Mike stumbles upon a setting that allows him to communicate with Jeff directly, without unfreezing the rest of the animated world. Eager to address the unfolding chaos, he selects it and reactivates Jeff, now in Jettison’s body, but with everything else around him suspended mid-motion.
Jeff stands, bewildered in the motionless scene, his frustration bubbling over. "What the heck is going on?" he shouts into the seemingly empty void, fists clenched.
From his computer screen, Mike's voice crackles to life. "Hey Jeff, listen—it’s Dad. Sorry, son, I didn’t expect all this. I didn’t think you’d actually end up inside."
"What even is this? What am I?" Jeff demands, storming around the restaurant, his armored feet clanking against the floor. He feels the anger rise, fueling a fiery tantrum.
Trying to calm him, Mike explains patiently, "You’re in a cartoon world, Jeff. It’s based on an old show I used to love, called 'Feline Ninja Fighters.' They’re robot cats who fight crime and run a pizza shop."
Jeff’s pacing slows, his interest piqued despite his fury. "Feline robot heroes?" he echoes, kicking a chair that refuses to fall due to the frozen state.
"Exactly," Mike assures him. "You’re actually in Jettison’s body—he’s known as the charmer, often seen flirting with female robots. You’re basically a superhero with cool ninja moves. You even get shot into action through a giant canon!"
As Mike delves into the abilities and epic adventures Jettison embarks on, Jeff’s irritation dwindles, replaced with mild intrigue.
"So... I’m something like a super-powered ninja?" Jeff asks, his tone shifting from anger to curiosity.
"Yeah," Mike nods, grinning, though Jeff can’t see him. "A pretty cool one at that."
Jeff relaxes, a spark of interest kindling within him. "Alright, maybe tell me more about what I can do in this place."
Mike hesitates for a moment, then takes a deep breath before addressing Jeff again. "Hey, Jeff, I’ve got an idea. What if I tweak your mind just a bit to merge some of Jettison’s programming into yours?"
Jeff, still adjusting to his robotic feline form, furrows his brow. "What do you mean, like change who I am?"
"No, no," Mike reassures him quickly. "I’m talking about keeping your core self intact, just adding Jettison’s muscle memory and skills. You’d be able to fight like a ninja and, uh, charm others around you. It’s more like adding a set of skills than changing who you are."
Jeff pauses, considering. "So I’d stay me, just with some of his abilities?"
"Exactly," Mike affirms, wanting to ease his son's worries. "You'll still be you, but you'd get to be a hero in this world, able to do all the cool things Jettison can."
Jeff takes a moment to ponder, the idea enticing despite his lingering doubts. "Well, okay. I mean, it sounds kind of awesome to have ninja moves… like being a superhero for a bit."
"Great!" Mike replies, a trace of relief in his voice. "I promise you’ll still be yourself, Jeff."
Jeff nods, the start of a grin forming as he envisions the adventures to come. "Alright, Dad. Let’s do this."
Mike lets out a small sigh, knowing he has to pause Jeff again to make the changes. "Hang tight, Jeff. I’m gonna make those adjustments now," Mike says reassuringly before disconnecting their conversation.
With Jeff frozen like the rest of the animated world, Mike scrolls through the Chronivac's options, selecting specific settings to grant Jeff some basic knowledge of the world and access to Jettison’s unique routines—primarily his fighting skills and flirting prowess. Once satisfied with the adjustments, he saves the changes and reactivates the simulation.
The buzz of activity resumes. Jettison, now with Jeff at the wheel armed with new abilities, blinks and stretches. "I think I’m feeling better now," he murmurs, testing out his newfound knowledge. Emboldened, he turns to Melody with a characteristic wink. "Hey there, Melody. You know, you really—"
Melody rolls her eyes dramatically, cutting him off with a teasing grin. "Oh, spare me, Jettison. Your charm doesn’t work on me, mister buddy-buddy."
Feigning disgust, she playfully backs away, though her eyes sparkle with amusement. "But I’ll give you this—you’re back to normal, alright. Or as normal as you ever get!"
Jet, overhearing as he maneuvers a pizza to another table, chuckles. "Yup, I’d say he’s definitely back."
Jettison, or rather Jeff, shrugs good-naturedly, exploring this strange blend of familiar self and new persona. "Hey, worth a shot, right?" he quips, catching the rhythm of his role with renewed enthusiasm.