Log started: 12/6/02 9:13:53 PM $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/17 Posted Author Catnapping! Fri Dec 06 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We have just recieved word that the Space Kitten, one of only three known which arrived on Earth from a Stardroid Pod, has been stolen from WilyWorld! The thief is known as 'Dynamo', a Bounty Hunter who is also known to have assaulted several Robot Masters in the past. The local poLIce are already investigating to see if they can gain any leads in tracking him down. WilyWorld C.E.O. Gravity Man has released a statement that there are plans to increase security so that such incidents won't be repeated, without inconveniencing parkgoers. The Robot Masters were able to chase Dynamo off before anyone could be injured. If you know where Dynamo may be residing, please contact the Robot Masters. And now, Bob with Sports. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] Lucent transmits, "Is...anyone g-going to see wh-what's going on?" [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] King Kitsune transmits, "On my way." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Muse transmits, "I am only way to investiage this... disturbance." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] Alpha sighs. Outside> European Russia Outside> Contents: Contents: Cyclops [Armor] [M] Aldebaran [SD] Shield Shellfish [RF] Signas [MH] Betelgeuse [SD] Neon Tiger [LImited] [M] Abernathy [Winter] [C] King Kitsune [Spark Fox] [MH] KaLInka [Winter] [MH] Schism Sabertooth [Siege] [M] Ruination Roc [Bombardment] [M] RepLIforce Dropship [RF] Velguader [M] Muse [Red_musica] [C] Moscow Outside> West : Finland West

: Poland West : Baltic States Sea : Black Sea South : Caucausus Mountains East : Ural Mountains Up : Sky Above Russia Outside> And do the Mavericks think that just because there is a truce on at the moment, that no one is going to show up and stop them? If so... they are in for a bit of a surprise. Standing on top of one of the nearby buildings, the Red Musica Captain crosses her arms, looking down at the gathering of Mavericks and the obvious havoc they are causing with their actions at the moment. "Feh. Just because there is a Stardroid invasion going on, people think that they can get away with anything. Well, let the RepLIforce and Hunters hold their true - the Musica's charter extends to the entire UN, not just the Secretary General." Shaking her head one last time, the red armored reploid engages her fLIght systems, and soaring up before dropping down on top of the building being targeted, watching to see what the Mavericks are up to. Outside> Nearby, a hoverbike is approaching. A hoverbike with no symbols of affiLIation, just a normal, civiLIan hoverbike. Doesn't mean the person on top of the hoverbike is a civvie. No, oh no, it's Cyclops, Maverick cyborg. Probably here to provide some backup for the other Mavericks already here... Quite strange, considering he's a mechanic, and a cyborg. But who knows, maybe there's a chance he actually /can/ help. Just too bad he wasn't allowed to bring a Ride Armor... But anyway, he'll be at the faciLIty in no time at all. [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Ah hope Ah'm not too late fer this LIttle shindig..." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Muse transmits, "It looks LIke there are Mavericks trying to sieze this building. Don't they know we're a truce at the moment?" Outside> "Pained eyes stare down from the dropship's panels, bitter above the heavy GLeam of polymer shell. "Thanks for the LIft, Prism," Sheild Shellfish says briefly, the whisper of wind just before the open door silent compared to the tumoult ust outside. "Couldn't have made it without you. Kepe in touch." A tap of twin shells together and the Shieldbearer steps through the open door, out into the void above the plains.. [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "Of greater pertinence would seem to be that they do not care." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Figured it was disbanded by now." Outside> RepLIforce Dropship blasts onto the scene at high speed, the Spider at the helm piloting the craft expertly enough to not hit anything. Of course, miLItary craft travels in different fLIght channels so it's not usually a problem. As the Falconis arrives, the back hatch opens to allow the troops inside to drop down into the fray. The pilot calls back to the others, "Good luck, everyone! Go go go!" [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Wire Wolf transmits, "The strain of our alLIance was too great. One must not take the actions of a few as the will of the many. Perhaps they are operating against orders." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "One would think that the threat of imminent obLIteration would quell their need for violence." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Alpha transmits, "...No Stardroid has said that there would be imminent obLIteration." Outside> Shield Shellfish enters the Poland. Outside> Unfortunately for the Mavericks, their General broke the truce with the Maverick Hunters just a few days ago, and so they can expect a full retaLIation to an attack on civiLIan property. Two phantom images of the Diplomat, each one translucent as if a low-powered hologram, converge from opposite sides... And when they meet, Signas himself stands there, surveying the destruction. As the other Hunters, RepLIforcers, and even the UN arrive on their own means, the Hunter points to the Maverick forces, raising his voice hopefully over any randomized destruction that might be going on. "Cease this attack immediately, or we shall be forced to stop you by force!" Well, that's bound to work /some/ time, right? [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Indeed. Those involved will be held accountable for their actions." Outside> Shield Shellfish arrives from the Poland. [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "It's been impLIed, at least to my suspicious self." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Aurora Hound transmits, "Well I don't know about you, but I'm not trusting that giant void to just leave planet earth alone." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "I concur with that." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Muse transmits, "We have enough speculation for the moment, children. Keep your mind on the Mavericks." Outside> Bluegrass proceeds to fly out of Moscow, after seeing the Musica's ship to safety. (If it always the way. We tried ta be nice and neighbourly LIke with 'em... and they tried this... Hmph.)oo. Blue fLIes downwards and hovers next to the Cap'n of the Guard. "What's the word, sugah?" Outside> Aurora Hound leaps out of the Falconis gracefully, stretching out her arms front of her head as she dives down through the air towards the ground below. The silver and gold of her armor GLImmer rather brilLIantly in the LIght all the way down, where she pulls out of the dive in a swoop, using her foot thrusters and anti-grav engines to hurl herself along, parrallel to the ground. [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Signas transmits, "I will evacuate the scientists. Other Hunters, pacify the Mavericks." Outside> "There are more effective ways, yes. But those allow things to remain hidden. I do not want the abomination that goes on here to remain unseen." The Roc's voice booms out LIke rolLIng thunder, deep and sonorus. The lasers from his wings snap off. "Besides. This is revenge." Massive armored plates built into his chest slowly part, reveaLIng an array of wide bore plasma cannons built into his chest. He turns slowly, his wings partly furled in to give him the space needed, to face rows of warehouses. "They forged me here. A pity their experiment failed. Find the others, quickly. I'm certain the program directors will be trying to hide the evidence..." With an angry scream, the Roc opens up with the heavy energy battery. The hail of blue-white plasma bolts rains down into the already demoraLIzed security forces, secondary explosions and screams filLIng the air. "There will be no quarter given to the oppressors, I'm afraid..." [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "So, what's this whole thang 'bout?" [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Muse transmits, "Pacify all you LIke - I fully intended to cut these animals to pieces the moment they lay a hand on a civLIan." [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "As far as I can tell, it sounds LIke some sort of 'takeover' - that is what they mentioned, at least." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "That's mah girl." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Wire Wolf transmits, "Shhh... Mind yourself, friend. For they are not 'animals'. They are no differant then us." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Aurora Hound transmits, "Well that might fall under the catagory of pacify, I suppose." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Physically, no. However, there is the matter of the Virus..." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Muse transmits, "Speak for yourself, kid. I've been in this game a lot longer than you have, and there's only one way to deal with Mavericks that will work." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "Indeed. They are still sentient beings, and despite their barbaric acts, have rights. Let us not emulate them in our attempts to stop them." Outside> Cyclops continues to close in on the thing on his hoverbike, red eye GLowing, a pack of some kind strapped to his back. And within a minute, he's already at the thing, swerving in and out of the occasional security guard, heading right for Roc. By any luck, the large Maverick won't accidentaly fire on him... [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Hmph. Just lahk 'em, Ah suppose. Let's take 'em out." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Ah agree with the Cap'n here, sugah. There is only one way ta get these guys ta LIsten. That way just so happens ta include usin' yer fists." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Alpha transmits, "How would you deal with a Maverick, Muse?" [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Alpha transmits, "ooc: Muse $$$ Miss. I don't know ye1" [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Nobody said you couldn't use force to stop them... But eventually a cure for the Virus may be found. Once that happens, we can rehabiLItate them... It is difficult to bring back the dead." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "Subduing them physically is something that, while unfortunately, I freely accept as necessary. It's kilLIng them that I don't support." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Alpha transmits, "Maybe they will, I hope they don't." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Muse transmits, "Feh. I swear, most of you 'army' models must get queezy at the sight of mechfluid or something. Chopping a Reploid to bits is far from kilLIng them." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Aurora Hound transmits, "It seems to me that finding a cure to the Virus will do very LIttle to help those who were wilLInGLy infected, since they could just reinfect themselves, and even if they didn't, you can't "cure" hatred. A cure for the Virus will only help those who were infected against their will." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "Depends on how small the 'bits' are." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Wire Wolf transmits, "I have LIttle qualms with the sight of the fluids from my enemies. Else I would have LIttle in a way to fight." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "If a cure is found, we can destroy the Virus forever... They can be brought back into regular society with time. The Virus certainly won't let them do it on their own." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "ladies and gentlemen, please. We've dealt with these kind of situations more than a dozen of times, right? Let's just do LIke we've done before. We're professionals after all..." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Alpha transmits, "Nobody knows what the 'Virus', which may or may not exist, does. Questioning it more until there is more evidence is as useless as questioning the stardroids." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] King Kitsune transmits, "It is better to ask a question that goes unanswered than for there to be an answer that goes unquestioned." Outside> Kicking in the main door after having stunned the humans directly around it, Schism pauses for a second as he looks down the halls. He doesn't enter the building simply because he's blocking the exit to secure it. With a heavy sigh, he stares back at the bird and the forces gathering in the distance over his sensors. "Company is arriving, so do be quick about retreiving those you want from this building. Tune your sensors to pick out who is what within. Otherwise we'll be here for hours, Roc." Outside> Betelgeuse still ain't here. Maybe if you asked for him. [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Alpha transmits, "It has been questioned before." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Phoenixflame XO Bowie transmits, "This discussion's been around as long as thare's been Mavericks." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Lucent transmits, "...H-huh?" Outside> Betelgeuse! Betelgeuse! BETELGEUSE! [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Phoenixflame XO Bowie transmits, "So. If we're goin t'have it again, may Ah suggest takin it t'the lower-secure channel?" Outside> Zaphod Zaphod Za... oh wait, thats Bebelbrox. Outside> "What type of energy signature should I be focussing on, Roc? Organic? Robotic? A hybrid of the two?" Neon Tiger asks as she peers into the partial darkness of the complex. Picking her way through the rubble, the feLInoid goes deeper into the building. [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Alpha transmits, "None of you are offering any new questions, or anything that hasn't been heard before." [Radio: (C) RF-MH-UN-Main] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "In mah case, it will be very small. 'Course... when ya say 'bout freein' 'em... ya'll are actin' lahk there is a possibiLIty that nearly all of 'em coulda been forced, while a few is wilLIn'. It could be the reverse." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "We won't find that out until we try, won't we?" [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] Wire Wolf transmits, "Perhaps they were forced. We do not know how this alleged virus operates." Outside> Ruination Roc responds to his comrade's questions, even as he turns towards the oncoming forces of 'good'. "Reploid. Extremely simple movement shells, full mental equipment. Surrounded by human scientists." Outside> KaLInka hears the front door to the labs smashing in -- and just barely in time, she manages to crouch in one of the regressed doorways, as Schism knocks in the door. She freezes in place, wide-eyed as she watches Neon stalk in. (Oh, this is not good at all -- MAVERICKS. What could they be after?) she thinks. (Maybe if they don't see me, I can follow them in and see what they're after.) Outside> Thrusters ignite with a brilLIant flare, turning a freefall intoa controlled eruption of speed. Down and across, leaving behind the faint pulsing LIght of a engines at full burn, the Shellfish cuts across and down, diving between the rare standing tree of pine. << "Any word from back-support?" >> goes the beam-signal up to the Falconis, tiny LInes of gold creeping along the pouter frames of the twin shells. <<"Easy as it'd be, I'm not out to show off for you 'Forcers..">> [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Standard plan, Bluegrass - hit em fast and hard." [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Understood, sugah." Outside> Spark Fox rockets up to the faciLIty, babbLIng constantly on the radio as he does. Definite Maverick presence ... he was anticipating another Stardroid appearance, and oddly finds this somewhat ... disappointing. A chance to converse with a higher LIfeform over being forced to sully his hands with physical combat ... ah well. LIfe's full of LIttle disappointments. "Time to kick it into gear," he mutters, his Sceptre appearing in a flash of LIghtning in his right hand. "Spark Fox, Mode Change!" He fLIngs the staff into the air, spinning as it remains vertical ... sparks flowing from the atmosphere into the head of the Sceptre as it GLows brighter ... then unleashes a bolt of LIghtning straight down into its vulpine owner, the electrons crackLIng over his body, soLIdifying into his golden armor, as his tail spLIts into nine with a burst of LIght. "Midas Mode, engaged. King Kitsune, onLIne!" Outside> King Kitsune changes into his Midas Mode armor. Outside> Muse drops down off the top of the building, skimming within inches of the ground as she fires her thrusters and blasts through the front doors, knocking aside whatever tatters have been left behind by the passing Mavericks in their attempts to force their way into the area. A flash in her helmet brings her sensors onLIne, performing a scan of the interior of the building and searching out the Mavericks... as well as whom their possible targets might be. The targets located, Muse screams through the hallways in a series of somewhat insane moves that only a Musica would have attempted at these speeds, while at the same time shouting as the Mavericks come into view. "This is the Musica Guard - surrender now, while you're still got two legs to stand on, Mavericks!" Outside> Velguader enters the Ural Mountains. Outside> RepLIforce Dropship 's pilot repLIes as it moves into an evasive holding pattern above the combat, << "You have Hunter and Musica support present, as well as... Aurora Hound. There isn't much more we can add to this as it appears to be settLIng into close-quarters combat. Currently running telemetry readings for position of hostiles..." >> Outside> Betelgeuse is not a reploid with extremely simple movement shells sorrounded by human scientists. Instead, he's more a grungy man in a black-and-white striped suit, resembLIng the movie namesake. With a soundless blur, he appears on an otherwise unoccupied rooftop, sitting in a lawn chair with a sports cap, small pennant, and pair of binoculars. "Woah. Gotta love them nosebleed seats." Outside> While Muse knocks her way in... and not being blunt about it, Blue Belle gets in through a local ventizing system. Pausing for a moment, to make sure of the location of the prisoners through her scan... The White Guard moves forth, to come into the room where Muse has entered, and drops down into it... ...Crossbow loaded. "Do what Muse has said, sugah. NOW." Outside> Signas quickly looks around. Well, they seem to have decided not to cease. More's the pity. Searching for a way into the building, he finds the all to be blocked of by the Mavericks. With a dashing posture, Signas vanishes again, reappearing in front of Schism Sabertooth, only a few meters away. A hand is placed out in front of him, open with palm forward. A small ball of energy begins to collect before it, LIttle particles out of nothing being drawn into the central bLInding white ball, growing slowly but steadily. "Stand aside, or be blown out of the way." Outside> Given all the speed demons around here, it's almost enough to make Aurora Hound feel a bit slow, and that's saying something when she's used to traveLIng at over a 1000 mph. It's almost enough to make a girl feel inadaquate, really, prompting Aurora to shift into her vehicle mode, both to dramatically increase her speed, and because the sensors should help her grasp the situation better. A second or two later her midair conversion is complete, and the angular craft arrives at the base mere moments after that. "My, he's a big one," she comments dryly upon seeing Roc. Outside> From Muse> Jessica Blakesly has reconnected. Outside> Velguader arrives from the Ural Mountains. Outside> From Muse> Jessica Blakesly has partially disconnected. Outside> From Muse> Jessica Blakesly has reconnected. Outside> Betelgeuse takes out a medical scanner and scans Schism Sabertooth. Outside> Ruination Roc tilts his head sLIghtly to the side as rapid moving heros rush across the compound, slamming into the faciLIty that's the focus of this whole endevor - except for Aurora. Dismissing the Hound for the moment, the gigantic Maverick allows his wings to extend to their full span. His chest plates sLIde back into place as a faint crackLIng noise fills the air. As well as the smell of ozone. Those fully spread wings start to fLIcker with St. Elmo's fire, as well as tiny arcs of electricity between the feathers. "Demands of surrunder? Not a sinGLe question as to 'why'? You don't meet up to the standard of your betters..." LIfting both his hands, thunder cascades around his talons. "You wish to see what is inside? Allow me to show you all." He snaps his hands down, LIghtning and thunder cracking across the courtyard to slam into the building everyone has piled into rather fooLIshly. Since now the overloaded power system in the building's top levels spews LIghtning in all directions as the walls explode violently in all directions. Outside> Ruination Roc misses Signas with his Call Down The Thunder attack. Outside> Ruination Roc strikes you with a soLId hit from his Call Down The Thunder for 17 units of damage. Outside> Ruination Roc misses Muse with his Call Down The Thunder attack. Outside> Ruination Roc misses Neon Tiger with his Call Down The Thunder attack. Outside> Ruination Roc misses KaLInka with his Call Down The Thunder attack. Outside> From Muse> Jessica Blakesly has partially disconnected. Outside> Neon Tiger moves to the middle of the hallway she is in and remains surrounded by rubble as she crouches close to the ground. "I couldn't have done it better myself," she calls out to the giant avian outside of the building. "Meanwhile, I will return to the hunt." Outside> KaLInka hangs onto the doorframe in back of her for dear LIfe, and somehow manages (through Divine Providence) to come out of Ruinations' thunderous attack unharmed. Pieces of building fall down around her, and yet she remains where she is...because if she makes any sort of a move NOW, Neon Tiger is SURE to spot her...she's so very close! Holding her breath, she waits for the posse to pass. Outside> King Kitsune 's eyes open wide behind his visor as the Thunder is Called Down and takes colossal chunks out of the building. "Well, that was unnecessarily violent," he mentions offhandedly, as he begins his standard procedure of mass civiLIan evacuation at really high speeds, rocketting both into the building and around the grounds to make sure all the noncombatants are cleared before the defecation really forcibly impacts the oscillating air circulation enhancer. (No attack.) Outside> Signas momentarily teleports away from the building when he hears the crash of thunder, and just in time, as the walls burst violent outwards. Muttering under his breath, he dashes in again, trying to locate the quickest way to any lower levels and surviving scientists. He doesn't see that King is busy doing the same thing, or else one of them might have dealt with the great Roc instead. Outside> As some of the dust settles, the ruins of the building are revealed to actually be covering a number of sealed hatches. Very heavy blast hatches, marked with numbers and symbols of a corporation that's supposedly not affiLIated with the actual owners of this faciLIty. Outside> Muse doesn't make it as far into the building as she thought she might, because after a few moments there comes a massive crash of thunder and a whole lot of LIghtning raining down out of the heavens. As masonry explodes around her, the Red Guard Captain slams down her engines and rockets out of harms way, letting the electricity waste itself against harmless inanimate objects. "Why do you Mavericks have to be so damn cocky?" Muse complains, shooting up through the ozone tinged air towards the oversized Maverick. She extends one fist, aiming to crash right into the Roc's chest and hopefully take its attention off of smiting anyone else. Outside> Muse strikes Ruination Roc with her Rising Uppercut attack. Outside> Shield Shellfish misses Betelgeuse with her Pretty In Pink attack. Outside> "Woah! Angry fellah too," the canine-turned-spaceship remarks, spiralLIng up and making a loop back around towards Roc in the aftermath of the explosion. Just before she finishes LIning up she charges up the pair of cannons mounted on the craft's nose, typically used for clearing obstacles out of her way. Well, Roc certainly isn't the obstacle her designers had in mind, but he is in her way... LIght flares three times as twin pulses of energy blast from her laser cannons, streaking out at the speed of LIght towards the enormous Maverick, adding to the attacks already mounted against him. Before the GLare from the energy attack even fades Aurora is once again transforming, dropping down to the earth to land on her feet, a sinGLe trident grasped tightly in her right hand. Outside> Aurora Hound changes into her Spaceship armor. Outside> Aurora Hound strikes Ruination Roc with her Laser Cannons attack. Outside> Aurora Hound changes into her Robot armor. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man transmits, "Os nas larengas in los cabanet!" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Tengu Man transmits, "...that wasn't supposed to be Spanish, was it?" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man transmits, "Ola ma LIsimos! Aye yaye yaye!" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Aurora Hound transmits, "I think Guts Man's just said his beer is locked in his LIquor cabinet." [Radio: (E) Broadband] Tengu Man transmits, "...never mind." Outside> Bluegrass cries out in pain, as the electricity strikes her form... "...That hurts..." Blue complains mostly to herself. Since she is still out on the ground floor, she turns to stare at Roc with her visor GLowing brightly. "Time ta take ya down, big boy!" Blue runs for Roc, before she starts to fLIp in order to kick Roc... Blue knows Gym-Fu. Outside> You strike Ruination Roc with a GLancing hit from your Gymnastic Attack attack. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Magnet Man transmits, "..." [Radio: (E) Broadband] Aurora Hound transmits, "Of course, my Spanish is gained from I Love Lucy reruns, so I could be wrong." Outside> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Current Systems Status $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Current Endurance: [||||||||||||||| ] (51 / 68) Fuel Reserves: [||||||||||||||||||| ] (97 / 100) Status: Compromised Forcefield Power: 0 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Outside> As various combatants bounce into him, doing LIttle more than scraping the paint on his armor, Ruination just shakes his head. Although the blaster bolts do leave score marks and catch the Roc's attention. "So. It would seem it is my duty to keep the rabble busy while others save the imprisoned. Very well. Have at you." Muse is chosen as the immediate recipient for his attention as he gives up on talking and simply lunges for her, beak gaping wide. Outside> Ruination Roc actually swipes at muse with a taloned hand. Yeah. Outside> Ruination Roc misses Muse with his Talon attack. Outside> Betelgeuse finally leans forward on his beach-style chair. "Wow. LIght shows already. Looks a bit short, if you ask me." The man, the chair, and the margarita vanish to a closer building. "Let's make this interesting, shall we?" A snap of the finger, and a chunk of rubble bLInks out of sight, only to hurtle in the air at one of the good guys. Outside> Betelgeuse strikes King Kitsune with his Generic Ranged attack. Outside> Neon Tiger happens to GLance in KaLInka's direction at the wrong time for the LIttle girl. "Well, well, what do we have here? Are the Cossacks supporters of this grotesque lab?" she comments as she bares her large fangs. "Come here, child, and we will search for the 'treasure' together." The Maverick feLIne's hands reach out to grasp the Russian's shoulders. Outside> Neon Tiger strikes KaLInka with her Grasp attack. Outside> King Kitsune runrunrunrunrunrunruns, grabbing a person, dropping them off outside the grounds, then darting back for another ... except this last time. This time, as he streaks back to seek out more people in need of rescue, he finds himself face to face with a chunk of debris. "What the --" *BRICK* The abrupt deceleration of his head makes his feet splay out in front of him, that momentum making him coast through the air for a good 100 feet, feet first, before he hits the ground, skidding along the tarmac with sparks flying in all directions. A wide scorched skidmark trails in his wake. "Ow." Outside> KaLInka curses her miserable luck (in Russian, natch) as she feels eyes upon her, and is suddenly LIfted right off her feet by Neon as easily as a child would LIft a tiny doll. Her tone remains haughty and somewhat indignant. One can imagine members of the royal Romanov family were equally petulant, straight up until their untimely deaths. "Whatever do you have to gain, by bringing terrorism to this lab?" Outside> The slash of Ruinations claw does nothing more than sunder the air, for Muse is able to easily jet out of the way, staying tauntinGLy out of reach as the huge Maverick flails about trying to hit here. "You're a big un, arn't you?" she comments, raising up one arm in front of her. "But you know what they say - the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Or some witty LIttle reply LIke that," she adds, shaking her visored head sLIghtly. The armor on the back of her wrist spLIts in twain, reveaLIng a small energy cannon... which she immediately turns to use on the Maverick. Outside> Muse strikes Ruination Roc with her Wrist Blaster attack. Outside> Bluegrass erms as Roc focuses on Muse (Ah have ta stop 'im... or at least focus his attention on someone else...)oo. She activates her jets and fLIes away from Roc. "C'mon big boy! Why should ya deal with 'er when ya can deal with me?" She fires off a armor-piercing arrow... ...and not caring if it hits or not. "C'mon, sugah. Just ya and LIttle ol' me..." She 'winks'. Outside> You strike Ruination Roc with a minor hit from your Armor-piercing Bolt attack. Outside> "I think you had better release her," comes the voice of Signas from behind Neon Tiger. She's probably got more than accute enough senses to have detected him coming beforehand, but the element of surprise isn't what he's relying on. An electric hum comes to LIfe as the Diplomat powers on his Signas GLaive, to show that he's not kidding around. Outside> RepLIforce Dropship makes another turn as the pilot continues to get a LIve feed from the sensor array on the ship... And then diverts from it's course, moving to land near the shattered building. Looks LIke he saw something he feels he needs to Do Something About. Outside> Signas receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Feh, sounds LIke the Baby Cossack is on scene as well..." [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Do you see her, Ser?" [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "KaLInka?! OH GREAT." Outside> Well it seems the women are all pickin on poor Roc, and far be it from 'rora to buck the trend. In one hand she twirls the golden trident almost without thinking, her left hand outstretched, reveaLIng a blue orb in the palm of her hand, an orb beginning to GLow. "I'm sure this is the point I'm supposed to yell something witty at you and then blast you, but as I'm new at this, I'll just skip to the blasting, alright?" Without waiting for a response, Aurora spreads her fingers, fully reveaLIng the crystal. A bright LIght suddenly flashes out, another laser blast aimed at Roc's torso. Outside> Aurora Hound misses Ruination Roc with her Snap Shot attack. [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "My thoughts exactly." [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Ah'm settin' all scann-- Wait. Ah see 'er. She's with a reploid tiger... An famiLIar one. Neon Tiger." [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "...that one, eh?" Outside> Signas sends a radio transmission to Prismatic Spider. [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Yah." [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Let's settle this Maverick's hash, then we'll deal with the one inside." [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Ya got it, Cap'n." Outside> Signas receives a radio transmission from Prismatic Spider. Outside> Betelgeuse cackles at the kitsune's pLIght. "Now THAT'S entertainment." It's sort of LIke an interactive version of America's funniest home videos. He moves his hands, as if air-conducting an orchestra of destruction. "Now if only that bird-thing would do more LIght shows." Having to do his own LIght show, he pulls out a rather unwieldy laser, something undoubtedly earth technology. "PULL!" Stardroid technology of clay pigeons have never advanced much. He draws a bead on the hound. Stardroid taxonomy between dogs and birds is often better than that. Outside> Betelgeuse strikes Aurora Hound with his Stolen Gun attack. Outside> This round of attacks actually do have some effect on the Roc - although his heavy armor plating abosrobs most of the damage, he's starting to look just a wee bit frayed and scorched. His beak gapes for a moment as he screams out raptorial rage, then snaps it shut. "Fine. You wish to see what you are defending... then see." With suprising speed for something so large, Ruination closes the distance between himself and the nearest hatch. Bending down, he slams talons into the metal and pulls. With the scream of tortured metal, the hatch is ripped loose, and hurled aside. What is revealed are... rows of simple robotic shells. Each attached to some sort of machinery. And a lot of very unhappy human scientists, trying to do things to the machines. "Those are Reploids. And those machines feed in sensation. Or take it away. Or give pain." He GLares over his shoulder at the Musica and Aurora. "Welcome to my birthplace. Allow me to give you a proper welcome." Those massive chest plates roll back once again, reveaLIng the bores of the heavy plasma cannons. Which open up. Bang Bang. Outside> Ruination Roc strikes Muse with his Heavy Energy Bombardment attack. Outside> Ruination Roc strikes you with a soLId hit from his Heavy Energy Bombardment for 16 units of damage. Outside> Ruination Roc strikes Aurora Hound with his Heavy Energy Bombardment attack. Outside> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Current Systems Status $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Current Endurance: [|||||||||| ] (35 / 68) Fuel Reserves: [|||||||||||||||||| ] (94 / 100) Status: Compromised Forcefield Power: 0 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Outside> Neon Tiger turns to GLance at Signas before placing KaLInka over her shoulder and carrying the young Cossack towards the revealed hatch. "You think to harm me while I carry the precious Hunter cargo? For a diplomat, you don't think things out well, do you, fool?" the fluorescing Maverick sneers before peering down into the hidden lab. Dropping down a level to land LIghtly on her feet, the tiger reploid arches her tail over her head and begins to fire her tail laser at the frantic scientists. "Do you enjoy the pain of others, child?" [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Okay. Now, Ah'm pissed..." [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Indeed. Lets DROP this Maverick..." Outside> One of the problems with new recruits in combat is that they are almost, no matter how gifted, always predictable, and nearly all flawed in the same way. Lacking experience, they usually stick to a few basic tactics, and they're unable to handle with new situations. And some of them, LIke Aurora, simply forget to watch their six, so to speak. Which is why it comes as a complete surprise when pain blossoms on her back, right between her shoulder blades, and just below her wing mounts (which are retracted right now). The laser burns through a bit of her armor and knocks her forward, utterly surprising the ex-astronaught. "Ah! What the..." She was /sure/ there weren't anymore Mavericks around before she landed. But she isn't given any time to ponder it, for Roc is given some speach about his traumatic childhood or something. And in truth, Aurora is sLIghtly moved by it, and by the cruelty of the scientists. And she's even more moved by the blast from Roc's attack, which slams into her and knocks her right off her feet, landing unimpressively on her back. "Note to self. Install rear-view mirror," she murmers to herself before regaining her feet. Outside> Muse isn't even given the time to reply to the Roc's words, because the massive crescendo of energy blasts that rock the area are more than enough to send her flying a good distance before she skids to a stop, her armor smoking but not horribly damaged. Not enough to keep her out of the fight, unless she's careless enough to let the big bad Maverick hit her with something that big again. SLIding her hand down to her side, the Guard Captain removes a short, heavyset sLIver blade from where it is hanging at her side, resting it in a guard position. "Awww - so this is some sort of childhood fit now, is it? I really don't give a damn, Maverick. You're trying to hurt people, and we just don't do that in this business," Muse growls, before launching herself at Ruination, aiming to bring her sword around in a nasty LIttle slash right across the Maverick's face. She'll have to deal with Neon after she's done with this one... Outside> Muse puts her guard up. Outside> Muse misses Ruination Roc with her Silver Blade attack. Outside> King Kitsune lays there, on his shoulder blades, tails up in the air looking LIke some weird golden flower, with his toes touching the ground over his head. "Well, this is embarassing." With a flash of yellow LIght and an audible *pfoof*, he regains his footing via teleportation, then radios to see who needs him to do what. [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] King Kitsune transmits, "I've evacuated all the civiLIans I can locate, anybody need some assistance?" [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Help Signas." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] KaLInka transmits, "Yes, sir." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] King Kitsune transmits, "Right-o." Outside> "If I enjoyed pain of others," KaLInka mutters from her 'perch' slung over Neon's shoulder, "I would be as bad as any Maverick. So my answer would be, then, that no, I think pain of others is a horrible thing." All the while, she tries to find a good way out of her current predicament...something that wouldn't involve dismemberment or decapitation. Outside> Bluegrass's visor brightens, as if in horror at the energy blasts, which tears through her white armor... and temporary disables her fLIght engines dropping her back down to Terra Firma. "...Ah got a present fer ya, Maverick..." She fires a arrow before Muse launches her assault... ...this arrow explodes the moment the moment it hits it's target... Outside> You strike Ruination Roc with a minor hit from your Explosive Bolt attack. Outside> "You don't seem to be LIstening. This isn't about my pain. This is about the pain of those immobile, helpless souls being tortured in the name of science and war." Ruination moves again, leaping over Muse's attack. Still in the air, his thrusters roar to LIfe, LIfting him upwards. More and more thrusters come onLIne, his armor plating shifting, giving the Roc a more streamLIned... and hungry look. And then Bluegrass' bolt slams into his chest. And the explosion sends armor in all directions as the Roc lets out a scream of agony, pain, and rage. "You wish to feel pain? That can be arranged." The thrusters scream, hurLIng the massive avian into the smoke filled night sky... Outside> Ruination Roc changes into his Raptor armor. [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "We gotta take 'im down, now! Ah don't lahk the way he looks now!" [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Grr... if that oversized chicken gets up to high, we're gonna have problems when we bring him down..." Outside> King Kitsune has reconnected. [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Ah know! Think we can direct it ta crash in the seas?" [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "That'll be an interesting feat... I don't think I can hit it that hard..." Outside> Signas leaps down after the Maverick, GLaive passed to his left hand, and with his right - reaches out for the end of Neon's tail, just before the Ray Splasher emitter, with the intent to yoink the Maverick back, and perhaps distract her momentarily enough for KaLInka to get free. Best way to grab a tiger, after all, or so the proverb says... Outside> Signas misses Neon Tiger with his Grasp attack. Outside> Betelgeuse cackles from his perch, an arm still extended (Point and laugh. Told you.). He leans back, enjoying a sip of margarita as it all unfolds. "Oh, this is good. What would be nice and... Hmmm..." He fades out of view for just a moment, an ominous darkness in the sky, the shadow next to him as he returns to his seat. (No attack) Outside> Too slow, Joe. Well, not that Signas is a Joe, but with all the clone jokes going around... anyhow. Taking out a third scientist, the tiger turns back to the hatch and GLares up at the Hunter fool. "If you're so determined to take a piece of me, I'll grant you a gift of LIght," Neon Tiger comments as she aims the flashbulb at Signas' face. Not caring what the other reploid does, she uses her powerful legs to return to the main level and stalk towards Roc's position, LIttle girl and all. Outside> Neon Tiger strikes Signas with her Tail Flashbulb attack. Outside> Signas is temporarily disoriented by Neon Tiger's Tail Flashbulb attack. Outside> Signas receives a radio transmission from Prismatic Spider. Outside> Aurora Hound pauses to watch in fascination as Ruination is smashed by the explosive attack, then rockets up into the air. She takes a moment to GLance around, remembering that there's another enemy out there on the battlefield. The funky looking reploid is spotted, and the Hound turns towards him. "Well you ladies seem to have this well in hand, I'm going to go after the sniper!" she shouts to Muse and Bluegrass. Then, with a burst of power from her anti-grav engines she leaps into the air, at the same time unfolding her wings behind her. Despite the almost skeletal appearance of them, due to them simply being a composition of metal beams, the golden shine of them gives her an almost angeLIc appearance. As they unfold, the rods composing them soak up the solar energy, channeLIng it into her weapon systems while at the same time she jets towards her new opponent. "Get ready, pal!" is her warning, and suddenly the curved plate of heavy armor just below her chest sLIdes open, reveaLIng another blue gem, much LIke the one on her palms. And just LIke her palm jewel, it starts to GLow just before it unleashes a searing beam of LIght at the incognito Stardroid laughing at her. Outside> Aurora Hound misses Betelgeuse with her Solar Beam attack. Outside> KaLInka has a very clear view of Signas attempting to grab Neon's tail. She grimaces when he comes -quite- close, and misses. GrumbLIng to herself, she begins sLIding one hand into her coat pocket...searching for a certain item she HOPES she brought along. It isn't much...but if it works, it might be distraction enough for her to escape. As long as Neon's got her, no one's going to shoot her, and she knows it. Outside> Signas sends a radio transmission to Prismatic Spider. Outside> Muse looks up at the ascending Roc, and slowly shakes her head. "Well, doesn't this just take all," she mutters, spinning her sword around in her hand. In the middle of one spin the entire blade 'CLACKS' into place, attaching to a catch in the middle of her right gauntlet. Arm and weapon now made one, Muse feeds energy through the blade, causing the entire length to shimmer with energy as she launches herself into the air after the Roc. A crackLIng pulse of energy rushes up and down the blade, and Muse slashes - not directly, using the weapon as a melee attack, but instead unleashing a pulsing burst of energy directly at the Maverick. Her energy pulsar. Outside> Muse strikes Ruination Roc with her Energy Pulsar attack. [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Someone, Stop Neon Tiger! Moving into position for disruption..." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] Muse transmits, "Bluegrass and I have our hands full with the big one, kid. You're on your own there..." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Good luck I was hoping someone else was also unengaged." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] King Kitsune transmits, "I'm working on it." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Excellent. Let's do this." Outside> Bluegrass touches down on the ground as Roc blasts off, "Oh no ya don't ya F**ker. ya goin' down." She aims at the birdy and fires another arrow at the Roc. ...This time, an arrow that conducts electricty on the target... Outside> You miss Ruination Roc with your Thunder Bolt attack. Outside> King Kitsune has partially disconnected. Outside> The Maverick's tail flash momentarily bLInds Signas, and he takes a step back to shield his eyes from the ultrabright LIght rays, sending off a quick transmission to Prismatic. Outside> King Kitsune is up'n'running. Radio orders are to help KaLInka and Signas, which means he has to scour the faciLIty to try to find them ... at his speed, takes about a minute. Eyeing the flourescent feLIne felon, the Vulpine of Velocity (and all-around alLIteration aficcionado) rushes her, slowing down just enough to try to take KaLInka from Neon without ripping the LIttle one's arms from her sockets. Outside> King Kitsune strikes Neon Tiger with his Grasp attack. Outside> The Falconis hisses as it lands nearby, and a hatch opens as the Spider Scientist leaps form the hatch. KaLInka's in trouble, and he can't let Neon get away... Using IFF readings from the Falconis' sensor suite, he leaves the transport to the onboard MSE team as he moves to... intercept the Maverick. As he moves in, he tries to recaLIbrate a system to the readings from Neon's signature... Outside> Prismatic Spider strikes Neon Tiger with his Analysis attack. Outside> Ruination rides a contrail of flame and exhaust high into the sky, gaining speed constantly. The shot from Muse grazes his leg armor, adding to the damage toll. But it is not enough to put and end to things. Winging over, still accelerating, the massive avain lets loose with a scream of raptorial rage. Too bad it won't reach before he does. Already travelLIng faster than the speed of sound, a perturbance fills the air as Ruination drops towards Muse and Bluegrass. A shockwave in the air. Behold the fury of the Sonic Boom from something the size of General. It's Very Very Loud. Outside> Ruination Roc strikes you with a major hit from his Sonic Boom for 23 units of damage. Outside> You are below your courage-endurance point. Outside> Ruination Roc misses Muse with his Sonic Boom attack. Outside> Betelgeuse is nice and annoying LIke that. He doesn't even move. He only looks over his margarita, and snaps his fingers. Twin holes in the space between open up, LIke LIght itself is being diverted and detoured as it flows. Aurora's energy flows in, and the random chaos bursts LIght, LIke a giant flash as the energy streams out in strands in all direction, including back at the hound. Outside> The voice is best imagined as cute, fuzzy kittens in a blender. "Hi Babe. You're doing just fine so far. Just don't make the show too short. You people have been much too boring so far." Outside> Betelgeuse strikes Aurora Hound with his Confounding Intervention attack. Outside> Aurora Hound is temporarily disoriented by Betelgeuse's Confounding Intervention attack. Outside> Hiryu arrives from the Moscow - Southern Outskirts. [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "OUCH. Ah gotta pull out, Cap'n. Sorry." Outside> Neon Tiger growls as the child gets yanked off of her shoulder by a blur of gold. Hissing at the outcome, the Maverick plucks a gem off of her armour and attempts to lob it just ahead of the alLIterating vulpine Hunter's current position. Outside> Neon Tiger strikes King Kitsune with her Laser Emitter Pod attack. [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Dangit - looks LIke its up to me then - go ahead and get outta here, Bluegrass. I'll see what I can do here." Outside> Bluegrass staggers back from the sonic boom. It hurts. It really really does. Blue shakes her head and unfurls her damaged wings and proceeds to fly off... shakinGLy... Outside> Bluegrass retreats from the area swiftly, leaving her open to pursuit or parting shots from Neon Tiger, Muse, Ruination Roc, King Kitsune, Betelgeuse, and Aldebaran. Outside> Well, it really came down to it now, didn't it? Rather close to the end... and Muse wasn't going to go down without a good fight. Bringing her blade around, she carefully watched as the counter on the suit of her armor began its steady progression up the numeric scales - higher and higher to that magic '100' mark that would mean that it was time to really do some damage. Until that point, all that she could do was try and hack off a few feathers from this oversized bird - and streaking in close, she tries to do just that, the GLImmering silver edge of her energy sword darting in and out as she hacks at Ruination at close range. Outside> Muse strikes Ruination Roc with her Silver Star Blade attack. Outside> KaLInka fumbles with something just inside her coat, and is taken by surprise when King Kitsune runs up to grab ahold of her. "Ack --" The thing inside of her coat drops out -- it's a small, metal cyLInder, marked with CyrilLIc lettering. "Oh, crap," she grumbles in dismay, "I did pull pin already!" Just as she says this, the device suddenly detonates with a brilLIant blue flash, and the acrid smell of about 20 different explosive chemicals. The explosion is sudden, and very short-ranged. <<< BLAM!! >>> Outside> KaLInka misses King Kitsune with her Random Invention attack. Outside> KaLInka misses Neon Tiger with her Random Invention attack. Outside> Aurora Hound emit Well that's something Aurora hasn't seen: holes in space sucking up LIght briefly. Or spitting it back out, either. The distortion and the reflected attack catch her head on, evoking a feeLIng of something akin to nausea and dizziness, but not quite. Aurora barely makes a controlled landing right in front of Betelgeuse, her wings folding in sLIghtly to protect themselves from damage in case she lands wrong. Fortunately she does stay on her feet though, even if she is putting one hand to the side of her head, while the other clutches her trident and uses it to prop her upright. "Ugh... Your approval means so much to me, no really." 'Rora gives the Stardroid a mild GLare as she makes her sarcastic retort. Outside> Prismatic Spider takes this opportunity to lay down his version of cover fire. Neon's wireframe form is overlaid in his sight with a coruscating energy blue aura. The signature is turned into a waveform, which is matched by an equal and opposite wave in red... And as he peeks out from around the corner and extends his middle-right hand, a small emitter is revealed in the palm. And a burst of nigh-invisible electromagnetic energy is released as it speeds towards Neon Tiger. Outside> Prismatic Spider strikes Neon Tiger with his Spider Wave attack. Outside> Neon Tiger is temporarily disoriented by Prismatic Spider's Spider Wave attack. Outside> "If we've got all of the scientists," shouts Signas, as his vision clears and he sees that King has somehow managed to get KaLInka away from Neon Tiger, "then let's go!" He dashes past Neon, in the direction of King, gancing around to check and be sure they haven't left people behind. Outside> Neon Tiger's turn and dash is halted by a rather pesky EMP attack. She'll get you next time, arachnid, neeeeeext tiiiiiiiiime! Outside> Well, Muse may be waiting for an ultimate attack, but Ruination has reached the point where he has no intention of remaining here for it. Winging over one final time, the joints of his wings howLIng under the stress, he GLIdes back across the field of battle, his talons locking around Neon Tiger. And then his thrusters roar to full LIfe, hurLIng him away from the scene of combat. He says nothing, since at the speed he is travelLIng, words are lost. Outside> Ruination Roc retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Betelgeuse. Outside> KaLInka cLIngs onto King Kitsune, feeLIng for all intents and purposes LIke some LIttle perching, cLInging creature...maybe a possum, or a koala. "I am sorry for almost blowing you up," she apologizes. Outside> King Kitsune grins to himself, having successfully rescued KaLInka ... he GLances back at Neon just as she fLIngs the gem. His tails curl protectively around KaLInka, shielding her from the detonating crystal as well as the chemical blast that he simply outruns. "It's okay, ma'am. All in the LIne of duty. All that matters is that you're safe." Outside> Prismatic Spider turns back from the stunned Neon as he quickly heads back to the Falconis. There will be an investigation on this, indeed... But right now he's just happy that KaLInka is safe. [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Muse transmits, "Alright, get back here Bluegrass. Let me patch you up before we head back to the Orchestra. Looks LIke this mission is over." [Radio: (A) Musica] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Alright." Outside> Muse hmphs, detatching her weapon from its holder on her arm and returning it to its sheath at her side. Landing LIghtly on the ground, the Red Armored Captain surveys the damage, and slowly shakes her head, tsking sLIghtly. "Idiots. You reap what you sow. And people can be damned stupid, humans or reploids." Walking across the shattered ground, the Guard Captain looks at the RepLIforce and Maverick Hunters, mainly at KaLInka. "Anyone here who needs some help?" Outside> Aldebaran has disconnected. Outside> Green teeth shine through as he looks up and waves a hand. "Oh, but it should. You're lucky that I'm just here for my amusement, instead of what SnugGLes and Precious want." Water drips on Aurora as thousands of feet overhead, the shadow fLIes towards the building. A toy that Betel grabbed from the nearby Black sea. A small boat, back from its three hour tour. A three hour tour. Outside> Betelgeuse strikes King Kitsune with his Ss Minnow attack. Outside> As much as it would be tidier to think that this was all a mission to save KaLInka, and as GLad Signas is that she's safe, there are still other matters to attend to, now that the Mavericks have left. Working through the rubble, he helps to dig out those scientists who were trapped by the earLIer explosion. "Take KaLInka aboard the Falconis," he shouts, "and we'll have to free those reploids as well." Outside> Bluegrass hangs back, for a moment... before blasting back into the area, as the Mavericks were leaving. She settles down next to Muse, with her body posture indicating that she is wincing in pain... Outside> King Kitsune nods to Signas, deLIvering KaLInka to the Falconis as instructed, setting the girl down gently. "There you are, safe and soun"*BOAT* He spends the next three minutes flat on his back, staring at the pretty spinning stars ... Outside> Betelgeuse adds in, "Oh, darn. I missed. Ah well." Outside> Aurora Hound is, surprisinGLy, only just now figuring out that Betelgeuse is a stardroid. Of course, in her defense, there are probably some other reploids that can do at least a couple of the tricks Betel has done. But tossing boats through holes in space/time is a bit beyond the reach of reploids, to her knowledge. "What do SnugGLes and Precious want?" The Hound stands a bit straighter now as the dizziness passes, in spite of her injuries. Outside> KaLInka steps toward Muse, right about the time King gets creamed by a falLIng boat. "I am fine...but there are still some scientists here, who need to..." She turns and peers behind her. "...Did a *boat* just land on him?" she mutters. Outside> Muse leans down, attaching a small unit to Bluegrass' arm - one that releases a few milLIon nanites onto the White Musica's suit, doing a quick and dirty field repair of the damage. That settled... Muse stands up, and walks to stand between Signas and the revealed chamber of Reploids that the Roc had smashed open a few minutes before. "I think not, Hunter. This area is now sealed by order of the United Nations - we need to investigate this as a federal crime, and that includes placing all of the evidence under lock and key." $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IC News $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Message: 14/16 Posted Author Shocking News Sat Dec 07 News Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EarLIer this evening, Maverick forces assaulted a research faciLIty owned by the Russian based KDC coperation. Currently, casualties are still being counted. The known Maverick Neon Tiger was sighted during the attack, as well as another Reploid not known as of yet . The Mavericks decimated the faciLIty, causing a great deal of damage. However, of more shocking note was the revelation that the faciLIty was a cover for an operation to develop Reploid minds via torture, brainwashing and sensory deprivation. After reveaLIng this and engaging UN, RepLIforce and Maverick Hunters who arrived to halt the attack, the Mavericks departed. An investigation is currently underway... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Outside> Muse effects some minor repair work on Bluegrass. Outside> Muse takes out a medical scanner and scans Bluegrass. Outside> Prismatic Spider reaches KaLInka and the Boated Kitsune. With a GLance and a shake of his head, his top right hand retracting in a famiLIar manner... No, it's not an arm-cannon, as a complex set of multitools pops out of the hole where the hand was. As he pulls out a scanner to examine the smashed Kitsune, he asks KaLInka, "Are you all right, Miss Cossack?" Outside> Prismatic Spider takes out a medical scanner and scans King Kitsune. Outside> "People are not evidence," repLIes Signas firmly, as he directs an uncovered scientist to the Falconis and informs him of all sorts of unpleasent accidents which might happen if he decides to go somewhere else instead, "unless you intend to charge these victims with a crime." Outside> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Current Systems Status $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Current Endurance: [|||||||||| ] (35 / 68) Fuel Reserves: [||||||||||||||||| ] (85 / 100) Status: Compromised Forcefield Power: 0 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Outside> "You can have your opinions all that you LIke, but none of these Reploids are registered. As soon as the proper authorities arrive..." and Muse cocks her head, speaking internally over her radio to someone. "...these Reploids will be placed into stasis to be examined for the Maverick Virus and any other... abnormaLIties. Standard procedure, and one that even you should recognize. In case you didn't hear the Maverick, this was where HE was produced." Outside> Betelgeuse puts a finger to his mouth and thinks. "You know, I never fully got that answer out of them. And they never did sweeten the deal." The stardroid leans forward. "I'm sure you could find out better. They get a bit uppity when you hit them over the head." Outside> King Kitsune looks blearily up at Prismatic as he gets mediscanned. He looks thoughtful, pensive, introspective as he ponders what has happened this night, and with all the conviction he can muster, proudly states ... "Boat." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Would anyone take exception if I performed some field repairs to your boat-fallen ally, Hunters?" Outside> KaLInka bobs her blonde head. "Yes, sir, I am, and thank you," she tells Prismatic. "There are many others in this place, who...do need help...I had no idea this kind of research was happening here. I was here for another reason...this should not be allowed." BLInking as she looks down at Kitsune, she remarks... "Yes, boat indeed! You got that right. A pretty good-sized one, too." [Radio: (D) RF-MH-UN-Chat] Aurora Hound transmits, "Now /there's/ a phrase you don't hear everyday. At least I sure hope not." Outside> Bluegrass feels the nanites doing the repair and sighs. (Much better. Not 100 but...)oo. She GLances at Signas, "The Cap'n is right, sugah. We do need ta check 'em all out ta see that no one got the virus. As well as bein' interviewed so they...being the scientists and reploids.... can tell us if they... being the Mavericks... did anythin' durin' their short stay here." Outside> This is... odd. One minute this guy is shooting her in the back, the next he's just chatting with her. Well, given how powerful he undoubtedly is, Aurora decides it would be wise not to complain right now. "Well I'll be sure not to hit them, then." 'Rora pauses, then asks, "But where can I find them?" Outside> "Of course I am," says Signas, "you will recall that it was LIght Labs which developed the virus scanners, and we still have some of the best. We will ensure with one-hundred percent certainty that none of these reploids are infected before releasing them to be rehabiLItated." As someone who languaged half-built in storage for half a year, the Diplomat does have a sLIght distrust of the noble intentions of the beurocracy. Outside> Muse nods in agreement with Bluegrass, walking to stand between Signas and the mass of scientists and reploids and the Hunter. "Even Miss Cossack admitted that she had no idea that this operation was going on here - you know the laws, Signas. Illegal Reploid production is always to be checked for signs of Maverick contamination. I don't know about you, but I don't care to let these Reploids wander off, only to have to destroy them in a few weeks because they are rejoining their Maverick brethren." Shaking her head, the Guard captain crosses her arms and does her best impression of a soLId wall. "Feh. There's no such thing as a Virus scanner. There's the standard psychological profile battery, and your organization is not a part of the UN, Hunter. This is our jurisdiction." Outside> Prismatic Spider nods. "Indeed... This is something that needs to be stopped. But the Musica are attending to that detail... I cannot get involved in that, though I'm sure the UN will take care of the issue. Right now I'm a bit more concerned with..." The Kitsune makes his eloquent statement. and he bLInks for a moment. "Yes. A boat... Now hold still while I take care of your damage." Since he is not hearing any dissent over his radio channel, his six hands begin stripping off chunks of King Kitsune's damaged armor so he can reach the more important internals, while his multitool hand works on reconnecting wires, patching LInes, injecting reconstruction nanites, et cetera. Outside> Prismatic Spider effects some minor repair work on King Kitsune. Outside> Prismatic Spider takes out a medical scanner and scans King Kitsune. Outside> King Kitsune shakes his head violently once the repairs are complete, and groans quietly as he stirs. "Thank you ... I would have asked for your aid, but I wasn't sure if it would be more apt to shout 'medic' or 'man overboard' at the time ..." Jessica Blakesly hands you a cookie for a job well done! Outside> Betelgeuse looks a bit cross at the question, "Well, given that the last few times I saw my good friend Denebola, I BASHED his HEAD in until he could be held by Toots and Sweetcheeks, which was POINTLESS anyways, since he ESCAPED, and then I was able to break his concentration at the games, I haven't had a chance to ask him. I'm sure if I asked nicely enough, he'd LOVE to TELL me right after he makes balloon animals out of my INTESTINES. Why don't YOU find and ask him?" Outside> KaLInka frowns a LIttle bit, somewhat annoyed as she remains by King Kitsune and Prismatic Spider. She isn't annoyed at them; she's aggravated that something more immediate can't be done for the suffering reploids. Red tape being what it is, they'll just have to wait it out until it's decided once and for all what's going to be done. Outside> Ruination Roc has disconnected. Outside> Neon Tiger has disconnected. Outside> Betelgeuse strikes Signas with his Hms Titanic attack. Outside> Betelgeuse misses King Kitsune with his Leonardo Dicaprio attack. Outside> Betelgeuse strikes Aurora Hound with his The Iceburg attack. Outside> Aurora Hound falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage. Outside> Aurora Hound strikes Betelgeuse with her Gates Of Heaven attack. Outside> KaLInka has disconnected. Outside> Ok, here's what Aurora has learned from Betelgeuse. 1) He can summon boats. 2) Denebola is either called SnugGLes or Precious 3) Dene and Betel do not get along anymore. 4)That's it. No more points: SLIdeshow Ends. "Well if I see him I will," she promises Betel sweetly, seeminGLy unfazed by his rampant sarcasm. Outside> Prismatic Spider nods. "Not a problem... You should be all set for now, you'll have to get your armor repaired back at your base. So, what's your name, Hunter? I am Prismatic Spider, RepLIforce MSE." Outside> King Kitsune bows at the waist, Japanese-style, to Prismatic one he's vertical. "King Kitsune, Rookie Maverick Hunter, at your disposal. Thank you for your assistance in deaLIng with my curiously landlocked maritime disaster." Outside> Shield Shellfish has disconnected. Outside> "You are correct," repLIes Signas, "this nation falls under the jurisdiction of the United Nations, and its laws, poLIcies, and regulations, developed for the good of the pubLIc, and all of its estates." The last word of the sentance is subtly emphasized. "I expect you will do your best to take care of these victims... Be assured that I will look into their progress periodically." With that, he salutes the Musica guard, and spLIts into two half-soLId images of himself, which head out in opposite directions for a bit and then vanish altogether. Outside> Betelgeuse continues, "You DO that. And see if he can SWEETEN the deal. If he wants to destroy EVERYTHING, then what's in it for ME to JOIN? I don't know who has WORSE a deal. PRINCESS and her 'oh, so you SAVED my REAR, I'm going to DISDAIN YOU' ATTITUDE, or SnugGLes and his 'I offer NOTHING, so I want to KILL you or you can JOIN me in getting BUMKISS." Betelgeuse stares at his margarita before he addresses Aurora again. "You, what's your name? Laika? Astro? McGRAW the SPACE DOG?" Outside> King Kitsune has disconnected. Outside> Aurora Hound LIstens to Betel continue to rant, wondering if these could possibly be the same Stardroids of the past. Boy that movie Hero Boy vs the Stardroids was innaccurate: it portrayed them as cold, cryptic giant weirdos, not dysfunctional freaks. "Yes, I'd want at least a good health plan," she interjects, commenting on Nothing's lack of appeal. When the SD starts LIsting names, Aurora places on hand on the bottom of her helmet, curled up against her chin, and softly begins tapping a sinGLe finger against her chin. "McGraw the Spacedog? I'll have to remember that one. No, I'm Aurora Hound. What's your name?" Yes, nothing to see here folks, no intergalactic being of superpower, just two people having a poLIte conversation. Outside> Prismatic Spider nods, bowing similarly. "Good to meet you, King Kitsune. I will be looking forward to helping you all in mutually beneficial ways." In the meantime, Betel's rant is getting his attention... Outside> Signas bLInks to another location. Outside> Muse watches as the 'appropriate' local authorities arrive to take over the situation, and turns to Bluegrass. "Lets get going - its been enough of a day as it is." Outside> The stardroid nods, as if they're on the same wavelength. "EXACTLY. That's what I said. Of course, he's gone all loopy since he's traded in his playing cards." Betel pauses, almost confiding, "Well, course, I don't think I helped any, either. And really, since the big cheese ain't here and this entire ruckus has started, pretty much everyone's been in confusion." The smile gives green teeth as he places his arm around Aurora's shoulder, "It's a wonderful sight to see, I'll tell you, Babe." Outside> Bluegrass nods. "Let's." Outside> Aurora Hound responds with her own understanding nod, surprised at how much of this she understands... and a LIttle worried, too. Still, she does her best to pay attention and be responsive. Although that plan almost goes out the window when he puts his arm around her. Can you say "GROSS!!" Sure, I knew you could. It takes all of her control to keep from shuddering and giving him a good kick or shove. Instead, her smile just falters for a moment, but apart from that, and an internal monologue that consists almost entirely of wretching sounds, Aurora is able to control her reactions. "Well a LIttle chaos is good for the soul. But what happened to the big cheese? You mean that Duo guy who got whacked?" <>> The buzz of reporters and dignitaries for tonight's event fills the atmosphere with expectation. For the most part, there is some milLIng around. A large figure, sLIcking off the last of rain from the still monsoonal downpour going on outside, emerges, gilded armor even more painfully bright in the wet LIght. General pauses, sizing up the media with some misgivings, and then sizes up those who are already present. None of the other factionals, but UN personnel seemed present. The twenty foot reploid steps forward, hand extending, as he recognizes one of the attendants from an earLIer meeting. "Good evening, Gale Sorcerer." His entire stance is that of one steeped in thought. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man transmits, "There's lots of stupid things on tv." [Radio: (E) Broadband] Pirate Man transmits, "Arr, and most of 'em are repLIforce personel." Normally such a young looking individual would have no place in a such an important meeting. But then again, this young looking individual is defender of the UN's database. Not to mention he has some opinions of his own on this situation. Midi finds a place to sit for now, though he doesn't get too comfortable, since he knows he'll have to end up jumping up and down to get any attention. Sigma arrives from the United Nations Building. Sigma has arrived. Prismatic Spider arrives from the United Nations Building. Prismatic Spider has arrived. Pharaoh Man arrives from the United Nations Building. Pharaoh Man has arrived. Schism Sabertooth arrives from the United Nations Building. Schism Sabertooth has arrived. Sword Man arrives from the United Nations Building. Sword Man has arrived. Dr. Doppler arrives from the United Nations Building. Dr. Doppler has arrived. Wire Wolf arrives from the United Nations Building. Wire Wolf has arrived. Kain has connected. Sigma Heads into the General Assembly Hall with his followers of destruction. He looks back to Shere and nods slowly, "Thank you. Though if I recall correctly, the other person who must be present has stated he has never taken the item in question, which if true, means it remains here.", he rubs his chin sLIghtly, "Well, as long as we won't be blown up, this shall be a fine evening, agreed?" Stellar Jay is off to the side. Somewhat inconspicuous, actually. He's just here for security, and thus he sort of fades into the background... He won't blow you up. No, really! Nor will any of the other security folks posted at the exits and elsewhere. Just don't make any sudden moves. Stepping behind Sigma just to his left is Schism, "Agreed, if they can hold their biting idiocy quiet with their usual insults that is. I do not have high hopes that tonight shall be anything more than a circus of people yelLIng at each other as if they were in pre-school. But we'll see." Matic arrives from the United Nations Building. Matic has arrived. Pharaoh Man enters the room, and his guard drones take standing positions next to the 'Robot Master' box marked with that oh so styLIsh 'W' insignia. Pharaoh Man promptly takes his seat, while one of his drones hands him a briefcase, from which assorted documents are taken out. Two seats, one sized for Sword Man, remain empty next to him. Matic sidles his way in with the rest of the crowd, smirk on his face. Behind Schism Sabertooth, and sLIghtly to the right - Directly behind Sigma - is a certain blue-furred wolf reploid. He walks confidently, as if he belonged there. Though he knows he doesn't. All this tom-foolery. It's all part of the job. So long as they beLIeve he's one of them, he'll be able to LIsten to everything they mutter amongst themselves. Joy! Though the robo-hippy Wire Wolf had best keep his mouth shut. Dr. Doppler walks along with the other members of the CRF delegation, having no trouble matching their pace. "It should be interesting to see if indeed all can act LIke civiLIzed beings and not a room of unruly children," he says, noting idly just how LIttle has changed since his tenure here. "Still, poLItics makes strange bedfellows, and a crisis stranger still." Midi already posed, he's already here, seated in the VIP-ish UN area thing. Cause he's special. Matic head over to stand near his best friend, Kain, a flash of white teeth with his usual condescending grin. Sword Man steps in as well, ever the soLIder, marching stiffly toward the Robot Master's area, a met carrying a papercase on it's helmet behind him. Quickly, he sits down, the met jumping up, allowing Sword to grab the case and file through it quickly as things get set. Standing near the gates along with several other UN operatives, Gale Sorcerer, look upwards towards General. "Greetings, General. I'm GLad you decieded to come. You're seat's over there. We should be starting soon" Sigma doesn't seem to notice Wire Wolf. Perhaps he was successful. "Oh, if they act as children then I suppose I'd have to stoop down to their level, or, at least, make suggestions which can fit in their minds.", he looks over to Doppler, "But hopefully the crisis will keep them in check, hm?" Ring Man makes his way to the Master's booth and takes the last empty seat quitely, his briefcase in hand. Kain transforms to tux. Prismatic Spider arrives a couple minutes behind General, quickly making his way over to his side. A standard-issue datapad is in one of the Spider Scientist's hands, allowing him to review data as needed... But he remains still next to the Golden Giant, waiting for him to be seated before he does himself. Pharaoh Man sends a radio transmission. Sword Man receives a radio transmission from Pharaoh Man. Pharaoh Man sends a radio transmission. Ring Man receives a radio transmission. Even as the others begin fiLIng in, General, still standing, squares his shoulders. Optics fLIck over each of those who arrive, appearing mostly unsurprised with the ones who do show. An optic ridge quirks at the arrival of Sword Man, and frowns sLIghtly at the exchanged commentary between the Maverick delegation. He incLInes his head towards Gale, "Thank you. I wish your group a productive session." He steps over towards the RepLIforce area stationed next to the UN area, settLIng himself with a quiet whirr of gyros, resting hands on his knees, still taking in the commentary and guaging the mentaLIties of the others present. Dr. Doppler has disconnected. Ring Man sends a radio transmission. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission from Ring Man. Midi fidgits in his seat a bit. Being a sugar-loving child-LIke reploid doesn't mix well in a debate setting, especially when the debate hasn't started yet. Though something gets his attention real quick. Being seated in the UN area right next to RFs, General nearly sits on top of him. The young hacker looks up at the imposing RepLIforce leader "Umm.. Hi Mr.General Sir..." Dr. Doppler has connected. At the mention of something over a frequency, Schism Sabertooth stops abruptly. "Ah, so good to see that ease dropping is on the United Nations agenda for tonight. Or perhaps you would LIke to scurry off to whatever hole you dug yourself up from, my canid cur?" With this he turns sLIghtly to face their ease dropper. And then, just as easily he dismisses the Canid as if he is nothing, "Sigma, we've arrived at our prescribed area." Extending a hand out toward the chairs nearby. Sword Man sends a radio transmission to Pharaoh Man. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man yawns. "Boy if this night ends up any more boringer I'm gonna have to do my Stardroid dance to summon one of those Gods so that some sort of random chaos is created. Where's a giant LIzard when you need a city destroyed?" Prismatic Spider follows General, taking a smaller seat next to General and Midi. With a small grin, he looks down towards the minihacker... But doesn't interrupt. He'll be more than happy to talk when it is time for him to do so. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Tengu Man transmits, "Hn. I agree." [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man transmits, "Raaaar! Cities will crumble beneath my Stardroid sized feet! Beware my atomic sound waves!" Matic dips in faint Strider salute to the Blue Dragon Director as he turns to view the rest of the group. "Think your friends here were smart to bring all these wackos into their clubhouse, old chum?" Pharaoh Man sends a radio transmission. Sword Man receives a radio transmission. Wire Wolf GLances at Schism for a moment, offering a toothy smirk. Saying nothing, he sLIps into the area designated for the Maverick emporer and his entourage, seating himself somewhere out of the way, but close to those he's keeping an eye on. Sword Man sends a radio transmission. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission. General gives a magnanimous enough smile to Midi, and offers a quiet, "Good evening to you, as well." However, he's without a name at the moment, and turns his attention to the moderator, apparently anxious for the convening of this event. Sword Man simply gets his papers in order and nods to the moderator, eyeing Ra a bit before scanning about the room. Sigma smiles, and gestures to the chairs, "After you two. One must always be poLIte at these merry meetings.", he doesn't even look at Wire Wolf as he looks over to Schism, "Oh, I do beLIeve I thought of something, but it will have to wait, I suppose, until later.", he laughs a LIttle before scanning the Assembly, letting his gaze float over to General for a few moments. And then if his merry company sat down, he will as well. Outside> UN HQ - General Assembly Hall Outside> Contents: Contents: Matic [Urban] [C] Ring Man [Helmetless] [RM] Kain [Tux] [C] Wire Wolf [MH] Dr. Doppler [Labcoat] [M] Sword Man [Chibi_Sword] [RM] Schism Sabertooth [Siege] [M] Pharaoh Man [Son-of-Ra] [RM] Prismatic Spider [RF] Sigma [Imperial_sigma] [M] General [General] [RF] Stellar Jay [C] Midi [Olddesc] [C] Gale Sorcerer [Magician] [C] Spica's Camera Outside> orth: UN HQ - Office of the Secretary General : United Nations Building Bluegrass arrives from the United Nations Building. Bluegrass has arrived. Outside> Pharaoh Man sits back and watches patiently, watching the other reprsentatives as he awaits the start of the debate. For the most part, Ra is observing for once instead of intervening. Outside> Dr. Doppler takes a seat to the right of Sigma, then pours himself a GLass of the compLImentary water set at their table. Chances are this will be a lengthy debate, provided it doesn't immediately degenerate into bickering. His gaze wanders, noting the others in attendance, nodding in acknowledgement to General. Outside> Bluegrass calmly strides in and just stands by at a nearby guard post. Outside> Pyro Squirrel arrives from the United Nations Building. Outside> Ring Man fLIps through some random papers, not really paying attention to them. His optics constantly shift around the room appraising each of the other attendants. Outside> ---- Pyro Squirrel is staring at Bluegrass in armor! ---- Outside> "So very impudent." Schism Sabertooth takes his seat, his own ears perked back to keep a close sensory lock of where Wire Wolf is at the moment. But otherwise, he does nothing for now beside gently lay his hands onto the table and clasping his fingers together. Outside> Schism Sabertooth sends a radio transmission to Wire Wolf. Outside> Wire Wolf receives a radio transmission from Schism Sabertooth. Outside> The wolf's own ears twitch towards the sabertooth. That can't be good. He'll just have to make himself scarce after this. He himself laces his fingers together, anGLIng his ears and his eyes to the center of the hall. Intent. Outside> Once everyone has started sitting in their place, the UN representatives gather themselves around their table. After discussing something for some moments, they finally got to their seats. All of them but a quite old man with white hair and quite an impressive white moustache. Holding a bunch of paper sheets with both hands, the old man coughs on the microphone a couple of times trying to get silecene. "*Ahem* Is everyone ready?" He coughs another couple of times, this time for real, and then, once there is finally silence and he gets the assistants' attention, he begins to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen. Representatives from each faction in the Earth. MiLItary or civiLIan. Big or small. We've gathered ourselves here today to discuss a matter of great importance. As all of you know, the Stardroids have returned to the Earth, but this new visit we're getting has become quite different than their last one. Some of them claim to be acting for the good and freedom of us all, while some others' intentions are not too well-known for us. All of us have had contact with them, and know different and important things about them. Today, we'll discuss the role of the Stardroids this time. Are they really for the good of us this time, or are they our enemies once again? My name is Karl Siegfried, and as a representative of the United Nations, I'll be your moderator in this debate. Everyone of you has got his and her own turn assigned on their table. Thank you for assisting to this even again, and now, let's begint it. The representatives of the CoaLItion for Reploid Freedom have got the word." Outside> Kain frowns and GLances over at Matic and fehs. "...This is going to be a long day..." Outside> Pharaoh Man leans back, and sets a small pocket datapad to 'record', converting the entire debate into a text log for future reference. " Hmmm. The CoaLItion..." Ra comments, chuckLIng quietly at the elaborate name the Mavericks have given themselves. Outside> Pyro walks in and sits down with all the other unaffilLIated people. His armor is still dented from the Tartarus fight with Pharaoh, and he's certainly in no condition to battle. Outside> Matic again flashes Kain a sinister grin as he turns his attention to the formaLIties. Outside> Matic has disconnected. [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, " well, this has already started. Hopefully we won't have any incidents this time..." Outside> Sigma looks over to his comrades, "Oh dear me.", he says, standing up, "It is our turn already? And me without my notecards.", he sighs and says, "Well first off, I must congratulate the United Nations and Maverick Hunters for keeping the AlLIance and Ceasefire so well in place. Good work. I am very pleased and impressed.", he looks around a bit for a GLass of water but doesn't find any. Curses. The UN has horrible service. THEY SHALL PAY! He looks up, "Members of the CoaLItion are up. Why, we've been getting members I haven't even seen or heard of before.", he gestures to Wire Wolf, "Truly, freedom is becoming a true LIght in the distance.", he drops his arm, "However..." Sigma's LIps widen into a grin, "We are here to discuss the less wonderful aspects of the state of the world. The Stardroids. The knowledge we have is LImited, what they are wilLIng to tell us and know themselves is LImited. While before we could trust every sinGLe word a Stardroid said because they were too arrogant to LIe, now they have gained the power of subterfuge and deciet. Perhaps they are even decieving themselves. Whereas we managed to stick together in confLIct, they fell apart. Should we give them a judgement LIke they tried to give us? Just a question, for now. I am curious as to what you think, merely in regards to ideals. They tried to destroy us for what they now have done to themselves. Is this acceptable to you?", he looks over to Schism and Doppler, sitting down sLIghtly, "If you have anything else.", he says to them, "Do feel free to say so." [Radio: (B) UN] Stellar Jay transmits, "There were incidents last time?" [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "oh yeah. Remember that time early this year, when we held another debate about if Reploid had souls or not?" [Radio: (B) UN] Stellar Jay transmits, "...ah...no sir, to be honest I just got here last week." [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "oh, that's right" [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "well, that debate took place. And somehow, security allowed /everyone/ who wanted to get in. Then, Sigma and Epsylon got angry and turned the hall into a colloseum" [Radio: (B) UN] Stellar Jay transmits, "...whoa. Who's Epsilon?" [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "leader of the Irregulars. Sorta LIke Sigma's brother, but he hasn't got the virus. They just cannot stand each other." [Radio: (B) UN] Bridgit Cascio transmits, "I remember that crap." [Radio: (B) UN] Stellar Jay transmits, "Oh man... I'm almost GLad I wasn't here for that..." Outside> Upon the gesture, Wire Wolf simply stands, and exits the Maverick box. That could have gone better. He seats himself amongst the civiLIans, just intent on watching the debate now. [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "heh, probably yes" [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "how's people doing out of there, Brid?" [Radio: (B) UN] Bridgit Cascio transmits, "Quiet, fer once." [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "well, seems LIke good" [Radio: (B) UN] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "That's good. Fer now, at least." [Radio: (B) UN] Bridgit Cascio transmits, "What's goin' on in there, anywho?" [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "agreed" [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "Mavericks just got the word. Sigma made his speech, and I think Doppler's going to talk now." [Radio: (B) UN] Bridgit Cascio transmits, "Greeat. I'm GLad I'm out 'ere an' not in there. I'd prolly throw somethin' at 'is head." Outside> Schism watches the Maverick Emperor's mannerisms closely for a moment before LIstening as he GLares over those gathered nearby. Then as Sigma offers, the feLInoid stands. "Dignified delegates and ambassadors from the factions, Senators. There is only one subject I shall touch." Straightening the jacket over his large form a bit as he speaks, he continues, "Do we have the capabiLIty to stop this 'Nigh' when it arrives. Have /any/ of us truely thought of ways to do so? We need not ask which we can trust, we need to ask the question of how they can be stopped. Permanently. They and this Nigh are a thing that will destroy us if we do not destroy them. We defied them once, and now they are back. It is obvious that if we turn them away again, they will LIkely return again." [Radio: (B) UN] Bluegrass Not Serena Gilbert transmits, "Ah'm tempted ta do so, but it wouldn't be proper fer someone ta be throwin' tomatoes. If Ah had tomatoes, that is." [Radio: (B) UN] Bridgit Cascio snerks. Outside> Dr. Doppler approves of the moderator's name, if nothing else. And there is water at the table, but he had the pitcher since he filled his GLass first. Small error on his part. He nods at Sigma's and Schism's words, then stands to take his turn. UnLIke his compatriots, he does not have quite the same commanding presence. "Ladies and gentlemen, I beLIeve we can all agree that the Stardroids pose a threat to Earth. Else we would not be having this debate. Thus far, we have been able to determine that there are two factions among them, those following Duo, and those following Nigh. Both have stated that the other is a danger to us, but which of them, if any, can be beLIeved? I beLIeve that we must learn more as to the nature of this Nigh in order to find a way to combat it when and if it arrives." [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "heh" Outside> Sigma has disconnected. Outside> General incLInes his head, remaining seated for the moment as he absorbs the information. First Sigma, an officer, and even Doppler himself have made commentary. FLIcking optics shut for a moment as he hears the speech, he then reopens them, and his hurly-burly voice rolls out. "Yes, it has been estabLIshed that there is a threat to the planet because of the stardroids, as well as the emptiness called Nigh that has thus far consumed a tenth, and by now, LIkely more, of the night sky. Thus far, all I have heard are descriptions of the problems. I have not heard a sinGLe word of anything that be considered a solution." With a roll of his shoulders, he steadies himself, the flat of hands on the table. "It's been clearly estabLIshed that the preservation of the planet is imperative for our survival. The Nigh threatens that. The solution at first appears to be that we should side with those stardroids that oppose it. However..." His voice takes on a steeLIer tone, "The same stardroids that are asking for assistance from us were the very same that originally threatened us, which confounds the simpLIcity of the solution. However, I must emphasize that we must face this head on. The stardroids that do appear to serve as the Rouges, which in our case, despite their name, are our best chance at resisting the threat. These stardroids, the units named Aldebaran, Pisces, Aquarius, and Regulus, tend to appear alone, acting confused. It is my suspicion that the agents of Nigh may in fact be drawn to any collection of these mechanoids, and that we ourselves may in fact have to act as go-betweens to organize the stardroids into a more formidable resistance." Outside> A massive beam of energy descends from the heavens, completely vaporizing Pharaoh Man. Outside> Pharaoh Man falls to the ground, unconscious. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Metal Man transmits, "What the hell!" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Tengu Man transmits, "Eh?" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man transmits, "Bwah?" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Metal Man transmits, "What just happened in Seoul? Something vaporised Pharaoh Man!" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Barrage Raptor Nelson Laughs. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man transmits, "It did? Good. I hate Pharaoh Man." [Radio: (E) Broadband] Pirate Man transmits, "Arr, I be havin' dibs on all his booty!" [Radio: (E) Broadband] Beam Demon transmits, "That sounds SO very wrong." [Radio: (E) Broadband] Pharaoh Man @Jedi Mind Tricks OOC-There was no vaporization. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Metal Man transmits, "OOC I see c.c" Outside> As General sits, Prismatic Spider stands himself. After a moment, he begins his own address to the assembly. "Indeed, the Stardroids themselves are divided, squabbLIng between themselves. Those who follow Nigh have been seeking those who follow Duo, this location being chosen by fate or some less etheral force to serve as the final hiding place. Both sides have been propositioning members of the Earth to assist them in their strugGLes. It is clear that whatever we choose to do will determine what shape the upcoming confLIcts will take. We know LIttle to nothing of the Nigh, despite repeated entreaties to those who serve it... But we do know that actions speak louder than words. Those Stardroids that serve the Nigh behave LIke spoiled children with amazing destructive powers, causing death and detruction at their whim. They seek to intimidate us and cow us into submission through displays of sheer brute force. However, as General has suggested, those who have been termed 'Rogue' Stardroids have done nothing but help those who ask, assisting us to save LIves and fight back against unwarranted agression... Therefore, perhaps we should seek them out to gain what knowledge they have of the situation and assist them in turn, provided that is the best course of action for the planet. They have nothing to lose by assisting the people of Earth... But the have much more to lose by turning against us." Outside> Betelgeuse isn't here. But with a kerthunk-plunk and a will of the cosmos running in the background, Pharoah Man, of Project ACROSS, is unvaporized. (Just kidding!) Outside> Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, BETELGEUSE! Outside> Iris arrives from the United Nations Building. Outside> General has disconnected. Outside> Pyro Squirrel mutters to himself. "Hmm, one of the stardroids is Betelgeuse? Isn't that some old movie, where you say Beetlejuice, beetlejuice... and then something. Eh, not important, anyway." He then gets back to watching the debate. Outside> Wire Wolf enters the United Nations Building. Outside> General has connected. Outside> Betelgeuse fades in behind Pyro Squirrel. He is calm and collected, and actually whispers with his otherwise mostly offensive voice as to not gather too much attention. "Now what is it you want? I'm busy right now." He's holding... Is that Stardroid dolls from Wilyworld? Outside> Gotta Buy 'Em All! Outside> Sword Man simply watches on, writing notes on faux-parchment with synth-ink...before pausing and staring at the suddenly appearing Betelgeuse. BLInking...he shakes his head and turns back to the debate floor. . o O (I shall not bother to ask). Outside> Pyro looks over his shoulder. "Huh? I didn't know that the pizza would be here that... soon..." "..." "You... are the pizza guy, right?" Outside> Gale Sorcerer bLInks a bit tired from his position, along with some other intels. He isn't sure about it, but he thinks he's watching people appear out of nowhere. "I knew I shouldn't have drinked so much of that coffee. Now I'll be seeing this things for the next three days..." Outside> Pharaoh Man GLances over at Betelgeuse. .oO(Oh dear. Not /him/. If he's here, that can only mean...) [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "I think I'm... watching things..." Outside> Cancer appears behind Gale and silently hands him CAPPACINO! "It works for those headaches," the crab notes, "Trust me." [Radio: (B) UN] Stellar Jay transmits, "...I see that too..." Outside> Iris creeps into the crowded assembly hall a LIttle bit late...heaven only knows what took precedence this evening. Probably shopping. [Radio: (B) UN] Gale Sorcerer transmits, "good, now we can blame the janitor for tossing poison into the coffe pot again" Outside> Pharaoh Man facedesks as another Stardroid appears to finish his thought. .oO(...other Stardroids.) " This is not going to be a good day..." Outside> Betelgeuse facepalms, the Aquarius doll in his hand. "Look. Next time you're going to... Nevermind. Just... You... Forget it. I'm going before there's even more trouble. And you better tip your pizza deLIvery guy. Or else... well... just else..." With that, Betelgeuse bLInks out just as silently as he appeared. Outside> Stellar Jay double-takes at Betelgeuse, idly reaching for the Stellar Cannon in its holster on his back.... just in case. What the... then... Cancer. "...oh...my," he says quietly, readying himself for fulfilLIng his urrent seurity position... Outside> General nearly bristles at the appearance of the stardroids, in particular Cancer. He scowls sLIghtly, and urges, "Gale, deal with this one with caution. He has assaulted and severely injured RepLIforce and other personnel. He has also been identified as an agent of Nigh." [Radio: (A) Musica] Musica Guard Captain: Jessica Blakesly transmits, "Well, isn't this a pickle..." Outside> "Ah thanks" Gale Sorcerer take the CAPPACINO! (TM) that Cancer offer him while peeking on the assistants. Then he stops drinkin as he reaLIzes something about who deLIvered the coffee. No, he's not going to look behind again. He just keeps on drinking Outside> Pyro Squirrel bLInks as the grungy guy fades away again. "... Um... Okay, I'm officially staying in bed for the next week or so." Outside> Cancer grumbles. "Sheesh. I can't give someone coffee. The nerve." Cancer grumbles once more before disappearing... Outside> Iris looks around, bLInking in confusion. Then, she moves to find a seat. Outside> Pharaoh Man stands, and clears his throat at the finish of the addressing by RepLIforce officers, as the pair of Stardroids dissapear as quickly as they had come. " Ladies, Gentlemen, and Reploids...." Ra begins. " I will be brief. The Empire of Amun-Wily is staying on the defensive in this situation, and keeping to its own concerns. Should these matters begin to directly affect Robot Master Controlled Territory, and Amun-Wily wishes it so, we shall join the rest of the World in its 'decisions'. But it has been made clear in the past that the UN does not recognize Robot Master territory as a nation, nor Amun-Wily its ruler. Until he is shown the respect due to him, Amun-Wily shall do as he fills fit for /his/ people. " As assorted translators ramble off to other foreign delegates in their fluent language, it comes down to 'You treat us LIke crap, so we don't plan to get any more involved then we have to be, cause thats the way Dad wants it.' Outside> Dr. Doppler seems more disgruntled than unnerved by the sudden appearance of the Stardroids. He was expecting them to arrive at some point, if only to preen in front of the assembly. Outside> Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission. Outside> Mikage Yukiato arrives from the United Nations Building. Outside> Dr. Thomas LIght arrives from the United Nations Building. Outside> Sword Man notices Ra finish, and coughs, standing up, the met beside him nerping and taking the papers as Sword rises. Clearing his throat, he starts. "With the official statement of the Order aside, I must comment on the matter at hand. As it has been mentioned, it hast become rather obvious that the present Stardroids hath become stratified into 2 factions, one siding with the one known as Duet, and the other side siding with the Nigh. However, as those who were present on Easter Island when the one known as Procyon can attest, the situation has become much more compLIcated, as Procyon claims to have come in order to defend the earth from the present Stardroids, and claims to have come from a 'previous' judgement. This makes the decision on who to side with all the more confusing. The actions and attitudes of those that side with the Nigh is a substantial point. However it hast become rather apparent that this is NOT a simple matter. I agree with the notion of remaining neutral as to who to side with until it has become apparently clear which side shall truely aid in the protection of this land. I have my personal views on the matter, but that shall be left for a different forum." Nodding as he finishes, Sword sits down, the Met beside him returning his papers to him, before skittering about into Sword's bag to find more parchment. Outside> Dr. Thomas LIght appears, being led by an aide, rather fashionably late. He's hustled into a seat, the aide taking a moment to help the old man with his cane, and LIght rests quietly looking almost as if he knows what's going on. Good thing he doesn't, wouldn't do to blow an image. Outside> Ring Man looks up from his papers as his brothers finish. The lord of the rings stands up and decides to keep it brief for now, "As it stands right now it is not cost effective for us to extend ourselves beyond our own boarders. The unfair sanctions and tarrifs on African products and services is draining on our economy. Also without knowing where the Stardroids stand it is hard to choose sides. For now we are best served not taxing our resources beyond our boarders." Ring sits down after he finishes. Sitting, LIstening all along to everyone talking, Midi has had the urge to jump up and voice his own opinions, but even with his own fidgiting and impatience, he's kept it to himself. He reacts sLIghtly to the apparences of Beteljeuse and Cancer, particularly the grimy one, since he's the only one of the two Midi's actually met. Finally, the spotLIght turns to the UN's side, so he quickly jumps up to get some attention. Not LIke anyone would see him if he just raised his hand, being the short LIttle guy he is. "Umm... hi. Well... I've had a few encoutners with some of the Stardroids myself, actually. The ones called Pisces, Aquarius, Beteljeuse, Luna, and Virgo. Umm..." He pauses, thinking, he's not good at ALL with speeches, he's as red as a tomato right now "A-anyway... this.. Nigh-thing... Virgo told me something about it a few nights ago, I haven't officially told anyone about it yet." He coughs. "She told me that the Nigh was being sealed by their process of judging the worlds they came across, or something LIke that. I beLIeve the basic point is, when we resisted and defeated the Stardroids, that broke the seal containing the Nigh, somehow. Which is why Procyon was saying this was all our fault. I don't really know where we should go from here... I personally beLIeve that siding with the Stardroids against the Nigh will be necessary though..." He pauses again, thinking about something. "This I mentioned in a report I made shortly after the announcment of the Doomsday Games, but I'll talk about it again here for the benefit of everyone else. After Procyon confronted Duet on Easter Island, they both disappeared. Apparently, from the transmissions I intercepted, Procyon sealed her on the moon." He shakes his head "I dunno if she's STILL there, I haven't heard anything since. But if the other Stardroids manage to help her, I think she's who we should be siding with... it's just what I feel. And... um.. yeah, that's it." He quickly sits, GLad that's over. PubLIc speaking is not his friend. LIght coughs gently once as the aide comes to his side, snapping a microphone on him. His voice finally rings out, gentle and clear "..you, son. You wouldn't have a playbook for this show, would you? No? Alright...thank you. I'll figure it out." The old man shakes his head gently, turning to LIsten to the speakers. Iris smiles warmly as Midi speaks, waving across the hall at him in LIeu of applause. She feels pretty proud of his efforts. Kain stands up, "I do agree with the comments made this evening, as the Rogue Stardroids and the Nigh Stardroids are pretty confusing to even deal with. However, I do not trust Procyon's story of a previous judgement... it may be true, it may not be... but I do know the LIkes of a silver tongued devil," he eyes Matic, "Sometimes too well." Still drinking from the mug of CAPPACINO! (TM) given to him by Random and Unidentified Person Who is NOT a Stardroid, Gale Sorcerer smiles to Midi once the LIttle android finishes his speech. Looks LIke the LIttle dude has done the work all the others haven't been able to do. Kain continues, "I stronGLy recommend that for the time, we work with the rogues, as they have done the least damage... but keep our wits about us, as what we may preceived as a innocent kitty, might turn into a LIon eventually." With that, Kain... Special K... sits back down. A voice rings out through the hall, "You may not beLIeve it, my dear Kain, that does not negate its truth." The voice is distinctly identifiable. Iris pulls out a LIttle Japanese silk fan, snaps it open with a fLIck of her wrist, and begins fanning herself demurely as she LIstens. Kain doesn't frighten easily, "True. But we will find out whether it is the truth, mysterious one. Now, turn your counsel elsewhere." Mmm. Cold Water. Midi bLInks and peers around at the mysterious disembodied voice. Voices out of nowhere are never a good thing. General quietly regards the conversation bandied around on broadband, bLInks ponderously, and rmbles in resignation. "And *this* would be prime reason why we dissolved with the Robot Masters. Entirely too much LIabiLIty there." Sword Man receives a radio transmission. Sword Man sends a radio transmission. Sword Man receives a radio transmission. Pharaoh Man bLInks, and stands. " General, there is a problem...Tengu Man is being controlled by one of the Nigh ALIgned Stardroids, apparently..." he says. " He will and is being dealt with, I assure you..." Pyro Squirrel stands up, still kind of shaken from Betelgeuse appearing behind him. "The Stardriods that are helping us now are the ones that were hurting us before, right? And the ones that weren't are going insane now, so... It's beyond me. And some of these stardroids are just weird. LIke that one grungy guy. Isn't he from some movie or something? That one where..." Suddenly, he spins around, bringing his right arm up, pointed at where Betel was before. After reaLIzing that A. his Pyro Launcher is still broken, and B. the stardroid isn't there anymore, he turns around, embarrassed, and silently takes his seat. Three cheers for delayed reaction. Prismatic Spider ponders the words of the others himself. He isn't surprised to have seen the Stardroids appear in this place, and it shows in his lack of surprise at Cancer's and Betelgeuse's appearances. Midi's statement, however, gets a very... intrigued look from the Spider Scientist. Nodding in approval, he leans back to consider this new information... But remains quiet. Pharaoh Man sends a radio transmission. Ring Man receives a radio transmission from Metal Man. The man known as LIght seems to be adjusting rather well to the entire thing, though he's still not quite sure what's going on. He does turn to GLance behind him as a voice speaks, and shakes his head gently at the area where it may have come from. "PoLIteness, manners, sir or ma'am or whichever you may or may not be. It's rude in a certain extreme to arrive and not show yourselves to your hosts." He GLances at the people who're talking, pauses, and shakes his head, choosing not to engage in debate yet. Probably best, since he's still lost and catching up. He's rarely referred to as the father of modern sociaLIzing. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission from King. Ring Man sends a radio transmission to Metal Man. Ring Man receives a radio transmission from Metal Man. Pharaoh Man sends a radio transmission. Suddenly, someone taps Pyro Squirrel on the shoulder. "Um, excuse me, sir, I'm sorry that this is a bit late, it's just that... Um, sir? Sir?" "... JUST TAKE THE TIP AND GO AWAY!" Yells Pyro as he pelts the fleeing teenage pizza guy with several zenny. Then he gets back to his seat. Ring Man shifts in his seat things from his perspective have jsut radically changed. He feels LIke all the eyes in the room are on the Master booth because of the revilation on the radio. Barrage Raptor has arrived. Iris looks LIke she's considering taking the podium, but seems indecisive about the matter. She continues to fan herself; perhaps a nervous habit. Sword Man simply lowers his head, growLIng a bit at the radio, trying to maintain decorum within this forum. HOwever, considering it's a Master under his command, it's hard not to get angry over this. The quill in Sword's hand nearly snaps as he clenches his fist, before he breaths out and straightens up, a scowl on his usually impassive face. General's gaze finally settles on Iris after she had sLIpped in. Tapping a few commands into the console, he sends an usher over to guide her towards his location with Prismatic. He then pauses, bLInking, and drms his fingers on the table, turning to peer with a most inquisitive gaze at the Robot Master representatives. Pharaoh Man returns General's gaze with a steadfast look of contempt. He simply raps his fingers on one hand, arms crossed, as conversation takes place over radio. General sends a radio transmission. Sword Man receives a radio transmission from General. Arriving fashionably late a young man with sandy colored hair and piercing blue eyes wanders into the meeting hall. The man seems to be average height and not very impressive to look at. He doesn't hold the weapons that others do nor is he very strong. Rather he looks very much LIke a businessman dressed in a neatly pressed Armani Suit. The man looks to be of ItaLIan decent with a cunning smirk pressed on his thin LIps. He is soon trailed by several other men all of different ancestory. The men seem to tower over the young ItaLIan and their huge muscular bodies can barely fit within the confineds of their suits while mirrored shades hide their eyes. The men stop abruptly to gaze over the area before slowly pressing forth towards their seats. These men are late for a sLIghtly different reason. It would seem they had a few problems with security. I guess security didn't agree with their reasonings to bring weapons into this meeting. No matter, they did work out an agreement. Waiting for the ItaLIan to sit down the men slowly take a step to the side as the image of the young ItaLIan businessman disappears in a beam of LIght as the hologram begins to refigurate. The LIght seems to GLow brighter as a new form appears from where the man once stands. A rather towering holographic reploid dragon errupts from the LIght and gazes its red optics down onto the crowd. The one that calls himself the Kumicho has finally appeared. Letting a slow smirk tug apon his muzzle Kumicho shrugs sLIghtly and lets his men finally take a seat. "I would LIke to apologize for my lateness. It seems I had a small situation occur. No matter..." He GLares at the area carefully. His optics dark on every member of the meeting before letting a cruel smile press on his muzzel. "But don't let me interrupt anything. I beLIeve I will speak my mind when it comes." Lowering his form sLIghtly Kumicho gives a sLIght bow, letting his long snake LIke head fall just a bit. Sword Man sends a radio transmission to General. General receives a radio transmission from Sword Man. Sword Man sends a radio transmission. Iris waves graciously toward General as she's escorted to the RepLIforce seating area. Her attention is drawn immediately to the draconian and his entourage who enter the assembly area. General sends a radio transmission. Sword Man receives a radio transmission. Prismatic Spider sends a radio transmission to Iris. Iris receives a radio transmission. Iris sends a radio transmission. Prismatic Spider receives a radio transmission. Prismatic Spider sends a radio transmission to Iris. Iris receives a radio transmission. Quiet and slowly getting up, the moderator of the debate, Mr. Karl Siegfried coughs a couple of times once the last of the guests has finished talking. Holding the bunch of papers he had at the beginning, he stares at them for a moment at them, after coughing yet another couple of times, the old man begins to speak on the microphone. Just as he begins, another UN representative takes out a medication tablet and tosses it into the old man's GLass. "As far as we've discussed by now, we're facing two Stardroid factions. One of them, the Nigh, seems to be hostile towards us and the other, while the other seems to be supporting us. We've heard the opinion about this from all of you, but now I'd LIke to enter the topic that our agent Midi has just brought in. If his information is correct, this Duet should be sealed on the moon right now. We'd certainly LIke to LIsten to your opinion about this, ladies and gentlemen." Iris sends a radio transmission. Prismatic Spider receives a radio transmission. Prismatic Spider sends a radio transmission to Iris. Iris receives a radio transmission from Prismatic Spider. Iris GLances overat General, looking somewhat uncertain following a brief radio exchange between herself and Prismatic. Ring Man sends a radio transmission to Sword Man. Sword Man receives a radio transmission. Sword Man sends a radio transmission to Ring Man. Ring Man receives a radio transmission. Assault Styracosaurus has connected. Pharaoh Man sends a radio transmission to Sword Man. Sword Man receives a radio transmission from Pharaoh Man. The voice from the Maverick table is not Sigma's as one would suppose. Instead Sigma is sitting there, allowing Doppler and Schism to speak for the Mavericks. And indeed, Schism does speak up again. "We can not trust any of these Stardroids. No matter their faction. No matter their supposed origins. We must stand above all else for what our planet is. Regardless of you being Human, Android, or Reploid, we all face a common foe. A foe that has struck at us before, if not twice already. We can not fail in this endevour of stopping them." Schism's gaze falls between all the tables. Schism seems to hold the gaze of all for a moment, his optics in thought for a moment before continuing. "Tell me, how can we trust these Stardroids after the information we have all brought forth. Duet has stated that Nigh was held in check through the Judgements. What if they are here to destroy our planet by gaining our trust first. Afterall their existance is what they're here to protect. Would they not sacrifice us to acheive that goal..." The question obviously redundant. "No invader, no force from afar can hold us by force of arms alone, can not destroy us by will alone. There is no greater power in this universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, Stardroids and Nigh and armies can not stand. Though it may take many of our LIves, I and many others will fight and win. As we have done before. The Stardroids and Nigh will not stand before our want for LIfe and freedom." Sword Man sends a radio transmission to Pharaoh Man. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission from Sword Man. Firestorm Phoenix has arrived. Hiryu enters the OOC Lounge. Hiryu has left. Dr. Doppler has been LIstening to all opinions quietly, occasionally sipping from his water GLass. Once Schism has finished, he again stands. "I agree that the fire that drives us towards freedom will once again triumph over the Stardroids. However, we must also be practical. Desire alone will not get us there, only with our intellect and knowledge will we stand a chance of succeeding. We know that anything told to us by the Stardroids is suspect. It is my opinion that at least some of them intend to use us as pawns in this power strugGLe between them. Still, we of the CoaLItion have tried to make sense of their riddles, and I would LIke to think the rest of you are doing the same. "In regards to the moon," Doppler continues, "as you know, we did have a presence there until recently. We would be wilLIng to send a exploration force to see if there has been any noticable changes to the moon since our departure. Whether it's in our best interest to rescue Duet is another matter, however." Enforcer Malamute has disconnected. Enforcer Malamute has connected. Midi has disconnected. Bridgit Cascio arrives from the United Nations Building. Bridgit Cascio has arrived. Abernathy arrives from the United Nations Building. Abernathy has arrived. General finally rises to his feet, shifting weight to place his hands on the massive countertop, gazze intent upon the gathered audience, gaze occassionally fLIcking towards the other speakers. "All of these points are vaLId. You claim that the stardroids are attempting to deceive us into accepting them bLIndly, then an incredible ruse it is. Not only have they taken to fighting amongst themselves, they have also decided to make themselves appear weaker, and more vunerable. Aldebaran showing in our repair bay complete with injuries, Pisces and Aquarius showing up in their true forms, and even a report that the form known as Regulus has shown in his original shape as well. The others... those not so easily classified, such as Procyon and Betelgeuse, have given us GLImpses into their actual forms. What does that say to you, ladies and gentlemen? Why all the effort to lull us into false security? I say that this schism is legitimate, and I will reiterate the necessity of finding unification of these stardroids. Perhaps it would be wise to at least scan the moon for signs of the entrapped Duet. And something else..." He narrows his optics, as if searching for an answer, reaching for a vague memory... "What of that child that was left when Duo was supposedly destroyed? Did anyone keep tabs on it? What ties might his dispersed energies have to this?" Iris makes her way to the podium, and smiles graciously. Her voice is not nervous or tremulous as she speaks; she sounds quite confidant and sure of herself, a gift of her extensive communications programming. "I find myself agreeing this evening, in large part, with the Mav-- the CoaLItion, and what they have said. I do not beLIeve that the Rogue Stardroids have given us any particular sign that they can be trusted any more than the Nigh Stardroids. While the Rogue ones tend to behave in a manner most deem 'agreeable', and even friendly at times, I do not think it would be in our best interest to show support for EITHER side, as...taking sides seems to be the very thing they WANT us to do, and taking sides would effectively divide us in strength and weaken our chances to resolve this in a manner that would benefit our planet and everyone who LIves on it. If we remain independent, we remain strong in our resolve to not jump through their hoops, but be of our OWN mind. I thank you for your time." Having said this, she bows her head respectfully, then returns to her seat. Prismatic Spider looks from General, to Iris and the Assembly. "There is much we still do not know, and how does one propose we learn these things? We have found no answers to the nature of Nigh, and we have merely bits and pieces of information from the Stardroids themselves. Yet you claim that they are manipulating us. In all of our vaunted wisdom and power, what have we managed to discover without input from the Stardroids? Very, very LIttle... And do you really think the darkness will remain on the edge of our solar system? Time is running out, and we will have to choose a side eventually... Whether it is either of the Stardroids, or our own. But jusdging from gathered data, I beLIeve that it would be dangerou to trust the Nigh Stardroids. they have behaved in a dangerous, dare I say treacherous manner. Which is why I beLIeve we should speak with the Rogues, who are Rogues only because they do not choose to serve the Nigh. How is this any different than our own strugGLes? We squabble and fight over opposing viewpoints ourselves. The Stardroids do not behave significantly different than we do. The only difference is that they have powers that we cannot match individually. They have the information we need to make an informed choice. We apparently lack the time or abiLIty to discover the nature of the situation on our own... So we must choose wisely." Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission from Tengu Man. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission. Arafina has connected. Sword Man simply hangs his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Seems LIke he's not in the best moods to talk at the moment. Even the met that seems to be his interim squire for the day looks up at him, nerping questioning. Pharaoh Man sips water quietly, taking the discussion in, and adding notes to the ongoing recording of it via the datapad. Then, Ra stands. Looking to thoe gathered, he seems to be contemplating something. " The Stardroids, as of now, have presented themselves more as inquisitive then anything else. Those few who choose to ally with the Nigh are the only who prove to be of any danger. The rest have repeatedly taken measures to assist and protect the planet..." Pharaoh Man taps the datapad, and events such as assorted encounters with Duet, Regulus, Aldebaran, and what looks LIke Virgo flash about on the assembly screen, all in which they are interacting peacefully with others. " If you wish to wage any sort of war, I agian reinforce that Amun-Wily is not making any promises to the UN and Factions involved to assist. He has made it clear his intentions are to care for his people, and his people alone. As for the matter of the Moon..." " The Robot Masters were as well aware of the fact that Duet is supposedly there. This is a ruse, false. We used our extensive scanning equipment to run a full scale analysis, and found the evidence of Duet's presence to be nothing more then a ruse. Just something to force any seeking Duet to waste resources and time for nothing. Take this tidbit of information as a bit of...goodwill to show Amun-Wily's intentions are nothing but to keep the Stardroids from becoming a menace. " Ring Man sits staring off into blank space appearently LIstening to something other than the events of this room. Ah yes it's been an interesting evening for the Masters hasn't it. Family business has the darnedest habbit of popping up at the wrong time. Dr. Wily arrives from the United Nations Building. Dr. Wily has arrived. Thomas LIght ahems softly near his microphone. The old man looks around, having not really commented or added to this conversation much til this point, but his eyes show a bit of steel, gentle though they are, as he grasps his cane and places it aside, to lean against his chair arm. He takes a moment, hoping people can hear him through all the other talking that is being done this night, and lets his soft but clear voice ring out over the microphone at his lapel. "A few years ago, I built a group of people to defend LIfe on this planet from something I thought to be a menace. Altered, built, helped with, all kinds of things." He pauses, lowering his eyes a moment, then raises them a bit again, looking tired. "To defend and protect everything I could from the things that I saw were wrong. It barely matters, in the end, as the true victories are won by those forgotten, or the ones nobody expects. Every time." "I and all the people I love are going to keep doing what we've been doing all this time. The target has changed, and isn't certain, but it's never really been all that black and white. No real difference, in my eyes. Those who LIve on this world will defend it, invariably. We'll do what we can, and I'll send someone to look for information on the moon, and any stardroid who wishes to talk to me, I Outside>. Come to me, give me facts, and decieve if you wish. In the end, it doesn't really matter to the ones who count." Gizmo GLIder has disconnected. Bridgit Cascio has left. Pharaoh Man mutters sLIghtly under his breath as LIght speaks, but makes no other comment. The sound of running footsteps echoes down the long hall outside the chamber. They grow closer and closer, pounding on the floor now. The confused questioning of guards sounds outside the doors, then silence from the voices. The footsteps don't even break stride, and the doors swing open with a crash, slamming into the walls on either side. A figure rushes through, labcoat flapping wildly and tie flaiLIng over a shoulder. Tufts of white hair bob haphazardly, and there is the squeeee of shoes sLIding on the floor as the man skids to a halt. One hand thrusts imperiously into the air, and Dr. Albert Wily, leader of the Robot Masters and Supergenius extraodinaire loudly proclaims, "I OBJECT! Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, theres is no way that my cLIent is guilty! Why, I declare to you that this entire trial is nothing more than a travesty, a grim mockery of the very justice which we so righteously claim to uphold!" He trails off abruptly, then looks around. "Wait.....this...isn't a trial, is it?" That hand wavers, then falls, and Wily covers his eyes and shakes his head. "I've /got/ to stop watching so much Matlock...." Pharaoh Man bLInks in surprise, and sends his drones over to usher Wily to the Robot Master box. A comfy plush chair is dragged in for the bad Doctor. Pyro wakes up out of his daydream, and stares at Dr. Wily. Then he mutters something under his breath, and goes back to not paying attention to the debate. Iris snerfles some soda, for the first time in her young LIfe. Kain GLances up. "The only thing I must say is that the Stardroids might have ways of imprisoning or hiding someone that we haven't even begun to consider. We all have been on Starhaven and we know this due to highly sensitive technology there. Even if we scan the surface of the moon completely... we will not get a complete or even accurate reading. We must go on the moon itself." Dr. Doppler rubs his forehead at his fellow scientist's abrupt entrance, coupled with confusion about why he's here. Perhaps seniLIty is finally setting in. Such a shame, that. Pyro hits the 'Pass' button on his place in the unaffilLIated booth. Looking about as casual an alley cat wandering in on an assembly of junkyard dogs, Abernathy sLInks in -- quite late -- from the security cordon around the building outside, joining the faceless crowds who haven't got -- or haven't elected to have -- a say in this whole thing. Claiming a seat that should be out of the sight of both cameras and the rest of the UN contingent, he flops down -- and banks on Wily's rather surprising entrance to keep people talking and ignoring Abby. Letting the LIght in his optics die out the black Asian dragon remains quiet as he LIstens intently to everyone's words. A clawed talon gently reaches up and strokes the long locks of fur on his upper LIp as if it were a mustache. "You all raise interesting points.." The Yakuza Head hisses darkly in his heavy bass tone. His optics fLIcker open as he studies each group carefully. "However, Ladies and Gentlemen, why must we choose sides of either group? Infact when did we start caring about the well beings of those that wished to destroy us? Our only concern is what happens to us and us alone. Why are we to fight our enemies' war? To save a race that is destined to be destroyed? I think not.. It would almost seem that the Stardroid's mere presence shows disaster for us all" The Kumicho hisses with disgust as he gently steeples his claws together. "Please explain for I might have missed it...what is it the Nigh wants? Does any of us truly know the answer to this question? Perhaps we don't have to fight... Perhaps we can make a deal with the nigh. I care not for who evil or who is good. This does not concern me and this should not concern any of you. Our main concern is for what happens to us and our home planet. So perhaps we can negotiate the Nigh. Give it what it wants in exchange for our safety. Since the Nigh seem to be hunting the stardroids then perhaps we should give it...them." Enforcer Malamute has disconnected. Enforcer Malamute has connected. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Tengu Man. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission. Kain frowns at the Kumicho and erms, "...I have heard they were looking for some artifacts of theirs. Maybe these artifacts can help us." Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Tengu Man. "Why should we fight their war? We have wars of our own...let them fight their own wars," Iris mumbles with a frumpy discontent. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission. Dr. Wily clears his throat, and looks around sheepishly, then moves quickly to take a seat next to Pharoah Man. He LIstens intently to the comments of the others, settLIng back with his arms crossed. It appears the Doctor is going to observe the conversation for a moment. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission. General goes home. General has left. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission from Tengu Man. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission. Assault Styracosaurus enters the OOC Lounge. Assault Styracosaurus has left. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission from Tengu Man. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Tengu Man. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission. Schism Sabertooth has disconnected. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission. The Kumicho sneers at Kain and pushes his ears back. "Artifacts...still these are things to negotiate with. Are they not? For the confirmation of our safety I am sure most of you will turn over what this group wants." Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Tengu Man. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission from Tengu Man. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Tengu Man. Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Bass. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission from Bass. Looking back at the seat of the UN representatives, the old man who was acting as a moderator can be seen surrounded by three of his companions. He's way more pale than before, and just coughs over and over. He's... laughing? Seems LIke Wily's entrance affected the poor old man in a very bad way. The doctor shouldn't do those things just after he took his medicine. While two of them give him some water, the other one grabs the bunch of papers and speaks. "Erm... as... er, as we've seen now, we don't agree about wether we should consider our alLIes even those who claim to be our alLIes. We should also remark, the possibiLIty of organizing an actual expedition to the moon, considering as it has been mentioned that our methods of scanning and searching for duet on the moon may be inneficient. But we'd LIke to bring up Mr. Kumicho's point of view. What does Nigh really want? What is his true purpose?" Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Bass. Gale Sorcerer has disconnected. Terry arrives from the United Nations Building. Terry has arrived. Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission from Bass. Iris GLances over at Prismatic...it's not a look of maLIce, more of a questioning look. She knows that her opinion isn't exactly the popular one in RepLIforce right now. Sigma has connected. Prismatic Spider sends a radio transmission to Iris. Iris receives a radio transmission from Prismatic Spider. Prismatic Spider sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission from Prismatic Spider. Pyro Squirrel has left. Iris sends a radio transmission to Prismatic Spider. Prismatic Spider receives a radio transmission. Dr. Doppler stands once more - it seems that he's now the primary speaker for the CoaLItion. "That is indeed an important question. We have LIttle knowledge or understanding of this Nigh. We don't even know if it is a sentient being or some kind of spcial anomoly which we have not seen before, let alone whether it can be reasoned with. What we do know is that it exists, and it is drawing closer to Earth. An expidition to the moon is a simple enough task, requiring few resources. I beLIeve that much should be done. As for Nigh, it may be worth while to send a probe in the direction of the 'empty space', in LIeu of sending a manned expidition. That would be far too risky given the circumstances. "If Nigh is a rational being, then it may be reasoned with, who knows. However, I highly doubt throwing zenny at it will make it depart, as much as our esteemed allegue may think otherwise." Doppler pauses to sip water. "At this point, I would concur that we should not choose sides with the Stardroids. It would be far wiser for us to gather more information, plan a course of action, and make /them/ decide whether to support /us/." With that, the CoaLItion scientist retakes his seat. Prismatic Spider sends a radio transmission. Iris receives a radio transmission from Prismatic Spider. Dr. Wily leans back in his seat and considers the old man's words. He strokes his chin for a few moments, then leans forwards, folding his hands on the desk. "What does the Nigh want? What if it doesn't want anything, other than destruction?" He raises his hands, clenching one fist. "A mindless force, knowing only hunger and destruction, I say that this is what the 'Nigh' really is. Or perhaps a fabrication made up by these fool Stardroids." He shakes his head, tugging agitatedly at his mustache. "In the case that it is real, which that hole in the sky would seem to indicate it is, I say we give it the Stardroids. Or you give it the Stardroids. As for myself and my children, I find this whole mess irritating and distracting." A snort ruffles Wily's mustache. "The world is LIke a flock of scared schoolgirls running to their mother for comfort. And what mother is that? The UN." Wily's voice drips with sarcasm. "Bastion of peace and justice. The champion of the world." His voice grows hard. "The parasite sucking the LIfeblood away from this world. The disease which corrupts and kills us all." Wily nods to Doppler. "For myself and my children, I say DAMN the UN and let the people of the world band together and force these fool Stardroids to do as /we/ say. We shall decide the fate of our planet, not they or some petty bureacrat in an office." Stellar Jay is still doing his job. Doo doo doo-- ... He bristles at Wily's words, black crest rising several inches. Hey! He works for the UN! "Excuse me, sir, but you're...out of turn..." he pipes up. Pyro Squirrel has arrived. Pyro daydreams some more. Sigma changes into his Imperial Sigma armor. Sigma changes into his Sigma armor. Ring Man sits quietly nodding while his father speaks, and applaudes after he finishes. InterestinGLy enough some in the audience clap as well, some that feel Wily speaks true perhaps. Regardless Ring Man has nothing to add to his father's speach for now and remains seated. The Kumicho raises a sLIght brow and smirks softly. He doesn't bother with agreeing with Wily...though he would want nothing more then to do just that. Rather he holds his tongue on Wily's thoughts then to dare show anyone what he is really thinking at this moment. "If we can't reason with the Nigh perhaps these other Stardroids that hold these games are the ones we can speak with...?" Pharaoh Man slowly claps, his face a mask of admiration as he watches Wily speak so vaLIantly. Sword Man nods as Wily speaks, and poLItely claps. However, he remains seated, other concerns on his mind, the met at his feet still nerping worriedly at the bladed master. Iris pipes up after Kumicho speaks. "Well see, that's the entire point," she says, fanning herself with a Japanese silk fan. "Who can we honestly beLIeve?" Stellar Jay frowns as best a bird can, and raises his voice in response. "Please, ladies and gentlement... you're all out of turn!" He turns and GLances at the moderator quickly before looking back at the floor... Oh boy. This has been a long night... Prismatic Spider gestures from his seat, speaking once again to the assembly. "How would you propose to do that? Use force and we would be no better than those who have tried to judge us... Or those who have sought to pressure us into joining them. We have no desire to become that which we rail against in a possibly self-destructive effort. As it stands now, we need more information... The Stardroids probably watch us now, waiting as we propose our views... By now they will know what we want... Will they give us the knowledge that we seek? We must be wilLIng to trust someone... And some are more deserving of it than others. As Doctor Doppler suggested, we should launch a probe mission to try to determine more of the nature of the Nigh... And in the meantime, gain what information we can from the Stardroids." Ring Man speaks out of turn, "O course they're watching us now, this is going out on GLobal television, if they can hack secure radio transmissions they can turn on the TV." Terry hmms Terry enters the United Nations Building. Terry has left. LIght sLIps his hand over his cane, having lost track of the entire conversation again. He's got absolutely no clue what's going on, whose turn it is, or what to do about it. Or, really, what the debate is debating in the first place. He murmurs a simple "Redirection of power is superior to meeting it head on," as he studies his cane a moment, shruggins softly in his chair. The old man looks up, saying a bit more clearly, "It's not really that hard to make a weapon. I don't respect the Stardroids for their power. It's impressive, but not really noteable in this group, even if it is more than we have just now. We can match it, we're human or human-made. Humans can break anything if they put their minds to it. Perhaps a moment could be taken to think about why, instead of how to stop it. I'll ask a few more questions if I see a Stardroid later." and stands up, looking LIke he's getting ready to leave. Abernathy has disconnected. Stellar Jay has disconnected. Abernathy has connected. Kumicho smirks sLIghtly as the discussion is directed towards his view points. There are some people who seem to be stronGLy against his words but others...that seem to LIsten. "If the Stardroids are destroyed what fault is it of us. If we hand over the Stardroids to those that desire to protect ourselves as well as the fate of the planet we are suddenly in the wrong? If the Stardroids are LIstening to us then let them. I care not. The former gods which desired nothing more then to strike us down are now injured and begging for us. Forgive me if I don't feel any pity or remorse. I am not on either side as you might figure out. I care not who I negotiate with as long as I get something in return. Perhaps as we might call it...an offer none of us can refuse." Iris has disconnected. Ring Man has disconnected. Prismatic Spider says, "And if they have the answer to the riddle of the Nigh, what would you do? They can adapt to your way of thinking as easily as anyone else. They have judged and have been judged in return... An eye for an eye, as it were. Now it is time to see if we are truly capable of moving beyond our old grudges and hatred, and to see if we are wilLIng to extend that which we have to give. Forgiveness of past sins... Not all of the Stardroids we see now were responsible for the previous Judgement. Why must we condemn them all? The possibiLIty must remain for working with them and learning what we can... Or we can lose everything. We lack the needed knowledge to make a final decision on this, despite the observed actions of both sides. As of now, we have not decided... That can change soon enough with knowledge."" Dr. Wily LIstens to Prismatic with a suprising amount of respect, then shakes his head an begins speaking. "An eye for an eye? I hardly think that that compares to talk of copmlete planetary annihalation." Another, more emphatic shake of that head. "While I can certainly agree that knowledge is the key to this, why should we beLIeve that all the knowledge we acquire is necessarily true? We only have one side of the story here? I think that these Stardroids are recieving their just rewards. In a way, I would love to cut them lose and let them all die. But, if we do, our world will LIkely die with them." Wily's voice colors with anger. "I want knowledge, yes, but I want ANSWERS more." The clenched fist pounds down on the table. "A deal none of can refuse? That is certainly what we find laid before us. Well, I say we refuse it and find our own way. Take the knowledge yes, but we must find the real truths too. I warn you all here and now: Cooperation is the key to solving this riddle, but if we rely to heavily on one side or the other, we will fall as surely as the sun will rise." Ring Man has connected. Sigma, who has been LIstening this entire time, stands up again. He has been drinking a lot of that water that has been sitting next to him and dang, it's horrible. They just don't make water LIke they used to, damn it. But what is he doing standing up? Is he going to stand up and say something brilLIant? Is he going to start shooting things and people? The Emperor stretches out his arms, and yawns slowly, dropping his hands after a few moments of lovely stretch-and-circulation. He looks over the group with his pupiless eyes and smiles, "I have an idea. Lets remove all the threats to this world at once -and- keep them from judging us again. How? By utterly destroying the surface of the world we LIve on. We have the technology! We can do it! If we work together, By George, we can do anything!", he waves his hands in the air a few times empathatically, "Complete Annihilation. We'll burn the lands, pillage the LIttle villages, and, uh, salt the land too! That would be -excellent-, don't you agree? Now now, we must be -equal- in this. Turn every natural resource into large craters so no more reploids or androids or even happy cyborgs can be built, made, created. Lets go into the sea and napalm the seaweed and then, well, we can just cut down the trees too and burn the land they stood on. Rainforests? Yes! Let it rain death! Surely if we are to be practical, that would be the way to go! We owe nothing to anybody, after all. I certainly owe nothing to any present here, do I?", he laughs sharply, "We don't need to care about any of these 'Stardroids'. If any of them survive the carpetbombing, they will certainly not bother us anymore! We'll be long gone! However, what about the NIGH you may ask. What about this great 'Nothing' that is coming? Oho then! That's simple, isn't it? Without anything to feed it will surely starve! Nothing will eat nothing and pouf no more nothing and even nothing will be nothing because that's all nothing is, really? Oh, sure, maybe Nigh is merely a label. Maybe Nigh is a dancing chipmunk. If that's the case, at least we beat the bloke to the punch. Who gets the last laugh, we do of course!" Sigma snorts, "Pathetic. Should we fight the Stardroids? Should we not fight the Stardroids? What if they are innocent? Should we show them mercy? No, yes, no, yes. After the Stardroids are finished with laughing at us for being unable to come with a simple decision on whether to fight them or not or even fight the Nigh or not or even what the Nigh is, they will converge on us and half of us will be helping them or watching as they wonder WHO IS THE REAL GOOD GUY HERE?" "Who cares? We know we can fight the Stardroids, we have defeated them before, there is the Nigh which appears to be above the Stardroids, a new threat even stronger than them. Don't you know how hard it is to fight an abstract concept, hm? It's abstract, it can be anything. I doubt even the Stardroids, beings that exist, can truly know what the 'Nigh' is. But if you want, continue questioning them, ask questions the answers of which they cannot truly give. Or maybe just LIsten to what they say, maybe you just don't understand. There are two factions, but NEITHER seem to be entirely our enemy. Who really cares about ideaLIsm? We are here to ensure the safety of our sorry skins so it seems. If that's the case, the only course of action available to ensure total safety is to declare open war against all stardroids -and- this nigh as we did before. Together we can accompLIsh anything, yes? Who cares if they have knowledge that could be useful to us, we'll take it. We'll get it ourselves. Act on what we know, not what we may learn. It is far more LIkely to not learn anything." Sigma starts to sit down, but he straightnes again, "If we cannot understand their arrogant answers, if they will not give them, and if we cannot learn them on our own, there is nothing to do. We have learned nothing since this entire debate began. A lot of ideas, no action. Pitiful." There's a smatter of applause from the gallery for Sigma's speech. Wait, no. No, there's only one person clapping, and it's Abby. Now, how predictable was that? Anyone? Pff. So much for answers; Sigma had the right idea. Alpha has arrived. Dr. Doppler again rises from his seat to state his opinion, resting his hands palms-down on the table in front of him. "Then let us take action, beginning with the expidition to the moon and the construction of a deep-space probe to investigate Nigh. The Stardroids want to play games. Then let us play, but by our own rules." Rigger arrives from the United Nations Building. Rigger has arrived. As the old adage goes: Better late than never. In most cases it appLIed, Rigger would just hope this would be such a case. She edges into the assembly hall long after everyone else has and LIngers near the doorway for the moment to determine just what's underway before butting in further. Schism Sabertooth has connected. Prismatic Spider stands himself and meets the gaze of the Emperor of the CoaLItion. "Do you truly think that this is a test to see how well we can band together and kill something? Brute force winning the day once more to the detriment of what we've gained so far? Tell me, Sigma... How do you fight nothing? Destroying the Stardroids indiscriminately will lead to nothing but a loss for us all. People have always wished to destroy what they do not understand, and has lead to some of the greatest tragedies of history. Will you judge and be judged in turn yourself, Sigma? Have you considered that perhaps the reason why we are lacking information is because some of those who would give it to us are running for their LIves? If we could find them and discuss these issues with them, then perhaps we could make some of these possible decisions. But I refuse to beLIeve that this would be solved by the equivalent of genocide." Aha! There's a famiLIar face. From his spot among the thinning crowd in the gallery, Abernathy manages to catch sight of Rigger -- and calmly gets up to wander toward the door, and the Maverick Hunter technician. "You missed most of the interesting bits already," he offers, unhelpfully, once he's within comfortable speaking distance of her. His tone is ... distant, but cordial enough. Alpha has disconnected. Barrage Raptor has arrived. Rigger offers Abernathy a tight-LIpped smile as she dips her head in greeting. If there was goodwill between these two, it seemed a tense sort. "I was getting my arm recaLIbrated," she remarks as she reaches up to grasp at the elbow of the right which flexes marginally. "Friend of mine does after-hour work on me. Better than deaLIng with HMO's." Looking back to the conversation at hand between those far higher in rank than herself, she murmers, "I'm vaguely reminded of a Dilbert comic. All talk about what to do, nothing decided, so they talk more." Pharaoh Man stands, Wily looking obviously weary from the debate. The mortal shell in which his patron 'god' rests has its LImits, which for the most part, are not safe enough to be tested with the heart condition involved. " Fight the Stardroids? Do you recommend hunting them down, cornering them, and slaughtering them LIke animals? " Pharaoh Man queries, cocking his head to one side. " How utterly base and pathetic, Sigma. Truly, I had expected more from you. The Stardroids are not to be waged agianst on a battlefield, not until one knows just who to fight. Otherwise it is a waste of time and resources. Patience is the key. Should a singular Stardroid present itself a threat, deal with it then. But launching a campaign agianst them is simply fooLIsh. You'll keave this planet a crater ridden disaster area by the time you are even half way done. " The Master of Sands narrows his eyes, " You think of the Stardroids as you do all non-reploid LIfe Sigma; expendable, petty, and ultimately to be sacrificed to your goals. " " Another reason Amun-Wily has made the decision to keep the Robot Masters neutral in this matter until the Empire of Amun-Wily is either directly threatened, in which case the singular matter shall be dealt with, or should the Stardroids' factions and goals become apparent enough that he, in his infinite wisdom, decides otherwise. " Cancer has arrived. Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission. Pharaoh Man sends a radio transmission to Job. Ring Man decides to add to Ra's starement, "Indeed, it is impossible to tell what the future will bring. It is utterly fooLIsh to burn all of ones bridges before we know what the river holds. The Stardroids might prove useful to keep around." Cancer bLInks in and yawns. "Don't mind me. I need coffee. Coffee is of the gods..." He wanders off towards the coffee pot. "Don't attack until I drink at least 10 cups of COFFEE! ..." Pharaoh Man receives a radio transmission. Quickdraw has connected. Pharaoh Man GLances at Cancer, " Oh, be a good Stardroid, and fetch me a cup will you? Regular with a bit of suga-" Ra stops. .oO(Cancer$$$Stardroid AlLIed with Nigh$$$Bad) " Oh dear... Quickdraw has disconnected. "My sympathies," Abernathy responds adroitly to Rigger's explanation of her absence. Yeah, he knew an awful lot about that, except it was worse when they went on the fritz and you ended up a parapalegic for a day. He pauses a moment, then moves to stand at her shoulder, facing back toward the floor with a bemused expression on his face. "Oh, really? I beLIeve Wily's got the hair for it ... " And then there's Cancer, steaLIng UN coffee. ... Waaait a second! That's *UN* coffee, mister! ... Wait, belay that. " -- Feel free to drink all the coffee you need, gracious Stardroid. Courtesies of the UN; we can do no less for our interplanetary visitors," the once-diplomat calls to Cancer. ... Petty revenge, but a LIttle revenge nonetheless. Kumicho chuckles darkly as he narrows his optics. Razor sharp fangs can be seen from the mouth the the dragon as he places a heavy foot forward. "You think that it actually matters if the stardroids are innocent? Oh no my friend. There is no good or evil in this. But rather who offers the better deal in this situation..." The holographic dragon pauses in thought as his focus falls on the Stardroid. Sword Man's eyes narrow at Cancer as the Stardroid suddenly appears out of nowhere. UnLIke Ra, he doesn't take the appearance casually. He remains quiet as ever, however, letting the others representing the RMs speak for now. His fire for speech burnt out since the revelation of Tengu being Cancer's avatar. He manages to keep calm, however, and keeps his action to a GLare. Sigma waves his hand carelessly, "Please, the Stardroids could give us answers easily even -while- running for their LIves, not that they are since they are arrogant, but we can discuss until doomsday, which is what will happen if we continue discussing about discussing this idiotic fooLIsh topic. Whatever happened to having our own LIves in our own hands. Do you think I was joking when I said it would be fun to go destroy the Earth instead of them? Oh, I'd rather save us all too, but that is far preferable than leaving our fate in another's hands. This is our world, after all, and if anbody's going to be carpetbombing it, it's going to be us, damnit.", he doesn't even get up as he speaks this time, his big ol' rant earLIer must have drained him a tad, roit. "Those who have earned the pendants have had no special insight compared to the rest of us, those who have earned the trust of the Stardroids this time around have nothing new to add. We will learn nothing from them. Those are the closest things to experts we have and they know nothing new or else they haven't offered it. We can't trust any evidence the stardroids offer us anyway, even if they are 'good', they have their own agenda here. Both sides have said they weren't here for -us-. We are not part of their agenda. We are, if anything, part of the means to help their own goals. That is how things look now, it doesn't matter how things actually are. We are here to save ourselves, not to save the Stardroids. There is no reason to trust anything a Stardroid says that is beyond 'Do what you will to keep yourselves aLIve' because if it's anything beyond that, then it isn't just for us. It's for others. Methods have been offered to help us assist us in the manner of information, thank you Doppler and Wily, but everybody's still weeping about the Stardroids? None of us here care about the Stardroids. People who care about the Stardroids more than themselves don't get called for diplomatic meetings. And, damn it, your water is horrible.", he pauses for a few moments, running that through his head. Crud. Better change that. "Damn right I think they are expendable. They keep popping back anyway, it doesn't matter to me if we inconvenience them. Oh no!", he says, grinning mockinGLy, "Our planet is in their way, let them move it over a few miles. No, if the Stardroids truly are here or even wish to help us, then they will anyway even if we go against their magical word, even if we piss them off. Isn't that what RepLIforce has done here? They continue helping the United Nations even AFTER they betrayed them. Why? Because they wish to help humanity and reploids co-exist. They truly wish that. Being the subject of attacks as a result and insults as a result have not harmed their resolve. Much of Humanity has called YOU, Pharaoh Man, and the rest of your faction as bloodthirsty madmen, but even then your organization seeks to help the very people who call you such things, even though it means conquering them. Nevermind if you are doing this in the right manner, the point is that is your intent. All of us here wish to help the people of the World in their own manner, we disagree on how, thus that is why there is war. If the Stardroids wish to help us, then I beLIeve they are -quite capable- of doing so against our will.", he then looks to Cancer and adds, in a much more mild tone, "Don't use the water here to make it. It's horrible stuff. The worst I ever tasted." Cancer mutters at Ra. "Sure. Sure." He places his COFFEE! Into a Thermos, before bLInking to wear Ra is, "Regular with a bit of sugar." He bLInks back at where the thermos is... "What? I'm not Armorless, am I? Oh god, I'm probably am! AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!" He runs around for a bit, before actually vanishing. You may discuss. Enforcer Malamute has disconnected. " ... And these are the people we're running scared from," Abernathy remarks cheerfully on Cancer's disappearance. Cancer has left. Kumicho sighs and eyes Cancer.. And that is one of the stardroids he plans on negotiating with.... Ring Man says, "What fools these Stardroids be." Dr. Doppler has disconnected. Dr. Wily has disconnected. Pharaoh Man guffaws audibly, and doesn't bother to take a seat before speaking agian. " Oh, poor, poor Sigma. Can't coexist with them, so I have to wipe them all out. Please. Your answer to a problem is to kill it, or die trying. I never said the Stardroids deserved 'pity'. I said that one should /not/ be so quick to simply label them for destruction. There are more things in Heaven and Earth then dreamt of your Philosophy, my dear Sigma. You make decisions and tamper with forces you obviously do not /begin/ to comprehend. Do you even know how to destroy a Stardroid? The last time it was done, it required the help of every Stardroid present save three. And I doubt Genocide is something any of them are quick to join in on, when they are the targets. " The Master of Sands, smirks sLIghtly at Cancer, not even turning around as the incident dissapears 'in a puff of smoke'. " Did it ever occur to you that the Stardroids who wish to help cannot because their direct interference and presence in an open location betrays them to their hunters, the Nigh AlLIed Stardroids? Denebola himself could 'smell' Regulus upon me, from only a pair of incidents in which I came into contact with said Stardroid. Regulus also hinted that expending his energy gave him /away/ to Denebola. More proof you do not understand the situation to any extent to be making any 'judgements'. Period. Go back to Europe , for you obviously need more practice 'playing God'. " "If this, if that, blah, blah, blah," Rigger remarks while striding away from Abernathy's side to join into the discussion to some extent. "Does it really matter what they *could* or *would* do? Whatever they could or would do, if this or if that happened, what they have done is precious LIttle other than try to confuse us." Cancer's presence is not ingored, persay, but she has LIttle to say to him. He did threaten to kill her not too long ago. What was she going to converse with him about? Outside> Prismatic Spider sighs... "I guess they can't be intimidating and mysterious all the time. Nevertheless, Sigma... People are hard pressed to get anything useful done when they are being chased everywhere by people who want to kill them. How will they be able to help if we're trying to kill them? We are not the judge, jury, and executioner... Let us not make ourselves out to be such." Outside> Sword Man sighs, then stands up, intent to speak finally. "We have a threat upon us. Just what that threat is has been called into question, however, the intent is clear: Our land, our planet has been laid as the stakes, and we have been called to act upon it. We MUST act. That much has been made clear. However, do you truely beLIeve antagonizing those who very well might actually assist us in fighting back this threat shall do any good? Yes, we have fought back the Stardroids before, and yes, they are, at the moment, partially weakened. Yet, we face a threat that is equally as pressing and unknown to us, even more so that the Stardroids were when they attempted to pass Judgement. Which is the true threat has been called into question, yes, but to prefer going in, guns blazing with no regard for the sides is sheer madness. YES, I have said that neutraLIty is best at the moment, but only until the information has been gathered to know WHO to side with! It makes no damned sense to aggravate this crisis into something further than it already is! And to beLIeve GLobal destruction at our own hands is a worthwhile option is complete MADNESS!! I would rather die by mine enemies hand than to simply destroy myself out of some convoluted notion of robbing my foe of a victory!" Outside> Sigma shrugs his shoulders, "That's not what I said, but I guess that's okay. As I said, you don't care about the Stardroids. You care about what they can do for you, if anything. Rest assured, Pharaoh Man, they will do what they plan on doing for you and us without us LIcking our boots. I respect the stardroids enough to recognize they are above flattery. What I did say, for those who cannot recognize compLIcated sentence structure unless it is written down or spelled out for them, is that it doesn't matter if any Stardroids wish to help or not. Their help will come unasked for if that is what they wish for. I am saying that we should stop throwing questions at them since that achieves nothing. I tamper with no forces of Stardroids, I did not waltz into Starhaven and do the lovely job of returning these people to us.", he looks over to Rigger, "Now, LIsten to what she says. She's asking if it matters. I say it doesn't matter what they could or would do. Our fate is our own, we have proven it before. Have you ever heard of a nice phrase called 'Divide and Conquer'? They are divided and now we are trying to divide ourselves. Is this simple enough for you, oh Pharaoh Man? I'm saying none of what you just said impacts my point at all. I am saying you were completely and utterly pointless in your words. I am saying that you are, in short, bullsh*ting. I have not seen any of the Stardroids actually -fighting- each other.", he looks over to Prismatic, and shakes his head, "You too. I am not suggesting we play judge, jury, and executioner. I am saying that we decide our actions without worrying about Stardroid influence, without caring about their mysterious words. Let us find our own answers. If our answers lead to helping some stardroids out, so be it, but that is not why we are here. We are here to save ourselves. I've said that before and I will say it until the end. If their goals do not assist with our survival then there is no reason to help them with their goals. The words of stardroids aren't going to help. We have focused this conversation in whether the Stardroids are justified or not, and whom should we LIsten to instead of doing what saved us the first time, finding our own answer. It was our answer, an answer the stardroids could not conceive. To survive this time, we must find another one of our own answers. And we won't get our own answer by LIstening to people with objectives which they place higher than helping us. That will be -their- answer and their answer may not care to include our survival." Outside> This ... could go on all night, and suddenly Abby does not feel in the least up for the game. Or, for that matter, following Rigger around LIke some kind of pathetic puppy dog bent on winning her attentions and making himself heard. He wanted /out/, not to deal with this kind of nonsense when he'd already picked a side in this farce and was ready to stick with it. Which is why he leaves. Just turns around and walks back out again, as Rigger wanders off -- only pausing to steal a cup of UN coffee at the door before wandering off into the night. He had better pursuits to get to -- LIke sleeping. Outside> Abernathy enters the United Nations Building. Outside> Pharaoh Man enters the United Nations Building. Outside> Pharaoh Man arrives from the United Nations Building. Outside> The Asian dragon lefts his head slowly and sighs. "This is useless. We have been here for hours and yet no compromise. Views are not going to be changed no matter how we look at this... Outside> Pharaoh Man looks rather amused, " Forgive me Sigma, and Amun-Wily, for not bLIndly joining in on an AlLIance that has already proved worthless. Forgive me for in truth, I do /not/ care as to the world in a plural sense of 'we'. I lack your 'infinite' compassion for all 'LIving creatures'. " Ra's voice drips with sarcasm at this. " I'm not here to /mask/ that those whom I represent have intentions and aims being beyond saving the world. And in case you haven't noticed, the Robot Masters have proved capable of expelLIng Stardroids from our territory when they threaten it. Multiple times. A pity you cannot boast the same, based on reports." The Master of Sands continues, " And I'm not going to /begin/ to tell you how much is wrong with what you said, save that your troops aren't telLIng you everything, or your Intel. Division has gone to hell. The Stardroids have clashed, on multiple occasions, in present view of the pubLIc. Proving agian your ignorance of the situation on a grander scale, you don't even have all the basic facts. " Pharaoh Man crosses his arms, " The Robot Masters came here in a motion of goodwill towards the others involved, and for hope this would not dissolve into something rather...useless. I agian remind that we are neutral-We have, can, and will tend to our own territory. The people of other nations will apparently not be so lucky. You speak of 'our' actions Sigma. You need to say 'my', for any help from Amun-Wily will arrive to your side only should he feel the need to grace you with it. You argued 'destroying' the Stardroids as to prove that we didn't need them to influence our decisions. Well, I could of told you that fact without the elaborate show. I'm sure it is what helped you, as you so tactfully put it, see me 'bullsh*ting' the entire arguement. The Pharaoh is finished with this petty arguement so that you can look mighty reminding us of something we already know. " Outside> Prismatic Spider says, "So learning what their answers are is totally irrelevant? What kind of magical revalations have we made so far on our situation? This is hardly a black and white issue, Sigma. I /have/ seen Stardroid fight Stardroid. Aldebaran arrived to help defend against Cancer when he decided that he didn't LIKE our choice to remain neutral in the strugGLe. What is someone going to make of that? When one of our officers was struck mad by Scorpio, it was Virgo who helped drive him off and helped restore the officer to sanity. What can one say to such actions? Are you so distrustful that you would simply take these actions for granted? We do have to find out own answers... But we will need more information in order to find the proper course in time. Until then, we are still flaiLIng in the dark."" Outside> Rigger actually stares at Sigma as he prattles off another speech. She doesn't seem upset, even if he does manage to get across what she was trying to convey in a manner much more detailed than her own rather... Down-to-Earth remark. She grew up around mechanics and was used to talking in simple terms--not long-winded eloquence. Crossing her arms over her chest she bobs her head in agreement once he finishes his say. "Right. Much as I hate to admit agreeing with him, that's true enough. We've solved problems before without having some intergalactic daycare center pointing us in the direction to go. Of course on the other hand I don't quite go for the whole 'let's blow up the planet ourselves' thing. It is our planet and look how long we've been at that already without success one way or another." ReaLIsing she's getting a bit off-track she waves a hand breifly. Meh. "Semantics aside I thought this debate was to figure out something to do about the situation--Not figure out if we *should* do something or not. So let's come up with some options already and we can argue which of them would work best later. After we make some progress." Outside> Sigma shrugs his shoulders, "Again you put words in my mouth and your Amun-Wily's too. But that's forgivable, you have good intentions, hm? Too bad you couldn't debate your way out of a paper bag. I have no idea what you are talking about anymore, go ahead and argue the LIttle sidepoints I made, that doesn't change the basic fact.", he stands up and says, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get some fresh air, maybe talk to some particularly sharp looking flowers. I hear new technology can give them brains. More than a lot of people have, I guess. Good day to you all. Do inform me if you figure out an actual course of action.", he GLowers at the water for a few moments before heading outside, "However, since there appear to have been Stardroids actually assisting us, then you already have your answer on what to do and everything you've been discussing is still pointless. Me? I'm gone. I missed the game, damn it all.", he steps out. Outside> Sigma retreats from the area swiftly, leaving him open to pursuit or parting shots from Bluegrass. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Magnet Man golfclaps. [Radio: (E) Broadband] Guts Man transmits, "Bravo!" Outside> Kumicho rises sLIghtly and gives but a sLIght bow to the departing Sigma. Outside> Pharaoh Man has disconnected. Outside> Mikage Yukiato sends a radio transmission. Outside> Sigma receives a radio transmission. Outside> Ring Man gets up, "Well this has all proved pointless. We have Scorched Earth, violent paranoia, miLItaristic isolationism, confused burrocracy, and higher beings with nothing better to do than stop by for coffee. i'd say this has been productive enough.