Cyber Mission
an excerpt

X paused when he saw the dark opening to a cavern. No Bonbeens or Raybits . . .Their data must be missing . . . X mused, that's the only logical answer. As I analyze this the layout is shorter, as if not all the data was reproduced . . . Does this mean whoever is behind this does not have all the data from Mother? Or could they not corrupt the stored data completely? No matter what, I know Penguigo will be at the end of this and, no matter what, I've got to destroy him again. But this time it's not a former Hunter Commander and friend I'm killing . . . it's just a data representation of him. But the principles should be the same. His attack shouldn't have changed . . . but does that mean I'll find one of my creator's capsules? Originally I found the program for my EAS . . . Will I find it again in the data world?

Knowing there was only one way to find out, X entered the cavern, firing on
Batton Bones as the small, violet-hued mechaniroid bat fluttered down on
metallic wings. He didn't bother to fire a charged shot, knowing a couple of normal plasma shots would be enough to disable and destroy the Batton Bones. As he dropped down each ledge, making his way ever lower and ever deeper into the cavern he knew would hold part of the base's networks, he fired at the Batton Bones, clearing the way, stopping only if he had to to rummage through the parts for any functioning energy cores to help replace the energy he was using so he'd be as close to peak energy as possible for the battles he knew would come.

When the rocky tunnel shifted into pieces of metal walls, the hard earth and
rock floor turning into a pockmarked metal floor, crates strewn here and there
as if the data recreation couldn't decide exactly where to put the objects of
the near past, X charged a shot, knowing he would face several Spikys as they tore their way along the network of ledges and metal pipes ahead.

X fired the first shot, striking the Spiky dead center. He immediately charged
another shot firing, missing dead center of the second Spiky as he leapt onto
the small pipes, leaping over the spiked, metal tire as it came crashing to its
side, sliding along the pipe with a piercing scream of metal before exploding
behind him.

Instantly X leapt to the wall, kicking his way up, clinging as best as he could,
keeping as flat against the wall as he could as the Spiky rolled off the edge,
was airborne for a moment before plummeting below, blades whirling frantically as if it was trying to gain a hold on anything, rock, metal or even a Repriroid's frame.

Once the danger had passed, X leapt over to the rock and metal ledge, hauling himself up and continuing along, firing a charged shot at a pair of Spikys as they rolled his way, the charged shot striking the first dead on, enough energy continuing along to disable the Spiky. X fired a couple of normal shots, wanting to save his energy as much as possible, destroying the Spiky before it could slide his way.

Leaping up to the pipe, X ran along, leaping again and kicking his way up. When he saw the Spiky clear the ledge and drop down he flattened himself as best as he could against the rock wall he clung to, crying out as the spinning spikes on the center of the Spiky's tire-like exterior cut into his buster, slicing through the hard titanium-x frame like it was paper. Losing his grip for a moment, X kicked off the wall as hard as he could, snagging the other wall with his good hand. Kicking again almost frantically X made his way to the edge and over it. He dropped to one knee, both winded and pained, cradling his damaged buster against him. He looked around knowing that, when he had actually fought this battle in the real world, he had found not only a capsule from Doctor Right but also Jammingers and Flaminguls. And with a damaged buster he knew there was no way he could continue on unless he could get it repaired. Something that probably couldn't happen considering this was not the real world but a hacker's recreation of the data and information stored from a past event.

And as X looked around, almost tucked in a corner where he could miss it, was the familiar form of one of Doctor Right's capsules.

Rising, X approached, still cradling his damaged buster against him almost
protectively. He watched as the capsule flickered to life, the holographic image of his creator appearing, smiling down at him.

"Come," the data hologram said, "get into this capsule with the reason of upgrading."

X hesitated, waiting for the rest of the message. So far this was different from
what he remembered. Though a part of him couldn't help but wonder. Why would a hacker allow such a benefit for the sapphire Hunter? Or was this a part of the past data that the hacker couldn't twist or destroy? And why was this message different. Instead of bemoaning the past and anticipating the future, this message seemed one of urgency.

"With the attached leg power charged you can make a full distance jump . . . ," Doctor Right's hologram continued, "furthermore special blocks can be kicked so you can extend your area of activity. Go! Go, X and punish the wicked for their trouble!"

No sorry, X mused, no regrets. Just orders . . . He had to wonder why he felt a
twinge of bitterness at that and he shivered at the coldness that crept into his
core

X stepped onto the capsule's platform and waited for the energy to wash over
him, activating a data version of his EAS. He closed his eyes, feeling a strange warmth working its way into his core. So real, he had to muse silently, so much like he was actually there, at the old missile base and not running around in a cyber world recreation. But there was more. He could feel the warmth spreading into his arm, wrapping around his buster like a protective field. He could feel the tendrils of energy snaking past the jagged cut, repairing damaged circuits, reactivating the command line for his buster, sealing the break in his shell as if it had never happened before.

Thank you, father, X said, a faint smile on his face, thank you for this extra gift.

You are welcomed, my cherished son, came a reply that X was not ready for or even expecting.

He tensed at the voice then relaxed. Was this just a glitch of data or did he
really hear the voice of his creator?