Body

============================== Maverick Hunter ===============================

Message: 10/60 Posted Author

Re: Casablanca Fri Aug 23 Alloy

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"Morning everyone." he says, wincing occasionally. "You probably heard over the radio, but I ended up brawling with Crash Man in Casablanca yesterday. Actually, I didn't do too badly...until he hit me with a spray of acid, which basically ate me alive. "

Alloy shakes his head and continues. "Anyway I'm here, and feeling pretty sore, but I can still carry out duties inside the base. I know I shouldn't have tried to take him on, but it was a bit late once things hit the fan. I can at least confirm the Masters have set up shop in Casablanca."

"Oh, and Rigger? You were right. I'm going to have a...talk, with Catherine."

==============================================================================

Kalinka sits listlessly in an old rocking chair, her chin cupped in her hand as she rocks back and forth. She doesn't seem particularly happy, though she's too polite to pull the 'whining brat' routine and actually -admit- it.

If it's Friday, it must be Bowie's turn to cook. It sounds good, anyway. Out of deference to Kalinka, they've been sticking to meals that are either 'finger foods' or easily eaten one-handed. He's in the kitchen, fixing cheeseburgers. Ken's taking his turn at the window, which leaves Hank to keep Kalinka company. He sits down on the stuffed chair. "What's with the long face, Miss Kalinka?"

Kalinka bites her lip, trying VERY hard to keep a neutral expression for Bowie...but she can't do it. Tears well up in her eyes, and she sniffles. "I miss everyone, Bowie. And I miss my Daddy...I want to see him."

Those are the words Bowie has been both hoping and dreading to hear. The gunslinger finishes up the burgers, wiping his hands on a towel, and moves to the doorway between kitchen and living room. "All right, then. Ya want to go home, Miss Kalinka? Or wouldja rather Ah bring yer dad here?"

"If...he would not mind to come here, that might be better," Kalinka says. "I am okay when sitting down, but if I walk around too much while taking this medication, it makes me dizzy."

There is a rattling from the bathroom of ice hitting the ground. Someone was nice enough to get two bags of ice for chill while he slept in the bathtub. He pads over to Kalinka, actually cool to the touch now and smiles, "Ya can always lean on me if ya need me."

Bowie nods, his expression sympathetic. "Then do ya want to call him, or would ya druther I do that?"

Hank sits back, his gaze alternating between Kali and Bowie. It's their show, after all. Chill gets a nod from the Ranger. "Feeling better, Snowcat?"

Kalinka gives Chill a delicate, one-armed hug. "Ooh, nice and cool," she remarks. Then, she says to Bowie... "I would rather that you call and ask him. I am not sure how...mad he is, still. I would not want to make him madder."

Chill Snowcat stays close to Kalinka letting her enjoy his cold fur. He purrs softly, "HUGGIES!" A smile on his face, he attempts to give her a cold eskimo kiss with his nose on her cheek before turning to Hank, "Yes....much much better. I feel like I can breath again."

Bowie again nods, this time decisively. "Ah unnerstand. Ah'll call him. Meantime, supper's ready." He moves out of the doorway, sweeping his arm in the direction of the food. "Go ahead an eat. Growin kids an all, right?" He adds with a small grin.

Hank stands up, stretching. "Good. Ya sound better than ya did."

Kalinka grins at that. "Burgers, I totally LOVE burgers, Bowie. Thank you very much! I feel like the more I eat them, the more Western I become!" She gets up out of the rocking chair, and heads into the kitchen.

Bowie moves into the living room and has a seat on the couch. Hopefully this will go well...

[Radio] You send Dr. Pavel Cossack a direct message: "*crackle* Doc? Ya thare?"

Chill Snowcat tilts his head and smiles, "Yeah, heat is very bad for the systems. Thanks fer findin a way ta cool me. My Creator made sure I was water resistant so I didn't have ta worry about bein in melted snow. He heads toward the kitchen, still limping pretty heavily, "I'll keep ya company Kali....not really hungry."

Hank follows them into the kitchen, giving Bowie a sideways glance. He may not know the exact circumstances that brought this about, he still trusts his friend. "So what do ya like on your burgers?" he asks of Kali.

Kalinka smiles. "Oh, everything. And do they put B.B.Q. sauce on them around here? I should like to try that, if you have some...thank you, Hank." Funny how she calls Montoya 'Hank', and she calls the other helpful Ranger 'Mr. Lang'. At least she isn't doing as much flirting as she did the night before; it must be the medication. "Thank you too, Chilly. I will fix you up well as soon as I can."

Chill Snowcat looks at Kali, "Whatcha mean? I'm fine...why do ya think I need repairs?" He looks at the burger and then turns to lay at Kali's feet.

Kalinka says, "Because you are limping when you walk?"

"Yeah, you can put barbeque sauce on it...." says Hank as he walks over to the fridge. "Dunno if we have any. Tomatoes and lettuce always work, though." Rummage. "Hey Ken, did ya want anything?"

"Nah, Ah'm fine," is Ken's reply. "Jus save me one fer later."

Chill Snowcat purrrrs softly as he listens to the good natured talk going on. He inches forward slightly and attempts to chew on Hank's shoe....with hank still in it.

Kalinka smirks at Chill's antics. "Watch out, they might call in the police dogs," she says with a wink.

Hank peers down at Chill, having no idea whether this is normal behavior for the feline or not. "Uh...I wouldn't do that. These ain't exactly new boots."

Chill Snowcat wags his tail, "Hah. I'm fiercer then any police dog! RAAAR-EEP!" He falls over on his side as he attempts to look fierce. Instead he rolls on his belly and wiggles his feet in the air. "Meant ta do that...."

Boobahdee We're sorry the Overlord you have reached C*O*S*S*A*C*K is off drinking or is no longer conscious please check the name and try again.

Hank chuckles good-naturedly. "More talkative than a police dog, I'll give ya that. Unless ya want to count Mesa Coyote." The Ranger sets the bottle of barbeque sauce in front of Kalinka, then helps himself to a burger, adding ketchup and relish.

Kalinka oohs, and examines the BBQ sauce curiously. Apparently, this sort of condiment isn't readily available in her part of the world. "Chill is very fierce, do not let his kittycat act fool you," she comments to Hank.

Bowie grumbles softly. No answer. Of course, the time difference may have something to do with that...or so that's what he hopes. He'd really rather not think about the alternatives to Cossack being dead asleep.

[Radio] You send Dr. Pavel Cossack a direct message: "*is stubborn enough to try again* Doc Cossack, it's Bowie. Are ya thare?"

Chill Snowcat sits up and places his head sized paw on the table. He extends his claws which extend several inches out. "They can rend through metal and dig into wood easily. Put behind that the power ta dig fer hours and ya got a rescue reploid. I know basic first aid, have HUD's built inta my visor. I understand Canadian french, english, russian and sign. Can blink and sniff, hear or taste far beyond the average reploid. And I got loyalty ta put my life down ta save whoever I'm protectin....loyalty or sheer stupidity...can't quite tell." He grins.

Kalinka very tenatively shakes out a drop or two of the sauce on the tip of her finger...a taste-test, perhaps. "Maybe -both-, Chilly," she quips good-naturedly.

Hank nods, his expression approving. "Shame ya can't stand the heat. We always need people in Search and Rescue. I take it ya used to work in Canada somewhere?" He chuckles again at the loyalty/stupidity comparison. "Don't forget bravery. Takes all three sometimes."

Chill Snowcat nods, "Yeah I guess bravery. I don't know. When I saw the blast headin fer Kali...I didn't think twice about placin myself in front. I was just hopin my hide was thick enough ta take the entire blast."

Kalinka takes a tenative taste of the BBQ sauce on her finger, then decides that it's pretty good, and 'draws' a ring of the sauce along the top of her burger. In the meantime, she listens to the conversation with a small smile.

Hank nods. "That's how it works, sometimes. Ya just react because there's no time to think." And smiles. "Miss Kalinka's real lucky to have such good friends."

Kalinka blushes. "Yes, I am...I am quite blessed, I do have wonderful friends."

Chill Snowcat shrugs, "Reploids were meant ta do the jobs that Humans can't. She saves my life all the time." He looks at Kali and smiles. "I would do anything fer my sis."

"Works both ways then, I see," notes Hank. "If y'all take care of each other, that's the important thing."

Kalinka takes a bite of the burger, and mmmmms. "Very tasty," she comments. "Well, we do try to take care of one another as much as possible."

Chill Snowcat gets up, limping over to where Hank is sitting and licks up the pieces of food that hit the ground.

Hank takes that as a hint, and gets up to bring Chill a burger as well, setting it on the floor atop a napkin. "Good t'hear. That's what separates a real team from just a group. A team works together, a group doesn't."

Chill Snowcat stares at the burger for a moment before turning and sticking his head underneath Kalinka's chair. He sighs and stares at the food item.

"Eat up, Chilly," Kalinka encourages.

Hank jokes, "Don't worry. Bowie didn't put any spices in it. It's safe."

"Hey, Ah herd that," says Bowie as he wanders back into the kitchen.

Chill Snowcat says, "Its..its not that. I usually eat alot. But I don't wanna eat."

Kalinka asks between bites, "Why are you not hungry? You usually eat everything...plate, napkin and all!"

Bowie's mustered smile is overtaken by a more concerened expression. Chill not wanting to eat is like Bowie without his accent: something's definitely not right. "Yer coolant system still actin up?"

Chill Snowcat says, "I'm not supposed ta eat....." He frowns a little and looks at Bowie, "A little...." He heads toward the burger and sniffs it, debating."

Kalinka says, "Who told you that?"

Hank frowns a little as well. "All the reploids I know eat, whether they need to or not."

Chill Snowcat says, "It looks good....I guess its rude not ta eat it. I'm just a little off. New environment and all, don't worry." He picks the burger in his mouth and chews carefully. Swallowing it slowly, "Its very good."

Bowie goes over and helps himself to a burger. He cooked it, so he knows it's safe, if horribly bland. His smile tries to reassert itself, though there's still that hint of concern. "Sorry, Chill. Didn't realize the heat would get t'ya so bad."

Chill Snowcat shakes his head, "Ain't the heat....its the coolant processors.....My systems are designed ta work in severe cold. They generate so much heat ta allow me ta do all those things that makin me a ice reploid was a must. Least that's what I remember. Simply eatin creates a caloric burn that would be used ta power my blink systems and all. But without the cold it....it overheats me. If I'd taken my weapons systems off and all, I'd probably be fine." He goes under the table as much as he can and pants quietly.

Bowie nods slowly. "How long does it take t'bring yer weapons systems back up?"

Kalinka -ohs-. "I do understand now," she says, nodding. And she does; her father has taught her that cold weather reploids are often designed that way.

Hank just lets it go over his head. He's not dumb, but he doesn't know much about reploid systems.

Chill Snowcat sighs, "I don't know...." He lays his warm head on Kali's lap from under the table. "My weapons is what's helpin overheat me. The coolant ain't workin. Everythin's runnin in the fridge cept there ain't no cold.

Kalinka nods, scritching Chill's head. "When we return to the Labs, I will see what I might be able to do for you, Chill. There may be something."

Bowie nods. "Then don't wurry 'bout eatin. Ah won't be offended." A pause, his burger temporarily forgotten. "Ah couldn't raise yer dad, Miss Kalinka. Though with the time difference 'tween here and Neo-Tokyo, he jus might not be up."

Hank frowns again, wishing he did know more about reploid systems. "So, do we need t'keep you on ice, t'keep ya from overheating?"

Kalinka nods to Bowie. She doesn't seem upset. "He has habit of turning his phone off when he is working," she admits. "He had his phone off when I came home from school in the spring."

Bowie agrees, "Must be werkin then." If she's not too worried, then he's not going to fret about it.

Chill Snowcat pants and frowns a bit, "Bowie....can I shed my weapons....I know I needed them on ta protect Kali but they're heavy and I'm hot....and I still got my claws and teeth ta do the job."

Bowie considers for a moment. His answer? "Yeah, power 'em down, Chill."

Kalinka says, "Chilly, do not run your hot weapons just for -that-..."

Chill Snowcat says, "Don't have any hot weapons...I got water...which is why I was soakin so much of it up....and I got air....it was better then nothin...." He crawls out from the table and stands there a moment to get rid of the visor, shoulder cannons, tail blaster....everything until he's just a large soft spotted kitty with a few strange panel spots on the sides of his body and head. "thanks...."

(Kalinka wanders off.)

Hank blinks quietly, but tries not to stare. Well. That's different. "Now wonder you're so hot, will all of that on."

Chill Snowcat pads over to the air conditioner and cranks it up a bit, "Much.....much better." He stands there for a bit before moving over to where Hank is and collapsing on the ground, "Much....much better...."

Hank looks down at Chill, and offers, "Would a cold drink help at all?"

Chill Snowcat grins at Hank, "Actually....Yeah it would....the colder the better. I'm sorry fer gettin hurt."

Bowie says "Chill, stop apologizin. If Ah could, Ah'd give ya a medal. If anythang, it's mah fault fer not shootin that Jane first."

Meanwhile, Hank gets up, finds a glass with a wide mouth, and pours it full of ice and lemonade.

Chill Snowcat grins a little at Hank's consideration. "G-guess I could always surprise yer friend's a bit more...." He pads over and pushes up off his front paws which quickly change into clawed hands while blue reploid boots encase his legs. "Multipurpose...." He extends a hand to accept the class. "Thanks."

Hank hands the glass over. "Here ya go. Yeah, Mesa Coyote's the same way. He goes on all fours on two legs, whatever suits him. Sharp nose, too."

Chill Snowcat smiles and drinks the drink quickly, downing it with a quick sip. He suddenly snarls and breaks the cup. Claws extended for a moment before he quickly reverts to the plain feline form, still growling but now panting even more. "I'll kill him!"

Bowie raises his hands in a placating gesture. "Whoa, calm down, friend. Whut's wrong?"

<Global News Network> Want to win big prizes and trash-talk your teammates while they're quizzed about Shakespeare's handwriting and how many rivets went into making Roll's dress? Then we have the show for you! Yes, sir! It's Your Money or Your Life! You get to meet the winners to the most fabulous object in the world. The answer to all their problems, and yours, is here for them tonight! (Page Wood Man for details, or teleport to Casablanca, then NW)

Chill Snowcat snarls, "Landon is on the global....and he won't shut up...." He hisses again and slams his feet on the ground.

"Listen to me, Chill," says Bowie. "Landon can hiss an holler all he wants on the radio. He doesn't know whare we are. So leave him be."

Chill Snowcat sniffs softly and goes to Bowie, head pressed against the other reploid, "Kali should be able ta live a good life....a safe life, full of whatever she wants. Not be stuck hidin in here like this. It ain't fair...."

Bowie sighs, absently ruffling his fingers through Chill's headfur. "Ah know. Life ain't fair. Least it better not be, cause Ah don't want t'thank that this is whut she deserves."

Hank is silent, simply nodding. Too true, sadly.

<Global News Network> Eurasia Central square. We meant Eurasia Central square for Your Money or Your Life. Really we did. Honest.

Chill Snowcat is warm to the touch but seems to relax with the gentle ruffling, "He stopped.....thanks fer bein here Bowie...."

Chill Snowcat says, "And you too Hank and and.....I'm sorry I can't remember yer name...."

The concern that's been lurking behind Bowie's smile appears again briefly. He doesn't seem to remember Chill ever being this warm, not even during the...what? Once again, his memory hits a wall. At least this time it's not an important wall. "Whare else would Ah be, Chill? We're friends and teammates."

"Ken," the other Ranger helpfully supplies. He's been over at the window the whole time, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been listening.

Chill Snowcat nod, "I know. Just not all the team really likes me. I've tryin ta do better. But I could save the entire Light family and no one would notice."

"Ya made a lot a mistakes in the beginnin," Bowie admits. "Ya got t'make up fer them, first. After that, they'll come around soon enough."

Chill Snowcat says, "And what if I'm killed befer I fix em? guess no one will miss me"

Bowie suddenly scowls, his expression taking on a harsher cast. "Ya get those thoughts out a yer mind right now, Chill Snowcat. Yer a Hunter, best a the best. No one goes unfergotten."

Hank prudently decides to vacate, mumbling something about doing a quick sweep of the neighborhood and picking up ice.