Little Predicaments Hu/R PG-13 : *finished*

[Drake Nightshade]

Is it coincidence that Jack makes good flap-jacks 'pancakes.' Anyhow, nice job and wonderful. Just a suggestion. What program do you write this with? :stonecube:
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I am the remembrancer of old, one who abandoned, then returned, smiten with boredom and guilt.

[Neko]

I write with MS Word. Why?
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[Drake Nightshade]

Just curious. Do you usually run it through spell check. I'm not trying to insult you, but some times it can catch the grammatical errors when it seems that all the words are spelled right. But it was a good chapter, and everything flowed well. I wonder what will happen next?
_________________
I am the remembrancer of old, one who abandoned, then returned, smiten with boredom and guilt.

[Neko]

Manabe motioned to the back of the cliffs. Netto and Enzan both followed her motions and went over to where the grassy edge dropped over the edge of the island. They walked down the craggy interface and looked for the cave that was supposed to be there.

“Have you boys found anything?” Manabe asked over a walkie talkie that the boys had carried down.

“Not yet,” Enzan whispered.

“Okay, Laika and I are going on the other side, if we find anything we’ll send you a silent message over your PET’s,” she said.

“All right,” Enzan replied.

The walkie talkie went dead and Enzan motioned Netto over away from the edge of the winding path. “Get away from there, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

Netto stuck his tongue out at him and grudgingly followed the command. “Worried?” he jeered.

“No,” Enzan said quickly. “I just want this mission to run without any complications.”

Netto snorted and started to walk down the path and Enzan quickly increased his pace to catch up. “You should be quieter,” he murmured. “That man could have traps or spy equipment anywhere.”

Netto rolled his eyes. “I highly doubt that he has that kind of stuff out here. I mean this is a public trail is it not?” he asked.

“Netto,” Enzan sighed. “You’re not thinking like a Net Savior. This guy does not want to be caught, so play it safe.”

“He’s got a point, Netto-kun,” Rockman said.

“I don’t know what you guys are so worried aboAHHHH!” he yelled as he was caught in a net that was slung over a rock on the trail.

Enzan looked at his friend who was now cursing everything under the sun. “I told you,” he said.

“Shut the hell up and get me down!” he yelled.

“Netto-kun, hush!” Rockman hissed.

“I will hush when I damn well feel like it,” Netto said.

/Netto, do you want to ruin the only chance we might get at catching this guy?/ Rockman said loudly in Netto’s thoughts.

Netto quickly quieted down and sat quietly until Enzan cut the trigger rope and Netto came plummeting back to earth. In his credit he didn’t yell and Enzan caught him safely before he hit the ground.

“Did Rockman yell at you?” he asked.

Netto looked at Enzan with wide eyes and nodded while blushing.

Enzan sighed, “Well, the cave is around here somewhere but something tells me we won’t find him.”

Netto looked down and blushed. “Sorry.”

Enzan shook his head, “No it’s okay, it’s not your fault.”

“Ummm, Enzan?” Netto asked.

“What?”

“Can you put me down?” Netto said.

Enzan looked and realized to his horror that he was still cradling Netto in the position he had caught him in. “O-of course,” he said and set Netto on his feet. Both boys looked away blushing and were only brought back to reality when Rockman and Blues coughed simultaneously.

“Maybe we should try and at lease find some clues,” Blues said.

“R-right,” Enzan and Netto said quickly and searched the area for where the hidden cave presumably was.

“Where the hell is it?” Netto hissed.

“Well, it is a hidden cave,” Enzan replied with a touch of humor.

He was greeted with a withering look from Netto and he suspected two from Rockman and Blues even though he couldn’t see the navis.

Ten minutes later Enzan slipped his hand into a crevice that could easily fit an adult. He squeezed inside and looked around the room.

“Enzan?” Netto called out.

“In here,” he called and soon Netto was in the cave as well.

“Wow, so this is where he was,” Netto looked around the cave that was no bigger then his room. “It’s small,” he said.

“And it’s been abandoned for two days. We didn’t scare him off, he knew we were coming,” Enzan said dryly.

“Two days?” Netto asked.

Enzan pointed at the computer screen that was glowing softly. Netto vaguely realized that was the reason they could see in the dark cave. On the screen it said in red letters, “Last Shut Down, June 6th.”

“Okay, why leave the computer?” Netto asked.

“He was in a hurry?” Enzan guessed. “I honestly have no idea. But we need to call Manabe-san and get the equipment out of here first before we ask any questions.”

“Good idea,” Netto nodded. “Oh Enzan?”

“Yes?”

“I was never caught in that stupid net,” he said.

“Right,” Enzan said and called Manabe over the walkie talkie.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Two hours later the computer was safely in their hotel room along with a few other pieces of equipment to tell the weather.

“We didn’t chase him off,” Manabe said looking at the computer. “The weather did. The most recent readings on this software say that the air pressure dropped drastically right before it was turned off.”

Yui walked in with a weather report. “There was a huge thunderstorm the day before we got here. It’s on the weather website.”

Netto silently cursed every weather god he knew, which wasn’t many but he did it anyway.

“Well, it seems we ran into some pretty bad luck boys. So, where to next?” Manabe asked.

Laika was silently tapping on the computer and overlooking all of the e-mail’s that had been sent to or written by the machine. “Well Laika?” Netto asked expectantly.

“I think I know where he is,” his mouth twisted in a half smile, half grimace.

“Yes?” Rockman asked a tad impatiently, which was pretty good considered the circumstances.

“Sharro,” Laika said.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Netto groaned.

“I’m not sure how to take that,” Laika said jokingly.

Netto’s eyes widened as he realized what he just said. “Oh no! I don’t mean it like that. I’m sorry Laika, I just don’t want to fly halfway across the world in pursuit of this guy.”

Laika nodded, “Entirely understandable Netto-kun. But according to his last e-mail he sent to a ‘P. Harrison’ he was coming up to Sharro to continue his research.”

“Did it say what the research was on?” Manabe asked.

“Unfortunately not, he was very discreet even in the e-mails he sent to his friend.”

“So, where to?” Enzan asked.

“Sharro apparently. Laika, it’s a big country, can you tell us where in Sharro?” Manabe asked.

Laika nodded, “Yes, he is describing where his Lab is going to be and from what land marks he’s using it’s somewhere in the North Mountain Range.”

“Cold?” Netto asked apprehensively.

:Laika nodded, “Very.”

Netto’s face was anything but happy as he heard this news but he didn’t say anything.

/What do you have against the cold?/ Rockman asked.

/I don’t but you do,/ he said.

/I don’t get it,/ Rockman said.

/Rockman, do you know what it’s like to be really cold? Not Net cold but wind biting your face, bone chilling cold?/

Rockman thought, /No, when Densan froze over we didn’t have the link yet. Why the concern though?/

/Because, it’s going to be a different experience. For both of us,/ Netto said.

/I think I get what you’re saying but hey, at least you don’t have to wear a bathing suit,/ Rockman joked.

Netto laughed out loud, startling everyone in the room except Rockman. /No, that’s true./

Yui gave him a strange look and everyone else went back to the computer. Netto seemed fine with the idea at that point and no one was complaining.

“Next stop, Sharro,” Laika said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I laugh at their pain. For their fate is worse then mine currently.

*goes to study latin*
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[Yue-chan]

\o/ Sharro! Heh, the incident with the net was funny, and so was Enzan forgetting to put Netto down. Awsome chapter, Neko. Can't wait to read the next one.
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"Life is like a video game; the final bosses always suck." -twinling

[Vanilla_Go_Rilla]

Coupla things I noticed about this chapter.

1. Laika joking around with Netto. For once, the sterile Sharo-ite showing a lighter side.
2. Netto getting trapped quite clumsily after getting caught in a net (not the Net, but an actual net). Somehow I'd expect that out of him, but it'f unny every time it happens.

I really like your writing style, Neko! Rather astounding how you can multitask so many fics :O
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Better to keep your mouth shut and make people wonder if you are stupid, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

[Neko]

Insanity helps with that
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[Lido Azn Girl]

[Neko]

Past whatsits episode?

I didn't copy anything XD I've has this chapter written as buffer for about two weeks.

(Finals suck, remember that kids.)
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[Yue-chan]

[Neko]

Sharro was not easy to get to from Jawaii. It was on the other side of the world, literally, and this made for a very long plane ride. Netto of course worried everyone after he started to get antsy but he didn’t do anything but sit there looking grumpy. He was concerned about something and no one could figure out what, except Rockman that is.

/Netto-kun, you don’t have to worry about me, seriously. I can handle cold, I’ve been frozen solid before, remember,/ he attempted a weak joke.

/I know, but still I mean…/ Netto trailed off.

/You’re not to fond of the cold either, I might recall,/ Rockman said.

/Th-that’s not true. I’ve been to Sharro and Densan isn’t exactly tropical in the winter,/ Netto retorted.

/True, Netto-kun, why are you so upset about going to Sharro?/ Rockman asked.

Netto paused. /I…/ He winced and growled making everyone else in the plane stare at him. /I don’t know!/ he wailed to Rockman. /I have no idea, I just have a really, really bad feeling about it./

Rockman blinked, /Woman’s intuition…/ he said slowly.

/What?!/ Netto yelled, actually managing to keep his face straight.

/Nothing!/ Rockman said quickly and dropped the subject. Maybe Netto was just being paranoid, although he certainly had never been paranoid before. Then again, given the circumstances, he figured Netto was allowed to act a little out of character, as long as he didn’t get down right annoying about it.

Yui came over and sat next to Netto. “Are you all right, Netto-kun?” she asked.

Netto blinked and was brought out of his thought process by the sound of another voice. He looked up at Yui with a brief puzzled expression but then he gave her a wide grin that seemed to put everyone on the plane at ease. “Yeup! We’re going to get that scientist in Sharro!” Netto said while comically pumping his fist into the air.

Yui sweatdropped and laughed. “Well, glad to see you’re in better spirits today.”

“Hm?” Netto asked.

“You didn’t seem too happy when we left Jawaii,” she pointed out. “You looked very,” Yui paused, “Uncomfortable.”

Netto smiled, “Nope! I’m perfectly fine. By the way, did you find anything else on that computer?” Netto asked Laika.

Laika shook his head. “Searchman is running it through an encryption program as we speak. I can’t say what else might be on that computer that is of use to us. From what Searchman is telling me, the programs are built like mazes and some of them don’t even lead to anything.”

Netto blinked, “I never want to be as paranoid as that man,” he said slowly.

Rockman laughed out loud. “That’s good to know, because I don’t think I could take it.”

Netto stuck his tongue out at the monitor that Rockman was on. Rockman smiled back and was relieved that Netto seemed to be returning to his normal, happy-go-lucky self.

Yui giggled at the interaction between Netto and Rockman. “Well, Sharro may be cold but at least there aren’t many places he can hide, not without putting his life in danger anyway.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Laika said dryly.

“Meaning?” Netto asked when he stopped talking.

“Meaning, if you know how to make a decent snow home and you know how to survive in the cold, he can be hiding anywhere,” he said.

“B-but, Sharro’s huge!” Netto said.

“Don’t worry, the equipment should give off some kind of signal,” Enzan said in an effort to calm Netto down again.

Laika nodded, “That’s true. But that can’t be what we rely on.”

“What do we rely on?” Rockman asked.

Laika sighed, “Well, luck and Searchman’s ability to pinpoint radio waves, which I hope he uses.”

“Luck?” Enzan asked incredulously.

“It won’t be easy,” Laika said. “Sharro isn’t exactly one of the nicest countries in the world, environment wise.”

“No, really?” Netto asked in a sarcastic drawl. This earned him glares on all sides, not that he cared.

“Laika-san, I think I found something,” Searchman said from Laika’s PET.

Laika brought the PET up to his face and opened the screen so that everyone could see him. “Yes?” Laika asked.

Searchman cleared his throat, “I found a document that might have been written before Dr. Cunningham wrote the TG program. It was preliminary analysis of what he would put in it.”

“And?” Netto asked impatiently.

/Netto-kun, shhh,/ Rockman said.

Netto wished he could mentally stick his tongue out at Rockman.

Searchman sighed and cleared his throat uncomfortably, a very un-Searchman thing to do.

/Oh, that can’t be good,/ Netto said. He could almost sense the impending doom.

Rockman on his part could also sense it and he shifted nervously in the monitor but didn’t reply to his twin.

“Well, it seems that the virus might have been designed to be…” Searchman paused uncomfortably, “Permanent.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Netto asked.

Searchman shook his head. “Not that it matters since it mutated into a virus,” he added quickly.

Netto, Blues and Rockman all let out quiet sighs of relief.

“But,” Searchman said.

“Always an exception,” Netto growled.

Yui smiled and patted Netto on the shoulder.

“If the certain part of the program did exist, the longer we’re like this the harder it is to turn back,” Searchman finished.

Netto sighed, “Of course.”

Rockman didn’t bother to hide his disappointment either although Blues’ expression never changed.

“So, that’s it then?” Enzan said.

“What do you mean, that’s it?” Netto asked.

“No, I mean is that all he has on his computer. Look, that man never threw anything away, you can tell because he had a document from five years ago on there about a brainstorm for a program. Not many people keep that stuff lying around.”

Laika nodded, “Enzan is right. I’m sure there is something else, but you can have a break if you want, Searchman.”

“No thank you, Laika-san,” Searchman said and disappeared.

“I don’t think I want to know what else in on that computer,” Netto growled.

Manabe gave him a weak smile, “Don’t worry Netto-kun; at least the program did change. And this will be all over soon; we’ll start searching as soon as we get to Sharro.”

Netto made a face but didn’t reply. Rockman didn’t even need to talk to Netto to know what his thoughts were.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

They arrived in Sharro rather late and everyone was tired and cramped from the long plane ride. Netto yawned and stretched as he got off the plane and looked around. It wasn’t much different from the last time he came. There was snow, and some more snow, and some buildings that could have very well been snow if you didn’t see the lights coming through the windows. He looked at the ground and bent down to pick up a handful of the freezing matter.

/What are you doing Netto-kun?/ Rockman asked.

Netto didn’t answer but started to inspect it. He found to his delight that the snow was in perfect packing shape.

/Netto-kun,/ Rockman said in a warning tone.

Netto ignored him and saw that Enzan was coming off the plane trying unsuccessfully to suppress a yawn. He grinned and looked at the small snow ball nestled in his hands, then he looked back at Enzan.

Enzan heard a, “Netto-kun don’t!” right before half his head was encased in a slushy tomb. Then he heard Netto laughing and then he looked at his PET. “Blues, what just happened?”

“I think Netto-san threw a snowball at you, Enzan-sama.”

Enzan sighed, “Glad to know nothing can keep him down for too long,” he said and went down the rest of the terminal stairs. Then he scooped up his own snow and threw it at Netto. It missed but a second, more carefully aimed snowball caught Netto in the face.

Netto growled and threw another one at Enzan, who dodged with ridiculous ease and let the snowball continue on its merry path until it ran into Laika. Laika stood there looking at the snowball that was now decorating his winter jacket, then he looked up at Netto. Netto laughed and managed to dodge another snowball thrown his way by Enzan.

Laika looked at the snow and blinked. “Searchman?” he asked.

“Yes, Laika-san?”

“Should I?” he asked in an almost puzzled tone.

“I don’t see why not, Laika-san.”

Laika, for once in his life gave a small smile and picked up a handful of snow. He used to be one of the best snowball players in his home town before he became a solider. Old habits do die hard, as the saying went.

He threw it with pin point accuracy at Netto and it caught him on the arm making him yelp and drop the snowball he was currently aiming at Enzan.

Netto glared at him and picked up another snowball. He’d be darned if he let Laika beat him. Netto threw the snowball and Laika dodged it with ease. Then another one came up and hit him on the side of the head. He looked to see Enzan with a grin on his face that he had never seen before. It was almost creepy in a way.

Netto howled with laughter until two snowballs came his way and actually managed to knock him over.

Yui looked out of the airplane window. “Manabe-san?” she asked.

“There’s a small blizzard outside, I guess we’ll have to stay in for the time being,” Manabe said while making a conscious effort not to laugh.

Yui wasn’t so good at holding it in. She laughed and nodded, “Yes, Manabe-san.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh my GOD was this fun to write.

Kudos to Yue who gave me the plot device introduced in the first half of the chapter :3
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[Yue-chan]

squee! snow ball fight! so cute to see Laika join in on the snowball fight.
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"Life is like a video game; the final bosses always suck." -twinling

[Neko]

After the snowball fight was over Netto, Enzan and Laika all headed into the warmth of the hotel that they were staying at. Manabe and Yui decided it was safe to come out of the plane now that there was no danger of being hit in the head with a barrage of snow.

As soon as they got inside the first thing Netto did was take off his now snow encrusted coat and plop on the couch. “Tired?” Enzan asked.

“No,” Netto said, “Just in need of rest.”

“Oh, I see,” Enzan said mockingly as he hung up his and Netto’s coats as Netto had carelessly discarded his on the floor.

“Well, we won’t have long to rest,” Laika said.

Netto propped his chin in his hand and looked at Laika. “Why not?” he asked.

“The weather service is calling for a snow storm by tomorrow afternoon so if we want to do any searching, we do it tonight,” Laika said. “Sharro snow storms are no joke.”

Manabe and Yui came in the room in time to hear the last statement. Manabe nodded, “That is very true. This time though, Yui and I will stay in here with monitoring equipment and we’ll tell you if you’re in any danger. It would be a hindrance to have five people and it’s dangerous to go out there without someone guiding you.”

Laika nodded seriously, “I was just about to suggest the same thing, Manabe-san.”

Manabe smiled. “I’ve been trained for quite a few survival situations, you three don’t need to worry about me.”

“Can we rest a little bit?” Netto asked.

“Tired?” Enzan asked again.

“No…” Netto said slowly, but this time he gave no clever comeback.

Laika sighed but only Searchman could hear it. “We’ll leave in two hours,” he said and went into a separate room of the cabin they were in.

Netto flipped over onto his back and started at the wooden ceiling. He put his hands behind his head and gazed intently upwards. /Penny for your thoughts?/ Rockman asked him.

/Think this time we’ll catch him?/ Netto asked.

/Not sure,/ Rockman replied. /But I do know that we’re very close so if we work hard enough I think we will./

Netto smiled and turned on his side. /You always know the right things to say,/ Netto said.

/I’m your big brother, it’s somewhat my job,/ Rockman joked.

/Don’t you mean big sister?/ Netto teased.

/Fine then, little sister,/ Rockman teased back.

Netto almost stuck his tongue out at the air but then he thought the better of it and just curled up and went to sleep. Enzan looked at Netto and sighed, he was tired regardless of any smart alec comments that Netto might use to tell him otherwise. Enzan grabbed a book out of his knapsack and sat down to read. Manabe and Yui got the equipment ready and Laika was nowhere to be seen for the next two hours.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Two hours later Netto felt himself being shaken awake. “What…” he asked sleepily.

“Time to go,” Laika said.

Netto groaned and turned away from Laika. He curled up in a small ball and tried to ward off Laika with what he hoped was subconscious vibes. It didn’t work.

“Netto,” he said crossing his arms.

Netto groaned and flipped over to glare at Laika with tired eyes. “Go away,” he muttered.

Laika at this point was used to Netto not having any tact what so ever when he woke up and just simply pulled the brunette off the couch. “Come on,” he said.

Netto grumbled but let himself get pulled along somewhat unwillingly but not enough that Laika couldn’t handle it. /You okay?/ Rockman asked him.

/I’m fine, just a little tired,/ Netto muttered.

/A little?/ Rockman asked incredulously.

/Shut up,/ Netto said and Rockman didn’t reply.

Netto made sure to put on all of the clothes he possibly could. When he was done he looked something like an orange snowman but to his delight he didn’t look like a girl. With his spirits somewhat lifted he went outside where the cold blast of wind woke him up in record time.

/Wow,/ Rockman said.

/I told you!/ Netto replied. /It’s cold./

/I figured that,/ Rockman said. /I can’t believe Laika grew up in this weather./

Netto shrugged to the best of his abilities, /I can,/ he muttered.

Laika and Enzan came out and Laika immediately took command. “Follow me,” he said.

Netto glanced at Enzan who shrugged and together they followed their friend out into the snow. It wasn’t snowing but there was enough cold to compensate for that. Laika held a GPS in his hands and every five minutes he looked warily at the sky. /I wonder what’s wrong?/ Netto asked.

/I don’t know, maybe you should ask him,/ Rockman said.

Netto caught up with Laika and Enzan quickened his pace to catch up with Netto. “Anything wrong?” Netto asked.

Laika looked at Netto sharply as if he had been surprised. “No, why do you ask?”

“You keep on looking at the sky,” Netto said. “Is something going to happen?”

Laika’s gaze on Netto narrowed and he shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t think the storm will wait for tomorrow to start,” he said finally.

“What makes you say that?” Enzan asked.

“The sky is turning darker and it’s too calm for my liking,” Laika said. “I think something is going to happen.”

“Should we head back, Laika-san?” Searchman asked.

Laika shook his head, “Not yet. Let’s wait just a little bit longer, then if it does get any worse we can turn around.”

Enzan looked around and couldn’t tell the difference between the ground and the sky. “Where are we?” he asked.

“About a mile away from our destination,” Laika said.

“The doctor?” Netto asked.

Laika shook his head, “No, where the radio waves are coming from. Which means him or maybe some kind of radio tower. Either way we’re close to something,” he said.

“Well, thank goodness,” Netto muttered.

“Relax,” Laika said. “I know what I’m doing.”

Netto looked at Laika and gave him a broad smile that seemed to put the older boy at some kind of ease. “All right, so how far away from Dr. Cunningham are we?”

“Hard to say. The radio waves are bouncing all over the place. Bu we’ve got a fix on one definite location so that’s where we’re going.”

Netto opened his mouth to reply but then he seemed to think the better of it and he just continued to follow Laika.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

They came on an old snow covered building seemingly in the middle of nowhere. “I hope this is it,” Netto muttered. “I’m freezing.”

Laika nodded and he went up to the door of what seemed to be an old laboratory. “Searchman, plug in, transmission!” he yelled and Searchman went into the small computer. The door opened a bit unwillingly as it was caked with ice but it did open enough for the three boys to squeeze through.

They got inside and Searchman closed the door immediately so as to not let the cold in. They looked around and Netto sighed in disappointment. “This place hasn’t been used in months,” he said.

The monitor on his PET crackled to life, “Did you boys find anything?” Manabe asked.

Netto shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Well, come back then, a storm is brewing and I don’t want you three to get caught in it. We’ll continue our search tomorrow.”

“All right,” Netto said and the screen went blank. He looked at the door, “Well you heard her.”

“We’re staying here,” Laika said.

Enzan and Netto looked at him. “What?” the asked.

“We’re staying here,” Laika repeated. “Look, the storm is going to be here in two hours, that’s nowhere near enough time to get back to Manabe-san.”

Netto crossed his arms, “How do you know?” he asked.

Laika gave Netto a piercing gaze he had never seen before. “Just trust me, okay?” he asked.

Netto blinked then nodded. Laika plugged Searchman back into the computer. “Are there energy reserves?” he asked.

Searchman hacked into the lab’s main operating system. “Yes, there is a generator outside, but it’s old.”

“See if you can use it to heat this place,” Laika said.

“Yes, Laika-san.”

Netto tapped some buttons on his PET in an effort to contact Manabe to tell them of their plan. “Are you getting a signal?” Laika asked.

“A really faint one, but not enough to send a video message,” Netto replied.

“Just send her an e-mail then,” Enzan said.

“O-oh, right, that’s what I was going to do next,” Netto laughed nervously and wrote the e-mail.

Enzan rolled his eyes and sat on a frozen chair. It was going to be a long snowstorm.

~~~~~~~~~~

Awwww, it's so cliched yet I couldn't resist. Besides, I need this plotline to introduce some thing else.
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[Yue-chan]

heh, very nice chapter, Neko. and so what if its cliched. Its got to happen in at least one of your fics.
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"Life is like a video game; the final bosses always suck." -twinling

[Neko]

http://www.neoarcadia.net/temp/LP.htm

I want everyone who reads this to give Planty a big hug and thanks for posting the chapter on her site. Or you'd have never seen this. Thank you Planty! *hugs*

Is the chaper cliched? Yes. Do I really care? No. Enjoy :3
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[Yue-chan]

\o/ *cheers* fluff! I love the fluff, but then you knew I would. That was an excellent chapter, Neko.

[Ginrei]

Hm. What's been bothering Netto so much lately? Just the cold? Or did I miss something?
...or is he just being a girl, and being PMS-y like us---
...
.......
You heard NOTHING. Ohoo, bad image... Neko, you're paying for my therapy. >_<
AAANYhoo, I like this fic. Had my doubts about the subject matter (Lan a girl? Then the "Hey didja know there's a virus that turns people into gir--OH NOES, it escaped!1"), but it won me over. Like all your 'fics do. Because, like everyone says, it's the day-to-day interactions between the boys. Snowball fight = <3<3<3! And in this last chapter, when Netto falls asleep on Enzan's shoulder...
"You going to move him?"
"Why?"
Oooohohoho, and they say Netto is dense... Haha, good work! Keep it up!

[LightspeedEXE]

Another great chapter! This is turning into a great fanfic! Nice work.

I especially like the part where Enzan and Netto have fallen asleep. Looks like Enzans getting some emotions for Female Netto!
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[Kitty-Chan]

Hey, I was rereading this fic for about the millionth time, & I realized that it was never really explained why Netto-kun was especially well-known in Jawaii. I'm guessing it was the whole Aki-Chan incident. Am I right? Heh, you should have that incident brought up in front of Laika & Enzan (& their navis, of course). Their reactions should be priceless.
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Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Neko]

The next morning later Laika was shaking them both awake, “Get up,” he said.

“Wha?” Netto asked sleepily. He noted Enzan’s arms around him and jumped up.

Enzan yawned and stood up as well not realizing what had happened. “What’s going on Laika?”

“Storm’s done,” Laika said simply and pointed to the door. “Time to go back.”

Netto and Enzan nodded and Laika stepped out into the snow wincing from the bright light being refracted of the sugary looking powder. Netto and Enzan stepped out as well, both shading their eyes as soon as they got outside. “Well, was this a bust?” Netto asked.

Enzan shrugged, “Let’s just get back,” he sighed.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Yui pounced on the boys as soon as they walked into the door. “We were so worried!” she gushed.

Netto smiled and pulled Yui’s arms off him. “We’re fine Yui-nee-san,” he said giving her a smile.

Yui smiled back and Manabe took charge, “Did you find anything?” she asked.

They all shook their heads.

Manabe gave them a small smile, “Well it’s not like the information we got last time but I managed to contact Cunningham’s friend who lives in Sharro. Peter Harrison is his name, a long time friend and college of our Cunningham.”

“And?” Netto pressed.

“Well, Cunningham never stopped by, but Harrison did try and tell him about the virus. I don’t think he got the information, but we know where he’s going next.”

“Yes?” Rockman asked.

“Ameroupe,” she said simply.

Laika looked at her with an eyebrow raised, “That place is huge and has the largest country population in the world. Are the coordinates any more specific?”

Manabe nodded, “Apparently he has a city he likes to go to, New Amsterdam.”

Enzan sighed, “Okay, that narrows it down to… eight million people.”

Manabe sighed, “Well boys, it’s a start at least.”

Netto, Enzan and Laika nodded, and two hours later they were on another plane.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Netto stretched in the muggy heat of the over populated city. “Well, it’s not a blizzard,” he said while looking at the tall buildings.

“It’s very big,” Yui said while looking at the massive sky scrapers.

Enzan looked around with an almost content look on his face. Netto noted it and grinned, “You like this place?” he asked.

Enzan looked at Netto with an airy look, “This is one of the best cities for deals,” he said. “I spend a lot of time here.”

Manabe put her hand on Enzan’s shoulder and smiled, “Good, then you can show us around,” she said.

Enzan nodded, “I know the financial district the best,” he said.

Manabe nodded, “Good, that’s where we’ll get the most information anyway. Here I’m going to try and pull some strings to get into the archives of the police building. If Cunningham has any equipment that lets out more energy then a conventional lap top you can bet that they know about it.”

“Why?” Netto asked as they walked to the hotel they were going to stay at.

“Because, this city is so big and everything is so close together that if anything gives off too much energy it can interfere with other people’s things. So they have to be careful about it,” Manabe explained.

“And until you can pull the right strings?” Laika asked.

“I’ve got something for you boys to do. If we’re careful, we can catch Cunningham here. This country has such tight security that it’s next to impossible for non police force or military personnel to get in and out of the country in any less then a week,” Manabe said. “Fortunately, we’re both.”

Netto laughed and clasped his hands behind his head, “Ah well, this place shouldn’t be so bad,” he said.

“What are we going to do?” Laika asked.

“I’ve already created a profile for a ‘Hasakaiwa Hikaru’ who has recently joined the net saviors,” Manabe said looking at Netto. “You three will be taking on missions with New Amsterdam’s branch of Net Saviors and getting any information you can.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Enzan asked.

“I’m pretending I’m a girl again?” Netto asked.

Laika looked at Netto with a touch of laughter in his eyes, “Netto, you are a girl.”

Netto gave Laika a looked that made him falter slightly in his step.

Manabe nodded, “Don’t worry, this police force is so wrapped up in it’s own trying to keep a big city like this safe that I don’t think they knew there was a Japanese branch, let alone who it’s agents are. Just one thing, can you three speak English?”

Enzan, Laika and Netto all nodded.

Manabe smiled, “Good, then you shouldn’t have any problem.”

“This will be interesting,” Enzan said so only Laika and Netto could hear.

“I can’t believe I’m gonna be girl again. At least in Sharro you couldn’t tell,” Netto muttered.

“Would you rather be stuck in a snow storm?” Laika asked coolly.

“No,” Netto admitted.

“Then be quiet,” Enzan finished.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

They all checked into the hotel and they all got their rooms. Manabe looked at Yui, “Well, can I trust you to keep my notes in order while I try and do this? This will be your first real secretary job with me.”

Yui saluted her almost comically because she was so serious, “Yes ma’am!” she said proudly.

Manabe gave her a warm smile, “Okay. I have some people I want to call first, but if they can’t come through then I’m afraid I might have to dig a little deeper on my own.”

“What about us?” Netto asked.

“They have your PET frequencies,” Manabe said. “You should be getting a call soon.”

Netto sighed and walked into his room and set his PET on the bed. Rockman smiled at his wanly, “Maybe you should change so you can fit the part of ‘Hikaru’” he suggested.

Netto nodded and opened his suitcase that was delivered to the room. He pulled out a loose orange t-shirt, a pair of jean shorts and a bra with distaste then went into the bathroom.

Enzan and Laika came into the room. “At least we’re always busy,” Enzan said, setting his PET next to Netto’s.

Laika nodded, “Its better then sitting around. I think here we have a real chance at catching this guy once and for all.”

“Than what?” Searchman asked.

“Then while he’s wrapping his brain about how to fix the virus, we can catch it,” Enzan said. “But we need to catch him first.”

Netto came out of the bathroom, pulling his bandana out of his hair. Enzan and Laika looked at him but wisely decided not to say anything.

Netto sighed and plopped on Enzan’s bed. “Well?” he asked.

“Well what?” Rockman replied. “It’s not like it’s going to take very long before we get a call.”

Netto looked at the ceiling and Enzan opened his mouth to say something but he was cut off by all three of their PET’s simultaneously ringing.

Netto groaned and used his legs to gain enough momentum to get himself off his bed. He picked up his PET and pressed the button. “Hello?” he asked in English.

“Hello!” A gruff looking man greeted him in a fairly happy voice. “You must be the Electopian recruits. Glad to have ya on board!”

“It’s our pleasure,” Enzan said politely.

The man laughed, “Well, anyways, I gots a construction site system malfunction on 89th. I’ve got a team there already but it seems they need some back up. Can you three go help?”

All of them blinked. It wasn’t an order; the man was actually asking them if they wanted to do it. Enzan and Laika were used to taking orders but Netto decided right then and there he liked the big man. “Yes sir!” he said cheerfully.

The man chuckled, “That’s the spirit little lady!” Netto blushed, forgetting his current appearance. “I’ll give yous a map and I’ll see yous back here soon to give a report. Bye!” The screen went blank.

“Well, shall we?” Enzan asked.

“Little lady?” Netto asked incredulously.

Enzan and Laika rolled their eyes and each grabbed one of Netto’s arms, steering him out of the hotel. “Get over it,” Enzan said.

Netto glared at them and broke free from their grip and walked ahead of both of them.

They followed the directions to the street that was only a few blocks away. When they got there it was obvious that it was a virus attack. The heavy machinery was rolling around and the ports were all crackling with electricity.

Netto, Enzan and Laika plugged in their navi’s quickly. A tall brawny youth jogged up beside them. “You guys the new recruits?” he asked.

The three nodded.

He gave them a warm grin, despite the current circumstances and stuck out his hand. “Hey, I’m Neil, nice to meet you.”

For lack of anything better to do Netto took his hand and shook it firmly, “Hi, I’m N… I mean I’m Hikaru, that is Enzan,” he motioned to Enzan, “And that’s Laika.”

He nodded at both Enzan and Laika. “Well, we’ve got bit of a mess here, be careful not to use any water or electric based battle chips.”

“Why?” Netto asked.

“Because, this equipment is very valuable and expensive, we don’t want to damage it,” Neil explained.

“Is that why this has taken so long?” Laika asked.

Neil nodded, “The runner of this firm is a good man and can’t afford any new equipment. Please try not to damage it.”

Netto gave him a broad grin. “We’ll do our best.”

Neil smiled warmly, “Thanks Hikaru.”

Everyone’s attention turned to their PET’s. “You hear that Rockman?” Netto called.

“Loud and clear!” Rockman chimed back.

Netto nodded and pulled out a sword battle chip, “Then let’s get this done.”
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New Amsterdam = old name of New York, so think of it as EXE version of new york. Hope you liked the new chapter :3
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