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The bust was going down tonight. Code's sources had told her Laserman and Starlet were in the area, and even the potential for a bigger fish. The two of them were new to the force, fresh from the academy. Code glanced at her PET, to her netnavi, and smiled at Rococo.EXE. She'd done the custom upgrades and programmed some bonuses herself. Rococo may have begun like the others, just off the shelf, but Rococo was special. She knew her duty to both the people, and to her family. And Grandpa would be so proud, and Dad too, when she came home with the news Nebula was busted! Life couldn't get better.

The Nebula agents, as expected, trickled in, almost undiscernable, except to a trained eye. Code held quietly, Rococo in her PET, waiting. Things were almost as if a bust wasn't about to occur when the hair on the back of Code's neck tingled. A dimensional area? Here?! That was when Code paled.

They know!

The NetCop crouched low, clutching her PET tightly as Rococo looked around. The NetNavi blinked, looking past her operator, and squeaked, bangle bracelets jangling softly.

"Rococo, be quiet..."

"B..But Code-sama..."

"What?"

Rococo pointed behind her operator, and Code spun to face one of Nebula's Darkloids. She frowned... Weak at best. The Darkloid took a swing, and Code grunted, chest sliced slightly as she moved. One hand, and she yanked out her PET.

"Rococo.EXE... Transmission!"

And the happy-go-lucky net navi appeared in the Area, blinking at the darkloid as she pulled out a blow gun. An odd weapon, but it worked. The two net navis began duelling, Code occasionally feeding battle chips, but it ended quickly enough, and Code pulled up the PET's phone, calling in.

"Problem, sir... Nebula was expecting us... We need ba-ROCOCO!"

Code tossed the PET aside as a pack of Darkloids tore into the NetNavi, and pulled out a pipe.

"Alright, boys... You wanna dance? Lets dance."

----------------

It felt like several hours, but backup finally arrived. Code looked around by then, cursing, and made her way to Rococo. By now the NetNavi was in horrible shape, and the Operator knelt down.

"Rococo..."

The Navi looked up at her operator, and smiled, whispering.

"Did... Did I do well serving Wily-sama?"

Oh, nice. In public. Not a good sign. Code sat, petting the NetNavi.

"Yes, Rococo. You did very well." She sighed. "Do you want a recovery chip?"

Rococo shook her head.

"No."

Code blinked.

"No....?"

"I did my duty. Laserman isn't here." Rococo grimaced. Code growled.

"What?!"

"I got the data. Laserman left. He moved into another town..."

"What about you? I can use-"

"No. My porpuse is served."

Rococo looked away. She was an information navi, not a combatant. Code grimaced.

"I still need your help catching Laserman. And Regal!"

Rococo shook her head.

"No. You can do it..."

The net navi then glanced away, closing her eyes.

"ROCOCO!"

-----------------------------------------

Code stood in her boss' office, a serious expression on her face.

"Let me get this right. You want to take one of the Standard police navis on the mission to Canthry because YOUR net navi refused use of it's backup?"

"....Yes sir."

The commander sighed, rubbing his temples.

"I'm afraid I have to decline. If you have to have a Navi, use a backup."

"But sir, she asked--"

"It's just a net navi. A mass of data. It can't feel or make opinions. Understand?"

Code grimaced, staring at the commander. Something told her otherwise, but she didn't want to argue.

"Fine, sir."

He didn't understand Net Navis had souls as well.