Independant Operative
Gemini Man walks into the common room a bit slowly, dragging feet. He stops in front of the point board, and shakes his head. "Bass didn't put up our new points yet," he says, to no one at all.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "Best soup"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "What about it?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "What about it? Oh you're a totaly useless chode."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Aaaannyyway, guess what guys!"
Magnet Man is as busy as ever, though this time he happens to be playing Robot Wars Fighter and not planning of any kind. He's currently playing as himself, and it seems like he's winning.
A few moments after Gemini speaks, Magnet pauses and leans back in his chair until his back is horizontal and he's looking at his squadmate upside-down. "Er, sorry, what'd you say?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Whassat?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "I have a pet!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man transmits, "Tell me it's not a cabbit."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Mwer?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Nope, not a cabbit."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "I mean did Wily turn you all into insufferable losers during my last downtime or what?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Maybe you're a loser in denial."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth says in a rather sarcastic voice, "I suspect that at least some of the boys have support unit envy - after all, who wouldn't want to have something like Treble at their side."
Gemini Man hadn't noticed Magnet Man at first, since he wasn't really talking to him anyway. He looks over at his squadmate, and, oddly enough, smiles brightly. "Magnet Man!" he says. He walks over to the video game to watch.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "Treble sucks"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "I used to have a support unit. Kinda. He was the best."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "Big donkey ****"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "It'll be okay, Gem."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I've got your holoemitter in a nice box, Gemini. Did Bass extend your punishment after last night?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Unit support envy? Maybe a little."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "No. He didn't, Synth."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "But Treble is just a Rush rip-off, my pet is unique in every way!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man transmits, "Ssssh! /He/ might be listening to you guys!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "I'm pretty sure Treble doesn't use the radio, Mags."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "Oh you're petis cool eh?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "I bet it's a human painted blue"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "No!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man makes a squeaking noise... "Five... days."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Human painted blue? You have a Pet Rock?"
Magnet Man waves, still looking at Gemini upside-down. "Heya. Did we get our points yet? For, like, whackin' that one dude?" He sits up straight, setting the chair properly again, and balances the controller on his leg. "Sorry to hear about.. that thing, too, y'know."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "It's not a rock or a human! It's those thingies that craete those electric blue thingies!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man murmurs, "Nononono." And then, a whisper. "Bass."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man mutters. No one got his pun. Ah well.
Gemini Man shakes his head no. "Not yet. I wish we did. We'd be on top if we did." He sits down on the floor, right next to Magnet Man's chair. "What are you thinking about?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "I still don't understand why we can't eat Bass fish, I mean, Bass is named after the vocal thingy, not the fish."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Bass can listen all that he likes - I certainly am not deriding Treble. Oh Gemini, what did Bass end up doing with that Hunter you were fighting?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Got away."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man transmits, "Bass let him get away? I'm shocked."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "I didn't see how. Bass told me to collect up all the parts that were shot off already. I don't think Bass LET him get away. He probably blinked out."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Chill Snowcat... did Vile get his hands on him a while back?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man snorts. "Leaving bits of himself behind. I see."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "I'm bored..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "So I'll tell Wily you guys didn't wanna help me bring him back some leftovers."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Everyone gets pieces of Chill Snowcat...he's a complete idiot."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "It's a shame, he really likes Borscht"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "What, there's borscht? Where?"
Magnet Man picks up the controller again. "Weeeeell... this, right now! But you know how I am, like, I think better when I'm relaxed an' all. So I've been relaxin'. Watch this!" He unpauses the game, and his digital alter-ego dashes back a space before bracing; there is a dramatic flash on the screen, and the little Magnet Man fires off a series of his trademark missiles. They strike the opponent--Byte--and effect an impressive KO, the game announcer shouting "Special Finish!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "Eat me."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Sheesh, and then you blame us when we don't come."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man transmits, "Moscow, Quick."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Quick Man transmits, "Moscow? Cool!"
Gemini Man watches as if he's actually interested, for some reason or another. He's smiling...it's not his usual, twisted smile; it's just...there. "That's very cool. I haven't gotten a chance to play that much at all. Does the game move any faster now than it did before, by the way?"
Magnet Man sets the controller down and flexes his hands as the victory animation and battle follow-up appears on the screen. "Yup! I.. forget who it was, but they got in there an' did a little tweakin'. It's like, on Hyper Speed mode all the time now! 'Course, I play that way anyway... hey, d'you wanna play a game?"
Gemini Man stands up and looks. "I tweaked it," he says. Then, he blinks. No, that was wrong. "We tweaked it. We didn't do anything bad to it," he adds. "Quick Man thought we did, but we didn't." He rocks back on his heels, then forward. "Magnet Man, is it okay if I hang out with you sometimes in the next few days? You're pretty nice and, stuff, and..." He trails off. "I just don't feel much like myself at all right now."
Magnet Man tilts his head at Gem, a little curiously; then a little bit of understanding dawns on his face. "It's.. gotta do with that, huh. I.. did notice you were kinda different." He pauses briefly before grinning and clapping a hand on Gemini's shoulder. "Sure, though! Ya can hang out with me any time, bro, I ain't gonna shrug ya off."
Gemini Man smiles again, that, weird, not-Gemini, straight smile. "Okay, good. ...I'm sure I'll go back to normal, when my punishment wears off. We'll feel a lot better then. Why don't you go ahead and play, though...you'll probably just beat me at it anyway." He pulls up a chair to watch.
[Later...]
Magic Man arrives from the Great Hall - Skull Fortress.
Magic Man has arrived.
Gemini Man is playing the arcade game right now. He seems to be playing as Magnet Man...and he is concentrating very hard on this task.
Magic Man strolls into the room, his cane tucked under his elbow. Without pause he heads for the kitchenette side of the room, grabbing a mug, filling it with water, and sticking it into the microwave. He wants tea! While waiting for the water to heat up, he begins watching Gemini play. Hmm.
Gemini Man is doing all right, though he's certainly no Magnet Man. He's having a VERY awkward time manipulating the controls, given that he only has one working hand, which probably would count for the look of concentration on his face. His current opponent is Bomb Man, whom he seems to have down to the wire. Gemini attempts to execute a combo, and a single Magnet Missle shoots out from his onscreen avatar. He wins, but still frowns. "Can't do combos," he says, out loud, though not to anyone. He steps back for a moment, and notices Magic Man. "Oh, hello," he says.
Magic Man nods. "Hello." The microwave chooses that moment to beep, and the magician turns back to it to collect his now gently bubbling water. "Can't do combos? I'm impressed that you can play at all, really, using only one hand." He plucks a teabag out of the air and drops it into the mug, then takes a few steps towards his brother, his attention on the video game. "I was looking at this earlier...never actually tried it out."
Centaur Man arrives from the Great Hall - Skull Fortress.
Centaur Man has arrived.
Gemini Man hefts his arm-cannon on top of the console, showing the lack-of-hand at the end of it. "It's the least annoying thing I've had to learn to work without this week." Then he lets the cannon arm hang by his side. "I was watching Magnet Man play. He is really good of course." Gemini frowns. "But then he had to leave..."
Magic Man swirls his teabag around, smirking slightly. "I'd be surprised if there was a game in existance Magnet Man was not good at." The magician takes a sip, his eyes looking over the rim at the place where Gemini's crystal once was. "Yes, I heard about your...punishment." Suddenly he smiles. "Perhaps I can help." He looks to one side, and suddenly another Gemini Man is standing next to Magic. The hologram smiles at his twin and waves. "Tada," the magician intones.
Gemini Man's reaction is perhaps unexpected. He screams. A very loud, pained scream...and doubles over, forward, toward the game console, his eyes shut. "Nononononononono..." He shouts again, loudly, and then bangs his head a few times on the front of the console. "NO! NO! Not him! Not him! NO!"
Magic Man raises an eyebrow at his brother's distress...and then smirks. Aww, he's a tad mean, isn't he? "What?" he asks, his tone all innocence and concern. "What's wrong?" The copy of Gemini leans over, looking concerned, and pats the original on the shoulder.
Gemini Man whips around and PUSHES back at the holographic clone. "NO! You're not HIM! STOP IT!" He glares daggers at Magic Man. "Don't pick fun! This is NOT helping!!" His gun-arm, down at his side, starts to hum...he is quite unhappy.
The clone stumbles back, hitting the arm of the couch and toppling onto it. For a moment it looks like it's about to cry. It doesn't have time, however, as Magic dismisses it with a wave of his hand. "I was only trying to help," the magician says, though he can't seem to hide a slight smirk. "There's no need to get so upset."
Gemini Man stutters at Magic Man. "Su-su-sure! Your p-p-p-powers...still WORK! It's not...n-n-not like you DEPEND on them or anything... it's not like they are IMPORTANT to you!! AHHHHH!!!!" His whole body is shaking. "I-- I-- We-- we--" Then, he turns on his heel, and marches to the exit. "That did NOT help."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "I WANT MY BROTHER BACK! I WANT I WANT I WANT!"
Magic Man weathers the onslaught calmly, the smirk fading until Gemini has turned his back. As his brother storms towards the door, Magic smiles brightly and waves. "Well, I'll try to remember that. Have a nice day!" He makes no move to follow, as further taunting would probably be counterproductive. This was amusing enough.
[Back at Gammasphere...]
Barbary Coast
The former countries of Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, as well as several wilder areas such as the Western Sahara and the Tripolitan wastelands make up a grouping of factions now united here under Robot Master rule. The southernmost parts of the areas are merely a dumping ground for the dregs of life, filled with communities still operating under simplistic and outdated technology. One can find many an illegal item here among the colorful streets of the conquered cities, and many a criminal character. On the northern coast, the technology level of the area sharply rises, as new city construction makes way for the Tidal Dam. No matter where you are, however, one thing remains the same...the constant presence of an outside gaze, as if someone, somewhere, was tracking your movements with every step. This is Wily's territory, under the control of his Gamma Masters. You are being watched.
Dam Construction Site
This is the site of the Gibralter Straights Tidal Dam project. The site itself is bustling with activity as workers move up supplies and work on the project. The dam itself is already thirty feet above the ground, a towering edifice of concrete and metal. The primary support pylons have been drived into the sea, and the first one hundred feet of the superstructur extend out into the sea.
The site is /heavily/ guarded. Along the coast are a number of fixed gun emplacements as well as advanced sensor towers. Heavy anti-Aircraft emplacements have been built into the dam proper as well. A number of Joe guards patrol the campsite, guntowers placed at regular intervals around the site. To the east and west of the project, a set of anti-Ship cannons have been installed - heavy bore, anti-armor plasma cannons. In addition, the sea on either side of the dam is mined.
Varia Beetle swims along with powerful strokes of her legs, her form cutting through the water as best it can. Her trident is shrunk down and attached to her back, and she seems to be dragging something along with her through the water; Wild Fungus. She swims along the coast of Africa, heading towards the massive construction area of the tidal dam. Splish splosh.
Wild Fungus hangs limply as Varia drags his butt through the water. His cold blue optics scan the area closely, but he can't make out much in the murky darkness. his trenchcoat is soaked and tattered and all of his tendrils drag and sway in the water behind him, giving him the appearance of a huge hunk of seawead encrusted debris.
Large swimming objects in the water surrounding the Tidal Dam are taken very seriously by the sensor arrays that surround the site. Everything must be accounted for; nothing can be considered an error. As the motion in the water is picked up by the scanners, alerts start to flash in the defense tower, sending a warning out to the Gamma outpost of a possible intrusion. And a moment later, the radio messages begin.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "GRR. Someone at the damn dam."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Repeat that, Gemini?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "The dam. Got an alert sounded. Can't believe people are still stupid enough to TRY THIS. I'm going to go check it out."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "I shall be enroute as well..."
"I think we're close enough... I don't feel like being shot today." Varia Beetle glubs to her companion, and changes her direction, heading closer to the shore. "We ought to maintain radio silence unless it's absoluty nessasary... Hopefully we'll be alright on our own." the beetle says and she pulls along the tattered-looking Bioroid.
[Global News Network] "This is Plum, reporting live from Mexico City on -fsssh- Maverick incursion. We here at GNN pride ourselves on being fast and accurate, but the -fsssh- violence that has rocked the city is getting worse. I think there might be a full -fsssh- riot breaking out here."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "My my, sounds like things are getting out of hand in Mexico."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Who cares? We got problems of our own."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Gemini, report."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Mr. Clay transmits, "-fsssh-... burning everything i-*static*-.. help!!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Approaching the dam site NOW."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "I am enroute. It shall still take me a while."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Acknowledged, keep me posted. I shall join you not long from now."
Wild Fungus dislodges himself from Varia, his tendrils slowly reaching towards the rocks and sand of the beach. His head bobs slowly in agreement as his tendrils push deep into the ground and then remove a massive mound of earth sending mud into the water covering his position a little bit as he continues to dig.
A few of the guns along the shore hum, and point in the direction of the intruders, even if their shots are clearly out of range. If the hunters come ashore, they'll know already that they have been detected. A second sign of this detection pushes through the crowd of human workers a few seconds later, violently shoving a human man aside in order to reach the spot where he recieved the last alert. "All right," shouts Gemini Man (though not to anyone) as he marches down the shoreline. "WHERE are they?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Star Man transmits, "Whoa."
Meanwhile, quite a ways from the Dam Site, a truck speeds along from Cairo. A green military truck to be specific. Well, either way, it's gonna be a while until it reaches there, though it is going quite fast, just slightly below what could be called wreckless.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Can the Mavericks not do anything without burning the place to the ground? Or are they taking a page from your book yesterday, Toad?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man simply growls....
Varia Beetle reaches her feet down to the muddy bottom of the ocean, and walks closer to the shore now that Wild Fungus can move around himself. "We're here. Time for the next step of things." She says, and lowers her head. Colours begin to shift, and her armor changes from aqua and silver into tan and red. Her trident also dissapears, replaced by a shiny silver drill on her left arm. The drill spins to life, sending up a small rush of bubbles. She thrusts the drill downward, sending up plumes of mud and silt. Soon enough, Varia begins to dissapear below the surface of the muck, digging into the ground.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "The base fools setting a city asunder for the sake of destruction....as much as I disagree with Sir Toad's....methods, at least there was reason behind them."
Wild Fungus nods to Varia as she begins to dig into the shore near him. "IN and out? Meet back here?" he says almost rhetorically as his tendrils remove another massive clod of mud and he dissappears into the ground, his tunnel filling with dirt behind him.
[Live News] [PlumCam1] "Folks, things are getting rough -fsssh- down here in Mexico City. -fsssh- seem to be getting out of hand... we can't -fsssh- to the scene with the Mavericks. -fssssh- Reploids running everywhere... the streets are -fssssh-"
Gemini Man doesn't have much to go on at this point, other than the angle at which the shoreline guns are aimed. He checks them, following them with his optics, then frowns. He looks out as he sees Sword Man's truck approaching, then, he continues his march down the shoreline, trying to follow the aim of the weaponry.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Sword Man, is that you? Get up to the defense tower and see if you can get a better read on the intruders' location. I lost them."
Indeed, Sword Man's truck is nearing the site, along with a few token Joes along to support him in case. However, he's still quite a ways off. Gonna take a few more minutes until it can arrive on scene.
Varia Beetle has no idea that the sensor arrays present at the dam can see her at this distance, so continues digging. "Sounds like a plan." Varia says with a nod, and digs deeper, a memory floating to the surface of her thoughts. The drill that now plunges through the muck here, instead digging a gaping wound through the body of Freeze Man. She shudders at the thought, and keeps on digging.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "Aye. Once I arrive I shall do so."
Wild Fungus literally does create a bug bunny-like mound of churned earth every so often as he comes dangerously near the surface, his progress very slow.
Gemini Man stops at the VERY edge of the water, and gazes in, watching for activity below. Given that the tide is churning beneath the surface, he can't tell anything for sure. He shrugs, and, fires a warning shot, right into the water.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "We've got a bit of a PR opportunity, boys. Can anyone get over there and get some footage of this little riot? The measures that will have to be taken to quell this riot should make excellent footage for our own media.""
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "I'll go! I'll wear a disguise to avoid detection!@"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "I'll pick up a camera at base, where's the riot?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Mexico City, Dynamo. You probably won't be able to miss it. Sounds like the humans are trying to tear the Reploids apart over there."
Varia Beetle doesn't see the shot being fired through the water behind her, as already she is tunneling through the ground towards the dam. She churns up the earth in front of her, pushing it back behind herself as she goes. Murky and muddy, the tunnel is full of water, and Varia knows she's still below the level of the ocean. She begins to dig at a higher angle, hoping to get away from the water and tunnel through solid ground.
Sword Man finally arrives on scene, the truck skidding to a stop. Quickly, he snaps off a transmission before he climbs up the security tower as quick as possible, scanning the monitors and spying from his vantage on the tower for the supposed intruders. Really, though, this isn't his kind of thing. Too complicated and such for someone who espouses his simply soldier mentality.
Sword Man sends a radio transmission to Gemini Man.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "They're underWATER. Anyone on-radio who can SWIM?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bright Man says, most unhelpfully, "I can wade into water that's no higher than my waist safely, if that'll help."
Stealth Transport arrives from the Sky Above Sahara.
Wild Fungus moves easily through the soft turf, his progress, when the occassional visible mound of churned earth suddenly erupts, i steady and is headed in a straight line 'past' the dam it doesn't seem to be the target he's heading towards, if he even has one.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "You might want to whistle up some help from our 'allies' - they helped to protect the dam once, didn't they?""
Stealth Transport lands. Somewhere not too far and not too close.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Synth, this is a madhouse! Mexico's being torn up, and nothing's stopping them!"
Gemini Man shakes his head...he's seeing mud start to rise underwater, but it's swept away quicker than he can note its location. He starts to pop random firepower into the water in frustration, knowing well enough it's not going to hit anything. "ARGH!"
[Live News] [PlumCam1] Nothing's going to stop the riot. Nothing's going to even slow them down. When Fusion Phoenix decides to place himself like a straw before a hurricane? Firebombs whistle through the air, exploding all up and down the street, even on a few of the buidlings themselves. Cars are tipped and set on fire. Light poles are pulled down, shattered glass spreading everywhere. The thunder and roar of millions shouting out their anger is damn near defeaning, the smell of burnt carbon and smoke in the air. And thats only in THIS regent. Think about the rest of Mexico, where the riot has engulfed the megacity in a matter of minutes. Sure, a few get dazzled by Seraph... the rest? They just open fire with guns, throw bottles, rocks, anything they can get their hands on. It is, to be frank, an overwhelming force. And it's just getting started, teh swarm of humans stretching back as far as the eye can see.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "TANKS! Send in the TANKS!"
Sword Man just watches from the tower, looking at the various monitors trying to find any sign of the intruders. As he looks outside, he could swear he sees part of the ground upturn as if a growing fissure was coming through. However, it looks so thin as to be easily dismissed as a trick of the eyes. However.....the monitors tell a lightly different story. There is upturned earth alright. But with the limitations of cameras, it only can see the already upturned earth from Wild Fungus's wake, unable to chart where the path leads.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Plum transmits, "I don't think that's gonna help."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "BLOCK OUT the streets and fire ballistics."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bloom Seraph transmits, "Yes, I am certain that will dissuade them from ever doing this again."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "FINE, use gas and rubber ammo...wusses."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Sarah Storm transmits, " I don't know..I heard UN has a mean tank driver. Vicious old bag if I heard correctly."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bloom Seraph transmits, "This is not weakness, this is being rational in the face of a population stretched to its breaking point."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "GAS and TANKS!"
Varia Beetle digs on, not even hearing the shots fired into the water. She digs onward, and doesn't leave the tell-tale furrow along her path. She pauses briefly to change direction, hopefully towards the dam. It's a bit difficult to find your way exactly to a landmark when you're tunneling through the dirt. Even larger rocks in her path are struck and crushed, nothing barring her way as she drills.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "It's just humans rioting... RIGHT?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bloom Seraph transmits, "Several million of them."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "It's called RIOT GAS for a REASON!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Big Bad Sword Man sighs irritably at Gemini...
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Plum transmits, "It's not gonna help. This is the largest city in the world... there's nothing that's gonna slow these people down."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Synth, Mexico has just gone completely nuts! Mavericks and Repliforce are few, but the cavalry just arrived. But I don't think they're prepared to take down all of Mexico!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "So gas them a LOT."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Tengu Man transmits, "Hey, I agree with Gemini Man! Just take 'em out already. Or somethin'..."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "We'll see about that."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Centaur Man transmits, "Do you require any assistance brother?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Fusion Phoenix transmits, "The Rioters number into the MILLIONS."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "I'm stronger than a million people put together."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "WHO CARES? People stop rioting when they think they are going to DIE. Most people do not want to DIE. Gas a few blocks and the rest will shut up."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Tengu Man transmits, "Yeah, sooo... what's the problem?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Don't worry Centaur, I've got it covered! I'm filming from a pretty secure location, so don't worry about me! I'll let you guys know if anything happens."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Bloom Seraph transmits, "The crowd has inertia. If we do not stop them all simultaneously, those who are downed first will be crushed under those who continue."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "No skin off my back. I'm all for inertia!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Fine, then, drop a nuke, girl. No damage to my back."
Wild Fungus is aware of the mounds he leaves behind, but maintains his position near the surface, undulating and weaving slightly to throw off pursuit. If he's aware of what's going on on the surface it doesn't show as he continues steadily on his way
[Radio: (B) Secure] Centaur Man transmits, "I believe that's what the news reporter are for.. but they do seem to favor the repliforcers and hunters, putting dirt on us. I hate dirt."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "Inertia isn't the word you dolt"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "It's momentum"
Gemini Man stops shooting now, and stomps a foot in frustration. It's in the hands of the automated defences at this point...
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "You can't stop a train *****."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Sword, do you see ANYTHING?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "You guys deserve to be frogstomped by some oppressed human scum."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "I can only see the earthen wake left in their path. The monitors are limited, and I cannot follow their movements."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man yaaaawns.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "WAIT! Of COURSE! Are they headed underground, Sword?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "Aye. One is currently making his way to the dam's edge, at last notice."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Hmmm... integrity...of...shoreline... wonder if it's worth the risk..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "What are you thinking, Gemini?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Sound's like something's happening. What's going down?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "If it ain't going down in Africa, who cares."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Never mind, too risky..."
[Live News] [PlumCam1] The streets are simply jammed with Rioters, no end to them. Billions. For everyone that is cut down, the overall boiling rage SEETHES. An overwhelming flood. There's simply no other way to describe it. Marine, for all his hard work, is /insantly/ fired upon by the hundreds that can get a bead on him. Fire on the rioters, they'll fire back. And worse. Firebombs singing through the air, as Marine is backed into an alley. Entire buildings going up in flames, the thunder and roar of voices screaming incoherently overwhelming even the dullest of audio sensors. Smoke filling the air above the megacity, /actually/ beginning to blot out the sun a little. Even Bolero's building is set on fire, the flames quickly beginning to rise.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "The Repliforce is going to be mauled over there. Heck, anything that isn't human is going to get mauled."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Dynamo Man, are you still out there?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Tengu Man tsks.
Sword Man slams a fist on an empty part of the tower console, making sure not to hit anything important, then climbs down, ordering a Joe to keep track in his stead. He runs over to the closest point to the short to try and do some ground scouting, though at this point it's futile.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "Dynamo, don't get yourself killed. And the RFers are being foolish enough to look for you for some reason."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Yeah I'm out here. I don't want anyone snooping me out though, it's crazy out here! The humans have got quite a bit of power in numbers!"
Varia Beetle slams her drill through a large rock in her path, cracking and splitting the stubborn stone. She continues on, hopefully towards the dam. At least she's safe down here, for now. No telling what lurks above.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "You mean they know I'm already here? Damnit! Well, I plan to lie low, so far my trick of hiding has been working fine."
[Live News] [PlumCam1] Plum again: "Folks, I'm afraid we're gonna have to pull out of here. -fsssh- This rioting is getting out of control, and I don't want to be caught here, being a Reploid and all. -fsssh- So, we're gonna -fsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss...."
Wild Fungus continues to make his way veering now away from the dam, simply randomly making his way through enemy lines it seems. His path seems to stop under a pile of rocks and rubble.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "Plum is pulling out, Dynamo. Looks like you are going to have exclusive coverage. I'll ask ERWIN to be nice when the rioters tear you apart, for your bravery."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Tear? Apart?....... Synth????? :("
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "They ARE trying to destroy everything mechanical they find. I suggest either making sure your hiding place is very good, or ensuring you have an escape rout."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "If all else fails, I can try flying out. I've got an uncovered sky above me, I can turn on my jets and get out of here whenever I need."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Guts Man transmits, "Boy you guys are wusses, you should attack. Fry the little suckers with some lightning."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Tengu Man transmits, "Pssh, don't be such a pessimist, Synth! Brother Dynamo can hold his own, even if it is against millions of angry humans... wait... never mind."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man quietly whimpers over the radio.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Guts Man transmits, "Besides, how much trouble can a bunch of dirty Mexicans be?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Centaur Man transmits, "People can't fly, they shouldn't be able to strike you in the sky."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Tengu Man transmits, "I'd agree, but... there sure is a lot of 'em. Go up, Dynamo."
[Live News] [PlumCam1] Plum is no longer visible, and the camera pitches over on its side, showing the riot still in progress.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Oh no, not yet. There's plenty of footage to be had, and the minute I start flying they're going to notice me!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Magic Man transmits, "I'm sure they can fire guns at a flying target, though."
Gemini Man can't see anything at all under the water, and it's upsetting him. If he had his holos... He marches inland.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Tengu Man transmits, "So take a back way out, stay low. Y'know. Be sneaky."
Sword Man tries to peer along the coast, looking for that earth trail he saw earlier, but unable to find it. It doesn't help he's unable to go near the water for...obvious reasons.
[Live News] [PlumCam1] Shattered pavement. The roar of voices. The thunder and booming of millions of guns going off, of thousands of home made explosives. Buildings shuddering, some actually beginning the slow decent towards the ground as fires rage. And the situation is only getting WORSE. More and more. A never ending tide of humans pouring in, pounding at everything in site. Tipping cars. Burning buildings. Burning /reploids/, trampling all under their feet. Bubble Crab's forcefield is quite QUICKLY swarmed, a sea of humans beginning to build up around him. A maverick's worse nightmare? Animalistic, beastial, unthinking rage as they pound and smash and bash at it. Trying to tear it down with their bare hands, and the Reploid within. Repliforce, Hunter, Maverick... it doesn't matter. It's robotic. It's alien. And the xenophobic rioters are out to kill it all, to calm their raging sorrow. Their burning anger.
Not for long, if Gemini has any say in the matter. He's scanning the area now for any holes that something might have come up out of...they have to surface sometime, after all. A split in the crowd of humans gives him some answer, and he shouts, "Move aside!" as he looks aroud.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "This is almost unreal - the signals I'm getting sound more paniced than the worst that we've ever done to them."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Who cares."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Of COURSE, Synth! The repliforce won't kill HUMANS to bat them down; they don't have the same compunctions about US."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Ballade transmits, "I advise all Robot Masters in the Mexico City vicinity to fall back. This is not productive to our purposes."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "The only one I know of there is Dynamo Man, Ballade, and he's getting footage of the rioting that we might be able to use later."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Hey Gemini, do you have any Repliforce holograms?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "Orders are orders. I'm getting out of here if that's your order."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Yes, I do, Guts Man. In my database."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "BUT THE EMITTER DOESN'T WORK!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Sounds like they are planning a pullout, not certain though..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Dynamo Man. Are you in any immediate danger, at your vantage point?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man transmits, "I happen to have a few repliforcer images /and/ a working emitter, Guts..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "*$#@$ you, Magic Man."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "I'm not in any danger right now, but it could change. I need to think of a way out of here."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Go instigate more hate into the crowds of people. Have the 'Repliforcer' harm someone. Badly."
[Global News Network] Plum! IT'S PLUM! "Phew... that was a close one. Folks, if you aren't out of the city already, leave /NOW/. Rioters are making their way toward the teleporter hub, and I don't know how much longer they can hold out."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "I should be fine as long as they don't detect me but as soon as I come out of hiding they're bound to detect me."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man transmits, "Why thank you, Gemini. Hm...I would, Guts Man, but my holograms are not solid at long range. I'd have to get in close, and frankly, I'd rather not do that. Besides, the 'forcers seem to be doing enough harm on their own."
Varia Beetle drills a bit upward now, shoveling aside mounds of earth, and slowly pokes her head up above the level of the soil, to try and see where she is, and if she can get a view of the dam.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I doubt we need to do anything further to incite them, Guts. I've never seen humans go berserk like this."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "I think I should just try quietly walking toward the teleporters. If for some reason they spot me, I'll activate jets and fly to the teleporters."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Commanders, I reccomend that we kill access to Mexico City on all our teleporters - if those people start exiting the city, they might end up pouring out into our territory."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "Alright, I'm heading out of here! Hold open the skull fortress teleport!"
Magic Man emerges from the stealth transport, which only recently landed. Yes. Really. The magician appears to be totally relaxed, strolling with his cane tucked under his arm. Despite appearances, his eyes are scanning the area, looking for any sign of the disturbance mentioned on the radio.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Looks like someone heard you on that one, Guts. And they arn't too flattered with your idea."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "If they have a problem with it tell them to take it up with me."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Ballade transmits, "Involving ourselves furrher in this matter is not productive. The problems of the Western Hemisphere are not our own."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "*snrk* *like he just woke up* Whazza goin' on?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Alright, I'm leaving now. There might be a checkpoint at the teleporters, but I'll try to get through. If there is a problem, I'll take a brief flight and find somewhere safe to hide out, and maybe one of you could pick me up. Or, I could just hide out somewhere."
Wild Fungus is accosted by a few Joes and even humans who are nearby, although there's only a few around where he surfaced sohe manages to keep them at bay with a few tentacles as he quickly takes in everything he can see of the Master's proposed new wonder of the world. He seems to be going for every second he can spare before retreating into the hole he's standing above.
Varia will get a view of the dam, all right, and the guns along the shore, all aimed in hers and Wild's direction. Any non-human target, not designated as a friend, is defintely under suspicion. And Gemini Man is closing in on the two hunters at his walking pace. ...He spots them. And he is not really in the best of moods. His optics rest on the beetle, first...and his gun aims at her barely a beat after. Without even giving her a proper warning, he fires a white blast from his cannon.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "SPOTTED! Two of them. Bioroid, and Beetle."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Idiots at the dam. Backup would be appriciated, I think Sword Man BAILED."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man transmits, "I'll be there momentarily, Gemini."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "Alright."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Well boys, any bets on if the Repliforce and Hunters in Mexico get overrun, or the escape?"
[Live News] [PlumCam1] And, STILL, the violence increases. The tide of humanity seemingly never ending, the sky blacked by a blanket of smoke. And, through the smoke.. one can see helicopters rising up from the capital. The City of Mexico is lost to the rioters, the UN withdrawing the representatives and other officials. Just in time, too, for one can even see smoke beginning to RISE from the capital. Marine is rescued, of course, as Bubble tries to scrabble his way through the Rioters... only to be met by the same overwhelming tide of muscle and flesh. Clubs, knives, guns in the hundreds following him, even humans putting themselves in his path. It's like trying to swim upstream a flash flood. They'll tear Bubble to pieces with bare hands, the grazing blows starting to build up. And build up quickly.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "Ahhh Hell, how am I supposed to get through that? There's a thousand people between me and the teleporters, and two repliforcers guarding it!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Ering."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Cover yourself in filth and speak spanish. You'll blend right in."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, ".....Ummmmm, yeah.........."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "ERING. It was dumb of you to go out there ANYWAY... The same footage YOU got is on the news."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "I'd bet 300 zenny Dynamo Man will escape. Brother, if your Flight pack can last long enough, here's a tip, get away from the city. I'm sure San Angeles has available teleporters. It's 1000 miles away though or so though."
[Live News] [PlumCam1] Plum, elsewhere. "I'm not sure how our camera is still broadcasting, but we're safe now. We've just received word that the UN staff in Mexico City has been airlifted to safety. And we heavily advise you to join them, no matter what species you are. Mexico City is not safe right now."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magic Man transmits, "Just get outside the city. I'll come for you in the steath transport once this little problem is dealt with."
Varia Beetle peers at the large dam, bristleing with defensive weaponry. "That's not good..." She muses to herself, sticking head and shoulders up out of her hole. She doesn't even see Gemini behind her, and the blast strikes her neck and shoulders. "Ow, hey!" Varia says, and turns to see Gemini Man, blaster ready. "Shooting me in the back? Hardly very fair. I'll just have to return the favour." She says, and drops back into her hole. Her usual heroic speech would be rather useless in this situation, seeing as how /she/ is the agressor here. She drills out into the ground, making a new tunnel, hopefully below Gemini Man. Drill spinning, Varia Beetle springs forth from the ground, trying to stab Gemini with her drill.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "Well, the repliforcer goons just put a force bubble between me and the teleporters! Looks like I'm gonna have to fly it! See you guys soon!"
Wild Fungus turns as he hears shots fired again. "Damn." he comments quietly. He turns attempting to locate Varia, and upon doing so charges in her direction primarily, his body weaving crazily as he runs making him a rather awkward target.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Indeed. Good luck, Dynamo."
Varia Beetle strikes you with her Drill Thrust for 9 units of damage.
Magic Man picks up the pace in response to the radio, zeroing in on the sound of the blast. The magician catches sight of the fungus first - the way he's running, he might as well have a sign on his back screaming, "Don't shoot me!" So...the magician does. With a flick of the wrist, the magician summons a card to his hand, then flicks it at the fleeing trenchcoated figure.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Definately a full scale pull out."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "I am currently in flight toward San Angeles! Any backup you have would be nice! :)"
With a spray of dirt and a cry of, "OWCH!" Gemini Man is tossed up into the air, and struck by the drill-impale. The humans nearby clear the area as the combat begins. "GO HOME!" Gemini shouts, standing up, and priming his weapon. He starts to volley shots in Varia's direction. It's a good thing that crowd got out of the way.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "Right, I'm closing in on San Angeles and the teleporters. I'm going to get back and hand off the footage to someone else, I need a break!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "Are you injured?"
Varia Beetle is struck by the blasts of energy, burning holes into her armor. But Varia is tough enough to take it, and barely even flinches from the attack. "I'm only here to look around. Really. I'm sure if you were to just walk away, you wouldn't even notice I was here, right?" She says, more to try and stall the singled duo than out of any hopes the ploy will work. She steps slowly towards Gemini, and then lunges at the Robot Master to smash her shoulder into Gemini's body.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Sounds like the Replforce is going to blow the teleporters - we've got Dynamo back, as well."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "Should we lock the teleporter to Cairo. We dont want the revolt to be taken upon our lands."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I can't authorize that, but if the Elites think it is wise...?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Are there any Masters still in the field?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "I think Dynamo Man was the only one. He made it back though."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I'm getting chatter about redirecting the teleporters, Enker - I don't know where though."
The shore guns react to the movement of the hunters with precision, following Varia as she rushes toward Gemini Man, tracking Wild as he races back toward his companion.
Gemini Man spins aside, and the Beetle rushes past, the momentum of her charge carrying her to the Master's side. This is normally the part of combat where he'd activate his clone to counter the charge, but he has to act on his physical power alone. As Varia runs past him, he throws his leg up, trying to kick her in the side. "You've SEEN it. NOW leave."
Freeze Man charges towards the dam site, ready to beat the living hell out of those who would piss of him and his brothers by attacking an unfinished project. He also thinks that whoever's doing this is really stupid, since the place is bristling with cannons and missiles and crap all over it. It's a veritable fortress, and a handful of Hunters would never be able to do the job of taking it down.
Wild Fungus snares Magic's card from the airwith a tendril, he halts his insane running and turns to face the RM. "I was on my way out." he says completely deadpan to the Master. He plunges one of his massive hands into his chest, breaking through the mud and green foliage, revealing red 'tissue' beneath and a lot of oozing mechfluid before his hand re-emerges holding a dripping and large laser rifle. He snaps it into his free hand and fires.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Very well. Lock all non-essential transports into Africa, namely Cairo. I don't want anyone getting in our out until I say so, understood?"
Magic Man watches the bioriod pull out a his rifle...if he had a nose, he'd be wrinkling it in disgust. "Ugh." He doesn't seem concerned about the weapon pointing at him, remaining loose and calm...until the fungus fires. Magic disappears in a flash of light, then reappears with a clap of displaced air right beside him. "That's nice," the magician says calmly. "Let me help you, then." His dash jets igniting, Magic lowers his shoulders and attempts to plow into Wild and push him towards Gemini and Varia.
Varia Beetle leaps away from Gemini's attack, narrowly dodgeing the blow. "I'm not finished looking yet. You guys really ought to add a little colour to the place. Some splashes of turquoise or magenta, maybe. It all looks so dull and utilitarian." Varia says, although this is hardly the time or place for discussing paint. Around Varia's body, flecks of flames begin to appear, floating around her slowly. She brings back her fist, and it becomes engulfed in the flames, and she lashes out with the burning fist.
Freeze Man arrives on scene to see Gemini and Magic duking it out with the Big Bad Beetle Tramp and a mushroom. He looks back and forth between the two fights, as if trying to decide who to help. Finally, he comes to a decision! Helping one would be hurting the other, so he will help neither, to maintain equality. He pulls out a lawn chair and a lemonade, sits down, and watches.
Wild Fungus emits a gurgling "OOF" as Magic plows into him, his arms go wide, and he loses any effectiveness he might have had with his rifle. Instead is tendrils begin to whip and bludgeon Magic since he's so close, the small 'mouths' and the end of his tendrils trying to find chinks in the RMs armor.
Gemini Man dodges just aside the punch, burning heat barely missing the edge of his arm. Still in close range, he brings down his now un-adorned forhead down into the beetle's charge, hoping to hit her own head and dizzy her, if he can. At least, small favors, he doesn't have to worry about shattering his crystal in the attempt. "Fine. If we CAPTURE you, we'll chain you up and let you repaint."
Magic Man shudders as the tendrils slice into the weak spots in his armor, draining a part of his power away. "You /are/ a disgusting one, aren't you?" he hisses. With a flick of the wrist he summons another card to his hand, then brings its razor sharp edge down on the offending vegetation, trying to slice himself away.
Varia Beetle ducks aside from Gemini Man, keeping her body in a low half crouch, ready to strike towards Gemini again. "Capture me? But I'm just a tourist. You guys capture tourists on a regular basis? I'm sorry, but I'm in no mood to be someone's captured insect!" She says, and the drill on her left arm spins into life again, filling the air with it's whine. Lunging towards Gemini, Varia tries to drill through the Robot Master as she had been drilling in the ground earlier.
Sword Man returns from his scouting near the dam, the upturned earth leading to nothing in particular. However, once he passes the dam again, he sees fighting going on. That's what you get for turning your radio off to scout and such, he guesses. "Blast!" Quickly, he clicks it back on and hurries toward the fray, ready to pay the intruders back for their insolence.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "Blast! Sir Gemini, what is happening? Who are the intruders?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "I SAID! A Bio and a BEETLE!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "Blast! I am on my way to provide assistance!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Confound it!"
Wild Fungus grunts in extreme pain as Magic severs two of his tendrils, the tips oozing mechfluid. His blue lenses squeezing shut the Bioroid curls up into a ball and rolling a little bit. His bandages, caked in mud and mechfluid begin to rip as surprisingly lush green vegetation of a wide variety of types begins to sprout from beneath and break through. Wild curls up into a ball and goes still, as he's surrounded by a hazy black cloud, millions of tiny spores being released from his body begin to coalesc into a hard black sphere around him.
Freeze Man laughs at Varia. "You're on private property, trespasser. We don't let tourists in here." He sips his lemonade through a straw, chuckling at the carnage.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth giggles slightly. "This sounds very bad, actually. Although there are still Mavericks in the area, are there not?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "Then what's so funny?"
Gemini Man is forced to leap entirely aside from the wide swing, and skids away, putting enough distance between himself and the beetle that he has time to bring his blaster arm back around. He glances over at the other fight as it continues, and adjusts his shot slightly, not realizing the effect of the Fungus' spore forcefield will probably absorb any ricochet fire. Regardless, the shot, a straight white blast, is aimed at Varia first...
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man giggles. "Hey, where'd you learn that from, Synth?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I think that someone went back in to pull them out."
Freeze Man sighs, and stands to his feet. "Well, I'm tired of watching you two flail against your opponents ineffectively." He then dashes towards the big mushroom, his eyes burning with cold fury. He raises his fist in the air, as if to punch the Fungus. However, at the last moment, he spins around, swinging the back of his fist at Wild.
Magic Man raises an eyebrow, then steps towards the black sphere and taps it with his cane. "Hm. Interesting." Once more he taps it with the tip of his cane, then shrugs. Is he going to ignore the fungus now? ...Looks like. The magician turns away from the bioroid to watch Gemini and the Beetle for a moment, then reaches up to take off his hat. He taps the top hat against his hand a few times, then suddenly flings it at Varia like a frisbee. ...Who throws a hat? Honestly?
The shiney black roatating sphere seems unaffected by Freeze's battering, and continues to hide Wild Fungus within it, who seems to be generating a rather sickeningly overpowering sweet smell.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Ah, that really doesn't sound good... I heard that Byte and Phoebus are at the rioting. Ah well, Byte always was a bit crazy, wasn't he?"
Varia Beetle ducks under the laser beam, and it sails harmlessly past her. Paying no attention to Freeze Man for now, Varia focuses on Gemini Man. Until Magic Man tosses his hat at her, slicing a wide wound into her chest armor. "Oh, so now you want a piece? Well I'll be happy to oblige. Fire Body!" She cries, and a blazing sphere of fire seems to surround her, and she dashes through the air towards the Robot Master magician.
Sword Man arrives on scene finally, to see an odd, smelly black sphere of energy and a strange Beetle reploid engaging his brothers. He walks up to the fray, just about a few feet from it, and looks at Gemini. "Having difficulty with your foe, brother?" He says in a slightly condescending tone.
Well, this seems simple enough. One of the infiltrators is doing his best to make himself impenitrible... but if he valued his friend, he'd leave after she was brought down. Gemini Man's got the shot, too, now that Varia Beetle has taken a liking to Magic Man instead of him. He draws back his arm, and fires, the largest shot yet, right into Varia's back, even before her charge can reach the Master Magician. "Don't think so," Gemini says to Sword Man, as he lets loose the blast.
Freeze Man doesn't notice the scent, having no sense of smell. He holds his hands apart slightly, and in between them grows a pillar of ice. Once it reaches 6 feet in length, he takes it in both hands, and swings it like a baseball bat, hoping to bust through this ball of dark stuff.
As the ice smashes into the dance black sphere of spores it suddenly ceases to exist as billions of the poisonous particles suddenly swirls away from Wild in a dense, whirling cloud. Within the chaos of the whirling spores Wild rises to his full height and turns his blue gaze to regard Freeze Man coolly.
Freeze Man is sent flying by the cloud of spores, and lands on his back with a thud. He snarls. "Screw this, I'm leaving." He climbs to his feet, and sprints away.
Magic Man watches the flaming beetle charge, one eyebrow raised at the idea of being hit by a bug on fire. Once again at the last minute he disappears in a flash of light - cutting it close may be dangerous, but it makes for a far better show. The magician reappears with another tiny thunderclap a few yards away from the bug, his hands already cupped together the instant he appears. A spark of light appears within his hands, growing quickly into a sphere. The moment the sphere of energy leaves his fingers, the magician is overwhelmed by the cloud of spores. Magic staggers with the force of it, falling to one knee.
Wild Fungus sends a radio transmission.
Sword Man stares on at the fight, not willing to interfere in a set duel. He shall only assist when necessary. However, as the spores come in, blinding him for a second, he flirts with the idea of rushing in to whap the perpetrator. However, he resists such temptation and simply watches, waiting for his turn.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "MMMMMMMBORSCHT"
Varia Beetle sends a radio transmission to Wild Fungus.
Varia Beetle is shot in the back by Gemini. Again. The large blast of energy sears into her back, and sends her to the ground with smoke issuing up from her body. She lifts herself up, her eyes blazing. She's down, but certainly not out. However, Wild Fungus's attack on the gathered enemies also strikes her, along with Magic Man's ball of energy. Battered from all sides at once, Varia rises inexorably up to her feet. "There's nothing to be gained from this, Wild. Leave, as soon as you can!" She cries out, and begins running from the battlefield. Her colours begin to change, molding into blue and white, but her numerous injuries remain. Blue transparant wings unfold from her back, and she takes to the air, buzzing straight upwards away from her enemies below.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Dust Man transmits, "MMMMMMMMMMMPOOKY!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "MMMMMMMMMMMMBABY HIT ME ONE MORE TIME!!!"
Gemini Man is pleased to have gotten such a solid shot on the beetle. But before he can gloat, a wall of spores strikes him, knocking him completely off his feet. He stands up again, and coughs, despite his lack of a need for air. "Well," he says, his voice a bit strained at first, "One down..." He charges toward the Fungus, fist first, aiming to strike him... "One to go!"
Magic Man pushes himself back to his feet, glaring at the fungus now that the beetle is out of sight. He smirks slightly, If this thing can fly, he'll be shocked...poor bioroid will just have to be ripped to shreds. The magician takes a few steps to one side, picking up his fallen hat, then dusts it off, turning it over in his hands a few times. He stops with the mouth of it facing Wild, then taps the top of the hat with one finger. "Go," is all he murmurs, before a flock of mechanical birds burst out of the hat and dive towards Wild, primed to explode on contact.
Wild Fungus watches Freeze retreat. THis is a large mistake. He turns slowly his revitalized form allready looking expended and droopy. Before he can even raises a hand in retaliation he's struck by a rather severe series of small explosions. Wild is sent sprawling and as he scrambles for his feet instead of trying to return fire the Bioroid scrambles for the hole that Varia dug originally and attempts to squeeze his rather robust form through the opening.
"AND STAY OUT!" Gemini Man shouts, still considerably peeved, as he fires another, slightly slow shot, at the burrowing form of the fungus. It hits the ground, then travels along it; if Wild doesn't dig fast enough, it will strike on his way out...
Magic Man smirks, watching the fungus run. Run, fungus, run! The magician makes a fist, then spreads his fingers out to reveal a small rubber ball suspended between his outstretched index and middle fingers. After a dramatic pause for the nonexistant audience, he flings it at Wild. bounce. The ball grows larger... Bounce. Still larger... BOUNCE. Even larger still... *BOUNCE* The ball, now about six feet tall, bears down on the bioroid...
Message: 9/38 Posted Author
Sec-Gen Speaks Wed Apr 17 News Report
The screen flashes into the seal of the United Nations, a globe encircled by laurels. Printed on this screen is the following:
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
After a few seconds, the image cleanly shifts to one of Kelly McLaren standing in the UN Plaza. The Musica Guard are at her sides, locked in steadfast stance. McLaren looks directly into the camera before her.
"We can win this war." she pronounces, not as though stubbornly refuting a sound claim to the contrary, but instead declaring a path clearly before the people of Earth. Her voice carries so imperial a tone that the ear expects cheers to join, as courtiers to its regal timbre.
"Wily and Sigma have dared to challenge us at our own game. Yet the foolish purchase defeat with their brazen impulse, and payment is rapidly growing due."
Applause drifts from the crowd. McLaren surveys it with a steely gaze before directing her focus to the camera once more.
"Many nations now chafe against the chains of oppression. Make no mistake - this is a clash of titans, and the Earth shall shudder with the blows. Repliforce now numbers over two million soldiers, the mightiest army on this planet. Industrial production has by some estimates more than tripled this month, as a valiant people take up arms against this threat. We are not beaten, we are not defeated. We shall be victorious."
Applause flows once more at the announcement of the statistics. McLaren nods solemnly in recognition before continuing in an even, charged tone.
"Carthago delenda est. There can be no reconciliation. We can win this war, through the unity that Wily and Sigma have renounced. Reploids and humans must not succumb to the hatred before which Sigma has bowed. A house divided cannot stand. I speak especially to those who believe that the oppression of Reploids can be anything but vile. If Sigma's accusations are valid, then I should wish that these United Nations dissolve their mutual ties, and fall one apart from each other before the foe. Yet these accusations are false, as Sigma himself is false, and therefore we stand resolute."
"Reploids of the United Nations, I call upon you to serve your homeland as part of Repliforce. It is truly formidable, a potent weapon in the arsenal of liberty and unity, yet all our resources must be tapped in this conflict. Our greatest protection must grow greater. I urge you, visit a recruitment center and consider this calling."
She pauses briefly.
"Not all of us are able to serve with such noble directness in this war. Yet every civilian has a role to play. Reduce material consumption. Work hard. Do not aid and abet our foes through their ally, Waste. Several programs have been reccomended; you will hear of them in later messages."
She draws a slow breath before continuing, looking upwards briefly before addressing the camera.
"The events in Mexico City are truly terrible. There is little worse than seeing a proud people driven to madness by strife. I myself understand the pain of loss, and what desperate and evil thoughts seek to plant themselves amidst such sense-depriving agony. My own father fell when Wily's forces assaulted Dublin, many years ago."
Kelly McLaren hesitates. She does not stop as though sinking into weakness. No tears touch her cheeks. It is as though they have crystallized, frozen into a sharp and impregnable resolve within her veteran eyes. She continues with moving force, wielding words that could be theatrical and scoffable, were it not for her conviction and eloquent speech.
"This rage is a cunning foe, though it brings madness, for it knows to draw mightily from the very carnage it spawns. I will not and cannot truthfully say that the victims of the world combat anything less than a most terrifying devil. Yet I can only condemn the riot that took so many lives, Reploid and human alike. While I most strongly condemn the rioting, do not believe that any who responded with undue force will be spared. We are not savage, as Sigma lies. Internal conflict is a hideous plague that can only be remedied from its source; from within. Let us rally under one banner. Let us be civilized beings. Let us triumph, and let us deserve triumph."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I just got a homing beacon for Chi - sounds like he went down in the rioting."
Wild Fungus is shot by Gemini which blows a large chunk of charred vegetable matter off of the Bioroid which is all he leaves behind as he squeezes down the hole. Moments after Magic's ball does little xcept to seal the whole up behind him.
Wild Fungus enters the Underneath Mediterranean Sea.
Varia Beetle enters the Sky Above Sahara.
Gemini Man lowers his cannon arm, rage still seething on the surface of his demeanor. "That was pointless," he muses. Then, he turns away.
[Global News Network] Panning back, the camera scans across the front of the crowd of reporters gauging reactions to what the Secretary General says up at the podium. One such reporter can be seen reaching into her suit jacket, probably to pull out another pen or pencil. Instead she pulls out a single pistol and with a grace and dexterity of a trained killer fires off two rounds toward the Secretary General standing giving her speech before turning and driving herself through the crowd as if a tank mowing down anything in its path.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Quite the time for an assassination."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Synth, you sure are a chatty b***ch."
Magic Man nods as he strides towards the giant ball, tapping it with his cane. As it slowly begins to shrink he turns back to Gemini. "Quite. Still, if they want to kill themselves, it's our job to help." The magician's tone is almost friendly - it's as if he's forgotten Gemini doesn't really like him much at the moment.
Sword Man looks on as the intruders turn tail and run. A rather futile attempt considering the forces they knew could be deployed. Oh well. He has no reason to be here now. Threat averted easily. He watches them burrow away.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Ice Man transmits, "Wow, the way SecGen McLaurn is speaking, you'd think that she actually believes in what she's saying."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "Now now, let's all get along." "MYA! MYA!" "Seizui, what are you doing?!"
[Global News Network] Kelly McLaren does not even have time to blink before the bolts flash towards her. A dizzying haze of neon light explodes around, casting sickly fluorescence about the shocked audience. A forcefield, invisible previously, has absorbed the brunt of the impact. Yet the assassin was using no pea-shooter, and humans are fragile. The two bolts slams into Kelly McLaren's upper chest, deflected by the field from her heart by mere inches, and slicing into her collar-bone and shoulder. Her eyes go wide before her face contorts in a cringe, as blood sprays the ground behind her with a bright crimson. The Sec-Gen is thrown backwards, and finding no strength, tumbles to the ground. Before she even touches, however, turret-guns have appeared from concealed locations, and UN security personnel have burst onto the scene. Chaos, but well-drilled chaos.
[Global News Network] The final faintest glimpse is seen as the Musica charge at the would-be assassin. Just as the assassin changes forms into a black and imperial purple android and blows her way out of the side of building.
Gemini Man doesn't really like anybody much, at the moment. "Well, I'm going back to Gamma base. I'm not really all that damaged." He glances over. "Doesn't look like you are, either."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Man this new tv show sure is funny."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Freeze Man transmits, "When Secretary Generals Get Attacked?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Hehehehe it's so funny because people are getting hurt."
Magic Man flicks invisible dust off his armor. "No, not really. My systems should be able to handle it. It's mostly a matter of spores clogging me up, and a few cracks." He bends down to collect the now tiny ball, then causes it to vanish back into whatever place it is that the magician keeps his arsenal. Straightening, he kicks some dirt into the hole. "Hm. Should probably get someone to fill that in..." he murmurs, mostly to himself.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "I voted for Kofi Annanbots"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Sounds like Ice Man transmits, "And after all that talk of winning the war, too."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "Screw this *****"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Kofi Annanbots is a pretty gay name."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Freeze Man transmits, "Especially when it's an opressive dictator like McLaren."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Sounds like some sort of Pokemon."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Sewa transmits, "And you be polite, Mr. Toad!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "What happened, what'd we miss? She got SHOT?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Kofi Annanbots! I choose you!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Toad Man transmits, "Yeah it is a pretty gay name. I voted for him cuz I found a bunch of loveletters from him to you Guts"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Sounds like Ice Man transmits, "Yup. Pretty good, too, from the looks of it."
Gemini Man stalks off, not giving much of a good-bye other than a brief wave. "I'll make the report, too."
Message: 12/95 Posted Author
I decided to go listen to this big publicized speech of the Secretary General. After enough hot air being blown out by her, I saw that all of her guards were quite lax in protecting her, probably from the simple fact nothing has even been threatened against her of late. So I decided I'd show what true fear can do to a person and country. The UN and its nations will be quite angered by this attempted assassination, use this to your advantage with picking at their emotional responses. Goad them, and most will loose control of their emotion and fight carelessly.
Serenade.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Hahahaha you're pretty funny Toad Man. Now you better run before I pull your tongue out and strangle you with it you fat piece of Jabba crap."
Magic Man returns the wave as he radios for a few joes with shovels. "Have a good night," he says absently.
Message: 12/97 Posted Author
Bass appears, somewhere, uh.. where the hell is he?
"Since you're dealing with the loss of your double so well, Gemini Man, and clearly succeeding without him, I think I might revise the idea of repairing the system entirely. Food for thought, right?"
"Bass out."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "AAAAAAAA!!!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "As I expected."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Ice Man snickers.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "That is just cruel..."
Varia Beetle changes into her Terra armor.
Sword Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I am in the tower now. I cannot see anything yet, however."
Stealth Transport has arrived.
Magic Man has arrived.
Maestro's forcefield? The crush of humans are like army ants, swarming and banging on it. Alone, they are nothing. But in such overwhelming number, not even a military force could hold them. Marine himself going to be surrounded pretty quickly, the thundering of guns damn near deafening. Explosions still ripping up the street from Moltav Cocktails, pillars of smoke rising around the horizon as well. Bespeaking of other riots. Anythign not human is going to get severely hurt. Even Bolero, with his super sonic voice, is going to get swarmed. Bat and clubs, knives, guns. Everything they could get their hands on. Angels, demons, it doesn't matter. Mexico City is on fire today.
The Mexicans have revolted. And they are out for blood.
"KILL THE ROBOTS!" "TEAR 'EM TO PIECES!" "MY FATHER WAS KILLED BY A MAVERICK!" "MI HERMANO!" Hatred. Anger. Utter insanity rolled into one firey day. Even the UN force comes immediatly under siege, the rioters NOT backing down. Guns beginning to report, the braver rioters /actually beginning to climb the ride armors/. They'll tear everything apart with bare hands if needs be, attacking the pilots directly. The rumbling of guns actually making the earth shake a little. Behold the power of civilians in massive numbers.
For every bit of violence given to them, they pour it back out. Twenty fold. Thirty fold. NOTHING will stop them, now, the megacity wide riot having momentum on it's side. Even harmless reploids just WATCHING the riot are attacked... for example, Bubble Crab. Who is damn near instantly set upon as soon as spotted by the tsunami of human flesh and anger. Simple guns, simple clubs. Homemade bombs. But with the pure FORCE and numbers, it's enough to take down even the sturdiest military force. They'll over run EVERYTHING.
And, despite all of Marine's efforts... nothing will stop them. Incinerary bombs go off, effecting the leaders of the crowd swarming through the alley after him - but the rest just push them aside. Trample them. Bombs and guns slinging... and, on the other side of hte alley? The humans are already waiting, moving like a living river of flesh and smoke. Marine the Maverick being driven into the loving arms of bigotry and terrible hatred.
For those who got smart, who got AWAY from the crowds by getting above, only a few idle bullets snap up. Most of the billions far too focused on smashing all in their path to pay attention to a few things above. Even the UN evacuation workers are getting troubled, some pockets of resistance collapsing - Reploids, once in th emidst of rescue, torn to bloody limbs. Along with their rescuers.
You strike Varia Beetle with your Ricochet Blast attack.
And, still, the pillars of smoke rising from all around the megacity increase. For every bit of violence given to them.. they pour it back out. Ten fold. Twenty fold. Thirty fold. Fourty fold. The best one can hope to do is get the hell out of dodge, and not draw attention. Reploid bodies and trampled limbs scatter the burnt and twisted streets, the thunder of voices never once ceasing. Growing LOUDER, to the point the very air trembles with the rage of Mexico. It is a nightmare. It is beyond a nightmare.. it is a MASSACRE. Although, thanks to UN assistance, a few VERY narrow backstreets remain partially secured. If one is going to get out.. one had better do it NOW.
Magic Man misses Wild Fungus with his Card Flip attack.
You strike Varia Beetle with your Laser Barrage attack.
Varia Beetle misses you with her Pound attack.
You miss Varia Beetle with your Roundhouse attack.
Wild Fungus misses Magic Man with his Rc-97 Laser Rifle attack.
Magic Man strikes Wild Fungus with his Dash attack.
Varia Beetle misses you with her Flamefist attack.
Wild Fungus strikes Magic Man with his Parasite Tendril attack.
Wild Fungus drains energy from Magic Man with his Parasite Tendril attack.
You miss Varia Beetle with your Headbutt attack.
Magic Man strikes Wild Fungus with his Card Slice attack.
Varia Beetle misses you with her Drill Spin attack.
Wild Fungus changes into his Fungal Bloom armor.
Wild Fungus projects a forcefield around himself.
You miss Varia Beetle with your Gemini Laser attack.
Freeze Man misses Wild Fungus with his Smash attack.
Magic Man strikes Varia Beetle with his Magic Hat attack.
Varia Beetle misses Magic Man with her Fire Body attack.
You strike Varia Beetle with your Gemini Cannon attack.
Freeze Man misses Wild Fungus with his Glacier Smash attack.
Wild Fungus lowers his forcefield.
Wild Fungus strikes Freeze Man with his Spore Cloud attack.
Wild Fungus strikes Varia Beetle with his Spore Cloud attack.
Wild Fungus strikes Magic Man with his Spore Cloud attack.
Wild Fungus strikes you with his Spore Cloud for 15 units of damage.
Wild Fungus strikes Sword Man with his Spore Cloud attack.
Freeze Man retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Varia Beetle, and Magic Man.
Magic Man strikes Varia Beetle with his Energy Ball attack.
Varia Beetle receives a radio transmission.
Wild Fungus receives a radio transmission.
Varia Beetle changes into her Sky armor.
Varia Beetle retreats from the area swiftly, outdistancing all pursuit and parting shots.
You strike Wild Fungus with your Punch attack.
Magic Man strikes Wild Fungus with his Bird Bomb attack.
Wild Fungus retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Freeze Man, Sword Man, Varia Beetle, Magic Man, and Gemini Man.
You strike Wild Fungus with your Ricochet Blast attack.
Magic Man misses Wild Fungus with his Bouncing Ball Of Doom attack.
Wild Fungus has left.
Varia Beetle has left.
McLaren Wed Apr 17 Serenade
Sent to ERWIN from some remote location.
Re: Gemini Man Wed Apr 17 Bass
