Megaman - Thursday, April 20, 2000, 2:51 PM
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Command Center <Hunter HQ>

Signal Shrike is at his usual place, flipping through channels.
Fortunately, he doesn't have to move to do it. :)
And now, Bowling for Turnips! *flip* You must chop the onions very- *flip* Gee, Optimus Primal, I never- *flip* The dung beetle makes its nest- *flip*

The grav lift door parts, allowing Twila through. She looks throughout the Command Center as if searching for someone in particular, and seems somewhat downcast when she doesn't see him. She offers herself a slight shrug and tries to lighten somewhat as she spots the bird-like reploid. "Hi, Shrike. How---" She pauses as she peers at the rapidly changing channels. "Having fun yet?"

Signal Shrike looks up, pausing in his flipping while an old music video from the 21st Century plays. He waves, "Hi, Twila. Kinda boring here, which I guess is a good thing." He takes his feet off the console and puts them back on the floor. "Looking for someone?"

"Is it that noticable?" she questions with a small smirk. "Yeah. Have...you seen Rick around any lately? I needed to speak with him."

Signal Shrike shakes his head lightly, turning off the monitor with the tap of a button. "No, sorry. Haven't seen him around for a while, actually. Is there anything I can help with?" His shiny black optics narrow a little in concern.

Twila Peterson shakes her head gently in response. "Thanks. But, not at the moment. It's...something that he should be told about first before anyone else. Him being my brother and all. Um...no offense, I mean." The last is stated quickly and somewhat awkwardly. Like several here she's come to see the Hunters as some sort of family. Ok, so it's somewhat dysfunctional in some places, but it's family none-the-less. Still, that doesn't change flech-and-blood ties. "So, you flipping channels as part of playing monitor...or out of boredom?" she asks, changing the subject.

Signal Shrike just nods to the first part, not taking offense in the least. After all, Rick is her brother. Shrike's just.. a coworker. He's used to not having a family, but he can imagine what its like. (Just a little gratuitous tug on your heartstrings.) He waves a hand at the monitor, "Little of both. I'm watching the monitors, but watching people shuffle back and forth from shopping gets a little dull after a while. So I put them on auto-notify for trouble and decided to look through the channels. You'd think with 3,652 channels there'd be something on."

Twila emits a soft chuckle. "I doubt anything would be on even if that was doubled, Shrike. I can see where it would get dull. Must be why alot of Hunters can be found *sleeping* in here." She casts a glance towards the screen displaying the rapidly changing television stations briefly before turning back towards the Reploid. "But, to pass the time, you never...did finish your story..." she points out. She's curious yes, but there's an alterior motive: adverting focus from pressing matters and placing them elsewhere.

Signal Shrike blinks and nods, "Ah yes. Well, where were we?" He keys off the distracting tv monitor.

Twila Peterson hmmmmms to herself and thought as she raises a hand to her head. "If I recall correctly you had stated about you being with the Yazuka...until you somehow escaped before the anti-slavery laws went into effect..." she muses slowly.

Signal Shrike nods slowly, the memories flooding back. "Yeah. okay, so I was working in this huge place called Dynacorp, based in Houston, Texas. It was supposed to be a legit communications network company, but was actually a front for the Yak tapping into all sorts of other corporate networks, including some of the governmental data streams." His facial expression darkens, "Not exactly the best place to work. As I said, I wasn't allowed to leave the premises unless supervised by one of their little brute squads. But even back then, even though I was technically their property, they had to 'pay' me for my services in order to get around the tax codes. Of course, it was in a restricted account and I couldn't touch any of it." He sighs, and continues. "I made a couple of friends there, though for the most part I only interacted with the net-heads, who saw me as little more than a tool. One of the other Reploids who befriended me was Aurora, built as one of their sentry droids, but she was nice."

Twila slid herself into a nearby seat as soon as the reploid began telling his tale, listening. .oO(Sounds like a bunch of grumpy employers...)Oo. "Least you had a friend ot two while you were there," she offers. But it's a lame gesture and she knows it. She wouldn't even be able to relate how this type of slavery was like...being someone's "property". She then falls quiet, allowing him to continue.

Signal Shrike looks off towards the direction of the ceiling, aware that Twila probably sees the pain of the memories. "The CRF, before they were Mavericks, were making things unpleasant for all Reploids. A lot of hostility towards us from some humans. One of my supervisors had me beaten half-nonfunctional after I messed up a network tap and nearly alerted another corporation to their activities. That's when I decided to leave." His wings flick behind him as he remembers the event. "When I was off-duty, I managed to break into the restricted account where they were stockpiling my pay. There wasn't a whole lot in there, as they had been 'taking out deductions' for various things. I hacked into the bankroll and..." he trails off, uncomfortably, smiling at Twila's words, "...and I uh... redistributed some of the free-floating funds into my account and cashed it out." He swallows hard, having never told anyone else of this part. "And then I uh... managed to buy my freedom by bribing one of the supervisors to deactivate my obedience and tracking chip. I slipped out of the complex one night and made my way to San Angeles. I'm sure they tried to find me, so I paid to have some...alterations.. done to me." He holds up his arms, where the static electricity generators are visible underneath. "As defensive weapons, in case they ever found me. Cause I'd rather have died than ever let them get me."

Signal Shrike shrugs, "And I managed to support myself taking some of the less scapulas jobs at data hacking I could find until I built up the funds for more legitimate work. I was actually finishing up my first big contract with the San Angeles Public Works department when that whole thing with the Mavericks and poisoning the water supply happened."
Signal Shrike gestures around the command center, "And that's when I met Feedback and Rick. After that...here I am."

Signal Shrike chuckles, "Geez, I sure hated Feedback when I first met him."

Twila Peterson presses her lips together and nods as she silently studies those aforementioned generators until his arms are once more drawn down. "I'm not certain there's too many other options other than to find a way to leave that...particular situation. I'm sure it must have been hard," she notes and then adds, "Glad you're with the Hunters now, tho."
Twila Peterson allows a grin at the injection. "Yeah...I seam to recall you and him didn't get along that well at first. Feedback has a certain way of welcoming people into the group."

Signal Shrike looks down shyly, "Thanks... glad to be here. It's nice to be part of a group where I'm thought of as more than a tool." He laughs at that, "Maybe we should get a new welcome wagon, then."

A split second of motion, almost too fast to notice, off to the corner of the room itself. Not even in the form of a solid object, but rather a bare shimmer of the air...then nothing.

In the midst of this, glowing so faintly that it's almost invisible, a single half lidded eye stares out.

Indeed, Signal Shrike's shady past has been told to Twila...but she's not the only one listening right now.

Twila Peterson tilts her head almost comically. "Have any suggestions? After all, Feed may get jealous if he overhears he's being replaced," she gently teases.

Signal Shrike leans back in his chair, more relaxed now that he's gotten everything out in the open. "Hrm. We'd need someone a lot more friendly. But if I know Feedback, he-" he breaks off and shudders suddenly. "That's strange..." he taps the side of his head where his audio receptor is. "I could have sworn I... well.. felt something."

Twila Peterson straightens up within her own seat. "Felt something?" she asks, sounding somewhat confused. She hasn't noticed any temperature changes or whatnot within the room, which is, of course, the first that Twila thinks of. "Felt what?"

As if on cue, and in perfect sync with one another, two of the other corners go through their brief shimmers, the waves dissipating to leave the single eye floating in their wake, now making three of these 'eyes' that all stare inwards, focused on the two figures in the command center. From an overhead perspective, the three positions would form a perfect triangle, with Signal Shrike and Twila in the middle of that triangle.

Signal Shrike lets out a startled squawk as the eyes appear, standing up out of the chair so quickly it topples over. He automatically begins charging his static generators, "Twila.." his voice shakes slightly, "D-do you see those?"

"See what??" the girl demands, having not readily seeing what Shrike does at the immediate moment. However, all she has to do is follow his gaze to where he's darting his. She lets out a yelp of her own and jumps out of her seat at the sight. "Oh...you mean those..." she states after catching her breath after being a bit startled. Even so, there's a familiar look about those eyes. It doesn't take her long to recognize them as they are...unique. "Stardroids coming to call again?"

Signal Shrike, on the other hand, has never seen the Stardroid data collector before. He just gulps, "S-stardroids?" He keeps his generators powered, though he knows anything he did would probably be a futile gesture.

Eclipse: Triad
It's Eclipse, complete with the ovoid shaped body, single eye and horns sprouting from the top of his 'head'. Except....there's a problem. He's much, much smaller, and there's three of him. Each figure is perfectly identical to the next, and stands at roughly 9 feet in height. Their own features are as unreadable as that of the full sized version.

One by one, the three figures are revealed, the dampening field that held them from view shimmering away like a liquid form, leaving the triple form of Eclipse standing in it's wake, all three figures staring inwards, silently observing Twila and Shrike. As one, the three eyes blink, and the individuals cross their thick arms over their 'chests', or versions thereof. No words come from any of them....but then again, he hasn't been known to talk when like this...

Signal Shrike whispers: 'You've seen this thing before? What does it want?'.

You whisper 'I don't know. He's...come sort of information gatherer. I've never seen him mean any harm. He just...gathers info. He says it's his 'function'.' to Signal Shrike.
Twila lays a hand on the reploid's arm momentarily before drawing it back, and looks towards one of the trio. "What...brings you here, Eclipse?" well remembering when he visited last time.

Signal Shrike nods silently to Twila and looks back at the Eclipses, deciding on one farthest away from him. Trying to look tough or something.
Eclipse stares, all three of him, not answering Twila's question, either unwilling, or unable. The silence doesn't last long though, as the three forms suddenly shift and actually 'melt' into three identical puddles of ooze. These puddles flow slowly across the floor, until meeting up with one another and beginning to form into a solid state, that takes shape in a drawn out, deliberate motion.

Eclipse: Watcher
Sure enough, as the form grows and expands to it's normal, massive height, it shifts and brings that single eyed stare down to the two figures now. Finally his voice speaks, fairly rumbling the floor with it's intensity. "It is the same issue that always brings my presence anywhere...." he rumbles.
Eclipse transforms into Watcher.
Massive, that's the only word to describe this entity. Easily towering at 2 stories in height, it is a figure that radiates it's presence on an incredibly overwhelming fashion, with but a casual glance. A massive, ovoid body is supported by two immense pillar-like legs. Arms, each as thick as a railway car hang down from either side, and are usually crossed over the thick expanse that could pass as a chest. A pair of horns protrude from the top of this figure's head, or the top of the oval at any rate.
But these aren't the most unnerving features. The worst, is the lack of facial features, save for a single, gigantic eye in the center of the upper body. Half lidded, and almost never blinking, it seems to observe one thing and everything, all at the same time. An unnerving calm sits about this gigantic creature...

Signal Shrike takes a step back from the Stardroid unwillingly, blinking. He wisely remains silent, letting Twila be the diplomat. The thought to lock out the central computer crosses his mind, but it also occurs to him that any such act would probably be similiarly futile and considered hostile.

Twila Peterson blinks as the trio dissolves to form the one, recalling memories when the Stardroid had major difficulty preforming even that. "There a certain something that you're wanting to...observe?" she questions after flicking a glance towards Shrike, hoping the Droid hadn't been present when she and the reploid were in discussion. She knows how *she* would feel if there was an intrusion regarding her own personal life. Why would Shrike be any differnt?
Indeed that's just what the stardroid had done, and has no reason to believe that Shrike should be offended by it otherwise.

Either that or he doesn't care.

"The state of my programming demands that I begin to delve into the backgrounds of singular individuals at this phase. That..is what draws my presence."
Uh, oh...here comes that sinking feeling. "And...how long have you been standing there...listening?" Twila questions carefully.

Signal Shrike's wing flick nervously or in agitation, if there's much difference in this situation. He doesn't like this much at all.

Eclipse blinks, slowly. A calculated motion even for such a mindless task as closing your eye for a split second.

"I have been present since you have begun to converse with one another."
Signal Shrike opens his beak, closes it, then opens it again, unable to help himself. He just spilled his guts. "Okay, great. So you just pop and listen to people when they're discussing private things? Maybe we should get you a subscription to the Peeping Tom's Channel, too." He points a finger at the Stardroid, mad despite the fact that the other could squish him with a single gesture. "What right do you have to do something like that?"
Oh lovely. Now Twila feels guilt for even asking the reploid. She wouldn't have done so if she had known they were being overheard. But how was she to have known. She remains by Shrike as he demands some answers from the visitor.

"It is my purpose." Eclipse drones evenly, as if that should explain every reason for him doing it. "My programming has decreed that which is to be gathered into my databanks, and I shall follow my programming." The single eye swivels just a bit, to center completely on Signal Shrike himself.

Signal Shrike fidgets under the scrutiny. Its not everyday a super-powerful being the size of a building stares down at you with one eye. He deflates a little, "Uh, I suppose I can live with that," he offers weakly. "But then what? You're not going to tell jokes about my past at your little Stardroid parties, or declare to the world about my past, are you? I'd just as soon the Yakuza remain not knowing where I am." He glances over at Twila, "I doubt they'd hesitate to destroy me, even after all these years."

Twila Peterson knows that it probably wouldn't do any good to actually explain this to Ecplise, but she does so anyway. "Eclipse, most people are rather offended when someome eavesdrops on a personal conversation...regardless if the individual is only following a certain function or not. Just like you Stardroids hardly tell us about anything about yourselves. You probably have your own reasons for that...just as we have ours." She pauses to exchange glances with Shrike. "That I don't think Eclipse would do. He doesn't care to get actively involved."

Signal Shrike mutters, "Heck, I probably would have told you if you'd just -asked---"

"Jokes..." Eclipse begins, his voice shaking the walls. "..an offshoot of humor, used by your species at curious intervals. It is of no use for me to utilize." He states this matter of factly, before turning to face Twila once more, and her explanation. "Becoming offended by my actions...this is an emotion that I have documented. It is irrelevant in the pursuit of the data that is required. Emotions are documented, but of no use to myself." At that, he straightens, folding his massive arms over his chest and answering Signal Shrike again, swinging back and forth in the conversation like a champ without breaking stride. "Probability of your explaining personal background at my inquiry is less than 5 percent. It was more efficient to document and observe."
Now how in the heck did Twila have a feeling he was going to say *that*. "They're something your going to have to learn to grasp if you want to understand what it is your observing...as well as us."

Signal Shrike has to assent to that. "Well, you're probably right, but still." He gives a minor shrug, "Record what you want from me. Being the focus of a Stardroid quest for data doesn't exactly thrill me, but I suppose I should be flattered. Anything you want to know? My favorite color is purple, I think pro-wrestling is stupid, and I once tried an illegal neural stimulator."

Eclipse tilts his gaze back to Twila once more, listening to her words and countering once more. "THere is much that is noted and recorded, yet impossible to utilize, or inefficient. It is irrelevant so long as the data is collected." He then tilts his head...which would probably account for his whole body, just enough to take in Signal Shrike's words...and almost predictably enough, there's a pause as if he files it away.

"Noted." Eclipse rumbles, before his body begins to glow and seem to lose it's solidity once more. "My purpose here is concluded...the data I have sought is recorded."

Signal Shrike says, "Hey. We have a little tradition where I come from called share and share alike. Now that you've collected all this data from us, I don't suppose you'd share any of your information with us? Like where you're from, or why you guys are here?"

(Ch. B [None]) Signal Shrike transmits: 'Twila.. do you have a med scanner on

Twila Peterson shakes her head towards Shrike upon overhearing her radio chirp.

Eclipse actually seems to hesitate then, even as his form has begun to 'melt' all over once more. A brief moment of pondering over the question...and he finally speaks again. "Our purpose is to observe this planet and it's inhabitants. The world is to be judged and whether it is worthy. Other details I am not privvy to, as it is not my function. Mine is the systematic observance and collection of any and ALL data available."

Signal Shrike blinks, having not expected any sort of answer. He nods slowly, "Uh, thanks. I think." He looks over at Twila, optics wide.

Twila widens her own eyes towards that, again exchanging glances with Shrike. "Er...yeah..." she tones weakly, not knowing what to make of that. But it shouldn't come as a surprise should it?

Eclipse appears to be satisfied with that, and continues to literally melt into the floor, although his form shifts and actually changes to something else, splitting apart and forming an entire collection of perfect spheres in it's wake. The spheres hover there for a few moments...until finally disappearing in a fade out image, leaving thin air behind them.

Signal Shrike whistles, "Wow...well not only do those Stardroids like to make a show, but.." he gets serious. "Why do I have a horrible feeling that what he just said was 'the world is to be judged'?"

Signal Shrike abruptly sits on the floor where he was standing, too shaken even to find a chair.

Twila Peterson relaxes somewhat as the visitor makes his departure, but not very. Especially after being reminded of the "judgment" as stated by Shrike. "Have to admit...it *does* happen to go along with what they've been maintaining ever since they came to Earth." Not one to let someone feel left out she decides to join Shrike on the hard metallic ground. "Especially with how they keep classifying Rock as the 'Chosen One' and the fate of the planet rests on him..."

Signal Shrike puts a clawed hand to his head, "Oh man. But this is like end of the world stuff. Like, the Last Days and all that stuff." He groans, "Maybe we should go start packing our bags now and board the next bus offa this planet. Not that I don't have every confidence in the boss, but..." he trails off uncertainly. "That's heavy-duty."

Twila Peterson emits a soft sigh. "I admit the Stardroids wield alot of power. And they certainly could destroy us if they chose. But, I don't think running if the answer. They certainly didn't say what we would be judged *for* either."
She adds belatedly, "Not that it would matter, of course."

Signal Shrike grunts, "I suppose. They could very well decide running would be the deciding factor in us being unworthy or whatever." He shakes his head, "Still... what right do they have to judge us? Judge, jury and executioner, all rolled up in a neat super-powerful package. What if they decide the planet's not worthy? All of the Hunters and Repliforce combined couldn't stop them if we tried. I doubt even if all the Reploids and Androids in the world teamed up, we could stop them from destroying us." He gives his almost-grin, "You know, it reminds me of this ancient movie I saw once. Vintage 20th Century. These aliens came down to Earth and gave humanity, since it was before we were invented, the choice of either living in peace with each other or they'd blow us up."
Signal Shrike says, "That was made back when weapons of mass-destruction had just been invented and everyone was afraid we'd use them on each other."
Signal Shrike takes out a pad while contemplating this and types up a brief report.

============================== Maverick Hunter ===============================
Message: 10/33 Posted Author
A Visit Thu Apr 20 Signal Shrike
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>>Authorizing security code... accepted. Displaying text message: Priority Beta<<

Hi, Hunters. Signal Shrike here. We had a visitor drop in today, so to speak. The Stardroid, Eclipse, showed up again to "collect data." This time, it happened to be the story of my life, as I was telling it to Twila. Eh, not much to talk about really, but he said he was collecting information on individuals. Twila had a little chat with him, as much as you can chat with a super-powerful data processor with the personality of a bowl of jello. Anyway, he volunteered some information in return, to my surprise. <insert audio of Eclipse's slow, rumbling voice: "Our purpose is to observe this planet and it's inhabitants. The world is to be judged and whether it is worthy. Other details I am not privvy to, as it is not my function. Mine is the systematic observance and collection of any and ALL data available."> So... I think that pretty much sums it up. He left without incident, although it still gives me the creeps. I suppose trying to instigate any sort of security measures against future intrusions by this guy is pointless, but everyone might want to watch what you're saying... uh...all the time, I guess. Although that majorly *****. End of report.
Signal Shrike
==============================================================================

Twila Peterson comments, "If I remember right several movies were created with that type of theme." She then continues. "I have to wonder about something. They're powerful...but they aren't as all-powerful as they'd like to make us think. They aren't some sort of collection of gods. Remember a month or so back during the shifting of reality brought on by those...um...visitors? They were about as helpless as we were during that."

Signal Shrike sighs, "Yeah, I remember. But short of another time rift happening, I don't know of any other way we could stop them." He pauses, "Maybe we should have destroyed them when we had the chance... no, I don't mean that. Then we'd be as bad as the Mavericks and Masters."

"Remember the ole saying, 'No matter how good you are someone's always going to be better?' If you ask me, I have a feeling there are those out there more powerful than them. They're mortal. They have weaknesses. All of us saw that," the girl responds. "Sooner or later I think their own arrogance is going to do them in."

Signal Shrike says, "Hopefully before they do us in."

Twila nods whole heartily. "So do I. Not much we can do in the meantime except act as if they weren't there at all. Just...be who we are." She stops to recall a quote. "I remember someone was recorded as stating something if they knew the end of the world would come the next day, they would simply plant a tree."

Signal Shrike chuckles, "No offense to that person, but I think I'd be at an energy bar, drinking anything I could get my hands on."

Twila Peterson grins. "Everyone has their own way of dealing with the issue I suppose." There's a shift of her weight before the radio on her belt emits a chirp. She moves to answer the call before replacing the device and starts to get to her feet. "One of the orderlies needs some help down in the center. I better go ahead and get down there. You be alright up here, Shrike?" Of course he probably will be. But not beyond Twila to at least ask.

Signal Shrike nods, "Yeah." He stands up, "Although I think I'll be avoiding watching tv for a bit."