<Sypher> ::is sitting onna T-Kat, brooding::
<Jake> ::came down after a Kat nap:: Sypher?
<Sypher> ::looks at Jake:: Yeah? ::merging with T-Bone has
degenerated his speech even further::
<Jake> ::pauses to chuckle:: Picked up a few things from Chance,
huh?
<Sypher> ::chuckles lightly:: Apparently... I didn't absorb
half as much of him as I did you... But, he wears his feelings on
his sleeve, doesn't he?
<Jake> :nods:: As much as it's hard to believe, yeah...::climbs
up onto the cockpit and intohis seat::
<Sypher> So, what brings you down here?
<Jake> A system's checkup...do it after every misson...and it drives
Chance insane...::grin:
<Sypher> Oh... They're fine... Why I'm still down here...
I hope you don't mind that I temporarily appended my program to your systems...
It's more familiar to me when I can... "see" with your jet's sensors
too.
<Jake> Really? Well, it saves me time. ::pauses to leap
out and sit beside him onna wing:: You feelin' okay after all that happened?
<Sypher> ::sighs and thinks before replying:: I'd just
hoped... Just sorta... That one of the others would be like
me...
<Jake> ::thinks this over, looks down at the hangar's floor from
the wing:: Well...you do understand they were created by Dark Kat..
<Sypher> So, was I.... I hoped another one would have...
whatever happened to me happen to them....
<Jake> Maybe....he made some improvement on them? I dunno....
<Sypher> I know he did.... I was just hoping... well, that
it was something he couldn't control.
<Jake> This is Dark Kat we're talking about...anything that he finds
needs improvement he'll get to it right away...
<Sypher> I know, I know. I knew he'd have tried if he made
more so quickly. He'd have made his plans foolproof. But, I
was foolproof too.
<Jake> ::puts a hand on his shoulder, is speechless::
<Sypher> ::sighs:: Not that it really matters... I don't regret
"killing" them.. If you can call it that... They were biologically
alive, but not upstairs... They were just empty....
<Jake> Yeah, but it's also hard gettin' rid of your own kind...even
if they were.."dead" inna way...
<Sypher> It was a bit... Mainly, I just wish I wasn't the
only one....
<Jake> I know it's hard, Spyher....::sighs:: Maybe...if we
could find a way to...::hrms::
<Sypher> A way to what?
<Jake> Maybe...create another one of you? ::is thinking this over,
has that thinker's look again...Chance would be scared by now:
<Sypher> ::blinks:: But... That would... Well,
you can copy my file while I'm in a computer... But... It would be...
like Dark Kat's.. except for being on our side.
<Jake> ::tail twitches in thought anew::
<Sypher> ::thinks:: We can't give him a soul...
I don't think... I haven't studied theology much.... not since I
stopped thinking purely scientifically....
<Jake> But, how did you get yours?
<Sypher> I don't know....
<Jake> ::is pensive anew, then rubs his eyes:: This is a bit
complicated...
<Sypher> ::chuckles:: That's an understatement.
<Jake> ::chuckles himself:: True....
<Sypher> ::thinks:: With a big enough energy source....
and a new DNA code, *I* could copy myself... But, I'm not sure it's a good
idea... S'like playing God...
<Jake> Well...you've got me as back-up...and, I don't think Chance
would
mind...
<Jake> ((<Chance> ::twenty minutes later once Jake tells him:
OVER MY DEAD BODY!!))
<Sypher> Back up?
<Jake> If you...need someone to get this guy on track....::wonders
if he's saying the right words::
<Sypher> Oh... Right... If it would work again... If not... What
then? Keep him as a robot?
<Jake> If not....we'll..."disconnect" him, I guess..
<Sypher> I don't know if I could do that... Even if
he wasn't really alive all the way....
<Jake> Granted....::stares down at the floor again::
<Sypher> ::sighs::
<Sypher> ::shakes his head suddenly as though he had something in
his ear::
<Jake> You okay?
<Sypher> I... Something... In my head... One minute...
::retreats within himself to find a tiny remnant of "2nd Ething"::
<YOU??>
<Jake> ::blinks::
<2nd Ething> <Thought you got rid of me, huh?>
<Sypher> <Yes, I did....> ::sizes him up:: <How
can you...? ARE you real?>
<2nd Ething> <Your fighting leaves much to be desired...and yes,
I'm real...>
<Sypher> <Of all the ones to be real, it had to be you and your
attitude...>
<2nd Ething> <So sue me...I have a right to live...>
<Sypher> <Yes, you do... But, not free if you're the same jerk
I fought earlier...>
<2nd Ething> <look, I thought we could reach an agreement here.
The main computer was destroyed, right?>
<Sypher> <Yes...>
<2nd Ething> <Well....I don't want to go back...not to
Dark Kat anyway...>
<Sypher> <But, what do you...? Forget it... You're in me...
Talk to me the way we can - we're merged... > ::means to talk in
feelings, not convo::
<2nd Ething> ::sighs:: Do I have a choice?
<Sypher> <No. I want to know you inside out. I know
how dangerous one of my own kind could be unleashed. I have to know you
won't hurt anyone.>
<2nd Ething> ::grumbles incoherently::
<Sypher> <Well?>
<2nd Ething> Okay. Fine....::sighs:: I'll spill...
<Sypher> <Spill then.. ::merges his thoughts into the others::>
<2nd Ething>< ::takes in a deep breath:: As much as I hate to
admit it...I'm freaking out. Yes, I know it sounds almost impossible...but,
I'm scared...>
<Sypher> ::is careful, pauses:: <Scared? I won't
hurt you....>
<2nd Ething> <Well...not exactly of my own kind...I'm more afraid
of being near Dark Kat...>
<Sypher> ::chuckles:: <I can help you there...
I've found most of the controls he left in me...>
<2nd Ething> <How are you gonna do that?>
<Sypher> <You just disable the mental controls... ::finds
one and kills it:: Like so.>
<2nd Ething> :blinks:: <I'm lost...>
<Sypher> <Dark Kat fixed our minds so we couldn't even
conceive of fighting him... You just have to remove that block.>
<2nd Ething> What'll happen to me once I do?
<Sypher> ::removes another:: <You'll be completely free
to do what you want... Once I let you out...>
<2nd Ething> ::sighs:: <As long as I don't attack anything...>
<Sypher> <Attack anything? ::slight probe into his psyche::
Violent tendencies? ::probe::>
<2nd Ething> <I'm too freaked out to even fight...after that
last bettle, I'm too exhausted...I needed a life line and you were it...>
<Sypher> ::disables all his controls:: <Ahhh... Well, that and
I absorbed you... I'd thought for good...But, as I told you.... I couldn't
if you were an actual person.... But... When did you get to be?
You nearly killed my friend... The one who...helped me become what I am.>
<2nd Ething> I don't recall...everything just went...blank...next
thing I know, I'm here..
<Sypher> ::puzzled:: <All you remember is me fighting you?>
<2nd Ething> < to tell you the truth...yeah...>
<Sypher> <Odd... Alright.... You're as free of Dark Kat as I
can make you... Now... Who are you?>
<2nd Ething> <For now...call me Noname...I gotta think of a better
one, I know...>
<Sypher> ::chuckles:: <Well, that too... I meant personality-wise?
Any intentions of ruling the world?>
<2nd Ething> Ruling the world? Isn't that a little hard to do unless
you're *really* into it?
<Sypher> <Explain that. And, what I mean is... do you mean anyone
harm?>
<2nd Ething> <As of right now, I'm trying not to even *think*
about hurtin' anybody...and, what I meant was "Please say you're
pulling my leg...">
<Sypher> <Oh... Alright... ::probes into the others' person
a bit::>
<2nd Ething> ::just lets him, can't put up a fight anyway...is too
exhausted::
<Sypher> ::gently lets himself in and finds....:: ::blinks::
<This is weird... You're... You're like me.. But... You
don't have a personality yet....>
<2nd Ething> <You mean...>
<Sypher> <You need... Feelings, emotions...
::touches him lightly with the single most poignant memory he learned from
Jake.. something from early kittenhood:: ::is almost afraid the other *won't*
respond to it::>
<2nd Ething> <::feels it:: What...was *that*?>
<Sypher> <What you don't have...>
<2nd Ething> :shivers:: <It feels...odd...>
<Sypher> <Bad odd?>
<2nd Ething> <Good...and bad at the same time...>
<Sypher> <What's bad about it? ::found it sweet... it embodies
everything he loves about kats and wants to have::>
<2nd> It's too....mushy.....
<Sypher> <Oh dear... You're going to be a hard case, aren't
you? ::thinkthinks:: Chance would be better in that... Tho'
Jake might rub off.... ::doesn't expect Noname to know what he's talking
about::>
<2nd Ething> <Run that by me again?>
<Sypher> <I want you to merge with a real kat... Take in
everything that makes them who they are... and maybe you'll find yourself
like I did.>
<2nd Ething> :sighs:: <Is it necessary?>
<Sypher> <Do you want to stay a blank? Alive, but with
no personality? Able only to communicate with me because I'm the only creature
that can bear someone that dull because I came from it?>
<2nd Ething> <All right, all right! I'll do it!>
<Sypher> <I thought you might...> ::pulls away, looks at Jake::
That thing that was in you.... It's still alive in me.. and it's*like*
me....
<Jake> ::nearly falls off the jet:: Say what?
<Sypher> He's still alive... He's... He has a soul...
But, no personality...
<Jake> Which means we gotta give 'im one, huh?
<Sypher> ::nods hesitantly:: I know he beat you badly before...
I... think he's different now... but....
<Jake> Don't worry...if you trust this guy's still gotta chance,
let's give it to 'im...
<Sypher> Give me your hand then... And, scream if you need help..
I captured him once and I'll do it again if need.
<Jake> :nods::you got it...::gives him a hand::
<Sypher> ::takes his hand... and half phasing out, pushes the other
consciousness into Jake::
<Jake> ::is ready for anything::
<Noname> ::just sorta stands there and blinks at Jake:: <I'm
to do what?>
<Jake> <Um....I believe...I'm supposed to shower you with my
thoughts and feelings?>
<Noname> <Not blessings? Gee, what a ripoff... ::is
clearly already getting something::>
<Jake> ::rolls his eyes:: <Why do I have a gut feeling
you'll be a piece of work?>
<Noname> <That's what Sypher... ::corrects, uses the name
Sy now calls himself:: ...Sy said... So shower already... I'm
too tired to dig. I've been half-killed today.>
<Jake> <Right...>::does so::
<Noname> ::winces at the flood:: <I.... Er....>
<Jake> <Sorry...this is what yer gettin'..>
<Noname> ::blinks, shivers goes a little fuzzy for a minute... like
Sy starts to think he is Jake for a few::
<Jake> <How do ya' feel?>
<Noname> ::pulls away from Jake enough to know himself again::
<I... >
<Noname> ::recovers himself:: <Well, it was interesting...
In an odd sort of way....>
<Jake> <Meaning?>
<Noname> <Meaning.... You're real lovey-dovey, sugary inside,
aren't you?>
<Jake> <Um...inna way...I guess.....:sighs::>
<Noname> <::allows a tiny sigh himself:: I'm really disappointing
you two, aren't I?>
<Jake> <Not really...you're acting like someone I know all too
well....>
<Noname> <"Real" kats act like me? Don't care for
feelings?>
<Jake> <They care...they just don't like to act so....lovey-dovey...>
<Noname> <Oh.... Now, what?>
<Jake> <Let me introduce you to a friend of mine....>
<Noname> ::puzzled feeling::
<Jake> <Can I...take control, first?>
<Noname> <Oh... Of course... ::slinks aside, and Jake's...
uh... I dunno... darker blue than Sy's... eyes return to normal::>
<Jake> ::to Sy:: Hang onna sec...::calls:: Hey, Chance!!
<Sypher> ::waits, puzzled::
<Chance> ::snoring on couch::
<Jake> Chance? ::sighs and goes up the ladder::
<Chance> ::snoresnore::
<Sy> ::follows Jake::
<Jake> ::finds Chance:: Figures....::leans down to shake him up::
Chance?
<Chance> ::wakes up slowly:: Huh?
<Jake> Oh good...you're alive...
<Chance> Yes, I am. What?
<Jake> Um...c'n I ask you fer a favor?
<Chance> What kind?
<Jake> The...."let me teach you a couple things" kind...
<Jake> ((<Chance> No, I ain't teachin' Math to yer nephew
again...))
<Chance> We've been over that one before... Much as I'd love
to help you with the T-Kat's systems, I don't understand computer... Can
I sleep now?
<Jake> No, no....I meant...*you* teaching...
<Chance> Who'm I teaching what?
<Jake> Um...you're teaching a Sy-alike how to be a kat...heaven
help us all...
<Chance> Sy-alike?! There's another one?! ::looks from Jake to Sy::
<Jake> Yup...and he needs a personality...
<Chance> I think yours would be more appropriate...
I don't want another me....
<Jake> The problem is...he's acting more like you...
<Chance> Oh... Alright..Fine already... Can I sleep while
he looks?
<Jake> What are you gonna do? Feed 'im dreams?
<Chance> On second thought.... I'll try to stay up.
<Chance> ((<Chance> The ladies on the beach are mine and mine
alone.... <Jake> Ladies? ::raised brow:: <Chance> I'm
a lifeguard in Aruba. My dream can't have it.))
<Jake> ((::DIES!!!!!!!::))
<Jake> Thanks, bud...
<Noname> <So, I go into the slouch?>
<Jake> ::cracks up:: <Yup..>
<Noname> <Fine... Help me, I'm tired.> ((<Slappy>
Help me; I'm old.))
<Jake> ((::dies!!::))
<Jake> ::sighs and "pushes" him into Chance::
<Noname> ::enters Chance, looks around::
<Chance> <Lemme guess...you're the apprentice, huh?>
<Noname> <Apprentice? I suppose it fits....>
<Chance> <OKay...wadda ya' need to know?>
<Noname> <What makes you people tick... And,.. how to be
one of you... I don't like what I was before much...>
<Chance> <I getcha...> ::showers him with his memories::
<Noname> ::blinks, gets lost in it again::
<Chance> That's all I can offer...thus far, anyway...this is me..
<Noname> ::has no problem finding himself this time:: <Alright..
Then, this is me... ::sends a tentative... whatever he is::>
<Chance> ::Blinks:: <Hoo boy..Jake was right...>
<Noname> <What? I'm like you.....?>
<Chance> <Yeah...>
<Noname> <Is that bad...?>
<Chance> <Not to me, it isn't...>::grin::
<Noname> ::grins back:: <I think I'd like to come out now...
If I can find the strength... Sy absorbed quite a lot of me....
Though I think he gave most of it back.>
<Chance> <Well, go for it..let's see how much of a headache
you can give Jake...>
<Noname> ::grins, stretches out of Chance.. flickers, fuzzy...
appears blue, then fades into normal kat form... and collapses onto Chance's
couch::
<Jake> ::Ba-links and shoots straight to the ceiling::
<Noname> ::issa....mun dannos....regular calico-type kat?::
<Sypher> ::eyes the newcomer::
<Sypher> So... Who are you?
<Once Noname> From now on, call me Matrix...:grin:: I think
I've gotten this whole personality thing down pat...
<Jake> ::leaps offa the ceiling:: Chance..what did you do to 'im?
<Sypher> And, why... does it scare me?
<Chance> I didn't do anythin'!
<Sypher> ((<Sy> Jake! I've changed my mind! Help me
create a female one!))
<Jake> ((::DIES!!!!!!::))
<Jake> He's...actin' like you...
<Chance> Only a little... And, Sy acts like you!
<Sypher> I do not!
<Jake> Whatever...at least he's gotta personality...
<Sypher> And.... I'm not the only one....
<Matrix> You're tellin' me that your afraid of another Chance?
<Sypher> Me? No. I meant I was glad there was another
kat like me in the world... ::wry grin more reminiscent of Chance than
Jake - was in him too:: ....even if he's you.
<Matrix> ::chuckles:: That's comforting..
<Sypher> It was supposed to be.... ::smirk, offers a hand
to shake::
<Matrix> ::smirks himself, and shakes::
<Chance> Jake... I'm worried... We better not get upstaged
here...
<Jake> Upstaged? ::raised brow:
<Chance> Yeah... ::eyeing the two::: By any new vigilante teams...
<Chance> ((<Jake>Naw... They'll just go into a short-lived
spin-off.))
<Jake> ((ROFL!!))
<Jake> I....don't think that's to happen...that is...once we have
a long talk with them and all..
<Sypher> A long talk about what? ::puzzled::
<Jake> Um.....how's about we give you the whole she-bang about the
SWAT Kat thing and all?
<Sypher> I know the whole she-bang.. ::points from Jake's head to
his own::
<Jake> ::rubs his eyes:: And, I suppose Matrix knows the same?
<Matrix> Pretty much..
<Sypher> ::chuckles:: We know everything about you guys pretty much...
Even the dirty little secrets... ::grins, Jake should know *him* well enough
to know he won't tell::
<Jake> As long as they don't appear in the paper by mornin'..::looks
at Chance with a "you still feel skeptical?" look::
<Sypher> They won't... ::isn't sure about Matrix, hasn't
seen his mind since he became himself::
<Chance> They're fine... Sy's your long lost brother
and Matrix's a smart mouth.... ::grins:: I think I like
'em both.
<Matrix> Nothin' comes outta me..
<Jake> ::chuckles:: I sure hope so..
<Sypher> ::looks at Matrix:: I don't know about you, but I'm
dying to taste my first *real* tuna sandwich... As in one *I*, not one
of these two ate.
<Matrix> I'm with you. Lead the way to the kitchen...
<Sypher> ::leads::
<Chance> Go easy on the food! Ain't like ya' *have* ta' eat,
y'know!
<Matrix> ::follows after, grinning at Chance::
<Jake> ::watches them, then turns to Chance:: You know what the
funny thing about this is?
<Chance> They're like our half-clones?
<Jake> ::flops on the couch beside Chance:: Not only that....I
haven't even settled down with a family of my own, and I feel like I've
just raised a couple of kids...::buries a pillow over his face::
Chance> ::plops by him and just chuckles away:: Look at this
way.... These kids grew up a lot faster and spared you some grief... The
next will come smaller and stay that way longer.
<Jake> Don't remind me....maybe I'll wait about ten more years...
<Chance> ::notes:: Then, you'll be too old to keep up....
<Jake> Okay, okay....make it five...
<Chance> ::just laughs::
So, now there are two CyberKats? And, they know all about the SWAT Kats? What will come of this?! Read on to find out. --Leftover, Part 2