Zero: Chapter Two
***
It was late afternoon before anyone dared look in on Donatello. And just his luck, it was Michaelangelo whose curiosity got the better of him.
Don was so immersed in his work that he didn't even notice when the door was opened. He just continued to scan over the information written across his computer monitor. Michaelangelo snuck up to the desk, smiling as Don just sat unblinking in his chair, the only movement an occasional click of the mouse.
Mike glanced over at Zero, still sitting in the corner. She had some wires sticking out of her head, which ran over and plugged into Donatello's computer, but other than that, looked exactly the same as before. He wondered if Don had made any progress.
Mikey turned his attention back to Don, who was still involved in his work. A sly grinned crossed Mike's face just before he jumped up and slammed his palms down on the desk. "Heya Don!"
Donatello jerked in surprise, falling out of his chair. "Wha-? Mikey!" Don jumped to his feet and grabbed for his brother over the desk, but Mike simply stepped back out of his reach.
"So, how's it goin'?"
Don let out a frustrated sigh and pulled his chair back to his desk. "Fine, until a few seconds ago."
Mike laughed out loud. "Sorry, couldn't resist. But really, how's the hacking going? Got her running yet?"
"I've got good news and bad news about that. Good news is that it has a full system. Bad news is that it's malfunctioning, and I have no idea how to fix it."
"Is she gonna be okay?" Mike went over and looked into Zero's dark, blank eyes. He tilted his head, trying to catch any spark of life.
"I think so. I did manage to get its self-repair program up and running." Don looked at Zero in awe. "I can't believe the technology involved in this. Optical and tactile sensors, speech recognition and synthesis. The synthetic skin and hair contain billions of photovoltaic cells for power. It's a whole network of nanotechnology, designed to mimic human biology."
Mike held his hands up. "Okay, okay, I get it. She's very cool. But when's she gonna wake up?"
"The repair work is going to take a few more hours, at least. I'd estimate that it'll be up and running by this evening." Don shrugged as he studied the prone android. "After that, I'm not sure."
"Can we keep her?"
"It, Mike, not her. And I don't think we can. Someone built it, and I don't know how it got into the sewers, but I think it was headed somewhere."
Mike pouted. "I wanted to keep her."
Don shook his head. "Yeah, just like you wanted to keep that baby alligator when we were six. As soon as I find this Francis Sung guy, it's going back."
"But what if she was running from him?"
Don pinched between his eyes, trying to stop the approaching headache. "I'll ask Zero, Mike, okay? Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
Mike put his hands on his hips. "Fine. Have it your way, Mr. Techie Turtle. I'll leave you to play with your new toy, but don't come crying to me when things go wrong."
As soon as Mike left, Don slumped back into his chair to study the data on his monitor.
A second later, Mike popped his head back into the lab. "Oh yeah, almost forgot, the TV's busted again."
Mike shut the door quickly before a roll of purple electrical tape flew across the room and hit him right in the face. Don watched the tape roll back towards him. He mumbled something about 'accident prone brothers' and continued with his work.
***
Raphael drummed his fingers on the kitchen table. He hated just sitting around, waiting for things to happen. And he especially hated waiting on another person.
"Just deal the cards already!"
Mike grinned and quickly finished shuffling. He dealt out the cards more slowly than needed. "Why are you yelling at me? You were the one who kicked the TV."
Raph grumbled and picked up his cards. "If Casey wasn't working..." He placed a six of hearts on top of Mike's eight of spades just as Splinter and Leonardo returned from their supply run.
Leo placed his bags on the counter. "What, the TV broken again?"
"Raph did it," Mike said as he tossed down a king of diamonds. Raph countered with the four of clubs, three of spades, and finally a jack of clubs.
Splinter set his bags on the counter alongside Leonardo's. "Has Donatello left his room?"
"Nah." Raph smirked as Mike tossed down a two of diamonds, and Raph got to claim the pile. "He's still in there playing with his new toy." He started the next round off with an ace of spades.
"I told him about the TV, though." Mike dealt out a five of spades, and a queen of hearts.
Leonardo noticed the look of concern on Splinter's face. "Is something the matter, sensei?"
"I feel that Donatello's inquiring mind has stumbled upon something more complicated than a lost doll."
Leo smiled as he put away their gathered supplies. "Isn't that how it always is?"
Mike cheered as Raph failed to place down the correct cards, and it was Mike's turn to win. "That's kinda the pattern around here, isn't it? Small, innocent event snowballs into an overwhelmingly large, potentially life-threatening event."
"You complaining?" Raph smirked.
"Pfft, no."
They all chuckled until someone cleared their throat. Donatello was standing at the edge of the kitchen. "Hey everyone, I'd like to introduce you to Zero." He stepped aside to let everyone see the android standing behind him
Zero stepped forward. "Hello, everyone."
***