Camera> Business District - MavBerlin

Camera>

The economic machine of Berlin still trudges onward after the takeover, albeit not as swiftly as it once did. The extermination of humans from the city itself has cut down on alot of business, but nonetheless, stores are still doing what they do best. The streets here are filled with traffic and reploids going about their day, trying to live a normal of life as possible considering what has happened. The Mavericks patrol the streets here as well, but seem to be content to let reploids go about their business.

Camera> Sigma [Sigma] [M] Berlin Upgrades

Glitterdance Studios Freedom Tower [M]

Camera> South <S> leads to Imperial Stronghold - MavBerlin.

North <N> leads to Perimeter North - MavBerlin.

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Byte transmits, "...The Darkness comes... the world trembles with the sound of the war. ...How glorious."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Overclock transmits, "You've got a f***** weird sense of glorious."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Dr. Doppler transmits, "You have fought well, my children. Know that I am proud of you."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Byte transmits, "Death is always glorious, my good Overclock. And yes, Father."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Byte transmits, "Berlin is a City of the Dead with the number of people who have died."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Overclock transmits, "And you like that?"

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Byte transmits, "Do you not? ...The smell of death gives me the first true sense of Peace I have had for a long time. ...The end comes, Overclock. Embrace it, or embrace your own fear and dishonor yourself. ...Thus is the way of things."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Crush Crawfish transmits, "Death filters the weak.."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Dr. Doppler transmits, "If we are to die today, we will die free, not lived chained."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Overclock transmits, "I'm not afraid to kill. I just don't see why it's so fantastic to slaughter the weak when you can help them."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Vile transmits, "Enough rhetoric. Prepare your positions for the coming battle."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Overclock transmits, "Yes, sir."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Dr. Doppler transmits, "All is ready, General."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Byte transmits, "You are allowed that viewpoint, Overclock. It is completely understandable. ...Your compassion does you no dishonor... ...but, like the enemies we fight, we are of all things. Good. Evil. Kind. Cruel. ...All that is dishonorable, is not being true to yourself."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Byte transmits, "I am prepared, Vile."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Vile transmits, "Then continue to ensure everything is ready."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Mimos transmits, "It's not fantastic. It's just messy."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Byte transmits, "Bit is engaging in some last minute repairs... then the Godmachine will rampage through the enemy lines this night."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Crush Crawfish transmits, "Waterways are being kept secure.."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Free beer and cheese.. life is good.."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "You Masters are so totally dead."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "Well, we seem okay so far."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Once we save Berlin, we're turning Paris back to the way it was."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "You'll never defeat the forces of Wily!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "*staticy* Now can you eat when you have a piece of metal where a mouth is supposed to be, anyways?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "'We'? You and what army." "Don't answer that." "What? Ain't like she's GENERAL."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Speaking of General..."

[Radio: (D) Public] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "Well... Most of it, Ongaku. I'm keeping my prizes... ...Ahh... Surrounded by the works of Leonardo. Life is good."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Interpol... and the Repliforce... and the Maverick Hunters too! We're going to team up and steamroller all of you for what you did to France behind our backs!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "And maybe even the Irregular Overlords too?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Nah. The Irregular Overlords aren't allowed in the country."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "Why not just let us keep taking things over? We've already cleaned up the country immensely."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "I mean come on.. The country FINALLY smells good."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Yeah, just check out our rules for uberGermany. They're very wise."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "We'll have to take your word for that, Dust."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Seen them on the Internet already, you sick ****ards."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "So did it smell bad before?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "And if there was ever proof needed of how a world bossed around by Wily would be a lunatic's nightmare made real, no-one ever needs to look further than that list."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "It reeked."

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "And you don't have a nose! How can you tell?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "...That's why we asked."

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Dust Man doesn't have a nose either!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Just out of curiousty, what's wrong with our rules?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "You. Are. All. WARPED."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Warped as in totally psychadelic and awesome?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "France is infinitely better without all of those damn French people in it."

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "At least /we/ don't surrender every time someone sets off a firecracker."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Suck that Germany!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Liese Schreiner answers that with a laugh. It starts as a chuckle but rapidly blooms into a full-fledged, resonating Maniacal Cackle, before coming to a sudden halt.

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "You ****ed-up monsters are killing everyone and forcing everyone that's left to dance to Wily's crazy tune! You killed every Reploid you could see! You're making babies smoke! The whole country is turning into scorched earth!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Cut Man transmits, "I give it a 6.4."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Hey hey hey!.. We also made a giant D, R, and W."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "HEY! How dare you insult Burner Man brand cigarettes! They're clean, healthy, and delicious."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "If you don't have lungs to pollute, that is."

[Radio: (D) Public] Wilyconotresponibleforblacklungdisease

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "To our defense: France needed a lot more work than Africa. We needed to get rid of all the annoying French."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "Africans, on the other hand, are fine."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "See? We're not racist."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Dust Man... if you get pegged in the head by a great big chunk of ice any time in the next few days, I've got a feeling that would be Riptide SPITTING on you from Heaven. You destroyed one of the most beautiful landmarks in the world! You've made the City of Love into a worse hell than the city of Tartarus!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Hey, I do what Wily commands. And Riptide understood that."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Whoa, excuse me, it stopped being the city of love when the mavericks had it."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "You gotta destroy things before you can repair 'em."

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "Jesus Jumped-Up Gates, you 'good guys' are noisy little pests."

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Look who's talking, bulb-head."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "You monster... even if I have to break into the Wily Mainframes, Dust Man, I'm going to tear you to energy rings and delete every last backup that exists of you! Dust Man, DO YOU HEAR ME?!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "Wow. Impressive. You have a friend."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Anyone else sensing the hatred?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "I have no idea why you hate me so much. How about a Dust Man brand Vacuum?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man pipes in some Emperor Palpatine. "Good! Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Ooh, how much are they, Dusty?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Only 100 easy payments of 3 zenny!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "But... Yea. Remember, we need to focus on one world dominating faction at a time."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "I'll take one! My room needs a good cleaning."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "I'll scrap you, Dust Man... I'll make you hurt... I'll make you PAY!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Yes, you'll have to pay by refunding him the purchase price of your vacuum."

[Radio: (D) Public] Enker transmits, "Please child. You couldn't pay a toll, much less make dust man pay."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "I really don't know why you hate me.. I mean come on. We were both friends of Riptide."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai breathes in loudly and chokes, voice trembling. "Enker... butt... out. She died because of you. I couldn't save her from you, you monstrous overgrown street sweeper. She spent her whole life sad, suffering and hurting and all you Robot Masters KILLED her. And because you don't have the capacity for love and emotion you ALL THINK IT'S OK."

[Radio: (D) Public] Blues transmits, "Shut up."

[Radio: (D) Public] Enker snorts. "I agree with Break Man."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "If you are expecting sympathy or regret from them, you are sadly mistaken."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "You know... It's usually best *not* to let the people you hate know how much they've gotten to you. It gives them power over you."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "I sympathize with you. It is a terrible loss when you spill your wilybeer."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Well I guess that's the one thing we can agree on, doc."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Wow. Are they all that delusional? I don't even know how Riptide died.. I think it was one of us.. and I'm very sorry to hear that."

[Radio: (D) Public] Blues transmits, "If you really care that much, go out and do something about it."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "A girl can only keep her feelings bottled up so long, lady."

[Radio: (D) Public] Blues transmits, "'Lady'? Tch. Stop telling the whole world all of this. Go tell somebody who cares."

[Radio: (D) Public] Byte transmits, "Dr. Matthews is no lady."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Actually I am. The rest of you just aren't gentlemen."

[Radio: (D) Public] Liese Schreiner transmits, "Do you know what they are?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Really annoying."

[Radio: (D) Public] Liese Schreiner sounds a little gloating. "Endangered."

[Radio: (D) Public] Foucalt transmits, "I'm staying out of this."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "It doesn't take a gentleman to do our work."

[Radio: (D) Public] Liese Schreiner transmits, "In fact, /severely/ endangered."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "But it does take a genius. Namely, Dr. Wily."

[Radio: (D) Public] Liese Schreiner transmits, "You see? No bluster, no boasting, no intonations. They can feel it coming."

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "As wont as I would be to boast along with you... nah. I'm having too much fun listening to the little girl sputter and bluster like a emo musician on a heroin binge."

[Radio: (D) Public] LightFamily Dr. Light drly. "What's an emo?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Isn't that a bird?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "That's Emu."

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "One of the many 'pity me' styles of music."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "What now?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai rrr.

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "From the angst factory that was the late 20th/early 21st century. I believe most of them finally ended up either growing up or killing themselves."

[Radio: (D) Public] Axl transmits, "Killed themselves? What?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Don't pay attention, Axl."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Hey... Axl.. you are that new guy."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "It's just Ongaku getting herself in trouble again."

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "He's talking about some ancient sucky music style."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Mainly because the majority are making fun of her for crying over the death of her best friend."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Because they are all (censored)."

[Radio: (D) Public] Axl transmits, "That's horrible!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai says all of this completely flatly.

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "You know, best friends dying sucks and all..But this is a war. You have to expect that kind of thing. I mean, I feel sorry for you, but, you know, it happens."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Quit whining already, geez."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "And this is coming from the walking weapons platform."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "I'm not making fun of it! I'm sad over the loss as well! But death happens."

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Well, yeah. I'm sure I've killed lots of people's best friends. But I'm pretty sure they were all bad."

[Radio: (D) Public] Axl transmits, "That doesn't make it any better, does it? 'It's a war' is no excuse!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "You don't know what it's like to lose someone like Riptide. All you need to be happy is something that can explode."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "War begets war. Violence begets violence. These are the laws of the world, madam. Get used to them."

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "Whoa. This channel's suddenly been hijacked by hippies."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Actually, I need stuff that'll burn. Not explode."

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "I was trying to make you feel better, but forget it."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Now tell me Ongaku.. would Riptide want you to kill people in her name?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "How does telling me 'It's a war, expect everyone you love to die screaming' make me feel BETTER?!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Dust Man, SHUT UP!"

[Radio: (D) Public] LightFamily Dr. Light transmits, "Everyone, please."

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "I didn't say that, now did I?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Enker transmits, "We don't care if you feel better. We care if you shut up."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "Well said."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Really, shut up already, ya freakin' yancy."

[Radio: (D) Public] LightFamily Dr. Light transmits, "Enker Ulyssies Wily. I thought you had a bit more class than that."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai cries.

[Radio: (D) Public] Enker transmits, "I've had a long week Doctor."

[Radio: (D) Public] Enker transmits, "My manners slip when I'm waging a war."

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "It was the Enker day, Wasn't it?"

[Radio: (D) Public] LightFamily Dr. Light transmits, "Yes, I'm sure dessicrating France has been difficult for you. I realise some orders are hard to follow."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "And I'll have you know that I failed Riptide's wishes by NOT killing her."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, ".../What/?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Gemini Man transmits, "If someone whines that they want to die, you should always let them, Dust."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "The one thing she said was must important.. was to never let my brothers kill her. I was supposed to kill her instead. And I failed."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, ".../NO/."

[Radio: (D) Public] Axl makes a small, strangled noise, and desynchs shortly thereafter.

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "...NO! THAT'S A LIE! THAT'S A FILTHY ****ING LIE! DUST MAN, YOU ****ARD!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Enker sighs. "Must you screech? Calmness goes farther than blind anger."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Why would I lie about taht?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "We just want you to shut up and stop assailing our ears with it. Go write angsty poetry,"

[Radio: (D) Public] Blues transmits, "Ongaku..."

[Radio: (D) Public] Blues transmits, "Shut up."

[Radio: (D) Public] LightFamily Dr. Light transmits, "Ms. Tsukai. I think it would be best for you to spend some time alone, and come to terms with your grief."

[Radio: (D) Public] Blues transmits, "I've said it more than once. Just shut the hell up, talk to somebody who -cares-, think about it for a bit, and move on with your life."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "My ears are on the verge of bleeding and, despite how much I like blood, I really wish you would shut up."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai transmits, "Because you don't have a brain of your own. All you've got are the ramshackle husks of personalities Wily gave you so you weren't just giant drones!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Barrage Raptor transmits, "I don't think she's paying attention any more."

[Radio: (D) Public] Alpha transmits, "Maybe we could at least fake civility."

[Radio: (D) Public] Ongaku Tsukai chokes, sobs very loudly, and desynchs.

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Yeah, she's just ranting aimlessly. Could someone put her out of her misery with a well placed shot?"

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Nnngh."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Wee, can I watch?"

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Fantasia transmits, "This is Improvi. Please report on the current status of Berlin."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Vile transmits, "Read the briefs, Leutnant."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Fantasia transmits, "I mean the /present/ condition, sir. As in what is happening /right/ /now/?"

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Dr. Doppler transmits, "We still stand."

[Radio: (A) Mav-Chat] Fantasia transmits, "...I'm in the vehicle bay. Should I not be deployed?"

Camera> Coalition Industrial Zone

Camera>

Being inside the Industrial Zone is far worse than being outside. There are so many buildings that seem to close around you during the journey to Independance Square, many alleyways and the like seeming to provide ambush places. But only a few bits of token resistance come from small squads of Coalition Forces. The back of the Maverick Empire, it seems, has been broken.

Independance Square itself is a tremendous open area, surrounded on all sides by heavy factories and the like -- all of the buildings scarred and damaged from bombing and heavy fighting. Within this huge, open grass area are the remains of fountains and benches, once having been a sort of park. All of these too have been torn away.

Overlooking it all, is what used to be Freedom Monument -- what was once a beautiful granite statue of Emperor Sigma. He has lost however, his head and both arms -- and a massive hole is to be found within his torso.

Camera> Contents:

Camera> Byte

Camera> Magna Centipede

Camera> Ride Armor <Kraken>

Camera> Overclock

Camera> Crush Crawfish

Camera> Javelin Whitetail

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Fantasia transmits, "Loyal members of the Coalition for Reploid Freedom, I am not going to lie to you. No. I respect you more than that. We have lost. We have lost this War. Everything we believe, everything we have faught to gain will be taken tonight. Our fate has been sealed, our essense found as a string of zeros and ones, and erradicated. Our lives treated as a plague upon mankind. Yet they have forgotten one thing. Behind every disease ridden Maverick, behind every mask of destruction there is a Reploid, or Cyborg that believes. A light that struggles to fuel itself through Reploid superiority. We are not, ourselves, zeros and ones. We are life. We shall not fall. Our Empire is in ruins, yet we. The very torch of the Maverick empire shall not flicker, shall not falter. Our individual courage and power shall shine a light. Yet through us fighting, there can be no victory. As the torch struggles under the pouring rain, attacking from all sides, we fight only for our own survival. This is not tactical, this is not to gain anything. It is not for pride, or malice. We are all here to survive. We have the courage to oppose, and we shall do it. Memebers, no, friends, no, FAMILY of the Coalition. You are power, you hold inside you the very spirit of the Maverick Empire. It is not in brick, or mortar, it is in you. Now march, march, show them they have made us caged animals. Gun, tooth, claw- it does not matter. Fight. Survive. MAKE HISTORY!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Vile transmits, "Shut up and get to your position, Leutnant. Cycle the frequency."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Dr. Doppler transmits, "We rose together. If we must pay for our freedom with our lives, so be it. Know that I am proud of you, my children....*sudden trailing off, then a hiss* Defend the cause. Defend yourselves."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Byte transmits, "Fantasia... ...Honor Met."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Amp transmits, "Um...Good luck, all of you."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Overclock transmits, "G'luck, Amp."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Crawfish transmits, "To the Death. Fight to the last bot standing..."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Dr. Doppler transmits, "*quietly, almost to himself* Too soon...I must finish what I began..."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Colossus Cockroach transmits, "Me not die, Me gonna kill em all, gotta kill em all."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Data Raccoon says nothing. Or maybe she does, but it's missed as her radio crackles with static for a few moments. She must be charging up something.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Crawfish transmits, "It doesn't matter! Life or death, we bring them with us!"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Overclock says, "...You all right? You ain't out here, boss, are you?"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Javelin Whitetail transmits, "Please...I...is there a heaven for us?"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Fantasia transmits, "It is here. Defend it."

Camera> Amp finishes smoking a cigarette, and nervously chews it into useless paper shreds before long. Then, she begins powering up her weapons array.

Camera> Overclock isn't too far from Amp, at the moment. He looks...well...vaugely nervous, but the visor over his eyes hides this to some degree. The transparent panels on his arms begin to glow, in anticipation. He doesn't want to be caught flat-footed when the ammunition starts to fly.

Camera> Data Raccoon fidgits almost nervously, except for the fact that such figiting is completely normal for her, as she fiddles with one of her arm-mounted minicomputers. Then pulls out a battle helmet and sticks it on her head. "Well,heregoeseverythingwe'vegot." Strapping it in place, she gets down on all fours, her tail bristling out as she starts to charge up.

Camera>

Presently the Kraken is, as ordered, in a holding facility. However all it has on it the stealth systems. It's invisible. All of it's appendages are relaxed, slumped on the floor. Inside the War Machine, Fantasia looks tense. He has his hands firmly on the controls, despite seeing nothing, and is reading his personal poetry that he has hastily stuck to the inside of the vehicle, for strength.

Camera> Velguader is sitting off alone, beneath the awning of a burned out store -- repaired and gleaming -- casually nibbling at one of his forelimbs. He seems unbothered. But then again, he's just a dog.

Camera> Colossus Cockroach is under the ground, laying in wait for the call to move out. He isn't the smartest Maverick on the planet but he may be one of the most loyal, he remains silent as he starts to tinker with his plunger to make sure it's in full working order. He likes it here, He likes the darkness and the quiet.

Camera> Amp looks over toward Overclock for a long moment, as if she wants to tell him something but can't quite find the words in the tenseness of the moment. Instead of approaching him, she fishes out another cigarette and lights it up as she prepares her weapons.

Camera> Bit sits in mediatation, legs crossed and his hands on his knees. His chest, relaxed and rythmicaly inhaling and exhaling at regular intervals. With his eyes closed and his shield resting against his side, he sits alone in a remote corner... awaiting the inevitable.

Camera> Crush Crawfish stands there. Waiting. He is simply waiting for the inevitable. Occasionally, when a soldier gets nervous he barks out orders to 'Get your Chicken #$^ back in line and get ready to unleash hell' Ah yes.. good old Crusty.

Camera>

Byte waits. He simply waits. His eyes are closed. His visage is calm... his hands resting palms together in a simple meditative stance, heels of the palms together, fingers curls, forming a stylized Yin/Yang. His legs are up under him in lotus style.

He hovers, silently, inside a building on the far side of Independence Square... while his Brother waits in another, similar building on the other side of the square...

...waiting for the inevitable.

Camera> Crush Hippo stands near his squad leader, brooding silently and running diagnostic checks every few minutes out of nervousness. He constantly scans the direction of attack, muttering "I wish they'd get here already. The waiting's worse than the fighting."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Dr. Doppler mutters, "Time...nein, I need more time..."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Byte transmits, "...You have the time, Father. We will give you that time. ...Vile will give you that time. We are you children forever, father. Faith and Honor."

Camera> Lunar Vixen is seated in a suitably comfortable and though simple, still luxirious perch. Her legs are crossed with an impeccable elegance that adds to naturally regal aire, twilight blue armour aglint like cold steel reflecting a pale glimmer of moon light, and with a hand ellevated to her vulpine face, she only further accentuates her exotic nature, as she draws from the butt of a 1940's style cigarette holder, and lets loose a stream of sinuous white. Behind a pitch black pilot's mask, her face and features are untellable, and invisible, but manner alone seems to translate a code of unashamed bordom.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Bit transmits, "Faith and honor."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Faith and Honor...yes...I put my trust in you, my sons."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Fantasia transmits, "We are /all/ family. We are all Coalition."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Crawfish grumbles. "Show those damn humans what a true soldier can do.."

Camera> Data Raccoon is waiting, and waiting, and waiting, tail sparking as it twitches anxiously from one side to the other. She's not a fighter, and she knows it. But she's also a Maverick, and will fight tooth and claw as ferciously as she can with the others.

Even if it means dying a second time. So be it.

Camera>

Like cockroaches, the conscripts are scattered from light, also awaiting the inevitable; clinging to each other, some sobbing darkly while others only stare forward grimly into an uncompromising future. Among them is Javelin Whitetail, a band around her arm denoting her status as one of the commanders of the pathetic and pathetically-armed group. Her teeth are chattering with rapid metallic clanks, barely audible, but enough to earn glares from those around her. One hand runs over and over her new weapon; a helmet bearing the Maverick insignia is on her head. All 'gifts' bestowed upon her--helmet, rifle, and position--by the death of her commanding officer.

Gifts from the Mavericks.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Hippo transmits, "We shall uphold your trust, Father. Not one of us would ever think of leaving the field of battle except in death or victory."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Wire Sponge transmits, "What the /hell/ is happening?"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Crawfish transmits, "Aye.. no turning back from here!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Wire Sponge transmits, "Turning back from /what/?"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Hippo sounds nervous as he transmits, "The final battle! Why are you not here to defend our last stronghold?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Germany.. they wish they were uber like UberGermany.."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Wire Sponge hms? "Oh! Okay, I was inside a radio silensed... thingamibob. Sorry, thought something else was happening.

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "They do. They wish they were ruled by the Robot Masters."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Byte transmits, "...A storm is coming."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Crawfish transmits, "WIRE! YOU #^$*)Y@#&$#$@#@^^!(#^)&#!***@#99#!@$@$^#$!(^$^@##ing piece of fungus! Do we have to drill a hole in that damned lab?!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Data Raccoon transmits, "Wire,SometimesyouarevenmorecluelessthanMirrorPegasusis!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Wire Sponge transmits, "...? Crush. I wasn't fiddling around. I was preparing. Do not think I'm ignorant. And, curs--""

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Byte transmits, "Shh, Crush. ...Come, Wire. ...The storm comes. We require the Weather Wizard."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Fantasia transmits, "Please minimise the amount of radio chatter to ESSENTIAL TALK ONLY."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Wire Sponge mumbles something about Data, "Yes, Byte."

Camera> Overclock cracks his knuckles. The calm before the storm... it's kind of hard to deal with. The only sound he really hears is his own engines humming at his back.

Camera> Crush Crawfish would be smoking.. you know. But there's those claws..

Camera> Yes, a calmness from a figurative storm. However, there /is/ a REAL storm brewing throughout Berlin, Wire Sponge enters the area wiggling happily, and jigglin', "Oh, yes. Those buffoons don't know what they're biting into. Mother Nature is on our side!"

Camera> Crush Crawfish grumbles something about Wire.. but the damned sponge does his job.. so he will take Byte's orders and silence himself.. of course, he does smack a nervous soldier with the blunt of his claw.

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn sings, "Sunday, Bloody Suuundaaay.", another Pantheon Soldiers says, 'It's not Sunday, dude.', Daryn pauses and says, "Crap."

Camera>

Byte waits. His eyes closes. His entire body motionless as he hovers... the only sound... a soft breathing and the low rumble of his harmonics.

As the rumble of thunder begins, with the distant sound of a war taking place... ...Byte doesn't change his expression in the least.

His full power is being drawn into this moment... this time... ...held behind the barest fraction of a wall. Floodgates will soon open... and the Darkess will consume all who oppose in a final conflagration.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Daryn? Sugoi no da."

[Radio: (D) Public] The Book of Daryn transmits, "Agh! Japanese! *explodes into Energy-rings*"

Camera> Data Raccoon's tail twitchs as she sits up a moment, doing her best to not get worked up over her usual level of edginess. Spotting Wire coming onto the site, she quickly scurries over to the fellow medtecher. Techies stand together!.. Well, that, and she wants to be ready if he decides to whip up a lightning storm.

Camera> Colossus Cockroach is under the ground, laying in wait for the call to move out. He isn't the smartest Maverick on the planet but he may be one of the most loyal, he remains silent as he starts to tinker with his plunger to make sure it's in full working order. He likes it here, He likes the darkness and the quiet.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Fool."

Camera> Lunar Vixen pulls the tip of the cigarette holder from her fox-lips, and to contrast with the solid black of her faceplate, there issues forth a ghostly powder white stream of smoke, as unseen eyes fall to focus on Wire Sponge. She looks upon him with the dire aristocratic criticism of the noble and upper class they looked down upon those lesser amusements meant to entertain or antagonize them the way dogs in a show would, or a clever mechanical invention. In silence, there, she sits, legs crossed with flawless posture, and behind her, a sea of silver ribbons flex and weave like animals with a life unto themselves.

[Radio: (D) Public] Isaac transmits, "Well done."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Thank you."

Camera> Ride Armor <Raiden> is powered down with the other ride armors, waiting silently for the end to come. Its pilot, Tactical Raccoon, is motionless within it, himself running in low power mode. His gas mask intermittently gleams in a shaft of light that falls from the sky, brought about by artillery fire, tracers and flares.

Camera> Wire Sponge eyes Crush Crawfish and mutters something about a particulary tasty lobster recipe. He nods to Data Raccoon, "We'll be doing things from the back-end, Data. My Maelstorm will be controlled by me from a long distance away, so that I may do emergency repairs, I suggest you find something to attack from a distance also," Wire intones to the epitome of a hyperactive child on sugar. The tentacles on the sponge tighten nervously. Someone was scruitize him, or he's just being paranoid.

Camera>

Tears stream from the Deer's eyes as she makes a quick sign of the Cross. To see the isle of Erin one last time...to go *home* to those lovely emerald hills and misty mornings. But that is impossible now; her new home will be her body crushed into the dust of Berlin's streets. Future compositions lost, destroyed before they could be written, spilled out of a cracked reploid skull or a torn side, bleeding onto the ground.

A black-gloved hand reaches into her jacket and pulls out a clear bottle. The last of Javelin Whitetail's own brand of whiskey; mostly illegal and entirely potent. She uncorks the bottle, wiping her eyes with the back of that hand, and takes a swig that would have any human and most reploids coughing and choking on the floor. She holds it to her chest momentarily as if it were her only remaining friend, before finally recorking it and replacing it, should the chance come to drink the rest later.

One hand strays to the weapon on her back, but she pulls it away as if it would melt her fingertips. Not yet.

Camera>

Even from inside the Kraken, Fantasia can hear autocannon fire. What could they be shooting at? Has the battle already begun? He hesitates. No other ride armors have been activated, there is no motion aside from interest into the shots... So he does not.

Camera> Data Raccoon nods her head a bit, her tail already alight with the glow of electrical current as it crackles between the conductor crystals embedded in the rings around the otherwise fluffy artifical fur. "We shall make the wrath of the Heavens itself strike them down."

Camera> Crush Crawfish looks quietly over at Javelin. "Be ready.. you will do well with the rest of us." He lifts his mighty claws. "Fight for everyone and everything you believe in.."

Camera>

Dreams of crimson fill this world, dusty lids so rarely parting, shying from a clear reality. Engage, disengage; attack, retreat. Kill or die. Live, and then what? In an uncaring world or broken, it means nothing to no one. Especially not to Magna Centipede, to him all has been lost from the start. This merely continues into another night of blood and curses, routine rather than monotony. He listens, waits, watches and dies by the minute. Lying in shadows, allowing a tender purple hue to betray him, he simulates a peace of mind he never can find. Singular, devoted and silent. Such would he make this final nigh of his, in a world that had already betrayed him from the start. So twist the dagger 'round.

Camera>

Byte's voice comes to all in the sudden silence after the autocannons fire... and the sound of great, heavy stone falling. His words on the personal band of the Mavericks here.

< "All Forces. Assuming your hiding places. ...They are coming. ">

Camera>

Fantasia merely checks the Kraken's stealth systems, as he is already doing so.

Camera> Wire Sponge pauses quietly, he narrows his eyes. A strike chain lashes out and attaches itself to the ceiling of a building. Launching into the air, the Sponge makes his hiding place in one of the buildings of the area. His faint cackling can be heard. All this while, the storm begins to pick up. Drastically, purple lighting begins to strike the ground.

Camera> Crush Hippo looks up at the gathering storm, the falling rain mingling in his ears with the chatter of the guns into a roar like that of a beast, a beast as old as life itself, a beast called War. Oddly, the torrential rains make him grin, perhaps making him feel closer to the seas that are his home. The colossus of a Hippo moves into the cover of a warehouse, his eyes glowing red in that really cool way every Reploid's seems to do for a second when they hide in the shadows.

Camera> Crush Crawfish pulls himself into the lobby of a building, clanking his claws open and thrusting one forward.. ready to cleave right through the door and out.

Camera> Data Raccoon sighs for a moment, audials lying back slightly at the sound of mortar and concrete crashing down in the distance. It sounds almost.. far away.. and yet is very, very close. Deadly close.

"It's now or never..."

Muttered almost ominously, and without her usual psychotic level of hyperness. It's.. really weird hearing it coming from her like that. Latching onto the rain gutter of a building, she climbs up and into the shadows, fading from sight for the time being...

Camera> Data Raccoon activates her stealth mode.

Camera> Ride Armor <Raiden> remains inert in the darkness. Tactical Raccoon may as well be another pool of shadow within it. There is no movement, no signs of energy signatures, nothing. He is a ghost.

Camera> Heavy Ride Armor <Goliath> has arrived.

Camera> Barrage Raptor has arrived.

Camera> Blues has arrived.

Camera> Fairy Leviathan has arrived.

Camera> Dr. Light has arrived.

Camera> Templar Fefnir has arrived.

Camera> Interpol Ride Armor <Moonraker> has arrived.

Camera> Cyberspace has arrived.

Camera> Dr. Matthews has arrived.

Camera> Foucalt has arrived.

Camera> Durandal has arrived.

Camera> Alloy has arrived.

Camera> Burner Man has arrived.

Camera> Liese Schreiner has arrived.

Camera> Isaac has arrived.

Camera> Crescent Grizzly has arrived.

Camera> Iris has arrived.

Camera> Dr. Sarah Fairchild has arrived.

Camera> Japan McWhalen has arrived.

Camera> Prismatic Spider has arrived.

Camera> Signas has arrived.

Camera> Alpha has arrived.

Camera> Crescent Grizzly has left.

Camera> Bit continues to remain still, unmoving in his meditative position in the far corner, a silhouette of darkness as half of his figure lies concealed in shadows, his visage opaque. Suddenly, he stands and slings his shield over his back, eyes opened.

Camera> Iris has left.

Camera> Lunar Vixen seems strangely oblivious to or unconcerned with the sense of impending combat. She maintains an almost disquieting cool, austere almost, as if there were a grave decadence to her demeanor. She draws in a long, nourishing drag of her cigarette, and exhales with an almost unscrupulous pleasure, filling her faceplate with mist, "Oh god," Her voice full of upper class effluence, "I believe in neither god, nor cigarettes, of course, but how exquisite that both could come togetehr at this particular moment to give me some level of distraction."

Camera> Crescent Grizzly has arrived.

Camera> Umbra Phantom has arrived.

Camera> Assault Kangaroo has arrived.

Camera> Repliforce Air Platform <Fortress III> has arrived.

Camera> General drops Repliforce Air Platform <Fortress III>.

Camera> Ricochet has arrived.

Camera> General has left.

Camera> General makes his way into Repliforce Air Platform <Fortress III>.

Camera>

The skies over Berlin suddenly turn pitch-black. As if Mother Nature herself lent to the backdrop of impending doom. The sky crackles with light and energy, to signify the danger when entering a wounded lion's nest.

A large purple-bolt of Lighting strikes the road and heaves up many chunks of asphault. Rain begins to pour onto the doomed cities.

Camera> Flare Feline has arrived.

Camera> Twilight Kestrel has arrived.

Camera> Michael Eildath has arrived.

Camera> The battle moves through the walls of the city and into the city itself - a running firefight as the Mavericks pull back into the walls of their city... but with so many massive gaps blasted by Durandal's clever tactic, there is no way that any amount of firepower can keep the Repliforce, Maverick Hunters, Interpol, and Neo Arcadians out of the city. Troops swarm through the gaps, pouring into the city in numbers that can only mean one thing. This is the last stand of Berlin - like ancient Troy so long ago, once the walls are breached, is there any real hope for the defenders against so overwhelming an army?

Signas walks through the streets, amidst the seeming river of Repliforce troops that continue to march through the city. So far there was not much that they had encountered - the Mavericks continued to fall back, and that did not set well with him. That they should give up their final stronghold this easily spoke of some fell plan - the question was, when would they make their last stand? There was no place to go. The teleporters were gone, the city was surrounded. And as the massive statue of Sigma that dominates the center of the Industrial Zone looms up in front of him, rain pouring down out of the heavens, Signas speaks into the radio once more. "All units advance to contact - once we find out where they are hiding, report in. Be wary of traps - we have no idea what sort of last ditch defenses the Mavericks have installed here."

Camera> Durandal blushes a bit as he ditches his gun and hefts the KP-X 'Longarm' Sniper Rifle. It's time to go about the grim work. He dashes fowards, keeping the pace with the advancing Repliforcer Marines. He brings up the gun to his face and turns on the zoomed scope. This is a big show of faith, relying on the Repliforcers to protect his flanks while he's got tunnel vision. He guns for the Regulars, taking pity on the consripts.

"...I know not if what I do is right..." He takes aim at a retreating doglike reploid and pulls the trigger, putting a high powered round into it's neural net.

"...nor if it is the best path..." He takes aim again, this time it's a medic under his lens. The Octopod's core is punctured in a shower of sparks.

"...but I have to have faith that it is..." a draconian type reploid tumbles to the ground, with a high-powered round to it's right knee servos.

"...because it is what my heart tells me I must do..."

Camera> The Pantheon strides into the streets of Berlin, bringing up the rear as the main body comes along. Their red optics sweeping for danger as they protect themselves from hostile fire, but do not go activly seeking out the foe themselves. Patient, waiting for trouble to come to them. Their Field Commander is the same. Waiting. Watching. Defending himself as needed. minimising his physical effort to conserve his considerable stamina for what he expects to be a long, pitched battle.

Camera> Dr. Light has left.

Camera> Repliforce weren't the only ones covering Durandal's flanks. He had his younger brother on air support, striking down any that he could see drawing a bead on his brother, and laying waste to any enemies that decided to get too close. His family would survive, he'd make them. Foucalt's fists crackled with power as he reached to his left hip with his right hand, clicking off the mag lock on the D-Saber that Dynamo left behind. With a flick of a switch and a snap-hiss, the red blade ignited. He still wasn't very good with it, but he'd use it anyway.

Camera> Michael Eildath isn't here. He's hanging back. A lot. He knows better. So he's just watching from afar.

Camera> Jet Stingray has arrived.

Camera> The Interpol's answer to firepower stomps along, obeying orders and keeping quiet... Well, except for when the pilot opens the cockpit and shoots a mechbird off a building. *whistle* He searches around for the main force, pondering exactly where they are. "This was too easy...." He repeats, as he backs up the line, keeping an eye on the rear.

Camera> With his bo held at his side, Japan McWhalen goes charging along with the rush of other heroes, moving up in the crowd since his landspeed is actually fairly above average despite being a whale. He slows his pace once they arrive within the area of the city where they are being lead to, bringing his bo in front of him again. Still wearing a serene and peaceful expression, it is only further juxtaposed as his head sweeps quickly left and right, scanning for the layout of potential threats and targets. Is it a trap? Probably. But cowardice is not part of Japan McWhalen's philosophy.

Camera>

In a half-panicked manner, Alpha keeps her forcefield up, deflecting Coalition firepower with her gravity field, often dispersing it rather than deflecting it back or anything. "Durandal! Please be careful while making the neat speeches!", she throws a bolt of energy and obliterates a drone. She glances towards Foucalt, eyes widening at Foucalt's use of Durandal's sabre. She withdraws two beamdaggers into her free hands and says, "Foucalt, Durandal.", with a frown, "When we set off the trap, just be ready to fall back. I wouldn't be comfortable blinking back, after all."

Camera> Winter Squadron move like ghosts through the shadows, flitting in and out of sight, in the windows of shattered buildings, along rooftops, in alleyways, through rubble, carrying their supplies with them.

Camera> Lunar Vixen is still sitting on some high up point, the edge of a rooftop, perhaps, legs crossed in an immaculate position of raw effortless elegance. The smolder of tiny red flames shines near to the butt of the cigarette she draws on, now almost spent, and she seems, still, as even tempered as if she were sitting on the patio at a cafe, the oncoming soldiers no more than a rush of lunch hour patrons.

Camera> Dr. Light has arrived.

Camera> Blizzard Wolf has arrived.

Camera> Too easy indeed - similar thoughts pass through Sarah's mind as she follows the advance. She calls her drones in close again, ready to move at a moment's notice, but for now...she moves. And waits. Something big is going to happen...and soon....

Camera> Liese Schreiner, too, is marching, not very far from Michael's armor. She is, very softly, singing 'Deutschland uber Alles'. There is no massive melee yet - and she knows she won't be able to last for two, due to a lack of forcefields and advanced energy absorbtion structures.

Camera> Overclock does not move. He is not ordered to, and he knows that--being what he is--he'd better follow orders. Leaning against a wall, hidden mostly from the uncoming march, in the dark recesses of city, he holds one hand against the brick... and clenches the other tightly. Strength pumps directly into his arms, and the gun on that lowered hand flips out to the readied position, with an electric hum that he feels, but can't hear, over the sound of incoming war, the preliminary shots, the march. His body itches...too much power surging through it now, to go to waste. (They'd better sound the attack.)

Camera> Dr. Matthews pauses in her own approach to look around warily with a grim expression. The Autotrack is given a sharp look before she veers her course as far away from it as she can. Both hands ball into fists as the Acer power armor reacts to her unconcious tensing.

Camera> said Autotrack put-put-put's. Light's largely out of the way.

Camera> Jet Stingray is hanging back for the most part, on the rear flack of the Marines. Leaders are usually in the front, but XOes are in the back. Keeps them alive to be COs later. Either way, he holds the large Plasma Cannon in his hands, just looking around for any signs of anything sneaky. Urban warfare is ugly... And every second counts for spotting an ambush.

Camera> Colossus Cockroach is curled up under the ground, he remains silent and motionless as he waits the call to attack, He has always liked the death from blow aproach to mass combat, but this is more serious then he has ever been before, this is for his life and the life of his friends.

Camera>

The Supra-Storm doubles in it's danger as the goodie-two-shoes enter the area. Lightning strikes down on the ground, several times, perhaps catching some unaware repli-gumbies, or Mav Hunter drones.

The wind begins to pick up in the area, blowing over semi-heavy objects that aren't attached to the ground (hover cars, trash-bins, tables, etc.).

Camera> Liese Schreiner, instead of being near Mike, was in fact sort of in the area of Interpol's contingent. And when the wind picks up, she adjusts her sunglasses and looks upwards with a scowl.

Camera> Axl draws Megido and his trademark morphic weapon once again, stopping the charge for a moment to, once again, check everything. Better safe than sorry. He carefully, painstakingly adjusts his sights, now at the rear of the 'charge'. Everything checked both before and during; nothing can go wrong here. This is the night where it might end.

Camera>

Fire, load your weapon, curse, dodge, fire, load again, run, retreat. Hopelessness courses through Blanket Draconian the conscript as he flees the oncoming Repliforcers, dodging bullets in an effort to extent his life by just a few more seconds. His weapon jams, and he throws it aside in disgust. Shove this way, shove that way. Suddenly, although with warning, pain jars his knees--he takes another step and falls. He wrenches his body around, glaring at his unresponsive knees, which are utterly destroyed; a formation of adrenaline keeps him from feeling the pain. Turning back, he drags himself forward frantically with his talons, scrabbling in the dirt for purchase, in his singleminded attempt to run, like all the others around him.

Camera>

Assault has entered along with the other Repliforcers. As he is concentrated on close combat and he has to stay still for his ranged attacks, he is mostly traveling along with them. Every once in a while, however, stops for a moment as he does a spinning axe kick motion with one leg, and generates white energy from the talons on his leg, causing a fast crescent wave to fly and take down a Maverick assaulting another Repliforcer before running again. Only when a Maverick confronts him, however, can he use his melee abilities to their full potential. He takes note of the increasing storm and the lightning bolts that seemingly don't strike anyone except Repliforce and Maverick Hunter drones, plus he hops over any trash bin, table, etc. that ends up in his way.

Camera> Barrage Raptor is hanging back as well. She's a Gunnery Sergeant. She's not stupid. Oh no. Besides, it's easier to shoot people from a good distance away than up close and personal. She likes shooting people from farther away.

Camera> Running is one thing Flare does naturally, and fairly well. As the rest of the Marines press on, Flare has to keep himself in check so he doesn't get AHEAD of them too much. Coming up behind Jet, Flare offers a thunbs up to his old buddy, and continues on. It seems he doesn't want to hang back quite so much. Luckily he's not trigger happy, and is refraining from shooting or attacking anything yet until given the order. He almost feels like he's hunting, hunting frightened prey in it's own home.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Crush Hippo transmits, "Remind me, are we worried about property damage here, or do we just bring the violence?"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Fantasia transmits, "We survive. We can rebuild an Empire, not a life."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Let it burn...let it all burn..."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Data Raccoon transmits, "They're only going to destroy it anyways. Take the fun away from them."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Wire Sponge cackles! "Yes! Destroy! Show them, that Mother Nature has joing me! She beckons to my hand!!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Byte transmits, "...Hold."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Colossus Cockroach transmits, "Hmmm, Smash... Colossus smash, Me smash it wit dare bodies..."

Camera>

And lo, the battle is rapidly getting brutal, hard and fast. A pair of Maverick Ride Armors, having been refit for the cause, pump out a steady stream of long-ranged fire against the Repliforce ride armors coming in, tagging one or two, but that changes, in ruthless efficiency. Two land-based ride armors, speeding through the streets and alleys, weave and bob as they approach, a plume of smoke blossoming out as a mortar shell lands not three feet from one Maverick RA, knocking it off it's feet, the Repliforce RA pressing the attack. Of course, the dance of death provided comes when the other ride armor spins through the smoke, practically bursting out of it as it slams a fist into the chest area, an enormous railspike pulling back, then impaling the ridearmor with brutal efficiency. It really is bloody, after all.

More forces press their way into the city, aerial conflicts raging here and there as the retreat was launched, drones being shredded by ballistic fire, the Fortress III taking a place high above the city. It's cannons light up ominously. It seems to be taking the occasional potshots, here and there, but for the most part, it's keeping ready for something, after all. The fact the DinoTank and Osprey have yet to rear their head concerns General immensely.

Camera>

Independance Square.

A beautiful place, once.

Now it is not but a stark ruined land... full of buildings shattered by the many attacks on the City of Berlin. All is silent, save for the storm above. A roiling mass of dark clouds hanging low over the city...

...and it is here the Coalition Army is withdrawing to. And it is here they seem to melt away. No signs of life can be seen in Independence Square... not even an energy signature.

...What forces that retreat here... vanish... fading away like a mist before the Freedom Monument itself. Vanishing into the ruins or simply disappearing as stealth systems come online... ...all are simply gone.

The statue of Emperor Sigma is broken now... head and arms fallen vainly to the ground. Eyes stare vainly up at a sky that can no longer be seen. A gaping hole exists in the statue's massive chest. All the remains of this once, glorious center of Reploid Life.

...and all is silent.

...and then, in a ruined building on one side of the square... golden eyes open slowly as rain falls down upon a metal head in all the silence.

A single order is given.

< "All Forces. Emerge. Hold your fire." >

And Byte, The Yin Yoma... BLINKS, emerging all at once beside the fallen Freedom Monument. His golden eyes locking upon the oncoming enemy.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Byte suddenly speaks. "All Forces. Emerge. Hold your fire."

Camera>

The golden samurai, Bit, appears for his last stand beside his brother. In a single blinding blue flash, his silhouette is outlined and the figure is solid. Bit blinks in, scarred and battered armor from days of fighting yet no repair... simply cosmetics, they can no longer afford to waste even that amount of resources.

Eyes, normally aqua blue, turn blood red. Fists clenched, he summons his tower shield, Aegis, and his energy katana. With several regular intervals, he swings the hilt of the energy katana and bangs it on the shield. One can almost hear an eerie deep cackle from beneath his silver mask. It seems the last straw for Bit's bushido has come today.

Camera>

Also, since his player forgot, the Fortress III is held relatively stable amidsts the storm. The aerial Ride Armors are eventually kept to hovering, not directly engaging the storm.

Camera> Interpol Ride Armor <Moonraker> continues to move along, it's pilot's unique VirtualOS hacker system allowing him to feel the breeze picked up from the Moonraker's sensors. That wind doesn't feel natural, but then again, neither does anything else. He started off as a simple human Canadian hacker, and now he's piloting the-"What the?!" Andrew's thoughts break through, as Byte suddenly appears. More startled then anything, the Moonraker doesn't fire. Yet.

Camera> The doors begin to rattle at one bank.. then harder.. harder.. they are quaking on their hinges.. Then they simply crush into themselves and fly into the lobby, the claws of the massive lobster smashing the doors as he moves outward, throwing the wood back into the lobby as he glares out into the army of the enemy. "You fragging humans speak like poets..."

Camera>

As the Repliforce, Maverick Hunter and general badass forces advance inwards towards the square, the Kraken hesitantly walks out from it's hiding place within a building and to as close in the center of the Maverick forces as he can. Stopping, the War Machine then turns.

De-activating first the stealth systems of the Ride Armor, the GIANT machine comes into full view. Then, with a snap all eight of the tentacles form their positions on the Kraken. From within, Improvi is spinning in his seat, preparing systems. As the systems activate, making the Kraken only look more dangerous and frightening Improvi's scratchy tired voice airs on the local Maverick airwaves.

<"Kill. Defend. Survive. You have nothing to loose but your soul.">

Camera>

Cackling can be heard throughout the city. From where? It would be hard to pinpoint, however someone with eagle-eye vision, might be able to a green speck on top of a building. He screams to the Replifoce, and his form slowly begins to turn read.

"YOU DAMNED HUMAN PARASITIC SLLLLAAVVES!! YOU WILL BOW DOWN TO THE WILL OF NATURE AS SHE BOWS DOWN TO MEE!!!!" Wire Sponge screams at the top of his lungs. Either with sound amplifiers or because of the effect of the storm, his voice echos through the area.

Camera>

The last member of this powerful trio arrives in a flicker of shadowy energy. The hulking form of Goliath looms behind the two members of the Nightmare Police, Vile standing atop, red eye blazing in the darkness.

"Form lines," the warmachine hisses at last.

Camera> Isaac hangs on to the APC he's hitched a ride on as they go over and radios the pilot to hang back barring some information he got, the APC slows down getting to some cover as they wait. At this time Isaac brings up a forcefield and waits now, the weather was fitting, but he was focused as he kept up his scanning of the imdiate area where the APC has taken cover for the moment.

Camera> Isaac projects a forcefield around himself.

Camera> Amp hops up from her hiding place, glaring at the visitors with optics filled with contempt. She has no battle cry. It's all come down to this moment.

Camera>

Magna Centipede stalks ledges and tops, roofs and walls, ever moving not to be caught. He cannot be caught. Taking crouched position among comrades in arms and cause, body closing in on itself ready for a final release, the crimson malice rears and adopts faithfully his place atop a given rooftop, barely visible except accentuated by the stormy night above, like most objects and soldiers present. His grim visage shrouds and twists in flickering lights, and his body contort into a deadly clamp. This is end. The stalking menace freezes, as Coalition brothers appear from their hidings; gathering, and converging upon the order. Close your eyes, and dream you are in a better place. It will save your soul this demoniac night.

Camera> The ground shudders as Colossus Cockroach digs his way to the surface, he explodes out of the ground behind what seems to be the bulk of enemy units he slowly looks around at the scene and looks at the hole he just emerged from and watches as a few Repliforcers fall in he folds his arms over his chest as he waits for orders he mumbles to himself, "Dem silly for standing dare..." he then looks towards the throng of troops against the Mavericks.

Camera> Firestorm Phoenix steps forth from a deep overhang on a building roof, rain streaking down his golden form. His wings spread and his beak set in a deturmined snear. He doesn't care if they're outnumbered a thousand to one, he still stand and fight to the bitter end.

Camera> Crush Hippo simply steps around a wall, his growl lost in the rumble of the storm, and marches foreward to take his place in the forming battle lines. The giant's eyes glow red and his expression is grim, jaws held open in a snarl that makes his tusks all the more prominent. Not that he's likely to intimidate anyone in the massive army approaching, but it's more to keep himself psyched.

Camera> Overhead, the thunder cracks..

And the rain storms...

Camera> Lunar Vixen takes another long, delectable drag on her cigarette until the white herbal mass burns out fully into the ivory tip. A final, prolonged puff, savouring the last vestiges of flavour, and she looses a sigh somehow both perfectly content and utterly heartbroken. She tilts the ivory tip towards her faceplate and looks into the now ashen remains of the cigarette, "Tragic," She remarks disappointedly, "Now I'm sure to be bored to death." She settles into a somewhat more relaxed pose, or relatively speaking, for her, anyway, posture always infinetly composed and rigid, even when she makes some for some mild allowance of comfort. Both hands cross over the knee of the leg crossed over the other, and she endures a few long moments of silence, surveying the horizon in distracted thought. Finally, then, she seems to emerge from a trance, and states with a sudden alertness, "Oh, right, the battle."

Camera>

And then, bringing up the rear, the Raiden comes.

The Raiden, hastily mended after last evening, still has no protective dome over it. The Repliforce sigil formerly adorning it has been crossed out with a giant black X. On the back of the ride armor, hanging off the back like an old-style Japanese samurai banner, is a flag featuring a gigantic Coalition logo.

Piloting the Raiden is Tactical Raccoon, gas mask dotted with water droplets from the torrential rain. His fists rest on the controls, thumbs just over the fire triggers.

Camera> Overclock has no battle cry, either, and, since only one wall seperates him from those incoming, he has nothing to do but step out from behind it. He locks both arm-weapons into position. He takes a few deep breaths, the water falling down doing a number on his systems already, and, hissing as it strikes the building heat on his shoulders.

(I.... can't believe I signed up for this.)

Camera>

Even in war, there are strange silences. This particular time, as the masses of the United Nations, Repliforce and the Maverick Hunters face down the outnumbered and outgunned remenants of the Coalition for Reploid freedom is one of them. All across the opposite of the square, soldiers and troopers file in and continue to do so -- a crowd forming. This is the last stand of the Coalition. For a long moment, trooper faces trooper -- nothing happening, nothing occuring for the longest moment. High in the sky, the flashes of anti-aircraft fire are visible in a never-ending series of booms, white and orange flashes.

For fifteen seconds the silence is heard -- and then a small voice is audible from away off to the left of the battlefield. It is a child -- barely five years old, wandering out from what appears to be a destroyed orphanage. She is dressed in a white dress that is not unlike a religious cloak, it trailing about her feet, collecting the dust and detritus of the battlefield as she goes. In bare feet she walks, her hands togeather -- approaching the Repliforce line. Behind her, one by one filter out a choir of similarialy garbed girls -- ages ranging from three to seven. Very young. Innocent. And singing. Singing! Voices are lifted high -- emitting choral music in what appears to be japenese. The music is hypnotic. Gentle. Their voices high, and well-trained. But yet, they do not fire. They do not attack. No, upon reaching the front lines of the Repliforce they all drop to one knee -- and the lead child's voice is heard over the singing from the other. It reverberates through the storm, somehow amplified -- and creepy to the end. All of them are quivering with fear. Poor little children -- forced to sing whatever this is -- bidden by cruel masters. From somewhere as well, haunting piano music is heard in accomanyment to the sound...They are freezing, clearly in the rain as well -- barely dressed in those white gowns, feet dirty and scratched. The singing stops though, but even in the rain -- the one minute and forty seven seconds of music lingers in the air like whisps of confusion. Why? What was that? Each of them lay there. Shivering, waiting. But still -- it lingers. A minute and forty seven seconds of child's choir music, and piano accompanyment....

Camera>

Blizzard Wolf the first son of the world famous Gate appeared late on the scene, he had been conducting missions deep undercover sabotaging and attacking Maverick forces with hit and run tactics. But now, now was the time for him to engage in battle. Now was the time to stand and fight. Hoping from building to building the Frost Wolf located the bulk of the Maverick Hunter forces and leaped into their ranks.

"Sorry I'm late." he said coldly glaring at his enemies with his golden eyes. This was going to be bloody...incredibly bloody. All he could do is fight and pray that his friends would be alright.

Camera> Music. Strange, strange music. Well, it certainly showed that there was something afoot here at this point in time. But they had finally run the last vestages of the Coalition down to ground - this was going to be it, the proverbial 'final' battle. And instead of any sort of real opposition - no fire, not rockets, no explosions... all that the Mavericks are sending against them at this point are children. Children.

They could not get much lower than that.

Signas punches one button on his arm, activating his own forcefield as the young white clad figures walk towards the Repliforce lines - mindful of similar tactics used by a certain brain in a jar, who enjoyed making deadly traps out of innocent looking things. While he was not going to gun down any number of apparent innocents until they proved to be otherwise, he wasn't going to keep from taking basic precautions that are not directly threatening to anyone.

Camera> And the diplomat vanishes for a moment, opting to blink straight over the group of white clad young ones. And he reappears, looking about at all of the gathered Maverick forces before him. And he speaks quietly, ignoring the strange hymn still wafting through the air behind him. "Members of the Maverick Coalition - this is your last chance to surrender. Your forces have been vanquished. The Repliforce holds what is left of your capital city. There is no escape - against these sorts of forces, you can not hope to salvage a victory. But we are also not merciless, nor cruel. Lay down your arms and surrender, and this war will end, and no harm will come to you." He reaches up and adjusts his hat, water streaming down off of of the brim as he looks at the Mavericks - most specifically Vile, since he can not see Doppler about.

A hopeless gesture? Perhaps - but it is one that has to be made. His conscience, and he hopes the consciences of many of those whom he leads, can settle for nothing less.

Camera> Signas projects a Diplomatic Immunity field around himself.

Camera> The Acer grinds to a halt as the wind picks up even more. It wasn't that, nor the rain, that stilled the power armor however. It was the children who sang. Clearly the pilot's attention is upon them though eyes flick ever direction visible after the first second of staring to look for the trap. Slowly a thought sinks into her mind, though.

Camera> Crescent Grizzly leads his forces towards the Square. Realizing they've all been lead to the same place, the Cajun frowns. He saw a trap coming, but he should of seen that it would be this. Small numbers outgunned and having only their skill, wits, and sheer willpower to survive fight best by leading their enemies to a bottleneck for a stand. Cliche, but effective. Throwing the cannon to one side, the weapon's charge spent, he produces a more close range heavy pistol. Loading it, and readying to fire, the weapon is held in his normal paw. The blades are brought up, ready for a fight.

SecDef begins to move away from their individual squadrons as Crescent barks orders over radio, taking up a position upon the unified Alliance front. Here is the final stand.

And then, the children. Crescent's face sinks in surprise, and a sickening, icy claw grips his heart. This is wrong. Even in his days as a smuggler, he did dirty, underhanded things. But children? No. Not here. This isn't right.

Camera> Michael Eildath watches everything from the rear of the line, still technically outside the area proper, a pair of macrobinoculars pasted to his face.

Camera>

Byte always did have a touch for the melodramatic. But, it suits the moment, so we will let it be. This is it. The end. The End of all Ends. Many come here tonight... few shall walk away intact, on either side.

A pair of optics glisten in the shadows of a building ledge, a dim electric blue in the darkness as they scan, taking in the numbers, the readings of energy, the sight of weapons being readied, wills being reinforced. And promptly shuts off the processor subrelay that attempts to calculate the odds. She doesn't need a computer to tell her that.

Crawling out of her dark perch at the command, the raccoon femme climbs up onto the ledge, out of the darkness she was hiding in, her tail already a bristle with electrical power, sparks occasionally flashing as rain drops strike it. She is no warrior, but tonight Data Raccoon will stand amongst her breathern just the same, fighting as one of them.

Camera> Somewhere high up above, the form of Protoman can be seen passing in and out of the clouds on occasion, atop the 'back' of Rhythm. When he arrived here is uncertain, though judging by the fact that he seems to be keeping to the clouds and observing, no more or less. He frowns, looking down towards what's going on below. "Quite desperate, it seems." He mutters, to himself.

Camera> Data Raccoon deactivates her stealth mode.

Camera> Crescent Grizzly throws up a shield, as per orders...

Camera> Crescent Grizzly projects a forcefield around himself.

Camera> Barrage Raptor lets her rifle hang to her side as her hand drops. This kind of thing is pretty sick. Of course, it's just the kind of thing the Mavericks would pull. She's gonna be so glad when she finally gets to start introducing caps to asses.

Camera>

Emerging from each side come the conscripts. A pitiful few thousand, they may perhaps amount to. Silence comes from all those who are not crying, either from desperation or terror. They are a vast, silent army, devoid of hope and life, prodded for days beyond anything a normal citizen should expect from life. Two great Dane reploids, twins, hold a gun in one hand, and the other they clasp together. A giant turtle stands stolidly, prepared for the worst as he has been since the day he was forced from his home, secure in the armour of his shell. Three cyborgs--a family of a mother, father, and daughter--stand together, child between them as though it would keep her safe from becoming a sacrifice to war.

At the offer of surrender, several do cry out, and surge forward. Some are not daunted by the guns aimed at them, either by Repliforce, Hunters, freelancers, or even other Mavericks. They are forced backwards physically by those around them--there is no escape. Not now. Many look sadly at the children, aware of the similar fate they will share.

Camera> Crush Crawfish lifts his head into the air, letting out a bellow. He snaps each of his claws and stares forward. He is an imposing figure, completely unmoving. The glory is Sigma is all that's on his mind. The glory of Sigma...

Camera>

Fairy Leviathan's gaze hardens, and her soul turns to the ice she wields so well. She unholsters her PSG-1. And she removes the safety, cocking the gun, a loud ca-CLACK against the dulcit tones.

Camera> Axl, having checked his gear, now plays a game of catchup. He rushes forward, and as he hears the children singing... he holsters his guns again. /This/ is new; why on earth would there be singing, amidst all the chaos? He tries to catch up, and does so the quickest way he can- flight. He ignites his leg jets /and/ the jets on his 'back-fins'; he rapidly closes the distance, with fewer obstructions, and gets some distance ahead of the rest of the charge now- however, he is still fairly far from the children. The Reploid... is by himself, but now /ahead/ of the charge, once he lands. He stops here, of course; he's caught up again and then some, and- being ordered not to fire- all he does is listen to the chorus for now.

Camera>

The Kraken holds his eyes on the children, and pauses. Hm. Children. There is no responce to them, they are merely singing, however he hears Signas and is most definitely not amused. To show his own, personal distaste for such orders a tentacle reaches down, and slips around a conscript that has adandoned his post, and is fleeing /away/ from the Repliforce troops.

*CRACK* The appendage's preassure finds it's goal. The lifeless conscript it then /hurled/ backwards.

<"Nobods runs. Everybody fights. Everybody makes history.">

Camera> Japan McWhalen, like some of the others here today, is the calm within the storm. The torrential rains generated by the Mavericks pound on his cymbalhat, dripping in rivulets off of the circular edge. His bo is held in front of him, a line of water forming on it as well, running down until it is interruped by his hand and then follows the edge to stream down to the ground. McWhalen eyes gaze unblinking at the Mavericks, and the children. Yes, he thinks to himself, this is the way. We must fight them to fight for them. It is clear now.

Camera>

Vile laughs atop the Goliath, leaning forward and scrutinizing Signas with his optic. His massive armored carrier does the same, stretching its spiked arms out and whirling its blades. The choir doesn't seem to phase him at all.

"Save your speeches, diplomat. Make your lines. We will do battle here. There is one inalienble right in this world, and that is the right to kill."

Camera> Neo Arcadia Ride Armor <Tonatiuh> has arrived.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Fantasia transmits, "Orders to deal with surrenders? They might conflict with personally given ones."

Camera> Water made odd effects on Foucalt's forcefield, the water streaming across the clear sphere. This was not good. Muttering under his breath, he cranked his output again, eyes blazing silver. This...was not good. He wasn't a religious man, but despite the fact, he murmured a prayer to the storming heavens. 'If you're listening...let my Family get out...if any of us have to die, take me.' So he was fatalistic.

Camera> Ride Armor <Raiden> remains still. Its pilot, Tactical Raccoon, looks across at Signas, and does something odd. Turning his knuckles of his right hand towards Signas, he makes what would normally be a `peace' sign. He holds the two fingers up for several seconds before lowering his hand back onto its respective control. And waits.

Camera> Firestorm Phoenix remains firm in his position, he's not quite sure where this choir came from, however, he doesn't really care either. His enemy is in sight and thats all that matters.

Camera>

Wire Sponge eyes the children in the streets. If he had a mouth he'd be grinning, in proudness. Some of those children down there he rigged up to /be/ cyborgs. He cackles, those children were made by his hands, and a Mad scientist loves his work.

The sky above begins to pick up in roiling thunder, those travelling by air might get a little shaken by the storms electric currents in the clouds.

Camera> The pilot of the Moonraker stops, just freezes, as he sees this sight. His eyes widen, his hands let go of the controls, as he sees this sight, the sight of angels in the battlefield. Andrew just stands there, unsure of what to do.

That is, until one is killed by the Kracken. That pulls him out of his mindsnap, and he refocuses. It isn't a video game. It's the real thing, and no matter what happens, history will be made.

Camera> Twilight Kestrel appears as the others do, emerging from her rooftop hiding space. The golden avian crouches on the rooftop ledge, silently watching the angelic chorus sing. It's beautiful, she muses, the rain and the sweet voices.

Camera> Dr. Sarah Fairchild frowns. Shivers. The...words fail. How could they not, in this...absurdity? The SPIRITs gather round and form up her shield - a desperate measure, but a necessary one, one supposes. She can't /see/ them, thank God, being toward the rear with the rest of Interpol...but she can hear. And it hurts, this...cruelty. But one can agonize later - Later. Yes. Later. She waits for the word to move.

Camera> Chill Snowcat has arrived.

Camera> The seven SPIRITs gather in a circular formation around Sarah's midsection, and suddenly she is surrounded by a rippling gravitational forcefield.

Camera>

Alpha stonily watches the arrival of the humans. She glances to Signas, and intensifies the gravity field around her. She crosses her arms and says, "General Vile. Your trick with the children will not work.", she glances to Signas, ready to teleport in front of any shots that get directed his way. "Hiding as usual.", she comments almost lazily. "The weapon of mass destruction you pilot isn't enough of a shield for you, General?", she rolls her eyes, "This shield won't help you.", she announces simply, she also sticks by her brothers, glancing around for the second part of the trap. It's not just this. She's sure of it.

Camera> Alpha projects a forcefield around herself.

Camera> The air warps around Foucalt as he creates a sphere of gravity around himself.

Camera> Children. If there's one true soft-spot Flare has, it's for children. The Mavericks couldn't have pulled a more despicible act in his eyes. "Oh man..." He almost groans, feeling sort of sick to his stomach thinking about what the Mavericks have in mind for those kids. "Why did they have to do this? I've heard lots of their stupid rhetoric over the years, but how can they claim to be righteous after THIS?" He shakes his head, fists clenched "This is just horrible."

Camera> Prismatic Spider takes Hypertech Hovercar <Iridium X7>.

Camera> Jet Stingray just drops his gun to the ground. Repliforce wouldn't give the order to fire on the fighters forced to battle... Would they? They couldn't do something like that. Either way, he doesn't fire, just giving a wild growl, clenching his fists with anger. Any madder and one might expect him to turn green and cry out. "Stingray SMASH!"

Camera>

Well, well, well... Looks like the Mavericks that can put up a fight are coming out now.

It's raining, too... and there are children singing choirs.

Is this all they're sending against us!? They've gone low now.

He tries as hard as he can to prevent the children from distracting him, concentrating on the rest of the place. What will happen now?

Camera> The Acer's pilot keeps the armor stock-still as everything around churns, and reacts to ever increasing pressures. Pressures of impending battle, and the pressures of the storm brewing overhead. Finally fingers twitch, and wrap around a rifle attached at the armor's hip to pull it off. The barrel of the weapon is aimed towards the once-singing children. Waiting.

Camera> Durandal banishes his sniper rifle to etherspace, it won't do a bit of good at this range. Not at all. He draws forth his carbine. Short range, high powered, and very lethal. He slams a fresh clip into the magazine. He's got a feeling it's not going to be the last. "You know, Foucalt. Someday, when I get it in me to build a reploid and get the smarts to do, I'm gonna enjoy telling him that I lived in the time of Rock and Sigma, of heroes and villains...in the most epic time in the plaent's history."

Camera> Liese Schreiner glances at Sarah for a moment, and then she shifts a bit, stretching mechanisms and warming them up. The rain pours on her, soaking her black coat and granting it extra weight that she hardly notices. The children are a disgusting sight, yes, but she says nothing about them; she honestly is surprised they were used for singing instead of simply made into living bombs straight away.

Camera> Shark Man has arrived.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler begins to giggle. Then laugh. It quickly becomes a full-scale cackle, the laughter of the mad. "Arise! Arise, mein sohn! ARISE!"

Camera>

As Signas marches to the head of the army, the children -- they continue to shiver in the freezing cold, looking up at their Repliforce 'saviors' with wide and frightened eyes. One or two of them have collapsed from the freezing cold now, laying in the wet mud in fetal positions. Perhaps though, it was a dirge for the dead -- for those who are still to die this day. But the music has long ended, replaced by a whimpering and crying that echoes far louder than their own singing.

And then Signas continues towards the Coalition Lines -- nobody bids him response -- only Vile. Only the very rain itself echoes around him. But then.....then....

A soft, bass thudding is heard. It is heard over the sound of the crying, the thousands of weapons loaded. It is like the tell-tale heart -- a fluid-pump sound that is at once loud and chilling.

And then Axl is seen to be standing on his own. One of those strange, curious things happens -- and everyone is suddenly looking at him.

Looking at him, as a tremendous shadow falls over his frame and beyond...

Huge. Hideous and misshapen -- something is seen within the glass of the building behind him, a shape behind it. And then it explodes -- something huge stepping forth. A low, familliar voice is heard -- a daemonic, low evil "Hoo-Hoo -- HA HA!"

Something mighty is behind Axl, a viral green glow emitting around him -- as a huge, skeletal right arm is lifted and brought towards the middle of his back with enough force to shatter a battleship.

"I...do not think so, Signas. No. Not this day...Not today."

Sigma.

A hand is lifted, gesturing towards him. And at this moment, a huge energy surge is seen in the middle of Berlin. "I offer you a simple wager, Hero. Send me a champion. Just one individual -- and if he can defeat me, even for a moment -- I will concede Berlin. Deny this, Hunter -- and I will detonate the fusion reactors in the spire. Search your own scanners. You are trapped within the blast area. NONE of you, your men or anyone within a hundred miles will survive. Will you have that? Or will you have a champion? If I win -- you leave Berlin."

As Sigma speaks -- bits of flesh fall from his head. He seems to not notice.

[Radio: (D) Public] Ebony Fox transmits, "What....?"

Camera> Sigma has arrived.

Camera> Sigma changes into his Viral Sigma armor.

[Radio: (D) Public] Fantasia transmits, "HAIL!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Oh... F*#$."

[Radio: (D) Public] LightFamily Dr. Light transmits, "Well, shit."

Camera> The Neo arcadian forces tense slightly at the chorus of children.. anger in their body language is obvious, yet they do not go berserk and start firing madly, trying to exterminate all in sight.. they remain under the control of the Field Commander for now. The Guardian of Fire remains calm, teeth gritted tighly... And then.... "By the Dawnstar...." murmurs the Dragon of Neo Arcadia...

Camera> Sage Harpuia has arrived.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler continues to laugh.

[Radio: (D) Public] Crush Crawfish transmits, "LORD SIGMA!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Vile ceases his hissing, and intones loudly, "Mavericks. Hail Sigma."

[Radio: (D) Public] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne sounds like she suddely is woken from a dream, and she wakens to a suddering horror... and then she cries out in pure, complete, and absolute terror, "NOOOOOOOOOO!"

Camera> Wire Sponge eyes the ground below quietly and he growls, only a short tim-- His attention is immediately grabbed by the approaching Sigma. And as if on cue the sky erupts in LIGHTNING, as if in applause.

Imperial Stronghold - MavBerlin

At the center of Berlin lies the heart of the Maverick occupation. Within this military establishment, dwells the majority of the Maverick force. The main gates are guarded around the clock with frequent patrols, discouraging any attempt of unauthorized entry. The main roads intersect in this area, leading off in each direction to another section of the city. Residents here pass frequently, but rarely stop as they go about thier business. Any form of criminal activity, or violence, here, like anywhere else in Berlin, is met quickly and harshly.

Oldstyle Ongaku Tsukai Plushie The Imperial Spire [M]

Empty Office

South <S> leads to Cultural District - MavBerlin.

East <E> leads to Residential District - MavBerlin.

West <W> leads to Military District - MavBerlin.

North <N> leads to Business District - MavBerlin.

[Radio: (D) Public] Gabriel whispers, "The Return of the King? Oh Doppler, that was an admirable performance."

Camera> Sigma strikes Axl with his Smash attack.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "The Emperor is Dead. Long Live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"

Camera> Sigma

Camera>

Mammoth. Collossal. Titanic.

These are the words that best describe the hulking behemoth that stands before you. Reaching the easy height of eighteen feet, Viral Sigma towers with intimidating bulk above most all who surround him. This bulk is not in height only, either. His immense width rivals that of the General himself, powerful limbs giving him an awe-inspiring shape.

Letting your sight travel from the ground upwards,heavily armored feet are the first thing to enter your vision. Massively broad to support his weight, they support thick golden trimming. departure from his old styling, they are blocky and extremely thickly plated. Furthermore, evenly spaced silver rivets upon the slightly protruding center portion giving them an almost low tech and archaic look. This is where normality ends. The lower legs that they give away to are not symmetrical. Upon the left is a rib cage like structure of unfinished renforcement -- ment to secure an external housing that has not been put in place. Masses of green and red wiring spark in violent explosions as he moves -- highlighting the renforced knee with it's yellow cylindrical joints. The effect of it is chilling -- not unlike a human without skin or a reploid that has been torn to bits. The other leg is even worse, barely a skeletal structure wrapped in sparking wire -- not even musculature found upon it. But yet, it works and powerfull -- making the very earth shake beneath Sigma's weight. The right thigh bone is half covered by dented and malformed armor plating, with the left bearing smooth and heavy carbonate plate. At once, a spark travels the entire length of his right leg before your eyes, from hip to ankle -- producing a shower of light and an immense crackling sound.

His hip units are similarialy unfinished, a baleful green glow visible from within the twisted framework. His arms, hanging down from immense shoulders are further unsymmetrical. The left is finished, a tremendous battering ram like assembly of purple, gold and green -- the hand itself bigger than an entire human torso. The right is in worse condition than his right leg. It is a twisted, sparking framework of control lines, ferro-titanium bone and twisted wiring. THe wrist collar is unfinished, encircling only two thirds of the joint, giving away to a hand who's palm and fingers are half complete - giving it a viable surface but exposing inner workings. It too, is like a battering ram. A shredded red and purple cloak covers the huge body of Sigma, rips and tears exposing pumping tubes and pulsating almost organic internals, all held in place by a protective framework that resembles nothing so much as a ribcage. Exposed power leads light the inside periodically with electric-blue flashes -- all connecting to the huge, glowing blue jewel that would have been the cosmetic centerpiece of his finished chest.

Above all of this, Sigma's head towers. Mostly finished, it appears as a larger version of his own -- with the exception of the right quarter. Fleshless, muscle-like mechanics are exposed and a look of hatred, rage and bloodlust is seen within the depths of his different-colored optics, the left blue and the right green. A spark runs chillingly then, from the top of his exposed skull to his right foot -- a hideous sound of mechanics audible.

This is Emperor Sigma, yes. But he has been twisted, and changed.

Taken offline at the hands of Blues, Emperor Sigma has transcended into undeath to bring pain, vengance and suffering unto the world.

Camera> Overclock briefly has a thought that could get him struck dead, if anyone here could hear it. (My god. ...I'm a human being. I don't need to be here. I'm just a kid. I'm a human being. I don't have to be here...) He bites his lip, and clenches his fists so hard they nearly break, blasting such panic from his mind. Sigma is here. And now, things get really interesting. (Halleluia.) If only to squash the fear that he still feels rising in him, he wants to be the first to shout...like a solider still following orders. "HAIL SIGMA!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Job transmits, "Doppler? I wish you never created our race. We'd be better off not existing."

Camera> Crush Crawfish lifts his head. Oh yes.. The light in his eyes are kindled! He lifts his claws upward and lets out another bellow. "HAIL SIGMA!" The chant raises up among the Kraken Squad troops. Hail Sigma! HAIL Sigma!

Camera> Amp STARES as Sigma appears. She's never actually seen this guy until now. And this...this just...it's a bit much for her to process. Overclock's sudden shout seems to strengthen her, and she joins in on the growing chorus. "Hail Sigma!!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Long live the Coalition!"

Camera>

Byte, in all his glory, roars out after the arrising of their Lord and Emperor. His golden eyes are for Sigma alone.

"HAIL SIGMA!"

Then Byte looks on, his smile horrible to look upon. Death comes... and the Darkness welcomes it!

[Radio: (D) Public] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "Oh will you shut up already."

Camera> Ride Armor <Raiden> remains inert. Tactical Raccoon looks up at the shadow that passes over the square, expression lost within his gas mask. He waits for several seconds in perfect stillness before, raising his hand, he salutes his Emperor silently -- then retakes the controls, returning to motionless waiting.

[Radio: (D) Public] Blues transmits, "Hey, Doppler? How many reactors do you have right there?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Job transmits, "No Doppler, so long as I live I will see your kind hunted down."

[Radio: (D) Public] Crush Crawfish transmits, "DEATH will shut YOU up!"

Camera> "This is really sinking low, even for you, Sigma." The Acer's fingers curl ever tighter around the grip of the rifle aimed still at the children though Dr. Matthew's attention is focused on the seemingly falling-apart emperor. "Do you really think we're stupid enough to believe you? You've promised so much before and every time it was a fallacy. And now this... This is ... Disgusting."

[Radio: (D) Public] The General quietly, seems like he's about to say something, but does.

[Radio: (D) Public] The General quietly, seems like he's about to say something, but doesn't, rather.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "So Doppler. Where are you? I recall you accusing me earlier of not standing and fighting."

[Radio: (D) Public] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne can be heard sobbing, and repeating the word 'No' over and over again.

Camera>

The Kraken cannot help but step forward. The tentacles fall to the side of the armor. From within, and without a shout is head. It is pure. It is true. It is known. "HAIL SIGMA!" Fantasia laughs, "Hail Coalition!"

Camera>

Bit's usual monotone Zen voice is consumed by bloodthirst and passion.

"HAIL SIGMA!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "Grow up, girl. It's not the end of the world. Well... it might be."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gabriel transmits, "I never thought the Coalition was in danger of extermination, but I am surprised he still lives myself. Good show, Doppler, the stage is yours."

Camera> Barrage Raptor clenches her fist around her rifle, and glares softly at Sigma. Damn, that son of a bitch just won't stay dead. She glances at Crescent, for a moment. She's tired of all this yelling about hail Sigma. It's annoying. Damn Nazi Mavericks.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Tron! You've been through this before. Snap out of it!"

Camera> Fairy Leviathan and her Winter Squadron fall back to defense positions for the rest of the Pantheon troopers. Fairy Leviathan takes a place at Templar Fefnir's side, rifle held tightly in her hands. "... Fefnir... I don't like this...."

Camera> Crush Hippo joins the chorus, pumping his fist in the air and crying out "Hail Sigma!" as the great Emperor joins the fray. His grim resolve doubles, and the Ka-Chunk sound of a shell being loaded can be heard from his cannon as he grins coldly, waiting almost eagerly for the call to battle.

Camera>

Not only Kraken Squad, but the entire CRF survivors. The call rises up, from every reploid and cyborg that can still speak.

That chant. The horrible chant.

"Hail Sigma!"

Hail Sigma!"

"Hail Sigma!"

The Goliath stands straighter, Vile extends his arm in a salute. He, too, calls: "Hail Sigma!"

Then, quieter, under his breath: "Hail destruction."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "My children do not fight alone. Oh no...I fight among them."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Then fight."

Camera> Crescent Grizzly blinks as Sigma arrives. Well, damn. And it's a trap unlike they couldn't of imagined. Hrm. Turning Skywards, his optics search for something, for a moment.

Camera> Foucalt's attention was pulled from the children. He whirled to rest his, at the moment, blazing silver eyes on the Emperor. All the while he was mumbling to himself. "No...this isn't real...I'm going to wake up...everything will be normal..."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Look up, my dear. Look up."

Camera>

Several conscripts faint. The nightmare's face has returned--even while they now realize how sealed their fate is, as they were not told of the spire's preparation. Screams emerge. They are held together like terrified sheep in a storm. Sheep to the slaughter. This is, truly, the end of the world.

In their midst, nonetheless, one of them screams. "SIGMA! /SIGMA/!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, ".. I see."

Camera> The storm over head issues lightning strikes at each 'Hail Sigma' Crack! Crack-boom! The lightning arcs over head and tears some of the buildings, it begins to rain even harder.

Camera> "Stay your hand for the moment. Watch and prepare. We will play our hand when all the cards are revealed.." The Guardian of Fire replies to Leviathan. His voice is calm, rumbling, but his eyes... his eyes..

Camera> Colossus Cockroach looks around and is at the back of all the action at the front of the battle but can't help but see the massive form of sigma, a true horror to behold, Sigma returns from death and now looks more menesing then he has ever been before. he grins and says, "Me new dat some ting wood happen..." he grins as he looks at the titanic form of Viral Sigma.

Camera> Data Raccoon says nothing, but you can hear her giggling madly. Giggling at the explosion of radio trafiic at Sigma's arrival, tail shishing side to side, sparking and glowing with that electric blue hue. It's not exactly panic in the enemy, but his words have struck a chord amongst their ranks as well. Sigma has come through in the end, the Emperor has come to stand amongst his own at their time of need. Rising fully to her feet, electrical current providing an eerie glow behind her as she raises a sparking fist and cries with the others. "HAIL SIGMA!"

Camera> Signas spins around as the massive, massive form of the Maverick Emperor himself makes his appearance in the square. And he narrows his eyes slightly, adjusting his hat as he tries to take in everything that this could mean. Sigma had survived... something that no one could possibly survive. But it did not look as if he had survived it completely intact - as menacing as this new form looked, it also appeared to not be the sort of smooth, well designed war engine that the Maverick Emperor tended to prefer. Perhaps they stood a chance.

But they were going to need someone to stand against him. If Sigma carried through with his threat to destroy this entire city - reducing it in one massive nuclear fireball, then everything was for naught. They might win, but at the cost of all of their lives. It wasn't a choice - it was a threat, and it was one that Signas had to respond to. "Well, I understand now why there were suicide devices everywhere - that sort of tactic was more your style, Emperor, than it was Doppler's. So much more makes sense." And Signas turns and looks to the side for a moment, before turning back to the Emperor. "Very well then. If you want a champion... I will give you one. AXL!" he shouts, calling upon the last of the Lights - upon Doctor Thomas Light's greatest creation.

Camera> Firestorm Phoenix cackles with glee as Sigma makes his appearance, his fist pumping into the air, his voice adding to the building chant, "HAIL SIGMA!"

Camera> Chill Snowcat shivers a little but not with cold. He stares in horror. This isn't good, it can't be good. The feline shifts a bit closer to his fellow Interpolers. Protectively? or searching for protection. Either way, Chill just shakes his head. "What are our orders now?" He might as well be whispering with all the shouting going on.

Camera> The Tonatiuh does not hail Sigma, as so many others do, quite possibly because it is not a Maverick, nor is it actually sentient. It does, however, finally arrive on the scene, fluttering down like a massive mechanical butterfly and taking up a position above Fefnir and Leviathan, weapons charged and at the ready. You can tell because of the badass glowing and ominious humming.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Data Raccoon transmits, "...."

Camera>

Assault stares at the the gigantic sight before his eyes.

Sigma. The one and only.

He had never seen him before in the "flesh..." and here he was. Back from the /dead./

Even more, if Sigma wins against Axl, who has been called to defeat him, everyone in this whole area is screwed.

He remains still, wondering about what will happen next.

Camera> Interpol Ride Armor <Moonraker>'s pilot is quaking in his boots right now. Noone told him Sigma was going to show up. "Mom... Dad...." He says... "I'm going to miss you." He's fairly sure of his destruction right now.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Data Raccoon transmits, "Double's destroyer... they send the child into the mouth of the beast..."

Camera> Twilight Kestrel gasps as Sigma reveals himself, straightening up in her perch upon the rooftop. He has truely come back and he is mighty indeed. "Hail Sigma!" she joins the call.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Sigma transmits, "Let him come. I will /DESTROY/ Him."

[Radio: (D) Public] Calls sound from thousands of CRF survivors, many leaking onto the Global channel. A simple chant, repeated again and again, "Hail Sigma! Hail Sigma!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Sigma transmits, "For Double, for the Coalition -- I will /DESTROY/ him."

Camera> Durandal calls out over the hellish din of Mavericks chanting. "AXL! SHOW HIM WHAT HUNTERS DO TO MAVERICKS! SHOW HIM JUSTICE AND THE DIVINE STORM!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Byte transmits, "End him, Emperor!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Fantasia transmits, "Then let him die at the hands of Sigma."

[Radio: (D) Public] Bass chuckles softly.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Wire Sponge transmits, "OBLITERATE THE CHILD!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler begins to laugh once again.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Sigma transmits, "And when Axl falls; when he dies by my hands -- togeather, Brothers and Sisters of the Coalition -- we will /KILL/ them all. Death rides upon our lines, this evening! Stand fast, and prepare. We will /OBLITERATE/ them!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Fantasia also laughs. Wow, it's popular!

[Radio: (D) Public] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne continues to cry, softly, slowly. But she is no longer wracked by her fear-filled sobs. Merely slow, near silent crying.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Colossus Cockroach transmits, "Whoop him boss man.. Me tink its gonna be easy.."

Camera> Lunar Vixen has left.

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Data Raccoon transmits, "Destroy him, sire. Destroy him and all his kind stand for!"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Tactical Raccoon transmits, "No fear."

Camera> Dr. Sarah Fairchild...is struck dumb. Her drones are feeding her every ounce of information they can, Mimir tells her that this form has never been seen before...she's got no idea what to do. No idea what to do but offer her services to those on the radio, and wait for the resolution of the situation to come.

[Radio: (D) Public] Knight Man almost sing-songs "Aww, whats the mattereth, Wench?"

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Firestorm Phoenix cackles, "We should save part of his body! So that we may post it outside the walls, as a warning to all who dare challenge us!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Gate transmits, "Miss Bonne... don't cry. Don't cry, things will be all right..."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Knight. Act like one."

[Radio: (B) Mav-Main] Vile transmits, "You heard your Emperor, Mavericks. Hold fire, eye the Repliforce-Hunter line. Ready to strike."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Not all knights are "good""

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Tactical Raccoon transmits, "Enemy forces attempting strike on the spire."

[Radio: (D) Public] Jet Stingray transmits, "It's okay, Tron... It will be alright. I promise you. Jet Stingray doesn't do losing... And he doesn't do death."

[Radio: (D) Public] Knight Man transmits, "Biteth me, woman."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "No, but they do know how to treat a lady like one. Rather than being without manners."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Tactical Raccoon transmits, "Proto Man may be involved. Suggest full alert."

[Radio: (D) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Jet? What's going on?"

Camera> Dr. Matthews lowers her weapon thankfull that there is a distraction, something to do, that doesn't require such a concious-heavy decision. She slips back through the crowded forces to the point determined.

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Data Raccoon transmits, "To try and disable the reactors, most likely."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Sigma transmits, "Tactical Raccoon. Take a small band and defend. OOC: Wait until I sound the order to attack though, to leave the room."

[Radio: (C) Mav-Sec] Tactical Raccoon transmits, "At your command, Emperor. Wight Squad is scrambling."

[Radio: (D) Public] Knight Man transmits, "I haveth enough of a past with the wench, so how I speaketh to her is none of thine business."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gate transmits, "You're no knight. Gareth is a Knight. YOu're some clown with a bad old English accent."

Camera> Liese Schreiner watches stoically behind her sunglasses as well, hair plastered to her head in the pouring rain. She murmurs into her implanted radio, but she does not say anything else aloud - tensing up for a moment, and then relaxing. She might have been able to break the glowing and unfinished revenant Sigma with her blows -- but she does not have to try, at least.

Although if Axl should fall, she might take her shot; it is not as if there is anything to lose, then.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "Such matters are best kept in private then."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Matthews transmits, "And yes it is my business."

Camera> There are others who watch, silent beneath the electron field and the dance of warped light, cold eyes observing within the lethal shadow of the Fortress itself. Making his own motions in the course of duty, prepared for his own time.... Another who waits, watching.

Camera> Axl begins to turn around as the shadow falls, unholstering his pistols- but by the time he begins to move, it is far too late. The hand has been lifted; the Reploid screams in agony as a fist shatters his 'back-fins' and sends him flying. He sails through the air as Sigma addresses the world once again, unable to get enough push with his leg-jets to counteract the tremendous amount of momentum that he's been subjected to.

And, as abruptly as that momentum was transferred into Axl... so it stops. Not because of a landing, however; a building is what stops Axl from flying further. A crack appears in his chest gem, as he impacts; he then falls, hard, to the ground. For a moment, it seems like he may not be getting up; however, slowly and surely, he forces himself up to one knee. "Nngh... you... you..." He then hears Signas's cry. "I'm ready!" he calls, and taps a couple of buttons on the back of his morphic weapon. The pistol turns into a gauss rifle; with a fairly impressive show of strength, Axl manages to one-hand the mighty weapon... and aims it directly for Sigma's large head. "This is for all the people you've killed, you bastard!" he calls, as a very short whirring noise is heard-- before the spike streaks for Sigma, and the smaller opponent shifts the weapon back to its original form to conserve energy.

[Radio: (D) Public] Knight Man transmits, "Gareth is a cowardly poser."

Camera>

Alpha nods to Durandal's words, crossing her arms, narrowing her eyes. Sad to say it, but she's not willing to just leave Axl here to a one on one fight. <Durandal, Foucalt. I won't let you die here.>, she proclaims, <Don't panic, and stick with me.>

Camera> Axl misses Sigma with his M72 Gauss Rifle attack.

Camera> Durandal does something totally and thoroughly unlike him. He slips back away from the front lines. Hopefully there's simply too many people here for anyone to notice.

Camera> Dr. Light watches the battle with the cold eyes of a rational thinker, a scientist. His son chose. Very well. It begins. Light...yells. "GO, AXL! FIGHT-" And he stops. He can't say it. He can't. "...FOR GREAT JUSTICE!" There. Kid deserves his own anyway.

Camera> Blizzard Wolf turns away and and grits his teeth, now wasn't the time for him to stand and fight. A greater peril lay before him...with that he went all all fours and ran towards the spires. Let's just say that he was fast, after all. 4 legs are better than two.

Camera> Dr. Sarah Fairchild apparently gets herself together enough to slip off through the crowd, offering Liese and those around her a quiet vote of fortune and confidence, and then sliding off toward the point indicated.

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Gabriel says, "May I see a picture of the new Sigma?"

Camera> Wire Sponge narrows his eyes dangerously, and shouts, "Death to the human sympathizers! And death to the Light Child who was a replacement for a failed experiment!!"

Camera> Foucalt looked grim, hovering in the air like...well...a frightened child playing at war. THat's certainly what he felt like at this point. Glowing silver eyes watched the newest Hunter engage the mad god of the Mavericks in single combat. He looked to Alpha and managed a weak smile before his attention returned to the behemoth and Axl.

Camera> Crescent Grizzly steps away, and starts to organize a perimeter of SecDef troops. Just to get some sense of Security. The forcefield is lowered at one point, and he physicaly helps a trooper along, and ducks behind one about as large as himself.

But in all the shuffle, he doesn't seem to re-appear...

Camera> Flare just keeps his fists clenched, looking around. Their overconfidence cost them, it seems. Hopefully they might be able to salvage something out of this yet. His eyes fall on Axl and Sigma. He's not very familiar with the Hunter, save by reputation. But right now all of their hopes rest in him. "Good luck." He whispers to himself, then turns his attention on all the other Mavericks, fully expecting them to pull something yet.

Camera> Sigma stands fast in the darkness of the rainstorm as the cheer is heard to go up from his line. At once, one of his gigantic hands raises above his head in a expression of sheer confidence. He whirls suddenly -- throwing his cloak open as he does. His chest is even more disturbing than the rest of him -- a glowing blue sphere of a jewel standing open to be seen from the world. Crackles of electricity and lightning shoot outward from it -- impacting into buildings and such around him but seeming to do no damage. Like Frakenstein's monster he lumbers forwards, a silky smoothness of movement seen despite the sheer frighteningness of his frame.

He rounds upon Signas -- his different colored optics holding an expression of utter disbelief. "A child, Signas. You send a child to do the bidding of a man? Truly, you are more taxed; more desperate from this war than I ever could have imagined." To the rest, he has no time to reply. Time seems to slow down -- Axl's voice is heard, and a shot rings out.

And the Emperor dodges.

His entire size 9 frame simply skips out of the way, showing a horrible agility for it's massive size. And then, his cloak is thrown open again -- chest jewel showing green.

"Brothers and Sisters of the Coalition, Repliforce, Maverick Hunters -- all. Witness as I demonstrate to Signas the folly of sending a /CHILD/ before an /EMPEROR/!"

And with that, the chest-sphere lets go with a terrible blast of raw, verdant energy...

Camera> Sigma misses Axl with his Viral Ray attack.

[Radio: (D) Public] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne sniffles gently, then whispering softly, not even intending to be heard, "...Rock..." She is forlorn young woman, horrified to her deepest, psychological level, then she goes quiet as her signal ends.

[Radio: (D) Public] Bass transmits, "Every second, every minute ... becoming more like me."

Camera> Alloy stands behind Dr. Light in the back of the Autotrack, water drenching the both of them, his face a conflict of emotions, crushing worry featuring prominently. As Light cheers for Axl, Alloy adds his own voice, cracking at first, but becoming more confident. "Fight, Axl! You /can/ beat him!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "..Did she die? Can we steal our paintings back"

Camera> Signas crosses his arms and smiles. "This is no child, Emperor. This is Axl - and he fights for all of us."

[Radio: (D) Public] Knight Man snerks "Pathetic little girl, tis what she truly is."

[Radio: (D) Public] Denise Marmalade transmits, "Those paintings belong to-- belong-- ... It's not important right now!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Sigma transmits, "Oh, you cannot possibly imagine what I have seen Bass. Every day, my men; my forces have been slaughted by Tyranny. This does not end at Berlin. Now, the world will pay. The world will pay in oceans of blood for what I have endured. Armageddon begins /NOW/"

[Radio: (D) Public] Bass transmits, "Oh-ho."

Camera> Data Raccoon watchs with narrowed optics from her perch as the 'champion' steps forth, and opens fire on Sigma. Hmming a bit, she digs through scattered bit of information in her databanks, pulls up some obscure file, and starts tweeking bits through it, replacing a few words here and there, and then giggles to herself as she pulls a few extra pieces of equipment out of a storage compartment, and starts wiring them together...

[Radio: (D) Public] Ebony Fox transmits, "And me without my camera."

Camera> "We will see what we will see..." Fefnir comments, radioing something to his forces while he holds his position.

[Radio: (D) Public] Job transmits, "Yes armageddon for the Mavericks."

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "ARMAGEDDON! GETCHER ARMAGEDDONS! GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT! FRESH ARMAGEDDON HERE!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Milan transmits, "I want some Armageddon!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Tengu Man, amused: "Only nine-ninety-nine! Order yours today!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Milan transmits, "Is it anything like a corndog?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "Then you shall have it!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "Yes, with more burning."

[Radio: (D) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "They taste about the same."

Camera> Protoman, having sent Rhythm off, now stands at the meeting point he had ordered the others to approach at. His plan is very simple... he just frowns, looking.. disturbed, at the very least, by Sigma's reappearance. But... he can't really do anything about it. He has other things to do, and that includes trying to take away the Maverick's ace card.

[Radio: (D) Public] Milan transmits, "Wait, isn't Armageddon one of those words for the end of the world?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Gate transmits, "Yes."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gabriel says pleasantly, "Such a devoted son."

[Radio: (D) Public] Milan transmits, "Oh, uh. So it's not anything like a corndog?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Knight Man transmits, "That's someth good Armageddon..."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gate transmits, "No."

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "But Bass Brand Armageddon (tm) is better than Sigma Style (tm) any day of the week."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "He is perfect, Gabriel...Perfect!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Milan transmits, "... can you put ketchup on it?"

Camera> Overclock bends his knees slightly.... and squints, behind his helmet. Focus... focus.... If things get ready to move, he wants to be ready, and so he activates his dash-jets, and they flare up red.

[Radio: (D) Public] Number Man transmits, "He's a perfect mess, I'll tell you that much."

Camera> Overclock channels power, and charges up his systems to optimize for speed.

Camera> The Moonraker's pilot buries his face in his faux reploid hands. "Pull yourself together..." He tells himself, He mentally arms the Moonraker. And does nothing more. He's an insignificant character, he doesn't get the liberty of long poses.

Camera>

Assault just keeps on watching. Axl, you've got to win now... for not only the Hunters' sake, but for our sake, and the sake of the whole world.

Camera> Barrage Raptor clenches her fist, gatling guns starting to spin slowly. She wants them to be warmed up for when the shit hits the fan. Normally she'd focus all her attention on Sigma and Axl...But she knows there's hundreds, if not thousands, of other Mavericks to worry about.

Camera> Option Yammark has arrived.

Camera> Ricochet, for his part, slowly weaves his way away from the crowd of marines. Having been in command of a fair chunk of them, he's turned over the actual control of his squad to Butt-Ugly Bunny, his faithful, rabbitoid sidekick. Orbit clings to his back as he slides through, not drawing too much attention to himself... though he occasionally glances towards Sigma's elephantine new form, as though waiting for him to turn his power on the crowd.

[Radio: (D) Public] Hailstorm Eagle's voice is a lot lower and a bit quieter than usual. "Doctor. What's it going to solve? It only ensures you die."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gabriel pleasantly adds, "May I see this perfection? I'm sure you understand why I don't want to actually /be/ in Berlin right now?"

Camera> Jet Stingray just continues to watch... And wait. Not much else he can do at this time. Maybe he should do the whole 'let the ones you love know you care thing'. So he does, just sitting on his aft and starting to chat away on the radio. He still has his gun, but well, not much he can do while he's waiting for something to happen. His end or the end of the Mavericks. He would be scared witless a couple of years ago, but well, Jet has been in this situations too many times to let fear grip him entirely.

Camera> Isaac is watching and praying even as the pilot of the APC pops her head out to watch the battle for the moment. Isaac just nods to the female RFer and goes back watching. He's praying...if there is a god please let him be with Axl this night...

Camera> It's not very long before the Acer glides over to stand near Blues' waiting position. The battle is watched a moment with a frown before she looks back to the first Light-bot. "Can you take the armor with you, too, or should I get out?" Not a pleasant thought but it was a valid concern.

Camera> Michael Eildath is still waiting. Like he has been the whole battle. He'll save the lecture for later.

Camera>

Byte simply watches, his arms held in front of him like a stylized Yin/Yang Symbol. His eyes BURN with golden light.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "You have your own ways of seeing, Lady Gabriel. I would not dream of blinding you. Witness our hour of triumph!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "Yeah yeah yeah."

Camera> Wire Sponge remains in his position, several weather pods shoot up from the reploid-plant's head and straight into the clouds, the pods contain dry ice, and he's sending it into warm clouds. A dense fog forms in the area, but miraculously, the fight between Axl and Sigma is still clear as daylight.

[Radio: (D) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Armageddon isn't triumph, it's surrender."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Actually, it's defeat."

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Technicalities, though."

[Radio: (D) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Even better."

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

Camera> Despite being tensed at the sight of Sigma's and Axl's combat, Flare tries to remained focused and aware of everyone else. With Protoman sending people in to take care of the bombs, Flare is mostly worried about what the other Mavericks will do. Spying Jet out of the corner of his eye, Flare quickly dashes over to him and offers a quick nod "Not a very nice situation, is it Jet?" He says, with his eyes still trained on their opponents. "D'you know that kid, Axl? Think he stands a chance?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Armageddon is just the final battle."

[Radio: (D) Public] Plasma Harrier transmits, "Huh?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Feste transmits, "Well-- oh, never mind, why do I even bother..."

[Radio: (D) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Exactly. And everyone loses when everyone dies."

[Radio: (D) Public] Gabriel transmits, "Mm, Alright Doctor, but please remember, you don't need Germany."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Unless you can't die!"

[Radio: (D) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Then you can't live either."

[Radio: (D) Public] Burner Man transmits, "Not necessarily."

[Radio: (D) Public] Fantasia transmits, "You can die."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Well, your ugly face won't seem to die."

[Radio: (D) Public] A random good guy gumbie transmits: "50 zenny on Axl."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Alright! Who will take Sigma?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "Can we get a Sigma?"

[Radio: (D) Public] Job transmits, "1000 on Axl."

Camera> Axl's back-fins may have been broken, but he still has his leg-jets, and he uses them to tremendous effect. He moves hard to his left, trying to ignore the massive sphere of energy streaking toward him-- and succeeds, if only barely. "I am not a child!" he calls back, as the energy tears narrowly by him. His jets pulse once again, moving him further away. "And you're not an emperor- you're a monster! The same as Double-- just because you're a little bigger, and a little scarier, doesn't mean I can't beat you too!"

He taps some buttons on the back of his pistol, yet again, and this time it morphs into a strange sort of energy crossbow; amazingly, he continues to wield his weapon with one hand, as unwieldly as it seems. "In the name of all the slain..." he says, quietly, as if to no one at all...

"You're going down!" Pulling up Megido with his other hand, he fires several shots from both, which collide and circle around each other, rushing toward Sigma at unheard of speeds. The shots are somewhat wild, as well; due to the collisions, they do not stay a single course, the bursts of fire and energy streak toward the Emperor at various angles, on nearly every part of his massive frame.

[Radio: (D) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "Ooo, big spendah."

[Radio: (D) Public] Fantasia transmits, "500,000,000 Zenny."

Camera> Crescent Grizzly lowers his forcefield.

[Radio: (D) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "--Even bigger spender. What kind of dumbaft are you?"

Camera> Alpha looks to Flare Feline and says, calmly, "He killed Double, and defeated Signas in battle. I don't know if he stands a chance, but he's the best fighter the Hunters probably have with us currently, at least in duels.", she then lowers her field, only briefly, to give Foucalt a hug. In case she can't later. The field is back up quickly.

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "...Alright! The dumbass with the big pockets!"

Camera> Axl strikes Sigma with his Layer Storm attack.

Iris arrives from the MavBerlin.

Iris has arrived.

[Radio: (D) Public] Fantasia transmits, "Fantasia, thank you."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "..That's what I said. Dumbass."

Camera>

The frost wolf charging through the field of battle finally stops next to Blues, "Sorry I'm late." he says. Blizzard stands up and begins to rack his brain thinking of what devilry lays waiting for them at the spire. Despite being deep in thought he merely awaits the command to go.

Camera> Durandal steps up to the First Android. "Okay Proto Man. I'm ready to disarm some very large bombs, retire some Mavericks, and go home with some stories to tell about how I saved the world." And somehow, despite the doom that hangs over everyone's heads...Durandal is miraculously smiling, warmly and heartfelt. If nothing else, the first son of Julie Matthews is brave.

[Radio: (D) Public] Fantasia transmits, "I have killed you twice, Dust Man, do not think I shall not do it again."

[Radio: (D) Public] Dust Man transmits, "I'm not mispronouncing it, am I?"

Camera>