Twila@

Twila@M3 - Wednesday, September 22, 1999, 11:08 PM --------------------------------------------------

Kyo-Ohki> Barracks <Hunter HQ> The hallway to the barracks of Light Labs is wide, the corridor lit by warm glowing overheads as it stretches towards the windowed far wall. Doors line the hallway, each the home of one of the Maverick Hunters. Small nametags line each door, showing which rooms are occupied, and which are not. The floor is covered with actual carpeting, giving this place a homey feel and somewhat cancelling the laboratory feel that dominates the labs. The hall is mostly empty however, being merely a transitory point between the Hunters' rooms and the rest of the world.

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

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

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Uhm... I want to apologize ahead of time.'.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: '*pause* Er...apologize for what?'.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'I might be a little late to get home tonight... I've run into some... trouble...'.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: '*becoming increasingly concered* What sort of trouble?'.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Well... I spoke with Bass last night... he told me that Zero was going to return to me... to kill me... and my loved ones...'.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'I didn't belive him... until now...'.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: '*a bit of lengthy silence followed by a soft...* Oh...that type of trouble...'.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Twila...'. (Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Promise me...'. (Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Promise me you'll tell them if I don't come back conscious... of what's happened to Zero... and to try and save him...'.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'And watch out for youself... please... Bass told me he would come for you as well...'.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: '*a small sniff is heard. Her voice is a little weak but she's trying to be strong. "I--I promise. I'm...holing you to yours.'.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'And I intend to keep it... always and forever...'

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'As...as will I. I love you, Rock.'. Kyo-Ohki> Rick Morgan blinks and lifts his gaze to glance around the room. "What the heck is -that-?" he mutters.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'I love you too Twila... today... tommorrow... forever...'.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'I'll...be here when you get back.'. <Soon.>

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

Twila Peterson enters the medical facility, figeting somewhat. From her standpoint she doesn't see anyone right off hand - not even the two cabbits found there. She steps towards a televison monitor to try and find if she can learn anything from there.

Ryu-Ohki eyes the other cabbit and hops over to her, "Mew mew mew! <Hiya!>

Kyo blinkblinks as she glances up. She sits up straight and "Mews!" loudly in return. <Ryu!!>

Screen> Sydney - Business District This area had suffered the worst impact from the first Maverick assault and was once nearly reduced to rubble, but today the streets are free from ruin and there built Skyscrapers stand tall once again. The buildings that didn't survive the attack were demolished to allow room for others in their place. No matter where you look you'll see several sites in the stages of being half-built, or nearly complete. The newer office buildings reach heights that make the restored structures look quite small as these glass and steel giants around them cast their shadows over the streets during the late afternoon.

Screen> Zero sneers at Serges, leving his buster at him, "Because, Serges, Iris seems to get to him as well, and I just want to make sure we're clear on the line which he cannot cross."

Ryu-Ohki nodnods, "Meow! Mewmew yip yip! <Lunar said I could come visit Twila and Rock, but I got lost... I thought I was gonna be alone forever *sniff*>"

Screen> Zero draws his fist back, lunging at Serges with an arm engulfed in black flames.

Screen> Magna Centipede takes the burden of his tight-beam magnet attack - he's been partially ionized, causing him to mis-align his dodge, getting clipped by the heavy blast. "How annoyingly true..." he coughs, quickly rearing his tail forward impossibly fast, the tail elongating more and more as the pronged end sails towards Bass, cyber-venom already leaking from the pores.

The female cabbit nuzzles Ryu and purrs. "Mewmewmewmew mewo..." <Someone would have found. Most of them are nice here. Stay away from the mechanical mutts tho. They're nasty. I was almost eaten!> Screen> Rock has finally seen enough, his body begining to glow a bright blue, he tenses his hands. A stern look overcoming his facial expression.

Screen> Serges slams backwards into the ground from the force of the blow, which he failed to see coming at all. As he scrapes to a stop, his hand is already reaching into his many-pocketed cloak. With the other, he wipes away a trickle of fluid from his mouth as he says, "Perhaps your little flower would be better suited as a Maverick.. she doesn't seem very happy with Repliforce." His first hand tosses the object at Zero. The object enlarges in size as it sails towards Zero, meant to smash into him.

Screen> Bass crouches after his blast, placing his free palm down onto the cement for a moment, before finally leaping high into the air, as the deadly pincer streaks past him and impacts into the pavement. His smirk grows just a tad wider at the moment, as he flips forward and lands behind Magna, spinning around and letting loose with a glowing, white hot ball of energy at the exposed flank.

Ryu-Ohki purrs as well as Kyo nuzzles up to him. "Mew? Meow yip mew mew. <That's wierd... Lunar is a doggie, and he treats me really good!>

Screen> Zero oomphs as the dud bomb smacks hard into his chest. He simply drops to the ground, grabbing his abdomen in pain. Obviously he doesn't have much left.

Screen> Magna Centipede snarls as he lowers his profile to a scant 10 inches and allows the blast to pass overhead before rising up again. "Sneaky." he smirks, quickly gesturing a magnetic forcefield about him. "Your master really does make some fine work from time to time..."

Kyo responds with another purr. "Memeow..." <Yeah.. He's nice. Rhythm and Rush can learn a thing or to." "Mewmewmew." The cabbit licks his furr. <Happy you're here tho. I missed you.>

Screen> Rock begins heaving his frame as he watches the battles wage and suddenly turns towards Serges, his body continuing to glow brightly, he takes a step forward, despite knowing that if what bass said is true, and no matter what color his armor is, that's still his best friend over there...

Ryu-Ohki folds his floppy ears over his face, "Yip Yip yip!! <Awww... stop it... heehee!>

Screen> Zero attempts to get back to his feet, pushing off with one hand. He almost makes it but falls right back onto the ground face first. He lies there for a moment, armor crackling with blue white energy. But he can't do much other than raise his buster slightly and fire a volley at Serges.

Twila Peterson finds easily enough that the "trouble" Rock referred to has indeed made the newscasts. She bites her lower lip as she continues watching the report within mid broadcast. She leans forward and just watches...her facial features betraying ehr worry and concern. Screen> Bass turns about, 'breathing' heavily. "You have no -idea- how superior my construction is....." he growls, raising his Neo-Buster as if to blast down Magna's forcefield. But a glow off to the side catches his attention. "What....?" with narrowed eyes, he twists his gaze in the direction of the glowing Rock.

Magma Dragoon listens to the constant mewing and yipping. He tightens his jaw and focuses past the "interruption" as he lies there repairing the last of his internal injuries...

Kyo giggles softly as she hops back half a step. "Mew...!" <Bashful...>

Ryu-Ohki looks over at Twila, "Mew? <What's wrong with her?>"

Screen> Serges is blasted by Zero, the plasma searing into his chest armor, but not knocking him around. It hurts, but not critically. He scoffs, "Pathetic, really. Maybe I can take your little wag of hair as a duster for my bookshelf."

Screen> Zero prmptly drops his hand to the ground, having nothing much left to give to this battle.

Kyo-Ohki blinksblinks and settles a bit, rejoining the male cabbit soon enough. She observes for a moment and paws at the air. "Mewmew." <I...don't know. She looks sad tho. Wanna see wassup?>

Screen> Magna Centipede notes Bass's attention and almost instinctivley capitalizes on it. However, he also notes the glow, and his eyes narrow. "Hmmm...." he says in fatalistic sarcasm.

Ryu-Ohki noddles, "Mew. <Yeah.>" he says as he hops over.

Screen> Rock blinks as he sees Zero fall to the ground and suddenly breaks into a run towards Serges, "NO!!! ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!" he screams as the blue aura continues to glow, as he rises into the air, he calls out, "ZERO! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" he says as suddenly he flexes his arms and yells, as he begins to streak towards the group rapidly, "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVITY.... CRUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Twila Peterson slowly blinks at the screen with a troubled sigh. As both cabbits make their way over to her she doesn't notice them at first, nor does she yet notice Magma as of yet. She's too preoccupied by the screen's images.

Screen> Zero stirrs a bit, in his semi-conscious state. He just reacts and rolls across the ground, taking cover near a large monument.

Kyo-Ohki bounds up up towards the lap of her mistress with an inquisitive "Mew?"

Screen> Bass's eyes widen, "AAAAAaaaaaaaaaaagh!" his howl rips forward, as the sheer shockwave lifts him high into the air, and hurtling backwards at a dizzying speed. His body becomes nothing more that a screaming projectile.....which goes straight through the wall of a building, and deep into it.

Sceen> Serges's reflexes save his aft again and he manages to jump up into the air and backflips just as Rock slams into the ground. The shockwave mostly missing him, the X-Hunter finally lands after his intricate acrobatics, scowling at Rock. R Screen> Magna Centipede watches his magnetic field suddenly blister, then finally breach under the tremendous energies. The entire field breaks down in hail of power as his light frame skitters in accordance withthe awesome powers, his body attempting to re-assert control of his various limbs, a trickle of trepidation in his eyes as he sizes up Rock.

Screen> Rock streaks through the area in a bright flash of light and then as the energy field dissipates he falls to the ground rolling as he hits it and then skidding a bit and slamming into a wall. He lays there for a small while before picking himself up, he looks up at the group, immediately looking for Zero.

Twila Peterson blinks and glance quickly down at the cabbit on her lap...not yet taking it in Ryo is also present. She offers Kyo a warm hug. "Oh, Kyo...how did you get in here?" she asks softly...

Screen> Zero rests curled up next to a large stone thing. He doesn't seem aware at all of what is going on.

Twila Peterson looks back up at the sceen, watching the display in quite a bit of concern. "Oh...Rock," she winces...

Screen> Serges looks around him, then jumps up to a fire escape ladder and scrambles up onto the balcony it leads to. He follows it around to try and get Rock and Zero in his sites.

Screen> Bass's form slowly.....oh so slowly reappears again in the entranceway that he made into the building, his scowl as deep as it had ever been. His armor is severely tattered and torn, but that doesn't bother him near so much as what just happened. His own body now glows a deep purple, as he glares out at the combatants. Strangely enough however, his expression twists into a smirk....

Ryu-Ohki hopes over to Twila and nudges her leg slightly, looking up, "Mew?"

Twila Peterson pries her eyes away from the screen once more and blinkblinks. "Ryu?" she asks, her voice soft. "How...did you?" She bites her lip and pats the cushion of the seat beside her. "I missed you."

Screen> Serges skulks around the side of the building, coming to a point above a little beyond Rock and Zero. He smirks. Magna Centipede seems to re-attain his battle posture, moving to flank Serges.

Screen> Bass slowly hauls himself further from the building, growling for a moment, as the glow around his body grows brighter and brighter, the hum of his Neo-Buster charging building in pitch. His gaze remains levelled on Rock and Zero for the moment. Ryu-Ohki mews happily and hops up next to Twila, "mew mew!"

Twila Peterson tis distracted once more by the screen and fumbles for her radio...

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Rock, get up...please! Bass is about to fire..!'.

Screen> Rock blinks as his radio goes off and he turns to eye Bass, he suddenly slides over to position himself between Zero and Bass, "No! You're not taking him away from me!"

Screen> Serges chuckles down from his perch above. "No.. I'm taking him away from you, X."

Twila Peterson watches worriedly and postions her arms so she's balancing Kyo while carefully picking up Ryo, giving them both a hugsnug. "I don't care how you both got here. I'm just glad you're here...."

Screen> Rock looks up and just stares in utter horror.

Magma Dragoon rises slowly from the table.... he holds his side rather tightly but makes no sign of pain. He is silent.... he notices the concern in Twila's voice..... "M'am?.... Doth something concern you?"

Ryu-Ohki snuggles up to Twila, "Meeeeeeew!"

Kyo purrs...but thet wonders why Twila is crying. "Mew?" <Ryo, what's she doing?>

Screen> Serges flings out his arms, like he's trying to embrace the sky beyond. Dozens of little glittering objects fall towards Zero and X below, like a rain of death.

Ryu-Ohki looks over at Kyo, "Mew. Yip. <I dunno...>

Screen> Rock thows up his arms to shield himself from most of the blast but isn't capable of saving Zero from the attack, "Gah! NO!"

Screen> Bass lifts his buster, aiming it straight at Rock, his smirk growing just a tad. As Serges speaks, and lets go, the Dark Knight calmly raises his aim....bringing it on the X-Hunter. The ensuing discharge of energy is so powerful it practically almost knocks him over, and he's forced to take a step back.

Twila Peterson slacks her hold a little as she's adressed. She gestures towards the television monitor which shows the battle which includes Rock and Zero in progress. "It's in Sydney..."

Screen> Magna Centipede feels the building rock as the blast smacks his cohort. His dark eyes looking back down at Bass. "We don't learn when to quit, do we?" he hisses, arms clutching the building, tail raising into the air.

Screen> Serges's form is outlined in crackling energy for a moment, at least that's what it seems like to those watching. In actuality, his is flung through the balcony's rail, not even knowing that Bass was aiming at him. All conscious thought flees his mind other than "I'm going to die" as he plummets the three stories to the hard, cold ground below. He crumples into an unmoving heap only a few feet from Rock and Zero.

Screen> Rock ignores the rest of what's going on and runs over to Zero, kneeling down beside him, "Zero..." he says softly, "Dammit, I can't lose you... not again..."

Screen> Magna Centipede flits his optics over to Serges' broken and beaten form, weighing his options for moment as he decides a course of action.

Twila Peterson back to the monitor in time to see Bass fire a huge blast within Rock's direction. her eyes widen a bit in shock as well as dismay. However, the blast instead hits a nearby Maverick instead. She bites her lower lip and gives the cabbits another squeeze.

Screen> Magna Centipede flits his optics over to Serges' broken and beaten form, weighing his options for moment as he decides a course of action.

Kyo-Ohki's eyes turn towards the monitor as well. Admist the hugging she "Mews?" with a blink and bats at the air. "Mew!" <Pretty. But...what is it?>

Screen> Bass lowers his smoking buster, glaring towards the battlescene quietly. A satisfied scowl spreads across his features, as he steps away from the building, just watching now.

Screen> Serges lays there in a smoking pile for a long while, the finer details of his form melted into an undefined mass. But, lo and behold, he stirs. A rasp escapes his damaged throat as he braces an arm underneath him, hoisting his upper torso up so his face is now visible. And quite the horror it is... his monocle fractured, his mustache burned and mostly gone, his 'skin' almost all burned away, revealing the metal frame beneath. The X-Hunter leader raises his head and lets out an ear-piercing roar of anger and pain. "RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"

Screen> Rock spins around, looking for the nearest object of his aggression, and lo and behold, who stands before him other than his nemesis... he pulls out Zero's sabre, as he grits his teeth, "You bastard! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO HIM?! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE HIM AWAY?!" he begins running towards him as the sound of the sabre igniting can be heard, "DIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Magma Dragoon gets to his feet.... the look on his face is a bit of astonishment... "(guhhr...) What?... I must go help them......"

Twila Peterson tears herself from the monitor. "You in the condition to be able to?"

Screen> Rock swipes the sabre at Bass violently, so violently that the sabre slips out from his hands, and un-ignites, sliding across the ground with an echo that seems to overshadow the sounds of everything else in the room.

Screen> Magna Centipede slowly shambles down the wall towards Serges, a bulbous and mature proglottid of a mine already prepping on his tail.

Magma Dragoon moves rather slowly but smoothly. "I will be fine... just need to work some of the..... burrs out of my new pieces of armor plating." He stands fully erect, several feet taller than Twila.

Screen> Serges gathers his cane from where it fell with him, even the special alloy metal slightly charred and bent, and uses it to stand heavily.

Screen> Bass's eyes widen as Rock closes the distance towards him. Though his form may be horribly damaged, he reacts with amazing agility, dashing back just as the blade whizzes past his chest within scant inches, and goes flying. His eyes narrow then, as he glares at Rock. "You know -nothing- about hate." he practically whispers, lashing out with his fist for the Blue Bomber's jaw as his dash jets kick in, propelling him forward. Regardless if it connects or not....Bass uses the time to scoop up the fallen sabre, and switch his course to the fallen Zero as well, moving at top speed.

Twila Peterson swallows a bit hard as she refocuses on the screen...hugging the cabbits a little tighter. She nods belatedly in response to Magma...although he may not be able to see it since her back is turned. "Be...careful," she whispers distractedly.

Screen> Magna Centipede lands with a dull thud next to Serges, his own battered form seeking retribution. With a nod of identification, he looks back to the targets.

Screen> Rock gets socked in the jaw and hits the ground hard, with a "UMPH!" He scrambles to his feet but it's too late, there's nothing he can do to stop Bass from getting away, with both Zero, and his sabre.

Screen> Serges doesn't make any visible reaction to the events occurring a few meters away, or even to acknowledge Magna, merely watching. His fingers tap against the blackened metal tip of his cane.

Screen> Indeed, that's exactly what Bass does, clipping the sabre to his side, and not even slowing down as he hefts Zero's form over one shoulder. Wordlessly, he allows his dash jets to continue carrying him onwards......not having slowed down one bit.

Screen> A solitary tear forms in the Maverick Hunter's eye as he watches his best friend get taken away yet again, he reaches out futily as he says softly, "No..." he falls to one knee, as the fatigue takes it's toll on the blue bomber, as he hangs his head sadly.

Twila Peterson stares at the screen and heaves a sigh. "The Master retook Zero..." she tones, not really to anyone.

Screen> Serges's optics glint malevolently as he considers Rock, the retreating Bass forgotten but definitely not forgiven. He hisses, "Poor X... nothing ever goes his way, does it?" The sarcasm drips from his melted lips.

Screen> Magna Centipede watches in macabre silence, arching an impassive brow ridge at the exchange. "Indeed." he adds, capping Serges' words.

Screen> Rock looks up at Serges as he hears his comments as his buster snaps in aim at the X-Hunter, "Maybe not..." he says as he rises up, "But you weren't much of a help to the situation either..."

Magma Dragoon walks towards the door..... "I will go..... do not worry m'lady." Magma Dragoon enters the Corridor - Level 3 <Hunter HQ>.

Screen> Serges snarls, "You are even more of a fool than you seem if you actually attack me now, X." He then rasps, "Not to mention a hypocrite."

Screen> Magna Centipede's tail raises up, waving a 'naughty, naughty' gesture. "Better re-think that action, X."

Screen> Rock narrows his eyes, as nearly snaps of a shot at the X-hunter before his final words sink in, he grits his teeth as he fights with himself inside over what to do.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Rock, Magma is coming in to help.'.

Screen> Serges still hasn't raised his hands at all. One hangs limply at his side, most likely useless; the other rests atop his cane. "You know, it's really quite a dilemma for me now. I'm not sure who I despise more.. you or Bass. At least you have some sense of honor, even if he is smarter and a better warrior."

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Gotcha...'.

Screen> Magma Dragoon makes his way through the shadowed alleyways of the city... climbing through wreckage slowly he makes his way towards Rock's location.

Twila Peterson continues watching the screen with widened eyes. "Thanks for being here with me..." she tells the cabbits.

Screen> Magma Dragoon brings his macrobinoculars to his eyes as he looks out towards the gathering where a battle seems to have taken place. He leans heavily against a piece of wall that was once part of a building he assumes. "Blast..... this'll never do...." he hisses to himself.

Rick Morgan of course walks back -in- right at that moment, casting his gaze around the room. He'd seen the report just recently on the TV, and he frowns as he spots the woman over at the corner of the repair bay. "Twila.....?" he asks quietly, stepping forward.

Ryu-Ohki looks up at Twila and snugs up against her, "Mew." Twila Peterson bites her lower lip and then releases a breath. "Yes, Rick?" she questions without glancing up.

Kyo-Ohki offers a snug the the woman as well. "Mewmew..." <Why is she so sad tho...?>

Rick Morgan steps up closer, slightly behind her as he too glances at the screen. "You ok?" he asks, a little concerned. From all aspects on the screen, Rock's actually doing -well-, except for the biggest issue of course.

Screen> Rock sighs as he lowers his buster arm, remaining silent. True, all things concerned, Rock may be doing well. But Twila can't help but be overly concerned about him...as well as his present emotional and mental state.

"I hope..." is all she can offer. Twila Peterson can't imagine what loosing Zero once again to his enemies will do to him however.

Screen> Serges pauses to cough, a splatter of lubricant bubbling up on his lips. The X-Hunter seems to consider something, "But I am not without pity... it would anger Bass to no end if you managed to get Zero back intact. That is something I might be able to... aid you in." Serges . o O (Of course, that doesn't mean I simply won't blow you both sky high later, but...)

Screen> Magma Dragoon moves closer now to be able to hear the conversation that appears tob be taking place.... he moves with slight struggle, still holding his side.

Rick Morgan just nods slowly, watching the screen. He swallows slowly for the moment. "Well...." he starts. "....at least we know where Zero is..."

Screen> Rock looks over at Serges, "I don't make deals with mavericks." he quips irritated.

Twila Peterson nods a bit slowly to that. "At least," she tones softly, not knowing what to verbally contribute right now.

Screen> Magna Centipede tilts his head slightly. "And how bad do you want your friend back?" he spits with a curved smile.

Screen> Rock sneers, "Alive, and back to normal, two things that I know for sure that I can get from the likes of you."

Screen> Serges sneers, "No, of course not. Your high and mighty morality doesn't allow for it, does it? But it does allow for you to attack other Reploids you don't agree with politically... and it allows you to let that..... tete de merdre, Bass, make off with your long-haired friend. Well I stand corrected.. you certainly can sleep well tonight, refusing my offer." Serges turns, beginning to hobble away

Screen> *WHAM* Serges words hit Rock like a ton of bricks, as he stands there, suddenly engulfed in a flood of self- doubt.

Screen> Magma Dragoon clenches his fist listening.... "..... " his tail swings back slowly.

Rick Morgan just falls silent, shaking his head slowly. He dosen't really know what to say to her either right now......

Twila Peterson tightly shuts her eyes...only to reopen them again, viewing the images within the screen. She again fumbles for her radio.

Screen> Magna Centipede gives a follow up smirk to Serges' words. "Indeed. Good thing you have those principles to keep you warm at night..." he too, begins to saunter off.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: '*softly* Rock, please. Don't let them get to you. That's want they want.'.

(Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'I know...'.

(Ch. A []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Don't believe a word of what he just said...please...'.

Screen> Rock heaves a sigh, as he lowers his head once more, as he's surrounded in a blue cylander of light, his armor dissipating, and leaving him in his casual clothes.

Rick Morgan eyes her radio for a moment, while listening to his own for the moment, before finally shaking his head again. "I think Rock's gonna need you to talk to him when he gets back Twila....." he says quietly. Not that they're not already talking......

Twila Peterson lowers the radio and offers Rick a nod. "Yeah...he is," she muses just above a wisper...

Screen> Magma Dragoon staggars from his position slowly. He walks with a slight limp but makes himself visible. His cloak is around his shoulders and covers most of his frame. "Stop...."

Screen> Serges pauses, drawing himself up straighter with his cane. His head swivels towards Magma Dragoon, his own cloak mostly burnt and shredded. He snarls, "What do you want, lizard?"

Screen> Magma Dragoon replies simply, "Zero......." He comes to a halt a few feet behind Rock.

Rick Morgan nods, falling silent again. -How- do you even talk about this? Rubble> Serges snorts, and continues walking. "Ask your leader of high morals where Zero is." Serges walks off, leaving himself open should one of the Hunters decide to shoot him in the back.

Rick Morgan glances down and frowns at his radio again. "Sheesh....." he mutters. "First Sydney, now London..." he straightens, finding this timing to be the worst right about now. "You gonna be ok Twila? I better go check it out...."

Twila Peterson turns away from the monitor as a reporter or two add their commentary. "I..." Actually she's not certain, but, "You better go ahead and go.

Rick Morgan hesitates again. "Are you -sure-....?" Rick Morgan's nice_guy tendencies tug at him....

Twila Peterson presses her lips tightly together. "I'm....sure..." she manages while placing the cabbits onto the seat next to her.

Little Kyo "Mews??", not understanding Twila's present demeanor. She glances up to the human and blinks. She points to her mistress with a paw. "Mew?"

Rick Morgan gives a short nod, before turning and dashing from the medical bay without another word.

The female cabbit then switches looks from Ryu and Rick and then tones a saddened, "mew..."

================================Rock's Quarters================================

Rock's Quarters is a well done mix of official and casual, the walls are plain white, in the small spots where you can actually -see- the walls. Awards, certificates, pictures, and posters adorn the walls, all in a mesh of Rock the hero and Rock the fun loving guy. In the corner lies his desk, next to it, a small wastepaper basket. His bed is quite large, and lies in the center of the room against the far wall. The headboard serves as a shelf as well, and on them, several pictures and small toys and models. An entertainment center sits opposite the bed, containing a television (or at least the equivalent of which in this day and age) as well as some game systems and a stereo. A bookshelf takes up nearly all of the free wall, showing Rock's secret love of reading, as well as his love for toys and models, which occupy some of the shelves as well. A large window lies above the bed, allowing light to shine down upon it during the day, and giving him a good look at the night sky after hours. A door leading to the bathroom is located next to the bed opposite the desk, which is also where his closet is located. All in all, a fine meshing of Rock's personality, giving off the same cheerful aura that he himself does.

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

Twila Peterson quietly enters the young reloid's quarters which have been given for her use soon after she arrived at base. She steps inside without a sound as the door slides shut behind her.

Rock sits alone in the corner of the room, looking down at his hands that rest in his lap, apon further inspection, you can see tears streaming down his face.

wila Peterson stands there for a few moments, looking over the room. Soon after she does so she spies Rock's position and walks towards him with care. Upon reaching him she kneels beside him, her facial features a catalog of deep concern. A hand reaches out and she rests her palm against his cheek while her thumb traces some of the trails of salty tears coursing down his smooth skin. "Rock...?"

Rock looks up slowly, "I lost him..." he says softly, as tears continue to stream out of his eyes as he gives a slight sniffle. "I let him get taken away, just like he was last time... I was powerless..."

Twila Peterson knows of his grief, feeling it acutely. She's at a loss for what to do or say in order to comfort him. "You did your best, Rock. No one can ask more than that," she finally states, hating herself for sounding so lame. "You didn't 'allow' them to do anything. They forced it. I saw..."

Rock shakes his head, "Regardless of what I did or didn't do, I didn't do my job... I didn't live up to the 'legend'." He fehs, "I couldn't even be a friend..."

Twila Peterson painfully closes her eyes, which are already moist and threatening the tear, and then reopens them again. Her thumb traces yet another of Rock's own tears as it makes it's way down his face. "You were exactly the friend Zero needed," she tones softly. "As for 'legends', that's why they're call 'legends'. Larger than life. Rock, you're not some type of god. And Zero would have understood that."

Rock sheds a few more tears before leaning forward and embracing her tightly, "It's just been too much Twila..." he sniffles, "I just don't understand why this is happening to me, all at the same time..."

Twila Peterson returns the much needed embrace, holding onto Rock rather tightly as her fingers reach to stroke strands of the reploids hair to offer all the comfort, love, and encouragement she can muster as she feels his heart shattering. "I...don't know either," she manages as her voice trembles slightly. "But regardless of the reason, you aren't doing through this alone."

Rock hugs her tighter as she speaks her words as he cries out, "Thank you...thank you so much Twila..." the tears keep coming, as the sea of emotion that he had bottled up finally comes out in the form of the watery drops the streak down his face, he gasps for air between sniffles as he manages to utter out, "I love you Twila, now more than ever do I wish I could find the words that would say what my heart wants to tell you."

Twila Peterson bring her arm back around Rock's back, renewing her grip and maintaining it's strong, yet gentle, grasp. Her tears, minute compared to the ones shed by the Hunter, begin mingling with his as he shares his pain. "You don't have to, Rock. Words fail alot of times," she tones above a whisper. "I promised I would be there when you needed me. And I intend on keeping that vow."

Rock smiles faintly as tries to fight back his tears, "And I too intend on keeping my promises to you as well Twila..." he says softly.

Twila Peterson nods slowly. The young woman pulls away a little and offers the slick skin or Rock's cheek a gentle kiss before resuming the hug with more fervency than before. "I know, my love. I know." After some silence she states within the same level of voice. "No matter what Wily did to Zero...remember that the true Zero already knows your doing your best to help him. He couldn't ask for anyone better, Rock, regardless of the others told you. They're liers. All of them.

Rock nods, "I know... but yet, for some reason it keeps bothering me... I don't know why." he sighs, "Maybe it's just all of this stress that I've been having..."

"It could be. You've been under a tremendous amount which would have put anyone to the test," Twila concedes. She squeezes him and questions, "What exactly is bothering you?" She knows or can fairly well guess. But it might help the reploid to speak of it.

Rock sighs, "The fact that Zero is still gone... the increase in aggression from both the masters and mavericks... Rush and Rythym tearing up the command center... Iris accusing me of not knowing what pain is, when she hasn't even been alive long enough to even fathom the things I've been through... Blues... all of these things along with other little things, they've all just been building up, festering inside.

Most of this Twila had indeed already known. Again she nods slowly while retaining her grip. "Iris?" she asks, suddenly remembering her brief encounter with the uninvinted interloper within the computer system. "That...was what yesterday was about?"

Rock nods, "She started behaving like a spoiled brat and threatened to do what could be the equivalent of suicide to a human yesturday because she couldn't handle what was going on."

Twila Peterson allows that to sink in a moment before responding with,"I can...understand how hearing something like that would have hurt and insulted you," while resting her forehead against his shoulder. "I'm...sorry."

Rock shakes his head, "You need not apologize for something you didn't do." he sighs, "Hopefully someone's talked some sense into her by now. I've tried, and I don't think I can handle dealing with her anymore, at least not for a while." "Even if no one has, Iris has to make her own choices and decisions. Ultimately," the young woman points out, "she's the one held accountable for her actions. It's no ones responsibility but hers."

Rock nods, "I know, but she's so hasty that I'm afraid that she's going to make the wrong choice out of ignorance to the world around her." Twila Peterson swallows, "There's only so much one can do, Rock. She's her own reploid. She's either hopelessly naive or she's simply putting on an act for attention. Either way, you have enough of your own concerns to contend with."

After a brief interlude she offers, "A wounded soldier can't very well help bind another's wounders unless he does some healing himself."

Rock nods silently, knowing she's right, as he fights back the last few tears, she guessed right, talking about it a little did help out a lot. He looks at her through his big grey-blue eyes as he places a hand gently on her cheek now, wiping away those tears that she shed as well, and leans forward slowly, planting a very gentle kiss on her lips, knowing words are rather useless right about now.

Twila Peterson brushes her lips tenderly against Rock's in return and slightly pulls back in order to gaze on him. Her blueish-green orbs silently search his as she offers a sympathetic but understanding gaze. With care one of her arms unlace from the embrace and lifts her hand to cover the one Rock himself had recently moved, nothing really coming to mind for her to verbally say. But her gaze, features, and her entire posture speaks volumes.

Rock smiles warmly at her as he leans back a bit, taking her hands in his, letting her know that sympathy and understanding is appreciated, and is working.

Twila Peterson applies a bit of gentle pressure with her fingers as she sits there. "Feeling at least a little...better?" she asks, her concern for him during this trying time still at great levels. Not about the situation of course. For the time being, there's nothing that can be done about it. However, the way in which the situation is approached and handled can matter more than one can realize.

Twila Peterson sends another message through her fingertips. "I certainly wouldn't want to accidentally do the opposite," she states then adds more soberly, "It won't go on like this, Rock. It can't. But, as I promised, when it does I'll be there, always."

Rock nods, "I know it won't, things always get better." he says softly, "And even if you intentionally tried to do the opposite, I doubt you'd do anything other than bring a smile to my face." he then too gives her hands a squeeze, "And I'll always be there for you, just as you are there for me."

Twila Peterson warmly smiles on the young reploid bobs her chin. "And...I trust that you will be." She lapses into silence momentarily as her smile broadens a little. "By the way," she says, "you owe me a date."

Rock eeeps and blushes, "Yeah... I do..." he rubs the back of his head, "Well, since I'm off duty now, we've got all the time in the world to spend together." he says with a smile, knowing that's not exactly the case, since he's going to eventually have to go back to work, but might as well enjoy it while it's there. "How about we add dinner to that walk in Neo-Tokyo?"

Rock shrugs, "I dunno, try something new maybe? Is there anything that you haven't tried yet that interests you?"

Twila Peterson presses her lips together as she thinks on that. "You're forgetting I haven't dinned in Neo-Tokyo before. The only place I know of that's here is McDonald's. And I doubt Big Macs wer what you had in mind."

Rock chuckles, "Weeeeeeell, I could go for some chicken McNuggets." he says playfully, showing that he truely is getting into a better mood, before sobering up, "Well there's a really good Hibachi Grill in the art district, great food, it's a tad expensive, buuuuut, being a 'legend' has it's advantages sometimes" he says with a wink.

Twila Peterson grins a little at that. "The Hibachi Grill?"

Rock smiles, "It's a place where your table is also the grill that they cook your meals on. The cook comes out and cooks it right in front of you."

Twila Petersons eyes widen at that. "I've heard of places like that. But....never been in one. It sounds like fun..."

Rock smiles, "I think you'll enjoy it, sometimes the hunters will go there as a group..." he trails off, "There's a karaoke bar in there as well... you hven't known fear, until you've been near a karaoke machine with Jazz..."

At about that there can be heard a faint tinkle of a bell coming from the other side of the room, on the opposing side of the bed. It continues as not one, but two differing forms of "mewing" can be heard. After a short amount of time a bluish cabbit along with a smaller gray and white cabbit hop into view. It doesn't take them long to spot the human and the reploid sitting there in the corner. "Meew?" Kyo asks inquistivly while venturing forward, wondering about the two and seeing if Twila's eyes are still leaking.

Twila Peterson perks an eyebrow at that. "Now I'm going to have nightmares," she teases before she notices the two visitors. "Kyo, Ryu? How'd you get in here?" she asks, amused.

Following close behind, Ryu isn't one to be left out of the action, he leaps up on Rock's head and peers down at him, "Mew!" he says proudly, then looking over at Twila again also interested in the current status of the leaky faucet in her eyes.

Twila Peterson jumps back a little as Ryu greets Rock within his own way. Kyo "yips" and bounds over towards Twila's lap. "Mew?" she again questions, batting a furry ball towards the girl's face. "Hello, to you too," she greets then with a wry grin. She looks up towards Rock and jokes, "Nice hat."

Rock giggles and reaches up to tickle Ryu before reaching over to ruffle Kyo's head fur, "Gee, it's like a zoo in here." he chuckles.

Kyo emits a giggle, releaved that her mistress seems to be fairing better and not acting as strangly. She cuddles up to her just before she's petted by Rock and then hops onto her hind legs,, beaming proudly. her litte paw swipes at the bell around her neck a few times, all along "mewmewmewing" at the same time. <Isn't it pretty? Twila made it fer me...>

Twila Peterson offers Kyo a pet as well and mumbles a soft, "Show-off" good naturedly. "Hee, looks like we each get a 'bed-buddy' tonight. Not sure how Ryu got here. But if you want some company when you go to bed...I'm sure he wouldn't mind.

Rock smiles at the bell and looks up at Twila, "I see you went ahead and made her that bell necklace, but apparently, it's not helping much in telling us how they're getting in and out of the room." he pauses as Twila speaks and smiles, "Heehee, as long as he doesn't mind my snoring." with that, Ryu folds his ears over his face and covers them with his paws as he lets out a whiny "Meeew..." Rock sighs, "Speaking of bed, it's probably best I got some sleep..."

Twila Peterson giggles a bit at Ryu's reaction. "Ok...you have Kyo then? i'm sure she's love it." At that Kyo absolutely BEAMS ecstaically. She nods towards Rock, comprehending fully. "You do look a bit drained. I can...tick you in a agian if you like---" she begins to offer until there is a thud that sounds from the other side of the bed...the same side the two cabbits had emerged from. "What was---?"

Rock blinks and stands up immediately switching into protective mode, as he peers at the sound.

Twila Peterson holds onto Kyo as she also takes to her feet. But...the cabbit simply leaps from her arms, refusing to be held this time. With an excited mew she hopes over to the other side of the bed and simply gets stands on her hid legs...looking very proud of herself. Situated behind her is the now uncovered opening to the air vent, it's covering resting quietly on the rug.

Twila Peterson looks to Rock as she joins him, "What is it?" Rock boggles, "It's... the cover to the air vent..."

Twila Peterson takes a look for herself while Kyo hops to the vent and leaps inside. She then turns to face the two others, eyes wide and beeming -- expecting some sort of approval. She seems pleased at how astonished the Maverick Hunter CO appears to be and "Yips!" quite happily. Twila Peterson notes, "Rock...where do these vents lead?" she questions, already having a feeling.

Rock eyes Kyo and takes a stern look, "Kyo..." he shakes his head, "You shouldn't be in there, it's dangerous you know, and you shouldn't leave Twila's side." he shakes his finger scoldingly. He turns to her, "It leads to just about every other room in the base."

Ryu blinks, realizings now what Kyo had led him through, and somewhat understands what Rock is saying and decides he's got a whole new world to play in back at repliforce hq...

Kyo-Ohki's face falls. "Mew?" she questions while looking over towards Ryo. <I do something wrong?> She looks back up towards the Hunter and sniffles. "Meow?" She bats the corners of the vent. See, they're friendly.

Rock reaches up and grabs a hold of Kyo gently, and hands her over to Twila, as he bends over to pick up the grate and puts it back into place, double checking the locks and screws this time to make it a bit more difficult for Kyo to escape next time.

Ryu looks over at Kyo and yips, "<Busted!!>" Ryu also makes a mental note not to show Lunar his discovery after watching Rock replace the cover.

Twila Peterson takes the cabbit, petting her...but still seems a little confused. "She was making her way around base...through the *air vent*?" She blinkblinks as it soaks in. "Kyo," she groans, "what am I going to do with you..."

Kyo peers at her fellow cabbit and then watches Rock seal up the vent. "Mewmewmew!" she moans pathetically. Her little paws wave as she attempts to struggle free as her means of exploration are concealed. "Mew!!" <Why he do that?" Unfortunately, Kyo is younger and doesn't have as much as experiance with this as some other cabbits...

Twila Peterson sighs. "I'm sorry, Rock. I really had no idea..."

Ryu looks over at Kyo and offers a sympathetic, "Meow. Mewmew yip yip! <Don't worry, we'll get it back open tomorrow, just don't show them next time.>"

Rock shrugs with a smile, "Don't worry about it, it's not like she downloaded herself into the main computer system." he says with just a tinge of irritation in relation to the person who actually did.

Kyo yips in return to Ryu. <Ok. This place has more than one air vent anyway...>

Twila Peterson strokes Kyo's fur as she replies, "Speaking oof which, that certain someone isn't *still* in the computer system is she?"

Rock shrugs, "I don't know, I'm sure once Dad finds out he'll have her expunged."

Twila Peterson hmphs. "I think you should just email her back to her brother."

Rock laughs, "I've actually considered it."

Kyo rests herself in Twila's arms before unexpectantly leaping over to Rock, perhaps showing there are no hard feelings about the vent. After all, she does have somewhat of a cruch on him and can't stay upset for long. "Mewmew!"

Rock heehees and pets Kyo, "I'm sorry I had to shut off your little secret passageway, but I don't want you to get hurt or in trouble."

Twila Peterson is about to quip about the use of an anti-virus program but bites her tongue at the last moment.

The female cabbit purrs and preens under the petting. Eh, she can always find other ways to get about. Heck, the vents were the first thing she thought of...imagine what could happen if she lets herself have some timt to think things through. She licks Rock's hand playfully and mews in adoration. *sigh*

Rock giggles at Kyo's licks, and looks over at Twila, "I dunno Twila... looks like someone wants to steal me away from you in a bad way." he chuckles.

Ryu sniffles! "MEW! YIP YIP YIP!!! <But but but!!!!!!!! *sigh*>

Twila Peterson grins mischievously. "Like I said, I think she's chosen her bed beddy for the night," she gives with a wink. Then she adds, after glancing at the cabbit, "I personally think she's just flirting." Twila Peterson stoops down to pick up Ryo after his outburts and gives him a snuggle. "Don't worry, we still love you."

Ryu purrs, but still lets out a disappointed meow <I'll get him, stealing my beloveds attention!>

Kyo purrs towards Ryo and with a "Yipyip-meow-meeeeeow-ow," explains <Nothing to worry about. You should see what a pushover this guy really it!"

Ryu perks up, and meeeeews <Oooooooooh, I see now> Ryu blinks, and mews inquisitively <Does that mean... you still like me?>

The female cabbit adds, "Mewmewmews," he falls for anything cute and cuddly. And that means me. And of course I still like you!> She looks over at him and "meows" in content. <Who else is going to give me company while I explore this place? Besides, your fun to be around.>

Rock blinks at the two cabbits, "I wonder what they're talking about?" he says, genuinely curious.

Ryu yips! <Spiff!>

Twila Peterson looks back towards Rock after studdying Ryo. "Me too. Would probably be interesting. Too bad...neither of us speaks cabbit." She offers Ryo another hug, happy to see him after all this time, and then sets him down on the bed. "So," she asks. ""Good night in here or...would you like another tuck-in?"

Rock smiles, "I thought I might tuck you in tonight, as to return the favor."

Twila Peterson blinkblinks at that and raises her brows skywards. "Oh," is all she says at first. "Um...lemme...get my sweats. Kay? I'll be back in a sec," she sates while she retrieves her royal blue seat top and pants from a small table, heading for the bathroom for a quick change..

Rock nods as he turns around despite her going into the bathroom, still showing the most respect he can.

Twila Peterson returns, decked out within the comforable fabric of cotten and polyester as well as socked feet, leaving the dirty laundry in the bag within the bathroom with the rest the other laundry. She grins bounds to the bed throwing the covers aside right before bounding onto the mattress, her eyes huge with a certain type of innocence. "Ok, ready!"

Rock turns around and giggles walking over to the bed and sitting down on it next to her, running one of his hands through her hair, like she does to him so frequently, he looks down at her with his big greyish blue orbs and whispers, "Thank you for helping me out today..." he smiles, "I probably would've gone crazy if you weren't here for me."

Twila Peterson smiles back. "You looked as if you could have used a friend," she explains simply. "I'm just grateful I was there."

Rock grins and takes her hand with his other hand and weaves his fingers with hers, giving it a slight squeeze, "That's one of the many reasons I love you so much Twila, you're my friend as well as my girlfriend, it's something that I respect and enjoy about you tremendously." he pauses for a second then leans down, giving her a kiss on the forehead, before getting up and pulling the sheets over her, "Have a pleasant sleep, and I hope you have nothing but the sweetest of dreams, as befitting the sweetest of people, my darling Twila."

Twila Peterson smiles a bit as she lays down after returning the slight squeeze. "And you thought the boyfriend/girlfriend thing had any other basic foundation other than friendship?" Alot more to it but that. But, to be honest, *any* type of relationship must first have a good friendship at the foundations. From afar (to Rock and Twila Peterson), Rick Morgan smirks. "Poor Rock.....he's all growing up now." :)

Rock nods, "Oh I knew it was, but I've noticed that these days, that important factor is forgotten and overlooked, which always leads to bad relationships. Which is why I'm glad we have such a good friendship as well as a relationship." he says as he takes a few steps away, not letting go of her hand until it's absolutely necessary. "I love you Twila, today, tommorrow, forever."

Twila Peterson nods in agreement with his perception. "And I love you, Rock...always." She gazes towards him lovingly for several lengthy moments in content -- until an impish glint comes to her eye. "I wanna drink of wa-wa," she teases. She couldn't resist.

Rock giggles and says with a blush, "You are too cute..." he steps towards the door as it opens, "Good night." he repeats, Kyo following after...