with Rockman. Something inside of her realized how Dr. Hikari was always attentive to Rockman and his relationship with Netto. "I couldn't have asked for a better operator."
Dr. Hikari looked at her, his face looked as if he were masking pain. "I couldn't have asked for a better family. I'll do anything to make this world a better place for them."
He made Rockman for Netto but still the look in his eyes is the same he gives his son. Either he loves his work that much or something else is going on.
Whatever it was, so long as it didn't interfere with her job it wasn't her business. The rest of her time at Scilab she curiously examined the work that Dr. Hikari was doing in Scilab. It wasn't much in comparison to her knowledge and that of her creators but it was a nice specimen for this world.
She watched how Dr. Hikari and Netto taught Misaki how to crossfuse. The man was making progress and the encouragement Netto gave him lit up his eyes.
After practicing cross fusion a bit more Netto was exhausted and still had homework to do. Rockman decided to help him while she decided to stroll Net City.
The creations of this world are nothing compared to mine but still it isn't half bad. How far can humanity work towards? What can they build with their bonds?
Bonds. That word was a curiosity to her, she would be a fool to admit that the word meant nothing to her, it was something new that she had never experienced before. She was Duo's sword, the bringer of his judgement yet here she was forming bodies with people she would've seen as insects before. The way Netto helped people made her feel appreciative of others.
Tracing her insignia she thought of Netto and Rockman. Our bonds made us stronger.
She observed the local navis with curiosity from the rooftop when she felt a familiar presence behind her. Turning around she saw Forte staring at her. "What brings you here?" She asked. A part of her was tempted to call Netto but another part was curious about this navi. He was made to be used without an operator. Just strong are you?
If there was anything worth reporting or learning about Forte would be on that list.
Forte stared at her with an intense gaze. "You alone?"
She raised an eyebrow. "I'm just enjoying a stroll. What about you? Still running from those humans?"
Forte frowned. "Fight me."
"For what reason?" She asked as purple lightening crackled around Forte. Things just got interesting.
She dodged Forte's attack and summoned some chains to strike him. "Earth Breaker!" Forte yelled smashing her chains with a flurry of lightening.
Forte glared at her. "I want to prove who is the strongest?"
"Oh do you?" She smirked at the navi and summoned a series of spears from the ground.
Forte swore as he was grazed by her spears. He managed to break free of some of them and charged at her for another attack.
She blocked his Earth Breaker with her swords. Energy crackled around them as she looked into Forte's gaze his furrowed as he tried to break her form.
"Not bad," she said as she withstood the attack. He is stronger than I expected. "However, I'm afraid you have much to learn!" She pushed back with a bit more of inner strenght and pushed Forte off of her.
The black navi came at her with a pair of purple blades. She smirked as she summoned her swords and parried his attacks. Forte didn't fight with any particular skill, he was a force of pure power and rage.
Killing him off would be easy if I go all out. But he won't die easily, even a cornered animal will fight to the last breath. Besides, she tried not to go all out since it could draw unwanted attention.
They exchanged blows with their swords, neither of them gaining the upper hand when out of the corner of her eyes she saw a beam of energy headed her way. What now? She dodged the attack just as a bullet came at her.
She easily blocked it with her sword. In distance she saw a green navi on a rooftop kneeling down with his rifle pointed at them. So you want to take me out too?
Forte swore as bullets also started to began to rain on him. "How about a truce for now?" With a snap of her fingers she summoned her chains to destroy the satellites which were firing down on them.
"Fine," Forte growled as he summoned his aura to take care of the bullets. "But this isn't over."
She nodded as they both turned to their enemy. The green navi fired a series of shots at them but Forte was having none of it. "Earth Breaker!"
The enemy leapt out of the way as the ground beneath him was destroyed.
"Looks like Nebula has sent one of their dogs," she said as she summoned a series of spears to pierce the navi.
The enemy navi swore but managed to throw a grenade at them that exploded in front of her. What a pesk.
"Nebula," Forte growled as his energy crackled around him. "Those rejects again? When will you all piss off!"
Forte sent a wave of energy at the navi. A barrier appeared around their enemy. However, the attack was too strong and the enemy was thrown back.
"You really think you can just ambush us like that?" she asked.
The green navi swore as he fired a series of bullets at her. She laughed as they bounced off her as if they were mere pellets. I guess we should teach you what true predator is.
"Darkness Overload!" Forte yelled as he shot a powerful beam out of his arm.
The green navi barely avoided the attack before being forcibly logged out.
That went well. She turned and faced Forte"I have to return to my operator we'll fight again in the future."
Forte turned around and began to walk away. "I'll defeat you one way or another."
Their eyes met and for a moment she saw a glimpse of approval in Forte's eyes. Try if you can. A burning sensation spread inside of her, looking at Forte she couldn't help but an intelligent mad dog. I guess this is what Netto enjoys when he battles strong opponents. She honestly couldn't wait to fight against an opponent strong enough to deal with her.
When she returned to Netto's PC she found Rockman looking over their operator. "You're still awake?" she asked.
Rockman nodded. "I just wanted to check up on him." His voice was soft with a hint of melancholy. "I won't let anyone hurt him."
Looking at Rockman she noticed a longing in his eyes, like an old friend when he saw another old friend but couldn't reach out to him.
"Someone came after me tonight," She said as she watched Netto.
Rockman frowned. "Who was it?"
"A green navi," She said. "He was really sneaky and made a retreat."
Rockman looked up at her as she explained what had happened. "First Forte now this new navi." The blue navi shook his head. "I doubt Forte would work with Nebula but this green navi, he seems like a deadly opponent."
She folded her arms and looked up at Netto was worry spread throughout her body. "He was definitely made for military missions. Don't worry if he tries to get near Netto he'll regret it."
Rockman looked up at her and nodded his gaze hard. "Me too."
She smiled at him, the blue navi's face reddened as he quickly turned away and looked at Netto. "Oh Slur how was it with Netto's father today?"
"He seemed pleasant," she said softly. Personally she wasn't used to him yet but she could tell he was a decent human who cared about his loved ones. "He does like helping people."
A shadow passed over Rockman's face as he looked at Netto. "He does." Rockman sighed and turned to her. "I'll go look over the PC's defenses then go to bed."
She nodded, Rockman avoided her gaze as if he were dealing with a complex thought. "I'll wake him up tomorrow, you should rest more."
Rockman turned to her. "You too."
