Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Kalinka is upset and ranaway....she won't let me find her. I'm worried.....I don't want her to be alone"

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "*zzz-snrk* Huh...whut?"

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Repeat that please?"

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Sunshine?"

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*sighs* Hello, handsome."

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Somethang wrong?"

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I am very angry right now. Maybe it would be best if I not return to base for a while. Besides, my commanding officer does not care, anyhow. She told me to f*** off. I suppose that is an order. It makes me sick to my heart. Why the hell am I even a Hunter?"

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "*concern* Whare are ya now?"

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I went out to Siberia, so Rigger can go hang around with her Robot Master friends."

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Ya want t'be alone alone, or do Ah not count?"

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "You count EVERYTHING in the world to me, handsome, and you are welcome to come if you want."

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Lemme see if we even got any vehicles left..."

(and off he zooms!)

You enter the Siberia.

Siberia

From the early 21st century and before, Siberia was long considered one of the least habitable places on the Earth's surface. With below freezing temperatures and an incredibly rugged terrain, the majority of the vast resources of the area were left untapped during those times due to the limited technology of that time. Indeed, habitation was limited to a mere handful of mining stations and military outposts, which themselves were abandoned soon after the fall of the Soviet Union.

All this has changed in current times. While huge tracts of land have been preserved the way they were in the times past, now sprawling metropolises dot the area. These cities are ringed by fields of solar panels thousands of yards deep that provide more than enough energy to make Siberia a perfectly habitable place. In fact, there are actually good sized temperate forest parks scattered throughout the cities. Near the southeastern corner of Siberia, several cities have merged into a true MegaCity, the main habitation of the area, called Gar Sansky.

Alloy [Casual] [MH]

Kalinka [Winter] [MH]

Ride Armor <Triumph> [MH]

Fortress 12 [#3285 TaenV]

Access

Submerge <D> leads to Underneath Arctic Ocean.

North <N> leads to Arctic Ocean.

West <W> leads to Ural Mountains.

Southeast <SE> leads to Central Russia.

South <S> leads to Gobi Desert.

East <E> leads to Kamchatka.

Up <U> leads to Sky Above Siberia.

Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Rigger.

Kalinka turns to look over at Alloy as he arrives. "Hi. Welcome to Misery. Population 2."

Bowie is likely to be heard long before he's seen, using his hoverbike as transportation between the nearest teleport station and Middle of Ice Cold Nowhere.

Chill Snowcat arrives from the Ural Mountains.

Chill Snowcat has arrived.

Alloy grunts, shaking his head at the gallows humour. He sits down beside Kali, silently shielding the two of them from the cutting chill of the wind with an angled shell of gravitic energy. "Hi. Are you sure there wasn't anywhere more remote you could go? The Outback? Antarctica?"

Kalinka receives a radio transmission from Rigger.

"If I knew my way around South Pole, I would have gone," Kalinka murmurs unhappily.

There is a distant flash....then a closer one....then a closer one.....until finally a flash desposits a very exhausted looking Chill nearby. The big fluffy cat just lays there.

Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Rigger.

Bowie is still driving across the snow-swept landscape...perhaps this is why the cavalry always shows up at the last minute.

Kalinka gets up, wandering over to Chill to attempt to pick him up, so she can carry/drag him over to where she had been sitting previously. His collapse gives her something constructive to do.

Alloy shakes his head, leaning forward to rest his arms on his legs. "You know there's a fairly good chance we're going to die, that the whole /world/ is going to die. Right?" The sound of Chill's arrival makes him straighten up, looking over at the cat reploid. Shaking his head, he stands up and walks over to help Kalinka lug the deadweight, keeping silent.

"I am not quite that fatalistic, Alloy. I have not yet given up hope. But maybe I was not meant to work with Hunters. Maybe Rigger is right, the future lies with...cooperating with Masters. In which case..." She sighs, rubbing her hands together to get them warm as she regards Chill. "In which case I -am- leaving, because I will not help those bastards."

"Mmhmm." is all Alloy says, a good non-responsive reply as he tries to figure out what to say next. Squatting next to Kalinka, he regards Chill. "Silly fool went and drained his immediate power reserves." Alloy shakes his head. "Anyway. What would you do if you /did/ quit? Start organizing a 'good' street gang?" Ah, the joys of interception.

Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Rigger.

Kalinka receives a radio transmission.

Kalinka receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Kalinka a direct message: "Couldja have gotten any closer t'nowhare?"

Kalinka smirks. "Why not?" she says, rerouting some of the Triumph's power reserves to recharge Chill with a device that looks suspiciously like...jumper cables. "Take manpower away from Yakuza...give kids who are not understood or appreciated a second chance..."

Kalinka says, "And give them a place to be loved and accepted."

Kalinka sends a radio transmission.

Kalinka sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Sorry, handsome. I just felt like I needed to be far away."

Chill Snowcat blinks his eyes a few times, "I....I....found you......" He closes his eyes again.

Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Rigger.

Kalinka receives a radio transmission.

Kalinka laughs at a radio she gets...bitterly. "Oh, is that an ORDER?? Oh, this is rich, this is just RICH...it is COMEDY HOUR on Cossack Radio!"

Kalinka sends a radio transmission to Rigger.

A sour expression crosses Alloy's face as he watches Kalinka give Chill a jump-charge, and listens. "You've yet to meet some of these 'underappreciated kids' then. Oh, granted, you'll find some that are just like you described, but there's plenty that couldn't care less about 'appreciation' or 'love'." He shakes his head. Looking up at Kalinka's sudden burst of laughter, he blnks, and frowns confusedly.

Alloy sends a radio transmission to Rigger.

Kalinka receives a radio transmission.

Kalinka sends a radio transmission.

Kalinka receives a radio transmission from Rigger.

Bowie finally(! after being distracted by laundry) arrives at the Cosaack and friends camp. Looking over the small group, he decides that 'wanting to be alone' translates to 'being as far away from Rigger as humanly possible'. He switches off the engine, removes his helmet, and moves to join the others.

Kalinka continues to recharge Chill, chuckling bitterly. "How do you like that?? -- RESPECT THE ROBOT MASTERS!! Yes, they choked me, they beat me, scalded me, suspended me upside-down and used me as punching bag at 6 years of age -- and those were the NICE GAMES they played. And my superior officer is REQUESTING me to RESPECT them! HAH!!! What comedy!" She's teetering the fine line of sanity itself, now, as she grits her teeth and works on Chill. "I need to make a street gang!"

Kalinka smirks, and quiets down. "You know, Alloy...I think I will spend some time out here."

"Guess we could build an igloo or somethang," says Bowie mildly as he walks up to everyone.

Welcome to Misery, population 4.

Alloy stands up, the frown on his face deepening. His mouth opens, as if he's about to say something, but there's nothing he can think of. Turning at the sound of Bowie's voice, the frown eases into relief. Bowie. He can talk Kalinka down. He's better at this sort of thing than Alloy.

Kalinka grins as Bowie arrives. "Hey there handsome...I am glad to see you...welcome. Listen, I have idea for while we are out here...there -is- a place we could use as shelter...about 5 kilometers west of here...but it is a Maverick factory of some sort. We would have to blitz it."

Alloys head jerks up to look at Kalinka when she makes her proposal, and trying to think quick, he silently sends a transmission to Bowie.

Alloy sends a radio transmission to Bowie.

Alloy sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*slightly hurried* Talk her down, Bowie. I think she's feeling destructive at the moment."

Bowie shakes his head in answer. "Nope. This ain't the time or place t'be tickin off the Mavericks. We got enough problems right now."

Kalinka sighs. "All right. Just an idea. ... Igloo it is, then. It will work as well."

Bowie belatedly notices Chill lying prone on the ground, attached by cables to the Triumph. "Whut happened t'him?"

Kalinka smirks, kicking a pile of snow in disgust, just to watch it crumble. "'If I find ANYONE insulting the Masters over the loss of Dr. Wily...' she says in a mocking tone before turning back to Bowie. "Oh, Chilly? He overdid it. He needs recharge. I hooked him up to Triumph's main battery. He will be okay in a while."

"Drained his immediate energy reserves trying to get here as quickly as possible, it seems." Alloy says, glad for the distraction. A few movements underneath the synthskin show he's gritting his teeth. He's not exactly happy about Rigger's declaration either, but he'll abide by it.

Bowie moves to lay a hand on Kalinka's shoulder, brow furrowed in concern. "Thare's still a truce on, sunshine. We can't afford t'break it. In fact, we might need thair help, 'fore all this is over." His normal smile disappears into a scowl. "Ah know how much ya hate 'em. Ah hate 'em too. But Ah hate the Stardroids more."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Well, there we have it. Looks like we're going to be having many Stardroid visitations shortly."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "Oh?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "We were just visited by two of them. Named Aquarius and Pisces."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "I see."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "What did they say?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Pisces arrived in a pod of some sort and needed assistance. As we were helping him, Aquarius arrived. Pisces spoke of some kind of 'betrayer' and the imminent arrival of whatever came to destroy them. Needless to say, I proposed a cooperative information exchange to possible discover the true nature of the being we saw in the videos so we can be prepared."

Kalinka nods, gazing up fondly at Bowie before moving to pack solid snow blocks in a large circle -- the beginning foundation of an igloo. "And then she calls me a spoiled brat. On the radio, in front of everyone. And of course SHE is not the one to blame, ever...I am the 'brat' so it has to be my fault. Forgive me for not wanting to 'band together and help' right now. I do not like 'her friends', and I would rather find some other way of finding answers than being the best friends and buddies to Robot Master scum. You know what I mean? Even if it means living out here in an igloo instead of the warm base, Bowie. It is breaking my heart."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Major Iris transmits, "You know, I have to say this...why aren't we sharing this on the Alliance channel?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Arafina transmits, "That's what this is, Boss. But switchin' to the secure one might be a good idea."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "I tried that last night when Regulus arrived and got very little in the way of people who cared."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "By the way, the pod we found had kittens."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Kittens?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Major Iris transmits, "Kittens? Awww!!"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "Suggestion - maybe we should find them a quiet place to stay that is both safe, and NOT filled with potential secrets, if they turn out to be just trying to sucker us."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "What?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "...Beg pardon, Prismatic?"

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Arafina transmits, "Out of sheer, sheer interest, did you get a biological specialist t'look at them? I mean...funky extra-planetary diseases."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "Yes, kittens."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Argh. They suggested to switch to this frequency."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "I intended to have Lucent look it over."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "Switchin's good."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Apparently, a pod they found had kittens in it."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Works for me though I think Iris meant the channel we had set up that's apparently not much different from broadband in it's usage."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "Are you /serious/?! Where! I want a kitten!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "Oh, the one that nothin' worth mentioning gets discussed over, practically? I keep turning it on an' getting chat, and frankly I don't have the patience."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "There were only four. The Masters have two, and I have one."

Alloy remains silent, pondering his own thoughts and listening to the radio closely. He's clearly very disturbed, kneeling down to check on Chill's condition simply for something to do physically. He'd pace, but that doesn't seem appropriate right now. Half-hearing Kalinka's words, he frowns as she finishes and runs that through his head again. "Hold on, Kalinka." he says, straightening up. "That's pretty strong, even for you. Rigger's not jumping into bed with them or anything. I think you can be pretty sure she knows who they are. But protesting that you're not going to have anything to do with them won't do you much good if the world burns because of it."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "Why didn't /I/ find the pod with the kittens, ohmygosh.."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "That tears it, this is getting beyond odd. I'm going to find one of these pods, come hell or high water."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "I didn't know we had a general alliance channel."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Hey Pall, there's one in the Open Field here at Repliforce HQ Australia."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "I want a kitten, this is so stupid. I found the dumbest pod ever."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "And it contained a Stardroid."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "Yeah, it /wasn't/ a kitten."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "....I...erm...see."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Harmony, I think finding a Stardroid is a bit more important than kittens. Though I like kittens too. Maybe they were Stardroid pets?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "Yeah, I mean, it's important.. but.. eehh. I'd rather have found the kittens one."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "I'm certain finding kittens would be better than finding something that you /know/ is capable of killing you, but still..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Let me guess... The fish-like Stardroid creeped you out?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "They could be deadly kittens."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "Deadly kittens from outer space! I doubt it, mind. But they could be."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Well one is a dead kitten now anyway. Gemini stepped on it."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "Pisces was pretty, I mean, yeah.. and he was very polite.."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "Did anyone take it to dissect?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "/Gemini/?! Yeah. Where is he now?"

Bowie says gently, "Alloy's got a point. Miss Rigger aside, Ah don't thank any a us is crazy about werkin with the Masters. However, we have Stardroids on /Earth/. /Right now/. An we don't know whut side thay're on. So we got t'ask ourselves. Which is more important, hurtin the Masters, or protectin the Earth?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Iris transmits, "(OOCly: A Petting Zoo? -- How about an EVIL petting zoo?) ;)"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Gemini did. I'm an engineer, not a biologist. I'm not qualified to handle such things... And frankly I don't like the idea of squashed kittens, Stardroid or not."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "Gemini's such an ass, I can't believe it!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "Think of it this way, we wouldn't have to dissect a live one."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "Reminder to self. Hurt Gemini Man... this Thursday or something like that."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "Don't mind me, I just got new knives."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "I'm so kicking both his behinds."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "We aren't dissecting it if possible."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "All right....I'm going out in the Falconis, maybe there's more of these things around somewhere."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "I don't suppose I could give you something /really cool/ for one of those kittens."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Sorry, Jet Stingray dressed as a Three Musketeer isn't 'really cool.'"

Kalinka glances over at Alloy, clearly angry -- but not at him. She has no rage for Alloy...only for the situation itself. "Now you see why I should live out here in igloo for a while? I know that right now it is important to address Stardroid issue, yes! I agree with that. But there has to be better way to find answers than kiss Robot Master butt. I will work with Mavericks before I work with the Robot Masters. Did you know Rigger has pet name for her nice Robot Master friend, Mr. Gemini? She calls him 'Double Mint'."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "..hmmm."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "It beats some things."

Kalinka says, "And then she told me to 'f*** off' -- I am quoting that -- when I stood up to protect her. Which is why I am here, freezing tail feathers off, you see. There has to be better way to get answers."

Kalinka says, "I will help find those answers, yes. You can count on me. But not with...THEM."

Bowie loves Kalinka - one only has to look at him when he's around her to figure that out. All the same, he is honest, sometimes brutally so. "Yer lettin yer temper get the best a ya."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Aaaanyway... Any other information regarding the Stardroids?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Dr. Cossack speaks slowly, obviously having to labor to speak. "Yes...Vancouver...El Paso. Never forget...never forgive..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "..."

You paged Dr. Cossack, Rigger, and Kalinka with 'Oh dear lord. Bowie and Cossack agree on something. The world is going to end.'.

Dr. Cossack(cos) pages Bowie, Rigger, and Kalinka: Well, the sky is blue, too.

You paged Dr. Cossack, Rigger, and Kalinka with 'It is not.'.

From afar (to Bowie, Rigger, and Kalinka), Dr. Cossack(cos) shoots Bowie.

Long distance to Dr. Cossack, Rigger, and Kalinka: Bowie dies.

Kalinka frowns unhappily, sitting back down to sulk on a block of ice.

And what Bowie just said is...well, pretty much exactly what Alloy's thinking, and what he wants to say...only, he doesn't dare. He doesn't quite have the bond that Bowie does. Sighing, he crouches down and lets Bowie bring Kalinka down, keeping an eye on Chill for no other reason than having something to do.

Alloy has disconnected.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "I beg to differ, actually. This is not the same situation as last time. Something DESTROYED the Stardroids, and they're not keen on facing it again apparently. We're going to need to work together to stop it."

Kalinka just sits there, frowning deeply.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "....Question, quickly."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "The beings we've found in the pods have been small of stature or rather unassuming, correct?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Not necessarily."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "Well, I'm hearing about kittens and trout with wings."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "That was an exaggeration."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "Still."

Bowie flops down in the snow next to Kali. "No one's askin ya t'like it, sunshine. Ah don't like it, either. Ah didn't hear the conversation between ya and Miss Rigger, but Ah doubt anyone's goin t'ask ya t'werk directly with them." He offers his hand to her, uncertain whether she'd be willing to accept any other displays of affection just now.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "Have any of them been of the size or obvious appearance we associate with the Stardroids?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "... Aquarius appeared right in the middle of MSE Australia's medbay with nothing more than a light show and a hello. Have you seen many robots made of crystal lately?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "Yeah, there was one, she was with you folks."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Two, actually."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "What I'm getting at is this - maybe it's possible the stardroids in these pods are...how to put this...juveniles of some sort. Children. Jupiter seemed highly protective during that last battle...it might be a sound hypothesis. I mean, come now, if there were that many stardroids present at the power level we're familiar with regarding them, I doubt even those creatures could've withstood such a battle."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "This is a potential possiblity. I don't think a full-fledged Stardroid would have had the problems Pisces did after landing..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "....Hm. I can't say I know too much about this kind of situation...but I have an idea on who might."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "I suggested as much with the kittens. Sort of. Though I don't think there would be four."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony grumbles..

Kalinka sighs, and is quiet for quite some time. "...Hm. Maybe so. Do you think I should go back? I did not feel like...I was really wanted, you know? Not by you, but Rigger."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Dr. Cossack transmits, "Sometimes kitten...just kitten."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider chuckles. "Indeed, Doctor."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent transmits, "...Oh, the k-kitten! Eef. I n-need to get to the L-labs..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "I'm aware. I'm more concerned that it might be carrying something biologically harmful at this point than the possibility of it being a baby Stardroid."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "Well we can't very well detain them...if they /are/ children I severely doubt they'll listen to us easily."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent transmits, "R-rigger? Y-you were handling the k-kitten, right?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Yes."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent transmits, "...Oh d-dear. Did you...g-go through decontam afterwards?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Yes, and I've detained myself to quarters for the time being."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent sighs, apparently relieved. "G-good. Th-thank you. ...It d-didn't scratch y-you or b-bite you, ...did it?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "It tried scratching me but it's too young for it's claws to have hardened yet. Didn't break the skin."

Bowie brushes his hair back out of his face. "Ah thank ya both need t'cool off first." A pause. "Yes, yer wanted. Not jus because a me, an not because a yer dad, an not because yer the Triumph's pilot. We need Kalinka Cossack, because she's one a the brightest people we've got." Another, longer pause. "If ya want t'stay in the Hunters, ya have t'go back sometime and talk t'Miss Rigger. Ah know rank don't matter much with us, but she is yer commandin officer."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent transmits, "...O-okay. Th-thanks. I'll just, uh...s-see what I c-can find about it. Here, k-kitten, kitten...*click*"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "Like I said, if these things are stardroid children I doubt they'll take well to us mere mortals trying to hold them."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Blaster Wolf transmits, "Stardroid.. children? What's going on.. no I almost don't want to know..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Gunsmith Cat transmits, "My guess would be that a momma cat found the thing and settled in, personally. Someone should keep an eye out, because if I'm right, she'll be rather pissy that you moved her kids and killed one of them."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Pisces was hardly the size of a child."

Kalinka nods. "I know. Okay...maybe I am being silly. I will go back." She stands up. "But you know what...I know better now. I will help, but I will keep my mouth shut, too. Apparently, help is wanted and needed, but opinion is not." She ponders for a moment, then muses, "I think I can fit you in the Triumph, too, would you like a lift?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "I seriously doubt that. The pod hadn't been opened before else it wouldn't have disintegrated when we did open it."

Bowie nods, saying resignedly, "Yer right, sometimes it's better t'jus shut up and do whut ya have t'." He stands up as well, brushing the snow off his duster. "Sure. Jus be easy carryin the bike, okay? Ah still got payments on it." He quirks a smile.

Kalinka nods. "I will," she remarks quietly...taking a final look around before heading over toward the bike to find a place to load it up onto the Triumph. "It will be just fine." (I have learned something today,) she thinks bitterly, to herself, (That some Hunter's opinions matter much more than others. And to keep the peace, I must keep quiet. I will do it for Bowie, and I will do it for Daddy...and no one else.)

Kalinka has left.

Ride Armor <Triumph>

============================ Ride Armor <Triumph> ============================

This is the inside of the Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Triumph>.

====================== Type 'vhelp' for a command list. ======================

(cut to...)

You enter the Hunter HQ - Commissary.

Hunter HQ - Commissary

Once the most-used area on the Fort Sam Houston, this area sees a little less usage by the Maverick Hunters, but it is still an important part of the ship. The mundane tasks of the Maverick Hunter Base are carried out here, from clothes laundry and armor cleaning to basic repairs. Mail sent from Neo-Tokyo is sorted here and delivered, and there is a small commissary, primarily for the human residents of the base, though it gets more than its fair share of usage by the Reploids here, as well. The room is seldom busy, but without the functions performed here, life in the Hunter Base wouldn't be quite as easy.

Kalinka [Winter]

Down <D> leads to Hunter HQ - Science Area.

East <E> leads to Hunter HQ - Medical Area.

South <S> leads to Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

<Global News Network> Steve Irwin VII, crocodile maverick hunter, is on TV. "Now. We're about to sneak up on the rare lost news reporter. Isn't he a beauty? He REAAAALLY hates it when we sneak up on him and yell, "I just got a scoop!" So let's do it! It--" Suddenly, the bad accented-repoid is flattened by falling debris. The camera looks up... More metal is raining down over Sydney.

Kalinka quietly heads over to the kitchen area, and puts on some coffee.

Bowie follows in after her, having taken a few minutes to put his bike away. His expression is pensive, with a liberal dose of concern.

Kalinka gestures toward the coffee pot, as if to say 'You can have some, if you'd like'. After getting a cup for herself, she sits down, and stares blankly at the wall...probably harboring considerable resentment. If not for Bowie, she'd likely still be sitting out on a snow drift in Siberia.

At least the FSH is warmer, in temperature if not in ambiance. Bowie finds his mug (printed with a picture of a horse) in the cabinet and fills it up. He then takes a seat next to her. He notices the expression, but says nothing. At least not yet. Sometimes, words simply don't help.

Chill Snowcat arrives from the Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

Chill Snowcat has arrived.

Kalinka is rather dourly curled up on the sofa with a cup of coffee, watching the GNN News from Sydney and being...very quiet.

Chill Snowcat pads into the commissary slowly before falling over with his eyes closed at Kalinka's feet. He purrs softly as he rubs his head once against her leg.

Kalinka reaches down and obligingly gives Chilly a scritch, but doesn't say anything.

Bowie is sitting on the couch next to Kalinka, also silent. Of course, for him silence isn't that unusual.

Chill Snowcat is silent along side his friends. The feline seems to be happy being alongside them. He turns his head to lick Bowie's boot while he's scritched.

Bowie's boots probably don't taste very good, being worn leather, oiled with a lacing of melted snow. The Texan's grown used to Chill's eccentricities, and so doesn't seem to mind.

Kalinka has a look on her face that is very distant, and sad. She's had a rough afternoon, and maybe part of her mind is still back in Siberia somewhere.

After a time, Bowie breaks the silence. "Y'know, Ah'm supposed t'be the laconic one a this group."

Kalinka sighs. "Sorry, Bowie. I just know that next time I see Rigger, she is going to be sarcastic and mean, and probably give me some kind of stupid orders that involve toothbrush and polishing floor tiles. And all because...well, you know. I just do not know if I am making the right choice."

Chill Snowcat says, "I'm tired.....but I'm gonna stay by my family....." He raises his head and smiles at the pair. "And yas don't need my chattin....so I'm just gonna stay here case anyone needs something fluffy ta hug...""

Bowie finishes the dregs of his coffee, then sets it aside. Chill is absently scritched. He sighs. "Ah thank we're all keyed up right now, Miss Rigger included. Ah know mah temper's up, so Ah imagine erryone else is the same."

Chill Snowcat's head raises, "Somethin's on the radio....."

Kalinka says, "What did it sound like?"

Chill Snowcat says, "Regulus is talkin on the channel....he's tryin ta bring a warnin again...."

Bowie raises an eyebrow, then scowls. "An whut does he have t'say."

Chill Snowcat's fur stands on end. "I...I don't like the sound of this."

Kalinka says, "What is he saying?"

Chill Snowcat says, "He said the legion of order....the Maverick hunters. That we released doom upon us all. What happened recently? Whatever is going to happen....he said its our fault?"

Bowie's scowl deepens. "Fer a bunch a people that likes destroyin whole cities fer fun, thay don't have room t'talk."

Kalinka frowns, looking to be VERY deep in thought. "Us...? We did something? Maybe it was R..." She suddenly falls silent again. "Maybe it has something to do with pendants," she murmurs after some thought.

Chill Snowcat frowns, "Gutsman is mentionin usin a machine that Wily used on them.....ta turn people inta robot masters.....its gettin confusin....too many people are chattin on the radio."

Bowie gives a small shrug. "Don't remember much 'bout the pendants," he confesses. "Though frum my little chat with Sigma, Ah'm guessin that the pendants found the right people than the other way around."

Chill Snowcat says, "Now Zero is saying he's not a gigolo.....what's a gigolo?"

Kalinka says, "A gigolo...is that not like a pipe? I think it is an instrument...you blow into it. It is like flute."

Chill Snowcat says, "Guts man said its a Man whore.....what's a man whore?"

Bowie doesn't know how to answer that question at first. Again, honesty. "It's someone who sells thair body fer money. Prolly he's usin it as an insult."

Chill Snowcat nods, 'It got quiet again.....guess everyone is so worried...."

Bowie says "Thay should be." He stretches, then hangs his arms on the back of the couch. "Ah know mah memory's fuzzy, but the last time the Stardroids showed up in person, the whole world wus a mess."

Chill Snowcat sits up and places his paws on Bowie's chest like a large dog might do, "Yer afraid too?" He sniffs Bowie's face. The large feline can be rather silly at times.

"Yeah," Bowie admits. "Ah'm afraid. No sane person wouldn't be."

Kalinka just sits there...really, really quiet. Maybe she'll end up swearing off speech altogether.

Chill Snowcat thinks about this a minute before he hops down and.....suddenly grabs Bowie's boot and drags him off the couch. "MMMMM Texan....tastes just like chicken." He mumbles around the boot.

It's a good thing Bowie set his cup down, isn't it? He's dragged off the sofa, hat flopping over his face as it gets knocked off his head. "Urk - hey!" he says as he flails and falls.

Kalinka chuckles, suddenly coming out of her reverie. "Chilly, what are you doing? Silly!"

Chill Snowcat lays ON Bowie, chewing on his boot. "What? I'm munching on some Taco....." The overly fluffy tail of chill is flopped right in Bowie's face. He holds the leg and begins nibbling on it, "MMMM drumstick!"

Bowie mphs as he gets one heavy snowcat on his chest, and a face full of tail. The hat lands at Kalinka's feet. "Hey! Ah'm not a Taco, ya big lug!" Though it's hard to spot, he is smiling.

Chill Snowcat mock growls and nibble chews the poor Taco...err Texan. "Crunchy and meaty....OF COURSE yer a taco."

Bowie baps Chill on the tail, the closest available appendage. "Least give me t'courtesy a makin me a fajita."

Chill Snowcat purrs and tries squishing Bowie pushing his shoulder on the chest of the reploid, "Quesadilla!" He leans on Bowie and licks the poor Texan's face now.

Bowie gets a full-fledged tongue-bath, just like a kitten. How cute. Any retaliatory comments are held off as he's cleaned.

Kalinka just chuckles, shaking her head. "Bowie, you need some rescuing?" she asks.

Chill Snowcat coughs, "Rescue?! I think NOT! I need some cream on this Taco!" He reaches over and nabs Kalinka's leg and gently drags her on top of Bowie!

Kalinka squeaks, falling over on Bowie as Chilly tips her balance. "Eeeaahh!"

Bowie umphs again as Kalinka lands on top of him. Blink. Pileup in the Commissary. Perhaps it's just as well he can't blush.

Kalinka suddenly begins giggling in delight. "Aha! Pinned now," she laughs.

Chill Snowcat laughs and chew on bowie some more, trying to pin Kalinka with his tail. He reaches out a paw and FLUFFS Kali's hair statifying it nicely.

Bastion arrives from the Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

Bastion has arrived.

Bowie lies on the floor at the bottom of a three car, er person pileup, Kalinka lying on top of him as Chill gnaws on his boot and fluffs Kali's hair with his tail. His hat has fallen somewhere on the couch. He just shakes his head and laughs at the absurdity of the situation. "Ah'm not a Taco!"

Kalinka is giggling cheerfully. "Oh, well maybe you will need to get through me and Chilly to get the hat, hmmm?" Her eyes twinkle with mischief. This is probably the best mood she's been in all day.

Blues arrives from the Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

Blues has arrived.

And just as everything goes to a new level of insanity, Bastion steps in cleaning out one of his pistols as he's walking. As he turns the corner to enter, Bastion's brow raises above his only good eye, the other still missing and covered with a metal patch, at the pile up. And, as per usual, he doesn't look in a particularly good mood.

Chill Snowcat nabs the hat and plops it on Bowies face, "All Taco's need toppings!!!" He then pins Kali on top of Bowie and tickles her with his claws!

Kalinka is apparently very ticklish on her sides, as she wriggles and giggles when Chill tickles her. She's now sandwiched between Krazy Kat, and her favorite Cowboy.

Bowie mmphs as his hat flops down on top of his face, flailing as he tries to put it back where it belongs. Well, at least Kalinka's laughing again, right?

Kalinka gets that 'romantic' gleam in her eyes -- not unlike a Disney heroine when sandwiched into a tight, tight spot with her loved one - in this case, practically nose-to-nose.

There are compromising positions, and then there are things that defy proper classification.

And as Blues steps into the commissary, things switch from the former to the latter.

At first, Bastion is in front of him, blocking the full horror, but that doesn't last longer than a second or two. The eldest Light starts to move around the security reploid, and just freezes in place, the full panorama of the scene spread out before him.

Remarkably, no one dies immediately. Instead, Blues' normal neutral expression remains carefully in place, chiseled there as though from a glacier. The same glacier that gave birth to the voice that comes next.

"Are we interrupting a private moment?"

While they didn't notice him enter, they might just notice the audible click and snap of a gun being cocked and loaded. Bastion lets Blues speak, letting his own weapon speak loudly enough for him.

Chill Snowcat gives Kalinka and Bowie a SLURP since they're faces are so close and mischievously plops a paw on Kali's head, pushing her face into Bowie's. THEN he hears the pair of chaperones. "Uh oh...."

Kalinka gasps a little bit, blinking with a new 'deer caught in headlights' expression -- frozen in place in the friendly little pile on the floor. "Errr."

Bowie pulls his hat off his face, still chuckling...

...and then he sees just who's standing above them. All humor is immediately lost, blinking several times as he grapples for words - any words - that might possibly explain the situation. He finds none. "Uh..."

Chill Snowcat sits up a little and smiles, "It was my fault completely....."

Kalinka turns a bright red, biting her lip and staring at the floor. Oh, the embarrassment!

The first step towards doom comes, then the next, as Blues walks completely into the room. He doesn't stop at the entry, however, as he walks towards the scene.

And a sound comes with him that is far, far more ominous than his glacial voice. The sound of his left hand shifting into the Protobuster.

What can be seen of his face, under his helmet, is the cold mask of premeditated homicide. No words accompany the walk of this executioner, nor does his gaze move from Kalinka and Bowie.

Chill Snowcat frowns as he watches protoman. He thinks fast, "Hey you! Scarf boy....Can't ya understand English? Bowie and Kali were sitting on opposite sides of the couch sad. I dragged Bowie onto the floor and pulled Kali on top. If ya gotta problem then ya got it with me, Yellow bow peep."

When Kalinka hears the Buster powering up, she quickly grabs Bowie with one arm and Chill with the other. It would almost be like an intimate family portrait pose...if not for the look of silent-scream HORROR on her face.

Kalinka squeaks out... "Shut up Chilly!" But she's too late!

The silence of the two of them that step in remains in place as Bastion simply remains with his freshly cleaned pistol, the black metal gleaming in the rooms light. The click from earlier is now followed by the snap of turning the safety off. Bastion just glares toward Chill for a Snowcat and shakes his head, the poor cat just signed his death warrant. "I'd suggest you all stand up."

Bowie does not blush. He simply was not designed to do so. He can, however, look embarrassed, and so he does. And then he's grabbed by Kalinka, breaking him out of his embarrassed shock. Somehow he manages to find words, quiet but honest. "It wus a bit a harmless fun. Nothang more," he says as he stands up.

Kalinka sighs, standing up miserably. She's beginning to think this is quickly qualifying as the SECOND worst day in her entire life. It's moving up the charts quicker than an Ironica song.

Kalinka says, "Whatever it is, and whatever punishment is involved...I will take full blame and responsibility."

Chill Snowcat stands up shifting into his reploid boots so he can stand tall enough to place himself in front of Bowie and Kali. "No....Leave them outta this. Ya want yer ounce of fur....take it from me. But leave them alone. These are bad times and they need each other. Don't come between them. It was innocent fun. They were doing nothing wrong."

Chill Snowcat whispers to Bowie and Kalinka: I love you both so much....don't let them separate you. Ever.

Bowie silently wishes that Chill would close his mouth, though it's probably too late.

He's 11 years old. It's been a nice life. What he can remember of it, anyway.

Blues stops his advance as they stand, the Protobuster resting easily at his side. Many lives have found their end at the barrel of that weapon, and perhaps that tally will rise today. Looking at Chill Snowcat he speaks, that same cold voice.

"Shut up, and move before I move you. I do believe that Kalinka would be upset if I got your fluids all over her clothing." It's not a suggestion, it's a promise, and one punctuated by the indicators on the Protobuster going from one square lit to three.

Turning his gaze from the feline, having made his point, he looks between Kalinka and Bowie.

"So. It would seem I have been absent for too long. I am very curious indeed to understand the nature of your friendship."

Kalinka chews on a nail nervously, looking over at Proto with a bit of surprise. Perhaps he HAS been gone for longer than she'd remembered...and then when one thing leads to another, some things can be forgotten altogether. She straightens up, a lock of blonde hair flopping into her eyes. "We, um...we are dating right now, Proto," she explains.

Bastion is perfectly content to watch Blues work. The little conscience he's got left in the back of his head is keeping a wary eye on everything right now to make sure no one goes absolutely insane with shooting each other. He's seems to have clicked the safety back on.

Bowie straightens his shirt, more to give him something to do than out of any concern for his appearance. He has made no secret about his relationship with Kalinka, and he is not about to start now. Again, he speaks softly but with honesty. "She an Ah are datin," he confirms.

Chill Snowcat stands protectively by his friends. His gaze is locked on Protoman. He might not be able to do much, but he'll die trying to protect the pair. "They care for each other."

Blues looks again at Chill Snowcat, and says, "The fact that you are a Maverick Hunter allows you two warnings. That is exactly two more than I normally give anyone else. So, this is the second. Shut up and move. Sit over there, if you must continue to observe." He looks back at Kalinka and Bowie, dismissing Chill.

"So, you're dating? Really. What does Doctor Cossack think about all this? His darling daughter dating an artificial life form that can be disassembled and reassembled into a moderately advanced toaster?"

Kalinka sniffs -- though it isn't a sniffle of holding back tears; it's more like a sniff of disdain. "He knows all about this, Proto. We did go to him -first- and tell him."

"He's given me permission," says Bowie, in the same soft, honest tone. All embarrassment is gone, leaving his expression more stoic than any other evident emotion. Protoman's words sting, but he refuses to show how deeply he may have been cut.

Chill Snowcat makes a face, "Stupid unfeeling prototype....." He steps over by a foot, "Why don't ya leave them alone. Go find a stardroid to beat up on if ya gotta pick on someone."

"Snowcat, shut up." Are the only words from Bastion as he watches in silent testament to the situation. Besides, Bastion would hate to see a fellow Hunter turned into paste against the back wall.

Blues looks between the two, then his hand shifts back from the Protobuster. "If he knows, then I have no further objections." He turns around, and almost walks away before Chill speaks. That stops him, but he doesn't look over as he says, "I would suggest, Chill Snowcat, that in the future when I'm around, you are barely seen and never heard unless you have something world altering to say." He resumes his walk towards the door, stopping only to speak to Bastion.

"I am going to need about twenty of your city killers, as soon as you can get them. Some unfinished business."

Kalinka just stands there, staring blankly at the wall...not moving a muscle, just standing there. "......."

If Bowie had a heart, it'd be hammering in his chest. Not another word from the Texan.

Chill Snowcat shakes his head and then turns to smile at the pair, "Hey its okay..." He frowns at Kalinka's appearance and gently places a hand on her shoulder, "Hey sis you okay?"

Giving only the slightest of acknowledgements, "You'll have them if I can help you do whatever you've got planned to do." That faint glimmer in Bastion's optics show he's obviously hoping its something on the path of any numerous painful retributions to people who've made the world a darker place.

Blues nods, considering. Then he speaks, "I will want your help anyway. I intend to completely obliterate Starhaven, and remove any trace of it ever having existed. I started yesterday, and I don't like leaving things unfinished. Plan accordingly." With that, he steps through the doorway, and is gone.

[OOC] Bastion returns to OOCness.

Bastion has left.

Chill's tap on Kali's shoulder is enough to bring her out of her reverie, and she returns to the here-and-now more wound up than ever. "...Screw this. Just screw this. Why the hell did I come back here?? I am packing my bag and getting out of here. If I stay around here another second, I am going to lose my mind." She moves toward the door. "Very sorry, Chilly. And many regrets, Handsome. But I cannot even BREATHE around here. This is ridiculous. I am going to pack a travel bag." With that, she hustles out of the room, obviously furious. She's probably leaving quickly so she doesn't go on a smash-things rampage.

Kalinka enters the Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

Kalinka has left.

Blues enters the Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

Blues has left.

Chill Snowcat sends a radio transmission to Blues.

Bowie says "Kalinka...?" He reaches out a hand, as if to call her back. But he knows better. She may have the smile of her mother, but she's also very much her father. With a sigh, he heads out the door after her.

Hunter HQ - Barracks

This long, quiet hallway is kept bare of most furnishings, while a host of doorways lead to various sizes of crew quarters. While the former crew of the Fort Sam Houston were packed several to a room, there's space enough now for every Hunter to have their own individual quarters.

[To see Objects in here, type +objects.]

East <E> leads to Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "Protoman you hear me!? I hope someone makes you suffer like you made Kalinka and Bowie! Sorry reject of a mechanism!"

You paged Kalinka with '*rap* *rap* on the door.'.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "... What happened now?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Chill, shut up. Please."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "why don't you ask your precious PROTOCRAP! And I won't shut up! He hurt her and you! I had yas smilin and they ruined it!"

From afar, Kalinka(Kali) doesn't seem to be in her room...her door's open, and it looks like she was JUST in there...(Hint: If you wait in there or around there, she may be back soon)...her closet door is open, and there's a suitcase there. 8) So she hasn't gone far.

Long distance to Kalinka: Bowie stands outside the door, then.

From afar, Kalinka(Kali) doesn't exactly want to invite you into Cossack's Room. ^^;;;;;;

You paged Kalinka with 'Uh, no. That would be a bad idea.'.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Let him thank whut he wants. Ah don't care."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Right."

Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "She's leavin....she's leavin and I'm gonna be alone again. Makin you smile made me so happy. I didn't feel like a failure. And now I'll never be able ta make yas smile again cause it'll just remind yas of today. I'd rather Protojerk blasted me to a small pile of synthfur then have ta live after this."

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Calm down, Chill. Ah'm not blamin ya fer this. Ah'm sure she doesn't either."

Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "It doesn't matter if I'm blamed.....she's leavin....and she won't want me followin. And I'll be alone. Yer both gonna be so sad. I....I rather just never be found again."

<O-Hunter> Crazy Injun Bowie says, "And I am not a moderately advanced toaster. I at least rate a blender!"

<O-Hunter> Blues says, "Yeah yeah. ;)"

<O-Hunter> Coaster Raptor says, "Hey hey! I'm the only blender in this faction!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "See the coward can't even respond. He has to pick on others and then slink off to laugh at what he did."

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "*pained* Don't talk like that. Please. Yer not goin t'be alone. Ah'm still yer friend."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Chill, shut up."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "For god's sake, Chilly, if you will not listen to Bowie, then please listen to me...stop talking!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie sighs, "Chill, enough. Please."

Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "She's leavin....yer all gonna be sad....I had yas smilin.....I had yas smilin and they ruined it....they ruined it. And I'm leavin before I get in more trouble. Maybe Vava can finish what he started.....I dont' wanna see yas sad anymore. It's not fair....It's not fair! You were both laughin and smilin!"

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Get a hold a yerself, man! Ya don't need t'leave over this. *puase* Yes, ya had us smilin. An Ah thankee fer it."

Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "she's leavin....why can't I? She at least got people who love her here."

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Whut am Ah? Chopped liver?"

[Radio] You send Blues a direct message: "Ah love her. There. Ya happy now?"

Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Yer gonna be sad again....I don't want yas sad."

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Erryone gets sad sometimes, Chill. But Ah'm glad ya cheered us up."

Blues sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "No. You are artificial. Even if we assume that you are not merely artificial, you are still a different, and incompatible, species. Your lifespan is unknown, if not infinite, while hers is quite finite. Can you watch her grow old and die, becoming increasingly feeble while you retain as much functionality as maintenance will allow? Can you give her children, little human children that are the combination of genes donated by man and woman, husband and wife? Yes, I believe you love her, and that she loves you. her having found love makes me happy. The tragedy of that love fills me with unspeakable sorrow."

Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Why does she have ta leave. Especially with all the bad stuff going on. Everyone is gonna be sad and you'll end up leavin too. <sigh> Rigger ain't lettin me leave."

[Radio] You send Blues a direct message: "...Ah'm very much aware a the limitations a our relationship. Ah know Ah'll never be able to give her errythang she wants. Ah've known that since the beginnin a this. Ah'm not a human, nor do Ah want t'be. All Ah want is t'make her happy....if an when the day comes that Ah can't make her happy, then Ah will step aside."

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Ah'm goin t'try an talk her out a it. *sigh* She needs a chance t'cool off, if people would let her."

Blues sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Well enough if it is an amicable parting, but these things rarely are. Love is painful when it ends. Be it by death or by choice."

[Radio] You send Blues a direct message: "Better t'have love and lost, than t'have never loved at all."

Blues sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Is it?"

[Radio] You send Blues a direct message: "Ah thank so."

Chill Snowcat sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "please remind her that we love her?"

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Ah will. Once Ah find her."

[Radio] You send Chill Snowcat a direct message: "Meantime, try not t'annoy Protoman anymore. Ah druther he be angry at me than at you."

Blues sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I will agree to disagree on that point. You know my thoughts. I have made my position clear. If Doctor Cossack has no objections, then my own will be hencefoth muted."

Kalinka has arrived.

Kalinka emerges from her father's room, tears in her eyes as she makes her way up the hallway back toward her room.

[Radio] You send Blues a direct message: "Unnerstood."

Bowie stands next to the door to Kalinka's room, one foot propped up against the wall. He looks cross, yet distracted. Probably his radio.

[Radio] You send Blues a direct message: "Ah will never willingly do anythang t'hurt her. Ya have mah word on that."

Kalinka sidles up to Bowie, not too surprised to see him standing there, and she looks him in the eye, her own gaze reflecting regret for her temper. She's quite obviously sorry.

<Global News Network> <Alert> <Alert> Hello, this is Harry Exrehy on the space colony Eurasia. Unscheduled launches from the area of north Vietnam have recently been detected on our scope...unknown objects appear to be...one...two...no, roughly 15 blips... Telemetry reports indicate they...aren't headed to Starhaven? What? Then where are they headed?

Bowie's expression softens as he sees her, venturing something that might almost be a smile. Whatever anger he has, none of it is meant for her.

Kalinka suddenly embraces him, leaning up against the door to her quarters. "I am sorry...I was so mad, I just had to get out of there. I am not going anywhere. Especially now, not while Daddy is so sick. He cannot even sit up to drink. I am staying here."

Bowie is taken off-guard, but only for a moment. He wraps his arms about her, completing the embrace. "Ah unnerstand, sunshine," he says quietly. For him, there is nothing to forgive. His frown returns, but this time in concern. "Is thare anythang Ah can do, fer you or fer him?"

<Global News Network> This is Harry Exrehy again from Eurasia, the objects have apparently entered into visual range of the colony's main scanners... Here, live on GNN and no where else *off screen: Where else, we're a monopoly!* we will be showing you these images! *Image switches to an external view, against the drop of the glowing blue orb earth, and the sun in the far distance, fifteen craft of unknown make with at least 6 booster rockets each can be seen blasting from the inner orbit, and the camera pans as they continue off into the black void beyond, it then switches back to Harry* Hrm...i have reports that the high level military scanners reported seeing some sort of odd symbol on the rockets... *he puts his hand to his ear* ...a symbol for...Venus. How odd....

Kalinka says, "No, it is okay...I can be a nurse maid for him, I have done those duties when my grandmother has gotten sick, too. If anything, I...need you. I think now, I need you more than ever. Today has made me realize that."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rigger transmits, "Red alert. Spacial anomaly on the bridge."

Bowie holds her close, listening to the sound of her heartbeat. "Then Ah'm here fer you."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "Huh? Wh-where?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Isaac transmits, "What?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "Th-the H-Houston...?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rigger transmits, "If I knew what I wouldn't be using Star Trek technobabble. Yes, Lucent, the Base."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "C-coming..."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Isaac transmits, "I'm on my way."

Isaac has arrived.

Isaac enters the Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

Isaac has left.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rigger transmits, "It's almost as big as General. I'd suggest not getting too crowded in here."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Arafina transmits, "Want me t'stay just outside with a hammer or something just in case?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "Eee--eeeee..."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rigger transmits, "Stardroid on deck... Let's get the welcoming committee ready if it's not friendly."

Arafina has arrived.

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "Y-you're sure it's a S-stardroid...?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Arafina transmits, "Okay, I'm up now. Y'want me up there or are we trying not to get too many people in there?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rigger transmits, "It's big, it's ugly, it managed to teleport into the base. Call me paranoid if you will."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "...I th-thought the last one w-was, uh...'c-cute'..."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rigger transmits, "I never said that."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Alpha transmits, "Oh? ... It's not a Hunter?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Arafina transmits, "Okay. Not bringing crowbar. On m'way up, though."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "Other p-people w-were!"

Arafina exits her room, making sure the door's closed behind her before she heads out. She's not really looking around.

Bowie reluctantly lets Kalinka go. "Get some sleep, sunshine. Ah'll go see who's makin a ruckus upstairs."

Kalinka says, "Okay. Be careful now!"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Rigger transmits, "They weren't there."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Alpha transmits, "It looks like a koosh ball without the koosh."

Arafina enters the Hunter HQ - Residential Level.

Arafina has left.

You enter the Hunter HQ - Command Level.

Hunter HQ - Command Level

This deck once served as the command center of the Fort Sam Houston, and remains so today, restored and refit with the best in modern technology. Built in the shape of a broad semicircle, the command center's curved wall is dominated by sweeping observation windows- thick panels of reinforced glass ensuring durability while providing a panoramic and crystal-clear view of the surrounding tropical lagoon. An observation walk lining the inside of the windows offers an unobstructed approach to the view.

The room's focus, however, is the slightly raised platform in the middle, lined with consoles and computer banks, equipment to accommodate any need the Hunters may have. A matching host of monitors, displays and holo-projectors depend from the ceiling on heavy metal braces, within easy reach and view.

Isaac [MH] Lucent [Normal] [MH]

Alpha [Wing] [MH] Aldebaran [SD]

Chill Snowcat [Feline] [MH] Rigger [Lab] [MH]

Michael Eildath [Powersuit] [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.

Arafina arrives from the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.

Arafina has arrived.

Shortly after Alpha arrives, Lucent pokes his head out of the teleporter 'closet', peering around nervously. On spotting the big--red--Stardroid--thing sitting on the consoles, he squeaks in a distinctly disturbed way and ducks back into the teleporter. A moment passes before the minimedic actually nerves up to sneak out of the teleporter, toward Alpha, a chirping Powder clutched to his chest. Strange things.

Chill Snowcat just barely pulls his hand back as it falls, He reaches out to steady it from falling over, "Uh.....Hello? Do ya come in peace?" He furrows his brows, "Are ya friendly? Hurt?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Lucent transmits, "...K-kind of. I g-guess."

Rigger watches as the data feed from the consoles she'd been trying to save the data of suddenly ceases with a sickening crunch. Play time, it seemed. She turns again to face the newly formed Stardroid with a grim expression. "Alpha, please come over here. Far away from it." He, she, it? It worked well enough for now. A deep breath is taken as she watches it carefully. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Michael Eildath blinks, hand going to his gun as soon as the Stardroid appears, pulling out his pistol and thumbing off the safety. Mike is a paranoid soul... and he ain't taking chances. Rigger says all that he was going to say, so he... says nothing. Simple.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Commander Jet Stingray transmits, "Hunters, UNers, Jet here. Moving to try and figure out what is up with that vessel near the space station. You guys got anyone up here or is Repliforce running this one solo?"

Once again, Bowie demonstrates why he's the Hunter cavalry. He shows up at the last minute. The lift doors opening, depositing him and Arafina on the command deck.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Jet we've got a Stardroid paying us a visit. We're a bit bogged down."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alpha transmits, "He looks like a koosh ball without the koosh."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Patchup Panda transmits, "Youwaha?"

--

Aldebaran

Before you stands a massive Stardroid. Standing nearly as tall as General, his body is that of a sphere, massive and crimson in color. Assorted 'robot-like' decorations cover him, such as ports, small status lights, and indicators. His legs, as thick as tree trunks, are massive and not unlike Reploid legs in their form. His arms are large and heavyish. Atop the massive orb is a small 'head', with two optics and a mouth... unless he's in battle, when that head retracts into his massive torso, which itself becomes a gargantuan maw from which power is spewn out and sucked in.

--

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Why do they always pay you guys visits?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Rigger transmits, "Because I have horrible luck."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alpha pauses, "We have more koosh balls?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Isaac transmits, "Would you like us to tell them to visit you?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Barrage, we got two."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Commander Jet Stingray transmits, "Got it... Could you just ask him a little question for me then?"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "We had two this morning, Barrage."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent transmits, "I have a k-kooshball. It's n-not that b-big."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Barrage Raptor transmits, "I'd have to stock up on ammo first, but they can come...Play."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Barrage! No Stardroid-killing!"

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent transmits, "It j-just sort of s-sits there and d-doesn't c-crush anything..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alpha transmits, "Stardroid Kooshballs are probably bigger than Earth kooshballs."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent transmits, "...I l-like my k-kooshball..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Why not? They've tried to kill us like, three or four times."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Lucent sighs.

There is a massive Stardroid currently lying in the command center. Unfortunately for the Hunter's budget, he's also landed on at least one bank of consoles.

His body is sparking badly - all over, in fact. Covered with burns and damages, perhaps a hole or two now that he's actually visible, not obscured by an energy field. A loud, pained groan is audible. He doesn't seem to be quite up to answering questions, yet. Carefully, his arms move out, pushing himself up on unsteady arms, as he half-turns, as best as he can, to face the staring Hunters. Most disturbing of all, it appears that a chunk of his small head is badly, badly burned - a head-injured Stardroid. Great.

"...where..." he says, in a dazed manner, trying to put himself back together again mentally. "...they're coming..." he forces out, apparently having a hard time focusing just now.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "There is nothin' wrong with your kooshball."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF MSE Prismatic Spider transmits, "Because of the Big Evil Thing that's coming that killed them all BEFORE? We need information, Barrage."

Arafina exits the lift moments behind Bowie, both hands in her pockets and for all the world looking just like she's out for a stroll. Except for the irritated look, of course. That's different then most strollers.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Fine, fine. We'll kill that first. Then them."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] RF Captain Fusion Phoenix transmits, "They didn't ALL want to kill us. Let's just kill the ones that don't like us."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "I'm aware I don't got any rank that lets me do this, so I'm gonna ask instead. Don't shoot them. They shoot back and they have bigger guns."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Guess that could work."

Alpha decides pushing the Stardroid out of the way is a bad idea. So she merely puts the remaining four potted cacti on the Stardroid's head. Unless something blows them up. In which case she'd give the stardroid a very stern look. If the catci survive, however, she dusts her hands off and looks to Rigger, "We aren't allowed to let civilians in to be repaired, right? We should probably send him to Namura General."

Isaac arrives shortly after Bowie as the mock wily joins the other hunters. This the chance of a life time to talk to a Stardroid in person.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Isaac transmits, "Barrage you are denser than most Robot Masters."

Bowie scowls down at the Stardroid (or up, as the case may be), one hand curling into a fist. He is most definitely not the welcome wagon, though at least he has the courtesy to not reach for his pistols. Alpha's...bizarre...behaviour is noticed, but he's not going to say anything about it.

Lucent pauses to stare at Alpha as she puts the cacti on the Stardroid's...head. "Uhm, M-Miss A-Alpha? H-he...looks p-pretty hurt. E-even if h-he is a c-civilian..." He trails off, hugs the flit he's carrying again, and patters toward Rigger--making a big arc around the Stardroid.

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Commander Jet Stingray sounds rather... embarrassed. "I know this might seem dumb, but could you ask the visiting Stardroid if I could get some super powers. Just a few."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Harmony transmits, "Jet."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Abernathy transmits, "...Another one?"

Chill Snowcat frowns, "Ummm it ain't just a regular patient...." He reaches out a hand to help steady the stardroid. "whoa....hold on yer gonna hurt yerself more.....and damage another console if ya don't be careful..." He frowns, "He looks ta be in pretty bad shape....I don't think he'd be that dangerous....course I could be wrong."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Arafina transmits, "I don't think that's on our agenda. Sorry."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Alpha transmits, "He's a civilian, we can't keep him. He might not fit in a hospital room though...I guess Lucent's right."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Abernathy groans. "Why must I /always/ wake up to this sort of thing?" *click*

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Barrage Raptor transmits, "... Bah! You're strong enough without help from those aliens, Jet."

Michael Eildath blinks, looking at the giant balldroid, gun not quite going up to level at him. "What the..."

[Radio: (F) Joint-Secure] Sgt. Major Pallbearer transmits, "Cut the chatter down...we've got more important situations to deal with here."

Rigger bites at her lower lip as she watches others continue to file in. And she the commanding officer of most, it seems. A breath is huffed out as she stares at the Stardroid, head shaking at Alpha's suggestion. "Not in this case, Alpha." She clenches her hands into fists and steps slightly forward to get a better look at the burn on the injured Stardroid. "Fine, they're coming. We keep getting told that without getting any straight answers. For now though you don't seem to be in any condition to do anything about it." ... The question was, what TO do about this, then? Her head tilts towards Isaac a little, as well as Lucent. "...I suppose I should extend an offer to help with your injuries." Yeah this was just cray, but maybe they could get more information out of him if he were repaired, coherent, and around long enough to ask.

Isaac says, "He appears to be damaged to a large degree Mr. Eildath." Okay let the speaker do what he was made for as he walks towards the wounded Aldebaran. "You are on Earth Stardroid in Maverick Hunter HQ. May I ask as to who is coming?"

Aldebaran now has cacti atop his head. Which is bizarre, isn't it?

Strangely, he merely shows some irritation at the introduction of vegetable life atop his head. And even more oddly, against his internal convulsions and damage... he actually tries to keep them from falling and smashing on the ground. His optics rove the room, examining the occupants, one by one. It's a bit difficult to ascertain just what's going on in his head - he seems... dazed. Disoriented. Upon his optics falling on Rigger, he blinks, almost in recognition... "V... Venus?..." he half-asks, half-states... Isaac's question seems to snap him out of this. "...them... I... cannot..." he shakes his head. It takes concerted effort to force out the next sentence... he definitely seems to have the Stardroid equivalent of a head injury.

"My name... is Aldebaran... and you have no idea... how SCREWED UP... this is."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Lucent transmits, "...G-guys?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Lucent transmits, "I...d-don't think...we should b-be...asking him s-some many q-questions all at o-once."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Right."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Arafina transmits, "Nor do I think that, amusing at is it, we should put plants on his head."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Lucent transmits, "J-just if I h-had a head injury and a-appeared in a s-strange place...*sigh*"

Alpha looks to Isaac. She looks to the potted plant. She picks up the potted plant, kisses the pot it's in, and then looks to Isaac. She should, shouldn't she? The plant would probably die, but it would better the world. Alpha battles internally at the thought...and then sets the plant down. Not worth it, she decides. "Plants are healing.", she explains to Aldebaran, "Do you mind taking care of that one? I got one too many. I think Rigger has to fix your head first, though, you sound broken. I'm not sure if that's screwed up or not. What's it like being a koosh ball?"

Chill Snowcat looks around and sees that there isn't anything that would actually.....fit the strange shape of the star droid. He turns and with a rush of his fridge units, creates an ice seat that is vaguely the right shape. Turning again he moves the seat behind Aldebaran and tries to guide the star droid to the chair. "hey ummm why don't you sit down a minute....Might be easier ta focus if yer not tryin ta remain standin too...."

Michael Eildath just blinks.

Lucent finally manages to slink over to Rigger's side of the room without getting atomized or struck by a bolt of lightning from heaven or anything like that--and he immediately huddles behind the taller mechanic, watching the events taking place around the Stardroid nervously. "G-guys..." he begins again, and stops, 'frowning' deeply.

Arafina hasn't said anything at all. Actually, she's leaning on the wall, trying as much as she can to stay /out/ of the conversation. Nobody here but us bodyguards.

Bowie remains standing towards the back, both hands curled into fists. He has not had a good couple of days. This is just the icing on the cake, or more likely the straw that broke the camel's back. The Texan says nothing. Not because he was told to remain quiet, but because this is not the time to voice what's on his mind.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Lucent transmits, "...G-guys..."

Rigger reaches up to rub at the side of her head as everyone buzzes about the Stardroid. "I was, once. Briefly," she agrees. "But I am not Venus any longer and never quite was to begin with. It's complicated." A slow nod is given as the others move to try and seat him, or otherwise help. "I realize your technology is different than ours, but please. Perhaps we can do something."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Yes Lucent?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Lucent transmits, "N-never mind. I j-just d-don't know; i-it's like everyone is r-rushing him all at o-once..."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Arafina transmits, "I'm stayin' back here."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "That's because he broke our consoles, I think. Or maybe people like koosh."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Technologies, Lucent transmits, "B-but he's /h-hurt/!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, "Well It might keep the situation from becomin violent if we show we're tryin ta help? I'm tryin ta get him ta sit down so he don't fall again."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "That's why I gave him the cactus."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Arafina transmits, "...I don' follow."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Isaac transmits, "Rigger is correct we should attempt to help him."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha pauses, and then amends, "Cacti."

Aldebaran can barely stand. He more or less falls over into the chair with a loud *THUD* - somehow careful to avoid smashing the plant or anyone else in the room. It cracks loudly under the strain, but doesn't break.

"C...can't... can't stay... heeeerrre..." *fzzzzt* "...long ...all in... d-d-danger, it... it'll... follow me, maybe... can't... can't remember, tried to stop it..." he stammers out, unsteadily. He convulses a bit in his new-found seat. Spontaneously, one of the shattered sections on his armor begins healing itself, but it seems... sloppy. Not at all refined like you'd expect Stardroid technology to be. It crudely patches itself up, and it's questionable just how much good it did, after all. His body sparks once again.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Arafina transmits, "I agree, Isaac, so step back, 'cause all you're doin' is quizzing."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "See? He'll be okay. Angie thinks so too."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Isaac transmits, "I shall do so."

Isaac takes several steps back to let the Medics try to help the Stardroid heal himself up a bit.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Technologies, Lucent makes a quiet sort of 'meef' noise. "Th-that doesn't l-look okay t-to me..."

Chill Snowcat tries to support the Stardroid, "Please, I don't mean to bother....but what is it.....Can you tell us. What is it you are runnin from...."

"Very well," Rigger responds simply. No need to rush it, and she definitely didn't want whatever 'it' was following. "I don't suppose we'd get a straight answer as to what 'it' is, so..." She merely shrugs helplessly. "The offer was there. And to inform you, it seems fifteen ships with the Venus sigil launched from over Korea seconds before you arrived here." Hey. Might help if he knew where others of his kind were. She does however glance thoughtfully. "Was it Regulus you're fleeing? He seems the only not injured."

Michael Eildath hrms quietly, tapping a foot as others talk, feeling rather lost.

Alpha 's hand opens up as liquid metal leaks out and forms into a knife around her hand! Is she going to be stabbing people!? Nay, she just goes to trimming the cacti still on the console, breathing a sigh of relief now that they are all safe. She says, "Don't bother, he's broken. He has to fix himself first.", bluntly, and then adds, "I think I'll name this one Spike.", she studies the cactus. And then looks to Aldebaran, "You should name yours too.", and then looks back to her own cactus.

Lucent's expression gets increasingly bleak as he chats it up with the other Hunters via radio, before he glances up at Rigger as she starts trying to get answers out of Aldebaran. Then it's back at the Stardroid, the minimedic narrowing his eyes at the 'healing' armor.

Alpha 's tail wags a bit too, like a puppy tail.

Shield arrives from the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.

Shield has arrived.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Technologies, Lucent transmits, "M-Miss R-rigger?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Yes?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Technologies, Lucent transmits, "P-permission to h-help the S-stardroid?"

Aldebaran pants... "...would... tell you... if... could... remember..." His system whirrs and sparks. "Bad... damage... neural systems..." he pauses. "...gravity... source of... strong gravity... can drain, turn into... turn into..." He trails off. "Turn into..." He gestures, vaguely, at one of his injuries. Perhaps he can use the energy to heal himself? He convulses once more, dropping a part of armor onto the ground. It shatters into a million pieces.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Is he asking me to try and increase the level of gravity in his area?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Arafina transmits, "Anyone got one o' those little broom things an' something to sweep it in? An' yeah. Help the Stardroid, unless Rigger says not to...he'd better not."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "I don't understand 'broken stardroid' very well. *Sigh*"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Technologies, Lucent transmits, "M-Maybe. ...B-but if he's g-going to t-try draining it..."

Shield finally arrives from his oh-so-important trip of buying more ice cream. Yes, ice cream. However, at the mention of gravity, he seems to reconsider moving any closer to the stardroid, and hangs back well away from it.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "If yer goin t'play with gravity, lemme clear out first."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Isaac transmits, "Perhaps he could use a supply of energy to help his own systems?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Been trying that myself but I don't know if he'd let us. That's an idea, Isaac."

King Kitsune has connected.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "We could let him die and attempt to harvest the information we need from his neural net."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Chill Snowcat transmits, " Can someone make heavy gravity near him in a controlled area? if he needs it....he can use it? If its something else then he can stay away from it?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Technologies, Lucent transmits, "SH-SHIELD! Th-that's a h-horrible idea!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "I don't know how strong my gravity is, but I can try?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Technologies, Lucent stops. "Uh...s-sorry. D-didn't m-m-mean to s-snap..."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Shield transmits, "It's a practical idea. But it is only one option. Helping it is another option."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Alpha transmits, "Yes, Shield. It would probably break our computers."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Wait a moment."

Rigger frowns at all the radio chatter, as well as the dropping piece of armor that shatters. "Do you need the gravity increased, then?" She asks hesitantly as many were wondering the same thing. "The strongest source of gravity we had was destroyed last night in orbit."

Arafina actually speaks up, then. "Or d'you need to get /out/ of t'gravity? I think the training room's set up to handle zero-g, not that I've ever done it myself."

Alpha looks to Rigger, "I can do it. I cannot say it would be much, but if he's going to drain it, every little bit helps, I imagine.", as she says so, she seems to float a little bit, preparing to throw what she has at him, it seems.

After a moment of thought, and radio, Lucent moves to set Powder down on the nearest uncrumpled console...before easing around Rigger, clicking his talons together in nervous idiosyncracy. Though, as Alpha moves forward--he hangs back, sighing. Guh.

Aldebaran nods. "Gravitational... emissions... can utilize..." He glances towards Alpha. "...you... will donate?..." Another piece of armor falls off, shattering. Oddly enough it seems to partially grow back - it's hard to tell whether he's slowly getting better or about to just shatter to a million pieces in front of everyone.

[OOC] Bowie needs to get some sleep. Pretend I'm here in the background, looking like a disgruntled postal worker.

[OOC] Lucent snugs Bowie.

[OOC] Aldebaran LOL

[OOC] Alpha hugs Bowie

[OOC] Bowie waves and hugs around. try not to break him too much, okay?

Shield continues to stay well away from the Stardroid and any possibly ensuing gravity fields. Oh, and he charges up his gauss rifle just in case somebody needs to finish off the intruder.

"Do it, Alpha," Rigger requests with a small confirming nod. If that's what was needed... It sounded as if it might be. "I suggest everyone gravity weak get out of the way." If anyone. She wasn't going to check right now.

Michael Eildath backs up, since he's human.

Arafina unobtrusively heads back towards the lift, though she leaves it closed rather then stepping in it. "Right," she says, "at least we get a /warning/ this time."

Lucent is already well out of the way, not having made a close approach to Alde. Sigh.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "Ether, do you just do anti-gravity or gravity as well?"