Twila@

Twila@M3 - Wednesday, October 27, 1999, 10:58 PM ------------------------------------------------

Corridor - Level 2 <Hunter HQ>

The business atmosphere that dominates the lower level is absent here. The walls are still steel, with large glass windows, but the marble floor has given way to an attractive carpeted pattern, and the entire area is decorated with cool, relaxing colors. Doors dot the hallway, each leading to a different room, and the chatter of off-duty Maverick Hunters fills the air, especially near the two most prominent doors, one leading to the mess room, the other to the recreation room. At night, warm light fills the halls, and the noise is greatly subdued as humans and reploids both rest. Doors at either end of the hall lead to the elevator and barracks.

Twila Peterson icks softly to herself as she emerges from the barracks, deciding for right now, she would rather her hair down instead of up. Strawberry locks bounce gently on her shoulders as she pockets the hairclip within a back pocket, softly humming to herself.

Rock is walking towads the grav lift, dressed in his armor, apparently on his way to do something work related. He spies Twila as he rounds the corner towards the lift and smiles, "Well fancy meeting you here."

Sonata steps from the lift, followed by Chain. She stops as she sees Rock and Twila and merely nod to them as she walks by. She continues on her way down the corridor. Chain follows Sonata.

Twila Peterson swings her other arm around her back, smiling in return. "Indeed. And what's a cute---" She stops as she overhears footsteps down the hall...not wanting to embarrass him or anything. "Working overtime?" she merely asks instead.

Rock nods, and sighs, "Yeah, I gotta go run a patrol soon, headed off for some more training?"

Twila Peterson shrugs. "I was just going to run through a few computer simulations or whatever within the bay for some revies. But mostly done for the day for the most part...well unless something comes up anyway."

Twila Peterson walks up towards Rock and takes his hand, squeezing it gently. "You take care out there...ok?"

Rock nods and smiles, "I will, and I'll try and be back asap, I don't want you sitting around bored all night."

Twila Peterson tilts her head to the side. "Who me...bored? One of the techs happened to show me where they keep some of the games on the med computers when things are a bit slow...believe it or not." She pauses for a moment. "Um...was I supposed to tell you that?"

Rock smiles, "Doesn't matter, I already knew. I spend more time in there than some of the techs do." he says with a chuckle, and then offers a wave, "I'll catch up with you in a bit, kay?"

Twila Peterson offers him a mock salute after withdrawing her hand as he takes leave. "Cya, Blue Boy."

Rock sends a radio transmission. Rock receives a radio transmission. Rock sends a radio transmission. Rock receives a radio transmission.

Rock enters the Grav Lift <Hunter HQ>. Rock has left

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.

<Meanwhile...Kyo is once again exploring the ventalation system...>

Kyo-Ohki> Command Center <Hunter HQ> Monitors and computer consoles line the walls of this cavernous room. In the center of the room is a round computer with holographic display, its lights flashing busily as it processes information about mavericks, and their last known sitings. Computers along the walls are also occupied with an information processing task. Technicians and other Maverick Hunters run about hastily, monitoring the computers, and making sure the information is as accurate as it can be. The whole air of this room exudes purpose and drive, and the hustle and bustle seems neverending. On the south wall are two large bulletproof windows which gives you a view of the rooftop runway and Hangar Area. A large blast door in in the middle of the two windows, giving easy access to the landing strip.

Kyo-Ohki> Kyo-Ohki is pawing at a small round object of some sort beside one of the main terminals...mewing quite happily...

Kyo-Ohki> <Donachi Dist.> Rock receives a radio transmission.

Kyo-Ohki> Michael Eildath walks in, reading a piece of looseleaf.

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light slumps in his chair, staring at the computer screen blankly.

Kyo-Ohki> Kyo-Ohki stops playing with an inquisitive mew as she notices some new arrivals. She sits up straight and blinkyblinks, letting out a "Meow!" and starts for where the kindly old doctor sits...and proceeds to pounce into his lap. "Mewmewmew!" she states...rubbing her side against his chest....happy to see him. <Wonder if he has any treats...?>

Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Hello, X. Good to speak with you again so soon." You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "Hello Sigma." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Ah, yes, so cordial. Let me get straight to the point. I have something, or more succinctly, some-one- that you want." You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "Yeah, I know." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I presume you are still interested in getting him back, then?" You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "I would think that would go without saying Sigma. What exactly is it that you want." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "What exactly would you do to get your best friend back, X?" You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "What exactly is it that you want." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "That you shall find out soon enough, X. But I am wondering first what it is that you would do to get your friend back. ...All Double-crossing aside." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "That you shall find out soon enough, X. But I am wondering first what it is that you would do to get your friend back. ...All Double-crossing aside." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "And if I told you that would be the quickest way to never see Zero again, X..? What would you do then. If you destroy even one of my Mavericks, I will destroy Zero. Will you sacrifice your friend, just to hunt us down and exterminate us?" You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "Can we please drop the mind games and the threats Sigma? Just tell me what you want, I'm getting really tired of the games being played with people's lives." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "What exactly would you do to get your best friend back, X?" You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "What exactly is it that you want." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "That you shall find out soon enough, X. But I am wondering first what it is that you would do to get your friend back. ...All Double-crossing aside." You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "I wouldn't hesitate to tear through every last Maverick till I got him back, if that gives you any idea." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "And if I told you that would be the quickest way to never see Zero again, X..? What would you do then. If you destroy even one of my Mavericks, I will destroy Zero. Will you sacrifice your friend, just to hunt us down and exterminate us?" You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "Can we please drop the mind games and the threats Sigma? Just tell me what you want, I'm getting really tired of the games being played with people's lives." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Indeed, X. However, I must remind you that it is you who double crossed me when I offered you an opportunity to get Techno back. I was perfectly willing to return your other friend to you. This is on -my- terms now. You already forfeited any chance of negotiation with me." You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "There never -was- any negotiation to the first situation Sigma, and don't even pretend that there was. You've held this over my head since the begining, and it's a pretty cowardly way of going about things if you ask me. For someone who supposedly prides himself on his strength and his brotherhood, and his faith in himself and his followers, you sure do resort to underminded tactics quite often. Right about now, i've got more respect for Dr. Wily than you." the gravity of the situation, then. Dr. Wily seeks to subjegate the world under his heel and the foot of his Robot Masters, I do not. I am not out for World Dominance, X. I merely seek to enlighten reploids and open their eyes to the slavery of the humans. I strive to form a society outside and free of human influence and society." You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sigma: "You considering slaughtering innocent humans, who have nothing to do with any of the reploid oppression, enlightening and forming a society outside of human influence? Have you ever stopped to think about what you say and do Sigma? Have you? I've seen reploids being mistreated, it's done to me quite often, but do I swing off the handle and rip their heads off? No. It's just like if a reploid came up to me and did something bad to me, i wouldn't rip his head off either, would you? Would you Sigma? Or are reploids above humans, and are allowed to get away with more than they are? If so, then you're no better than those who supposedly -oppress- you." Sigma sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Perhaps you do not understand.

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light absently pets the cabbit, not really paying any attention. Of course he has treats, he's Dr. Light. He takes one out of his pocket and holds it out in a palm, sighing wearily.

Kyo-Ohki> Kyo-Ohki ceases her token of affection log enough to lean herself and sniff at the tidbit. She nibbles the small piece with ease and then licks at light's hand when she's done. "Yipyip!" <That was good.> She then tilts her head and looks up at his features, bareing a quizzed look, touching her cute little button nose next to his. "Mew?" <Hey...he looks sleepy...>

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light giggles a little at the tickling tongue, but gently pushes the animal away from his face. "Now now..."

Kyo-Ohki> Michael Eildath shakes his head. "Well, they never had any where I came from..."

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light chuckles slightly, "When I was a boy, it was only cats, dogs, and the ocassional wombat."

Kyo-Ohki> Michael Eildath blinks. "Wombats? I didn't know you were Australian."

Kyo-Ohki> Kyo-Ohki paws a little at the eldery fellow's lap until the front screen catches her eye. She prepares to leap up for a closer look...unmindle of the keyboard there of course. "Me-oooow!" she purrs in cat-like curiosity. <Pretty!> Rock pages:

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light smiles, shaking his head. "Oh, I'm not. I'm from Minnesota. But even back then, we had planes. They were a fad at the time, imported as pets." He winks.

Screen> Rock sends a radio transmission.

Kyo-Ohki> Michael Eildath hehs. "That's... weird. Then again, my dad had a pet chicken, so I s'pose I shouldn't say anything."

Kyo-Ohki> Kyo-Ohki hops onto the console, depressing some of the keys as she does...to get *right* up to the computer screen, hitting it lightly with her paws. "Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!" <Wonder how I can get there! Oh wait...there's Mr. Pushover in that hard stuff. Wonder why he wears that? He gets chased by the mutt too?>

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light laughs lightly, and watches the cabbit. He leans forward to scoop up the animal and hold it in his lap. He sobers a little, "You don't speak of your parents much, Michael. I'm sure they would be proud of you."

Kyo-Ohki> Michael Eildath sighs, and sits down. "I'd like to think so... but I'll never know."

Screen> Sigma arrives from the Harbor District - Neo Tokyo. Screen> Zero arrives from the Harbor District - Neo Tokyo. Screen> Zero is firmly in Siggy's grasp.

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light smiles kindly, "If you were my son, I would be. And I am proud of y-" he cuts off as he notices the sensors.

Kyo-Ohki> Michael Eildath's jaw almost drops. "Oh my god..."

Kyo-Ohki> "Yipyip!" the tiny creature emits in mild protest. <Hey! I was playin' there! Ah well...> she goes back to snuggling the doctor while idly watching the screen. "Mew?"

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light stands hurriedly, the cabbit tumbling from his lap. Fortunately, he's not very tall and the fall only annoying. He grabs for his cane. "Oh dear, oh dear."

Screen> Rock is leaning against the wall of the labs near the door, having just gotten back from his patrol, and engaged in a radio conversation with one bald maniac.

Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light frowns, "I'm going down there." Kyo-Ohki> Dr. Thomas Light makes a beeline for the lift, pretty quick for an old man.

Kyo-Ohki> Michael Eildath says, "Wait!" following...

Kyo-Ohki> Kyo-Ohki acks in her own cabbit-like way and tumbles like a mall furry ball to the floor. She offers some dazed like sounds as she stope just underneath the chair Light had been seated within. *sigh*

<Meanwhile, a few moments before as Twila works at one of the terminals within the medical center...>

(Ch. B []) Dr. Thomas Light transmits: 'Rock, report!' (Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'I'm just standing outside of the labs, Dad, why, what's up?'. (Ch. B []) Dr. Thomas Light transmits: 'Sensors are picking up some familiar energy signatures...'. (Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'I'll keep my eyes peeled.'. (Ch. B []) LiT transmits: ' Problems?'. (Ch. B []) Dr. Thomas Light transmits: 'I hope not.'

(Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Rock, what's going on?'. (Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Sigma's here.'. (Ch. A [Rock]) Twila Peterson transmits: '......'. (Ch. A []) Rock transmits: 'Don't worry, we're right outside of the labs, even Sigma isn't that stupid.'.

(Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'I can handle this, Dad.'. (Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'Let me do this.'. Ch. B []) Rock transmits: 'Please.'. (Ch. B []) Dr. Thomas Light transmits: 'I may be old and frail, but I'm still your father and Zero is still a part of our family.'

The crowd passing by the front of Light Labs continues to swirl and mix together quite well, the sidewalks and streets rather full, even at this time of night. However, there's suddenly a break in the mass of the crowd, and a figure standing taller than most of the other reploids on the street emerges in his full armor, carrying a smaller red figure limply by the chestplate and neck. As the crowd parts and washes away, some turning to gape, openmouthed, and some in terror, Sigma steps forward, a wide smirk on his face, his blue optics glowing softly as he makes eye contact with X, "Good evening, X."

Rock's gaze drifts over to Sigma, as he doesn't budge from leaning against the wall, keeping a casual posture, "Well, fancy meeting you here." he quips, "I trust you aren't here to cause trouble Sigma, I would hope you're smarter than that."

Zero looks out across the crowd as Sigma addresses Rock. He smiles, slightly relieved, but even more embarrassed, "...Hey Rock." he says...

Dr. Thomas Light hobbles quickly out of the building towards Rock. You paged Rock with 'Heehee. And then Light stood up when he saw Sigma...leaving poor kyo to drop and roll to the floor ;)'.

Rock eyes his father out of the corner of his eye and sighs, speaking into his radio silently.

Michael Eildath rushes out, standing as calmly as he can behind Light.

Rock smirks a little at Zero. "Hey bud," he says as he chuckles a tad. "Boy you're a popular one. Even Sigma can't keep his hands off ya, Iris must be at home squealing with jealousy." He shifts his gaze back to Sigma, "I'd be worried if I was you, Iris is perhaps the greatest threat to all of humanity when it comes to who Zero belongs to."

Dr. Thomas Light plants himself firmly beside Rock, his aged face set in defiance. "Release him, Sigma. You know he belongs with us."

Zero just smiles at Rock....too embarassed to talk in this state.

Having overheard the radios over the channel Twila decided that another time would be better to go over those simulations over the medical computer. However, she slows her pace when she exits the door and remains just outside the labs...

Rock, meanwhile, keeps a smile on his face, confident in the situation right now. It's about time the boy finally stood up and stopped being a baby about things.

Sigma's mouth pulls into a slight smirk as he notes the arrival of a few of the others from the base, heading quickly towards X and this whole situation. He continues to hold Zero firmly within his grasp, though he switches that, turning Zero so that he's easily facing all those that he knows, the other Hunters. He holds Zero firmly by the back of the red Hunter's neck, Zero strategically placed between himself and any of the others, looking over the lot of them silently. Slowly, and for a long, significant moment, Sigma's gaze falls upon Twila herself before the leader of the Mavericks looks back to the little boy in blue. If the barbs about Iris affected him at all, it certainly doesn't reflect in his face or his composure. As Dr. Light speaks up, Sigma's gaze falls on the fatherly old man, his eyes narrowing slightly, and one can just feel the tension in the air for a few brief moments.

Rock shrugs, as he kicks himself up off the wall and approaches Sigma. "Alright, now that the pleasantries are done, let's get down to business. You've got something of ours, actually, you've got a few things of ours, and frankly, I'm not going to stand for it anymore," he replies dryly, "Now, stop holding stuff over our heads, and hiding behind your hostages, and start talking."

Dr. Thomas Light has faced worse, and likely will again before he dies. "You're not here for a fight, Sigma. Even you are not so foolish as to stroll up to our front door." He looks over at Rock and nods.

Michael Eildath nods, giving a thoughtful glance at the hangar doors. . o O (Well, it'd take me about a minute to get up there, two to prep the...)

Twila Peterson intakes a sharp breath of air, her skin paling a shade as the Mavrick's makes his posture. But unnerved as she is, not only at the gesture against Zero but alos the somewhat lingering stare towards her, she also furrows her brows in more than mild irritation. Remember, she's a red-head which means...she also bears a certain red-head's temper.

Sigma finally turns his attention back to X himself, studying the smaller blue Hunter before him, despite having seen X enough both in and out of battle at this point. At Rock's words, a slow smile has spread across his face, though it serves to only increase the look on his face to something a little more twisted. "Excuse me, X. However, it occurs to me that if you were in my position, you would exchange and barter hostages for favors as well. In war, it's foolish to misuse those resources and advantages you have available to you." Another glance towards Dr. Light, "And as the Doctor says, I am not here for a fight. In that is he correct. However, I have come to return to you your comrade whom you have lost for the past few months. Dr. Wily's programming has been wiped from his system. Zero here remembers everything he did, though the clouding of his judgement inflicted by Dr. Wily has been removed. He should be intact and in proper condition as he was prior to his kidnapping by the Robot Masters." With that, he reaches down and grabs a small piece of equipment from a little container on his side, and brings the tool up to the back of Zero's neck, where his helmet and neck meet. He presses the device through the synth skin and hard into the metal underneath, fitting it and twisting sharply in a smooth motion. In that same motion, he releases Zero, sending him forward with a slight shove towards Rock and the others.

Dr. Thomas Light glares at Sigma with undisgusted mistrust. "I don't know what you're about, Sigma, but at least we have Zero back." He looks over at the long-haired Hunter, "Its good to see you, Zero. I'll be waiting in the repair bay to make sure you're okay."