(Oct. 30, 2002/2215)

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.

Michael Eildath [Matrix] [MH] Zero's Chair

West <W> leads to Hunter HQ - Teleporter Room.

North <N> leads to Hunter HQ - Meeting Room.

South <S> leads to Hunter HQ - War Room.

East <E> leads to Hunter HQ - Lift Station.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Quire transmits: 'Right now all Maverick hostilities are directed at the Repliforcers...'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Fliptop transmits: '*yawns* Heya guys!'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Zero transmits: 'Just make sure the civilians are alright.'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Rock transmits: 'Ignore the Mavericks unless they attack you, just concentrate your efforts on Repliforcers.'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Swing transmits: '.......Copy.'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Jazz transmits: 'hm...actually...right now...'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Michael Eildath transmits: 'WHAT? Commander, are you crazy?'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Zero transmits: '*** DAMMIT'.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Zero transmits: 'I DON'T CARE WHO'S HELPING WHAT OR DOING WHAT, JUST MAKE SURE THE CIVILIANS ARE TAKEN TO SAFETY AND THE THREAT IS ELIMINATED'.

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "Oh, not AGAIN."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "*yawn*... blech. What a way to be woken from a nap."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Harmony transmits, "F*cking shit."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "More flashbacks to the battle of Repliforce Island? Or is this another 'off beat' transmission, like the X going completely psycho ones?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Phoenixflame CO Michael Eildath transmits, "No... no... that happened."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "Waaaaay earlier than Repliforce Island... that was a pre-Stardroids transmission, if I'm not missing my guess. I've been hitting the history books lately..."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "...It did?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Phoenixflame CO Michael Eildath transmits, "That was one of the battles at Repliforce Island. Not the final one... but it wasn't something I particularly wanted to remember."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "Seems like a pretty common thread."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "But I'd rather old laundry being dragged out than being told about our big shots becoming completely psychotics and carving up their girlfriends, or killing millions of innocent people."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "...What is the Day of the Dead?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "Another name for Halloween."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "It's also called All Hallow's Eve, and Samhain."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Phoenixflame XO Bowie transmits, "It's...whut she said."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Harmony transmits, "Er, it's in Mexico I think. It's their Halloween, where they do stuff with their long gone spirits for respect or.. whatever. I don't remember."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Sensitive Spin Cougar transmits, "Oh, the Dia de Muertos? Big holiday for the Mexicans, yeah .... they set gifts upon their deceased relatives' gravesites, and pictures, and stuff ... respect them muchly, in short."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Sensitive Spin Cougar transmits, "I don't know its date though, sorry."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "Well, here's to another fun, fun evening..."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "...Oh, I guess I better find a gift. And for this Montezuma person too. I don't know him but someone has been neglecting their Halloween Duties then."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Phoenixflame XO Bowie transmits, "Day a the dead is tomorrow. Oct. 31."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "What do you think Mister Montezuma would like, Bowie?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Spiral Pegasus transmits, "Cortes's head on a silver platter?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "A good idea - if we can even find what is left of his skull."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "I guess there's probably a record somewhere on where that is, but I was hoping for something more pleasant. Like flowers, I think."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Phoenixflame XO Bowie transmits, "Well, Ah seem t'remember marigolds...an food an drink."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Marigolds...got it. Not sure what kind of food, though. hm..."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Phoenixflame XO Bowie transmits, "Cornbread or tortillas...least Ah thank that's whut a friend a mine laid out last year."

Bowie wanders in from the gravlift, rubbing the side of his head. All these random transmissions are giving him a headache, or the reploid equivelent.

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Cornbread...and lastly...drink. Dr. Pepper?"

Michael Eildath is sitting at the main monitor, drinking something from his thermos that is decidedly not coffee. He turns. "Heya, Bowie."

Bowie opts to go after something that may yet be coffee, pouring himself a mug of the contents of the coffeepot before having a seat. "Howdy Mike."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Phoenixflame XO Bowie chuckles. "Not exactly traditional..."

Michael Eildath sighs, looking also like he's missed sleep. "Hell of a day, Bowie... you can't even relax without another of these damn transmissions dredging up things I'd just as likely forget, or nightmare scenarios from futures that will hopefully never be."

Bowie frowns slightly, his expression sympathetic. "Ah don't know whut half a the transmissions are about, or whut's real an whut's not. Ah dunno if that makes me lucky or not."

Michael Eildath sighs. "You're lucky, I think. Every one of these broadcasts puts a shadow in my head of things to come or pulls things screaming from the grave that I'd just as soon forget."

Bowie takes a slug of coffee. "Ah can imagine."

Michael Eildath shakes his head. "Knowing our luck, they'll start broadcasting more of 'The Robot Wars' Greatest Hits...'"

Bowie says "Ah hope not. Even though Ah still can't remember too much, thare are some thangs Ah druther ferget."

Michael Eildath nods.

Bowie stares out the window, watching the rain patter against the reinforced panes. As if the crazy weather wasn't enough. "Makes ya wonder if someone's tryin t'tell us somethang."

Michael Eildath nods again. "Yeah... I just don't know what."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Officer Friendly transmits: 'We need help down here! Repeat! To anyone that can listen, we need help!'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] SAPD Dispatch transmits: 'What is the situation?'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Officer Friendly transmits: 'We've got officers down, civilians down... buildings down! Get every officer in the city down here NOW, and call the army!'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] SAPD Dispatch transmits: 'What... what's the situation?'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Officer Friendly transmits: 'These... robots... the ones that were stolen! They just poured out of the teleporters and they're destroying everything in sight!'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] SAPD Dispatch transmits: 'WHAT!?'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Officer Friendly transmits: 'The six that were stolen... and more... all these little yellow things... walking flamethrowers... they're tearing up the city.'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Officer Michaels transmits: 'Sir, we've got civilian casualties coming in. The robots just destroyed the overpass and the Golden Gate Bridge! We can't hold them ba-YEAAARGH!'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Officer Friendly transmits: 'Officer? OFFICER?'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] SAPD Dispatch transmits: 'Contacting the UNAF base no- fssssshhhh--'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Officer Friendly transmits: 'Dispatch? DISPATCH?'.'

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Fire Man transmits: 'This city belongs to our Lord and Master, Albert Wily, father of robotkind! Surrend everything now, or we'll burn everything to the ground!'.'

Michael Eildath gasps, face going sheet white as the latest ghost transmission filters through.

Bowie nearly bolts out of his seat at the next string of transmissions, it taking a moment for him to register that it's more of the past, not the present.

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "...well, I remember that one."

Michael Eildath seizes up, not breathing, his face about as pale as any human being can get and not be dying of blood loss.

Bowie settles back again, unnerved, though not nearly as badly as his friend. He turns, stops, and just looks at him for a moment in a mixture of surprise and concern. "Mike? Y'all right?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bastion transmits, "I'm going to go searching for Ballade's skull."

Michael Eildath hitches up a gasping breath or two, staring at the radio receiver for a moment before the thermos slips from his head, the human hunter pitching over right along with it with a pained whimper.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Ballade is Cortes?"

Bowie moves to catch Michael before he falls completely to the floor. His mug caltters to the cround, coffee joining whatever was in the thermos. "Mike!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bastion transmits, "No, Ballade has something that is mine."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bastion transmits, "And I mean to collect it."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "Pardon?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bastion transmits, "I'm going collectin', Doctor."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "Would you like backup, Bastion?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Oh, you're going to help me get the marigolds, Bastion?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bastion transmits, "No, I'm going to go get something that is /mine/."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "Alright. You -will- call if you need help, yes?"

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

Michael Eildath is lying on the floor, his drink spilling in a pool near him, still mostly full, as Mike wasn't actually trying to get drunk, just calm his nerves (not like alcohol is especially good for that, either, but Mike's not a doctor). The shellshocked Hunter just shakes as his mind replays this particularly gruesome and unpleasant part of his past, Mike whimpering wordlessly, still barely breathing in his shock.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dr. Thomas Light transmits, "Be well. :)"

Bowie's brow furrows as he moves to turn Michael over, the sharp tang of alchohol mixed with coffee assailing his nose. If that transmission was what he thinks it was, then he has some idea of what's going through Mike's mind.

He recognizes the look. And he's all too familiar with the pain.

The Texan bats the thermos away, it coming to rest under one of the other consoles. "It's over, Mike," he says softly. Hollow words, perhaps, but they're the only ones he can give. "It's over."

Michael Eildath shuts his eyes, tears welling up after his body takes offer, the human taking in a wracking breath. "No... it's never over... I can't put it behind me... ...every time I try, someone drags it back up..."

"Ah know," says Bowie softly. Sometimes, he thinks, the ghosts will rest, but they never depart. Like the train, and El Paso. "Thay're gone, an thare's nothang we can do about it."

Michael Eildath nods weakly. "I know... I know... but why now? Why does this stupid mystery transmitter keep dragging out the worst of our history?"

Bowie is kneeling on the floor next to Michael, who is lying flat on his back. A pool of some alcoholic beverage is mixing with a smaller puddle of coffee on the floor nearby. Rain beats a tatoo on the windowpanes, a dreary scene that matches both their moods. The Texan sighs in helpless frustration. "Ah don't know..."

Michael Eildath just shakes for a moment, before slowly starting to pick himself up off the ground. "I wish I did... this... this is almost more than I can bear."

Seismic Earthworm arrives from the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.

Seismic Earthworm has arrived.

Bowie offers a hand up. "Ah unnerstand."

Michael Eildath gets... weakly... to his feet, sitting himself back down. He doesn't add anything else, still shaking from this breakdown.

Seismic Earthworm slinks in slowly and heads to his usual spot, glancing about curiously.

Bowie gets back to his feet as well, paying no attention to the coffee and/or whatever Mike was imbibing beforehand that's soaked into his jeans. That mess can be cleaned up later. The Texan falls heavily in his seat, his expression both concerned and sympathetic. There's nothing he can say that could possibly help, and so he says nothing. Instead, he tries to simply be there, for whatever his company may be worth.

Seismic Earthworm has disconnected.

Kalinka walks in quietly from the grav-lift, standing there looking puzzled as she tries to figure out what's going on.

Michael Eildath sighs deeply, casting a forlorn glance at his watch. "Oh, I'm guessing we'll be getting another installment of happy fun here in a bit. They almost seem to be on some kind of twisted schedule." He closes his eyes, still shaking with pain. "God, I wonder what it will be this time."

Blizzard Wolf arrives from the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.

Blizzard Wolf has arrived.

Kalinka says, "...Mike? Are you okay?"

Bowie glances up as he hears Kalinka's voice, and for possibly the first time in recorded history does not smile in greeting. Concern for Michael weighs it down. "Too many ghosts," is his soft-spoken explanation.

Michael Eildath nods, looking over at Kalinka sympathetically. "The restless dead... right in time for Halloween. All the fun one's brain can handle, and then some." He sighs.

Dr. Cossack arrives from the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.

Dr. Cossack has arrived.

Dr. Cossack walks by, strapping on his coat and putting on his heavy fur ushanka. He doesn't stop to say much other than calling out, "Goink out for few hours!" before entering the teleporter room.

Dr. Cossack enters the Hunter HQ - Teleporter Room.

Dr. Cossack has left.

The lift opens and a large Reploid wolf wanders out, padding along on all fours. He seems to be his typical, semi-cheerful self all things considered, despite getting mildly knocked around the other day during the big brawl in the oil fields. He notes a large knot of people nearby and wanders along to see what's the matter.

Kalinka must be pretty stunned by Mike's current state of mind, because she completely misses her father's passing through the room. She heads over to where Mike and Bowie are. "Is there anything I can do?"

Bowie really doesn't have any answer to her question, and so simply shrugs. Blizzard is greeted with a nod. Pay no attention to the mess of coffee and some alcoholic drink spilt on the floor.

Michael Eildath shakes his head. "I'll survive, Kali... I... I've done it before." He sighs deeply, forcing himself to his feet. "And someone needs to clean this mess up before it stains."

"You need to go somewhere, and away from these transmissions. They are only making you feel worse." Kalinka says with worry, already moving over to clean up the spills.

"Rather odd time of year for strangeness..." the wolf remarks absently as he looks between those gathered. "Bad karma, I presume?" He then steps out from underfoot, settling down on his haunches and tucking his tail out of the way.

<Global News Network> The usual GNN stuff happens. "...we interrupt `Drew Carey: A Life Unfortunately Lived' for this breaking news story! Two of the most notorious Robot Master criminals, assisted by a massive warship, are assaulting the Glenn Research Center on the outskirts of Cleveland! Nearby residents are advised to evacuate the area so to reduce the risk to life and property. <Blurry images of Bass and Guts Man descending from the Dreadskull and attacking the jet propulsion laboratories are seen.> <OOC: Page Bass if you want in. This'll be more than likely a small scene.>

Bowie stands up as well, moving in the direction of the stash of paper towels by the coffeepot. Half of the mess is rightly his. "Ya could say that."

Michael Eildath nods, pulling some McDonald's napkins from his pockets, looking over at Blizzard. "Oh, yeah... that sounds about right. Screwed over by the fickle hand of fate... or whoever our radio pirate is."

Blizzard Wolf makes a soft, rumbling sound somewhere in the back of his throat and nods once. "I haven't been listening very closely to it.. and some of the events that were broadcast predate my time..." he remarks as he shakes a little bit. "Someone has a sick sense of humor..."

"Someone's jus plain sick," says Bowie as he walks back over with the towels. "If thay're tryin t'tell us somethang, they should find a better way a doin it."

"'No one can make you feel inadquate, without your permission'," Kalinka quotes. "Eleanor Roosevelt. I have always liked that quote."

Michael Eildath smiles. "If only you could convince my mind about that." He kneels down to wipe up some ex-drink. "Just when I thought I'd sealed over all the holes in my psyche, this thing... whatever it is... tears whole new ones in it."

Bowie says "Sometimes thay ask permission pretty loudly, sunshine." He hands over towels to Kali and Mike, keeping some for himself, and picks up his now cracked coffee mug.

Blizzard Wolf, rather diplomatically, doesn't ask for further elaboration. Instead he keeps more or less to his own council for the time being. He simply remains silent, listening to the conversation quietly and trying not to butt in.

Kalinka nods. "Oh, I know. It is not easy fix, not by any means. But it is...good quote, brain food to think about."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha transmits, "Is the Star secure?"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] King transmits, "Yes, General Yasha. The Wily Star II will be ready to exit into the hyperspace conduit at your command. The Maverick star fleet is distracted by your gambit, as we had prayed."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha transmits, "Excellent. Humanity's future in New Eden is assured. God speed, King. It was an honor to serve alongside you."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] King transmits, "But Yasha -- you are coming with us, unless..."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha transmits, "No. I will not be accompanying you."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] King transmits, "General, I beseech you to reconsider ... surely they will not be able to develop the technology to follow us for centuries, and even then, we can fight them --"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha transmits, "No! No, King, no more! No more running, no more hiding, no more lurking on the edge of the solar system far from the light! I must finish what the Czar started all those years ago, what the Traitors would not let him finish! I must end the Maverick threat forever!"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Sasha transmits, "Brother! NO! You must not! We need you!"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha transmits, "Sasha, there are no other options. I must use the Kalinka Gun; I am the only one who can, per Father's design. It is the only way to end the plague, to prevent it from following you to your new home."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Ice Man transmits, "But the Earth --!"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha transmits, "The Earth, the solar system, our sun ... no more. The supernova will burn the evil away ... the infection will be cleansed. The Czar's ... my /father's/ sacrifices, the deaths of my brothers ... they will be avenged. They /will/ be avenged, in his name!"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha's transmission becomes garbled, as if he were entering a heavy electromagnetic disturbance. "King, begin the gateway countdown ... *static* ... protect the Czarina, protect the H-Strain genome samples ... they are the future."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] King transmits, "...you will be honored among the great heroes, Yasha. We will not forget you. The Czar ... and Lord Wily ... would be proud, had they lived to see this day."

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha transmits, "... do not forget the lessons of this world" *static* "...the Kalinka Gun has begun its countdown ... incredible power ... King, go now, before they *static* follow!" *static*

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Sasha sobs through the countdown, barely coherent through her tears. "Hyperspace jump in five ... four ... three ... two ... one --" And then, a sudden silence.

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha, moments later, transmits against a computerized countdown with a familiar Russian voice: Kalinka's. "...humanity is free. The Maverick ships could not double-back to the gate in time, even if the gravity tunnel created by the Star wasn't already destroying it -- it will be gone before the shockwave comes, just like the calculations predicted." He seems to smirk. "It is too late, you Maverick swine! You have FAILED! Send your entire fleet at me! You will never make it!"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha cackles, that ever-familiar Cossack laugh as resounding as it can be through the growing static. "For my fallen brothers! For the fighters, for the workers -- for CZAR COSSACK, I END THIS NIGHTMARE!"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] Yasha slams his fist down on something that sounds like a Big Red Button. "BACK TO HELL FROM WHENCE YOU CAME, SIGMA! I WILL SEE YOU THERE!"

[Radio: (?) Unknown Frequency] There is a sound like a god screaming -- and then -- nothing.

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] UN-Attache Jessica Blakesly transmits, "...dear god... what was that?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Hey!! Th...that was me!!"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "... Battlestar Galactica, the Cossack version, I think."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Burn Dinorex transmits, "I say last nights with the fake X was still weirder"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "... Curiouser and curiouser..."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Alpha transmits, "...Just ghosts."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "What a lovely little radio drama.. Has anyone been able to find the pirate transmitting these?"

Bowie winces visibly as the next set of transmissions shreiks over the radio. This is one of those times he wishes that his radio wasn't an internal model. He glances over at the others. "Please tell me that wusn't the past."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "I'm leaning towards agreeing with whomever... Dr. Cossack, I think it was... that said this is some form of radio 'echoes' from alternate dimensions... Either that, or someone in Hollywood has gone loco."

Kalinka just stands there, looking stunned. "No, Bowie. That has never happened. And I hope to god that...whatever it is, never DOES happen..."

Blizzard Wolf muses absently, "The last time that I checked the sun was still here..." as he reaches up with a paw and taps the side of his head. "That had an unpleasant reverberation to it..."

Michael Eildath shakes his head again, shutting his eyes. "It doesn't stop..."

It won't happen if I can help it, Bowie thinks privately. He gives Kali what he hopes is a reassuring smile, but it quickly fades. "Thay're voices, but jus that. Voices."

Kalinka pales about three different shades of white, then begins chanting under her breath... "No one can make you feel inadequate without...your...per-mis-sion..." She scurries about, cleaning.

Blizzard Wolf seems to be of the opinion that all of this has only been some sort of simple prank to be taken not very seriously at all. So he manages to weather the sudden burst of data without so much as a flinch. He simply continues to watch quietly, expression unreadable. "Someone is playing a very cruel prank."

Bowie resists the sudden urge to reach out and hug Kalinka, and tell her everything will be all right. Perhaps later. "Yeah," he agrees with a frown. "But until we know who or whut's doin this..." he shakes his head. He dabs up the mess and tosses the towels in the trash bin.

Michael Eildath nods. "Until... but when we do..."

"Karma will catch up with them," the wolf replies, simply. "This is not remotely funny." He then lets out a slightly chilly snort and shrugs his shoulders slightly as if emphasizing his point.

Kalinka sighs softly, giving Bowie a meaningful look. Then, she glances over at Blizzard...and finally over at the morose Mike. "I will see you guys later."

Kalinka enters the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.

Kalinka has left.

Bowie tosses his cup in the trash bin as well, then moves to follow after Kalinka. No explanation offered, though is it really necessary?

(Cut to...)

Midwest

Often confused with the South, the Midwest is the area between the Great Plains and the East Coast. Many of the areas here are a mixture of suburbs, cities, and sleepy towns, acting as a sort of transition area between the Great Plains, the South, and the East. Most of the identity of this area is tied to the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, which once acted as a lifeline to cities nestled along its banks many centuries ago. Filled with a rich diversity, many stories can be found about the adventure and excitement that once thrived along the rivers.

Ride Armor <Triumph> [MH] Burn Dinorex [RF]

Plasma Harrier [RF] Guts Man [Normal] [RM]

[Stealthed] Shadow Man [Armor] [RM] Bass [Bass] [RM]

SS Dreadskull [RM] Reploid Metal Factory

Southeast <SE> leads to Eastern Seaboard.

East <E> leads to New England.

West <W> leads to Great Plains.

South <S> leads to Appalachian States.

North <N> leads to Central Canada.

Up <U> leads to Sky Above Eastern United States.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Isaac transmits, "That was an interesting one."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Yeah, really...interesting."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "In the Chinese sense."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Are you alright, Kali?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "*sighs* I guess so, Alpha. A lady named Eleanor Roosevelt once said that no one can make you feel inadequate without your permission. I am trying very hard to keep that in mind."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Isaac transmits, "Kalinka even if that was from another reality it is not ours..."

While Bass and Guts Man size up the Repliforcers that have come to challenge them and stop their wanton destruction at the propulsion laboratories, or else provide them with more interesting targets to wantonly destroy, Shadow Man continues his silent approach within the electronics laboratories. No one is currently down in the utility room where he is, as is only to be expected, since they seldom need watching and the entire area may be evacuated or else locked down to avoid being destroyed if the Robot Masters come their way. Glancing around, he finds what he needs - ah, perfect. The fuses - a few specific ones, along his way, are pulled out, leaving the halls in darkness. But, given the fact that power lines (and everything else) are being actively destroyed not far away, that's hardly surprising. The fuse in the microprocesser research facility he's after is not taken out... Shadow Man's areas of expertise don't include electronics, so he'd just as soon play it safe by not cutting power suddenly to sensitive equipment.

The SS Dreadskull looms over the Glenn Research Center, drones doing battle with the gumbie defenses around the UNSA site. While the Dreadskull assures the aerial supremacy of the invading force, Bass and Guts Man are assaulting the jet propulsion center on the base.

Bass, in particular, is running around smashing things. Walls get punched in, hovercars are thrown, and general havoc unleashed. There have already been several casualties.

Shadow Man, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen. He hasn't even been reported as being at the fight. So don't you worry about him. Mmmyes.

Burn Dinorex snorts a bit, a few flames puffing from his nasal ducts as he starts to move towards the Masters again. "Knew they wouldn't listen." Though the growling low tone makes it hard to tell if he's upset or happy with the fact. "Okay, which one of you do I get to send the remains back to Wily in a matchbox?"

Bowie changes into his Lone Star armor.

Bass looks at Burn Dinorex, then Plasma Harrier. He thinks for a minutes, then turns to Guts Man proper.

"Guts Man, go take out Fire Dinosaur over there. His primary weapon isn't all that special; Fire Man's is better. Waste him. I'll take out Harvey Birdman."

Bass then turns, grinning wickedly at the other Reploid. "You got sense enough to run, new blood?" he rumbles, green flame bursting around him as he prepares for the fight.

Within the Triumph, Kalinka picks up some sort of solitary reading over near the electronics lab that makes her sit up and take notice. Narrowing her eyes, she redirects the Triumph in that particular direction, to get a better look.

Plasma Harrier 's eartufts perk up at the mocking of the Elite Master, "Harvey Birdman... nice one. I'll run if I have to... but not to the likes of you, you android freak." He narrows his eyes at Bass, seeming that he accepts the challenge.

Guts Man nods, "Righto bosso." He turns around to face Burn Dinorex, "So I guess it's you and me. Say how did you get your name anyways? Burn Dinorex? That's a pretty stupid name. Why couldn't they call you Flaming Tyrantisaurus Rex or is the naming convention for Reploids supposed to be 2 words so instead they merged Rex with Dinosaur which was shortened to Dino which became Dinorex figuring that we'd be smart enough to tell that you were the dinosaur Tyrantisaurus Rex by calling you Dinorex?"

None of the corridors Shadow Man needs to use are against the outside of the building, so one can't tell that some of the power has gone out - however, maybe if one of the people fleeing from within happened to be in one at the time, and if Kalinka can manage to get one to stop long enough to talk to, she can get some information. The ninja Master didn't allow himself to be seen, but at least she might learn that something odd is going on within. Now that his path is flooded in darkness, the ninja returns to the halls, moving quickly towards the microprocessor research laboratory - choosing to travel via the ceiling, one should note. It wouldn't do to accidentally get close enough for someone on the ground to accidentally spot him on their way out, even in the darkness.

From the better late than never department...Bowie and his hoverbike appear on scene. Hey, he's the cavalry. Don't they always show up at the last minute? At any rate, he follows after the Triumph, his scowl deepening as he takes in the (assumed) random Master destruction for the day.

Ride Armor <Triumph> hesitates as she assesses the situation -- people exiting the building in haste. Spotting Bowie, Kalinka smiles to herself. (He followed me here,) she thinks warmly. Heading over to meet up with him, she says... "I picked up strange signal in the building...these people do not look much like they want to explain, but it never does hurt to ask, true?"

Burn Dinorex stops, and looks down at Guts for a moment as the hardhat Master rambles for a few moments. "You dissing my name? Maybe they though Tyrannosaurus would be too complicated for thickheaded morons like you to pronounce. And I burn stuff. Like you." A point made as he leans over, and huffs a small plume of fire in Guts' face. "Besides, it could of been something worsely stupid, like Mattrex."

Burn Dinorex strikes Guts Man with his Fire Snort attack.

Guts Man is charred by the fire snort, "Ow! Hey watch where you're snorting fire at, you could hurt me. Besides, Mattrex sounds like a much cooler name than Dinorex, although the way you're trying to oppress the working Robot Master, Tyrantisaurus Rex is much more approriate for you." He rips a piece of metal off one of the jet turbines, "And if you try to hurt somebody, you have to do it right, like this!" He swings his make shift bat at the large Reploid.

Guts Man misses Burn Dinorex with his Bash attack.

Bowie says "Right. Better ask whut's goin on..." With that, he tries to flag down a man in a lab coat fleeing from the building. He's slightly less intimidating than the Cossack-brand Ride Armor. "Hey thare!"

The Force Commander, surrounded by a terrifying green nimbus of flame, rockets at Plasma Harrier when he assents to not running in fear ... a decision Plasma may live to regret.

He gets in close, then swings his Buster arm down at Plasma's head, looking to knock his block clean off.

Bass strikes Plasma Harrier with his Smash attack.

At the door to the laboratories, a problem arises - since the power within has been left on, the security system is still active. But this sort of thing is all part of the job, after all... Even in the darkness, the ninja is able to see just enough to slip a blade in behind the card scanner, and pry it off to check the circuits within. The scanning circuit is simply ripped out, and he taps the key to open the door.

But the doors remain shut, so it's not a breaking circuit, which means it must be a completion circuit. In that case... a small bit of wire is retrieved from a hidden compartment, connecting the ends that used to be connected to the circuit. Now, the doors hiss open when the button is pressed. All that's left is to find what Wily needs, get it, and get out... alive.

Burn Dinorex takes a single step to the side, but it's more than enough to evade the makeshift bludgeoning weapon as it's swung at him. Burn tsks slightly, shaking his saurian head. "Actually, no, it's not like that at all." He steps back, and then the step turns into a turn as he spins around, and swings his broad tail at Guts Man's, well, gut. "THIS is how you beat the slag out of someone."

Burn Dinorex strikes Guts Man with his Tail Smackdown attack.

Plasma Harrier braces for the impact, getting struck by the clothesline, "Erff!!" The force of it causes him to stumble backwards a bit, "Damn... you hit a bit harder than I thought! Let's see how you like it!" He makes a tight fist with his right hand talon, forming a two foot long, blue plasma saber... and swings right at the Master. *hhhrrrrrrrrmmmm!* sings the energy blade!

Plasma Harrier misses Bass with his Plasma Saber Slash attack.

The Force Commander lands a fair blow on Plasma, allowing his Buster cannon to shift back to a normal forearm. The smooth strike allows Bass to elegantly slide back and around the plasma saber; indeed, Bass scouts it even as the sound is made, allowing him to react seemingly faster than anyone would think possible.

The blade whizzes by the end of his nose, just barely missing it. That margin is close enough for Bass -- he's been on the wrong end of /many/ beam sabers.

As the strike misses, Bass rears back his other arm and executes an open-palmed strike directly at Plasma Harrier's midsection, looking to knock him back a few meters.

Take the pebble from Bass' hand, grasshoppah...

Bass strikes Plasma Harrier with his Strike attack.

Guts Man is knocked upside the head by the big tail. The blow knocks him down completely onto his big tuckuss. He rubs his head a bit and looks up, "Oh a wise guy eh?" He gets back up, "I'll show you how things are done, now stand still!" He rushes the bigger reploid and upon getting up close and personal he spins trying to use momentum and gravity for his own good. He simply attempts to hit the big guy with his elbow.

Guts Man strikes Burn Dinorex with his Super Elbow attack.

The man Bowie is addressing pauses, glancing at him for a moment, against his better instincts. But he does have a Hunter emblem on him, so... "Uh, yes?" His eyes glance out away from the labs, where the others are headed. Clearly, he's less then happy about being detained, but he'll help if he can...

Burn Dinorex ooomphs as the elbow slams into his side, the large saurian heaving to the side from Guts' sheer strength before stabilizing himself again, foot talons digging into the ground for traction. "Now that's a little more like it..." Burn leans over slightly again, flames along his back flaring for a moment, and then a burst of flames shoots from his jaws as he opens them again, the flash of plasma fire glinting light off many sharp teeth.

Plasma Harrier argggghs and screeches angrily as his saber misses its mark, only to leave him wide open for the open palm of Bass. *SMASH!* Once again, Plasma staggers back, only this time... he flies through the air a few good feet before backflipping and landing on his feet, "That's enough of you... Time to take this to my place." No sooner than he says that, he fires up his boosters and soars up into the air, pointing his left hand talon down at the Master. In a second or two, it begins to rotate at the wrist and fire off like a chaingun full of explosive tipped bullets, "EAT THIS!!"

Burn Dinorex strikes Guts Man with his Plasma Launcher attack.

Plasma Harrier strikes Bass with his Vulcan Talons attack.

In the meantime, acting on her instinct that nothing good is happening in the building in front of her and Bowie, she begins taking the Triumph a little closer to the entrance, scoping and scanning.

Bowie keeps his questions short and simple. "Any idea why these guys," waving a hand in the direction of the Wily ship, "are attackin ya? Any new inventions or somethang?"

Bass lands the strike, then eases back into a broad wushu posture afterward as Plasma begins to react. As the Repliforcer flies up -- which is probably wise, considering Bass' expected area of expertise is ground tactics, he flips back, trying to evade the bullets. Several of them meet their mark, though, punching into his armor and sending up a few whisps of smoke and spatters of mech-fluid.

That looks like it'd hurt any other Reploid quite a bit. But other Reploids aren't built Wily Tough. Now /irritated/, Bass himself rises into the air, rocketing up at Plasma to rush into him -- a green contrail left behind like some sort of perverse Chinese New Year firework.

Bass strikes Plasma Harrier with his Dash attack.

"Well," replies the researcher, glancing around nervously, "we come out with new inventions here all the time. Although, I can't say we've done anything groundbreaking lately... Data compression, magnetic superconductivity, projectile guidance, self-diagnostics... Oh, and, er, a chip that causes robots to devolve into lower forms of life... but it hasn't been tested yet... Er, I think we really aught to get out of here, some of the power just went down inside, those Robot Masters - " a casual motion towards the direction where Bass and Guts Man are doing their destroying thing, while he takes the chance to subtly inch away " - may be trying to take down the compound's grid for some reason..."

Bowie nods. "Thankee, sir." That's the researcher's cue to continue fleeing, and the Hunter's cue to catch up with Kali.

Guts Man has a feeling he's going to end up a roasted marshmellow tonight as Burn manages to strike him with yet another one of his projectile blasts. The plasma hits him dead center causing him to take a few steps back, mostly due from the pain rather than the force of the blast itself. "Yeah more like it, well if you loved that, you'll love this!" He puts his arms up in a defensive position and approaches Burn Dinorex, he seems to be light on his feet all of a sudden as he closes in on the reploid, why if you didn't know any better you'd think Guts Man was in some sort of Muai Thay stance, and he is! He goes for one of the martial arts' renown knee kicks.

Guts Man misses Burn Dinorex with his Super Knee attack.

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Accorin t'that guy, thay've been werkin on data compression, magnetic superconductivity, projectile guidance, self-diagnostics, an some chip that makes robots devolve?"

Plasma Harrier acks as Bass comes flying up at him, shoulder-blocking his legs and making him half-flip over, "Damn!! Stay down on the ground!!" He glares angrily down at him, his optics flickering as they shoot down twin beams of energy

Plasma Harrier strikes Bass with his Optical Laser attack.

As she overhears what the man remarks to Bowie, Kalinka begins moving the Triumph into the building...she maneuvers swiftly, knowing that time is of the essense now. She pauses to send a radio transmission.

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "-Devolve-? That sounds very bad. This is more Wily sickness. We have to stop whatever this is. Bass and Guts are just the diversion. We, I think, are at Ground Zero of this operation."

And as the new is swung at him, Burn Dinorex takes a step back as if we was going to simply dodge. Only to snap open his jaws, and then try to clamp them shut on the offending appendage while it's at close range and easily bitable.

Burn Dinorex strikes Guts Man with his Chomp attack.

The researches graciously accepts the chance to flee. Researchers tend to die easily, after all, when they stick around.

Meanwhile, Shadow Man glances around the labs. Fortunately enough, everything is labeled. Well, almost everything. The group of 8 chips he's after are easily spotted - locked in a small container, about the size of a case for glasses, and silvery metal. Best to take the whole thing. After quickly checking to make sure all the chips are inside, he pockets it in his armor. But where are the other 4...

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Mah thoughts 'xactly. *pause* Small problem. The Triumph ain't exactly built fer goin through doors."

The Force Commander of the Robot Masters can fly with the greatest of ease ... but there's no trapeezes in Cleveland. At least, none outside of the fetish clubs in Lakewood...

He lands a good hit, smacking into the avian. How he loves to show them that their mastery of the air is a short-lived thing when he is around. He rises through the momentum, flying above the creature, and makes ready to strike again -- but the lazers smack him in the midsection, burning halfway through his outer armor and putting a crack in his nice red energy gem.

Oh, you're going to get it now -- that's what the look on Bass' face says. He rockets back at Plasma, rears back his right hand, and /pimp-slaps/ the flying Reploid in the face out of pure spite.

Bass strikes Plasma Harrier with his Backhand attack.

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Very true, I cannot go far from this point. How about I remain guarding the perimeter, and you go inside to hunt for whoever is in there?"

Guts Man is clamped in the leg by the large jaws, "Argh! You stupid beast..." Now that hurts, alot. Guts Man struggles to free himself as best he can, "Urgh... word of argh.. advice... Don't grrrr... chew off more... gah than you can handle!" He swings a mighty fist at the beast's jaw.

Guts Man strikes Burn Dinorex with his Super Punch attack.

Bowie parks his bike at the entrance to the building, following the Triumph inside the lobby. As he feared, the RA is going to have a heck of a time getting through any human-sized doorways. To his partner, he nods and transmits his answer.

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Awful lot a territory t'cover. Any way ya can patch into the security grid? Assumin it's even werkin."

After a brief radio exchange, Kalinka begins quickly working to check the main security grid of the building proper. "< I will check that right now, >" she transmits to Bowie.

Shadow Man doublechecks the datapad he was given for what it is he's looking for, and soon finds the other chips he needs locked away in a cabinet - evidently, they weren't being actively worked on, or else just needed to be stored away for a while. Well then, he continues back out the same path of darkned corridors he used to come in. Certainly, he heard the noises at the entrance, but probably assumed it was commotion among the researchers...

Burn Dinorex yelps as he gets slugged in the snout, letting go of the leg as the blow knocks him on his rear from the force. Grunting, he rubs his now dented nose with a hand, and picks himself up, scowling. "Okay.. now I'm mad.." Snarling, he leaps backwards a few feet, and as he lands opens his mouth again. The stream of flames bursts out of his mouth, flaring as it hits the ground and goes blazing across the surface towards the hefty Master.

Burn Dinorex strikes Guts Man with his Rolling Inferno attack.

Plasma Harrier ughs as he gets clobbered in the beak with the back of Bass's hand, "errrrgggggh!!! You're... not bad..." He rattles up a bit from the strike and darts away, only to U-turn and come back with a flying kick.

Plasma Harrier strikes Bass with his Flying Kick attack.

Plasma Harrier has disconnected.

As the Truimph's pilot checks the grid, Bowie makes his way forward, towards the doors leading further into the complex. Though he tries to move quietly, it's a lot like asking someone in plate mail to tiptoe - it's not all that quiet.

"< Hey, hands-- I mean, Bowie? Listen, do take care when you enter the Labs, >" Kalinka radios Bowie, frowning at her findings of the building's power grid. "< There is...some compromise. I think there is a break-in, in progress. Stay aremd and ready. >"

Guts Man falls on his back as Burn stops clamping down on him, he gets back up on his feet in time to get caught in a wave of flames, "Ah crap..." The inferno itself is pretty powerful and strong, there's no way he could have escaped it, even if he had dodged it the intense heat would have most likely melted his armor slightly. But being caught directly in it causes much circuit damage and armor melting. "Ugh..." He points an exoskeleton finger at Burn, "I still live..." He slowly walks right back towards the reploid before leaping towards him, he's not leaping at him for a tackle, rather trying to stomp him in the feet or other parts of the lower body.

Guts Man strikes Burn Dinorex with his Stomp attack.

< Ah will, > Bowie radios back. < Keep yer eyes open fer trouble. > Though the light is dim, it's just enough for him to see by. Rifle at the ready, he continues on, further into the lab. < Is thare any security measures still active? >

Shadow Man silently makes his way down the corridors - and at the end of the second-to-last one, quickly backtracks. He was able to catch a glimpse of the Triumph in the still-lit lobby at the other end, so you can bet he doesn't intend to try to just waltz past it, or remain in its line of sight, even with the darkness to shroud him. The skilled ninja accomplishes his mission without being seen. But since he can't get back to the fusebox either, is there another safe way out?

Burn Dinorex growls loudly in pain as the foot comes down hard on his own. And Guts has a lot of weight to put into that stomp, too. Snarling, he lifts his own foot, the one Guts isn't standing on of course, and thrusts it at the smoldering Master. "Get off!"

Burn Dinorex strikes Guts Man with his Stomp attack.

"< Yes, the security system is still on...but someone has compromised them just to get into the laboratory, >" Kalinka radios, keeping an eye on the hallway, guarding like a big sentinel. "< Probably just alarms, I do not see that this building has lasers or boobytraps. >"

Guts Man yelps as his own foot is crushed, "Yeow!" His foot that was on Burn's foot is no longer on the reploid as he uses it to balance himself. Of course with Burn standing on his own foot he can't really get away. So he tries to kick him away with his free foot.

Guts Man misses Burn Dinorex with his Super Kick attack.

Bass sends a radio transmission.

Shadow Man receives a radio transmission from Bass.

Shadow Man sends a radio transmission.

Bass receives a radio transmission.

Burn Dinorex jumps back a bit, pulling his foot off to leap far enough out of the way of the kick. Well, not quite the way Guts intended, but it did get him off, didn't it now? Burn snarls as he leaps, and lands on the ground again with a hard thud. A few embers drop to the ground around the two combatants as he does, and then burst upwards suddenly in multiple plumes of flames.