[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka sighs.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "Chikushou."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "Ahem. Pardon."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Breeze transmits, "Sure. Didn't know robots sneezed though."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "I am very sorry, Crescendo, this...did not go as I had anticipated. I am...again, sorry."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "...Kalinka...are you in trouble again?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "...Maybe."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Dare Ah ask?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka sighs. "I do not understand all of this fuss they are making...over -frozen lake-, of all things...they act as if they have never seen ice before."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "This is Africa. They've likely never seen their own lake frozen solid before."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "..."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Tell me Ah didn't just hear that."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "You heard it...Kalinka, do you need to a pickup?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "In short, sir, Lake Wily in Africa is frozen solid. I have visual contact of Kalinka now, but it looks like we've got some trouble."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "Define 'trouble.'"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Um...sort of, yes. But...it is...um, a bit difficult at this point in time. And not the best situation. Would you not agree, Crescendo? It might not be good strategy at this point."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie sighs. "Need an evac?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "They're clearing the area of people at present, but..."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "Would you please answer a bit more definitively? Do you need a pickup or not?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "I'm close to her position now, if she can shake them off, we'll try to escape together. If that's not possible, we'll definitely need a pick up."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie changes freqs, considering the situation. "Shake 'em if ya can. Don't ehgange unless ya got to. Shield, can ya get thare, or should Ah prep one a the aircraft?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Shield transmits, "You should prep an aircraft. I'll join you."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Crescendo transmits, "She's surrounded by Joes. Going to try to break through and snag her. Thanks, everyone."

(And Bowie rushes off to prep the Vorpal.)

Shield has arrived.

Bowie is already in the pilot's seat, going through the pre-flight checks. His scowl indicates that he is not at all pleased about this. Pay no attention to the dented armor - he didn't have a chance to fix it since the shindig in Texas last night.

Shield is never pleased about anything, but his scowl is hidden by his helmet.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "Don't thank us yet. Cavalry's comin. Whut's your situation?"

The engine roar to life, and Bowie eases the craft out of the docking bay. "Take the gunner's seat," he says. "We're goin in hot, and thay might need cover fire."

Shield nods, hoping he can handle it. He's never fired vehicle-mounted weaponry before.

Bowie either doesn't know that, or he's forgotten. Either way, he can't do both things at once, so Shield's elected.

(And off they go.)

Outside> Lake Wily / Aswan Dam (Aswan Lake Region)

Lake Nasser is no more. In it's place is now the newly christened Lake Wily, in honor of the new ruling power of the area. The lake remains the same physically, still one of the larges man made bodies of water made, thanks to the concrete structure bolstered at its northern edge - the Aswan Dam. The refurbished antiquated dam has been given another face lift as well, with several more watch towers and additional bracing to prevent breaks. Farther south, amidst small hovels and alcoves along the way, a large housing project has popped up, about 10 miles north of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. Both major emplacements are guarded by masses of drones and security outposts, manned mainly by Joes bearing the Wily W and a greek character known to be a Theta. This is firmly Wily country, people. Good guys beware.

Outside> Search Man [Normal] [RM] Ballade [Normal] [RM]

Crescendo [Informal] [MH] Sword Man [Mysterious] [RM]

Watcher Elec Man [Normal] [RM]

Kalinka [Cloak] [MH] Sphere Outpost <Theta>

Outside> South <S> leads to Upper Nile.

North <N> leads to Egypt.

Up <U> leads to Sky Above Nile Region.

(Genpose, courtesy of Kalinka: It is an absolutely BLISTERING-hot day in sub-Saharan Africa. So perhaps it isn't very strange that thousands of people are migrating toward the huge Lake Wily.

Well...it -wouldn't- be particularly unusual, except for one little detail...

Lake Wily is frozen solid.

People stare in amazement at the frozen lake, as it glistens in the afternoon sun. Chanting and praying can be heard amongst the gasps in the crowd. It's certainly not something one sees every day, that's for sure. And still, more people come...drawn by the promise of a modern-day miracle.

Down by the lake's edge on the west side, Elec Man and a number of Joes are trying to get to the bottom of what made the lake freeze by questioning locals. Currently, Elec, Ballade, and Search have Kalinka and Crescendo surrounded by a number of Joes. She stands there in front of the group placidly. If she's feeling fear, she's covering it up with a defiant expression.)

Outside> Elec Man backs up a bit more. He resists the urge to facepalm as Crescendo arrives, then hears Ballade refer to him as such. oO(A Hunter. Unarmored. Blinking into the middle of all of us. Moron...)Oo

Outside> Kalinka bites her lip, as Ballade approaches. His tone isn't unkind, but...something about him reminds Kalinka of her old school principal, who always gave her the shakes, especially if she had a conduct problem in class and he wanted to confront her about it. It unnerves her. "I suppose you, um, you wish to know why...lake is frozen," she murmurs, giving Crescendo a rather guilty sidelong glance.

Outside> Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal> activates its stealth mode.

Shield says, "Let's not try to provoke things, the Masters generally don't try to hurt Kalinka...of course, she may have gone too far this time."

Outside> Browncloak looks around as the Joes seem to have the crowd control under wraps. Looking around, he tries to find some cover in order to ditch his disguise, internally thinking to himself, . o O (How shameful...hiding in disguise, like that foolish redcaped strongman in those strange picture books)

Bowie says "Wasn't plannin on it..." He brings the craft out of suborbit over the lake area, activating the Vorpal's stealth abilities. No reason to announce to the whole continent that they're here.

Outside> Blink. Blinkblinkblink. Sable brown optics slooooowly look up from Kalinka, to the backing Joes, to Elec Man, and finally Ballade, his previously nervous smile disappearing in grades. The redhaired Japanese youth is dressed in casual civilian attire and sneakers, standing by Kalinka with that short-cut, slender wiry collection of tied back hair thrashing behind his neck anxiously in the breeze. He sneaks a glance back to Kalinka, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a half reassuring smile, too-red brows arching a bit. What was he gonna do? Break out the pugil sticks and Crane Style action, get both he and Kalinka flattened?

Mentally, the rookie is praying. Please don't be all cuz of that little broken bottle. Please don't be all because of that little broken... Wait. Ballade knows his name? Aw... NUTBUNNIES. He blinks again, looking to Ballade, and remains very, very still. Torture for a speedster like him, but hey, sacrifices are good, mmkay?

Outside> There's a faint ripple in the sky overhead, almost like heat waves, and a bit of an upper air disturbance. In Africa, that's not entirely out of place. Nothing of interest to see here. Nope.

Outside> Search Man's optics narrow as he checks his sensors once more, optics shifting in the Vorpals direction, both remaining quiet as they check their weapon systems before looking around the area once more

Outside>

Ballade, as always, is a flawless piece of Wily technology. His armor is polished, his weapons systems at full, his speed, stamina and power among the highest in Wily's army. He exists for the sole purpose of being a weapon. He is, and for a short time was literally, Death incarnate.

But the Elite is staying his hand. Though Kalinka and Crescendo are surrounded by Joes, Robot Masters and have within a meter of them one of Wily's most lethal Elites, Ballade is being civil today. The word of the Master is law, as any African knows.

"An explanation for this state of affairs would be appreciated," says the Elite to Kalinka, politely but firmly. "As you can imagine, we find Lake Wily to be very valuable to us."

The Elite looks at Crescendo again, then returns his attention to Kalinka.

Outside> Elec Man is looking around, eyeing everything. He looks back to his datapad, and the vial, plugging in some minute details. Shape... color... broken-ness...

Outside> Watcher is hurtling back toward the gathering at high speeds, blooping frantically.

Outside> Sword Man comes out of the hiding place that Browncloak ducked in to (as if it wasn't already obvious to some that they are both and the same). Marching forth, stiff as ever, he nears the western side again, making his way to the surrounded Hunters.

Outside> Kalinka nods. "Oh, I -know- that lake is quite valuable...I would do nothing to -harm- lake, because the people here need to use it," she insists. "It is...ice -ONLY-. I put nothing at all into the lake to harm anyone. All of it is very harmless." She twirls a lock of her very blonde hair around her finger nervously, sweat beading her forehead -- part nervous perspiration, part from the heat of the African afternoon.

Outside> Search Man's optics remain focused on the Vorpal's position, focusing in on it as he adjusts his sensors, one of his heads shifting towards the others nearby

Outside> Crescendo is standing as still as he can, which is to say, not exactly perfectly immobile; whoever initially designed him tried to make him as close to human in appearance as possible, so he even sways minutely when standing still on slightly unsteady terrain. For all his attire and stance, he could be a tourist who stumbled into the wrong situation, thermos under one arm and everything.

A tiny puff of sand rises around his feet as the air vents grafted into the bottoms of his sneakers release some pressurized air, earning a slightly exasperated glance skywards from the redhaired android. Note to self: get air vents cleaned later, as far, far too noisy at times like this. Again, a glance askance to Kalinka, though any questions he may have are pushed away, lest an inquisitive expression show itself on the canvas of one's face.

Outside>

"I indeed noticed the lack of pollutants," comments the Elite. "But you must understand that a thermal event such as this can cause harm to the wildlife living in the lake, as well as causing harm to infrastructure connected to the lake. The pipes that connect to the lake may be ruptured or shattered outright by the sudden state change, as they are not designed to tolerate such temperatures."

Ballade looks to Crescendo again, making sure he realizes that Ballade's attention does not waver, before looking to Kalinka again. "This is not the Russian steppe, Miss Cossack. This is a tropical zone, not accustomed to ice or even moderately `chilly' temperatures."

A pause. Ballade's gaze tracks to the Vorpal, where it resides for a good five seconds, before he looks back to Kalinka. "An explanation as to why you selected /this/ lake in *this* area to freeze would be highly informative."

Outside> The Vorpal keeps riding high in the sky, circling the lake while trying to remain outside of sensor range. If it's been spotted, its crew doesn't seem to be aware of that fact yet.

Bowie uses the craft's own sensors to try and locate the wayward Hunters. That group on the beach looks like a good place to start...hm...drat. Looks like they weren't kidding about company. He makes a face of disgust, even if no one else can see it. "Looks like thay've got a real followin."

Outside> Kalinka sighs. "The size, and also location to the equator," she says. She doesn't -expect- that any of them will buy it, though it isn't entirely false; Lake Wily just happened to be in a perfect geographical, if not political, position for her little experiment. It worked too well...FAR too well than she had anticipated. She expected, perhaps, a little iceberg in the warm water. Not the whole LAKE. "Look, I am very sorry if this is...um, inconvenient. I can understand that. But I swear to you, no harm was meant."

Outside>

"Expand on that idea," asks Ballade of Kalinka. "What were you attempting to accomplish? If this was simply a scientific experiment as you suggest, surely you had a desired outcome to prove a hypothesis. What would that be?"

Outside> Sword Man finally reaches the group, looking down upon those present, standing stiffly in his usual ready position, waiting to hear what is yet to be said.

Outside> Elec Man nods over at Sword.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "All right. Any y'all ever done a hot extraction 'fore?"

Outside> Not much time passes before all that effort poured into maintaining a calm, neutral expression begins to crack. After all, it's two against... a whole lotta badaft enemies... in the middle of their territory. And help either on the way or somewhere near the area. This is just -not- looking good. Parroting human reactions, the android clenches his fists at his sides, rather than risk anyone seeing his fingers beginning to tremble; a bead of sweat (or rather, a kind of cooling fluid) crawling down the side of his face.

The rookie glances askance to Kalinka, and he turns his gaze to focus on the surrounding figures present. Why, no, Crescendo, the odds of their escape are -not- very good. So long as the talk continues, though, maybe their chances are getting a bit better. After a moment of calculation, he's come to perhaps the wisest decision he's made yet - fighting will likely end up with the two of them deader than a doornail.

Outside> Search Man listens silently as he continues to watch, half of him ready to open fire on the ship above them , while the other waits silently waiting for orders as their optics shift once more to the group

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Crescendo transmits, "Y-You guys already here? Cuz... uhhh... *gulp* Ballade was lookin' up before, I think you might have been spotted."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Shield transmits, "That's unfortunate, but not entirely surprising."

Outside> Kalinka becomes a tad defensive, but it is only the protection that a scientist gives to an original idea. "It is just...a coolant I am working on," she mentions, trying to make it sound like it isn't any big deal at all. "I wished to see the effect it had on a natural body of water, outside of filtration and chemical treatment. Apparently, this has proved that...the amounts I used were not reasonable. You know, um...it WILL thaw. See, it already is melting!"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "...dangit. Ne'er mind. How fast can ya run?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "This sucks so much. It sucks totally and completely. I am so sorry, Crescendo, everyone."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "Don't apologize! I...I'm trying to think! I'm not leaving anyone behind!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "Nobody is getting left behind."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Crescendo transmits, "Supersonic speeds, sir. But grabbing Kalinka and making a run for it will likely end with us turning into a fine mist of mechfluid and more organic stuff."

Bowie is silent for a moment, running through what options they have. Not many. Time to improvise. "Shield. Ah'm takin us in hard an fast. Just 'fore we touch down, Ah want ya t'open fire at the treeline. Nothang fancy, jus give em somethang t'think about while Miss Kalinka an Crescendo make it in. With me?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "Unnerstood. We're gonna lay down cover fire. You two run fer us as soon as ya see us. Got it?"

Shield shakes his head. "I don't think that's a good idea just yet. So far the Masters seem to be merely talking.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Shield transmits, "Hold on a moment, I think perhaps we should not start shooting until we have no choice."

Outside>

"Water with the mineral elements that are native to Lake Wily will melt at a steady rate under these temperatures," says Ballade. "We will accelerate the process on our own in an attempt to salvage what wildlife has been damaged, as well as repair the damage to plumbing and hydroelectric systems."

A look to Crescendo, then to the patch of empty air where the Vorpal is, then to Kalinka again. "We are displeased with your actions against our territory. However, as the Robot Masters have themselves committed acts of environmental destruction from a sense of youthful enthusiasm, one supposes you cannot be faulted. We will simply add the costs of this incident to the list of reparations due us by the United Nations, as they are the governing body that permits your agency to operate outside of the common law."

Another brief pause. Ballade's attention moves across the Robot Masters, then back to Crescendo and Kalinka. "Please have your ship land to collect you and depart along the route it took to enter. Any deviations from this course will generate a severe tactical response."

"Thank you for visiting the African continent. Good day."

At that, Ballade falls silent, waiting for the Hunters to react in some way.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Crescendo transmits, "...Nevermind. Hold fire. I think he's ...letting us go?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "Oh. *nonplussed*"

Shield safeties the weapon at this, but doesn't leave the gunner's seat. This may be a trick after all. He doubts it, but Shield is paranoid by profession.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Crescendo transmits, "Ballade said to land the ship, collect us and depart the same way you came in. Is he serious?"

Outside> Kalinka gives Ballade a look that, were she any typical teenager, would probably be followed by The Universal Finger Greeting. But she keeps her gestures to herself. "Oh, thank you so much, and you too have a very good day!"

Bowie scratches his head. The Masters actually letting people go? Compared to last night, that's certainly a switch. Like Shield, he's not letting his guard down, but not having to do this the hard way would be nice.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Shield transmits, "Most likely. Ballade does not possess a sense of humor that I am aware of."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Bowie transmits, "All right then. Ah'll bring us in."

Outside> Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal> deactivates its stealth mode.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "What a jacka**... he can kiss my -- !! 'Damage the environment'. I should moon him -- tell him that is his reparation!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "Kalinka, please calm down."

Outside> Search Man is silent as he stands at attention, saluting Ballade before focusing back on the Vorpal, his right head turning towards Kalinka

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "And you were the one responsible for freezing that lake, were you not?"

Outside> There's another quiet roar of jet engines coming onto the scene..is it more Hunters? Repliforce? ...no, it's just Tengu Man. He's late, naturally. And not even fashionably late to his squad leader's call. He flies in on approach to the Lake, and lands somewhere nearby, on the Master side of things, blowing sand all over the place. He merely falls into place with his squadmates and waits.

Outside> Part of the sky ripples for a moment, like a rock tossed into a pond. Only in this case, it's the Vorpal. The craft extends its landing gears as it hovers over the lake, moving towards the shore slowly.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "I am not an environmentalist, but I am fairly sure fish die when frozen, and that animals cannot drink ice."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "As quick as that lake was frozen, many of those fish -will- revive. He is spouting garbage."

Outside> Elec Man looks behind him at the Vorpal, and quickly gets out of the landing path.

Outside> Crescendo remains silent, though a bit more resoundingly so; his air is more distracted, and likely due to the subvocalizations he's relaying to the Vorpal overhead. After a moment, he blinks, then reaches over to touch Kalinka's shoulder - as if it might reassure him she's still there, and he's not in some weird nightmare. "Let's go," he manages to eke out in a whisper. And why not? Elite as those who make up the Maverick Hunters may be, a rookie is allowed to be scared nearly witless when surrounded by enemies such as these. He turns around, looking upwards, thin and short ponytail of wiry hair whipping at his neck, a faint frown replacing his sober expression. He looks to Kalinka, "...Uh... ladies first."

Outside> Sword Man continues to look on at the two Hunters in front of him, making note of the Vorpal's arrival, but not actively recognizing it's presence. He's still interested in what the interlopers decide to do at the moment.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "She's the scientist, I don't know a thing about this stuff. Can we go now, before he changes his mind and all hell breaks loose?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "You can encase things in ice to preserve them? I thought that only worked on dead food."

Outside> The Vorpal touches down easy a short distance from the assembled Hunters, Masters, Joes, and all, the wheels sinking a few inches into the sand. The engines hiss down to idle, the weapons systems not actively aimed at anything. The pilot's not about to try ticking anyone off right this moment.

Bowie says quietly to Shield, "Get the door."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "No, it...works also on living things. -Some- tissue damage occurs, but most of it is not permanent. Anyhow...there is a lot they do not understand at all, and they are assuming things like damage to environment. It is all a bunch of -- well, you know. I will tell you more about what happened, in a short time."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack goes from a simmer to a fast boil as he speaks. "So. You vent into enemy territory wiffout authorization, wiff only a lightly armored evacuation specialist as your escort, and froze a tropical lake solid in vun fell swoop. Zee lake in question is vun of zeir larger lakes nearby zeir most vecent line of demarcation between zeir former capital city and zeir current capital. As a vesult, zee hornet's nest vas kicked and several Robot Masters, includink vun of zee most *powerful* vuns, came out to respond. Zee fact zhat you are STILL ALIFF, *young* *lady*, should be proof zhat God protects fools and children in equal measure! And you vunder vhy zey spent a large proportion of zeir time tryink to ABDUCT YOU until I threatened zem with ATOMIC HOLOCAUST to back Vily off you! And ZISS is zee vepayment I get! ZISS IS ZEE T'ANKS I GET!?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Discussions later."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Daddy, I can explain! At least let me have a chance to explain this time!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Pavel Cossack, after several seconds of hard breathing, speaks in something resembling a conversational tone. "I am in my lab. I expect zee -mother- of all explanations vhen you get back."

Outside> Elec Man suddenly doubles over with laughter.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "Kalinka. Get in the ship, now, please."

Shield nods and goes to open the door.

Kalinka has arrived.

Shield stands in the doorway, hands at the controls to it and ushering Kali and Crescendo inside.

Outside> Tengu Man begins to cackle loudly, and he breaks it for a moment to yell something at the retreating Hunters: "Don't let the door hitcha on the way out." ...so what if their isn't a door? The sentiment remains the same. Tengu then resumes cackling.

Kalinka enters the ship quickly, having a seat and stewing angrily as she sits down to buckle into a seat.

Outside> Sword Man simply furrows his brow at the radio comment, but continues to stay stiffly standing as usual, looking on at the group.

Crescendo has arrived.

Outside> Ballade watches Kalinka and her Hunter escort enter the Vorpal impassively, turning to climb back onto his hover-vehicle as they start to leave peaceably. He radios orders to various forces present, beginning the cleanup effort.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Crescendo transmits, "...."

Bowie is in the pilot's seat. That fact alone save Kalinka and Crescendo the hardened scowl etched in his face. Make no mistake, the gunslinger is calm. Perhaps deadly calm. But that doesn't change the fact his friends risked all of their necks for no good reason. Without a word, he waits for everyone to strap in.

Shield closes the door so fast it nearly hits Crescendo as it closes. Is he upset? Well, not really. Ok, so Shield is almost always upset. But he's Shield. And as soon as the door closes he shifts out of his battle armor so he can go sit across from Kalinka and stare at her. No, he doesn't chew her out, he doesn't have the verbal wit for that. He just stares at her.

Shield changes into his Unarmored armor.

Outside> Search Man looks at eachother as he checks his sensors saying, "Time for work on the security grid... I think I found the problem, it scanned her as a civilian instead of a hunter... Well is she officially a member of that faction... That we'll have to see after making a few adjustments."

Kalinka just stares solemnly out the window. "God damn it, I am so sick and tired of having to explain everything I do just because no one understands what I am trying to do," she mumbles tightly. "Anyhow, I do thank you for coming to pick us up, guys."

Kalinka says, "No one else ever has to explain themselves, all the time. Rock never has to. Zero NEVER has to, EVER."

Shield blinks at that. He doesn't remember Kalinka cussing before. Maybe this is that thing called puberty that humans go through. No wait, adolescence. Yes, that's probably it. "Well you are a scientist, and I am merely a guard. It is natural I won't understand," he offers to her.

Outside> Once Kalinka and Crescendo are inside the Vorpal, the hatch closes again. A few moments later, the engines kick up, scattering sand and dust. One of those things that can't be helped with a craft this size. The craft rises into the air, switching from VTOL to regular flight once they gain some altitudeIt continues on the same vector from which it entered, heading out of African airspace.

Crescendo steps in behind Kalinka, thermos still tucked, forgotten, under one arm, his expression blank - until the door closes right behind him, causing him to give a sudden start. "Gaah--Oh." The rookie glances behind him, then looks towards Shield with a mixture of sheepish silence and stoic shock. He looks down at the floor, then to Bowie, and back to Shield and Kalinka. Holding the thermos to the girl, he murmers, "This drink is yours, I believe." Whether she takes it or not, he'll set about to strapping himself in soon after.

Bowie says absolutely nothing.

Outside> Sword Man hrmphs and shakes his head, turning toward the Vorpal as the Cossack child and Cresendo board. As it leaves, he turns away again, back toward the lake, looking over the now partially melted ice. He waves a hand toward his position in Search and Tengu's direction, gesturing for them to follow him.

Outside> Tengu Man shrugs at his two-headed brother, "Well, I'd say that even if she isn't, she oughta be put down as one, heh..." Noticing Sword's gesture, he steps forward rather obediently. Well, there's a first for everything.

Kalinka takes the thermos from Crescendo. "Thank you," she murmurs, opening it up and drinking heartily from it. She looks over at Shield and Bowie, but she doesn't say anything to them. (They hate me, just like my Daddy is going to once again hate me and scream and disown once I get home. Well FINE. I just don't care anymore. I don't give a damn. If I am a disappointment to the whole world I just don't care. I am tired of being miserable and pleasing everyone else. It's time for me to live for myself.) These thoughts she keeps to herself, as the Vorpal heads home.

Shield goes silent with his own thoughts, recalling what Kali had to say. Some time later on the flight though, he speaks again. "You can really freeze a person and keep them alive?"

Bowie is silent the entire way back. Granted, this is not entirely unusual for him, but he seems more absorbed in piloting the craft back to the island than he really needs to be.

Kalinka nods. "Usually, yes," she says to Shield quietly. "This has happened in Canada, and Siberia...someone collapses from the cold, freezes in place...then are later revived."

Shield returns the nod, signifying he understands...or rather he excepts it. He thought cold killed humans. Strange thing, medicine. Of course, he's rather glad modern medicine for humans sucks. "So you were trying to save the fish?"

Crescendo likewise remains silent, but for his own private reason. His notoriety for suddenly breaking out into singing 1980s songs when over-anxious might be one reason, or maybe he's just deeply relieved to be putting some distance between they and that really uncomfortable situation. Pushing some wiry, red hair out of his eyes, he turns his head to the window, then back to their pilot and Shield. "Thanks, everyone."

(And we go back to base.)

Kalinka simply unstraps out of her seat, and stands. "No. It had nothing to do with the fish, though my experiment is not going to harm most of them," she mentions. "And again, I am sorry for screwing up. It went very well, until I got caught. If this makes me total loser, then I guess it does. Not much I can do about it. Good evening, gentlemen." With that, she walks off. Not in the direction of the lift, either. She's going out to the beach.

Kalinka has left.

There is a slight but noticable jolt as Bowie eases the Vorpal back into its docking space. Home again home again. The gunslinger goes through postflight, noting that Kali wastes no time heading out. He'll have to catch up with her once he's done.

Shield nods to Crescendo. "You're welcome." And then just stares at Kalinka. Humans are so hard to understand.

(Bowie finishes with the Vorpal, then heads after Kalinka.)

Deserted Beach

Soft white sand runs like a satin ribbon along the coast here, the pristine waters of the ocean lapping lightly at the shore. Seemingly untouched by civilization for what must be hundreds of years, there is a stillness here that seems to encompass those that trod along the beach. The occasional hermit crab scuttles past, on a route of its own, shell a dark blot against the otherwise perfect sand. When the tide is low, a good deal of sea-litter can be seen here: kelp stretches in lazy strings, starfish slowly turning over to return to the water, and clamshells buried in the sand to cut unsuspecting toes. Nearly half a mile back, the beginning of a lush tropical forest can be seen as a deep green band across the horizon, and the faint calls of native birds echo weakly across the beach.

Kalinka [Cloak]

Pathway <P> leads to Asuncion Island.

Bowie changes into his Unarmored armor.

Bowie takes the path (if it can be called that) down from the staging area to the shore, his booted feet sinking into the soft pristine sand. His scowl has softened somewhat, but it's clear that he is not his usual happy self.

Kalinka is up on a small ledge overlooking the beach, and she's in the process of angrily flinging rocks and twigs into the pounding surf in frustration.

Bowie approaches her at a slow walk. Cowboy boots were not meant for beachwear. Even if he wanted to sneak up on her, which he doesn't, he doesn't have much chance of doing that.

Kalinka calms down a little bit, composing herself as she sees Bowie coming over. "Hi, Bowie...have you, too, come to tell me how disppointed you are? That is perfectly fine...you are welcome to do that. I will say, though, that this happened not for -selfish- reasons this time. THIS time, I was doing what I did for the HUNTERS. And I was caught. That is the difference."

Bowie doesn't say anything for a moment, letting Kalinka say her peace. When he speaks, his tone is calm and without reproach, if a bit tense. "Then couldja tell me jus whut it wus you were doin?"

Kalinka nods. "I can," she says confidently. "I had gone out there in order to test a particular non-environmentally-damaging compound on a large body of water, to see if it would freeze portions of it. In a laboratory setting, I did test it. This was some days ago, in Light Labs. The water coming through the pipes is chemically treated, though, and I was under the impression that the water was skewing my results. What the substance does, is freeze water upon contact...although I was unclear as to the volume. I wanted a large body of water...-contained-, not a river...and -warm- or naturally heated. What I had hoped would happen was what happened in the lab...a -small- freeze. Perhaps an iceberg the size and weight of...oh, say, a potted plant. That was -all-. But the results were really...off the scale, in a way I never thought would happen. Then, I was caught."

Kalinka says, "Now, my father is going to hit the roof, tell me what an idiot I was for wasting resources. But he is going to be wrong. I -did- learn things, even though a disaster happened. It could have been much worse. -And-, this water-freezing substance could -still- be used by us, once it is perfected."

Bowie nods slowly as he listens to her explanation. He's still not smiling. "Did it ever occur t'ya that a lake in the middle a enemy territory is not a good place t'be conductin experiments?" Unlike the aforementioned elder Cossack, the Texan is still very calm. If he had veins, there'd be ice in them.

Kalinka says, "Yes, it did. But you tell me, please, where is another suitable place which is -just- like that lake, and -not- in enemy territory? South America is a continent of rivers and jungles...Central America is similar...the Middle East has no lakes. Now: this problem is all stemming on the fact that my experiment FAILED. If I had gone in there, gotten the results I had wanted, gotten OUT of there and told no one, then come back to the lab and published my results...oh, things would have been MUCH different. Suddenly, it would be, oh Kalinka, you are very smart, and thank you for doing this great research! But you see...one mistake, and it is, Kalinka, you are very silly little girl to waste Hunter resources." She shrugs. "What can I do.""

Bowie shakes his head, folding his arms across his chest. "Yeah, ya made a mistake, but it wusn't yer experiment. Ya went t'Africa without tellin anyone aside from Crescendo where ya wus goin int'the heart a Master territory. Ah don't give a care 'bout resources, Miss Kalinka. Whut Ah do care 'bout is people. Ah don't mind stickin mah neck out fer you or any a mah friends. Whut Ah do mind is ya not tellin anyone 'bout whut yer up to. Whut would we have done if they didn't let ya go?"

Kalinka is, of course, at a loss. She hangs her head, blonde hair falling down in front of her eyes like a shameful curtain. "I know," she says. "I took the chance because I thought that, in the long run, this would be more important. This is probably my last day as a Hunter. Daddy will likely remove that privilege from me. And not without good reason. But I will still do what I can to help...you and the other Hunters mean very, very much to me."

Bowie reaches under the side of his hat to scratch an imaginary itch. His scowl has eased into a frown, laced with what could be described as a police sergeant expression. "Now you listen to me, Miss Kalinka. Whut ya did today wus stupid. A real rookie mistake. But that don't make ya unworthy a bein a Hunter. Ya got a brain in thare. Ah've seen it. Whut ya need t'learn is t'thank thangs through first."

Kalinka receives a radio transmission.

Kalinka nods. "Daddy is not going to think so, Bowie. I am not allowed to make mistakes, rookie ones or otherwise. This will not be acceptable. I do see -now- why I was in the wrong, and thank you for explaining it to me, incidentally. But I might as well return to my barracks, and pack. Because I do know the outcome of this already. Screaming, and yelling, and a return to Moscow."

Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Silo.

Kalinka receives a radio transmission.

Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Silo.

Kalinka receives a radio transmission from Silo.

Bowie's scowl returns briefly, but it's not directed at her. What could he say to that? "Ah'll put in my own reccomendation. Ya may be foolish, but yer not the first foolish Hunter we've had." For whatever his opinion might be worth.

Kalinka sends a radio transmission.

Kalinka sighs. "I do not think that -one- crazy risk taken makes me a foolish person. Especially since I have a very good reason for doing what I did, I was not trying to have my nails done in enemy territory."

Kalinka receives a radio transmission.

"Exactly," states Bowie. "Ya made a mistake. Ya will be punished fer it, but Ah don't thank it warrents ya bein takin out a the Hunters." His scowl relents. "If we all had t'be perfect, ain't none a us would be werthy a the badge."

Kalinka sends a radio transmission.

Kalinka seems pretty upset, and she's quietly wiping tears away. "What else is he going to do, Bowie? Disown me? What punishment is there for me as a Hunter? I am in the lowest rank anyhow, I cannot be demoted. I do know what is coming."

Kalinka receives a radio transmission from Silo.

Bowie is torn between his position as a squad officer and a friend - as much as he wants to comfort her, he can't quite bring himself to do so. The mask slips, his face revealing the concern that's been at the heart of his side of the conversation. "He's not goin t'disown ya," he says firmly. "As fer yer punishment, that's not fer me t'decide."

"He disowned me last time," Kalinka admits. "The last time I messed up, by breaking curfew to sneak out of the base to visit Derek Vasquez. He wrote me out of his will. It made me so sick to my heart, that I cannot get things right even though I -feel- like my heart is in the right place when I do these things. Does that make any sense?" Teary blue eyes turn to Bowie.

Friendship finally wins out. Bowie moves to place a hand on his shoulder, the corners of his lips still tugged down in that frown that won't go away. Obviously he didn't know about the last time, or it was another lost memory. "Ah know ya meant well. Yeah, Ah'm mad, but Ah'm mad because Ah wus afraid ya wus goin t'get hurt, or werse. Ah'm sure yer father's the same way."

Kalinka sighs. "You are right," she says simply. "Well. I should go now, and go see him. He is sure to have a lot of screaming saved up by now. Thank you for coming to talk to me."

Bowie says simply, "Whut are friends fer?" Though he's not at all looking forward to the coming Hurricane Cossack, it's not his place to intervene.

Kalinka smiles in encouragement. "Good evening. And...if I have to leave the base for a while, I will leave my contact information for you." With that, she heads off, back toward the base.

Kalinka enters the Asuncion Island.

Kalinka has left.