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Digimon: Infection Episode 23

Deviation Actions

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Episode 23: Undermined; Underprepared; Undergone

Kurohi was lying on the couch with the laptop next to him on the coffee table. He had the day off, and Erika was working, so he and Linkmon were just chilling. Linkmon himself was laying on the taskbar, his arm lazily hanging over the edge and off screen.

“What're you thinking about?”

“How I wish I could not think about anything for a while.”

“I can do that.”

Linkmon stared skeptically out of the screen at him. “No you can't.”

“Eh, for a little while, anyways. Thought always comes back to you. It's why they recommend doing chanting instead of meditation to gain spiritual enlightenment.”

“Maybe I should take up chanting, then?”

“You know, the best way to get over something is to talk to somebody about it.”

It had been two days since Linkmon had fought MinoGatorus. He seemed fine, but with all the stress he had been going through lately, Kurohi just thought he was getting better at masking it.

“What's there to talk about? He's gone. He's 'dead'.” He rolled over so that his back and wings were facing him. “It's just one less problem.”

“You know you're talking to the one person you can't trick, right?”

Linkmon curled up a bit. “I didn't want to do it.”

“I know you didn't.”

“He made me do it.”

“He did force your hand.”

“Do you...do you think I'll ever see him again?”

Kurohi wasn't quite sure how to handle this can of worms, or the implications that came with it. He took a deep breath, and said the first thing that came to mind. “Maybe. It's a big world, and an even bigger universe, so anything and everything is possible.”

Linkmon's wings perked up a bit. “Why can't you be smart when you're in school?”

“What about that time I got Shiraishi-san from the arts department-”

“I meant during class, not you attempts to not be marked tardy.”

The two of them laughed.

“Feeling better?”

“A bit. Thank you.”

“Any time partner.” He sat up, gingerly pushing a numb spot on his back. “So, now that you're back in the game, again may I add, what's the plan?”

Linkmon rolled back over to face him. “I suppose I should get the turkey to get me back in contact with GiraffaKuwarus. See if we can't figure out what's going on with the strange change in the Verus' attitude.”

“It's a good idea in theory, but you should be more cautious this time. The field has changed, and so should our approach. Even if he's an ally, we can't disregard the idea that he could be followed, so no going it alone on this one.”

=====

Rollermon's happy beeping echoed all the way down to the diner at the end of the passage, but did nothing to improve Linkmon's mood. As excited as the bouncing battle ball seemed to be at seeing Linkmon again, Linkmon had gotten very used to having conversation partners on his missions of late, and while Rollermon was a budding conversationalist, the “language barrier” was a bit too steep for him.

It was one day after he had sent Bazaarmon off to contact GiraffaKuwarus. He was surprised at the speed of his response, but then again the situation might call for it. Linkmon was not sure what to expect.

“Rollermon?”

Rollermon, who had been cheerily chirping, stopped.

“I'm happy to see you, too, but do you think we could catch up after the mission?”

Rollermon beeped in consent and quietly settled down next to Linkmon. However, it was less than five minutes before he was chatting away again.

Elsewhere, GiraffaKuwarus was flying down the pass to the diner he'd last met Linkmon at, off to meet him and whoever else had tagged along if he had decrypted that bird's information correctly. He stopped suddenly. “You think I don't know you're there?”

A small cackle echoed in the almost vacant passageway. “So you knew we were here?” Spriterus slid around the corner. “You could've said something sooner if you knew.”

“Why are you following me?”

He walked his fingers across his palm. “Oh come on, if you're going to sneak around suspiciously, of course somebody's going to follow you.”

“Seems kind of weird to need three people to follow one bug? I'm pretty sure a human kindergartner could do that by itself.”

“Aww.” Two hulking figures emerged from around the corner behind the fairy. One had the appearance of a giant frog, its skin fromed from a glistening blue metal, with a sunflower seed shaped head and bulging amphibian eyes. The other was a quadrupedal green beast with long claws, teeth, and spikes on its back. Anurarus and WildStegorus: two almost brainless brutes with a lot of muscle. “How'd you know I brought friends?”

Giraffa could feel the sweat forming on his brow, but tried not to show it. He knew he was being followed, but he wasn't expecting the heavy hitters. “Well, you did say 'we'.”

“Oh, I guess I let slip the surprise, but that's not really important right now. So, Kuwy, would you mind telling us where you're off to in such a hurry? Or do our friends here have to convince you to tell us?”

“I got some intel from a source saying there'd be something of interest around here. Thought I'd get a jump on it and boost my credibility a bit. The boss hasn't been too happy with me lately, has he?”

“Hmm.” He seemed unconvinced, but shrugged it off. “Well, I could use some of that cred, too, after leaving that lug of a croc and the bozo fly to scatter in the wind.”

“Hey.” As nervous as he was he wasn't going to let that one slide. “I may not have seen eye-to-eye with Mino, but he deserves more respect than that, ya coward.”

Spriterus was taken aback by the invertebrate's apparent growth of a spine, despite being outnumbered 3-to-1.

“And you know what? Just for that, I'm not bringing you along. You want the boss's favor again? Don't piggyback off someone else's work.” He turned to leave.

No sooner had he done, than he was pinned against the side of the passageway from behind. “You know, insulting the person with more power than you is always a bad idea. Not like I wasn't planning on killing you anyways. All that reprimanding really pissed me off and you're someone nobody'll miss anyways.”

Even with his face choked up against the wall he was still able to retort. “You have no power by yourself. I could rip you a new one if you didn't have to rely on goons. Also.” He smirked. “I can think of people who'd miss me.”

“Who the hell'd miss y-”

Howling Hunters!” A barrage of bullets forced Anurarus, who had GiraffaKuwarus pressed against the wall to cover his face from the hail, allowing the bug to escape. Catastrus kept her fire up until he was a safe distance away. Once he had retreated to her side, she proceeded to deck him upside the back of his head. “I told you it was a bad idea!”

GiraffaKuwarus massaged the spot that she had hit. “Sorry.”

“Well, whad're we supposed to do now!? I can't take these guys by myself, and you're surprisingly useless in a fight.”

“Hey...”

A third voice from behind them interrupted their squabble. “Catastrus-san, that wasn't very nice.”

“Ah, who asked you T-” Catastrus pause briefly and turned around to see Toloarus standing innocently beside her. “Toley! What're you doing here! I told you to stay back at the base!”

“But I don't like being at the base without you two there. It's creepy.”

While they were arguing, WildStegorus was stampeding toward them. It was on them before Catastrus could turn her guns.

Toxic Kiss!” A small pink heart floated over the cat girl's shoulder from Toloarus, landing on the dinosaur's nose only a few meters away from them. The sizzling welt of the same shape started to burn into the spot where the heart landed. The searing pain caused the Stegosaur to careen off into the nearest wall and away from its intended targets.

Catastrus tapped her on the shoulder. “Okay, Toley, you can stay.”

Spriterus was fuming. “Dammit, what is wrong with you two? Get them! Get them get them!!!”

Anurarus and WildStegorus began charging again.

Catastrus started shooting again. “What's the plan? What's the plan?”

“Make noise!” GiraffaKuwarus charged energy into his pincers and rammed the ceiling. “Horn Drill!” Chunks of rubble began raining down on the Verus below with a low rumble. The two girls were easily able to avoid it all, but the hulks' size made it impossible. Unfortunately, that size also let them easily shake the dust off their shoulders, barely slowing them down at all.

“I don't get it, but okay!” She summoned a giant yellow spotted bomb and chucked it at the oncoming threat. “Hyō Bakudan!” A resounding boom shook the air. The two beasts emerged from the blast, dazed and covered in soot, but no worse for wear. “I knew there was a reason I never used that. Good bang, bad blast.”

The sound of a large explosion alerted the two nearby Digimon.

“Rollermon, did you hear that?”

He began beeping frantically and pointing in the direction the blast echoed from.

“Let’s go check it out.” Linkmon started off in the direction the sound had come from. Rollermon’s gesturing gradually slowed down before he hung his head and followed suit.

They didn’t have to go far before they ran into six Verus fighting among themselves.

“Kurohi, we need to crash a party, but I’m afraid we’re not dressed for the occasion.”

Beep be bweep.

Disembodied voices responded. “One designer suit, coming up.”

“Time for Rammermon to…do you guys rehearse these? I seriously can’t come up with anything for this joke.”

Override Accepted – Superior Evolution

“Linkmon! Superior Evolution!”
“Bee-bee-beep! Beebeebee Beepbeebee!”


A sudden pulling sensation alerted Spriterus, who was closest, to the two black-hole like balls that had appeared at the other end of the pathway they were all in. “What the hell are those?”

From one emerged a giant, winged, black dinosaur, while the other conjured a large blue spherical creature covered with pearlescent diamond armor on its forearms, head, and back which formed an almost wing-like protrusion. Linkmon could only assume Ricker named it Rammermon because it rammed into things, as it did not resemble a goat or battering ram at all.

GlobaLinkmon!”
“Ber-ber-beep!


Instantly recognizing GlobaLinkmon, Spriterus fluttered back several meters in alarm. “Oh crap! What’s that thing doing here!?”

The arrival of the two Digimon was seemingly ignored by the bruisers, however, as they kept up their assault on the three defending Verus. This was quickly remedied by GlobaLinkmon grabbing WildStegorus by the tail and hurling him into the nearest wall. Anurarus turned around to see where his compatriot had gone, but his search was quickly cut short after having a giant blue cannonball hurtle into his head, causing him to spin off in the opposite direction of his ancient green partner in crime.

Rammermon turned his attention to the two female Verus in front of them, but GlobaLinkmon put his hand up to stop him. “Not them. The two big ones and the other small one. Deletion is a final option only.”

Rammermon shrugged his shoulders and beeped his ascent. He rolled back into a ball and sped off in Anuaraus’ direction, slamming squarely into his exposed back and sending waves of debris into the air.

GlobaLinkmon addressed the other two next. “Please vacate the premises. We are more than capable of handling this.”

Catastrus began revving up her guns. “I’m not taking orders from some Digimon.”

Link let out a sigh. “Than at least refrain from shooting my friend and me in the back, would you? We did save your spotted hide.” He flew off to pin down WildStegorus who was beginning to right himself.

“How does Giraffa not hate him? This is my first time talking to the guy and I already hate him.” Catastrus scratched her head while watching him put his opponent in a headlock. “Toley, you go watch his back, I guess. The blue guy looks like he can take a few stray bullets.”

“Oh, um, okay.”

The two went off to assist(?) their designated Digimon while Spriterus looked on in the utmost confusion. “What the heck is going on here…?”

He felt a hand grip his shoulder very tightly. “I told you, didn’t I?” Two long, blue pincers slowly appeared on either side of his vision. “That I knew people who’d miss me.”

Spriterus broke free of his grip and dashed away, nearly avoiding decapitation. “You’re crazy! Crazier than even me. Teaming up with Digimon?” He cocked his head to the side and spat. “There’re supposed to be limits to how for you can sink, you know?”

“Ah, quit yer yapping and put up yer dukes.” GiraffaKuwarus cracked his finger joints. “And let’s see how strong you are without an entourage.”

Spriterus dodged swipe and snap with barely an inch’s leeway. While he may have taunted Giraffa’s strength, he could feel the pressure behind each of his attacks, and each of them would most likely cleave him in two. He was forced to land on the ground, which was shaking violently. Behind him, the scaly black one had summoned chains like he had against MinoGatorus, and hogtied WildStegorus and Anurarus.

“Screw this screw this screw this!” He slid out under Giraffa to dodge his attacks. “I’m outta here!” He flew away as fast as he could, but was intercepted by what looked like a giant blue pinball, bouncing off the walls and ceiling, and headlong into his face. He blacked out.

“Ha, nice hit.” GiraffaKuwarus patted Rammermon on the back, who in turn paused while trying to comprehend the fact that he was bring congratulated by a Verus.

GlobaLinkmon dragged the two chained Verus over to the blue duo, followed cautiously by Catastrus and Toloarus. “Was it just these three?”

“Yep, just them.” Giraffa lifted Spriterus' head off the ground b the hair. “Now, what're we going to do with you, huh?”

Catastrus slowly started to spin her guns. “Blast him full of holes? Tear off his wings? I heard humans used to tar and feather people; can we do that?”

“Come on you two.” Toloarus gingerly tried pushing Catastrus' gun away from the non-rotating base. “We can't do that. We'd be no better than them if we did.”

“I agree with the lady.” GlobaLinkmon dropped the ends of the chains he was holding, which sank into the ground to tether the two he had already captured in place. “I've been told we've been working on a non-lethal method of dealing with...bad Verus.” He turned slightly so that he couldn't see Catastrus.

Giraffa folded his four arms. “Well, there's five of us here. Let's put it to a vote.” He raised one hand. “All in favor of fun and torture?”

Catastrus also raised her hand. Rammermon seemed about to as well, but GlobaLinkmon shot him a look.

“Sigh, and all opposed?”

GlobaLinkmon, Toloarus, and a very dejected looking Rammermon all raised their hands. “Berr-berr-burrr.

GiraffaKuwarus sighed. “...Is it at least going to hurt a little?”

GlobaLinkmon shrugged. “I wouldn't lose any sleep if it did.”

=====

“That is a big-ass flash drive.” Kurohi was still at his desk, looking at the giant cylindrical device that Shibumi had brought down from R&D to show him.

“I know right? Four terabytes. Figured that should be big enough to house any Verus.”

Ricker, who was still in the chat piped in. “Did I just hear him say 'four terabytes'?”

“Ricker wants to know if you're serious when you said four terabytes.”

“Yes, we did.” Shibumi's fingers glided over it like he was petting a cat. “It's a thing of beauty, isn't it?”

Full-well knowing that Shibumi would be unable to understand him, Kurohi began to fill in Ricker. “Yes, it is four terabytes. Yes, I think he's crazy, too. He may be lacking sleep.”

Ricker's surprise was visible even through his grainy camera. “Wow. I don't know much about computers, but that's a whole lot, isn't it?”

“Oh yea, a whole lot. About four computers of data.”

Shibumi coughed to bring the attention back to himself. “Now I know it might seem a bit excessive, but we don't know how much data a Verus contains. This is much bigger than any Digimon we've ever made, so it should fit just about anything made from them as long as their base program isn't huge in itself.”

“If you say so.” Kurohi turned to his computer and spoke into it again. He pressed a key in order to reopen communications with their digital team. “Link, we've got the containment units ready. How many you need?”

“We need three.”

He pressed the key again and turned to Shibumi. “You do have three, right?”

“Yes, we actually have more than three.”

“Ok.” He turned his attention back to the team “Ok, we've got three. Bring them in.”

“Bring them where, exactly?”

Kurohi paused for a moment. “I don't know.” He turned his eyes up toward Shibumi in a begging manner.

He sighed and leaned in so the Digimon could hear him. “Bring them to the R&D office. We've got a gate of sorts set up to deal with the movement process.” He stood up and gestured his thumb up. “I'm going to head back up stair then to make sure everything is prepped.”

Kurohi nodded. “Got it. Talk to you in a bit.”

As he walked away, Ricker spoke up from the other end of the line. “Kurohi?”

“Yea, man?”

“What's going on? I didn't catch any of that.”

=====

The five of them stood in front of a giant program that looked like a very intimidating vault door, with two interlocking steel plates clenched tightly shut. While Anurarus and WildStegorus were out cold, Spriterus had regained consciousness and was shouting system-censored obscenities.

“Alright guys.” Kurohi's voice hummed in their ears again. “The first one's set up. Send 'im in.”

The doors slid open. GlobaLinkmon grabbed a handful of WildStegorus' chains and hurled him into the opening, which closed before he even hit the back wall.

Spriterus began to freak out. “What're you doing!? What the hell are you doing!? Let...me...go!” He began violently struggling against the chains that held him.

Toloarus tapped GlobaLinkmon on the shoulder. “Um, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are we doing?”

“We're putting them in flash drives.”

“I...don't know what those are.”

“They're external and detachable memory devices.”

“I still don't-”

Kurohi's voice reverberated through the room again. “Second one's set up. Send them though.” The doors creaked open again.

Giraffa picked up the squirming Spriterus with two hands. “Let's send the noisy one through next.”

“Nononononono! Nonononono! No! No!”

The bug's smile was cheek to cheek, as the screaming fairy went from his hands through the air and past the doors.

“Nooooooooooooo-” The closing doors brought silence to the room.

“And good riddance to some bad data.”

=====

Shibumi pulled out the second flash drive and put the third one in.

“Ok guys, last one.”

Shibumi's hands seemed to be acting as a makeshift scale, comparing the newly retrieved flash drive to an empty one.

“Something wrong?”

Shibumi shook his head. “No, it's just...It's nothing.”

=====

With Anurarus gone through, GlobaLinkmon and Rammermon reverted back to their child forms.

“Now that we're done here, we can go some place more quiet to talk.” He looked over his shoulder. “Kurohi, is there any place within the building's systems we can use?”

Kurohi's face appeared behind him in all its grainy web-cam glory. “I thought you might ask. The display conference room that they use for commercials is open to you. Use it however long you like.”

“Alright, how do we get-” Linkmon suddenly felt hands in his armpits as he was hoisted into the air, bringing him eye-to-eye with Toloarus. She didn't say anything and just kept staring, her companions snickering in the background. They apparently thought that her manhandling of him was funny. “May I help you?”

“You're so...cute.”

More giggling, this time from Kurohi and Rollermon, added to the room's humorous buzz.

“Um, thank you? But could you please-”

“If you all would excuse my interruption.” A very deadpan voice drew their attentions. Darcmon had arrived without anyone noticing her. “I've come to escort you to the conference room. If you would please follow me.” She turned and made for the exit.

Catastrus shrugged to GiraffaKuwarus, who both followed her with Rollermon on their tails. Toloarus, now toting around a very embarrassed Linkmon like a carnival teddy bear, taking up the rear.
Wow, how long has this been in the works? Actually, it's been in editing for over a month. My editor went back to reread all the older stuff, found some common problems I've been making, and hopefully some of them have been improved upon in this chapter. Next one should be out in less time than it took for this one. Probably.
I honestly don't know what else to say. I feel like I had all these things planned out, but forgot them all in the intervening time. Oh well. Hope you enjoy.
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