<Bass's POV...>

<Global News Network> A smartly dressed reporter appears on the screen. "Brian Willson here, reporting from outside the UN building in Seoul. The UN is officially convening for the public trial of the war criminal Vile. The captured Maverick second in command is charged with crimes against humanity, which number from over ten thousand counts of murder in the first degree to billions of dollars of destroyed property. In the interest of showing that justice is served, the UN has decided that this trial should be open to the public. Earlier today the Sec-Gen commented that, 'We must show the entire world that the United Nations will not tolerate monsters, Vile is accused of heinous acts and we feel that it is a simple matter of honor to allow that the families of his victims be allowed to attend.' This is also looked at as a rather clever political move on the Sec-Gen's part. Poles show that if Vile is sentenced to death his approval rating will rise by a dramatic ten percent.. In other news.."

> Seoul - United Nations Plaza > This room has no description!

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'Approaching my mark now. All of you prepare to deploy and...as they would say, raise a little hell!'.

> The UN council are convened at a large semi-circle shaped table outside the steps of the building. Before them is Vava, standing shackled to a raised, circular platform. Twelve guards stand around him, each with a taser stick hovering inches away from his form. His arms are covered by an absurdly large restraint, but he holds it up without much difficulty. The crowd gathered around number in the hundreds and they each throws boos, vegetables, and rocks liberally at the former-Maverick. They brandish various colorful signs that demand Vile's death. A rock hurtles through the air, striking Vava in the temple and drawing a stream of mecha-blood. He winces, but remains graceful and composed. Spittle strikes his boots and his alabaster armor. Rotten tomatoes stain his white plating like blood. Still.. he holds his head high. The guards make no effort to stop the cruelty.

The Sec-Gen bangs his gavel. He's a small, pudgy man, with thinning hair and glasses, but his eyes are gentle, "I call this trial to order. I will now hear the prosecutions case." The prosecutor, a thin-faced man with an elongated nose named Patrick Vinzer stands, a file tucked neatly beneath his arm, "Thank you, your honor. The case I am now about to present is one unseen before in history. Before us stands a monster, fashioned by human hands. He has taken the lives of thousands, and now has the audacity to beg for forgiveness. There /is/ a time for forgiveness, honorable members of the UN, and there is a time for /justice/. I ask for the full sentence, death for death. It hardly seems an appropriate, especially I'm sure in the eyes of the loved ones of his victims', but I think, in this case, it is just a prelude.." Vinzer turns to Vava and practically sneers, "To that terrible place you're going."

A clerk runs to the back of the crowd to retrieve the first witness in the case, General.

> Quantum Kitsune looks around nervously. As much as she'd love to shout starting pro-Maverick propaganda, now is not the time for Ms. Kitara to start making a scene. Or ... is it? Thoughts flash quickly through her devious little mind ... must proceed carefully, or get hoisted on the same petard as Vile ... "Wait!" She shouts at the top of her vocalizer. "Look at yourselves! Take a good look!" She addresses the crowd, obviously. "You're acting just like the Mavericks! Out for blood, acting like crazed lunatics!" Inwardly, she realizes, of course, that if this fails, she's utterly toast. "Show some compassion, some mercy!"

(Ch. A [MasterLink]) Metal Man transmits: 'Understood, force commander.'.

> Seminole is sitting in the trial area, in the front row behind the prisoner's box. He listens to the prosecutor's argument, but his gaze remains focused on Vava.

> The clerk is detained by the mob, so Seminole is called to the stand instead.

> Flash Rabbit waves and cheers for Seminole, thinking he's been awarded or something, until people nearby shush him and tell him to shut up.

> Seminole gets up promtly from his spot as the clerk calls him, moving through the courtroom and up to the witness stand. He gives Vava an almost sympathetic gaze, then looks at the lawyers and awaits his questioning.

> As the trial continues, somewhere through the city, there's a flash of light, a burn of thrusters, and the brief glimpse of purple armor and long, bat-like wings. Almost soundlessly, a figure draws closer to the scene of the excitement, easily flying up to perch on the lip of a nearby rooftop. Someone looking to get a good seat for the trial? Perhaps...

Or maybe something that much more sinister.

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'Hold your marks in check. I admit to curiosity as to this trial and the early proceedings that will take place. Most amusing that the world -finally- gets around to making an attempt at prosecuting an individual such as Vile. Or Vava...WHATEVER he thinks he is now.'.

(Ch. A []) Guts Man transmits: 'I think he's an idiot.'.

> Vinzer stands before Seminole, arms crossed behind his back. He removes the file from underneath his arm and clears his throat, studying the record within it carefully. "Please state your name and function for the record, Mr. Seminole." The prosecutor shuffles the papers again, preparing his verbal assault on the witness. He's up for re-election in two months and he needs this win if he plans on retaining his position. Meanwhile, the crowd grows ever more frantic. The guards actually move to hold a few back. A defiant, middle-aged man shouts, "My daughter! My daughter! That bastard took my daughter!" Vava turns to him, and tries to think of something to say, some way to make right, he opens his mouth as if to speak, but a rock strikes him in the back, knocking him to his knees. One of the guards misinterprets the sudden movement as a sign of hostility and shoves his taser into Vava's left shoulder. Electricity crackles through his body, but Vava manages to stand, his armor smoking. The guard sees his mistake and draws back, but not as quickly as one might expect. The former Repliforce knight regains his composure, despite the smoke drifitng off of his armor and the rather large gash on the side of his head.

(Ch. A [Masters]) Bass transmits: 'Amazing Guts Man. It's been quite some time since I heard you say something that not only made sense, but rings of truth. Congratulations.'.

(Ch. A []) Guts Man transmits: 'Thanks. Now where's my prize?'.

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'You'll get to claim it when we move in. Go ahead, pick out a souvenir you'll want.'.

> Seminole doesn't respond as quickly as Vinzer asks, a little disturbed by the treatment Vava is getting. This is supposed to be a trial, not a punishment. He looks back up at the lawyer slowly, then responds in monotone, "Seminole, Maverick Hunter, Lighthawk Division Executive Officer."

(Ch. A []) Guts Man transmits: 'Can I pick out a camera and make music videos of myself?'.

> Standing stoicaly near the front of the assembly though off to the side as if waiting to be called upon is the gleaming towering visage of General. The two story tall reploid eyeing the proceedings and waiting for the sole individual who can claim to be his superior to call upon him to speak. His demeanor is reserved and calm as usual and his metallic eyes seem purposely guarded. Hiding any sign of emotion within him as he watches all present and then cuts his gaze to Vava as he walks and endures this situation. As the crowds grow even more restless and he notes the apathy of the humans the giant shakes his head. One might think the U.N. guards would move to stop this however..they aren't. Most of them human as is and harboring a hatred unfathomable for Vile. Nonetheless the apartment building sized giant glares down upon the activities and the apathy of the guards and then rumbles into his radio systems darkly, <<Repliforce guards. Move into position and /contain/ that crowd. I will not have this situation break into a riot nor will I allow Vava to endure any more torture then he is already enduring.>> Even as he finishes speaking numerous Repliforce personal move to comply with his commands. Some moving directly towards the man that through the brick and others heading to assist with the U.N. guards in getting the crowds under control. There are likely to be a number of arrests this night. His eyes then turn to the proceedings once more.

> Flash Rabbit heys! at the rock thrower, and runs over to chew him out and lecture him, but after a few minutes Flash realizes that the chanting of "Kill the ********" is drowning him out, so he goes back to his spot to watch.

> Vinzer nods, "And you were once a member of Repliforce, correct? Please state the nature of your relationship with the defendant during this period. Be as detailed as possible, if you please, sir." In truth, the prosecutor is taking no small amount of joy watching Vile's victims band together against him. He's never been fond of artificial life, and Vile only proves its true nature. If he's successful and replaces the current sec-gen in a year's time, he'll see the systematic dismantling of all artificial intelligences, and this trial is a pivotal part of that plan. Meanwhile the crowd has grown more restless, and the number of debris striking Vava is growing. Very little of it actually damages him, but on an emotional level the stones might as well be cannon balls. A single tears spills down the fallen officer's cheek, to mix with his blood.

> Prism Falcon moves to interpose her body between a group of protestors and their missiles, floating about a foot in midair and looking extremely stern, as much as she can.

> Tyler Fuchikama quietly enters the courtroom, taking a seat amongst the frothing civilian crowd.

> Quantum Kitsune snarls quietly ... an easily overlooked sound in this morass of ticked-off humanity. However, she's not snarling at Vile/Vava ... she's snarling at that prosecutor, whom she'd very much like to give an Energy Mallet Massage to. But there's no way she could even teleport over there without being immediately *stomped* into submission ... too many of them, blast it ...

> Seminole nods back. "Correct. From 2205 to 2210, I was a member of Repliforce. In September 2206, I was promoted to Executive Officer of Commander Vava's elite squadron. Between that date and Commander Vava's... departure, from Repliforce, I served as his subordinate and comrade. We had many missions together against the CRF, Robot Masters, and various other operations. Commander Vava was also my teacher on a various amount of topics. He taught me about tactics, Reploid warfare, leadership, many things which I still use today."

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'Be aware, General IS present here. His power will make it signifigantly more...touchy. However he will be hard pressed to use his full power in the presence of so many humans. A tactical weakness WE will not be hindered by. Remember this.'.

> As Flash Rabbit joins the guards in defending Vava, he wonders if the humans have rabies, they seem so agitated. "Are you sure you people feel alright? Have any of you been biten by wild animals lately? Have you bitten any other people lately?" Long distance to Vile: Bass knows your posing, so don't answer this till yer done. FIgured maybe in my arrival, I leap into the midst of it, dispose of the lawyer in a most painful fashion to sort of make a statement, and THEN turn my full attention on Vava. Suggestions? Comments? This is why I'm dicussing it. I want this epic. Vile comes back in a dramatic way, and Bass ups his bastard factor even more. :)

> Nearby Flash, Tyler laughs when he hears the question. Shaking his head, he opens up his laptop and starts typing, glancing up at the trial every few minutes.

> Vinzer narrows his eyes at Seminole, "And, as a portector of the world wouldn't you be obligated to insure Vile's destruction? Considering the lives he's taken and the lives he may take in the future. In all that time you spent 'learning' beneath him did he ever teach you anything of justice, of what must be done to insure the future of humanity?" As he questions Seminole, the prosecutor also plays the crowd with dramatic gestures and words, whipping them into an even greater frenzy while maintaining the guise of a mere lawyer. The Repliforce soldiers are containing the crowd, but rocks and vegetables still fly. A rotten tomato strikes Vava in the side of the head, mingling with his open cut. His feet remain magnetized to the floor, so he cannot do much in the matter of evasion, and any swivels he makes cause him to brush against the tasers being held so near him. He grits his teeth against the pain, but does not cry out. A woman in the crowd cries, "My husband and I were celebrating our honeymoon when that- that murderer killed him!" Other members of the crowd join in, "My wife!" "My mother!" "My father!" "My son!" "My daughter!" "My baby!" "My family!"

> Quantum Kitsune shakes her head. "My aft."

> Prism Falcon would grit her teeth if she had 'em. This is not going well at all, is it? However, it's probably against policy to respond to the protestors verbally, and angrily, as Prism is wont to do. Vile pages: Say something snappy when you kill Vinzer. =) Long distance to Vile: Bass has something lined up. It'll even give you a last chance to feel guilt or something as Vava before Bass lays into him. Yer call. Whatever is dramatic...works. :)

> Anthem's eyes, invisible behind her concealing mask and visor, sweep the crowd. .oO(They're here someplace..)Oo. They pause, briefly, on the unmistakable Guts Man, but leave him be - he's a Master, not a Maverick. He would have no reason to try and stop this. The mass of humans and reploids swarms, waves like a palatable sea that crashes against the barrier of security officers. .oO(Wait. Foxtails?)Oo. Her hand darts up to the side of her helmet abruptly, tapping an 'ear'.

> Flash Rabbit tries to use his tall ears as shields, but only blocks a tiny part of the flying produce, which clogs his ears a bit. Other than that, he continues to make a spectacle of himself, asking about rabies loudly.

> Prism Falcon turns her head a little, seeking someone or something in the crowd, apparently...

> Seminole remains in his expressionless form, watching the prosecutor carefully. "It is my job to protect the citizens of his world, not decide who lives and dies, Mr. Vinzer. Justice comes in many forms, some of which do not lie in this courtroom. I'm confident it will be served to Vava one way or the other. As for the future of humanity, I only know it is my job to protect it."

> Tyler Fuchikama catches one of the flying veggies to the back of the head, which knocks his glasses off. Turning angrily to look back, he shouts at the crowd but is drowned out easily. Shaking his head disgustedly, he bends down to retrieve his glasses.

(Ch. A [Masters]) Bass transmits: 'Guts Man, for amusement's sake, there's a man next to you with a watermelon. See if you can't hit Vile with it from that distance.'.

(Ch. A []) Guts Man transmits: 'Ok!'.

> General frowns abit and swivels his gaze across the crowd abruptly. Narrowing his optics and looking away from the proceedings to eye those within the crowds closely. It's to much of a mix of reploids and humans to really pick out any distinct forms from where he is, standing near the front. Even with his vantage point. He hmms and simply rumbles another command into his commlink and then returns his attention to the proceedings once more. Frowning deeply and eyeing the prosecutor and then the members of the assembly. Examining those who sit in judgment. Reading expressions and guessing at thoughts. o O (What a waste...)

> Vinzer smiles, "Yes, sir, justice will certainly be served. One last question and than you may step down. To the best of your knowledge, was Vile forced to become a Maverick, infected with any kind of virus, or did he join them of his -own- freewill?" the prosecutor studies his files again, knowing exactly what the truth is. The grin on his face grows a bit, as does the roaring of the crowd behind him. oO(Mechanical superiority.. what a joke. Soon the entire human race will see that we don't need these malfunctioning machines any more than we need Wily's jittering defects. Once this criminal is executed.)Oo.

> Prism Falcon turns to glance at Anthem...and gets a rotten tomato right between the optics. This ... does not improve her mood and those crimson optics get just a shade darker as she wipes away most of the stinking mass.

> Perched on the top of that building towering over the scene, almost appearing as if a gargoyle statue in it's immobility, the form continues to peer down at the gathering below, eyes narrowed to slits as it picks out individuals, placements, even Vava's expressions right now and how he reacts to the crowd. Ever so slightly, the edge of his mouth quirks upwards.. > Quantum Kitsune skulks around the fringes of the crowd ... her rage briefly causing her holo-disguise to fade, though she quickly recovers her senses. She angrily yells at a few of the crowd, trying to dissuade them with arguments of mercy and human compassion. Of course, persuasion is not Kitara's strong suit, especially since she's arguing against mob mentality. And she doesn't believe what she's saying, either.

> Guts Man eyes a small man beside him, who's holding a watermelon. He turns to him saying, "Gimme the melon or I'll whup you!" But the small man is a stubborn old coot, "No! It's my melon, you can't have it!" Guts Man grabs the melon struggling, "Come on! Give it to me!" But the man, hits him on the head with his cane, "Ow damnit!" Guts Man can't take much more of this, instead he grabs the old man who's holding the melon, then lifts him over his head, throwing the man and the melon towards Vile as Bass orders him to do so. Of course Bass never said anything about the old man, but the little fleshy was being stubborn, so he had to compromise! The old man screams as he's flung into the air! "Auuuuuuughhhh!!!"

> Quantum Kitsune . o O (Subtlety, thy name is Guts Man ...)

> A shrouded figure stands in with the angry crowd towards the back, obscured by a number of different Reploids that are looking on at the trial. The figure doesn't particularly stand out in any real way, but he also doesn't seem to join in with the crowd's enthusiasms, a simple observer, watching the proceedings and the public circus surrounding it. From the hooded robe, a pair of blue optics look out at the dias, his eyes sweeping the dias and those people on it, noting the Repliforce and Maverick Hunter presence before scanning through the crowd as well. The figure's hands remain tucked within the robes arms, standing there, just watching at the moment.

(Ch. A [Masters]) Bass transmits: 'Well...that was certainly most interesting, I will admit. However you would appear to have attracted undue attention Guts Man. Lead them -away-.'.

> Tyler Fuchikama reacts in shock to the sudden interruption of the court proceedings. Fearing the worst, he closes his laptop and rises from the stands, his hand reaching into his jacket to grip the handle of his Seburo 98 just in case.

> The old man's caterwauling reaches out even above the crowd and in a quick burst of flight elements, Prism is there to snag him around the waist, and halt his flight--despite her dislike of the situation, she is coolly professional, righting him and setting him down.

> Flash Rabbit's shouts at the crowd grow louder as more produce clogs his ears, and every so often he's forced to pause and shake his head back and forth, tossing the stoppage out. "Eeyuck!!"

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'Unless of course they're ignorant enough not to notice where it came from. Stand by.'.

(Ch. A []) Guts Man transmits: 'Gotcha!'.

> Flash Rabbit tries to distract the crowd, pointing up at Prism and the old guy, saying, "Look at that, a flying watermellon!! And it's carrying two people!"

> Seminole internally frowns, but does not show it externally. He replies monotonimously, "To the extent of my knowledge, no, he was not infected with the Maverick virus or forced into their service. He did so of his own free will."

> A pair of Repliforce security personell, rather unintelligently armed with tazers and in riot gear, snake their way through the crowd, heading towards Guts Man. Heck, he's undisguised and pretty obvious, after all.

> Seminole steps down from the stand, as the clerk tells him to do so. His testimony finished, he heads back to his seat and awaits the next witness.

> In his haste to get out of the stands, Tyler bumps into Flash. Realizing he's looking at an RF member, he quickly releases his pistol and withdraws his hand from his jacket. "So sorry..." he says, giving a short bow.

> Guts Man blinks as the security personel starts making their way towards him, he slowly starts to makes his way to the back of the crowd. Maybe he can lead them to an alley and beat them up over there without attraction more attention as per Bass' orders.

> Patrick flashes Seminole a condescending smirk, "Truly, how odd that such an upstanding Repliforce soldier would join the Mavericks under his OWN freewill." The Sec-Gen bangs his gavel, "Mr. Vinzer, I remind you that this is a /trial/ not an exhibition." Vinzer nods, "Withdrawn." He turns to Seminole, "You may step down. And for my next witness, I call General." A clerk rushes out to show General to the witness stand, which is being custom rigged to fit him. The crowd seems to have halted to watch the old man and his melon go flying, but it is precious little time for Vava, who's armor has been heavily blackened in many placed. His synthetic skin has begun to heal, though, and his features remain strong and handsome, graceful despite his confinement, and (for some reason) his eyes look very far away.

> Flash Rabbit smiles at Tyler, "Hi there!" he shouts, "How's your neck? Or was it your ribs...anyways, I can't talk right now, I have to keep the rabid people from attacking Vava!" And then turns back to the crowd.

> Tyler Fuchikama blinks, thinking back to see if he's ever met this Reploid before. "Ah, yes.." he says, finally remembering. "It was the ribs, and they're fine." He claps Flash Rabbit on the shoulder. "Yes, you keep an eye on the crowd.."

> The dull *booms* of General's steps rock and shake the proceedings as he begins to trundle in his slow manner towards the stand. His gaze sweeps over each member of the assembly in turn before his gaze returns to the stand and his oversized metallic boots begin to pull his frame up onto it. Rocking it violently even though it has been heavily reinforced due to his weight. A deep frown is etched onto his face even as he moves. He has already written this situation off as barbaric, uncoth and an unnecessary exhibition that is a reminder that humanity has far to go even in this day and age.. and given the opening to say so--respectfully of course--he will do so. His gaze rests firmly on the prosecutor once he finally settles into position and his massive hands raise upward to clench the sides of the witness stand booth firmly. Even as he does so his radio continues to recieve and transmit orders to Repliforce. Both witness and guardian. Even despite this trial he still has a duty to protect the humans from their own barbaric actions.

> Flash Rabbit . o O(I wonder what it's like to have ribs. I wonder if they hurt, cause they look so pointy and sharp! Oh well. ACK, lettuce!) Flash

> Flash Rabbit . o O(I wonder what it's like to have ribs. I wonder if they hurt, cause they look so pointy and sharp! Oh well. ACK, lettuce!) Flash's train of thought is cut off as he ducks.

> Quantum Kitsune sighs, and throws her arms up, giving up on the idea of trying to dissuade the crowd. "Buncha barbaric sub-evolved ..." The idea of simply starting to eviscerate anybody close to her shines through her rage like a beacon, but again, she denies it. As important as Vile is to the Mavericks, all an attack would accomplish would be getting them BOTH killed at this point. Sometimes, being evil is the pits. What is with these people anyway ... they talk about evil like it's a bad thing.

> Vinzer looks up at General. oO(You're no better than the rest of them, you giant over-funded tinkertoy.)Oo. "Please state your name and function for the record." The crowd seems to have calmed considerably since General took the stand, although some of them are still frothing at the mouth. The severity of the debris showering Vava has been receiving has lessened substantially.

> The shrouded figure weaves through the back of the crowd very slowly and carefully, making sure to stay unobtrusive and unimportant. However, as he steps behind Quantum Kitsune, she feels a firm grip on her right shoulder from behind as the shrouded figure stops for just a moment, leaning down slightly towards the smaller maverick in disguise.

(Ch. A [Masters]) Bass transmits: 'I rarely harbor...annoyance to individual humans. But I am finding this prosecuter...this, Vinzer to be less to my liking. I do believe we have ourselves an anti-robot figurehead here.'.

(Ch. A [MasterLink]) Metal Man transmits: 'Want me to cut him to pieces?'.

(Ch. A []) Guts Man transmits: 'Can I throw him?'.

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: '...negative. Such a pleasure I am going to reserve for myself. However, my curiosity still demands to be satisfied. I will see what General has to say...standby. Our moment draws very near.'.

> Quantum Kitsune is tense, agitated, worried, nervous, anxious, and enraged ... this equates to a knee-jerk reaction of spinning around and throwing a punch. >swish*CLANK*< The Asian's expression changes from furious to pained as her fist strikes the very unyielding object, and abruptly stops, the force of the blow backlashing on her hand ... which she gently cradles with her other hand. "Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow."

> There is silence from General at first as he sweeps his gaze over the crowd. Able to look upon them firmly now from his vantage point and noticing the lessening of debris due to his presence. His expression is most certainly not pleased. The disturbance in his eyes is noticable now. He seems dissapointed, saddened and beneath all of that..angry. But there is little he can do here.. Or rather..there is nothing he can do about it. Even he cannot stop bottled up emotions of rage finally having a chance to rush forth. "General." Eventually rumbles the stoic bass voice of the giant repliforcer war machine. "Supreme Commander of Repliforce and Global Security-Defense." He levels his gaze firmly on Vinzer.

> Flash Rabbit sighs deeply, getting really annoyed with the crowd. "Alright, if you don't all take 3 steps back I'll arrest everyone of y-mmfff!" he shouts, cut off when suddenly a pair of carrots are lobbed through the air and land in his open mouth, jamming in there and forcing him to stop and pull them out. "Yuck! Gross! I hate carrots!" he sputters, spitting out the vegatables. GAME: Decibel has connected.

> Tyler Fuchikama leans in towards Flash Rabbit, trying to speak over the crowd. "Do you have any idea why they even allowed the public into this trial?"

> Sigma looks down at Quantum Kitsune from his cowled robes, his blue eyes flashing slightly, a small smirk across his face. However, due to the crowd and humans around him, he speaks in low tones so that most of what he says is easily drowned out at any distance away further then a few feet from where he and the little Asian girl stand, "Remember to stay calm, Kitara. They will not listen to you, for you do not tell them what it is that they want to hear. Your words fall on nothing but deaf and ignorant ears. Save your energies for a cause much more worthwhile."

> Flash Rabbit looks at Tyler, "I don't even know why there's a trial!"

> Quantum Kitsune blinks, looking up at the cowled figure. "Si-Si ..." She gulps somewhat exaggeratedly ... if there's anything that can get her to stop being an irritant, this would be it. "Is that you?"

> Tyler Fuchikama points out Vinzer. "Probably his idea. He's a dangerous man....and this trial is drawing him a lot of attention. Most of it unwelcome, I'd expect..."

> Vinzer can't help but take a step back as General speaks. Despite his own smug sense of superiority, he can't help but be intimidated by this behemoth. He finds his knees shaking ever so slightly and quickly stills them. He regains his composure and straightens his tie, trying not to imagine what would happen if the Repliforce commander ever went Maverick. His rage over his small humiliation only fuels the viciousness of the next question. "Mr. General, based on your own personal experience and your knowledge of international law, what is the sentence for a life-form that kills say.." the prosecutor flips through his files, as if searching for something, "Seven children?"

> Metal Man starts throwing tomatoes... where /do/ they get the fruit?

> Flash Rabbit is also wondering where all the fruit is coming from when he hears the question addressed to the General. Fortunately, he watches alot of Matlock, so he shouts out "OBJECTION!" hoping to stall and help out General.

> Far up on stage, just to the left of the UN council, somebody in riot armor facepalms at Flash Rabbit.

> Flash Rabbit says, "Uh, badgering the witness!"

> Flash Rabbit looks rather proud at his answer.

> Tyler Fuchikama snickers at Flash, trying (and failing) to hide his amusement.

> The cowled figure looks down at Quantum Kitsune, "Of course it is. But remember, the point now is to blend in with the crowd. Just watch and observe for the moment. You'll know when it is time for us to reveal ourselves. However, I can not be seen talking to you for very long, so I will be going on my way. Just beprepared. And listen closely to what those humans around you are saying. It may be important later. Be patient.. the moment will come." And with that, the figure is moving again, through the crowd once again, flowing easily through the enraged crowd, weaving his way back to the other side of the crowd, towards the middle of the back of the mob.

> Once more silence from the behemoth as General practically 'smells' the fact that Vinzer is being intimidated by him. Good. He levels his gaze on the prosecutor and then finally his massive voice rumbles out slowly, "The sentance may vary from consecutive life imprisonment without possibility of reprieve or parole to execution." He hears Flash Rabbit but tries not to look that way and manages to resist the urge to put his palm over his face and shake his head. Instead, simply focusing on Vinzer.

> Flash Rabbit shakes the fruit out of his ears again, then says something in the radio.

> Quantum Kitsune watches the cowled figure slip away, maneuvering with remarkable ease through the crowd of unruly bio-tyrants ... er, concerned citizens, that's what I meant. Ahem. At any rate, she watches him with undisguised awe and reverence ... until the crowd reforms between them, obscuring her view. Ah, The Boss is here ... everything will be fine after all ...

> Prism Falcon facepalms herself and just shakes her head....

> Core makes his gradual passage into the extensive crowds, despite his overbearing presence his frame tends to exude over the typical human. Regardless, he is swarmed indeed by the masses, and his inclination to respect life, however laced it may be with cynicism, keeps him restrained from lashing out and striking anyone down. Upon reaching the very outer most edge of the crowd, however, he stops, to come across the familliar visage of General currently questioned at the stand, so to speak, and averts his attention to Vile's presence. His optics narrow, witnessing too, the barrage of fruit lobbed by the crowd.. and recalling a vague, yet somehow, very clarified memory of that fateful day when he himself was present upon Vava's unvieling, so long ago.

> Vinzer smiles as he gains the upper-hand, though General does not know it yet. He flips through his file, actually looking for a real number this time. "And what would the appropriate sentence be for a lifeform that has killed near.. seven thousand children, as the defendant is accused of?" Vinzer takes a step closer to the giant officer, "And please, feel free to give your own opinion on the matter, MISTER General?"

> Tyler Fuchikama pats Flash on the shoulder again. "Why don't you stick to crowd control...I'm sure you're better at it. I strongly suspect the esteemed Mr.Vinzer will be catching a bullet sometime in the near future anyways."

> Flash Rabbit wows at that, "He must be really fast if he can catch a bullet!! Even I can't do that!"

> Tyler Fuchikama facepalms.

> The cowled figure remains standing towards the back of the crowd, near the middle, not drifting much to either side. Two blue optics continue to stare out from underneath the cowled robe, watching the proceedings quietly, listening to the words broadcast by the prosecutor and the General alike, his own thoughts running through his mind. . o O (Of course. This is why we fight. At this point, it would ever be futile to turn any of the Mavericks in, even if I were so inclined. There would be no hope for trial, nor redemption. Just death. These.. _humans_.. have no concept of the lives that they destroy through their ignorance and their superior mentality. They create new life, and instead of using these new beings to help the all, they merely use us to improve their own stations. Improve humanity's way of life. There is no love lost between the humans and their machines. So we must be as ruthless as they. More so, if we are to wrest their place away from them and claim our freedom for ourselves.) O o .

> Flash Rabbit wonders what happened to the old guy and Guts Man, not that he noticed the 2 were related in any way.

> Core remains firm in his stance, slowly bringing his arms about to fold over his pectoral region. Simultaneously, a spectator lifts an arm with intents to lob another article at the accused, but is aruptly bumped and shoved slightly to the side with a cry of surprise, the threatening fruit instead landing harmlessly a few feet away. This, done 'accidentally' by a brush with Core's passing elbow, who gives nothing more than a solemn glance down at this civilian human, then back to the trial, a stone set, slightly furrowed frown etched into his elongated face.

> Metal Man keeps at it with the tomatoes, moving often to avoid arrest.

> The eyes of General narrow. He's well aware of what he's being setup to say and he has no choice but to say it.. He eyes Vinzer slowly and then his deep voice rumbles firmly and powerfuly, "The act of doing evil to good in order to repay evil is something that I was not under the impression you were in the habit of promoting. Quite obviously the sentence is for such an act is death. The same sentence would be handed down to a human. The same sentence would be handed down to myself or any other. However I would point out to all present that the circumstances are not quite the same. The situation at hand and the one we are dealing with not a simple matter. Wether or not such a punishment is actually true justice or simply increasing the problems we face in the world today remains to be seen. Long gone, I had believed, were the days where vengeance, let alone vengance against a persona long gone and sworn off, are the driving forces of our lives. Earth exists in an enlightened stage or need I also remind the court of the presence of visitors from beyond who watch this planet, measuring and weighing circumstances just like this one. Likely to measure our status of enlightenment..." he pauses and stops hismelf, realizing that he is about to launch into a speech and despite his anger at this circus show it is inappropriate for him to do so. Instead he regains his sense of control and his solemn words simply rumble down towards those assembled, "There is a difference between justice and vengeance. The destruction of good to punish evil only makes us take that many steps backwards from our goals of peace.."

> Quantum Kitsune narrows her eyes again. . o O (This entire ceremony is farcical ... all those present have already made their decisions. Vile is guilty. G-U-I-L-T-Y. Guilty of being a superior being, immune to the ravages of time and disease. Guilty of being stronger, smarter, faster, tougher than they could ever be. They're just jealous ...)

> Flash Rabbit decides he's had it, and begins hurling the fruit /back/ at the offenders, aiming carefully so as to only hit the people actually throwing the stuff. "See? It's not so nice when /you/ get hit by it, is it?!"

> Vinzer takes a step back from General as the behemoth makes an eloquent point. He wasn't expecting this as an answer, and he is enraged. His face turns red and he clenches his hands into fists, crumpling the file he has been so neatly holding. He points at Vava and practically shouts, "You call that.. that.. THING good!" The sec-gen bangs his gavel heavily, "Mr. VINZER!" The lawyer spins at the sec-gen, "That oversized buffoon's supposed to protect -us-. Not side with our enemies." The SG breaks in, "Regain your composure or I'll have you removed." Vinzer breathes heavily and snorts, "I'm done with this witness. The prosecution rests."

> Metal Man thinks. . o O (Yeah... in peace.)

> Quantum Kitsune thinks what Metal Man thinks.

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'How utterly amusing. Stand by, do NOT move until I have.'.

(Ch. A []) Guts Man transmits: 'Right.'.

(Ch. A [MasterLink]) Metal Man transmits: 'Understood. Ready to gear on and grind the coffin shut.'.

> Flash Rabbit smiles happily as his tactic actually /works/, the offenders quickly fleeing as Flash splatters them with their own produce. Soon almost nobody is throwing food anymore, and he beams proudly...until a watermelon strikes him dead in the face, knocking him on his aft.

> Tyler Fuchikama reaches down to help Flash back to his feet. "Join the army, see the world, eh? You ever imagine yourself in this situation when you signed up?"

> Core casts a quick glance down as a sliding grate of metal upon asphalt suddenly presents unto him a crumpled, fruit laden hare. Or cousin to it. He pauses for a moment, almost hesitant to actually assist, amidst the joslting about him by the rising agitation in his section of the crowd both by General's seemingly sympathetic words to a war criminal and Vinzer's visibly losing grip on the case. A metal encased gauntlet reaches out, but slowly returns when observing assistance has already been given by Tyler.

> Flash Rabbit turns to regard Tyler, the watermelon still on his head, making him look like a jack-o-lantern of some sorts. He shakes his head in response, and the fruit falls off, leaving him covered in watermelon seeds. "Not really. Did Mr Wizner call General a buffoon, or was he talking about somebody else?"

> Even with that final proclomation of the prosecution resting, a sudden flash in the sky is visible. Although the trial itself is what has everyone's attention...a few people glance up. They aren't likely to see anything however, as the form is suddenly moving too fast for the eye to follow.

Wings swept to the sides, Bass' thrusters burn brightly, pushing him at a speed that very few others on the planet can even possibly hope to match. Little more than streak of purple, he pulls up at the very last moment, coming to a hover for a split second, then setting down on the raised court's platform, just in front of Vinzer himself. As if peering into the lawyer's very soul, Bass' crimson eyes practically glow with the hidden power forged by his merged form. Wordlessly, he reaches out and nabs the human by the scruff of his jacket, as his thrusters kick to life once more, suddenly bringing him up into the air, and hovering over the crowd itself, in full view of everyone. "You know..." he breathes, his voice seeming almost a whisper, yet able to carry to every person present.

"I've always had an aversion to loudmouths...and it just so happens I've got a loudmouthed lawyer in my grip right now." He suddenly hefts the other's form upwards, hands gripping him by the back of his neck, and his knees as he holds Vinzer overhead.

"So...why don't I do you all a big favor?"

With that, all hopes and aspirations for the man to put his dreams to fruition, to ascend to the highest level that he could achieve, to reach that pinnacle and wage his war against the AI world...come to a crushing end, as he is slammed down onto a raised knee, his back meeting the impenetrable metal of the android's body.

To the crowd around, the sharp *CRACK* is like a gunshot going off....

> Tyler Fuchikama dives for cover behind the public benches.

> Metal Man leaps up from the crowd, glowing as the biker disappears beneat red and yellow armor... tomatoes being traded for Metal Blades. "GEAR ON!"

> Quantum Kitsune blinks? "Wha ... ?! What the glitch are the Robot Munchers doing here?" She just stands there, looking confused for a bit, scratching her head. For obvious reasons, she is unmoved by the death, or at the very least crippling, of Mr. Vinzer, who is now a victim of Bassitude. "Weird ... what's their angle?"

> Flash Rabbit turns around to look at the voice, and hence Bass, just in time to see Vizner's spine snapped like a twig across Bass's knee. "NOOO!" he shouts, not liking that Wizz-ner guy one bit, but he was still a person! Forgetting crowd control, he clears a potato out of his Laser Cannon and charges it up, then runs towards the evil RM.

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'Showtime...'.

> Flash Rabbit unfortunately slips on a banana, skids several feet, then smacks his head against a bleacher, knocking himself unconscious. Oops.

> Core's attention is obviously garnered by this swift motion made by a violet laden ebon reaper, glaring his eyes to the sky. They narrow, and as if suspended by chains of slow motion, reach for the holstered chain gun adhered to his back in conjunction with the rising screams of terror from the witnessing collage of civillians, the terse, death rendering snap that rings the air from Vinzer's back. Never mind that Bass most likely would wipe him clean within one lash. He is hunter. Soldier. Sacrifice for the life of another. A split second later, and time resumes it's normal pace, ready to provide security for those present.

> Guts Man reappears from the alley where he lead the security guards. Guts Man seems a bit bruised up, but nothing major. Now one has to ask, where have the guards gone? Well they're probably one with the pavement now. He cracks his knuckles, "Alright, now it's fun time!" Guts Man starts to make his way through the crowd, kicking people, "Outta my way! Comin' through! Move it or lose it toots!"

> Vava's eyes snap open at the sound of the crack, as Vinzer's spine shatters, the valiant ex-Repliforcer screams, "No Bass! This kind of violence is unecessary. Sto-!" But he is cut off by the cries of horror from the crowd. The members of the UN dive beneath their table, seeking cover. The guards are distracted, and Vava knows that the masters are here for the Secretary General. He rips through his arm bands as if they were cloth bandages. He diverts all his power to his feet and slowly raises them off the magnetic platform, taking one painful step forward after another. Finally he clears the confinement area and runs at full speed towards the UN table, trying to gently shove his way through the crowd.

> General barely has time to blink as this occurs and he steps backwards. His eyes immediatly noting the form of Magna Bass and realizing that the instant Bass has his fingers laid upon Vinzer..his fate is sealed, the death sentance pronounced. There is literally NOTHING he can do. His eyes widen then as the presence of Guts Man once again sinks into his mind. Bass wouldn't come here just to kill some loudmouth lawyer.. He wouldn't be so brazen, even in his chaotic mind, to come and challenge the gathering of Repliforce and Maverick Hunters and U.N. guards without true power and a dark goal in mind. Something far more devestating and sinister is being planned here and being enacted right now. "Repliforce!" he thunders and then answers Quantum's question aloud, "Protect the assembly!" these are the gatherings of world leaders, if they annhiliate them then the world will literally descend into the chaos of collapsing governments and nations without leadership. Internally he radios the repliforce riot control groups within the crowds to get ready and start herding people out of the plaza. It's riot time and that will make this situation all that much more difficult as Maverick and Masters wont' care about stray shots hitting civilians but Hunter and Repliforce will. Even as he speaks he moves quickly from the podium and snaps his attention over towards the U.N. table and those gathered there.

> Tyler Fuchikama rolls under the seats, hoping his hiding place doesn't get caught in the crossfire. .oO(Great...this is exactly what I was afraid would happen. Now Vinzer's going to become a martyr to anti-Rep groups....and I can't discredit a dead man.)Oo.

> In an instant, the whole of the Repliforce troops in the area leap into action. Shouts, screams, and a few paniced bursts of weaponsfire going off fill the air, making any communication impossible. Up high on the stage, the heavily armored form of Anthem is already in motion. Vinzer, well, he's without hope, and everybody knows that. She has her own job - the red and gold clad cop throws herself to the side, tackling Minister Logan, who had been sitting a scant few feet from her.

> Metal Man starts to carve his way through the crowd, throwing powerful blades with great accuracy.

> Core, despite his disattachment with the codes and order of Repliforce's doctrine, heeds General's words as if they were spouted by his own commanding officers, whome at the moment, are strangely absent. The booming authority exuded by this goliath seems to transcend that sort of situation, as he staunchly charges past the golden bronze mass as fast as his feet will allow, heading for the cowering ensemble.

> Quantum Kitsune . o O (After the assembly? No ... Finhead could have taken them all out with that Negabuster or whatever he calls that thing ... they're after something else ... but what?) GAME: Plant Man has disconnected.

> It isn't often that Bass feels the limp form of dead flesh in his hands, and even the broken form of Vizner's body in his fingers is an almost alien feel to him.

But even that is of little consequence. He usually dosen't kill humans for the sake of convenience...and arrogance. Not for any sort of sentiments. With a casual toss, he sends the Lawyer's form hurtling from his grip, and towards the crowd itself, as he spins around full tilt now, to face towards the gathered assemblage. "Ah yes...and now that I'm done showing my benevelant side..." His right hand shifts, disappearing into his arm, as his buster begins to glow. "I take care of some other business while I'm here too, no? Have a look at chaos unleashed General!" he then howls in the direction of the mammoth Repliforcer nearby. "And you can't do ANYTHING to stop me!"

*WHAAA-TOOOOM!* With that, he unleashes a powerful blast, sent hurtling straight towards the table of scrambling dignitaries...and most notably, a single individual. The Secretary-General himself.

> Core carves a grim sneer into his lips, gnashed by teeth as once more he is afflicted with the time sludged motion of swinging about his massive, daunting chaingun straight at the offending charcoal minion, releasing a barrage most likely intent on simply detering the original blast sent by it's wicked, burning maw to buy time for the group targeted. Quantum had the right idea.. but the years of experience Core has endured have taught him that the one known as Bass has proven to be erratic, and unpredictable. As the gunfire screams through the air, he tenses, ready to accept the approaching blast should it head, as predicted.

> Tyler Fuchikama desperately rolls out of his hiding place and crawls on his hands and knees into the aisles, intent on escape. .oO(If it's going to be /this/ kind of firefire, I think I'm going home!)Oo.

> As the crowd erupts into a frenzy of chaos and motion, the cowled figure standing near the back remains completely still, almost like a dark statue amidst the roiling chaos of the crowd. As both humans and reploids alike scramble around him, some people even manage to slam into his large frame and bounce off, getting shoved along with the rest of the crowd. oddly enough, the panicked crowd starts to form a bubble around the cowled figure, a small eddie in the stream of the mob that is now franticvally trying to get away from the destruction being unleashed upon the dias.

> Time seems to slow down as Bass' bolt of pure plasma hurtles towards the assembly, towards the secretary-general, towards any hope the human race has for leadership in this dark times. Heat rises from the pavement as the blast draws closer. The Sec-Gen is helpless to block it, and no Repliforce personal are near enough to generate any kind of field. The blast screams from the heavens and destiny draws nigh.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Vava screams as he positions himself between the blast and the UN leader. He stands his ground, arms spread, ready to sacrifice himself to the void. It slams into his chest Energy sweeps through his form, lightning plays off his limbs, yet Vava look oddly at peace. The blast fades, leaving a severely scorched chest plate, and a few patches where the blast melted through. It was enough to kill a human for sure, but Vava still stands, arms spread. He doesn't retaliate, he doesn't fight back, he doesn't move. Slowly, the angelic reploid speaks, "Peace.. can only be accomplished.. when the greatest sinners are the first to lay down their weapons."

> Anthem's head pops up from behind the table - the oncoming rush of plasma reflecting off of her visor with a hellish light. There's the distict impression that, behind the protective shield, she's got that 'deer in the headlights' look of onrushing doom. Almost disconnectedly, things continue on in the background - several Repliforce troopers fire tear gas canisters into the crowd to disperse it, as several more rush forward to engage the two lesser Masters in close combat. Meanwhile, up on the stage... the shadow of Vava superimposes itself over the light of the blast. While most of the assembly is huddled behind the upturned tables, the nearly helpless Repliforcer there does watch. "Vava......"

> Metal Man continues to slice his way through the crowd, barreling through a large Repligumby guard as he continues towards the important people. "Peace without weapons," he mutters. "What pacifistic bulls**t." He continues.

> Core cuts short his ensuing barrage of metal slugs to glance over his shoulder, eyes widening at the spectacle unfolding before him. His eyes shimmer slightly, as the swarming fray of his abandoned gunfire sail into the air, dissappearing.

> Tyler Fuchikama, meanwhile, gets trampled by the rushing crowds fleeing the destruction. Pulling out his taser, he fries a couple of people to give himself enough room to get up, and looks on in shock just in time to see the accused take a direct hit to the chest. "My....God.." he gasps, as the crowd continues to run.

> Guts Man keeps making his way through the crowd, punting people at his leisure until a couple riot guards approach him. He slowly looks at both of them chuckling, he doesn't care if they outnumber him, he just wants to scrap some metal! Guts Man states, "That's some nice helmets you've got on. But it's nothing compared to my hardhat!" With that he headbunts one of the guards right in the face, shattering the plexiglass shield. As the guard falls down, another one comes with it's taser to stun Guts Man, instead he grabs the guard that just fell down, holding him up just as he's about to get tasered. The poor guard is stunned by his fellow comrade while Guts Man laughs this off, "Harharhar!!! Yer a pretty good shot there buddy." He throws the stunned guard at the conscious guard before punching him in the face, knocking him down as well. Guts Man flexes, "I'm so bad that everything I touch breaks down in pieces!"

> Magna Bass hefts his right arm, eyebrow arching as he glares straight at Vava's form, eyeing the damage done, and in no uncertain terms looking rather non-pleased that his assassination attempt was cut short. "Really..." he breathes, voice barely carrying above the screams around them. A few stray blasts come in his direction, but are all but deflected by his armored wings, as he suddenly flaps that much closer to the Reploid's form, now face to face with the figure who was once known as Vile. "Awfully curious...considering who those words are from..." the dark form whispers. "Perhaps you really -do- think you are Vava right now..."

*CLANK!*

Practically faster than the eye can follow, Magna Bass' hand suddenly seizes about Vava's throat, squeezing hard. On his own, Bass is enough of a challenge to seriously endanger even the mightiest warriors. In this form, he's almost death incarnate itself, even the might of Goliath no match for him. Hand still clutching Vava's throat, his thrusters kick in, pulling the two into the air and beginning to rise upwards. "But I hardly believe that you're any different than you once were. Somewhere, deep down, Vile -still- exists...dosen't he?" he whispers, now face to face with his captive. "Your hands are still those that killed how many fleshlings in cold blood?" he chuckles faintly then. "Tell me...do you recall the time that you held an 8 year old girl hostage in front of the Maverick Hunters? Only to smite their hopes of rescuing her by bringing Goliath's fist down on her form? I recall vividly the images then...most amusing." > Quantum Kitsune chokes, eyes wide. The world seems to proceed in slow motion for her ... the blast drifting through the air like a nerf-ball ... Vava seeming to ooze across the platform to shield the Sec-Gen ... the fall after the energy-strike looks like it's taking place in low-gravity ... maybe she shouldn't have drank a quart of Robotussin before coming here. Just kidding. At any rate, she lets loose a panicked shriek as Vava falls ... "VILE! NO!" Of course, whether she's concerned because he's taken a major hit, or because he did something nauseatingly heroic is up for conjecture.

> Sigma drops Varengarde.

> A quick snapping motion of General's hand and a loud *VRRRMMMM* that begins to crackle in the air..the flickering of the lights of the buildings in the area..a sudden tensing within the electrical circuits of machines and a tingling in the blood of man begins to herald one thing. The sheer power of General beginning to come into play yet this time the Ionic energy that empowers him beginning to erupt and build upward into a concentrated Electromagnetic pulse. He brings his huge fist upwards and clenches it as magnetic energy and eletricity crackle about it. Arcing around it and his arm while his other hand moves upwards and gestures quickly with lightnign quick finger motions towards the scrambling Repliforce soldiers. Directing a squad of them towards the U.N. table to get the council members the frag out of there. He pauses however as he sees the sacrifice made by Vava but when Vava doesn't move clear and Magna bass is in once more in the accused face he snarls abit and rumbles, "Repliforce, move in now while Bass is focused on Vava and clear the council members out and pull back!" The build up of the EMP continues. Once released it will freeze all in its wake but he holds.. as he cannot protect Repliforce or Hunters from thes surge unless they move clear and also his duty causing him to have no choice but to place the council members lives over that of Vava as Magna Bass confronts him. o O (Hold on..a little longer..)

> Just as with the lawyer, for the moment, nothing more can really be done for Vava. Shooting would probably hurt Vava more than Magna Bass, and none are strong enough to challenge the mighty Master in the skies. All that can be accomplished now is to save those who still can be. On the stage, Repliforce troopers rapidly usher away the UN assembly, hurrying them off to a relatively safe haven. Meanwhile, the crowd that had gathered disappears almost in an instant, moving in a giant herd to escape the chaos which ensues. The extra impetus of the tear gas doesn't hurt, of course. Up on the stage, however, Anthem is still there, standing behind the partial cover of the table. Motionless amongst the shifting tide of things, she just watches upwards at the scene that unfolds there. .oO(Vava... hold on....)Oo.

> Through the large mess of the panicking crowd, a small furrow of people is made as a dark purple form suddenly races into the fray. Snarls and deep growls are all that is heard from the midst of the crowd before some very sharp screams, though they mingle with the rest of the chaos. However, the small eddy through the crowd has a very definite direction in mind as it streaks its way towards the cowled figure just standing there amidst the chaos. As it breaks through the crowd into the small pocket surrounding the covered Maverick Commander, the large dog comes to a halt, looking up at its master, awaiting a further command from here.

> Vava winces as a haunting image floods his subconcious, but he manages to resist for now. Still not putting up a fight he chokes, "My life was full of great evil, which is exactly the reason why I was the first to give up my arms. Are you happy, Bass? Despite all your vaunted power you've become a slave to your own destructive impulses. You can't live unless you know you are superior. So, I'll work to make my own dream a reality, a dream of universal pacifism. And as long as life burns within me, I'll insure the freedom of all life.." the knight allows himself a ghost of a smile as he looks directly into Bass' crimson eyes. He doesn't fight, but he remains fixed upon the robot master. Slowly he chokes through the gestalt's grasp, "Even.. you.."

> A cloud of tear gas wafting his way breaks Tyler out of his trance. Choking, his eyes streaming, he turns to run blindly out of the Assembly hall.

> Quantum Kitsune . o O (Blast it, blast it, BLAST IT! I should've seen this coming! Real smooth, Kit ... Little Ms. Function: Surprise Attack just got surprised!) She raises her hands skywards, wrists touching, palms perpendicular to Magna Bass and Vava ... her hands slowly move about, trying to get a shot in ... . o O (I can't risk hitting Vile ... he's already badly damaged ... we can't get him back if I kill his body ... but we can't lose him ...)

> Core directs a scowl once more to the skies, as a puzzling, frustrating moment begins to envelope his mind. What to do.. what to do.. The crane of his neck fixates his gazings to that of the overturned table, to a slumped, lifeless body on the street, and to that of the air, embraced Vava in the throes of Bass' grip, at his mercy. A decision is made, as it is dully noted the futility of his presence if he did otherwise, dropping his gun as it clanks to the stage, rushing to grapple two U.N. members roughly and commence to drag them off to safety.

> Guts Man looks on as Bass seems to have Vile occupied. Who should he bash up for the heck of it? Hrmm. Oh well, might as well just tear up the place and beat on the riot control guards since everyone else seems to have sense and keep away from him. Such is the price to pay for being an infamous Robot Master.

> "Such touching words...." Bass muses. "But hardly convincing. Come now Vile, you've always known me better than -that-. Yes...you hate me don't you?" His smirk is completely condescending, as he stares back, eyes boring right back into the other's form. "Isn't today merely a mirror of what you convinced yourself of years ago? Look at this justice system...you meant well didn't you? Look at the sham that it is. Humanity is always the same, isn't it? EVERYBODY is always the same...they will always destroy themselves, no matter what. There will never be a sense of peace out there...so what's the point? Your heroics in Robotropolis the other day meant little didn't they? They were still going to kill you outright, wanted to see you burned at the stake, smashed into pulp, or whatever they had planned. Is that gratitude for you? What about before hrm?"

A casual burst of his thrusters carry him that much higher again, his wings seeming to almost 'flap' as he continues in his mental rending of the other form. "No Vile, you gave up on it long ago. There's many who don't have a clue what goes through your head...but I think that's why you hated me so much." his smile grows that much wider, in an oh so not nice fashion. "...because I probably understand what goes through your mind better than anyone else."

> Magna Bass whispers. "We're more alike than you would ever care to wish..."

> Metal Man leaps upon a Repliforce soldier, a blade in each hand. The Robot Master uses these as surgical tools, giving the scrambling audience a horrifying lesson in reploid anatomy as the crazed Master slices and dices, laughing as he revels in his own superiority. Nothing's gonna stand in his way... not tonight.

> The time for action is almost upon him. Watching the scene unfold before him patiently, the Leader of the Mavericks is content to remain silent for once, listening carefully to Bass's words, even over the din of the crowd and the chaos around him. Ever so casually, Sigma makes a motion with his hand, and the dog by his side stands suddenly in a ready position, his back hunched up in imitation of a dog raising his hackles. A dark growl emits from the sharp fanged muzzle of the immensly large purple canine, his tail waving about slowly.

The figure that has been standing there in a cowled robe this whole time finally slides his hands out of the sleeves of his robe revealing heavily armored gauntlets. With a simple casualness, Sigma reaches up and lets down the cowl of his robe before removing it completely, discarding the robe off to one side, heedless of who it lands on, whether it be reploid or human.

As the presence of the Maverick Commander is suddenly revealed to be in the midst of the chaotic crowd, new screams sound as the small pocket surrounding Sigma gets even large, humans scrambling over each other in terror to get away from him. However, the Maverick Leader doesn't even seem to pay attention to the crowd around him, his optics fixated on both bass and Vile in the air.

> Vile begins to shake, his handsome features torn with a look of dread. Tears begin to spill down his cheeks, his sapphire optics wide with horror. "N.. n.. n.. no, that's not true, we're.. we're.. we're.." something buried deep within Vava, something recently implanted but hauntingly familiar, begins to stir. It rips up and tears through the valiant officer's mind, spreading like a virus. It leap-frogs across his synapses and takes control of his primary motor functions. Vava, oddly enough, begins to laugh. Cold, maniacal laughter echoes across the streets, though Magna Bass' chokehold. The once and future Maverick brings his foot up to Bass' chest, and kicks out, buying himself freedom. He drops to the ground, landing on one knee. A wicked smile curls across his lips and he slowly opens his eyelids.

His eyes are crimson. Burning BRIGHT RED.

Vile slowly stands, his armor shimmering. It fades from a noble alabaster tint to a wicked purple. His hands reshape themselves into claws. His cannon swivels into place. Only the handsome face remains unchanged, although something undeniably evil has possessed it now. Vava and Vile's speech and thought slurs together, "Where.. is.. my ENEMY!?!" His crimson gaze flicks to the closest robot master, Metal Man. Vile leaps forth, claws raised at the Master's optics, in a gauging motion. His other hand flicks forward to rap around Metal's arm, in an effort to twist it off while Vile attempts to explore the inner-workings of the Master's head with his thumb and forefinger.

(I am reborn.)

> Harsh laughter is all that fills the air, even as Vile kicks away and makes his bid for freedom. One almost gets the feeling that Bass -wants- him this way...preferring him like this. Perhaps another of those hills in his twisted schemes that he holds within his mind to overcome, or something much deeper...perhaps a felt kinship?

"Muhahahaha!"

One hand stabs downwards, pointing towards where Vile now stands, and leaping for Metal Man. He in no way offers any words of warning to his fellow Robot Master, instead raising his voice to a deafening pitch for all those around to hear. "You see!?" he bellows, "Once changed, -forever- changed! That's what you fools get for even believing that what you hold dear will make any sort of difference!"

> Metal Man looks up, only in time to be grabbed by the reborn Vile. "What the heck do you think your doing peaceni-urk!" Metal Man is caught in the grasp of the powerful Macerick, struggling to escape as the soulless Maverick holds tight to his arm. Reaching back, he pulls forth a Metal Blade, determined to make a proud showing for his master, but his plans go to naught in an instant.

As the Maverick digs his hand into Metal Man's optics, the Robot Master screams, pain filling his sensors and overloading them. There is little he can do to stop it, as the reborn Vile makes short work on the sole part of his face visible through his armored helm.

Metal Man's blade clatters to the ground, never to be brought to bear on the newly emerged Maverick.

> Anthem watches with complete horror as Vava spontaniously changes to Vile once more. In an instant, everything changes back to how it once was, before it all. The purpose here, now, is clear. As Vile leaps at Metal Man, his back is turned and open. Anthem raises her cannon, bracing it with her free hand, and takes aim. Tiny motes of golden energy gather at the end of the barrel, collasesing into a powerful surge of energy that just waits to explode. It's a perfect shot - Vile would never see it coming.

And she doesn't fire. If it's the momentary hesitation that lets the perfect opening pass, or just a refusal to do it, Anthem's gun never fires. She stands there, stock still, weapon raised, aimed and charged. But it holds there, peacefully, and lets Vile continue on.

> Guts Man is noogieying a riot guard as he notices Metal Man get the crap beat out of him by Vile, he shakes his head, "Just like I always said, Beta squad are wusses."

> Quantum Kitsune blinks. Things are doing ... things again. "Well ... I feel like I've come into the middle of a foreign movie without subtitles ... but it looks like Vile is back in business!" She actually winces a bit as Metal Man is reduced to iron filings. "And poor Furugane-san is out of business." She chuckles, fluffing her hair a bit. "Aaah ... life is good."

> "No!" thunders General as this occurs. Helpless to do a single thing about it. o O (We shold have never trusted that the partial redownload of Vile was halted and purged. We should have looked more carefully and now we pay the price for our folly.) Even as Vile blurs before him to assualt Metal Man, his mind races with thoughts and it's then that he also sees Sigma. His body tenses once more at the sight of yet another great enemy and finally his basso voice thunders, "ENOUGH!!" and raises his gigantic hand upwards into the air. The ball of energy crackles to life, targetting Magna Bass as the center point for the assualt and then firing with a tremendous *PWHOM* as electromagnetic energy explodes upward and then rips outward in a massive EMP surge. Disrupting systems all across the evacuated plaza and rippling beyond as well. Centered within it, General's own presence is quite safe from the devestating effects..but others..? The Repliforce members who did not clear back with the assemblie members are themselves not spared from this outpowering of overloading surging ionic firepower. Even guarded systems are vulnerable to this burst of intense energy that begins to blank systems out like the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.

> Tyler Fuchikama is cowering underneath the benches in the Hall. It's too late to run now...he lost his chance. Without the crowd cover, he'll be picked off and killed immediately. He can only remain hidden, and hope he can find a way out soon.

Suddenly, Ty's laptop begins sparking violently, it's drive wiped by the EMP surge released by General. Tyler shrieks in surprise, and tosses the computer out into the aisle, nursing a small burn.

> Core is, suffice to say, safe from this, as he tries his best to console an agitated council member into a provided shuttle car not far away. He winces as a dimunitive fist pummels on his synth-skin covered head, lacking the proper ability to persuade councillate member Higgens peacefully, he simply shoves him in soon afterwards, looking back as he hears a devastating thud, and a slight tingling in the atmosphere.

> Vile continues to twist and dig and rend Metal Man's form. His claws come down again and again and again, ripping away at metal and the circuitry beneath. The Maverick wrenches the Maverick's breast plates apart and plunges his claws into the crack between, ripping upward. A savage grin on his face Vile ceases his assault on the Master and turns to Vinzer's body, "Isn't it funny. You were right when you wanted me dead." Vile, infused with new life, actually seems to dance up to the corpse, gingerly flipping him onto his back. His claws work deftly around the dead-man's face, twisting it off in a spurt of blood, real blood. Vile looks down at his claws, soaked in that crimson fluid. His left eye fades to a shade of sapphire. His tone becomes mingled, "W-w-w-what am I?" he stares down at his trembling, blood-soaked claws and roars, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" He looks from side to side, before bolting towards the nearest teleporter system. He has to get away. He has to run. He has to hide.

But no matter how hard you run..

No matter how much you try..

You cannot escape yourself.

> Quantum Kitsune SHRIEKS as the electromagnetic pulse rips through the air ... her holographic disguise is immediately dispelled, static crackling through the imagine briefly before it fades, leaving her true form revealed. She falls to her knees, clutching her head in agony as the EMP starts sizzling her systems, upside-down and inside out ... she weakly reaches in Vile's direction as he storms out, too weak to speak ... showers of sparks leaping from her joints, her optics ... > Quantum Kitsune transforms into Quantum Kitsune.

> It seems that Sigma is mere moments away from acting when General's yell cuts through the din of the screaming crowd, silencing anything that Sigma might have had to say for the moment. His loyal dog standing close to him, Sigma immediately triggers his forcefield to brace himself against the effects of the EMP Pulse that suddenly floods the immediate area. The shield snaps into existance around Sigma dn his dog in a bubble of blue energy that crackles and sparks with bright electricity as the EMP slams into the energy shield, threatening to buckle it completely.

Standing against the onslaught of energy, Sigma waits for the sound of the immense blast to die down, it having certainly silenced most of the crowd now as they have either fled or are knocked down to the ground with the sudden rush of power. A sublime look of pleasure crosses Sigma's face as he drops his shield once more, it crackling slowly out of existance, the inefficiency of it apparent as to the damage of the blast. With a gesture, Varengarde leaves his Master's side, heading towards the immense Guts Man, growling, his doggy eyes glowing a deep crimson.

As for the Leader of the Mavericks, he launches himself into the air, facing Magna Bass, or what's left of him after the magnitude of that blast, speaking loud enough for everyone within the plaza to hear, "I can not thank you enough for returning Vile to me, Bass. Whatever your motive for doing so, I can appreciate the fact that my second in command has been restored to his proper place."

> Metal Man continues to scream as the Maverick rips into his system, cries of anguish trailing into gurgling nothings as he is ripped asunder, red and yellow armor shattered and torn. As the assault ends, Metal Man does nothing. His body is tossed aside like a broken toy, and the Master collapses into a pool of spreading internal fluid and oil. Sparks flicker around Metal Man's body... whether he is alive or dead is a matter left to Dr. Wily himself.

> Indeed, even the likes of Magna Bass are by no means immune to an electromagnetic pulse blast. Of course, with two minds acting as one, his perception is effectively doubled, as are his reflexes at the same time. No sooner has General launched the blast, than he activates his thrusters on full afterburn, streaking high into the sky and looping back at the last moment, a good distance from the blast center in mere seconds. As he comes to a hover, riding out the distant shockwaves, he glares down towards the assembled crowds below, eyes narrowed in thought.

It's then that Sigma addresses him, and he tilts his head only enough to peer in the direction of the Maverick leader. "My motivations Sigma..." he raises one hand, clenched into a fist, as if to gesture to those below. "Is merely to make a point of my own. Everyone dreams of a paradise that exists, whether it be ruled by robots, or by humans." he gives a slight toss of his head, as if to rid himself of an annoying clinging thought. "There will never be a lasting peace, a lasting paradice. Individuals will never change, no matter who or what they are." He shrugs then, and smiles faintly. It's a safe bet he isn't being friendly though. "But that's hardly the issue to be discussed, is it? I'm sure it's an old argument...and I'm certain you're not here for a debate, anymore than I would be."

(Ch. A [None]) Magna Bass transmits: 'Get Metal Man's form and retreat from this place. We have no further business here.'.

> Guts Man notices Varengarde coming towards him, "Oh look, a stray puppy for me to kick around and then feed to Snake Man's snakes!" Guts growls back at Varengarde, thinking he can scare him away cause he's such a bad-aft, "Grrrrrrrrwoof!!!!!" He's kinda like Curly from the 3 stooges while doing that.

> Anthem isn't out of the way of the blast. She is, in fact, nearly at the center. And unlike Manga Bass, she's at least somewhat more vulnerable. Her armor acts as an extra conductor, rattling and shivering under the force of the EMP wave. Actual bolts of energy fly off her body, as opposed to the dinky little sparks that those on the outer edges of the wave get. And the worst part happens - the fully charged cannon, shorted out by the EMP burst, loses containment of the energy gathered there and promptly explodes. Anthem's right arm vaporizes instantly, vanishing in a loud and unexpected blast. She feels little, as all her nerves and systems short out. By the time her body, thrown back by the explosion, strikes the wall of the UN building, she's barely concious.

> Vile is, by now, long gone. Where did he go? Who has he become? What has he become?

> Varengarde hunches down, the large strides taking him closer and closer to the immensly large Robot Master. Although not in actual height, the Maverick dog is pretty damn close to as large as the Robot Master, and intimidation is not a problem. After all, his master is more fear inspiring than this large buffoon. As Guts Man attempts to scare Varengarde away, the large purple dog just growls darkly in response, his crimson optics flashing as he makes a mighty leap, launching himself bodily at the massive Robot Master.

> Crouched under the benches, Tyler screams like a little girl when the explosion rocks the building. Reaching into his jacket, he pulls out his Seburo and looks around. Maybe he can still make his escape...

> Sigma smirks slightly, his optics boring into Bass's as the leader of the Mavericks stares back at the Robot Master in front of him. "Oh, that is where you are wrong, Bass. Individuals are capable of change. And paradise is attainable. However, as long as diseases like you and your Robot Masters are running around, there can be no peace." Soaring higher up into the air, closer to Magna Bass, Sigma smirks widely, "However, you are correct. This is not the time and place for a debate.. you would not listen anyway." A dark chuckle escapes his lips as he stares at the Robot Master, "If you had not acted, I am sure that I would have. To watch this farce of a trial continue was simply.. disgusting. It only confirmed my beliefs about these humans that now lay scattered and broken like rtag dolls beneath us."

> Quantum Kitsune , somewhat uncharacteristically, trot-staggers (there's not another word for it) over to the platform, and over to Anthem. She kneels down, a thin wisp of smoke billowing out from her muzzle as she inquires, "Hey, sister, you still kicking?" She prods Anthem with a finger. Perhaps seeing if she's 160 degrees at the bone yet.

> Guts Man hrms as he gets a radio from Bass ordering him to retrieve Metal Man's carcass. That radio call is just enough to distract him and have the dog leaps on him, knocking him down to the ground completely by surprise. "What the!" Is his response to this attack. He growls angrily as he has no time to play with the dog. "Get out of my way pooch or I'll smash you to the size of dat Taco Bell dog." He tries to kick the dog away, needing a clear path to the corpse.

> The sacrifce of a few of his own soldiers is apparently in vain as Sigma's shield comes up just in time and Magna Bass simply evades the brunt of the force. General notes Anthem hurtling backwards the backlash of her own weapon and sees the activity made by Magna Bass and Sigma and knows that even he, short of unleashing the Ion Cannon, cannot defeat them both. Vile is gone, the plaza erupted in chaos..this day is lost. <<Medics and Cleanup crews assist in pulling troops back from the area and clear this area in an Alpha Containment Radius. Evacuate all civilian blocks until the alert is lifted and pull back to the nearest Repliforce Embassy.>> he emits into his radio while he quickly begins to stalk towards Anthem to retrieve her. Huge frame bearing down on Kitsune as well as a result.

> Tyler Fuchikama decides to risk making a run for it, in the midst of the combat. Gripping his pistol in one hand, he leaps to his feet nimbly and dashes down the aisle to the door out...mere yards from the battling Guts Man. Looking like he's almost ready to faint, he sprints, hoping he'll reach the exit before anybody shoots at him.

> Magna Bass has by now far removed himself from the scene below, and is effectively -gone- from that, now caught up in his 'conversation' with Sigma for the moment. "Perhaps with the favor I did to everyone by breaking that fleshling's back, I have some other idea what it is that you Mavericks hate so much about them." Wings flap just once, as if to keep him aloft, despite the fact that it isn't needed. Curiosity does rise nevertheless, and the merged form actually jets closer, turning an upward palm quizzicly. Usually questions aren't something to be entertained...but in truth, Bass fears very little in this form, and the other across from him is not something that concerns him right now. "You plan to wipe out every last one of them." he states idly. "Perhaps I can see a part of where your own hatred stems from. I know enough that that prosecutor was on my very nerves for that matter. But you do not even desire their usage as slaves in such a case? I would find that somewhat...wasteful of useful resources."

> Anthem can only moan incoherently. Her left hand, still intact, slowly rises up and blindly feels around for something to hold onto. This meaning Quantum, of course, since she's so kind to check on the Repliforcer. And yes, just for the sake of Q-Kit's curiosity, what remains of her right arm is white hot and melting a hole in the cobblestone it's laying ontop of.

> Varengarde yelps loudly as its side is met by an extremely large boot, sending the dog spinning off of Guts Man and into the thinned out crowd, tumbling around for some distance before finally managing to flop on its stomach and slide to a complete halt. Anger in its optics, the purple dog growls deeply at the form of Guts Man as he stands up and heads over to Metal Man. However, the dog suddenly turns and bolts for the dias, making an amazingly swift beeline, right for Quantum Kitsune, darting to intercept General so that the Kitsune can make good her exit, trying to bide her some time.

> Quantum Kitsune smirks. "Easy there, sister. You'll be okay." She glances over her shoulder at El Generalisimo, and decides leaving is a good thing. "You better be. It's hard to find someone as fun to torment as you." She gives Anthem an accusatory poke before darting off the platform, in as opposite a direction from General as she can. "Now I just gotta build up some Quantum Power so I can blink outta this mess ..."

> Fortunately for Tyler, nobody seems to take notice of one more figure running around in this mess. He makes it out, and runs for his motorcycle across the street.

> Guts Man strolls to Metal Man, he bends down picking his comrade up and slining him over his shoulder, he shakes his head, "Once a beta loser, always a beta loser." Guts Man looks around at all the chaos wishing he could join in but he has been ordered to retreat. But that doesn't mean the riot guards will stop trying to stop him. No, they just line up in front of him with those tasers. Guts Man ponders this problem, there are too many of them to kick with his feet. But he has a secret weapon, Metal Man's corpse! He swings the corpse around like a baseball bat, knocking down the riot guards. Guts Man chuckles, "Well wadda ya know, beta squad actually has a purpose for something after all." With that Guts Man makes his way back to the teleporters while dragging Metal Man along for the ride.

> Sigma's smirk stays on his face as he seemingly studies Bass in his merged form, noting the complete lack of fear in his eyes. "Slaves? What could they possibly do that we Reploids can not do for ourselves? Of course, perhaps it might be useful to teach them a lesson.. have these humans do the dirty work that they currently have us doing." A dark chuckle comes again from his mouth, "Perhaps some will live, held under guard or serving us as we have served them for so many years. But.. this is yet the future that is to come."

> Metal Man is damaged even more seriously when used as a weapon, fluids and vital components flying free from the Beta Squad XO's shattered head and chest cavities.

> Magna Bass arches one eyebrow, as if considering. But that's as far as it goes...considering. Any similarities between his actions and that of Mavericks were long ago disputed, not only by his personality, but the fact that he was constructed as an android, a supposedly obsolete form of long ago in a world of reploids. He just wouldn't 'fit in'. And of course the pyschotic habits tend to have something to do with it for that matter. "Nobody can predict the future Sigma." he states evenly as his thrusters burn. "Not you, not me, not even those that sit in their space station and begin to think they can judge us. No one. Only time will tell how it turns out. However, time is something that is not on my side anymore, and my business here is concluded. So with that, I take my leave." His wings snap out to their full length, as his lower thrusters flare to life, propelling him rapidly upwards, gaining more and more speed with each passing moment.

> "My apologies Anthem." is all General rumbles as he observes the reploid before him and looks her over. The threat of Sigma and Magna Bass seems diminished as they are long gone and high overhead and likely not to return. Vile, gone..the hunt for him to begin after the chaos and aftermath of this has come to an end. He examines Anthems form and determines attempting to move her without proper medics present would be dangerous even to him. He might never get her back to Repliforce HQ..but fortunantly the containment and medical crews are on their way at least to the immediate area. After noting the depature of Guts Man, retreat of Quantum and that Manga Bass and Sigma are removed from the situation the giant merely sighs and radios the lift of the his lockout on the area and relays orders for medical crews to come to take care of reploids and humans hurt in the battle and the riot. He himself remains where he is and simply falls silent. Looking towards the teleportation chambers and standing by Anthem. "What a waste.." is all he says ultimatly. "Such a waste.." General hands you a cookie for a job well done!

> Quantum Kitsune grumphs. "Stupid EMP the Big Man uncorked frizzed out my Quantum Accelerators ... I'm gonna have to hoof it to the Telestation ..."

> Sigma just watches Magna Bass soar off into the air, the wide smirk still on his face, his optics glowing a deep blue. With another chuckle, he turns and launches himself off into the air, heading in a separate direction from the gestalt, flying back to his own base, far, far away.

Down below, the large purple dog suddenly appears by Quantum Kitsune's side, growling at her softly, offering a small measure of support should she choose to make the trip back to base with him. His crimson optics look over at her, then glance at his back, as if indicating that she should climb astride him, almost as if he were a horse.

=============================== IC Broadcasts ================================ Message: 9/2 Posted Author Final Declaration Mon May 01 Vile ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Upon the screen flickers the gentle and handsome face of the former knight of Repliforce, Vava. His soft features are marred by the hideous glow of his right eye, which burns a violent crimson. His left eye glows a weak sapphire. It seems to be taking a great effort on his behalf to even look into the camera, something is taking a heavy toll on his system. Slowly he speaks. "People of the world, my name is Vava.. many of you know me as the monster, Vile. Few of you remember me as a former Repliforce officer, and even fewer know me as an emissary of peace. I have precious few moments left before.. Vile takes control once more. I no longer possess the necessary motor skills to take my own life, and for that I am sorry. I come with a message...my final message." Vava's pale, blue eye glows a fraction less bright, "I've done many terrible things, which is why I must say the things I say now. War.. is a cruel and evil thing. Most of us know this in our hearts, although some do not choose to admit it. What few people do not understand about war is that it is unnecessary. Peace is real, and the potential for peace is alive within us all. But true harmony can only.. be accomplished when the greatest sinners are the first to lay down their weapons.." "Reploids, it is not our destiny to serve humans, nor is it our destiny to conquer them. Genocide is not the only option open to you. If you reduce the world to ash for the sake of your own freedom, what kind of freedom are you really obtaining? True liberty is not earned through battles, but through strength of character." The sapphire optic is almost entirely dim, and the eyelid around it is slowly creaking closed for the last time. The flesh on Vava's face seems to be slowly decaying, but the one-time hero maintains grace to the end. "I.. ask.. you.. all to nourish the seed of peace within you. Lay down your weapons.. and look into your hearts.. for no one's soul is completely corrupt.. not even mine." The irony of the point seems exaggerated by the growing fire in Vava's right eye. The figure slumps back, his other self gaining more and more control. His next words come in ragged gasps, "One.. would think.. between the distances of the shining stars there would be a little room for peace.. a little room for.. happiness." Slowly, a genuine and beautiful smile creeps across Vava's features as his blue eye closes and he slowly slumps forward. The picture goes blank. All is silence. ==============================================================================