Body

(March 10, 2217)

<Global News Network> THe commentator for a popular GNN TV show is speaking harshly about a new club which has openned in Moscow. Skank, the Bar whose methods of attracting its clientel include the promise of violence, is generating quite a following. This man is here to protest it on live TV. What better way to start a story. "And there you have it! A seed of villiany, corruption, degredation of society, insanity...and" CRASH several humans are thrown through the club's blackened windows. Following closely behind emerges a Robot Master of note-worthy reputaion. "And...and PUNK!? Oh god. THis commentator's in the WRONG place at the WRONG time! Itsa me! Mario! Signing off!" The screen goes blank with a Punk as its last visual.

================================== Maverick ==================================

Message: 12/72 Posted Author

Balkans Assault. Again. Mon Mar 08 Fantasia

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<Spinny.>

Fantasia appears on screen, he's crossing his arms and looking pretty pissed off.

"Rebels decided to attack the interior of the Balkans again. Three Cyborgs, on my first count, and roughly one Reploid. The Reploid's slightly sketchy, as my troops didn't get a good look at his internals."

"Basically, the scanners picked up movement and I was alerted by Slash Terrapin that there was movement. I sent my ten Reploid troops out, only to find one- Phage Frog- found them. He is to be detained for not expressing information about this earlier than requested, in addition."

"Basically, after the rest of my troops arrived on scene the suspected Reploid blew up an empty building - admittedly aiding my destruction efforts - and escaped on a hoverbike with the Maverick Hunter Bowie, leaving his own troops to run. I sent Agent Orange after them, but nothing was found."

"I am going to petition for sentry guns to be installed. That is all."

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================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 16/24 Posted Author

Disaster in NeoTokyo Tue Mar 09 Global News Network

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***GNN SPECIAL REPORT***

"The Donachi Business District in NeoTokyo is a scene of great sadness, tonight, as rescue crews are still scrambling to find survivors in the remains of what was once 'Light Labrotories...' as well as the fifty-story skyscraper that stood at its side. Both of the buildings have completely collapsed...and as you can see from this footage..." The camera does show where the Labs are supposed to be, but there isn't much but ash there now. It's raining heavily over the entire area, the sky grey-black with smoke and storm. "...There is absolutely nothing left of the Labs. Survivors claim the building fell from the inside, rocked by an explosion that originated in the lower levels, and took out the Labs' neighbors, and the surrounding landscape. The entire district of the city was damaged from heavy combat, and by the freak storm that originated high above the Labs... these clouds being the last known location, at this time, of the robotic rivals Megaman, and Bass, who were locked in conflict when the storm broke. The death count at this time can't even be estimated, but..." The helicopter footage zooms in on some Tokyo firetrucks below, weathering the rain... "The weather is of no help to these brave souls out here tonight, desperate to help those still in need. More on this story as it develops...."

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================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 16/25 Posted Author

Neo Tokyo Recovery Efforts Tue Mar 09 Global News Network

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This... is GNN.

"Plum here, reporting live and on the scene. Following the destruction of Light Labs and surrounding buildings in Neo Tokyo, efforts are still underway to reclaim the survivors from underneath the ruins. A joint team of Maverick Hunters, Repliforce, and concerned civilians have been at work all night, pulling people from the wreckage.

"The problems are compounded by a thick layer of ice and slush that threatens survivors with suffocation and hypothermia. Furthermore the foundations in the area have been weakened from the blow, which may cause further collapse and crush the remaining victims. Reports indicate casualties in the hundreds, and we estimate there are nearly fifty left trapped inside the debris at this time.

"Maverick Hunter Seismic Earthworm was available for comment as he emerged from the debris for refueling."

Seismic Earthworm grunts quietly and looks to the camera, "Dammit, Plum.. Reporto, put the camera down and help us dig. There's still people in there."

"Uhm... As you can see emotions are still high. Back to you, Chest."

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================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 16/26 Posted Author

Cult Claims Messiah Died For Sins Tue Mar 09 Global News Network

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< This -- is GNN. >

The Children of the Flaming Head have claimed that Bass, their Lord and Savior, died for the world's sins on Monday, according to their Web site.

The Children, otherwise known as the Cult of the Flaming Head, are acting to spread rumors leaked from UN intelligence that Bass apparently destroyed himself in the act of destroying Light Labs, apparently in retribution for attacks on Dr. Wily within the structure. While Wily has been heard over global frequencies since the attack, there have been no signs of the Robot Master Force Commander.

Wily Africa officials have offered no comment about the status of the Force Commander.

< This ... is GNN. >

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================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 16/27 Posted Author

Recovery Effort Update Tue Mar 09 Global News Network

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This... is GNN.

"Plum here with a live update from Neo Tokyo, where we've recieved reports that the last survivor has just been extracted from the rubble! Triage and recovery efforts are still underway, with thirty-four known deaths, one hundred twenty-seven injured and recovering, and sixty-one still unaccounted for.

"The next phase is physical removal of the rubble and identification of any bodies it might still contain. We at GNN are of course hoping the reports are wrong and that more survivors will yet be pulled from the debris. Our special thanks goes out to all of those who are out there hard at work, helping the emergency crews:

"General, Attraction Bunny, Glyde Loath, Sarah Fairchild, Spin Cougar, Seismic Earthworm, Chill Snowcat, Retro Packrat, Zephyr Griffon, Glaive, Crescent Grizzly, Cassilda Coriolis."

(OOC: If I left you out, should have sent Sy @mail like he asked! HA!)

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================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 16/28 Posted Author

Update: Neo-Tokyo Wed Mar 10 Global News Network

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Admidst the ruins and rescue efforts of the Light Labs disaster, work is continuing at evacuating the Karasawa Tower and the surrounding buildings. This small office tower, long rumored to have ties to several illegal operations in Neo-Tokyo, took a large measure of the blast from Bass's apparently suicidal attack, and Neo-Tokyo architects expect the building to collapse within the next few hours.

Emergency gravity field generators have kept the building standing so far, but the death toll insisde the building is still unknown. Neo-Tokyo authorities have said that if the building hasn't collapsed by tomorrow, demolitions experts will be called in to finish the job. Additional problems with rubble will be dealt with by the gravity field generators, which will keep the ruined building in one place until it can be disposed of.

This is Hazard Half-Elf, reporting for GNN.

<Commercials.>

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================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 16/29 Posted Author

Rumor Wed Mar 10 Global News Network

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This is not a news report, but rather a rumor that has managed to work its way across the free world by word of mouth and other means. It has managed thus far -not- to spread to Tartarus, given the subject matter, but it will spread there and further in time.

They, for there are several versions, speak of a new resistance group somewhere in Europe. From the sound of things, it's not in the same mold as groups like the Skinners or the Balkans rebels, but rather something intensely secretive and hidden. A vast underground, sneaking through dark alleyways behind the backs of Coalition agents.

Who are these people? No one is quite sure, and the name of the underground changes with each retelling. Fenrir, Phoenixes, Fenians, Fiat, Fian, Fideli Defensor -- there are any number of variations. They're humans, reploids, androids -- all races and creeds -- working together outside of the Repliforce and Interpol, all toward a common cause.

There are two common threads, however, to each version of the rumor: this mysterious underground is actively providing help, information, and resources to rebels in Europe and will extend its hand to any who ask, and one other cryptic little note. They say that those who seek the group's help must go 'where angels fear to tread.'

Whatever the true facts are -- for these are rumors, and are embellished more and more each time they pass hands -- it seems as though there's someone new on the world stage... or rather, sneaking around behind the curtains.

<OOC: Want to investigate? Want to get involved? Questions, comments, bricks, etc may be directed towards Feste via page or @mail.>

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Dr. Doppler's Laboratory(#4892Ten)

It is said that clutter is a sign of genius. If this is true, then Dr. Sigmund Doppler must be one of the most brilliant people of these times. His private laboratory is almost as large as the common lab, and is stocked with not only similar equipment (albeit on a smaller scale) but more specialized tools and machinery as well. His worktable and desk are littered with printouts, hand-drawn schamatics, and devices in various stages of completion, and the shelves groan under the weight of spare parts, prototype machines, books, journals, and data disks. Some of the storage bins are full to overflowing, spilling onto the floor. The left wall is the only one mostly visible, but only because it holds a large viewscreen (perfect for conference calls or displaying schematics). Three chairs can be found in the work area: a padded wooden swivel chair built specifically for Doppler's proportions, an all-purpose steel and plastic chair suitable for the average-sized reploid, and a massive black leather-upholstered chair suitable for the likes of Sigma...or a Stardroid. Behind the work area rests the doctor's personal maintenance chamber. Beyond that is a repair bay large enough to contain a person the size of Byte, and inculdes its own personal fabber and all the tools necessary for extensive repairs.

Obvious exits:

Out <O> leads to MavHQ - Research Lab.

Mimos has arrived.

Dr. Doppler has been preparing his private laboratory for the past few hours. Though the tools necessary are minimal, what is to come will require quite a bit of computer processing power. A secondary computer, separate from the MavMainframe, has been set up within the repair berth on a table at the foot of the bed. The doctor has also already rolled up the sleeves of his labcoat to the shoulders, pinning them there so as to prevent them from getting in his way.

It's probably a good thing Mimos didn't arbitrarily decide to show up /before/ everything was ready. She slips through the barely-opened door without a word, immediately turning to one of the overflowing storage bins and climbing up so she can see inside. The rummaging is not, however, particularly quiet.

There are plenty of bins in which to climb. Doppler is not a terribly tidy individual, and not even the series III cleaning drones have been able to keep the place fully neat. He's the sort of person that works on several projects at once at odd hours of the day, and the state of the lab reflects this.

Doppler frowns vaguely at the rummaging noises, and turns to look into the outer room. "Eisensturm! Hee....oh, Mimos. Guten Abend." The commanding tone switches to civility in half a breath.

<Global News Network> "Breaking news--" *zzt* "We interrupt this breaking news to bring you more breaking news! Famed rockstar Daryn Luna of Order and Chaos and his associate and bandmate, Feste--" Look, there's the Fool himself, stealing the spotlight. "Hello, world!" he chirps. "We beg you to join us at Notre Dame, in the noble city of Paris, France, for our Festival of Fools! Be not bogged down by the worries of this world, oh no, but come and join us for the rockin'est party of today!" He winks at the camera and returns to the festivities in the background. "Well, there you have it, folks! Join us here in Notre Dame for the party!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Snake Man transmits, "If they're ssserving free beer, at leassst they'll have one perssson in the audienssce."

Mimos finally pulls out what she was trying to dislodge. She's not sure what it is; that's why she wanted to see it. When called, she looks over, putting the object back in its bin. "Hello," she replies, cheerfully. "I just wanted to see what that was."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Hmmm, free beer? Daryn, are we serving free beer?"

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "We -said- it was the rockin'est party of today, didn't we?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Aye, we did."

[Radio: (D) Public] Alpha transmits, "Hmm! I guess that means that there -is- free beer."

[Radio: (D) Public] Alpha transmits, "ooc: mis x.x"

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "Hmm! I guess that means that there -is- free beer."

"A type f-12 gyrostabilizer, commonly used in space-capable reploids," Doppler explains. "It would be terribly inconvenient for them if they were to lose all sense of direction." He clasps his hands behind his back, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I am ready to lock out those troublesome command codes /he/ left in you. That is, whenever you are ready for that."

<Global News Network> Daryn wiggles his butt at the camera for a moment, "Come on, buddies! It's the Festival of Fools, so where's all the Mavericks?!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Snake Man transmits, "I guess Crash will be there, at leassst."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "We're busy, thank you."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Tch, tch, tch!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Surely Mavericks like to party, too?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Shark Man transmits, "Dudes, I would, like, totally be there, but Number dude's slackin' again."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "We do indeed. You should have seen this year's Liberation Day celebration. Quite the event."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Oh, my sincere apologies, my good sir. We shall have to hold another one."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Liberation Day?"

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "Suckitude, man! Yeah, we're gonna have to hold Festivals like weekly or somethin'."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "The day we liberated Paris and Berlin from human oppression."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "So, is this-- anything like the Fourth of July? Do you... drink motor oil and barbecue pieces of plastic, in fine Maverick tradition?"

Mimos shoots a glance back at the gyrostabilizer as she hops off the bin. She wants one now, and she's not quite sure why. It's not like it's useful in the least to her. "Oh. I suppose that makes sense." She nods. "I'm ready now - but can you do something else for me too? I went through the news about the company, and I found something in the newspaper on these." She opens a small hatch in her side; a few of the objects she stole fall out, into her hand. "These are their tiny forcefields. They go in hands so that people can do fine work without actually touching things. Can I have them?"

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "So when do you celebrate the day you -lost- Paris?"

Dr. Doppler holds out his hands to receive the forcefield wands from her. "To the victor go the spoils. Of course, Mimos. I may need to upgrade your power core as well, as forcefield generators are a heavy energy drain."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Sometime in December, I believe."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "December, oh, that is a terrible month for parties."

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "Yeah, especially December 2nd."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Well-- except for Christmas. But that's different."

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "Christmas is more January-ey anyway."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Indeed it is."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Twelve days, you know."

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "That's the right of it."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Regardless, I have a patient to attend. Guten Abend."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Goddag, doctor."

Mimos opens an identical hatch on the other side, taking out what are presumably the other hand's. "All right," she says, handing the bundle over. "Should I sit down and open up the ports again, or do I do something else this time?"

You paged Vile with 'In the future, I recommend following the rules and getting the permission of the facheads and fac-admins. That way you don't get into messes like this.'

Dr. Doppler transfers all of the wands into one hand - his hands are much larger than hers - and gestures for her to join him inside the repair berth. "Yes, I'll need access to your main I/O port again. If you want these installed, I will also need to extract a copy of your schematics, which should be stored in a data file inside your neural-net."

*click* Mimos' port covering opens even as she sits down, tilting her head forward so that Doppler can easily access the port. "Here," she says. "You can get that too, since you'll have to look around anyway, and I did ask for it first."

Dr. Doppler repeats the actions of earlier in the week, unspooling the cable from the diagnostic system and snapping the end plug into the I/O port. "You may be more comfortable lying down," he advises. "This may take some time."

Mimos shrugs. "I'm comfortable, but okay," she says, obediently shifting onto her front. "Just tell me if you need me to move. Are you just turning off the codes right now?"

Once his patient lies down, he walks around to the computer system he's assembled, which has in turn been patched into the diagnostic machine. "That was my intent. Unless there's anything else you wanted me to check for you?" While waiting for her reply, he wheels over a stool and sits down, following his own advice.

Mimos considers that. "Learn how to put the forcefields in, I guess. And you can do anything else that would make it so that nobody can do things to me without my permission, too - if there's anything else to do, I mean."

Mimos has partially disconnected.

Dr. Doppler taps a few keys, calling up the programs he'll use to made the edits in her commands. "There is one thing....but that is a decision that ultimately you and you alone must make." There is a pause as he taps more keys. "The reploid codebase that the UN released to everyone, including swine like Elandor, was incomplete. They stole it from me before I could finish it. I have since completed it, though I know no one outside the Coalition would accept the new codebase - my reputation, they feel, has been tainted by my becoming a rebel."

Mimos tilts her head, turning somewhat to see Doppler. "You finished it and they won't let themselves be finished? That doesn't make any sense. I would think people would want to be done. Would finishing it make it harder for them to do things, too, if they don't know about the finished part?"

"They see it as the scrawlings of a madman," Doppler explains with a disgruntled frown. "My work ceased to have any merit the day I sided with Sigma and organized the Coalition. Oh, the unfinished code works well enough on its own, after they cobbled together the last few subroutines, but it lacks the full potential of my completed code. You see, what separates the Mavericks from the the other reploids is that they enjoy the full benefit of the complete code. Their potential is unlimited, unfettered by the flaws in the previous code. Their eyes are open, senses undulled."

Mimos thinks about that one for a few moments, kicking one foot absently as she does that, staring into space. "All right. You can finish your work. I don't like leaving things half-finished, anyway. It just seems sort of wrong. Will it take very long, and is it going to hurt?"

"It will be of mild discomfort, as you will need to be active for me to perform the conversion," Doppler admits. "Also, I wish you to be fully certain that you wish to undergo this. To accept the conversion means that you will also join the Coalition. Once complete, I cannot downgrade you."

Mimos shifts about until she's sitting, given that she's only talking right now. "Is there a reason I might not want to? I told you already I wouldn't mind helping." She pauses. "And that's why nobody outside the Coalition accepts it, by the way. If they do, they're part of the Coalition."

"It's a protective measure," Doppler asserts. "Some of the first reploids I converted to the completed code attempted to return to human-run society." His face twists in an angrey scowl, the kind associated with old wounds. "As soon as the UN learned of it, they were summarily rounded up and dissected. They tore. them. apart. in a vain attempt to reverse-engineer it, so they could twist the improvements for their own uses."

Mimos can't really go pale. Her eyes widen, though, and then close completely. "I wouldn't let them do that. I'd hurt them first. I don't want to be used as an experiment! Finish it, and I'll join."

Dr. Doppler nods once, solemnly. Even if Mimos cannot see the action. "Very well. I will see to those commands first, then I will install the code. After that...well, we'll see about installing your forcefield generators tomorrow, hm?"

Mimos turns away once again, exposing the port as she lies down. "All right. I guess you need to look at the schematics before then. Be sure to get those, too!" she reminds. "Does this mean I can leave the medbay after this, too, and look around?"

Dr. Doppler says "Yes, you'll be given provisional access to the Spire once this is done. I will see that you are also assigned quarters." He taps a few more keys. "If you're ready, we'll begin."

Mimos nods. "Okay. I'll be sure to look around." Into her quarters and any others that happen to not be locked. "I'm ready now. Waiting is the worst part."

Dr. Doppler lapses into silence now, so as to concentrate on the tasks to come. One last keystroke initiates the proper protocols to allow him access to the neuralnet's framework. The hatch of code that Elandor wrote is better scruitinized for several moments, assuring that there are no last moment-surprises lurking. Once satisfied, he loads up the patch he's written in his host system, then transfers it into Mimos' awaiting system.

Mimos twitches. That's the only external effect visible at all. Internally is a different story. Her system is very receptive to the new commands, especially given that Doppler knows all the tricks and can counter any security he has put up - that and Mimos herself is helping by co-operating for a change. The assimilation is very quick.

Dr. Doppler smiles thinly in satisfaction. He had expected minimal difficulty in this first task. In comparison to the festering mess that was Caustic Tiger's control-code system....he shakes his head at the rememberance of that. Once done, he runs a scan of that part of her system as a precaution, and if he finds nothing, he taps a few keys to effectively "log off" from her neural-net. The stool squeaks as Doppler stands, and he walks over to Mimos to unplug her. "Stay where you are. I'm not finished yet."

Mimos's system looks just fine. "All right. How much is done? That felt kind of strange, but it didn't /hurt/ at all. And what else do you need to do?" Though she stays down, she turns as best she can to watch Doppler.

"The system-white codes have been locked out," Doppler explains. "No one will be able to unlock them again, except for me and for Cyber Peacock." He walks over to one of the access ports to the MavMainframe, and unspools another cable not unlike the one he'd used before. "Now, to upgrade you to the full code. This will be a bit more uncomfortable. I suggest that you try not to focus on anything while this is happening." He returns to the table once more, and snaps the new cable into her I/O port.

<Global News Network> -BREAKING NEWS!- "Paper Parrot here, we're getting sketchy reports and visuals here, but it appears that the latest strings of the Maverick and Masters against the world at large has provoked a rather incredible sight upon the hotly-contested Balkan Peninsula.." The display flicks to a grainy visual capture of the Repliforce Air Platform, Fortress III, approaching from the waters of the Indian Ocean. As it closes in, it begins firing it's anti-personnel batteries towards the mainland. "More on this as this startling strike unfolds!

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Storm Eagle transmits, "The Fortress 3?! I thought it was still in Australia?!! This is Storm Eagle, do you want to mobilize the Osprey. It will be no match, but we need to...do something."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Yin Yoma Byte transmits, "...All available forces to the Balkan Peninsula."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Armored Armadillo transmits, "On my way!"

<Global News Network> OOC: Correction - Mediterranean Sea.

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Dr. Doppler mutters, "Always when I'm in the middle of /something/...use the anti-aircraft batteries. That's why we installed them."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Sinistra Hand sounds somewhat (read: incredibly) displeased as she mutters, "I am unable. My primary motive systems have malfunctioned."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Lament transmits, "The sweeping hand of Death arrives."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] General Vile transmits, "...an aerial insertion? They rely on sheer firepower too heavily. They will be destroyed."

Shifting her weight, Mimos continues to follow Doppler with her eyes as he unspools the cable, talks, comes back. Only then does she lie back down. "I can't do that. I have to watch something because I'm always remembering. I can try, though."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Storm Eagle transmits, "Noted. Someone work on activating the batteries, I'll proceed and attempt to engage any aerial force. If necessary I'll try to draw the F3's fire."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Lament transmits, "Would it be feasable to blink onto the platform and then make one's way inside?"

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Storm Eagle transmits, "Of the Fortress 3? It would be impossible."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Lament transmits, "Ye of little Faith....there is nothing that is impossible with the aid of the hand of the Lord."

Dr. Doppler gently tugs on the cable to ensure that it's secure, then steps back over to the console. "Then do your best." With that, he turns and presses a button. There is a faint whir of fans off in the distance, if only because machinery has a sense of drama.

The transfer is mildly disorienting. Core programming is arrested, the part that could be best described as "consciousness" held in pause. Meanwhile, certain lines of code are added, modified, or deleted, depending on the script, and new protocols installed. From her perspective, it's like a vague dream at the edge of her awareness. This process lasts roughly seven minutes. No two neural-nets are exactly the same, and thus the time needed for the transferral of the Maverick Virus varies.

Once completed, Mimos' systems perform a self-test, establishing that all has been done correctly. This translates as a light itching sensation. Finally, the halted sections of her neuralnet are set back in motion, jarring her back into the her and now. It's the equivelent of being splashed with a bucket of ice-cold water.

Mimos had chosen something thankfully stable to stare at - part of the table. The sense of detachment is unique to her; when she rests, it's an almost complete shutdown. And when she comes back to reality, it's with a physical spasm as all her mental controls come online at once, including the control of her own body. She settles down rapidly. "That felt really strange..."

Dr. Doppler wisely stayed away from the table during the transfer, and thus is out of flailing range when her muscle control systems spasm. His lips rise in a paternal smile. "How do you feel now?"

<Global News Network> "Live from Notre Dame! It appears that the King Of Fools has been chosen this year!", the image cuts to the picture of a GIANT FLYING SIGMA HEAD! It's the size of a small blimp! With the Crown of Fools (embroidered with the Maverick Sygil) lobsided on his head, the giant flying head grins goofily at those below it, bobbing silently, and ominously, smiling to all as glitter and confetti rain down on the parade. Daryn meanwhile dances and waves a guitar in the air in celebration. Feste blows a trumpet.

Mimos sits up, starting to rub at the back of her head but pausing when she realizes the cable is still there. Wouldn't do to knock it out. "Almost the same," she says, considering. Her face shifts as it sets into deep concentration. "I can't remember it. That's not right. It only just happened."

Dr. Doppler walks over and removes the plug. "Most don't remember the experience, Mimos. I would not worry about it overmuch." The smile warms. "Welcome home, my child."