Twi295b

Megaman - Monday, June 26, 2000, 10:34 PM -----------------------------------------

Medical Bay <Hunter HQ>

This room is kept immaculately clean and organized, from the polished tile floor to the bright exam lights and walls painted with soothing colors. Several repair and medical beds for robot and human patients line the walls, monitors above them indicating the status of the patient's vital signs. There are no windows here, as this is in the center of the floor and heavily reinforced against possible attack. It is here that the Maverick Hunter medics patch up the wounded.

Twila Peterson is currently seated within a seat near one of the beds. She had been resting earlier. But when Dr. Cain told her to stay within medbay for a little while he didn't specify she needed to stay laying down. Currently she has an icepack in her left bicep were Vile had taken hold of her far to tightly. Although it's still throbbing, at least nothing is broken... The young woman isn't doing all too much except there going over some notes on a notepad as it rests in front of her on a table.

Zero finally decides to come on into the Medical Bay instead of letting auto-repair fix his wounds. The evidence of its slow progress can be scene, since the puncture wounds given to him courtesy of Goliath are somewhat repaired. Not very well, though. A true medic really should tend to them, but he'll have to settle for Twila, "Heh, evening, Twi. Doing alright?" He moves into the room, looking somewhat tired all-in-all.

Twila Peterson looks up from studying and takes in the beserker's appearance. She moves the ice pack off her injured arm, feeling the treatment should be enough for right now. "Yeah...a lil sore is all. Dr. Cain checked and it looks worse than it actually is." She sets it aside and gets to her feet, gesturing to one of the prepped beds with her free hand. "As for you...I believe you already know the drill. Word of warning...I may a little slow working..."

Zero nods a little, "Well, I'm glad he didn't get a hold of you too badly. We got 'em for ya, though." He smirks, slowly sitting down on one of the beds, "Eh, take your time. Auto-repair's taken care of a good bit of it. Shouldn't be too much work for you, Twi."

Twila Peterson begins fumbling with her smock and gets it on with care while heading over to the pre-selected table. "Wouldn't doubt it...but wanna be sure anyway." A movable tray is pulled over as and she then takes hold of the scanner. "Ok...this is your cue to *ahem* lie down..." She says this with a small smile of course.

Zero chuckles a little, "Eh, right." He twists himself around so that he 'can' lay down. A pause as he removes his helmet and lays it aside and then he fully reclines, "Remember, take your time. You're not a Reploid or Android."

Twila Peterson perks her eyebrow at that and proceeds to gently scan his form. "I can think of a few things which may have given that away," she states with a light smirk. "How are you fairing so far? You do look a lil tired."

Zero shrugs a little as he relaxes, allowing her to work, "Well, that's what I get for trying to go about my usual activities with a few holes in me. Hey, you know me though, right? At least I had enough sense to just come on down here." He offers Twila a smile. "You sure you can handle this? I could always call one of the Docs.."

Twila Peterson nods assuredly to her friend in response. "Yeah...I'm sure. Like I said...nothing's broken. Just...a few bad bruises. I can handle it. Besides, Cain turned in for the night and hour or so ago and I haven't been able to catch up with Dr. Light for some time." There's also the fact that she hates the thought of being "laid up" as much as the patients in here do. She offers a shrug as her hands pry off some of the damaged armor to get to some of the damaged circuitry. "And which of the doctors gives free lollipops besides for being good...?" she teases.

And, while Twila leans over Zero, concealing him from sight... there's a flash of dark non-light behind her. Nothing can really be seen, since her back's to him, but the air in the room is thick with presence. Something is there. Something powerful. Something with terrible, terrible intentions. A shadow looms up over Twila, the first indication of something being there.....

Zero doesn't really notice at first as he chuckles, "True enough." Then, though, he does catch onto the shadow, "Eh, Twi?" He looks up a little and over, peering at whatever may be there. He's never seen Libra personally, so even if she's easily visible, he wouldn't know her right off as a Stardroid.

Twila Peterson begins to loose the smile as she senses, more than actually sees, an oppressive air about the room. This isn't the first time she's felt something akin to this either. Her hand trembles slightly even as she wills itself still. Casting a glance towards Zero she then turns her gaze towards the direction of what's presently holding his attention. With her good side she leans against the bed for support while she stares. "Zero...I think the base is getting another visitor..."

"A visitor indeed. Mother." The voice is fraught with bone-chilling cold. Icy impersonal hatered that exemplifies the worst of emotions in it's pure form. The tone of voice used by soldiers 'just following orders'. The voice of apathetic destruction. The voice... of Libra. Yes, even with the unfamiliar tone, it's still undeniably the Stardroid who had make such news by appearing in the United Nations Senate before, preaching peace and goodness. The shadow resolves itself slightly - and it's holding the massive stone poleaxe of Libra in its hands. Grignr, a blade that has never tasted blood - now held aloft and in prime position to strike down and cleave Twila in half.

"I apologize for this from my heart of hearts. But you are a threat beyond all else - greater than Sunstar's power. You would be the doom of it all, and I can not allow you to live. Had I known you were the Mother, this would have ended long ago, when we first met in this room. But I did not. I rue the lost chance, and the danger you have caused since then... I can not dwadle longer, nor rely upon the efforts of my agents. Again, I am sorry. Miss Peterson. But it is for the good of all. Be at peace."

Be at---WHAT??? The girl's eyes widen considerably as she stumbles back into the bed, startled, confused, as well as frightened. "I don't...I don't know in the heck you're talking about!" she blurts out, pushing herself away from where the reploid currently lays. If she's about to be struck, and there's little she can do about it, she'll do what she can from allowing the same fate to fall to someone else. "How...in the heck am I a threat...at least let me know that much...!"

It's about this moment that Twila's patient is no longer laying down, no. Instead, Twila is quickly shoved aside even farther and a saber is activated. An emerald blade, shining ominously amidst not only the owner's form, but all others nearby. It is the choice weapon of Zero who, even in his weakened state, is not about to allow Twila to come to harm 'again', "The hell you are! She'll be at peace when all of you holier-than-thou Stardroids stop harassing her! Sure, you'll probably just cleave me in half like all the others, but I'm not about to just let you take her." He holds the saber tightly in a defensive position, ready to block or even parry if possible. All-in-all, he's intent on shielding the human girl nearby, "You Stardroids are all alike. Say one thing, do something else. I recognize you enough from the News Broadcasts. Libra. Ms. Preach-Peace and then let's kill off the innocent." His eyes narrow dangerously, the emerald fire within them contesting that of his saber, "Not while I'm alive."

Libra hisses loudly as Zero lunges forward, taking Twila's place under the executioner's axe. The Stardroid actually staggers backwards, doing her best to get away from Zero. It's like he had the Plague. "The Betrayer! You were not to be here!" One hand moves from the axe and makes what just might be an anti-hex hand sign - odd, even for the enigmatic Stardroids. The look in her eyes has moved from impersonal hatred to a mix of confusion and abject fear. This is probably a tad unexpected. A moment of confusion, then her expression solidifies once more to a serious, coldly angry, calculating one, just like she'd worn when the axe was raised to strike. "For now, Mother, you are saved. The Betrayer is too valuable to the plans of the future for I to touch. But you still remain the greatest threat to the world that there is - know that, and know that I shall not stop until you are no more." Her glance glides over both Twila and Zero, contemptuously. "And Betrayer - while you are crucial to the purposes, I shall have my revenge upon you for this hindrance. Be wary."

Zero sneers, "Bring it, Wench. As long as you're there to harm Twila, then I'm gonna be there to make sure you fail." He spats this at her, holding his saber defiantly, "Be sure to tell Saturn that he almost screwed up, then, if I'm so crucial. He tried to kill me off several weeks ago." Betrayer? ...Wait, what did he just call him? His brows furrow in thought as he glares at Libra. He won't even /bother/ questioning. Won't bother at all. He wouldn't get any answers anyway. Betrayer? He wouldn't turn against Rock - ... No, what could she *possibly* mean? His face contorts into a slight rage, however calm it may be in actuality, "Now, you better get out of here while I'm just standing here, Libra. Otherwise, I'll have to escort you out." There's no fear there. No fear at all.

Only rage. Defiance. Hatred.

Zero's rising to her defense as well as the Stardroid's reaction to his mere presence is quite startling to say the least. Even after she steadies herself after the unexpected shove from the beserker as he takes Twila's previous place she stumbles back. She's not really knowing just how she should react, or to the news that now whatever danger she thought her life may have been before...it happens to become a heck of alot worse. She would question again why she's such a threat as well, but knows very well she more than likely wouldn't receive any answer...or a word regarding why she's regarded as the "Mother" either for that matter. "Who's orders are you acting on Libra...if not yours?"

Libra again glares at both of the pair... and hisses again at Zero. "The storm rises. The winds howl with the dead of a thousand worlds. The fabric of All is rent asunder. I act upon that which must be acted - just as we all do." She raises her poleaxe high, and begins twirling it with both hands like a cheerleader's baton. A massive wind starts to gain speed within the normally near-stillness of the room, rapidly approaching hurricane-force. "It only begins." And then her form flashes with another burst of black light that rises from her skin, expanding outwards... and she's gone.

Zero moves to catch Twila if she decides to go flying because of the action, "....I better let Rock know about this," snorts the Berserker simply. "Vile and then Libra. He's not gonna like this at all."

Twila Peterson suddenly feels a bit weak in the knees and leans a little on the reploid before she once more is able to steady herself while the wind suddenly dies. She lifts her hand up to her arm, not because of the pain now...but she feels suddenly very, very cold. "*He* won't like it??" she suddenly blurts? What about her? "Zero...you saved my life..."

Zero already knows Twila won't. He didn't see the point in stating the obvious. He glances back at her, "...Consider it making up for not being there earlier. I'm tired of these Stardroids doing whatever they want -- Somebody had to finally stand up to them." He frowns a little, looking toward the spot where Libra once stood. He's silent now. Eerily silent, save for whispering a single word, "...Betrayer..."

Twila Peterson shudders quietly at the thought of what had just almost happened. "Zero," she tries to help, "these Stardroids aren't always clear as to what they mean. "For all any of us know the reference tagged on you may be far different than what you're thinking it could possibly mean. And no matter *what* anyone says they are not gods, they're not all seeing, and they're not all-powerful."

Zero tilts his head slightly upward, stating simply, "Twila....She was /afraid/ of me."

Twila Peterson holds in another tremor as she makes her way back over to the beserker. Her good arm raises to place a hand on his armored shoulder. "And you don't take that as a compliment? Zero...since when have you *ever* heard any of these Droids being afraid of anyone or anything?" She gives herself pause. "I don't know. Maybe it's somewhat of a back-handed compliment..."

Zero quietly sheathes his saber, arms rising to fold as his head tilts down in a bow. "...Betrayer..." mutters Zero again. "Of whom? Rock? Haven't they got that through their heads, /yet/? I'll never turn against X." He looks up again, pondering over Twila's words.

Twila Peterson allows her hand to remain there. "You're asking that about *them*? Zero...the call me 'Mother'. Now given what you know about me being referred to as 'Mom' by the Masters would you be convinced that was the reason why the Stardroids have named me such? Alot of times they've used double-meanings. You've already seen it."

Zero clenches his fist, "This one is clear, Twila -- I've heard it since my activation!" He shakes his head, slowly calming. "Heh, but you're right. If I am what they say, then perhaps they do fear me. If so, we could use this ..."

Twila Peterson lets out a sigh. "Or maybe...alot of those people don't know as much as they think they do either...if they are referring to that. You've proved them all wrong so far."

Zero glances back to Twila with a smile, "...Thanks, Twi."

The girl dips a chin towards her friend and gently pats his arm. "Looked as if you needed that..." She falls silent with a sigh. Although her mind is still rather troubled over what had just occurred in here she flickers a glance towards the table on which Zero was resting. "At any rate, lemme do what I can in helping your systems get over your injuries, kay?"

Zero nods a little and moves back to the table, "I'll just shut down -- So I won't think about any of this while you work. I'll see ya in the morning, alright, Twi?"

Twila Peterson forces a small smile as she brushes some of the wayward golden locks from his eyes. "Alright. Sleep well, Zero..."

Twila Peterson is has quietly works on the injured beserker rather quietly...as well as slowly. Her left arm is kept carefully by her side...which may be the direct reason for the latter. She appears slightly bruised in appearance. But no other damages to her person are seen otherwise.

Rick Morgan enters the medical bay seeming...troubled about something or other right now. Though whatever it is that's specifically bothering him remains a mystery that's enclosed within his mind alone. He's instantly aware of just who is here...and he heard all about what had happened with Vile. Only this was his first chance to finally check up on the condition of his sister. "Twila..." he starts gently, stepping that much more into the medbay, already eyeing her injured arm.

After closing a panel within the beserker's leg Twila hears the voice of her twin. She glances up slowly to gaze towards him in return. A weariness has set in about her by now that can be seen within her bluish-green orbs. Her tool is set down as she merely stares quietly back at him, saying nothing. Then, suddenly, she hurries over and embraces him with her good arm as well as she can with the other. "I...take it you heard..."

Rick Morgan indeed returns the embrace in full, though gentle to say the least, careful to bring one hand to gently touch her arm and keep it where he can see it, even bringing his gaze down to it ever so slightly. "Yeah...I heard." he says gently, guilt in his tone, but suppressed for the moment. There's more important issues to deal with right now. "Have you had your arm checked?"

Twila Peterson presses her lips together as she pulls slightly back, although still remaining within his hold. "Yeah. Dr. Cain looked at it earlier. No strain like I previously thought. Just badly bruised. Looks worse than it actually is." She offers a smallish shrug in return before adding, "Got alot of the swelling down already. Going to be sore for a few days tho."

Rick Morgan nods slowly, grateful that it was looked after for that matter. Though he can't help but cast his own critical eye over Twila's injuries, just to make sure. Doctor Cain may be the type one can easily trust with one's life, but he still feels possessive where it concerns Twila. "I uh..." he starts. "...I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier. When I heard what happened I practically flipped..."

Twila Peterson dips her chin. "I know," she states, fully meaning it. After all, the bond between them goes both ways. Rick isn't the only one tuned to a sibling's present state. "I'm...alright tho. A civilian helped me get to the chambers afterwards. I was...able to get home alright after that." No need to go one to explain what had nearly occurred while within those chambers. First Bass made use of them. And shortly after he left Wily and several of his minions returned from the field. If it wasn't for the civilians interference, Twila would have more than likely been taken captive. "Although...there is something you should know. You may have...felt something not that long ago from me."

Rick Morgan falls silent then for a few moments, as if finding it hard to answer that. But then, he gives a curt nod. "Yeah," he says gently. "I was all the way in New York...and I suddenly felt like I had to get back...-now-." He then falls silent again, before finally sighing. "It looks like I got here too late....whatever...happened."

Twila Peterson presses her lips tightly together, not knowing how exactly how to but this. So, she phrases it in the only way she knows how. "Rick, if Zero hadn't of been here, I would have been *dead* Apparently some of the Stardroids see me as some sort of 'universal' threat'...that needs to be done away with."

Rick Morgan's grip tightens for a split second as the revelation is made, and his jawline tightens that much more, indeed his entire form suddenly stiff with anger...anger at the very thought that they would even THINK of changing this precious 'balance' they're supposed to keep in check...and the very fact that it would involve even causing harm to Twila. For a few moments....he says nothing...until finally, lowering his head slightly. "$&#@! them...."

Twila brings her good arm against his back to offer support. She's been through a bit much lately to not be altered by her experiences somehow. She doesn't find it somehow odd however. Regardless of what she does or says, she always seems to be on someone's "hitlist". Bust be some sort or perennial joke. And even though she is afraid, a part of her is getting to the point that the fear is gradually turning into something...else. "I've been thinking tho. The way some of them view me as a rather large threat that has some kind of power greater than the Droid known as Sunstar. The way that Libra seemed petrified of Zero. Rick, they're terribly afraid of something."

"Well I hope we can figure out what it is soon so we can get em off our backs!" Rick snaps, raising a fist, as if ready to strike out at something in the sky...anything that might even remotely resemble a Stardroid. Still, the sudden flash of anger is short-lived, and his demeanor melts slightly, as he raises a hand to his face. "Ah, geez Twila...I'm sorry. I just...this is starting to get rough. I just can't believe that there's nothing we can do about this. As you just said...they're afraid of something. I just...I just wish we had something else WE could use to keep them back."

The younger of the two rests her head against the man's chest. "So do I, Rick. I don't doubt that there *is* something. There has to be...otherwise they wouldn't be doing what they are. As I told Zero, they aren't gods. And no matter what they care to proclaim they *aren't* omniscient. They don't know all or see all. Something's gotta be out there. Just...don't know what it is..." She pauses for a moment while in thought and adds, "Remember...when I mentioned I was overhearing a conversation over within Seoul?"

Rick Morgan hrms at that, and gives a slow nod, now draping both his arms around Twila's form and gently hooking his hands together, cradling her carefully now. "Yeah..." he whispers. "...I remember."

"What happened a few months ago...with the time and space fabric was referred to. About it possibly happening here. The Stardroids made reference to it and stated it muct not be allowed to happen here. But that we must always hold out hope." She looks back up at him, "Funny since that came from the one who was here just a half hour or so here."

Rick Morgan sighs then. "I knew it..." he says quietly. "You can't trust ANY of them. It doesn't matter who it is. Seems every time one looks like they might understand, they turn around and screw you over somehow." He sighs, and gives a slight shrug, before tilting his head forward to touch his forehead to Twila's crown.

And Twila allows her brother to do so...needing the reassurance as well. "But...she was right in one aspect. We can't lose hope, whatever else might happen. If we do...we may as well just give up and stop fighting altogether." "We aren't..." he says gently. "We'll find a way. No matter what...we'll find a way. Stardroids or no Stardroids, we'll manage. And not even THEY are gonna put a stop to us..." He then leans down just enough to kiss the top of Twila's head. "...and they're not gonna hurt you either."

"Thanks, Rick. It...means alot," Twila tones softly, feeling encouraged by his love and warmth as he holds her. She remains there for the next few moments, merely content to close her eyes and be comforted as well as reassured. But something nags her within the back of her mind. Not of her health or her lack thereof, but of her freedom. "This...doesn't mean I'll be restricted to the base...does it?"

Rick Morgan opens his mouth as if to say something, but then shuts it as something else occurs to him, and he frowns slightly. "I suppose it wouldn't matter in the end, would it?" he asks then. "Since they seem to be able to go anywhere they want to?"

"And most of the time it ends up being here within medbay..." Twila notes dryly. "Just...wanted to be sure. There are times I can't help but feel boxed in as is." And when she does go out to have some time for herself...well...no need for a reminder of what usually happens...

"Just try to always keep someone close if possible ok?" Rick says gently, giving Twila another small squeeze. "At least that way it's an extra set of eyes (or optics) keeping a lookout."

Twila Peterson nods her head slowly within agreement. "I guess...take the meaning 'Big Brother is watching you' literally, huh?"

Rick Morgan can't help but smile ever so slightly. "You got that right. And I'll see to it it happens till you're sick of me."

Twila Peterson now leans a little more so against Rick's chest. "Oh...terrific. Just give me a moment's peace once in awhile will ya?" She grins a little despite her situation. "If you don't I'll send Kyo in your room to hide all your models..."

Rick Morgan hrmphs. "That's dirty pool." he offers good naturedly, before gently tousling her hair with one hand. "Ok I'll keep it in moderation." He promises. "Now...have you gotten yourself any rest lately?"

Twila Peterson hmmms towards him. "Actually, was resting for a little while until shortly before Zero came back to be looked at," she notes, knowing where this is leading to. "Why...you want to send me off to beddy-bye?"

Rick Morgan blinks at that. "Gah...well no. Not if you're rested but...I mean...I know it's been a rough day. Just didn't want you overworking yourself or anything. That's all."

"Hmmm, mmm," the girl notes with a tiny lopsided grin on the verge of forming. "I...probably should be getting to bed tho." She glances over towards Zero's resting form and sighs. "He should be alright. What I wasn't able to get to his systems will be able to work over in no time flat. But...the Droid also threatened Zero saying she would punish him for interfering..."

Rick Morgan shakes his head. "I'll keep a watch over him in that case. I gotta check his systems myself anyway. I'll have security keep a close eye on you also, anything shows up, it'll notify me INSTANTLY. Ok?"

Twila Peterson considers that, but it really doesn't take her all to long for her to agree. "OK. Although...if Kyo's anywhere around no doubt she'll be just as loud as any amount of security would.

Rick Morgan smirks faintly. "Yeah I guess that's true. I'll keep checking up on you in that respect. You want me to take you to your room? Or you gonna be ok?"

Twila Peterson casts a glance back over towards the resting reploid before turning a gaze back to her twin. "I should be alright." After a slight pause she wraps her arms around him again with a quiet sigh. "You get some rest tonight too sometime you hear? And...tell Rock I want to see him if he has the chance? Nothing important just..." She allows her words to trail off there. The tone of her voice should make it clear of her meaning, however. She misses him...especially now.

Rick Morgan sighs in return, giving the hug back in full, before pulling back and allowing a small nod. "I will." he says gently. "Don't worry."

Twila Peterson lifts her chin just enough to offer the cyborg a gentle kiss in the cheek in answer and then slowly pulls out of the embrace. "Thanks, Rick. See you some time tomorrow then?" she questions, backing up a step for the entrance to the hallway.

Rick Morgan nods. "I'll be around. No worries on that. Probably immersed in yet another bout of repairs and maintenance." He raises one hand and twirls it in a mock 'yeehaw' gesture.

Twila Peterson smiles a little at the minor antics. "Kay then. Night, Bro." A wave is offered and then she turns to leave. But before she does she hesitates for a brief moment, choosing instead to offer a gaze towards her brother, pondering. Instead of speaking she gives another wave, smaller than the first, and heads towards the hallway.

Rick Morgan gives Twila a reassuring smile in response as she heads out, then finally sighs once more, glancing towards the floor for a few moments. Eventually though, he finally takes up his equipment again, and sets back to monitoring over Zero's condition...

============================== Maverick Hunter =============================== Message: 10/43 Posted Author Peace-Cleaver Tue Jun 27 Rick Morgan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earlier tonight when Zero and I were in the medical center were happened to be visited by the Stardroid Libra...the same one who visited the base before...and has also made herself a "consultant" to the UN Security Counsel. Basically, she claimed I was a serious threat that had to be done away with. Zero intervened and for some reason Libra was terribly afraid of him. She soon left afterwards. I'm not too certain what all *that* was about. But it if it helps any, at least we know they can be thrawted somehow. Just...have no idea how yet.

Twila A. Peterson ==============================================================================

==============================

Maverick Hunter =============================== Message: 10/43 Posted Author Cairo Tue Jun 27 Zero ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<*> The visage of the Hunter XO, Zero, appears upon the screen. Yet, he lacks his helmet at the moment so that the golden waterfall of his hair can freely spill behind him. He looks rather troubled as he begins to speak. <*>

"I responded to the call made by Twila about Swing and Vile in Cairo. She herself had been injured thanks to sunshine, so I felt it my obligation to Rock, if nothing else, to come in and send 'em packing. Besides, I've owed him that for quite sometime now. Anyhow, Swing and I wound up taking on Goliath with success. Once we got him out of that blasted thing, Rock showed up and finished the job. Vile got Rock with his cannon, but got the same favor in return. I'd say Rock won that power struggle. Far as I know, Twila's alright and so's Rock. Others that were there included Colonel and good ol' Sigma himself."

He pauses, the grin that had formed during his words fading away like shadows from a room as the light pours in.

"...Also, as Twila said earlier, we were visited by Libra. She considered Twila the greatest threat there was, for some reason, and I suppose that I chose a good time to go and get fixed up by her. When I stood up against the Stardroid in Twi's defense, Libra acted like I had some sort of disease. I've never seen a Stardroid afraid before, but that was quite a sight. To note, she pretty much said that she's determined to kill Twila at some point. If at all possible, people, keep an eye out for her if you can. I won't always be able to be there, and I know Rock would say the same. Zero, out."

<*> His hand reaches down, hovering over the button that will cease the recording. His brows furrow in worry and a simple word escapes his lips to be registered by the computer, "...Betrayer..." He closes his eyes, a clenched fist smashing upon the button which causes the screen to abruptly shift back to the Hunter insignia. <*> =========================================================================