Twi541b

Twila@M3 - Sunday, April 15, 2001, 2:14 PM

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Andes Mountains

One of the largest and grandest mountain ranges on the entire planet rests here in South America, the Andes. Running from Cape Horn nearly to Panama itself, the mountain range runs almost completely parallel to the Pacific coastline, spanning a distance of around 4500 miles. Its beauty is unequaled from anywhere along its serpentine length, from large barren fiery orange-red rocks and badlands, to the fertile velveteen grass blanketing it, to violent earth shattering volcanos which still remain active to this day, spewing forth hellish molten rock, to pure white snowy mountain peaks. From here, glaciers melt to form the blazing Amazon River, which pierces through the rainforest as if cutting the continent in half, as well as many other smaller rivers which pass through the range. Countless passes and valleys decorate this range, and one can easily spend a lifetime exploring it and still never cover its entire length, to see all its many unimagined splendors.

From here, all that can been seen of the lab is a thin pole that struts up out of the ground, which could be an antenna or even a flag pole. Still, it is by far out of reach on an extremely steep mountain, which is closely surrounded by other mountains, so unless you can fly, there seems no means to get a closer look, save for climbing up the nearly sheer cliff face...

Sage is standing near a cliff face, slightly off the main path, singing lightly to himself. The sound of an ax hitting a tree trunk is clearly audible from his location, and it seems strange that someone would be cutting wood in this part of the world: especially when so detatched from society. The song is something old, and is really hard to understand, mostly because it is in Spanish, but his voice is good for it, and holds no accent.

Sage:

Even the most unusual of things come in the most normal of packages. A young man in his mid thirties, the person before you has shoulder-length fine dirty blonde hair, combed and groomed to the point of neatness, then messed with slightly by any passing wind. His shoulders are covered with a nice white shirt of nondescript nature, and even that is covered with a green jacket. He wears a pair of oddly faded kahki pants, which now look almost white from the long time of wear. Still, he is clean and very clean shaven. His skin has a warm tan to it, even, but placed there just barely, so not to look pale, and is free from most blemishes, escept for the hints of wrinkles within crevices. The only thing to mark this work of science is his oddly golden yellow eyes, ones that reflect the sunlight in a sparkling and almost alluring manner. Here is the man who is really machine, the intelligent Systematic Analytical Gregrarious Entity known more commonly as Sage.

A young red-headed woman, not exactly a native of these parts...looks back briefly from the path she treds. She gazes within the direction were her personal transport was parked then back forward, surveying the surroundings. She's not at all certain just why she came to this place. It seems somewhat out of the way. However, Twila does have the knack to visit unusual places in order to just "get away" from it all. Least for a little while.

Not far from where she is she overhears the axe being laid into the side of a tree...which, for now, drowns out the medly being presently sung.

The chopping stops, followed by the easily recognized sound of a fallen tree, and the singin stops as well. Without warning, a fellow with and axe in hand steps out from in front of the younger, grunting under the weight of a small tree. He looks up startled and blinks for a few moments .oO( It is unusual for normal people to be out this far from civilization, perhaps I have been discovered. )Oo. In a calm, knowledgable voice he greets her. "Hello, there stranger." He repeats this same message in several languages, some not even recognizable.

Twila focuses more so in the direction as the tree itself falls....and even more still as the young man emerges from where he had been working. She tilt's her head as several tongues are made use of. She does know some Arabic as a second language. But that's about the extent of it. She smiles a little more easier as she recognizes English and responds with a, "Hello," in kind.

Sage nods to her and begins to walk past, but before the tree full moves out of reach to Twila. "So you speak English. Then I assume that you are not from around here. What brings you to this distant part of the world? Looking for more ruins?"

"Nope...not a native. Just visiting actaully. Nice to get out of the cities every once in awhile." And out of the flurry of activity. Good to regain some bearings once in awhile. "Although I have seen some ruins on my way here. You live around here I take it then?" Twila asks in curiosity, then offers. "Name's Twila by the way." Better than just a 'hey you' at any rate.

Sage thinks for a moment, uncertain if it would be good to let another know that he might live in this area, as it would also make it easier to find his creator's lab. Seeing, though, that she doesn't look like she's trying to cause trouble, he decides to concur. "Indeed, I do live near here, and was admiring the veiw as I work. My name is Sage... Sage Jacobson."

"Pleasure to meet you," the girl says, noticing his eyes. At first she thought it was a trick of the light. But they really are gold. He may be a reploid...or a human with cybernetic visual enhancments. Hard for her to tell. Not...that it makes any differance at any rate. She would offer a hand to shake but his hands seem full at the moment. "Need help with your load?"

Sage shakes his head. If this person helped him, then his former creator's secrets would be given to the world, dispite his wishes. He isn't certain if this person before him is freind or foe, and would rather learn more about her before fully revealing himself. "That is quite alright. It will help be to become stronger." Perhaps not, however, it is what a human male would say in the presence of a woman, especially one that offers assistance. "In fact, would you like to have a bite to eat right now? It would greatly please me if you would accompany me. It gets lonely out here sometimes."

During the course year or more Twila has learned to be somewhat cautious due to her various encounters of...unsavory folk. And regardless if the individual would be easily noticable as an foe some of that caution remains. It has to. Still, she finds herself nodding, detecting sincerity within his manner...and perhaps of a caution akin to hers. Hense, she nods and accepts. "I would suppose it would be. Aways from the nearest town."

Sage mentions something unusual then, that perhaps would go against his humanic nature and a sign of his robotic truth. "The nearest nown is exactly 3.54 miles to the north, at the small and reclusive Villiage of Antaco." He immediately realizes his mistake, and swiftly adds, "or so I've guessed. Would you like a salami sandwich?" He offers her one of his sandwiches that he seemingly removes from thin air.

Twila perks an eyebrow slightly towards the response. Either he's exceptionally gifted or---. She says nothing of thi, Mr. Jacobson." Yes, she addresses him by his last name...letting him inform her whether or not he would grant that it would be on a first name baises. If there's a foil to protect the food she gently unwraps it asking, "Lived around here for awhile?" she asks curiously, thinking perhaps he wanted to leave the citylife for something more...quieter.

Who would blame him? The traffic alone in some cities could force one to go mad.

Sage looks to her for a few moments considering a good response. "You can say that." What a neutral answer, perfect for someone who is trying not to show a solution. He thinks for a few moments before adding. "Please, call me Sage. I would prefer it since we are both out here and there is no one left to impress." He smiles a bit at that, trying to show that it is lighthearted and jovial. "I like it out here when I want to think, although I spend much time away from this area."

The young woman takes a bite of her sandwhich, chews, then swallows. "Alright. Sage it is then," she nods. Once more her eyes gaze across the area, noting: "I can see why you come here. It is rather peaceful." Within it's own way. Seemingly far removed from the outside world as well. She turns back towards him. "You work somewhere around here as well?" she questions innocently, trying to make conversation.

Sage smiles to her. "Yes, I do work near here, and it is a good job, but I prefer to keep quiet about it, due to it's sensitive nature." Yet, another neutral statement that provides little to no data. He has judged that this individual is just a normal person and begins to make a physical analysis of her structure. I.E. he's staring at her.

Turn about is fair play...at least as Twila sees it. After all, she was looking him over a little while ago. Besides, offers her incentive to study him a little more."No worries. Whatever it may be, hope it goes well," she replies. No idea of what it is. But he seems kind enough to be deserving of the well wishes.

Sage finishes with her body heat analysis, her spectral mark analysis, and a small study on her dimensional physique. This compared with images taken in the newsfiles and dossiers, he figures out quite a bit about the person before her. He shrugs lightly and smiles. "Well, since your intentions seem genuine, and since you have not shown much favoritism in the recent war, I wish to show you something."

Twila can't really help but wonder what it was that he ment by his statement. Her features betray brief confusion as her sandwhich is finished as well. Although, by his wording she assumes he may know who she us, rightly or wrongly. "If you like," she relays, smiling in return. "What is it?"

Sage stands up. "There was a gentleman who lived not too long ago near here. I want to show you where he lived, as long as I know that I can trust a stranger to seeing this and to not mention it to anyone. It is a matter of security, and safety." He looks out to the cliff. "If you don't want to, it is entirely understandable, Twila."

Both eyebrows shoot upwards. Twila's confusion grows a little more so. However, a part of her wonders if lonliness is a factor in asking this. He is placing a bit of trust in one he's never met. Although, she's not one to take that lightly. Trust is earned, not usually freely given. "I give you my word. A promise is all I can offer."

Sage nods to her, moving towards the cliff face and away from the path. He finishes a final analysis of news files, including one in the tabloids: this person was in a relationship with Mega Man, so it seems. However, she has never spoken freely of anything that would be considered secretive in all these files. However, he doesn't wish to pry any further into her personal life. Thus, he erases all the files that would be deterrent to his cause, and smiles. "You seem to be a very smart woman, Twila. A promise is all that I would expect." He pauses before passing between two bushes as if he knew this path before.

From the young woman's mindset, if the personal and private concerns of another aren't harmful to others...it's for the individual who posses those concerns to speak or not too. The choice isn't hers. She dips her chin as she follows the man, greatful that she dressed in the way she had. Twila is used to being within nature and it's wilderness. She had been since she was very young. "Who exactly was this gentlemen?" Close friend, family, or parent perhaps? She can only gather this person means a great deal to him.

Sage notes quietly as they move seemingly without direction through the brush. "He could be considered a father to me, but he was more of a freind than anything. He was highly intelligent, yet because he feared for his own safety, he hid away for years. It is the reason why I do not like this war we are in." Eventually they stop before a cliff face, and he crouches down. After a few minutes, a platform detatches before them. "Shall we?"

Not liking the war. In that the scientist nor his creation was and is not alone. She and possibly many others can relate. Twila watches as the platform appears...then glances towards Sage....thinking he's meaning they're to get on. As she does carefully she questions, "What was his name?"

Sage answers simply, but ominously. "Jacob." He taps something on the rock face, not visible to the naked eye and the platfrom swiftly moves downward, but at a controlled pace. Above, the hole where they entered vanishes, either they are moving so swiftly that it is already distant, or that is has been covered by something. "Hold on."

Unlike the outward appearance, then inside of this mountain is a huge cavernous establashment. thoughtfully placed glass covered skylight/holes in the ceiling let bright sunlight pour into the finely marble tile floors. Occasionally, a stalagtite or column will rise from the floor, high into the air. Water-filled ponds greet the magnificent walls, and occasional waterfalls trickle into the sparkling pools. This entire structure is rather open, with the bedroom and work lab connected completely to the large living area in the center. Several tunnel entrances leave from this central area to who-knows-where, but are well lit and very airy. A large glass panel to the side shows a magnificent ocean veiw, and off to the distance just a small island can be seen. Here, is the place where the late Dr. Jacob Xanthus spent his days, and it is here that his creation chooses to retire.

The platform slows to show perhaps one of the best marvels of modern times blended with natural beauty and peace. Several birds flutter above in this remarkable visages, and the entirety of the complex is displayed before them It is almost large enough to rival Light Labs, and that is only the visable parts. Sage steps off the platform and holds out his hand. "Shall I?"

Or...perhaps a hologram? Twila mutely nods in response as the platform descends...suddenly relizing that she's putting as much trust in him for allowing her down here as he is in her. Ironic really. She glances towards the walls as they decend, wondering idly if ther's some special coding on the walls themselves or mere stone. She would suppose the later...to protect the mechanics of the natural elements.

Attention drifts to the spacious area below...even as the movement stops. The birds snatch her gaze, quickly followed by the spacious labratory and all that surrounds. When Sage speaks, she pushes down her awe and turns back towards him. She places her hand in his. "This is...quite a place..."

Sage leads her carefully to a pair of comfortable and clear green chairs, designed to match the intricate visages. "When a man plans to lock himself away dead to the world for the rest of his life, he must have things to see and comfort in the place where he works and lives. I haven't let this place fall to ruin since he passed on." He looks at a fruit bowl in front of him and lifts it. The bowl is of Greek design, perhaps a mimic of those drug by archaeologists so long ago. "Apple?"

Yes...it is. Twila glances towards the fruit and simple asks, "Share? Have something on me to slice it with..." she notes.

Sage nods, then, placing the apple on the nicely polished table in her direction. "I hope you don't mind. I eat very little, to help keep me in shape." He looks sadly at her, his golden eyes glittering in the light. He presses a button on the arm of his chair and gentle glowing blue, green and yellow lights shine upon the waters and rocks in a ambient glow. "Tell me, where do you work yourself?"

Twila watches the lights dance on the liquid surface curiously. "I'm a a medic with the Maverick Hunters," she states slowly, watching his expression slowly. She already knows of the varied opinions of others of the Hunters in particular and those involved in the war in particular.

Sage's face drops into a serious, sorry expression. He must have missed out on that part of the research, and thus, it slipped from his view. "I am terribly sorry to hear that, to have one such as yourself involved in all this fighting and chaos, none of which should be necessary." He looks down at the apple and sighs. "Please do not tell the other Hunters about it. Please."

"I promised I wouldn't," Twila attempts to reassure him. Then, "What is it here that you don't want others to know?" she questions gently, sensing some...grief perhaps. Overlooking the surroundings once more she senses if it's more than keeping the this sanctuary away from those who would carelessly destroy it, as well as a dead man's memory.

Sage nods to her, still silent. "There is research here, knowledge that could be used toward a bad end, and even though I know that Light Labs means well, there is still that possibility that someone could find out. I don't think that the Hunters have done much to stop this war, only stall it."

Twila considers that for a few moments. Her eyes briefly close, then open themselves again. "That possibility will always remain. But it won't be learned from me," she states, meaning it. "As for the war...stalling is more preferable than giving in. Sage, I don't know of anyone who actively wants this war save those who purposely wage it out of their own interests. Too much has been lost already within it."

Sage looks over her shoulder at something and nods, sagely. "I know that all to well. You see, a very gifted man was never able to show off his full talent, never able to show the world his works because of this war, and it doesn't matter who begins it, all that matters is who ends it, what the ending is, and at what cost?"

Twila turns about to see what the reploid had been glancing at, then back towards him. "And also what's done after. What's done with the freedom that good and honest soldiers died for so others may live," she muses softly...thoughts trailing back to some of those who feel within this war already. "I'm sorry to know your friend is gone...and I know you miss him. You've honored him by keeping this place alive." She turns about to see what the reploid had been glancing at, then back towards him. "And also what's done after. What's done with the freedom that good and honest soldiers died for so others may live," she muses softly...thoughts trailing back to some of those who feel within this war already. "I'm sorry to know your friend is gone...and I know you miss him. You've honored him by keeping this place alive."

Sage nods to her. "My friend indeed has been honored, in more ways than one... His dying wish I have yet to carry out, but I will with whatever it takes, however long. He looked up to Dr. Light, you know, for a short while..."

Twila continues to sit, listening. She doesn't stop the reploid if he wants to talk. To her, it seems as if he's gone on for quite awhile without talking to anyone. "Dr. Light is a good man. Almost like a father in a few ways," she notes.

Sage nods to her. "And although his intentions are well, too much destruction has been wrought without much building. When a war is all over, it is finished through building and destroying. What becomes of this war will be decided on who build and who destroys, and already there are far too few builders."

"From what I know...and what Rock/Megaman himself told me, Dr. Light only had good intentions. He never meant for his colleague to steal some of his creations and start his own army...and the war. He only did what he felt he had to...to try and stop it," the girl responds after some silence. "I admit...there are too few builders. But what would it be like if there was no one to build at all? Wars have ravaged this planet either in isolation to world-wide throughout history."

Sage smiles and looks at a nearby computer. Everything that Sage has learned has been from Dr. Xanthus, and everything that he has experienced has been his own. "This is true, and some people have no forefathers to learn from."

Twila tilts her head to the side. "In a way, the Doctor could be considered your father. You're his child. Perhaps not flash and blood. But of spirit. You've inherited his legacy."

Sage raises his eyebrows. He has underestimated the woman before him, perhaps a bit too much: he will have to be more careful next time he is around others. He looks her straight in the eyes, glittering golden. "How did you guess?"

"How you referred to him before and certain other small things...although, some of how I know might be because I am a medic. I was trained to administer to reploids and androids," Twila tells him. "There...are differnces between those and humans. Although not many."

Sage nods, thinking to himself. "Yes, indeed the Doctor who worked here built me, strangely though, with all the knowledge that he had provided and all the research he made me do, his last request was an question that no man himself himself had been able to correctly answer... Pity..." He looks down, and the back to the other. "You are a medic, so you repair?"

"Yes," she answers simply. "I was trained by the doctors at the Labs...as well as my brother. There are things I'm still learning of course. But yes...I can administer repairs when needed. Why do you ask?"

Sage mutters something about structure and life and logic, but doesn't answer the other's questions in his mumblings. "I was just interested that's all. I will have to visit these doctors sometime and perhaps, if they wish to aid me, I will do the same in return." He closes his eyes. "Still, I have to think that everyone is still out there fighting uselessly, and as afraid as I am to admit it, some of the Mavericks have a point about reploids, that some of them won't know what to do after this is all over..."

Twila Peterson questions, "You mean if the Mavericks happen to succeed...or if they don't?"

Sage looks at her again, studying her carefully as he asks. "Either way, what will happen to those made for war without regards to their lives afterwards? Can someone just shut them off, or will they have to survive in a world that doesn't need them?" His words are coming strangely close to what a Maverick would say, but they aren't filled with hatred or anger, but rather with sad contemplation ending with even more sad realization...

"I don't know," Twila answers honestly...thinking of those soldiers in past wars who needed to readjust to "civilian" life after the conflict had been ended. "Hopefully...to help them adjust to peacetime. Although, not as easy as it may sound. And," she adds with slight hesitantsy, "there may be some who won't even give them a chance to try."

Sage knows now that she understands why he doesn't favor anyone in this ill gotten war. "The same thing could be seen of the Hunters, the Mavericks, everyone who has taken up arms to fight each other. And what is to be gained from all of it... I wonder if reploids were built all too much like people, with both compassion and hate. As for myself, I have learned not to hate, for it brings nothing to aid..."

Twila mutely nods...knowing he's right. Even of the Hunters and Repliforcers...when all is said and done...who's to say that even after the war they still wouldn't be looking for someone to fight. This, regardless if the foe is real...or imagined. "There are various ranges of emotions. Compassion and hatred have their own extremes as well as the rest. Not even humans understand them all."

Sage knows this all too well, though, and in his experience he has yet to find one person who can control their emotions to that level. "Indeed, sadness, happiness, fear, courage, all tend to lend a certain strength to an individual. Emotions build, actions can destroy if one lets his emotions flee..."

"Or doesn't find a good way to channel them." Twila pauses for a moment before responding. "Guess some of that works into this in a way. Although, emotions can't fully be trusted either. They change too easily. Unfortunately...some people live by emotions...regardless if those emotions betray them or not."

Sage smiles and stands, reaching out at her. "I believe it is time for me to get back to doing more of my duties. I would love to say that I enjoyed your company and would like to do it again. However, for both of our safety, we might not meet. Perhaps sometime soon I will approach where you work and see what it is like."

Twila Peterson finds this a bit odd. But it does make a bit of sense. Having someone meet him here...there would always be a chance of being followed. She grasps his hand...thankful for the help in getting herself up. "Do you have a radio handy. I'll understand if you don't choose to offer your frequency since it would be traced. But if you need any help or any aid...I could offer mine."

Sage nods to her. "That would be wonderful, but I would not be calling often. It is too easily traced. However, if you ever need me to ask you a question, I do have mail. Please, be certain to tell me if you need help. I am not willing to aid anything to harm another being, however, so keep that in mind, and I do not check my mail here." He gives her a slip of paper as he brings her to the platform. This will take you to the top. Follow the trail I made when we arrived back to the main path."

Twila Peterson dips her chin as she accepts the paper...then gives her for his own...with her frequency as well as E-mail as well. "I understand, Sage. And thanks. Take care of yourself alright?" she questions as she steps on the metal plating. After a brief moment she also adds, "And a blessed Easter?"

Sage nods. "And you as well, Ms Peterson." Then he presses the button and sends her on her way. "Take care."