A/N: So this is the first chapter where things are different from the original, but its mostly still the same. I hope it holds up.
~Chapter Nine~
Dr. Adams was right. Both children slept the entire day and night away. Marbles was the first to rise at around 9:00 A.M. He had slept for exactly twenty four hours which even for a human would be a large amount, but being a cyborg he only required eight hours as opposed to ten for a human child his age.
-Cyborgs, are in fact, very physically different from humans. Though they also reach full mental and physical maturity by eighteen to twenty five years of age, the average life span for cyborgs is an astonishing 200 years (when designed from infant form). To add to that, the aging process does not take place until their mid-100s. As far as sleep, a full-grown cyborg only needs five hours versus the required seven to nine for humans. And (having a body that runs almost completely on wires, circuits, and electricity), a normal body temperature would be 105 degrees, a deadly number for any human.-
Marbles rose from his bed and stretched. It was one of the best nights of rest he ever had. The bed's mattress was made purely from faux feathers, as were the two large pillows, and the comforter was made with only the finest wool in all of Cyberspace.
"Now what?" Marbles thought. He had never actually been to Control Central and had now idea what to do.
He washed his face in the adjoining bathroom and then stepped outside bedroom. To the side of the door were two boxes, one large one small, both with his name on it. Marbles grabbed the two boxes and placed them on the bed. He opened the larger box first. In it was a stack of neatly folded clothing and two shoe boxes with a note laid on top.
"Dear Marbles, I had one of my workers Paul buy you and Melissa some clothes and toiletries. The toiletries are in the smaller box. There is a toothbrush, tooth paste, and shampoo amongst many things. Please let me know if there's anything else you need. -Sir Dalhart"
Marbles opened the smaller box to see exactly what the note had said. After taking a bath and brushing his teeth, Marbles, being a boy after all, picked the first outfit he found in the box. He wore a simple white t-shirt and blue shorts along with a pair of white sneakers. After Marbles had finished dressing, he left the bedroom and made his way to the main control room, not knowing where else to go. On the way he ran into a male cyborg with the body of a human man from the hips up and legs that were shaped like one stick with a wheel instead of feet. The cyborg had purple hair and brown eyes.
"Sorry!" they both said as they bumped into each other.
"Oh you must be Marbles Benson," the cyborg said holding out his hand, "My name is Paul."
"Good morning Paul," Marbles answered politely while shaking the borg's hand, "Are you the one who gave me the clothes?"
"I am," Paul answered, "Do they fit well?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Your welcome little one," Paul replied. He paused a moment realizing where the young boy was probably on his way to. "Things are very busy in the main control room right now. I recommend not going in there. There's a kitchen downstairs and to the left. Most everyone here ate a while ago so you'd probably only find some fruit and cereal, but feel free to help yourself. There's also a rec room downstairs with a television and some games. There's probably nobody down there right now."
"Ok," Marbles replied, "Thank you Paul."
"No problem Marbles. Now I have to get going. There are some documents I left in my room."
The two cyborgs said their goodbyes and went on their way. Paul felt so bad for the little boy.
"It shouldn't have to be this way," Paul thought to himself, "Its not fair!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Paul was right. Things were hectic at the main control room. Sir Dalhart and Richard were speaking with the enemy, Abaddon, via the main supercomputer in the center of the control room.
"What do you want, you psychotic bas-?!" Richard shouted angrily at the screen displaying Abaddon from his secret hideaway.
"Richard, calm down! Let's try to stay professional," Sir Dalhart said, turning to his technician.
"For once our leader is right," Abaddon said with hatred brimming in his red eyes, "Now, I presume by now you know about the tragic accident which occurred in Pompadoria last night, killing all four of the Bensons."
"That was no accident and you know it!" Sir Dalhart said pretending the children were dead so Abaddon would not search for them, "Your men put a bomb in that house and then shot Eileen and the children point blank when they tried to escape!"
"Correction Sir Stupid!" Abaddon said mockingly, causing the leader to clench his fists in frustration, "My men may have taken care of the wife and children for me. But I proudly take responsibility for the fire that destroyed Clyde Samuel Benson. I sent Clyde a logic buster, addressed from his respected leader, that proved strong enough to make his computer explode to a frenzy of flames, BURNING HIM ALIVE!"
"HOW DARE YOU!" Sir Dalhart hissed.
The insane cyborg just laughed evilly as Richard's rage increased to the point that his face was crimson red. If he ever came face to face with Abaddon, it would not be pretty.
"Just. Tell us. Why. We. Are. Speaking to you!" Richard demanded through gritted teeth.
"I want Cyberspace, that's why!" Abaddon screamed.
At this point, Sir Dalhart decided to tell the enemy his plans of resigning soon.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Meanwhile, Marbles had found his way to the kitchen. When he walked in he saw Frank sitting at the table drinking coffee.
"Good morning Marbles," Frank said, looking up to see the boy.
"Good morning Frank," Marbles replied.
"Did you want something to eat?"
"Yes please."
Frank and Marbles went to the pantry to pick a cereal.
"He has such good manners," Frank thought as he handed Marbles the cereal he wanted.
The two sat silently at the table while Frank finished his coffee and Marbles ate his cereal.
"Frank?" Marbles finally asked.
"Yes Marbles?"
"What's it like to work here?"
Frank thought for a moment about the question. Sir Dalhart was by all means a wonderful leader. He was loved and respected by all the workers at Control Central, whether their job there was political or technological. Frank was one of the workers who helped with the political side of things and he, like everyone else saw Sir Dalhart as a close and trusted friend as well as a leader.
On the other hand, there were a few coworkers that simply bugged the circuits out of him. Richard Stanley was on the top of that list. Sure he was friendly and intelligent, but he was also incredibly short tempered and impatient. Then there was Paul who was always either late, forgetting something, or both. Many times Frank had felt that he and Eileen were the only truly responsible workers at Control Central. And now that Eileen was dead, he felt he was the only responsible one. Add the immense stress that everyone had been under since Abaddon started leading his rebellion, a job at Control Central wasn't exactly the happiest career in Cyberspace right now.
"Interesting," Frank finally answered. After all, it was at least interesting.
"Oh," Marbles replied as he took another bite of his cereal.
Frank decided to change the subject.
"I hear you want to be a computer technician some day?" Frank asked the boy.
"Oh more than anything else!" Marbles said dreamily.
Frank smiled at the boy's innocence. "Well be patient and believe in yourself," he said, "You'll get there!"
Marbles smiled back at Frank. "Thanks! I will!"
Frank looked down at his watch.
"I have to go now Marbles," he said, "There's a Cyber-Congress meeting today and I have to announce Sir Dalhart's latest initiatives.
"Ok," Marbles said, "Have a nice day Frank."
"You too Marbles!"
"Initiatives!" Frank thought as he made his way to Control Central's hangar bay, "Sounds more like giving up to me!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was noon when Melissa finally woke up. She was more than relieved to have her fever ridden of, but flinched in pain as she stretched. Like Dr. Adams thought, her arm was still sore from the injury. Melissa opened the door to find the exact same two boxes as Marbles had found outside his room. After opening the smaller box, she immediately went to take a shower. The fever had her sweating profusely all night and the sweat had dried on her skin causing her nightgown to stick to her like glue.
After showering, Melissa threw on a fuschia pink sundress with white sandals. Her box of toiletries had come with a few hair accessories, one of which was a white head band that she neatly placed on her head, instead of pushing her hair back with it, so that her bangs still fell just above her eyebrows. As she brushed her hair she heard somebody knock on the door.
"Come in," she said.
Marbles opened the door and walked in. The minute Melissa saw her little brother she dropped her brush and ran over to hug him, showering her brother with love. Marbles was taken aback at first. They were always close and he clung to Melissa like she was his mother, especially now. But he did not expect her to be this happy to see him. But then he hugged her back, relieved that she was alright.
"I'm so glad you're alright Marbles," Melissa said, hugging him tighter.
"I'm glad you are too. You were shaking when we fell out of the portal."
"Oh Melissa," Dr. Adams said, coming in, "I was just about to come wake you. But I see that won't be necessary. How is your fever?"
"Its completely gone!" Melissa said happily, "I feel much better now."
"Very good," the doctor replied, "Sir Dalhart would like both of you to join him for lunch in about an hour. He has some things he needs to discuss with the two of you."
"Are we in trouble?" Melissa asked.
"No of course not!" Dr. Adams laughed, "Its about where the two of you will live from now on. Meet him in the kitchen at 1:30. In the meantime he says you're both free to watch T.V and/or play games in the rec room."
"Thank you Dr. Adams," Melissa replied, "But where is the rec room?"
"I'll show you Melissa," Marbles answered, "I was just playing darts down there."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So what's the main control room like?" Melissa asked as she threw a dart with her good arm.
"Its HUGE!" Marbles answered as he threw another, "Its like a big glass dome and there's this big computer and a whole bunch of other cool stuff!"
"Sounds awesome!" Melissa threw her last dart which made it to the center of the circle. "I win!"
"No fair!" Marbles pouted.
"Cheer up Marbles!" the eight-year-old said reassuringly, "You won the last time!"
She then noticed the clock on the wall read 1:20.
"Come on Marbles!" Melissa said as she put the darts away, "We have to meet Sir Dalhart in ten minutes."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Your father had made out a will," Sir Dalhart said to the children once the three of them were seated, "It was shortly after you were booted Melissa. I was able to receive a copy from his life insurance company."
Sir Dalhart pulled out a folder that contained Clyde Benson's will.
"Amongst several things it talks about who would raise the two of you in such a case as this. It says here 'I don't expect to die young, but in a career such as mine, anything can happen. Now that I am a father it is important to me that my little girl, and any children that I have after her are raised in a loving and protective household. Therefore I leave my child, and any children we have in the future, to the care of my dear sister-in-law, Alexa, if fate should cause my wife and I to no longer be able to do so.'"
At this Sir Dalhart and Melissa had to blink several times to hold back their tears. Marbles however let the tears fall from his eyes, but still made the effort not to completely fall apart.
"I didn't even know Mom had a sister," Melissa said.
"You likely met her when you were very young," Sir Dalhart said, "After this..er... situation, your parents secluded themselves from pretty much everyone, even family. I believe the two of you children will find your social life improving much as you won't be cut off from all of society anymore. In fact, one of her neighbors, Margaret Lovelace, has a little girl, Ada, who is just your age, Marbles."
"That sounds cool," Marbles said.
Sir Dalhart smiled at him. "But, I'll warn you, the neighboring family is very formal in their way of living. Manners and etiquette are very important in the Lovelace household. If playdates with little Ada become a regular thing, you will learn to be refined, have the right posture, the whole nine cyber-yards. But by the time the two of you are grown, I can guarantee, you'll both be poised enough to be mistaken as royalty."
The children laughed at that, little did they know that they would turn out just that way.
"Your Aunt Alexa will be here tomorrow at noon," Sir Dalhart informed them, "Make sure you are both ready."
"Yes Sir Dalhart," the siblings said simultaneously.
Sir Dalhart nodded politely and got up from his chair. "Have a nice rest of the day. If you need me I'm in the main control room."
With that the Cyber-Ruler left the kitchen and Melissa and Marbles went back downstairs to the rec room.