Soft sunlight fell through the dome of the cybercoupe, unfortunately slanting right into Marbles' face. He blinked, disgruntled, before recalling the previous night. His back ached from his awkward position on the floor, and his right arm was completely asleep, but as he slowly took in the scene before him he couldn't be upset. Jackie and Digit were still sleeping soundly, both still partially in his lap, and Motherboard was leaned against his right side. Inez and Matt were still out for the count as well, tucked snugly against the cyberruler.
Matt's hand had become entangled with Motherboard's at some point in the night, and her other hand was against Inez's back, a small smile adorning her face. He smiled, slowly lifting his good arm to lightly press against her cheek. The fever was still there, burning as hot as ever, but it seemed their combined warmth had been enough to enable her to sleep soundly. Carefully, he began the tedious process of freeing his right arm, careful to keep Motherboard asleep as he did so. He knew despite her reassurance she hadn't been resting well, and with the virus spreading rapidly she needed all the sleep she could get.
Flexing his fingers, he looked to Digit and Jackie. Therein lay the problem. He needed to get up and begin readying for the day, but he didn't want to wake his friends any earlier than necessary.
"Jackie," he whispered. "Jackie." The girl grumbled in her sleep, eyes barely slitting open. "Good morning, dear. Can you slide over against Motherboard for me so I can arise?"
She made some sort of sound, not moving. For a moment he thought she'd just gone back to sleep before she began shifting, rolling toward the woman. He helped her move, also making sure she didn't accidentally hit Motherboard too hard and jostle everyone else awake. Once he was satisfied she was comfortable in her new location he turned to Digit, the cybird having taken advantage of the extra room to fully spread out. Luckily he was far lighter and easier to maneuver than the earth children, and he easily scooped him up and deposited him against Jackie, smiling when the little bird snuggled back in without waking.
Stretching, he arose, wincing as his back violently protested the movement. He was far too old to be sleeping on the floor. Squinting out the windows revealed it to be early morning, not much later than seven if he had to guess, just about the usual time for him to boot up for the day. He crossed the room to the small kitchenette, wasting no time in setting some water to boil for coffee. Glancing back at Motherboard and the kids, he upped the measurement of grounds. She'd have coffee whether she liked it or not, he could see the exhaustion painting her features even from across the room.
As he waited for the water to properly boil he retrieved his notebook. 'Virus progression: new symptoms discovered. Cough and sore throat. Fever unchanged, exhaustion worsening.' He paused, tapping the pen against the paper. There wasn't much he could add. Speculations on how the virus would continue to progress, but that would be of little use should they be proven incorrect.
He watched the sunrise for a bit, taking a rare moment to himself just to relax. He allowed his mind to wander, recalling more pleasant times before Hacker had gone off the rails. Even after the virus there had still been some good times, though as it wore on his friend they came less and less. He grinned as he remembered the Valentine's celebration they'd had after the kids had rescued him and Lady Lovelace from the Time Machine. That had been a lovely day.
Bubbling tore him from his thoughts and back into the present as the water threatened to boil over. He rushed over, pulling it off the burner just in time. Sighing, he readied the filter and began making the coffee, having just enough for two cups. He took his own steaming mug back up to the control panel. Might as well begin plotting their course to the next site, whichever one that may be.
Motherboard was woken rather abruptly by an elbow to the side. She gasped, the breath knocked out of her, only to realize she had double the amount of children using her as a pillow than she had the night before. Blinking and still drowsy, it took her a moment to comprehend that Marbles was awake and sitting at the console. Now the dilemma of how to get up.
All the kids and Digit were completely asleep, contentedly curled against her, effectively trapping her. It was then she noticed Matt was holding her hand, a soft smile coming to her face. Carefully, she freed herself of his grip, gently stroking his hair. He may not be as open as the girls about showing affection, but she knew he loved her just as fiercely as they did if not more so. He leaned into her touch, sighing quietly, and she felt her heart melt. She hadn't thought she could love anyone or anything as much as she loved Cyberspace until the day these kids had tumbled through the portal. They'd found a way into her CPU that not even Marbles had, and now she couldn't see her life without them.
Gently she began the process of freeing herself, though she did feel a bit guilty at the irritated sounds they made in their sleep. Finally, after several minutes and more than a few close calls, she'd managed to wiggle out from underneath them, leaving them in a pile. Vertigo greeted her as she stood up, the dizziness causing her to sway, but luckily she remained upright. Shaking her head, she moved over to Marbles.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Good morning," he returned, "how are you feeling?"
"Sore, and a bit dizzy, but fine."
"Yes well, the floor isn't exactly the best place to sleep," he muttered, hand reaching to rub his back.
Motherboard grinned.
"No, but it was worth it was it not?"
He looked past her to the children.
"Yes, yes it was," he agreed.
She coughed then, the feeling sneaking up on her. Marbles moved as if to assist her but she waved him away, the fit not as bad as the first the night before. She swallowed, wincing at the pain. She doubted she'd ever get used to it, such a foreign sensation.
"I'm fine, it sounds worse than it is," she said, though the newfound raspiness to her voice wasn't convincing.
He hummed in discontent, taking a sip of his coffee. Better to save an argument for one he stood a chance of winning.
"There's a mug on the counter for you," he said instead. "I know you don't typically care for caffeine in any form, but I think it may help."
"Well, I've never tried coffee before," she replied. "I do love tea though, so perhaps I'll like this as well."
She retrieved the mug, now only pleasantly warm instead of steaming hot, and rejoined him at the front console. She too chose to watch the everlightening sky, enjoying the sunrise just as Marbles had a mere half hour earlier. Sighing contentedly, she raised the cup and took a sip, eyes widening as she processed the taste. Doctor Marbles watched her in amusement, waiting to see if she'd swallow the drink. She did, though cringed the entire time.
"How can you possibly enjoy this?" she asked, pushing the cup as far away as possible.
"Well, it is an acquired taste," he said with a grin. "But it does help keep you awake."
"I don't know if it's worth that," she replied with a shudder. "It's positively awful."
While it was true she wasn't exactly an expert on food and drink, she knew she'd never tasted something so bitter or strong. The only positive thing she could think to say about the so-called drink was that it was warm. It was that which had her reaching for it once more, wrapping her hands around it as a chill ran up her spine. Now that she wasn't curled up with the kids her fever was free to torment her further. She relished the heat seeping into her palms, tucking the cup close to her chest to soak up as much warmth as possible.
Marbles watched her with a frown before rising. She watched him curiously, understanding dawning as he returned with one of the thicker blankets and wrapped it around her.
"Thank you," she whispered, discarding the cup once more in favor of snuggling into the thick fabric.
"Of course." He took his seat, going back to his notes. "I was just considering which site we should visit next. Corsario is closer, but Synchromia may be better formatted for a crystal such as Alganite."
"If you think Synchromia is best we'll go there."
"It does have specific programming for crystallization."
"I trust you," she said with a smile, ducking her head to cough.
"Try and drink some more coffee," Marbles said, sliding the cup back toward her. "I know you don't care for the taste, but the heat may soothe your throat a little."
Grimacing, she followed his advice, choking the liquid down. The taste didn't get any better, but the sharp ache in her throat did diminish as the warmth ran down her esophagus. She couldn't help the coughs that kept slipping out, even though she tried to suppress them. The longer she was conscious the more it felt as though a weight was settling on her chest, and she could tell she was in for a long day.
That was how the kids found them when they began to wake up, the coupe finally bright enough to rouse them. They squinted in the bright light, turning their faces away as they shifted, their addled minds taking a moment to register that they were now alone on the floor.
"Motherboard? Doc?" Digit called, sitting up.
Both turned at his call, flashing everyone a smile.
"Good morning, cybermates," Motherboard said, happy for an excuse to rid herself of her coffee.
"Morning," each of the kids mumbled, obviously still tired.
It was apparent that pushing through the snow the previous day hadn't only worn on the cyberruler. She frowned, concern bubbling in her chest. It was unusual for the kids to be anything less than lively, she hoped they weren't hurt or ill. She stood, abandoning her wrap to check on them, gritting her teeth at the cool air that brushed her skin. She knelt beside the half-awake children, taking turns to rub each of their backs to help ease them into the day.
Gradually they began to wake fully, responding to her touch. To her surprise, Jackie was the hardest to rouse, the girl turning from her rather than toward her as her friends had.
"Jackie, it's time to get up," Motherboard said, taking care to keep her voice low.
"Too early," the girl mumbled, keeping her eyes closed.
The woman laughed quietly.
"It is early, yes, but everyone else is awake already. You don't want to miss out on anything do you? Like breakfast?"
Digit had already taken residence in the small kitchen, beginning to throw something together. The mention of food got the girl moving, finally rolling to face the cyberruler.
"Morning, MotherB," Jackie said, giving in to the woman's gentle coaxing.
"Good morning, Jackie."
Marbles smiled as he watched her interact with the kids. She'd always been kind and nurturing, but they had unlocked a side of her he had never seen before. He had no doubts they would always be welcome in Cyberspace, even if Hacker should be defeated. His happiness faded at the thought of the insane cyborg. He hoped they could stop him soon, before all of Cyberspace was in shambles.
Frogsnorts was as unchanged as ever as the Grim Wreaker hovered over the site. Outwardly there was no sign of the meddlesome doctor or the pesky kids, but he wasn't so stupid as to believe they couldn't be hidden somewhere. A shimmering dome surrounded the castle, the only sign the site's occupants were aware anything was amiss. He scanned it, snorting when he realized breaching it would be mere child's play. Honestly, he knew he was a genius, but was there no worthy opponent anywhere in Cyberspace?
He sighed as he readied the laser to fire. While that wouldn't be what ultimately destroyed their feeble attempt at security, it would bring out anyone responsible for defense while causing a big enough scene so that hopefully the washed-up wizard would be caught off-guard. After that, getting information would be easy. Not to mention how chaotic it would be.
He smiled maniacally as he fired the first blast, the laser glancing off the shield harmlessly as expected. Activity burst to life below, multiple witches and wizards pouring out of the castle.
"Buzz! Delete!" he barked, eyes scanning the congregation.
"Yeah, Boss?"
"Program the scanners with Marbles' ID code. If what that little tropical twerp told me is correct, we should find him and the earthbrats here."
"G-got it, Boss. We'll do it now," Buzz replied.
The small robot would never admit it for fear of deactivation, but he and Delete hoped the kids had gotten away. The more Hacker plundered and dominated, the more afraid of him they became. He wasn't the same borg they'd worked for for so long. The Hacker they knew would never destroy and kill, only cause mischief and irritation as he pursued his goals. Buzz's hands shook as he carefully typed in the doctor's ID code. He was simultaneously hopeful he would be nowhere to be found, and afraid of his boss' reaction should that be the case.
Hacker laughed as he watched the magic users attempting to curse him out of the sky. Good thing he'd installed the anti-magic shields after the first time he'd pissed off Wicked, they were definitely coming in handy now. Spells bounced off the Wreaker's hull harmlessly, blasting back at their casters. The wizards were in a frenzy of panic, scrabbling to avoid their accidental friendly fire while trying to get rid of him. It was all quite amusing.
He set the lasers to randomly fire every few seconds, turning his attention to his true weapon. A large electromagnetic canon took residence in the middle of the room, charged with hundreds of thousands of volts. A few well placed blasts should destabilize the force field enough for him to push straight through. After that, well. He was sure things would get a bit messy.
The canon glowed vibrantly as it charged a pulse, the discharge shaking the Wreaker as it fired. The force field rippled as it made contact, already beginning to destabilize. Two more rounds had it flickering, and Hacker wasted no time in surging forward. It was obvious that had not been what the wizards were expecting as they all darted out of the way. Their shield shattered as the Wreaker passed through,
Hacker laughed as he watched the site's inhabitants scatter like rats.
"Buzz! Did you locate that delusional doctor?" he snapped.
"Uh, n-no, Boss. He ain't here."
Buzz froze as the larger cybird visibly tensed.
"What?" Hacker asked quietly, tone deadly.
"Th-the scanner says he isn't h-here," Buzz repeated, shaking.
An uneasy silence lingered. Delete shuffled closer to his brother, worried Hacker may use his perceived failure to make good on the various threats he'd issued over the years.
"M-maybe Creech was lyin'," he suggested.
"You imbeciles," Hacker began quietly. Both robots backed away at his tone, cowering against the far wall. "She wasn't lying. He got away!" They jumped as he exploded, the contents of the small table closest to the borg hitting the floor. Hacker took a deep breath, visibly reigning in his anger. "No matter. I'm sure someone else can enlighten me as to his whereabouts."
The kids weren't exactly sure what to do with themselves. They'd spent so much of the past several days in motion in one way or another, either researching cybersite formatting or digging through snow, and now there was nothing to do until they reached Synchromia. They'd helped Digit tidy up from breakfast and cleaned up from the previous night of card games, but now there was nothing left to do. Doctor Marbles was piloting the coupe, Digit in the co-pilot's seat. Motherboard was seated beside them, reading over the doctor's notes on the various sites and possible locations to check on each one.
Awkward silence surrounded them.
"What now?" Matt asked, keeping his voice low.
"I don't know. I guess we're just along for the ride until we get to the next site," Jackie said.
"At least it was a calm morning," Inez said. "Not like the last few."
They all smiled as they recalled the gentle way the cyberruler had woken them up. If only she could stay in her cyborg form all the time, they were sure the cybercitzens would never want anyone else to lead them. Hopefully they'd be able to cure her soon. None of them could stomach the thought she may not make it.
Coughing caught their attention, all of them turning to the source of the sound and wincing in sympathy. Motherboard had doubled over in her seat, unable to catch her breath.
"Too bad none of the potions Shari sent can help her," Matt said.
"I wish there was something we could do," Inez added. "I know coughing like that hurts."
Jackie frowned as she watched Marbles attempt to soothe the woman while keeping the coupe airborne. She, like her friends, wanted to do something to help her. Mind made up, she got up from her seat and approached, ignoring all the eyes on her. She locked eyes with Marbles, hoping he understood her intent. He studied her a moment before smiling, turning his full attention back to the skies outside the windshield.
"Easy, MotherB," Jackie murmured, crouching beside the woman and beginning to rub her back. She hadn't yet stopped coughing, and it was obvious she was in pain. "Try to take a breath. Just a small one."
Motherboard attempted to follow the directions, at that point unsure who was speaking to her. All she could focus on was the lack of air and the burning pain in her chest that only seemed to grow. She took a breath and held it, relieved that she wasn't forced to immediately release it.
"That's it," Jackie said, continuing to rub her back. She felt the muscles loosening under her palm. "Now exhale and see if you can take another breath."
The woman obeyed, slowly exhaling and taking another breath. The pain flared again, and she only had enough time to gasp before doubling back over. Jackie frowned. Whatever was going on it seemed to be beyond the usual means of assistance. She remained crouched beside the ruler, carrying on her soothing motion. She had no idea if it was actually helping, but she hoped the woman knew she wasn't alone.
Motherboard wished she could stop coughing, the constant hacking sucking the energy from her. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, muscles clenched so tight they ached as she attempted to keep herself upright. Searing pain tore from her chest through her throat, seeming only to get worse instead of abating. She could feel herself growing lightheaded and hoped she wouldn't pass out. The episode at Frogsnorts was more than enough embarrassment to last a lifetime.
Just when she thought she'd faint, she felt something dislodge from her chest. A wet substance splattered her hand, a metallic tang filling her mouth. She spit without thinking, desperate to rid herself of the taste. It was then she was able to take a decent breath, and she did so, straightening up, her eyes slipping closed in relief. Jackie's gasp had her opening her eyes, concerned. The girl was staring at her hand, which she hadn't yet lowered, in horror, eyes wide. She followed her gaze, feeling her CPU glitch as she comprehended what she was seeing.
Oil coated her palm, thick and dark, and glistened in the light. Shakily, she raised her other hand to lips, drawing her fingers across them. She pulled them back, more of the substance clinging to them.
"Marbles," she croaked, voice rough and shaking.
"Yes?" he asked, not turning to face her.
"Oil," Jackie whispered.
"What?"
"Oil!" she replied louder, panic obvious.
Footsteps sounded as Matt and Inez rushed to join them.
"Oh my god," Matt breathed.
Motherboard looked up at them from her seat, breathing picking up as cold terror washed over her. Spots filled her vision as the coupe gave a violent jerk, Marbles obviously having looked toward her.
"Motherboard?" Inez questioned, noticing her panic.
The last thing the woman heard was shouts of fear as blackness rushed in to claim her.
Hacker had little trouble moving through the castle halls. He'd sent Buzz and Delete ahead, armed to the teeth, with instructions to shoot first and talk later. They'd made quick work of the first wave of witches and wizards who'd attempted to stop him, several lying either dead or injured throughout the castle. Their moans of pain brought joy to his CPU, a wicked grin carving across his features.
Why hadn't he resorted to violence earlier? He couldn't answer the question, as he wasn't entirely sure what had originally stopped him. It was so much easier to take when you were unconcerned with anyone but yourself. Speaking of, he quickly double checked his personal protective shield was functioning properly. Not that he was concerned of course, most of the remaining inhabitants were sent running at the mere sight of him, but it never hurt to be prepared. Satisfied it was working in optimal condition he continued on, following the screams and sounds of weapon fire toward what he was sure was the headmaster's office.
He rounded the corner just as the second wave of defense was arriving. His grin broadened as they hesitated upon seeing him. Good to know he was finally able to strike fear into others' hearts. Buzz and Delete were doing an admirable job of dispatching the little army, though they didn't seem as intent to turn tail and run as the others had. They seemed to be trying to push the two robots back with volley after volley of spells, their defense surrounding a singular door.
He was too far away to read what he realized was a plaque beside said door, but odds were it was where Stumblesnore was hiding. The old coward. He hadn't seen a single sign of him since they'd penetrated the shield, no doubt he was hiding away. He waited for a moment until there was a pause in the spell fire, taking the opportunity to reveal his own weapon.
A modified energy transmitter, designed to send out a powerful shock strong enough to bring even Zeus himself to his knees. Buzz and Delete noticed what he was holding and wasted no time in scrambling behind him, far out of range of the weapon. The others in the hall looked at each other in confusion. A box? What was the insane cyborg playing at?
Their confusion quickly turned into screams of agony as Hacker released the pulse of electricity. Their cores felt as though they were burning, their circuitry frying even as they tried to get away, their legs failing to obey their commands. They fell like trees, bodies twitching as the screaming slowly died out. Eerie silence filled the corridor as the last of it faded away, smoke making the air hazy.
"Buzz. Delete. I seem to recall a little witch who was friends with those irksome brats. Find her and bring her to me. Now."
The two robots tripped over each other in their haste to begin searching for the girl. They didn't want to be the next ones to fall to that transmitter. Hacker watched them go, satisfied they wouldn't fail this simple task. They knew too well what would happen if they did. Pocketing his weapon, he approached the door, finally able to read the plaque.
"Professor Alban Stumblesnore, Headmaster of Frogsnorts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," he read aloud. He smirked. Perfect. "Knock knock," he sang, reaching for the knob.
He heard scuffling inside, no doubt the old loon was trying to create a barrier of sorts. He twisted the knob, doing so as slowly as possible to build suspense. He always did love drama. It clicked after a few drawn out moments, the door easily swinging open. He stepped inside, though it appeared he was alone.
"Stumblesnore, now is this any way to treat a guest?" he asked, straining to hear even the slightest movement.
His eyes swept the office, taking in every detail. Nothing was out of place, all the books shelved neatly and papers on the desk tidy. The blinds were drawn over the window that took up the majority of the wall behind the desk, blocking any additional light save what seeped in from the hall. All was silent. Had he not been paying such close attention he would have missed the slight flutter of the document just in front of the large office chair.
"Ah, there you are."
He didn't even bother to remove the remote for the transmitter from his pocket, merely pressed the button. A scream rang out, Stumblesnore slowly fading into existence behind his desk. He slumped over the top, panting, as the electricity faded. Thank goodness he'd had a protective spell up, otherwise it most likely would have killed him. Weakened as he was from the shock he still managed the energy to give the intruder a glare.
"You're not welcome here," he wheezed, trying to gather himself.
"Yes yes, you aren't the first to greet me with such inanities," Hacker replied flippantly. "Although, to be fair, the last site head who greeted me in such a manner is no longer among us."
Stumblesnore paled, and Hacker's grin grew wider. Obviously the old man knew exactly what he was getting at.
"So I suggest if you'd like to remain in working order, unlike Motherboard, you tell me everything I want to know."
The old wizard glared. He'd known this day was coming ever since Motherboard had shown up unexpectedly, he'd only hoped he had more time to prepare. The screams of his staff falling to the arrogant psychopath had been what alerted him to the severity of the situation, unfortunately far too late. The guilt alone had nearly eaten him alive as he'd rushed to raise last minute defenses. The force field was supposed to have been able to keep Hacker at bay and yet he'd crashed right through it. He'd begun evacuating the students as soon as the Wreaker had been spotted, and yet they weren't fast enough.
Those remaining had been instructed to shelter in the dungeons, and he only hoped that he could either defeat the cyborg or buy them enough time to escape. Shari was among them, and he knew if she was found Hacker wouldn't hesitate to torture information out of her.
"I will never betray Motherboard," he said, finally able to draw a breath without pain.
Hacker's face fell immediately. He'd so hoped this little conversation could be quick and painless. All joviality left him, a scowl darkening his features. Why were all these citizens so insistent in their loyalties? Didn't they understand Motherboard was no more? That he was the future?
"Motherboard is gone! Deleted! I am the future!" he roared. Stumblesnore didn't flinch, only making him angrier. "I know those kids and Doctor Marbles were here. I have it on good authority. Now, where are they?"
He slammed his palms on the desk, leaning down to look the old man straight in the eye. Stumblesnore stared back, no sign of being intimidated. In fact, his lip curled in an amused smirk.
"Now, why would I tell you that?"
Hacker growled, eye twitching. They locked eyes, neither willing to be the first to back down.
"Boss! Boss! We got her!" Delete yelled, voice echoing up the hallway and into the office.
Hacker didn't break his stare, lip curling in pleasure. It was then Stumblesnore faltered. He couldn't let them hurt anyone else, and he feared the 'her' in question was Shari Spotter. His suspicions were proven correct moments later when the two henchmen shoved the girl through the doorway, gun pressed into her spine. Her face was pale, tear tracks evident.
"Professor!" she cried out. "They…they…Dodie. And the others…"
She broke down in sobs, obviously having witnessed something far more terrible than he could imagine. His heart broke for her.
"Let her go," he pleaded. "She's only a child."
"A child who so happens to be friends with a certain group of rebels," Hacker responded, straightening. He crossed to the girl, motioning for one of the lackeys to close the door. Gently, he let the backs of his fingers trace down her cheek, wiping away some of the tears. "Now now, no need to cry."
She jerked her head away, squeezing her eyes shut so she didn't have to look at him. The smug smile never left Hacker's face.
"This can all be over if you just answer my question. All I need to know is where those kids and that idiotic doctor went." Shari was quiet, keeping her head turned and letting the tears continue to fall. "Very well. I didn't want it to come to this but, Buzz, give me the knife."
Glancing uneasily at Delete he did as he was told, hand shaking as he handed over the blade. Hacker twirled it in his hands, far more at ease with the weapon than he had any right to be. Stumblesnore watched nervously, slowly reaching for his wand. If he could just distract Hacker with the right spell perhaps they could escape.
"I'll ask once more before I'm forced to get a little…uncivilized. Where. Did the earthbrats. And Marbles. Go?" Hacker asked again, tone cold enough to freeze the room over.
Shari finally looked at him, eyes widening as she saw what he was holding. Her eyes darted to Stumblesnore, pleading with him to help her. She started to shake, terror filling her entire body.
"I…I can't-" she stuttered, gaze flicking between the knife and his face.
"Well that's too bad, because I can," he replied, stepping forward, blade flashing.
A blinding light lit the room, momentarily stunning them all.
"Run, Shari!" Stumblesnore yelled.
"Don't let her get away!" Hacker commanded, still blind.
Delete immediately extended his arms, blocking the doorway. Buzz dove for where she had been standing, though missed as she had indeed attempted to run. He recovered far more quickly than she expected and wasted no time in centering the barrel of his gun at her chest. She froze, the memory of the carnage in the dungeons fresh in her mind.
"That was a dirty trick," Hacker said, still rubbing the spots out of his eyes as he turned toward the old wizard. Before anyone could move, his hand shot out and grabbed his wand arm, squeezing tightly enough there was an audible crack. Stumblesnore cried out, the stick falling from his grasp and rolling away from him. "That's better."
The borg bent down and retrieved it, snapping it in half and throwing it at the headmaster's feet. He turned his attention back to the trembling girl, who had backed up against a bookshelf in an attempt to make herself smaller.
"And this," he said, advancing on her, "is for trying to escape."
The blade connected with the soft flesh of her right temple, cleanly slicing through to the metallic core underneath as it traveled across the bridge of her nose and opposite cheek. Oil spurted out, splattering both Hacker and the floor. Shari screamed, the sound inhuman. Stumblesnore swayed, the shock of what he was seeing nearly causing his knees to give out.
If this is what Hacker was capable of with an audience, what did he do behind closed doors?
"Now then, for the third time, where are the kids?"
"Stop!" Stumblesnore demanded. "Leave her be! I'll tell you what you need to know."
Hacker turned to face him slowly, the smirk on his face made only more unsettling with the oil.
"By all means," he said.
The old man sighed, closing his eyes and hoping that wherever she was, Motherboard would understand. He leaned heavily against his desk, seeming to age decades in the span of seconds.
"Doctor Marbles and the children were on course to Calamore," he said, the words weighing heavily on his soul.
"Why?"
"They're searching for Alaganite."
"What use would such a thing be to them?" Hacker asked, a realization beginning to creep up his spine.
That woman he'd seen in Control Central. It couldn't be.
"They can use it to…to heal Motherboard," Stumblesnore answered, wishing he could just disappear.
"She's alive?!" Hacker shouted, causing everyone to flinch. "Answer me!"
"She is, but she's weak, no thanks to you."
Silence filled the room after his admission, and a contemplative expression crossed Hacker's face.
"Weak," he mumbled. "If I can find her I can finish her off permanently." He looked back up at the headmaster, who looked every one of his many years and then some. "I appreciate the help, but now I have a dilemma." He stood, rounding the desk and backing the man into a corner. "You see, I only need one site leader from each site. And now that you've given me all the information I require, I see no reason as to why that should be you.
The girl here is more valuable now, considering she's friends with the little menaces. That may prove valuable down the line. So," he motioned at Delete, who wrapped his arms around the girl, "I suppose I'll take her in your place."
Stumblesnore had mere seconds to comprehend what Hacker meant before the blade was stabbed into his stomach. He gasped, the tang of oil beginning to bubble up his throat.
"Of course," Hacker continued as he pulled the knife back out and thrust it into his chest, "that doesn't mean I can't enjoy eliminating the spare."
Shari wailed as she watched Hacker murder her beloved professor. No matter how much she struggled she couldn't free herself to aid him, nor turn away. Buzz and Delete made sure of that, though she absently noticed they seemed a little green as they took in the torture. Hacker removed a small pronged fork from his pocket, stabbing it harder than was strictly necessary into the wizard's chest. A press of a button had the room lighting up with electricity, the little instrument melting his CPU and any internal wiring close enough to the prongs.
He fell, eyes fixed in the distance. Shari screamed once more and reached for him, but Delete's arms held her back. Hacker adjusted his cape, tugging his shirt sleeves back into place.
"Take her to the Wreaker," he said calmly. "And set a course for Calamore. We've got some usurpers to intercept."