Twila@M3 - Sunday, February 11, 2001, 4:13 PM

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=============================== IC Broadcasts ================================

Message: 9/49 Posted Author

Negotiations Curtailed Sun Feb 11 Vatican Press-Release

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A request on part of the Holy Father to travel to Repliforce Island to talk to the Repliforce command in an attempt to find a peaceful solution to the current crisis was denied. The Holy Father calls for both the Repliforce and United Nations to remeber their responsibility to their people and to the world, and again offered his services in any future negotiations.

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Command Center <Hunter HQ>

Zero sits in his chair, his helmet on the table near him. His eyes are closed as he sits in ponderment over the past few days activities, not even sure where to even begin sorting them out in his mind. He lets out a brief sigh as he opens his eyes back up, leaning back in his chair, and letting his hair cascade over the back of the chair.

Kyo-Ohki hops out from underneath one of the terminals and makes her way to the consoles. She makes her way over towards near where Zero sits she seems to step on some computer keys. But she doesn't appear to notice. Upon reaching him she stands on her hindlegs, looking up. "Mip?"

Zero looks down at Kyo-Okhi and smiles faintly at her and reaches over and picks her up, placing her on his lap and petting her gently, "Silly little pest, never know when to give up do ya?" he inquires with a tinge of humor. As he lets his mind wander again over the multitude of issues in his mind at the moment.

Air Wraith hovers slowly through the door and gazes calmly around. He is way too good to walk like everyone else it seems and has chosen to hover where ever he goes. Giving his award winning smirk, AW looks towards Zero.

Kyo-Ohki let's out a "marf!" as she's scooped up and emits a loud and strong pur when petted. Not knowing the situation at hand of course she has no cause to worry over it. So, instead, she focuses more on brushing herself up against Zero's chest, telling him excitedly, "Marf marf meimei!"

Zero blinks down at Kyo, not understanding her one bit, but figures it means she wants to be petted more and continues to do so, he looks up as the gravlift doors open and eyes Air Wraith, his expression changing to one of neutrality as he gives the arrogant one a slight nod, "Something I can do for you, Wraith?"

Kyo gives a small pause and tilts her head comically, letting one ear fall halfway as she gives the newcomer a glance over. Sniffing the air she decides she's better off where she is and starts playfully patting at one of the Beserker's hands to keep herself occupied. Doesn't take much to be amused.

Air Wraith's cocky smirk widens as he continues to look on Zero. Shrugging his shoulders Air Wraith makes it a point to flick his black mane of hair out of the way. "Oh nothing, Zero. Nothing at all. I wouldn't want to disturb you or anything. By the way, where were you yesterday, Zero?"

Zero shrugs, "I was sleeping, a hobby I tend to enjoy when you spend a good 3 months constantly on duty. Speaking of which, where have -you- been the past year or so, Air Wraith? Does it take you that long to fix that hair of yours or what?" the berserker retorts as he continues to idly poke and prod Kyo back as she prods at him with her paws.

Kyo-Ohki let's out a squeal as the reploid joins into her lil game. At one point she gently nabs a finger, careful so that her teeth aren't biting into him, and holds it there with her mouth...beaming proudly. "Meowph!"

Air Wraith sneers slightly and shakes his hear. "I was busy with stuff in space. As for my hair. Well one has to be delicate with such things. I mean I do have the best hair in the whole Hunters. But then you knew that already."

Zero snorts, and waves a dismissive hand, "Yeah, whatever, Wraith, do you actually do anything useful around here, aside from talk about yourself? If not, then why don't you take your vain little ass somewhere else? I've got things to think about, and I can't think very clearly while I've got Captain Moron spouting irrelevant crap about how great he is at me." Zero then looks down at Kyo as she nibbles on him and starts tickling her, "Li'l brat, I'll show you."

Forced to let go from her own giggling Kyo falls back into Zero's lap...squirming and batting her tum-tum.

Air Wraith rolls his eyes and purposely sits next to Zero. "Ya sure. Whatever Zero. You could of at least said you are glade to have me back. But I guess thats not going to be said."

Zero looks at AIr Wraith, a straight look of utter seriousness on his face, "Your right, it's not." he then picks Kyo up and places her on the table and gives her one last pat before grabbing his helmet and putting it on his head, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I"ve got some work that needs to be done."

Kyo-Ohki miffs in slight protest and some confusion. Nonetheless she raises a paw to wave. "Meimei!" sha calls out...just as her owner had taught.

Air Wraith shakes his head and frowns at Zero. He doesn't seem to know what to say as Zero leaves, instead he shrugs and sighs lowly.

<Global News Network> The camera shakes unsteadilly, bobbing up and down slightly as the sound of helicopter blades rattle in the background. "This is Reporto, coming to you LIVE from just above GNN Headquarters." A massive gout of flame reaches towards the sky, and Reporto turns the camera to focus on it. With that small twist, the view goes from the peaceful city of San Angeles to a picture of carnage as fires, explosions and gunshots ravage the city below. San Angeles General Hospital, off in the distance, visibly lurches to the side as another explosion rips into it. "Aproximately three and a half minutes ago, a company of Repliforce infantry, with air and ride armor support, entered the city en masse and began wreaking havoc. There appears to be no purpose or pattern to the attack except total annihilation of all things they can reach!" Slightly offscreen, Reporto's shortwave radio is audible under the helicopter sounds. Chest, the GNN station manager, is yelling. <Reporto, get your fool aft back here! You're going to get yourself killed!> A jet-assisted Repliforce gumby swoops by at that moment, narrowly missing Reporto - but the gumby flies on without taking a shot at the tiny cameraman. "Whoa! It's getting hot here, folks! The Western Mall district has already completely collapsed, taking about half the telestation with it, and the Airport's been wrecked. San Angeles hasn't seen this level of damage since the Robot Master attacks of 2200! For those just tuning in, Repliforce has launched an all out assault on San Angeles! This is Reporto, bringing you live footage as the events happen...." The camera zooms down and in, focusing on one of the Repliforce ride armors and catching a good view of the pilot. Former Repliforce officer Sentinel. Moments later, he takes the ride armor and literally tears a San Angeles Defense Force hovertank in half. "As you can see, the local defenders are unable to stop an attack of this magnitude, having never expected a Repliforce assault of such ferocity." A spat of rockets curl up into the sky, exploding and raining shrapnel at random into the Wharf district. A quick shot of San Angeles Memorial Stadium shows that the rallying point of the Earth's forces against the Stardroids is also ablaze. "As you can see, San An is burning - I repeat, San An is burning!"'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Landon DeVry transmits: 'Well Repliforce has gone insane...how unexpected.'.

(Ch. E []) Snake Man transmits: 'Comesss from wearing your underwear t

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: '...'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Good God...'.

<Live News><Reporto> Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> continues to storm around the area, firing grenades at targets of opprotunity. Police hovertanks, reporter crews, stores...anything. Micro-missiles rain from the arm-mounted launchers at any civilians fleeing the area.

And Sentinel, within...is laughing the entire time.

<Live News><Reporto> Cyber Peacock blinks into existance high above the the others, arms folded quietly over his chest. The grey optics turn down to watch the melee below, and on the beak a small smirk creases across it. Tailplumes fanned out to their fullest, the holographic commander of MSE listens to the sounds of shock reverbating across the airwaves. And he laughs softly.

(Ch. C []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Repliforce, I assume you're tuned into the news?'.

(Ch. C [Rep-MH-Alied]) Skyblade Eagle transmits: 'Yeah..'.

(Ch. C [SpecOps]) Chi transmits: 'I'm watching as we speak Miss Peterson. Your confusion mirrors my own.'

<Live News><Reporto> Rocket Lobster proceeds to begin his dance with destruction. "Symphonic to my ears! A sprawling city of people protected from the ravages of the rain of blaze! Nothing survives! Listen to me, San Angeles! Repliforce has deemed your existence to be malicious and malignant to the Reploid race, and sufficient actions are being taken! You're being judged! Run around like hamsters!" He cackles. He's gone loopy! Cavalcades of armor plates slide across to reveal massive stocks of missiles, which demolish buildings promptly. "Dance and die, San Angeles!"

<Live News><Reporto> Tomahawk Zebra begins engaging her holographic capabilities, disappearing right at Magna's side.

(Ch. C [None]) Quire transmits: 'Those /are/ Repliforce ride armors, right?'.

<Live News><Reporto> Tinker Kangaroo bounds all over the area, throwing bombs into building and getting out of the way just in time as the explosion tears up the insides, destroying everything and everyone in side. She smiles to herself as she approces some resistance and digs deep into her pouches, tossing smoke and tear gas bombs towards them, effectively rendering them useless..

(Ch. C [Rep-MH-Alied]) Skyblade Eagle transmits: 'They must have taken them..'.

<Live News><Reporto> Storm Kraken moonwalks, due to popular demand of a whopping one person. Not for long, though. His narrow head spins from side to side, his long tenticles waving about as he turns. "Heeeey," he declares, a triad of tenticles cutting the air in a circular motion. "Move over, New York! We have a new windy city!" With a deafening hollar, the violet Reploid throws a small cyclone at a nearby building. "Woo!"

<Live News><Reporto> Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> 's pilot is not laughing... however if anyone saw inside, Cinema does have a certain look of wry satisfaction as the ride armor smashes clean through a small barricade of police vehicles, then opens fire on the ones who try to stop him. "You don't pet the dog that bites you, do you? You .. punish it.."

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Anyone available meet on the Rooftop. Taking the Vorpal.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'On my way...'.

<Live News><Reporto> Sonic Banshee smiles darkly, as she nods in agreement to the orders given. Saluting an unseen Furhur (SP)m she lifts her arm, and taps out a sequence. Within moments, she, and her symbol of japanese demons (Hitsuke) vanish from sight.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'Always said Repliforce couldn't be trusted. Always.'.

(Ch. C [Joint]) Anthem transmits: 'Hunters, this is your problem.'.

(Ch. C []) Swing transmits: 'What?'.

(Ch. C []) Swing transmits: 'Those are your troops!'.

(Ch. C [Joint]) Anthem transmits: 'San An is your fight. RHQ is sealing down as of thirty seconds ago. We're not touching that situation.'.

(Ch. C []) Swing transmits: 'Ahh, dangit. Alright, copy - we'll do what we can.'.

Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal>

======================= Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal> ========================

The inside of the Vorpal is not very spacious, but there is just the bare minimum of equipment and seating to maximize that space. Benches with safety straps line the walls, with several tow cables placed near the rear and side portals. The cockpit can be sealed off from the rest of the cabin, should the need arise, and an auxilliary gunner's chair sits about midship. Sacrificing speed for weaponry, the Vorpal is primarily a dropship and not designed for heavy combat.

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<Live News><Reporto> Rocket Lobster speaks on his radio, and becomes indignant about something. He turns to face a children's shelter, and with a dance of ballistics, it falls to the ground with no survivors.

<Live News><Reporto> Jackpot Grizzly keeps going as he claws and tears his way through cars, tanks, and most of all, people, taking a sickening amount of joy out of the carnage that is occuring, "You made us Repliforcers look like the villians, well, *we're* just living up to your expectations!"

<Live News><Reporto> Magna Centipede watches the carnage with a sense of grim satisfaction, content to sit and rap his many fingers together.

(Ch. C [None]) Quire transmits: 'You filthy traitors! You're letting them kill those people!'.

<Live News><Reporto> Storm Kraken waves another duo of tenticles around, his large form spinning around to face another oh so blow-up-able structure. "All your city," he begins, launching a powerful gyser of water to a building at random. "Are belong to us! And..." he looks around for a moment, placing any flailing tenticles immediately to his side. "...It wasn't me. It was a cat." Whistling softly, he places four limbs behind his back, striding away...

(Ch. C [Joint]) Anthem transmits: 'Shut up and start saving people then, you pint-sized little @^>*.'.

(Ch. C [None]) Quire transmits: 'I don't think it is. Not when humans dying and their sitting on their thumbs doing NOTHING.'.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' I will meet you there all there. In half the time.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'No you won't, Air Wraith'.

Twila Peterson enters soon after Swing, then settles down in a seat to get settled. "This is crazy. Gotta be some logical explanation for all of this..."

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'You're going to get in this ship and like it.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'And as of right now, until we can get some explainations. We can consider ourselves against the Repliforce.'.

(Ch. C [None]) Quire transmits: 'I'd like to see you back those words up, but you're locked in your base with the rest of your Mavericks!'.

(Ch. C []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'That is *enough*, Quire.'.

<Live News><Reporto> Tomahawk Zebra smirks, and watches, leaning against her wall. If she could go into plain sight, she'd be making herself a holographic Protoman costume so she could smirk with her scarf flapping in the wind. But she remains hidden.

Swing drops into the cockpit, strapping his cross-chest seat belts on. "Hang on, folks. Soon as were loaded I'm pulling a vertical thrust of 7 Gs."

<Live News><Reporto> Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> continues to storm about the area, raining grenades at buildings...of particular note, a travel agency, a McDonalds (They keep screwing up Sentinel's order, you see.), and the office of a doctor that does house calls. Sentinel's calling out over the din, using the Hawk's speakers, "This is what happens when you judge people unfairly!!!"

(Ch. C [mid-level]) Sentinel transmits: 'You just don't get it...that's typical, though. *Click*'.

(Ch. C [None]) Quire transmits: 'You, the UN, and the Mavericks. You're all the same.'.

<Live News><Reporto> Rocket Lobster bursts into another bout of laughter. "Repliforce has deemed you guilty! You're guilty you're guilty you're all GUILTY! Scatter like small mammals, because the book says panic on its cover and it's about to be opened!" He talks on the radio again, and scowls. "Here!" He turns and faces a group of people fleeing. "You've been judged by Mr. Phoebus!" Again the missiles fly, reconstructing the people into goo. "Sorry! Just following orders." Again he cackles, and begins firing explosives in all possible directions.

Twila Peterson finishes getting herslf strepped in, going pale at Zero's new orders. Terrific...this keeps going from bad to worse.

<Live News><Reporto> Cyber Peacock is content to watch the Repliforcers stampede through, tailplumes shifting and flicking slightly in the breeze high above the city. Feet neatly together, the prismatic bird only watches, grey optics assessing the massive amounts of damage being done. "How amusing," he murmurs.

Swing looks back at Zero with a pained look on his face, bringing the final systems on line.

(Ch. C []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Quire, quiet. All you're doing is antagonzing an already volital situation.'.

(Ch. C [SpecOps]) Chi transmits: 'You shouldn't be so fast to judge. You know nothing of our situation. Worry on your own... Quire is it?'.

(Ch. C [Joint]) Anthem transmits: 'Repliforce, off this channel, we have our own problems. Let the vigilantes deal with theirs.'.

<Live News><Reporto> Jackpot Grizzly keeps the taunting on the radio down to a minimum, cause he's enjoying the massive ammounts of carnage right here.

Twila Peterson .oO(Signas certainly has his work cut out for him...)Oo.

Fugue literally flies into the Vorpal, catching hold of a bench with one hand to keep from flying into the opposite wall. She flips down quickly and sits down, "Busy week..."

<Live News><Reporto> Tinker Kangaroo doesnt brag about her her actions, unlike the rest of the group, nor does she give a rhyme or reason to them. Instead she simply carries on with her attack, using her vast medical skills to knock people to the ground and then quickly and effectively put them out of oder. She bounds from one spot to another, tossing bombs, slicing people up, and leaving a trail of uteer destruction behind her. She smirks to herself as he moves along, enjoying the spray of blood and mechfluid as it splatters upon her frame..

<Live News><Reporto> Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> turns and opens fire with the high pressure water cannons.. mostly because Cinema has never seen the effects of a lot of water on squishy humans. And is quite amused as they, and vehicles, are slammed not only into but through various buildings, collapsing a few in the process. The external speakers click on after a moment. "Anyone up for some baseball?" One of the massive Ride armor's hands close on an officer, lifting him off the ground, then pitching him across the area.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'What are they thinking!'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Friendly bunch, aren't they...'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Vorpal on line. Here goes nothing.'.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'Bunch of Mavericks.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'um...Anything I should do to..uh..help?'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'If there's something wrong they may be sealing down doesn't spread. Stop immediately jumping to conclusions!'.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'Bet they're watching that massacre and eating popcorn. The $&^#s'.

<Live News><Reporto> Rocket Lobster personally enjoys both of them, but he needs the safeguard of language to feel his art is living on. "Look at that! A museum of fine arts! We don't need that anymore, we have a greater artist! Mankind that condemned itself! Repliforce hereby tries you by ordeal, Leonardo da Vinci! You're obsolete!" He cackles again as his combustible tools rough the museum up into a pile of rocks and rubble resting on the razed grounds of San Angeles.

<Live News><Reporto> Sonic Banshee keeps an oddly calm smile to her face, eyes lit ablaze, like those of the wraith of Irish Legend what she resembles. Though she can't be seen by her comrades, she is just as equally enthralled by the sight of the distruction as they are. Could it be the Banshee herself is something of a pyromaniac at heart, as well? It could be. She stays absolutely silent -- It would indeed, be such an event that would silence the hardly quiet witch -- and watches the 'disaster' unfold. Never mind that this city used to be her favorite among cities in which to relax. For now, as she and Mirror have often seranaded, 'Their eyes are seeing the glory of the qworkings of their Lord'..

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Yeah.. there's two ride armors there. Should we bring one of our own?'.

(Ch. C [Rep-MH-Alied]) Skyblade Eagle transmits: '*click*'.

<Live News><Reporto> Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> continues to storm around, but has changed grenades and micro-missiles out for old-fashion smashing with the arms and fists. Punching traffic lights and phone booths down is punctuated by the occasional dashing ram into a fleeing car.

Amongst all this...a young human child, he can't be any older than 8, storms up to Sentinel's Ride Armor, and begins striking it with a stick. For his part, the winged knight sneers, and lifts a massive foot up then crushes the child underneath it.

One of Repliforce's shining paragons of virtue...has just taken this fight to the next level.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'Yeah, I bet. And they're not sending the rest of their troops in, the ones stationed all over the world. Why?'.

Twila Peterson looks as though she might just become ill...

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'They.....there must be a reason!'.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'Because they either don't care or they're actually endorsing this!'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I don't know, Quire. But then, neither do you.'.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'I do know that San Angeles is burning and their troops and ride armors are doing it.'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'And Double...'.

<Live News><Reporto> Cyber Peacock can't help but smirk broadly at Sentinel's action. "I never liked children anyway," he comments, now deciding to have a seat on the building, letting his legs dangle. "How amusing. I calculate that the Repliforcers are doing 67.2319 percent more damage than we could have accomplished in one night. Ah, such bliss."

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Quire, shut your yap. The rest of you, get yourselves strapped in a ready. Jazz, grab one of the ride armors and let's get down there.'.

<Live News><Reporto> Jackpot Grizzly stops in his mass killings for a moment to look around, "Too bad Marvin Thackery isn't here. I'd enjoy ripping him open and hanging him to a street pole by his guts." Oh well, duty before pleasure, even though this is both. The bear returns to tearing things and people up with his bare hands.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'Alright!.'.

<Live News><Reporto> Magna Centipede nods as he hisses to Cyber Peacock. "FItting, indeed. I wonder if they realize what's about to happen?" he asks as his tail snakes above his head.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> has arrived.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Until we get some answers, the Repliforce is to be considered the enemy. I won't tolerate anyone jumping to conclusions about why they're doing this, but I also will not allow this to continue as is.'.

<Live News><Reporto> Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> can't match Sentinel's awe-inspiring performance much, not after that... But he damn near tries. A high school and fire department are targeted by the Ride Armor's homing missiles, turning then to open fire on the helicopters and air forces above with a snort of disdain. Mass destrutcion had a certain kind of thrill to it, one he hadn't tried before. Oo. They should have a movie about /this/..

============================== Maverick Hunter ===============================

Message: 10/90 Posted Author

Attention Sun Feb 11 Zero

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*Zero appears on the screen, not looking one bit happy, he's strapped into a seat apparently in the Vorpal*

"As of right now, at approximately 6 PM Standard Global Time, the Repliforce has allegedly laid siege to the free city of San Angeles. Until further notice, I am putting the Maverick Hunters on an official offensive against the Repliforce. Until we can get some explainations, we can not give anyone the benefit of the doubt. It is our duty to protect this world, and even if we're supposed to be working with the Repliforce, even if some of us came from the Repliforce, we can not allow them to continue these actions."

*Zero heaves a slight sigh*

"We've got to stand tall during this, and we can't let up at all. This is our responsibility to the world, and to the people. We can't let them down. The Repliforce must be contained. We will show them mercy, but we shall not give them any room to cause any further damage. And as much as I hate to say it..."

*Zero closes his eyes and takes a deep breath*

"The Repliforce, is now our largest and most dangerous enemy."

]

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<Live News><Reporto> Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> stops for a moment, lobbing another grenade at a police hovercar, as Sentinel turns to Jackpot and calls over the loudspeakers, "Yeah! Maybe he'll show up and start ranting, judging us as he always does...what a fool!" The Hawk begins storming off again, heading further into the city...

Swing shoots Zero an even glare, but nods. "Alright." he mutters. He may obey the command, but that does'nt mean he has to like it.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Swing fire it up, we can't delay any longer.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Roger.'.

<Live News><Reporto> Tomahawk Zebra smirks at Magna. "Probably not. Look how obliviously they're performing their task. Total lack of style." she says, actually giving herself a holographic porn scarf and sunglasses.

<Soon...>

Outside> San Angeles - Western Mall District

The usual onslaught of noise pollution assaults you as you enter this district. The same multi level highways decorate the area, with buildings towering above the ground. Yawn. However, there are structures here not found in other places of the city, namely the GigaMalls. These massive cube-like structures are -titanic- in size and contain thousands of stores and restaurants and even woodland parks within. A self contained technological ecosystem in itself. The GigaMalls here are known for having anything and everything you could ever want bad enough to spend the kind of money they charge for it here.

Outside> Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> launches onto a rooftop suddenly, jet-thrusters roaring to life to vault it up there. A rather foolish reporter is there...and looks about ready to run. Sentinel snickers and turns the Armor to present its back to him.

Sentinel announces to the reporter, "Here's an exclusive. Courtesy of my good friend, Skyblade Eagle." And with that, the jet-thrust flares up and roasts the reporter to ashes...

Sentinel announces to the reporter, "Here's an exclusive. Courtesy of my good friend, Skyblade Eagle." And with that, the jet-thrust flares up and roasts the reporter to ashes...

Defender Dingo frowns, "What are orders, mates?"

Outside> Cyber Peacock smirks broadly at Magna. "Oh, I am not sure. And does it matter any longer?" He contents himself, legs kicking like a child, to talk on the radio waves, taunting openly, headplume slicked back and rising alternatingly.

Outside> Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal> thunders in on the scene, dropping out of the skies like a dead weight under limited control as it makes its hastened appearence.

Air Wraith frowns and just shakes his head with confusion. This can't be the Repliforce that he use to work for. Where did everything go wrong. Slowly he turns towards Zero and raises a single brow of confusion at him.

Outside> Sonic Banshee ooohs, nice touch. squished human children always piss people off. Banshee smiles delightedly, almost sad that she didn't get to do it. -Almost-. She lifts her claws, and sharpens them against one another, waiting for any word from Sigma to come. Meanwhile, behind her, Hitsuke, ever the eloquent, drools more over the fire than she did previously over the sight of Rush at the London Theatre fiasco..

Outside> Tinker Kangaroo bounds along the streets and spots one of the many camer-bots filming the situation. She leaps high up into the air and lands directly before the camera. She sneers as she gazes ito it, gripping it with her hands, and keeping the camera on her face, much to the surprise of the camera bot.. "Now mates, you shall all witness the effects of prejudice.." with another grin she sets the camera down on the ground.

It keeps shooting, its view is mainly the side walk and the feet of Tinker and the camera man. A loud noise can be heard and then the camerabot drops to the ground in front of the camera. Tinker is upon the bot immediately, her scapel tearing through the frame of the helpless victim, all the while be caught on tape..

It keeps shooting, its view is mainly the side walk and the feet of Tinker and the camera man. A loud noise can be heard and then the camerabot drops to the ground in front of the camera. Tinker is upon the bot immediately, her scapel tearing through the frame of the helpless victim, all the while be caught on tape..

Twila Peterson turns her attentions to a viewport displaying the scene outside. A lump lodges itself within her throat and she swallows...hard.

Outside> Jackpot Grizzly picks up a partially wrecked police car and heaves it at a nearby building, caving in the whole front side of the structure, "That's what you get when you don't pay your protection fees..." He brushes his hands off.

Swing snarls as he pulls the stick tightly, dropping down to low altitude, a scant ten feet from the streets, rocketing along quickly. He flips a few more switches to open the hatch, showing the scorched pavement racing by. "My God......San Angeles under attack.." he whispers in disbelief.

Fugue narrows her eyes as she looks through a viewport at all the carnage below. "So much for defending truth and justice.. We're needed out there."

Outside> Star Man arrives from the San Angeles - Northern Residential.

Defender Dingo sighs, "Aye, we are..."

Zero unstraps hismelf and stands up, reaching for his beam sabre and hitting the opening latch for the airlock, "Alright Hunters... let's move out. Locate and stop the Repliforce at all costs."

Swing nods. "Dustoff in thirty seconds. We'll be on top of them in twenty."

Outside> Rocket Lobster is losing it. He spins around and grabs a fleeing woman. "I'm sorry! You're guilty." With that one condemnation, he lifts one of his claws, but stops. "Camera! Get over here and get a good look at this or I'll blow you to bits!" One of the cameramen reluctantly takes a couple steps forward, upon which Rocket Lobster fiercely drags his claw across the woman's face, ripping the flesh from it. Horrible screams fill the air for a good time, before the woman is lying on the ground, a pile of unconnected tissues and liquids. "That was fun Fun FUN! Come over here." He dives at the cameraman and gives him the same gruesome treatment.

Outside> Magna Centipede suddenly bursts from a building side, a host of flying intellispies swarming out behind him as he lands with a solid thud on the pavement. "Stop these violent Repliforcers now!" he roars with his rarely used battle rage bravado.

Outside> Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> seems to have found the area torpedoes ... and is putting them to lethal effect in and among buildings. A hospice is targeted... though not the hospice itself, rather just beside it, the screams of the people trapped in the collapsing building for a moment rising above the sounds of the destruction around them before falling silent completely as the building collapses.

Outside> Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> turns to face the Vorpal as it roars into the area, and Sentinel laughs. Then triggers the loudspeakers again, hoping GNN reports catch it. "As Colonel quoted, from one Abe Lincoln, 'If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and founder...' Heh heh heh!" Another grenade lobs over the edge of the rooftop, smashing into a tree below, and blowing up an individual hiding within.

Outside> Snake Man slips from shadow to shadow, closer to the action. Of course, his stealth is somewhat compromised by the fat yellow and orange Bomb Man following him

Twila Peterson draws in a breath...trying to make contact with the city's authorities regarding via radio. Since other than aiding her fellow Humters medically, her proimary task would be to help the civilians to evacuate...if possible.

Outside> Cyber Peacock lounges along the top of the building on his stomach, beak in his hands and feet in the air. His tail is neatly collapsed...until the radio crackles with orders. Leaping upright, the peacock cackles loudly, tail fanning out in a brilliant display of colour and light. Soft cackles come from the throat of the hologram. "It is time! Halt the Repliforcers!" he cheers with a clap of his hands.

Outside> Tomahawk Zebra ditches the shades and scarf, forming two tomahawks. Grinning, she prepares to adminster some major damage. Grininning, she runs into action right after Magna Centipede, kicking up dust as she runs. "Let's get them!" she cries.

Outside> After a rather long spree of looting and destroying structures in a near-random pattern, Storm Kraken shows his large frame once again, his optics glowing with even more idle cheer than before. He glances around, silently survaying(sp?) the scene, and all the great fun he's missing...

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Our primary concern is the civilians first, make sure the area is evacuated.'.

Swing slows the Vorpal down signifcantly as the large hatch for the Gunslinger begins to open. "We're in!" he barks back as he brings systems to bear.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Mavericks!'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Already making contact with the authorities.'.

Outside> Maverick Hoverbike <Tachyon> skids out, very quickly and apparently just under the rider's control - Crystal Snail, without her shell, which is strapped on as if it was an extra passenger. Crystal is wearing a teal-blue silk robe on the off-change it makes her look more dressed. Actually it makes her look like she'd just woken up, and the permanent rings under her optics

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> heads out then ^_^

Outside> It's about this time that there's a great rumbling from aways back, the Repliforce Hovercycle Alpha comes jetting past, on fire, behind it is a trail of carnage. One building crumpled, dozens of signs and windows decimated. However, there is no rider...Yet, something is far to eerie about the whole thing. The hovercycle crashes into another building, crumpling at least two fleeing civilians and a newspaper stand. A small pitbull goes running away, far too frightened to make noise. When that is complete, more happens.

The ground itself shakes, rattles, and rolls. Erupting from the middle of the street comes a mole reploid, chomping furiously on an Eternal Cigar. He looks around, grinning. He speaks not, merely starts throwing random blunt objects at anything that moves. Blasts of fire shoot from his arm cannon intermittently, torching buildings and telephone poles. He looks around, shaking his head, "Fools." He rests comfortably atop his mole hill, still throwing and torching...Waiting for someone to engage him in something besides sniper work.

Outside> Upon the cry of both her commander, and her comrades, Banshee flashes into veiw, and lowers the arm with the control sequence for her stealth. Slapping the panal door shut, she smiles, evilly, looks to Hitsuke behind her, and points. "Let's go." She states, firmly, before she charges foreward on silent feet, like hellion unleashes, with her vulpine accomplice at her side.

Zero nods and raises his voice, "MAVERICK HUNTERS, SCRAMBLE!" as he leaps out of the Vorpal.

Outside> Bomb Man is following Snake Man, who's garish green color scheme is seriously hurting his(Bomb Man's) own stealthiness.

Fugue pulls out her staff, "Not that they'll be too hard to locate.." She smirks faintly and takes off, flying down into the fray.

Outside> Sigma drops from the sky like a heroic brick. His eyes take in the destroyed city, but lack their usual satisfaction at such grand destruction. He comes to a halt inches from the ground. "All Mavericks!" He roars, "ATTACK! Destroy the rogue Repliforce units. Protect this city at all costs!" An aura of the most burning and intense energy flares around Sigma. He clenches his fist and from it, without a handle, springs the Sigma Saber, now a permanent part of the Maverick Lord. His blue eyes crackle with intense light as he approaches the rogue Repliforce units, "Power down your weapons and come quietly. I promise each of you one last chance to live, before I put an end to this madness."

Defender Dingo nods once at Swing, "Then, let's get to work, mates," And Red-Blue effects surrounds Dingo...

And he blinks outta there.

Outside> Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal> dusts off right on the battlefield as the hatches open to let loose a packet of Hunters.

Twila Peterson then does a double-take as she once more looks out the window...mouth dropping open. But as the order is given she unlatches herself from the seat.

<Once outside...>

Air Wraith bites his bottom lip lightly and slowly gets up from his seat. Confusion is still evident on his features but so is anger. They are definately out numbered, even with him around. "Time to put a stop to this."

Mavericks run to the rescue of San Angeles. "Wa hah hah! A most befitting chapter in the tragic tale of a despicable dysmoral character named the Rocket Lobster! Here I stand and here I die! Goodbye, Repliforce! I'm off to be torn to pieces!" He has LOST it. He's delighting in impending death? He extends his hands, shaping himself into a cross. "But I'll fight back! Anybody care to tango?"

Zero drops down from the Vorpal and lands gracefully on the ground, sabre already in hand as he looks about cautiously, barking out orders to the HUnters, "Make sure the civilians are evacuated and out of harms reach! Jazz get the Gunslinger in there and start taking out Repliforcers!"

Air Wraith has left.

Jackpot Grizzly blinks and turns to Sigma, then scratches his head for a moment. (Oh... I get it, they pretend to beat up on us to make them look like the heros." He can play along. Approaching Sigma, his points a claw out at the Maverick Lord, "No can do baldy. It's time we taught the humans their lessons."

Snake Man creeps closer to where the Hunter transport landed, taking in all the destruction and carnage. Hearing Sigma's bellow over the din of the attack, he squints up at the newly arrived Mavericks.

A red-blue effect swirls around and soon Defender Dingo can be seen. "Alright, mates, and blokes, time for ya ta be knocked down a peg or two."

Zero pauses as he hears the familiar voice of Sigma and turns his gaze to stare at his Maverick counterpart. He narrows his eyes and leaps up, and air dashes towards Sigma, cutting the distance in a few moments. As he comes with a few feet of the Maverick Commander he ignites his sabre and snarls, "What are -you- doing here, Sigma."

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> looks down at Sigma for a moment, and Sentinel keeps laughing. "Stand down? To you? Yeah, right." As the Gunslinger deploys from the Vorpal, Sentinel shouts out to it, "You won't have your way anymore!" And with that it begins flying for the Hunter formation, a trio of grenades firing from the left arm's launcher at the Gunslinger...

Bomb Man is still following Snake Man, but does not look over at Sigma. That might get him killed. And he can't die. Not yet, anyway.

Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> turns as the VORPAL deposits Hunters, Cinema chuckling within. "Well? Defenders of all that's good and just against ... Hunters and Mavericks on the same side. What an alliance!"

Storm Kraken's narrow eyes continue to watch the area, his tenticles wrapping themselves around his chestplate in idle motion. While the squidlike Reploid seems rather unoccupied right now, his most recent trails can easily be spotted by a large section of the city completely - and literally - blown over. "All right," he bellows, his optics flashing up with glee. "I'm bored! Somebody get down here and blow me away with style!" Yep. A challenge. From a mass of slimey tenticles. Any takers?

Maverick Hoverbike <Tachyon> swerves to not run over Tinker and ends up pulling a X and leaps off the hovercycle, letting it drift to the street, inches from Tinker, and then ram into a wall and break as she's unable to stop the thing. The shell goes with it, of course, and Crys pulls the robe tighter around herself. "No more breaking things, unless they're yours, all right?"

Crystal Snail has arrived.

Air Wraith zips swiftly through the sky, looking more like a black blur, then anything else. He immediately breaks to a stop and looks slightly overwhelmed as he gazes down at the area. He doesn't seem to know where to start.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> gets hit by the grenades...several explosions forming on the surface. Jazz eeks, "EEK! I'm under attack! Alright then...how about.....ergh.. have to stop him..how about... Alright!", she swerves to the right and fires the Gunslingers machine guns at the Hawk armor... Being careful not to hit civilians and such..

Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal> continues to hover above the scene, deftly avoiding various crossfire and intended shots at the agile transport.

Twila Peterson hurries over to door where as the Vorpal continues to hover and leaps out as well...while holding her breath. She waits a few moments then opens, before guiding herself where the transmisisond to where some of those self-same authorties are to try to help guide the citizins and 'normal' visitors away from this forsaken mess it's become.

Cyber Peacock reappears on the shattered, blood-and-mech-fluid stained ground, with his tail crystals brilliantly alight. The smirk is dark, the grey eyes feral. "Welcome to the end," growls the peacock. He's been dying for a good pasting, and the chance to smack around Repliforcers is making the mechfluid of his real body run hot. It's transferred over the the hologram, who couldn't be more ready to fight. Rocket Lobster is his closest target, and the bird opens salvo with a blast of yellow light from his brought-together fists.

Sonic Banshee charges foreward as called forth by her leader. Defend the city at all costs! Banshee intends to do so. She rushes forth looking for combatant to work against.. And spots, there, midst the street, the Mole. Eyes of lighted fire narrow, And then a wicked smile plays. She charges foreward, followed by Hitsuke, and throws up her bladed claws in a standard challenging pose. "I'll give ye to tha' count O' ten t'ae stop yer destruction! One.... Two.."

Sigma turns his head to Jackpot, responding to Zero first, "I'm ending this, Hunter. I'm saving this city and its people." His focus returns to the Repliforce defect and the paw that's extended towards him. In an eloquent motion the Maverick Lord brings his blade down in a burning, emerald arch that sizzles the air and splits down to the finest molecule. The goal is to cut off Jackpot Grizzly's outstretched arm in one perfect strike. Sigma's saber evaporates into the air, leaving both hands free, "I have given you your chance, Repliforcer. Now you will die. I've spent my years defending the world from Repliforce. Now that you're moving openly, I move openly against you. Die, and soon all of Repliforce will join you in hell, where all you madmen belong."

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> flies right into the hail of bullets from the Gunslinger, and unlike Jazz...Sentinel doesn't seem worried about the damage to his Armor's center torso area. He handles the Armor like a master. "Keep screaming! I'll give you good reason to do so!" Both arms raise now, as a massive volley of rockets rains out at the Gunslinger, aimed for the leg areas as the Hawk slams into the streets below.

Magna Centipede snakes forth with quickness and precision, his form racing towards the form of the Frog Ride Armor. "Back, foul Repliforce! Your time has come to an end!" With a quick stutter step, the ninja spins and fires a mine pulsing with electronic venom.

Fugue lands lightly on the street, fall softened by her flight systems. Eyes narrowing, she looks over the carnage. Twirling her staff, she charges forward, smashing a Repliforce gumby away from a bystander. "Go! Get out of here!" As the civilian runs off, Fugue scans the nearby area for more trouble.

Magna Centipede strikes Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> with his Venom Mine attack.

Its always, -always-, an impressive sight to behold when Vile chooses to enter a scene. Add in the magnificent device known simply as Goliath, and you have a glorious arrival.

One of the airbound Maverick Transports cruises overhead, however, rather then the typical blue and silver hue, this one is a stark black. A jet black, with twin rotoraries humming along its wings and a pair of purple 'V's along its wingtips. As it nears the chaotic battlefield, the transport rampway in the aft of the large ship folds downward, and situated at its rim stands Vile, in heroic blue battle armour. The air currents whip across his frame, as he stands, hands clenched, eyes cast downward to the city below. To the flames, to the war. And then, although invisible due to his murky helm, a smirk inches its way across his face as the targeting optic powers up. And in that instant, the Maverick acts, leaping forth from the transport, and letting the currents take hold of him. As he plunges, the Goliath is releases as well, with added force so it cruises below Vile, before both simulatenously eject a pair of silver minichutes - slowing their descent.

As they fall, Vile manuevers the currents to situate himself directly above his blessed Ride Armour... And then they hit impact. The armour causes a resounding boom as it sends a curling shockwave of terrain in a radius around it, and Vile slides perfectly into the beautiful beast of destruction. Hands falling promptly to the controls, weapons arrays swiveling out of his shoulders and the gauntlets of the armour. And then, with a reverberating hum, the pistons come alive, and the echelon of Ride Armour technology monsters forward, feet gnawing at the San Angeles 'golden' roadways, chewing up the rock and spitting it out with its travels.

The Armours trajectory? Directly for one particular figure, a Repliforce Ride Armour, the largest one in service - Hawk.

Rocket Lobster laughs as Cyber Peacock's energy surges through his system, shutting down his mobility system. "Wa ha ha ha! That feels good! Go on! Kill me and I'll kill you! We'll have a ball as San Angeles burns!"

Tomahawk Zebra snarls as she leaps off of a pile of debris. "Time t' take you down again!" she smirks, as she begins flinging a flaming tomahawk towards the Frog. "I'll take care of you again!" she laughs. She's beaten the Frog before, she'll beat it again.

Landfill Mole eyes Sonic, "Are you talkin' to me? ARE YOU TALKIN' TO ME?" He brings back an arm and winds up for the pitch. "Cause, if you are...I got a present for you...Just for bein' brave enough to talk to me." He fires another incerating blast of flame in another direction, starting up yet another fire. Then he waits patiently for Banshee to reply, "Cause I'm feelin' the need to flame about what you got to say."

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> gets blasted back and Jazz does scream again, "Erk! Okay... um.. how about.. Right!... Rocket!!", she shouts as she presses a button. Unfortunately its merely the targetting laser in truth and its burts out in its mini glory at the Hawk Armor... "Erm..Right... Okay!", she shouts. "I meant to..er..you know..."

Snake Man creeps forwards towards where the line of refugees is huddling, Bomb Man in tow. He darts from shadow to shadow, trying to keep out of sight.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: '......Visual confirmation. Goliath mk II has arrived.'.

Tinker Kangaroo looks up to Crystal as she finishes off the reporter.. grinning she stands to her full height."Whats that Mate? Heh.. I'll break what I want.." she then moves towards Crystal.. "Even you.."

One second, Jackpot's arm is there, then next, he's staring at the bloody stump of what used to be a limb.

"Holy *beeping* *beep*" He dances around, clutching his shoulder, before turning on Siggy, "Okay, you wanna fight, you got one!" He brings hos Scatter Cannon and opens fire on the Maverick commander

Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> turns toward Magna Centipede as the venom mine strikes, rocking the ride armor back a step, and jarring it's pilot for a moment. Cinema shakes his head slightly, then yelps as Tomahawk Zebra attacks as well. "You want a fight?" He growls, "Then you'll get one." He was tired of defending Humans, tired of watching others defend them... And opens fire on the closer of the two, Magna.

As soon as Twila reaches the ground she's forced to duck and roll from some exploding debris. While on the ground she weaves herself out of the chute and worries about it later. For now, she has other concerns...

Bomb Man follows right behind Snake Man, darting from shadow to shadow, but not fitting in any.

Crystal Snail's gel extrudes from her left hand, forming a small knife; Crys holds it up in front of her. "I'm warning you, I can't let you do that! You're destroying things senselessly! Stop it! Stop!" She waves the knife around, more trying to get Tinker's attention then attack.

Cyber Peacock simply smiles quietly as the lobster holds still. "Yes. Hold still. It will make your destruction so much easier, little Repliforcer." The peacock lunges forward with a long, black cable appearing in his hands. At the end of it, small, silvery teeth start to make grabbing motions in the air. They seek out the Lobster's armor, and try to bury in deep.

Snake Man suddenly makes a break for it, towards the refugees. In all the activity, he probably wouldn't be spotted. That is, until he pounces on Twila, hauls her over his shoulder, and starts to run like hell.

"... TEN!!!" screeches the banshee in response to the mole's remark. Never mind that Hitsuke is drooling over the fire he's set. She suddenly resorts to the most deadly warfare she can think of. She starts digging through her pocket of Anime Subspace (All anime women have these) and pulls out.. Not a frying pan.. But.. A brick of Fruit Cake. Yes, Fruitcake. She turns, narrows her eyes.. And chucks it for the mole's head.

Storm Kraken swiftly rubs a pair of tenticles together with delight, the screeching sound of metal rubbing on metal echoing quietly in the motions. "Well," says the kraken, pointing one limb in Fugue's direction. "This should be fun." The narrow eyes smirking, the arms flailing, he swiftly strides toward the Hunter. "Hey. You. Listen, I'd love to tango. But I think you'd have trouble with all the arms. I'll lead." Gently placing two tenticles on Fugue's shoulders, a third tenticle whips out, thrashing wildly at the Hunter.

Twila Peterson lets out a screech as she's taken and begins immediately trying to break free. "Let me go you ground-hugging scale-belly crawler!!!!"

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> seems unphased as a targeting laser locks onto its frame, as does the pilot. Jump-jets flare to life and take the Hawk onto a rooftop as Sentinel looks to observe Vile's arrival, and realizes now he's got /two/ attackers to handle. One has a custom Ride Armor, and the other a recently refitted one. "I'm touched...a Hunter and Maverick both working to take down little ol' me? Maybe...I should have done this sooner. Take this!" The left arm raises and aims at the Gunslinger, the right arm for the Goliath, as a hail of micro-missiles from each shoots out. Sentinel is piloting just as adeptly as Vile himself might, it seems.

Tinker Kangaroo grins to Crystal and moves forewards, pulling out her own knife. Well, actually its a scapel.. a very powerful laser scapel, capable of easily cutting through the thickest of armors.. "Cmon mate, try ta stop me.. I tear ya up and spit you out fasta then a dingo wit a baby.."

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Of all the...I'M DIVORCING MY KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!'.

Air Wraith frowns slightly and swoops down at full speed. The sound of his jetpack roars loudly over the city. His main objective is to protect the citizens of the city.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' What? What are you talking about Twila?'.

Defender Dingo assists with getting the wounded out of the area. "Easy there, mate," he tells to a man who has his arm broken up the sudden fight. "I'll get you to safety."

And with his trademarked Red-Blue Siren flash <TM>, Dingo blinks with the man to the ambulance, before blinking back to assist with others.

Rocket Lobster cackles as the cable rips violently through his armor plating and into his system, stealing his proverbial lifeblood. "Feels good! Let me return the favor, Herr Peacock! Wa ha! You're a canvas! Here's my paint!" His four claws mold into energy, and reform into blasters from which volleys of explosive blasts strike. Rocket Lobster covers the area around Cyber Peacock, and he hopes

Rocket Lobster misses Cyber Peacock with his Panzerfaust attack.

Snake Man pretty much ignores Twila's comments. He wraps her up in his tail, and drops to all fours. It's tight enough so that she can't struggle too much, but not tight enough to be uncomfortable. Then he starts to run again, much faster this time. He snaps off a quick radio message to Bomb Man...

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I'm not being allowed to do my job...THAT'S WHAT!'.

Landfill Mole blinks and gets bonked on the head with a fruit cake. He stares at the large dent and welt on his forehead. "What in the heck was that?" He picks up the fruitcake and sniffs it...He hrms and takes a bite out of it...He chomps it, hrming...Like an expert winetaster. "MMmm...Tasty." He scarfs the rest of it down, then throws the gigantic steel football that was in his mega-spade hand. "Here, have fun with my buddy."

Fugue clenches a fist as a pair of tentacles touch her. "Sorry, but..." She spins around rapidly, knocking the incoming third tentacle away with her staff. "I don't dance with creeps like you." Hefting her staff in both hands, she charges forward and swings it down, "Now, cease and desist this destruction!"

Zero blinks at Sigma's words, and shrugs, leaping away, "Alright then..." he says a tad confused. He leaps onto a building and scalres it within moments and pulls himself atop said building and watches the scene unfold. Curious as to why all of this is happening.

Landfill Mole misses Sonic Banshee with his Chucking Random Objects attack.

Magna Centipede snarls as the twin torpedoes streak at his form, swatting the first aside with his heavy tail but taking the second in the chest, causing him to rock back and catch his breath. "Impressive..." he mutters, curling his tail up over his head. Let's see how you do with the main course..." he barks back, a thin blue beam flickering to life, tagging the Repliforce emblem on the front of the Frog. "This one is for all the masquerading you've done over the years! Time to pay the reaper!' With a small *chuff*, the mine flies out of the launcher at the Ride Armor.

Air Wraith pages Snake Man and Twila Peterson: you mind if I try to stop you?

Bomb Man nods as he gets the message, and turns around, so he's facing the way that Snake Man isn't going, and he tries to look menacing! In case anyone comes.

Magna Centipede strikes Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> with his Magnet Mines attack.

Sigma brings up his right arm, allowing it to absorb the scatter shots. Like so much machine fire the blast causes dozens of sparks along the Maverick Commander's gauntlet. When the blast subsides there are many shallow pock marks on Sigma's blocking arm, each emitting a tiny trail of smoke. "A real fight, Repliforcer? Is that what you call this? It looks more to me like a massacre? You killed so many here tonight. Why? Why would you do this?" Sigma's eyes shine softly, before hardening again, "It doesn't matter, because soon you'll know what it feels like to die, powerless and afraid. Is there fear in you yet, Repliforcer? There should be!" Sigma lunges to the right, grabbing a parked hover-car from off the street. He raises it over his head, using only a portion of his massive strength. The messiah slams the vehicle full force at the one-armed bear, spraying servos, fuel, and gears in every direction as the car impacts. Sigma roars, "Because the Mavericks have come to stop you, ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!"

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> gets blasted away again... and falls to the ground...electricity surging through its body, "...uh...this...this isn't good....", Jazz says to herself and struggles to get back up...She presses the button next to the targetting laser and from the ride armor fires out a big laser shot...aimed at Sentinel's ride armor... Vile is helping her... Guess he wasn't as bad as she thought either! Wow!

Cyber Peacock frowns slightly. He's taking himself amazingly serious for once, and is intent on destroying the Repliforcer. Optics narrowed to slits, he barks something into his radio before his headplume rises imperiously. "You really should work on your aim in the next 5.218 minutes you have left to live," he tells Rocket, the plume blasting a savage spew of red energy towards him.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'U..um... The Gunslinger's heavily damaged..'.

Tomahawk Zebra winces as the armor assaults Magna Centinpede. Slyly smiling, she readies another tomahawk, and tosses it up at the pilot. "Take this!!" she yells, flinging the axe upwards as hard as she can.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> strikes Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> with its Laser attack.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'Please tell me I'm not seeing what I think I'm seeing on the news...'.

Crystal Snail steps backwards, blinking. "Er - we don't need to do that, do we?" she says, both hands held upright. "You just need to stop! Please!" Her free hand starts to exude big blobs of gel, which get thrown at Tinker underhand.

Cyber Peacock sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Miss Peterson, be wary. I have intercepted transmissions. The Robot Masters are present and intent on capturing you. Evacuate."

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Engaging Repliforce unit... I think it's one of those cadets we had over a while back...'.

Sonic Banshee stares in awe. He actually ate her fruitcake. NO ONE eats her fruitcakes, unless they're trying to kill themselves! She's almost sorry she has to destroy this repliforcer now. That is, until he throws a football at her. She unleashes an ear peircing shriek, and dodges to the side, rolling as she does so. Sneering, she remarks, "Oh, NOW, yer in fer it!" rather loudly, and then lashes forewards, charging for the mole, and leaping into the air. Somewhere, mid-leap, she manages to whip out a frying pan from that same anime space the fruitcake came from, and, as she comes down, she aims to bring it lashing for the mole's forehead. "TASTE CAST IRON O' DOOM!!"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Cyber Peacock: "A *little* LATE for that now isn't it?"

Storm Kraken reaches a tentacle toward his head, stroking it softly where he was struck. "Oooow, watch it with that thing. And, you know, I hate a woman who plays hard to get. So...let's try this again, shall we?" With his narrow head nodding in approval of himself, he performs the same actions on Fugue again, only, this time, attempting to wrap the third limb at her neck. "I think you owe me for that, woman..."

Jackpot Grizzly leaps aside as the vehicle comes crashing down, then rolls away. He gets up, nursing his stub a bit more, "Why? You should know. You're the only that wants to destroy the humans..." He chuckles, "We're just doing it for you..." He pulls out a bladed card, and throws it at Siggy, "Catch!"

Crystal Snail misses Tinker Kangaroo with her Crystal Entrapment attack.

Repliforce Ride Armor <Frog> reels backward as Magna's mines strike, a sparking hole torn into the cockpit of the Ride. Within, Cinema shakes off the vertigo the blow caused just as (again) Tomahawk attacks. And the repliforcer snarls in anger. "Damn you both!" For no particular reason anyhow. Humhum. The weapons systems open again amidst deep sparking, hinting at just how much damage the armor recieved. This time attacking both Magna and Tomahawk.

Maverick Ride Armor <Goliath> is far from in a playing mood. Or a toying mood for that. Vile is straight to business this night, as he directs the armour to stomp over the terrain. First, he smashes into, and directly -through- a greystoned and abandoned warehouse facility, the walls crumbling and barely slowing him down. As the Goliath exits through the opposite side, a salvo of missiles explode across his frame, fist-sized balls of flame bouncing across the blue armours bulk. And when the smoke cloud dissipates, Goliath is still moving forward, unphases, armour still flickering with pristine gloss of a perfect paint job. Two more steps follow, and then the upper-torso of the armour swivels to lock onto Sentinel, and a dry voice reverberates from beneath that famous helm. "Expendable, whelp. Expendable." It seems these words were chosen just for Vile and Sentinel, as few others would understand their backing. None the less, no sooner has Vile taunted his enemy, do a pair of 6 red-tipped rockets launch from his shoulder, lurching upwards and crisscrossing in a sea of contrails, before arching downward to explode all around the Hawk armour.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: '*sigh* I'll take Fugue's comment as an affirmative that this is indeed a real transmission...'.

Rocket Lobster stands still... and the Plumage Laser darts right by him. He simply stops, and looks at his arm as if checking a watch. "Two... three... four... five... six. You're no Nostradamus, there. Wee hee hee! Let's dance!" He waltzes rapidly to Cyber Peacock and brandishes his four claws, aiming strikes at the Maverick in quick succession.

Landfill Mole blinks, getting a frying pan to the helmet. He stares, shaking slightly. "What in the whosit?" He scritches his head, "OOhh....Vintage frying pan." He nods, "Very nice...Too bad it's not made to hurt." He then attempts to backhand Sonic, "Eat claws...Li'l missy." He's probably not happy at all right now...Far from it.

Fugue backflips away from the tentacle as it closes in again, "What part of no don't you understand, ya big goof?" Putting her staff up for now, she draws her sword, using its blade to fend off the tentacle. "Let's see how you live without one of these things to throw at me..." A few quick parries, and she spins around, bringing the sword down at the nearest tentacle.

Cyber Peacock sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I am occupied. Sue me."

Air Wraith gently tries to protect the citizens. The thing is the citizens are beginning to not trust anything. As Air Wraith lifts an old woman to safty he gets brutally beaten by the woman's cane. "Ouch! Hey stop that will ya. Why can't I just get kissed like every other hero? Ouch! Hey thats really hurting." The old woman is still screaming at top of her lungs. Calling him a Maverick. Gently he places the woman to safety but notices Snake Man take off with Twila. "Hey! Leave her alone. You creep!" There is no way Snake could outrun AW....very few could so of course he starts towards the two couple

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> is struck in the hip by the Gunslinger's laser, armor slagging and melting down in a trickling pool. Staggering as it is from the massive damage, Sentinel keeps it under control, and engages the jump-jets to fly right over the return volley from the Goliath. Landing with a crash next to the Gunslinger, Sentinel has his Ride Armor torso-twist in all directions, flames spewing all over from the thrusters as it does. "I'm better than you imagine..."

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> strikes Maverick Ride Armor <Goliath> with its Jetwash attack.

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> misses Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> with its Jetwash attack.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Something just doesn't seem right...'.

Hopelessly furious Twila continues to struggle, although it won't be doing her much good. Of course, her being human and Snake Man being an android...there's not really too much competion really. She still tries to reach the hilt of an energy blade a certain scarlet-clad Besreker once gave her...the one she always keeps with her.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'Eek! This guy... this guy's really good!'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Other than the Mavericks are *helping*?'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'What is happening?'.

Crash Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Chill, mom. We're getting you out of the fight for your safety."

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'That's what has me confused.'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Darn right this is real. And this blasted Repliforcer can't keep his tentacles to himself..'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Makes as perfect sense as Repliforce willingly attacking.'.

Never backhand an Irish Woman. Especially if her fox is nearby. As Landfill lashes to smack Banshee with claws, Hitsuke charges foreward at the same time as Sonic dances herself away from him in moves classic to those that are used to dodging away from things. Hitsuke's howl of battle -- "Touch my Banshee and I'll kill thee!" -- is enough to warn him, though it comes a moment late, leaving him only seconds with which to yank his claws away as she lunges foreward to sink her fangs into his arm and try to rip it free by jerking her body around.

Snake Man hisses in Twila's ear. "Ssstop ssstruggling. I have ordersss to get you to a sssafer ssspot. And I'm not giving up..."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Crash Man: "It's my JOB to HELP OUT!"

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'You should record it, Fugue. You could sell it as hentai and make a fortune. *ahem* Seriously, need any more help down there?'.

Sigma looks down at his chest, which now has a tiny razor-tipped card stuck in it. A thin layer of mech-fluid trickles from the shallow wound. The Reploid Savior looks up, a whole new fury in his eyes, "You're worse than human. You're Repliforce, and it's because of you the world thinks we're monsters! I'll show you a monster! You want to play with blades, this is a blade!" Sigma's finger darts in a quick motion to the side, then up, then down. He seems to weave an invisible web. His purpose becomes clearer and clearer as it progresses. From the tip of Sigma's stretched digit a silky, thin thread of energy is being produced. The web is now ten feet in diameter, it's almost invisible surface floating towards Grizzly. Unbenknownest to anyone but Sigma each threat is sharper than a sword. The Maverick Lord's intent is to slice the rogue Repliforce unit into tiny pieces.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' This seems like a bad nightmare'.

Crash Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "And it's my job to see that you DON'T GET HURT."

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'This is getting nasty. I count at least a dozen Maverick Units, and two transports above.'.

Twila Peterson hisses back to the android. "And neither am I!"

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: '.... Don't make me hurt you when we get back to the labs, Unicorn.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'All Hunteers report to San Angeles, Swing, Jazz, you two have command on the operation... I'm going to go get some answers.'.

Cyber Peacock frowns slightly as he realizes he's missed, and then yelps in pain as the claws slice through his armor, marring the pristine white chest. Infuriated, the bird shouts, "How DARE you do this to me! How DARE you mar my perfect form! It took me 4.23 minutes to get those pixels just so!" The tailplumes fan out, and flicker blue. Any computer user knows this colour. They spit out cobalt blue lasers from each plume, homing in towards Rocket. "Prepare to meet your maker."

Cyber Peacock strikes Rocket Lobster with his General Protection Fault attack.

Rocket Lobster is temporarily disoriented by Cyber Peacock's General Protection Fault attack.

Sigma's, cos he's doing what usually happens to me.. -.-;;"

Magna Centipede has partially disconnected.

Bomb Man looks around for persual. Not seeing any... hello? Persual? You there?

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> manages to dodge out of the way...barely regaining control in time, and recovers by hopping back...almost causing a whole bunch of damage...but her back is to a crumbling building now... "E...eh....I...Maybe.....okay..... ...The laser...If I can get that laser...", she pushes the targetting laser button again though...missing the wandering laser in her confusion...

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'eeh...uh.. Yes Zero!'.

Magna Centipede continues his voracious assault, leaping to the side of the Frog near one of its massive legs and demonstrates his deadly art to the world once again

Pede-Fu.

A thousand move combat progression follows.

Cyber Peacock sends a radio transmission to Crash Man.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'On my way..'.

Rocket Lobster laughs hysterically as he is again frozen in place. "Hello, maker! Hello, destroyer! Hello, San Angeles! Hello, kitty! Wa ha ha ha ha! Send me to Hell! It won't change the cause!"

Jackpot Grizzly leaps out of the way of the attack again, the nimble (and freaking lucky) bear rolls away once more, then stands and smirks, "Oh come on cueball. You talk so big, but you ain't that tough. I'll prove it to you!" *shwing!* His claws (on his only remaining arm) comes out, and he charges the Man himself with a frenzied mauling of slahses.

Landfill Mole blinks, scritching the two little rips in his armor. "What the hell was that?" He then goes off on a pottymouth trip, calling Sonic and Hitsuke a wide variety of rather unpleasant things. He then whips out the big guns, dropping down into his molehill. Then he comes flying out with a

Twila Peterson .oO(There a way I can demand a divorce from these guys??)Oo.

Maverick Ride Armor <Goliath> doesn't even wait to see how his launched missiles do against the Hawk, as it already starts crunching forward. Step after step, it brings wake in its path. The Vile Cannon and upper ride armour torso is constantly swiveling, expelling small orbs of energy at Repliforce grunts as it moves closer. And then, at around fifty yards, as the Hawk attacks the Gunslinger, the Armour's dash jets ignite. With uncharacteristic speed, a pair of ports open in the back and blast the ship forward - twin blue jets of flame emitting from the rocket pack. The Goliath cruises right for the Hawk, fists lighting up with a golden glow, and as the armour passes, chains spin from the gauntlets, golden energy crescendos flickering across them as the lance at a blurr of speed to chew apart the Hawk Ride Armour.

Landfill Mole strikes Sonic Banshee with his Disembowling Slice attack.

Ice Unicorn tromps into the area loudly, frost puffing from various joints.

Air Wraith continues to gain speed as he inches closer towards Bomb, Snake and Twila. There is no way he is going to let them have Twila. Hey until he finally wins her heart...err.

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> ignores the targeting laser as it once again locks on, the beam scorching a tiny bit of left shoulder's armor. As the Gunslinger hops into the air, the Hawk does likewise...too late, the Goliath closes on him and strikes the legs, ripping them clean off.

But the Hawk's thrusters still work, and the missile launchers fire again, going for the air-bound Gunslinger. Sentinel just isn't giving up...

Snake Man is still running towards the transport, Twila wrapped in his tail and slung over his back. He ignores any attempts to slice him up, ETA: 2 minutes...

Tomahawk Zebra smirks, and leaps on top of the Frog, two tomahawks in her hands. "Get out, or I cut you out, she snarls." She grins at Magna Centinpede, acknowledging the master for his superior art.

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> strikes Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> with its Air To Air Missile attack.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> falls to the ground, unconscious, due to massive systems damage.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'Gunslinger's down!'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'What's going on?'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Copy! I'm comgin in!'.

Storm Kraken grumbles a deep growl as the blade strikes the spindly limb, the cheerful aura from his optics rapidly fading into nothingness. "Ow! Stop it! That hurts, woman!" He shakes his head quietly, concealing the open wound in the struck tentacle by wrapping another over it. "And to answer your previous question...while the 'O' is rather hard to comprehend, I think saying the 'N' is more precise." With a mighty bound, the violet Reploid's slender tentacles swiftly turns toward his body, firing a massive burst of water upon himself. "Ah! Refreshing!" As the liquid builds up, it becomes a steady, circular stream, leaving a barrier of pure water orbiting his body.

Cinema 's poor ride armor has been rendered decommissioned, it seems. Decommissioned in more ways than one, the ride armor rendered a smoking, shattered wreck. Cinema himself escapes the wreck by a nicely flashy flip from the wreckage, and lands neatly, eyes narrowed behind dark sunglasses at Magna. "You ruined my ride, Maverick." And both Berretas are immediately unholstered as he opens fire on the centipede with a hail of bullets.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'Can someone please explain what is happening?'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'San Angeles is burning to the ground, that's what.'.

Twila Peterson continues her ranting, for all the good it does her. "Let. Me. Go. You can't be serious about this!"

Maverick Hunter VTOL <Vorpal> suddenly lurches to the side, large hatch opening as it vaults towards the Gunslinger.

Ice Unicorn stomps intot he city at full speed for his big girth, headed for the general scene of chaos. This makes no sense to him, Repliforce apparently having gone bad. Maybe it was a good thing he'd left them when he did...

Cyber Peacock now pauses, arms folded across his slashed chest as he peers down at the cackling Lobster. "Oh, yes, yes it does. But you are blind. Let me help you see." As he speaks quietly, two feathers appear in his hands, gleaming coldly. With a sudden flick of his wrist, the two metal feathers are sent screaming towards Rocket's eyes.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'In case you didn't hear me earlier. ALL HUNTERS are to report to San Angeles to aid in the evacuation and prevention of any further damage to the city due to the Repliforce!'.

Seminole explodes out of the teleporters, racing straight toward the main battleground. He smashes through some piled debris like it's paper, moving full speed toward the Repliforcers.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: '"Repliforce" attaocking and Mavericks helping. Give an idea?'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'WHAT? I'm going in.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'I'm trying to get some answers from the General himself.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I'll be there as soon as possible.'.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Gunslinger> falls slowly to the ground as its systems fail...Jazz tries frantically to get it under control but fails... It slams heavily against the door, causing the floor to crack...under its weight slightly...Jazz then gets a transmission.....FROM VILE!?.. to evacuate..with an offer of cover...Jazz does so.. she ejects out of the wreck and hits the ground several feet away from the gunslinger.

Sigma ducks, dodges, and weaves through Grizzly's attack. He swerves to the right, the left, and down, nimbly escaping each ferocious slash. "It is actions and not words that determine who we truly are, Repliforcer. You've destroyed a city for no reason. You've killed so many for no reason. Now we see what Repliforce truly is. Now we see what the Mavericks truly are." At near point blank range the Maverick Lord's eyes erupt in twin beams of destructive, orange light. The energy lances out. Its intent is to trace across Jackpot Grizzly's chest, burning the Maverick Insignia in its path. A sign of things to come, perhaps, or maybe just a simple play at abject humiliation.

The slicing claws of the giant mole Slash into Banshee's hide, leaving ruts of torn green psuedo flesh, and crimson mechfluid flowing against the green dress and the black hair, as, whirling away from him on reflex, she's struck in the back, side, the leg. Dripping with the reploid's 'blood', she turns, feirce. However, she's distracted by the scream of pain.. that comes from Hitsuke, as the claws rip into her fox's side, leaving a gape of fur and wires. She narrows her eyes. You can hurt the Banshee. You can insult her cooking. But NO ONE hurts the fox but she herself! Suddenly, as if Valkyries were winging her foreward, wail of anger issues forth, and the Baen Sidhe unleashes a fling of her own claws, slashing foreward in a whirl of crimson and green mixed together, attempting to rip upon the mechanical mole's pelt with claws strong enough to rip gashes in even Cryogen BIson's thick hide.

Magna Centipede swiftly ducks under the rain of gunfire as he performs an axial spin, his body moving in a whirlwind of pinks and purples. "You don't get it, do you Repliforcer? You deserve this - and much, much more." The ninja Maverick suddenly lunges foward in a head butt, the giant fangs on his gleaming helm poised for a overhead stab.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Hunters, report.'.

Sonic Banshee strikes Landfill Mole with her Sharpened Nail Swipe attack.

Fugue narrows her eyes, "That was the point, sushi. No, let me teach you something..." She pulls out a small tuning fork, which quickly expands to over six feet in length. "Did you know..." She raises the fork and slams it on the ground, setting it vibrating, "That water is a great carrier of sound?" Setting a leg back for an anchor, she points the fork at Storm, hoping some of the sonic blast gets through that field.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Heading into San Angeles.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'San Angeles is on fire. Repiforce is responsible. I suggest you get on it X.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'I'm at Repliforce Island, trying to get some answers from General.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'Excuse me for being blunt, X, but the shit just hit the fan in San Angeles'.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' Trying to retrieve Twila from the Masters'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Observing from the Vorpal above. /Mavericks/ are turning the tide against the invaders!'.

Rocket Lobster shudders in pain before returning to his cackle. "Yes, that's it! A symphony of pain. Kill me and you'll be no better than I! In fact, you already are!" Again one of his claws melds into a blaster, which he brandishes against Cyber Peacock. The blaster this time does not surrender bombs, but a giant stream of fire.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'I'm going, Zero. There were reports of Vile in Neotokyo I had to check out.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Vile is in San Angeles, aiding the rest of the hunters in pushing the REpliforce back.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'um..vile is covering for me...'.

Air Wraith pages Twila Peterson, Bomb Man, and Snake Man: okay what are we going to do?

Toad Man comes leaping out of the teleporters, ready to rumble. And then he sees the chaotic fire fight. He blinks, and suddenly leaps behind a dumpster, "WILY!"

Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: '... Oh my. I'm on my way, hold the line.'.

Maverick Ride Armor <Goliath> snaps off a transmission to the Gunslinger as it darts past the Hawk, chains connecting with some sort of metal on the armour. Some ten feet of overshoot later, the thruster cuts itself off, as the armour twists in midair, landing in a slide to face the now airborne Hawk unit. No matter, the Goliath is equally adept at any form of target, and as the golden chains recoil themselves back into the gauntlets, a pair of massive barrels extend from the fists. The Electrocannon, the Goliath's primary weaponry. As a faint blue glow starts to grow at the tips of both barrels, Vile himself releases the controls, and his right fist points forward for the Hawk, clenching it tightly, as a sudden burst of fiery napalm finds itself igniting around the Hawk - as if Vile himself unleashed hellfire and brimstone on the Repliforce armour.

Tomahawk Zebra watches Cinema and Magna fight, and shakes her head. Realizing there are greater problems to deal with, she turns, and begins moving further across the field, looking for somewhere else to lend her assistance.

Jackpot Grizzly staggers back as his frame is scorched by the eyebeams, leaving the Maverick symbol marred in his armor, "Why don't you just *die*!" He rushes forward and attempts to smash the Maverick commander with his body, putting all the power he has behind it.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Jazz! Be careful! He's not to be trusted!'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Right about now, Swing, I'd say just about everyone is untrustworthy.'.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth> heads in from the teleporters, the Behemoth leaving depressions in the concrete as it storms into the city. (Page me if you wanna tango).

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'Considering we normally can trust Repliforce instead, don't debate the ironies right now'.

(Ch. B [Genius!]) Quire transmits: 'Right now all Maverick hostilities are directed at the Repliforcers...'.

(Ch. B []) Fliptop transmits: '*yawns* Heya guys!'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Just make sure the civilians are alright.'.

Just a word of warning...Cryogen Bison's thick hide is nothing compared to Megalith Gigas, Guts Man, Blizzard Buffalo, or Bass' hides. He's jack squat to them. But enough about Cryogen...

Landfill Mole roars in anguish, huge streaks of mechfluid being rent through his side. He lands, an aura of gravity surrounding him...Protecting him. "Try your darnest to huff, puff, or whatever else my gravity house down...It won't work." He states with a grin, keeping himself away from the psycho Banshee.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Ignore the Mavericks unless they attack you, just concentrate your efforts on Repliforcers.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: '.......Copy.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'hm...actually...right now...'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'WHAT? Commander, are you...?"

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: '*****.'

Seminole draws his sword as he makes his way though the wartorn area of San Angeles. The Hunter looks genuinely disturbed as the Mavericks and Hunters fight off the Repliforcers. Spotting the Goliath take out the Hawk, Seminole swings his dash jets to move toward the Maverick Ride Armor and its rather infamous pilot.

Bomb Man finally spots Air Wraith! After carefully consdering the pros and cons, and doing this for all of 1/100th of a second, he pulls out a random bomb, and lobs it at Air Wraith!

Cyber Peacock does not only avoid it, he does it with style. Instead of his usual blink out, blink in, he backflips daintly, legs swooshing through the air. He lands once more on his feet, the little smirk on his beak widening into a full-fledged grin. "This ends now." Without much further ado, the tailjewels flicker to life, blazing red, and scatter towards Rocket's body.

Cyber Peacock strikes Rocket Lobster with his Tail-laser Spread attack.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'They laid siege to a peaceful city. Therefore.... you make the connection.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'I DON'T CARE WHO'S HELPING WAHT OR DOING WHAT, JUST MAKE SURE THE CIVILIANS ARE TAKEN TO SAFETY AND THE THREAT IS ELIMINATED'.

Ice Unicorn grunts a bit, sighing, the city in ruins all around them. Duty calls. Pushing aside his personal problems over the entire matter, he gets to work clearing out any other civilians that may happen to still be lingering around.

Rock comes boosting away from the teleporters, in Fourth Armor mode. Buster armed and already gathering energy as he approaches.

Cinema makes no sound as Magna lunges forward, lifting one arm to defend the blow he knew was coming, and gives a low hiss of pain as the fangs tear through his arm, leaving deep gashes behind. He twists away quickly, pulling a sawed off shot gun from the same place Sonic gets her frying pans, and fires at Magna. "What I've done? You do no better, Maverick!"

Repliforce Ride Armor <Hawk> begins to lose thrust as the jets stop, needing to recharge. Sentinel for his part fights the controls, "No! Not now!" Vile's napalm strikes right into the torso, melting through the remaining armor, and the power source. It goes limp and begins crashing to the ground...

...But Sentinel does not. His wings glow in a brilliant golden light as he launches out of the crippled Hawk, longsword already drawn. A column of highly pressurized air forms and fires horizontally at the Goliath's upper body, much like a drill.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Roger! I can.. help some, buy the civilians some time to get away. I'll need someone to cover my fight for a sec though..'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Exactly, Zero...'.

(Ch. B [RM-Secure1]) Crash Man transmits: 'Star Man, get aerial!'.

============================= Stealth Transport ==============================

The inside of the transport is extremely roomy, with a large crew compartment seperated from the cockpit by a sliding mini blast door. The cockpit's instrumentation looks extremely complex and difficult to operate, although the entire control system is computerized to allow even an idiot (or the typical Robot Master) to pilot it with ease. The spacious interior has enough seats to hold 20 people easily, with room to spare for weapons and equipment.

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

Crash Man is sitting in the pilot's seat, commanding the action as far as the Robot Master involvement goes. "This is entirely too much goddamned chaos. I'm gonna sue the Mavericks for millions."

Snake Man finally makes it out of the terror zone, twila in tow. Racing up to the transport, he shoots up the entrance ramp and drops Twila on the floor. And then he drops to the floor himself, panting heavily with exertion as his cooling systems work overtime.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Anyone with an aversion to timestoppers better step back.. It's time to cool things off for a few seconds.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Someone else will have to coordinate with the authorites. *clunk* Ow..'.

Crash Man sighs. "All this stress. I need a beer."

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Twila, where are you?'

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Where are you in the city? I'm sure I can arrange for better 'protection'.'.

(Ch. E []) Sigma transmits: 'One down. Hunters, how do you fare?'.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' I lost Twila....'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'I'm on it, Breezy. Where was she?'.

Twila Peterson grunts as she's meets with the floor and tries to catch her breath. She gulps down air and sit's herself back up. First Wily, then Ballade, then Seranade, and now this. "Just *what* is this about?" she demands, none to civilly.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I'm heading wherever she went...'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Must be the stealth transport. Wily is intent on keeping me safe for some reason.'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Dammit...'.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' Snake Man ran off with her.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: '*deadpan* How nice of him.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Concentrate on the civilians.'.

Crash Man swivels around, and shrugs to Twila. "Repliforcers going crazy. Mavericks playing hero. I'm betting my supply of Duff that the Mavericks are behind this. Other than that, how are you doin', mom?"

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Western Mall, about 2 clicks from the Teleport grid.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I am looking...'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I'm on it...'.

Snake Man just pants, his black tongue hanging out

Twila Peterson openly facepalms. "Oh...after the major strikes you guys did last night...just dandy," she states sarcastically. "What in the hecks going on?!"

Screen> Jazz erks and falls over as she gets smothered by flames from the -very- big explosion, "EEEEK! Not now!"

Crash Man shrugs to Twila. "We're keeping tabs on it. When we saw you out there, we acted. Don't worry, mom. We'll drop you off in Neo Tokyo when it's over."

Twila Peterson folds her arms over her chest, pouting as if a young child. "I was out there trying to work with my team."

Crash Man says, "And you're nearly going to get killed risking your neck like that. Y'need to learn self-control, mom. Recklessness gets you nowhere."

Snake Man says, "From what I've ssseen, the Repliforsscersss mean busssinesss."

Snake Man says, "I sssaw one in ride armor sssquash a child into goo with a sssingle ssstep on the TV."

Twila Peterson sets her jaw. "In case you haven't noticed it's my job to help keep other people from getting killed. I'm a medic...it's what I do." Yes, the fact that she's a redhead is starting to show in mor ways than one now.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'General isn't providing me with the answers I'm wanting to hear...'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Oh great.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'X, this has the potential to end up being a lot worse than I originally imagined.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'How goes the situation in San Angeles?'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: '*Explosions*'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'A lobster person just blew up.. a whole bunch of the place!'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: '*pouting* The others would know.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Good God.......Is anyone alive down there?'.(Ch. B (Ch. B []) GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'My god...'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Oh my. Hunters, report!'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: '..u..rur.u..gh... *in reply to rock*'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I'm fine.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Here...somewhere.'.

(Ch. B []) Fliptop transmits: 'I'm ok too.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Temporal Aberration!'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I just got hit by something, by otherwise, Ok.

Crash Man says, "Let's get the heck out of here. I've seen enough. We're dropping you off in Neo-Tokyo, Mom."

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: '*tracer beacon activated -- Northern Residential*'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I'm on it...'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Remind me to thank the people who made that for her.'.

Star Man floats in quickly. "Dudes... I don't believe it... I don't... the whole city."

Snake Man bahs. "None of thisss would happen if Wily were in charge."

Twila Peterson comments, "You're all driving me insane. Hope you relaize that."

Crash Man says, "Pfft. We saved your life. Neener."

Snake Man says, "Would you rather be dead?"

Star Man sits down in mid air again with his legs crossed. "I so don't get it.

Twila Peterson tttttttttthbts in return.

Snake Man says, "They apparently jussst torched the whole sscity"

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Keep me posted, Mike. I'll fish you out if you need extraction.'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I'll be fine.'.

Outside> The tracking beacon is shown lifting up into the sky. For some reason, there's nothing -there-, visibly atleast.

Star Man says quietly, "He blew it up..." He's visibly shaken.

Twila Peterson states, "I didn't becaome a Hunter to just sit on the sidelines..."

Crash Man says, "You're still our mother."

Bomb Man snaps his fingers. "If thahr's nmore citeh, thahn.. thahn... thahn waht, zactly?"

Twila Peterson just...grumbles...

Toad Man pants and wheezes, "Ho... Lee." he gasps and then blinks an din a happy type voice looks at Twila, "Hi Mum" and then feints

Star Man says, "Crash Dude... Snake Dude... Bomb Dude... Mom... why?"

Snake Man shrugs. "You got me."

Crash Man says, "I don't know. I don't care. I want out of here."

Star Man sits on his mid air perch and stares off into space, his radio chattering in his ear as he does.

<Soon...>

Honshu

Crash Man says, "Alright, Mom. Looks like this is your stop."

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Signas, contact the authorties and see how the evacuation is coming.'.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' Just be lucky. I was going to do the same thing'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I am right on it.'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Umm.. not sure, really. I'm kinda woozy.'.

Twila Peterson makes an issue of rolling her eyes. "So, can I go now?"

Snake Man climbs to his feet, standing nearly equal hight to Twila, "Bye, 'Mom'."

Twila Peterson shoots the Masters all a dirty look and makes her way off...

Star Man stares ahead a little bit... He blinks. "Bye... Mom..."

A pair of invisible blast-doors open up, revealing the illuminated cabin of the Transport. Easily visible, is Snake Man, Bomb Man, an unconcious Toad Man, and Twila.

Twila Peterson shoots the Masters all a dirty look and makes her way off of the transport, then runs a hand through her hair. This is *really* getting out of hand here...

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth> stands there, chest crystal glowing as the pilot stares at the hole in the sky. "All right, Robot Masters, that's far enough."

Just as Twila leaves, those blast-doors slide shut.

Stealth Transport broadcasts, "We're just dropping her off, nimrod. Chill out."

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth> says, "You'll have to fogive me if I don't exactly trust you monsters, seeing as you got half the world blown up yesterday."

Twila Peterson hurries away from where the transport would be and heads over towards the armor...only being careful to avoid being in any type of line of fire. "I just don't believe any of this is happening..."

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: '*sour* Back at base.'.

Stealth Transport broadcasts, "He does. Had the Repliforce not overreacted, the world would've still been in one piece. Your friends in the army are the true enemy."

(Ch. E [Secure]) Vile transmits: 'I want all the Repliforce carcass' perserved, alive, and brought to my location for public execution.'.

(Ch. E []) Swing transmits: 'Who put you in charge??'.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth> says, "If they're my enemy, they take a number. You're still first on my list."

Stealth Transport broadcasts, "You get what I mean. See ya!"

Stealth Transport begins pulling away from the dock, and submerging itself in the process.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth> says, "Yeah, right... run again. Just as well, though... this time.""

Mike swears, then looks down. "You okay, Twila?"

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: '.......'.

(Ch. E [Secure]) Vile transmits: 'Silence, brother, we do not have time for your mistrust.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'This isn't happening, this isn't happening...'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'You're not the one talking to General right now Swing...'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'What is General saying?'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: '*sigh* I'll make a report about it later...'.

Twila Peterson shakily nods but asks, "Define ok."

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: '.Hunters, attention: that confirms it.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'What is confirmed?'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Restate for those of us not there?'.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'Someone find whatever is playing that recording.'.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth> pauses, and Mike considers this. "Alive?"

Well...."alive" would be something. "In that sense, ya, I'm alright. Confused as all heck but..." Twila mutters. "Thanks for coming after, Mike." But she doesn't adds that there were others in the city who could have used aid.

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth> extends an arm-paddle. "Hop on... let's get back to base."

Twila Peterson nods and climbs on...heaving a soft sigh.

Inside the...Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Behemoth>

Michael Eildath makes as much room as he can in the small open cockpit as he pilots the Behemoth back to base.

Twila presses her lips together. "Just what is going on anyway?"

Michael Eildath shakes his head. "I don't know... it's like the whole world's gone to hell in a handbasket... and given what this world's been through in the last two years, that's saying a lot.

(Ch. E []) Snake Man transmits: 'Ssso how goesss the fight to deal with the 'maverick' Repliforsscersss, hmm?'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: 'Dragoon here, What in blazes is goin on?'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'It'd be appreciated, Unicorn..'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Ah, jeez - Rock, what're we doing?'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'Will someone please tell me what is going on?'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Makes two of us.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'I don't think anybody knows.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Hunters, attention... *cough* The Repliforcers in San Angeles have given themselves away: we heard a message, in Colonel's voice, telling about the attack on San An. Repliforce... has become the enemy.'.

Twila Peterson swallows, waiting for the Armor to open. "There must be some explanation for all of this."

Michael Eildath parks it. "I don't know... none of this makes any sense. Everything was fine a week ago, and out of the blue this stuff starts happening." He blinks as Rock sends a message.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'No...'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: 'You're kidding!?!'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'This is indeed bad news. We have to do something. Open war would kill hundreds, even thousands.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'No damnit! You can't prove that wasn't planted! False orders have been around since the telegram was invented!'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'It already has, Signas.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'That's why we're going to check it out, Shield. But assume the worst until we find OUT.'.

Twila Peterson shakes her head stubbornly. "I refused to believe it."

Michael Eildath blinks. "I /can't/ believe this... why would Repliforce do this?"

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: '...'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: '...'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'too much evidence...'.

"I don't know. General always answred some of my radios before. Going to try..." Twila informs him...in the armor if need be.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "General, Sir, can you please respond?"

Michael Eildath nods. "I gotta be ready... if this is going to escalate, I need to be ready to move... just in case."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...I am here, Ms. Peterson... But I fear I stand alone."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Sir, what's going on there?"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Please, Sir...I'm not asking as a Maverick Hunter....only a friend."

Twila Peterson even though the armor is now free to be left. Twila sits there awhile longer. She then squeezes Mike's shoulder as if to offer some form of reassurance and disembarks.

(Ch. A [Hunter-Main]) Rock transmits: 'I didn't mean for him to die... he blew himself up.'.

Michael Eildath leaps from the armor as well, wandering towards the command center.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...Zero and I have been speaking."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "I...I know. Repliforce is now considered the enemy."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...So it seems..."

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Slow down. What are you talking about.'.

(Ch. A [Hunter-Main]) Rock transmits: 'Sentinel. One of the Repliforcers attacking San Angeles... I hit him with my Megablast and he blew himself up.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'General has more or less confirmed Rock's statement.'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'WHAT?'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'No.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: '... The entire force has gone mad, then....'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Oh no.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'He had no explaination for REpliforce's actions, or their lack of assistance in San Angeles.'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: '... Explain, Zero.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: ' I knew this might happen one day...'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: '................................'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Hunters, calm it down. NOW.'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'That's insane. How can an entire army go rogue? It doesn't make and freakin' sense!'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: 'Dragoon... Returning to base.'.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "You said you stood alone. You mean it's true then?"

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'He claims that he had nothing to do with the order to attack San Angeles, yet he says that he did not assist because he refused to stand against his own men.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'The answer is simple. They have /not/ gone rogue. Or are all of you blind?'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'that is not a confession, Zero!'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'There's currently NOTHING we can do other than help out the citizens of San Angeles. I don't know. We heard Colonel's voice, at least... which may have been planted. It's not a confession, but it is somewhat implication.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Nor was it any kind of justification for idly standing by and letting innocent people DIE'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: '...'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'X, we need to talk, right now.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I have found one child and a couple still out here, in the midst of the fighting. They're safe now, but thier could be others...'.

Command Center (Hunter HQ>

Michael Eildath has just walkied in, sitting down at the main station, still in his powersuit.

Twila Peterson wanders wearily into the center...looking somewhat pale now.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...I fear all have turned against us, Ms. Peterson. I am...Very sorry for now -- and for what may happen in the future."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "..........................."

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Copy, Signas.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'I...I'll...try...and look.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'A... alright, Zero. *sniff*'.

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Rock?'.

(Ch. A [Hunter-Main]) Rock transmits: '.... Yes?'.

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Lemme know when it's safe to wake up...'.

(Ch. A [Hunter-Main]) Rock transmits: '*soft sigh* I don't know if it ever will be.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Hunters, do -NOT- assault Replifrocers. If any are... still alive... take them into custody.'.

Michael Eildath shakes his head. "No... it's not good. It can't get any worse..." He slumps. First the world gets bombed... then... San Angeles..." He closes his eyes, lowering his head to the console.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*shakily* What...could I possibly say?"

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: 'Hmm... I am receiving transmissions from the Repliforce about the strike...'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Wish I could, Mega Man, but this one still wants to fight...'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: ' If you must fight Fugue, Immobilize them but do nothing more.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Then knock him out. Don't use enough force to hurt him badly.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Seminole, watch your back.'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'Murderers!'.

Zero steps into the base, looking upset, he plops down into his chair and sighs.

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I...*gulp* love you?'.

(Ch. A [Hunter-Main]) Rock transmits: 'I love you too, Twila...'.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I know not... But I will stand with honor, Ms. Peterson. May God forgive us."

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Slapshot Beaver transmits: '*comes online, voice quiet* This...this's awful, eh.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'Take surviving Repliforcers into custody. Zero, I'll see you at base to talk...'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Target... immobilized. You can take it from here, Unicorn.'.

Twila Peterson simply stands there...then hands her face partially with one of her hands.

Magma Dragoon looks over at Zero and arches an eyebrow at the Berserker, "You alright, Zero?"

Zero shakes his head, "No, Dragoon. I'm not..."

Michael Eildath looks at the image that suddenly fills the monitors. "My God... he wouldn't."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "My prayers go with you...whatever happens."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...They are appreciated, Ms. Peterson."

Magma Dragoon nods to the Berserker, "Hang in there... We'll get through this."

His attention turns to the viewscreen and shakes his head, "No Michael.. He would."

Zero snarls, "Whether or not the Repliforce is guilty for their own actions. I am not going to let Sigma stand beside us in this fight. If we fight against the Repliforce, we'll do it on our own, not alongside the Mavericks."

<Global News Network>

Sigma's visage winks onto the screen, his face grim. Gray eyes stair out upon the world, and behind him smolder the ruins of San Angeles. He speaks slowly and deliberately with the deep voice of a master politician. "Greetings, world. I come do you today not as a the commander of the Mavericks, not as a warrior, not as the monster you all think me to be. I come to you today as a reploid, nothing more. I speak to you as a reploid who has seen too much death and destruction. I speak to you today as a reploid who has seen innocents sacrificed upon a monstrous alter. I speak to you today as a reploid who has gone too long seeing the guilty walk free.

"The guilty- the Repliforce. For years I have fought against them in a secret war, a war of shadows. And so, through their vast resources, the Mavericks have become monsters to the world. But now Repliforce's true colors are revealed. Now, as I stand upon the ashes that was once the proud city of San Angeles, and I see the destruction Repliforce has wrought I know that my years of hard fought combat with these well disguised monsters were in vain. I could not keep this atrocity from occurring, just as I could not stop the Repliforce and their officer Anthem from detonating the explosives that destroyed Berlin nearly a year ago. What you have seen, people of Earth, is not reality. What you have seen is what Repliforce has wished you to see. But now you know better. Now you know the truth." Sigma pauses, allowing his words to sink in.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*pause as Sigma's transmission runs in the background* And may God helps discover just what the truth is."

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'And I repeat: DO NOT KILL THE REPLIFORCERS. Just immobilize and take into custody.'.

Slapshot Beaver waddles in, black optics wide and paws clasped tightly around the hockey stick. "Wha'...what's 'appenin'?" he asks in a rough whisper, looking back and forth between those present. "Why's this 'appenin'? I t'ought th' Repliforce was on our side."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...May God reveal the truth that I shall fight for...From this day onward."

Twila Peterson blinks slowly, finally returning to the present. "I can think of one thing right now: half of what you see and nonw of what you here," she states stubbornly.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'Dangit... I tried to hit him so he'd just fall, not blow up...'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Maybe he was rigged with a bomb?'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'SEMINOLE!'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'GOD DAMN IT! I SAID NOT TO KILL THE REPLIFORCERS!'.

Rock slips out of the teleporter, yanking his helmet off. His body looks a little worse for wear, after Blues shot him a few times. His face is tear-streaked, tears still flowing. And he throws the helmet. *SMASH!* It embeds itself into a monitor, and Rock sinks into a disheartened heap in a chair.

Michael Eildath turns quickly. "Commander?"

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'Settle down, X... we need someone to be the cool headed one around here... and in about five minutes I'm about to lose it.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'I think Fugue is right. I only hit him with a lamppost to knock him out. They're rather kill themselves than be captured. It's been done before.'.

Shield stomps in from the teleporters, his sweeping glare settling on Zero before he regains control of his blazing eyes.

Rock looks up at Mike, heaving a heavy sigh. "I don't know what to do..."

Slapshot Beaver nearly leaps out of his pelt as Rock storms in, the helmet smashing into the monitor. He stifles a squeak and only watches Rock for a moment, wide-eyed, before looking around at the rest of the assembly.

Magma Dragoon looks over as Rock enters the Hunter Command Center and throws his X-armor helmet at the a nearby screen. All he can do is watch and do nothing. (Settle yourself X... Nothing good will come yourself being angry.) O o . rolls through the back of his mind as he continues to stay silent.

Twila Peterson tosses a glance towards the monitor bearing the helmet, then holds herself tightly, wondering what ELSE could possibly go wrong. Then again, better not to ask. She moves herself a few steps forward, offering a single word: "Pray?"

Michael Eildath smiles grimly. "We do what we have to do, Rock." He looks at the image of Sigma. "And we find out the truth."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "...Aye, Sir..."

Zero stands up and phases out of his armor into his casual wear, and folds his arms across his chest, "Well guys. One thing is for sure. The proverbial shit has hit the fan, and we're about neck deep in it. All we can do now, is wait, and see what happens next. We did our part, it's time to see who makes the next move."

Rock's face shows no emotion other than sorrow and confusion. He runs a hand through his always-touseled hair, looking up. "I... I'm sorry, everyone. I just... I'm supposed to be your commander, your leader. And I'm breaking up like a child." He chuckles ruefully, and looks up at Zero, pulling his knees up against his chest.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Godspeed."

Shield glances at Twila at her comment, losing a bit of his respect for her when he hears it. God is for fools, he found out long ago. "No, we send someone to talk to Repliforce," he states loudly, approaching Rock and trying to get his attention.

<Global News Network>

Sigma continues, "People of this world, we have seen Colonel and General for who they truly are: Dictators easily capable of mass murder. We have the evidence that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt who ordered the San Angeles assault: Repliforce High Command. Colonel said that the attack was made because "extreme times call for extreme measures." I echo his sentiment, but in a very different way. I call upon the UN to immediately disband Repliforce, once and for all, in response to the numerous crimes they have committed, not only this night, but over the course of their entire existence. As we united against the Stardroids, let us all unite against a common threat: Repliforce. To this end I, Sigma, pledge my allegiance to Secretary General Kelly McLaren and the UN!"

"A demon now sits on this world's back, threatening to destroy us all once again. This enemy comes not from the stars, not from an alternate timeline, but from our own Earth, from the hands of humanity. Let us not see a repeat of the Repliforce massacres of Berlin and San Angeles. Let us, instead, walk hand and hand into a new future. Let us put aside ancient disagreements and disputes to destroy our enemies, once and for all, and assure a safe destiny for us all. As a show of good faith to the UN I disclose the location of the Maverick Base. Papua New Guinea. If you believe me insincere than bomb us all into the ground. If you trust us or the veracity of Repliforce's destructive and genocidal plans then, please, work with me and my Mavericks. For the fate of our world! For the future!" Sigma cries as his image fades off screen.

Zero looks over at Rock and grins, "No worries, bud, I do it all the time, 'member?"

Rock looks up at Shield, glancing sidelong to Zero. "And who do you suggest? Zero already talked to them."

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Landon DeVry transmits: 'Bomb them all to the ground.'.

Michael Eildath says, "Rock... Commander... there's nothing weak about breaking down..." He looks at the screen. "Who gave Sigma a news crew, dangit?"

Twila Peterson moves over towards Rock as well...hating seeing him like this. But really, what could one expect at a time like this? As she moves to stand behind him she lightly rests an arm on his shoulder. Uncertain if this is the time or place for it...especially concerning her manner last night. But she does it just the same.

Magma Dragoon growls loudly at Sigma's words, "That Bastard! How dare he!" He appears very angered about the comments about Colonel and General. He slams his hand on the nearest Console, "He's using this massacre to further his own gains!"

(Ch. E [King's-Court]) Cold Man transmits: 'Don't be silly. He's not that foolish. That is either a decoy or there's simply nothing there.'.

(Ch. E [Politics-are-Evil]) Quint transmits: 'Is anyone as surprised as I am?! Answer!'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Landon DeVry transmits: 'I am not obliged to trust other side, Quint. Sigma is planning something.'.

(Ch. E [Boing!]) Star Man transmits: 'I am, Quint Dude.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Ah jeez. Seminole needs extraction now.'.

Zero sighs, "Right about now, I don't know who to trust."

(Ch. B [Hunter/RF]) Ice Unicorn transmits: 'Not me... I'm leaving.... I'm barely keeping myself together as it is...'.

Zero shrugs at Dragoon, "Maybe he's telling the truth, Dragoon."

Magma Dragoon says, "Some how Zero.. I disagree with those comments.. If General had ordered the attack. You wouldn't be standing here right now. We both know it to be true."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "If it's of any consolation, I don't believe your a part of what's going on."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "It is appreciated, Twila ..."

Rock sighs softly, lifting one armored hand to put it on Twila's. "I suppose..." he murmurs, wiping the back of his other hand across his eyes. "I'll talk to General." He looks up at Magma. "Calm down." He squeezes Twila's hand, and shakes his head once. His armor phases out, helmet phasing from the destroyed monitor. He stands, moving the young woman's hand, and looks to Magma. "Until things are cleared up, NO Hunter is to have encounters with Repliforce. If there're other Repliforce attacks, you respond to it as you would a Maverick or Master assault." He seems to be trying, and succeeding, to pull himself back together. "And for the moment... we trust ourselves."

Magma Dragoon lowers his head and crosses his arms as he sighs deeply, ".... Then again.. I agree with you.. I don't know who to trust either."

Slapshot Beaver stares at the monitor. "Wha? Unb'lievable." Fear leaves the beaver, and now petulance takes a front seat. Hands on his broad hips, hockey stick in hand and an angry scowl on his face, he remarks, "A'ight. This's gettin' right wrong. Somethin' stinks aboot this 'ole situation, eh, an' frankly, I t'inks they're all innit t'gether!"

Magma Dragoon blinks loudly, "Oh.. no.."

Shield glares again at Zero, then nods in agreement with Magma. He seems ready to speak again till Rock says something.

Twila Peterson tilts her head. "General...appears approchable. Maybe...he can help..."

Magma Dragoon moves to his radio and listens in, "Repliforce is on the move... They are... Joining the fight?"

Rock taps his radio... and blinks. "Joining the fight? But... on which side?"

Zero shrugs, "Do we, Dragoon? You also gotta remember that I've been on both sides. I know how the other side thinks. And frankly, right about now, both the Mavericks and Repliforce may be our enemies, or maybe only one is. We won't know until someone makes a move. Until then, I share Rock's sentiment in not making any offensive moves."

Magma Dragoon continues to listen over his radio... "Hang on a sec X."

Michael Eildath stands up, and goes to stand in a corner, shutting his eyes... nearly shutting himself off to everyone.

Zero leans against a wall and sighs, "We'll see what McLaren and the UN has to say about the situation. Maybe they'll bring some sense to this whole situation."

Magma Dragoon says, "It... Sounds like General has chosen to move against the Mavericks once again. Or maybe.. Hang on my transmissions are getting scrambled"

Rock half-smiles when he hears what Magma says, but says nothing. He nods at Zero slightly, lowering himself back into a chair. "Everything is just too confusing." He shakes his head, wiping his eyes again. "There's just so much we don't know. We -ALL- heard Colonel's voice... it can be faked, but..."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Just wish there was something more I could do."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Merely pray, Ms. Peterson...Merely pray."

Shield maintains his silence, though he's fuming beneath his mask of semi-calmness.

Twila Peterson gently squeezes Rock's hand and shoulder, drawing out a breath. "Maybe...just go by what we do know and what we do trust."

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Stop it, both of you! The fight is OVER!'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'Who is this order towards?'.

(Ch. B [None]) Zero transmits: 'The hell is going on down there?'.

Air Wraith staggers slowly in, shaking his head with disbelief. No he isn't hovering like normal but rather walking. Sadness and confusion is filled in his eyes. No he isn't being his old arrogant self, but instead he is being very very quiet. He is confused and wondering how he could've been apart of the Repliforce. Even if it was along time ago.

Zero shakes his head, "General told me that Colonel was dying when I spoke to him. Yet I heard nothing from the Colonel, nor did I get to see him. I did see Iris tho..." he trails off for a bit, casting his glance off for a bit as he sighs.

Slapshot Beaver rubs his head, leaning his sizable self against a wall. "Gordon, this sucks, eh."

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'I'm trying to stop them from killing the cadet but they won't let me! *all scaredly*'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Seminole is duking it out with Vava!'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I am trying to keep someone alive, despite the efforts of others.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'All Hunters return to base...'.

Shield turns to Zero, "So if Colonel is dying, how did he give the orders to attack San An?"

Rock shakes his head, squeezing Twila's hand. "I'm not goign to make any decisions, until I know more info."

Zero shrugs, "How do we know Colonel is really dying? What caused it? There's too many unanswered questions, Shield, and while we shouldn't assume that tehy are to blame, we shouldn't assume they aren't either. So stop with your blind childlike trust and sit down and shut up. We'll figure something out."

Twila Peterson then shifts her weight, needing to bring up something. "This may not be the time but...I request to be taken off of field for now. With what happened yesterday and now today...I'll only be a hinderance out there more so than a help."

Shield stands defiant, "It is not a /blind/ trust. It is the trust of something more than comradeship! You would trust Rock's word? You know he would never betray the humans. Nor would General."

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'Um..should we leave the forcer there?'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Seminole, Vorpal is standing by. Please.....I can't come out to face him.'.

(Ch. B [Dragonfire]) Rock transmits: 'If possible, bring him into custody.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I have him.'.

Rock shakes his head. "Zero wouldn't trust me if I were acting all weird and evasive..."

Magma Dragoon clutches his fist tightly, growling loudly and then dashes off towards the teleportation chambers. He turns back towards the others, "I will be back soon.. I need to confirm this for myself."

Zero stares at Shield, "Colonel used to be my best friend. And despite me and Iris not dating anymore, I still love her with all my heart. DO you know how hard it was for me to look her in the eye and tell her the next time we meet, it'll probably be as enemies? Do you even bother to think that maybe i've considered all the fine details, SHield? Do you think this is EASY for me? Or for ANYONE?! WAKE THE HELL UP."

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Bring him aboard, Signas. I'm awaitng dustoff.'.

Michael Eildath just stays quiet, trying to sort out everything in his mind.

Twila Peterson turns away from Rock and blurts. "Stop fighting. It's not helping anything."

Rock Sighs softly, slipping his shoulder from under Twila's hand. "Guys, we just need to wait it out. Everything'll be revealed in time, I guess. And if Repliforce is... well, our enemy... then we've no choice in the matter."

Slapshot Beaver frowns worriedly as he looks around the room. "Eh, I know I'm low guy on th' totem pole an' all, but all this yellin' ain't solvin' nothin'." He casts worried looks about the room. "We really oughta siddown an' make sure ev'ryone's okay, eh. Then we oughta work on 'oo's our enemy, an' 'oo isn't."

Shield's eyes remain locked onto Zero's for a few seconds before his gaze finally falters and he looks to the ground. He glances over at Twila's words but says nothing, at a bit of a loss right now.

Zero sighs, "First of all, we need to stop fighting with each other, before we start deciding who we're fighting against." He then shakes his head, "I'm going to lay down in the medbay for a bit. I suggest the rest of you do the same. We all need to relax a bit before we start trying to figure out what to do. All we can do right now is wait anyhow."

Air Wraith frowns and lightly walks towards Zero and gently places a hand on his shoulder. All his arrogance seems to be drained from him for a split moment. He doesn't say anything but rather quickly removes his hand quickly and steps away from Zero. There is nothing to say anymore not in this situation.

Twila Peterson withdraws her hand and holds it to herself, lost in her own thoughts the others must assume theirs. She walks over to the lockers and opens hers...placing her gear inside. Won't do much help if those idiotic guards of hers won't allow her to help her comrades anyway. As she said whether to more important issues took precedence or not, she is more of a hindrance out there right now. When her gear is settled she goes ahead and slams her locker hard, then leans her forehead against the door.

Rock nods slightly. "Zero's got a point. Everyone needs to calm down. Emotions are running high, and everything's in a state of confusion." He turns and looks at Twila, sighing softly. He sits down at a working terminal, beginning to type a report up.

You paged Rock with 'Um...can Twi being a redhead sum it up? :-)'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'Have a medical crew ready, as the Repliforcer is injured.'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Hold the Vorpal for Seminole. And the Gunslinger.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: '*sniff* Copy....'.

Michael Eildath slides down against the wall, putting his head in his hands.

Slapshot Beaver quietly shuffles out, frowning darkly. "Ya know, Gordon, I really 'ate it when people get all het up over things," he mutters.

Twila Peterson sets her jaw as the radio is heard. "I'll be in the bay..." she muses softly. And with that she departs from the area, offering a tortured glance our before the grav lift door close.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Med Center will be prepped and the fields in use.'.

============================== Maverick Hunter ===============================

Message: 10/91 Posted Author

ATTN: All Hunters Sun Feb 11 Rock

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rock's face appears on the screen; many stressed Hunters, and a shattered terminal with a vaguely Fourth Armor Helmet-shaped hole in it.

"Currently, Hunters, EVERYTHING is a state of confusion. These are your orders: do NOTHING. Go about your normal routines, and try to calm down. We can't do much until we know more, so we sit and wait. However, if more Repliforcers attack such as they did today, you are to respond to them as if it were a Maverick or Master assault. This is all."

Rock's visage vanishes.

--X--

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

<Shortly...>

Rock slips into the medbay a few moments after Twila, making his way across the room. He nods politely to Quire and Guardian, and drops into a chair.

Twila Peterson enters into the med center and right away goes for her medical smock, placing it in over her clothes and in the process of seeing to the last moment items if Quire hadn't already gotten to them. She refuses to exchange glances with either for long...or the others who trail in after her, finding it more easier to merely keep some kind of focus if she can.

Air Wraith steps ever so slowly into the medbay with his head bowed down low. He doesn't even pay attention to the others but rather hops into the medbay.

Rock slips across the room, abruptly pulling Twila into a hug. He murmurs something to her, kissing her on the cheek.

Rock whispers: 'I just wanted to let you know. I love you.'.

Twila Peterson returns the hug rather firmly, whispering back in quieted response before the kiss is returned. But she holds him not long sesning he can't remain.

You whisper 'I...love you too. We'll get through this. We have to,' to Rock.

Rock half-smiles at the redhead's words, slipping away and out.

Air Wraith sighs softly and gazes up at the ceiling.

Twila Peterson watches Rock take leave and then turns to go about her business silently.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'E.T.A?'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Departing now.'.

(Ch. B []) Swing transmits: 'Touch down. We're in, Twila.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Understood. Centers ready and forcefields

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Praying, General."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Thank you...Ms. Peterson."

Air Wraith lays quietly on the medtable injured and dazing quietly at the ceiling.

Fugue drags her feet as she walks in. She spies a clear medbed and simply flops on it, exhausted.

Twila Peterson is about her business silently, making all is ready for the new guest...including restraints and shielding as well as the usual medical instruments...

Guardian Sasquatch leans against the wall in a corner, a silent testament to what might happen if the restraints aren't enough.

Signas walks in, his large arms cradling the hurt and bleeding Repliforcer. His eyes are looking down at the figure, ensuring it's safety, and wondering what the person's story is. He lightly lets Cinema down onto a med table. He stands up after doing this, and wipes the blood on his hands on a towel. "I found him, thinking he was a civilian. He happens to be in Repliforce however." His eyes gain a certain sadness to them, as if he were hurt all over, and alone. "Try not to hurt him, as he can help stop this chaos."

Cinema is quite hurt, indeedy. As in enough to keep him from escaping even if he wanted to. It might be noted he's still quite armed, if anyone bothers to check.. at least three assorted pistols. Whee. o.o

Twila Peterson looks over the injured reploid and nods her head towards Signas as she first restrains the reploid and deactivates his weapons as well as his radio before picking up the medical scanner. Precautions must first be taken after all. "I promise I won't harm him. I'm a medic..." she quietly informs, then looks over the readings...although in trough the damage doesn't often need the scanner to let it be known it was done. She deadens the pain reception as well, then begisn to work. "Where was he when you found hi?"

Fugue turns her head slightly to face Twila, "That one was piloting one of the Repliforce ride armors."

Signas looks to Twila, recounting what had happened. "I found him lying on the ground, injured and almost defenseless." He mentions nothing of the actions of Seminole and Defender, nor anything else for that matter except for. "I took him from harm's way. There were people killed mercilessly in that fight, and I am not willing to blame Repliforce for it."

Twila Peterson acknowledges Fudge with a crisp dip of the chin and starts on the worst of the it, checking the vitals first. "Well, hopefully we'll get down to the bottom of it soon enough," she says, sounding a little drain. She keeps an eye on the scanners as she works as well. "How do we know he's actually a Repliforcer?"

Seminole staggers into the medbay, as he's clearly been damaged. Otherwise, why come to the medbay? The remarkable thing about this stagger is that Seminole carries with him a large broadsword, clearly not his own. He glances briefly at Signas and Cinema, then heads for an empty bed at the other side of the room.

Fugue sits up a bit, "I'm pretty sure he's one of the cadets that visited here a few weeks back. A couple of the cadets were in the attack." She rubs the back of her head a bit, "I don't remember them packing so much firepower back then though."

After some time has passed Twila is able to get his repair system up and going as well as some other work done. She keeps an eye on Seminole however, knowing he'll need tending to as well it seems. "You're in the Maverick Hunter Med Center. And you just recieved emergency repairs as well," she informs the patient. "You were brought in from San Angels. Do you recall San Angelas?"

Cinema couldn't feel anything anyhow .. he was sure one of Magna's strikes did something to his central nerves. ".. I am.. a Repliforcer .." or was, anyhow. "Trained and tought by Repliforce.." He gives a dazed blink. No pain was good.

After some time has passed Twila is able to get his repair system up and going as well as some other work done. She keeps an eye on Seminole however, knowing he'll need tending to as well it seems.

Signas thinks for a moment, trying not to tell about's Seminole's insanity. Not right now, anyways, instead he mentions. "I heard the Mavericks stating that he was: They were attacking him." He shakes his head. "War should be played on chess boards. No one dies, and no one gets hurt, and it requires the same amount of strategy."

There is a brief flash of the Dingo's trademark police lights before the Dingo appears. "G'Day mates. I believe I need some repairs," he notes.

Cinema 's eyes focus on Twila. ".. Hunter HQ?" He'd been there before .. hadn't he? It was hard to remember at the moment, though he does understand what she was asking. "San Angeles.. was attacked. Under orders." When you got ordered to do something, you did it. No matter what.

Twila Peterson blinks. "Who's orders?"

Cinema blinks. "Colonel. In response to the unfair treatment of reploids and Repliforce by the world." Direct quote.

Signas looks down to Cinema, blinking. "Unfair? How so?"

Twila Peterson then questions along with Signas. "In person?"

Seminole sits on the bed, tightly holding the broadsword in his lap. With one hand, he removes his badly dented combat helmet. The officer sets a stone cold gaze on Signas and Cinema, filtering out the chatter. He seems to be wavering slightly, as the fluids continue to leak from his body and components cling to functionality by a thread.

Shield makes his way quickly to Cinema, or as close to him as he's allowed.

Cinema is being questioned. Whee. They young reploid shakes his head. "Look what the humans did in Shanghai. They wiped out every reploid and android they could. Is that fair treatment? Can you protect something that attacks you when your back is turned?"

Fugue fixes her gaze on Cinema, "I can. I did. I was -there-, boy. They may not appreciate my help, but I saved lives."

Cinema says, "I was there too. I was one of the Repliforce unit driven out by the mob.""

Twila Peterson emits a soft grunt in response. She casts glances towards the others and gestures that the questioning will be up to them...especially since he's not the only one injured in the room. She doesn't answer Cinema as she leaves his side...and instead heads over towards Seminone, asking for him to like back down.

You whisper 'I activated one of the cameras when I came in here. It's getting on tape for the others.' to Seminole.

Fugue sticks her tongue out at Cinema, "Wimp." She slowly crosses her arms, "You know, if you guys hadn't run away and left us, we might have prevented that big explosion. But nooooooo." Shaking her head, she turns away from the Repliforcer and just lies back down.

Guardian Sasquatch stands up, even though he has no authority as a Hunter, being merely a cadet. Given this, he's pretty bold in it. "Did Colonel order you personally?"

Cinema frowns slightly. "Explosion? What explosion?" He twists around to look at Fugue, but is prevented by the bindings. "Nobody said anything about an explosion!" He had /no/ idea about that. Then he blinks at Sasquatch. "Yes." Well, close enough. Vidscreen. o.o

Defender Dingo grunts, "It is still your fault, BLOKE," he notes coldy, "because of YOU, half of San Angeles is in ruins. WHAT do you have to say for that?! HUH?! TELL ME THAT!!!"

Signas looks down to Cinema once more. "I must go, as much as I need to stay, I also need to finish some work and do a report. At that he leaves, but not before stopping buy Seminole's bed. ".. Thanks, you did something that takes alot of courage and strength. It is people like you who may prevent others from harm." With that he turns and walks out the door, a sigh lingering when he turns...

Shield butts into the conversation and demands in a fairly loud voice, trying to override Dingo's, "How did Colonel get injured?"

Fugue shifts her glance again, "Don't you listen to the news? The entire waterfront blew up because someone spilled fuel and lit it on fire. Two Reploids can't stop a fuel spill that size with fires raging all around, yaknow."

Seminole tilts his head at Twila as she whispers to him, then complies and lies back. He still clenches the sword, though keeps that off to the side to not let it interfere with Twila's work. The officer briefly looks up as Signas speaks to him, then looks down at himself and sighs heavily.

Twila Peterson calls out from the bed, "At least let him answer. Throwing questions one after the other won't help."

Cinema falls silent under the barrage of questions. He couldn't think straight, never mind answer several questions at once. x.x

Jazz nods, "Actually.. that's a good question..Did he order you personally?^^", she asks of cinema.

Shield glances at Jazz, "He said no, it was by vidscreen."

Twila Peterson turns back and starts scanning her friend, then after gaining the information, starts sealing his seeing to his vitals. She then asks the Repliforcer, "What is your name...how long have you been with Repliforce? Can you remember?" Ok...so Twila doesn't keep simply quiet.

***Warning. Perimeter Alert. Maverick: Sigma detected near base***

Jazz frowns slightly, "Personally..That doesn't make sense...hm....."

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: '****.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'What is going on?'.

Cinema 's attention changes to Twila. "My name is Cinema .. I haven't been with Repliforce long, just got out of boot camp a short time back."

Seminole moves his head up slightly, turning to look over at Cinema and the rest of the HUnters again. "That's enough questions for the rest of you," he calmly orders. "It's Jazz duty to get the information, and having four different people interrogate him isn't going to help. Leave the prisoner alone."

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: 'TO BATTLE!'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'What?'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Sigma.'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'What's he doing here?'.

(Ch. B [MH/RF]) Air Wraith transmits: ' Just what we need....'.

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: 'Can I blast him? I *know* he's EVIL.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'YES!'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'Has he come to attack?'

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'Negative, Smite. What does he want, Mike?'.

Twila Peterson nearly...blanches. "Wh---WHAT????"

Shield blinks. "Somebody lock him up, we got things to do," he says at the alarm. He turns to run out the door without awaiting anything else. Poof, he's gone.

Screen> Donachi Business District - Neo Tokyo

Screen> Michael Eildath spins, gun almost leaping from its holster. "SIGMA! What the heck are you doing here?" He levels the weapon at the Maverick leader, eyes wide.

Screen> Norman Cassidy snaps his head upward. o0(Well, my day just went down the drekker...) He shakes his head, frowning. "Perhaps, Sigma...Perhaps." He nods to Eildath, knowing part of the story here...He glances from one to the other, unsure of where he stands in this one...Unsure of where he might be...His own implanted shotgun remains on standby, ready to fire at a split-second's notice.

Twila Peterson swallows and turns on an uplink from the center. "I'll be staying here," she states firmly...then sighs. "She then repeats,

Screen> Sigma spreads his arms and hands, displaying his lack of weapons. Not that it matters when you are a living weapon, but its the symbol that counts. He speaks softly, but his tone is sure and confident, "To ask for help, Mr. Eildath."

"What's your name," she asks of the Repliforcer when the others have left. She continues working on Sem's damage however.

Screen> Smite Squirrel comes barrelling out of the door, in an incredably fluffy version of being armed to the teeth.

Cinema sweatdrops at Twila, completely caught off guard. Was her reaction from what he said, or the warning about Sigma? And frankly ... he didn't care who stayed and who left. "Cinema. I told you that."

Defender Dingo grunts lowly but says nothing.

Jazz hrms and walks closer up to Cinema...and studies him for a moment... she rubs her chin thoughtfully and then looks at Cinema. Good thing the sane one survived...at least, apparently sane...Which could be worse, actually...

Screen> Michael Eildath leaves the gun out, narrowing his eyes. "What do you mean, help?"

With all that happened it's easy to see why there can be some confusion in the midst of confusion. "And how long were you with Repliforce?" Twila asks.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'He wants... help. I need people out here. I'm not about to talk to this murderer.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I am coming, to aid.'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Well.. he -did- help fight off Repliforce in San An...'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'I'm exactly in a position to command at the moment... Jazz?'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Fugue...look at his history!'.

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: 'Well, he *could* be less Evil than Repliforce, which would mean he's temporarily Good. <chitter>'.

Screen> Norman Cassidy quirks an eyebrow, however, he speaks no more...He seems to be getting into situations like this far too often today...

Cinema wasn't insane. Of those who attacked San-an .. he was most likly one of the few who was in touch with reality, despite the mayhem. "A short time. I just completed boot camp there not too long ago."

Screen> Shield pops out before Eildath finishes his sentence over the radio. He storms out, sweeping the area for Sigma. So maybe he's angry. So maybe he's confused. So maybe he's stressed and has no clue what's going on or what to do. But he /does/ know Sigma is still the enemy and deserves to get his arse kicked....doesn't he?

Screen> Sigma meets Michael's gaze, "The Maverick Base in Papau New Guinea is under attack by the Robot Masters. My people will be butchered without assistance, and unable to assist against Repliforce. I have come to ask the Maverick Hunters to help me save them..." Sigma pauses before adding, "Please."

Jazz suddenly asks, "How personally? In front of other Repliforcers? Direct? Face to Face? Were there any Repliforcers but the strike team present?", and then she smiles and says, "Sorry for so many questions...But...you know..."

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'Yes?^_^'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'Shut up!!'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'I am. I'm also looking at recent events. What's he need help for?'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: '*click*'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'You're in charge.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'er...in charge?...uh..okay.'.

Cinema has completely lost Jazz's thought-train here, and gives her a blank stare. "What are you talking about?" o_o;

Jazz sweatdrops, "Er... When Colonel told you to attack San Angeles, how much in person was he?... Like..um..was it in front of All of Repliforce? Individually? Face to face?"

Screen> Signas follows Sheild, his face sturdy and thoughtful, his eyes curious. Just in case of battle, though, he is prepared, mentally and physically. Still, he wants to hear what the Maverick leader wants, to travel all this way and not directly attack. Quietly he walks up to the group, watching carefully.

Screen> Michael Eildath narrows his eyes. "I'm not about to believe your tripe, Sigma, not even if you blare it on every network on Earth. Why should we help you? Sure, the Robot Masters may be evil, but I don't see any down side to watching you tear each other apart."

Twila Peterson continues to seal up the leakages one by one, blinking towards Cinema. Boot camp. Why...does that sound so familiar to her. Didn't Repliforce just---? Despite her earlier admonition, she let's Jazz question first, only to add, "Boot camp. The same one when some of the cadets visited here?"

Cinema ahs. That's better. Say something he can understand. Kinda hard to think straight when most of your bodily fluids stretch from here to San An. "In front of my Unit- ... Yes." That last part directed to Twila.

Jazz frowns slightly, "Was this today you received the orders or were you told beforehand?...like...yesterday?"

Twila Peterson turns back towards Seminole and continues. "Holding up ok?"

Long distance to Cinema: Twila Peterson just has an IC theory. Why she asked. Prolly wrong but...

Jazz nods slowly, "Yes...oh wait.. no...I guess not too much...but... You have heard about the fake Colonel attacking a Hunter right?...Is it possible that the colonel who gave you those orders was that particular colonel?"

Screen> Norman Cassidy looks from one to the other to the next to the new guy. He hrms, curiously as they appear...This could be interesting to watch.

Seminole looks back at Twila. "Yes. But if you'd move a little faster, I'd be grateful." With the Maverick Commander knocking on the front door right now, Sem would rather be out there. Then again, the officer isn't exactly in the best state of mind to be giving orders anyway.

Screen> Smite Squirrel sits there, rather squirrel-like. Except more heavilly armed. He does keep looking out at the road, though... and having the odd urge to go run back and forth infront of cars for a while...

Cinema raises one eyebrow. "I do not think so. If it were a fake Colonel he wouldn't have known our checks and passwords to even get into the base." Especially after that Maverick got within a mile unchallenged. @_@

Twila Peterson keeps from rolling her eyes. "Trust me...I don't trust the others outside with Sigma either..." she says...sealing up the last of the leaks. She double-checks his vitals and starts on his other damage. "Just hang in..."

Screen> Sigma shrugs, "Then you are letting reploids die and no better than the evil you claim to fight. If our encounter earlier proved anything, Hunters, is that we can work together against a common foe... and you will need all the help you can muster against Repliforce if they have truly gone rogue."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "May ask you a question?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Of course..Ms. Peterson.. *His voice seems darker than usual. Sadder.*"

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'Can I get a progress report outside?'.

Jazz says, "Well..Technically its just as hard to have made a fake Colonel..", she sighs softly... This is rather hard... Much harder than the biohazard problem...

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'Nothing yet'.

Twila Peterson asks the Repliforcer, "Might I ask if...alot of your fellow cadets felt the same way you did...?"

Cinema didn't have anything to do with fake Colonels. Or Biohazards for that matter. But he did know Colonel wasn't his name, but his title. n.n And that he has a silly-ass name. The thought breaks off as Twila catches his flickering attention. "About what? Colonel? Orders are orders, Ma'am."

Twila Peterson shakes her head, "I meant wish of the Repliforcers were ordered?"

Screen> Signas looks to the others, his arms crossed, and breaths a sigh. "Even if he was, and may still be, an enemy, he is right. We cannot let others die without helping them. I would think you would want him to do the same." He look to Sigma, straight in the eyes with his cool, calming and slightly saddened gaze. After a moment, he moves them elsewhere, thinking again. "We'll need a plan if we do, or else we will be horribly outnumbered."

Cinema nods slightly. "My fellows were, yes." For a moment his thoughts return there, and pain flickers across his face. "Did .. any make it out?"

Screen> Michael Eildath turns and /glares/ at Signas. "WHAT? Are you crazy? They're Mavericks! How can you forget what they've done? All the people that have died because of them? Our job is to protect the innocent... and they're not!"

Jazz ers, "..um....", she looks at Twila.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*quietly* This is going sound as a strange question. But, is there anything you could tell me about the new cadets who were at the Repliforce Boot Camp a few weeks back?"

Screen> Shield glares at Signas, "You are not thinking straight!" he says loudly, "Once Repliforce is destroyed they will turn against us, and after us, the humans!"

Screen> Sigma looks to Signas, "I have troops in reserve. Our combined forces might be enough... if you can muster the proper quantity of Hunters. And... thank you for seeing reason. You may have saved my people. I am in your debt."

Fugue shakes her head slowly, "I.. I don't think so. All the ones we fought set off self-destruct sequences... I think the Mavericks finished off a a few before they got that far."

Twila Peterson narrows it down. "Any one not of the new cadets that were also ordered?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Very little, Ms. Peterson, as Anthem handled them for a majority of that week. Most seemed -- loyal, as far as I could observe, though some seemed as if they'd rather have been somewhere else at that time. It baffles me that they did this ... Yet, I cannot truly find myself surprised. It's only as if my thoughts finally came to truth."

Screen> Smite Squirrel chitters from his seated position, trying to get a little attention. "Evil is Evil. <flick> But you gotta destroy the bigger threat first. So Evil can be Good for a little while." He looks sidelong at Sigma, indicating just who he means.

Cinema didn't have a self-destruct sequence, now that he thought of it. Self-killing wasn't part of his programming. ".. They're all gone? Lobber? Tink? She was faster than you'd expect, maybe she got away." Not good thinking for someone trapped in Hunter HQ. >.< Not if they all died. It was upsetting to say the least. After several moments he replies to Twila. "Sentinel, I think."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*pause* Sir, did Sentinal have contact with them?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I cannot say for sure... But most likely."

Jazz nods, "Sentinel was there. He..er..broke the gunslinger."

Screen> Norman Cassidy glances back and forth...Finally he shakes his head. "This is nuts. I gotta agree with New Guy over there...In some ways at least. I don't trust Sigma here any farther than I can throw him...But I gotta agree, if anyone's gonna be beaten down, I'd go Masters." He suddenly has a brain flash on a past TP, then shrugs it off. "You can take care of Sigma and his goons later, at your leisure...While he and they are still licking the wounds of this raid."

Screen> Signas looks down at the others, not changing his expression. "It is our duty to save others. That is the reason why the Hunters were established. Do not forget that while these may be opponents, or may not, the others on that island may not be. We have to save them, and if others are willing to help, I don't see the problem." True, he is fully aware of what Sigma is capable of, but he has one thing lost amongst others: hope for others, and the will to beleive another can change.

Twila Peterson pales a little more...even slows down in her work somewhat on poor Seminole and bites her lower lip. "Who else? Do you recall if any other officers above your ranking?

Screen> Shield points a finger at Norman, "/You/ stay out of this!" He practically hisses at Signas, "You are a fool! Repliforce is not the enemy! You call Good Evil and Evil Good! You will be the end of us all! All except the Mavericks, the /real/ enemy!"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Sir, we have come in contact Repliforcer here that was among the rogues. He said it was his fellow Cadets and at least Sentinal who were so-ordered by 'Colonel' to attack."

Cinema eyes Fugue. "A gunslinger? Like the old-west gunslingers?" To twila, a quick shake of the head. "I don't know. All I know is Colonel ordered us to attack." And Repliforcers obeyed their orders without question.

Screen> Michael Eildath just jawdrops at Signas. "What? We fight with the Mavericks? We're MAVERICK HUNTERS! Do you have to watch one of us die under their hands to understand what that means?"

Screen> Sigma looks at Shield, "Your small-mindedness and inability to accept change is a severe character flaw. It fractures your morality to the point where you would let others die." He turns to Signas, "Once again I thank you... but we will need more than just your support to stop the massacre."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "That, Ms. Peterson, is the foulest of lies... The Colonel recovers from the point of near death because of their betrayal. Would he who was struck down by their hand order such an attack?"

Screen> Norman Cassidy eyes Shield and resists the urge to smack him. He then stays out of it, since no one else seems to care about him.

Screen> Smite Squirrel stands up, and steps forward. Each thigh opens up and pops a small machine pistol into his hands. "I'm in. <seriousflick> Evil must be stopped, no matter the cost."

Screen> Sigma nods, "Thank you, small one. You are a credit to the Hunters. I have rarely seen one so... good."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Sir, he stated that he received the orders through vid recording. Recordings can be faked. Please, Sir. He said that the new cadets as well as Sentinal were the ones given the orders. The problem may lie somewhere with them."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Colonel gave no such order, Ms. Peterson. I stand by that."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "I believe you. But someone else may have using his voice and image."

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'Can someone update me, please?'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Signas is going to help the Mavericks...'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'Isn't that grounds to arrest him?'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Wh--What?!?'.

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: '<chitter> The greater evil needs to be fought first.'.

Jazz blinks at cinema, "Um..well..I guess...its ride armor...but uh...I think it has guns."

Screen> Signas takes a deep breath, his voice calm, smooth, and with an air of stregth behind it, as he is speaking from his heart. "We have given others everything to defend life on this planet, and yet we are stopped by the simple fear that one man who we deem evil is going to destoy us when we are done. If we are to stand here, and let the Masters wreck something, but to keep our beliefs in something which may not be true, what has been gained? Although I myself does not trust him entirely, I am willing to give him a chance to redeem himself."

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Wait, let him explain before you jump at his throat.'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'Shield, be quiet. Signas, -why-?'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'I already heard the explanation. I say we arrest both of them.'.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "It is probable."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Signas: "Signas...what do you think your doing? You can't trust them!"

Signas sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I will explain to everyone."

Jazz blinks for a moment and stares at Cinema, "Er... General says Colonel is near death from an encounter from 'the cadets'..."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "I grant it's not much of a lead. But it may be something. *pause* Will Colonel be alright?"

Cinema nods. "I know. I heard."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Indeed... *pause* Corporal Gear Otter has assured me he will pull through. Iris has done so as well."

Jazz says, "Well...Did you?^^"

Twila Peterson narrows her gaze towards that, swallowing. "Something stinks to high Heaven."

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'The Masters are threatening innocent life. Sigma has requested that we help him defend. I am not about to shun a man who requests for aid, even if he is the enemy, when it affects those who may be killed.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'And if it's a trap?'.

Cinema blinks. "I didn't kill Colonel, no." He couldn't have, his attack didn't do much at all. Talk to Grizzly.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "I'll keep all of you in my prayers."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Thank you, Ms. Peterson ..."

Fugue rolls over slightly and looks into Cinema's eyes. "The question is now, who can we trust. Words from Colonel or words from General."

Screen> Sigma nods, "You either have the satisfaction of watching my Mavericks be slaughtered while sacrificing your prinicpals... or you accept that some can change and help."

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'Then we are prepared to see it as such, are we not? I am not blind, if you are thinking.'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'Signas, or anyone else that wants to go, you will not face any consequences for this. However, I will not order anyone to go. I can't.'.

Twila Peterson leans down towards Seminole, whispering.

You whisper 'Sem...I think something is up with those new recuits that went through the Repliforce boot camp a few weeks ago. They're the ones who were given those orders and attacked Colonel. Sentinal was in contact with those cadets and was given those same orders.' to Seminole.

Jazz blinks slowly, "Er...then someone else did?

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: '*audible nod* I claim full responsiblities for my actions, then.'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: '*****, Signas, they Mavericks are not innocents. Their hands are as bloody as the Masters, BLOODIER. Don't listen to Sigma's pretty speeches or his grand words. He's a monster. He's a robotic Hitler. If we fight beside him, we're condoning all the deaths he was responsible for.'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'Mike, he's right. Despite the Maverick's actions in the past, life must be defended in Papau New Guinea.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'And what if, somehow, he's changed, what then? I am willing to sacrifice for hope.'.

Screen> Shield retorts angrily to Sigma, "I have seen many things in my time, Sigma. Both human and reploid cruelty. And I have seen manipulators enough to where I know one when I see it. And /you/ are a manipulator. You do not play by the rules, you control from the shadows. And I take no satisfaction in the deaths of your comrades anymore then I would in my comrades' deaths. But /you/ have been the enemy ever since you betrayed the humans, and forever more shall you be!"

Cinema shrugs, and tugs lightly on his bonds. "Who you trust is up to you. And ... I thought the other one said Colonel was still alive..?" Or was it the same person? He was a little mixed up at the moment. u.u

Jazz blinks, "Uh...he is...But who attacked him?"

Screen> Sigma looks down at Shield and it suddenly becomes clear just how much larger he is than the other reploid, "That is your choice. You must live with it."

Screen> Michael Eildath says nothing, dropping his gun to his side.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'This is some type of trap!'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Then call me a cynic, because I'm not about to believe that this man can change.'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'Even Hitler admitted he was wrong. That is why he committed suicide.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: 'Oh me neither, but I think that for now he is too busy trying to trick us to do a real trap.'.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Send Colonel and Iris my well wishes?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I will ..."

Screen> Smite Squirrel looks at Signas, then at Sigma. "We can't save the world sitting here. <flick> C'mon!"

Seminole continues transmitting statements into his radio, pretty much ignoring the questioning between Jazz and Cinema. He looks over at Twila as she whispers, then nods a bit and sighs.

Seminole whispers: 'I know. It doesn't look good for the Repliforce.'.

Cinema has a headache. x.x Give him a minute here.

=============================== IC Broadcasts ================================

Message: 9/53 Posted Author

An Announcement from the United Na Sun Feb 11 Kelly McLaren

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen of the World, United Nations Secretary General Kelly McLaren.

(Kelly moves toward the podium at a gradual pace, head lowered. She's dressed completely in black attire. She rests upon the podium's surface a dossier she had carried with her, and opens it up. She whispers a brief prayer under her breath, before taking a sip of water and lifting her chin. Followed by an audible, deep sigh.)

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the world, it is with a heavy heart I make this announcement to you. In an unanimous vote, not but thirty minutes ago, the United Nations have decided to disband and deactivate the entire entity known as the Repliforce, by and through whatever means necessary to disable, and I quote one of the representatives to the UN, "that band of wicked, murderous, human-hating heap of tin."

(One can tell, just by Kelly's countenance, her demeanor in which she delivers this speech, that her heart isn't in it. She doesn't personally believe it true.)

"We can only pray for a peaceful resolution to this conflict that has literally rocked the world, left many a city in ruin. ...Again, my heart goes out to the just. It's mere words, I know, and they can never replace what has been lost these past days. It sinks my heart knowing I cannot do anything more, save watch... and keep our troops on stand by."

(This next phrase is really, really hard for her to say. Notice, she never claims any of this as her own belief.)

"The United Nations wish to extend their gratitude toward Sigma and his forces for their intervention and resolution to the most recent conflict in San Angeles, in point of preventing further loss of innocent life and for exposing the Repliforce corruption and coverups pertaining to its illicit and intolerable behavior. The United Nations also wishes to accept Sigma as an ally to the free nations of the world, in hopes to achieve a final and decisive victory against Doctor Wily and his Robot Masters, in hopes to build a better, peaceful tomorrow."

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

Screen> Shield tries one last time. "NOBODY is going to help the Mavericks! I will not watch you give up your own lives to save murderers, when you could be saving innocents from those very people you are dying to save!!"

You whisper 'But it at least offers some type of lead to follow on what's going on. At the moment there's nothing to go on...' to Seminole.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'So, you are saying, that because you think it's a trap, you are not willing to see if another person can change?'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: '..er..the UN..just...uh...did you hear that?'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'WHAT Jazz?!'.

Cinema okays. Headache somewhat abated. He glances at Jazz. ".. Now that I can think for the moment, what?" He hated headaches.

Twila Peterson then stops to just stare as the Attorney General makes her speech over the news, blinks, and stops to clear her head.

Screen> Michael Eildath turns. "I've made my choice then, Sigma." He narrows his eyes. "You and your Maverick allies can go to hell. I've got lives to save, and it's not those of your murderous brood." He looks at Signas. "Don't say I didn't warn you. I don't want you to learn about life's cruelty the hard way, like I did."

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'Ayep. I heard it.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Doesn't look like the Attorney General is...really..."into it"...'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'She might not be... but enough a majority of the UN is. Seems they're erring on the side of caution.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'OOC Am I missing a channel?'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Jazz transmits: '...They declared Sigma as an ally.'.

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'An ally against the Robot Masters. That's.. what he's asking -us- for now too....'.

Seminole cranes his neck at the latest GNN feed, coming in over the monitors. He watches calmly, then narrows his eyes at the screen and sighs heavily again. "This.. is bad."

Twila Peterson states calmly, "She looks as if forced..."

Jazz says, "Who attacked Colonel?.."

Screen> Sigma looks up as news flashes across his optic sensor, "I ask you now, both as a reploid and an ally of the UN, to help me."

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I don't like it. A few months ago the Mavericks were nearly pardoned of all thier crimes...until Sigma made a point of blabbing on the global chan and revealing he was the reason Noise was killed.'.

Screen> Norman Cassidy jawdrops at the news, as it scrolls across his eyes..."Oh $H!%...I don't believe it." His eyes widen and he looks at Sigma, narrowing them a bit...There's something screwy going on here...

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: '/We/ aren't even allies of the UN, and the /Mavericks/ are?!'.

General sends a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "Sigma... I know well that you are behind this...And I shall never believe otherwise. Nor will I back down. This world will *not* be yours. If you wish to claim it, as I know you do, you will have to destroy every last one of us to attain your goal. We will fight you and your Mavericks to the end."

Sigma sends General a tightbeam radio transmission: "It seems our roles are now reversed, dear brother."

Screen> Michael Eildath looks at the monitor on his hand. "Damnable fools... trusting idiots..." He pauses in midstride, turning back to look at the others.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'We are allies, Shield. Just not on particularly good terms.'.

Cinema pales slightly at the news report, if a reploid could pale. War. More reploids getting killed. He hadn't thought that .. *sigh* ".. Hnn? Oh. Sentinel .. Grizz.. few others.." his voice is a bare whisper, dazed.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: '*wasn't aware that we were not liked by the UN* Still, they are the people, whom we have sworn to protect.'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'Dammit, its everyone buying his lies? We're going to send our own to fight and die with Sigma? On his word alone!?'.

Jazz nods slowly, "So...Why attack the one giving you orders?...", she sighs softly, "I'm sorry..but maybe if I can figure this out, things will be all good again."

Cinema shakes his head slowly. "... I don't .. think it'll ever be good again.."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "General, do you think this could somehow be related to the incident several months ago...when the Mavericks were almost pardoned for their crimes somehow? Or a connection?"

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'No one is sending anyone, Mike. It's a volunteer mission, and Signas is making a conscious choice.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'It sticks to the high heavens...'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: ' Magma Dragoon here... I am returning to HQ'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'I am, and I am trying to show that perhaps he is right, even if he has made traps and killed in the past, he can be a good person.'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: ' Do we require assistance with the Sigma incident?'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'People, while we debate Sigma's morales, Papau New Guinea is burning. Either you go, or you don't.'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I'm pleading...don't go...'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'Let it burn.'.

(Ch. B [CoC]) Seminole transmits: 'People -live- there, Shield.'.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "It may very well be ... *a pause* Twila, say nothing of this...But Sigma contacted me a short moment ago to taunt. I know it is him behind it, but no one would believe you. Move not to condemn yourself, but keep silent faith."

Jazz smiles, "Nonsense! Worse has happened, right?...Well maybe not...but... We know you guys aren't behind this...we just need proof, right?"

General pages sends a tightbeam radio transmission to Kelly McLaren: "Thank you, Secretary General. *pause* ...Phoebus wishes to thank you, Kelly. For what you have tried to do. Rest assured, my boys are ready for a brawl. We will -not- go down without a fight... I can only pray that the truth becomes known before it is too late."

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: ' .... Where Humans are in danger, I shall go do assist in civilian evacuation..'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'OOC I think it should ICly be well known actually that it's radioactive'.

Cinema gives Jazz a mostly coherent stare. "Not behind it..? We slagged a city!!" This is a near shout as the young reploid jerks against his bindings .. for only a moment. Then his injuries remind him that trying that would be painful and pointless. x.x "We had our orders."

============================== Maverick Hunter ===============================

Message: 10/92 Posted Author

Resignation Sun Feb 11 Zero

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Zero appears on the screen, helmet off, but still in armor.*

"Effective immediately, I am turning in my resignation as a Maverick Hunter. Considering the events of the past couple of hours, along with the announcement by the Secretary General, I shall not stand here and watch as some kind of crude alliance is made with the likes of Sigma and the Mavericks. Whether the truth behind it all is that the Mavericks are truely innocent, and that the Repliforce has been the root of all evil is true, I refuse to stand beside the man who has made my life a living hell since the day I was created."

*Zero takes a deep breath*

"X, I wish you the best of luck in the fight against Repliforce, the Robot Masters, and possibly the Mavericks. I will aid in the battle myself, but not alongside the Mavericks or anyone else. I stand alone, as a true Hunter would. My apologies to those who I may be disappointing, but this is how I've got to do my business. I hope that the rest of you, under X's leadership, can succeed. Zero out.

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

Magma Dragoon sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Twila... Are you alright?"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Magma Dragoon: "Me? Not...particularly. Why do you ask?"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Ack...knowledged, sir. The Hunters seem to be falling apart. Some are forming an alliance with Sigma. Do you have any suggestions?"

Screen> Signas speaks on the radio, trying to come to a consensus with the other Hunters, quietly. His voice is calm and stable, but he does make wary glances toward Sigma from time to time. When he hears the last message, he begins walking to the labs. "I am going, anyone who wants to come is welcome to help. I won't stand here and let other dies, because of a belief." With that he glances at Sigma. "Understand that I am giving you a chance." With that he leaves to the Labs.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...Pray that God's almighty hand will allow us to perservere... If we do not, the world, Twila, will be lost."

Screen> Shield stares into the Maverick's glowing blue eyes for a few moments. His right hand twitches as he contemplates attacking Sigma. But despite his lack of apparent fear, Shield knows he would never win. "Very well. Then I shall go along to make sure you do not kill yourselves. /Somebody/ has to watch out for you fools..."

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: ' I am going to Papa New Guina, to aid in the situation there, is anyone else coming?'.

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: 'I am. <flick>'.

Jazz sweatdrops, "Oh.. I'm sorry.. I meant Repliforce as a whole...", she blinks, "Er.. but why would you attack the guy who gave you the orders... That doesn't fit."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Should...I remain here where I am?"

Screen> Shield spins about and heads into the labs. "I will still see you dead, Sigma," he announces before vanishing.

Twila Peterson seems rather distracted now and...prepares to place Seminole within the repair chamber. "Ready to go in?"

Seminole nods to Twila slightly.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "It will be far too dangerous to come here, Ms. Peterson. It would be best."

Cinema shrugs. He had no idea. He knew his first orders came from Colonel, and his second from Sentinel. And they were to be obeyed. Nobody was supposed to live. They were to give their lives for repliforce and the betterment of reploid-kind.

Screen> Michael Eildath looks at Norman. "I may be joining you on the streets shortly..." With that cryptic remark, he turns to go back into base.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: 'Maverick Hunters who are coming to the Papa New Guiena area. Do not engage the Mavericks, nor the Robot Masters unless you absolutely have too.. Our priority is the safety of the Civilian population.'.

Fugue holds a hand up, "Hang on, Jazz." She peers at Cinema carefully. "Give him a minute to think. He looks pretty frazzled."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Understood. I'm...just not sure what to do."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Do what you feel is right, Ms. Peterson."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*deep breath* Thank you, Sir. And...I'll keep the faith."

Twila Peterson heads over to the next patient as Seminole is placed in the chamber. "Ok...you're turn..."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Thank you, Ms. Peterson...*a pause* "...I have For I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*sincerly* I needed to hear that just now."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...It is a very true statement."

Fugue nods slowly, kinda distracted. She lies still, but still looks at Cinema carefully.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: 'Vorpal... whats your ETA?'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'We'll be there very shortly.'.

Cinema stares back at Fugue, tugging on his bonds again. Out. He was trapped. Bad thing.

Fugue hmms softly, "Someone turn Cinema around and bring him a bit closer. I'd like to ask him some things, if I may.."

Twila Peterson blinks and shakes her head...instead pressing some mechnisims on her bed and moving her. "This will hafta work instead. Cinema is restrained and shielded."

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'Beginning touchdown now.'.

Fugue nods, "At least rotate so I can see his face better?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...I may meet death, Ms. Peterson... Be prepared for thus."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Sir...no..."

Cinema wiggles .. sort of .. at fugue. The field and restraints kind of prevented that. "Looks like you're gonna have to get up." A slight giggle escapes at that.

Michael Eildath walks into the bay, face sullen after the bitterness that just ensued.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "You must know this, Twila ... I am prepared to give my life in service of my country. Of this world."

Fugue arches a brow. "Let me ask you something, Cinema. How do you feel about... well, your friends not being around anymore?"

Twila Peterson has to fight to keep herself intuned to her surroundings and....does as Fugue asks without a work. Features now appearing as if she's about to cry.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "But...but...why?"

Cinema blinks. "They're not here .. they're dead. Which means they're gone. Right?" Which meant that they were dead as in not coming back as in completely forever gone. "... nothing." He felt nothing. Aside from an odd growing giddiness he couldn't explain. Whee.

Fugue nods slowly, "Yeah.. they're gone." He's frazzled, lost too much today.. She's seen that kind of thing before. "Any feelings toward Colonel?"

Cinema grins broadly at her. "He looks smashing in a skirt don't you think?" Eyebrow wiggle. "Never got the chance to tell him, guess I'll have to wait until the planet blows up or soemthing.

Twila Peterson sets her jaw and starts in on the working again, outwardly appearing as if she's too engrossed in her work to notice much of the others.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...It is my duty, Twila... I do my duty. I do what I must do."

Fugue blinks once.. and can't help but smirk a bit. "I wouldn't say that to his face." She smiles softly, "Now.. I know how you're feeling. Really, I do. I've been there. Lost someone who was close to me. But you can't let it get to you, kay?" She takes a deep breath. "Who..." A short pause before she begins again. "Who do you, personally, blame for what happened?"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*long pause* I...know. I'm sorry for blurting. Guess...me being a redhead has been showing through alot lately."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I do not blame you for your actions, Twila...After all... *a lightened tone* You are only human. And in a way, so am ."

Cinema blinks, face expressionless, if slightly confused. "Happened? What happened?"

Fugue's voice retains that gentle tone, "Your friends?"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Be glad you aren't prone to gray hair."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*chuckle* ...Perhaps... Perhaps. Yet, you are spared the trials that I must face. Be thankful for that blessing."

Cinema ohs quietly. ".. They're .. I suppose.. I don't know. They killed them.. they had no reason to, we weren't doing anything..." The whole situation brought up feelings of pain and guilt he didn't want to deal with.

Michael Eildath stands there for a moment, and then rises, looking at everyone, and strides silently out of the room.

Dawn walks in from the medbay, quiet, looking around...then blinks as Mike walks off, and takes off after him.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Maybe makes it possible for others like me to at least "stand in the gap" so to speak...offer prayers. You're a very rare person, General."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I beg to differ, Ms. Peterson ... I am the essence of all the great men that have stood the test of time and lead their men, with honor, through the bleakest of times. That have waded through a sea of blood to reach the shore of hope and peace, setting other men free and securing a sense of hope for the future. I am them, and they are me, and we stand together."

Fugue taps her chin, "I.. see. Tell me. When you were piloting the Frog and you k.." The word catches in her throat for a moment, "..killed people. What were you feeling?"

Cinema blinks. "I didn't kill anyone. I wouldn't kill anyone, not with a frog. That would be silly.. you don't kill people with frogs." His voice changes pitch slightly, but not much.

Fugue turns to smile at Twila, "Thanks..." She slides off the table and pads closer to Cinema, staring right into his eyes. "Do me one last favor, hon. Tell me what you see right now."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Ok...of those I've had the honor or meeting and knowing a little?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*chuckles softly* Very few, I am sure, Ms. Peterson. Most have passed on, if not all."

As Twila moves away to remover her smock from her and hangs it lightly on the back of the seat, keeping an eye on the two.

Cinema blinks. What kind of question was that? "You. But you're fuzzy, like there was rice paper or plastic around your head." his gaze flickers around the room for a moment. ".. and most everywhere else too. And the colors are off... does this have anything to do with a frog?"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "*somewhat awkwardly* Most before I was even born."

Fugue lets out a slight sigh. "Alright. I.. I think I'm done here." She shakes her head slowly and turns around, walking back toward one of the tables.

Long distance to General: Twila Peterson thankies. At least...he chuckled. That something?

Twila Peterson blinks and gains an instrument. "Let me...examine your eyes, kay?" she tells the Repliforcer. As if he really had a choice. But...she's gently about such things. "Does the...light bother you?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Indeed."

(Ch. E []) Sigma transmits: 'That was most satisfying.'.

(Ch. E [Femme]) Cappella transmits: ' What was?'.

(Ch. E [None]) Enforcer Malamute transmits: 'Yesss...A good hit, sir. A very good hit..'.

(Ch. E [Politics]) Clown Man transmits: 'Hmmm?'.

(Ch. E []) Sigma transmits: 'I do believe I've rid the world of the menace that is Wily.'.

(Ch. E [Femme]) Cappella transmits: '...'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I'm heading to San Angeles, guys... gonna help with the rescue work there.'.

(Ch. E []) Sigma transmits: 'Miss McLaren... I request assisyance in cleaning up the rest of the doctor's rabble?'.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Thanks for talking with me."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Of course, Ms. Peterson. I only pray it isn't the last time."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: " *pregnant pause* I pray that your corr----General...are, you by chance on the Global Channel? I relaize alot of the times it's babble. But Sigma just announced he killed...Wily."

Cinema watches Fugue for several moments, then eyes Twila. "Only sometimes, like when you walk out of a dark room into a really bright one." o.o He had no problem with her examining his eyes. There was nothing wrong with him and his internal scans said so. o_o Had to be the Hunter HQ.

Fugue turns around again and puts a hand on Twila's shoulder, "I don't think it's his eyes, Twila.. There's something wrong with him."

(Ch. B [Wideband]) Dawn transmits: 'Call me if you need /any/ help.'.

(Ch. E [Femme]) Cappella transmits: ' Oh....um really. Uh...interesting dear'.

(Ch. B [GoodGuy-Central]) Michael Eildath transmits: 'I will, Dawn. -pause- I... I'll talk to you all later. -click-'.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "At this moment, no ... But I know well that he has not done so. I know my 'brother' far too well, and Wily also. Neither can be disposed of quite that easily."

Twila Peterson hmmmms and pulls back, looking towards Fugue. She glances once towards Cinema and than back to her fellow Hunter. "Lemme guess...not from the damage?"

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'If the Masters try to destroy sigma....should we care?'.

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: '<chitter> I think he's more useful alive than dead.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: 'Useful to who?'.

Fugue shakes her head, "I can't be sure what the cause is, but..." She leans over and lowers her voice a bit.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "The massive assaults last night. Could those two be in this together?"

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "It would hardly surprise me, Twila."

Fugue whispers: 'Frankly... he's cracked. It might be from losing so much, it might be from something else.. but he's lost it.'.

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: 'Good, Right, and Justice.'.

(Ch. B [Hunter]) Shield transmits: '*mutters*'.

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'The squirrel is right, Sigma is attempting to rid the world of the Masters, which is doing good.'.

Cinema isn't getting an eye exam after all. He shifts slightly, trying to relax. He had an itch right between his shoulderblades, but he couldn't scratch it. >.<

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "For some reason...wouldn't suprise me either. You'll have to excuse me. Having my attention pulled. Take care, General...and I will be praying for you and the others."

You whisper 'Any possible causes? One of the doctors would have to examine him if it's with his programming.' to Fugue.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Of course... And I shall for you and your own, Twila."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Thank you, and God bless."

Fugue shakes her head, whispering. "Hard to be sure. It could just be shock that all his friends are dead. Could be a programming error. Could be all those blows to the head he got in the fight. Or heck, maybe he's claustrophobic and can't stand being restrained. It could be almost anything."'.

You whisper 'I'll ask one of the doctors to check him when they're able. Maybe they'll know.' to Fugue.

Fugue glances up and looks at Cinema again, voice sad, "I'm... sorry."

Cinema blinks. "For what?"

Dawn steps back in from the hallway, looking tired, concerned, worried, perhaps even a bit sad. She gazes around to see what's going on, who all's here. A gaze settles on Cinema for a moment, and she blinks. .oO(Yakuza?)Oo. He's attired for it, anyway. "What's...going on?"

Twila@M3 - Sunday, February 11, 2001, 11:54 PM

----------------------------------------------

Hallway Outside Medical Bay <Hunter HQ>

(Ch. B [None]) Signas transmits: 'We are returning to base, and will be arriving soon.'.

Twila Peterson is quietly musing over certain things, but snaps out of her troubled thoughts when a newcomer is about to pass by. "Shield...what happened out there?"

Shield growls back, "Exactly what we were ordered to do. We helped the Mavericks." The word "ordered"is said with a bit of emphasis for some odd reason, and then he disapears into the medbay.

Shield sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Rock said it would be best if we helped the MAvericks..."

(Ch. B [Joint]) Smite Squirrel transmits: 'M-38J multipurpose incineration cannon! <chitter> These are fun! And it's loaded!'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: 'Don't get too trigger happy Smite.'.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Shield: "I...think I'm gonna hurl..."

(Ch. B [Repliforce-Hunter]) Fugue transmits: 'All available medical personel, get tot he medbay, FAST!'.

(Ch. B [Wideband]) Dawn transmits: 'Wha?'.

(Ch. B [Rep/Hunter]) Magma Dragoon transmits: ' What?'.

(Ch. B []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'What is it?'.

<Shortly...>

Medical Bay <Hunter HQ>

Fugue hovers over the medtable (not literally) on one side of Cinema, "Don't do this don't do this don't do this..."

Twila Peterson rushes in, bebind some of the others. "What's going in in here?"

Cinema is shaken, but really isn't feeling anything. The sudden roughness, the feel of the restraints, none of it. It was best for all concerned, didn't they see that? And it didn't hurt either.. his eyes open after a moment, and focus slightly on Fugue. "Don't be sad. It doesn't hurt... you'll see.." and quite abrubtly he goes completely limp in the restraints as the rest of his neural net completes it's meltdown cycle. No grand explosions here, no going out with a bang. Just one prisoner gone to join what he had lost.

Signas runs into the medbay, with a serious look on his face. Where moments later he was more relazed, now he seems to get right to work. "What is happening?"

Fugue just stares, "No..." She slams her hand on the medtable, "No!" Pulling her hand back, she rubs it gently, head lowered. "It happened too fast."

Magma Dragoon follows in right behind Signas and sees no reason to repeat the question.

Shield turns around and PUNCHES the wall with all his strength, driving the armored fist deep into the wall before pulling it out. He storms back out of the room, no reason to be here anymore. "Fool," he mutters.

Twila Peterson widnens her eyes as she the scene is overlooked and moves to the table, gawking as the monitors go into a complete flatline. "What in the---?" she exclaims, trying to figure out how to ressesitate. "His net---it---?"

Defender Dingo blinks, "What the?!"

Twila Peterson pulls back, horrified. "Meltdown..." she squeaks.

Fugue lets out a breath, voice flat. "I'm going to make a report on this. I'd suggest getting the body into a full containment field in case he has a selfdestruct mechanism as well."

Magma Dragoon walks over to Twila and puts his hand on her shoulder, "Was it quick?"

Signas looks down at Cinema, now quite angry that he could not save just one person from dying in the war tonight, not one Repliforcer. He kneels to the bed, next to Twila, speaking quietly to her. "You did everything you could, which is more than many have tried to do." He looks up to Magma Dragoon, and remains silent, not looking at him angrily, but with sad eyes that conveys the pain he feels for Twila.

Magma Dragoon nods at Signas, noting his action but feeling his words were justisfied. He sighs deeply looking at the melted form of Cinema and shaking his head, "I apologize. Signas is right... you did the best you could.."

Twila Peterson nods slowly and proceeds to do so...only needing to step up the power on the field already placed. "Yes. About 10 seconds," she manages. Although, even if she were she she understands she could have done little to prevent this. Her medical training only goes so far. She nods towards Signas greatfully. "Fugue...how did it happen?" she's about to ask, then rethinks it. "Wait...I'll wait t," she states saddened. "Thanks for handling the report Fugue," she adds. "I'm...headnign back up if...anyone needs me..."

Magma Dragoon turns towards Twila and closes his eyes, "Yeah... He left in the Kodiak a little while ago... His destination was unknown however."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "Rick...you copy?"

Twila Peterson swallows to that. "Thanks... She then slips out back into the hallway, in thought.

Shield stands just outside the doors, looking for some way to vent his rage, as the training room is too artificial for his tastes right now.

Twila Peterson emerges from the bay, arms crossed over her chest protectively as she treds down the hallway, saddened...and now with features mixed with worry...

============================== Maverick Hunter ===============================

Message: 10/96 Posted Author

Cinema Mon Feb 12 Fugue

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fugue's face appears on the screen, a little less cheery than usual.

"Fugue reporting. I had a talk with Cinema which confirmed my suspicions. Whether it be due to the loss of his friends, too many blows to the head, being throws through a building, or just plain old shock..." She pauses and takes a breath. "To put it bluntly, he was insane. I don't know how much of what he said we can trust, if any. When I told him to get some rest, he... well, he initiated a neural net meltdown and fried his own brain. I'm not sure if anything can be recovered, but I'd suggest an attempt be made."

She pauses again, "As to the Repliforce situation... well, here's my take on it. According to the recording we heard, Colonel ordered the attack on San Angeles. According to General, he did not. So... it's one word against another. Until there's more proof either way, I'm personally going to stay out of the conflict. Because as much as I was upset those troops were attacking San An.. it -hurt- to see them die. Especially Cinema." That said, she shuts off the recording with a simple, "Fugue out."

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

Rick Morgan sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*distant* I'm...I'm here. Just...busy at the moment Twila....busy."

Shield spots Twila without turning around due to the cameras in his helmet. He unclenches his fists and forces the rage from his force long enough for him to ask, "Are you alright?"

Smite Squirrel scampers off of the lift, skittering towards medbay. His fur is *slightly* singed.. but there's also melted cheese on his muzzle, so he apperantly managed to not kill himself while cooking. "Is the Bad Guy we captured dead? <queryflick>"

Twila Peterson pauses in her steps. Thinking about how many things that would make her feel not alright right about now, she centers it into one. "Rick, he needs some kind of help..." she blurts, and runs for the gravlift, not waiting up...but certainly not protesting if joined.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "Rick, are you needing help?"

Upon arriving to the center sets her jaw and begins heading to the hanger. Before doing so she stops and turns towards Shield, "I'm going to try and find him. Would you...come with me?

Shield responds solely with the forward tilting of his helmet as he catches up with her.

<In what remains of San Angelas...>

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "Rick, please...tell me where you are..."

Rick Morgan sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I...I... *nothing more for the longest moment until* I...found them. They didn't...I wasn't able to..."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "Rick...what are you talking about?"

Rick Morgan sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Th..they didn't...they didn't like it but...they didn't hate me. They wanted...it normal. That's why they came here...to get away...from it. And now...and now....ugh..."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "Rick...slow down. I can hardly understand you..."

San Angeles - Northern Residential

This is the Northern Residential area of San Angeles, it's majesty completely awe inspiring. Skyscrapers and stratascrapers tower above the ground, spiraling into the sky and nearly brushing the clouds themselves. Highways and roads run like spaghetti through the city limits, above the ground in multi-layers, bringingpeople wherever they need to go. Atop many of the largest skyscrapers are smallparks, where the residents can get a small taste of nature. This entire area isa beautiful example of modern technology in action, complete with birds and many animals such as deer and bunnies.

Twila Peterson shakes her head dejectedly. "He's not making any real sense over the radio." She then notes, "I'm feeling him around here somewhere. Something's terribly wrong."

Shield . o O(Hopefully something I can kill...)

Well what can be said really? We all know what happened to San Angeles today...and the end result is to say in the least...chaotic. Entire city blocks levelled outright, the smell of smoke and cinders...and in some other cases, something much more sinister to turn the nostrils for that matter. Even one's ears are assaulted with the distant wail of sirens, and the occasional cry of the injured or lost seeking their loved ones, or the barked and shouted commands of cleanup crew members, desperately digging amongst the debris for survivors or trying to battle the fires that still continue to burn to this moment.

Amidst all this, one massive residential complex all but half caved in, having caught an entire broadside of stray munitions from the battle as it had played itself out. The massive structure had been unable to hold up to the stress, and a critical fracture had resulted, followed by chaotic collapse. Currently, there's a minimum of people picking through the debris, hopes of survivors being slim to none, and the professionals who's skills are needed have to assert their priorities to areas that are most likely to have survivors.

Amidst this however, one massive armored humanoid figure stands, hunched over, it's chest opened, and empty. It's massive hands still hold entire clumpfuls of debris in their grip, as if the pilot had leaped out before even bothering to toss the rubble aside fully. If one didn't know better, they would almost think the mechanical behemoth were slumped over in an almost sorrowful pose, even it's shoulders seeming sagged in a way. Then again, some would probably just say it's because the powercore is offline for the moment.

And between those massive multiton feet, perched on a stray slab of concrete, his form hunched over and head held in his hands, is another figure.

Hoverbike <Cutlass> slows down as a certain area of the city is reached...the one where Twila feels a certain "pull" on her...one that concerns her quite a bit at the moment. But she tries to keep herself steady. Too many things have happened that could have already caised her to have a nervous break down as well. The talk she had with General via the radio certainly helped. She wishes she could do more for him...and the others. Right now, all she can do is pray. Still, that's not a minor task as the young girl may think.

The bike is comes to a stop ans she spots the scene before her and her companion. Tossing off the helment and not quite waiting for Shielf she makes her way through the various debris to her sibling... "Rick..?" Twila whispers in horror as she somes closer.

Shield actually is rather disapointed. Instead of something tangible to fight against, there is nothing but destruction, desolation, and despair. He hops off the bike and follows the human female over her brother, keeping an eye on his cameras to make sure nothing happens to anyone.

Rick Morgan dosen't even glance up, nor does he answer. In fact, one might have wondered if he's even aware of the other's presence for that matter...despite Twila's call, and their drawing nearer as well. The only indication finally comes when he speaks, his head still held in his hands in the process.

"They're dead...." he speaks with undue calm and finality. "When it came down...they were under it. They probably never even saw it coming...or knew what happened." Finally, he shifts, lifting his gaze, to settle on the rubble in front. One might note it has the appearance of as if a giant sized hand had scooped the rubble aside, only to replace it back where it was soon afterwards. A hand rests on his mouth, fingers and thumb curling lightly along his chin as his eyes seem almost sunken into his face, as if even they were exhausted from sitting up in their usual spot all this time. His whole form seems drained and.....empty of something.

"I knew it when I got no answer...I knew it when I saw the footage. I knew it when I saw the building....I still...I had to..." At that, he lowers his head once more, pressing his forehead to his knuckles, bloodied by repeated, frenzied hits against the solid rock, as his frustration had been translated into a mindless assault on the debris itself not even a half an hour earlier.

Twila kneels herself beside Rick and places his arms around him, not exactly knowing how to react or even what to say to him. But somehow, she hopes her presence will be helped. "You still had to see for yourself..." she finishes for him, castign ehr eyes downward.

Crash Man kicks over a plate of once-shiny, shattered armor. "Well, sh!@.." He mutters faintly. "My only regret, is that I wasn't the one to finish Sentinel. Miserable sack of bolts." He shakes his head faintly, and moves across the residential area.

Shield approaches Twila and Rick. His hidden expression is one of curiosity and confusion right now. Finally he asks. "I thought your adopted parents rejected you? Why are you still so sad?" he asks seriously and innocently.

Rick Morgan does allow Twila's touch for the moment, tilting his head further forward just a bit...but it's short lived as it is. No real comfort to be found. At Shield's words, he finally straightens, and stands up, to whirl about and face him, expression flashing briefly in an angry image. "That's NOT the point!" he growls, not bothering to even wonder how Shield knew about that in the first place. It's not that he's kept it a huge secret but...he's been selective in who he bothers to tell. "They didn't just reject me like you drop a hot potato! I KNEW they regretted it. They did what they did in a fit of anger! I did what -I- did in a fit of anger! We both were in the wrong for it and we all knew it...and...and..." At that, he stumbles back a step, before outright falling, and landing on his rear, as if even standing up isn't within his capabilities anymore. His back falls against the foot of the ride armor behind him, the only thing holding him at least sitting up. His voice trails from it's angry tone to a more quiet one...almost a whisper. "...and we were too bullheaded to cross the line first and admit what we did. And now...it's too late."

Twila Peterson remains kneeling where she is as the display takes place, feeling a stab of guilt fot informing Shield of Rick's parents. She hadn't meant to break a confidence in the least. And yet, she did, no matter how unknowingly or innocently it was done. She tries to fight over the wave of guilt however. More important and pressing matters are at hand. "I'm sure they...knew that too, Rick. Somewhere inside they knew." After a brief moment, "And perhaps they understood you also knew. They raised you after all."

The crimson armored figure stands statue still. Darn it can be annoying how impassive or intimidating a faceless person can be at times, though how intimidating/annoying it is will be left up to the viewer. In reality though, Shield is rather baffled by this. He hadn't expected such an angry response, though a normal person might be surprised Rick didn't punch Shield out. In any event, he is left to ponder this in silence, and thus looks to be unaffected by it all. "Curious," he murmers to himself, the helmet's mike not picking up on it. Finally he turns around and begins to walk off, saying only, "I will be...sorting things out. Or something. I'll be back when I feel like it," he informs Twila, leaving her to comfort her brother.

"Too many maybes...too many...assumptions." Rick returns in response to Twila, now sounding outright weary, as if he might collapse in the next instant. "All I want is just a chance to tell them I'm sorry...and to hear it from them. And now...now it's too late. I let it go too long...was too afraid when I already knew it was true. I waited too long...and this is what happened. I brought it on myself......" At that, he once again places his head in his hands for a few moments, before putting one foot underneath him, and forcing himself to his feet once more, leaning back against the Kodiak's massive foot.

Twila offers the parting Shield a small nod as he takes leave then refocuses on her brother. "At the moment, it's...all you have. She glances down towards the debris strewn grownd and gets up from her seat. "I...know this going to sound kind of...crazy. But...maybe but your thoughts and feelings down on paper," she says slowly. "Then, burn them..."

Shield disapears off around a corner. If one has good hearing, one could detect gunfire later, and much shouting. Oh well.

Rick Morgan sets his jaw tightly, closing his eyes for the moment. "I don't know Twila...I just don't know. I can't...I mean...I just don't know. It's too...not now. There's still too much going on...there's still so much to try and concentrate on right now. I can't let it get at me. This..." he forces himself to look up, to look at the massive pile of debris once more, despite the curling knot in his stomach at the sight of it. "...this was enough. I should be...getting back."

Twila Peterson takes to standing to her feet as well...and joins him, laying a hand on his shoulder, trying to mentally decide on what to door say really...and not finding the actions or words she could use. Although she has a deep concern, trying to ingore something like this...will only make things worse. Mentally she braces herself for any amount of backlash she may vebrally recieve. For goodness sakes, he just found out and he's in a state of shock! "The...Kodiak can go home on it's own can it?"

Crash Man comes to a halt nearby Twila, Rick, and Shield. Altogether, these three are some of his favorite people to hang around. "Well, if it isn't the Hunter bunch. What brings you all to the City-That-Couldn't-Be-Touched?"

Shield is a bit of a ways off from the pair, shooting things at random. He doesn't really look like he's with the the humans anymore, busy letting loose a bit of his rage.

Rick Morgan shakes his head slowly at Twila. "It can do some simple commands but nothing that intricate. It'd still need me to..." That's about when he's cut off by another voice and arrival for that matter...and he instantly narrows his eyes, his hands suddenly clenching into fists. He seems on the verge of saying something or other...but no words come from his mouth, despite the fact that his hands are suddenly trembling slightly.

And to think, the Robot Masters didn't even have a thing to do with this attack.

Crash Man has been getting that reaction a lot lately.

"If you're irked about us not nailing that Maverick base," Crash Man reasons. "..then don't worry, so am I. Those dang whisker-wearing pansies got over on us."

Twila Peterson silently cringes as she turns to face the Master...and protectively steps closer to her brother, keeping a hand ther on his arm. "Quiet, Crash. And leave," she says rather dangerously, having already had her own fill of frustraions without a Mastert again on the loose jabbing at them, especially her brother in this state, to keep silent.

Crash Man shoots Twila a look. "No thanks," he replies quickly. "I'm fine where I am. Actually, not to be gruesome, but I'm trying to find whatever's left of Sentinel's head. I'm aiming to make it into a get-well-soon gift for Wily."

Rick Morgan snorts audibly in disgust, already taking a step back. "Twila..." he states simply, as if even being here is becoming more unbearable with each passing second. In truth, he's feeling more sick to his stomach as it is. "Let's...head back. I...don't want to be here anymore."

Shield eventually nears the group again, still a bit concerned for their safety. Which is when he sees Crash Man. He walks over to the RM, and oddly enough he's not angry with the RM, though it doesn't really show one way or the other.

Twila has no idea what truly happen to Sentinal other than he ahd committed suicide in the midst of the earlier battle. Somewhere inside, she somehow doubts he was really at fault for his actions. Her features grow colder. But at her brother's call she softens and turns for the bike, having it in mind to escort him home. He shouldn't be driving in this condition. "I'll shadow you bike."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Shield: "Rick shouldn't be along in this condition. Coming or...staying."

Shield sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Staying."

"Humans," a tougher, sober Crash Man snorts in disgust. "Couldn't have atleast said 'thanks' for getting one to safety." His head shakes faintly, "It's not like I had better things to do or anything.. hah."

Twila Peterson nods towards Shield's reply and let's out a quiet sigh, certainly not her first...and definately not to be the last. When she arrives she waits for Rick to get into his armor before hopping onto the bike. Twowards Crash Man's words she seeths, "I neither asked for it nor wanted it..."

To which, Crash Man replies. "Wasn't your decision. It was mine."

Rick Morgan grunts merely once to himself, before shifting another glare in Crash Man's direction, then leaping up and behind him, disappearing into the ride armor's cavernous chest. A few seconds later, the Kodiak's entire form seems to shift into motion again, as it's main generator comes back online with a dull, gentle thrumm of power.

Shield makes his way to Crash Man and nods in greeting. Seems he wants to talk to the Red Bomber. "How's it going, Crashbo?" he says, trying to sound friendly but he's a bit too drained, and it just comes out flat.

That done, Twila slips onto the seat of the bike and puts on the helment before activating...

<Back home...>

Rooftop Runway <Hunter HQ>

While it bears a fancy name and important function, this chamber is really no more than a glorified garage where the vehicles and Ride Armor sit when not in use or while being maintenanced. Large storage closets are against the back wall, directly across from the hangar doors which lead out into the Neo Tokyo sky.

The Kodiak moors itself in it's usual docking clamps, just in between the Behemoth and the now renamed Gunslinger. It powers down a few seconds later, and the cockpit slides open once more, as Rick proceeds to leap out and land agilely...as he usually does. He gives a brief glance back, to make sure the cockpit closes behind him, then sighs, and steps forward, heading towards the command center.

He makes it about five steps before he faints.

Twila is just powering down the hoverbike when she sees Rick goes down. Not able to prevent his fall she kneels beside him when she reaches him, gently turning him over, overlooking him for injury. Worriedly, she brokenly whispers his name, "Rick...Rick do you hear me...?" several times, leaning forward and embracing him tightly...rocking him. "Rick...please..."

Rick Morgan dosen't answer for the longest time. Verbally that is. Until finally, even in her embrace, he finally shifts with motion once more, one hand raising up to lightly grip her upper arm, the other moving to her other arm...as his head tilts forward and touches her shoulder at the same time. Perhaps most strange of all is the fact he dosen't cry, dosen't shake, dosen't wail, dosen't even say anything. He just lays there...and squeezes back.

The young woman holds him all the more firmly, realizing he needs her more than ever right now. Her arms hold him closer as a hand rises up to gently brush through those leanthy blond locks is is. Cradling him as she would an infant she continues rocking him slowly back and forth. She relaizes it was a mistake now to offer what she did on the site. But then...she's in a state of shock to. Whatever affects the one twin, certainly affects the other. Finally, after a lengthy period of silence she states just one notch above a whisper. "Rick, I'm so sorry..."

Rick Morgan closes his eyes for those few seconds, setting his mouth in a thin line as well, before letting a long, shuddering breath loose, his entire body giving a single shiver, before finally seeming to relax...physically at least. "What's done...is done..." he finally breathes, after a long moment. "I..I can't change it. When this is all...over with, I can think on it then...I can let it out. But not...not now. Not at this point. There's too much at stake..." The words are spoken...almost as if to himself as well as to her.

The man continues to be held lovingly by his sister. She doesn't chide him, she doesn't correct him, and she doesn't attempt to sway him. He knows he's right. But, she can't help but become deeply concerned for his well-being as well...especially now. "Hey, remember that you said you'd always be there for me, that we would always be together? That goes, both ways, Rick," she promises, eyes misting over already. "I'll be here when you need me."

"I know sis..." Rick says gently...reaching up a hand to touch her cheek for those few seconds...thumb moving to remove a bit of moisture that had threatened to turn into a tear. "And I'll never forget that..." At that, he shifts again, easing himself upwards, until he's sitting up by his own will at that point.

Twila quietly studies him, offering a slight sniffle as her skin brushes hers. So much has happened over the course of the last few days...and now this. It's a wonder anyone can keep their sanity. But she knows she must now. If not for her own sake, at least for Rick's. "I wish I knew what to say..."

Rick Morgan shakes his head slowly, before carefully pushing himself to his feet once more, reaching down to give her a hand up as well, apparently steady enough on his feet now as he adopts at least a neutral exterior once more, the hard shell of a Hunter returning into place. "You don't have to Twila...." he says gently. "...you never do."

Even as she rises his hands are given a slight pressure. "I can...escort you to your room. Or...even the Recretion Room. You really shouldn't be alone right now," Twila intones gently.

Rick Morgan appears to hesitate for a long moment, before finally giving a slow nod in response. "If...if you want. And if you don't mind..." he finally relents. "May as well...head to the recreation room for now..."

Twila Peterson dips her chin in response. "The Rec Room it is then," she muses, wrapping an arm around his. She ventures a step forward, waiting for him, then briefly halts, telling him the three small words which are probably the most needed to be heard right now. "Rick...I love you."

Rick Morgan pauses in his own step at that, glancing down at her once more, as if with that final realization that she really -is- all he's got left in the world now. With that, he sweeps one arm out, and draws her back into into a tight hug, squeezing her once more with that realization. "I love you too Twila..." he whispers. "I always will...no matter what."