The Trap
Antarctic Wastes
This barren land is a sea of endless white, broken only by the occasional jag of ice and rock or gently shifting drift of snow, constantly rounding into the ground before your eyes. Yet it is not as empty as one may expect, for as one would venture on, at first just at the edge of the horizon, a dark form seems to stand out. If one continued further, the shape would continue to rise slowly from the ground, seemingly grafted into the land, a dark scar on the otherwise pristine splendor of the area itself. It is forboding, isolated, and well defended.. and it would seem whomever built it does not desire any visitors. Behold, Skull Fortress!
Skull Fortress [RM]
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Hi, munchkin. How are you today?"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "It's okay if you don't answer."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Oh, um, I'm fine. Sorry. ... How bout you?"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "(sounds happy to hear a response) Oh! Ah... I am... okay."
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Are you going to be at the shindig tomorrow?"
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*another pause before* "You sure? I.. hope that's true. *another pause* Um, sorry, I haven't heard about a, um, shindig? What is it?"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "At the combat arena. We were wondering if we would see you there. Umm... I was-- ...anyway."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "The combat arena? ... Well ... Sure, I'll come!"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Okay. That will be nice.... it's tomorrow night."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Okay! Tommorow night it is! Are you, um, participating?"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Oh, no! I can't fight in this condition! ... ummm..."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Condition?"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Ummm... I... Bass broke me..."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...Oh Gemini...I'm sorry... ... I ... um ... Do you want to go somewhere where I can fix you up? I don't know how badly you're hurt but... If it's him, then..."
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "OH! OH!!! SEWA can fix me!!"
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...um ... ... Yeah, Sewa thinks so. *boggled!*"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Ummm... I want to be fixed. But... it's dangerous. Maybe we can talk about it tomorrow night, okay?"
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Alright, if that's your wish. I don't want to get you in trouble or anything."
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Are you my friend?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Well, it seems like something has stirred up a bit of a buzz."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Yeah!...Um...Unless you don't want to be or anything..."
Magnet Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Heeey... I got an idea."
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Ummm...yeah?"
Magnet Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "You know that, um, Jack dude? The stupid guy who's been hittin' us a lot? I'm thinkin'... like, I tell 'im I've got this message for 'im from... some girl, okay? An' I say she wants to talk to him in, like, some old building somewhere. Except--check this--/we're/ in the building!"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Thank you. I'll see you...tomorrow night."
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Not precisely. Actually, we leak to him that there is a secret project being built. In a warehouse, south of Cairo. That's why I asked Omega squadron for their support. ... And it will take firepower. Lots of firepower."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...You're welcome, Gemini ... I'll see you then...Um...Gemini?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Alright boys, I've got a heads up. I've got Hunter Chatter and a mention of one of their ride amors. Anything suspicious noted?"
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Enker already approved the proposition. I guess you and I were on the same wavelength."
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Yes?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "We do not know."
Magnet Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Ohhh. You had a plan too!"
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Yes. I guess I should have told you about it, since you were thinking the same thing. We make a pretty good team now and then. ... Right?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "It probably has somethin' to do with me being at Light Labs."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "WHAT?"
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...You have friends. And you'll have many more in the future! I'm sure of it!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "Dust Man, you are an idiot."
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "Yeah, I was hoping to get a chance to talk to Rock, but..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Care to fill us in on what you are doing, Dusty?"
Magnet Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Right! (You can almost see the grin.)"
[Radio] You send Sewa a direct message: "Thank you, Sewa."
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "I hoped to get his account of what happened to our dear brother yamato last night."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man transmits, "Weell.. didn't Rock just, like... shoot Yamato? A day ago? I mean... y'know. And Light Labs!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man transmits, "Wow. Did they shoot at you?"
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "We're friends."
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "Not yet."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Apparently they are talking about breaking out the Behemoth to do that."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bright Man transmits, "*sigh happily* Dust Man... are you being bad? Do I need to send Skull Man to come kill you? Report in. What are you up to?l"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "Bah. It's just Dust Man."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man transmits, "Ooh. Um. Behemoth. That's bad!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Did you go all the way out there by yourself?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man transmits, "I got hit with that once."
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "I even have my Duct disabled."
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "Yup."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man transmits, "An' I saw it paddle Ice once too. And Heat! And.. and Crys, and it e-ringed him."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "It's stupid to do things by yourself."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I doubt the Hunters are in a mood to listen to reason..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "Are they ever?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "I noticed. I'm being escorted off the premises."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Magnet Man transmits, "Watch out! They might get all sneaky-like and stab you in the back!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "Na, I don't think so... Unless Dawn shows up..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "You should have someone with you to watch your back when you go out on a mission like that."
Sewa sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "You're welcome! I hope things get better soon."
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "I think penguins are braver than humans. Humans usually run away from me, but if I sit still long enough, a penguin will walk up to me. Maybe I'll keep one: a real one."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "It got quiet."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Want me to sing?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Please don't."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man says, "Yes."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "...Yes. I want you to sing as loud as possible."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Sing, Gutsy, sing!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Right. Then it's time for... Disco Guts Man!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Epsilon CO: Star Man transmits, "Score!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Oh yeah! Disco Guts Man is gonna sex up this channel all night long!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "For once I think I'm glad for the static I get down in the mines. Which is where I'm headed, if anyone needs to find me."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Hey, anything going on, or about to go on?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "I'm about to go out. To somewhere."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "~Ah.................. Oh... Heaven in a touch. Oh you're so sweet in a sudden touch. Makes me gotta feel I wanna stay. In your arms I wanna stay.~"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Oh, hey, Star Dude: did you want to come check out the mining operation? I'm about to sort through today's haul."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "And kill Dust Man. No, I'm kidding."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Epsilon CO: Star Man transmits, "Good idea, Gravity Dude! Gimme a sec!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "But I'm going to where Dust Man was, so if you wanna follow, go in disguise. Not that you'll recognize me."
Gemini Man enters the base.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "All right. It's time to do something. Can I have volunteers? Lots of them?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Doing what?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Sure what the hell. I've got nothing better to do."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Oh... and sorry about flipping out on you for a few days, there."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dynamo Man transmits, "Sounds interesting. I'm up for it."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Cappella transmits, " Alright boys, this is the only time I will ask it. Anyone who wants me to bring back some sushi please state so now. If not, oh well. Too bad for you."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "All right. Let's go to Cairo and we'll.... I will show you the place we have set up."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dr. Wily transmits, "Mmmmyes. Make mine Unagi, Cappelle. There's a good girl..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "Fugu me!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Epsilon CO: Star Man transmits, "Gemini Dudes, get the fuzz out there with you!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man grumbles.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Epsilon CO: Star Man transmits, "Make sure they know we own the town."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "And bring me some saki."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Ooo, I'll take some... ah... calimari sushi."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "We're going outside of the city. South aways, along the river."
Egypt
A blazing wind dances around this area as sand is blown in all directions... Once upon a time less than 14,000 square miles of the Egyptian land area was cultivated or settled on, but much has changed since then; Egypt, while not nearly as busy as some other areas, is still a bustling trade route and well established community. The ancient Egyptian structures such as the great pyramids and the Sphinx are still standing tall, unmarred by millennia of age. A few of the old culture's other constructions still stand tall as well, reminding many of the achievements of the ancient people that once lived here and standing out from most of the technological advanced buildings in the area. Aside from the few cities such as Cairo, vast deserts make up most of what is Egypt today, much like it was centuries ago. The large Nile River and all that surrounds the massive body of water is within view.
Egyptian Ruins
Sphere Outpost [Omega] [RM]
Ancient Pyramid
Cairo
Obvious exits:
Northeast leads to Israel.
West leads to Eastern Sahara.
South leads to Lake Wily / Aswan Dam (Aswan Lake Region).
North leads to Nile Delta.
Up leads to Sky Above Nile Region.
Dynamo Man has arrived.
Elec Man has arrived.
Guts Man has arrived.
Jack has arrived.
You drop Warehouse Scene.
Warehouse Scene
Inside the warehouse, it is dark and mainly empty. There are crates stacked here and about. Two giant crates in the middle of the room are marked 'DANGER.' They look big enough to hold a tank...or something else?
The security does indeed seem tight at the specified location....the location of, if rumor can be believed, another one of Wily's top-secret projects....a warehouse sitting on the edge of the Nile. Regular patrols of Joes scout the front, and back entrances...the only visible ways in or out of the building. A team of four Sniper Joes is set on the rooftop, ready to blast away at any foe that comes too near. But other than the clanking of their diligent patrols, and the hum of the electric fence that surrounds the compound...the place is quiet. The security does indeed seem tight at the specified location....the location of, if rumor can be believed, another one of Wily's top-secret projects....a warehouse sitting on the edge of the Nile. Regular patrols of Joes scout the front, and back entrances...the only visible ways in or out of the building. A team of four Sniper Joes is set on the rooftop, ready to blast away at any foe that comes too near. But other than the clanking of their diligent patrols, and the hum of the electric fence that surrounds the compound...the place is quiet.
There's an old saying of the ninja ... in darkness, there is death. It was true then .. and it's true now.
Practically invisible in the darkness of the late twilight, Jack sits on a small rise a few hundred meters away from the warehouse, finishing off a cigarette as he watches the windows and perimeter carefully, noting the security. "[Looks easy enough ...]" he murmurs in Japanese to himself, taking a last drag as he identifies the back exit he'll use as his entry point. No suspicions in his mind (aside from the ordinary, everyday suspicions, of course.) Jack drops his cigarette to the ground and gets to his feet, folding his hands together and cracking his knuckles. "[In and out ... hopefully be easier then last time,]" he notes to himself with a slight chuckle. Pulling his trenchcoat tighter about him as a gust of wind kicks it up, he stalks off down the hill, vanishing into the shadows as he heads obliquely towards the warehouse.
Jack
This is a tall humanoid, about 6'2", his build long and thin but still very muscular. Pale skin, a stubbly chin, his features strong but not particularly so. His hair is raven black, pulled back in a huge floofy ponytail that descends nearly to the floor, ending in one to three wide spikes, depending on the wind, and with two or three strands hanging over his face. His eyes are totally hidden by a pair of wraparound shades.
He's clad in a long, flowing, gloomy trenchcoat, darker and heavier than the ones he normally wears. A tight black shirt underneath, and black pants, both fairly unremarkable. Long, black, heavy strapped gloves. Black heavy strapped boots. No visible weaponry or insignia. This is, folks, is a badass.
You know...it's hot the desert...in a black trenchcoat. Even if it is approaching evening. Most people in the desert wear light colors. Even coverts. Thankfully, the beating heat is subsiding by this time of day... and it melts away the moment Jack becomes invisible, thus foiling the powers of light-to-heat-absorption. The Joes march their regular patterns...back and forth, back and forth, those on the roof, scanning. Just another ordinary day for them.
(Inside...)
Elec Man shifts inside the crate. "Dynamo, you're on my head."
Gemini Man is hunched down in one of the two large crates. ...Horribly handicapped, as he was last night, but, he's still in charge of this mission, dammit. He squints in the darkness. ... And briefly wishes he had a light.... (damn)
Dynamo Man grumbles. "Move over Guts, or I'll program the repair chamber to hurt you. And I'm not getting off it, Elec!"
Freeze Man snarls. "Whoever's got their foot in my face, move it or lose it."
Guts Man says, "I move for no midgets."
Freeze Man says, "Bah, it's not your foot, Guts. It's too small."
Gemini Man says, aloud, snarling, "I don't want to know whose foot is too small to be what else whoever's... Oh, never MIND. Shut up."
(Outside...)
Temperature, of course, is one thing Jack has never had to worry about ... legacy of an ice-generating arctic reploid, perhaps. He silently moves up against the wall of the warehouse, pressing his back against it, and slides across the wall to stand directly next to the small entrance he's chosen. The next patrol should be heading through riiight ... abouut ...
The door swings open, and six Joes make their way through, assault rifles at the ready. Several of them glance to either side as they pass through the door, looking for anyone around ... but nobody is here, of course. It's not like things actually /happen/ here. One of the Joes fishes in his belt, calling to his comrades. "Hey, I'm just gonna grab a smoke break. I'll meet up with you when you head around again." The others grin and agree, heading off on their route, while the lone Joe leans against the inside of the doorway, lighting his battered cigarette. Silence. A gust of desert wind. Then a sickening *cracking* sound as a pair of black-clad arms reach down from above the doorway and snap the Joe's neck, severing its main core transfer line. The Joe drops to the ground silently, and Jack drops to the ground from his perch above the doorway. (Just like I said, easy,) Jack thinks to himself, grinning as he slips inside the warehouse.
Elec Man edges to the back, freeing Dynamo's foot from his head. "Bah."
Gemini Man whispers, "QUIET! I just got a signal-down from one of the outside Joes. He's coming in...."
The giant crates are also surrounded with museum-quality shiny velvet rope. Odd. Might be a contact-sensitive alarm trigger.
Jack is fortunately slipping inside through one of the service personnel entrances, so he's free of security cameras to deal with ... stalking along next to the wall, carefully watching the interior of the warehouse as well as around him, Jack rubs his chin thoughtfully as he pulls a black scarf over the lower half of his face. Getting recognized too often to let his face run free, but that full-face mask is so confining. (No real security .... a little weird, but of course, I'm coming to expect that from the Masters.) He glances up at the second level of the warehouse, looking for anything that might be a security office of sorts.
Indeed there is...in fact, a few offices, situated on a grid-like flooring along the walls of the main room. One of the rooms has a light on: most likely, someone is watching the cameras from inside.
Fingering a Special Operations Command semiautomatic laser-sighted 9mm pistol, Magnus Snake is poised, in a wound-up crouch, beneath a cardboard box in the corner of the warehouse. He peers out of the open hole of the handhold, moving his head left and right slightly to try to take in a wider area of vision. He'll wait for the radio call, of course, but it never hurts to keep a look out.
Somewhere in the lower levels of the warehouse, a lone security guard yawns. He peers at the monitors linked to the various cameras within the building. "Nothing." God, this job is boring. But hey, he's gettin' paid good money, so might as well stick with it. "Hrm...I wonder what's on cable."
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Recieved a signal from one of the Joe guards outside. He's DOWN, which means that SOMEONE is on his way. Be on the lookout."
Jack moves to what looks like the only occupied office, standing just to the side of the window, and tilts his head very slightly to peer inside. One of those sword-wielding drones ... pinpoint his location, move to the door behind him, and sloooowly, quietly, slide it open. Jack silently creeps across the floor to kneel directly behind the security chair, slowly draws out one of his guns, and rests the tip of the muzzle against the Joe's neck, just under his chin. "Don't move and stay quiet," Jack says quietly, his voice muffled slightly by the mask over his face, "And I may just let you live."
The Guard Joe (as that's what it is) just stares at the monitors, unaware of the creeping hunter until it's too late. "What do you want?!" He complies however. Hey, he may just be a drone, but he's no good to anyone dead, right?
Gemini Man pushes slightly at Dynamo Man's back, from his position hiding in the back of one of the large crates.... "What's taking so long?" he mutters, under his breath. He pops off another radio message.
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Did you see anything? Doors opening?"
Jack sighs, jamming the gun into the Joe's neck a little farther. "I said stay quiet," he growls, pulling the security guard to his feet with his back still turned to Jack, keeping the handgun carefully trained on him. "I'm after a little something here. You don't need to worry about it, your part in it ends here. Nothing to worry about." Jack pauses, rubs his chin as he thinks, then shrugs at the guard. "I don't have any rope, so I'm gonna have to knock you out ... sorry about that. It'll hurt, but it'll be real quick, and then it'll be all over for the night. All right?" Jack draws his second gun and, keeping the first trained on the guard, flips it around in his hand, ready to use the butt as a club. "I'm gonna count to three. Get ready."
Dynamo Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I'll tell you whats wrong! One of our Guard Joes has suddenly achieved sentience and isn't killing him like he should! Unless this is some part of the plan I don't know about."
Magnet Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Hmmm. No. I.. think I hear some people talking. I can't make out the words."
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Go investigate. I'm getting a weird signal from that Joe."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "All right...those of you with me, get ready. We think he's inside."
The cardboard box shifts suddenly, and a shadowy figure dressed all in black and grey soundlessly rolls out from beneath it and comes up into a crouch against the wall, SOCOM gripped in both hands. Magnus Snake glances left and right before sneaking down the adjacent hall and slowly, slowly toward where Jack and the Joe are 'talking'.
Now, while Magnus Snake is, in theory, the ultimate sneaker, his alter-ego /Magnet Man/ is poor at that particular art. And try as he might, the magnetic master can't /quite/ keep his footsteps silent. He seems to realize this with a grimace of irritation, but he hopes that the conversation will drown out his approaching footsteps.
The guard doesn't have a whole lot of self-preservation skill, so it occurs to him, at least, if he does go offline, the Robot Masters will find out about it. Perfect for this scenario, so, he does not struggle under his unseen assailant.
Jack narrows his eyes as he begins hearing sounds from down below. Maybe it's just an old, creaky warehouse ..? Jack turns his attention back to the situation at hand. He hefts the flipped-around handgun, fixing his eyes on a good KO spot on the back of the Joe's neck. "Ready? One-" *crack*, Jack slams the butt of the gun into the base of the Joe's skull, dropping him to the floor with a little more noise than intended. Jack scowls slightly, dragging the Joe's unconscious body to the back corner and stowing it underneath the console bank. He moves to the doorway of the office and inches it open again, listening carefully for any sound.
Oh, snap! Magnus Snake goes into evasion mode as the light emanating from the doorway begins to grow, and swings around to press himself against the wall inside the nearest alcove. He lifts the SOCOM in his right hand up to a ready position, and waits with shallow breath for the target to step further out.
Magnet Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "He's comin' out of an office!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "All right, Magnet's spotted something!! On my signal, we jump out. Wait for it..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "OH MY GOD! IT'S HIDEOUS!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Freeze Man transmits, "Put down the mirror."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Toad Man transmits, "Just take your mask of and scare it into submission Wonder Twin" [Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "*barely audible facepalm*"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "My...mask?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Toad Man transmits, "Yeah."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Toad Man transmits, "I know that underneath that hologram you're just like Gary Coleman"
There is a brief shuffle from inside one of the the giant crates, as Gemini pops off his hurried radio to the lot hidden inside.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "Toad! Wrong channel for that crap!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] RM #30 Dust Man transmits, "Yeah, taunt him on chat!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "Get along brothers, we don't want to have unneeded trouble."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "BASS BROKE IT, TOAD! He broke my holos and THEY DON'T WORK!! SO SHUT UP!!!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "Settle down, Gemini. Focus."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "We at Toad Man Incorporated have prepared the following statement. Especially for you Elec Man."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "**** you."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Something going on boys?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Extremely...tempted...to use rank..."
Jack fixes his eyes on the steel crates in the center of the room - must be his objective, there's nothing else here that looks important. Preparing himself, he steps to the doorway and flicks off the lightswitch beside him, shutting off the light emanating from the office. An instant later he dashes out, now just a black shape moving in the sudden darkness with his foosteps faintly audible. Probably a shot available for Magnet, if he's fast, but still not an easy one at all ...
Gemini Man is starting to get nervous in the darkness, not that you can see him...or at least SOMETHING is making him nuerotically start to chew on his own thumb. Maybe it was the radio.
Elec Man shifts Dynamo's foot OFF of his head.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Magnet Man transmits, "He turned the light out... ack, there he is? Should I shoot?!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Light's out? He's THERE, then. Fire on him.... everyone else, LET'S JUST MOVE ALREADY!"
Guts Man grumbles.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "Move as in bust out and kick aft move?"
Gemini Man pushes at Dynamo Man's back now, trying to shove the other Masters to the front of the crate. "Letsgogogo....."
Magnus Snake whips out from his alcove, gripping his pistol in both hands as he flicks the laser-sight on and tries to lead the shadowy Jack. A shot rings out--another, and another. Thirteen bullets ring out; Magnus Snake is a handy shot with a pistol, but it was a sudden movement and he didn't have too much time to aim. He rolls behind a crate as soon as the SOCOM clicks, and fumbles at his belt for a second clip.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "I'll move in to assist with Jack, boys. What is your location?"
WhiiiirrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "Warehouse 64-B; [accurate coordinates], Synth. Hold your position, however. Wait for my confirmation before engaging, as it is apparently a rather delicate situation."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "I hear you Enker, let me know when to come in."
Shots begin ring out, Jack gritting his teeth as he kicks up his speed a little. Shooting already .... this is not good. A hole is blasted cleanly through his coat as it blows out behind him, and then another, and then a third from a ricochet shot off a nearby beam. A sudden grunt from Jack as one of the shots clips him on his side, glancing off his ribs - pain and blood, but not a lot of damage. Jack reaches the first crate, passes it, and ducks around the side, pressing his back against it and listening carefully for any pursuit. Of course, there is that strange, sudden whirring sound ... wha ..?
The Fabled Whirring of Elec Man's generators fills the area, and one of the steel crates begins to shake. Bolts pop out as the sides of the crate bulge outward, and finally blow out. Elec Man, crackling with electricity, rises above the rest of the newly-revealed Robot Masters.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Magnet! Get in the security booth and maglock ALL the doors. He won't leave here unless it's in a CRATE!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Magnet Man transmits, "Got it!"
You paged Elec Man with 'You doing something to the floor or can I pose everyone else in?'.
And, to save both confusion and time, the rest of the group of Robot Masters rushes out soon thereafter, knocking back the hollow crate into the worthless velvet rope. At the back of the group, Gemini Man shouts, "NOW FIND HIM AND NAB HIM!" pointing out at the warehouse floor.
Dynamo Man looks at Elec disdainfully. oO(Show-off.)Oo He then concentrates his efforts on finding the Hunter, being confused from being in the crate.
Without waiting to see if any of his shots connected, Magnus Snakes takes off at a run for the security room that Jack had just vacated. In the darkness he bangs his knees, but stumbles forward anyway, reholstering his SOCOM midway through. Within the room, he scrabbles for the light switch, illuminating within, and searches frantically for the commands or buttons or switches to lock the doors down.
Jack's eyes widen as the chaos begins. (Oooooh sh*t.) The crate nearby him explodes outwards, and with his hair-trigger reflexes Jack throws himself to the side, collapsing in a not-so-graceful shoulder roll as the whole side of the first metal crate slams into the other, with Jack's former position in between them. Jack loses another inch of his coat as it's caught between the metal, and the Hunter tears it out forcefully, rolling to his feet. (A trap. A god, damn, trap.) Jack skids around the intact crate, dodging around the side and heading for what he assumes is the side the Masters /aren't/ on ... and being wrong, coming face-to-face with Gemini Man. Skidding to a halt and letting out a curse in some obscure Eastern dialect, Jack spins and dashes for the nearest row of crates, hoping to find some cover, and then an exit before anything gets locked down.
Warehouse Scene
Inside the warehouse, it is dark and mainly empty. There are crates stacked here and about. Two giant crates in the middle of the room are marked 'DANGER...' they were full of Robot Masters.
The pose order is: Jack, Elec, Magnet, Gemini, Dynamo, Guts, starting this round. If you take more than 5 minutes, you'll be skipped. Game on.
Sparks flare up around Elec to mask himself as he changes costumes. Now clad in the White and Gold Hardcore Suit, Elec waves his hand at one of the crates Jack dove behind, and it lifts into the air. Elec moves it above Jack, and tries to drop it on him, cackling all the way.
Within the control room, Magnus Snake is busy pounding on buttons and pulling switches. Nothing seems to work--he receives several error messages, but the little light that indicates 'Doors Maglocked' just doesn't want to come on. After a moment of frustration, he draws the SOCOM and unloads a clip into the control panel. Sparks fly, the light inside the command room goes abruptly from white to red, and a siren begins to wail within the warehouse floor proper. Seconds later, an automated voice announces for all to hear, "Critical system malfunction. Quarantine procedures engaged. Critical system malfunction. Quarantine procedures engaged." This begins to repeat, slowly, ad nauseum.
Elec Man's lift-and drop attack is followed by the more direct approach, a volleyed burst of plasma straight out of Gemini Man's laser-arm, on a straight-shot for Jack's back. With all these Robot Masters in one place, they should only have to hit the reploid a couple of times each...
Oddly enough, Gemini doesn't activate his holographic clone. (Perhaps he feels the room is crowded enough already?) He's too occupied with catching his target to react to the 'quarantine' alert.
Dynamo Man isn't quite so fixated as his brothers, and instead readies his disintegrator ray... but doesn't fire... yet. Instead he watches for any sign of dodging, and plans to fire ahead of his foes path, hoping to hit him as he tries to escape... if he does...
Jack continues in his sprint, heading for the nearest exit, and too fast for something like a falling crate he sees coming a mile away - throwing in a strange-looking fast shoulder roll to his left as a substitute for a run step, the crate crashing down just inches to his right. He curses again, this time in straightforward Russian, as the traditional siren begins to fill the warehouse with his wail, and redoubles his effort to get through the crates to the exit - distracting him from dodging, of course, which puts Gemini's shot almost directly between his shoulder blades. Something between a grunt and a shout of pain escapes him as he stumbles to the ground, mechfluid flowing out of the exit wound on the right side of his chest, spattering on the ground beneath him as he falls to his hands and knees. He coughs heavily and pushes himself forward behind a row of crates, collapsing on the floor for cover, gritting his teeth at the sudden pain, the rapidly closing lockdown doors - the whole situation. Shoving himself to his feet, he stumbles once before clamping a hand over his wound and resuming a limping sort of run towards the exit. Come on, come on, come on ...
Elec Man easily floats forward, electricity beginning to gather around him again. "Don't think you're getting away that easily!!!" With a mighty grunt, and much sparking, Elec Man swirls about five crates with his power, and pulls them in front of Jack, trying to block his progress. "That should hold him... get him, guys!" The electricity around Elec lessens, and he drops down to the floor.
With the doors locked, or on the way to /being/ locked, Magnus Snake bursts out of the control room, grabbing another 9mm clip and shoving it into the butt-end of his SOCOM. By the time he gets there, they'll probably have already gotten the guy... it would be just his luck, wouldn't it? The sickly red glow of the emergency lights illuminate his path, and there are no stubbed toes this time around--just a mad dash over upset crates to get at the man they're collectively trying to kill.
Gemini Man points over toward the makeshift wall Elec Man has created. "NAB him and put him in the crate! ...Er...not the one Elec Man blew up: the other one! And BE CAREFUL: he carries explosives!" Not one to simply stand and yell orders, he shoots another blast, at the wall of crates, trying to ricochet it off toward the advance of the reploid target.
Jack slides about halfway to a stop as crates suddenly begin to rain down in front of him, building up into a makeshift wall.Bbut Jack takes an unexpected tangent - instead of trying to make his way around the crates, he jumps /up/, reaching about halfway up the wall, and then planting his foot and double-jumping off the side of the wall. He's sent backwards as well as upwards by the second jump, but he swings his arm forward and juuust barely snags the top edge of the wall. Gemini's shot sizzles past him, his angles futzed up by Jack's erratic movements, but Dynamo's blast takes Jack straight in the back of the torso as he pulls himself up to the top of the stack. Letting out another grunt/shout of pain, he looses his hold and falls, five crates straight down, smashing into the hard floor below. Ouch.
Elec Man rushes forward, toward the fallen Jack. "I think we got him!!" Electricity swirling around his hands, Elec Man attempts to grab Jack, and feed a constant stream of electricity into his systems.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "No screams for help yet - this guy must either be stupid, or using tightbeam."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "He's stupid. Synth, are you heading to our position?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "Enker told me to hold position - do you want me to close in?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "Indeed. Is the situation resolved, Gemini?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "In my humble opinion, this guy is screwed."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Ah, Enker! Almost got him nabbed! Orders?!"
Magnet Man makes a daring leap, activating certain /secret magic powers/ to bound over the last hurdle of crates. Landing atop one, he drops into a croush and raises his pistol. He hesitates, snapping left and right as the combatants below move about. He doesn't want to hit one of his friends... damn it!
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "Report to me when he is rendered captive. Do not stop until you have him!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "I've never faced him before, and don't know him that well, he might still have a few tricks up his sleeve."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "Once he realizes that you have him, he will probably start yelling for extraction. I will keep an ear out - and approach once Enker gives me the all clear."
Gemini Man has no such compunctions. When Jack leaps over the crates, he moves forward to follow. He's mometarily delayed by the blast that Dynamo Man fires, but, as soon as he has a clear path again, he rushes forward, leaping onto one of the crates and using the high position to rain white lasers down on the Hunter. Two shots, then three: continued to be somewhat distracted by his radio, he does not so much aim as let them ricochet about.
When Jack leaps over the crates, Gemini he moves forward to follow. He's mometarily delayed by the blast that Dynamo Man fires, but, as soon as he has a clear path again, he rushes forward, leaping onto one of the crates and standing above the struggle below, gun ready and aimed should he need to fire it again.
Dynamo Man warms his jets for a second and then takes off upward toward the ceiling and sets down on a pile of crates near Gemini to get a better view of the hunter on the crates, and charges a small electric bolt, readying it for if he gets any ideas about escape. He considers trying to tell the hunter to go quietly, but somehow he believes his words will be ignored.
[Radio] You send Magnet Man a direct message: "Magnet, just lift the metal crate and DROP it on him. Elec Man and all. We'll sort it out later."
Magnet Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Um.. right!"
Jack lies facedown in a slowly growing pool of mechfluid, comatose, as Elec Man swoops in. A sudden jolt of electricity fires through him, and he jerks in seeming pain, rolling onto his back - and meets Elec Man's eyes, a painful but nonetheless smirking grin on his face. Loove that electric resistance. Snapping his legs back with his knees against his wounded torso, he fires both of his feet upwards at Elec Man in a powerful double kick that, if it his home, will send the Master crashing into his two comrades up on top of the crate wall.
Jack strikes Elec Man with his Grasp attack.
." Synth has arrived.
As Elec Man flies toward the crates from the kick-off, he gets an evil grin. Electricity swirls around him and toward the ceiling. Kicking his electromagnetic skills into Selective Attract, the Walking Powerplant starts heading toward the ceiling instead of the crates. He shouts triumphantly, "BLAST HIM, MY BROTHERS!"
And, look, does it matter if Jack kickflips Elec Man away from him? Sure, you've taken one /one/ opponent. But watch out! Magnus Snake has sinced holstered his SOCOM--he's not going to use it now--and has undergone a transformation!
He's wearing the same duds, but it's obvious from the way he moves that it's Magnet Man all the way. He jumps back, off of the crate, and lands in a crouch behind it, blocking his own view of Jack and the others. It's not going to matter--the crate first shivers, then jerks into the air as electromagnetic forces lift the box into the air. Slowly, as it moves up, up, he can again see the Maverick Hunter standing before him. "Hey, think fast!" Magnet's feet planted firm, he pushes out with his hands, the huge square of metal flying through the air.
Magnet Man misses Jack with his Blunt Object attack.
As the crate flies through the air, it's obvious to Gemini by its trajectory that it's not going to strike the target directly. Gemini shakes his head... well, he'll have to keep involved, then. He fires a blast at the floor, which hits the bottom of the crate as it sails beyond the target, then, hopefully, Jack himself. It's time to pin him down and make an end to this...
You miss Jack with your Ricochet Blast attack.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "ERKK...no good, can't pin him down. We have the place locked from the inside!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Centaur Man transmits, "Are you requesting backup?"
Dynamo Man doesn't launch nearly as complicated an attack at Jack, and simply fires at him with his eletric bolt. oO(Why can't he just stand still and go quietly?)Oo Dynamo Man sighs to himself as he fires.
Dynamo Man strikes Jack with his Electric Shock attack.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Bass transmits, "If worse comes to worse, just consider the greater good."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Will you repair me if I capture him, Commander?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Bass transmits, "Kill him first, then talk to me."
Jack scrambles to his feet, tossing a pair of metal canisters into the air behind him as he resumes his run for the nearest exit - any exit. *BOOM*, the bombs go off in twin fiery explosions, the shockwave sending the flying crate off course and the fire obscuring Gemini's shot too much to make the angles work - barely. Jack receives another hole in his coat for his trouble as Gemini's laser sizzles up through it behind him, but he ignores it. He stumbles as another shot comes his way, hitting him in the back and sending a burning electric shock through him .. but that's all he does, is stumble. Looove that electric resistance. Jack finally makes it to the outer wall, slumping down in the shadows against a stack of crates and panting heavily as he tries to ignore the pain, catch his breath, and spot the door. There! A small personnell exit, similar to his entrance. Of course, it's got metal lockdown doors clamped down overtop, but with a few minutes, he could break through ... the question is, can he hide long enough to get a few minutes?
From his vantage point (Read: Attached to the ceiling.) Elec spies Jack... hunched against a bunch of metal crates. He sends a quick tightbeam to Magnet...(I'll do it after the pose.) and thrusts a hand toward the crates. They begin to warp and bend as well, and eventually shatter under the force of the electricity and their own weight. The shatter isn't as explosive as the original one was, however.
Elec Man sends a radio transmission to Magnet Man.
Magnet Man receives a radio transmission.
When the crate bursts, Magnet Man gets to work. It's tough to pull together so many separate magnetic fields at once, and to keep them from cancelling each other out, but we're talking about the master of magnetism here. One of the sides of the crate careenes in Jack's direction, but stops just short of striking him--it remains there, poised upright inches from the Hunter's body. Rapidly, the other pieces of the shattered crate move into position, snapping down in a box formation around Jack...
Magnet Man strikes Jack with his Magnetic Field attack.
Jack is temporarily disoriented by Magnet Man's Magnetic Field attack.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Magnet Man transmits, "...I got him!!"
Gemini Man drops his gun-arm at his side to watch this display... "Did we get him?! Did we get him?!" he shouts, as the box locks into place.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "He'll either call for backup, or set off his own arsenal to escape. BE READY."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "That's some strong metal in there. If he sets himself off, He'll kill himself."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Magnet Man transmits, "I don't know if I can hold the pieces together if he sets off a bomb, but.. wouldn't that blow /him/ up too?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "I've never found sanity to be a high point among the Hunters - be careful."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Commanders... the target is contained, for now... what are your orders?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "Dynamo, try to reinforce Magnet's crate, if you can. I shouldn't be the only electric one with the whole electromagnetism thing."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "Keep him on close watch, and unlock a single secure entrance. I don't want a mishap resulting in his escape."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Do you mind if I join you, Enker?I want to get close enough to tell if he tries to do a tightbeam for help."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "We're on it, Enker."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "I'll let myself down, and get to the door. Magnet's holding the crate, and Dynamo will be too."
Dynamo Man charges up briefly and then suddenly lets forth an electric surge, strengthening Magnet's electromagnetic field, keeping a constant flow of electricity into the the field, keeping it steady and strong.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "You're welcome to accompany me, Synth."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "I'll be there in just a moment, sir."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "Acknowledged."
Jack frowns slightly, his eyes widening as the crate behind him begins to vibrate. Throwing himself forward an instant before the crate explodes, he comes to his feet in a roll, running for the locked-down doorway to try and break it open. He's distracted as he ducks to dodge the flying crate, but it stops ... Jack swears loudly as the Master's trap springs into place, slamming his shoulder into the forming wall of makeshift prison, twice, three times. No effect - he's just not strong enough. Drawing both of his big handguns, Jack lets loose on the small dent in the wall he's made, sending all twelve of his powerful bullets into the wall at point-blank range, but Magnet just fills up the holes too fast for Jack to make a big enough opening. Swearing constantly now, Jack throws his guns away and snaps both his arms out to the side, spring-launching another pair of Colts into his hands from his hidden sleeve holsters. He begins firing again, unloading the new twelve bullets into the small hole he's made, but it's not .. going .. to be .. enough. And so Jack turns to his last, final resort ... calling for help. Activating his gadget to scan for clear frequencies, he activates his internal radio even as he reloads and starts firing at the wall of the box again, heedless of the injuries he's taking from his own ricochets.
Elec Man quickly lowers himself from the ceiling, running toward the personell door. When he gets there, he quickly deactivates the maglock, and opens it to allow Enker and Synth access. After they enter, Elec will close and re-lock the door.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "Target is secured! Now let's get him the hell out of here and back to base where we can secure him better! Watch out for funny stuff!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "And there it goes - Jack just called for help, folks."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "We should order a ride."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "Looks like we're going to have some Hunters coming in, boys. Think we can get someone on that?""
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "I hear bullets...both of my predictions were true. Well, someone speak to him nice and slowly."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Centaur Man transmits, "It'd be a good idea to kill him now. Is assistance needed?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "We're not injured. We can handle newcomers... or... I can... well, you know..."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Maximum-Security Gravity Man transmits, "I can get there to try and hold the exterior. You want me to?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "That'd probably be good. Oh, and you could bounce Jack around inside his little box. *laughter*"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "I'll try and talk him down Gemini. We /will/ /need/ /backup/, we need someone to distract his reinforcements while we cart him away! Magnet and Me will hold him steady!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gravity Man transmits, "On my way, Dynamo."
The moment the door to the warehouse is opened, a familiar figure in gleaming golden armour strides through the entrance, and a step or so behind him is Synth. Enker does not halt in his stride, but turns his head slightly towards Elec as he passes him, and a hint of a smile crosses his visage. "Thank you, Elec," the Elite intones to the android, then readjusts his gaze at the gathering of Robot Masters in the warehouse. His steady pace carries him to said androids in a short period of time, and as the Golden One approaches, his hands come together before him to clap together in a gesture of satisfaction as he eyes the box containing the quarry. The aformentioned smile has now grown much wider, and is set in on Enker's expression. "Excellent work, men. Absolutely excellent," the android says, his normally stoic tone betraying his satisfaction with a touch of glee.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "We're going to have a recon Hunter dropping in - someone be nice and give Andromeda a proper reception?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Centaur Man transmits, "Sure thing. For the herd!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gravity Man transmits, "I'm on it, Synth. Got my eye out for him."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dr. Wily transmits, "Bring me his HEAD! This, I Wily, Command!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "As you command, Lord Wily."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Elec Man transmits, "You sure you don't want the whole schlamiel, gift-wrapped, Dad?"
Gemini Man, not having anything left to do here now that the target is secure, steps back out of the Elite's way, and offers Enker a salute. "Happy to do it, sir..."
The box starts rocking with impacts, accompanied by gradually splintering metal, as Jack starts trying to hammer his way out with his fists. Futile, but it's been a long time since Jack gave up.
Dynamo Man is busy keeping the field intact and yelling into his radio, but stops his radio and speaks up. "Hey, you in there. You're under arrest, alright? Tresspassing, and such. Just take it easy and sit back. Maybe relax a little. You hear me?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Cappella transmits, " Oh yes Wily, the sushi you wanted is in the common room."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dr. Wily transmits, "Eh, all of him's fine, provided he's not dangerous."
Synth follows behind Enker, her fingers twirling around the gauntlet on he right hand for a moment as she considers the situation. She smiles at the remainder of the boys in the room, and follows a half step behind Enker. "Looks like we're going to have a Hunter turkey shoot today - he's yelling for help, and the Hunters are coming right in. I've called in some more of the boys to help blow apart our new guests, while we gift wrap this one for the Doctor," she reports to the golden Elite, a faint smile on her face. "So, shall we taser this one and drag him back?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Enker transmits, "I will deliver him to you personally, Lord Wily."
Elec Man flexes for a moment, and more rise up and clamp down around Jack, double-layering his prison. "Doesn't this guy know he's screwed yet?"
Jack does not, apparently, hear Dynamo, as the prison keeps rocking with the impact of his fists.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Update - we've got Bolt Kraken, Alex, and Andromeda coming in. Expect more Hunters as well."
Gravity Man arrives at the warehouse, taking cover on the underside of the roof, waiting in ambush of whoever's on their way. This should be fun.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Centaur Man transmits, "I'll be on the look out for any re-eforcments. I'll not let you down father! I do request a bit of backup though."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Dynamo Man transmits, "We're gonna have to work on making him 'less dangerous' before you see him Dad, this guy doesn't wanna give up. And he's pretty pissed. I think he's still got some aces up his sleeve, we'd better have him securely detained and disarmed once we get back to base!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Magnet Man transmits, "Why not.. shoot him a whole bunch?" [Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Just get him to Haven; it's closer."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "We-- I-- will do whatever's needed... if you need me to fight." Please say no, he thinks.
Dynamo Man keeps trying to calm down the struggling hunter. "Now calm down here a second and listen to me. You're just going to hurt yourself trying to get out. Why not just sit back quietly? Maybe sleep. Hey, what's your name and rank, anyhow?"
Jack sends a radio transmission to Alex Reinfield.
Synth sends a radio transmission to Alex Reinfield.
Jack chuckles hollowly, taking a moment to lean back against the opposite wall and rub his aching fists. "Shen. Just call me Shen."
Maverick Hunter VTOL Synth has arrived.
The Elite slows down gradually and halts before Jack's "cage", watching the box rock back and forth gently. "Indeed, we will apparently have to... calm him down, before we deliver him to Lord Wily," Enker states, optics narrowing gently as his smile slowly fades. "Would anyone like the honors?"
Bolt Kraken hovers above the city, glancing around carefully for the patrols an the imminent arrival of the Vorpal. When it arrives he flies up near it, escorting it down into the city.
Elec Man steps forward, as Magnet and Dynamo are too busy maintaining the field.
Elec Man says, "I could charge it with electricity."
Synth raises one arm, a long barrel sliding out of the weapon. "If you would allow me, Enker? I've got just the thing that will calm him right down," she says with a smile, a crackle of energy. "This should knock the stuffing out of him."
Elec Man says, "...or Synth could do it."
Elec Man steps back.
Dynamo Man nods. "Ok Shen, just take it easy, ok? We're just gonna get you out of here and take you somewhere where I'm afraid we're going to have to detain you. But I'm sure you knew the risks when you took the job, eh Shen?"
Enker steps back and gestures to the box with a wide sweep of his arm, watching Synth carefully.
(Outside) Stealth Transport arrives from the Cairo - Southern Outskirts.
(Outside) Bass has arrived.
Gemini Man steps back from the situation...well, if reinforcements are coming, then, they are coming. It was bound to happen. He steps toward the exit... And looks back at the scene again, warily.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Are reinforcements coming?"
Synth gestures with one hand, and suddenly there is a massive shimmering in the air as her backpack splits open, a huge pair of wings opening up and mantling over Synth. She gesture with one hand, and a massive jamming field suddenly cuts through the room - the keycode to cut through the interference standard to the Robot Masters, but the Hunter's radio will be quite cut off at this point. Synth smiles, and presses her weapon against the side of the boy.
Outside> Gravity Man has cleverly hidden himself somewhere around the warehouse's exterior, awaiting the arrival of the inevitable backup.
Synth strikes Jack with her Laptop Gun - Maser Rifle attack.
Outside...
Maverick Hunter VTOL [Vorpal] is descending towards the Warehouse. It is right near the roof. With that, the ship is slowly starting to give off a faint glimmer, before it is starting to activate the Stealth systems. The ship is beginning to blend in with the atmosphere around it.
The warehouse itself is rather.. guarded, and whatever joes that might have been called in aside are far outshadowed by the dark shadow that rests in a crouch on the armored roof. Large fins are as good a sign as any as to who the man is. It's the Force Leader, keeping a careful eye on the proceedings.. and for anyone who would dare to approach. Bass is not alone, with Treble by his side as usual, and thankfully the two can communicate verbally; there's a jamming field in effect right now. [Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Have the Hunters arrived yet? And any indication on what they brought with them?"
Andromeda comes from, well, above. Very high above, clad in the black and dark greens as she stays high in the air, looking over the air like instructed, her glowing green visor slowly tracing over the area as she looks for any sign of Jack.
Jack has slumped against the corner of the box, lighting a cigarette, trying to ignore the pain from his wounds. He glances up as the muzzle of the gun pokes into his prison, and winces as it jabs into his side. He sighs as Synth begins talking to him, running a hand back through his hair. "[Heeere it comes ..]" he murmurs to himself, inahling on his cigarette. BLAM. Smoke rises from Jack, now collapsed on the ground, who lets out a weak cough. Oh god the pain ... electric resistance only comes in so handy at a time like this.
Bolt Kraken flies down alongside the Vorpal, breaking off as it as enters a cloak. His optics spot the finheaded Master as he lowers down and his features darken.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "They're here, if this lovely shimmer near me is anything to judge by."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "...Bass? You're out there?"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Synth transmits, "I might need some cover out of here boys - looks like the Hunters are on to me. I'll bring my sensors on line once I get outside."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dr. Wily transmits, "Mwahahah.. Give 'em hell, m'boy! Teach them that this is the land of Wily! MwaHaHAHaHaHa!"
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Bass? Who else is outside?"
The ship's position is noted -- that might come in handy to Gravity Man once this shindig gets underway. Now there's more of that tense waiting. He hears Bolt Kraken but can't see him yet -- he's crouched on the underside of the roof. No seeing him from the air, that's for sure.
Maverick Hunter VTOL [Vorpal] activates its stealth mode.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Centaur Man transmits, "I'll be there shortly. *galloping* I see something up ahead, looks like the opposition."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Enker transmits, "We're going to need an extraction. Is there anyone available to do so?"
Treble turns to look unerringly at the cloaked vessel. Bass stands to his full height, arms spread to each side with fingers crooked to the skies above. He lets loose a bellow of his rage, a stream of laughter filtering through his enjoyment as his body begins to warp and change -- the fins splay backwards, becoming individual points, his colors ripple to purple and a small set of wings extrude from his back. The Force Leader has mutated. He knows they're here.
Look out! Bass has become enraged!
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gravity Man transmits, "I'm here, too. So it's me, Bass, and Centaur in a minute. Going to radio silence -- I don't want to give away my position to whoever's up there with Bass."
Stealth Transport comes in low along the sands, flying like mad. Of course, it's stealth systems are already online, but the dust wake it kicks up is quite impressive. It's destination? The warehouse up ahead, of course.
Inside...
Gemini Man nods at the scene...supposing his part then, is thankfully done. "Enker, sir... do you want me to inform you of the drop off point, or is the reward money not in Doc's plans?"
Elec Man starts at Bass's bellow-lauge-transformation-age. "Oh man, they are so completely screwed out there.
Jack lies there in his prison, halfway between conscious and unconscious, feeling the pain of his many wounds for tonight, and the more poignant pain of having failed. Isn't life grand.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Bass transmits, "Incoming fodder. /I'll/ handle them. Treble's picked up a stealthed craft. /He'll/ deal with that."
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gravity Man transmits, "You got it, Bass. Let me know where I can help."
"Nice work, Synth," the Golden Elite says quietly to the Femme, his hand lowering to his side. He moves in closer to the box and squats on his "calves", peering in at the motionless form of Jack. "He looks about ready for delivery," Enker observes, then casually tilts his head to the side gently, seemingly concentrating on a radio transmission. His head straightens, and he looks up at Gemini. "Our ride is here, apparently."
Elec Man walks around, gathering some long strips of metal. He can use these to tie up Jack once they get him back to base. He relays his plan to Enker.
Synth holds up a finger. "One moment, Enker. I want to make sure that he won't be running out on us... under his own power, at least," she says with a mischevious grin, and holds up the back of her gauntleted hand. A moment later a spike rasps up along the side, running along the outer edge of her hand. "If you don't mind, let me put a block on his motor systems and keep him from running. Or moving whatsoever."
Outside...
Maverick Hunter VTOL [Vorpal] is noticing Bass near the area. The human piloting the Vorpal is muttering, "Damn damn damn damn. I am so glad that this thing is cloaked. Please hurry guys..." He sighs. "I wonder if I should of brought Axle along."
Kicking up lots of smokes of dust.... is a one-man stampede. Who else could it be, besides Centaur Man, the green horseman. He's running pretty fast, even for usual running speed. The gallop grows louder, as the hooved one draws nearer and nearer, until he arrives near the warehouse that the big battle against the one man is going on. The hooved readies his blaster, giving it a last minute shine. He will serve the herd, for father deems it so. He keeps on the look out, as he approaches.
Inside...
Gemini Man nods vigorously, smiling a little. Good, he doesn't have to fight anymore...and he gets to avoid Bass, too! "Okay. Guess that means we need to unlock the place. If we can." He points his finger toward the staircase that leads to the security office... He blinks. "Um, er, sorry." He'll have to walk, so...walk he does, up the stairs, and in to unlock the doors.
Jack looks real, damn, dead at the moment - but of course, it's because he's listening to Synth. A motor system block is not exactly the best thing for escapes when people aren't expecting it. He plays an excellent possum, however - no need to fiddle with the systems of a smoking wreck like this.
Enker stands, upon hearing Synth's request, and nods solemnly, once again stepping away from Jack's cage, allowing Synth to "work her magic". He folds his arms across his chest and watches patiently.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Okay, Synth has him secure. We're opening the warehouse up, so he can be lifted out of here."
Synth punches her hand into the back of Jack's neck, leaving the spike in place as she withdraws it. The damage isn't too servere, and it might even be unnecessary now that she sees how heavily damaged that she is... but Enker approved it, and since the Doctor wanted this one so bad... the hackers eyes go black for a moment as she quickly shuts down most of Jack's motor controls. Some of them are too damaged to reach, so he will have some movement, but this will be just as effective as putting hobbles on him. "Let us move him out of here."
Gemini Man frowns at the damage Magnet Man caused to the security systems in order to lock the place up. He tries to salvage whatever controls he can, and taps a few buttons. The doors refuse to open. He shakes his head. Well...good thing he's better with this kind of thing now... He taps a few odd commands into the ruined console, and... the doors unseal.
Outside...
Bolt Kraken tilts down at a steep angle, kicking his thrusters into high gear as he zooms down at the top of the warehouse and directly at the newly transformed Bass. Out of the ports on Bolts back, his larger pair of tentacles retract, flexing out as he flies down. As he gets nearer he levels off he hits one last boost of speed, causing him to speed right past Bass, but not before flinging one of the tentacles at him first.
Stealth Transport roars towards the warehouse, and lifts slightly as the pilot expertly brings the vehicle around to settle on the roof, well behind Bass. Well, well behind Bass.
Inside...
Elec Man walks around, gathering some long strips of metal. He can use these to tie up Jack once they get him back to base. He relays his plan to Enker.
Dr. Wily sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Open the doors, myboy!"
[Radio] You send Dr. Wily a direct message: "Right away!!"
Well, the possum act was worth a shot, anyway ... Jack aaghs in sudden pain as a spike is driven into his neck - and then twitches, his eyes going blank as he feels the invasion of the hacker. He fights it off momentarily, but he wouldn't be enough of a hacker in the first place to totally resist Synth, and in his current state, it's much harder. He grimaces, his teeth gritting and his eyes closing as he feels his motor systems start to forcefully shut down. It is not a pleasant feeling.
Gemini Man pushes a few more buttons on the controls, and the back cargo doors to the building open up.
Synth sends a radio transmission to Dr. Wily.
[Radio: (B) Secure] Gravity Man transmits, "Transport's here, fellas, and it sounds like Bass is having fun on the roof. Looks like we might be able to load 'im up."
Synth receives a radio transmission from Dr. Wily.
The warehouse's large, cargo door starts to slowly roll up, from the bottom to the top...allowing passage for the Stealth, or whatever else might make it in time.
Stealth Transport turns easily towards the bay doors, moving in to settle on the floor of the warehouse.
"Excellent work," Enker says quietly, perhaps even to himself. He watches Jack for a few moments, and once he deems the Reploid no longer a threat, he slowly opens the box, allowing for the prisoner to be easily removed. The Golden One reaches in and manages to remove the motionless form of Jack, throwing his arm around the android's shoulder and supporting him with one of his arms. The Elite then turns to face Synth, Elec, and the remaining Masters, "Alright then, are we off?"
Outside...
Like an insane purple blur, the Force Leader dances between the tentacles as they attempt to slap him around some, red glare remaining perfectly on the passing Bolt Kraken. He's fast, insanely fast, keeping perfect lock on the fast-moving Hunter. "Don't be leaving so soon!" He shouts, reaching out to grab one of the attempted slapping tentacles and hoist the Hunter back into a face to face scenario. Only, if he succeeds, there's going to be a fist attached to the end of his other arm for when the elastic-tentacle factor comes into play. With a bare glance at his master, Treble bounds into the air -- a large cannon emerging from his back as he arcs straight towards the hidden Vorpal. It begins to fire at the stealthed craft, intent on bringing it out into the daylight for the other Masters to see.
Gravity Man runs along the underside of the roof, taking up an ambush position above the bay door. If anyone tries to follow the Transport in, they're going to meet with a nasty surprise.
BOOM! The Vorpal is blasted with the wave of energy emitted from the dog of Bass. "GAH!!!" The Ship is slowly descending over a bit. However, it is shifting back up into view. "Okay, time to start witht he maneuvering. Unfortunately, with this big, this won't do..."
Bolt Kraken is too fast for the Force Leader, avoiding his grasp and the punch that would have followed it. Bolt dosn't jet very far away and he soon arcs back around twoards the force leader. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." he says, coming to a halt at the oppisite edge of the wherehouse. He eyes Treble as the dog bot flies up. "Not so fast!" he shouts pointing a tentacle at the cainine and another at its master and shooting a blast of electricity from each.
Andromeda continues floating high up in the air and watching Bolt Kraken and Bass as they look like tiny ants. Well a bit bigger than ants since they're gaining altitude, but they're down there. The warehouse is easily visible still as tiny square on the ground. Her arm cannon's muzzle expanding for a moment before a bright streak erupts from it and flies toward the ground. A random shot aimed at the warehouse exploding upon the ground. It's bright, it's flashy, it's attention getting. And it's easy to track who fired it too, which is why Romi zooms off to another spot in the sky.
Inside...
Synth nods slightly, and gestures for the remaining boys to pick up the package and move him onto the ship. Time Jack to meet the man who is going to have the Hunter dying to meet him.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Incoming attack on the warehouse, everyone!"
Gemini Man steps out of the security office as the doors start to open. "Ready," he says, with a nod. And he, and Magnet Man and Dynamo Man, who are just watching quietly by this point, follow Enker toward the exit.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Do we know how many?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Some type of energy shot, didn't get more than that."
Elec Man grabs a few more metal strips, and runs after them.
No tough-guy futile resistance from Jack ... he knows there'll be chances to escape later, and now - surrounded by Masters, with half his motor systems shut down - is not the time. For now, he makes himself seem the helpless prisoner, his spirit defeated and capable of no resistance, when he's secretly just biding his time. Maybe not so secretly, depending on how well these Masters know tricks like his, but even so.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Dr. Wily transmits, "Bah!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "From what?"
Without further ado, the Elite starts off towards the now-approaching Stealth Transport, unconscious Hunter in tow.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "I'll get back to you once I know. Just hit those Hunters - we're pulling out."
Stealth Transport settles down on the warehouse floor, the cargo ramp lowering to reveal the inside of the transport. And oh, look! It's a flying saucer parked there. And pacing in front of the saucer while the autopilot lands... is none other than the Doctor himself.
Dr. Wily has arrived.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth laughs. "My, that Alex can scream now can't he. Did Treble just start chewing on his leg, Bass?"
Elec Man bounces. "Hi Dad!"
Synth offers a slight bow to the Doctor, a smile on her face. "Doctor Wily, a pleasure as always," she purrs, and gestures to Enker and Jack. "We've secured a gift for you."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Treble needs to crack the shell open first."
Ballade has arrived.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Are you and whoever's up there alone, Bass, or can you see more coming?"
Gemini Man hops to the front of the group, and nods at the Doctor. He's beaming now. Maybe Wily will see that he did a good job this time.
Jack is slumped over Enker's shoulder, and looks pretty much dead. Looks are deceiving, of course, but sometimes not as much as you might think.
"L-Lord Wily!" the Elite says, clearly surprised, for he is not one to stutter often. Forgetting for the moment about the Hunter hanging loosely off his shoulder, Enker bows formally, dragging Jack on the floor. "I was not expecting you, My Lord." And now, time to impress daddy. With a shake of Jack, the Elite beams proudly at his Master. "The annoyance has been captured, My Lord. He is your new captive."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "*rumbling* Looks like Andromeda is making a pain of herself - well, we know who is firing now."
Dr. Wily leans on his cane as Enker approaches, chuckling quietly to himself. "So this is the little problem, hmmm? Worth one million Zenny, mmyes..." He glances over his shoulder at Ballade before strolling over to the 'unconcious' Hunter, reaching inside his labcoat for something...
Elec Man runs up to the group, the strips of metal in his hand.
Outside...
Treble continues his assault on the Vorpal, intent on foiling this rather bungled rescue attempt single-pawedly. The electricity catches the wolf, yet the purple canine is quite to rectify his course and continue firing shots at the craft. The twin streak passes through an after-image as the Force Leader darts off to the side, his laughter flogging the failed attempt of the Kraken to strike his foe. As he dashes off to the side, he levels the Neo Buster at his foe, firing off a blind shot. Bass still has time for banter, of course. "I so love it when people come to play the cavalry; I'd suggest a heavier trumpet charge next time. You've got no chance.."
Gravity Man stumbles back from the shock of that blast, blinking away the dots in his vision. He pokes his head out from under the roof, squinting to try and locate the origin of that blast. Not doing too well, but ... is that her? Or is that a bird? He can't tell at that altitude.
Quickly, the large vehicle shifts to the right. It is intenting on maneuvering itself along the sideline. Slowly, the hatch of the Vorpal is opened. A small object is sailing through the air, a bit unidentifable. However, it is making its way to become more clearer as it descends to the dog. It is a Flash Bomb. The multicolored sphere is able to give off a spark of light with the explosion. It is making its way to contact with Treble.
Bolt Kraken flies backwards as he's blasted by the Neo-Buster. The reploids thrusters catch him before he falls very far and the hurt reploid zooms back twoards the laughing force leader. Bolt is apparently done talking and brings his two outstreched tentacles to bear on Bass, flying twoards him at high speed and making to skewer the force leader.
Inside...
Silently, the Elite Ballade steps down from the stealth transport after checking into matters through Cairo's surveillance web. The enemy will be held at bay for an acceptable period of time. At the moment, the Doctor is not in danger.
He crouches against some crates, which I popped with electromagnet nasty, and had Magnet build a box around him."
"I set the trap!" Gemini bursts out, enthusiastically, lest the Doctor forget he was still there. He looks around... "Oh, and Magnet Man and Elec Man and Dynamo Man were my help," he adds.
Dismay at being ignored makes the briefest of appearances on the Golden One's expression, but he says nothing, only straightening Jack for Dr. Wily.
Jack does nothing. His motor systems are almost totally offline, he's severely wounded ... it's pretty convenient to act dead, actually.
Elec Man gets his nerve again to pipe up. "Hey, Dad? Want me to bind him up?" Elec holds up the metal strips which he's been gathering.
Synth doesn't comment, at the point, but is content to watch as Wily walks over towards Jack, the broad wings from her comm array swaying slightly as they continue to jam all non Master transmissions in the area. It should be rather noticable that there is a decent sized spike sticking out of the back of Jack's head, which Synth is transmitting through to partially override his motor systems.
Dr. Wily pulls out... a Marker and a set of stickers. Cackling softly to himself, he proceeds to draw a little twirly moustache on Jack's face. Setting the Marker aside, he peels the distinctive 'W' sticker, and pastes it to Jack's forehead. Then, apparently satisfied, he straightens up, and cackles. "Well done, well done boys..." He waggles his cane at Jack, cackling. "Load him up. We're going to airdrop him someplace nice and public with a little letter.... Mmmyes..."
Expressionlessly, the Elite supports Jack during Wily's doodling, then immediately starts up the landing ramp of the transport the moment Wily breathes the command, accompanying his action with an, "Immediately, Lord Wily."
Gemini Man inputs again... "Ah, I know the place to drop him off for the reward," even as he heads toward the Stealth, after Wily. He feels like he's hurrying to keep up with the old man. "So...we can collect the money, too."
Elec Man jumps up and down, and is fully ignored. He recedes to grumbling as he follows his "father," and the Elites, and Gemini.
Ballade watches Wily's antics impassively. This is the sort of thing the Master must indulge in once in a while to relieve stress -- besides, humiliation is a more lasting wound than any cut.
Jack doesn't react, doesn't even focus on Wily as he scribbles, doesn't look at his surroundings ... just dead.
Synth walks patiently along behind Wily, her wings still open, although she intends to shut them down as soon as they are onboard the Stealth.
Dr. Wily has left.
Ballade has left.
Stealth Transport
Contents: Dr. Wily pauses at the top of the ramp. "Mmmyes. One last thing... " He half turns, and raises the cane and brings it down with all the force his old man arms can manage. "IDIOT! MORON! You dare cross Doctor Albert Wily?! Fool!" He pants heavily. "Ballade, I desire a trophy from this fool. Pick a limb." Then the doctor strides forwards to the controls.
Gemini Man steps onto the transport, and chooses a seat, waiting quietly to see what happens next, and whether his information will still be needed.
Jack lolls slightly as he's smacked in the face. No expression, no reaction to the knowledge that he's about to have a limb torn off ... nothing.
Elec Man stops as he passes Jack. "Hey Dad, can I please kick this guy really hard in the head? I had to use a lot of power stop him."
Synth stands in the back of the transport, mainly because her wings don't give her enough room to sit down easily. She doesn't even twitch as Wily suggests the removal of a limb, but instead actually leans forward, her eyes intent as she prepares to what Ballade is about to do...
Silently, the Golden One calmly sets the Reploid down before Ballade, bows quickly, and moves to a seat at the rear of the transport, seating himself.
Dr. Wily cackles softly. "Do what you like, Elec Man. He's made the mistake of crossing me..." He engages the engines, the Stealth Transport lifting up off the ground slightly. "Mmmm... One million Zenny... or give him to Vile for public humiliation... Heh heh heh...."
Elec Man lifts his arms happily. "Yay!" He then kicks Jack. Really hard. In the head. ~klok~
Jack thuds, falling over across the seat next to him. His eyes close, and he almost actually does pass out for a moment. This is a lot of pain .. nothing he can't handle, but even so, aarrrrgh ...
Gemini Man just sits quietly now. It's whatever Doctor Wily says to do, and if he's needed again, he will be addressed again. 'Be a good boy,' Bass had said. Gemini Man's left hand starts to rhythmically twitch. Gemini is a good boy. ...good boy (twitch twitch twitch).
Elec Man spontaneously facepalms. "Oh man! My calimari's still in the common room! I hope it's still good."
Synth sends a radio transmission to Dr. Wily.
Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission from Synth.
Ballade watches the beating with his usual poise, despite his distaste for such outward shows of violence from the Doctor. After all, it is much more regal to delegate such things to underlings, most of which would both like it more and be able to do it longer. But, again, at times the Master must take matters into his own hands. That is what makes him such an impressive figure -- he is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Dr. Wily takes the offered backscratcher with a bit of a cackle. "Mmmyes. Excellent, excellent." He engages the engines, and sends the ship flying out the door!
Synth kneels down next to the badly wounded Jack, a faint smile on her face as she touches a hand to his cheek. The wings on her back shift for a moment, before sliding back into the body of her.backpack, just above where her computer is mounted, and she leans and whispers in Jack's head. "Go ahead and scream - they can hear you now." She almost purrs as she speaks, her gauntleted hand tracking over Jack's chest, looking, waiting for him to send out that transmission... and reveal the location of his internal radio.
Outside...
Treble continues to tug downwards, not relinquishing the hold on the Vorpal, even as the gravity warp is put into effect. It might just be static feedback, but the wolf almost seems to be going 'hehehe' in a throaty rasp. The heavily guarded boots of the Force Leader depart the ground as his dash jets ignite, sending tiling scattering across the warehouse's rooftop in his wake. The explosion from above rains down, causing the warehouse to buckle ever so slightly, although that just causes the mutated form of Bass to growl as he races straight through the rain of fiery debris. "You're not leaving here in one piece, Hunter, and neither is your comrade! Hahahaha.." The laughter continues as Bass comes into contact, intent on simply running the Kraken down.
Gravity Man catches a brief glimpse inside the Vorpal's cockpit, grinning at its pilot evilly. He doesn't have a whole lot of time to be smug, though, as another blast slams into the warehouse from above. This time he manages to get a lock on the assailant. Idly, he triples the gravity on the nose, sending it quickly towards the ground, letting the back fall, too. Looks like there's an airborne threat to deal with. Grav reduces gravity in a column around himself, floating into the sky for a better look.
Maverick Hunter Recon Vehicle [Phantom] arrives from the Sky Above Nile Region.
Inside...
Jack breathes a little heavily as Ballade approaches. Here it comes ... it's happened before, but it's never easy. Not ever. His teeth clench as his elbow begins to tear, his face contorting into a grimace as his joint pops, his metallic tendons tearing, and his expression goes from grimace to unimaginable pain, choking off a cry of pain as the limb finally rips free. Panting heavily in terrible pain, his eyes opening again, he stares across himself at the femme 'administering' to him. He catches his breath a moment, and a faint hint of a grin crosses his face. "You'd like that, huh ..?"
Elec Man kicks Jack in the head again. ~klok~ "Shut up."
Synth giggles. "Well, I do need to break through your transmission codes, and having your radio would be quite helpful. Its nothing personal, you understand," she adds with a smile, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Just buisness."
Gemini Man is still nuerotically spasming. By this point, his hand is audibly smacking against his leg, with a clap-- clap-- clap-- clap.
Jack winces as his head is knocked to the side with another kick. Breathing shallowly, he adjusts his neck slightly to get the kink out of it, and opens his eyes halfway to peer up at Synth. "Of course. It's all business, after all ..."
Elec Man goes to kick him in the head, and decides to stomp on his face at the last second. ~sput~ "I said shut up."
Stealth Transport invisibly rises up into the heavens, flying away into the night without so much as a parting shot.
Jack's face goes crunch. Aaaggh ...
Once the Master has received his gift, Ballade moves back to the main part of the ship where Jack remains. He allows his plasma throwers to warm up with a dull hum of energy, the promise of Ragnarok being unleashed if he is pushed omnipresent.
Elec Man takes a seat near Jack's head, so the he may kick, stomp, or tickle at his leisure. This Jack-ass made him work, and he doesn't like that.
Gemini Man looks up at Ballade. He tries to stop his hand from moving, and it, at least, quiets, though it's not enitrely stilled. "The headquarters for the Guns of Midgar are in Amsterdam," he says, like he's quoting it from a book or a traveler's brocure. "They'll offer a million and a half zenny because he's still alive."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "After all this, I have one thing to say."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "We're going to collect the money. So.... that's that."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "We. Are. Awesome."
Elec Man boots Jack in the head for no real reason. ~klok~
Ballade informs the transport of the new coordinates via tightbeam, and without another word walks back up to the cabin to attend to Wily as needed.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Whoever brings me a trophy of Jack gets.. one point."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits the sound of his foot connecting Jack's head. ~klok~
Jack is so abused ...
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man says, very kindly and quietly, "Thank you, everyone, for the help. Do I get my emitter for the trophy, Bass?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Talk to me later, I'm a tad occupied right now."
Outside> Stealth Transport flies to the Flemish States, circling around Amsterdam as coordinates are located for the office in question.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "It looks like the Hunters are have a touch of trouble... You've made quite an impression, Bass."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Yay for Bass!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "And that just goes to show, flattery will get you everywhere. Shut your faces and cash in the prize pig."
Gemini Man helps Ballade input the coordinates... "I think, that, this is the place to be. I haven't visited it personally yet before," he adds in extension. "But it's their headquarters..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "It sounds like the Hunters might be calling for further reinforcements, Bass, unless someone else is making a ruckus."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Tell 'em, Bass, if they want him back, it's out of our hands. They have to pick him up after we get the cash prize. After we collect, what they do about it's their business."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Why bother? I'm having too much fun dismantling this one."
The Elite Bodyguard sits back in his chair, folding his fingers together. He rests his optics and is otherwise silent, communicating by tightbeam alone. Waste disposal is a job for grunts.
Ballade sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Attend to this."
Elec Man tickles Jack's face, with dememted glee.
Gemini Man nods at Ballade. "All right," he says, aloud, despite the fact that the Elite used the radio. He walks over to Elec Man, and says, "Come with me. In case he tries to break for it..somehow... I don't want to be the only one responsible." Then, he leans over, and picks the damaged reploid up over his shoulder.
Elec Man stands up, grabbing the metal strips from the seat next to him. "Hand on, I can make sure he doesn't get that chance. Stand him up?"
Gemini Man leans the body on his shoulder, steading him with his single hand. "All right, go for it," he says, a little bit of honest energy starting to come back into his voice.
Jack sighs, letting his forehead rest against the metal band. What else ...
Elec Man's generators kick up, and his electromagnet turns on. Elec Man begins to bend the strips all over Jack's body, effectively mummifying him with steel. The strips are each placed about two inches apart, and a large steel bow is attached on the back. "Done!" The whirring dies down.
Gemini Man raises a brow at Elec Man. "Overkill much?" he asks. Then he lifts up the body again. "All right, let's finish this up." He steps off the stealth.
Flemish States
Here on the edge of Europe we find a gargantuan wall. This dyke rises into the air 200 feet, and has expanded the local land mass of the Flemish Confederation by twenty percent. The large indigo wall stands like a vigilant warrior against the constant threat of the sea. On the land, one finds a literal horizon full of large wind mills, providing booster energy to the nation. Occasionally one will spy a conventional windmill of another time placed next to the new wave version. All over, the advanced agriculture of the confederacy has produced the finest tulips, which cover the ground below. The cities of Brussels, New New Amsterdam, and Luxumbourg sparkle like jewels within the kinetic landscape.
[Stealthed] Stealth Transport [RM]
Obvious exits:
Elec Man has arrived.
Jack has arrived.
"Now it really isn't anything personal...you understand," Gemini Man is telling his unwitting package, as he walks toward the HQ building. He does not care whether Jack can hear him or not. "It's just that Bass said he wanted to collect on this money, and since I knew how to do it, I volunteered. And then Enker said he wanted to get rid of you...and then the Doctor...so, I had a lot of reasons to try."
Sword Man to return from Israel and finish their spar, and so can't really help.
Jack breathes shallowly behind his new steel mask. "Oh, I understand ... believe me, I know all about 'business' ..." The Guns of Midgar HQ stands in front of them, and only about a minute after it's determined the group is heading towards it, several windows show signs of an armed sentry. There's nobody to meet them at the door, only an comm unit embedded in the wall beside it.
Gemini Man's hand is busy, so he throws a sidelong glance at Elec Man. "Push it," he says, gesturing his gun-arm slightly up at the com button.
Elec Man pushes it.
A few moments later, a growly, scratchy human voice answers. "[State your business,]" it says in Dutch.
Gemini Man clears his throat slightly. Dutch? Yes, it does take him a moment to access that one. "[You offered reward money, for a bounty, by the name of Shen. Yes?]"
"[Who wants to know?]"
Gemini Man looks down at himself. Well, he hasn't bothered disguising himself...and he can't do it anyways, thanks to Bass' 'punishment.' "[Actually, my name, is Gemini Man. Will that be a problem? The capture is still good.]"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "One more of those and I'm out! Heads up; incoming to the warehouse."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Their princess is in another castle."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Pshh. We're long gone, Gravity."
A short pause. Apparently the voice is consulting someone. The comm clicks on again, but there's the faint sound of arguing voices in the background, and it clicks off again. A longer pause. It finally clicks back on again. "[Our man will be down in just a minute,]" the voice says, sounding chastened.
Gemini Man snickers smugly, and throws Elec Man a glance. Funny, silly gang. These people were messing with the Robot Masters now.
Elec Man shifts his weight, and grumbles.
The door suddenly bursts open, and a huge human stalks through, two other humans trailing behind him and to either side. He's about 6'6", brawny, mostly Caucasian, and has a patch over his right eye, the scar showing he lost it to a blade. He moves in front of the Masters, each step felt through the ground, and folds his scarred and muscular arms in front of him as he peers down at the banded, horribly wounded Jack. "So ... that's him, hmm? Get him out of that metal, let me see for myself."
Whirrrrr......
Gemini Man throws his bundle onto the ground. "Just the face, Elec. And let me take an ear back for the point-board."
Electricity begins to crackle around Elec Man.
The huge man, obviously the leader, just scowls at Elec Man's display, and turns his scowl to Gemini. "Not just the face, the whole thing. Faces can be faked easily enough, I know how to identity him otherwise."
Gemini Man waves at Elec Man... "All right, all right, the whole thing. And if it's a tattoo on that arm Doc took, we'll have to go and GET it back. That'd be just our luck."
The electricity flows toward Jack, and strips are peeled away one at a time. It's not Elec Man's fault that a few... ok, quite a few errant sparks flit toward that large, disagreeable, scowling man.
The man chuckles to himself deep in his chest, his dirty brown hair tossed by the wind slightly. "Oh, he's got plenty of identifying marks, laddy. I'll know him six ways from-" he comes to a stop as a few sparks land on his chest, turning his forceful, evil glare upon Elec Man. "You're new to this business, aren't you, my lad? 'Cause if you weren't, you'd know how to make sure you /stayed alive/," he growls, jabbing his finger into the Master's chest. Turning away, he crouches down slightly to peer directly into Jack's dark eyes with his powerful gaze. "Well, well ... has the rat really been dragged back?" Jack grins weakly, meeting the man's gaze easily enough. "It's been a while, Arngrim. Haven't worked out your repressed rage towards the Garou yet?" The man chuckles again, evilly, shaking his head slightly. "Ohhh no ... not for quite a while, Shen my lad. Not for quite a while."
Gemini Man coughs at the display. He may be small, but... "Pardon us, but we and our associates are ROBOT MASTERS. Don't push us around." His eyes narrow at the burly man. "And now that idenfitication is settled..." Gemini holds out his hand, gesturing with his first two fingers.
Elec Man looks down at the finger jabbing his chest, and looks up to the man again. "I think you should apologize for that before I shove a lightning bolt up your ass." This is not spoken, just muttered under his breath so only he and Gemini can hear. Maybe Jack. After this transaction, he just might make due on his muttered oath.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "...wow, and they are cursing quite profusely now..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Charming."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "Eh what?"
Maverick Hunter Recon Vehicle [Phantom] arrives from the Sky Above Western Europe.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "I'm a little distracted. There's this big hair guy trying to push me around, and after we get the money, I'm throwing some sparks up his ass.""
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gravity Man transmits, "Lemme know once it's clear out there, Bass. I'm out of this fight, but I think I'm effectively penned in the warehouse."
The man peers up at Gemini from his crouched position. "Just hold your horses, laddy, I'll be through in a mite." He pushes up Jack's sleeve and peers at the black armor/skin underneath, reading the serial number here. Make that numbers, actually - not one, not two, but /three/ serial numbers tattooed into his forearm. The man nods again, then stands up a little straighter and hunches over to look at Jack's back, tearing away what remains of the back of his coat and shirt. He exposes scars from three giant bear claws, deep slash marks running from Jack's right shoulder to his left hip. The man nods, satisfied, and stands to his full height again, dusting off his hands. "Yep, that's him all right, an' no one else .." He snaps his fingers and gestures to one of the lackeys behind him, who steps forward with a briefcase.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHH!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "You bellowed?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Elec Man transmits, "......Bass?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Snake Man transmits, "What wasss the asssault on our audiosss for thisss time?"
Gemini Man says, "Good, good." He gestures for the mand with the briefcase to step forward.
Maverick Hunter Recon Vehicle [Phantom] finally gets to follow that trail the transport left behind, since it'd only been a moment's time in passing - but that still doesn't make the master ship easy to find or track, considering she actually had little clue as to what they were hauling in the first place. Still, scanning from a decent altitude as not to knock into commercial flying machines, yet keeping low enough for the scanners on the phantom to pick up the signatures, the pilot has her work cut out for her - especially when she realizes that time is of the essence.
Stealth Transport hovers invisibly over a seemingly ordinary office building.
The lackey moves forward, obviously one of the accounting schmucks hired on by groups like these. He hands over the briefcase without very much fuss, then glances at the other lackey, who takes something more like a bookbag out from behind him and hands it over. "That's the live delivery bonus," explains the leader, a hugely muscular brown-haired one-eyed man, standing in front of the office building, facing down Gemini and Elec. Jack is slumped on the ground between the two Masters, looking extremely worse for the wear.
Elec Man looks over at the bag and briefcase. "Wait. Check those, Gemini."
Gemini Man takes the briefcase. "Great. Elec, hold this..." he tosses it to Elec Man, the Robot Master of the two hands, and says, "Sure. Count this, make sure it's legit..." Gemini leans over toward Jack... "Of course your organization realizes that the penalties for trying to cheat The Robot Masters are HIGHLY severe and will result in the extermination of your entire organization." He then rips off one of Jack's ears, the super-strong android arm tearing synthskin like paper. Still holding onto the minor trophy, he reaches his hand for the spike in Jack's neck, but, before pulling it out, glances up at the gang members, and Elec Man.
By the Time the Phantom has actually located the transport - an easy thing when both craft and pilot possess the enhanced sensors to locate stealthed objects - something doesn't feel right. Not at all. Why would the Master ship be hovering over this innocuous fascility? The pilot banks the craft to the left, and gives the throttle a nudge enough to force a hard downward left, and rolls upright to get a better look at the front of the office building - and see if there are windows to zoom the lenses - or her own enhanced optics - into.
Elec Man catches it, and begins to look through it.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "That wasn't a good noise..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Bass, are you EATING Bolt Kraken now?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Calimari's not my thing. They're moving out, and I'm [Radio: (A) Masters] Snake Man transmits, "Even I wouldn't eat sssquid. Grosss."
Jack grimaces and chokes off another grunt of pain as yet another part of him is ripped away ... he's fairly dulled to the pain by now, however, and it's not really that big a deal after having his arm pulled off at the elbow less than an hour ago. The leader folds his arms across his massive chest, glaring down at Gemini. "We /don't/ cheat our customers," he says in a quiet, dangerous tone. "And especially not for something as .. personal as this." The money is, indeed, all there - $1,500,000 in low-denomination zenny, and an extra $20,000 for live delivery. The office building clearly shows several armed sentries at the windows.
[Radio: (A) Masters] Guts Man transmits, "I know... give it to Metal! He'll eat anything!"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Toad Man transmits, "Even ****"
Elec Man looks over at Gemini and nods. He tehn looks to the man. "By the way... if it wasn't all here, and wasn't produced, you'd all be really dead. Gemini can clone himself, and I can power Neo Tokyo with my power output." Elec closes up the briefcase. "Have a nice day."
Elec Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Hope I'm not touching a nerve there, man."
Maverick Hunter Recon Vehicle [Phantom] isn't quite sure what to make of it, but whatever's inside must be vaguely important. But the pilot is also aware of the fact that she has no chance of anything while the masters are there. So she has to buy her time until they leave before she can actually do some investigation.
Gemini Man nods at the cash, as Elec Man checks it. He then gets a tighter grip on the back of the metal spike... "What was it Sword Man said?" he remarks to Jack. "It's nothing personal, but I've got orders." He YANKS Synth's device out, then, says, to Elec Man, "Come on, then, we'll be going home."
Elec Man waits for the man to turn to leave, first.
Elec Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: " I need a little retribution. Prepare to run."
[Radio] You send Elec Man a direct message: "Leave it go, Elec Man. We don't feel like getting shot at anymore today."
Jack GAHs as Synth's hacker program is forcefully ripped out of his systems, and he collapses to his hands and knees, collapsing further as he doesn't remember he has no right hand to support himself with until it's too late. The leader just snorts at Elec Man's bluster, yanking Jack to his feet by his remaining forearm, watching the Masters head away through narrowed eyes.
Elec Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I just want to throw a bunch of sparks at that big guy's face. His finger stained my good suit."
Ballade sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "The Master grows impatient, Gemini Man."
And that is that. Gemini Man heads back for the stealth.
Elec Man speaks up, assuming the big man has turned to leave. "Hey, guy?"
[Radio] You send Elec Man a direct message: "NO. We are leaving."
Elec Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*grumbling*"
The big man has not, in fact, turned to leave, and is instead coolly watching the pair of Masters go. He lifts a heavy eyebrow at Elec Man slightly, not impressed. "Ye've taken enough of my time, boy, now scat."
Outside> Elec Man reaches up to pat the man on the shoulder. "Have a nice day." After the second pat, Elec jolts him with a good pulse of electricty, before leaving with the briefcase.
Outside> ...And it's after the masters clear the line of sight that the pilot sees what's going on down there. ...And the Phantom is maneuvered to land atop one of the buildings in clear view of the street below. She doesn't even bother unstealthing the machine while climbing out, large bore sniper rifle in hand. She sets up on the end of the building with a low kept profile, and spreads the tripod.
Elec Man walks back into the transport.'
Outside> Stealth Transport apparently completes its business. It gracefully lifts off the ground, turns in midair, and flies back towards Master-controlled Africa.
Gemini Man carries back Jack's ear, and Synth's metal spike... and Elec Man has the bounty. Gemini looks relaxed now, and he sits back down in his seat. "GLAD that's overwith."
Docking Area - Skull Haven
Facing out from the mountain, the docking area is large and vast, capable of holding the full range of Robot Master craft and more besides, particularly any allied craft that wish to dock within the vast mouth of the mountain. Similar to the construction bays situated at the foot of the mountain, walkways hang from the ceiling, allowing easy access to the craft that are present. It's advised that any ground craft use some sort of lift, since the area is located about halfway up the side of Skullamanjaro.
[Stealthed] Stealth Transport [RM]
Obvious exits:
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "'Lo... um... Bass?"
[Radio: (A) Masters] Bass transmits, "Any and all petitioners can meet me in the Biosphere."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Okay."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Synth transmits, "Confirmed..."
[Radio: (A) Masters] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "You too, Synth?"
Biosphere - Skull Fortress
Lush greenery fills the biosphere, myraid climates carefully reproduced to optimize the growth of the plants here. A careful hand has been played in the design of the sphere, and it's paid off beautifully. From the minaiture desert area to the swamp section, all that grows is large and very healthy. Even the sentry-plants that lurk on the sides of the meandering pathways through the greenery, the pathways that lead to the various points of intrest, such as the mini-labs or various Robot Master's homes. Ocaisionally, one of the three robo-felines appear from the greenery, or are visible while napping.
Synth [Unarmored] [Unarmored] [RM]
Obvious exits: Astro Man has arrived.
Gemini Man glances around with paranoia as he stands in the entry way of the room. ...This is where Snake Man lives. Not seeing the other Master (not that that would make a difference, anyway), Gemini then walks into the biosphere. His arms are loaded down; he has a pack slung over a shoulder, and a briefcase in his hand.
Synth walks into the Biosphere, her arms crossed in front of her as she casts about the large habitation for a moment. A few steps behind Gemini, and obviously having followed him here, she offers Bass a faint smile and a level gaze. She leave the explanations to the other Master - after all, this was his mission, and he deserved any praise or punishment.
Astro Man cringes a little at the sight of Bass, but then again, he cringes at everyone most of the time. He slowly hovers over to Gemini and waves hello.
Sure enough, Bass just entered himself, still in his heavily mutated 'Super' form. It's like a bad movie with turtles, in fact.. Regardless, the Force Leader looks even more angry than normal, and he's in the midst of pacing a ditch not too far in. As the petitioners enter, of course, he turns his heated red glare onto them. Treble straightens, looking as if he's injured, and growls fiercely at the lot of them. "Let's get on with it. Astro Man, what the hell do you want?"
Gemini Man throws Astro Man a glance, eyes narrowed. Holo-envy. Major holo-envy.
Astro Man says, "Eep! Well, I heard the radio message, and I came to see what was happening, because I thought it was important, but if you want me to go, I'll leave..."
"You're DAMN RIGHT YOU'LL LEAVE!" Bass bellows full force, pacing stopped as he turns to face the Astro Man. "IN FACT, YOU'RE WASTING MY TIME RIGHT NOW! GO DO SOMETHING USEFUL OTHER THAN BOTHERING ME!" He smirks. "Next."
Synth waits behind Gemini, tapping one booted foot on the ground very softly as she listens to Bass rage...
Astro Man backs away, and with the equivalent of tripping from someone with no legs, falls over, goes into a spin, wobbles back and crashes into the wall. He's out of there faster than a bullet, screaming all the while.
Astro Man enters the Atrium - Skull Fortress.
Gemini Man clears his throat. Well, Bass can't do much more to him than he's already done, so he's not really afraid. Plus, this is good news. The single twin takes a step forward, then, he reaches out the hand with the briefcase in it. "Ummm...it's a total of a million-and-a-half, for the capture. The sack has the rest..." he cocks his head over toward the bag on his shoulder, "And I took one of his ears on my way out. Sorry it wasn't the other arm, but, we didn't want to waste any more time on him."
The right hand of Bass is raised, impacting with the air with a solid *whoosh*. All digits are raised, and the left hand comes up as the Force Leader ticks things off. "One point for Gamma." Pinky down. "Go add the money to the old man's account." Ring. "Nice job with Shen." Thumb. "Still the full week." Index. He's giving Gemini Man the finger.
"JUST ONE POINT?!" Gemini shouts aloud. His arms drop to his side, though he doesn't drop the briefcase. "You said that would be worth FIVE at least!! JUST ONE?" His left hand shakes, and he's slapping the briefcase against his leg... "Still... all... week?"
"Spill the money out and I'll make you clean it up with the broken stumps that used to be your arms, Gemini Man. I said two points, since Jack isn't dead, now is he? You should've handed the corpse in. But since I'm feeling lenient, I'll go with the two points I said." Bass sneers, right hand tapping against his leg. He's twitching down there, wanting to form the Neo Buster. "Anything else?"
Gemini Man mutters... "No, sir." He looks down at the ground, then, turns his back, clutching the briefcase. "We will make a report, and...that's all."
"Good. You can go." Bass waves dismissingly. "Don't forget what I've told you, Gemini Man. It might be your one shot at an early redemption. Leave now." The gaze turns to Synth.
Gemini Man walks to the exit, eyes downcast, muttering, frantically. "Have to be a good boy... be a good boy... be a good boy now...."
Synth shakes her head slightly as Gemini makes his way out of the room, looking rather dejected now that she thinks about it. Well, that holoemitter had been important to him... that he might be deprived of it was a terrible blow to his self image. "...but we all must face difficulty and grow..." she says quietly, before turning and offering a slight bow to Bass.
Jack is temporarily disoriented by Synth's Laptop Gun - Maser Rifle attack.
Bolt Kraken misses Bass with his Tentacle Whip attack.
Bass misses Bolt Kraken with his Punch attack.
Bolt Kraken misses Bass with his Di Thunder attack.
Bass strikes Bolt Kraken with his Neo Buster attack.
Bolt Kraken misses Bass with his Tentacle Impalement attack.
He moves into the area and takes a position directly behind Dr. Wily, arms folded behind his back. As usual, he is silent, not seeing a need to express himself needlessly. The Hunter, though, gets an appraising look. If he so much as twitches while the Doctor touches him...
Meanwhile, Ballade glances through the nearest wall using his augmented sensor suite at the battle outside. It would still appear that Bass is holding the enemy at bay, but perhaps it is time for the Doctor to take his leave. Fortunately, he would seem to wish to do just that.
He maintains his honor guard behind Wily, marching about a stride behind and slightly to the right of the Doctor. He still finds no need to speak.
The inside of the transport is extremely roomy, with a large crew compartment seperated from the cockpit by a sliding mini blast door. The cockpit's instrumentation looks extremely complex and difficult to operate, although the entire control system is computerized to allow even an idiot (or the typical Robot Master) to pilot it with ease. The spacious interior has enough seats to hold 20 people easily, with room to spare for weapons and equipment.
Jack
Synth
Elec Man
Ballade
Nor is Ballade. With only a nod of acknowledgement, as is his custom, the violet Elite moves over to Jack's prone form, gingerly fanning out the fingers of his right hand as he considers. He looks among the others, then returns his full attention to Jack. Then -- inspiration strikes.
With a fierce, horrifically fast movement, Ballade stabs his hand down, grabs Jack's right arm at the elbow, and rips it off with a *KERSNAP* of metallic sinew and a few errant drops of mech-fluid. He then produces a rag from hyperspace and, with the kind of dignity one presents when polishing a fine instrument, cleans off the mech-fluid from the joint and drains off any other fluid reservoirs within via a special tool.
The leather-sheathed, singed and slightly twisted appendage has a fine white glove placed over the hand, cinched tightly to it with a red ribbon so it can't slip off. He removes a few more pieces of satiny material from hyperspace and binds it around the `offensive' parts of the arm, making it much more presentable to a man of Wily's stature. Once it is generally under control, Ballade uses his strength to fold the fingers into a `scratching' formation, locking them in place by crushing in the parts of his fingers that would allow them to yield back.
Ballade then walks over to Wily and presents the arm to him like a fine bottle of wine.
"Your backscratcher, Master," he says, in that perfectly civilized, eminantly soothing voice you all know so well.
Bass strikes Bolt Kraken with his Dash attack.
He looks down on the fallen enemy of Wily silently, without pity, without remorse. For tenths of a second, he considers simply ending the wretched creature's life, saving the Master a lot of trouble. But ... no. Not today.
Instead, Ballade looks to Gemini intently, violet pupils gleaming passionlessly on him.
"This one," he says to Gemini Man, indicating Jack. "What is to be done?"
RF Outpost [Brussels] [RF]
Maverick Outpost
South leads to France.
East leads to Germany.
Up leads to Sky Above Western Europe.
Maverick Hunter Recon Vehicle [Phantom] has arrived.
Blast Doors leads to Skullamanjaro (Mount Kilamanjaro).
Blast Doors leads to Allied Hub - Skull Haven.
Bass [Super Bass] [RM]
Snake Man's Den
Toad Man's Swamp [TMS]
Tomahawk Man's Land [TML]
Plant Man's Treehouse [PMT]
Linked Archway leads to Atrium - Skull Fortress.
Southeast leads to Secure Dome - Skull Fortress.
Astro Man has left.
