In The News

[Radio] You send Chest a direct message: "How do you feel about doing negoitations?"

[Radio] Chest sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I feel strongly about 'em. I assume you're wanting to continue our previous discussion?"

[Radio] You send Chest a direct message: "We are indeed. Any particular place you'd like to meet...?" "Sans video camera?" "Not the Reploid Room. Neutral, but, too seedy, no privacy."

[Radio] Chest sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Hmph. Normally I'd suggest GNN HQ, but I doubt you'll agree to that, ay?"

[Radio] You send Chest a direct message: "Oh, no, that's no problem, provided you do have a private office."

[Radio] Chest sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Of course, of course. Just tell my secretary when you two arrive."

You enter the GNN Central - Offices.

GNN Central - Offices

Here lie the various offices for the staff of the GNN. On this level one can find the main office from the CEO of the GNN to some of the more noteworthy reporters, cameramen, journalists, management, and other professionals who make this organization what it is today. Before you can enter; however, one needs get past the secretary in the small waiting room full of green leather couches, magazines, and that smooth mellow music that drives everyone mad.

Chest [Normal] [C]

Floor 1 leads to Broadcasting Rooms - GNN Central.
Lobby leads to San Angeles - GNN Central.

The upstairs offices are a tangled web of a mess, with cubicles everywhere and offices in other spots. One hallway leads to a tiny reception desk, where Chest's secretary does all of the busy work required. Chest's office is behind, and the door is closed. Camera rests in a corner, deactivated for now. Since no cameras are allowed - and the annoying thing can cause problems during negotiations - Chest decided to let him sleep.

Dressed up in a similiar civilian outfit as he was last night... and distinctly alone, does Gemini Man approach the receptionist's desk. Only after he politely explains he's expected (and, in fact, gives his proper name, giving the secretary a moment of pause) does he approach the door to Chest's office. He swings it open, and the clothing he appears to be wearing melts away into his ordinary Robot Master 'armor.' Apparently this IS how he dresses for a negoiation. He steps a few paces into the office, and, gives Chest a nod, waiting to be offered a seat.

Chest is sitting at his desk with his foot-hover-pad-thingee resting on the top as he leans back in his ultra-comfortable office chair and smokes a cigar. His desktop is virtually bare except for a laptop, a phone, an ash-tray, and the box of cigars. Ahhh, the rough life of a rich millionaire, eh? Chest nods to Gemini and gestures to the seats in front of his desk. Two of 'em. How about that? Lifting the box of cigars, he offers two to Gemini Man. Regardless of the response, Chest starts off, "The way I see it, you and I could make a deal that would benefit us both."

Two seats. The man thought of everything.
One Gemini twin is in one chair faster than a blink, settling out of collected light, and seated leaning back as if he's been there for an hour. The other approaches, and grabs one of the offered cigars, before he sits himself down in his own seat. Oddly enough, the holographic twin raises his hand and shakes his head, in refusal.
While the first twin is busy lighting up, the second casually responds. "We think so, too. We trust you've been sleeping on the matter."

Chest squints behind his green shades as one accepts and the other declines. "Oh yeah. You bet I have." Chest grins and leans forward, tapping off some ash into the tray before saying, "This is the way I see the deal. Whenever you boys go out on your little raids and such, you just make it a point not to harm my staff. Mind you, my boys and girls are pretty good about not getting in the way, so you don't have to worry about them abusing this right. In return, we'll give you the footage of what we get during them." Chest pauses for a long puff on his cigar. Ahhh, JJJ would be proud.

Gemini Man leans back, and takes a puff off his own cigar. "Not bad," he says, looking at the cigar respectfully, but, perhaps responding to the suggested deal. "Now. How about, like I said. We do you one better."
"See...the problem with that is. We twins, we're pretty reasonable guys." The second twin makes a slight glance toward the corner, where the camera is in fact shut off. Just checking.
A puff of smoke from the first twin. "We don't even do a lot of killing, really." He holds out an empty right hand, and, just for a moment, it appears stained, thick, with dripping, red gore. "Clashes with the blue." He shakes out the hand, as if to flick off the liquid, and the red illusion vanishes.
The second twin leans forward, resting an elbow on his knees. "But keeping all our brothers in line...that's a slightly more difficult prospect."
"The guys don't listen to us. We only have control over... a tiny part of Wily's army." Gemini shows this by indicating a small size with thumb and forefinger.
"If you want ALL the Robot Masters to behave..."
"The order's going to have to come down from the Doctor." A large puff of smoke.

Chest nods and anticipated this. Camera is out with the secretary anyway, and is shut off. "Right, right." He shows a slight look of disgust at the notion of blood clashing with Gemini Man's blue. To a civilian, this is all very barbaric. "Well, see, that's the real trick, now isn't it?" Chest says, setting his cigar down on the ashtray for a moment and leaning back in his chair, "This is the sort of deal that we need -all- of the Robot Masters on board for. Now you seem like a pretty reasonable fella." He looks at both Gemini, "Reasonable Fellas." He coughs. "So if we need to clear this with Doctor Wily, then I'm all for it. I presume you're high up enough in the Master command structure to do this?" Chest, like most people, knows little about the Robot Master chain of command. Other than Elites big. Wily bigger.

The second Gemini makes a so-so gesture.
The first one holds the cigar aside for a moment, and speaks. "Maybe. But we feel the good doctor will want something more than footage. After all, we have a few passing cameramen of our own on the team."
"Did you happen to see the assassination footage? Not too amateur, was it?"
"We're thinking more like... copied footage, and... twenty percent profit. Give or take." He makes a 'so-so' gesture of his own. "Like I said. We're reasonable. But if you want Wily's EAR, you have to offer something he can really use."

Chest tilts his head and peers at Gemini over his green shades. "Twenty percent. Kid, with that imposed on my profit margin, that'll barely cover my expenses. Plus," Chest pauses to rub out his cigar on the ashtray, "I don't plan on doing anything illegal here. Sending you footage for bragging rights is one thing, but funding the Masters?" He shakes his head, "I can't do that."

The second Gemini looks sidelong to his brother. "He called you a kid."
"I think we're your senior, little guy." Gemini Man takes a long drag off the cigar, then blows everything back out of his mouth...not having a nose at all. "We'd be willing to settle for fifteen."
"We COULD take the deal to the Doctor as offered." The second twin shrugs. "And see what he says. Never hurts after all. But if that's not enough for him to consider making it an order..."
"We CAN'T be held responsible for the actions of our brothers." Gemini narrows his eyes. "You understand."

Chest nods and sighs. He knows full well what the Masters are capable of. But his staff has done well enough without a deal in place. Still... Chest really does care about his employees, and a chance to grant them safety would be most welcome, "See what the good Doctor says with the current deal..." He finally says, not liking where this is going. "Not much else I can offer you. Interviews? A chance to say your piece every so often?"

"I'm sure the Doc would definitely bite at the chance at an exclusive."
"And think of the ratings."
"Remember. While you're considering." Another puff, then, Gemini puts out the cigar, in the ashtray, smearing it down as if to make a point. "We Robot Masters. ARE the news. We already NET you more profit just from doing what we do." He stands up. "That OUGHT to be worth something to you."

Chest lowers his head slightly and nods slowly. "Yes yes, that's very true." In actuality, however, Chest doesn't like the concept of making profit due to war and people dying. It just so happens that there is a war on, and he's in the news business, so... y'know. Happy coincidence and all that. "Let me know what the Doctor says. He can either send you back, or contact me himself. It was a pleasure, Gemini Man," he adds politely. Chest takes a deep mechanical breath. This is leaving a bad taste in his mouth.

The second twin stands from his seat, and offers a slight bow, with a nod. Then, he vanishes, with a flash of white light... just as the door to the office shuts behind the original.

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Gemini Man transmits, "Anyone awake tonight?"

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Shadow Man transmits, "...Hai."

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Gemini Man transmits, "Hm. Have a message." "Is Snake around? He should probably hear this one too."

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Snake Man transmits, "Me."

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Snake Man transmits, "What do you need, Gemini?"

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Gemini Man transmits, "Ah. There you are." "Gammasphere. If you have a moment.... Some things are better not said over radio."

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Gemini Man transmits, "Both of you."

Shadow Man has arrived.

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Snake Man transmits, "I'll be there shortly."

Snake Man has arrived.

The Gamma base is characteristically dim. One Gemini Man is seated in the command chair...his back to the entrance, watching multiple screens, and waiting. Another Gemini is standing, leaning against the chair, watching the entryway rather than the screens. It's very quiet.

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Top Man transmits, "test."

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Gemini Man transmits, "BOO."

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Top Man jumps

[Radio: (H) Gamma] Gemini Man transmits, "Pass." "Fail." "Hey, Top Man. Long time no spin."

Snake Man enters through the main doorway, and gives a nod to the one standing. "Greetingsss.

Shadow Man arrives - eventually - via his usual route to the sphere, which is on a hoverbike at speeds it was not intended to go. Not like it matters that much to him, there are always citizens willing to donate to a Robot Master, though they often don't find out about their generosity until after the fact. Pausing briefly in the entrance, he bows to his commander, nods respectfully to Snake, and finds a suitable wall to lean against.

The standing Gemini swallows, giving Snake, then Shadow, each a small nod of acknowledgement. "All right..." he says. "All yours."

The seated Gemini waves away at the standing one, and, his job apparently done, the standing Gemini vanishes, leaving the other two Gammas addressing the back of the chair. "Ah. The news is on." The Gemini in the chair sounds very calm. Very calm, despite Snake Man being here. This is likely due to the fact that he's not making any move to turn around. He does, however, lean forward and turn down the volume on one of the monitors. "We have some information that may be of interest. But in order to act on it.... we need MORE information. Which is where you both come in."

Snake Man leans against the doorway, and rubs his jaw thoughtfully. He eyes the monitor showing the news broadcast, and while his tail swishes back and forth, he makes no aggressive moves towards Gemini. This is serious business. Playtime comes later. "I'd imagine it could be posssible. What kind of information do you need? And on what, or who?"

Shadow Man crosses his arms as he watches the chair out of the right side of his field of vision, a generally unamused and stoic expression on his features.

"The director of Interpol has a ward. An adopted daughter, we believe. Fairly young. Goes by the name of Melissa." Gemini taps his hand on the armrest. "We want photographs. And we want to know. If she goes to school. If so, where. And who her favorite teacher is. And we want photographs of her. If you can't get that, find some OTHER way we can infiltrate and grab the brat." A pause, then. "Or, if you're ambitious, grab her yourself."

Snake Man gives a brief nod. "Easssy enough, I sssuppossse. If not her, should we grab sssomeone elssse clossse to him?"

"Her favorite teacher?" asks Shadow Man, slightly sarcastically, after doing the usual routine to check the box and switching off a few internal security devices that just happened to be running in the sphere. "I think we can handle capturing a small child."

"She probably has bodyguards. Or. At least. If WE were the director of an international security force bent on stopping global criminal activity, OUR child would have bodyguards." Gemini shrugs, which is slightly visible from behind. "Then again. If Abernathy is anything like Cossack, Melissa plays, unsupervised, in the streets. If that's the case, just GRAB her. But be sure you take her unhurt."

Snake Man hmms. "I sssuppossse we should bring her here and ssstick her in the ssstorage room, then?"

Shadow Man says, "And what is it you intend to do with the child, commander?"

The chair rocks a bit as Gemini leans back into it. "Play a little. She'll make a VERY valuable hostage. If he really cares about her, he'll cave to almost any demands."

Shadow Man says, "The Director General doesn't strike me as the caring type. She might be bait. We should set up a holding pen in Casablanca where the doctor can check her for implants."

Snake Man snorts, and give Shadow a strange look. "You're not going sssoft on usss, are you Shadow? Who caresss what happensss to her? Anyway, if she diesss, no great losss to usss."

A laugh from the chair; it shakes slightly. "You act as if Abernathy VOLUNTEERED this information to us, Shadow Man. You can take whatever precautions you want. We won't hold her HERE. We'll find a 'safe' house in Casablanca for her. Does that suit?"

"Soft?" asks Shadow Man, turning to Snake Man with an eyebrow raised. It appears to take him a moment to discern his elder brother's meaning. "...For implanted spy devices or explosives." To Gemini Man, he nods affirmatively.

Snake Man nods. "Alright, find the girl, and *temporarily* bring her here, then? I don't think it would be a good idea to take her to the main basssesss."

===================== Orders for Top Man =====================
Assigned by: Gemini Man Date: Wed Mar 12 22:49:08 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------

"We will soon require a large quantity of toys, and other things that might amuse a small child."
"We trust you're the expert in this. Procure."

============================================================

"By the time you have her, we'll have someplace secure set up to hold her." Gemini Man says. "Thanks for your time." Apparently, he's done here now, and he leans forward to change a few channels on the various monitors.

Snake Man gives Shadow a mischevious glance, then slinks forwards, until he's right behind Gemini, just beyond the limits of his vision. Then he speaks right into his commander's audio sensor... "I'm sure we'll get right on it." Then his tongue flickers out, and he gives Gemini a slurp, right on the 'ear'.

Shadow Man nods, and heads silently out of the sphere, then proceeds to non-silently ride back to the city's teleportation hub.

"GAH!" Gemini reacts with a startle, leaning back away from the slurp. Dammit, and he'd kept SO steady throughout this whole thing, too. "Just... get outta here." He shudders, and tucks his legs up onto the chair.

Snake Man does not, however, leave right away. Rather, he leans on the chair Gemini's sitting in, and watches the monitors.

Gemini Man pulls WAY back in the seat. "Y- you know you have your own seat." He coughs. "Of your own," he emphasizes.

Snake Man grins at Gemini, showing a lot of teeth. "I know, but it'sss ssso much more... comfortable here."

"This is our COMMANDER's seat," Gemini says, again, putting careful emphasis on what he is saying. "Yours is over there." He points...just next to the chair where he's sitting, at the XO spot. "They're the same kind of chair."

Snake Man looks over at the chair for a moment, then stands up and walks towards it. With a sweeping movement, he seats himself, and draws his feet up to rest on the edge. He's probably still too close for comfort, though.

A sigh of relief. "Thanks," Gemini says. He relaxes... a LITTLE. But not too much.

Snake Man glances sideways, still smiling with all those teeth. "Don't mention it."

Gemini Man manages to keep very still and quiet in his seat for a few minutes as Snake watches television. He DID call him here. It might not be the right thing to make up an excuse and leave, like usual. And he was here first. Don't forget that. "Seeing anything interesting?" he questions, softly.

Snake Man says, "Sssame old boring ssstuff you're watching. You tell me."

"We were just making conversation." Gemini goes quiet again for a few minutes. "Okay. We're going home now. You can take it easy here tonight." He stands up. Wow. That was almost a new record time before he decided he needed to go, for whatever reason. His voice goes stronger again for a moment. "You have your orders."

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