Hunter HQ - Command Level
This deck once served as the command center of the Fort Sam Houston, and remains so today, restored and refit with the best in modern technology. Built in the shape of a broad semicircle, the command center's curved wall is dominated by sweeping observation windows- thick panels of reinforced glass ensuring durability while providing a panoramic and crystal-clear view of the surrounding tropical lagoon. An observation walk lining the inside of the windows offers an unobstructed approach to the view.
The room's focus, however, is the slightly raised platform in the middle, lined with consoles and computer banks, equipment to accomodate any need the Hunters may have. A matching host of monitors, displays and holo-projectors depend from the ceiling on heavy metal braces, within easy reach and view.
Ether Skunk [Tightpants] [MH]
Seismic's Magic 8-Ball!
Obvious exits:
West <W> leads to Hunter HQ - Teleporter Room.
North <N> leads to Hunter HQ - Meeting Room.
South <S> leads to Hunter HQ - War Room.
East <E> leads to Hunter HQ - Lift Station.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "GAH! K'linka no more radio's!"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Why, Chilly? What's going on?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "oh nothing...just I'm finding staying undercover isn't as easy as I thought...."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka sighs. "Don't get killed, okay?".. *murmurs something else, but it's in Russian*
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "If yer undercover, ya might want t'turn off yer radio. Our squakin ain't gonna help ya keep yer cover."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "Ummmm well I think I'm already busted. So its kinda no use."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie's tone gets concerned. "Ya need backup?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "Nah, its just sewa"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Ether Skunk transmits, "... Sewa's still a Maverick. Be careful."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Still, if ya need help, holler."
Kalinka arrives from the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.
Kalinka has arrived.
Kalinka wanders in, looking a bit...moist. Her hair is wet and slicked back. In fact, most of her is, in fact, wet, save for her dry clothes. A mystery! At any rate, she hops off the grav-lift with as grin.
Ether Skunk is lounging by the window, a clipboard in one hand and a pencil in the other, as low-tech as they are. She looks up at the sight of movement and gives her tail a lazy swish, before speaking up. "Miss Kalinka ma'am, you appear to have a bad case of dampness."
Kalinka giggles at Ether's remark. "Heh...I know, Ether, that's because I was swimming in the Moonpool and I didn't have a towel."
Bowie wanders in from the other direction - namely the teleporter. A saddle is slung over one shoulder, a bridle over the other. He waves to both Ether and Kalinka. "Howdy."
Kalinka beams a grin at Bowie. "Hey there! Been riding?"
Ether Skunk ohhhs softly, raising her eyebrows. That explains it. "Swimming, eh? I like goin' out to the beach for that. The lagoon is soooo pretty. Not that I can swim very well... I sink a lot. But Dr. Cossack sir would prolly freak if you went out there without tellin' anybody." She waves to Bowie as well as he enters, falling quiet.
Bowie nods in answer to Kalinka's question. "Comanche gets testy if she's left in the stable all day...now whuts this 'bout swimmin?"
Kalinka rolls her eyes. "Oh, he freaks at EVERYTHING. He even freaked out when I told him I met the man of my dreams last night in front of Light Labs." She makes an exasperated noise, sitting down at an unused comm-station. "I wish for ONCE he could be happy for me." Looking back over at Bowie, she slicks her wet hair back with her hand. "Went swimming down in that Moonpool room. It's a great place to unwind!"
Ether Skunk scratches at her clipboard with the pencil. "Aren't you kinda young to already know who the perfect man for you is?" she murmurs lazily. Her tail coils to and fro behind her, its tip twitching just a bit.
Bowie quirks a smile at this. "Ya don say. Fathers do git t'be overprotective. In thair contract, Ah thank. Didja get the boy's name?"
Kalinka ponders, spinning in her seat slowly. "Um, well...I don't know, Ether, I mean...he's just so PERFECT, I'm SURE he's the one for me. Especially the way he smiled...I could just tell!" She stops spinning around by putting her foot on the floor. "Um...his name's Derek, and...he isn't a boy, Bowie! He's...a MAN." She says this last bit wistfully, as if she's declaring that she's FAR too mature now to deal with mere *boys*.
Ether Skunk whistles quietly. "A MAN," she murmurs, looking up once more and setting both pencil and clipboard aside. On the latter is a paper; on the paper is a drawing of someone. "Think he's interested in you, too, Kalinka?" she asks. It's not clear whether she means it seriously or not.
Kalinka bites her lip. "Ooh, I hope so...I think I saw love in his eyes...especially when he kissed my hand, that was so romantic."
Bowie sets the saddle down on the back of an empty chair, lapsing into silence for the moment. Ether's doing a good enough job asking the questions.
Kalinka peers over at the paper in a sidelong glance, trying to ascertain what the picture is.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> This regularly schedualed programme has been interrupted by a much more important event. Namely... torture! Cue menacing theme music. Fade in to... Dr. Wily, filling the entire screen.
"Good evening, world. Tonight, on the ever-irrepresible, oft-copied, never-duplicated Wily Show, we have a public service announcement, with the aid of a new friend of mine. He's a member of the fascist regime who oppresses you at every turn. Please, people of the world! Give it up for... Flaaaaaaare Feliiiine!" Wily grins and claps, the camera pedding up to reveal Flare Feline nailed to a large cross. The X kind, not the T kind. "To help him give this message, we have a few of my children. Give a big hand to Shadow Man, Centaur Man, and Slash Man!" Cue canned cheering and applause.
Ether Skunk mms, looking up at the ceiling and adopting a dreamy expression of her own. "Kisses ARE nice," she murmurs quietly, losing herself in her thoughts.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Flare Feline is just hanging there. Looking a bit beaten and worn already. On his face, it looks like he's half awake, and half out of it. Though he does look on at Wily and the other masters present with disguts, not saying a word for now.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Disgust even
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Shadow Man jumps in from off camera, landing solidly. He rises, crossing his arms, and very slowly and smoothly turns his gaze towards Flare, while keeping his head perfectly level. His expression bears only the slightest hint of a smile.
Kalinka giggles. "They sure are! I only got one on the hand, but...maybe next time he comes around, he'll give me a -real- one...*sigh*"
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Slash Man has left.
Bowie nods slowly as he listens. "No sense in rushin thangs, Miss Kalinka," he opins.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Centaur Man trots onto the camera's view, with a serious look on his face. He looks to the captive, and shakes his head. He then looks to at Wily. He bows, but doesn't speak.
Ether Skunk mmmms, tail floofing up behind her. "I got a kiss on the cheek the other night," she murmurs. "It was great. They never go for the hands, though... uh..." Blinking, she looks at the TV as it switches to Wily's show. "Wuh oh."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dust Man has arrived.
"Rushing? But..." Kalinka turns toward Bowie. "Already I'm fourteen, and never even dated and never even -kissed-...how sad is that? I've got to live sometime, and..." Looking over to Ether, her eyes widen as she turns the TV to the Wily entertainment.
Bowie is drawn the the drama captured on video as well. His assurances that Kalinka has all the time in the world will have to be voiced later. "Whut the..."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dust Man strides up to the cross with Flare on it. He idly looks all around and finally up at Flare's face. "Let's just see how long it'll take to break this little kitty..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Ether Skunk transmits, "hey. HEY!"
[Radio: (E) Joint] Zero transmits, "Yes?"
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "...we see it..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Ether Skunk transmits, "Hey, Repliforce. You watchin' this? You are? Great. Any chance we could trace the signal?"
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Wily's transmison? We're tracing it as we speak."
Kalinka trembles terribly. She remembers all too well her 'stay' in Skull Fortress, all those years ago...and she's never told anyone what she had to endure, but to this day it still gives her horrible nightmares. Seeing Flare on the screen just brings those memories back to her in terrible focus.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Zero transmits, "Iris is on it now, Ether. Don't get your panties in a wad."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Commander Phoebus transmits, "..We're trying to."
Ether Skunk sighs softly, looking down and tucking into her radio for a moment.
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Sergeant Plasma Badger transmits, "We're working on it... I am ready to teleport to whatever location is needed.."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Hurricane Hawk transmits, "Hrm, "Well great, now they're publicizing they're war crimes...""
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission to Pirate Man.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "Wily must be shorthanded - two of those three Masters were heavily damaged in the fighting this afternoon."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Ether Skunk transmits, "Great, great. Lemme know when you know something, I can deploy in a moment's notice. Let's gang-beat these fools. I wanna see Wily pinned up to a cross like that."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Pirate Man has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Bomb Man has arrived.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Hurricane Hawk transmits, "Who's depoying? I'd most certainly like to help in this if possible..."
Bowie frowns slightly and moves to put a reassuring hand on Kalinka's shoulder. He may not know the reasons behind it, but he can plainly see that Kalinka is very disturbed by what she's seeing.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Sergeant Major Skyblade Eagle transmits, "I'm ready to go."
Ether Skunk looks up and towards the other two, wrinkling up her nose... after a moment, she murmurs to Bowie. "Take her down to the rec room, would you? She shouldn't see this."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "Slightly battered, but I can still be of some use in this little scuffle."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "In case they hurt Flare, MSE teams are ready."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Sergeant Plasma Badger transmits, "*clank*I'm set... just picking up my lucky charm."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "...Plasma, thats a lightpole..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Sergeant Plasma Badger transmits, "It was lucky when I beat on the Gustav with it..."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dr. Wily points at the camera. "Todays' moral lesson is Don't Screw With the Robot Masters." He turns to his boys. "Men! On your marks! Get set! Mangle!" Wily pulls out a gun, and fires it to signal the beginning. However, he fires it AT Flare. Grin.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Commander Phoebus transmits, "Oh, and don't damage the cameras. I want the world to see us blow up the Robot Masters live."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Hurricane Hawk growls, "I want to help with this..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "...like hell am I staying out of this. We're gonna need to those MSE teams..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Commander Phoebus transmits, "And then the moral will be: 'Don't listen to Old Men with Alzheimers'."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Flight capable MSE teams are ready for deployment from each of our bases. I wish they wern't needed."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Void Starfish transmits, "I'm a little tired, but I'm ready to go... that would... leave our construction teams pretty unguarded down here, though."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Ether Skunk transmits, "I'm ready, too!!"
[Radio: (E) Joint] Hurricane Hawk transmits, "I'm ready to go as well, I'll do whatever. If you want me to get him down, I can, if you want me to attack those ... idiots, I can. I'm just waiting for the word Go."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Void, we've got enough going. If you feel that the construction teams need gaurding, stay in clear consince."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dust Man steps up quickly to Flare, and opens up a panel in his side. He pulls a cattle prod from his Duct, and cranks it to high. He then jabs it inside of Flare, dumping 900 CHUNKY AMPS of power into Flare's systems for a second. "I'm betting THAT HURT, didn't it?"
Kalinka is looking more and more like she's just going to -snap-, her eyes rivieted to the broadcast.
Bowie gives Ether a curt nod. As gently as he can, he tries to guide Kali away from the screen and towards the gravlift. "C'mon, Miss Kalinka..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Commander Phoebus transmits, "eh? Well I guess I won't go if we're sending a fleet..."
Ether Skunk wrinkles up her nose a bit, drawing back where she sits, adopting a rather angry expression.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Flare Feline grits his teeth trying to prepare for Dust's attack, but the power surged through him is greater than he expected. A slight yelp of pain escapes him, and stops as Dust pulls the cattle prod away. A few of his circuits were fried by that one.
Kalinka is red-faced, veins popping out of her neck and temple not unlike a certain over-excited relative of hers. "THEY ALL NEED TO DIE!!!!" she screams, kicking a sizeable dent in the wall by the lift. She does, however, follow Bowie compliantly.
Bowie raises his eyebrows a bit, though probably he isn't all that surprised that the teen has inherited her father's temper.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> "I wonder, senei..." says Shadow Man, drawing a katana from a hidden sheath on his back, and taking a few steps towards flare, stopping at arm's length. "Did you intend us to disable this machine quickly..." The tip of the blade is brought to the feline reploid's neck. "Or draw out its punishment?" A quick, shallow slash brings the blade across from right to left, held for a moment less then a centimeter from the reploid's neck at the end. Shadow Man then steps back, for the next Master's turn.
(And they take the lift.)
Bowie drops the hand he had on her shoulder and presses the button for level 1. "Thay'll be delt with, Miss Kalinka."
Kalinka is a complete basket-case, now...or pretty close to one...she's so mad, all she can do is blindly follow along.
Bowie steps off the lift, gently leading her towards the commissary. He's doing his best to be reassuring, though admittedly he hasn't had much experience with handling teenagers...especially teenagers with the Cossack temper.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Flare Feline winces again as the blade cuts his throat. It's shallow, not deep, but still mechfluid leaks out from it. He gasps for air a bit, if he were human, that would probably kill him, even so, he's losing fluid, if slowly.
Kalinka is so mad, she can barely even -speak- in coherent English -- though she tries to force something through. "Got to...SMASH SOMETHING...I'll go...to the training room, Bowie...please?"
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dust Man sends a radio transmission to Dr. Wily.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission from Dust Man.
Bowie frowns again, though there's definitely some sympathy in his expression. "All right." . o ( Better she get it out of her system now. )
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Bomb Man moves forward to the Repliforcer now as his brother steps back, he gives Flare a smirk as he approaches. "hehwell, I dun spose yere supposed to get blown to pieces just yet forcer, so thatll have to wait till later" he says before a fist swings savagely upward and connects with the felines chin forcefully. He then simply walks off to one side, allowing the next Master to have a go at it.
Kalinka stands there looking at you for a moment, angry tears in her eyes...and then, she runs off in the 'Den's' direction, a bee-line for the training room.
Kalinka enters the Hunter HQ - Den of Iniquity.
Kalinka has left.
(Next stop...)
Hunter HQ - 'Wreck' Room
Unlike the rest of Hunter HQ, this room is decidedly more utilitarian than decorative. Heavily reinforced walls and ceiling that are capable of absorbing nearly anything hurled at them block any noise from being transmitted to the rest of the base. There are no windows, just the walls and harsh lighting from receded fixtures along the ceiling. Various equipment for sparring or combat training is stored in cabinets at the far side of the room.
Kalinka [Casual] [C]
Holographic Terminal <HT>
Obvious exits:
West <W> leads to Hunter HQ - Den of Iniquity.
The holographic projecters are off now, and the room is black, with a yellow grid around the room.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Flare Feline urks as the fist connects. Still he doesn't say a word. And continues to keep his gaze on the masters with comtempt. He'll not look away, he won't give them the satisfaction.
Bowie follows Kalinka in. Not that he's expecting her to do something rash...okay, so maybe he is...but leaving her alone would definitely not be in her best interest.
Kalinka taps a few keys on the terminal and the room flashes and remolds to reflect the changes.
Room Scene: This is not a pretty scene at all and someone has decided to actually save it. Taking the Flemish states and making it look worse and adding some nice hollywood style effects, what you have in essence is Night of the Living Dead. Bodies of fallen mavericks reach up from the ground and head toward whoever decided to turn this program on. What could the maker have been thinking?
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Pirate Man smirks as he watches Bomb Man before focusing on Flare saying, "Well kitty, we meet again but not on the battlefield.", he pulls out a large dual-barrel flintlock and walks around the repliforcer for a few seconds, optic shifting to Wily before he takes aim towards one of his targets knees and fires at pointblank range
Kalinka all but punches the poor holo-terminal, bringing up a nightmarish blow-things-up scene. Adding a modification, the 'Gunslinger' materializes around her thin form, and she starts in on blowing up holo-Mavericks, screaming and cursing furiously the whole time...sometimes she curses in English, though most of her seething diatribe is in Russian.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ok, this time it was painful. Especially since Flare's a runner. Mechfluid splurts out of the wound and Flare tries to keep himself from screaming. He clenches his fist and looks on at the Masters, gasping for air, he tries to keep himself focused. A slight snarl forms at his mouth "And now.... what?"
Bowie does the wise thing and stays out of her way. If he's disturbed by her choice of scene or armaments, he doesn't let it show in his expression. If anything, he'd rather her take out her fury on holograms than on the real thing.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Ether Skunk transmits, "Sick sick sick sick sick."
Kalinka is a terror in the simulated ride-armor -- decimating anything and everything in her path, not just Mavericks but vehicles, trees...buildings...it's truly destructive and rather insane to behold. "I'll KILL YOU, Wily...I'll kill you -and- your bastard sons and...WIPE your abomination off the Earth!!" she snarls.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> "And now... your destruction." The camera spins, to reveal a large, hulking shape in the shadows. Twin lights ignite, as the shape stomps forward. It walks into the light, revealing itself as the dreadnought of power and terror, sprung from the mind of the Doctor himself.
"Reggae, take aim, and power up your main weapons." An omnious, shrill noise fills the audio band.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Iris transmits, "...GOT IT. About time -- Nogaki District, Neo-Tokyo!"
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "That's not possible."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Sergeant Plasma Badger transmits, "...enroute..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "If it was the main district, someone would've seen him by now. More specific?"
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Blues arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Blues has arrived.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Ether Skunk transmits, "I'm on it."
Bowie continues to watch the destruction of helpless holograms, making a mental note not to get in Kalinka's way if, heaven forfend, she ever has to take part in a real fight.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Lt. Ring Redwing transmits, "Nogaki District? Okay, let's do it."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "The 31st MSE SAR team is on it's was to that area. OOC Translation: You can freely pose some MSE gumbies showing up."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Flare Feline snarls as the giant duck is brought out "So.. that's what it's all about?" He chuckles lightly, a bit exhausted "You're... awful petty for a self proclaimed genius...." He gazes up to meet the Reggae head on. If he were untied and uninjured he could probably dodge it, but now, he's a sitting.... duck.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Iris transmits, "Looks like...a building. Some sort of warehouse, it isn't a tall building."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Fencer Naiad transmits, "Converging on target."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> The broadcast is in a warehouse of some sort as well.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ring Redwing arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ring Redwing has arrived.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "Most of the storage warehouses are in the /sub-district/, the area below.."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Sergeant Plasma Badger transmits, "Affirmative."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "Going down, ladies and gentlemen."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Skyblade Eagle arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Skyblade Eagle has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dawn arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dawn has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ether Skunk arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ether Skunk has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Strike Mongoose arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Strike Mongoose has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Plasma Badger arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Plasma Badger has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Fencer Naiad arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Fencer Naiad has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Iris arrives from the Nogaki Commercial District - Neo Tokyo.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Iris has arrived.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> And, at this precise moment, the Repliforce and the Maverick Hunters have uncovered the general location of the Robot Master broadcast. And as well, once more arriving /before/ the good guys get slaughter, and once again breaking with his usual way of doing things, Protoman materializes into sight upon the rooftop of one of many warehouses, preceeded by the tell-tale five-note whistle. One of /many/ warehouses... Any of which could house the broadcast today. Wily was here, somewhere, and that was enough of a reel for Protoman. Standing perfectly still upon the rooftop, Protoman simply glares about, scarf dangling on his shoulder. Pick a warehouse; Any warehouse.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dawn conversely is trying to be a bit more scientific about it. Ride Armors and their equivalents /should/ leave some sort of trail of their passage. Flying through the 'Yakuza-land' part of town, she's trying to hunt down such trail signs.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> The Vanguard is making a beeline for the location of the cracked signal, and Iris frowns within the ride-armor as she begins to bring it down into the sublevel of the city.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Strike Mongoose is taking the more scientific approach to this situation - slightly damaged this morning, he's here to snatch Flare and take him back to base, not get into an extended firefight with some robot masters. Once is more than enough for him today. But the mongoose puts his nose to the ground, sniffing around for any humans, reploids, robots, or the smell of frying circuits.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> A large Repliforcer badger steps out of a freight elevator, looking around through the area of the underground darkly, optics glittering in the artificial lighting. Rather paradoxically.. there's a large lightpole slung over one of his shoulders. Yeah, a lightpole. Like the kind you see hanging out over the street on any given street... He's following along behind his mongoose associate.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Skyblade Eagle flies along, low over the ground, having come out of the elevator with the rest of Repliforce, but still flying as best she can, "Come on out, Wily...I know you're down here."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ether Skunk bails off the lift that leads down to this level before it even arrives, dropping into the air and shooting through the murky streets of Neo Tokyo's seedy underworld. Ooh. Moody. The telltale purple light she leaves in her path shines like neon in the darkened sky, gently weaving about overhead as, like the others, she looks around.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ring Redwing looks quite worried as the rescue team descends into Neo-Tokyo's underbelly. Partly worried for Flare's well-being but also because here, there wouldn't be as much maneuverability room to fly around. She hopes that when the fighting breaks out as it is bound to do there won't be a collapse around all of their heads.
Kalinka's outrage doesn't seem to have any limits. At one point, after killing a Maverick, she stomps it flat with the holo-'Gunslinger', then blows it up into a smoldering, unidentifiable pile of slag.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Wily motions for his children to step out of the way. This'll be messy. He steps up to the bird, and pats it on the leg. "Let 'er rip."
And with a jump, skip and a hop to the right, a hellish inferno of green energies is unleashed upon the poor kitty-cat reploid. With a thunderous crash, it is over.
Bowie quickly and prudently moves out of her way to a safer vantage point. Like behind her. It may be holographic weapons fire, but still...considering her state of mind, she may not recognize friendlies. Though hopefully she'll have spent her anger soon. Then again, she /is/ a Cossack.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dawn's searching gets another clue as a huge chunk of wall somewhere off gets vaporized from tell-tale heavy weapons discharge. It's not long before her path adjusts and takes her towards the proper warehouse. She knows the area /quite/ well...and dang well better.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> And, with the ear-piercing sound of the blast and accompanying havoc, Protoman knows right where to go. Standing flat in the center of gangland, Protoman goes through a familiar pre-action ritual... With a subtle click, the Proto Shield is released from behind his back, slipping into his grip as his right hand is absorbed into the Proto Buster. And with that, his entire body is swallowed up by crimson energy, and is gone... Only to reappear immediately behind what is now half of a warehouse, one end blown out by the inferno of green. Lifting his own Buster up, Protoman's entire body begins to glow and whine with energy... Before he, too, let's loose, decimating the opposite wall and spreading debris and a massive dust cloud within - All ready to make his entrance, with visibility hopefully dropped.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Centaur Man smiles a bit as the laser strikes the feline reploid.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Fencer Naiad steps out of the elevator after most everyone else in the faction has steps out, her irises growing large in the dark neon-lit tunnels that make up the underbelly of Tokoyo, her eyes darting in the general direction of the loud noise and green flash.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Strike Mongoose snaps his head up. "...there it is..." he growls, and his feet dig into the ground as he takes off at his best speed towards the source of that blast. As he runs a crackling barrier appears in front of him, splitting the air and providing a light for the rest of the 'forcers to follow as Strike closes on the location almost instantly in the confined areas...
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "...damnit, they blasted him. There's the area..."
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Flare Feline struggles as he tries to break his bonds, but no luck. He'd have a hard enough time doing it at full strength, he can only wrestle helplessly as he watches the blast come his way. With a snarl, he says one last thing "...I still think that stupid duck is the most ridiculous piece of garbage ever..." And then the blast hits him. Kaboomis. When it fades, the cross he was tied to is gone, Flare lies on the ground a few feet away, brunt, and damaged terribly.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> "Damnit." Comes the mutter from Skyblade, as her wings fold in and she rockets in closer towards the large explosion, "Come on out, Masters!" She yells, as she swoops down low.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Dust Man looks over to Wily, and is about to speak when Break Man appears. "OH SH*T!" He runs for what little cover there is here.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> And with the blast, Iris steers the Vanguard to head in the warehouse's direction. (It might already be too late to save Flare,) she thinks sadly, (But it isn't too late to put a hurt on those pieces of Wily-garbage.)
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> "Well.. that settles that, Strike..." rumbles Plasma Badger as he starts to pick up speed in a matter not unlike a locomotive building speed. His footfalls boom loudly the ground as he starts hoffing towards the sound of the explosion. The lightpole spins across the back of his neck to land in the opposite hand.. and then shifts over to a two-handed grip as he continues...
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Ether Skunk has left.
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> Pirate Man scowls as he looks watches Dust then to Wily before quickly runs for cover as he searches for a quick way to escape
<Live News> <Wily-Cam> That concludes our broadcasting night.
Kalinka suddenly leaps -out- of the Gunslinger, and heads over to one of the still-slightly-moving smashed-up reploids. Screaming all the way with a fierce intensity, Kalinka kicks the prone body a few times. Then, she grabs a protruding limb, and sets about trying to tear it off. "YOU THINK IT'S FUNNY??? YOU THINK IT'S ENTERTAINMENT??? DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!" She's obviously not mentally 'here' in this scenario -- she's in Skull Fortress in her mind, having a flashback and a revenge fantasy all at once.
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Unless you Hunters are willing to take Flare Feline in at Light Labs, the Medical areas at our Australia base."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "I can at least get him out of the area. Almost there."
Bowie's brow furrows as he watches the tirade reach a new level. Kalinka, enraged or not, is starting to cross a line with him. He starts walking towards her slowly, avoiding any sudden movements that could paint him as a target. "Miss Kalinka..."
Upon hearing Bowie's voice, Kalinka sinks to her knees, grasping her hair in large fist-clumps and sobbing. "Oh god..."
Kalinka says, "I'm so sorry...so sorry..."
Bowie kneels down next to her, moving to wrap his arms around her to comfort her, if she'll allow it. "Sh...it's all right, Miss Kalinka," he says softly. "Thay can't hurt ya here."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "Pass him over to me, I know the fastest way out of here, I'll bring him topside to your MSE."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Repliforce Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, "Confirmed. Hopefully my shield will hold up to whatever they toss at me..."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Thank you. I'll meet you there."
Kalinka grasps you like a frightened child, just holding on for dear life it would seem, as her breath comes in gasping sobs. She doesn't say anything, probably too petrified to form coherent sentences at the moment.
Bowie lets her cry herself out, gently holding her and simply trying to be there for her. "Yer all right," he repeats softly.
Kalinka is hyperventilating a little, finding it hard to come back under control. "Oh...oh, crap..." She slowly lets go, trembling. "Bowie? I...could you...I need to go to the Med-Bay, could you please escort me there? I would...appreciate it...sorry to bother you, I'm...I need a tranquilizer," she pants breathlessly.
Bowie nods. "A course..." He relinquishes his hold on her as well, though he does offer a hand to help her to her feet.
Kalinka is able to walk and all, she's just having trouble bringing that massive Cossack temper under control. She takes ahold of your hand, trying to bring her breathing under control as she heads along with you.
Kalinka enters the Hunter HQ - Den of Iniquity.
Kalinka has left.
(And then to...)
Hunter HQ - Medical Area
The medbay of the Maverick Hunter base is a vision of simple perfection. Perpetually well lit, the room is filled with tables, seats, and diagnostic equipment, while still retaining enough clear space for people to easily move about. Shelves and cabinets store enough equipment to treat even the largest Reploids, and the selection also includes sufficient supplies to tend to the human members of the Hunters with equal care. The back of the bay contains repair chambers, an isolation area for emergencies, and the special equipment used to work on several of the unique systems that are only possessed by the Hunters, such as Buster repair supplies. The room is quiet, though several concealed speakers can pipe in calming music when called for.
There are also several computer equipped desks in this room for the medical staff to use, including one room where the doctor on call can get some rest or relax between cases.
Kalinka [Casual] [C]
Repair Chamber
Obvious exits:
West <W> leads to Hunter HQ - Commissary.
Bowie escorts Kalinka into the Medbay, walking at whatever pace she's set.
Kalinka walks with you into the Med Center, and crawls up on a med-table, still trembling and sweating and generally looking...well, not-so-good. "Thank you...I'm...really sorry...I'll be okay...I'm sorry you h...had to see that," she gasps. "...Just so MAD, you know? And the Masters..."
Kalinka says, "Bowie? Could...you tell Rigger...I need a tranquilizer...Daddy would be upset if he s...saw me...like this..."
Bowie nods, giving the girl a sympathetic smile. "It's all right," he reassures her. "Jus a moment..." He switches to radio for a moment.
[Radio] You send Rigger a direct message: "Miss Rigger? Culdja come down here to the Medbay? Miss Kalinka needs ya t'give her a tranqilizer.""
Kalinka receives a radio transmission from Chill Snowcat.
Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Chill Snowcat.
Kalinka receives a radio transmission from Chill Snowcat.
Rigger sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Er, sure. Hang on."
Bowie says "She's on her way."
Kalinka gasps for breath, and she's awfully purplish now...perhaps she really -is- having problems getting enough air into her airway for whatever reason. "T..Top cabinet..." she wheezes. "...Injection."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "We're topside. He's stable on a portable power pack. Where do you want me to take him?"
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "The base down under. Either come to the front door or the teleporters."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Zero transmits, "...Namura General'd be my guess. Or that."
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "On my way."
Bowie gives a quick nod and walks over quickly to the cabinet. Humans turning purplish is a -bad- sign. He starts rummaging, hoping that the bottle of serum is near the front. "Whut dosage?" he asks, hoping she can still answer him.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "You should know that I don't have access to your bases. Taking long route."
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "I'll met you there."
Rigger arrives from the Hunter HQ - Commissary.
Rigger has arrived.
Shield arrives from the Hunter HQ - Commissary.
Shield has arrived.
Bowie is over at the cabinet where they hold most of the medications. After a brief search, he's found Kalinka's tranquilizers and a syringe, and makes his way back over to the hyperventilating girl.
Shield follows closely behind Rigger. So he's overcompensating for her getting kidnapped. He's a bodyguard, sue him.
Kalinka pants in a laborious fashion, still having problems getting air. (I haven't had an asthma attack in YEARS,) she thinks in horror. (It had to have been the stress...damn it all...) "It's...pre-dosed," she croaks. "...One is...the tranq...the other is...for the airway..."
Sure enough, on the shelf near Bowie is a newer pre-injection pack with Kalinka's name on it -- a tranq. Also on the shelf is a much -older- pre-injection...dated back some years, for asthma.
Bowie amends his last pose, heading for Kalinka with the medicines labeled with Kalinka's name. "Found em." Noting the labored breathing and increased purplish hue, he decides he'd better administer the asthma medication first. "Hold on..."
Rigger jogs in at a quick clip, a look of rather tense concern on her face. Spotting Kalinka and her condition, she barely looks towards Bowie. "What's happened?" She asks simply while heading for the girl's bedside, already pulling out a scanner lest she need to find out herself.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Dawn transmits, "Turned over to Repliforce MSE. I've been told to let you handle the rest of the fighting down there."
Bowie says "She's havin an asthma attack, Ah'd say." Now that a more qualified expert is here, he hands the syringes over to Rigger. "Here. She took the stuff Wily was feedin t'vids hard."
Shield looks over towards Kalinka with concern, but says nothing. As it's obviously a medical matter, he stays quiet and out of the way.
[Radio: (E) Joint] RF Lieutenant Fusion Phoenix transmits, "Good news! It looks like Flare's going to make it. But he'll be out of action for a while getting repaired."
Kalinka wheezes painfully, feeling scared and humiliated...(Why now? Why does this have to be happening NOW? All that has to happen is for Daddy to walk in and see this...I can't even tell them I'm sorry...) Her thoughts race even as she labors for each breath.
[Radio: (E) Joint] Ether Skunk transmits, "Well... as long as his medical bill isn't more than 4.5 million zenny..."
Rigger mutters an oath upon hearing that. One hand holds the scanner towards Kalinka to gather readings, while the other extends to take the syringes. "Who let her watch that?" Apparently it's not something she's willing to wait for the answer for, though. Dropping both syringes, and the scanner on a nearby table, she turns to dash for another cabinet. It doesn't take long to find what she searches for, given the item in question is usually a matter of life and death when it's needed. Heading back, she reaches down to press a clear mouth and nose mask over Kalinka carefully. "It'll be okay, just try to calm down and breathe deeply."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dawn transmits, "Why that figure?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Ether Skunk transmits, "That's how much Wily dragged him off for at the auction yesterday."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dawn transmits, "So if it's less than that, it's ok that he was torn apart like that? That they're fighting in the streets again? That makes it fine?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Ether Skunk transmits, "That's not what I said, Dawn. Chill out."
Bowie at this point tries not to be in Rigger's way, yet stay nearby in case she needs help. After all, he's simply trained in first aid. He offers a hand for Kalinka to squeeze, trying to remain supportive.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dawn transmits, "Sure sounded that way."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "Ether is just as concerned about Flare as any of us Dawn, perhaps moreso. She meant no disrespect."
Kalinka's eyelids flutter as Rigger places the mask upon her face, and she concentrates hard on taking calming breaths. Her scared gaze falls upon Bowie, and she focuses on him with a watery, blue-eyed gaze, squeezing his hand tightly.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Culd y'all /please/ calm down?"
Kalinka has more or less normal vitals, save for an abnormally high blood pressure and pulse from the panic/Cossack temper combination. Now that she's getting air, even this is coming down...she continues to wheeze softly, as the attack abates in gradual fashion.
Shield maintains his worried vigil. "What is wrong with her, Rigger?" he asks, moving a bit closer towards her, probably within her vision but still out of the way.
Rigger runs a hand over Kalinka's hair in a soothing gesture. Or what's meant to be one, anyway. "You'll be okay. Just try to relax." Once she's sure Kalinka's not going to relapse, she looks up towards Shield at his comment. "Asthma attack. Hold this in place for me." A slight tap agains the side of the mask indicates what she means, as her glance shifts towards the syringes once more.
Kalinka bobs her head a little, moving her free hand to hold the mask on securely. Her other hand is still securely entwined in Bowie's, clasping it firmly.
<RP-Coordination> Gemini Man says, "Got something in mind, Covert?"
Bowie gives the girl a calm, reassuring smile, gently squeezing Kali's hand. "Yer doin jus fine," he says quietly.
Shield also places his hand on the mask. He's not sure if Kalinka is capable of holding it if she goes into another fit, so he's just being extra careful. He tries to take her mind off things. "Flare is on his way back, quite safe." An idea hits him. "Want me to ask Rigger that man's name?" he asks, a slight grin on his face.
Kalinka stares up at Bowie, and seems to smile a bit behind the mask as she calms. She slowly glances over at Shield, while Rigger goes to look in the medicine cabinet. She murmurs something to Shield..."...Does my Daddy know?"
Rigger glances over briefly with a confused expression. Still, there's things to do, and she works on doing it. The sedative is fine so she steps forward with an alcohol swab to clean Kalinka's arm for application. "What guy?"
Bowie asks of Kalinka, "Want me t'call him fer ya?"
Kalinka mmmms, suddenly grinning under the mask. "Ohh...I know who Shield means...the -handsome- guy...heh...he's so -totally- gorgeous..." Slowly looking over at Bowie, she nods a little. "Please..."
Shield frowns in confusion, not sure what Kali is refering to. "Know what?" A memory hits him, of a time he worked for a man who had a daughter. "Ah, about the man? No he does not, at least not to my knowledge." He turns his head briefly towards Rigger to answer her question. "A latino male who visited the Labs yesterday looking for you." He describes the general physical description of one Derek Vasquez, womanizer and stealer of little girl's hearts. :)
Shield says, "We do not know his name however."
Rigger hesitates just before giving the injection, wincing sharply. Apparently she doesn't like the sounds of that. Opening her eyes again, she very carefully slips the needle into Kalinka's arm to administer the tranquilizer. "...He is *not* handsome, Kalinka," she murmers sounding somewhat annoyed. Sighing slightly, she replies, "Wait a bit before calling the doc. I don't need a repeat of Dr. Light freaking out when he found out Roll was hurt."
Kalinka murmurs.. "I'm in love..." Her vitals are back to normal, save her love-struck beating heart. Pulse 95.
[Radio] You send Dr. Pavel Cossack a direct message: "Doc? Culdja please come down t'medbay? Kalinka's askin fer ya."
Shield frowns again in confusion. "Then why was that Musica member so quickly attracted to him in Missouri?"
Rigger sets aside the syringe a moment, lifting her hands to rub at her face instead. She was not liking what she heard from Kalinka one bit. Perhaps it seems a bit odd, but she leans over to grasp at the young Cossack's shoulders while staring intently down at her. "Stay *away* from him, Kalinka, he's bad news. I mean it." A glance is cast towards Shield as her eyes narrow rather dangerously. "You aren't helping."
Kalinka mmms, not even flinching as Rigger administers the shot. "Mmm...he was looking...reeeeal good," she mumbles, smiling a little at Rigger. "Why do you say that? I don't know why you say that, because...he's such a hottie. He showed me his tattoooo..." She grins crookedly beneath the mask.
Bowie glances from Kalinka to Rigger and back. "Why don't we talk 'bout this later."
Shield blinks innocently. He's getting even more confused by Rigger's hostility. "He did help protect her when she felt threatened by a mechabird, I doubt he has any hostile intentions towards her. Why would you voluntarily be companions with him if he did?"
Rigger hmphs indignantly, "Who said it was voluntary on my part?" she retorts, shaking her head. Leaning back against another table, she rubs at her eyes with her fingers carefully. "Geeze. If it's not one thing, it's another. And don't go looking at his tattoos for godsake, I've *seen* where he has tattoos!"
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Shield asks, "Then you had been involuntarily joined with him on the day you recieved a Stardroid Pendant?" And yet /another/ thing bothers him. "Why do the locations of his tattoos matter?"
Kalinka giggles a little. "...He kissed my hand, too..." She sighs, though it isn't asthma-wheezing now, it's just a happy little infatuated sound.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Dr. Pavel Cossack.
Kalinka smiles dreamily as the tranqs take effect. "He's so fine," she murmurs. "...I'm going to ask him to the junior prom..."
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Bowie's smile fades a notch as Kalinka mentions the prospect of taking this Derek person to a school dance. Somehow he doesn't think that's going to go over well...
Kalinka sighs happily, and...she's reached into her pocket for something. Now, she clutches it in her little hand...it seems to be a strange-looking playing card. Standard playing card style, just customized. The back is blue, of course. Silk screen. Has a chinese dragon forming a sort of vertical S, with a head on either end. No tail, in other words. It just happens to be the King of Hearts. Not to mention it's weighted, with razor sharp silver edges.
As the tranqs continue to calm Kali, her grip on Bowie's hand becomes gentler.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Shield looks over towards Bowie. "Do you understand what is going on at all?" he asks the only other male in the room.
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Dr. Pavel Cossack arrives from the Hunter HQ - Commissary.
Dr. Pavel Cossack has arrived.
Bowie gives a small shrug to Shield. "Boy's frum the wrong side a the tracks?" He continues to hold Kalinka's hand gently. It's a good thing reploids don't have to worry about things like blood circulation.
Shield has no idea what Bowie's expression means however, so he goes quiet. Love is strange.
Rigger has by now taken to pacing the room in agitation, hands planted on her hips. Every now and again her lips twitch as her expression grows angrier. It's quite obvious she's having a heated conversation with *someone*, though she's not in any mind to care who realizes this.
Kalinka is laying on one of the main examination tables, with an oxygen mask on her face. She's quite calm at the moment, thanks to a tranquilizer shot administered by Rigger just moments before. Now, she just lays there with a heavy-lidded gaze, holding Bowie's hand gently.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Shield wants to repeat his question to Rigger, but she's apparently a little busy right now so he continues his silent vigil next to Kalinka, helping her hold the oxygen mask over her face.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Bowie slips into American colloquialisms, yes. He's on the other side of the table from Shield, gently holding Kalinka's hand and trying to be calm and reassuring.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
The Cossack walks in, labcoat drenched to the elbows and down the middle with old, stale mech-fluid. A bit of armor plating has stuck itself in particular to his right sleeve. Specks of it are in his hair and on his face. His hands, however, look clean, like they were encased in protective gloves. He comes in, unsurprisingly, looking especially pissed off.
"I HAFF IMPORTANT VERK TO DO!" he yells as he comes around the corner, at the top of his lungs. "Ziss better be--!!!""
And he sees Kalinka.
The Cossack runs across the medical bay, body-checking anyone in his way to get to Kalinka. He looks her over quickly, taking out a penlight and doing checks on her pupil responses. "THE F--K HAPPENED HERE?!" he yells across the room, veins in his forehead starting to bug from the stress. "I get answers! NOW!"
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Rigger stops her pacing as she jumps, startled out of her anger by Cossack's own. Whirling about, she casts a scathing glare at him. Quite willing to snip back at the moment, she snaps, "Keep your bloody voice down, she doesn't need to be excited further! Honestly, *this* is why I didn't call you sooner. You *freak out* all the time and it doesn't do anyone any good, least of all her!" Flipping her hair back over her shoulder indignantly, she huffs in annoyance, "She had an asthma attack. She'll be alright, she's under sedation now to relax her."
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Kalinka receives a radio transmission.
Bowie begins to explain, but Rigger beats him to it. So he settles for nodding at her words.
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Kalinka smiles woozily up at her father. "...Daddy...I'm okay, Daddy...it's okay." The screaming-match between her father and Rigger doesn't seem to particularly phase her, as the endorphins in her head have all-but-taken over.
Rigger sends a radio transmission to Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Shield finds himself suddenly shoved several feet over. This is quite surprising to him, considering he's well over three times Cossack's weight. He's just barely able to keep himself from knocking the mask off her face due to his abrupt relocation and hastens to straighten it while Rigger explains.
The Cossack, the poster boy for excessive levels of stress, gently pats Kalinka on the head, muttering various things to her in Russian. There is a large vein bulging in his forehead and his left eye is starting to get that all-too-familiar sting to it. His lips tighten as he turns away from Kalinka, giving Rigger the kind of look that even his lungs couldn't put into words.
After a second, he speaks. "Two t'inks," he says, straining through his teeth. "First ... vhen somet'ink like ziss happens, you tell me /vhat/ happens. You do not tell me just to come. You tell me, in this case, quote, `Kalinka has had an asthma spell, but she is OK, please come by', quote. Common sense. /Common/ goddamn *sense*. I see my girl on a slab wiff an oxygen mask on, I start to draw conclusions...."
And the left eye starts to go red as the rage rises up in his gorge, neck muscles tightening. "Second ... /who/ is /Derek/ and /why/ did he giff my daughter some sort of /gang/ t'ink." It's a statement, not a request.
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Bowie looks from Rigger to Cossack, then to Kalinka, back to Rigger and Cossack, his smile wavering. "Culdja please save the arguin fer later? It's not helpin Miss Kalinka any."
Shield starts to get that icky feeling in the pity of his nonexistant stomach, that 6th sense that warns of possible danger developed by many experienced cops or combat veterans. He looks around the room for any source of possible danger before his eyes come to rest upon Cossack. The icky feeling grows.
Rigger shifts her attention away to send a scathing glare at Shield. "*That* is why I didn't tell you the precise circumstances, I was dealing with Derek. As for who he is, just a two-bit card-shark. He didn't give Kalinka anything related to a gang."
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Rigger receives a radio transmission from Derek Vasquez.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Kalinka smiles a little, holding up a modified playing-card. "He left...-this-...behind," she mentions fondly -- as if the razor-edged card were perhaps a nice flower or some other token of affection left behind.
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Kalinka turns a little bit toward Shield as she brandishes the card, and she gives him a wink.
The Cossack doesn't even seem to /hear/ Bowie, the eye going a nice bloody crimson around the pupil. He does the Sauron thing so well. Gently, he takes the card away from Kalinka in a way that probably won't cut her, and holds it in his hand. With the card, he turns entirely and straightens up, walking towards Rigger and stopping about a meter away from her. A few drops of mech-fluid trail behind him as he puts the Blue Dragon insignia part of the card right up into her face, holding it firmly between thumb and forefinger.
"I /know/ vhat zee Yakuza callink card looks like by now," he says. "Wily used zeez dogs before. Dragons, Striders, vhatever those t'ugs call zemselves ziss veek."
He rolls his fingers so the card falls onto the ground with a clank at Rigger's feet. His eyes don't leave her. The unstated ending to his thought is all but obvious. There's not enough guns in the world to kill Cossack before he tears whoever is responsible apart.
Bowie sighs quietly, and decides this is not the time to bring up the reasons behind Kalinka's attack in the first place.
Rigger sends a radio transmission.
Rigger receives a radio transmission.
Shield glances down again at Kali just in time to see her wink. For some reason, he finds it less than encouraging, though he forces a quick supportive grin to respond briefly before it disapears. He decides now is /not/ a good time to ask Rigger about her relationship to the man and instead hopes Cossack never finds out exactly how close the man got to Cossack's daughter.
Rigger barely looks at the card at all. There's no need to, really, given she's seen them many times before. So she simply glares back at Cossack, trying her best not to continue to yell. "He's not Yakuza, and he's not working for Wily. *That* I can assure you. And I'm trying to make sure he leaves her the heck alone."
Zero arrives from the Hunter HQ - Commissary.
Zero has arrived.
Kalinka is only partially coherent at this point...she's awake, though the tranq has her -very- relaxed; she doesn't put up any sort of fuss whatsoever as her father takes the card away from her. Breathing comfortably from the oxygen mask, she slowly gives Bowie and Shield an encouraging thumbs-up.
Bowie is standing across the exam table from Shield, holding Kalinka's hand gently and wincing at the discussion some people seem to think should be held at the top of their lungs. He musters his calming smile for Kalinka again.
The Cossack and Rigger are facing each other, about a meter apart. A dangerous looking playing card with the Blue Strider insignia is between them. The Cossack himself looks like a fashion plate: old, nasty mech-fluid up to his elbows, spatters of it on his hair and face, unnaturally clean hands from wearing tight-fitting gloves. And his left eye has once again become inflamed from stress and is a nice, evil-looking red. He's not yelling. Oh no. Bowie doesn't know Cossack well enough to know what yelling /really/ is. This is Cossack holding himself back hard with a choke-chain to keep from lashing out physically.
"I don't belieff you," says Cossack, after a long moment. "For all I know, you've been /verkink/ for zem zee entire time as a sleeper agent. You probably don't /know/ you're helping zee Yakuza, but for all I know my daughter is beink set up for zee fall by Wily again. After all -- it vould be zee quickest vay to neutralize zee Hunter influence, vouldn't it? Like zee last time ziss happened wiff Cain and her beink taken avay by zose /scumbag/ Yakuza /f--ks/. Wily almost took zee verld, zen. No doubt he remembers..."
Irrational much? Paranoid often? Yes.
Kalinka receives a radio transmission.
Zero walks into the medbay, rubbing the back of his head, before seeing Rigger and Cossack in a face off. "...look, if this is gonna make my headache worse, just let me pop some Tylenol, and I'll head back to be--" he gives a slight pause at seeing Kalinka, and smirks. "..not hypothermia, is it?"
Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Chill Snowcat.
Bowie again attempts to be the voice of reason. Or what may count for reason at this point. "Culd we /please/ discuss this later?" He glances in the direction of Zero. "Asthma attack," he gives as explanation.
Shield turns towards Cossack and speaks in a very confident and powerful voice that comes from experience in either intimidation or public speaking. Shield's experience is in the former. "Dr. Cossack, Kalinka will /not/ be kidnapped and she will /not/ come to any harm from enemies again. And Rigger is not a sleeper agent, your anger is making you irrational," he says. Is Shield brave, stupid, or just suicidal? It's sortuv a combination of all three really.
Cossack isn't the only one that can snap, especially when pushed enough. Calm or not, that was quite a push. Hands clentching into fists at her side, Rigger practically bristles at the elder doctor. "You f*ing prick. I've had it up to here with you and your unfounded accusations. You're always the one preaching about how we need to trust one another, yet you've been the first to turn on me *everytime* something goes wrong. First with the pendant, now with this!? How *DARE* you, you self-righteous paranoid dillusional hypocrite! GET OUT OF MY FACE BEFORE I BREAK IT!"
Kalinka turns very gradually to face Zero, her gaze somewhat unfocused in a tranquilized fashion. She takes slow breaths from the oxygen mask on her face, as she clutches Bowie's hand loosely. "...I got mad, Zero...what they did to Flare...cussed them out, scumbags, then...got madder, and -- bam. Couldn't breathe," she mumbles beneath the mask. The really FURIOUS exchange on the other side of the room isn't phasing her at the moment -- another sign that she's been tranq'ed recently.
Zero smiles, and pats Kalinka's forehead, brushing away a few stray hairs. "Don't you worry about that, the Repliforce got him just fine. Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment. As much as I like a good fight, I really don't feel like resetting P.. someone's nose. Again."
(Bowie goes laconic, and the player goes to bed.)