(Bowie is in Cincinnati, watching the Battlebots competition, when...)
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bastion sounds mildly surprised, his radio being left to open comm obviously, "Took you long enough..." The sound of a blast, fire crackling, and then a loud driving/breaking sound is heard. Then static.
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "Mmmm?"
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Auto transmits, "....that didn't sound so good..."
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bastion doesn't respond, static continues for another few moments, then comes an automated distress call.
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "Oh, dear. Anyone free to get him?"
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie can be barely heard over the din of a cheering crowd. "Ah can go. Ah'm in Cinci."
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "Take it. Be careful."
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "A course."
Bowie suddenly stands up and pushes his way through the crowd to an exit, murmuring apologies.
(And he dashes off to...)
Torontreal - Park District
One of the only sources of green plants and fresh air in the city, this is one of Torontreal's most popular spots. A glistening artificial lake sits in the middle of the park, home to geese that still migrate south during the winter months despite the traffic in the sky becoming almost unbearable. Trees and grass are the main theme here, as both humans and Reploids come here to just relax and enjoy the plant life. Crime is rare here, as the Torontreal police do their best to keep Torontreal's reputation of being the safest city in the world, but it still happens.
Bastion [Armored] [MH]
The Captain's Table <CT>
War Pillars <WP>
Olympic Stadium
Concert Hall
Obvious exits:
North <N> leads to Torontreal - Western Business Zone.
East <E> leads to Torontreal - Southern Downtown.
Bastion is barely even recognizable, though from the gathering crowd, it's obvious some saw what happened. If you ask, some saw a dark covered figure, others saw death, and others saw the glimpses of Sigma. Bastion himself is impalled on the Maverick Pillar in the War Pillars area, his external armor burnt away, his coat gone, his infrastructure barely holding together it likewise burnt and melted. One would almost wonder if he is indeed still alive, because by all signs it doesn't appear that way.
Bowie pushes his way through the crowd, not entirely sure what's happened, only that a fellow Hunter is in trouble. He breaks through, stumbling to just in front of the pillar. What he sees makes him blanch.
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie chokes, "Dear lord almighty..."
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Ether Skunk transmits, "Whaa? What's wrong...?"
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Auto transmits, "WHAT?! What's wrong?!"
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "Doc, get a bed ready. Ah hope Ah'm not to late...can anyone else get t'Torontreol?"
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Chill Snowcat transmits, "me"
Chill Snowcat arrives from the Torontreal - Western Business Zone.
Chill Snowcat has arrived.
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Ether Skunk transmits, "What is going on, Bowie...?"
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Daito CO Michael Eildath transmits, "Ether... you guys concentrate on your own things."
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "So much for watching the match. Bowie, are you headed to the Labs, or HQ? HQ might be closer..."
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Auto transmits, "I can get there as fast as possible, if ya need me!"
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Ether Skunk transmits, ".. what? What, why can't you tell me?"
Bastion is barely even recognizable, though from the gathering crowd, it's obvious some saw what happened. If you ask, some saw a dark covered figure, others saw death, and others saw the glimpses of Sigma. Bastion himself is impalled on the Maverick Pillar in the War Pillars area, his external armor burnt away, his coat gone, his infrastructure barely holding together it likewise burnt and melted. One would almost wonder if he is indeed still alive, because by all signs it doesn't appear that way. (Repose)
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Daito CO Michael Eildath transmits, "Listen, everyone just go on doin' what you're doin'."
Bowie's lips tighten to a thin line as he looks about for a ladder or something, some way to get Bastion down.
Michael Eildath arrives from the Torontreal - Western Business Zone.
Michael Eildath has arrived.
[Radio: (C) Hunter] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "HQ medical ready to recieve."
[Radio] You send Dr. Edward Cain a direct message: "*voice hushed* Bastion's impaled on the war pilliar...dunno if Ah can get him down...dear lord..."
Dr. Edward Cain sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I...see. Hrm. Can you pilot a Ride armor?"
[Radio] You send Dr. Edward Cain a direct message: "Yeah."
Dr. Edward Cain sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Get the gunslinger. See if you can use it to very carefully slide him up the pillar and off it, then bring him here."
[Radio] You send Dr. Edward Cain a direct message: "Ah don't thank he's got the time fer that."
Dr. Edward Cain sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Hang on. I'm on my way."
Michael Eildath moves quickly into the area, face grim. Like he doesn't already know what happened. No, really. There is absolutely no surprise on his face at all at the actions of petty children with large guns.
Bastion can't really do anything beside like...stay there.
Bowie glances about, and notices a maintenence shad not too far from the memorial. He jogs over in that direction. Surely they have something of use in there...he forces himself to think of nothing but the task at hand.
A few of the civilians finally move on, some having gotten physically ill.
Michael Eildath flickers, fading into his powersuit as he boost-jumps up the pillar, hooking onto the sides ala Batman.
Michael Eildath flashes, appearing in his Powersuit armor.
Dr. Edward Cain arrives from the Torontreal - Southern Downtown.
Dr. Edward Cain has arrived.
Auto arrives from the Torontreal - Southern Downtown.
Auto has arrived.
Bowie uses the time-honored tradition of lock removal - shooting the dang thing - and pushes the door open. A cherry picker. Perfect. He hops in the cab and turns the engine over. So far, he's been too busy to notice everyone else arriving on the scene.
Michael Eildath climbs his way up the old fashioned way, wondering what the hell a cherry picker's doing in Canada. He blinks. "BOWIE! UP HERE!"
Because cherry pickers are useful for things like trimming trees and checking power lines. And it was the best thing the player could think of on short notice. Bowie waves to Mike to let him know he was heard, then drives the machine up towards the pillars. Carefully, so as to not cause any more damage than necessary or accidently hit anyone.
Thwipthwipthwipthwipthwip...
Is it the sound of a wounded hummingbird? Dying helicopter? Mike from "Sexy Losers?" No. Well, not exactly the second one. Instead, Auto is flying to the War Pillars with his head-propellor pushing him as fast as he can go, Dr. Cain hanging beneath the monstrous belly from a specially rigged harness. Shouting to be heard about the wind, he looks up to Auto. "GET US IN AS CLOSE TO HIM AS YOU CAN! I'LL NEED TO STABILIZE HIM BEFORE WE CAN MOVE HIM."
Michael Eildath keeps moving up, looking up and noticing the flying green guy in the air. "DOC! I CAN'T EVEN CHECK ON HIM LIKE THIS... WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF ITS SAFE TO MOVE HIM AT ALL!"
Dr. Edward Cain takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Auto takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Dr. Edward Cain says, "WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN! AUTO! GO! GO! GO!"
Auto nods enthusiastically, and zooms downward toward ground level, right toward the pillars. He's got a somewhat gaunt expression on his face (well, as gaunt as he can look, that is) and is figiting about as he dives down.
Bowie parks the cherry picker in front of the pillar, then climbs out of the cab and into the basket. It shouldn't take him long to extend the the basket up to where Bastion is. Even if Mike and the others reach him first, this may be the safest way to bring the wounded Hunter down. His expression is grim mask.
Michael Eildath gets alongside Bastion, face set and unhappy, but still unsurprised, the jets in the powersuit boots firing off occasionally to keep him balance, the Hunter not digging his spikes into a war pillar... he's got some sence of decency.
Dr. Edward Cain sighs as Auto gets near enough that he can see the obvious wreckage of what used to be Bastion. "BRING ME IN ALONGSIDE HIM!" Reaching into the webbing at his belt, he pulls out the emergency microtools, hoping that what he can hold in his hands like this will be enough to allow him to stabilize the blasted hunter.
A few sparks explode from Bastion's side, right near the area where the pillar is piked through his chest, but otherwise thats the only sign of life. He goes willingly with whatever happens.
Bowie brings the basket up next to Bastion, holding his position there. Hsi paltry knowledge of human first aid isn't going to do squat, so his simply waits until he's called upon to do something.
Michael Eildath knows even less than Bowie... something he will be rectifying in the coming months.
Auto nods as he closes in, slowing down. Finally, he gets close enough to the pillar Bastion is impaled on. He's got his own micromanipulator on his tool arm at the moment, should it be necessary. He inwardly cringes at the sight before him. oO(Hopping Hannibal on a Toadstool, what happened to him?)Oo
Dr. Edward Cain carefully brings himself in, bracing his legs on the pillar below Bastion. "I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET HIS NEURAL NET STABLE, AND BYPASS HIS POWER CORE TO SECONDARIES. WORK ON HIS ENERGY EXCHANGE SYSTEM, AUTO." Then, he lowers a pair of goggles over his eyes, and brings the microtools in to work.
Auto nods and gets to work. Using the micromanipulator and his advanced magnification in his optics, he gets to work on the energy exchange systems as ordered. Unfortunately, a good bit of it is scorched and melted to high hell. Getting and uncomfortable look on his face, he gets to work on trying to reconnect the salvagable circuits and wiring. A diode here, a connection there. It's going slowly, but at least there's something to work with.
Bowie tightens his grip on the side of the basket, waiting as Dr. Cain and Auto do their best to stabilize Bastion. Eventually he has to look away, because he can't bear to watch.
Michael Eildath watches, grim-faced, the whole time. Rar.
Dr. Edward Cain sighs. This is....a mess. Fortunately, Bastion is a little too tenacious to just give up, and his neural net is clinging to activity. Bringing himself in, he continues to work as carefully as he can, under the circumstances, attempting to make sure that power can still flow to his mind, regardless of what other repairs are going to lead to. Sweat begins to bead at his forehead, but he's trying to ignore it as he works.
Luckily, Auto has little to worry about in terms of distracting bodily functions. However, that doesn't make his work any easier. Most of the main exchange paths are fried beyond repair. So far, he's dished out at least three or four totally melted wires from the system, and that's only the completely unsalvagable part. There are still a few scorched and slightly melted ones to deal with. Seeing no other choice, Auto quickly digs into his emergency compartment (i.e., his expansive jaw) and takes out a few bits of wire and solder, as well as a mini-torch, almost like a modified lighter than anything. For just such an occasion-type stuff, ya know. Quickly, he gets to rerouting the systems. A temporary fix until they can get him home.
Auto effects some minor repair work on Bastion.
Dr. Edward Cain continues to work as well, and unfortunately "temporary fix" is the word of the day...but not one that can apply to the brain. However, his delicate work is paying off, and as he continues, a series of indicator lights around the braincase now begin to shift from red, to amber, to green. It's working. Soon he'll be able to switch to stabilizing the rest of the power core, and to help Auto.
Auto takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Dr. Edward Cain takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Dr. Edward Cain effects some repair work on Bastion.
Dr. Edward Cain takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Auto takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Auto is still working on rerouting the energy systems. He's doing a good job of it too, despite what he had to work with. Still, this is like using chewing gum to hang a painting. It'll work for a little while, but it'll eventually break down if it isn't fixed properly. Still, as the lights glow, indicating the restarting energy flow, Auto can't help but grin. Work ain't over yet, though, young Light. The whistle has not blown, nor the theme music started up....wait, that's the Flintstones. It should be noted AUto has been spending too much time in the media archives at the Neo Tokyo library...
Dr. Edward Cain continues to go, go, go. It's a good thing he can't hear the music, too. Then, he moves down to begin the secondary re-routing so that when he's moved, Bastion's power core won't leave most of the part a crater. Not to mention the rest of them. Gently.....
:would be holding his breath, except that he has no need to breathe. He continues to wait silently, not wanting to be a distraction at a critical moment.
Bowie would be holding his breath, except that he has no need to breathe. He continues to wait silently, not wanting to be a distraction at a critical moment.
FInally, with a click and a beep, the energy systems are stabilized. Not at optimum performance, no. Not by a longshot. But at least they're working. Auto wipes his brow, more out of reflex then anything, and looks down at Cain's work. "How's it look, Unk?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "... uh oh."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "Have faith, Son."
Dr. Edward Cain sighs. "Almost...got...him....done..." And so he does, as more amber lights begin to shift to less dangerous levels.
Dr. Edward Cain effects some minor repair work on Bastion.
Dr. Edward Cain takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Auto takes out a medical scanner and scans Bastion.
Auto just sits (in a matter of speaking) and watches. Idly, he searches through his little mini-archive for something to sooth his not-so-visibly shattered nerves. oO(Smoooooooke on the Waaaaater.....)Oo
Dr. Edward Cain sighs. "Right. I got him. I think I got him....let's -carefully- lift him up, and then shift him onto the lift. Bowie. Be ready to catch him!" Carefully, Cain puts himself where he can help stabilize the slow lift.
Michael Eildath helps, and stuff.
Auto nods and puts his hand under Bastion's body, the tool arm stabilizing things. Slowly, he ascends, just about a centimeter or so a second, to avoid any nasty jarring or catching on the pillars. Ever so carefully, the Cop's body clears the monument. The lift better get ready.
Bowie also helps, moving to where he can best ease Bastion into the basket. "Steady..."
Dr. Edward Cain uses his body to slowly help bring Bastion down, turning himself in the harness so that he's horizontal to the lift as he manipulates the wounded expatriate. "Right..."
Bowie reaches up, helping the others gently lower Bastion onto the lift. The basket rocks slightly, since it really wasn't designed for this, but otherwise remains stable.
Auto finally floats over to the lift, and gently descends, turning more and more horizontal as he tries to lower the fallen Hunter in. Luckily, Auto's got a lot of practice at this, so it manages to go off with as few hitches as possible.
Dr. Edward Cain sighs as they finally have Bastion into the cherrypicker's cage, if not quite onto the floor, maneuvering himself into the basket as well, and preparing to disconnect his harness. "Right. Bring him in gently. You have about a foot."
Auto lowers, and lowers, at about a rate of half a centimeter a second. Finally, he stops with Bastion's body just around half an inch off the floor. He looks down at his other passenger and says, "Got it, Unk?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "Well done, Rock!"
Bowie assists in gingerly lowering Bastion to the floor of the lift. He's lapsed into silence again. What is there to say, after all?
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock chuckles happily. "Thanks, Father! I lost, but I think Nuts is going to learn an important lesson -- winning isn't everything, it's having fun that counts!"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Ether Skunk transmits, "You lost? Ohh.. I'm sorry, Rock!!"
Dr. Edward Cain nods as he brings Bastion down to the floor with Bowie, disconnecting Bastion's line and his own harness. "We've got him. Bowie...take us down." Then, he smiles. "He'll be okay."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "Bastion is stabilized. But we're going to need a full reconstruct team ready. STAT."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "... what? What happened?"
Michael Eildath drops off the pillar, and kinda semi-rappels down. Finally getting back to RPworthiness.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack transmits, "I t'ink Plum is secretly zome sort of United Nations kill-droid -- she vins a lot of fights for a non-com."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Ether Skunk transmits, "Huh...? Bastion?! What happened to him?!"
Bowie moves back over to the controls and begins lowering the basket back down to ground level. Cain's reassurances is met with the same grim frown and silence.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "Looks like Sigma tried to spike him down the War Pillar."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Ether Skunk transmits, "Wha...? That's... SIGMA IS A POOR SPORT!"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "... <mutter>"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "That's an understatement. Ether, please kick the Maverick's asses tonight?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Stealth Nekojin transmits, "...wouldn't that count as a disqualification? At the least?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "OOC: Yes, he's a little stressed. :>"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Ether Skunk transmits, "Two down, Dr. Cain sir, one two go. We'll paste him somethin' fierce for you and Mr. Bastion sir!"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "I think I'll go have a talk with MISTER Sigma..."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "Father, not alone."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack transmits, "Thomas, do not be a fool."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock transmits, "Let me go with you."
Auto nods as both his passengers disconnect, leaving him free to fly down and help Mike with the controls of the Cherry Picker. He has a slightly grim frown too, but is trying to keep calm. Thank god for internal soundclip players. oO(...and I'll tell myself, 'I'm over you', 'cuz I'm the King of Wishful Thinkin'.)Oo
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "No, Thom. Rock. No. If he did this to Bastion, imagine what fueling his anger would do."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Auto transmits, "Dad....don't....."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "Of course. Not alone."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack transmits, "You two, stay avay from Sigma. If he's villink to try to kill Bastion for beatink him in a game -- no, you don't get near him. Not until after all ziss is over."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock sounds darkly amused. "I didn't say *now*. I'm not a poor sport. I can accept defeat gracefully when I'm bested in a fair competition."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack transmits, "Because you are better man, Rock."
Bowie brings the basket to within an easy step of the ground. Hopefully someone's thought of a way to get Bastion back to the medbay from here...
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock chortles. "And to think, I'm the boy!"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack transmits, "You arr no boy, Rock. You carry a burden zhat vould break ten men wiff grace."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "He's right, son. You're a man, to ten decimal places."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "I'm an annoyin fuzzball"
Dr. Edward Cain says, "We'll need to use the cherrypicker to carry him into the teleporters. From there....Auto, we'll need you to help us rig a stretcher."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Stealth Nekojin transmits, "...Does that mean he's a woman in the eleventh decimal place?"
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack transmits, "Vell, all men are just a chromosome avay from such t'inks."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "I'm an old man, Chill. Nobody's 'just' anything. You too are more than you think."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Rock can almost be heard blushing, and it's confirmed when he clears his throat. "Thank you, Dr. Cossack, Father." Pause. "... I, uh... I'm a what? Oh... oh my. Plum will be disappointed."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Edward Cain transmits, "Don't worry, Rock. I'm sure you're confident in your gender and sexuality."
Bowie nods and climbs out of the basket. "Whenever yer ready," he says quietly, then heads back to the cab.
Auto nods from his place in the air and zooms off to get a stretcher quick from the Hunter Medical Facilities.
Dr. Edward Cain crouches down to keep an eye on him. "Roll out."
Bowie starts up the engine and heads for the teleporters at a slow speed. At least hover vehicles have the advantage of not feeling every pothole in the road along the way.
Michael Eildath enters the Torontreal - Southern Downtown.
Michael Eildath has left.
Auto is waiting in front of a teleporter with a stretcher at the moment, fidgeting with his prop as he waits.
Bowie brings the cherry picker to a halt in front of the teleport center, causing only the slightest of bumps as the it settles to the ground. He'll make sure the truck is returned - later.
Auto waves the truck down, holding the stretcher still on its wheels at the cherry picker advances.
Bowie climbs back out of the cab, running over to help move Bastion onto the stretcher. From here, it should be a short hop to the Labs, or so he hopes.
Auto rolls the stretcher toward the truch and helps Bowie lift Bastion onto the stretcher. Not much else to this pose.
Auto disappears in a flash of energy.
Bowie disappears in a flash of energy.
(And then, they teleport to...)
Light Labs - Medical
This room is kept immaculately clean and organized, from the polished tile floor to the bright exam lights and walls painted with soothing colors. Several repair and medical beds for robot and human patients line the walls, monitors above them indicating the status of the patient's vital signs. There are no windows here, as this is in the center of the floor and heavily reinforced against possible attack. It is here that the Maverick Hunter medics patch up the wounded.
Auto [MH]
Lifesaver's Office <LSO>
Repair Chamber
Obvious exits:
Sliding Door <S> leads to Light Labs - Corridor 3.
Bowie helps Auto get the gurney from the teleporter to the medbay safely. Whatever's on the Texan's mind, he's keeping it to himself.
Auto quickly helps roll the gurney in, stopping it right next to one of the beds in the Bay. However, once that's done, he idly starts itching at a certain place on his arm.....however, it's easily forgotten as he tries to scoop Bastion into the bed. However, once that's done, he starts scratching at it again! Hrm....
Bowie sinks into an empty chair, now that he's no longer needed. His knowledge of android mechanics wouldn't fill a thimble, so he stays out of the way. He folds his arms across the chest, staring off into space.
Auto just shrugs. He's tired as well. Bastion's stabilized. He'll work on things tomorrow. Idly, he scratches at his arm again, glancing at Bowie as he passes. "How're ya holdin' up since....." Uh oh....AUto just HAD to bring THAT up again.
Bowie's expression says it all. At first glance, it's a mask of calm, but grief and anger lurk about its edges. "Ah druther not talk about it," he says softly.
Auto blinks, feeling uneasy at Bowie's expression. "Okies....." Idly, he continues to rub at that damn bloodstain that just won't go away....mostly 'cuz it isn't even there. "Sigh...why won't this bloodstain go away..." he says under his breath. He's still surprised no one can see it. It's there, plain as day!
Bowie cants his head towards Auto, raising an eyebrow. "Pardon?"
Auto turns back toward Bowie and just waves him off. "It's nothin', really...just a...stain I can't seem to get off my arm." He continues to rub at it. He's starting to consider getting out the sandpaper soon, if this doesn't go away!
Bowie unfolds his arms again, resting his hands on the sides of the chair as he leans forward. "Dija try that stain-liftin soap?"
Auto nods. "Yeah, I tried. Everything else came off but this...." He sighs, scratching the back of his head....giving Bowie a good look at the blank arm.
Bowie frowns slightly as he looks over Auto's arm but doesn't see anything unusual. Maybe it's something so faint that his optics can't pick it up. "Hm. Ya can't really notice it, least Ah can't."
Auto sighs. "Nevermind then..." He turns away, slightly muttering to himself, "Why can't anyone see it?" Scratch scratch scratch...
Auto shrugs. "Haven't really had a chance to try that yet...what with the games, injuries, tryin' ta help Cousin Zai around, and all that...not to mention working on my car and bot...." He sighs. "I'm gonna check in for the night. Tell me if Bast starts relapsin' or something, 'kay?" He yawns and waves as he walks through the doorway. "Night Bowie..."
Bowie nods. "Right...Night, Auto."
(And then he trudges up to...)
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.
Michael Eildath [Powersuit] [MH]
Obvious exits:
West <W> leads to Hunter HQ - Teleporter Room.
North <N> leads to Hunter HQ - Meeting Room.
South leads to Hunter HQ - War Room.
East <E> leads to Hunter HQ - Lift Station.
Bowie walks in, finds a chair, and slumps down in it.
Michael Eildath is slumped into his own chair, feet kicked up on the windowsill... his hands are arched in front of his face, and were it not for the gleam of computer light in his blue-green eyes, you might think he was asleep, facing out at the evening lagoon.
Bowie notes Mike's presence, but doesn't say anything. He has the feeling they're in about the same mood. He folds his arms across his chest, joining in the looking at but not really seeing the ocean outside.
Michael Eildath stares out for a long moment, eyes trailing a few birds, the avians flying about in blissful springtime courtship. He wonders idly if they're aware of the traps Dr. Cossack has set all over the island, or that they even share it with the Hunters. The thoughts are a distraction from what weighs on his mind, and he looks over at Bowie with barely a movement of his head. "How is he?"
Bowie sighs and moves to pull his hat down, only belatedly remembering he's not wearing one. Funny how little mannarisms creep into one's systems. "Touch n go, but the Doc says he'll pull through," is his quiet answer.
Michael Eildath frowns, eyes trailing down to the floor, or rather his chest, for the moment. "Hmm..." That's all he says for a long moment. "I can't say this surprised me... or even shocked me. Even Bastion knew it was coming. But I can't help feeling helpless about it. If we can't even defend our own..."
Bowie lapses into silence again, the calm mask he's been forcing slowly slipping away into an angry frown.
Michael Eildath notes Bowie's expression, though there's not much he can do, the human fighting to maintain his own calmness, that cold feeling that he can so easily let slip over him in combat, but is so hard to maintain otherwise. "We have to do something... but we can't last out. We're better than that... we're Hunters. And that limits our options to a degree. Black Hats have a bigger playbook, in other words, and I don't like it any more than you do."
Bowie meets Michael's words with silence. They've been heard, but whether they mean anything to him right now is difficult to say. He continues to gaze out into the bay, watching the waves lap up on the shore.
Michael Eildath falls silent again, eyes going back to the lagoon beyond.
Bowie normally finds at least some solace in watching the waves break along the shore. Today, it's not working. Between El Paso and Bastion, the Texan has plenty of reasons to be tense. He folds his arms again, his eyes still watching the ocean while his thoughts are elsewhere.
Michael Eildath goes back to watching the pair of birds frolic, sighing slightly as they vanish into Asuncion's foliage once more. Never one for sunsets, his gaze flickers back toward Bowie, surreptitiously watching the Hunter's gaze while simply being there himself. If Bowie wants to talk, Mike will listen.
Bowie's expression is lost somewhere between grief, anger, and exhaustion. Wherever his thoughts are leading right now, he doesn't seem to be in any hurry to share them. At some point he unfolds his arms again, and fishes out his pocketwatch from his pocket. He turns his gaze from the ocean to the cover of the watch, not opening it, just looking at it.
Michael Eildath's eyes flicker to the watch, and back outside. He wonders, idly, what is going through his head, but does not press the matter. His own thoughts drift back to Bastion... the latest in a string of things that he wasn't able to prevent.
Bowie's pocketwatch is a little beaten up but otherwise appears to be a nice timepiece. On its cover is a painting of a gray wolf on a light background. Right now, it seems he's using it more for the past than for measuring the present.
Michael Eildath hrms, wondering quietly what all that signifies for Bowie... he remembers him talking about the watch before, but the true impact is lost to him, as Mike's never had a significant thing such as that... at least nothing with a good connotation, he realizes, thinking back to the toy in his room that shouldn't exist, his 'gift' from Jupiter.
Bowie turns the watch over in his hands for a moment. All he's really said about it is that was a gift from a good friend, but never said who the friend is or was. On the back is the maker's seal of some company in Switzerland.
Michael Eildath's eyes drift back to the window, the Hunter perhaps realizing that he's staring, hands resuming their arched position, the Hunter gazing down at the skyline, watching clouds drift by in the evening gloom. His own mind drifts now, to symbols and momentos, though the undercurrent is still concerned with what seems to be vexing his ally so.
Ether Skunk arrives from the Hunter HQ - Teleporter Room.
Ether Skunk has arrived.
Ether Skunk steps out of the teleporters, yes she does, and walks with an unsteady sort of rhythm as she enters the room, looking haggard. Why? She was just in a dodgeball match, of course.
Bowie is seated in one of the chairs facing the grand view of the lagoon. The sunset is lost on him, however, his gaze focused on a pocketwatch held gently in one hand. His expression is somewhere between grief, anger and exhaustion. He hears the teleporter activate, but it doesn't really register. His thoughts are decidedly elsewhere.
Michael Eildath is not quite as up to the silence game as Bowie is, turning his head from its sullen gaze out the window as the teleport hums to life. He smiles as he sees Ether enter, raising a hand toward the worn-out skunk as she makes her way in. "How'd it go?" he says, tempting the silence to be irrevocably shattered by the normally vociferous young Hunter.
Ether Skunk wobbles slightly, looking back and forth between Mike and Bowie. Mike and Bowie... together, quietly watching a beautiful sunset in what amounts to a resort in a tropical paradise. Ether's shoulders sag and her optics go wide. Oh My God. When she speaks, she's understandably skittish, shuffling her feet uncomfortably. "Er, ah... h-how is Mr B-bastion doing? Is he okay? D-did he get.. stabilized and stuff...?"
Bowie on a good day is laconic. This has not been a good day. Still, since a question has been posed, he'll answer it. Tilting his head towards Ether, he says softly, "Wus touch n go when Ah left, but Doc Cain said he'll pull through."
Michael Eildath hrms, looking over at Bowie as he responds. Like a record. Whatever Bowie's brooding on is really severe, he thinks... angst city. He offers a smile at Ether. "I'm sure he'll be fine, Ether. He's a Hunter... he'll pull through. And now, how're you doin'?"
Ether Skunk looks back to Bowie, Oh, wait.. this isn't a romantic silence, it's an unhappy silence. Ether looks noticably relieved, swishing her tail quickly. But wait... maybe they're having a lover's quarrel! The skunk looks antsy once more as she smiles to Mike. "He is? That's good. Um.. um, we won. It was close, and.. well, Smite and Shinobi got hammered, but... the other guy went down first, before I did!" She offers a bright smile, teetering around in place. "An' if Sigma wants to come cut US up for winnin' against his goons, well.. well, I'll rip his head off and bring THAT to our next dodgeball match instead of the ball! Hrrrumph!"
It's just as well minds cannot be read in this particular universe, isn't it? Bowie slips the watch back into the safety his pocket as Ether talks. He doesn't smile, but he does manage to frown less as Ether's enthusiasm rubs off a bit.
Michael Eildath smiles, his player /VERY/ glad that he can't read minds, Mike himself just happy for Ether. "I'm happy that you guys won... sorry I wasn't able to stay and watch the whole thing... and if Sigma decides to be a sore loser again, we'll be ready to pound him into his component parts."
[OOC] Bowie pouts at Mike. "You never bring me flowers anymore."
[OOC] Michael Eildath says, "I thought we agreed that we weren't gonna argue about this!"
[OOC] Bowie huffs, "Fine."
[OOC] Michael Eildath hmphs! "Fine."
Ether Skunk is innocently, really!! Hey, the idea weirds her out just as much. That's why she's wriggling uncomfortably. "Well, well.. we should... maybe, maybe we should make a note of this and.. and when Battle and Chase is over, it'll be propaganda!!! Bet people won't want to rally behind a sore loser like Sigma!!" She smiles brightly as she drags the silver lining down and points it out. Remember, the Hunters don't have casualties... they have martyrs! "Is... is something else up?"
Bowie stands up, hooking his thumbs through his beltloops. He shakes his head in answers to Ether's question. "Jus had a bad week." Any week that entails having one's town haunted by zombies, one's arm ripped off by a hellhound, and having a teammate impaled on a national monument is definitely a bad week. "Ah'm gonna go recharge. G'night, Mike, Miss Ether."
Michael Eildath ponders asking Bowie to stay, but decides it's a bad idea... best to let the man work through his own problems... if he wants to talk, he'll talk. Mike turns again to Ether as Bowie makes his exit. "Just sittin' here thinkin', myself... watching the sunset."
[OOC] Bowie's player goes to crash now. :]
Ether Skunk turns to watch Bowie go, relaxing. Okay, they're not lovers. Still, something's very rotten in denmark, and she waves a hand to the outbound cowboy. "Night, Bowie. Rest well." She makes her way over to the window to flop down in the chair that Bowie vacated, wriggling. Hey, chairs are nice, but she hates it when they're warm like this. "Was kinda nice before this happened."