Megaman - Thursday, February 10, 2000, 5:36 PM
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Research Lab <Hunter HQ>
The research section of Light Labs/Maverick Hunter HQ is naturally one of the largest in the base. It is within this suite of labs that Hunter scientists develop and construct their inventions, including the ocassional new Reploid. There are strict rules kept here however, including the golden rule of not touching someone else's experiment, and casual observers are rare.

Kyo-Ohki blinks as she tumbles out of the small vent by one of the larger work tables and bumps her little furry self against on of the legs before stopping. The bell around her neck jingles if only slightly, but is muffled by her startled cry. She sits where she lands semi-dazed for a few minutes with an ear comically draped over her face. After resting a moment she lifts the ear and takes a peek at her new surroundings. "Mew?" .oO(Must taken a wrong turn somewhere)Oo.

Sitting in a chair at a computer terminal, the Hunter from the distant future known only as X stares at the screen with an intensity he seems to have towards everything he does. Though he's not actually typing anything, he seems to be busy nonetheless, occupied with various thoughts running through his mind about fate and destiny, and how they intertwine with his future and the past. Pausing as he is interrupted by the intrusion, he glances over at the little animal and raises an eyebrow. "Well, it's you again. Getting yourself into mischief?" He inquires of Kyo-Ohki, though he knows the little pet is incapable of answering him in any form of communication he'll truly understand. Brushing his right hand through his unkempt hair, he lets out a slight sigh and uses the opportunity to take a short break from his seemingly endless work.

Kyo-Ohki yips as she turns towards X blinks. After letting loose a giggle she bounds towards him happily. She lands on the table's surface which holds the console just moments before she makes another leap...right into the reploid's hair. For a moment she sits there beaming just before peering down into the Hunter's facial features. "Mew!" <Lookin' at pweety pictures again?>

X:
The future. Ever shifting, ever changing, like the sands of the desert, it is a hazy blur of monotony filled with illusions that may or may not be real. Standing before you is one of those possible futures, given physical form. Locks of chestnut auburn hair drift about chaotically, unkempt yet still having a look reminiscent of a boyish charm he once had many years ago. Distant eyes of sky blue gaze about his surroundings suspiciously, having long lost their energetic sparkle to the cold sting of reality. Though his face remains eternally youthful, there is an obvious absence of innocence in his expression, which only seems to have a range of emotion which goes from indifferent to wildly angry. Thin and fit as always, his height is a little higher than most of his counterparts from the past, making him seem more like an older aged teenager than a young kid.
Adorning his form currently is his casual attire, or as casual as he gets. Wearing his off-duty uniform, he looks more like a military or police officer than a casual teenager. A two piece outfit, it consists of a pair of white pants along with a matching black top, with the official Maverick Hunter logo over his chest and a rank insignia beneath it, indicating that he is of the highest possible rank attainable. A pair of black gloves and black boots are worn on his hands and feet, giving it an uncomfortably formal look.

Watching the little furry pseudo-mammal leap towards him, X prays that it isn't going to do what he believes it's trying to do...until it chooses to leap onto his head and perch there. With a slight sigh of resignation, he gazes up at Kyo-Ohki as best he can without tilting his head too much. "You're cute, I'll give you that. But if someone walks in, you're going to have to move. I have a reputation to think of." Patting her on the head, he goes back to staring at the screen and explains to the little animal exactly what he's doing, though he's sure that she probably won't understand. "I'm trying to stop my future from happening by changing the past. But so many events happen in such a short time, it's hard to pinpoint the key event that triggers the whole thing." Flipping through various scenarios, he points at a timeline of events he's constructed. "The first thing that happens is that Repliforce is suspecting of having gone Maverick. Zero goes to Sky Lagoon to stop King Dragon from destroying it and save Iris." Pointing a finger to that spot on the timeline chart, he looks up at at Kyo again. "You getting all of this?"

Kyo-Ohki "mews" inquisitively, of course not understanding any one thing which X seems to be explaining to her. Instead, in reply to his comments regarding his work, the cabbit begins bending over even more to look at whatever the reploid appears to be pointing at the screen. "Yipyip me---!" And with that the mech-animal topples off and lands right into his lap. So much for leaning to far forward. "---ow..."

Meanwhile, the cabbit's owner peers into the room just in time to see Kyo make her fall and land safely on the Hunter's legs. She's seen such happen before...especially with Seminole and Rock actually. And she has a deep feeling that this version of Rock will react almost the same way as any of the others would when they're trying to protect some type of projected image. The girl suppresses a smirk as she ventures just through the door. "I wondered just where she went..." she comments. Kyo was in the bay just moments before, and then was gone. Go figure. "Apologies. She can't exactly tell you two alike." And if she overheard what he was trying to tell Kyo, she doesn't make mention of it. Although, by her stance it could possibly be gleaned she had heard.

Patting the small cabbit on the head, X shakes his head in response, "It's no bother. I haven't met a friendly pet since my Rush died." For a moment his voice trails into silence, before he snaps himself out of his daze, "In any case, here she is, if you were looking for her. I don't really mind her here as long as she's housetrained and doesn't start making a huge mess of the lab." Gently lifting up Kyo-Ohki with both of his hands, he sets her on top of the smooth surface of the table so that she's free to move about.

The cabbit actually stays where she's placed for the most part. But not before offering the reploid a playful lick to the chin. She then notices a tiny dust ball right by the console and idly begins toying with it between her paws quietly, wiggling her tail as she does.

"Well, you wouldn't have to worry much about the housetraining. She's a mech-animal. So, she 'digests' and breaks down foods for energy much luck you and the others would," Twila states while moving herself over to the table in order to keep a close watch on Kyo. The cabbit has a habit of sometimes getting a bit *too* near the console and ends up pressing of the keys by accident. "Actually, the Rock of this timeline was the one who had her made for me soon after I came here."

Nodding his head, X watches Kyo-Ohki toy with the dust ball with only marginal interest. "Really? I didn't know I had it in me," he responds jokingly, though he doesn't even crack a slight smile. He doesn't seem worried about loss of his data despite the cabbit's actions, and seems content to let her leap and play freely. "I noticed there are subtle differences in your timeline compared to my past. The only explanation I can think of is that Megaman and I are from alternate dimensions, not the future or past of this world." Stating it in a serious tone, the revelation seems to make uncomfortable, since it means nothing he does here will change anything in his world. Even so, he can't allow what happened to him happen here. To do so would mean the end of everything.

The cabbit merely continues frolicking on her own. For a moment the dust bunny flies over the console and then right over the edge of the table. It almost looks as if Kyo may actually give her running away prize chase. But apparently she decides against it. With a little yawn she begins to curl up her frame and makes herself comfy.

Twila nods a bit slowly towards this, knowing indeed what some of the differences already are and wondering what others might be. "That...I already gathered." After all, this version of Rock apparently doesn't remember or even recognize her. So, that's one small difference already. For all she knows, she may not have even existed within X's timeline. "Still would be nice to know just Wily was trying to accomplish with those teleporters. Apparently he had some of his Masters working with them right before Rock made use of it and you and Megaman..." She trails off momentarily. The girl hardly ever calls Rock by either of his publicly known names after all. "...you and Megaman arrived. Were you...also in midst of a teleport sequence just before you arrived here?"

For years, X has known nothing but constant action. Everywhere he turned, he had to fight off Mavericks just to survive. It was difficult just getting by, because the tables were now turned. For supporting and trying to save humanity, he was the 'Maverick' on his world. He was the one who was wanted by the so-called 'law' of the future, and he never knew a moment of peace. But here on this world, he is being forced to wait patiently, something which is obviously giving him more than a slight case of cabin fever, though he does well to hide it. Tapping his finger on the surface of the table as he thinks, he finally responds. "Yes, I was teleporting to San Angeles. I'm assuming Rock Jr. was doing the same. Whatever modifications Wily made must've interfered with our signals and pulled us through the dimensional barrier somehow."

Twila Peterson indicates that "Rock Jr." indeed was, or that he stated as much when he had been asked of it it. "Something was triggered apparently. Have any idea how the other two were able to follow you here? From what I understand they arrived within Repliforce Headquarters. Your time and place have that type of technology for that?" she questions with curiosity. Vile and Viris ended up following X here *somehow*.

To the side, young Kyo emits another tiny yawn as her eyelids droop.

As you mention Viris and Magistrate Vile, X's expression darkens considerably, going from indifferent to near rage in mere moments, though his voice is still amazingly calm. "Yes. Kaiser Sigma is practically a god on my world, driven insane with power. Viris is just as insane as he is, and I don't doubt they have the ability to track me through time and space and follow if they want. Magistrate Vile is a different matter, though. He is not and never has been infected with the Maverick Virus. He's the one who actually rules the government and makes all the administrative decisions. They're here for a couple reasons. One is to make sure I don't change history. The other is to save Zero's life." The strange, twisted irony of that purpose isn't lost on the Hunter. He saved Zero's life more than a few times, only to be forced to kill his own best friend to save him from the madness of the Virus. And now they are here to make sure he does not ever do that.

"Save Zero's life?" Twila finally asks, not quite understanding. She wasn't present at the battle which took place a couple of days ago and is basically within the dark as to what was spoken and what was revealed while the effort to retrieve Zero was underway. And some of the talk that went on a few nights ago was not kept and filed due to her recovery from her faint. So, some of this is news to her, other than what X himself stated on the night on which he arrived.
As X explains, Twila feels as if she's being stabbed in the heart. Despite the broken engagement and the following transition currently taking place between her and Rock personally, she still feels and cares for him quite deeply. Seeing him like this in the way, as a result of one timeline's stream of events, does indeed hurt. But she does her best not to let it show.

Nodding his head grimly, X explains once more to yet another person, though it never becomes easier to tell the story. "Zero was infected with the Maverick Virus. I tried to do everything in my power to save him, to cure him, but nothing worked. There just isn't any cure. So I had no choice. We fought a duel one on one, and I killed him to put him out of his misery. He was my best friend, and I couldn't let him live like that. The virus twists you inside out, it feeds on your goodness and purity of heart and eats away at your soul. Eventually all that's left is hatred, bitterness, anger, and revenge. Despite everything he did, Zero always had a noble heart and I couldn't let that happen to him." Clenching his fist, he looks ready to pound it on the table, but his self-control prevails and it remains where it is. Calming himself from his loss of temper, he reaches over and starts to pet Kyo-Ohki.

Kyo-Ohki has, by now, fallen asleep. Seems that there's only so much energy the cabbit can spend in getting into countless mischief for one day. None-the-less, at the affection the animal emits a few soft coos of pure content.

Twila, watches X for a few moments as he tends to the animal, digesting what she had been told. A cold shudder runs the length of her spine as contemplates some of the implications and doesn't say anything more for the few moments.

Although she's uncertain how X will react to brief physical contact, Twila offers it anyway with a hand resting on his shoulder. No matter what timeline he may be from, despite whatever may have happened or how events may have forced him to change, at the core he's still Rock. "Your friend would have understood."

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: '*yaaawn* Wha.... where am I?'.
(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: '*pause* Alright... who ever thought of playing a joke on me... this ain't very funny...'.
(Ch. B [Backup-Squad]) Arafina transmits: 'If I wasn't so busy, I'd ask what the joke was. I didn't get around to tying your hair to anything.'.
(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'You just made the 'list', sweetheart.'.
(Ch. B [Backup-Squad]) Arafina transmits: 'What? I was /serious/!'.

Placing his hand onto hers as it rests on his shoulder, the weary fighter seems to appreciate the sentiment, especially since they are so few and far between on his world. Lowering his head, as if in sadness or shame, X states in a low voice, "I know he does. But I still wonder every day if I made the right choice. If I had let him live, maybe he would have overcome it on his own, and maybe Iris would still have a soul instead of being Sigma's twisted plaything. It makes me sick to even think about how thoroughly he's warped her." Releasing a breathed sigh, he releases her hand and responds to his radio.

(Ch. B [None]) X transmits: 'Viris has your sabre, Zero.'.
(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: '...'.
(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'Where is she?'
(Ch. B [None]) X transmits: 'I don't know. Here in the past, she could be anywhere. She might have even returned to my time. There's no way to be certain. I can guarantee you, though, that you'll see her again. She won't rest until she has you.'.
(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'That's good, because I'm not going to rest until I get my sabre back.'.
(Ch. B []) Rick Morgan transmits: 'You better come back in one piece this time.'.
(Ch. B [Backup-Squad]) Arafina transmits: 'Make a new one. See, this is why I tell you people - enough with the weapons.'.

Kalinka peeks in from outside the hallway, after making sure Mr. Light or her daddy isn't here, for some reason they get nervous when she's wandering about in here.

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'Don't give opinions on something you don't have half an idea about.'.
(Ch. B [Backup-Squad]) Arafina transmits: 'I object. I have exactly half an idea.'.
(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'I'm leaving to get my sabre back, and I'm taking the Albatross, any of you stupid enough to try and stop me? Well don't even think about it, because I'm getting it back, and I'm bringing her with me this time.'.
(Ch. B []) Rick Morgan transmits: 'Zero! Hang on a second. You don't even know where to start looking!'.
(Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'Zero, it's an order. You're staying in base until you're completely healed. We'll get your sabre back.'.
(Ch. B [None]) X transmits: 'It's not that simple, Zero. She became who she is because you died. She won't rest until she's positive she's saved your life and I bet she's willing to even kidnap you to make sure it happens. She's not Iris, and if you let her trick you into believing she is, then its over. The future, the past, everything. Once she has you, it won't end. She'll try to kill every version of Rock she can find throughout time and space. Don't go, Zero. If for no one's sake but Iris', don't go.'.

Twila Peterson keeps her hand on his shoulder for a little longer even after X has removed his. She blinks at her radio and withholds a quiet sigh. Well, well, well...guess who finally decided to wake up? She silently follows the radioed conversation with the radio that's attached to her own belt. Rick hadn't yet woken up from his own rest from the experience from last night. But can only assume that if he wasn't awake earlier, he certainly is now. And...yep...there he is. She sighs audibly this time before offering X's shoulder a gentle squeeze before pulling her hand away. "Yep...he's awake..." she muses. At any rate, sensing that the time with X may be growing short she reaches behind her neck to remove her necklace. "It's always difficult to second guess." She then moves the pendent, one with a cross, butterfly and a flower inscribed within its heart, into X's hand and closes his fingers around it. "I can't imagine what you've been through. Just...remember that in whatever timeframe you're not as alone as you may think."

Taking the necklace in his hands, X is uncertain of how to react. He's been alone a long time...and to suddenly be thrust amidst all of these people again, it's almost like re-living the past. Closing his hand around the pendant, he closes his eyes and falls silent, not speaking or moving for what seems like an eternity, before finally he states in a hushed tone, "Thank you, Twila. That means a lot to me." Turning around to meet her eyes with his, he brushes her cheek with his gloved hand before turning back to face his workstation. "Rock is lucky to have someone like you." Opening his palm, he looks down at the decorative the cross, butterfly, and the flower before closing it again. "Don't worry, I won't let it happen here. It's too late to save my world, but I'll die before I let it happen twice."

The necklace itself was a testament to nothing more than three small words: faith, hope, and love. Although the meaning goes unspoken and maybe unnoticed, perhaps the message does not. "We'll all work to make sure it doesn't happen here," Twila promises with a gentle smile.

Kalinka nodnods, "Me too!" Kalinka pipes up, giving away her location.

Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'Hop to it Morgan, after this I'll leave you and the rest of the guys alone and just deal with this alone.'.
(Ch. B []) Rock transmits: '*sigh* Zero... um... dude, don't make me confine you to base again.'.

Twila Peterson throws Kalinka a surprised glance, not even realizing the little girl was there. She then turns back towards the Hunter. "Anything you currently need that I can get you?" she offers.

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'I ain't going anywhere. Just leave me alone and I'll be a good little boy and stay inside.'.
(Ch. B []) Rick Morgan transmits: 'Yo, folks. Let's try and keep some measure of calm here. Zero ain't gonna leave, he said so himself. So let's leave it at that.'

If he didn't have so much self-control, X might turn a bright shade of red right now. It's almost reminiscent of his days as the Blue Bomber, when he was so young and naive and everything was so black and white. He half expects Kalinka to be his younger sister Roll, but he knows that they've both matured a lot since those early days. "No...I'm alright, thanks," he states in response to Twila, for lack of anything better to say now that he's faced with this minor dilemma.

Twila Peterson nods quietly in response, turning her gaze briefly towards what X had been working on the terminal before she, or Kyo, had entered, wondering if she had taken enough of the reploid's time. It's hard for her to be sure. With Rock it's always easier to tell.

Surprisingly, the young woman bends down and offers the top of his head a quick kiss before she once more pulls back. Although uncertain if it was appropriate or not given the circumstances, she conveys the unspoken message just the same. She then pulls herself back. "I didn't mean to interrupt you for this long. I can leave Kyo behind if you like to keep you company. She's not prone to get into so much trouble when she's asleep."

Rick Morgan leads Roll into the research lab, removing his hands from his pockets as he leads Roll in. A quick wave is given towards those present, as he makes a direct beeline for a row of lockers set up across one wall.

Kalinka waves to the others.

Roll smiles and waves cheerily to everyone else in the room, even though she doesn't know why they're in here as well. She follows Rick over to his locker and waits patiently beside him until he can open the one containing the parts.

Twila Peterson watches as her brother and the android enter, offering a smallish wave in greeting as well.

Rick Morgan pulls out a keycard, swiping it through the electronic ID slot on the locker, before opening it up. Inside is a various assortment of equipment, odds and ends, and other articles as well. Not to mention a big lab coat with 'Morgan' written on a nametag. Not that he ever really uses it. It's a box at the top of the locker that he reaches for however, pulling it out and setting it onto a nearby table with a clatter of loose parts. "Ahhh...here we go."

If he were his younger self, X would probably turn boyish and shyly squirm into the depths of his chair, where he would hide in embarrassment after Twila's show of affection. But fortunately, for the both of them, he has not been Megaman for many years. Turning to look at her once more he offers her the very slightest of smiles, perhaps the only one he's shown to anyone other than his own sister. In just few days he's spent here, the future Rock has experienced more affection than he's been shown in the entire ten years Kaiser Sigma has been ruling his world. He would be moved to giddiness if his situation weren't so dire, and if so much didn't rest upon his actions here in the short time he has left. Not one to be cold to his long lost sister, X offers Roll a friendly wave and a brief smile, before quickly returning to his terminal, before Rick or anyone else sees the foreign expression grace his features.

At this point, Twila offers the reploid a gentle pat before allowing him to return to his work, leaving Kyo behind to keep him company.