Crossdresser Crossfire

Common Room - Skull Fortress

This room seems more like something you'd find in a civilian home than a military base. Most of it is occupied by materials smuggled in over time by individual Masters, including a chess set, dart board, go board, cooler, pool and air hockey tables, several of Magnet Man's spare video game systems, and Spring Man's weights bench. A long couch faces the television, with other chairs scattered here and there. The floor is entirely carpeted, and the walls decorated with posters of popular modern bands like Avalon and Ironica. The Karaoke machine has taken quite a beating, as if someone would rather die than allow it to remain operational. Half of the southern wall of the room, strangely enough, is occupied by a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and a few well-stocked cupboards; perhaps in a faction mostly composed of robots, cooking is considered more a hobby than anything else.

Sword Man ["casual"] [RM]
Quick Man [Femmec] [RM]
Ring Man [Lionel] [RM]
Bags of Bottlecaps
Video Game
Chess Board [Skull Fortress]
Super Ice Cream Machine
Zilch Game
Reversi Board
Lint Store
Pool

Reinforced Doors leads to Training Room - Skull Fortress.
East leads to Great Hall - Skull Fortress.

The doors to the Common Room slip open, and through them comes... A female android. It's a bit hard to tell from appearance, but once you hear her voice, even if more feminine, it still proves the woman to be... Quick Man. That's right, "Hey Gemini, Hiya Gemini." She greets both of her younger brother, evidently quite ticked off. Ask why... If you dare...

Ring Man lounges in a recliner in the common room reading. Just killing time. Siping on a soda trying to ignore the chattering twins.

Gemini Man looks at Gemini Man out of the corner of their eyes. They both twitch a little. Then, one of them, dropping the remote he was holding, turns around, and takes a LONG leer at Quick Man. The second twin sees this as an oppurtunity to seize the remote and change it to MTV4.
"Sayyyyy..." the Gemini Man says.

Ring Man raises an eyebrow when his, 'sister' enters to room. Then returns to reading the newspaper, trying to ignore that too.

Quick Man

Oh, look. It's Quick Man out of his armour. This "disguise" has worn out its usefulness as camouflage, since he's appeared in it in public hundreds of times, and usually on the news. But then one can notice that something is different about the Speedster. His hair is dark, rusty red and tied into a rather long ponytail, unlike Zero's, with two locks of hair framing his rather handsome face. His ears are pointier, making him look somewhat like an elf. His physique is thin but muscular, like that of an Olympic runner's, but the lower body is more rounded, and less slick and tight. The real drastic change, though, is his torso. It's.... female. About a B-cup, you'd guess. Oh dear.
She is wearing a red t-shirt with a lightning bolt running from the top right to the bottom left. Behind in black lettering is written, "The Speed of Lightning". She's also wearing a pair of slightly tattered blue jeans, and her feet are adorned with white sneakers. As usual, she is always in constant motion, even if it's the slightest thing like looking around or tapping his foot at 300 beats per second. On her face is her usual relaxed, funky smile.

Quick Man stops in front of the leering master, "Great, another one." She says, "All you need to do is change appearance and people treat you exactly the opposite of what you thought they would." Shaking her head, she snatches the other Gemini Man's remote, and changes the channel into... The Road Runner channel! Or a cartoon channel that happens to show it at that time (Quick Man has all the times and channels where the Road Runner is shown etched in his/her memory).

Gemini Man crosses his arms. "I was USING that..."
Gemini Man scratches the area of his lack of nose, then turns to regard the Quick Femme again with another look of approval. Either he's really stupid, or he's really in the mood to mess with the genderbender tonight. He siiiiidles on over to sit next to her on the couch, while the other Gemini Man makes a facepalm. "I didn't know we had another femme in the units."

"You're not getting the remote back." She retorts. Either she doesn't know about these things since she isn't a "real" femme, or she doesn't want to continue this kind of conversation. Maybe both, "Go away." She adds while the in the TV the coyote is falling into another huge canyon.
*falling sound*
*crashing painfully sound*

Ring Man grumbles, "Damnit Quick, the last time you pulled this crap me and my recliner got thrown through the wall. Give Gem the remote and sit your... very very confused aft down."

Gemini Man looks over at Gemini Man. Exchange of information occurs. oO(So what's the deal HERE?)Oo
oO(Sailor Quick Man? Common phenominon.)Oo
oO(How stupid can you pretend to be?)Oo
oO(How stupid do you think HE is?)Oo
oO(Very.)Oo
"Oh my god, it's Protoman!" Gemini Man Number Two turns and points to an area behind the Quick Femme, then snatches again for the remote. Gemini Man One, meanwhile, to add to this confusion, hops onto Quick Girl's lap.

Ring Man sighs and returns to the newpaper muttering "This wont end well."

Quick Man isn't as stupid as people think she is. Sometimes it's good to keep such a thing secret so people will underestimate the Speedsteress, "Yeah right, and the pope's on-Aaah!" Suddenly one of the Gemini Men lands on her lap, "You perv!" She exclaims and tries to smack him with the remote-wielding hand, which flies away no matter if she hits or not.

It pays to be able to doubleteam. When the remote flies out of the Quickgirl's hands, the second twin dives on it, laying claim. Meanwhile, the first takes a smack to the face, then makes himself comfortable anyway, straddling the Quick Girl, and laying his head on 'her' shoulder. "So...seriously," he says, as if this wasn't at ALL unusual... "What's the deal?"

Ring Man fears the explaination.

Quick Man stands up, leaving a Gemini Man to fall down, "Okay, that's it." She mutters loudly, and confronts the Gemini with the remote, "HI." He says angrily, and then... Kisses Gemini Man (still the one with the remote) on the lips. The kiss is very passionate (at least from Quick Man's part), and while doing so she tries to take back the remote (no need to mention that she'll stop as soon as she succeeds in getting it back).

Ring Man drops his paper in shock. .oO(I knew this wouldn't end well. Wily help us.)

Gemini Man indeed gives up the remote. He pulls away when Quick does, and does indeed seem to be momentarily stunned by having his mouth filled with his brother's tongue. He scrapes his own tongue on his teeth slightly, in an expression of mild distaste. He's had worse: Snake Man did that once. But then he narrows eyes.
The second twin winces at the reflected thought.
"So. That's the game...."
The second twin shakes his head....

[Meanwhile, on the radio...]

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "It's not paranoia if everyone /is/ out to get you. Go you know how much Dr. Cossac has offered for Dr. DeVry's death?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "The UN robbed me of my children, Doctor DeVry. My love for them wanes like the moon in the shadows of winter. Come now, name a time and place and I will be quite happy to meet you for a discussion."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I may take you up, Gate...but not here, not over broadband."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Eurasia counts itself my enemy, and I do not wish to try Mayor Friendly with my protection"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "Of course - simply let me know if you wish to meet, my good Doctor."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "Oh, darn. I was so hoping I could crash that party."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops just tsks slightly. "What a sad, strange little man."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gizmo Glider transmits, " The UN is nothing but lies...but that is already known. They can't wait to pounce in their prey and completely DESTROY WHAT LITTLE IS LEFT! THEY ARE EVIL!!! EVIL!!!!"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Crash it at your own harm, Hunter, I could easilly lobotomize you and turn you into what nature should have made you before it made the mistake of granting you sentience"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Zero transmits, "Eh. Not that she really needs much of a change. But then again, I always -have- wondered about -your- taste in women Landon."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops transmits, ".... Now, I may not be very... feminine for a female reploid, but even I know that's signing a death warent right there..."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Zero transmits, "It's more'n a little disturbing that all your creations are underage girls."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "No one suspects a little girl."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Zero transmits, "Uh-huh...deny it as much as you want, old man."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Ring Man transmits, "Landon, accept that you have a fetish and move on."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I am above such foolishness."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Hey, remember, all that he has left of his original body is his brain. I doubt the tought of sex is able to cross it at this point."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Any biological desire that hounded my purity when I was ali...previous to my cybernetic transfer, has been quashed by my freedom from the horemone."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Sex sex sex. Everything on this radio always goes back to Landon and sex."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Women have always found me interesting in that way, Gemini Man."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Somehow we doubt that."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops transmits, "Purity?... Purity? Landon.. has purity? *A rather loud thud can be heard as Thunder falls over in a fit of loud laughter.*"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "Sex is such a curious drive for humans. I have to wonder how they deal with such an odd combination of chemicals in their bodies."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Yes, total purity. Purity of desire, of action, and of body. I was never tainted with the touch of woman."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "That's so pathetic, Landon."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Pathetic? Hardly. Pathetic are the creatures who believe in 'love'"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "The world is forged in hate, agony, and pain. There is no true love, nor true affection, only existance."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Mikage Yukiato transmits, " I am not one to speak on this miserable channel without much of a reason...however it would seem Dear Doctor that you need to learn how to treat a lady with a bit more respect tjem that."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "No, pathetic is the fact that you spend...HOW many years as a human being, and never got laid?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I am one hundred and fifteen years old."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "If he had any idea of how to treat a lady he probably wouldn't have turned to genocide."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Ring Man transmits, "You stopped living a long time ago DeVry. Now you're just a dead pickle that hasn't stopped talking yet."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I. AM. ETERNAL."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "Eternal. What an amusing concept"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops is still laughing a bit. "Hey now, don't insult the pickles like that!"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "And I never turned to genocide..."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Only necessary costs...."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Okay. We will try that again." "HOW many years as a biologically functional human being?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "You are as Eternal as the rest of us. And as eternal as the Mavericks delude themselves into being."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Ring Man transmits, "YOU. ARE. AN. IDIOT. A delusional one at that."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Several."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Specificity, man! We've heard your rant, we want DETAILS!"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I will provide none for my own safety"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "The last thing I need in this reject from a Gene Roddenbury story of a world is someone going back in time to murder me"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "What safety? You push people already on the brink of drastic measures further by threatening all that they hold dear, and you think you're safe at all? It's merely a matter of biding one's time."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Something I -excel- at"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "We weren't going to go back in time and murder you, we were going to mock your failure as a human."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "But everyone does that." "It's passe." "Definitely."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I am a substandard human, yes this is true. Because I am a broken man living inside a mobile tomb..."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "But from this wreckage shall I raise a race of GODS!!"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "Provided that you are not hugged, and squeeze, and called George."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops transmits, "...."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "And then eaten by a twenty foot tall turtle. Again."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops cracks up in laughter all over again. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "...I will have my revenge on that braindead idiot who devoured my drone."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger snickers.

[So, anyway...]

Quick Man grins evilly, then pushes the Gemini in the way that causes the target to fall, "Hah, you're so easy." She says with a smug, "We'll only have cartoons now!" She exclaims, and then leaves the common room. Where she goes, nobody knows. When she comes back her smug smile is bigger, "Try to find it /now/." She challenges the twins, and then sits down in front of the TV.

Both of the twins are now seated on the couch. One of them, probably the original, raises his brow at Quickette. "Look...sister. If it's in your PANTS, I was about to head there anyway, until Lune called me off. You'd better watch how far you play CHICKEN with me, or I'll start activating my 'projectors.'" He makes airquotes.

Ring Man resumes reading his paper with a loud ruffle and mumbles something about "Kentuky".

"My pants?? Idiots!" Quick Man aims for a backslap to one of the Geminis, since it doesn't really matter for her, "I don't care about your chicken nature!" She tries another backslap, this time aimed at the Gemini she wasn't aiming for the first time, "Just let me watch TV and go entertain yourselves, I bet you do it all the time, being the perverts you are."

[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Dammit, DeVry blabs ENOUGH, hasn't SOMEONE traced him yet?"

Gemini Man winces a bit, but takes the hit. "Ow. Wow, does putting on a bra actually make you a bigger wuss, too?"
"We entertain ourselves all the time," says the second twin, recovering from the second slap by holding his cheek. A pause, and he smiles. "...Can't get it out of your head, now, can you?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "It turns me to nausea"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "Now you now how the rest of us feel about you."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Pah, I wouldn't put necrophilia past you, woman."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "Oh, please. I've been celibate for over ten years. I'm certainly not going to begin again with your corpse."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Ten years? Is that hard?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "Does it really matter, Gemini Man?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "I have been celibate for a -century- and you consider this little tart being celibate for 10 years important?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "We dunno. The docs always talk about it like it's some kind of big deal."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "TART! Ha!"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "The other doctors are like children, still obsessed with their sex lives. One should know that no human being should breed after the age of 35."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Ah, but you have no sexual drive, so that is not an accurate comparasin."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Landon, we condsider you anything BUT important by this point."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Ah, no wonder you're celibate if -thats- your method of attracting mates."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dr. Landon DeVry transmits, "Perhaps you would have better luck visiting the locate primate house?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "And who ever said I was *trying* to attract anyone? I was rather hoping it'd repell you off the planet."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "Are you done your pathetic attempts at flirting now, DeVry? I can only vomit so many times in one night."

Quick Man looks at Gemini Man Number Sick, "Even if I did, you wouldn't have a part in those thoughts. You're too young for me." She nuggies him, and goes back to watching the one who says 'Meep!', "So, what exactly were you trying to watch?" She asks out of curiosity. Multi-tasking isn't above her abilities, so both watching and talking is possible while she's "calm".

"MTV," says the second Gemini.
"I was trying to see if I accidentally ended up on the news again," says the first, now pulling AWAY from his crossdressing brother following the noogie, and taking up a position on the oppposite side of the couch.
"Why are you in a dress?" asks Twin Two.

Ring Man idly wonders if he can use any of this as blackmail later. But then remembers the assembled here have no shame.

"That's a figurative speech, isn't it?" Quick Man isn't wearing a dress, but a t-shirt and jeans. Sighing as the show is over, Quick Man reaches down her pants and takes the remote out, "So which channel do you want to check first?" She asks indifferently. Then she remembers the original question, "Ah well, it's fun, sorta like how Snake likes to threaten you, and how you like to have that twin of yours I guess." Is her answer.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Why hasn't anyone traced his signal yet? He's like this every damn night."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Do I look like the hacker here?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "What the hell did we get Number Man for? He joins in these lame conversations and never gets DeVry's signal." "Hey, maybe Landon heard us, at least he shut the hell up."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Do we honestly care anymore?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "No, but we're sick of his whining. We'd rather hear another 'sword' dissertation from the almight Zero than have to deal with another night of Daily Immortal Affirmation."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Maybe we should start up our own No Landon's club."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "Perhaps I misremember, but was there not a children's program in the 20th that featured a brain within a cybernetic body that was constantly thwarted by a mutant turtle?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "Yeah. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Used to watch re-runs of it when I was a kid."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gate transmits, "Truth is stranger than fiction, I do believe."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops transmits, "... AHAHAHAHAHAAHA"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Why can't we just find his signal and jam it. We'll probably get a prize... Nevermind."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Thunder Triceratops collapses in laughter again

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bass transmits, "Can someone get that braying mule away from his transmitter? I can barely hear my own inaudible grumblings."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "I believe it was originaly an expriment to see what the oddest thing pop culture would accept."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger mumbles about liking it.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Go back to sleep, Quick Man."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "I wasn't sleeping."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "... Err, nevermind. *click*"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Heh."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "He's dressed as a woman again."

Ring Man chuckles as he listens to the radio.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "I hope that's a joke."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Nope."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Ring Man transmits, "Unfortunatly not. He... her? just shoved the TV remote down her (his?) pants...."

"Dressing as a girl is your 'thing'? That's pretty messed up." Gemini Man leans back in his seat.
The twin scratches his head. "Wow. It...really WAS in his pants."
"Just scan around, I guess."

Quick Man scans through some channels, not really bothering to look, "Yeah, and I really care what you think." She replies, obviously not aware of the angry Bass, "Hmm, what were you talking about..?" She turns back the radio back on, and transmits a question, still scanning through channels.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Uhh, what were you talking about after I 'went to sleep'?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Bass was going to beat you up for impersonating Plant Man." "If Plant Man and Quick Man got in a fight, would that count as a cat fight?" "Bro, you need to get out more."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Strange."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "I don't recall ever saying I was going to beat anyone up."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Okay, wishful thinking on our part."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Yet someone just tried to say I'd done something I hadn't."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Hmm.."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "... But I thought you don't care aslong as I don't wear a dre-... You didn't? *audiable sigh of relief*"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass chintaps.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Heads Quick Man better start hiding. Tails Gemini Man better split."

Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man quickl says, "Err...we take it back, Bass!"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man gulps, "What if it lands on the middle?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, ".. damn, the coin fell behind the seat.. you take what back?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Ring Man transmits, " Five Zenny says the next coin flip will come up tails."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Saying you were gonna do something, which you clearly were not gonna do."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Yeah."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "We'll have to settle this another way."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Wha-wha-what way?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "You both have three minutes to amuse me. Starting now."

Gemini Man looks over at Quick Man.... "Ummm...never mind."
"I kinda killed some people again," says the hologram, looking dejected over a fact that would normally make him pleased. He shrugs and stands up, and wanders away from the couch a bit. No music videos.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Uhh.. Amuse you? I-in what way?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Is that the sound of a Buster?

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "We did this one already."

[Radio: (A) Masters] King transmits, "Be creative, Quick Man. Be very creative."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Yes, maybe you'll end up better off this time."

Quick Man screams and runs to the training room. Maybe he'll go through hell, but at least it'll be holographic.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Two minutes twenty."

Quick Man enters the Training Room - Skull Fortress.
Quick Man has left.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Ahhhh... Bass? Please don't break my hologram again."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "That's not funny. One-minute thirty."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Uhh... I have a lot of money?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Ok, that's kind of funny, but I'm not amused."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "One minute."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "I could give you all my money if you spare me?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Bass isn't interested in money. How about you hang your damn panties up on a flagpole?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Twenty seconds."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Amusement factor is at zero right now, kids. Five.."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Aaah, what is green and sits in a corner?"

[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "...Okay. But we HATE this."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "A... I don't remember.."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man eeps.

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "And your three minutes are OVER."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "At risk of humiliation to my selves and persons, I would like to announce at this time that I am A VERY GOOD BOY and DO NOT MEAN to CAUSE TROUBLE."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Three minutes. Three. Minutes."

Ring Man says, "Perhaps you should follow Quick's lead."

Gemini Man nods. And runs.

Training Room - Skull Fortress

This majority of this room when inactive is nothing but a giant black box with an overlaid shimmering green wire grid, dotted with holographic projection orbs at regular intervals on the ceiling, and a control panel for programming simulations. The only other feature is a shielded viewing balcony above the entrance, where one can watch without fear of stray fire. When turned on, however, the holographic generators can create any scene imaginable, even modifying the laws of physics at will. Thanks to the technology of simulated damage, Masters can use this room for combat training as much as they wish, and no medical drones are necessary.

Quick Man [Femmec] [RM]
Holographic Terminal

Reinforced Doors leads to Common Room - Skull Fortress.

Ring Man arrives from the Common Room - Skull Fortress.
Ring Man has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "I've the urge to ask what you did this time..."

Ring Man wouldn't want to miss this.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "...Stuff."

[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man just keeps saying, "But you didn't care until I wore the fuku/dress." Each time a different last word.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bass transmits, "Don't you worry your blonde little head about it, girl."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "I'm more than twice your age, Bass. I hardly fit into the 'girl' category."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Hey, Rigger, can we hide at your place for a couple days?"

Ballade arrives from the Common Room - Skull Fortress.
Ballade has arrived.

Bass arrives from the Common Room - Skull Fortress.
Bass has arrived.

Ring Man is sitting on the observation deck reading a newspaper. Trying not to call attention to himself.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bass transmits, "Take it like a man."

Quick Man quickly runs to the terminal, and types a few keys. Soon the hologram of a huge forest is loaded. Quick Man runs and tries to hide somewhere, like that'll help her.

Sword Man arrives from the Common Room - Skull Fortress.
Sword Man has arrived.
Sword Man marches in, as regal as ever. The White Knight of Wily is here!

Quick Man taps a few keys on the terminal and the room flashes and remolds to reflect the changes.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "I actually live at the labs, sorry. Though if you need a *haven* you could always go to where we used to."

King arrives from the Common Room - Skull Fortress.
King has arrived.

Gemini Man is in here, too. He isn't running off into the trees, however, though only one of him is visible. He leans against one of the holotrees and sighs. ...Take it like a man, right. Let the girl wander off and hide herself somewhere.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Where'szzat?"

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "...Er... Nevermind."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "No, we remember. Really."

Ballade, arriving seemingly by coincidence, steps through the trees on a path that forms about a meter in front of him. He easily arrives at Gemini Man's visible location, looking at the Master intently while his sensors seek out Quick Man.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Not a bad thought..."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Rigger transmits, "I still go there sometimes when I need to get away from things."

Quick Man keeps running and hiding.

King walks into the holoroom like one of the golden gods of old, full of wrath, fury, and storm. Except... he doesn't quite appear in the open yet. Instead he remains within the trees, his eyes narrowed slightly as he watches the situation. Watches... and waits. Probably for Bass to lead things off.

Ring Man peers over his newspaper still in the observation deck. Watching, but trying to look like he's not watching.

And just in case anyone thinks it's a good idea to run out, the doors open again, breaking the holography long enough for the Force Leader to step in and cross his arms. Bass never ceases his observance of a wrist-watch, for some reason, and Treble's by his side. "Now let's see if some dismemberment doesn't amuse me instead. Should the safety protocols be on or off?" "Grrr." "Anyone else got an opinion?"

Treble has arrived.
Bass drops Treble.

[Radio] You send Rigger a direct message: "Maybe we'll see you there when our PARTS knit."

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man shuts off radio.

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Quick Man *click*

[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bass transmits, "No need for their screaming to distract the rest of you. By all means, carry on with your pointless lives while we deal with matters."

Rigger sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Maybe. Try to stay off of Bass' bad side from now on, eh?"

Gemini Man shuts his radio down, then watches Ballade and King as they enter, with Bass and Treble behind them. "It's not as if we BLAME you," Gemini says, frustratedly. "We pick on people when WE'RE bored, too. Wish you could have found a better reason for picking US as your target, though." He pushes away from the holographic tree with a slight kick of his leg. "Waste of materials turning them off."

Greenery. No sky, no ground . . . just the columns of trees rising upwards, the thick columns of wood seeming of an infinite length.

Thick Branches from which to stand and fire, or use as cover.

Hordes of vines to swing from, hide in, climb on . . .

And all over, abundance of leaves, large and small, from green to red-green. Guerilla tactics, anyone?

Ring Man calls from behind his newspaper, half reading half watching, "Leave them on, that way you can always beat them up twice." Maybe Gem and Quick will be mad at the suggestion, but they'll be alive enough to be mad.

The Elite Bodyguard has no particular expression on his face. This is a task like any other to Ballade, having no more significance than retrieving the Master's favored newspaper or attending to his daily meals. The invocation of ultraviolence is as much a part of his being as is his music. No one part is lesser than any other. Each task is given its best.
The Elite splays out his fingers, loosening his precision joints with a few sharp, deliberate gestures. He continues to watch Gemini Man; he does not pursue Quick Man. Let King have that particular task.
"On," he says. "I will require Gemini Man for operations in the immediate future."

Bass laughs, but apparently does nothing to reconfigure the settings of the room from their holographic state. "Fine, just make sure it amuses me. And Quick Man.." Here, he raises his voice, to be certain he's heard. "If you just come on out and take it like a man in a dress, I'll even have King go easy on you." His lips.. twist, into an amused smirk of all things. Yes, this will bring him some measure of amusement.

King looks about the area with an expression of amusement on his face - while he did not find this perticular exercise to be enjoyable, it was necessary if it was deemed such by Bass. And so the Golden Ruler rests his shield on the ground in front of him, standing it on its end and clasping his hands in front of him with a loud creak. And his green eyes look out into the foliage, awaiting Quick Man's arrival.

Treble scratches at an ear for some reason.

Gemini Man raises a brow at Ballade. Odd. He has a...use, again? That's news to him.

Another Gemini Man hops down from a branch, and stands next to his partner. He does a quick weaponscheck. ...This is to amuse Bass...right? Well, better make a show of it, he guesses. One twin looks at the other, one shrugs. "Thanks for your vote, Ballade."

Quick Man does consider the proposition. On one side, Bass might be lying, on the other, it is a fact that once Quick is caught she'll probably get beaten up in worse ways than if she just comes out... "O-okay!" She announces out loud, and comes out. Visibly trembling, "And, and, I'm not in a dress.." She adds as a final note, the best she can get to standing up to the Force Leader.

Air Man wanders--no--lumbers into the Training Room, his expression at a uniform neutral. His yellow boots announce his presence with corresponding thuds, undoubtedly lost in the ambience of multiple Robot Masters and Elite in the immediate area.

Ballade does not pretend for Bass. It is not in Ballade's character to feign or even express pleasure or displeasure in doing any task. He has a job -- cause grievous bodily harm and suffering to Gemini Man -- and he will do it. It will be done in an efficient and expeditious fashion. When the job is concluded, he will move on to the next task.
"It is preferable to me that as few resources are expended on internal matters as possible," says Ballade, cycling through his weapons systems in a matter of tenths of a second before putting his weaponry at `ready'.
"At your signal, Force Commander."

Ring Man waves Air into the observation deck. One would think he wouldn't want to be on the training floor in about oh... 10 or so seconds.

King walks slowly across the floor, his axe balanced on one shoulder and his shield in his other hand. With that, he comes to a rather casual halt a few feet away from Quick Man - close enough that he can easily reach out and seize the smaller Master, but far enough away that if Bass decides for the Megablast he will not be caught in the blast itself. And with that he waits, looking as impassive as Ballade for the time being...

Sensing the incoming battle about to commence, Air Man politely jogs up the metal steps leading to the observation deck. Robot Masters were programmed, after all, with a degree of self-preservation. Even in simulations.

With a clearly indifferent and uncaring air now, the Force Leader raises a hand and gestures forward, letting loose the dogs of war upon the two victims in this unpleasant scenario. "King, do keep a running monologue for all of us while you vent all of your rage -- no doubt some of the rage you have in regards to my order, no less -- onto this unfortunate Quick Man's body. Let him know my displeasure of his current actions, and his change in attire. To say the very least, I lied."

Treble continues to scratch.

Sword Man, completely oblivious to what's going on, enters the room through the hissing doors of the training room. Out of routine, he immediately cuts to the side toward the Terminal...but then stops after realizing what is afoot, freezes. He opens his mouth to speak...but then, realizing the presence of not only Ballade and King, but the Dark one, Bass, he closes it and decides to join Air up in the observation deck, waiting for his turn at the room.

Gemini Man sinks down in to two seperate combat stances. He's torn in this, of course.... on the one hand, he's here to take it like a man, and it's bound to be a slaughter, but, on the other hand, pain will be increased phenominally if he just stands there. He doesn't speak, though one twin is shaking perceptibly, the other staying calm.

Ring Man is sitting in the observation deck as well, with a newspaper, popcorn, currently watching evens unfold. He also makes a mental note to thank whoever put the popcorn machine in the observation deck.

"I... Knew it." Quick Man says, almost seeming to give up. But then she is reminded of a little fact. This here is a huge jungle, and she would probably be able to leave King behind her pretty quickly. As King is ordered to hurt her... Badly, she decides to let him get a try, and then she'll run for her supersonic life.

"I see that even you occasionally get annoyed with Ballade's silence," King says with a faint smirk, dropping his axe down so that the butt sinks into the ground an inch or so. He flexes his free hand slightly, and smirks. "After all, how amusing would these sessions be for you if everyone was quiet." And that King reaches out with his free hand, aiming to seize Quick Man by the neck. And to squeeze. Quite painfully. "Quick Man, it seems that you are having some doubts as to the gender that father chose to bestow upon you... We must tell you...
King strikes Quick Man with his I Find Your Lack Of Faith Disturbing attack.

Ballade does not hesitate or give any signal that he is about to attack. The moment Bass speaks, he lunges forward -- almost in a blur of motion -- towards the twin that is slightly shaking. His hands dart out for specific points on that Gemini's upper arms, applying torque and pressure in a specific fashion to disable that Gemini's weapon systems for a few crucial seconds.
But the effect is not simply to disarm Gemini -- indeed, it will not. The effect is to cause excruciating, blinding pain. The kind of pain felt when someone pushes their weight into a pressure point. The stinging, star-seeing pain that you shudder when you think about the injury that caused it years later. The pain that Ballade specializes at.
Ballade strikes you with a minor hit from his Paralyzing Grip for 8 units of damage.
Gemini Man is temporarily disoriented by Ballade's Paralyzing Grip attack.

Ring Man leans over and offers the bag of buttered burst kernels to Air and Sword, "Popcorn?"

Quick Man is gripped by the neck, "Urk..." Is all she manages to "say", as she looks at King with wide eyes, flailing randomly, "I, I..." She can't continue. The neck seems to break apart under the pressure, as weak or as strong as it is. The flailing might have caused a little damage, but probably not enough to break loose.
Quick Man strikes King with his Punch attack.

Sword Man declines with a sharp wave of his hand, watching from above in his usual ready stance, taking in the whole incident calmly. "Thank you, Sir Ring, but I do not believe that is necessary at the moment."

Showing fear was perhaps not a wise idea. Gemini Man can't help but scream. There is a flash of energy in his head-mounted projector, and as Ballade clamps onto his arms, the hologram next to him shuts out with a noise like a burst of television static. Thus singularly alone, for the time being, Gemini Man gives a plaintive wail as he's caught frozen in Ballade's grasp.

Ring Man shrugs, "Nothing wrong with a little snack."

Bass begins to laugh.

"I will have some," Air Man announces gruffly as his fat yellow mitt grips a fistful of popcorn from the bag. Recalcitrant, buttered puffs land on the ground where a vacuum-bot sucks them up seconds after landing. He then throws the popcorn into his fan, a metal panel closing over the fan before the engine hums within his chassis. He is the only Robot Master that masticates at three hundred and fifty kilometers per hour.

King lets the blows rain down on him with little visible effect - perhaps Quick Man adds a few dents to his armor, but nothing that is really going to show. And King narrows his eyes, and smirks. "What, no glib comments?" he asks curiously. "I'm disappointed. Perhaps you should rethink your current lifestyle." And the hand continues to tighten relentlessly, the sound of armor and metal breaking probably audiable throughout the training room.
King strikes Quick Man with his Neck Crush attack.

Quick Man is temporarily disoriented by King's Neck Crush attack.

Ballade drives his hands in deep, twisting and pushing at the same time to grind the joints against each other, the oh-so-very real joints. How did Ballade know?
Some things are best left to the imagination.
Pain is purity. Purity is strength. And strength is something that Ballade knows quite a bit about, because one has to be strong to serve the Master. The wash of pain and suffering that rises from Gemini is just the beginning, and at the end hopefully the Force Commander will be sated enough to leave the others be. Ballade may need them for his tasks as well.
But this is the perfection of the Elite. No hesistation. No remorse. No fear. What seperates an Elite from a normal Robot Master is not simply components, but attitude and discipline. Weakness must be stamped out in the troops so they can rise above the petty conditions of the world and assert Doctor Wily's dominance over it.
He drives his knee into the back of Gemini, bringing him down quickly. Ballade's hands leave Gemini's arms, one hand producing a length of what seems to be silk. He quickly wraps his hands around the length of silk and wrings the material around Gemini's neck to reenforce his control over the situation. The crushing strength applied to Gemini's neck won't hurt him much -- he doesn't need to breathe, after all -- but it should keep the pressure on, and the fear and pain suitably intense.
Ballade strikes you with a glancing hit from his Suffocation En Dolce for 5 units of damage.

Quick Man can't even produce sounds with his mouth, only managing a faint hint of a whisper. A whisper so weak it's ignored as a gust of wind. Her eyes open fully, and not able to do anything, she only tries to release the grip, too weak to even have a chance for success.

The panel reveals the large fan that embodies Air Man, with no kernels or even a shine of butter on the blades. He forcefully sits down next to Ring Man, watching the proceedings ensue with unabashed interest. As usual, his introduction of conversation is perfunctory as he notes aloud, "This isn't even remotely fair. What is this punishment about?"

Bass' laughter continues to grow.

Gemini Man doesn't produce any grand philosophies about the purification of his pain. He's too busy experiencing it...and it's NOT likely he'll thank Ballade later. His shout is cut off when the cord tightens around his neck, and though it doesn't hurt as much as the joint lock, he still struggles. Finally the crystal on his head flares again, a brief white flash. In a valiant effort to attempt to break Ballade's hold, the second Gemini Man aims a kick for Ballade's back.
You strike Ballade with a glancing hit from your Tag Team attack.

King looks at Quick Man for a moment, considering - and it is obvious from the lack of any sound, not to mention the slightly limped neck posture, that the Master doesn't have all that much left. And so King releases his grip, allowing the Beta Master to fall to his feet for a moment... it is unlikely that the Master in the dress is going to stand for very long.
Not that it matters. King reaches the moment his hand leaves Quick Man's neck, and comes to rest on his axe. And he turns once... and the axe whirls about in a large, glistening arc. Intending to remove the dress from Quick Man by the rapid and expedient manner of removing the top half of his body from the bottom half. Quick, simple... and probably quite painful.
King strikes Quick Man with his Executioner's Axe Horizontal attack.

The Elite braces his elbow into the submission maneuver, clenching his fist tighter to apply critical amounts of pressure. A human head would be rent from its shoulders from the strength Ballade uses, but Robot Masters are made of tougher stuff.
When the second twin comes in and lands a solid kick to his back, the Elite releases the silk, snapping it across Gemini's neck as he smoothly pulls it clear. He rises up and tightens his gaze incrimentally, an electric pulse shooting out from his helmet-jewel at the twin on his feet.
Fair? `Fair' is something that happens on a flat piece of county land during the summer. Welcome to the Robot Masters.
Ballade misses you with his Ballade Beam attack.

Bass tries to remember the last time he went to a fair. Ahh. That would be when he and Enker buried Rock alive.

Quick Man can't speak at all now. Almost all of her systems are smash, slashed, hacked, or too damaged to work. Her only working parts are as always... Her legs, "You... You... I might die painfully, but I'll do it on /my/ terms!" Mad with pain, Quick Man runs away through the woods, gaining more and more speed, "You'll never kill me ALIVE!" She exclaims as she suddenly comes out of the trees, intent on causing as much pain to the King, even if it means e-ringing on impact.
Quick Man strikes King with his Supersonic Charge attack.
Quick Man falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

Bass quips. "My, what an undignified way to kill yourself."

Sword Man shakes his head at the scene below. . o O (What a waste.)

**CLANG**
"That was utterly pathetic," King comments, not even moving from where Quick Man collided with him. The damage was... not all that impressive. The Master would not have been in very good shape to survive something like that. King slowly shakes his head, and looks over to where Ballade is dealing with Gemini Man.

Air Man rises to his feet, one fist clenched at his side while the turret-arm remains stiff. Being designed the way he is, the silent expression game is absolutely lost to him. He can only stare at the e-rings made manifest from where Quick Man was before. "This is not a good hour for the Betas," he thinks aloud.

Bass simply shakes his head. He glances at his watch again, before he simply turns and departs. Apparently, he doesn't even care enough to watch the finishing of Ballade's handywork. Treble follows along after a moment.

Ring Man just watches without much to say.

Somehow...it misses. Gemini squirms to the side just in time, the beam striking the leafy surface of the ground below him.
The second twin feels on his own in this one. Even though the beam didn't strike, the choking sensation preventing the original Gemini from making retort is effecting them both. The clone fires on one of the hands that holds the taut cord. "Might as well take us BOTH on," he says, mostly self-affirmation, but maybe even a slight challenge.
You miss Ballade with your Clone Laser attack.

The Elite, all the while knowing Bass is leaving out of boredom, continues his toils. He swerves with one Gemini's motion and against the other's, the deadly Clone Lazer narrowly missing Ballade's shoulders. To Ballade, such a miss was within a safe margin of error; to anyone else, it'd be a lucky break.
Ballade drops down, rolling for a moment across the ground. He jumps up using a tree as a springboard, rocketing at another Gemini. At the critical moment, he drops down low, trying to slam his foot into one of the Gemini's knees.
And you know that's gonna hurt if it hits.
Ballade misses you with his Joint Break attack.

Nope. The Gemini twin Ballade aimed for this time was the hologram who shot him, and he manages to leap away, and up, onto a nearby branch. A bit surprised at his own luck in this case, he swings around off his perch, holding onto it and leaping toward Ballade on the forward swing. The original Gemini stands up, and rubs at his sore neck.
You strike Ballade with a glancing hit from your Ricochet Kick attack.

Clunk!
Ballade rides the strike down, rolling into a somersault and rising to his feet with forward momentum. In doing so, he sets himself up for a clean hit from Gemini Man, taking a foot to the chestplate. He falls down like a tree-trunk, slamming down into the holographic dirt.
Not wanting to risk Bass seeing him calling it a day now that he doesn't /seem/ to be watching, Ballade lashes out with a carefully aimed sap, using his blaster-arm as a blunt instrument in order to knock the Clone Arranger off of him.
Ballade strikes you with a minor hit from his Blaster Whip for 9 units of damage.

The Gemini clone is clocked, his head knocked to the side.
The original shakes his head, finally recovering from the damage that was dealt him. "Are we done yet?" he asks, moving his right arm over to check the joints on his left.

"They are phenomenal," Air Man thinks aloud once more to the other two Masters in the observation deck. He points a thick, yellow finger at the battle ensuing below, "Gemini Man has turned deception and feint into an art form. Ballade operates as if the battle has already been won and he must catch up to what must be." Perhaps the Beta is reading into the battle too much; what an unusual phenomenon for the seemingly dense Master of an Element.

The Elite rises back to his feet, a little dented, slightly dirty, but far from damaged. He has barely even been exerting himself -- pain is easier to cause than harm.
Ballade looks towards the departing Bass, not saying anything aloud. He keeps his weapons systems active as if waiting for a sign.

Ring Man raises an eyebrow at Air, "I wouldn't underestimate Ballade..."

Gemini Man looks down at the ground. He raises his right hand, and the clone dissipates, fading quickly into nothing. "Well?"

The Elite turns back towards Gemini Man as Bass leaves, expression neutral. The Cracker launchers come online as if they had been on all along. Apparently Caesar has given the thumbs-down on the bout.
A lethal bombardment of explosives races at Gemini Man faster than the human eye can track, searing in on his location. The explosives strike down and explode in a frenzy of heat and fire, shattering trees, throwing dirt high into the air, and leaving an impressive crater in their wake.
Perhaps Gemini Man was able to get out of the way in time?
Ballade strikes you with a devastating hit from his Ballade Cracker for 36 units of damage.
You take extra damage due to your Explosive weakness.
You are below your courage-endurance point.

"I was complimenting his mindset of constant victory," Air Man remarks, turning his entire torso so that he can better face Ring Man. "I did not underestimate."

Ring Man shrugs as he watches the holotrees get blasted from where Gem stood. Probably a nice crater where Gem was. "That looked like it stung a bit."

The powerful explosives catch Gemini Man completely off-guard, striking him dead in the center of his body, and blowing him completely off his feet. He flies into the air, and hits the ground still in motion, rolling over on top of himself in a heap. He struggles to roll onto his back, and sit up. Crystals are shattered all over his body, one plate of chest armor broken off entirely, and the unarmored parts of him are torn, his face charred. He leans back on his gun-arm, holding the left hand out, open in protest. Despite all of the painful techniques Ballade applied, this was perhaps the worst he could have done... Gemini winces in preparation for a second strike.

The Elite advances after Gemini rolls to a halt, knowing full well the Gamma Master has nothing left to give. He effortlessly powers up his right blaster to a full charge as he marches across the smoking turf, passing by flaming debris left by his brutal penultimate strike.

He moves directly above Gemini Man, holding the blaster above his processor core. He meets Gemini's gaze for a few tenths of a second, then fires his weapon, finishing Gemini off in a hail of e-rings.
Ballade strikes you with a major hit from his Charged Blaster for 23 units of damage.
You fall to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

Gemini Man dispates in a smattering of energy. At least for the time being, he isn't feeling any pain anymore.

Snake Man arrives from the Common Room - Skull Fortress.
Snake Man has arrived.

With the battle coming to a head, Air Man turns toward the stairs of the observation deck. His metal boots thud against the grid of the stairs as he slowly works his way down to ground level. He has seen enough, and must now move on to other things.

In a glow of gold-white energy, Ballade finishes the battle. His damage is mended and his weapons systems restored, allowing him to leave as he entered.
The Elite walks by the observation area on his way out, looking over those assembled. Taking stock of the observers, he calls for the door and opens it, returning to his work elsewhere in the Empire.

Medical Drone has reset your health to full endurance.

Snake Man enters the room, looking around. Someone's got to come drag Gemini off, and he guesses since he's squad XO, then it's his job.

Air Man stops at the exit, letting Ballade pass through before he has his own option of departure.

Gemini Man appears again on the ground, stirring, as the holographic damage fades away and restores his systems to normal. He blinks, putting a hand to his head.

Snake Man does not have too much trouble finding Gemini, even in the endless greenery. Of course, since he's green, and the background is green, he's pretty difficult to spot. Until he shows up right next to him.

Gemini Man's vision focuses, and.... there is Snake Man. ... oO(How embarassing...)Oo the thought occurs to him. oO(They didn't turn the safeties on, after all, and we died and went to Hell.)Oo He clenches his eyes shut, and gives a pathetic wail. "...WHY did it have to be Snake...?"

Ballade exits, stage left.

Ballade enters the Common Room - Skull Fortress.
Ballade has left.

Snake Man shrugs at Gem, then offers a hand. "I figured sssomeone had to come pick up the piesscesss, and it didn't look like anyone elssse on our sssquad wasss nearby."

Bass has left.

Gemini Man doesn't see the hand, as his eyes are closed. His bottom lip shakes considerably, a prelude to chattering teeth. Then, he graps out blindly for Snake's arm...and after a few snatches, uses it to pull himself up. He turns for the exit. "We should talk with you anyway."

Snake Man walks next to Gemini. "I can't imagine why you would want to talk to me. But yesss, you should. What about?"

Gemini Man doesn't really relish being babied by Snake this way. But then again, he has fared pretty pathetically today. Gemini stops before leaving the room entirely, and looks up at the trees. He wrings his hands nervously. "We have pictures you can use for your plans if you want them. Remember?"

Snake Man follows Gemini out of the room. "Refresh my memory. I've had a lot on my mind."

Gemini Man doesn't leave. Rather, he looks left, looks right... then reaches out his right hand... and snaps his finger. An image shimmers to his side, then forms a solid figure, a good deal larger than his usual clone.

You project a holographic image of Silver Mane.
Silver Mane has arrived.

Snake Man's reaction is immediate. He promptly leaps on Gemini, trying to climb straight up his chest, and that failing, he jerks his commander between himself and the hologram, before noticing it's a fake.

Amusingly enough, Snake Man's reactive outburst causes at least an equal reaction in Gemini. As he's clawed for, he instinctively pushes away, shouting at Snake Man, and trying to back off. "AHHH! SNAKE! The HOLO!" Gemini sprints AWAY from Snake Man, and takes some shelter behind his own, rather intimidating hologram. The hologram gives a snort. Gemini laughs nervously. "Fake...remember?"

"You weren't the one that TOLD Dynamo, were you?" the Silver Mane image asks of Snake Man, in his decidedly different voice. "About our phobia. He knows."

Snake Man dusts himself off, trying to regain some of his composure. "I haven't told Dynamo sssquat."

"I'd have been disappointed in you. I didn't think it was you," the hologram rumbles.
"But you said he cornered you. When we find out who TATTLED..." Gemini closes a fist, slowly... "Hurt. Help us get to the bottom of who ratted us out..."
"And I'd be more than willing to help you execute your plan," Silver Mane finishes.

Snake Man actually looks interested. "I will try and find out who blabbed, then. I would advissse that you make an announsscement to the team at large that the information not be ssspread around."

Gemini Man nods a few times. "That'd be good." The hologram disappears, sparing Snake the difficulty of having to function in its presence. It's handy, though...something the twins like to be able to keep around. Everyone has a weakness... "If you have a use for the hologram, we're at your disposal. Right now, we need to rest."

You turn off your holographic projection of Silver Mane.
Silver Mane has left.

Snake Man nods. "I'm sure I can find sssomething ussseful for it."

[Random anecdote: this object was later hung up in the Robot Master medbay.]

Playboy Centerfold

Apparently removed from a magazine and taped onto a wall above one of the cots is a cheesecake picture of a centerfold girl, wearing nothing but red panties and greeting the camera with a very suggestive pose. The body is that of a well-endowed model, red hair spilled about her shoulders, but the face is clearly Quick Man. Masterful photo engineering makes it next to impossible to tell where the 'seam' is, though the picture is clearly faked...right?
The text lists "Quick Man" as Playmate Calender Girl, September 2202. Turnons: Long jogs on the beach, fresh cut red roses, and Jet Stingray. Turnoffs: Men who move faster than her on the first date.
A note added on the bottom on a Post-It says, "Congratulations on your modeling career!"

[From this ensued an underdocumented prank war that finalized with our mailing the centerfold to lonely prisoners in the Western Hemisphere all propositioning them for a date for our 'sister' when they were out on parole. ...We are rather proud of that joke.]

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