Chapter Text
It had been too long. Far too long. When he had first made the decision to go back to school and study computer science, Antoine Alt Klemmons was sure he would come across a way to put Motherboard back in her body within just a few years. But Ada had said it wouldn't be that simple. He should've listened to her. Then maybe he wouldn't feel so frustrated now. Still, Antoine was sure that if he'd still had the others' help, he would've discovered a way by now. But now they had a more important problem to solve:
Curing Motherboard's virus.
Of course Antoine was just as concerned as everyone else was. Every time he spoke with his fiancee, she seemed to be getting progressively weaker. He knew that she had enlisted the help of three Earth children to aid in her endeavors to protect Cyberspace, but he also knew the cyborg-turned-computer-program would rather do the work herself if she could. The cyber ruler put on a brave face for everyone, especially her brother and chief technician Dr. Marbles, but with Antoine she always let her deepest feelings spill through. Their most recent conversation still replayed in his mind.
Flashback:
"Motherboard, darling, you know you shouldn't be trying to reach distances this far," Antoine said as his lover's face appeared on the communications console of his cyber coupe, "It uses up too much of your energy."
"I know," she said, a burst of painful static coursing through her, "But I had to see you... Antoine... there's something... we must discuss."
Antoine couldn't help but wince in sympathy as static continued to interrupt Motherboard's speech. Dr. Marbles had found small ways of numbing the pain that accompanied her glitches, but Antoine knew it was still hurting her.
"Antoine... I don't think I have much time left... And I need to know that... there will be someone who... can take my place-"
"No Motherboard," Antoine interrupted her, "You asked me this eons ago when Abaddon was still on the loose and my answer hasn't changed since then. I'm not capable of leading Cyberspace. Don't worry, we're going to-"
"Antoine, we must be... realistic," Motherboard said through her glitches, "Dr. Marbles and Ada are doing... all they can without luck... I've had to rely more... and more... on Digit and the Cybersquad... to help stop... Hacker..."
"Just say the word darling and I'll more than willingly stop that traitor for good," Antoine insisted, anger rushing through his circuits as he thought of the cyborg who had brought his lover so much pain and misery.
"I'm sure you would... but... even after all this..."
"I know," Antoine sighed.
The truth, that she would never reveal to anyone else, was that Motherboard still loved Hacker as any mother would love her child unconditionally. She was hurt, angry, and broken by his betrayal, but part of her still hoped against all odds that he could be reformed. For that reason, she still resisted giving him capital punishment.
Motherboard's gaze shifted downward and Antoine knew she wanted to cry. But she had lost the ability to do so when she became a computer. Even if she could, he knew she would've held her tears back in an attempt to remain strong.
"Listen to me Motherboard," Antoine said to her, her gaze shifting back to him, "Everything is going to be alright. Remember my research? Your consciousness is held in the h-drive, which is separate from the system. All we need to do is put you back in your body and you'll be cured."
"But Antoine... you and the others tried for years to... come up with a way to do that... There's... not enough time to keep looking into... that possibility."
Antoine sighed again, this time in frustration. It was the same thing Marbles and Ada had told him. The complexity of transferring consciousness was too great and therefore finding a cure to the virus was first priority.
"Antoine... I'd give anything... to hold you again... But it doesn't look... like that's going to happen... I'm not getting any... stronger... And with Hacker still out there... we need someone to take my place..."
"Motherboard, I-"
Before Antoine could say anything more, a strong burst of static filled the space where Motherboard's face had been and she was gone.
End Flashback
Antoine knew she would never voice this concern to anyone else. She always remained encouraging to Dr. Marbles, Lady Lovelace, Digit, and the kids. But between her and Antoine, Motherboard was slowly coming to terms with the reality that she might not make it. Antoine desperately wanted to remain positive for both of them, but then Dr. Marbles revealed something shocking to him.
Motherboard's system should have shut down years ago. It was a miracle that she had made it this long. Both male cyborgs agreed that it must be her sheer will to live that kept her going. The question was: For how long would that be enough?
Antoine looked at his scribbled notes and groaned in frustration. If he could just figure out how to transfer her back into her body, all their problems would be solved. But how could that be done? When Motherboard was stabbed by that electric sword, the high voltage had all but fried her inner circuitry. It was a wonder the h-drive even worked for transferring her into the supercomputer. The overall damage was so great, it'd be easier to make an entirely new body and transfer her into that instead.
"Wait a minute!" Antoine thought, "Could we actually do that?"
Antoine rushed to his bookcase and picked out a book on cyborg anatomy, quickly flipping through the pages until he found what he was looking for.
"Yes," Antoine said to himself, "Of course! How could I have not seen it before?"
He grabbed his skwak pad off his study desk and scrolled for Marbles' number. This was it. It wouldn't be long until Motherboard was not only cured, but also a cyborg once more.