Megaman -

Megaman - Thursday, February 17, 2000, 10:51 PM
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Screen> European Russia
In the last 20th Century, Western Russia was riddled with internal Civil War and other governmental problems. People were forced to abandon their cold, impoverish farm lifestyles and move to the few cities that were prospering in order to survive. Now, in the 23rd Century Moscow is one of the planets most heavily populated cities. Where its farms once lied, winding highways and structures fill the void. Most of the land not covered by urbanization is landfills or frozen tundra. Aside from the cities, Russia isn't the most enjoyable habitat.

Screen> Vile emits a cold, dark chuckle from beneath the veil of his helmet, "Indeed you could, Rock, but I have yet to deal my trump card." Vile taps a button and the front armor plate on Goliath's chest slides open. Within, bound by a dozens of chains, is Innocence. She is unconscious, fortunately for her, because both of her tiny hands have been fused to Goliath's internal systems. She is, in effect, part of the ride armor now, a shield of sorts. "Fire, Rock, and you prevent the deaths of millions. You stop the rise of a madman, and the destruction of everything you've ever loved. All that, Rock, for the price of one innocent life. You do not have it in you, X. You are a puppet, as are we all. Knowledge of the future comes at a price, dear boy. Free will is an illusion, for are destinies are already decided...just as you are destined to fail, and become a heartless killer like the future incarnation of yourself. Or perhaps you can break the endless pattern. The choice is yours, but know that I will destroy you if you do not fire."

Screen> Rock halts in any movement he may have been about to take. "Destiny isn't set in stone Vile..." And he begins to back away. "I can't take an innocent life..." He holds his arms in a defensive posture before him, backing away slowly. He knows he's slagged... no time to call in reinforcements before Vile fires... .oO(What to do?!)Oo.

Screen> Bass actually breaks apart from the merging with his robotic canine. Incredibly powerful the mode may be, but hard on the fuel it is, and right now, the Dark Knight would prefer to keep his energy levels at optimum. He crosses his arms slowly over his chest once again, observing through silted eyes. As the armor shifts around and reveals its...interior, it's then that the Dark Knight arches both optic ridges, both because of Vile's own actions, and knowing very well just how Rock will react to it.

"That's what always made you weak Rock..." he muses to himself, in a bare whisper. With a quick motion, he gestures for Treble to move off some distance, as his right hand shifts, disappearing into his arm once again.

"You speak as if the whole world revolves around this one Vile...." he intones, amusement ringing in his voice. "But even you can never learn the most important lessons of them all...."

With an audible *vrmmm!* he shifts his buster arm up, unhesitantly pointing it at Goliath, and Vile's hostage. "....never forget those who are strong enough to make up for other's weaknesses."

With that, he unleashes a hellish blast of energy from his buster, actually pushed back one step by the recoil, as it screams straight for the ride armor.

Screen> Treble growls low in his throat, slinking off to the side as his master unleashes his blast at the hulking form of the ride armor. He knows no fear, only instinct, and obedience. Tail whipping slowly behind him, he moves to the edge of another ride, glaring straight at Goliath's huge frame, and waiting.....

Screen> Vile rasps, "You will by the time I am done with you, or you will perish." The Vile Cannon swivels into place on the XO's shoulders. It extends and hums, the particles around burning away. "But first you shall suffer!" The cannon fires off two blasts, low powered, aimed at each of Rock's knees, Vile wants to finish him slowly while he is busy debating the morality of his situation. "One more thing you should be aware of, Rock, I have wired a self-destruct signal into Goliath, that is set to emit when I give a specific command or go off-line, so even if you somehow manage to unseat me the child still dies. What a pity," hisses the monster as the twin blasts soar towards their mark. At that exact moment the blast from Bass' cannon strikes the side of the ride-armor. Vile is violently flung from the cockpit. The blast scorches Goliath's frame, but Vile no longer resides within the driver seat. The area containing Innocence promptly detonates loudly. Innocence is ripped from her place within the armor, landing at Rock's feet. Mech-fluid drips from her shattered body. As she lies bleeding and dying, her crimson eyes wink open.

She strains and cranes her neck towards Rock, "Heya mister -- why...can't...I feel my body? Did the b-bad man finally find me? I-I-I'm not worried, because your- a-a-a-a-a hero and you-you-you can protect me. Can you...take...me back...and we can play ball again...when I'm...home." There is a violent sparking as the last of the child's systems give out and she dies...quietly, still innocent.

Screen> As the blast screams into the Ride Armor, and into Innocence, Rock lets out a strained cry. "NOOOOO!" His body begins to hum as his buster charges... "**** you...both of you!" he challenges, body forming a green-white glow. The energy begins to pool at the end of the Gravity Buster. "You killed her...an innocent, misguided reploid. Murderers..." Yeah, he's blaming both rather than just Bass: but Vile placed her in that easy-to-shoot place. "I can't forgive you for this..." As Vile fires upon him, he leaps into the air, charge still coming at an insane rate. "NO MORE!" His color suddenly changes though, to a mock-up of Cut Man's colors. And a charged-burst of Rolling Cutter flashes out in waves from his buster; half angle toward the unseated Vile, the other toward Bass.

(Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'NO!!!!!!!!!!! *sound of a Megablast, followed by
(Ch. B []) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Boss? What's wrong?'.
(Ch. B []) Feedback transmits: 'Hey, what's going on out there?'.

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'Alright people, rule number one, when Rock screams like that, you don't ask questions, you just find him. Rule number two, there is no rule number two. Get on it, ASAP.'.

(Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'Those b*stards... Bass and Vile... no, stay where yo uare... Zero, come get Mirage. I'm outside Moscow... I owe these two a lesson... and I have to get her body, at least....'.

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'R--Rock?'.
(Ch. A [Hunters]) Rock transmits: 'Twila... they killed Innocence... that little girl reploid. Now they'll pay... *cut off radio*'.

Screen> Laughter, harsh laughter, pure and simple, it's all that Bass gives across the battlefield as he tilts his head back at the sudden lurching of the ride armor, and the detonation of the hostage herself.

When evil meets evil, there's no space for those between. "Oh...." he intones, raising his hand to his chest in mock shock. "I'm -so- sorry Vile...did I do that? I'm afraid I destroyed your trump card!" Even as Rock explodes into his sudden fury, the Dark Knight continues to laugh, placing his hands on his hips. "Oh your -welcome- Rock! It always does me such /pleasure/ to help out a friend! By all means...now you can properly finish Vile off like you intended to!"

The Rolling Cutter that sweeps towards him is noticed only at the last second, and diverted from causing a serious injury by the intervention of his left forearm, into which it imbeds with a solid *WHUNK!* and a shower of sparks. He winces at the impact, taking another step back, before glancing at the projectile stuck in his arm, and actually breaking into a dark grin. Oh yes....he's lost it.

"Touchy touchy...."

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'Yer talkin to the wrong man when yer saying don't come and help, Hunters, assemble and move out. W're bringin the boss home, wether or not one eye and fishhead like it or not.'.

Screen> Treble snarls as his master is hit, straightening up and jerking his tail to a ready position, a charge building in the photon cannon mounted there. But at a sudden gesture from Bass' direction, he actually lowers it, albeit reluctantly...

Screen> Mirage is aside from the battle. The battle-worn Hunter is lying in the snow. The young boy's brown hair is splattered almost over his eyes. Mirage's face is scuffed and bleeding. Moving down, you notice his arm is bent awkwardly, as well as his chest is open. You can almost see straight through. Various electric components are visible. Sparks, nor smoke fly, the time for that has passed. The Hunter is simply a mess. He did fight well, and will be glad to tell you so, whenever he awakes. IF he awakes from his slumber that is.

Twila Peterson just...blinkblinks the sleep from her eyes at the response. There's a grunt as she shifts her weight on the mattress, followed by a pain-filled yelp as she attempts to sit herself help. She very quickly finds herself kying back on the mattress, gulping in air, waiting for some of the pain to subside. "Remind me never to do that..." she grumps, disgruntled.

Rick Morgan sits bolt upright where he was at the terminal. "What the heck...?" he grunts at the scream, listening just a bit more of the speech. It's then that he notices Twila moving, and now stands up in a shot. "Geez, Sis! Don't move like that! Take it easy!" he calls, immediately moving over to her side. "You didn't aggravate anything I hope?"

Twila Peterson slowly blinks while biting her lip. "Uh..." she states a lil sheepishly towards Rick as he approaches. "Hmm...maybe I lil. Not...sure."

Rick Morgan sighs once, as he glances down at her form, and gently reaches forward to steady her just a bit. "Just...be careful. You can't go making sudden moves like that." he scolds gently.

Twila Peterson sighs once more as the pain indeed does subside somewhat and dips her chin. "Yeah, yeah...I know..." she concedes. Her eyes flicker a glance towards the radio still within her hand. "Rock...stated something about Vile killing a little girl reploid..."

Rick Morgan shakes his head. "I don't know the full details yet." he states. "All I know is there's someone down, and Rock's really upset." He then sighs, and shifts his stance to a gentle glare. "But -you- relax. You've got to be careful."

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'Feedback, check on Mirage, Mike, make some noise,

Screen> A flip sends Rock sliding toward the damaged Goliath. "C'mon..." he says softly, to the now-deceased Innocence. "I let the bad men hurt you..." With a sniff, he uses his X-Blade to slash Innocence's hands and feet loose from Goliath. "But I promise the bad men won't hurt anyone anymore." Laying the small reploid aside delicately, he shoots a glance back to Bass; his sapphire eyes are slightly tinged with red, shimmering and tearing up. "You two..." His Buster, however, closes and he picks up Innocence. "We'll finish this now!" And with that, he dashes toward Mirage's prone form. Apparently he's going to leave Innocence there, for the moment: he's still got some punishment to dole out this evening. Rock's been pushed too far: be warned.

(Ch. B []) Feedback transmits: 'I copy that.'.

Screen> Zero dashes into the area with a small detachement of hunters, barking orders into his radio as he approaches the area, his hand already reaching for his sabre, a business sneer on his face, he's had enough of this crazy week, and he certainly isn't going to be giving any benefits of the doubt tonight, oh no.

Screen> Maverick Airship <Raptor> glides through the clouds with the greatest of ease, the daring...oh never mind. Those who can recognize the silly thing know that there's either more Mavericks to come play, or it's just playing taxi. It's here, so get Goliath over here.

Screen> Feedback comes running in with everyone else. He looks around for Mirage and then peels off to check on the downed guy. Everyone has their own job to do, and he's going to start his. He curses as the guy looks pretty trashed and then resets his scanners to check for damage.
Screen> Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Albatross> follows Zero in, a grim-faced human at the helm. Mike's here and he's... well... failing to make a dramatic pose.

(Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'Someone... please, take the little girl reploid with you... and be gentle.'.

Screen> Dischord just growls as she runs, trying to keep up with Zero and the others. Strangely enough, she isn't flying....

Screen> Vile staggers to his feet, just in time to see the cutting blade slamming through the air, directly towards him. It slices into his shoulder, biting through the joint. Dark mech-fluid spurts up, as the blade completes its journey through Vile's body. The Maverick's right arm drops to the ground next to him. If Vile registers the pain, he doesn't express it. He simply stares at Rock, "And now you metamorphoses into X. You were right when you called her misguided. She thought you were a hero. I appreciate this memorial, Hunter, creating a mountain of corpses, what amusing final rites. So tell me 'hero' did you hear her internals snap when she hit the ground?"

(Ch. B []) Feedback transmits: 'What? What lil' girl? Whatcha talking about Rock?'.

Screen> All movement from Rock's form stops as Vile speaks... the look on his face would make one thing Guts Man punched him in the gut. His Buster enfolds back into his left arm, and he just falls to his knees, pressing his face into his hands... He has no answer for the Maverick... He has no answer for himself, either. Just the hope that by giving Innocence a proper funeral will make things righted in his head.

Screen> Zero gets to a point and ignites his sabre with a resounding bzzt, as he kneels slightly and launches himself into the air, landing not to far from Rock's currently location, he stares at Vile and snorts, "Hey Shorty, why don't you shut yer yap and move along, before I shut it for you, eh? I'm not keen on you screwin with my pal here." he smirks arrogantly, "So, we can do this one of two ways, the hard way, and the very hard way, so what's it gonna be, hrm?"

Screen> Bass reaches up and takes hold of the Rolling Cutter, pulling it loose in a sudden spray of sparks. There's very little fluid however, as it imbedded mostly into his armor, cutting down to the circuits underneath. It's painful, but his arm still works right now, and that's what counts. With a quick toss, he sends the projectile clattering to the ground, as he gestures Treble closer once again.

The mechawolf moves to obey, wasting no time in starting to trot back to his master's side, as they seem to take on the role of observers once more.

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'Rock, pick yourself up and get the hell out of here, I can handle this.'.

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Rock...what's...going on?'.

(Ch. A [Hunters]) Rock transmits: 'They killed her... a child reploid...'.

Screen> Dischord snarls slightly, and leaps into the air, making a fist as she does, her crimson blade appearing, while she just stops, and hovers, while keeping an eye on Zero, and what he is doing, ready to step in as needed.

(Ch. B []) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I'll take her, Rock.'.

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I'm...sorry.'.

Screen> Rock just... Stays where he is, regardless of Zero's requests/orders... he's shiver-sobbing, something you wouldn't expect to see Megaman X doing. But, that's that. He's compassionate, and someone that, to him, was an innocent just died... and he couldn't do a thing about it.

Screen> Zero snarls, "Come on, cutie pie, answer the question, before I start taking the answers out of your hide." He looks over a rock and frowns, "Rock, I said get the heck out of here, don't make me have Mike drag you out of here."

Twila Peterson glances back up towards Rick as she lowers her radio and rests it gently against her chest. "I'll try a little more," she muses, reflecting more on the dispair within his tone more than on anything else.

Rick Morgan sighs again, and reaches out to gently brush her stray bangs of hair from her forehead, noting quietly how she may have to either have it trimmed...or styled to compensate for that which was cut off. Either that or there's some wonderful new Hair Growth products out there!

Twila Peterson glances back up towards Rick, grateful for the gesture. "Thanks...for staying in here with me."

Rick Morgan blinks for a moment, before he suddenly registers what she's referring to. "Oh!" he suddenly exclaims, before breaking into a small smile. "Hey...what are brothers for huh?"

<And...>

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Rock...maybe it's best you do as Zero says. There a way you can retrieve the little girl so she can be laid to rest?'.

Screen> Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Albatross> lands near the fallen one's body, and Mike seems prepared to get out... only Zero's words stay him. He waits to see what Rock does.

Screen> Rock finally, after another short while, looks up. His sapphire eyes are glazed a bit, as he stands; his wound from Bass' earlier blast is visible in the left side of his armor.... And he turns, dashing away; he heads toward the downed Mirage and Innocence. With a grunt, he hefts Mirage over his shoulder, and tries his best to gently hold Innocence as he makes for the Ride Armor. Why couldn't they bring their OWN airship?

Screen> Maverick Airship <Raptor> floats closer to the scene of the battle as it converges on Vile's position. A platform descends from the bowels of the ship. The pilot can't exactly see how badly damaged Goliath is.

Screen> Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Albatross> lowers to a loading position.

Screen> Vile would smile if he still had lips, he picks his amputated limb off the ground. "Zero, as much as I enjoy watching your friend go mad, I believe that enough trauma has transpired for one night. I know the truth now, destiny is set. Freewill is nonexistent. Tonight X took the first steps towards becoming the merciless killer that came from the future. We all have set destinies. Yours is to go Maverick and be destroyed by your best friend. Mine is to rule an empire, and bring about the destruction of the cosmos. How amusing, by sacrificing this child's life I now know that I will be this world's king. Goodbye, Zero, we will meet again when you are one of us." Vile leaps through the air, coming to a graceful landing in the ruin that is Goliath's cockpit. A grappling hook shoots from the ride-armors back, striking the raptor and pulling it skywards, as Vile ascends.

Screen> Feedback was checking up on Mirage, before Rock came and picked him up. He looks at his leader and shrugs before scanning him as well for damage. He continues to stand there looking over his readings a little absent minded of what's going on around him. He starts to follow Rock as he heads for the ride armor, "Hey, Rock. You okay there buddy? Need some help or something?"

Screen> Zero rolls his eyes, "Ya know, I'm about sick of this future junk, ya know that?" he points at X. "He ain't that psycho, and I ain't about to get killed by him, and you certainly aren't gonna get as Ugly that came through last week either. So you know what you can do Vile? DO YOU?!" he screams as Vile takes off and frowns, just letting it go. "If this madness doesn't start clearing up soon, I'm gonna become a florist."

(Ch. B []) Rock transmits: '*weakly* Shoot... Vile... if he goes off-line, Goliath'll go up.'.

Screen> Rock gives Mirage over to Feedback. "I'll be fine..." he utters softly, with a sigh. "At least, I will be..." He looks over at Zero and the escaping Vile...

Screen> Rock gently adjusts the way he's holding the broken childlike reploid...

Screen> Dischord chuckles slightly, a small distance above Zero at that comment, "And you'd make a great one. Now lets just get out of here before someone else decides to show up and cause some more destruction. I know i could take it, but X there...." she motions slowly towards Rock...

Screen> Feedback takes Mirage and nods while continuing to follow where Rock goes, "Whatever ya say Rock. Who's your friend?...Hey, isn't that that girl that you wanted me to check up on? What happened here?"

Screen> Bass tilts his head back as he speaks into his radio, laughing again as he shifts his gaze towards the sky. "Can it be truly so different?" he muses aloud, though the words are meant for his own ears, and that of the robotic canine next to him. "A possible future, perhaps...." he muses. "....but this one will be quite different. He will fall...they will -all- fall, one by one. Only -one- will stand victorious..." he chuckles again, raising a clenched fist upwards, before finally turning to face Treble fully.

Screen> "Vile used her to stop me from shooting him... and Bass shot him. And killed her..." Rock emits, nearly monotone.

Screen> Zero snarls at Rock's radio message and bends down and launches himself into the air at the Maverick drop ship, slicing into it's lower hull and grabbing onto it with his other hand. He places his sabre on his back and shifts his free arm into his Zero Buster as he aims it at Vile's big ugly mug, "Alright you, yer gonna take this, if I have to shove down your throat."

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'We're all here for you Rock. Innocence will be remembered. Tell, me about her sometime, kay? Just concentrate on you and the others getting out safe.'.

(Ch. A [Hunters]) Rock transmits: 'I...didn't know much about her. She was...a household reploid. Her human abused her... She killed him. She was arrested, but she didn't know better. Vile broke her out, and she took the Maverick Virus. But...she wasn't evil. Just...misguided.'.

Screen> Feedback nods slowly, "Sorry bout that Rock." He looks over at Zero and Vile before resetting his visor and starting to record this event. He shifts Mirage over to his right arm and then watches Zero ready to provide cover fire should he need it. Doubtful, but still a precaution that he's taking just in case.

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: '*brief silence* Then she'll be remembered for who she was...an innocent child. I know you did what you could to help her.'.

Screen> Maverick Ride Armor <Goliath> continues to ascend. Vile regards Zero for a moment, "I don't have time for you, but I know someone who does." Vile's crimson eye flashes and a new figure rises before him, that of Lady Viris. She is nothing more then a hologram Vile is projecting, an illusion, but a very convincing one. Vile hisses from behind her form, "The irony would be sweet indeed if you caused her death. Now release your hold on the ship and stand down. Your friend needs you," Vile points a claw towards the mourning Rock. As he speaks the cargo bay of the ship opens, and the Goliath begins to make the final climb towards it.

Screen> Isn't it amazing how in the heat of the battle, everyone tends to concentrate on scrapping Vile himself, and no one turns in Bass' direction? Sometimes there's advantages to when someone else grabs the major spotlight, they tend to draw all the fire. Turning calmly, the Dark Knight lifts his foot and hooks it into place on Treble's back, quickly following with the other as he climbs atop his companion. Flight thrusters in the robotic dog's body whoosh to life, starting to slowly lift the two from the ground, though they linger just a bit, as Bass continues to leer down over the scene. He so enjoys observing the results of his actions...

Screen> Zero snarls as he tries to aim his shot, "C'mon you ugly purple ***, you know you wanna little. Yer givin me that look like you wanna little." His buster begins glowing a bright red as he begins to focus power into it. He blinks at the image, and pauses for a moment, and fires anyway, snarling as it cuts through the hologram and through air behind it missing the mark, "It's gonna take more than her to stop me from ripping yer head off yer damn shoulders you puny little lavender freakshow!" he roars as he lets go of his grip on the gash in the underbelly of the ship, falling to the ground and landing hard, kicking up a large cloud of dust, in a kneeling position. He straightens up, and phases his buster back into his arm and turns around briskly, grumbling as he heads over to Rock.

<Elsewhere...>

Twila Peterson offers a small smile of her own, although it's laced with sadness due to what she overheard not only over the broadband but her and Rock's channel. "I guess...it's your turn to play mother-hen I guess, huh?"

Rick Morgan hmmms, and nods slowly. He glances to Twila's radio, then back again...arching an eyebrow slowly. "What did he say?"

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: '*snarl* If there's anyone back home capable, swing the Vorpal out over here.'.

Twila Peterson offers a small blink. "Rock...told me a little about Innocence. She was the girl reploid that was just now murdered. He didn't know much of her. Only...she was abused by the one who owner her and killed him, I guess not knowing what she was doing. She was arrested, then she was broken out and given the Maverick Virus."

(Ch. B []) Zero transmits: 'And get the medbay ready, we've got some coming in.'.

Twila Peterson stops as she overhears Zero's voice over the radio. She momentarily sets the radio in her lap as her good hand fumbles for the switch that would prop her up at least at a tolerable angle so she can at least sit up. She then takes up the radio again, then casts her gaze towards her blankets. "Guess...company's coming, huh?"

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Rock...you...gonna be alright?'.
(Ch. A [Hunters]) Rock transmits: 'I don't know...'.
(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I'm here if you ever need me.'

Rick Morgan drums his fingers across his upper forearms, sighing to himself as he listens in. "Dunno who's all injured, guess we'll know before too long or something." He casts a glance back to the medtable, and sets his jaw. "Guess it won't be the reploid..."

Twila Peterson lifts her eyes back up towards Rick. "Nope. Guess...not." She looks back down again. "Wish I could help. Hate being laid up like this." Feel so helpless.

Rick Morgan shakes his head slowly. "I know, Twila. But you've got more pressing concerns at the moment. I'll take care of this part of it anyway." He then grunts as he listens over the radio, stepping away from the medbed. "I better go play taxidriver again. I'll be back soon."

Screen> Maverick Ride Armor <Goliath> rises into the cargo bay. Vile lifts himself out of the cockpit, not surprised by Zero's actions. He has what he came for. There is no more need to stay. He commands a nearby drone to plot a coarse home. The violet XO retires to his personal chamber within the ship, feeling, for the first time in a long time, tremendously pleased with himself.

Screen> Zero spouts off one last piece of enlightenment to Vile and folds his arms as he approaches the others, "What just happened?"

Screen> Bass continues to lift into the sky with the help of his companion. He turns then and suddenly jets over the heads of the others at breakneck speed, gathering more and more momentum as the pair climb into the sky then, his harsh laughter filling the void behind him.

"Muhahahahaha!"

Screen> Rock looks up at Zero, "I came to rescue Mirage...then Bass attacked. Then Vile attacked... he used Innocence to try and destroy me, so I would not shoot him. Bass... shot him, and destroyed Innocence... and I don't know. I guess... so much stress, I snapped." He looks down at the child reploid in his arms. "She's dead because of this war..."

Screen> Vorpal VTOL <Airship> swoops through the clouds, guided by it's pilot's hand as it gently curves over the scene, engines roaring as it flies overhead. With a slow, practiced bank, it then circles back again, deploying its landing gear and settling down onto the field with a solid *WHUMP*, immediately followed by its ramp slowly lowering.

Screen> Rock turns as the Vorpal lands, heading for it...

Twila Peterson is half-sitting within her bed thanks to the adjustable mattress, covered with a blanket. She still sports that lovely bandage over her right shoulder that can be screen through the hospital garb that she's now dressed within. Her wrist is still bandaged as well...but is no longer in a splint. Within various places, including her facial features, bruises are still apparent, although are now caught up within the healing stages. Understandably, tho, some places are more bruised than others.

Rock comes into the medbay; his armor is damaged, a large chunk of it gone from his left side. His sapphire eyes seem sunken and sullen; in his arms is carried a broken childlike reploid. Gently, Rock sets her on a medtable and covers her over with a sheet...

Michael Eildath comes in a few minutes after Rock does, concerned about his leader's well being.
Michael Eildath walks slowly towards Rock, feeling that, in some way, he knows what must be going through his boss's mind.

"Innocence wanted me to take her from the bad people. But Vile wasn't bad to her..." Rock drops into a chair heavily, "I didn't help her in time... and now she's dead..."

Twila Peterson watches quietly from her vantage point, not knowing what to really offer at that exact moment. Her gaze falls on the covered body briefly before turning back towards Rock. "Rock, please don't blame yourself for this."

Michael Eildath looks down, struggling to find something reassuring to say. "You... you can't blame yourself, Rock. We can't... can't be there all the time, and sometimes the in-innocent suffer. It hurts, and nothing can stop that... but you can't dwell on it." Mike's head falls, and he doesn't add... (Or you'll end up like me.)

Rock looks up, "How can I -NOT- blame myself? It's my fault! I didn't take her from Vile the first time he brought her, playing on my programming... But I -WAS- there; I could've cut her loose from Goliath. Bass... he blasted her..."

Michael Eildath says, "And if you'd gotten that close to Goliath, Vile would have killed you himself."

Rock shakes his head, "I could've dodged Vile long enough to at least get Innocence away from him..."

On the young woman's covers, Kyo slightly stirs before offering a quiet yawn before opening her eyes. She glances over towards Twila and then hops up yo her feet, giving herself a shake to scare the sleep away...and then follows her owner's gaze. "Mew?" she asks inquisitively. There's a blank stare directed towards Rock as he raises his voice. Not understanding the situation she glances towards the others in the room and hops off the bed, heading towards the one carrying the deceased child.

Twila doesn't notice the cabbit or where she's headed, or even knows that she's awake for that matter. She's dealing with...other things at the moment. "Rock, it's always harder when you second guess. It's natural for you to do right now. But it also makes it a lot harder."

Meanwhile, Kyo makes her final approach to the bed and hops up on the covered form...wondering what it is. She sniffs at it slightly and pokes at it with a paw. "Mew?" <Someone sleepy?>

An armored hand scoops up the cabbit, gently, and Rock props her on his shoulder. "Too hard... I'm not cut out for these decisions..."

Kyo-Ohki offers a squeak in protest. Her gaze switches from the bed and then to Rock with a questioning, "Mew?" She doesn't understand really. All she can pick up on is Rock's current distress. So...she offers him what she can. She nuzzled against his armor regardless of it's current condition.

Twila softens her gaze. "Exactly...who is?"

Michael Eildath shakes his head, still unable to bring himself to look directly at Megaman. "But you don't know what would have happened. You made a choice, and that's what life is. You can't always make the noble choice, or the heroic choice... but you've got to learn to live with the choices you make. You can't change the past, and dwelling on it won't help. You may have died saving her, or you might both be dead, or nothing might have changed at all. You made a choice, and that choice led to an end. If we were clairvoyant, bad things would never happen... but we aren't." Mike shakes his head. "You've just got to learn that because you lived and someone else died doesn't make you any less of a person."

Rock sighs, pressing his face into his hands. "But the choice I made cost an innocent her life. If I would've died saving her, at least it'd be better than her dying."

Twila Peterson wishes she could go to him. But being barely able to move her back makes it rather difficult. For now, she leaves the physical comforting to Kyo. "What you can do for her now...is let the memory of her go on. Fight for her and those like her when she and the others can't."

Michael Eildath scowls. "That's insane, Rock. You can NOT go down that path. I won't watch one of my teammates...someone I consider near family, go the same way I did."

Twila Peterson immediately quiets at Michael's outburst and casts her gaze back to her blankets.

Rock looks up, heaving a heavy sigh. He reaches up to give the cabbit a gentle scratch. "I don't know...there are times when I feel I'll end up like X... something I don't want...tonight, I almost killed Vile. I was ready, and it would've felt good."

Kyo-Ohki gives Rock a soft and gently purr in response to the affection and licks his cheek as a "thank you".
Kyo-Ohki then bats at some of the reploid's damaged armor and sniffs quite sadly. "Me-ow?"

Michael Eildath nods. "It would have. I spent almost a decade looking for a way to kill Fire Man... and it would have felt good. But both you and I know what would happen. You'd keep killing, and killing. You can't let yourself be swayed like that, and dwelling on her death won't help you avoid it."

Rock nods softly. "I just... I can't help it. I feel like it was my fault." Which, in his mind, not taking her away from Vile when he could was the main fault. As the cabbit pokes at his damaged armor, it all fades away; his shirt has a hole, and you can see burnt skin on his left side. "And the killing would make me end up like X..."

Rick Morgan enters into the medical bay then, trotting quickly, but not -too- quickly. Thankfully there were no emergency patients this time when he picked everyone up. -That- in itself was a relief...

Twila Peterson casts an icy stare towards Michael. Sheesh! Isn't that a part of mourning the loss? Denying one's self that could be just as harmful as well. She turns back towards Rock, trapped within her personal musings. "Would it help...if you were able to properly say good bye to her?"

Kyo blinkblinks as the protective shell over Rock suddenly disappears. But she's not interested in that for longer than a minute. Instead...she sniffs at towards the hole she sees...just before she falls into his lap.

*whump*

"Mew..." Kyo sighs. <Gotta stop doing that...>

Michael Eildath closes his eyes. "I can't help you with your emotions. I can only tell you what I know. You've got to deal with it your own way. When my family was killed, I thought I was to blame. I sat and watched my father die as San Angeles burned around us, and I always /knew/ I could have saved him if I had done something different. But I couldn't change the choice I'd made. If you let this overtake your mind, you'll end up like I was, or worse, and I don't want to see anyone else standing over a grave with a gun in their hand, swearing vengeance or contemplating suicide... especially you."

"Maybe, Twila... that's why I brought her back," Rock states. He scritches Kyo on the head again, then looks up at Michael's spiel. "That's the curse of trying to do the right thing: you can't always make the right choice... I know that, but it's hard to KNOW that sometimes..."

Rick Morgan glances around the room slowly, as he listens to the words being spoken for the moment, and decides to make his entry that much more quiet for now. Though his eyes suddenly begin to rove around the room, looking for a certain furry reploid that he was supposed to be working on....

Michael Eildath nods. "It took me ten years to know that, Rock... and I nearly died doing it."

Kyo-Ohki rolls over onto her stomach in response, wanting to be scratched on her tummy. "Yip! Meeeeeeeeeew!"

Twila Peterson turns off her radio and carefully places it on the small table beside her, or as much as her arm is allowed to moved at any rate. "Not easy for anyone."

Rock idly scritches Kyo, nodding softly. "I think... I might take a little time off after tonight..."

Michael Eildath nods, saying nothing as Rock speaks, seemingly more to himself.

Rick Morgan turns and leans himself against an empty medtable, casting a glance in Rock's direction, and arching an eyebrow. "All depends what you mean by time off..." he offers.

Oh, yes! The cabbit enjoys the attention immensely! She leans back only to offer a few soft coos. This must be cabbit heaven! <Buddy...you have a friend for life...>

"Some time away from the base... relaxing... taking my mind away from the stuff that's going on," is the hunter's response.

Rick Morgan smirks humorlessly. "All depends on whether guys like Vile, Bass, Wily, Sigma, etc are willing to recognize that or not. You know that pretty much though I figure..."

Rock nods lightly.

Twila Peterson recalls Rock stating something about a vacation a few days ago. Guess what happened tonight prodded him further into wanting to take one. The physical exhaustion he might be dealing with appears secondary to his mental and emotional. Gives strong proof that reploids can be too emotional and sentimental to be considered mere machines. "How long would you think of being away?"

Rick Morgan drums his fingers gently on the medbed behind him, heaving a quiet sigh. And he said things were -boring- a couple weeks ago....

Rock looks up, "Probably about a week... maybe..."

Twila Peterson slowly blinks as she recalls a certain conversation she had with her brother not too long ago, then tries to force it from her mind. "Maybe...see how things go." But if the small break is needed..

Michael Eildath doesn't know what to say, pondering whether or not a break would actually be good for Rock.

Mirage waves from his bed. He speaks very softly, "Hey guys...what is..going on?".

Kyo-Ohki looks up at the momentary pause and playfully bats Rock's hand with her paws. "Yip! Yipyip!" <Hey...what happened to the tickle?> She settles soon after and sits herself up, brushing her side against his chest.

Rock's hand gets batted, and a small smile creases his lips. "Y'know... Twila, I'm glad I had dad make Kyo for you. She's good at getting rid of stress..."

Rick Morgan hrms quietly, reaching up to gently rub his chin, right before he finally shrugs, and eases himself next to his terminal again. "Let's just hope this is about as bad as things get....."

Michael Eildath blinks. .oO(Pets get rid of stress?)Oo.

Twila Peterson nods in quiet agreement with her twin before reshifting her focus over to the Blue Bomber. "Yeah...she is," she states. "Well...she she isn't *causing* it anyway. She came darting in here the other night all covered in...what was it? Baking flour I think. How in the heck did that happen?"

Rock shakes his head, "She'd gotten into it. Twice. Once before, and once after I came in and played a little with her. I don't know HOW she got into the cabinets though..." He pokes the cabbit in the tummy.

Rick Morgan rolls his eyes. "Oye. Tell me about it. I was the one that cleaned her off." He still smirks just a bit then to himself, remembering how there wasn't -too- much complaining from Kyo at the time.

Kyo-Ohki lets loose some tiny giggles before she attempts to find a way to get in *underneath* Rock's shirt in order to try and continue to cheer him up. Her paws bat at the end of his shirt, attempting to pull down the fabric to the colar. As she's poked she gives up her attempts and just giggles in glee a bit more.

Twila Peterson is forced to smirk at that. "From what I saw, Kyo didn't know whether to hate Rick or love him for it."

Rick Morgan crosses his arms over his chest, grinning. "Sometimes useless info comes in handy now and then. Like how to turn a bath into a petting session for a cat...or in this case, a cabbit."

Rock nods a little, leaning back in his chair. "Think happy thoughts..." he comments to himself, poking the cabbit in the tummy again.

Michael Eildath takes a seat somewhere, as his necessity in the conversation is done for now.

Kyo-Ohki just peers innocently up towards Rock...and then to the others...as if she somehow knows she's being talk about. One can almost spot the broken halo above her head. After one last snuggle towards the reploid she scampers off of his lap and makes her may back towards Twila's medbed. She miscalculates on her final leap and ends up bumping her head against the bedside...and falling to the floor.

*bonk--thwamp*

"Me-ooooow!" the mech-animal whimpers as she's sprawled on the floor. <Hmph! Maybe I'll just stay down here then. *sigh*> She turns a pleading gaze towards Twila, not knowing that her mistress is unable to do anything about it.

"Well, you did a could job of cleaning her...and making sure she stayed that way for at least 10 minutes after..." she states distractedly.

Rick Morgan chuckles, and then glances down to where the cabbit fell to, raising a hand and facepalming in the process. "Thought cats were always supposed to land on their feet...." he mutters.

Rock laughs a little at the cabbit. "Eep..."

Twila Peterson blinks down as Kyo rolls onto her stomach. "Um...must be the part that's part rabbit that time..."

As the girl states this...Kyo gets to her paws and backs up against the next medbed...just before she takes of running and makes another try. However...this time when she leaps upwards she hits against one of the controls of Twila's bed as she land, pushing the mattresses backing up all the way...much more uncomfortable than what she can rightly handle at the moment. "Yeoooow!" What follows is a sharp cry from Twila which sends Kyo back *off* the bed and underneath one of the medicine cabinets...

Michael Eildath winces. "You okay?

Twila Peterson grits her teeth as she's forced into that particular sitting position. "Oh, sure. Fine...just dandy..." she manages to bite out in heavy sarcasm as her good hand tightens a grip on her blankets.

Rock ACKS, grabbing the medcontrols and lowering the bed back to a more comfortabe position. "Oh dear..."

Rick Morgan is already out of his seat like a shot, eyes wide. "Geez!" he exclaims, shooting around the edge of the bed and instantly moving to check Twila over as Rock lowers her back to where she was again. "Did you feel anything go like it shouldn't have...?" he asks quickly.

For the first few minutes Twila just attempts to catch her breath. Her eyes shut as she wills the stabbing pain to subside before she makes a response. "Yeah...I think..." she manages as her breathing slows. "We have new backs in the stockroom?" she grumps.

Michael Eildath says, "New Backs? They're beside the ribs."

Meanwhile, Kyo watches from her concealed postiton, crouched low with her chin resting on her paws, sniffling.

Rick Morgan sighs, and leans over to take a hold of a hypoinjector, that he raises up. "I've gonna give you something for it...and no arguments." he gives, eyeing her carefully, before leaning forward and gently pressing the instrument to her upper arm. An audible *PSSSH!* is heard, as the painkillers are injected....and with no prick either! Isn't futuristic technology grand?

Rock kneels to pry Kyo out of her hiding place. "It's okay..."

Twila Peterson blinks as she's administered the medicine, already feeling some of it's effects as the substance enters her bloodstream. "Who...me? Argue? Why would I argue?" she asks, relaxing only slightly.

Kyo sniffles again before shyly backing away from the opening so only her eyes and nose can perhaps be seen. "Mew meow...meoph..." she explains dejectedly as a paw can then be seen pointing towards Twila. <I didn't mean to give her an owie...>

Rock wishes he could understand mech-animals at times. He reaches a hand back in there. "C'mon, It's okay. Noone's mad at you."

Rick Morgan sighs again, and pats Twila's arm gently, figuring he's going to be getting grey hair really soon one of these days. He turns and sets the injector back where it's supposed to be, before circling around the edge of the bed and making sure Twila's comfortable again.

Kyo's eyes grow moist as she sniffles even more. Her head then burries itself within her font paws as noises of what sounds to be crying and whimpers can be heard. She doesn't move back any farther so if Rock reaches far enough he could probably pull her out on her own.

Twila Peterson watches Rick quietly as he moves. "Thanks, Bro..." she states gratefully.

Rock's fingers come into contact with fur, and he pushes a LITTLE further, gripping the cabbit and pulling her out. "Poor thing scared herself," he says, gently setting Kyo atop his noggin.

Kyo-Ohki sniffs as she raises her head, looking down on everything below her. Her attention shifts towards her owner and she slightly cringes. But she stays were she is and doesn't make a point to run away a second time. Her chin is rested against Rock's crown briefly before offering it a loving lick in response.

"She alright?" Twila asks in concern. After all it was her startled and pained yelp that had the cabbit running.

Rick Morgan pulls up a rolling table, not a very big one....to work on a project of sorts. "Allright...this is the 'lights out' part..."

Rock nods, "She's okay... just scared." He looks toward Rick slowly, so as not to send Kyo flying. "Let me know if you want my help with it."

Twila Peterson aaaaaaws towards Kyo and pats the bed gently. "Kyo, it's alright. Don't be frightened."

The cabbit offers another sniff, gazing at Twila uncertainly as if in mental debate.

"Hey, need my bed beddy, you furball..." the girl adds, offering whatever smile she can manage at the moment along with a sad puppy-dog face. "Pweeeease?"

How can the cabbit refuse that? She swiftly leaves her perch and lands right by Twila's left side. She hops onto her stomach to cross over and then settles herself right there within her usual spot by her left shoulder, offering Twila's cheek a snuggle and a lick.

"I love you too, Kyo," Twila responds gently after settling from the stomach hit. Afterwards, she feels herself relaxing a little more. Seems as if whatever she was given her is making her a bit tired. She turns back towards Rock from where the cabbit came and questions, "Good night hug?" After all, she has a feeling she's not the only one wanting one.

Rock steps over, leaning and gently giving Twila a hug. "Yeah. I think a good night hug is in order."

Twila Peterson brings her arm up in order to return the embrace the best she can. "Thanks, Rock," she offers while sneaking a loving kiss to his forehead in response. "Sleep well, OK?"
You whisper 'And I'm always here for you...remember that...' to Rock.

Rock nods, smiling a little. "You too, Twila. But I'll be up a little longer," he says, then replies the whisper.
Rock whispers: 'I will... thanks.'.
Rock gives Twila a kiss on the cheek, then turns and settles into a chair.

Rick Morgan finally seems to finish with the micro-work, as he slips the little monacle up again, and overlooks his job. "Well, guess we'll be seeing if that'll work or not..." he grunts, moving to close the little access panels and lift the synthetic skin and fur back to where it's supposed to be once again.

The young woman returns a gentle smile towards the reploid while Rick goes about his work. "I doubt I will be..." she whispers before offering towards her brother, unaware of his present task. "Be good, Rick...and thanks for...." her voice trails even lower until it can no longer be heard. Her breaths evening out as well as her closing eyes given testament that she's well on her way to drifting off. Her frame then settles itself and she's soon oblivious to anything else around her.

Rick Morgan casts a glance towards Twila, giving a small smile. "Sleep well Twila." he offers quietly...