Megaman - Wednesday, February 23, 2000, 2:38 PM
-----------------------------------------------
Command Center <Hunter HQ>
Monitors and computer consoles line the walls of this cavernous
room. In the center of the room is a round computer with
holographic display, its lights flashing busily as it processes
information about mavericks, and their last known sittings.
Computers along the walls are also occupied with an
information-processing task. Technicians and other Maverick
Hunters run about hastily, monitoring the computers, and making
sure the information is as accurate as it can be. The whole air
of this room exudes purpose and drive, and the hustle and bustle
seems never-ending. On the south wall are two large bulletproof
windows which gives you a view of the rooftop runway and Hangar
Area. A large blast door in the middle of the two windows, giving
easy access to the landing strip.
Mirage raises an eyebrow, "Aren't I the lucky one, well either kill me, or don't. I've got more important things to do." Can you believe the gaul?
Protoman transforms into Break Man.
Break Man:
Adorned in green and black armor, this 6 foot tall person stands
rigidly attentive and vigilant. The dark green of his
form-fitting sleek armor completely covers his body but for a
small portion of his face, of which is only visible a firmly-set
and expressionless mouth. The pitch-black visor which covers his
face gives no hint of what the mind behind might be thinking or
planning, nor does his appearance give much indication of what
his strengths might be. Spiraling black lines trace along his
arms and legs, and down the center of his helmet, where they meet
in a black starburst pattern on his chest. Known to only a few
who have survived to relate the tale, this is Break Man.
Protoman, now Break Man, sneers at Mirage, "If you're not
a help, you're a hindrance. And now that you've seen my little
trick, I'm afraid you're more of a hindrance." His buster
hums as it powers up.
Protoman releases the charge from his buster at nearly full power
at Mirage.
Michael Eildath walks in, humming a merry... "What the heck?"
Mirage dives out of the way of the blast at it blasts into some computers. He hops to his feet and yells to Mike, "Get the heck out of here Mike..NOW!". Mirage powers up his own cannon. He sneers at Protoman, "This is the Hunter base, and I will protect it until I die..AAAAAAAGH!". The Hunter releases a powerful blast of his own energy at the evil future Protoman.
Kyo-Ohki hopes out from behind a terminal, dragging behind her a half, eaten carrot. At the at the sound of something charging she drops the treat and blinkblinks...and then screeches as she watches the blast belch from the strangers weapon. In panic the cabbit then starts running around within a circle, uttering a round of rather frightened "mews" in response.
Michael Eildath's eyes widen, and he dives to one side, pulling out his (new) service revolver. "Like heck I am, Mirage... what's going on in here?"
Protoman blinks out of the weapon's path, reappearing a few feet away, already swinging his green break shield at the Hunter, ignoring the human as secondary. "Then die you shall."
Michael Eildath pulls up his gun. You're not gonna ignore me for much longer. He fires.
Protoman charges at Mirage, his shield out in front like a
battering ram. Which also has the fortunate side effect of
deflecting the bullet from Mike.
Protoman strikes Mirage with his Shield Bash attack.
The grav lift opens a second time, this time, allowing Twila passage as she studies her datapad. However, she's only partially off the lift before she sees and hears the chaotic scene taking place within the center. Before she even realizes fully what's happening Kyo darts madly for her and jumps in her arms...just as she drops the data pad. "Hey...wha---??" she exclaims in shock.
Mirage yells to Mike and takes his eyes off of Protoman, "No..don't!" Mirage neglected to pay attention to his opponent and payed the price. He is slammed with the shield as is slammed back into the already damaged computers. He clanks to the ground but jumps up quickly. "Ergh". Mirage pulls out his trust sword and powers it up. You hear the hum of the green energy. He growls at Protoman and dashes straight for him. Slashing hard downward, he hopes to do some damage.
Michael Eildath runs for his locker, ignoring Mirage. There is someone attacking an ally in the base, after all. Turning as he runs, he sees Twila, and shouts out a warning as he tosses a small container of... something. "Twila, get down!" The container flares when it strikes... Protoman? One can hope.
Twila Peterson doesn't take much time to think things through. She just takes time enough to do as told...and hurriedly ducks behind the nearest terminal with her cabbit...already grappling for her radio as she tries to make sense of just what's going on. And who's the intruder?
(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Anyone in
base...intruder in the Command Center!'.
(Ch. B [None]) X transmits: 'On my way.'.
Protoman hops back as Mirage plows into the computer bank and then swings a blade at him. He does glance up as Mike shouts to Twila, his attention finally turned to the fact that these humans might be a threat. As the canister flies towards him, he blinks again, to the other side of the room and growls, "Human pest. Go aay before I'm forced to hurt you." And surprisingly, he doesn't attack Mike but again goes after Mirage. He leaps towards the Hunter diversionary specialist and feigns a kick, but then sends a fist up at the other mech's jaw.
Michael Eildath reaches into his locker... and pulls out his Incinerator Rifle. The determined human jerks the gun up, pilot light flaring as a burst of flame washes towards Protoman. Lets hope his /primary/ hits... nothing else has.
Rushing out of the lift, X's buster is already charged and
ready, a scowl adorning his expression. This is not Rock, but X,
the Hunter from the distant future, distinguished by his taller
height and darker armor. As he aims his X-Buster at the intruder,
he taps the insignia across his left chest with his right hand,
causing his armor to suddenly appear in a soft glow over his
dress uniform. Without another warning, he fires a shot,
"Nice try, Master. But I've seen the future, and there's not
a single Robot Master in it. And that includes you."
*CHOOOOOOM*
X transforms into X.
Mirage tries to block the attack but he's too slow. He's knocked up in the air and into a one of the display monitors. There's a loud crash as the glass breaks. Mirage falls to the ground with a thud. Slowly, he climbs to his feet, "Not...done..yet...Protoman!". Mirage gggggggggrs as he sprints towards Protoman. An electric current surrounds Mirage as the power concentrates to his left arm. He jumps at the evil intruder and hopes that his Electric Uppercut can do some damage.
Twila Peterson presses her lips together as she tries to keep the mech-animal calm through all this. The loud noises are somewhat frightening to the young cabbit. *sigh* Should have just stayed in the Recreation Room..." she says aloud, but mostly to herself. Occasionally she'll dart a glance from her hiding spot to try and makes sense on what's going on and hopes that none of the stray shots hits any of the terminals. It would be bad...especially if one were to hit the one she's currently behind...
Protoman can't help but notice the streak of black and white that is X as he bounds out of the lift. He leaps up as both X and Mirage attack simultaneously, grabbing onto an overhanging holoprojector unit and clings while the two attacks dissipate. Unfortunately, it doesn't save him from the heat of Mike's rifle. Break Man lets out a growl of pain and leaps back down, instantaneously shifting his armor again, back to his Proto armor, something he's sure even this twisted future Rock will recognize. "Firing on your own dear brother? Is that any way to treat family?"
.oO(Brother? Then that must be...?)Oo. Twila let's out a small groan from where she sits. This is getting *way* too confusing...
Mirage comes to the ground, as his attack his unsuccessfully. He falls to a knee and peers upward at X, and Protoman, "He's too strong..ugh". Mirage awaits, what will happen next.
Clenching his teeth and baring them like an enraged animal, X charges up his Buster again and keeps it aimed at Protoman. "My brother is dead. Don't you dare even pretend to masquerade as him and stain his name with your little charade. I know all about his past and maybe he could have become you in some alternate time, but either way you're not him." Slowly the glow from his buster becomes bright and brighter as he continues to speak, as the charge begins to build up, "I sick and tired of all of these games. You can call yourself my brother when you've earned the right to do it, when you've made penance for your past sins." Engulfed now in bright light, he doesn't even hesitate and fires again after his last words are spoken. "Go back your foster father, Wily, and don't you dare return here again."
Michael Eildath pulls up his rifle, not hesitating to fire on the obvious fraud. His face is a grimace, and he'll probably have nightmares tonight, but he's going to try. The flame jets back down to a pilot light, and a soft >thwip< marks the sound of the gun attachment firing.
Mirage seems to feel inspired by X's words. He rises to his feet, and nods to X, "I'm glad your here...thank you". Mirage turns to Protoman and hops to his right trying to get an open shot. He powers up his cannon one more time, for one last shot, "Get out of our time!" Mirage lets the energy flow at Protoman.
Kyo-Ohki offers a wimper as she snuggles against Twila, wishing only that the bright lights and the loud noises would simply stop.
Meanwhile the girl cringes at the latest shot from the Buster, noting without intention, it certainly sounds as if the target was indeed struck. The bullets from the rifle pale in comparison of course. There's an intake of breath as she stays where she is momentarily. Probably wouldn't be safe for her to make a break for the lift to get out of the center, although staying doesn't sit well with her either.
That stated...it just so happens that some of the violent activity within the room *does* happen to cause damage. One of the computer side terminals, although not stuck directly by a stray blast, is affected by a sudden surge of energy. An angry spark sprews from the console...followed by another.
Protoman gets sent hurtling back from the force of X's blast, somewhat shocked mentally at this Rock's behavior. Obviously, he miscalculated. When Mike hits him, it barely makes a difference in comparison. He levers himself back up, grimacing under his visor. "Well, brother I am...despite what you might believe. Ask your smaller, younger counterparts. Or have you forgotten what it is like to have a family, to care about someone? Perhaps it's best if I put you out of your misery." He lifts his buster and discharges it at full power.
Twila Peterson sets her jaw. If this version of Blues hadn't set about infiltrating the base and attacking the Hunters, that precious remark alone would get her to heavily dislike the android. Well...two can play at that game...
You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Protoman: "Maybe you should ask yourself the same question...Blues..."
So will either black out or make a break for the lift...or something ;)
Michael Eildath pales as Protoman fires. "No!" The steadfast Hunter flips a switch on his laser, activating the third option on it. He isn't about to let up on this Robot Master scumwad in his team's base, and fires another blast at the evil Protoman.
As the energy slams into his chest, X just lets out a grunt, followed by a low growl. Raising his Buster again in response, he allows it to charge again, though this time it accelerates through it at a much faster pace now that it's 'warmed up', "I knew my brother as well as anyone could have. He was a valiant and noble person, who was always trying to make up for his past mistakes. I cared for a lot of people once...but in my world, they're all dead. And if stopping you now will mean that they might have a chance to live, then I'll take that risk." The light from his Buster is even brighter this time, as if to mimic is fiercesome anger. Releasing the blast, it streaks out towards Protoman, twice the size of the previous one.
Mirage seems the battle isn't going as it should be. He cracks his neck and prepares to charge up. He extends both of his arms in front and begins to tremble a bit, "Ghhhha!". A mirror like ball engulfs Mirage, and you can no longer see him. The Hunter releases this power upon Protoman, "Leave now!".
More sparks fly out from that computer console even as the terminal right beside it begins showing signs of being affected as well...until one of the screens implodes. The main computer begins a sequence in which a protective program shuts down the main computer in order to protect itself from any oncoming surges coming from the resulting damage. The nice little hole in the wall X makes from his missed attack, followed by Mike's, doesn't really pale in comparison this time...as it causes more power floor to the two side terminals than can be expected to handle.
The terminal Twila and Kyo are behind is in the process of being shut down as well thanks to the main computer. But even as it does it ominously shakes. The girl starts backing away...as a power surge begins overtaking this one as well.
Roll bounds out of the lift with a smile on her face, coming
to an abrupt stop as she sees all the people in the Command
Center. .oO(Hmm, I'm surprised Rock isn't here too.)Oo. She looks
around. "Um...hello?"
Roll blinks in puzzlement at the scene as she just stands there,
never having expected to ever see anything like this take place.
She looks from one combatant to the other (and completely misses
seeing Twila and Kyo-Ohki with the good job of hiding that
they're doing). "What's going on here?" she exclaims.
"You realize that you're making a MESS of the place, don't
you?"
Protoman has faced death enough times to recognize it. And that's what he sees in X's face now. As X aims, his mouth twists in half-fear, half-annoyance, and he kicks in his dash boots to jet out of the way just in time, the blast incinerating a good portion of wall behind him. He turns and looks back at X. If he heard Twila's radio, he makes no indication. "And so, since they're all dead, you have the right to do the same, Rock? Come on! I taught you better than that, back when you were fighting Wily's original robots. You remember... the time I cornered you near Heat Man's lair?" He pauses to duck Mirage's attack, but continues, "But look around you, Rock...look at them." He gestures at Roll as she enters, "Even if your brother and sister are dead in your world, they still exist...and they still care. So stop this foolishness. Stop wallowing in your damn self-righteous pity." Out of sheer um...cruelty, he rounds on Mirage and fires another massive bolt at him.
Mirage isn't paying attention as the attack strikes him square in the chest. He flies into a computer and crashes to the ground hard. He's down for the count.
Twila Peterson stumbles further back as sparks fly out from the backside of the computer. "Uh...ooops!" she exclaims just as an arch of electricity reaches out to touch her arm...even as she comes out into view. She lets out a startled yelp as the current flows not only through her form but also the small cabbit's as well. Not long thereafter her frame slumps against the wall. Her arms fall limp, dropping the unconscious cabbit to the floor mere moments before she follows soon after, also unconscious.
Looking to Roll as she enters, X turns back to Protoman and aims his X-Buster again, "Roll, get out of here." He states as he charges up another shot, his weapon beginning to glow brightly as he speaks, "I remember everything fine, Protoman. And I also know that you're working for Wily and that these Hunters here attacked you, probably with good reason. This isn't your time. Your interference is jeopardizing the entire future as we know it. I cannot allow my future to come to pass, and I _will_ stop it from happening, even if it has to be through your dead corpse."
Protoman says, "Working for Wily. Wake up. Stop being
such a tragic hero and listen to me for one minute. I'm trying to
save the past just as much as you're trying to go back to your
pathetic future. I don't want that to happen any more than you
do."
Protoman's buster morphs back into a hand and he holds both of
them up, to show he's not going to fire again. At least for the
moment. "Tell me if you remember this, Rock. How did we
first meet?"
Michael Eildath drops his incinerator rifle, pulling up his service revolver in one hand, getting it ready. A Robot Master is a Robot Master to him, and he's not about to fall for Protoman's line. Still, he holds his hand until X does something, knowing that X will probably be the target of whatever Protoman inflicts after being shot at. He's still a good guy, y'know.
Roll blinks rapidly, looking at X, then at Protoman, and back again. Brother against brother? This reminds her of an old movie she watched once. She frowns, not liking this a little bit - the mess she's going to have to help clean up afterward here not helping any either. Not knowing how this all started, or even exactly what it's a about, but knowing that she definitely doesn't want it to continue, she walks over to X, putting her hand on his buster, glowing or not. "Rock," she pleads, "Do you have to fight here? Especially against Blues." She looks over at Blues as well from where she stands, biting her lower lip, not knowing which one this is, not that it really matters to her. "And I don't know what you're doing either, but maybe we could talk it over some milk and cookies instead?"
[OOC] X sighs. "Roll, you will be the end of me." ;)
[OOC] Roll beams. "I'm just trying to help, X. :)"
[OOC] X chuckles and ruffles his sister's hair.
Protoman looks over at Roll and, surprisingly, smiles in response. Not a vicious, cruel smirk, or even a condescending grin. Just plain old amusement. Protoman lets out a sigh and reaches up to tug at his helmet. He takes it off carefully, grimacing as a damaged portion of rubs against his skin. His blond hair spills out and his blue eyes flash, almost a mirror reflection of Rock's, but for some subtle differences. "I didn't come here to fight... I came here to help."
The X-Buster continues to grow steadily brighter despite Roll's pleading, causing X to slowly shake his head in response, "He came here of his own accord to get something done. I know my own brother. He wouldn't just waltz into Maverick Hunter Headquarters to stir up a big fight unless he had a plan. This isn't the Blues you know, Roll. I didn't realize it at the time, you never knew it because I never told you, but he works for Wily and he's just as devious as Bass. So tell me, 'Blues', before I take you out along with the entire northern half of the building...why are you here?" Still keeping his weapon leveled and charging, the glow emanating from it begins to increase until it's almost blinding, like that first time he came through the teleporter in the accident. Scowling slightly as he gets his answer, X takes a few steps forward thrusts his Buster straight towards Protoman's stomach, though he doesn't fire. "To help? And I suppose I should just trust you when you've done everything to prove to me you don't deserve it? Prove to me right now that I can trust you. Give me a good reason not to send your spare parts back to Wily."
Michael Eildath pulls back the hammer on his revolver. X seems resolute, yep. Protoman's going to need some A-Class talking skills to get out of this one, and Mike might not buy it, still.
Roll looks at X, tightening her grip on his X-Buster arm. "No, please," she says. Glancing back at Protoman quickly, she looks up into her other brother's face, earnestly. "He might have worked for Wily before, but he's really a good person," she insists, "And he's saved me on times before...both the one here, and the one from the past even though I didn't know there was 2 then." Keeping her hold on X, she moves around, putting herself between X and Protoman. "So please," she finishes, "you don't have to do this, Rock. We can talk this out..."
[OOC] X whines, "But Rooooll . . . " ;)
[OOC] X stomps his foot and pouts, "Well, alright. He can
stay, but he's not getting any cookies." ;)
[OOC] Roll snuggles her brother. "Yes?" :)
[OOC] Roll grins. "But I made more than enough for
everybody. You should share, you know. :)"
Protoman's eyes narrow at X."Now who's being naive? Yes,
I work for Dr. Wily. But I don't work for his goals. You never
understood that. You could understand was that you either stand
on one side or the other, not on both. Why do you think I help
you? Because I give a flip about your cause? Because, like it or
not, we are brothers. Turn your back on that if you will, turn
your back on even thinking about why I might have done what I
did, but if you do, it makes you no better than those you claim
to be fighting. As long as Wily thinks I'm still working for him,
I have a way of making sure he doesn't succeed. The moment you
screw that up, it's over. In fact, since the me from this time
has already betrayed Wily, I'm not sure I won't go back to find a
knife in my back at Skull Fortress."
Protoman concludes, "So if you refuse to listen, go ahead
and shoot me now. But remember that you're not only killing your
brother, you might be killing the future of an entire world. My
world."
Michael Eildath's gun wavers. Darn. He got Michael convinced.
Lowering his arm and de-powered his X-Buster, a low hum slowly emits from his weapon as the glow fades and the motors disperse the built up energy, "You're lucky Roll believes in you, Protoman, because I don't. But she means a lot to me, and I hope to you too. So for her sake and _only_ her sake, I'll let you go. But so help me, you so much as walk the wrong way and you're out of here. Maybe fifteen years ago I would've believed you, but a lot has happened to me since then. I can't afford the luxury of time or patience anymore. Do what you have to. Just stay out of my way." He briefly gives Roll a soft apologetic look before storming out onto the grav lift to head for some other part of the base.
Protoman watches X go, shaking his head. He utters quietly, "Looks like Sigma really did win." He looks around at those gathered and looks to Roll pointedly. "Remember, Roll... just because you can't see a snake in the grass doesn't mean it's not there." And with that, he pulls his disappearing act.
Michael Eildath blinks, and lowers his gun.
Roll watches X stomp out with a sad look on her face, hating to see any of her brothers like that. "I don't know," she says, looking at Michael. "Do you think I should follow him?" She also glances at where Protoman just was and sighs. "And I do wish he'd stop doing that." She pauses, looking all around her and sighs even deeper. "Time to clean up, I guess."
Michael Eildath shakes his head. "I think he's got his own problems. Still... if he's on our side, then why did he attack Mirage?"
Roll blinks in surprise. "He attacked Mirage? I...I don't know, but we could ask him next time. I mean, I'm sure he had *some* reason..." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "How is Mirage, anyway? I don't see him here, did he get to the med bay?"
Michael Eildath says, "I suppose so." He turns over a table. "Twila!""
Roll blinks. "Twila's here?" she asks, surprised, not having seen the woman at all the entire time.
Michael Eildath nods worriedly. "She's unconscious." He blinks and bends over her still form. "Something must've hit her during the attack... probably got shocked. But she's got a pulse, and that's good. I'd better get her to medbay."
Roll nods. "Alright," she replies, bending down to survey the damage to the equipment. "I guess I'll start cleaning up here then..."
<Later...>
Megaman - Wednesday, February 23, 2000, 11:01 PM
------------------------------------------------
Recreation Room <Hunter HQ>
The recreation room is traditionally the busiest idle-time
location in Light Labs. Decorated with glass and steel walls and
a hard floor, games and idle distractions of all sorts dominate
this room, and the noise of games is seldom absent. Several pool
tables dot the floor, and other gaming tables reside as well,
where games of chance and simple idle chatter can commence. One
wall is lined with various console game units, dating from the
dawn of video gaming to current. On the opposite wall is a small
bar where many kinds of drinks can be made, though the stock is
more bare than it would be in a building occupied primarily by
humans. A final touch is a jukebox in the corner, filled to the
brim with a wide variety of music.
Roll is seated at the table, her rollerblades by her chair as she sips a glass of soda.
Twila Peterson enters the Rec Room with Kyo within her arms. Both seemed slightly dazed, but otherwise alright for the most part. The cabbit spots the android within the room before her owner does and offers her a quiet "mew" in greeting. Twila gives Roll a small nod as she retrieves some warm herbal tea from the kitchenette. "Hiya, Roll."
Meanwhile, Kyo is set down and immediately trots up towards Roll's seat and leaps up beside her. "Yip! Yipyip!"
Roll smiles as when she looks down next to her, she sees the cute and cuddly cabbit Kyo-ohki. "Hi Twila, and hello there, you cute widdle creature you," she adds to the cabbit, her voice switching into baby talk as she reaches down to pet the cabbit. "You two look a lot better after what happened earlier."
Kyo-Ohki purrs quite happily and goes even as far as to nudge her way up onto the android's lap, giving her a warm snuggly in the process. "Meeeeeeew!" <Wow, don't wanna fall asleep like dat again. Eeeeeew!" She pauses and peers into Roll's glass, snuffing at the soda. <Any for me?>
Twila returns from the kitchen and slides into a seat beside Roll while quirkign an eyebrow at her pet's antics. "Thanks...I kind feel alot better than earlier. As for Kyo...I think you can already guess." She allows herself a small smile as if in thought before testing her tea. Hmm...let it cool down a few minutes. "What...happened after we blacked out?"
Roll giggles as she watches Kyo-Ohki. Tipping the glass and holding it at a 40 degree angle, she smiles and says, "If you want to try some, but I'd be careful of the bubbles..." She watches Twila as the woman takes a seat before replying. "Well, I managed to Rock and Blues to quit fighting, and then both just left...I guess they didn't want to fight while I was in the room."
Kyo-Ohki yips and licks a little at the soda. Deciding that she likes it she pushes her little head further into the glass to get more of the soda. Silly cabbit!
"Oh, great...now Kyo will never get to sleep," Twila mumbles while smirking. To Roll's explanation she nods. "Well, you're pretty special to both of them.
Roll looks at Twila. "You mean because I'm their sister? They're both brothers though, so I don't see how it really makes that much difference..." She grins down at Kyo-Ohki. "No don't you fall in there," she cautions, though she doubts the cabbit would be able to get herself down that far in the glass without getting stuck first.
Kyo-Ohki pulls herself upwards, offering Roll an inquisative "mew"? <Me, fall in dare? Hmph!> She then goes back to getting her fill of the soda, muttersing another soft purr.
"Well, can't really tell you there. Sometimes...can just be because your female too. Just...how guys can be sometimes. I've seen it with my own cousins too," Twila comments with a small shrug.
Roll nods thoughtfully. "I suppose so," she replies to Twila. "I hope they can get along soon though, I'd hate to have to keep cleaning up after their fights, and then having to repair the other stuff on top of it," she adds with a wink.
Twila Peterson grunts quietly, finally venturing a sip from her drink after finding it cooled enough. "I...dunno about getting along...depending. Maybe just hope for a little at a time. I didn't see how the whole thing started...but Blues did attack Mirage..."
Roll frowns at hearing that. "I didn't see that, and I find it hard to believe he'd attack any of us without a good reason. And I doubt he was trying to kill him or anything." She glances down to see what progress Kyo-Ohki has made drinking her soda.
Kyo-Ohki pushes her face in further before finally withdrawing it from the glass...and lets out a VERY un-ladylike *burp* as she settles down back on Roll's lap and pats her tummy. <Dat was good!>
Twila shakes her head. "I don't know what transpired before that either. Mirage could have egged Blues on. Or something else could have happened. All I know is...by the time I got up to the Center they were already firing. Mike told me to get down and I did...and radioed for help. That's when X responded."
Roll nods. "I wonder where all my *other* brothers were, at the time," she muses half to herself. "I suppose we could always ask Mirage later what happened though." Setting her glass upright, she just shakes her head at the cabbit, though she's smiling at the same time. "Silly one," she murmurs fondly.
Kyo-Ohki giggles before offering the android another warm snug...then curls herself up in her lap.
"Would be of help," the human assistant responds. "Maybe it might even present the center from looking like a warzone. Now...much damage done was there?"
Petting the cabbit in her lap with one hand, Roll nods to Twila. "I saw Mirage wandering around earlier, so he's out of the Medbay too, which means he can probably answer a few questions as well. As for the Command Center..." she pauses, and then continues. "I managed to clean up all the shrapnel and glass that was on the floor. And I partially restored some of the main systems and got the main computer back online, but I will probably need Feedback or someone else in Silverstar to help me get everything fixed to perfect working order."
Twila Peterson winces a little at that. "I doubt that
will be much of a problem. Tho, not too much wondering why Light
frowns on rough-housing within the base."
Meanwhile, Kyo makes herself quite comfortable thankyouvery much
and playfully licks at Roll's fingers once in awhile.
About then another form moves on into the rec room itself, grumbling something under his breath about messes, more work and things going all to hell. He pauses just inside the doorway, and actually takes a second to whip out his datapad and punch something into it before sliding it away again, looking not very pleased.
Roll simply nods in response to Twila's last statement. Bending down to give Kyo her full attention, she giggles as she pets and cuddles the extremely cute cabbit.
Twila Peterson takes another sip from her herbal spearmint and releases a quiet sigh. She smiles a bit as the android plays with Kyo (who's currently squealing in perfect delight), grateful she's such a stress reliever around here) before noticeing the presence of someone else entering the room. Reading her brothers mood on his features her brows knit. "Hi, Rick..." she greets carefully. Quite a contrast to the pair sitting just across from her isn't he?
Kyo-Ohki is indeed squealing with delight too. As soon as she's tickled the cabbit rolls onto her back, practiaclly begging for the android to tickle her tummy. <Teeheehee!>
Rick Morgan blinks and glances up, finally giving a sigh and running a hand over his forehead. Best not to bring his mood -here- right now after all...it's not like Twila and Roll had anything to do it. "Hey...." he offers quietly with a small wave, snapping his bandanna back into place with an overly annoyed gesture.
Roll grins and is happy to oblige Kyo-Ohki, using one hand to rub and tickle the cabbit's tummy while using the other to rub the little one's head. Her head snaps up at Twila's greeting. "Rick?" she repeats, looking around.
Kyo-Ohki lets out a few more giggles, her paws batting at Roll's hand. She certainly seems to be enjoying herself.
"You alright, Rick?" Twila asks, hoping no one's told him about her being in medbay again for near electrocution. She doesn't want to be sent back, not after all the time she's spent in medbay as a patient recently.
"Yeah just peachy keen." Rick grunts, rubbing his hand through his hair again, before finally forcing himself to return back to some semblance of a normal mood. "...sorry." he quickly adds. "Just with all this stuff today that's been tossed upside down when I wasn't looking. Man, you go out on an extended support detail and come back to find out things have went and turned every which way but straight ahead..."
Twila Peterson assumes that he's talking about the mess that was left of the Command Center. "Hmmm....yeah. Guess...the state of the center is kinda hard to miss at the moment."
Roll snuggles Kyo-Ohki back. "I tried to fix it up as best I could," she offers, "But I don't know enough about everything to put it back in 100% working order."
Rick Morgan nods slowly. "Yeah, I figure the bunch of us
will be putting back together what needs to be. Just....stuff
like this isn't supposed to happen -inside- the place. Sheesh.
Where the heck was everybody when things started to get outta
hand??"
Twila Peterson takes another sip of her drink...finding it
somewhat soothing, and also as somewhat of a distraction.
"Um...Blue's twin sorta, kinda infiltrated base eariler.
Mirage and Mike were there and I called for help..." she
mumbles somewhat sheepishly.
Kyo "mews" questionably towards Rick, finally taking
notice of him, before offering Roll a final snug and leaping up
to her shoulder.
Roll has reconnected.
[OOC] Roll sighs and is booted. "I have to idle to do dishes
anyway though."
Rick Morgan grumbles again, quietly to himself, as he moves over
towards the couch and finally just turns around to flop onto it,
and kick his feet up in the process. "I guess now we're
going to have to work something out here for some sort of
identification of just -which- Blues is ours."
Twila Peterson grumps slightly. "I doubt they would wear
nametags if er just asked please." She turns herself in her
seat a little, adding, "Interested in some herbal tea? Might
help some."
Roll pauses from her light scritching of Kyo-Ohki long enough to
note, "I haven't seen our Blues in quite some while. All the
times I did see him, it turned out it was the other one."
Kyo-Ohki just snugs Roll. <Your so nice. I wuv ewe...>
"There's gotta be -some- way to tell em both apart."
Rick grunts, shaking his head slowly. He then glances over
towards Twila's direction, and arches an eyebrow slowly. "I
dunno...." he mumbles, almost apologetically, as a shadow of
his grumpy mood. "..I never drank tea all that much..."
Twila Peterson takes it as a yes...regardless if Rick is somewhat indecisive over the matter or not. She rises to her feet and starts heading towards the kitchen to get the tea ready. "Aw, c'me on. Tea never hurt anyone," she states from behind the counter. "She muses a little at the previous statement. "Well, they both still have diffent personal radio frquencies do they? *Those* aren't the same. Could that be of any help?"
Rick Morgan watches quietly, before turning and laying back on the couch, propping a pillow behind his head as he tries his best to relax. Stress, tiredness and everything else don't mix. "Yeah, provided the other hasn't found out somehow...or already been told. We don't know how long he's been impersonating the Blues that is here."
Twila Peterson emerges from the kitchen with the mug in hand, and offers it to Rick upon reaching the sofa and kneeling beside it. The tea is alright for him to drink without fear of burning his tongue. Of that the girl's sure. "Well, Blues is aware of it. I double checked with him about a message he wanted me to pass on to Rock...since it seemed strange that he wasn't going through a third party and not using his usual means. And, Rock informed me he never received the message a sent him. My only though it Blues met with his twin himself in Rock's place."
Rick Morgan grunts. "And as for what Blues plans to do with him...that's something he's probably not going to be telling anybody anytime soon." He sighs then, and sits up, accepting the mug and taking a small sip, while inhaling the scent of the tea itself. Ok, so it -does- go down rather well given the situation.
Twila Peterson nods begrudgingly. "Can't really expect anything more or less than him I guess." She peers back towards the surface of the couch and simply stares at it momentarily. "This whole thing is becoming way too confusing." After shaking her head she idly notes, "X met Blues as well. He came as the help after Mirage and Mike encountered trouble getting the visitor to leave. Safe to say...I don't think those two get along well."
As Roll heads elsewhere Kyo hops back down from her perch and makes her way towards the same sofa. Looking closely one can tell she and her mistress still have a dazed look about the, even though it's not all too noticeable...especially with Kyo. She seems to have recovered quite nicely from her ordeal.
Rick Morgan sighs, and shakes his head slowly. "How can X get along with Blues in the first place?" he grunts. "Former brother or none....Blues is gonna have to realize he can't just stand by idly forever. One of these days he's gonna have to take a -real- stand and get involved...rather than all this selfishness he keeps holding in," he snaps just a bit, then takes another sip to calm himself down. He has his own bad karma with the scarfed wonder....incidents that he keeps to himself at the moment. It's then that he sits up fully and glances closely at both Twila and Kyo for a moment, before slowly arching an eyebrow. "Just how close -were- you both to that whole blowup when it happened?"
Um...erk? Twila suddenly appears quite shy, wishing there was a hole in the floor she could just...crawl into. Rick's had a bad day after all and she doesn't want to be adding to it. She picks herself off the floor and folds her arms over her chest as if she didn't hear the question. "You do look like you could use some rest. Sure you don't want to turn in a bit early tonight? Might help you tackle what you need to tomorrow," she offers hopefully. But who is she
Who is she kidding indeed? The attempt to evade the issue only brings a frown to Rick's features, as he now sits up more fully, setting the mug aside and crossing his arms over his chest. "Twila...."
Kyo looks on. They certainly must be twins, since their gesture is about the same right now. After a few awkward moments, however, Twila relents and seats herself on the sofa beside her brother. Her arms having already fallen back to her sides now rest as her thumbs twiddle. "Um...close enough for Kyo and I to be behind one of the terminals before it was hit by...one of those power surges..."
Rick Morgan's eyes widen, as he immediately looks over his twin for any signs of injury. But then...he would have likely noticed earlier wouldn't he? "Geez! Why didn't you -say- something?" he says quickly. "Are you allright?"
Twila Peterson glances up from toying with her hands and moves one of those hands to rest on Rick's shoulder. "I'm alright. Was out for a few ours due to an electrical shock. But...I'm fine now," she tries to reassure him. After all, it could have been alot worse, but it wasn't.
Rick Morgan raises a hand and actually facepalms. Indeed he -does- know what it's like to have that happen to him....more than once in fact. But he then moves his hand to take hold of her forearm, and give it a small squeeze. "I had no idea..." he says quietly. "Geez...I'm sorry I wasn't there...."
"Hey, you can't always be...no matter how much you want to. And I realize that," she replies in sympathy. "But, like I said, I'm OK now. Maybe a little dazed still. Nothing that a good night's rest won't cure whenever I get around to it though. Besides, not like I'm the only one to ever experience shocking before here."
Rick Morgan sighs slowly, unable to argue on that bit. "Yeah, I know...guess I just didn't expect it and all. When you said you called for help I thought you meant...from a distance or something." He sighs then, and his features suddenly soften, every bit of that stress and grouchiness bleeding away.....immediately followed by him drawing Twila into a close hug. "...I'm sorry I've been such a grump sis...."
And what can Twila do but to offer a very heartfelt hug in return towards her poor, stressed out brother. "Don't be. Everyone has those times now and then," she tones quietly as she lovingly squeezes him. Silent for a few moments she then voices, "Sides, never seen me in one of *my* grouchy moods. PMS nothing."
Rick Morgan arches an eyebrow slowly as he sits back, though he manages a small smirk. "Guess I'll never test it huh?" he offers.
Twila Peterson slightly giggles as her face buries itself within his shoulder. "Hope not. I am a redhead after all. You know the stereotype..."
Rick Morgan hmmms. "All too well...." Rick chuckles. "Guess there's advantages to being a blonde after all huh?" he murmurs, teasing her lightly. Yeah, there's the old Rick again showing through.....amazing how his sis managed to help him out of -that- funk for now.
Twila Peterson mmmmmms as she rests her head on his shoulder now as she remains within the embrace, having a feeling Rick wouldn't really mind. "I wouldn't know. You know any blonds?" she teases lightly right back.
Rick Morgan hmmms. "Wouldn't know...." he chuckles, hooking his hands behind Twila's back as he holds her close. He gives a light sigh, suddenly feeling alot more relaxed than he was before. "Unless of course you count Roll...anyone else well..." he makes a mock thinking gesture. "Darned if -I- know...."
Twila Peterson smirks. Even though Rick can't see it, he can probably hear it within her voice. "Same. Oh...wait...may no someone..." she ponders aloud. "Nah...couldn't be. Well, then again...maybe. Think anyone can spot the bold between the two strands of gray that I'm currently noticing?"
Rick Morgan sighs just a bit, and pulls his head back a tad, as he rolls his eyes, as if trying to look up at his -own- hair. "Aw man...." he mutters. "...21 years o..." he pauses then, and corrects himself. He -still- has to get used to downgrading his age to Twila's level again. "-Almost- 21 years old and I'm already gettin gray. Who've I got to thank for -that-?" he asks, though he smirks just a little.
Twila Peterson feigns complete innocence at the question of course. She appears as such a little angel. Why, you can even see the halo beaming over her head as she pulls back a little herself and raises a finger to gently flip several locks of her brother's hair. "Hmmm...Roll?"
Rick Morgan laughs gently. "Oh sure, blame it -all- on her. You saw -two- gray hairs remember?" he returns, grinning as he raises a finger to gently touch the end of her nose. "One for each."
Twila Peterson looks at the tip of her nose comically, and also cross-eyed if only to ad to effect. "Um...Kyo?"
At this, the cabbit perks up from where she was watching and then settles back down again with a soft "mew". <You're on you's own, kiddo. I just live here.>
Rick Morgan fehs. "If I gotta keep -telling- you I think you're just playing around with me." He chuckles, then finally sighs as he settles back on the couch once again, half laying down, half sprawled out. "Thanks, Twila....I needed that."
Twila Peterson is forced to chuckle at that as she lets her brother go, but remains on the couch sitting near him. "You looked as if you wouldn't mind a little ribbing...or something sisterly...or whatever it's called nowadays." Her hand reaches out as her fingers brush some of the locks from his forehead. "Guess coming home to what you did today would have made anyone need a little something."
Rick Morgan mmms at the gentle touch, taking another sigh as he closes his eyes slowly. Even that has its soothing effect on him right then and there. "Yeah..." he mumbles. "Kinda hard when the place you call home is a wreck when you come back to it and all. It's supposed to be your safe ground after all....."
Since the finger-brushing seems to have such a good effect on him, Twila can't help but continue along with it. "Hey, I've seen your room remember."
"True...." Rick mumbles, eyes still closed as he gently folds his hands over his abdomen, resting them there. "Then again there's a difference from tossing your old clothes into a corner to wash later....and finding an entire room leveled from blasterfire and fighting. You ever realize how long it took me to get that hole out of my floor when that Search Snake blew up?"
Twila Peterson tilts her head to the side as her fingers continue to gently make their way through his lock of hair. "How long did it take?"
"Couple days..." Rick mutters, his voice getting that much more quieter...as indeed the drowsiness is starting to overtake him...and his entire form is relaxing all that much more. "More to it than just....nailing in a couple of new floorboards after all....."
Twila Peterson nods quietly as her brother seems to be
drifting further and further to sleep. Before he drifts any
further off she briefly ceases her brushing to offer his cheek a
tender kiss before resuming. "Would imagine so. But...you'll
have help in the Command Center. You won't be doing it all by
your lonesome."
Twila Peterson then notes idly, "And...I suspect Light will
say something too...about no more rough-housing inside."
Rick Morgan hmmmms thoughtfully...and sleepily of course. "Yeah..." he murmurs. "We'll have it all back up...and running again in no time...." he then yawns.
Twila Peterson sits back up and snags a blanket at the back of the couch in order to drape it over Rick's form. "I don't doubt it one second," she assures him while tucking him. "For now tho, get a good night's sleep, kay? I'll leave Kyo in here to watch over you and stuff. She's pretty good at that."
Rick Morgan mrphs, cracking his eyes open just a bit, now feeling too drowsy to even consider fighting it anymore. "Sleepin with a cabbit....? What's she gonna defend me from...?" he murmurs, meaning it in tease but instead managing only a sleepy murmur.
In response, Kyo hops onto Rick's stomach and then jumps down his shoulder until she reaches a nice small space for her between Rick's shoulder, head and pillow. She offers soft, whispered "mew" and playfully nibbles on his ear before settling within her chosen spot, before looking towards Twila for approval.
Twila giggles in return and nods towards the cabbit, giving her a gentle pet. "Oh...lotsa things. Will just hafta find out won't you?"
At this the cabbit sits up rather straight, letting out strong, staunch "Mew!" <I'll do you proud!>
Rick Morgan manages a faint smirk, as his head drifts back
further into the pillow.
"...feel, secure already...." he murmurs gently, pretty much having lost himself to the throes of sleep by now, as the entire day's activities finally seem to catch up to him.
Kyo-Ohki curls herself right there besides Rick's ear, planning on playing guardian for as long as need...or until she herself falls asleep. Whichever comes first. (Very dependable and trustworthy, huh?)
The girl gently smiles on Rick and brings the blanket over him
one last time to make certain he's well covered before reaching
for his now empty mug still resting on the table. "Night,
Rick. Sleep well," she bids. The young woman bends down and
offers the top of his head a tender kiss before she gets back to
her feet to leave the young man to his much needed rest.