Kobaruto-Neko, part 2
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:30 pm
The professor grabbed his hat and coat and headed for the door.
Where are you going? Uran asked.
I'm going to run some errands, Ochanomizu said.
Are you going to drive, or walk? Uran asked.
Actually, I could use the exercise, He laughed. So I guess I'll walk.
Can Atomu-Neko and I come along with you? Uran asked. We could both use the exercise too.
Sure, The professor replied.
Astro was already outside waiting for them.
Coming with us, Ani? Uran asked.
Hai! the boy robot replied.
He and Uran walked a few steps behind the professor, Kobaruto-Neko ran quickly along side of Uran.
You didn't tell Hakase about Cobat did you? Astro asked.
Not yet. Uran sighed. I don't want him freaking out. He'd never understand!
They walked as a family, making a few stops along the way to buy some bread, and a newspaper. The professor then entered a bank and stood in line. I need to deposit a check for the Ministry, he said. Usually Yuko handles this, but she was out yesterday when I was handed this by a client. I don't know why he insisted on doing business the old way, I haven't actually had to go to a bank in ages.
Just as they reached the teller's window the bank door burst open, and there was Skunk with a few of his henchmen. His face broke into a big evil smile when he saw Astro.
Astro turned quickly, and told the professor, I'll take care of him!
Not so fast, Astro! Skunk cackled, as he pulled Fooler's gun out from under his coat.
Before Astro could react, Skunk pulled the trigger. Eat Nutzo rays! he laughed.
Astro froze as a ball of plasma surrounded him and he fell to the floor, with sparks flying from his skin. Uran dropped to the floor and cradled her brother's lifeless body in her arms. She stared up at Kusai with anger boiling in her eyes. You bastard! she yelled, balling her hands into fists.
Skunk quickly aimed the weapon at her, Would you like a taste of Nutzo rays too?, he roared with laughter.
Skunk and his henchmen had ignored the black and white cat that stood up on its hind legs next to Uran. Kobaruto's head's up display popped up into his field of view superimposed over the image of Skunk holding Dr. Fooler's ray gun. Deep within his electronic brain the autonomic subroutines put weapons systems on line that his conscious mind didn't know he had. Like a bat out of hell, he flew towards Kusai powered by ramjet engines in his legs. His forelimbs sprouted sharp claws and his open mouth displayed fangs. Before he knew what hit him, Skunk was attacked by an atomic hairball that clawed, spit, and screamed at him. He dropped the ray gun which slid across the floor, into Ochanomizu's hands.
The other two members of Skunk's gang tried to make their way to the door. They broke into a run, but they didn't get very far. Kobaruto-Neko quickly aimed a digi-beam laser at a ceiling fan, causing it to come crashing down on the would be robbers, cold conking them into dreamland.
The professor had his hands inside of Astro's open chest cavity, examining the damage. Uran stood next to him, sobbing. In the background the police had already handcuffed Skunk and his fellow bandits, and were in the process of throwing them into a paddy wagon. Kobaruto picked up the ray gun that lay on the floor next to Astro's silent body and examined the weapon. After a few moments of thought, he found the switch he was looking for and aimed the gun at his brother.
What are you doing, Coby! Uran cried out when she noticed her new pet cat about to use the ray gun.
I've put it in reverse! Kobaruto meowed.
Uran pushed the professor aside just as the cat pulled the trigger. Once again a spiral shaped beam of light, this time a golden color emanated from the device, and surrounded Astro with a shimmering halo. The weapon shut itself down and the glare subsided. Astro moaned and opened his eyes. Oh man what hit me? he asked. I have a splitting headache!
You're OK! Uran cried out with glee, as she leaped towards her brother and started hugging him to death.
The professor starred at Cobalt. Uran, is there something you haven't told me?
Uran looked at Kobaruto-Neko. The cat softly meowed and nodded its head.
My cat is really Kobaruto, she said. Tenma Sensei found his electronic brain and put it inside of a robot cat body.
And knowing Dr. Tenma, that cat probably has every single one of Astro's physical abilities, the professor smirked. I should have suspected that the moment that package arrived.
They made their way back home in silence. Kobaruto followed behind Uran and Astro. Just before he reached the front door he heard a low purr coming from the house next door.
Hello you Tom Cat! Korbaruto turned his head to see the neighbor's white cat sitting on the front steps giving him an eyeful. Why don't you come over and see me sometime, she cooed.
Korbaruto felt himself blushing as he gazed at the lovely creature that was adoring him.
Maybe later, he meowed back as he entered the house.
Let me examine you, the professor asked Cobalt. The cat backed away, but Uran picked him up and deposited him in the professor's lap. Don't worry son, Ochanomizu smiled, I won't hurt you.
The Professor opened Cobalt's chest panel and looked inside with the aid of a magnifying glass. He carefully made an adjustment to one of the circuits with a screwdriver, and then closed the panel. There, now you should be able to speak in human language as well as cat, he laughed.
Thank you, Hakase, Kobaruto-Neko replied. He quickly put a paw to his mouth as soon as he'd said that, realizing that everyone could now understand him, not only Uran.
You know Uran, The professor said. The ministry did make duplicate robot bodies for you, Astro, and Cobalt. They are safely stored away in the vault for safe keeping. Now that we have Cobalt's original electronic brain back, we can restore him to his former self.
That's wonderful! Uran laughed. Coby! You don't have to remain a cat forever!
Kobaruto Neko jumped from the table into Uran's arms. He thought about the neighbor's cat next door and swallowed hard before speaking. That's OK, Hakase, he said. I'm actually happy as a cat. I think I'll stay this way, at least for now.
Where are you going? Uran asked.
I'm going to run some errands, Ochanomizu said.
Are you going to drive, or walk? Uran asked.
Actually, I could use the exercise, He laughed. So I guess I'll walk.
Can Atomu-Neko and I come along with you? Uran asked. We could both use the exercise too.
Sure, The professor replied.
Astro was already outside waiting for them.
Coming with us, Ani? Uran asked.
Hai! the boy robot replied.
He and Uran walked a few steps behind the professor, Kobaruto-Neko ran quickly along side of Uran.
You didn't tell Hakase about Cobat did you? Astro asked.
Not yet. Uran sighed. I don't want him freaking out. He'd never understand!
They walked as a family, making a few stops along the way to buy some bread, and a newspaper. The professor then entered a bank and stood in line. I need to deposit a check for the Ministry, he said. Usually Yuko handles this, but she was out yesterday when I was handed this by a client. I don't know why he insisted on doing business the old way, I haven't actually had to go to a bank in ages.
Just as they reached the teller's window the bank door burst open, and there was Skunk with a few of his henchmen. His face broke into a big evil smile when he saw Astro.
Astro turned quickly, and told the professor, I'll take care of him!
Not so fast, Astro! Skunk cackled, as he pulled Fooler's gun out from under his coat.
Before Astro could react, Skunk pulled the trigger. Eat Nutzo rays! he laughed.
Astro froze as a ball of plasma surrounded him and he fell to the floor, with sparks flying from his skin. Uran dropped to the floor and cradled her brother's lifeless body in her arms. She stared up at Kusai with anger boiling in her eyes. You bastard! she yelled, balling her hands into fists.
Skunk quickly aimed the weapon at her, Would you like a taste of Nutzo rays too?, he roared with laughter.
Skunk and his henchmen had ignored the black and white cat that stood up on its hind legs next to Uran. Kobaruto's head's up display popped up into his field of view superimposed over the image of Skunk holding Dr. Fooler's ray gun. Deep within his electronic brain the autonomic subroutines put weapons systems on line that his conscious mind didn't know he had. Like a bat out of hell, he flew towards Kusai powered by ramjet engines in his legs. His forelimbs sprouted sharp claws and his open mouth displayed fangs. Before he knew what hit him, Skunk was attacked by an atomic hairball that clawed, spit, and screamed at him. He dropped the ray gun which slid across the floor, into Ochanomizu's hands.
The other two members of Skunk's gang tried to make their way to the door. They broke into a run, but they didn't get very far. Kobaruto-Neko quickly aimed a digi-beam laser at a ceiling fan, causing it to come crashing down on the would be robbers, cold conking them into dreamland.
The professor had his hands inside of Astro's open chest cavity, examining the damage. Uran stood next to him, sobbing. In the background the police had already handcuffed Skunk and his fellow bandits, and were in the process of throwing them into a paddy wagon. Kobaruto picked up the ray gun that lay on the floor next to Astro's silent body and examined the weapon. After a few moments of thought, he found the switch he was looking for and aimed the gun at his brother.
What are you doing, Coby! Uran cried out when she noticed her new pet cat about to use the ray gun.
I've put it in reverse! Kobaruto meowed.
Uran pushed the professor aside just as the cat pulled the trigger. Once again a spiral shaped beam of light, this time a golden color emanated from the device, and surrounded Astro with a shimmering halo. The weapon shut itself down and the glare subsided. Astro moaned and opened his eyes. Oh man what hit me? he asked. I have a splitting headache!
You're OK! Uran cried out with glee, as she leaped towards her brother and started hugging him to death.
The professor starred at Cobalt. Uran, is there something you haven't told me?
Uran looked at Kobaruto-Neko. The cat softly meowed and nodded its head.
My cat is really Kobaruto, she said. Tenma Sensei found his electronic brain and put it inside of a robot cat body.
And knowing Dr. Tenma, that cat probably has every single one of Astro's physical abilities, the professor smirked. I should have suspected that the moment that package arrived.
They made their way back home in silence. Kobaruto followed behind Uran and Astro. Just before he reached the front door he heard a low purr coming from the house next door.
Hello you Tom Cat! Korbaruto turned his head to see the neighbor's white cat sitting on the front steps giving him an eyeful. Why don't you come over and see me sometime, she cooed.
Korbaruto felt himself blushing as he gazed at the lovely creature that was adoring him.
Maybe later, he meowed back as he entered the house.
Let me examine you, the professor asked Cobalt. The cat backed away, but Uran picked him up and deposited him in the professor's lap. Don't worry son, Ochanomizu smiled, I won't hurt you.
The Professor opened Cobalt's chest panel and looked inside with the aid of a magnifying glass. He carefully made an adjustment to one of the circuits with a screwdriver, and then closed the panel. There, now you should be able to speak in human language as well as cat, he laughed.
Thank you, Hakase, Kobaruto-Neko replied. He quickly put a paw to his mouth as soon as he'd said that, realizing that everyone could now understand him, not only Uran.
You know Uran, The professor said. The ministry did make duplicate robot bodies for you, Astro, and Cobalt. They are safely stored away in the vault for safe keeping. Now that we have Cobalt's original electronic brain back, we can restore him to his former self.
That's wonderful! Uran laughed. Coby! You don't have to remain a cat forever!
Kobaruto Neko jumped from the table into Uran's arms. He thought about the neighbor's cat next door and swallowed hard before speaking. That's OK, Hakase, he said. I'm actually happy as a cat. I think I'll stay this way, at least for now.