Scare and Scare Alike
Sphere Outpost [Gamma]
The interior of the Sphere Outpost is not so grand, but it serves its purpose--that of securing this coast for the Robot Masters--well enough. Once part of the giant Wilysphere, this section has been remodeled to serve many purposes. In contrast to the dingy-looking construction on the outside, the interior of the base has smooth, dark metal walls and a hypermodern security setup. A simple repair area, a storage facility, and other useful rooms surround the central command area. The middle portion has the base's main computer console, a small bank of monitors, and a meeting table, with seats set up for all of the Gamma masters: including two seats, side-by-side, at the head. There is no teleporter, here, and while the generic forces standing guard are great, if this outpost were to fall, it would fall on its own.
[Radio] You send Snake Man a direct message: "Hey...Snake....?"
Snake Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Yesss?"
[Radio] You send Snake Man a direct message: "Uhhh... Got something to ask you."
Snake Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "What'sss that?"
[Radio] You send Snake Man a direct message: "Well, uh... do you even KNOW where our new outpost is?"
Snake Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I have been keeping track of the messsage boardsss. I know the general location."
[Radio] You send Snake Man a direct message: "Ok. Yeah, that's positive."
Snake Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Why do you asssk?"
[Radio] You send Snake Man a direct message: "Ummm... BECAUSE it's IMPORTANT that you know where it IS!!!"
Snake Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Ssso tell me where it isss."
[Radio] You send Snake Man a direct message: "[Sent Coordinates.] ...in Morocco."
[Radio] You send Snake Man a direct message: "Just get your scaly tail out here. You should at least know where it IS, for Wily's sake."
Snake Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Har har har."
Gemini Man is currenly sitting at one of his seats in the command section. Turned facing the computer, he's click, click, clicking, idly, through different views that recieve largely blank screens.
Snake Man enters the room silently. How did he get past the various cameras? Something only a snake could know... He pads quietly up behind Gemini, then bends down very close to his ear, and then asks at the top of his voice, "YESSS?"
Gemini Man just about JUMPS out of his skin, shouting aloud. His body actually leaves the seat of the chair for a moment, then he spins it around, facing Snake, and yelling, "DO NOT do that!!"
Snake Man draws back a little as Gemini yells and spins around. Another gratifying reaction. He grins at his ophidiphobic brother, managing to look both innocent and devilish at the same time. "Ssso what isss it?"
Gemini Man sighs heavily, and shakes himself off. "Look... just look at this." He turns back to the consoles, and starts clicking through screenshots. Or, rather, lacks of screenshots. Black...black...black...black...black. "Now tell me. WHAT do you see here?"
Snake Man says, "A bunch of blank ssscreensss."
Gemini Man says... "Exactly." Then, he stops clicking. "Where are my spycams, Snake?"
Snake Man yawns. Maybe it's a gesture to break the tention, maybe it's just an excuse to show Gemini his fangs. After he finishes, he shrugs. "I've been away for a few daysss persssuing my own busssinesss for the Massster. Am I essxpected to put them up?"
Gemini Man speaks carefully, trying to keep his voice from shaking. "Yes. You... are."
Snake Man hmms, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. He rolls his eyes once as he thinks, and then focuses on Gemini again. Ssso any sssuggessstionsss asss to posssible locationsss?"
Gemini Man idly clicks through a few more blank screens. It's one way of avoiding making eye contact with Snake Man... "They're MOBILE, aren't they? Stick to city spots. Algeria, and places we don't have much control over yet."
Snake Man arches a scaly eyeridge. "And jussst what sssort of equipment will I be working with, hmm?"
Gemini Man throws Snake a look, then, instantly regrets it, as he shudders slightly as he looks away. "Ummm... can you spare the snake cams, or...not?"
Snake Man grunts. "They're hard wired to report back to me. But I can make ssspesscific onesss that can be remotely controlled. It jussst dependsss on how many you need."
Gemini Man looks down for a moment, as he thinks. oO(...yeah, I CAN do this.... I CAN actually give orders to Snake..)Oo "Then...then set up a dozen. And we don't mind if they DO only report to you so long as you save and send any important information."
Snake Man shrugs. "I can ssset them up temporarily, until more perminant methodsss are devisssed."
Gemini Man says, "Well....there you go." Click (black), click (black), click (back to an internal view of in-base security).
Snake Man starts to shuffle closer to Gemini. "Ssso will that be all, hmm?"
Gemini Man shifts in the chair, inching away from Snake. "Yeah...that's it. Just keep us updated."
Snake Man continues to come closer. "Ssso what isss the essxpected completion date for thisss project?"
Gemini Man continues to try to inch away, though he's stopped by the armrests on the chairs. "Just report...back to me...when... you've made progress." He coughs. "A week."
Snake Man continues inching towards Gemini, until he hits the opposite armrest. Then his tail abruptly comes up on the other side of the chair, wrapping around Gemini's neck and hauling him in close, close enough so that he's pressed up against the slippery hide of his hip. "Will do, 'sssir'."
Gemini Man freezes, his eyes opened wide and air rushing in through his mouth in a series of brief gasps...sounds that grow louder as he starts to percieve that Snake's tail-grip is choking him.
Snake Man doesn't appear to notice Gemini's distress. Or maybe he does and is secretly delighting in it. "Anything elssse you would have me do, hmm?" Of course, by now his tail might be so tight as to preclude Gemini answering that question...
Gemini Man barely, barely manages to squeak out a response, between choking gasps. Yes, he knows he doesn't actually need the air, but, just out of fear, he's choking it in as if he would honestly die without it. "No... no, that's... all!"
Snake Man loosens his grip, letting Gemini slip out, if he should so desire (and why wouldn't he?). "I'll be taking my leave, then."
Gemini Man pulls away from Snake, leaning back against the chair and rubbing his freed throat. "Yes," he squeaks.
Snake Man turns and saunters his way out, quiet as ever.
Snake Man has left.
[Later that evening...]
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] WE-ARE-LEGO! Servbot #36 transmits, "o/` Di Da Di Da Di Da Do do... ...Deeeee Baaa Di di Doh!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Ether Skunk transmits, "I LOVE that song."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] WE-ARE-LEGO! Servbot #36 transmits, "o/` All Right eve-ry-body! It's a brand new version of the Do-se-do! Just stomp your feet and clap your hands! Come on everybody! It's the Servbot Dance!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Enker transmits, "Such prattle. Tell your mistress that you are to shut up."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] WE-ARE-LEGO! Servbot #36 sniffs! "I can sing if I want to! Miss Tron said so!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Shut up or I'll sell you on the black market to some demented scientist. Like DeVry."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] WE-ARE-LEGO! Servbot #36 defiantly! "o/` Di Da Di Da Di Da Do Do... ...Deeeee Baaa Di Di Doh!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Fencer Naiad transmits, "Can someone trace that thing? Maybe it's mistress is nearby!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Enker transmits, "I do believe it's time to visit the Gesellschaft."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Realllllly?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "If anyone wishes to accompany me, move to the docking bay."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Sonic Banshee transmits, "Lady Bonne wull be left alone, or else. Kill tha' wretched li'l yellow rat of thee likes. But leave tha' Girl."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Frost Man transmits, "Where we going?"
You enter the Vehicle Docking - Skull Fortress.
Vehicle Docking - Skull Fortress
The massive vehicles of the Robot Masters require a large amount of space, and this room has plenty. Several hundred meters long and a few stories deep, it stretches out beyond the confines of the rest of the Fortress, a hidden docking bay far off to the right when it facing head-on. Normally it is dimly lit and poorly heated, although a forcefield keeps out the snow. Huge overhead lights can be thrown on when the Masters scramble. Several Joes, Mets, Magnet Flies, and other drones are kept stationed here to handle the manual labor of loading and unloading, as well as maintenance crews who are rarely left short on work. The actual departure areas are accessible through railings which are suspended a fair ways above floor level.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "To have fun."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] WE-ARE-LEGO! Servbot #36 ummms... "...Uhh... ...you don't wanna do that... uhh... ...we're not anywhere you can find us anyway! So Nya!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Servbot-kicking."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Frost Man transmits, "Wait for me! Wait for me!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Fencer Naiad transmits, "No, she's on the UN's wanted list I believe. I'm sure the local police wouldn't mind a little bolstering now and again."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Heheheh, the UN. Some UN chick tried to stop me the other day and I destroyed her with little to no effort."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne pauses and speaks on Chan. "...Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sonic... ...and i'm still on the Most Wanted am I? Oh poo... ...well, at least I have my name up in lights... ...wonder if it counts towards my 15 minutes..."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Jazz transmits, "Awww, that singing is -so- kawaii!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...and heya, Enker, Guts, Gemini... ...and thank you, uhh... whatever your name is. I designed them that way!"
Guts Man makes his way into the vehicle docking area to join Enker and the others.
Gemini Man rushes into the docking area as quickly as he can. He glances around for Enker, then halts and takes a step back as the Devil stomps its foot.
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Jazz transmits, "I'm Jazz!"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Guts Man transmits, "Are you still chewing gum?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Gemini Man transmits, "Hey-ya, Tron. How are THINGS?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Morgaine transmits, "Tron?"
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne pauses for a moment... "...Better, Gemini. Some of us have been recovering more then others... ...and... Hey there you!" Tron then pauses. "And hello, Jazz."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Ether Skunk transmits, "Jazz, what did we tell you about talking to... strangers? And lemme tell you, they don' get much stranger."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Morgaine transmits, "You're one hard person to contact, you know.."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...I've been that way for a while, yeah..."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Sonic Banshee grunts. "Naw show o' Confidence. I jus' keep m' word, Lady Tron."
[Radio: (F) Worldchat] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne sighs softly...
Frost Man looks at the green devil cheerfully enough. He waves, "Heyya Jello Man!" He turns slowly, waving to the others as they enter.
Green Devil raises one giant jello-based arm and points at the stealth transport.
Guts Man makes his way to the transport.
Guts Man has left.
Gemini Man nods up at the Green, and enters the stealth.
Frost Man has left.
Stealth Transport
Green Devil has arrived.
Gemini Man asks the Devil...presumedly, this is Enker's vehicle of choice... "Where-to, sir?"
Green Devil finally speaks the soft voice of Enker's coming through. It has no mouth of course the voice simply projected. "Kilamanjaro."
Guts Man says, "You heard the man, pilot us to Kilamanjaor!"
Gemini Man makes a salute to the Green, then steps up to the cockpit. ...Almost as an afterthought, the holographic duplicate appears in his wake. "Oh, and, Guts Man..."
Guts Man turns to Gemini Men, "What?"
Gemini Man's hologram says, as Gemini himself pilots the ship up away from Antarctica, "She BLEW us UP, so at least leave us a piece or two."
Guts Man says, "Can do."
Outside> Mount Kilamanjaro
Rising menacingly into the depths of the sky are the twin mountain peaks of Kilimanjaro, one of which being the highest mountain in all of Africa. Kibo, the highest of the two peaks, rises to the nose-bleed heights of 19,340 feet into the air while Mawensi, the second peak, reaches a staggering height of 16,892 feet. Although borderlining the equator, Kilimanjaro retains ice caps on its peaks all year round, its lofty altitudes denying the blistering heat of the land far below. Unsurpassing in beauty and excellency, Kilimanjaro has been known to inspire writers and artists throughout the ages. Various lush vegetation zones decorate its steep slopes, ranging from various forms of flora and fauna that happen to be lucky enough to call this awe inspiring mountain their home..
Outside> Bonne Airship [Gesellschaft] [C]
Frost Man sits there, happy as a clam. "Why we going to go see the Bonne's?"
Outside> From Bonne Airship [Gesellschaft]> Bon Bonne giggles and hugs Tron back..then blinks, stepping backwards and pointing at her. "Babuu!" (Your hair's brown again! And your shiny's gone!) Bon reaches up, scratching his head. "Babuu.." (I missed a lot, didn't I..)
Green Devil raises an arm. "Engage stealth mode prepare to board with usual Robot Master aggression. Upon docking open the door in your usual way Guts Man."
Guts Man nods to the Green Devil, "Right. Plow through anything in my way!"
Gemini Man's hologram disappears as the ship heads toward the mountains.
The Gesellschaft rests here in the remote and silent section of the world between the two great peeks of Mt. Kilamanjaro... in the deep valley between it, is is concealed by a thick blanket of mist. Hidden in the thick of the trees between the mountains... the great, and still obviously damaged, ship is silent... save for some green colored Metools strolling about... and a Servbot on the deck, peering out into the fog produced by the Gesellschaft's own cloud engines...
Stealth Transport activates its stealth mode.
Frost Man lumbers up to his feet, looking about quietly....he figures he'll just pick up on things and follow along..
Tron and Bon stand on the Bridge, chatting to one another, while Tron softly subvocalizes into her throatmic
Tron Bonne sends a radio transmission.
Making no noise, leaving no visual cues, the Masters' Stealth transport begins its descent from the heavens. Scanning the area with the ship's equipment, the stealth dives into the clouds, its invisible form cutting through the fog as the Gesselschaft appears on the scanners, and it falls into a dive toward the craft.
[OOC] Gemini Man makes some really odd poses when his sinuses are clogged.
Tron Bonne receives a radio transmission.
Bon Bonne blinks, allowing this to sink in for a moment, before turning around and peering around the ship. "Babuu?" (Are all the Servbots OK? How'd the ship get hurt?)
The Servbot on decks looks around, peering into the fog with binoculars... and giving a little singsong to itself... "Watchin' the skies... Watchin' the skies.... All the day I'm watchin' the skies. Why? Miss Tron said! Who? Miss Tron! We follow Miss Tron all day long!" The Servbot then giggles to itself for it's soft wit, and continues... ...a little Bonne Met leaping up to it's side...
And after a slight pause... from the Gesellschaft... a Drache launches out and slowly way deep in the fog... moving away from it into the distance before picking up real speed.
Green Devil issues another command. "Attach to the ship and jam any transmissions."
Gemini Man pulls on the steering, banking the transport in its dive. "You got it."
Tron Bonne nods to Bon, smiling gently. "Yep... The Servbots are all okay... ...the one that got hurt by Enker i've repaired and fixed fully. He's ontop of the Gesellschaft, watching the clouds." Tron hmmms. "As for how... during the big event in the end of it... we overtaxed the ship... it's rather damaged right now... The Ion Retractor Crystal is nearly shattered... and we either need to figure out a way to Recrystalize it, or get a new one... ...and if I speak to Doji-san of the Yakuza, or someone else... I might be able to get one... ...I've just been here working on the ship all this time..."
The clouds part slightly, then stream, as the invisible transport makes a turn, then swiftly pulls up alongside the Gesellschaft. As it nears, the Stealth sends out a jamming pulse, locking up the radio transmissions from the opposing ship.
Green Devil says, "Board. Now. Guts Man you're up."
Guts Man hits his fists against one another, "Oh yeah! Now it's Guts Man's time to shine!" He just starts to run on out with intent of making a new door into the Gesell.
Bon Bonne gives what might pass as a sigh, most likely of relief. "Babuu." (That's good. So the...er..Ion Retractor Crystal is broken? Wow, that's bad.) A pause.. "...Babuu..?" (Umm..what's an Ion Retractor Crystal?)
The Gesellschaft remains there, though the Servbot blinks... as the clouds stir softly around the Gesellschaft... "Ooo... Purdy..."
And within, The Pirate Princess makes one last subvocalized transmission, which get cut off mid-word due to the pulse of the jamming signal!
Green Devil says, "Upon Guts Man's entrance follow and secure the ship. I will enter shortly."
Guts Man jumps out of the Stealth Transport towards the Gesell, coming fists first, trying to penetrate it's thick hull.
Tron Bonne beams up to Bon, speaking softly. "The Ion /Refractor/ Crystal... it turns normal Energy into Ion energy... to power our Ion Drives... don't worry. It's something our father designed when he was in charge of Bonne Enterprizes." Tron beams! ^-^ Then she pauses to send off her last transmission... which is cut off midword by the loud static of a jamming signal. She winces painfully! "OW!" Tron reaches up, holding her ear before she can turn down the volume of her reciever... ...Tron looks to Bon then, her eyes widening. "We've just been Jammed! Quick!" Tron turns rapidly, dashing over to a console. "...Maybe I can squeeze something out of the crystal..." Tron looks around. "Come on, baby... hold together..."
Gemini Man pulls the ship to a stop, docking it abruptly with the Gesellshaft. He makes sure the ship is secure enough before getting up out of his spot and making way for the exit.
Guts Man keeps banging the Gesellschaft, trying to force his way in.
CLANG!!!CRUNCH!
...well, Guts Man did it.
The Servbot, which had been standing on Deck, ducks at the sound and leans over, blinking at the large hole in the side of the Gesell... ...it opening onto the inner hallways... and tries to contact Tron but can only blink as it finds itself without means to contact her.
"...uh oh..."
Guts Man makes his way in, "HEEEEEEEEEERE'S GUTS MAN!" He exclaims to the little Servbot.
Gemini Man leaps out of the Stealth Transport in Guts Man's wake, entering in behind the much larger Master and offering the stunned servbot a small wave.
Tron Bonne blinks, and looks to Bon. "Yep... ...Seems we have a breech. Quick!" Tron looks to her screens. "Sector... B2! Upper level! Go see what you can do! I'll prep the Gustav!" Tron keys for the alarms... and across the Gesellschaft... all the alarms begin to blare. Tron frowns. . o O ( If the Mavericks have come for me at last... then they're going to have a /fight/ on their hands! )
Frost Man lumbers along behind Gemini, squeeeeeeezing through the hole. He waves to the servbot, "Hello! I'm Frost Man! Pleased to mee...." He looks up, noticing that Gemini didn't stop. He blinks a few times, then exclaims, "Hey, wait for me!" His running can probably be heard thorughout the entire ship...
A servbot at Guts' feet when he arives looks up, and up, and /UP/ at the massive Guts Man.
Bon Bonne nods in confirmation and turns, rushing away from his big sister towards the area of the breach, mumbling. "Babuu.." And then Frost starts running, and Bon screeches to a halt, sweatdropping. "Baabuuu.." A sigh, and he sets off again, shaking his head.
Guts Man keeps staring downwards at the Servbot, "Uh... Servbot Inspector."
Bonne Airship [Gesellschaft]
Gemini Man pushes ahead of Guts Man, and calls off down the hall, doing his best 'lil Servbot impression to announce his presence. "Oooooooh, Miss Troooooon! Got a delivery for you!!"
Frost Man continues to lumber after the others, doing a fair amount of superficial damage in his attempt to catch up. He flails his arms, and cries out, "Wait for me! Gemini Man! Guts Man! Don't leave me! I'll get lost!"
The Servbot blinks softly up at Guts Man... ...waking up at his words... "...uhh... ummm... ...Servbot Inspector?" The Servbot then blinks, looking after Gemini! "Hey! Wait! You cant go that way!"
From the exterior of the ship, a dark substance departs the Robot Master craft, just.. drip.. drip.. dripping down into the Gesellschaft itself.
Bon Bonne just continues lumbering down the halls towards the breached area, blinking at the Servbot impression. He runs over this for a moment before deciding that it can't be an actual Servbot, and just keeps running, pseudo-grinning as he's joined by the Servbots.
Guts Man starts to wander into the Gesel as the Servbot screams after Gemini Man, he smashes anything that gets in his way.
Frost Man somehow manages to run down the wrong corridor...One might notice his cires getting fainter, and fainter. Perhaps it's a trick, and he's sneaking off to pull some covert ops job on the ship, and blow it to smithereens! Or maybe steal some nifty stuff. Or...maybe he's just an idiot.
Gemini Man slows to a stop as he approaches Bon Bonne, and blinks up at the Big, Big, Baby with a feigned innocence. Still squeaking as much as he can, he says, "Hewwo. Is Miss Tron around?"
Bon Bonne stops upon meeting up with Gemini and..uh..Gemini, and takes a few steps back, planting himself firmly in the middle of the passage. His message seems pretty clear - No entry. He raises one hand and points a finger back the way Gemini and Gemini came. "Babuu."
Suddenly, a green painted Hardhat, in a sudden bit of surprise, /springs/ at Guts Man's face!!! ...turnabout is, indeed, fair play. "NEEEEEEEERP!" The Servbot commanding it, and a squad of others, points at Guts Man and calls out! "Go get 'im, Nerpies!" The Hardhats, programmed to obey Tron, the Bonnes, and the Servbots, bound at Guts Man! The Children are attacking their Father!
As for Frost? ...he gets a few Joes stepping out in front of him they raising sheilds and narrowing their single eye... as a Servbot Steps out in front of them... and wavies brightly! "Hello! Nice ta meetcha! ...ummm... ...what ya doin'?"
Guts Man huhs as a bunch of hardhats assault him, "WHAT THE?!" He's dogpiled by them, but their no match for his strength, he just gets right back up, swatting and kicking as many of them out of his way.
So many obstacles, so little time. The order was clear; secure the ship before Enker arrives. Only, time may well be slipping away from the Robot Masters, as something makes its way through the ship unimpeded despite the best laid defenses. If they can be called that.
Frost Man more or less ignores the Joes, stepping on, kicking, missing them as he runs, blindly down the hall. He skids to a stop, looking down at the Servbot. He reaches up and scratches his head a bit, looking about. "Hello. I think I'm lost. Do you know where Guts Man or Gemini Man is?"
The twins both glance at each other, then back at Bon Bonne. They both drop into agressives stances, as if to take the giant infant down, Master style. Then, without warning, one of them--the hologram, to be exact--simply blinks out of existance, then re-engages directly BEHIND Bon. He throws a 'raspberry' back at the baby before continuing his advance down the hall.
The Pirate Princess stands on the bridge, continuing to try and master the controls, her eyes narrowing, a frown on her face... she can't know yet whom is invading... but she is here alone on the bridge, working as feverously as possible to try and get the Gesellschaft active and out of there before things get too bad. She doesn't want to fight, not really, not anymore. She had enough during the whole event, and has been trying to put reason to everything...
...The Hardhats, nerping all the while, are flung this way and that by Guts Man's tremendous strength... ...the Servbot just blinking as it watches. "...Oh poopies..." Then it looks about, it's bit eyes narrowing as it tries to think. Then... Lightbulb! The Servbot calls out! "Hey you! Big butt! Come and get /me!/" The Servbot turns, waggling it's rear at Guts! "Big Butt! Big Butt! Big Butt!" Then... ZOOM!
The Servbot facing Frost man just blinks, as Frost makes a perfect strike of Joe-pins to his bowling ball... ...then ummms at Frost. "...Hewwo... ...and uhh... Sure?" The Servbot then beams! "Heehee! You look like a big Igloo!" The Servbot beams brightly! ^-^ "Wanna come play with us?"
The Servbots with Bon blink, then watch one Gemini poofle... the other remaining, they looking back and forth. "...Ooooooo..." then the Raspberry! "Hey! Thats rude, yannow!"
Guts Man isn't the fastest of android and the little hardhats are much quicker than him, he doesn't want to chase them all the way across the ship, so instead he starts to hit the floor underneath him, sending tremors throughout the ship.
Frost Man seeeeriously considers this a moment. Then, he shakes his head, "Nope. Can't. Enker'd get mad. Come visit us sometime, and we can play then!" He would smile..instead...he reaches down, patting the Servbot on the head with a big mechanical mitten, before carefully stepping over him, and continuing his blind run..."Guuuuuts Maaaaan! Geeeeemiiiiniiiii Maaaaan!"
Bon Bonne sweatdrops as his roadblock ends up highly ineffective.. "Babuu..." And rather than go after one of the two, Bon just stands there scratching his head. "Babuu.."
Gemini Man would have honestly rather that Bon try and follow the other Gemini Man, as it would give him the chance to rush to fllow. So, he points after himself, shouting, "He's GETTING AWAY!"
The Servbot that was trying to get Guts to chase it EEEEEPS! and falls! It skids across newly mopped decking... that another Servbot is standing near... ...then whistles softly and hides the bucket and mop it was using and /scampers/!
The other with Frost nods to him, beaming brightly! "Okay!" It giggles at the patpat, then calls out as he stops away! "Careful! Don't wreck anything!!!!"
Tron, on the bridge, sighs and mutters, turning away before calling up the weapons controls to her wristlink... turning and heading for the exit of the bridge. "Looks like we're going to have to sit this one out... ...time to get to the Gustav!"
Bon Bonne just blinks again and stares blankly at Gemini..before simply falling over, snoring. ( Gotta go. Bye. :O )
Green Devil has arrived.
Within the bridge, a panel abruptly slams open to admit a rush of dark liquid that rather quickly fills the bridge to knee-height. And yet it continues to pour from the opening, more and more of it finding its way in. Other panels slam open in the ceiling's hull, the flood only gaining more and more power. What pours from it can only be described with two terms; green and plenty-of-it. It finally tapers off it would seem, filling the entire bridge to waist height. It's thick, it's not quite completely liquid.. it stirs, momentarily like a whirlpool, before it comes together swiftly.
Together into something new, something different. Something /horrible/. Fully erect, the Green Devil turns its cycloptic eye down onto Tron Bonne, onto the Pirate Princess, never so much as blinking. In silence, it raises a limb the size of a tree trunk, pointing a finger down at Tron. A finger the size of a hog.
Guts Man claps his hands as the Servbot goes crashing down, he's done his job of breaching the hull, he heads back to the ship.
Gemini Man blinks in surprise as Bon Bonne simply shuts down, then, shrugs. Stepping around the downed baby bohemoth, he heads off to follow the other Gemini Man as he heads for the deck...and Tron.
Frost Man continues his blind charge...."Gemini Man?? Where are, ACK!" He trips and goes flying....and for plot device, a large dent, ironically the shape of Frost Man's upper body, suddenly appears in the hallway Gemini Man, a short distance ahead of Gemini. The dent moans....."....ow...."
The Servbot lays there, swirlyeyed. And Guts runs off!
As for on the Bridge, though without, Bon collapsed due to lack of Power... the Pirate Princess pauses at a strange sound, looking back... then /EEKS/ as the vents pour open! Tron is nearly stewpt off her feet if she hadn't clung to a nearby railing... her eyes going /wide/! Her first reaction? "...Ewwwwww!!!" Her second. . o O ( ...what the heck /IS/ this stuff?!?!)
And Tron can only stare even as... ...the Green Devil forms in all its intimidating glory... right in the middle of the wide bridge. Tron's mouth drops open... and she stares in wonder, fear, curiousity... and terror... at the massive creature! "...What in the world?!"
The Devil stands there in silence -- As impassive as the mountains that the Gesellschaft itself hides between. The finger is joined by four others as the one-eyed monster stares down its own arm towards the Pirate Princess. The silence is broken as a voice is projected -- a familiar voice the voice of the Elite Commander.
"Tron Bonne of the Bonne Pirates. Long time no see."
Not the fierce words one may have expected. Enker is not as harsh as one may expect and yet.. there's too much control displayed. The Devil itself quivers faintly as if it were in a cold rage -- but that is impossible for this beast is simply an extension of its Master's will.
One of the Gemini twins clocks Frost Man in the head as he rushes past him. "Come on, let's go." The other Gemini just keeps on going, bursting onto the bridge, and looking up at the devil, before he looks over to see Tron's exact reaction.
Frost Man ows again, through the metal. Slowly, he stirs back to life, tearing the hall way a new one, as he pulls himself through a whole new door. Igloo Boy cries out, "I'm coming! Don't leave me this time!" He drags himself to his feet and lumbers after....
Tron just stares for the longest time at the gigantic Green Devil, her eyes on the 'Control Orb' in the center of the mass. Fear, Terror, and an almost resignation paint her face... . o O ( So they've made this to come kill me... ...I should be honored, or something... ) Tron, steeling herself internaly... can only pause in sudden shock as the voice comes from the massive creature... ...and even as Gemini dashes, and Frost lumbers onto the large Bridge...
...Tron slowly falls... collapsing to both of her knees and slowly wrapping her arms around herself and lowering her head, leaning back on her heels and just closing her eyes... half sobbing with both relief and the emotions welling up in her. "Enker... Gemini... I..." Tron just raises her hands and puts her face in her palms... "I thought... I thought... ...I don't know what I thought..." Tron slowly bites back the pain in her, pressing the heel of her palms to her closed eyes, and bring them down her cheeks to forcefully wipe away her tears. "...what do you want?" ...this last bit is said in... a very resigned sortof way.
Relief? Perhaps the Bonne Child wishes to be with her parents so dearly.. and yet perhaps that is not the true reason they're here even despite the grand and destructive entrance. The Green Devil remains silent once more with its singular eye staring down at Tron Bonne. "You thought?" Enker's voice finally responds. "That must be a first. Gemini Man -- do inform this pile of fleshy trash as to why we have chosen to visit."
The Gemini twins watch this emotional display with mild interest. Finally, one of them steps up to the sobbing Tron, and kneels down in front of her, before pushing her chin up with his hand to get her to look into his eyes. And what she will see there speaks for itself: it is not friendship, not forgiveness, but a cold, focused anger.
From behind the pirate, the second twin steps up, and grabs Tron on the shoulders, holding Tron down in this already-compromised position, and shaking her slightly to prove his grip is strong.
The first twin almost whispers to her. "Yes, Tron. Go ahead. Tell us...why you're crying."
Oh, now that sparks something in the Pirate Princess. Something of her old arrogance... and she reaches down with her right hand and softly keys something on her left wristunit... the alarms stopping in a sudden absence... the Gesellschaft calming even as repair and salvage units are ordered by the same command. Tron then snaps her head up, glaring with her brilliant emerald eyes, as beautiful a green as the stuff that composes the Green Devil. "Sure, Enker!" Tron snaps her gaze to Gemini. "...So I'm 'Fleshy Trash' now? ...I thought I was a useful ally, once... ...even though I've been /dealing/ with my /own/ problems for the last weeks..." This addressed to just about all of them... though she is afraid of the giant menace that is the Green Devil, her old defiance and strength awakening in her.
Tron looks to Frost then, a figure she has never met. "...Frost Man, I take it? ...and... ...thanks for the concern." Tron then looks to Gemini, her head lifted, the pain still evident in her eyes, and she gazes intently into Gemini's eyes... feeling the other Gemini slip behind her and only gives a light wince at the pain caused by the hold. She then takes a slow breath... then speaks. "I thought you were the Mavericks... come to kill me at last. Not that you won't do that anyway, I guess... ...I'm... ...however... ...relieved to see you all, and that it wasn't the Mavericks... but you. ...As for the others..." Tron sighs. "I've been dealing with enough after that stupid Pendant fiasco... ...worry... all I did... all the stupid things that Pendant made me do... ...betraying the friends I'd known." Tron sighs gently again, not taking her eyes off Gemini's. "I've been... ...very tired... ...as I'm sure you and Enker were... ...you remember it... ...how it felt. It was worse for we humans who had it, I guess. We can't just reattach new sensors or erase memories. We have to deal with it... ...and for a 15 year old girl... ...I've been through enough to make anyone cry, okay?! I'm human, not a robot like you all!" The last is snapped out a bit more harshly, though there is a light wetess to her eyes.
Green Devil somehow nods to Gemini Man. A hidden message? Let's find out.
Frost Man looks to Tron. Then to the Green Devil...He doesn't know, but he thought she was an ally. "Um...We're not going to be mean....are we?" He reaches up and scratches his head. Being mean to allies doesn't make sense..
The Gemini Man still holding Tron down returns the devil's nod, while the other still meets Tron's gaze. He pushes upward now, underneath her chin, and synced up with the other twin he allows Tron to rise to her feet while still keeping his grip from behind her tight. Breaking gaze, the first twin steps away. "No. You're right. You HAVE been through a lot. And I know EXACTLY how you felt." He tosses a gaze to Enker. "Both of us do; we know exactly how much we were effected." Then, he turns on Tron. "And that's PRECISELY why we KNOW we were betrayed."
"I'd like to tell you we've only come, to take you home," says the twin behind Tron, shaking her again despite his words.
"But to be honest, WE want something more. How was it you put it?"
"VENGEANCE." the twins chorus.
The first twin reattempts to catch Tron's gaze. In the air beside, him a flickering after-image appears, of a young woman, translucent and floating, like badly captured footage, several inches above the ground. As she speaks in Tron's voice, and Gemini Man's voice choruses with her, the image flashes a few times, and flickers, glowing with a green aura... "Vengeance," the mismatched voices entone... "...for the people you have hurt... ...for the Devastation you have done..."
Tron Bonne keeps her eyes intently on the Gemini Man in front of her, while the other holds her down. Her eyes glare intently, the emerald gazing into the large brown eyes of Gemini Man. She listens to every word, though the sentiment of Frost is largely appreciated by the Child Genius. She sends glance his way, and the way of the Green Devil, but always keeps the majority of her attention on Gemini. She is trembling inside, but she has steel enough in her... to remain in the middle of it all, and she makes a little nod of her head, and then winces softly at the chorused word.
She then looks to the side, at the badly captured image of Tron, that speaks in her own voice... her face falls... and eyes close.
"I deserve it, I know. Trust me... you were bretrayed, but not for any choice of mine. I was still me. Later on, anyway... with what happened. Evil thoughts couldn't even appear in my head. If I even was near you, I couldn't have stopped myself from even ignoring anything villanous you would have done. And there was the voice... at the beginning of it..." Tron sighs, and opens her eyes, looking at Gemini intently. "Take it then. It's lot like i've not been beating myself enough for what I did... ...and maybe after you do... ...if Enker and Wily want... and the Contract still holds, which I fortunatly believe I've kept... ...you can still have the friendship and alliegence of the Bonnes... if you want it. If not... ...please take your vengence... and go..."
Tron sighs, having been pulling for words, and trying to think despite this hard and terrible situation. "Tell me what you want, Gemini, Enker. Please. I just wish I never responded to that stupid call for assistance you guys sent me at the first Island... then this wouldn't have happened..."
Green Devil simply lets Gemini have the command here -- or so it would seem at least. It's important to let the squad COs have charge from time to time.
Gemini Man allows the 'Tron' after-image to fade as he steps through it. It disperses around him in whips of green cloud as he walks back toward the real Tron. He puts a single finger on her face, tracing a line underneath her eye and catching the last remnants of a tear. He draws the finger across his tongue, tasting it, and looking a little pensive about the taste. "Fortunately for you," he says, very quietly, "our orders from on high say you aren't to be harmed." He looks her in the eyes. "Physically."
"We've only come...to take you home. With us," the other twin then says.
Frost Man wanders foreward slowly, looking down at Tron and Gemini. "Don't hurt her. She's our friend, and you shouldn't hurt friends...." He pauses a moment, and says, "I...think she's our friend....isn't she..."
Green Devil waves an arm out to keep Frost Man back.
The Pirate Princess pauses, and blinks softly, looking at Gemini Man intently... the one in front of her, anyway... ...her eyes gently close for a moment, a look of relief washing over it. A nod is given. She then speaks, the gentle, if odd touch of Gemini's finger only giving her some pause... ...she opens her eyes, looking from Gemini, to Gemini, to Frost Man, to the Green Devil, To Gemini, and back. "... I'm willing." Tron sighs. "I... ...guess I should have come home sooner... ...for all of you. I owed yo uthat..." Tron looks to Frost then, a gentle smile spreading on her lips, and then she speaks calmly and slowly, in the manner of a fond and gentle teacher or friend. "Yes, Frost Man... I am..." Tron then looks to Gemini. "And I owe you something... for all of it..."
Tron, despite being held, reaches up and softly takes Gemini's hand under her chin and pulls at it enough to allow her to lean forward, and place a soft kiss on Gemini's cheek, and whispers gently, "I'm sorry..."
Tron then leans back, looking to the Green Devil. "I'm sorry to you as well, for everything. I've not really been myself of late. But... if you, Wily, and the others will have me... the Bonnes and I are still yours. We agreed to this alliance, and we're not through with it yet." Tron beams! "Besides! I have to help Wily take over the world, don't I? ...and your going to have to tell me just what... ...that... ...is." The look Tron gives the Green Devil is enough to explain that...
Gemini Man reaches his hand up to his cheek, as if he'd just been SLAPPED. The look he gives Tron is one of utter shock at first... and as his hand slides down his cheek, it gradually evolves to one of curiosity, then, an unexpected and resigned anger. He whips out his hand and wraps it around her throat, shaking her, and as he pulls her toward him the clone standing behind her disappears. "You little HARLOT! Do you HONESTLY think that will get you off this easily?!" He tightens his grip. "Is THAT what you think?"
[Radio] You send Enker a direct message: "Let ME take her home with me and teach her her PLACE."
Green Devil moves to pick up both Gemini Man and Tron Bonne together. One for each massive hand -- not a gentle grip by any means. Enker's voice is broadcasted once more. "An interesting proposal. Truth is said. It will not be so easy.. no where near this easy.. very well. Gemini Man shall re-educate you. Snake Man will teach you how to slither on your stomach to show proper respect. That is.. if you still wish to be considered an ally to us."
The fire awakens in Tron even as Gemini gets angry himself. Trons eyes move to his, and she feels the hand go around her throat... in the way Sigma's did only a few weeks ago. Her eyes narrowing, as she winces and gasps in the sudden attack on her person, by someone she cared for and trusted... her eyes then snap open, and flash on Gemini Man.
She may not have her powers, but she will /NOT/ be treated so!
Her hands don't rise to her throat to stop Gemini... but her right hand, gloved as it is, comes up and goes to Gemini's chest. Though she doesn't know what to do besides this, it's all she feels able to do right now... disable the threat. But, thankfully -- there is an intercession...
The Green Devil pulls them apart before Tron can attack Gemini, and Gemini's hand is ripped away from Tron's throat, causing her to wince... then her eyes /flash/, and she looks at the Green Devil... and frowns. "As you say, Enker... ...And if you think I'll slither..." Tron winces, the grip not the most comfortable of them... "...you'll have to think again. I'm no /lapdog/ for you RMs, Enker... Gemini. I /know/ I did a terrible thing, and I'll more then make up for it under the origional terms of our agreement! ...Despite everything, I actualy /BELIEVE/ in your cause. I think Wily is the most brilliant man alive, and I'd put my life on the line for him as surely as any of you! ...now that you've smacked some sense into me... ...shall we stop these threats to one another, despite how much we obviously still have the lingering emotions from those stupid pendants that robbed us all of so much, and go win this war of yours? ...I may be 15, and Bon a Baby, and Teisel wounded, got the firepower, the brains, and the muscle to get things done for the Robot Masters! I'm going to learn and apprentice myself as always to Wily, if he'll take me back... and I'll be able to go back to repairing all of you when your injured." A glare is sent Gemini's way. "And maybe people can actualy /realize/ that even /they/ were manipulated and betrayed others just as badly as /THEY/ were betrayed!" Tron looks to the 'Control Metal' of the Green Devil. "Enker... Thank you for everything. I'd return to the citadel right now, but the Gesellschaft is still very damaged from the events of the final incident... ...I need to get a replacement Refractor. I know whom to get one from. The Gesellschaft isn't going /anywhere/... and all the resources of the Bonnes are at your disposal."
Gemini Man makes a gagged noise as he's aburptly lifted off the ground. He takes in Enker's instructions, listens to Tron's speech. "She's clever, Enker," he finally says. "She's VERY, very clever." oO(She'll be an honest challenge to break...)Oo
The Devil's hand begins to morph itself around Tron Bonne's body -- it's starting to engulf her! That can't be a good thing. The singular eye does not look at either victim and yet Enker's voice is projected never the less. The rising jello stops just short of slipping itself into Tron's mouth. That is.. if Tron tilts her head back fully to stare at the ceiling. The girl is moved so that such a tilt would cause the eyesight to be on that singular lifeless eye. "If it were not for the fact that I am here solely based on the orders of the Doctor himself.. Tron Bonne.. I would continue this process and end your life. Let me make something clear to you. Crystal clear.. if you would. There are those within the Robot Masters who would see you dead. Do you recall Knight Man's reaction upon the deactivation of the pendants? He vowed to destroy you. I believe him quite capable of it.. and he is not the only one who felt so betrayed by what occured.. whether it was by your hand or by that of a celestial being. The Doctor did not precisely build some of the lesser brethren with the largest intellects.. as you may well be aware.. so perhaps you should consider my words more carefully."
"I'm the best friend you could possibly hope to have right now. I can keep them from your throat. But you must understand -- they must see actions take place to shame you. To humiliate you. To cause some sort of injury.. some sort of incapacitation. Gemini Man is known for his tactics. His.. special abilities. A punishment such as that I mentioned regarding Snake Man would likewise be gratifying to those who would see you dead."
"So. The question for you. Do you want to die.. or do you want to live?"
Tron's eyes go wide, her emerald pools matching the color of the Devil's own body... her eyes going wide even as she arches her head and back, trying to keep aboce the rising ooze... and barely does so. Her eyes close tightly, her face contorted with pain and masked anger and forced calmness... her eyes then snapping open to gaze into the singular, lifeless eye. She then, slowly nods, a sigh coming from her.
"I know... ...thank you, Enker... I know you are." The price once must pay for being a cheeky little girl. "...I understand. I do. Those who do wish me pain... must see that." Tron sighs softly, and regards the 'Control Metal'. "I want to live, Enker. I want to live very much... ...and build my robots... and learn from Dr. Wily... ...and just do what I can. ...Out of all of this, you've been the mose understanding and reasonable... ...and I thank you. I'll do what is required of me, Enker..."
. o O ( But I /won't/ slither! >.< )
And, even now though her inside is as jelly as the stuff that is holding her right now... ...Tron speaks softly with some scientific curiousity. "I'll have to ask Wily just what... this is. ...What... ...now, Enker? What do you require of me."
The Devil 'loosens' its grip on Gemini Man.. allowing the master of terror down. A moment later it does the same for Tron Bonne. Yet while Gemini is let loose without so much as a piece of jello stuck to the Gemini.. Tron Bonne is 'spat' down on let to the ground along with a big pool of jello. Mmm- sticky! Gemini might have problems being hard.. but Enker is always hard and ready to go.
"A thirst for life is important. It will keep you alert.. and yet you are already so clearly alert. Clearly so clever.. as Gemini Man puts it. Your thirst for life will make you do what we wish for a time.. most certainly.. and that is all for the good. You will not like it.. yet you will bend to the wishes of those who order you. Otherwise you will end up with a european necktie the likes of which so rarely seen. I believe Jimmy Hoffer was the last.. no matter."
"You will remove the Gesellschaft out of this location within twenty-four hours. I would suggest you see your little friend who can get you the part immediately. If you insist on affiliating yourself with Mavericks to a further extent.. then you must do so outside of Africa. San Angeles is an ideal location for you to rendezvous with those who I have no taste for. You will find the Citadel gone. Your.. training.. will have to take place on other grounds. Do not worry. It will be found. It is time we depart Gemini."
Gemini Man frowns a little. He was hoping on taking her with him NOW. But, he shrugs. Enough was enough, for one night. He throws the very messy Tron a glare, then begins to walk off.
The Pirate Princess... blecks!!! ...and slowly pushes herself to her feet... flicking off goo from her body even as she sends a glare the way of the Green Devil. Mental Note: Harm that /thing/. Tron frowns, and will /definitely/ need a shower... and the Servbots have another Cleaning job to do. Tron then gazes intently on the Green Devil, before looking to Gemini, and back to Enker... then sighs, resignedly... "...Understood. ...and I am not affiliating myself with any Mavericks... ...not any more. Sonic and I are even... and Sewa was because of her stupid pendant... the others... I'll destroy." Tron sighs and continues to wipe the green goo from her.
"See you soom, Enker, Gemini... ...I hope it will... ...and I see you've been busy while I've been away." Tron goves a soft smirk, and smiles to the Devil. "Take care, Enker... ...I have some repairwork to organize..." Tron looks at herself, and sends a glare at both. "And a Shower to take... ...I presume you both know your ways back to your ship?" Tron nods, sighing and turning away... stomping... ...with light squish sounds... ...away.
Must get a Servbot with a mop...
Guts Man has left.
"...Oh poopie."
Then the alarms blare all across the Gesellschaft, as Servbots leap to their stations, and Guard Joes and Metools(Built for The Bonnes ages ago when they requested them from the RMS), leap into action!
The Servbot then blinks up at Gemini and Frost... ...and just... rolls it's eyes back... and faints dead away.
...silly thing.
Tron, elsewhere on the Bridge, is running her hands over the controls, trying to coats the engines to life even as the Gesellschaft, after a long period of inactivity, begins to come alive. Tron frowns in worry, her eyes narrowing. "Blast it! Come on... Work!"
And meanwhile, Bon is joined by a few more Servbots as he races for Gemini and the others.
"Don't bother; he can't even talk." Gemini Man steps out from behind Gemini Man, and starts to wade through the Servbot-choked hallways, just trying to get past Bon.
