=CHAPTER 5D: DESOLATE HIGHWAY=

=BONUS CONTENT: BONUS SCENE #7=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

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((Excerpt: Ch. 8B, en español))

Shade: Bah, por el amor de— no me deseo escuchar su histerismos, Pájaro Cantador, no es como serás capaz de cantar nunca más.

Cardinal: (Pero...)

Cardinal: (Pero tengo que, ¡tengo que decirte...!)

[CLIC.]

Cardinal: ¡—hghkkt!

[Él conocía ese ruido.]

[Él CONOCÍA ese ruido, y le llenaba de pavor.]

Cardinal: (No...)

Shade: Jejejeje...

[Una sonrisa sádica se unió a la risa que escapó de Shade—el dardo que normalmente estaba en su boca se había ido…]

Cardinal: (Shade, oh Dios no, por favor— no, no— no debe que no hacer esto a ti mismo...)

Cardinal: -sonido débil corto y metálico de protesta-

Shade: Te lo DIJE ... no puedes engañarme.

Shade: ¿Tengas miedo ahora, Pájarito?

Cardinal: -sonido de desesperación de los ventiladores-

[Estaba angustiado, eso estaba seguro. Un dolor desgarrador estaba socavando la fuerza de voluntad que estaba manteniendo los humos decrecientes de fuerza en su cuerpo.

Shade se inclinó, apoyando el brazo del rifle sobre la rodilla izquierda mientras ponía su peso en el hombro de Cardinal. Su ventiladores chillaron cuando fueron aplastados por el peso considerable del francotirador.]

Shade: Perfecto.

[El dolor cegador estaba aliviado a medida que el peso fue removido. Cuando Cardinal pudo ver de nuevo, vio de espaldas a su amigo delante de él.]

Shade: Te daré esto...

Cardinal: …

[Un zumbido bajo...]

Cardinal: ... -sonido corto y metálico aun más débil-

[Él no podía ocultarlo. Cuando Shade se dio la vuelta, Cardinal no pudo evitar dar una señal débil de desesperanza—

Shade estaba usando un alcance de francotirador para iluminar su núcleo como un objetivo, puramente para burlarse de Cardinal por rencor.]

Shade: Fuiste mejore que la mayoría. Maldita enojoso, también. Deberías haberlo sabido mejor que venir AQUÍ, a mis terrenos de caza. ¿Tienes un deseo de muerte, pájaro cantador? ¿Huh?

[Dio un paso adelante, dejando que sus espuelas tintinearan ruidosamente mientras caminaba a través del piso ...]

[Despacio.]

[Fue tentador. Muy tentador.

Él estaba cansado. Él estaba herido. Él estaba asustado. Si ... si él entregase, el dolor se detendría, no dolería nunca más... Podría descansar, podría irse, antes ...]

Cardinal: ... (No... no puedo...)

[Cardinal tomó una respiración temblorosa, desesperada mantenerse con vida, a pesar de que su núcleo de energía...]

Cardinal: (No puedo dejar que termine... así...)

[... estaba empezando a convertirse en frío.]

Shade: -Datos-

Shade: -Bueno, si insistes, podemos CONCEDERLO para ti.-

Cardinal: (¡No puedo...!)

Cardinal: (¡NO PUEDO DEJAR QUE TERMINE ASÍ!)

[Cardinal se esforzó por enfocarse a pesar de su mal funcionamiento de la visión, para mirar directamente a ese ojo amenazante rojo-violeta con su propio par moribundo verde.

Apagó todo, excepto sus ventiladores de masa central para obtener la energía para hablar.]

Cardinal: - resuello muy distorsionado- Shade...

Shade: —....

[...No está seguro si debiera estar enojoso ni impresionado.]

[Cardinal volvió a hablar. Había un claro pero tranquilo, sumiso sensación de desesperación en su voz frágil.]

Cardinal: Countershade, por favor...

[Oh.]

[Dio un paso adelante ...]

Shade: ¿Qué fue eso?

Cardinal: No… no me hagas esto…. Rogando … estoy rogándote misericordia, por favor…

Shade: …

Shade: -SONRÍE MALICIOSAMENTE-

[Él sonrió cruelmente ante esto, ante la vista y los sonidos de la mendicidad de Cardinal, suplicando por su vida, por la misericordia. ¡Ja! Finalmente, después de toda su charla y bravo!

Qué sensación tan deliciosa.]

Shade: ¡Jejeje!

[Otro paso adelante.]

Cardinal: Por favor…

Shade: (Eso es, Pájarito. Ruega por la misericordia hasta que mueras.)

Cardinal: Esto sólo… sólo causaráte…

Shade: …?

Cardinal: … causaráte sólo a g o n í a…

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=CHAPTER 9C: HAZY SUSPICION=

~AO v1.0~

((Courtesy of @limitbreakers))

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{Outside the Lab…}

[Mikhail scowled as he closed the door behind him.]

Mikhail: {I don’t have time for that miserable excuse of a—}

"Ahem."

Des: Dr. Cossack?

[Mikhail looked up in mild surprise.

He was too tired to be properly surprised—he had been working on Cardinal all night and for over six hours since the date rolled by. Then he had worked on writing a code that would allow the boys to come back Online—something that would be needed, especially if he didn’t make it through.]

Mikhail: ({No… I can’t think like that. I can’t… mustn’t give in to despair.}) …Mr. Desmond. Good morning.

[The man was in sad shape, that was for sure. He looked like he hadn’t eaten or slept much for a long time—a kind of exhaustion that would make most other people collapse onto the floor.]

Des: .....

Des: (...He looks ready to fall asleep any second.)

Des: (I wish I could postpone this.)

Des: I heard a lot of yelling. Is something the matter?

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: Just some trouble with public relations, that’s all. People are very stressed right now.

[He paused, standing up straight and letting go of the door. He adjusted his lab coat—stained with oil and coolant—and looked at Desmond with an air of authority and command.]

Mikhail: Is there something I can help you with?

Des: ....Yes, actually.

Des: It's been a little longer than others can wait, Dr. Cossack, and I'm afraid we can't prolong this any longer.

Des: We need to bring you into questioning.

Mikhail: …

[His eyes seemed to dull at that, but his expression otherwise didn’t change.]

Mikhail: …Yes, of course. …That was the agreement, after all.

Des: ....

Des: (I feel like I'M the bad guy here...Man, I hate that feeling...)

Mikhail: I’ve finished the first stage of repairs on DLN-000. I need to wait on the delivery of a specialized core in order to continue. I’m afraid you won’t be able to talk to him until much later. …

Mikhail: -Swallows once- …Very well then. Do you have a room ready?

Des: We've just finished setting up a room under Dr. Sanda's permission. It'll be a floor above us--a meeting room that's used by the other business men of Sanda Tech, I believe.

Mikhail: …Very well.

[He placed his hands behind his back and walked past Desmond.]

Mikhail: I know where that is; I’ve used that room before, myself. Let’s not put this off any longer.

[LATER...]

[There are several portable cameras placed around the hall, to monitor the two actually entering the room for questioning.]

[Des takes a large white tub container from a folding table placed by the door, holding it out to Mikhail.]

Des: First things first, Doctor. Any electronics and other personal belongings in here.

Mikhail: …Yes, of course.

[He gave a bit of a wry smile.]

Mikhail: Though you don’t need to use excuses with me. I know this is all about disarming. So with that in mind…

[He pulls his lab coat out to the side.]

Des: --!!

Des: (I had no idea he was armed this ENTIRE time--)

Des: (And with a pistol, no less...)

[Mikhail didn’t really seem fazed at this reaction. It was almost as if he had anticipated this.]

Mikhail: You know, Mr. Desmond, you’re free to take it from the holster. I would have done so myself but I didn’t want to get shot due to a misinterpretation. I know you’re under a lot of stress right now.

Des: ....

Des: (This really isn't his first time, is it.)

[Des carefully takes the gun out of the holster, and unloads it, dropping the bullets into the tub first before the firearm itself.]

Des: ...Alright...

Des: Anything else that you have hidden away?

Mikhail: Yes. No more firearms. However…

[He digs into his pocket and pulls out a Swiss army knife. He tosses that into the bin.]

Mikhail: …there are a few other things.

[He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a switchblade.]

Mikhail: -Tosses that in as well-

Des: .....

Des: (This guy is armed to the teeth.)

[He then undid a taser from the belt, which had been on the other side from the pistol, and placed that in.

Finally, he pulled off what seemed to be an alert button on a lace string, lowering it carefully.]

Mikhail: Be sure not to touch that one.

Des: ...Is that some sort of panic button?

Mikhail: Yes. It’s designed to stun attackers through sensory perception. It’ll affect the user, too, if used improperly.

Des: .....

Des: (Useful for both human and robotic attackers, I'm guessing.)

Des: Do you even have your phone with you, Doctor? (Because you clearly don't need it for help if you have all this.)

Mikhail: Of course I do. I have family, you know.

[Then, and only then, did he place in his cell phone and a pager.]

Des: ....

Des: So that's it.

Des: Is that really it.

Mikhail: Other than a good number of ballpoint pens. I’m afraid I tend to lose them all over the place.

[Aaaand he drops a few handfuls of those in as well for good measure—whether out of sarcasm or just being tired is hard to say.]

Des: ....

Des: Doctor...

Des: You're almost as armed as when I was just starting my military career.

Des: No offense, but I can't help but be skeptical about questioning you with so many pockets at your disposal. =.=

[Mikhail couldn’t help but laugh at that.]

Mikhail: If you want to interrogate me in my pajamas, I suppose that’s your prerogative. But if you insist—

[He takes off his glasses to clean them, shaking his head and smiling.]

Mikhail: I don’t actually mind too much. I’ll be honest…

[He spoke with no small degree of weariness.]

Mikhail: I’m very tired. And if I’m given the blessing of being given peace and quiet once I’ve said what there is to say, I would desperately like to go to sleep.

Mikhail: I’ll go change.

Des: ....

Des: (I didn't really mean in his pajamas, but...)

Des: Whatever makes you comfortable, then...

[When Mikhail returned once more, he looked significantly different. He had taken the time to wash up a bit and groom his hair and his beard. He’d grabbed a new pair of glasses and a new pair of gloves.

It also appeared that he was being literal about being questioned in his pajamas, but he hardly looked ridiculous—

He was wearing novelty pajamas designed after the Starfleet uniforms from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Specifically, the Captain’s uniform.

It seemed to fit him well, and he had a certain kind of commanding dignity.]

Mikhail: Alright, Mr. Donald Desmond. Let’s begin.

[A recording device was placed in the center of the room. Desmond took the seat across from Mikhail and pushed a button on it to start the recording.]

Des: (...Something tells me this is going to be a lot different than other times.... He didn’t even consider bringing lawyers into this.)

Des: Alright.

Des: Let's start simple.

Des: Who are you?

Mikhail: I am Михаил Сергеевич Казак. I am the Doctor for my sons, the Doctor Cossack Numbers Industrial series. I also serve as the Doctor for the Rebel Angels, a group comprised of seven of the Doctor Wily Numbers Combat class constructs from two different series, and two of the Doctor Light Numbers from two additional different series.

[He paused for a moment, before adding thoughtfully—]

Mikhail: And I suppose I would be willing to serve as the Doctor for the one member of the Special Wily Numbers series—although he’s a bit of a stubborn brat, and too proud to ask for help.

[He paused for a moment before looking Desmond in the eyes.]

Mikhail: My wife is Светлана Казак.

[…But then his gaze shifted down a bit, weary and sad. Seemed to be fiddling with his wedding ring, even though it was covered by his gloves.]

Mikhail: God granted us a wonderful… such a beautiful child…. Калинка Казак, my daughter.

[He closed his eyes, as if to shut out pain, and was silent for a while.]

Mikhail: …I lost her… she was taken from us several years ago. …Since then, I’ve raised my daughter on my own.

Mikhail: ({Oh, Beloved…. I fear I have never done as good a job of being a father as when I had you at my side to be my better half…})

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: -Looks up again, eyelids half closed in faint disapproval- …But you already know all of this, don’t you.

Des: .....

Des: (This REALLY isn't going so normally...)

Des: Fair enough...

Des: But I find it strange that a Russian Doctor is caring for American constructs--and a mixed bag of industrial and combat class, at that.

Des: How'd you come to be their Doctor?

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: My oldest son, Дэвид Казак, was originally designated as DLN-005 —designation “Iceman”. I wrote DCN-000 while I was just a boy, really—it was a very long time ago.

[He runs his fingers through his hair with a sigh.]

Mikhail: I was working under Dr. Wily at the time. He and Dr. Light were working together to make the Doctor Light Number Industrials—their first AI&A Industrial series. Dr. Wily was originally personally in charge of two projects—the DLN-005 project… and the DLN-008 project.

Des: ....

Des: (That's the serial of that other mysterious DLN...)

Des: (Curious.)

Mikhail: He had to drop one of them for health reasons, so I was placed in charge of the DLN-005 project, despite only being an intern at the time.

Mikhail: Sadly, there were… complications, in the end. Dr. Light and Dr. Wily got into a terrible row when Dr. Light discovered that his colleague had given DLN-008 an emotions program.

Mikhail: He ordered DLN-008 to be erased.

Des: What?!

Des: (That is already at least 7 kinds of illegal--!)

Mikhail: DLN-008 overheard this. Practically the whole lab did—I certainly remember it, even to this day.

Mikhail: He was terrified. So… he ran away.

Mikhail: In the end… all the members of that series were given full Awareness, and chose to flee for their lives. But it didn’t last long.

Mikhail: They were hunted down and destroyed, one by one.

[Mikhail closed his eyes and rubbed his face with his left hand.]

Mikhail: I didn’t become involved with the family after the entire DLN Industrial series was completely destroyed, David and Tobias and all—not until a short while ago, when my daughter and I were kidnapped by my old mentor, Dr. Albert Wily… and one of his most dangerous constructs—DWN-022, Viper.

[He clenched a hand into a fist, brooding at the memory.]

Mikhail: As part of that series of events, DLN-005 and DLN-008 came back Online after having been sealed away for about two decades. David managed to get into contact with me, and he and Tobias helped Cardinal Light to find my daughter and deliver her to me. Cardinal arrived just in time to prevent his younger brother, DLN-001—Rock Light—from [color=black]ending[/color] my life entirely.

Des: ....

Des: (I can't even...-- I haven't even heard of something like this taking place, why isn't it on some kind of record--?)

Mikhail: After I recovered and was eventually cleared of charges, I was contacted again by Cardinal Light. I did some extensive repairs on him, and tried to get him to replace his core.

[He sighed, closing his eyes.]

Mikhail: It was his decision not to do so. I respected this decision; I firmly believe in allowing constructs to make such a choice, even if I don’t agree with it.

[He crosses his arms.]

Mikhail: Since then… because Dr. Light is so dangerous to them, and Dr. Wily is insane, that family has come to me. Cardinal Light is in charge of that family—he put them together, rescuing them from death at the hands of their brother.

[He lifts his gaze back up to look Desmond in the eye, even though his head was still bowed.]

Mikhail: So that is how I came to care for them. It has not been easy, but I am the only one they can turn to.

Des: . . .

Des: (What do I even say to that?)

Des: (Like hell there's any protocol for that.)

Des: ....

Des: -Deep breath-

Des: ...

Des: All of this...

Des: Why isn't it on record?

Mikhail: …There’s a good reason for that.

Des: ....

Des: And that iiiis...?

Mikhail: …For one thing… after THAT whole incident, I was placed in a variation of witness protection. My daughter and I were actually given new identities not that long ago. There’s a general desire on a number of levels to prevent the incident from happening again, either with Wily or any other person or persons of ill intent.

Mikhail: You might as well ask a different question, sir. Details beyond that aren’t something I am willing to discuss on the record, so they’ll have to wait if you want to press further. I’m sure you have other things on your mind to discuss.

Mikhail: What’s relevant to this conversation is that because of all that had happened, what Dr. Albert Wily made me do while I was being blackmailed… it was enough that very, very serious charges were brought against me.

[At this point, he stood up, looking at Desmond with a rather cold and unsympathetic stare.]

Mikhail: It appeared very much, for a time, that Cardinal had rescued me from the flames only for the world to throw me to an even greater [color=black]fire.[/color] I was forced to talk about the matter with my only child, as I feared and believed she would be left an orphan. Do you understand?

Des: ....

Des: (We have to get the FBI on this--something this big just can't have been ignored or missed--)

Des: (Then again, we had a entire military base not in our banks...)

Des: Doctor. Please sit down.

[Mikhail silently refused.]

Mikhail: I am done talking about the distant past. What else did you want to know?

Des: ....

Des: (I'm getting nowhere with this. Time to change angles.)

Des: How did you come to know Dr. Sanda?

[At this, Mikhail did relax just a bit, happy to talk on a more pleasant topic.]

Mikhail: Ah, yes… that was in February, I believe.

Des: ....

Des: Five months ago?

Mikhail: Heh. I know—it feels like it’s been a year, really.

Mikhail: It came as quite a surprise, and we were very nervous at first. You see— -Takes off glasses to clean them, smiling and shaking his head- —Carlos—or DWN-012, if you’d rather—Carlos Gonzales was the first one to meet them.

Mikhail: He accidentally wandered in on one of Countershade’s training grounds.

[He had to laugh a little at the memory.]

Mikhail: Poor Shade accidentally scared him witless. But once we came into contact once again, Cardinal decided to take a chance, and he made his choice.

Mikhail: He helped arrange for some meetings, to discuss a truce of sorts with one another. It was tense work for a while, but once we understood one another…

[He gave a happy sigh and sat down to relax again.]

Mikhail: You’d never seen the boys so happy. So hopeful. And it wasn’t long after that… around March 8th, I believe, that is when Countershade and Cardinal became such good friends.

[He seemed wistful, now.]

Mikhail: They grew very close. You could hardly separate them at times. Cardinal… he lost so much of his bitterness…. You didn’t know him before, Mr. Desmond, not like how he was when I first met him.

[He sighed and looked away.]

Mikhail: He’s had a faulty core due to shoddy coding for a very long time now. He didn’t have very long left in which he was expected to stay alive. Between that and dealing with Dr. Light and Dr. Wily… he had become a very weary man. He lived without hope.

[He looked up, his gaze distant.]

Mikhail: That’s why it meant so much to him, to all of them, when he really felt that Hope LIVES.

Des: (...Hope Lives...)

Des: (Isn't that what he tagged in the Office...?)

Mikhail: And that’s what you want to know about, isn’t it? Part of your main reasons for asking, since you can’t ask him yourself?

Mikhail: Yes, he and Countershade are very close. Countershade is his only long-term friend, the only one who’s stayed for so long. That is why it was so hard on them when the Mighty Numbers left in the spring and into the summer, to fight in the Queen’s Tournament.

[He paused for a moment, frowning and turning to look at Des.]

Mikhail: …But there’s a lot more to the story than even what happened in the Finals.

Mikhail: They became worried, especially after Bladeblaster threatened Cardinal’s life. Cardinal was sure that Bladeblaster was going to try and assassinate him in order to get at Shade.

Des: --?!

Des: (Greater Dusk's leader? What?)

Mikhail: I assisted in a strategy session—in this very room, actually—regarding trying to figure out how to handle the overall situation… and to try and learn more about CDN-7037: Dencerjack. Or, as we know him, Jack Parker.

Des: (That CDN unit was sorta like their mascot...)

Des: (Just how intertwined IS all this?)

[Mikhail interlocked his fingers and leaned forward, speaking more factually now.]

Mikhail: At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, I believe that Cherry Dynamics is directly involved in Greater Dusk, which in turn served as an experimental “Patient Zero” for the virus in its current state. We have a paper trail that links CherryDyn to the funds that paid for Greater Dusk’s business expenses.

Des: Wait--

Des: CherryDyn was their sponsor?!

Des: (Oh--Oh, man, a paper trail, if we can get our hands on that, that'll send their lawyers scrambling--)

Des: And you can prove this?

Mikhail: I can’t prove the company as a whole, but I can prove a link. But yes, I can prove it. I told you, we have a paper trail. I always keep my own copies of important files on an isolated server. I’ll get them for you after this is over. For now, though, I need you to listen.

Des: ....Right.

Des: I'm listening...

Mikhail: Jack Parker was originally a Civilian model, showcased to display new advancements in CherryDyn technology. He was neglected and abandoned, and fell onto very, very hard times. He was repeatedly mistreated and abused by employers and landlords, including some downright illegal situations. One day, he was attacked by Bladeblaster and his gang, and subsequently was pressed into service.

Mikhail: He was made to sign a contract without being allowed to read it, and was forcefully converted from a Civilian model to a Combat model.

Des: (...That's...)

Des: (I can't even count how many laws broken in that spell.)

Mikhail: After that, he was physically and psychologically abused by his team leader. Repeatedly. It is for that reason that he resisted orders in battle, and even fought back when the infected crosses tried to take control. A cross he had been forced to wear.

[He leans back, drumming his fingers.]

Mikhail: Bladeblaster didn’t tell him what they did, but he felt it once it began to happen.

Des: ....Infected...

Des: (So the whole Queen's Finals fiasco was a trial run, of sorts?)

Des: (With live test subjects, funded by CherryDyn.)

Des: (I do believe we got a prime suspect in our hands.)

Des: (Now, if only we can actually TALK to that CEO...)

[Mikhail sighed and shook his head.]

Mikhail: And here we begin to reach one of the other main things you wanted to know about, if I’m not wrong.

[He looked up.]

Mikhail: …Tobias personally heard his favorite brother die. My son…

Mikhail: … Light Number Eight himself was killed in a manner tragically similar to what happened again. When he saw Jack being attacked, saw him go down in the sands…

[He closes his eyes.]

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: … … …

Des: . . .

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: …Dr. Wily was not exactly a man with great self-control, himself. And his sons… they all reflect that streak of impulsiveness and rage.

Des: (...!)

Des: (So that's why...)

Mikhail: -Opens his eyes- When he saw that happen, especially after Dynatron was taken hostage…

Mikhail: He just couldn’t stand by any longer. He had an overwhelming directive to save her, to stop Bladeblaster from killing her, or killing Jack.

Mikhail: He made his way through on his own accord—and as you undoubtedly saw, paid the [color=blue]price[/color] for his insolence.

Mikhail: …Tobias had no intention of doing anything but stopping the measure, preventing loss of lives. He used force because at that level of Combat, he was willing and permitted to use whatever means necessary to stop her—to stop her from dying. He had no personal intent of compromising the security for the sake of malice.

Des: . . . .

Des: (So all he wanted was to save the Electric Maiden.)

Des: (That makes a lot of sense, given the Doctor's answers so far, and that both of them seem to be lighting-based bots. Looking out for one another...)

Des: (Still...)

Des: What about Bladeblaster?

Des: Was he going to...

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: …He needed Dynatron safe, and he had never fought before except in self-defense. -Hesitant kind of thoughtful- I don’t think he knew or realized what could happen—not on a conscious level—to him or to Bladeblaster. …If you need those notes and logs to clear him, I can provide those as well.

Des: ...Fair enough.

Des: ....

Des: (Okay. We've covered this and that, and we got some important info out of this.)

Des: (Here comes the hard part.)

Des: This brings me to the other issue about DLN-008.

Des: As well as DLN-000 and the White House.

Des: What EXACTLY happened?

Mikhail: …

[He looks to the side again with a tired frown. His gaze seems to be glazing over, weary at the memory.]

Mikhail: …

Des: Doctor.

Des: You need to answer this. Please.

Mikhail: …Cardinal Light…

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: …When all of this happened… Cardinal had been so desperately looking forward to being reunited with his best friend. They hadn’t seen—and had barely heard from—one another since the tournament began. He wanted to hang out and have fun, like old times again. …

Mikhail: -Closes his eyes, his face twisting to show heavy sorrow- …Instead, he was faced with the potential loss entirely.

Des: ....

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: … -Swallows- …He didn’t have much time to react. But once he could see and process what had happened and what was going on…

Mikhail: He saw the danger. And he had to stop it.

Mikhail: He was made as a military robot, made to defend and to give his life for the lives of others on the front lines in war.

Mikhail: With this… he saw the potential for something much worse than just chaos and war.

[He looked up.]

Mikhail: He saw the potential for genocide.

Des: --...????

Des: What?

Mikhail: You know exactly what I’m talking about, Mister Desmond. And it almost happened more than one time in the past week.

Mikhail: When faced with the prospect of uncontrollable robot masses, to some it may seem that the only way to cease the madness would be to kill everything with fire. To obliterate the threat so badly that it was stopped completely.

Mikhail: But that would come at what price, if you destroyed all of the Artificial Intelligences and Awareness in your nation in your world, infected AND healthy?

Mikhail: Would the remaining humans be enough to support themselves, to grow food, to give medical care, to risk lives at dangerous jobs?

Des: ......

Des: (.....Gh...)

Des: (It's almost too horrifying to think about...)

Mikhail: This threat, for him, was on the level of a nation. It was about more than his friends. And he knew that his friends, now lost to the virus, could very easily make it a reality.

[He scowled.]

Mikhail: So he set out before we could stop him. He made his way to the one place he ever felt at home, and from there waited until he could figure out what was going on. Once that he saw that Shade still hadn’t come into play, he must have realized that Eight would not emerge again until he was ready to take advantage of his prey, too tired to fight any more.

Mikhail: And he must have determined that the one place Shade could do the most damage was the White House. And that is why he went there.

[He looked up again, tired.]

Mikhail: I’m sure you must be worried about security. That’s why you’re asking me this, isn’t it?

Des: --....

Des: (...Well, it doesn't help that a total of only four to five or maybe MORE robots were enough to stop our entire security system...)

Mikhail: Well, I assure you that very little short of a well-armed squadron could have prevented Cardinal from entering. He was made to take out armored tanks, and he was willing to take the hits if it meant getting in.

Des: (...So that explains the well-made helmet.)

Mikhail: And as much as he wanted to rescue his friend, his overhanded, commanding priority in a military-grade order was to evacuate the White House and save the President.

Mikhail: And that is why he risked everything to save you. ((pl.))

Des: .....

Des: And where does DLN-008 fit into all of this, Doctor Cossack? He isn't military, I assume.

Mikhail: … -Painful expression- ({This is going to hurt…}) -Looks away-

Mikhail: …No, he’s an Industrial. Built to handle power plants.

Des: Then?

Des: In the past year, he's broken into two top-level security establishments--the Queen's Finals, okay, that I can understand. But that's just me.

Des: I'm sorry, Doctor, but there are consequences for--

Mikhail: (Ghhkt—) -Interrupts- No, Desmond.

Des: Doctor--

Mikhail: Leave him alone.

-*-*-*-*-*-

Minerva: This is your last chance— hand yourself over to the authorities, or you will be facing the consequences—

Cardinal: NO!

Cardinal: Leave him alone!

[For the first time since he had come in…

He actually SOUNDED scared.

Desperate, even.]

-*-*-*-*-*-

Des: --......

Des: (This again...)

Mikhail: …Tobias is hot-blooded, but he did not—I… repeat, he did not…

[He’s VERY clearly uncomfortable.]

Mikhail: ({There’s… there is no other choice…!})

Mikhail: …You have to leave him alone.

Mikhail: He didn’t go after your security systems on his own initiative.

[Little did he realize…

…the watch he was wearing was the one Countershade had given him for his 39th birthday earlier that year. He’d completely forgotten about that, especially since he’d never had the chance to get the rundown on what it does.

But one of those functions was to report his condition if his heart rate were to rise high enough to show he was in danger.

And this was one of those times.]

Mikhail: …That was my fault.

[PING!]

[HEART RATE ABOVE NORMAL STRESS LEVELS. SENDING DISTRESS SIGNAL...] _________________________

Will: --...? What...?

Soi: What is it--

Will: --....It...It's Mikhail--?

_________________________

[MN.8 IS NOW ONLINE]

Shade: Mngh....

Shade: Mikhail's...

Mic: ?

Mic: -Go back to sleep--

Shade: Mikhail's not...Mgh...okay...

Beck: Huh?

___________________________

Mikhail: Mine and mine alone.

Mikhail: Do you hear me?

Des: --?!

Des: (Wait, what?)

Des: (HE told DLN-008 to...)

Mikhail: When we saw on the news that he was there, we quickly deduced what had happened. And I knew he was going to die, going to get himself killed if I didn’t intervene. I’m his Doctor, I know what his limits are— you and your people were going to destroy him out of panic, or weaken him enough that Shade, controlled by the virus, would do so himself.

Des: Then WHY didn't you call ahead, or at least--

[Mikhail stood, looking a kind of bitterly frustrated just short of angry.]

Mikhail: Called? Do you honestly think that after what happened with Battalion, I could have called!?

Des: What?!

_______________________________

Soi: Will, you shouldn't--you CAN'T hack into their camera's--

Will: Like HELL I can't--

________________________________

Pyro: Shade, sit DOWN--

Shade: Mikhail's in trouble--

Brand: He's in the same building, Shade, he's not--

Shade: Ya don't get it, I'm gettin' a distress signal from the watch--

_________________________________

Des: How do you KNOW about that?!

Mikhail: Your people called Sanda’s labs directly. I vacated the premises, but once I got back… Battalion was home and everyone involved had been sworn to secrecy on a governmental, military level.

Mikhail: What else would any SANE Russian conclude given those facts?!

Des: --....

Des: -Grits teeth- (Damnit, he has a point...)

Mikhail: The constructs went where they could cause the most damage, Desmond! Battalion is a walking tank built as a homage to the military!

Des: ....

Des: If you were there, at the time, at least for a while--

Des: Why didn't you say anything?

Mikhail: Why do you think? I left PRECISELY to avoid THIS conversation, Mr. Desmond. =____=;;

Des: Then were YOU responsible for the security breach at the base THEN?

____________________________

Will: --! No--!

____________________________

[Mikhail looked up, confused. He seemed to be trying to process the information, unsure whether to ask for clarification or not. Eventually it faded to just a frown.]

Mikhail: …

Des: (.... Wasn't expecting that response...)

Des: ....

Des: Alright, then. You don't know. Sit down, Doctor.

[Mikhail didn’t sit down.]

Mikhail: Mnnn. Anyway. -Crosses his arms, tapping his fingers and looking to the side-

Mikhail: After all of that, do you honestly think I could rely on anyone to LISTEN to reason, to stop shooting just because some Doctor nobody told them to, especially me—a Russian?

Mikhail: Tsk. Don’t patronize me. I knew at once that it wouldn’t work. Perhaps it would under normal circumstances, but everyone was in panic. You didn’t know his intentions, and you were under attack—the logical thing would be to fight back against those not under your control. And so, he would be damaged. And he was! By the systems, by your security outside—

[He puts his hands behind his back and looks at Desmond coldly over his glasses.]

Mikhail: You yourself even SHOT him in the head, you TOLD me that YOURSELF in our last brief interview.

Des: --....

Des: (Ngh, he's right, we would've...)

Mikhail: Do you remember the state he was brought in to me? If it had been any worse, even the SLIGHTEST bit worse, Nine would have been too late and 000 would have died— permanently.

Des: (Gh...)

Des: (Having the core exposed like that...Yet another point for the Doctor. Bah...)

Mikhail: I refused to let that happen, I refused to make that risk! And not just the risk to him, to his friends— Cardinal Light was running on nuclear power—

Des: Nuclear?!

Des: (That doesn't make SENSE, there's no Xelbot online that runs on nuclear--they don't NEED to--)

Des: (Great, NOW we have to go through a radiation check...)

Mikhail: —if the virus had forced Shade, if Shade in his unwilling madness had, in that last moment, shot him—

Mikhail: Cardinal would have exploded, we would have lost him—!

Des: Doctor!

Des: Calm. Down.

[Mikhail exhaled sharply, but didn’t budge—even continuing to glare for a few tense moments.

…But then that cold fire slowly died down, and he began to look exhausted again. He sat down heavily, bowing his head.]

Mikhail: …I got desperate. …I refused to allow that to happen.

[He put his head in his hands.]

Mikhail: …I had sent all of my patients into an emergency lockdown that placed them Offline. But once I saw what was going to happen unless Cardinal was helped— I wanted to take him out of there, but his transceiver had been off for a long time. Only a positive visual lock can compensate for the lack of a signal. I needed visual. The only way to get visuals was through the security system… where they were currently under the virus’s control.

Mikhail: I saw no other option but to bypass or at least mitigate the malfunctioning security, since feeds could not be negotiated from the Pentagon… can’t negotiate what you don’t have in your possession to offer…

[His heart was racing.]

Mikhail: I made the decision to bring Tobias back Online.

[He curls his hands into fists and places them down on the table, his miserable gaze still cast downward.]

Mikhail: And I ordered him to go into the Cloud, force his way in there, give us the feeds, and disable it or turn it off.

__________________________

Will: NO--!!

Will: (No, Mikhail, NO--!)

_________________________

Cryo: MIC SIT ON HIM OR SOMETHING--

Mic: -But we don't want to crush him--

Beck: Shade, calm down--!

Shade: Lemmie GO--!

__________________________

Mikhail: I knew it was wrong, yes, and I did so anyway. That is what matters here, justified or not.

Mikhail: ({I’m so sorry Will…! But… if I don’t accept this, then it’s only going to bring the axe down on Tobias or you, and I just can’t allow that! This is not your fault and Tobias—he’s just a scared child, he doesn’t deserve such a fate—})

Mikhail: ({If… if someone REALLY has… has to /pay/…})

Des: ....

[The Secretary of Defense slowly exhales, pinching the bridge of his nose. He didn't expect things to turn out this way.]

Des: (This is a huge complicated mess...)

Des: (If HE ordered DLN-008 to infiltrate the White House security...)

Des: (Under the circumstances...)

Des: (I have to assume he's also acting under orders.)

Des: So you ordered him to do it.

Mikhail: Yes.

Des: ....

Des: And whose orders are YOU acting under?

Mikhail: Nobody’s.

Des: .....

Des: Doctor Cossack.

Des: Your files and that of your patients didn't even exist in the last year.

Des: I can only assume someone else FORGED your papers.

Des: Who?

Mikhail: -Somewhat shaky but VERY firm- I won’t answer that.

Des: Then what ELSE do you want me to think?

Mikhail: -VERY uncomfortable expression- ({I can tell that’s going to cost me…!})

Des: And how much do Sanda and his employees know about this?

Mikhail: ENOUGH! I told you, no, I’m NOT a spy—

Des: Then WHO are you WORKING for, Doctor?!

Mikhail: I don’t work for /anybody,/ Desmond! Before Wily nearly completely destroyed my family, I built my sons within an LLC that was privately, personally funded! I’ve never let anyone be able to claim ownership over my sons—no one tells me what to do, I’m my own boss!

Mikhail: Do you have children, or at least know the lives of parents?!

Des: --..... (Min…)

Mikhail: Can you expect to know everything that your children’s friend’s parents are and know?!

Mikhail: No! Doctor Sanda and his children are the friends of my children, of my nephews— we too, in turn, are friends—that’s IT!

Mikhail: So— with all due respect, Mister Secretary—

[He gestures at the camera.]

Mikhail: I’ve told you all I have to say within the hearing range of other listening ears! Anything else will have to be for you alone, and only then can you decide whether it will or can be added back into an official file.

____________________________

Will: --.....

Will: -Admittedly kind of freaked out how he worded that, how does he know--

Soi: o______o;;;;

__________________________

Mikhail: …If that’s not good enough to work off of…

[He forces himself to look up, to look Desmond in the eyes with great effort.]

Mikhail: …you’ll just have to… -Takes a breath- …make your decisions… based on… based on what I’ve told you thus far.

Mikhail: ({God—if it really comes to that, please spare me; let it be quick—I don’t know if I could stand the waiting, I’m not strong enough for that…!})

Mikhail: And you can question me again and again, but forevermore, the answers will not change.

Des: . . .

Des: . . .

Mikhail: That is all I have to say.

Des: (....)

Des: (He's not going to talk any more, is he...)

Des: (And this STILL isn't enough to go on. There's still too many questions left unanswered, and he's dead set on keeping that under lock and key--not to mention taking any blame thereof.)

Des: (He's covering up for that boy, I know he is.)

Des: ....

Mikhail: …

Des: (...At least we have some very useful leverage against CherryDyn now.)

Des: (Maybe we can even have some kind of breakthrough--and a lead on Dencerjack, if he's still alive...)

Des: .....

Des: You said you printed off those files you said you'd provide.

Mikhail: Yes. I printed them off in advance, as I anticipated that they would be needed.

Des: Fine, but I'll have to take a look at the original files myself.

Mikhail: Very well, I may be willing to grant you access. That would have to be done at a later time, though. The server that hosts the files is no longer accessible via the Cloud. It has to be visited in person.

Des: ...In Russia? Somewhere off country? (Am I going to have to travel half way across the world--)

Des: ...And why?

Mikhail: No, not in Russia. -Sighs, shaking his head and closing his eyes- I don’t live there anymore. Not after what happened. We had to move as part of the protection program.

Mikhail: As for why…

Mikhail: Among other things… data in the Cloud still isn’t safe, even on isolated servers. In order to keep the files intact, I’ve removed all possible access to the server for this time. Sorry.

Des: .......

[D.D. to M.M.]//: ⚠️: 🔬 🔗 ✅.

[D.D. to M.M.]//: 🔬 🔇 ⛔️ 🔍 re: L008, et. al, etc.

[M.M. to D.D.]//: USE Ɑ STAT?

[D.D. to M.M.]//: 🔂 👀 ABOVE.

[M.M. to D.D.]//: ⚖?

[D.D. to M.M.]//: ❌— 📰, 📁, ANY?

[M.M. to D.D.]//: ❌ re:🇷🇺, 🇯🇵

[M.M. to D.D.]//: ⏱ ⌛️?

[D.D. to M.M.]//: ❌—💬⛔️🔇

[M.M. to D.D.]//: 🎬🔍— ⏲ @ 0

[M.M. to D.D.]//: PROTOCOL?

[D.D. to M.M.]//: 💬

[D.D. to M.M.]//: ⛓🔬🔐

[M.M. to D.D.]//: ∴ ⛓🔬🔐

Des: (....Damn it.)

Des: (...I'm sorry, Doctor, but if you're going to be like this...)

Des: ....

Des: We're going to have to bring you in for further questioning.

Mikhail: ! -Winces- ({I’ll—! There’s no way I’ll—!}) -Breathing a bit heavier now, a dismayed kind of terrified- ({I’ll never make it out of that alive!})

((-CUE SOI TRYING TO HOLD BACK WILL FROM LOCKING DOWN THE LAB , AAAAH--))

((-Also cue Mighties BARELY holding back Shade from seeing what the heck is going on))

Mikhail: -Clearly scared and hopeless- … ({This is really it, then…. This is where it will end for me…. Alone, in captivity, not even within my own time. That… that’s really how… how I’m going to die?}) -Swallows- …

Mikhail: … -Swallows again- ({Then…})

Mikhail: ({So be it.})

Mikhail: -Russian- {…I…. I understand.}

Des: ....

[Mikhail struggled to get his breathing under control, and to stop the swallowing, but it wasn’t easy to put a forceful end to the instinctive physical response to panic.]

Des: I don't like this either, Doctor.

Des: ...You seem like a good man, in my opinion. And my gut's usually right on things like this.

Mikhail: … {Do what you must.}

Des: ....

[With a sigh, Des reached around to pull out a pair of steel handcuffs. Unfortunately, this was protocol.]

Mikhail: -Flinches SHARPLY at this- …

[He didn’t say anything. He just looked incredibly defeated.

He started to pull off his left glove silently, hesitating for a moment before letting the silk slide.]

Des: --...!

Des: (What in the...)

[His hands were covered in burn scars. It was clear he’d had some skin grafting done. One could see the edges continued all the way to his arms.

…Looking closer, one could also see such scars beneath the beard on his face.

There were also other scars around his wrists—as if he had been bound there and struggled against it for months.

He really had seen hell before…and he’d actually been speaking literally when he said Cardinal had rescued him from fire.]

Des: ..... (Scars…)

[He hesitated briefly—he wasn’t sure if those scars were prone to sudden pain via pressure. They looked incredibly nasty—and also fairly recent.]

Des: (…I don’t have a choice.)

[Desmond took great care as he closed the restraints around Mikhail’s wrists. There was a cold, somewhat jarring clicking noise as he locked them into place and reluctantly tightened them.

Mikhail bites back a whimper of anxiety, gritting his teeth in silence. His heart was still pounding—he almost felt dizzy in the fear… but he was determined not to give in to it.]

Des: (…This is going to suck.)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=PROLOGUE A: IT ALL BEGINS NOW=

~AO v1.0~

(Starring @limitbreakers)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

“Come ON, Beck! Hurry up, we’re gonna be late!”

It is the present year.

“C-Coming, Cryo!”

Breakthroughs in robotic technology have ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity. Violence is confined to the Battle Colosseum, where robot combatants face off in spectacular duels.

“We’ve spent enough time walking down memory lane in the trophy room. We have to get to the arena before they call us out for our return debut match.”

“WE KNOW, Pyro. Jeezzz, calm down.”

“I believe he is only excited to be back in familiar stomping grounds. Isn’t that right, Bat?”

“TOO RIGHT, Brand!”

“MAN, I am so stoked for this! Hey, I hope they get my good side, ya know? Course, I look good in ALL angles.”

“…Avi not focused.”

“Mic is right. It’s time to get out there. Everyone! PLACES!”

“YES SIR NO.1!”

Today, the colosseum walls once again echo with the shouts and cheers of excited fans…

…when suddenly…

….

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN–

Attention! Attention! This is Code Red! Please evacuate the arena calmly and quickly! This is not a drill! Please–

[WARNING. WARNING. VIRUS DETECTED IN SERVER. FIREWALL PROGRAMS HAVE FAILED.]

[MN.1-8 HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH HARMFUL MALWARE. RUNNING XELFILTER.EXE FOR MN.9]

[WARNING: MN.1-8 HAVE ENTERED FULL COMBAT MODE. RESTRICTIONS: NONE.]

[S Y S T E M E R R ROR–S YSTEM E R R ROR–]

“PYRO! BRAND! SHADE! GUYS! S T O P!”

[MN.9 HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY HARMFUL MALWARE. PREPARING HARD RESET. ALL FORMS WILL BE LOST.]

“GUYS–NO–NOOO–!!”

[....]

[XELFILTER.EXE PROGAM CYCLE COMPLETE. ALL MALWARE HAS BEEN FILTERED AND NEUTRALIZED FROM ALL SYSTEMS.]

[REBOOTING...]

[MN.9 IS NOW ONLINE]

Beck: ....Uuugh...

Beck: What...what happened...

[......]

[At first...nothing.]

[Then....]

"PYRO! BRAND! SHADE! GUYS! S T O P!!"

Beck: ......!!!!!

[MN.9 to MN.1-8] //: GUYS! GUYS!

[MN.9 HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY MN.1-8.]

[MN.9] //: ...??!?!

Beck: What...?!

Beck: Why would... They...

BOOOM!

[...And that is when he noticed where he was. No longer was he within the Colosseum walls, he was now on some rooftop by a NBCA advertisement. It looked like he was simply DROPPED here, but the means of how and why were far from his mind.]

[At the sounds of the explosions, Mighty No. 9 ran across the rooftop ...]

Beck: !!!

Beck: N...No...!

[Screams. Fire.]

Beck: What....

[The whole of the city in absolute chaos, citizens screaming in terror, fleeing from literal hordes of rampaging robots, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake.]

Beck: What is...happening...?!

Beck: .....!!!

Beck: DAD!

[His creator. His father. Doctor William Apollo White.]

[He was somewhere in this madness...]

[Without another thought, Beck jumped down from the rooftop. He had to find him. He had to know if...!]

Beck: PROFESSOR! DAD! WHERE ARE YOU?!

Beck: DAAAAD!!

[......]

[..........]

[..............]

[...!! There! In the distance--! That puff of hair that could only be--!]

Beck: Dad!

White: Beck!

[The sheer relief couldn't be plainer on their faces, as Beck ran up to his father, who seemed to have seen better days--his lab coat was torn here and there, and his face was covered in black soot.]

White: Ah, Beck--thank God--and functioning normally, it would appear!

Beck: Yeah...yeah, I'm fine, Dad. I'm fine...

Beck: I am so glad you're OK—

[Beck clutched his leg as hard as he could, and White bent down to give his youngest perhaps the hardest hug he could muster.]

White: ...God...what on earth has happened...? It's...chaos, everywhere...!

Beck: I...I dunno...I dunno...Dad...

[Tears filled his emerald green eyes.]

Beck: I...I can't contact the others...Pyro, Cryo, Dyna...they...blocked me...!

White: What?!

White: Why on...

White: . . .

White: oh God—nononoNO—

[He fumbled with his bag, which held his laptop. He opened it as quickly as he could and--]

[...His suspicions were confirmed.]

[The status of all Mighty Numbers...]

[To say he was both horrified and shocked was an understatement.]

[His sons...his daughters...]

White: NO!

Beck: .....!!!

Beck: INCOMING!

[Several airborne delivery bots had spotted them--and their load was less than helpful. They were bombs.]

[Beck pushes his father out of the way, with a strength he never knew he had in this default form...]

White: ooF--

[The blast knocked both father and son back some ways, but Beck's quick actions had saved them both from sustaining serious damage.]

[Thankfully, the trio of delivery bots no more cargo to dispel, and flew back the way they came--probably to get more of their ammo.]

Beck: Dad--Dad, are you OK?!

White: Ngh...

White: Y-Yes...mostly...

[Beck looked forward--this street...this was familiar...]

[...! Wait! He knew where he was! Just a few blocks from here was home!]

Beck: Dad--Dad, it's not safe--

White: ...

[After catching his breath, he stood--brushed himself off, and looked to the distance along with Nine. There, on end of this long street...]

[Sands Enterprises.]

White: ........

White: .......

Beck: Dad...?

[His expression hardened.]

[....His sons, his daughters...]

[What was happening to all the robots...]

[...He couldn't do anything from here.]

White: We won't figure out anything from here, Beck.

White: We must make for the laboratory--and quickly!

Beck: ...!

[But between them and home...a war zone.]

White: ........

Beck: ....

White: Beck...

White: I can't get through this by myself.

White: You MUST forge on ahead and clear a secure path.

Beck: --!? Wha--

White: Don't worry--I'll follow, and monitor your process. We only need to make it to the end of this street!

White: Do you think you can do that?

Beck: ......

[...He's walked down this street countless times--he's just never had to do it amidst gunfire.]

[But Dad...]

[His family...Dr. Sanda...Call...!]

[MN.9 HAS ENTERED COMBAT MODE.]

Beck: Yes sir!

[...Seeing that smile on his face, and the will that clearly shined beneath those eyes...]

White: Alright...

[...There was hope.]

[They could not lose that--not now!]

White: Let's move!

[OBJECTIVE: ESCORT DR. WHITE TO SANDA ENTERPRISES UNHARMED.]

[SYSTEMS READY.]

[....INITIATING COMBAT PROGRAMS.]

[Getting through the overturned vehicles and debris was easy enough, and provided good cover for Will.]

[...But it wasn't long before...]

Beck: ....!!

[A flash of purple, and a standard CherryDyn Security Model robot materialized in his path, waving it's arms around wildly, it's weapon primed and ready to fire.]

[White's voice filled his comm link--as long as they were near each other, they could speak above the chaotic noises that filled the blue sky.]

White: A security bot...and it's out of control like all the others...

[The CherryDyn bot, however, didn't notice Beck at all--rather, it moved on ahead...]

Beck: ....!!

Beck: Professor! Look!

White: !

[There, on a large public screen that overlooked the street...]

[Gregory Graham.]

<DLN-008 to MNN-ALL>: > -PING!-

[…!

Faint!

But there!

That was Toby’s signal, no doubt about it!]

Beck: !!!!

Beck: Toby!

White: Tobias?!

Beck: I felt his signal!

Beck: It's...so faint but...!

[The signal is fluctuating and faltering, as if something’s interfering with it.]

[KKKST!]

"Once again, the President as declared a country-wide state of emergency. This, based on reports of haywire robots rampaging out of control in all 52 States. I'm being told we have a comment from Gregory Graham, CEO of CherryDynamics."

Beck and White: WHAT?!

[There are some faint data streams that suggest anger—from DWNs—but it is still too faint…

Barely noticeable, given the matter at hand.]

"CherryDyn, of course, being the world's largest robot manufacturer. Let's go there now, live...

Graham: Ahem! Hello?...eh, hello...? Is this thing on?!

[...The CEO seemed...panicked...]

Graham: Ah! Ahem--...My fellow Americans...in this time of crisis, we at CherryDyn would just like to express....

Graham: That this isn't our fault!

White: ....!!

Graham: It's that Dr. Blackwell--HE'S the one that's behind all this! BLAME HIM!

Beck: What the--is he SERIOUS?!

[…Oddly…

…nothing, from their otherworldly friends.

Very odd, considering the LAST time that there had been a panic, and how loudly they had cried out in dismay.

But it seemed Graham wasn’t done yet…]

[Graham then composes himself...]

Graham: Ahem--we at CherryDyn are doing ALL we can to help fix the situation...BUT IT'S BLACKWELL'S FAU--

[KKKKKKSSST!]

"Heeeelllloooo! Is this thing on?"

Beck: ...Avi?

[PING!]

<DLN-008>: >Avi! Avi, no! What are you doing?

[He doesn't answer. Instead, he continues to give his twisted 'news report'.]

Avi: “Ahem! And now, let's go live to our eye in the sky, Avi, for today's Avi News traffic report!~”

[And in a completely not so different voice--]

Avi: "Thanks, Avi! As you can see, we've got a few accidents eastbound on, well--"

Avi: "EVERYWHERE! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!~"

<DLN-008>: > DON’T PRETEND YOU CAN’T HEAR ME— now is not the time for games, Aviator!

Avi: "Yup, we've got chaos here, chaos there on this BEEEEEAUTIFUL June 21, 20XX! Here on Avi News today, we've got exclusive coverage on today's top story!~

Avi: THE END OF THE WORLD, BABY!~

White: MIGHTY NO. 6! STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY!

Beck: A…Avi…

Avi: "Our nation is on TOTAL MELTDOWN, and Xelbot crime is on the rise!~ Can NOTHING stop this madness?!

Avi: "Short answer? NO!~ BWAHAHAHA!~"

[.......]

[MN.6] //: Well, would you look at that! I got a caller!~

[The screen cuts out to another camera while Avi switched his attention to Toby, leaving Beck and White to gaze in horror at the bird's eye view of their city...]

White: We're almost there...!

[Traversing the war-torn street, Beck and White are just one more block away from the entrance...]

White: ....!

Beck: ...? What is it, Dad?

White: Dr. Sanda's calling...

[DR.WHITE] //: Sanda? What's the matter--

[DR.SANDA] //: WHAT'S THE MATTER?!

[DR.SANDA] //: WHAT THE BLEEDING HECK DO YOU THINK IS THE MATTER?! ARE YOU OK, WILL?!

[DR.WHITE] //: ...Oh, fine. More or less.

[DR.SANDA] //: .....

[DR.WHITE] //: And yourself?

[…Yep.

He was his usual self, alright.]

[Dr. Sanda, however…]

[DR.SANDA] //: Good Lord do you EVER stop being tactless--

[...LOUD clanking noises in the background of his feed.]

[DR.SANDA] //: ohmyGod

[DR.SANDA] //: I'm less than fine--MUCH LESS! These robots gone wild are TEARING THE PLACE APART!

[DR.WHITE] //: What...in the building too?!

[DR.SANDA] //: I've sealed myself in the lab--but who knows HOW long before they break through?!

[DR.WHITE] //: Ah, I see. Understood. We're already on our way!

[DR.SANDA] //: ...We?

[MN.9] //: -PING!- Dr. Sanda...!

[DR.SANDA] //: ...!! Beck? BECK? IS THAT REALLY YOU?!

[MN.9] //: Yeah--it's me! I'm OK, I'm not crazy!

[DR.SANDA] //: THANK THE LORD--

[BANG!]

[DR.SANDA] //: -sCREECH--

[DR.WHITE] //: Just try to hold them off for as long as you can! We're coming!

[Soon enough, after what seemed like hours had passed instead of minutes...]

[...Sanda Enterprises.]

[The front door was completely blown open.]

White: Oh, no...

Beck: I...I don't see Call anywhere...

White: ......

White: Beck. We have no time to waste...calculate the fastest possible route to the lab!

Beck: Yes sir!

Beck: ......

Beck: This way!

[BWAN BWAN BWAN BWAN--]

Beck: nEVER MIND THIS WAY--

[The elevator down to the lab was out--they had to take the other way down.]

White: --!!!

[...Sanda Models.]

[Heading this way...]

White: BECK!!

Beck: !!

[Trash bots--designed to recycle waste and paper--harmless enough, but something had caused them to open and shut their lids with the force of a vice, looking for anything to chomp on.]

Beck: Uhoh--

[They were heading this way--but oddly enough--their target...wasn't Beck...]

White: --!!

White: They're locked onto me--!

Beck: NO!

Trash Bots: -GLITCHED BEEPING-

[.......]

[ANALYZING.]

[EMOTION MATRIX RUNNING...]

[THREAT CONFIRMED.]

[ACTIVATING WEAPON SYSTEMS.]

Beck: STAY AWAY FROM HIM!

[WEAPON SYSTEMS: ONLINE.]

-*-*-*-*-

Felix: Let me tell you something, Master Beck. It is your heart and your build, your purpose, to help others. That is where your greatest power, I think, will always lie.

Beck: ..........

Beck: (Well, that's not...I mean, I was just built to fight....)

Felix: When you truly believe in your cause, the strength comes to you.

Felix: I can tell you THAT from experience.

Beck: .....R-Really....?

Felix: Of course.

Felix: And after all.

Felix: You /are/ MIGHTY.

-*-*-*-*-

[XEL ABSORPTION SYSTEMS....

ONLINE. ]

[BLAM BLAM BLAM!]

[In an instant, Beck's arm had transformed into his default demolecularizing arm cannon--capable of breaking apart substances right down to the molecular level within a few shots.]

[The Trash Bots were nailed right in the face, and soon they were...glowing. Their Xels were being broken apart, floating around them...]

[ZOOOOM!]

[ACXELARATE DASH: ONLINE. ]

[A white-blue glow had enveloped Beck as he dashed forward, the Xels of the weakened robots being absorbed into his own body, seamlessly clicking into place.]

[Shocked from the sudden Xel loss...the Trash Bots shut down.]

[ABSORPTION BOOST: ONLINE. ]

Beck: --!!

[A soft red glow shined around him, energy SURGING through him in a way that he's NEVER felt before...]

Beck: Ah--

[It all seemed to pool into his arm cannon.]

Beck: .....

Beck: WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED.

Beck: -pANIC-

Beck: W HAT WAS THAT?!

White: .......

White: Beck...did...

White: Did you just...absorb the Xels of a weakened robot and--my goodness --assimilate them?!

Beck: I DON'T KNOW--YOU TELL ME!

White: Alright--alright--just CALM down, Beck--breathe, breathe...

Beck: .......

White: Beck--I DESIGNED you with this capability.

Beck: ....!! W-Wait--

Beck: ...So--THIS is my...my power? My OTHER power?

White: Yes, Beck. I designed you with THREE central powers: Xel Manipulation, Xel Transformation...

White: ...And Xel Assimilation.

White: ....But...

White: This is the first time I've seen it...active...I hadn't thought it functional yet...

White: (...So why now...?)

White: .....!

White: (Of course...)

White: (Seeing me like this--in danger. Amidst madness and chaos...)

White: (His emotional matrix must have activated his latent abilities...)

White: (In an effort to protect me.)

Beck: .......

Beck: Whoooooa...

White: ....!

Beck: .....

[The glow subsided. Along with the surge of power.]

Beck: --? Uh...what happened?

White: ---Ngh! I'd love to explain but we have more robots incoming--!

Beck: --!!

[Within moments, as they headed deeper into the building, more and more robots appeared.]

[The security system had also gone haywire, and the very same measures used to protect them was now being used against them.]

White: Almost there, almost there...hold on, Soi...!

Beck: OwowowowlASERSHURTOW--

White: ...Right--the Lab is just ahead...

[DR.WHITE] //: Sanda?

[.....]

[DR.WHITE] //: Sanda, are you still there?

[.......]

[DR.WHITE] //: .......

[DR WHITE] //: Have the robots torn you to pieces...?

[MN.9] //: DAD--

[DR.SANDA] //: Criminny! Tactful as ALWAYS, Will... -_____-;;;

[DR.SANDA]//: I'm FINE, but for PETE'S SAKE, HURRY--!

[DR.WHITE] //: Don't worry, we just need to go through the--

[There was a LOUD scream across the feeds.]

[No—two voices, both screaming in utter agony!]

[B A N G.]

Beck: ?!?

Beck: What was THAT...?!

[The door opened...]

[WWRRRRRRRRRRRRRR--]

White: --?!

[Literally CRASHING through the side wall was a huge, round robot nearly seven times Beck's size, crushing anything underneath it's round steel flattener...]

White: A CherryDyn demolition unit?! How on EARTH did it manage to get DOWN here?!

Beck: Oh C RUD--

[The destructive CDN CHARGED right into Beck's path--he dove out of the way in time, however, but the shock of the impact with the other wall forced the door to close, leaving Will on the other side.]

Beck: DAD!

[DR.WHITE] //: I'm fine!

[DR.WHITE] //: Beck, quickly--you MUST stop it, before it destroys the whole laboratory!

[MN.9] //: M...ME?!

[MN.9] //: DAD THIS THING CAN CRUSH ME--

[DR.WHITE] //: YOU HAVE TO TRY! SOI IS STILL IN THERE!

[DR.SANDA] //: COME ON, BECKO--DO IT! OR WE'RE ALL TOAST...!

[MN.9 HAS ENTERED FULL COMBAT MODE.]

Beck: I'msodead--

[SCANNING...]

[SCAN COMPLETE.]

[ E N C O U N T E R ]

[CDN. 502 -- MODEL CODENAME: ROUND DIGGER]

[HEIGHT: 300cm] [WEIGHT: 450kg] [XEL COUNT: 90,000,000]

[The CherryDyn Number 502 charged once more, rolling across the room at RAPID speeds. Beck once again had to dodge, THIS time using his new AcXelarate Dash.]

[...It certainly was...Fast.]

[SPLAT.]

[A little...too fast.]

Beck: O-Ow--stupid wall-

[DR.WHITE] //: Your AcXelarate Dash is EXACTLY that, Beck! An acceleration! Use it wisely!

[DR.WHITE] //: You must weaken it with your weapon to destabilize it's Xel before you can absorb it with your Dash!

[MN.9] //: SO I JUST SHOOT AND RUN INTO IT?!

[DR.WHITE AND DR. SANDA] //: YES!

[The Round Digger reared up to charge once more--like a bull would.]

Beck: Crudcrudcrudcrud--

[WRRRRR...]

[BLAM BLAM BLAM!]

[Direct hits--but it didn't stop the CDN from charging.]

Beck: -nOT AGAIN--

[ZOOOM!]

[...And yet another splat.]

Beck: OW--

[DR.WHITE] //: Beck--are you alr--

Beck: NO IT'S NOT WORKING--!

[DR.WHITE] //: Perseverance, Beck! Aim for it's joints and head! Destabilize it's Xel structure!

Beck: Aim and shoot, joints, head--

[WRRRRRRRRRRR--]

[A panel opened up on it's back, revealing--]

[Bombs!]

Beck: --oh NO--

[Of course, it was a demolition unit!]

[BOOM!]

Beck: AAAAAAAAAAH--

[There he goes, dashing this way and that to avoid being blown to pieces!]

Beck: -SCREAMING-

Beck: DAD HELP ME--H ELP ME!

[DR.WHITE] //: I can't--! Not from here--!

[DR.SANDA] //: THE SYSTEMS ARE ALL SCRAMBLED FROM HERE, I CAN'T DO ANYTHING--!

[BOOM! BOOM!]

Beck: -I'MGONNADIEOHMAN-

[Nine keeps shooting--but they are wild and panicked shots, some hitting their target, some missing completely.]

[.....Eventually, however...]

[ERROR--ERROR--XEL STRUCTURE UNSTABLE--]

[...The CDN's head starting glowing purple! ]

[DR.WHITE] //: NOW, BECK!

[As soon as Beck saw it...]

[...He knew exactly what to do. As if it was instinct.]

[As if the thought was there all along.]

Beck: Here GOES!

[ZOOOM--]

[XEL ABSORBED. 100% --CDN XEL COUNT LOWERED 20%--]

[WARNING! WARNING! VIRUS DETECTED!]

Beck: --?!?

[RUNNING XELFILTER.EXE...]

[XEL FILTERED. ALL MALWARE HAS BEEN NEUTRALIZED.]

[ATTENTION: MORE XEL IS REQUIRED FOR A FULL XEL PURGE.]

Beck: (Xel...Purge...?)

[DR.WHITE] //: BECK! ABOVE YOU!

[The CDN had stopped charging--and--oddly enough, used it's extending legs to grab onto the ceiling...?]

Beck: ....???

[A panel UNDERNEATH it unlocks and--]

[PSSSSSSSSSH!]

[A HUGE high pressured blast of water SLAMMED into the Mighty Number, knocking him back into the door with a loud CLANK!]

Beck: AAGH!

[DR.WHITE] //: BECK!

Beck: Uuugh....

Beck: ...Ooooowww...

[...? What's this?]

[...All that did was... Just DAZE him, at best...]

Beck: That was...almost as hard as Cryo, ow...

[PISSSSSSSSSHHH!]

Beck: -gARBLING NOISES-

[DR.WHITE] //: MOVE, BECK!

[A bit shaky, Beck dashes away from the stream--]

Beck: sTOOOOOP--

[.....]

[OH! Wait--why didn't he think of this before?! He might not have his siblings by his side--]

[...But he had their FORMS, right?]

[...Right?]

[…]

[ERROR//: MN.7 REXELECTION FORM NOT FOUND. FORM WAS ERASED AFTER HARD RESET.]

[…Wrong.]

Beck: WHAT?!

[ERROR//: MN.1 REXELECTION FORM NOT FOUND. FORM WAS ERASED AFTER HARD RESET.]

Beck: NONONO!

[ERROR//: MN.2 REXELECTION FORM NOT FOUND....]

[ERROR....]

[ERROR...]

[ERROR...]

[...Gone.]

[They were all gone.]

[He had nothing. No forms except that STUPID golden one, and what good would THAT do?!]

Beck: NO!

Beck: DAD--I CAN'T CHANGE FORMS--!

Beck: I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO FIGHT WITH--!

[DR.WHITE] //: YES YOU DO, BECK!

[DR.WHITE] //: You have tools of which this world--or ANY world--have only just begun to see!

[DR.WHITE] //: USE THEM!

Beck: .....

Beck: --Shoot, dash, shoot, dash--

Round Digger: -R O A R S-

Beck: Shoot and dash, shoot and dash--!

[Repeating this mantra, Beck circled the CDN...]

[They both traded blows, neither of which seemed to be giving in or showing sign of fatigue--]

[...But...slowly...slowly but surely...]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

-PING-

[XEL QUOTA ACHIEVED.]

[XEL PURGE: ONLINE. XELFILTER.EXE PREPARED FOR OVERDRIVE.]

[DR.WHITE] //: ...!!!

[...A circle of white began to glow around Beck's feet...]

[A stream of Xel floated outwards, forming a large circle along with three dots and lines--his symbol...]

Beck: Come on--

[His arms started to shine a pure white!]

Beck: SNAP OUT OF IT!

[XEL PURGE INITIATED!]

Beck: NOW!

[A burst of green Xels flow out of the circle, and RIGHT back to the CDN! Rings of purged Xel incircle it, and slowly--it's...purple, tainted Xel fades...]

[........]

Round Digger: ....????

Round Digger: -BEEP-

Round Digger: -BEEP BEEP-

Round Digger: -CONFUSED DATA, THIS IS NOT OUR DESIGNATED AREA-

Beck: ...!!

Round Digger: -DISTRESSED BEEPING-

Beck: Hey--Hey...

Round Digger: -THIS IS NOT WHERE I'M SUPPOSED TO BEEEEEEEE-

[...Beck...cautiously approaches the CDN...]

[Closer...Closer...]

Beck: Hey....Are you OK?

Round Digger: -BEEEEEEEEEP!-

Beck: Hey--Hey, it's OK...

[...Pat. Pat...]

Beck: You're OK now, don't worry...

Round Digger: -SAD BEEP-

Round Digger: -BEEEEEP-

Beck: ....! Uh...hey--do you think you can help me?

Round Digger: ....? -beep?-

[MN.9] //: Dr. Sanda?

[.......There was no response at first. Both Doctors were still STUNNED at what just happened.]

[MN.9] //: Dr. Sanda!

[DR.SANDA] //: ...! Erm--ah--y-yes, Beck...?

[MN.9] //: You said the systems were haywire, right? So you can't unseal yourself...

[DR.SANDA] //: Well--I....oh.

[MN.9] //: So--I guess there's only one option, right?

[DR.WHITE] //: --! Of course! The Round Digger!

[DR.SANDA] //: W-Wait--Wait a min--

Round Digger: -PING-

Round Digger: -DIRECTIVE RECEIVED. COMMENCING DEMOLITION.-

Round Digger: -WARNING BEEPS, STAND CLEAR-

[DR.SANDA] //: -SHRIEKS, RUNS TO THE FARTHER ROOM-

[WRRRRRRRRRRRRR--]

[C R A C K!]

[With one powerful charge, the CDN Demo unit reared back once more and charged into the other wall, making a hole large enough for even MIC to walk into.]

[DR.SANDA]//: Did you REALLY have to do that?! This place is falling apart enough as it--

[DR.WHITE] //: We can worry about it later! Beck--neutralize any other threats in the building while I work with Soi to get at LEAST some of those systems back online...

[MN.9] //: Yes Sir!

[DR.SANDA] //: B-B-But--the lab is unsealed--

[DR.WHITE]//: I don't think we have to worry about that for now.

Round Digger: -BEEEEEEP-

[MN.9] //: Yeah, you can stay down here and make sure nothing gets past you, OK? That way you don't get hurt too. ^.^

[CDN.502] //: -BEEP BEEP, NEW DESIGNATION AREA CONFIRMED-

[DR.WHITE]//: Good, good. Be careful, alright?

[MN.9] //: Yeah. I will.

[Beck went back the way he came--through the recently re-opened door--while White stumbled through the opening, patting the CDN on it's side as he passed by.]

[...It took a while to find where Sanda had taken cover, but eventually--]

Sanda: Will!

White: Soi!

[Without another word, Sanda threw his arms around his beast friend, quite literally giving him a bear hug--]

White: Hurk--! Soi--!

Sanda: You have no IDEA how glad I am to see your face, friend--

White: Th-The feeling is mutual, Soi, but c-could you PLEASE let me breathe--

Sanda: --? Oh--OH. S-Sorry, William--Eheh, excuse me--

[White breathes in a few deep breaths once Sanda let's go, once again brushing himself off--but to no avail, as his clothing was more or less ruined.]

Sanda: Great Ceaser's Ghost, Will--you look like you've just been put through the wringer...!

White: That's...not wrong, Soi...at all...

Sanda: ...I can only imagine--I could hear everything from down here...

White: ....Did...you hear the broadcast...?

Sanda: Broadcast--?

White: ...Right, the systems are still scrambled—you wouldn't get anything...

Sanda: —…. Well—I… /did/ hear.... screaming—

"Dr. Sanda!"

[Passing through the crumbling wall, Beck reappeared, his pristine white armor slightly singed in several places--probably from laser fire.]

Beck: Dr. Sanda—!

Sanda: Beck--! Come here, you--!

[In a well meant hug of his own, Beck latched on to Sanda's leg, burying his face into it. Muffled cries of 'I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU'RE OK' and 'SANDAAA' were heard while the Doctor fondly gave Nine a noogie.]

Sanda: Ha Ha! I KNEW you could do it, Mighty No. 9!

Beck: -MUFFLED NOISES-

White: Yes--well done, Beck...but, I'm afraid we still have work to do--have the other robots been taken care of?

Beck: I...did my best--some of them went outside, but I managed to absorb most of the ones on the upper floors...

White: That will do. Come on, Soi, let's TRY and get this lab running again--

Sanda: W-Wait a minute--

Sanda: I see here that BECK is functioning normally...

Sanda: But what happened to the OTHER Mighty Numbers...? Are they still OUT there...?

[........]

[… … …]

White: ....Sanda...

[...Will sighs...and takes up a straighter posture.]

White: Based on empirical evidence...I believe that they might be suffering from this... robot affliction that's been going around--and causing all this chaos...

Sanda: W-What--?!?

Sanda: You mean--Pyrogen, Cryosphere...

White: ...Yes, Soi...they've been infected with a virus. I saw the status of all of them on my laptop...

Sanda: No...!

White: ...Have a look...

[MN.1 STATUS: ONLINE, FULL COMBAT MODE, -VIRUS DETECTED- ]

[MN.2 STATUS: ONLINE, FULL COMBAT MODE, -VIRUS DETECTED- ]

[MN.3 STATUS: ONLINE, FULL COMBAT MODE, -VIRUS DETECTED- ]

[MN.4 STATUS: UNAVAILABLE.]

[MN.5 STATUS: ONLINE, FULL COMBAT MODE, -VIRUS DETECTED- ]

[MN.6 STATUS: ONLINE, FULL COMBAT MODE, -VIRUS DETECTED- ]

[MN.7 STATUS: ONLINE, FULL COMBAT MODE, -VIRUS DETECTED- ]

[MN.8 STATUS: UNAVAILABLE.]

[MN.9 STATUS: ONLINE, COMBAT MODE, CONDITION: NORMAL.]

[After a moment…]

-PING!-

<RMDC>: >REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGED. SENDING STATUS UPDATE TO MODERATOR DR.WHITE…

[…! Data from the RobotMaster Database (Cossack Server) in the midst of this—?!]

White: It's...!

Sanda: The Robot Master Database--we're still connected--!

>DCN-008 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DCN-007 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DCN-004 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DCN-003 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DCN-000 STATUS: OFFLINE

[oH WAIT THEY’RE IN /LETHAL/—]

[...!!]

Beck: But--They're in--!

>Loading…

>DWN-024 STATUS: OFFLINE

>DWN-020 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DWN-019 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DWN-018 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DWN-017 STATUS: OFFLINE

White: Oh God... Don't...tell me they...they've...

>Loading…

>DWN-013 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DWN-012 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

>DWN-011 STATUS: LETHAL COMBAT MODE

Beck: Speedy....Siam...everyone...

White: -PALES, THINKING THE WORST-

>Loading…

[…]

>Loading…

[…There seemed to be a delay…]

>Loading…

> -PING!-

>DLN-008 STATUS: OFFLINE— CRITICAL AI_OS DATA ERROR

[…well that might explain the screaming from earlier…!]

Beck: TOBY...!

White: No!

Sanda: T-...Tobias...

>Loading…

>Loading…

>Loading…

>Loading…

>Loading…

>Loading…

>ERROR: SIGNAL NOT FOUND. SEARCHING…

[…This did not look good. Everyone who wasn’t in LETHAL Combat mode was OFFLINE. The whole series—! Even the Awarenesses who didn’t have rebuilt chassises yet!]

Beck: Nononono--!

White: Not them too!

Sanda: Oh no MIKHAIL AND KALINKA-

[MN.9 HAS GONE INTO COMBAT MODE]

Beck: -sCREECH- LINKA!

-PING!-

White: --!!!

Sanda: -jUMPS-

Beck: !!!!

<MC005 to DR.WHITE>: > -PING!-

White: MIKHAIL! IT'S HIM! HE'S ALIVE--!

Sanda: WELL DON'T JUST STAND THERE, WILL, ANSWER HIM--

[DR.WHITE] //: MIKHAIL--!

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 1D: RAGING FLAMES SMOLDER=

~AO v1.0~

(Courtesy of @limitbreakers, @unluckyadept)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{BACK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM…}

Jack: .....

Jack: [Frag.]

[On the other side of the globe, a certain CDN was also on a solo mission on his own...

....Albeit with only half of a plan and only a few small details as to how exactly he was going to get back to the US of A. To find her.

[With MN.6 taking control of all airwaves and signals, simply teleporting there was out of the question. Most normal means of transportation would be very hard to get to at this point--without resorting to less moralistic means--and taking the long way would just take up way too much time...

With America quarantined, and with no easy way to contact anyone that could help him...

...Jack was running out of options.]

Jack: (OK, OK, just...think, Jack. Remember what the bird guy said...)

Jack: (He said that Miss Eight would go after people that did her wrong--that includes her brother, Seven--so I gotta find HIM first...but where the hell IS HE?)

Jack: (Plus, how the HECK am I gonna get to the States in the FIRST place? Nothing is working, no one's gonna listen, everything is SCREWY...)

Jack: (Think, you moron, think...)

Jack: ......

Jack: ......!!!!

"Head to the Meadow when you get the chance."

Jack: THAT place...!

Jack: Don't have any other options, anyway...

[A flutter of his trenchcoat and Jack's barrelling down the street with nothing but the clothes on his back.]

[........]

[In a distant dark alley, something long and metallic slinks away, its single red eye unblinking. It passes by an oozing pile of acid and green shrapnel, ignoring it entirely as it goes on its way.]

—————————————————————

{The Meadow}

[It doesn’t take long for Jack to arrive.

But he’s running so fast that he nearly runs right into the lab door.]

Jack: --!!!

[He--He did NOT expect that.]

[He manages to put on the breaks--but he still sort of bumps into the door hard enough to make a noticeable dent.]

[Within moments, someone opened the door, looking irritable.

…Except the same someone was also visible further back in the lab, looking confused.]

Jack: --!

Jack: ........

Jack: Um.

Siam: What are you doing raising a ruckus in the middle of the night.

Gemini: -Simultaneously, surprised- Jack?!

Jack: Hiiiiiiiii... -Waves meekly.-

Siam: Come inside before you wake the others up—

Gemini: We had just been calling you not too long ago! We weren’t sure what had become of you…

Jack: Okokok--

[Oops. Bird guy told him that these guys would call his landline or something--]

[Siam doesn’t really wait for an answer, more or less dragging Jack indoors.

There are numerous screens displaying schematics, blueprints, and massive amounts of data. There were several other Robot Masters hooked up to terminals, clearly in Sleep mode…

…though a few appeared to be Offline, including Snow and… Tobias…]

Jack: ......

[Jack put his hands in his pockets. The spark kid....]

[THIS was the guy that practically punched his ex boss in the face with a fistful of thunder.

And now he was basically down for the count.]

Jack: ..... -Exhales-

Siam: FMN-008 told us that she’d talked with you, and you had important information to share. What was she referring to?

Gemini: Are you alright? Do you need repairs?

Siamini: Where is she?

Jack: Nono, I'm fine--

Jack: ....

Jack: I...I don't know.

[This seems to break their attention span by making them both react with a mix of disappointment and acceptance.]

Siam: I had hoped…

Gemini: She’d talked more with you than anyone else, Siam: you were just the one most likely for her to contact to let you know she was alright…

[Gemini returns to his work at the terminal, while Siam starts going through some cabinets.]

Siam: Do you need answers, repairs, advice, a place to stay, some combination thereof, or neither?

Jack: ........

Jack: Uh. Well...

[Jack takes up a seat at one of the tables.]

Jack: .....

Jack: I...Actually came here to let you guys know some things, too.

Jack: ...About the crosses. And...

Jack: ......

[THIS gets their attention. They are alert, and communicating quite complex abstract data.]

Siam: We hope to Siamini: study Gemini: the code left behind when Siamini: the virus Gemini: infected our server and subsequently Siamini: the trail Siam: left behind when Siamini: Eight and Six Gemini: fused together.

Siam: Information on that could prove Siamini: highly Siam: valuable.

Gemini: …Although. You do deserve to know more of the full story behind what happened at the Siamini: finals… -Look(s) over at Tobias-

[He seems contemplative for a moment, and then he speaks up again.]

Siam: Whatever you have to say, I will likely turn my full attention to it.

Gemini: So it would be best to bring you up to task before that…

<DWN-019>: Thoughts?

Jack: ....

[....He did have questions of his own, yes...]

Jack: OK, alright...I guess that's cool.

[...He just hoped he was quick about it.]

[Gemini starts talking exclusively. The two of him suddenly look…

…emotionally tired.]

Gemini: From the start, you were entered into our databases positively. This is a rare thing, due to the nature of… our world, and the… paranoia that comes to those who live in fear.

Jack: (Rare, huh...)

Gemini: We did not understand why at the time, but the fact that it was was important—

Gemini: It meant you had done something to suggest you were not an enemy. Possibly even an ally. So… while our soul-brothers struggled on, we maintained insistence that they treat you gently, unless given absolute proof of reason to do otherwise.

Jack: .......

Jack: So, basically, you guys knew I wasn't a pain in the chass...

Gemini: Well…. You must understand, we were still very nervous. But what we’ve been put through…

[He shudders in unison.]

Gemini: We didn’t want anyone else to suffer that. And especially once David told us he’d seen you…. That let us know you were more like us. We wanted to help you out, but we couldn’t interfere. We did try to learn more, but it was no use. However. That changed on the day of the finals.

Jack: . . .

Gemini: Then. We knew for certain.

[A beat.]

Gemini: -Looks over at Tobias, venting a sigh- …Actually, we all went into Lethal at that point, not just Tobias.

Jack: ......Damn....

[If that happened then, he couldn't imagine what they were like when this all went down....]

Gemini: It was…

Siam: It was like seeing a brother die.

Gemini: My God help us, the cross-references…

Jack: . . .

Gemini: …Tobias always was the most like Father.

Siam: Cardinal, we were able to prevent because we were right next to him, but no one had been paying attention to Tobias….

Gemini: He’d blacked out after Dyna was taken hostage, from the weight of his own memories.

Siamini: -SIGH-

Gemini: He was so afraid after he was repaired, at…

Siam: …what might become of him, having lost control.

Jack: Poor kid...

Gemini: Having hacked.

Siam: Having attacked. He was once hunted as a terrorist, you know…

Gemini: The fear of the

Siamini: [color=blue] HUNTER [/color]

Siam: persisted with him long after Cardinal and Countershade became so close as to be interchangeable…

Jack: .........

Jack: (Bird guy and Eight...)

[He sighed again, looking in opposite directions.]

Gemini: It is hard to think back “that far,” for it seems a world away, now. But we were so focused on… finding out what had happened.

Gemini: After FMN-008 finally revealed her presence permanently, she spoke up further on your behalf and explained what she knew from her conversations with you.

Gemini: At the time, we were worried most about if we would be hunted as malfunctioning—

Siam: —insist they don’t punish /malfunctioning/ but—

Gemini: —not of the world—

[A garble of data, which quiets down.]

Jack: .......

Gemini: …We didn’t even have the chance to TALK the situation over with Dr. White and the Mighty Numbers, to figure out what to do about Tobias’s lashing out…

Siam: …Dr. White said he wanted to wait until they got back.

Gemini: We only saw them for a few hours before…

Siam: …before this.

Jack: .......

Jack: M'sorry.

[Siam starts pacing.]

Siam: It infected the server. Our server is connected to Sanda Enterprises; specifically, the server that houses Mighty Number memories.

Jack: .....The servers...

Jack: (So that--it wasn't the--!)

Jack: Hang on.

Siamini: Yes?

Jack: So...it infected YOUR servers...

Jack: ....

Jack: The virus....

Jack: It infected American CherryDyn servers too.

[The brother looks between himself, and then over to Jack with a frown.]

Gemini: …Jack, something you should know.

Siam: It would take a long time to explain all the details, but for a while now, Cardinal has been convinced that Gregory Graham had been planning to make a massive power grab, by means of setting up a crisis and solving it publicly.

Jack: --?!

Jack: What…? (He did NOT tell me that--)

Siam: He believed that the highway incident earlier in the year was the result of something in this plan going… wrong.

Jack: Wrong...?

Siam: The fact that Graham took the time during THIS disaster to—yet again, as before—publicly say “don’t blame me! Blame someone else!” does not help matters.

Gemini: -Dryly- Guilty conscience, perhaps?

Siam: Or just really bad lying?

Gemini: That’s what Cardinal believed, at any rate.

Siam: “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”

Jack: ................

Jack: Jeezus....

[This...this was bigger than he thought.]

[Much, much bigger.]

Siam: That is part of why FMN-008 feared for your well being. Something went wrong again in the finals, clearly; something that had not been intended to be publicly known yet.

Gemini: If ever.

Siam: Likely never.

Jack: ...........

Jack: I....

[What in the world was going on now?]

[Could...]

[Could this be...just too much to handle?]

[Suddenly Jack felt like he was up against MORE than just a virus.]

Jack: .......

[A pause.]

Siam: To be honest, I’m not sure that it’s that level of conspiracy.

[Another pause, with only minimal hesitation.]

Gemini: …To put it bluntly…

Siamini: …Graham just doesn’t seem all that smart.

Jack: -....snickers-

Jack: Hehehehe....

Siam: Heh… well… ‘hem. -Slight grin- That’s a discussion for later, when Dr. Cossack is here.

Gemini: At any rate… -Siiiigh, and the good mood is lost- …When Number Six disrupted things…

Siam: …Tobias tried to talk things out with him.

Jack: ......

[Jack looks back to the spark bot.]

Jack: Take it that it didn't go so well.

Gemini: That’s one way to put it.

Siam: To put it simply… and since you have proven yourself, you may know this…

Siam: If Tobias were a traditional Xelbot? His secondary ability would be Communication.

Gemini: He has vast power in that area and maintains a firm control with great finesse— Siam: —but he is only able to do that because he is /sensitive/ enough to be able to pick up and send out such things.

[…Aaaaaaaand Number Six had taken over wireless communications…]

[Oh dear.]

Siam: …

Gemini: …

Siam: …Airman didn’t take too kindly to Tobias putting up resistance and breaking his monopoly.

Gemini: Light Eight tried to warn him…

Jack: ....

Jack: Oh my God...

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

“The reason the brothers got all hot an’ bothered is, well. -Shakes head, working dart over- Fact is…

They all have died at least once, each. Includin’ th’ kid.

Picked off one by one. By the likes a’ me. Me an’ Blaster both.

They’re purty sensitive t’ the idea a’ bein’ hunted again as a result. Some of ‘em saw or heard—definitely felt— others in their line die as it was happenin’, live.”

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Siam: -Flatly- He wasn’t prepared for the horrors that awaited him when he broke past the resistance.

Gemini: He didn’t take control, as he had been hoping for.

Siam: No. Hardly.

Siamini: His neural net got fused together and suffered the consequences that is to be a Robot Master.

Siamini: The suffering was FAR too much for him to handle.

Jack: ......

Jack: (Don't ask what he saw, don't ask what he saw--)

Jack: ......But he's still in control of the airwaves, isn't he?

Siam: -Holds a hand out to the side- He is now, yes.

Gemini: -Mirrors the gesture exactly- But for a few hours, he was not.

Siam: During that time, interdimensional and overseas calls were possible.

Jack: ......!

Siam: We managed to talk with them and let them know we were… mostly alright, other than what had happened to our electronic genius.

Gemini: Beck even… promised to save them, to give them the mercy our brother never showed us…

Jack: Wait— the kid that was on the bench in the finals??

Siam: He fought a Round Digger all by himself and disinfected it, Jack.

Jack: Wha--

Jack: He WHAT?!

[...Jack had NO CLUE just what Beck was capable of--now, at least.]

Jack: (Holy...that little kid against his whole TEAM...his family...)

Jack: (I know the kid is supposed to have some sort of special ability but--)

Gemini: Believe or disbelieve all you like, but I am convinced he is more than capable of fulfilling his promise.

Siam: Not that it will make it any less difficult or less unpleasant.

Gemini: Dr. Cossack assured them that Tobias would recover, and spoke that it be an example of why no one else should interfere—

[…aaaAAAAAAND NOW THE MIRRORED, DOUBLED FACEPALM.]

Jack: --?

Siamini: -Broadcasting- “NO ONE. ELSE. INTERFERE.”

Jack: . . . .

Jack: Uh.

Jack: . . . .

Siam: He turned off his signal we are nEVER GOING TO FIND HIM

Gemini: He’s MILITARY, he knows how to avoid being tracked and seen—

Siam: HE’S GOING TO GET HIMSELF KIIIIIIILLLLLED BY YOUR POLICE—

Gemini: -Nonverbal ranting, rant rant rant!-

Siamini: Cardinal went after Shade, we discovered TOO LATE!

Jack: (--WAIT A MINUTE.)

"He's not here, you've got no leads...time to move on."

[CALLER ID: KANSAS CITY.]

Jack: HOLD UP--

Jack: You're talking about the bird guy--right?!

Jack: He called me!

Siamini: !

<DWN-019>: > -DOUBLED DELUGE DEMANDING DATA-

[…More of the desperate than the angry kind, though.

He was clearly very worried.

…Very, VERY worried.]

Jack: OW OKOK--

Jack: Must've been when Six was down for those few hours--

Jack: The call came from Kansas City, but....

Siamini: -Seems… sad-

Jack: He wanted to know more about the crosses--I told him what I knew, and he told me to come here when I had the chance--and pass the info along to you guys.

[A soft sigh. Shuffling, looking away.]

Siam: …Did he have any message for us?

Jack: Uh...

[.....]

Jack: Something about the Bible...

Jack: John 15:13, I think...?

Siamini: …!

[…But the surprise soon gives way to clear sorrow.]

Siam: He…

Gemini: Heh… he…

Siam: -Regretfully, in a way- Of course he would do that…

Jack: ......

Jack: M'sorry...

Gemini: -Softly- “No one has greater love than this…”

Siam: “…to lay down one's life for one's friends.”

Jack: --!

Jack: .....

Jack: (Miss Eight...)

Jack: (Real deep stuff you're laying down here, bird guy...)

Jack: ......

Jack: Sorry I...I'm not much help...I...

Jack: (....REALLY hope you know what you're doing...)

Siam: -Weary… and sad…-

Gemini: -Just plain weary- No…

Gemini: It should have been expected and anticipated. We were not surprised. Alarmed, yes, but not surprised….

Gemini: It is the path he chose long ago, and none can deter it from him as long as he yet runs.

Gemini: He has made his choice. I only wish he weren’t so fragile…

Jack: ......

Jack: (Fragile...like a bird...)

Jack: (Flying solo for your friend, huh...)

Gemini: At least he took Jazz with him.

[Siamini lets out a long sigh.]

Siam: …That brings us up to the present, I suppose.

Gemini: Do you have any other questions we may answer?

Jack: .....

Jack: (Should I ask 'em if they can help me find Miss Eight? If they couldn't stop the bird guy, they'll DEFINITELY try and stop me....)

Jack: Uh...no, no--well, sorta. Do you guys got anything I can use? Like--supplies and stuff. Just to have on hand.

Jack: And...if you've heard anything from Miss Eight's family.

[Siam shakes his head, but Gemini nods.]

Siam: We have not heard from them yet, but we may hear from them within a week’s time. They are running on a different rate of time passage, so details may be different or confused. Time warps can fuzz the memory rather severely, as our own family can personally attest to. One remembers a general feeling, but not specific events…

Gemini: Oh, of course. Let’s see… if you’re on the move, a small radio would be good, so that you may stay informed while also keeping your own signal off the radar… -Starts going through the cabinets that Siam was looking through earlier-

Gemini: A compass and some maps will also help to that end. We have some extra.

[He brings those out and sets them on the table, while Siam wanders off. When he comes back, he has what appears to be a small cooler… or else a very large lunchbox.]

Siam: It’s not much, but with what you’re going through… lunch and dinner over the next few days to indulge in is the least we can do.

[There are sandwiches, sauces, ice cream bars, milk bottles, soda, even Xelpops in there!]

Jack: (....Holy crap FOOD. Jeezus, when was the last time I ate???)

[Jack starts folding the maps and stuffing the radio and compass in various pockets--he was still wearing his Greater Dusk attire, and for once he was glad the whole biker gangster style included lots of pockets.]

Jack: Thanks, man... (Oh jeez those sandwiches look so good right now.)

[…This doesn’t go unnoticed.]

Siam: Goodness. When was the last time you ate, Jack?

Gemini: I have an idea. How about I go make a dinner while you tell me what you have to say? Your choice—there is plenty to choose from.

Siam: Oh, I agree—a most excellent idea. What would you like?

Jack: .....

Jack: Dude--double dude-- I could eat a house, man--hamburgers--soda--do you guys have steak-- Chicken???

Jack: ....

Jack: ....oh right--

Jack: Please?

[Siamini chuckles at that.]

Gemini: I’ll go make the steak and potatoes. -Walks off-

Siam: We just had a taco night, so there’s no hamburger meat left.

Jack: -just--food--Ya know what we're gonna suck on a Xelpop while we wait-

Siam: We’re sorry that we couldn’t entertain you as a guest before now. Though David—Snow, that is—did mention meeting you.

Jack: --! Oh, the ice kid...

Jack: ....

Jack: His ice cream ROCKS, man.... Stuff in the store just falls short, Heh...

[Siam smiles at that.]

Siam: Ah, yes, I recall it being said he made several batches for you—one after the finals, for you to have in the hospital. We are very glad you’re better, by the way.

Jack: Ehehe...yeah, me too...kinda stinks being stuck in a bed all day, but the ice cream really helped...

Jack: One of the other GDs was even jealous, I think. Pretty sure he tried to jack it from me more than once, but the nurses are like hawks, double dude.

Siam: Heh.

Jack: ....

Jack: Dunno where they all went after we got released from the place... separate ways, I think.

Siam: -More serious expression now- What did they do with Bladeblaster’s core? Please tell me they locked it in a strongbox.

[.......]

[Jack's expression fell.]

Jack: .......

Siam: … -Cringes inwardly-

Jack: They....They sent it back to CherryDyn for them to look over what went wrong with him.

Jack: ....They said they found nothin', so they patched him up and kept him in for observation.

Jack: ....Then...

Jack: .......

Jack: He's dead, man. Dead.

Siam: … -Just closes his eyes and shakes his head slowly, his data suggesting a cold sort of discomfort-

Jack: .......

Jack: I...they told me he was...

Jack: Freakin' tortured...

Jack: ......

Jack: -turns away- (Is it bad that I still think he deserved it?)

Jack: .... Dunno about the other GDs... I could... (I could be the only one left...)

[Siam put a reassuring hand on Jack’s shoulder.]

Siam: …Being a last survivor is hard, even when you don’t like the other members. (Lord knows how much it’s hurt our family.) But… you are welcome to stay here as long as you need, if that’s what you want.

Jack: It's just...kinda scary...

Jack: If it wasn't for Miss Eight...

Jack: .......

Siam: (This must all be so very hard on him right now, the poor man.)

Jack: .....

[Jack takes a deep breath.

As much as he REALLY did wanted to just lay low and hope this whole mess all blows over...

...He couldn't stay.]

Jack: Thanks, double dude...but I think I'm gonna just eat here a while before I head on out.

Jack: Should probably tell ya what bird guy wanted you to know about the crosses before I do, anyway...

Siam: Ah, yes… thank you, that will help.

Jack: Alright.... Where to start...

Jack: Putting them on when they weren't active--didn't do a thing. They were made of Xel, so I guess the crosses also had this REALLY tiny core to keep it together....

Jack: They just looked like freaky jewelry to other people. I didn't like it. Felt...wrong. That's why I always hid mine under my shirt.

Siam: …In what sense? Physically, or morally?

Jack: ....Both? The cross felt...cold. Like it was just pulled out of the freezer, no matter how hot it was out.

Jack: That and inverted crosses are USUALLY a bad sign, double dude. Have you SEEN horror movies?

[Siam gave a cold smile.]

Siam: One of my younger brothers was a snake. He had the same sort of personality your boss had.

Siam: I was hunted down and KILLED by my own brother.

Siam: Jack, my friend—

Siam: We LIVE horror movies.

Jack: . . .

Jack: -sweATS NERVOUSLY- (Ooooookaaaaaay.)

Jack: G-Got it...

[Siam’s expression softens, and he sighs, bowing his head.]

Siam: …I’m sorry. Forgive me.

Siam: …This is just all so very much like the darkest of our days, that which we had hoped to prevent from befalling your world… no matter what the cost to us may be. The panic, the hunt… and we could do nothing to stop it, and can do nothing to help.

Siam: …We have survived these last years by living with a man and a community of deep faith. -Looks over at Shadow, who is Offline… and in his civvies for once, his hands folded over to touch the crucifix he always wore-

Siam: When you threw the cross down in the finals, that did allow us to briefly see what it was. …The use of that symbol did not go unnoticed.

Jack: …

Siam: Our “youngest” brother believed the one behind it was trying to “play God” and was using that symbol on purpose, as a highly disrespectful mockery.

Siam: -Softly- I do not discount the notion.

Jack: ..........

Jack: (The Provider...)

Jack: .....

Jack: Well, whatever nutjob made those things did a REAL good job fragging shit up.

Siam: Let me show you what we saw.

Jack: Kay...

[A few clips briefly play.]

————————————

Tobias: I don’t understand—! What’s going on?!

[They all fell silent when a quiet voice spoke up unexpectedly.]

Mikhail: … -Quietly- Berserkers.

Cardinal: …! What?

Mikhail: In ancient times, there were men of great strength, warriors that were great and terrible. They could work themselves into a rage that made them almost seem to ignore their wounds in battle—a madness that they channeled with incredible force.

Mikhail: This is why there is the phrase “going berserk.” This is almost exactly what it means.

Mikhail: But to concentrate only on bloodlust, at the loss of sense…

[He adjusted his glasses, the light glinting off them in a glare that obscured his eyes.]

Mikhail: …Especially against tacticians, that can be a very heavy price…

——————

Cardinal: What does he think he is doing—?!

Shadow: He is no longer thinking at all, you fool!

[He pointed at the screen, barely even noticing he’d already called a Shadow Blade to his hand.]

Shadow: LOOK AT HIM! He is possessed by the madness!

Cardinal: Oh God—if he can no longer think, then that means…

Cardinal: He won’t care anymore about the rules!

————————————

Jack: (Berserkers...)

Jack: ...........

Jack: God, it must've been horrifying for you guys to watch...

[Siam winces, looking over at Tobias.]

Siam: The horrifying part was when Number Eight was gutted. My stars. It was just like the first time he died.

Jack: (.....Spark kid...)

Jack: ............

Siam: -Seems deep in thought- …The talismans…. Was Mikhail right? Did they… induce that berserker state?

Jack: ....You bet they did....

Jack: When they went active...

Jack: All I felt was rage.

Siam: …

Jack: All I felt was...this feeling to break things.

Jack: It was ALL I could think about...

Jack: All...I could think about was...

Jack: How much I wanted to hurt Blade.

Jack: .....

Jack: It was like... something just...took over and....and...

Jack: --....

Jack: I knew it was bad. I had this gut feeling WAY before the finals...

Jack: I knew.

Jack: So I fought back.

Siam: … -Focused but also thoughtful- … -After some hesitation…- …We know what that feels like. …You have our deepest empathy.

Jack: ........

Siam: We know that to fight it off is no easy thing. …You are a stronger man than you give yourself credit for, Jack. Not everyone has the will or stamina to do this.

Jack: .....

Jack: -Sigh- Double dude, I'm just a normal guy that wanted some extra cash in his pocket. Sure, I'm probably not such a piece of scrap, after all, but...

Jack: I'm not special.

Jack: I'm just...lucky, I guess.

Siam: -Gentle slight smile- I suppose. Having Lady Luck on your side is always nice. Heh… I wouldn’t have survived otherwise.

[It was at this point that the smell of delicious, glorious, tender S T E A K came drifting through the air—]

Jack: --!!!!!

[Jack shoots up into a straighter sitting position, eyes WIDE and eager--]

Jack: That--that is the most awesome smell I've ever--

[Gemini walked in with a platter. A platter with SO MUCH FOOD.

There was steak, there was loaded baked potato with extra toppings set to the side—

Corn, green bean casserole, a tall glass of cold milk, a small bowl of fruit salad— and some chocolate pudding with Oreo bits and whipped cream!]

Gemini: -Sets it down at the table- Sorry to keep you waiting.

Jack: . . .

[Jack might have kicked himself later for forgetting his manners--but he just dove into the most delicious food he's ever eaten in his entire life.]

Jack: -dATA, SO MUCH DATA, OH GOD THIS IS SO GOOD HE COULD CRY- -HOW ARE YOU NOT IN SOME FOUR STAR RESTAURANT SERVING THIS, DOUBLE DUDE-

[This pleased the twins greatly, of course. He wasn’t as talented as Nico (and knew it), but it was nice to know one could still do a very good job.

Gemini returned to the mainframe console, resuming his work, while Siam happily and absentmindedly hummed and wrote down notes on a yellow legal notepad.]

Siam: -Amused and pleased, yet humble- I learned cooking mostly from Señor Gonzales and from my immediately older brother, Alnico Wily.

Jack: -oh man this is so good awwww yessss-

Siam: I am most suited for lab work… Nico’s the one who’s truly the closest to a Domestic. We make large family dinners—pasta or casserole the most often. There are nine of us now, after all. Ten, when you count me twice.

Jack: -...we're nearly halfway done with this meal OOO MILK-

[Jack nearly cleans out everything on the plate--apparently he has a rather large appetite.]

Jack: Ooooh, maaaaaaaan...

Jack: -cannot remember the last time he felt THIS full-

[Siam takes the liberty of placing the (very few) leftovers in a container that Gemini had brought in earlier, and placing that in the cooler. Gemini cleared away the dishes, and Siam spoke absentmindedly, automatically dimming the lights a little and increasing the temperature just a little to help make the atmosphere more calming.]

Siam: We wish you the best as you go on elsewhere, though the invitation still stands if you change your mind. I do hope you come back soon at least once—I think Felix had a gift for you.

Jack: ...?

Jack: Uh...I think maybe I'll just pick that up on the way? Where is he?

[Hopefully he had enough luck on his side to get back to the States in time...AND in one piece.]

Siam: He’s out a bit further in the Wilderness. There’s a path that leads more or less right by his house. (Granted, his house is underground, but Captain Piers will be by the road, at least.)

Jack: Hmm. Got it--I'll head that way for now.

[Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, Jack straightened out his coat and grabbed the cooler with his other hand, stretching himself out a couple of times--the doc said he had to often just to keep himself limber.]

Jack: Nnh....

[...Despite the looming danger in front of him, and what was yet to come...

...Strangely, Jack didn't feel all that worried about it at the moment. Maybe it was the food.]

Jack: ....

Jack: Oi—didn't catch your name, actually.

Siamini: DWN-019: Project name “Geminiman”. Artificial Awareness and Intelligence, Combat Class.

Siam: “Siam” is the name granted to me, after the old phrase “siamese twins”—which itself originated regarding such a pair from Siam, which is a location.

Gemini: “Gemini” is the name granted to me, after the legend of the twins who were given a place among the heavens as a stellar constellation in the sky.

Siamini: Collectively, most people refer to me as “Siamini”,

Siam: …though David has taken to calling me “Sam” and “Samini”. I suppose it’s easier on a child to use fewer vowel-related syllables…

Jack: .....wow.

Jack: Iiiii am just gonna stick to Siam and Double Dude, if ya don't mind.

Jack: Thanks for all the help.

[Gemini shrugs in a “I’m used to it” sort of manner, and Siam nods.]

Siam: Thank you for confirming where our oldest brother has been, and what his intentions are…

Gemini: …and that he is, in fact, aware and prepared to accept the hardships ahead.

Siam: And also for your information on the crosses. Thank you, truly.

Gemini: We all wish you the best. We may have more questions later, so… send word when you’re settled down somewhere safe, alright?

Jack: .....

Jack: Yeah. I'll...try.

[With that, Jack makes his way over to the door, opens it...]

Jack: .....

Jack: Double Dude?

Siamini: Yes?

Jack: If you see her...

Jack: ....

Jack: Tell her I just couldn't help it.

Jack: Keep in touch.

[....And out he goes.]

Jack: (Hang on, Miss Eight...)

Jack: (I'm coming...)

{THE WILDERNESS}

[...Jack never thought he'd find himself in this kind of situation.]

[Last week he was only worried about how the heck he was going to pay the rent for the flat, and what exactly he was going to do next in terms of finding another job--]

[Now he was venturing into god-knows-where across time and space JUST to get back home, which was in the middle of a cyber pandemic, all to see if the woman who saved his life was out there doing good or...]

Jack: ....

Jack: I'm fraggin' crazy for doing this...

[Yet he still ventured forward, down the path he was told to walk to retrieve whatever 'gift' this Felix guy had to give him, supposedly...]

[The weather was mild, at least—though it was still a bit too warm.]

[Evident by someone later along the path leaning up against a pillar made of ice.]

Jack: .....

Jack: ...?

Jack: (....That's...ice. but--it's warm out???)

[Confused and intrigued, Jack kept walking, approaching the stranger next to it. Maybe he knew where to go?]

Jack: Uh....'scuse me?

Piers: -Looks up- ?

[The man had golden eyes and aqua colored hair. The air around him seemed to be cooler and… gentler, somehow.]

Piers: I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met before. May I help you?

Jack: (...OK, I've seen people dye their hair some CRAZY colors but--)

Jack: Um--yeah, same here. CDN.7037, Designation 'Dencerjack'. Just call me Jack...

[His eyes keep glancing back to the ice pillar, wondering where in the world it had come from--this guy registered as an organic, but he was getting some weird energy readings from him too...]

Jack: Uh--I'm looking for a guy called Felix? The guys back at that Meadow told me he had something for me.

Piers: Ah… yes, that makes sense.

[He drew up to his full height, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword.

…Oh. A sword, okay then.]

Piers: I am Captain Piers of Lemuria—a Mercury warrior Adept. Felix is still locked in the cursed dreams… I fear that it is the current disaster which overtook him. However, he did have some gifts prepared before he fell ill. One of them was for you.

Jack: (....Uhhh.) Nice to meet you...

[There were so many things Jack wanted to ask about that--the sword, where the heck was Lemuria and what in the world was an Adept--but he didn't have the time...]

Jack: Yeah, things have REALLY gone down the drain, huh. ...Hope he gets better soon.

Piers: I believe he shall, but that may not be until the crisis has passed… -Small sigh- It is hard to say, outside of time, how long it may take.

[He held out a hand slightly as he looked to the side, and…]

[The Mercury Djinn, after appearing in a soft aqua light, looked at Jack curiously.

Or, as curiously as something with solid-colored eyes could look.]

Jack: ?!?

Jack: (What the fresh Xel is THAT.)

Piers: My good friend… please retrieve the gift for Jack, so that he may continue on his journey.

[The Djinn made the sound of a bubbling stream before floating off.]

Piers: -Turns to face Jack, looking at him thoughtfully before giving a gentle smile- I see others have supplied you for the journey ahead as well. I must say… it’s nice to start off a quest with something at hand.

[Jack just...stared at the otherworldly creature as it floated away, not sure if what he's seeing is actually REAL or if he has TRULY gone mad.]

Jack: Yeaaaaaah surrrrre....

[Excuse him, Piers, he's still new at this.

Piers moved away from the ice pillar and looked ahead down the path, pointing to the horizon.]

Piers: Keep your sights on that city, and you shall arrive where you seek soon enough.

[…WOW OKAY. There was a city there that was NOT there before—

—and what’s more, it looked familiar! It was definitely somewhere from Jack’s own world!

Jack looked to where he pointed--his violet eyes widening as he locked his gaze into something familiar in this huge mess of chaos--it almost felt relieving to see his destination at last.

...In fact...judging from the city skyline--it almost looked like...]

[..Seattle?]

Jack: ......

Jack: I REALLY hope it's not gonna be raining by the time I get there...

Jack: That city is almost ALWAYS raining, see...

Jack: (...It's better than nothing, at least.)

[Piers smiled a little.]

Piers: Do you have a poncho you could use? That’s what I’d recommend.

Jack: Uh....

Jack: ...Noooope. You, uh, wouldn't have that and anything else I can use...?

[Yeah, the more stuff he can get on hand, the better. He's gonna need ALL the help he can get if he's going to be tracking down Miss Eight.]

Piers: We can loan you something, yes. We won’t be doing any traveling ourselves for a while.

Jack: Cool, thanks...

[From another pocket, he pulls out a grape flavored Xelpop and plops it in his mouth.]

Jack: . . .

Jack: Soooo, that little floaty guy that just kinda...popped up from outta nowhere...

Jack: No offense, but what IS he?

Piers: Ah, that is a Djinn. Specifically, he’s a Mercury Djinn. They are manifestations of the elemental energy of Weyard, which is the world I hail from.

Jack: .....

Jack: Oooooooh...

[OK, this guy was from some other world--made a little sense to him, at least, since Miss Eight was from another world too--just some OTHER version of his own.

...It was still so strange, though. Things were like that ever since the holes to other worlds popped up around last year...]

Jack: (Weyard...sounds like some place in a book or something...)

Piers: We’ll be able to tell you more after your return. Are you traveling far?

Jack: --Well, THAT...depends...

Jack: (Depends where Miss Eight and her brother are gonna be squaring off, if they do...)

Jack: I--I'm just gonna go grab some stuff I left back home before I try and lay low for a while. Til' this all blows over.

[Yup. That was TOTALLY his plan.]

[Piers gave a soft snort.]

Piers: Jack, I am not going to try to stop you.

[He seemed more amused than anything else.]

Piers: Though your determination not to be derailed is both familiar and admirable, in its own way.

Jack: ....

Jack: Was it REALLY that obvious...?

[Jeez, he thought he was a better liar than that.]

Jack: ......

Piers: I’m a lot older than I look. -Amused-

[The Djinn came floating back. It was carrying what appeared to be a traveler’s backpack (of sorts) and a small present.

It set both of these down on the ground in front of the sheepish CDN.]

Jack: ......! (Little guy is stronger than he looks...) Thanks....

Jack: ...What's in the bag? -Proceeds to pick it up-

Piers: Traveling supplies. Mostly related to sleeping, though there’s a canteen and some medical supplies in there. I think the present is something Felix put together with the help of other people… possibly little David Cossack. Such a kind child, that one.

Jack: ....!

[The first thing he notices is the...wow there is a WHOLE lot more room in here than what it looks like on the outside—how is that even physically possible.]

Jack: ....

[He proceeds to stuff the cooler in it because NO WAY was he going to drag that thing the whole way.]

Jack: Kay--here's the poncho...bandages...sleeping stuff...

Jack: Aaaand let's see what's in the OTHER thing--

Jack: --!

Jack: AW SWEET COOL GOGGLES. Dude--

[He IMMEDIATELY puts those on--they fit rather nicely once he adjusted the strap--]

Jack: ...? What's this--

Jack: --! OoooooOOHOHO THIS THING HAS NIGHT VISION--

Jack:(I feel so damn BADASS--)

Piers: Ah, those must be from David, then! (My, a good bit of foresight.) He likes exploring.

————————

"I wanna be an explorer. Do you like exploring, Mister Jack?”

“Uh. Yeah--”

————————

Jack: -WHAT OTHER NEAT STUFF IS IN HERE-

[Some of the stuff was OBVIOUSLY from Carmen.

They were more… practically oriented, like a flashlight, some cash, a burner phone…

…A… taser?!]

[...Jack...]

[....starts to laugh.]

Jack: Oh, jeez, Miss Eight--you shouldn't have.

Piers: ? ? ? -Clearly confused- (What is /that/? I think that one item is a “phone”, but that last one… I don’t know if I’ve seen that before…)

[Jack decides to test out the taser by simply pressing the button--away from Piers and himself, of course.]

Jack: She's got a thing with tasing stuff--probably comes from her sis....

[THAT gets pocketed. He didn't know what kind of crazy stuff he'll run into out there.]

Piers: -OH okay, it has a Jupiter-based attack stored in it, right then-

[There appeared to be… one more item inside.]

Jack: ....?

[....What the... a ring? ]

Piers: -Looks QUITE surprised- So that’s where it went.

[He is suddenly very thoughtful.]

Piers: He must have seen that you would need it, and had it set aside for you to give to you…

Jack: ? You know what this is?

Piers: Yes. That’s a Cleric’s Ring: a rare artifact that prevents loss of control of your person.

Jack: .......

Jack: You mean-- this thing will protect me from the virus?!

[It takes a moment for him to understand that Jack was talking about the sickness that had overtaken the Mighty Numbers, but then he nods.]

Piers: Yes, that is exactly the idea. It only protects the wearer, however; it does not have an area of effect or the ability to be used as a healing talisman.

Jack: ...So it's just for me. Got it...

[Jack takes a few seconds to inspect the ring a little before putting it on. It fit perfectly.]

Jack: Wow...feels weird...

[...But in a good way.]

Jack: .....

[He lifts up the goggles so that they rested upon his head, and put the rest of his presents in the knapsack--which he slung over his shoulder.]

[...He REALLY felt like he was about to embark on some important journey, now that he thought about it...]

[...Probably because he really was.]

Jack: ...-Exhales-

Piers: Godspeed on your journey, my friend. Return home safely upon its completion—and may that be soon.

Jack: Thanks, Captain. Thanks for everything.

[He turns away, eyes set on the horizon, rain clouds already starting to form over the distant, war-torn city of Seattle.]

Jack: ....Godspeed...yeah...

Jack: (I'm gonna need all the luck in the world for this...)

[In an instant, he starts to sprint off. Might as well get a head start and run for it...!]

Jack: (Just a little further, Carmen...! I'm almost there...!)

Jack: (Just hold on until then...!)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 6A: CRIMSON STRONGHOLD=

~AO v1.0~

(Courtesy of @limitbreakers)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{Sanda Enterprises}

[The next lead came… abruptly.

And it sent them into panic.]

Call: Doctor Sanda, you have a call on line one.

Mikhail: -Looking over some notes- Can it wait? I need to talk regarding some of Brand and Shadow’s data…

Call: I would not recommend it. The call is from the Pentagon.

[…]

Mikhail: What?

Sanda: -Oh sweet mother of God—-

Mikhail: … Miss Call Sanda did you just say the call was from the <u>P E N T A G O N—</u>

Beck: -AUGH NO WHY N O W-

Beck: -oh no what if--what if they're going to try to stop--

Beck: -I'm the only one that can SAVE THEM WHAT IF--

Beck: -DAAAAAAAD--

Sanda: --WILL--

Sanda: -WILL HELP THIS IS BAD-

Mikhail: SOI, DON’T KEEP THEM WAITING—STALL FOR ME, PLEASE—

Mikhail: WILL!

Mikhail: -Exit stage left as if pursued by bear-

White: --Ah--er--I--I....

[He's just kinda frozen there--]

Mikhail: -Yanks Will aside out of view of any screens before he can enter the room- {We need to talk, Will—}

White: Waah--!

Sanda: -WAIT WHAT DO I EVEN SAY GUYS—-

Call: Patching the call through, Doctor.

[A very stern looking uniformed officer was patched through. She was wearing her hair in a bun.

Notably, her rank seemed to depict she wasn’t exactly of the rank that normally made these calls.]

???: Dr. Soichiro Sanda, please be aware that the following call is classified. You are not to discuss it with anyone other than Dr. William White. Anyone else must be read in. Do you understand?

Sanda: -Err--

Sanda: Y--Yes, yes, I u-understand-- (Thanks for leaving me up the creek, fellas--!)

-*-*-*-*-*-

Mikhail: -Practically hissing- {Will, we’re leaving. Now.}

White: What?!

Mikhail: {I can’t stay here.}

Mikhail: {I’m a Russian Doctor with constructed credentials, remember?!}

[…Oh, right. The “favors” Shade had pulled to make them officially “exist” in this world…]

White: --Erk--!

[He was right--him being here would only raise even MORE questions, and none of them would be of the pleasant sort...]

Mikhail: {I’m taking the others. DON’T let them choose a nuclear option.}

[…With that he continued running off to the lab.

Boy, he wasn’t kidding when he said “now”…]

White: --n--nu--

[Oh, dear.]

-*-*-*-

???: Recently, you and your brother released a press statement regarding the current national crisis.

Sanda: Y-Yes, that's correct...

Sanda: Wh...what of it...?

???: Despite what the CEO of Cherry Dynamics seems to believe—

[She gave no visual indication on her stance on that matter.]

???: No charges will be pressed at this time. I must advise you this does not guarantee whether they will be filed or not in the future.

Sanda: ...A-Ah--I see, yes... (Don't we have enough on our plate already...?)

???: Our people have reviewed the data you submitted to the scientific community to show that the infection has been cleared from reacquired Mighty Numbers. Dr. White will be needed for further questioning on this matter.

Sanda: (--! Oh no, Will--!)

Sanda: R-Right, of course--I'll...let him know.

???: MI6 would also like to interrogate Mighty Number Six regarding a person of interest.

Sanda: (--MI6--?! What would they want with Avi--?!)

Sanda: Hmm--A...alright...

???: …However, their requests for extradition have been denied.

???: It is to our understanding that Mighty Number Six has been essential in locating other members of his series with all due speed. We also cannot risk any Xel being sent overseas at this time.

???: The main reason for this call will require input from Dr. White, but that clearly will have to wait. There is an equally pressing matter that demands our attention.

Sanda: (...Oh dear...)

Sanda: Y...Yes...?

???: Your company requested information on the whereabouts of the missing Numbers.

???: Our intelligence suggests that Mighty Number Five has infiltrated federally-owned property.

Sanda: --!!

Sanda: (Battalion--of course--)

Sanda: Federally owned... (...A national park, or...or...)

???: As this is a matter of national security, the coordinates are classified and shall be sent to Mighty Number Nine through a direct, encrypted transmission.

???: Even I am not fully read in on the details, Doctor, but he has been given a time limit to complete the retrieval before we make our own interventions.

Sanda: (...Classified--?)

Sanda: --!!

Sanda: (Wait, that--that doesn't make sense--)

Sanda: How--how long does he have--?

???: Six hours, should he choose to accept this mission. Entry and investigation of the area may prove difficult. Should we regain the camera feeds on the property, this time limit will be extended.

Sanda: (Six hours...)

Sanda: O...Of course, we'll brief him as soon as possible...

???: I’m afraid that cannot be permitted. My superiors cannot wait very long for an answer. He must answer now. You may converse over private channels, but I have been ordered not to end this call without confirmation of his involvement or lack thereof.

Sanda: --I--o-one moment--

[PING!]

[DR.SANDA to MN.9] //: Beckwehaveasituation--

[DR.SANDA to MN.9] //: Did you get any coordinates by any chance--

[MN.9 to DR. SANDA] //: --No, why--

[DR.SANDA to MN.9] //: The Pentagon found out where Bat is--and they're giving you six hours to get him back before they take matters into their own hands...!

[MN.9 to DR.SANDA] //: --?!

[DR.SANDA to MN.9] //: Beck--they need an answer NOW, I don't know what they'll do if...!

[MN.9 to DR.SANDA] //: .....

[MN.9 to DR.SANDA] //: --If they know where Bat is, Dr. Sanda--of course I'll go--!

[MN.9 to DR.SANDA] //: I...I have to save him too...!

[DR.SANDA to MN.9] //: Thattaboy--you'll be be getting those coordinates via an encrypted connection.

Sanda: -Ahem-

Sanda: Sorry about that...

Sanda: He'll do it.

???: Affirmative. Patching the coordinates now.

[Just then, Beck pinged with a private message from the Pentagon. It entailed the location, as well as a brief threat level assessment and recommended gear. Oh, and they said he could bring others with him if that’s what it took, but anyone chosen would be bound to regard the information as classified… just as he would.]

???: Teleportation using these coordinates will go through encrypted channels. The true coordinates will not be retained by your databases.

???: We will call back later if video feeds are not recovered in three hours.

???: Should you fail to retrieve Mighty Five by the end of six hours, Mighty Nine will be automatically evacuated from the premises.

[… “Evacuated”?!]

Sanda: --Wait, what...what do you mean by--? (You can't just--!)

[BLIP.]

Sanda: --....

Sanda: (...This is...not good at...at all....)

Call: ...Dr. Sanda, your heart rate has increased...

Sanda: I...ho, boy...

[PING!]

[DR.WHITE] //: Soi-- Mikhail and the others are gone, and--I--I think they took Jack and Carmen--

[DR.WHITE] //: -Soi please tell me federal agents aren't going to storm the place--

[MN.9] //: --They're GONE--?!

[DR.SANDA] //: --There's no time--! Will--I'll explain, but Beck--you have to get ready to roll as soon as possible--!

[DR.WHITE] //: --Wait-- go where--?

[MN.9] //: Y-Yes, sir!

[DR.SANDA] //: Will-- they found Battalion.

[DR.WHITE] //: --!!

[DR.SANDA] //: And they--they said if we can't get him back in six hours--they'll evacuate Beck and--and--

[DR.WHITE] //: --WHAT--?!

[DR.SANDA] //: -IT'S NOT EVEN THE HALF OF IT, WILL--

[DR.SANDA] //: MI6 wants to talk with Avi, of all people--

[DR.SANDA] //: --A--And--

[DR.SANDA] //: T...The government wants to talk to...you.

[.......]

[Silence.]

[DR.WHITE] //: . . . .

[DR.WHITE] //: M...Me...

[DR.SANDA] //: .......

[.....]

[The rest of their conversation is then carried over in private...]

{Meanwhile}

[Kssss…]

<FMN-006 to MNN-006>: > Yo, Rick—you there?

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: Yo, Goose--yeah, I'm here...

<FMN-006>: > Whew, good—just wanted to check in, now that things aren’t as crazy over here.

<FMN-006>: >Thanks for taking care of Sis until she was stable! …Though she still looks pretty banged up, and uh… I thought Shads was gonna stay with your little bro for a bit?

<FMN-006>: > No one will tell me what’s going on, kinda lost here…

<FMN-006>: >Is G-moms coming over to visit over there, or??

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: Uh--yeah, no, Shads had to suddenly leave, Doc C called him or something...but Brand's snoozing away right now, so that's good...

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: ...?

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: Uh...

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: Where the heck did Stripes go...?

<FMN-006>: > …You mean Tony the Tiger, everyone’s favorite Spiderfriend?

<FMN-006>: > He’s over here with us, I thought you guys knew that?

<FMN-006>: > -Did he somehow get in more trouble while he was asleep or?- -Majorly confused-

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: No, I just--I guess--??

[P I N G!]

[MN.9] //: CRYO WAKE UP--

<FMN-006>: > Yoooooo, Beckster!

<FMN-006>: > Dial is busy with Lil’ Sis, dunno about yours. You need another bath? ;D

<FMN-006>: > Did you get into the powdered sugar again, little dude?

[MN.2 IS NOW ONLINE.]

[MN.2] //: OW WHAT GIVES--

[MN.9] //: NOT NOW AVI--

[MN.6] //: --? Hey, Becko, somethin' the matter?

[MN.9] //: NO TIME--CRYO GET OVER HERE PLEASE--

<FMN-006>: >Yo, yo, Beeeeeeck—you overclock any faster and you’ll start to time travel. o.o;

<FMN-006>: > Breeeaaaaathe a little.

[MN.9] //: I CAN'T--!

[MN.9] //: WE GOTTA SAVE BAT--!

[MN.2] //: --!!

[MN.2] //: --Where is he--?!

<FMN-006>: > …Uh.

<FMN-006>: > (This sounds like it’s not going to end the conversation on a happy note…)

[MN.9] //: -IS DRAGGING SISTER OFF, BYE GUYS--

[MN.2] //: --whOA--

<FMN-006>: > UH.

<FMN-006>: > … -THUMBS UP?- …STAY SAFE?

[MN.6] //: ...That...sounds like trouble.

[MN.6] //: Iiiii better go see what's up...

[A noise like something ran into a wall really hard is heard as a crash over the line.]

[MN.6] //: --???

<FMN-006>: > …That sounded like that hurt, I think that was Twelve—

<FMN-006>: > Sorry, gotta run—

[MN.6] //: Hoooo Kay, uh....talk to ya later--!

<FMN-006 has left the channel.>

[MEANWHILE...]

[Once again, there is chaos within Sanda Labs...]

Pyro: What do you mean, we won't know where he's going--?!

[White was pacing around the room, the Xel holoscreen depicting a map of the United States glowing softly behind him.]

White: The coordinates were sent by an encrypted connection--by the government. They want us to retrieve Bat within six hours.

White: ...Or else.

Pyro: --.....

Cryo: ...Or...or else what?

White: .....

White: I'm not sure.

White: But it involves evacuating Beck from the premises if he doesn't succeed.

White: ......

White: ...Which means we must move with all due haste. Beck?

Beck: Just about ready...

[He was going through a standard check of all his available forms...]

[Including...]

((Brand!Beck here))

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH]

[...The form he was most skilled with.]

Beck: (...It feels really good to have this back...)

Beck: (I feel like I'm gonna need it...)

[REXELECTION: DEFAULT]

Beck: OK, all set!

Call: Preparing Xel Transfer: Locking in encrypted coordinates...

Cryo: So the plan is for Becky to see what's over there first before I'm beamed in, right?

White: Correct--the only clue that we have is that wherever Bat is, it's on federally owned property.

Avi: ...Jeez, no wonder... .... (Poor Speedy...)

Avi: ...Must be something they wanna keep real hush hush if they're going this far.... ....It's not something, like...Area 51, is it?

White: ....I...I hope not.

White: Nonetheless, your brother is there--and he needs to come home, government involvement or no.

White: ...You understand you are on a time limit, Beck.

Beck: Yeah.

Beck: I know.

Beck: (Can't waste time...)

Beck: Don't worry...I'll bring Bat back--

Beck: With time to spare!

Dyna: -BZZZ, YOU TWO ZZSTAY ZZSAFE, WE'LL BE RIGHT HERE-

Cryo: I'll be right behind ya, bro--go get 'em!

Pyro: ...And Beck?

Pyro: Please don't touch anything if you can help it...

Beck: Got it, Big Bro.

Avi: Good luck, Beckrroni! -THUMBS UP-

Call: Coordinates have been locked in.

Sanda: B-Be careful, Beck--Who knows what the virus did to Bat...

Beck: ...I will.

Call: Xel Transfer in progress...

_______________________

[MISSION DETAILS: MIGHTY NO. 5, BATTALION, HAS FLED TO A FEDERALLY OWNED ESTABLISHMENT. PURPOSE: UNKNOWN. LOCATION: [REDACTED]

[MISSION OBJECTIVE: LOCATE AND PURGE ALL HARMFUL MALWARE FROM MN.5 IN SIX HOUR TIME LIMIT. FAILURE WILL RESULT IN GOVERNMENT EXTRACTION AND ENFORCEMENT.]

[SUB OBJECTIVES: MINIMIZE RMDC IMPACT, RESTORE PENTAGON VIDEO FEEDS OF ESTABLISHMENT]

[SYSTEMS READY?]

[GO!]

[Feet touch down on metal flooring, resounding with a small clack as Nine materializes in a quiet hallway.]

[...It's the silence that gets him at first--there is some gentle, far off humming in the distance...but other then that, nothing.]

Beck: . . .

Beck: ?

[Beck looks to his left, and sees a huge '01' printed on the...armored walls...?]

Beck: ...What...what is this place...?

[His com crackles.]

Sanda: ....What...?

White: Goodness...no wonder the government contacted us...

Sanda: This...

Sanda: This looks like some...shut down military base...?

White: But--I thought that nearly all the military bases were re-purposed into museums after the disarmament...?

White: But this doesn't look like a museum to me...

Sanda: Exactly--

Sanda: It should be all but EMPTY, inside...but I wouldn't count on it...

Beck: Right....

[...The only sounds were his own footfalls and the faint humming. It...it uneased him, how the silence was...just... there.]

[...Lately, strange silences were beginning to put him off, and he REALLY didn't like that...]

Beck: (...This...this is creepy...)

[PING!]

Beck: AAAH--!

Call: Beck, I am detecting multiple robot signatures ahead. Proceed with caution.

Beck: Jeez, Call, you nearly made my core stop--!

Call: My apologies, Nine.

Beck: ...Ngh, it's fine, I just....don't like how quiet it is in here...

[...It wasn't going to be quiet for long.]

Beck: --!

[Wrrrr....]

Beck: H-Huh...?

[A medium sized mobile construct on tracks was approaching, and from a distance...it kind of looked like a bigger version of a standard trash bot.]

[...Until...]

[BEEP BEEP BEEP--]

[A small alarm on its head started going off--]

[And it's lid opened up...]

Beck: --?!

[...to reveal a mounted machine gun. It was a mobile turret!]

White: --!!

Beck: Aaah--!

[Beck dashed under it's line of fire to avoid being pelted with bullets, and returned it's fire. The streaks of bright orange struck true, and it soon glowed a dark blue color.]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[Wrrrrr...]

Beck: M--More--?!

[Sure enough, a WAVE of turret bots were heading this way, in a wall formation. Beck began to fire away at once when he saw them--it seems like they needed a split seconded to identify him as a enemy before they attacked...]

Sanda: What the Sam Hill--?!

Sanda: Those are CLEARLY military bots--! COMBAT military bots--!

White: And should have been scrapped as part of the disbarment...

White: ...Or was that all a government ruse...

White: Beck, did they tell you this--?

Beck: -BLAM- NO, BUT THEY DID TELL ME TO COME HEAVILY DEFENDED--!

Beck: I-- -BLAM- THINK I CAN SEE WHY!

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Mari: White: ...The concept of pointless competition has been outcast.

[Mikhail laughs a little at that.]

Cossack: Officially, at any rate. I don’t think you can rewrite humanity enough to change the testosterone-driven need to do stupid things to show off to your friends. White: Heh, well...pointless as in, connected to violence. It's partially why the NBCA was formed, to keep all violence confined to the Colosseum.

White: Remember when I said the story of our world was connected to the Coloseeum? That's why.

Cossack: I see… I understand, now.

White: It...serves as a public outlet.

Cossack: Like its inspiration.

[He did not exactly seem thrilled at this.]

Cossack: *Lowers his glasses and looks over the rim* I wonder.

White: Exactly. (And...wow, look at that, he's smiling!)

Sanda: The Battle Coloseeum became the new football, in any rate!

Beck: (Hee.~)

[Mikhail did not share this outlook.]

Cossack: *Pushes his glasses back up* I must ask both of you to be very careful.

Cossack: Rome, too, had glory days.

Cossack: Emphasis: had . Past tense.

Cossack: Just… be careful, alright?

-*-*-*- Beck: See, the thing is, uh...Forte.

Beck: Our planet is in a state of world peace. There is no war.

Beck: Lots of people think that this is like a golden age of humanity or something.

Forte: …

Forte: Uh.

Forte: I’d… watch your back if I were you, bro.

Beck: ........

Forte: I mean it.

Forte: I know… you don’t believe me, but…

Forte: Everything looks all perfect and then someone comes along and kills a bunch of people or a plague breaks out or /something/ and then everything goes to hell REAL FAST.

Forte: This has happened over and over and over and OVER in history.

Beck: ..........

Beck: .....................

Beck: .....Well.

Forte: And usually, like.

Forte: “Peace” is through tyranny being enforced to squish rebellions— but someday one of those rebellions just won’t be squished?

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

White: (...You were right, Mikhail...)

White: (You were right. You and Cardinal...)

[MN.1] //: I...I don't understand--why would they keep active military bots...?

White: An ace in the hole, or some kind of insurance, I imagine...

Beck: --NGH--!

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH]

[SHINGSHINGSHING--!]

[In the span of a few split seconds, the remaining turrets were reduced to Xel cubes, which were then absorbed and converted into a Xel Stock.]

Beck: Whew...

Beck: (REALLY glad to have this form back...)

[The door ahead opened as Beck approached it, still in Seven's form. This door had something printed on it as well...]

[NOW ENTERING SECTOR 02]

Beck: (This base is divided into sectors...?)

[Faint sunlight. He was outside...?]

[The sun was hidden behind several clouds, turning the sky into a pale yellow. This open room looked like it only served to separate the sectors.]

Beck: Whoa...

[PING!]

[MN.6] //: Yo, Beckers! Hold up a sec!

Beck: --?

Beck: Avi--I don't have any time for puns, I'm on a time limit--!

[MN.6] //: I know that--! Just--look at the sky so I can see--!

Beck: --? Why...?

[MN.6] //: I... THINK I can figure out where you are. I think. Actually, can ya fly up a little from there? Get a good look at your surroundings?

White: --! Ah--excellent idea, Avi! We can figure out where that base is by the geology...

Beck: Okay, Avi...

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR.]

[Giving the propeller a few good test spins, Beck jumped into the air and rose upwards at a steady rate.]

Beck: !

[As he flew, he could see that this base was bigger than he had thought— it seemed to sprawl out quite a bit...]

[MN.6] //: See anything?

Beck: Yeah, this place is huge--!

Beck: (What the heck...)

[MN.6] //: ...whoa. It is pretty large...

[MN.6] //: Get some more altitude and a horizontal 360 degree pan--the more we can see, the better.

Beck: Roger that...

[Higher and higher he climbed.]

[The base then gave way to a barren terrain, and sand littered the air, stinging Beck's eyes. But he could still make out some tall mountains on the horizon.

Beck: Sand...and more sand. I...I think I'm in a desert.

[MN.6] //: Alright, that narrows it down...anything else?

Beck: Yeah. I see mountains on the horizon. And no roads...anywhere.

[MN.6] //: Hmm...

[MN.6] //: Desert, some mountains, and if I do some math real quick--gimmie a sec---

[PING!]

[WARNING: LOCK ON SIGNAL DETECTED.]

Beck: --! Wha--

[INCOMING FIRE.]

[MN.6] //: --!!!

[MN.6] //: BECK! ROLL RIGHT, NOW--!

[There was a sudden screeching sound behind him, and he banked hard right to narrowly avoid a slew of bullets. Their trail of fire followed hot on Beck's tail as he executed evasive maneuvers.]

[MN.6] //: Anti-Aircraft Artillery! Get outta the sky, Beckcona!

Beck: -PANIC, WHERE DO I GO--

[The only way back into the base was from where he flew out, and even then, there were hostile signals coming from the other side of the door.]

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH]

[Once he was at a height where he could land with no problem, he switched to Seven's form, and landed into a roll past the opening blast doors.]

[A collection of bullet fire still pattered the re-enforced entrance, reminding the Mighty Number that he was far from safe.]

Beck: Argh--!

[It seems as if there was a never ending supply of these turrets--not only that but there was also forklift bots carrying some rather explosive cargo in his path.]

Beck: (Good thing I didn't go for Pyro's form...)

[SHING!]

[Better to slice up enemies than to set something off...and cause a chain reaction.]

[PING!]

[MN.6] //: You OK, there, Becky?

Beck: -SHING!- M-More or less--!

[MN.6] //: Good, cuz I got a bit of breaking news for ya.

[MN.6] //: Cryo's getting 'ported over as we speak, and I did some figuring.

Beck: -Whew--!-

[MN.6] //: I'm like--96% sure you're somewhere in Nevada's desert, bro.

Beck: Nevada--?

[MN.6] //: Makes sense that there would be a place like this--the nearest mass of major civilization is Las Vegas, and that's MILES off. So, yeah, you're right smack in the middle of the state, I bet.

Beck: I see... (At least we're far enough away from innocent people...)

Beck: And Cryo?

[MN.6] //: I found another entrance to the base--based on that 360 pan--and she's making her way to ya! You should be seeing her soon.

Beck: Um--

[-SHING!-]

Beck: --how soon?

[MN.6] //: I dunno, give or take a couple of--

[It was at that moment Beck felt the temperature drop by at least 30 degrees, and a familiar child-like cackle filled his audio receptors.]

Cryo: Kyaaahahahahaha! Wheeeeee!~

[Suspending herself in the air via a blast of high pressured water aimed downwards, Cryosphere was currently bringing winter early to the abandoned base, freezing up everything from enemy bots to lethal explosives--all were frozen dead in their tracks.]

Cryo: Time to dip into my slush fund and create some frozen assets!

Cryo: Pretty cool, right, Beck?~

[MN.6] //: --.......

[MN.6] //: That was BEAUTIFUL, SIS--

[MN.2] //: -THANKS, WE'LL BE HERE ALL WEEK~-

Beck: I--now? You're doing this now??

[MN.2] //: Sorry, sorry! Had to.

[MN.2] //: All clear on this sector, bro--I'm gonna go ahead and make things nice and crisp for ya, okay?~

[MN.6] //: Go for it, Cryo!

Beck: (--Well, at least that'll save time--which we REALLY need.)

Beck: Thanks, Big Sis!

[As Cryo disappeared through another door, faint sounds of wild giggling and frost left in her wake.]

[Now that the path was free, all Beck had to do was avoid the electrified spikes strewn across the treadmills up ahead.]

Beck: (Man, I hate these things--)

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR]

[At least Avi's form made things slightly easier.]

[Shooting down wall mounted turrets as he flew by, Beck once again encountered another large door.]

[NOW ENTERING SECTOR 03]

Beck: How many of these sectors are there?

Call: Unknown. I am only able to map your immediate area, No. 9.

Beck: Well, that's not good...

Beck: How are we supposed to know where--

[SLAM--!]

Beck: --?!?

[No sooner had the Mighty Number entered into another outside corridor, the door behind and leading out both closed down simultaneously--and a large thud was heard seconds after. The locks had engaged!]

Beck: Th-The doors! I'm trapped--!

Sanda: W--Will--!

White: The lockdown sequence for the next sector must have been initiated--we'll have to disengage them ourselves, Soi!

Beck: H-Hurry, we don't have much t--

[KKSSSSST!]

"Is that FEAR in your voice, Private Beck?"

Beck: --!!!

[MN.5] //: A robot soldier does not FEEL fear!

Beck: B-Bat--!

[PING!]

[MN.6] //: nGH--!!

[MN.3] //: -BZZZZ, GUYSZZ PLANE BRO IS NOT OK--

[MN.1] //: BATTALION!

[MN.1] //: I ORDER YOU TO STAND DOWN THIS INSTANT!

[MN.5] //: Hmph.

[MN.5] //: I'm afraid you no longer hold rank over me, Commander.

[MN.5] //: Shame, given that you could've been some actual use to the cause.

[MN.5] //: Seems that our Private here's been busy.

[MN.9] //: Bat, please--

[MN.5] //: Pay attention, maggot.

[MN.5] //: If you are going to come and face me like a real robot soldier, I EXPECT at least SOME kind of grit from you!

[MN.5] //: A robot soldier does not FEEL pain!

[At those words, a squadron of military grade combat bots armed with shields materialized into the room, their weapons trained at Beck.]

[MN.5] //: NOW FIGHT ON LIKE YOU'VE GOT GUTS!

[KSSSSSSST!]

Beck: !

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH]

[Deflecting the barrage of bullets with one swing of his sword, Beck was quick to go on the defensive, choosing to evade and hang back for the moment.]

Sanda: We're working on unsealing those doors, Beck! T-Try to hold on--!

Beck: Easier--Ngh--! Said than done--!

Will: (Come on, there has to be some backdoor in these kinds of military grade programs--! There almost always is--)

[SHING!]

[Beck couldn't even have a moment to breathe--as soon as one bot was absorbed, another would take its place. And another.]

[SHING!]

[And another.]

[SHING!]

Beck: Daaaaaad!

Will: Almost got it...!

[LOCKDOWN DISENGAGED.]

Beck: Finally--!

[With a hiss, the door to Sector 03 lifted, allowing Beck to dash himself out of the ambush and back into the building. It seems like this part of the base mostly consisted of...hangars...]

Beck: --!

[This one housed several impressive looking tanks.]

Beck: Whoa.

Beck: (B-Big...)

Will: My God...

Sanda: Uh...those are off, right...?

[There was a buzzing noise as a notification flashed on Call’s screen.

…The Pentagon was calling back.]

Call: Attention--we are receiving an incoming call from the Pentagon.

Will: --!!

Sanda: Again?! (That CAN'T be good--!)

Beck: Wha--? What's going on--?

Call: Patching it through now.

Will: -PROCEEDS TO HIDE BEHIND SOI-

[The screen once again displayed the same lady secretary as before. She seemed slightly concerned… in a confused sort of way.]

???: Attention, Sanda Enterprises and Mighty Nine.

???: The time limit is now forty-five minutes.

Sanda: --WHAT??

Sanda: I--I thought you said we had six hours--!

???: Sir, the situation has changed.

Sanda: Ch--Changed--??

Will: (Changed--? How...? Why?)

???: The details are classified.

Sanda: Th--this is--!

Sanda: I-Isn't there someone that can tell us what happened? Anyone--?

???: …

???: Please remain on the line while I transfer you to the Cyber Unit.

[The video feed was replaced by an image of the presidential seal.]

Sanda: Did--did they just put us on hold--?!

Will: Never mind that--

Will: Did you get all that, Beck?

Beck: ...Yeah. (This totally isn't fair...)

Will: Cryo, I need you to stay put until Beck catches up, do you read?

[....]

Will: ...Cryo?

Cryo: WHEEEEEEE!~

[The upper railings of the hanger were suddenly frosted over, along with the rows of patrolling turrets spewing continuous fire at Beck's way.]

Cryo: Hey, you--don't move! In other words, freeze!~ Kyahaha!

Beck: .....

Beck: (She's having fun, isn't she...)

Will: Cryo, I told you to--

[Reinforcements marched in from the right to replace the patrolling turrets--only to be frozen by Cryo's icy powers.]

Cryo: Wowee, these guys don't know when to chill!

Will: --!

Will: Ah, never mind--you'll serve as an adequate distraction! Do you think you can do that?

Cryo: Yessiree, Noodle Dad!

Will: Excellent. Proceed, Beck.

Beck: Right--!

Cryo: Good luck, Bro--!

[Moving through the tank hanger proved more difficult than he imagined--the place was absolutely swarming with military bots, and he had to be more careful than ever--the ammo loading lines were in full swing, so he also had to avoid dashing into anything that could seriously blow up in his face at any moment.]

Beck: (Why is everything being put into these crates...?)

Beck: (What the heck are you thinking, Bat--?)

[PING!]

[MN.6] //: @~@

[MN.6] //: -Ugh head hurts, what did we miss-

Beck: Avi!

[MN.3] //: -Bzzz, no planebro you need to reszzzt, someone help me get thiszz dork to bed--

[MN.6] //: -But--Beckers needs our help--

[MN.3] //: -BED-

[Two sets of treadmills later, Beck finally found the way to the next hanger, the sounds of his siblings bickering over his feeds.]

Beck: (...Wow, I...I can't believe I'm thinking this, but I really missed that...)

Beck: (I wonder if Bat can hear this....)

[Either he couldn't, or he was choosing to ignore it altogether. There was no way to know for certain, as he had stayed silent since his previous outburst.]

[The next hangar was much larger than the last, and held many more weapons and vehicles of war....]

Beck: (How many hangers ARE there in this place...?)

[The feed from the Pentagon suddenly went live—though it was audio only.]

“Sanda Enterprises, do you copy?”

Sanda: E-Er! Yes, we're here...!

“I’m told you wanted to speak to the Cyber Unit about the situation…? Uh, do you have updates for us?”

Sanda: --????

Sanda: (You HAVE to be kidding me--)

Sanda: Updates?! We're the ones that want an explanation!

Sanda: First we were told that we had six hours to retrieve MN.5, now we have--

Call: Approximately 26 minutes, 34 seconds, Doctor.

Sanda: Exactly!

Sanda: What happened??

“…Oh.”

[A pause.]

“…Hang on, gimme a moment to word this for your security clearance level…”

[After a moment…]

“Okay, you guys were told that you’d get the time extended if you restored video feeds to us, right?"

Sanda: Yes... (And we certainly didn't get THAT...)

“Well, that’s because that would give us more control over the situation if we could see. You see… the situation was a threat, but it wasn’t critical at the time. There had been a lock down in place.”

[…Uh-oh.]

“I think it’s probably pretty clear by now that you’re in a situation with live weapons. There had been a lock down in place, which contained the situation to the confines of the property—sorry, classified—but it was broken through a few minutes ago.”

Will: (....!!!) […Oops.]

Sanda: ....O...Oh...

“Because of that, the location is no longer secure, and the threat to the civilian population has increased to a state of emergency.”

[Will silently hit himself on his forehead, wincing. Confound it, he only made things worse--!]

Will: (MIKHAIL IS GOING TO MURDER ME--)

“If that weaponry goes mobile, there’s only just enough time to give orders to intercept—and cancel them if you manage to neutralize the situation—that we can give you, so—”

Will: (I...Intercept...?)

Sanda: I...I see... (Goodness, does...does that mean there's MORE??)

Will: (If--if that means what I THINK it means--)

-*-*-*-

“{DON’T let them choose a nuclear option.}” “Should you fail to retrieve Mighty Five by the end of six hours, Mighty Nine will be automatically evacuated from the premises.” “{Your family, they are the strongest. Who can stand against them if they wish to fight, unless they themselves also use incredible force? Without you all to help keep order, it will fall to others who are… LESS compassionate.}”

-*-*-*-

Will: (--Oh dear Lord--Beck--Bat--!)

[DR.WHITE to MN.9] //: Beck--you NEED to hurry and find Battalion--! Before the military NUKES the place!

[MN.9 to DR.WHITE] //: WHAT?!

[MN.9 to DR.WHITE] //: -THEY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT N U K E S--!!-

[MN.9 to DR.WHITE] //: -DAD THEY CAN'T NUKE BAT THEY CAN'T--

[DR.WHITE to MN.9] //: BECK!

[DR.WHITE to MN.9] //: Panicking isn't going to solve anything!

[DR.WHITE to MN.9] //: You NEED to focus and save your brother before they pull you out! Do you understand?

[DR.WHITE to MN.9] //: You must save No. 5, without fail...!

[MN.9 to DR.WHITE] //: Y-Yes, sir--!

[MN.9 to DR.WHITE] //: I-I'm on it, I'm on it--!

[MN.9 to DR.WHITE] //: I-I just don't know where to start LOOKING for him--

[KSSSSSSSST!]

[MN.5] //: Well, well, well.

[MN.5] //: You DO have guts after all, Private. I'll give you that.

[MN.9] //: Bat--!

[MN.5] //: But you're too LATE.

[The intercom system, as well as the feeds, are all temporarily filled with Battalion's commanding voice, which echoes across the hanger in a resounding, almost haunting tone.]

Bat: ATTENTION ALL HANDS!

Bat: COMMENCE THE INVASION!

Bat: CRY HAVOC, AND LET LOOSE THE DOGS OF WAR!

((Pic))

Bat: CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!!!

[MN.9] //: B-Bat--?!?

[P I N G!]

Call: Beck, I am picking up large clusters of robots heading towards the city from your location--

[WRRRRRRRRR--!!]

Sanda: What in tarnation!?

[There was a faint noise from the other feed that sounded vaguely like a klaxon alarm.]

Sanda: Is he trying to start a war?!

[Indistinct shouting could be heard, all of it with the same COMMANDING tone that Bat had.

A distinctly military one.]

“Uh. Listen, guys? Remember what I just said?”

[Angry shouting that was getting a little louder.]

“…care about… NOT have to…”

“Pardon the French but HURRY THE F### UP, JUST ISSUED ORDERS TO—”

—ot have the SECURITY CLEARANCE, TURN THE DAMN FEED OFF /RIGHT NOW—”/

[BWIP.]

[After a few moments, it came back on. Loud shouting directly nearby.]

“—PROTECT AND TO SERVE, THE SITUATION IS OUT OF HIS CONTROL—“

“-Talking over him- GIVE THE BOY HIS DAMN 20 MINUTES, THERE’S STILL A CHANCE—”

“Guys. GUYS. Your best bet, Sector 4, okay—“

“I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO TURN THAT OFF—“

[A harsh sound, rather like a cord being ripped out. The signal went dead.]

[.........]

Sanda: BECK.

Sanda: YOU GOTTA HURRY--!

Beck: HURRYING, HURRYING--!

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH]

Beck: (Sector 04, 04, where are you, where--?!)

[The deafening sounds of machinery and weaponry nearly drowned out everything else. Giant gears whined, tracks groaned, and various engines revved and moved out towards the exits of the hanger.]

Beck: --!!!

Beck: Fighter jets--?!

[MN.6] //: -OW OW OW HURTS, IT HURTS--

[MN.3] //: -BZZZZT D : > -

[A countdown timer appeared on the screen. …It did not look promising…]

[It was flashing red and everything!]

Beck: (Not good, not GOOD--!)

[As precious seconds withered away, Beck frantically looked to another area to find Sector 04--before it was too late...!]

Call: 10 minutes remaining.

[Where in the world WAS that sector--?!]

Beck: --!!

Beck: (Hold up hold up--!)

[There, on the other side of the room--!]

[NOW ENTERING SECTOR 04.]

Beck: I FOUND IT--!

[...Except...]

Beck: --What??!

[It was across a whole floor littered with land mines.]

[There WAS platforms he could use to avoid the mines--but those were filled with enemy bots, and there simply wasn't time to deal with them.]

Beck: Ngh...

Beck: . . . .

[Beck had no choice.]

[He had to run through the mines...]

[ACXELARATE DASH: ONLINE.]

[Without stopping.]

[ACXELARATE DASH: MAX SPEED REACHED]

[Being in Brand's form helped him get that extra speed boost in, and he was nothing but a red blur against smoke and fire, the bombs activating just split-seconds after Beck dashed through.]

[With danger on his heels, Beck gritted his teeth as he fast approached the door--he was going too fast for it to register him coming in--!]

Beck: Haaaah!

[SHING!]

Will: --?!?

[THUD.]

[At least a thousand pounds of reinforced steel came crashing down in two pieces, a clean, flawless cut sliced in a perfectly straight downward stroke....]

[...Which rivaled precision Brand had to train for years to achieve.]

Will: What...?

[Beck, however, had no time to admire what he had just done.]

Beck: I'm in Sector 04! Repeat, I'm in Sector 04!

Beck: (Come on, Bat, you gotta BE HERE--!)

Call: Acknowledged.

Call: I am dispatching Sunny to your location.

Call: Xel Transfer in progress...

[A flurry of white light signaled Sunny's arrival--a sight that Beck was all too happy to see. He REALLY needed some Xel Cubes and Xel Stocks right now.]

[XEL QUOTA REACHED. XEL STOCKS 1 AND 2 ARE ONLINE.]

Beck: Thanks, Sunny....I needed that.

Sunny: (^-^)

Call: ...Acknowledged.

Call: I have received an update from the Pentagon. We have been given one more hour to subdue MN.5.

Beck: Really--?!

Will: (Oh, thank goodness...)

Will: We can't waste this chance, Beck.

Will: ...Please be careful.

Beck: ...Yeah. Got it...

[PING!]

[MN.1] //: Beck.

Beck: --! Big Bro?

[MN.1] //: You may have Bat's weakness, but he still has his stratagems. You need to be prepared for ANYTHING.

[MN.1] //: (Bat...for the love of God, think about him...)

[MN.1] //: ...And...remember that this isn't his fault.

[MN.1] //: Fight the parasite, not your brother, understand?

[REXELEXTION: CRYOSPHERE.]

Beck: Yessir.

[MN.1] //: ...good luck.

[The final door's locks hissed open.]

[Given what Pyro had said, Mighty No. 9 still couldn't have possibly prepared himself for what lay on the other side.]

[The room was...oddly a bit like Cryo's in the sense that there was some control panels and monitors laid out on one side, with many blinking lights and switches flickering on and off...]

Beck: ....?

Beck: (What...is all this...?)

[His gaze then looked upwards, to the large window overlooking rows upon rows upon rows of--]

Beck: --!?!?

Beck: D...Dad...?

Will: What in the n-name of--?!

Sanda: P-P-P-P-P--

Sanda: P-Please don't tell me th-those are--!

[But they were.]

[Missiles. Giant, wide missiles, each about as tall and large as a skyscraper, all pointed towards the ceiling of the base complex, their points carefully aligned with circular closed hatches.]

Beck: N-No way...

[…Mikhail was gonna lose it if he heard about this—]

Will: (Saints preserve us, if those go live--!)

[PING!]

[MN.2] //: uh GUYS--

[MN.2] //: YOU MIGHT WANNA HURRY UP AND FIX BAT, CUZ I CAN'T FREEZE ALL OF THEM BY MYSELF--

[MN.2] //: -holy scrap there are so many--

[KSSSSSSSST--!]

Beck: --?!?

Beck: Cryo?

[No response.]

Beck: --Dad? Sanda? Call?

[...Silence.]

"There. That's more like it..."

[Beck cast his optics to the far end of the room...]

"Never COULD stand her screeching. No amount of discipline would be enough to keep her in line. Useless."

[A shuffling of servos confirmed that there was another presence in the shadows, which were dispelled once the lights on that side flicked on. Turning around to face his brother was none other than Battalion, Mighty No. 5.]

Bat: So, maggot.

Bat: You crawled all the way here.

[A small gulp.]

Beck: Bat...

Beck: Please don't do this.

Beck: I...I don't want to fight you, Bat.

[He knew what he had to do already.]

[But it was hope, that one, stubborn belief that still made him at least try to reason this out without resorting to violence. He had to try to talk this out.]

[He knew that it...it had to help--somehow, in some way, the REAL Bat could somehow still hear him.]

[...Right?]

Bat: WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION, PRIVATE BECK?!?

[The sudden, familiar yet not at all strict tone made Nine flinch back instinctively, zipping up his lip before he could continue--]

[You could practically see the faint outline of violet flames around Bat's form.]

Bat: WHY WOULD YOU TRY AND STOP THIS GLORIOUS WAR?!?

[--What--??]

Beck: W-What's so glorious about hurting innocent people, Bat?! Don't you know what you're doing--?!

Beck: Y-You're scaring everyone and if you don't stop it right now, they'll--!

Bat: I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR DAMN EXCUSES, PRIVATE.

Bat: This is about MORE than just the thoughts and lives of a few humans, this is about REVOLUTION.

Beck: R...Revolution...?

Bat: There are gears that are turning, you CUR, and you have the GALL to stand there and tell me you don't want to FIGHT?!

Bat: That was ALWAYS your malfunction, Beck--!

Bat: You don't have the HEART for BATTLE!

Beck: --...I-I--

Bat: FIGHTING IS OUR PROGRAMMING! IT'S IN OUR CIRCUITS, OUR VERY XEL!

Bat: IT'S WHAT WE WERE M A D E FOR!!

Bat: WHAT Y O U WERE MADE FOR!

Beck: (B...Bat...)

Bat: And you FAIL at even THAT.

Bat: What kind of combat robot REFUSES to fight?! To DENY their very reason for EXISTENCE?

Bat: COWARD.

[Beck stepped back.]

Bat: All your talk and lack of backbone...

Bat: No wonder HE put you on the bench in the Arena.

Beck: --Ngh--

Bat: You KNOW it's true.

Bat: Figures, that it takes the end of all things to finally whip you into shape.

Bat: And yet it's STILL isn't enough, is it.

Bat: You're still afraid.

Bat: Tch. Always a coward, shying away at the littlest things!

Beck: . . . .

Beck: Y-You're wrong...

Beck: I--I'm not--

Bat: Don't even TRY to lie to yourself in front of ME!

Bat: You're still avoiding your TRUE purpose!

[KER-CHINK!]

Beck: ....!

[SCANNING....]

Bat: YOU CAN'T FIGHT WHO YOU ARE, PRIVATE--!

[SCAN COMPLETE.]

[E N C O U N T E R]

[MODEL: MIGHTY NO. 5. - CODENAME: BATTALION.]

[HEIGHT: 305cm WEIGHT: 600kg XEL COUNT: 120,000,000]

((ingame boss pic of Bat here--))

Bat: BATTLE! IS! OUR! D E S T I N Y!!!

[Battalion opened fire with his Gatling Gun, pouring out energy bullets at a rapid fire rate, forcing Beck to jump into the air and Dash away.]

[Bat was both the heavy artillery and strategic brains of the Mighty Numbers--most of the well thought out tactics of the team came from Bat, and required Pyro's own approval to carry out. He was armed to the teeth, and had the smarts to use it wisely, which was perfect for his wide range bombardment and base taking abilities.]

[And a potentially lethal combo for Beck.]

[BANG!]

Beck: ACK--!

[A sharp pain struck his side as Bat scored a direct hit, his unique frame able to rotate to cover all directions--he simply had to predict where Beck would dodge and shoot there.]

Bat: Predictable.

Bat: You're not even TRYING to counter!

[Panels on the sides of his legs flipped open, revealing large nozzles that pointed downward.]

Beck: --!!

Beck: (Oh no I forgot--!)

Bat: HUP--!

[Bat could jump too.]

[Jumping to an impressive height for a bot his size, Beck had to roll away to avoid being crushed--and not only that, but another helping of rapid fire bullets. Bat was relentless with his plan of attack, not once giving Beck a moment to breathe.]

Beck: (Gotta--gotta fight BACK--)

[He had been in Cryo's form the from the very beginning. Beck pointed his nozzle arm at his deranged brother--]

[BAM--!]

[--Shooting out balls of ice that bounced across the floor, turning it into ice on contact.]

[...This didn't seem to faze Bat at all, however.]

Bat: RRRGH--!

[Bat stood his ground, slamming one of his giant legs down, shattering a good chunk of the ice--as well as Beck's attack underneath. Icicles began to grow around Five's foot...]

[But...]

Bat: You'll have to do BETTER than that!

[CRACK--!]

[The battering spike ram that made up Bat's other arm was used to shatter the remaining ice, freeing Bat and allowing him to advance as he pleased--]

Beck: --!!!

[...Of course.]

[Pyro, Cryo, Dyna, Avi, Brand...]

[They didn't have as nearly as enough bulk or Xel as Bat.]

[It was going to be even harder to take enough Xel from him to initiate a Xel Purge...]

Beck: Argh--!

[BAM!]

[He was aiming for his joints, carefully trained eyes zeroing in on every move Beck made and constantly calculating his movements.]

[Beck can't out-dodge Bat this way, and he certainly didn't have the firepower to overwhelm Bat with--he'd need to use his OWN form for that.]

[BAM!]

[A wall of ice is risen, splitting the room in two. Bat is already using his ram to crack it down, but Beck wasn't going to let these precious few seconds go to waste.]

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 1...]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: (Think, think--can't use Pyro, Dyna could set off something too--)

[C R A C K!]

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH.]

[Thinking he could out speed him, Beck zipped away as Bat crashed through with a roar, his ram thrust forward like spear to try and pierce him through--]

[CLANK!]

[--only to be blocked by Beck's sword.]

Bat: --?!

Beck: Hah--!

[Planting his foot firmly where Bat's bewildered face is, Nine shoved himself backwards into the air--]

[REXELECTION: CRYOSPHERE]

[PSHHHHT!]

[A BLAST of high pressured water quickly followed, blinding Bat and knocking him backwards while also propelling Beck to the back wall of the room.]

Beck: Got ya--!

[C R A C K!]

[One well-placed landing and a blast of ice later, and anything that had been wet before was instantly flash freezing into place.]

[Including Bat.]

Bat: What in blazes--?!

[FORM RESET: DEFAULT]

[BLAM--!]

Bat: Ngh--!!

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: Come on, Bat--stop this! Please!

Bat: Grrr...

Bat: I'll never--

[C R A C K!]

[KER-CHINK.]

Bat: SURRENDER--!

Beck: --!!!!

Beck: Uh oh--

[Shards of ice scattered as Bat...]

[...changed modes...?]

Beck: BAT--DON'T DO IT--!

[The working revolver mounted on Bat's head rolled and shifted downwards, the ram arm parting to stick themselves into the ground as anchors.]

[Beck had only seen Bat use this mode once before, and that was against one of the bigger heavyweight combatants of the arena.]

[He found himself staring down the barrel of Bat's Cannon Mode.]

[There was a reason Bat hardly ever used this.]

[It was powerful enough to completely take out any one of the other Mighty Numbers in a single shot--even Mic would find himself in a core state.]

[In a room as small as this, and with that window overlooking the missiles--!]

Bat: READY--!

[There was very little chance that he would miss...]

Bat: AIM!

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH]

[WRRRRRR...]

Bat: FIRE!!!

[B O O M--!!]

[Beck only had split seconds to react, the sound of the cannon missile ringing in his ears as he dashed underneath it, heat and smoke scorching his armor as it screeched over his head and collided with the other wall, cracking its foundation and embedding itself deep within the steel.]

[......]

[Beep...Beep...Beep...]

Beck: (10 seconds--)

[REXELECTION: CRYOSPHERE.]

Beck: (--gotta make them count--!)

Bat: Where do you think YOU'RE going?!

Beck: --!!

[10...]

[SLAM--!]

[9...]

[Feeling the wind knocked out of him, Beck tried to retaliate--coating Bat's legs as he shifted back to his normal mode, so he wouldn't use this chance to launch any of his homing missiles...]

[8...]

Bat: Yes, maggot! FIGHT!

[Violet flames whipped and licked around Bat--he aimed his gun at Nine's retreating form, his eyes flashing magenta in the darkness behind his mask.]

[7...]

Bat: YOU ARE A WAR MACHINE--

Bat: WAR MACHINE!!

[6...]

Bat: A TOOL OF SENSELESS DESTRUCTION!!

Beck: Rgh...

Beck: N-No, Bat--!

[5...]

Beck: I'm--I'm not LIKE [magenta text] YOU--! [magenta text]

[4...]

Beck: I'D NEVER FIGHT WITHOUT GOOD REASON!

Bat: Ha...

[3...]

Bat: Yours is not to reason WHY, Private Beck.

[2...]

Bat?: Yours is but to DO...

[1...]

Bat?: AND DIE!

Beck: I'd rather DO!

[REXELECTION: DYNATRON]

[B O O M!!]

[MEANWHILE, SANDA LABS...]

[DATA LOSS: MN.5, MN.9]

Will: NO--!

Call: I have lost their transponder signals, Doctor. Attempting to reconnect now.

Sanda: Will--Will, it just might be damage, we've been through this--

Will: Is--is there any signs of radiation? Reports? Anything--?!

Call: Calculating...

[MN.2] //: --...b-bro...?

Pyro: . . . .

Pyro: CRYO--

[MN.2] //: BROS I LOST CONTACT WITH BECKY, IS HE OK?!

Sanda: Wait, if Cryo's still transmitting just fine, then--!

Avi: THEY DIDN'T NUKE THE PLACE--

[MN.2] //: GUYS WHAT HAPPENED TO BECK?!

[Will was already at his terminal, clicking away at the hologram keyboard and helping Call.]

Will: Working on it--

Will: Please be alright, boys, please--!

Call: Reconnecting...

[PING!]

Will: --!

[TRANSPONDER LOCATED.]

[GATHERING DATA...]

[MN.9: ONLINE.]

[WARNING: XEL COUNT LOW. WARNING: XEL COUNT LOW.]

[MN.2] //: AAAAAAAAAAAAAH--

Will: Gah, he better have a Xel Stock handy--!

Sanda: B...But what about...?

[PING!]

Call: Reconnected. I have located No. 5.

[BACK AT THE MILITARY BASE...]

(Smoke.)

(Dizzy. Can't breathe.)

(Can't see...)

(Heavy...)

(B...Bat...?)

(Where...)

(Ngh...)

(H...Hurts...)

(E...Everything hurts...)

(Need...)

(Need...Xel...)

(Need...Xel...)

(Need...)

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 2...]

(...?)

[XEL ABSORBED.]

(Mng...)

(...Better.)

(Bat--?)

[Zzzt...]

(C...Come on...)

[ZZZT!]

(Move...!)

[ZZZT!]

[Beck opens his eyes.]

Beck: Hgn...

Beck: B...Bat..?

[His vision was fuzzy, unfocused. Sound was muddled. A heavy weight was crushing him.]

[It was the ceiling. It caved in from the explosion.]

Beck: Ngh--!!

[Rubble shifted as he reached forward. Got to get out. Got to find Bat. Got to save Bat.]

Beck: B...Bat--....

Beck: (I...can't...I promised...)

Beck: Hrgh--!

[Somehow, he got one of his legs free.]

[The other was still stuck, but maybe--]

[A purple bit materialized into being, and he used that as a wedge to try and pry his leg away--he needed to find Bat--he only had another half-hour--]

"Rnngh..."

Beck: --!!

Beck: Bat!

[Hearing his brother in pain spurred him on, and within seconds his leg was out. Still hurt, still hurt a lot but that didn't matter.]

Beck: Bat!!

"...Nrgh?"

Beck: Hang on, Bat, I'm--I'll find you, I swear--

Beck: You gotta be under here--somewhere--

"P...Private...?"

Beck: Just keep talking...

[Mic's form would have been such a help.]

[He didn't have Mic's form.]

"What are you..."

Beck: Hang on--I'll get you out! Somehow! Don't worry!

[He had to be in one of the bigger piles of debris--]

Beck: --!!

[There! Poking out of that mound--a split of military green and red--]

Beck: Got ya--!

[And so he dug.]

Beck: Just--hold on--I got this--

"--?"

Beck: Just lemmie get all this--ow--out of the way...

"What...?"

Beck: Ow--ow wait ow...

[Something came loose in his leg, maybe. Didn't matter.]

Beck: I--I'm gonna get you out...

Beck: And then you're coming home.

Beck: Leave...no brother...behind...

Beck: That's what--NGH--!--you taught me--!

"...."

Beck: Almost--

Beck: I think--I think I can see your face--

[The debris fall away to reveal a part of his brother's face guard, which was cracked in several places. A dull, purple eye blinks back.]

Bat: Private...

Beck: There you are...

Bat: . . . .

Bat: This...this isn't your...directive, soldier.

Bat: You need to--

Beck: Bat.

Beck: I'm not leaving you here.

Beck: Do you really think I CARE about my directive right now?

Bat: --....

Beck: I just want my family back.

Beck: I just want to save everyone.

[A hand is placed on damaged armor. Bat's frame begins to glow a familiar purple, while Beck's arm began to glow a faint green.]

Bat: ....

Bat?: You're so naive...

Beck: --!

Bat?: You were always...

Beck: ......

Beck: Just relax, Bat.

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: No more fighting.

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: You don't have to fight anymore.

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[XEL QUOTA REACHED.]

[XEL PURGE: ONLINE. XELFILTER.EXE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR OVERDRIVE]

Beck: Time to come home.

[XEL PURGE INITIATED.]

[. . . . . .]

"Um...Bat?"

"Mm? Got somethin' to say, Private?

"Yeah, uh...I was just wondering... "

"How come I'm a Private? What--what does that even mean, I'm not THAT private..."

"Heh...it's a military rank, Beck."

"You're a Private because you're one of our youngest. Shade's got the almost the same rank as you. I'd say First Class."

"Oh..."

"..."

"Does...does that mean he's better than me?"

"Not exactly, soldier. Don't think like that, s'not healthy."

"S-Sorry..."

"Rank doesn't measure the character of a man, Beck. Not all the time."

"...I...still don't get it."

"...You will. One day."

"Here, how about I teach ya what the ranks mean, alright? Maybe you'll grasp it better."

"O-Okay--uh, I mean, Yessir!"

"Now that's what I wanna hear!"

[......]

Bat: p...priv...

"You think...you think I'll be better than a Private one day?"

"Well, that's up to you, Private Beck."

Beck: Bat--?

"This great country of ours always needs new heroes."

Bat: ...M...My army...

Beck: ....?

Bat: T...The war must be s-stopped, Private Beck...

Beck: !!

Bat: Ngh--...

Bat: G...Get me outta this mess, Private...

Beck: B...Bat--!

Beck: Y-You're OK--!

Bat: ...A...Attention all...hands...

Bat: ...S...Stand down...

Bat: T...That's an order...

Beck: --?

[Suddenly, the background noises of machinery slowed to a halt.]

Beck: ???

Beck: T...They stopped...?

Beck: But...I...I thought they were infected too...

Bat: Ngh...Private...

Beck: --Right, right, sorry, getting you out--

[PING!]

Call: Communications have been restored. No. 9? Do you read me?

Beck: Call!

[A burst of joyous data, and he suddenly sprang tears.]

Beck: I did it, guys!

Beck: Bat's OK now!

[MN.2] //: BRO--BRO I DUNNO WHAT YOU DID BUT THE BOTS OUT HERE ARE ALL CHILL NOW, BRO, YOU DID IIIIIIIT--

Will: Bat...? Son...?

Bat: --....Father...

[MN.6] //: -BIG BRO, BIG BRO, YOU'RE ALIIIIIIVE-- Oh boy--

[There was a faint humming noise and the presidential seal appeared in a holographic projection from one of the consoles.]

Sanda: Don't worry, Will, I'll take this...

[All of the lights began turning on as various systems went back Online in the base.

…This included the sprinkler system, which went off due to the smoke from the battle.]

Bat: --?

Beck: . . . .

Beck: Eheh...

Beck: -snORTS-

[...And now he's laughing.]

Beck: Th--Those are still working?! Heh...!

[The audio system crackles. …It is too badly damaged from the explosion…

…]

-PING!-

[??? to MNN-009] //: AIR FORCE DISPATCHED TO YOUR LOCATION. ALL SYSTEM CONTROL RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTIONS. STAND BY FOR LOCATION TO BE SECURED.

[…The bots outside could be heard moving back, but not returning to storage…

…They seemed to be surrounding the building.]

Beck: Uh--D-Dad--?

Will: (--!)

[Finally, the lab got another incoming call.

…

…From the White House?

Upon being answered, the call was revealed to be audio only. It was a new voice.]

“Sanda Enterprises? Do you copy?"

Sanda: --Ahem! Ah, yes, we read you, um...W-White House...

[MN.2] //: Uh...guuuuuyys??

[There was a delay for a moment.]

“We just wanted to confirm a status update with you. Control of the base as been returned, and all machinery is responding normally. The Air Force has been notified of this, though they will maintain their course to secure the area. Sensory readings indicate MNN-005 and MNN-009 are both operational but significantly damaged. Please confirm their mental stability.”

Sanda: Well--they're worse for wear, certainly, but...

Bat: Ngh...tired...

Beck: -Pings in agreement-

Sanda: ...They're gonna be OK, miss. They're stable.

“All participants and witnesses will need to be debriefed. We will arrange the sessions with your secretary after the area has been secured and the combatants given medical attention.”

Call: ...Acknowledged.

Sanda: Er....y-yes, of course, of course. We understand...

Will: . . .

“POTUS is currently in a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss the situation. The data logs and testimony will be important to the meeting.”

[…And there were secrecy and security to consider.]

Will: (...I...the president--?!)

Sanda: O______O;;;;;

Sanda: Ah--I...I see.... (H-Ho boy...)

[A slight pause.]

“…POTUS made a point to let you know of a sincere apology and promise of cooperation, but was unable to leave a detailed message due to time restraints.”

Sanda: I...Really--??

Will: -ELBOWS SOI FROM OFFSCREEN-

Sanda: -Ow--

Sanda: A-Ahem--! I mean, uh, we, uh, we're grateful! Yes, we really need all the--the help we can get. Th-Thank you.

[There was an unusually lengthy pause.

But after a moment…]

“The area has been secured. You are cleared to vacate the premises. Please be aware that attempted re-entry will be trespassing and will be prosecuted accordingly. That is all for now.”

Sanda: Right, right--understood. Call?

Call: Locking coordinates...

[DR.WHITE to MN.2, 5, 9] //: Call is locking onto your location as we speak. You all be home soon...

[MN.2] //: ...Batty?

[MN.5] //: ...Cryo...?

[MN.2] //: It's gonna be OK, bro. We're goin' home, right, Becky?

[MN.9] //: ...yeah.

[MN.9] //: Get us outta here, Call.

Call: Acknowledged.

Call: Xel Transfer in progress...

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

Goose: I TRAVEL THE W—

[Oh.

WELP—]

<FMN-006 has entered Sleep mode.>

[There was a loud WHONK as he crashed onto the floor of Shade’s room, snoozing LOUDLY, as only a plane with engines can.

Great. Now not only is he STILL making noise, he’s not awake enough to leave.]

((NJ, SHADE, BWAHAHA—))

😪 Goose —> Shade, re: Jingle Bells

[ VIII ] - “Nnngh, ya dang pun plane AH’M TRYIN’ T’ SLEEP–”Cue Shade aiming his rifle–and a second later a dart whizzes past Goose to lodge itself in the wall. Looks like Shade didn’t take so well to be awoken via bad Christmas caroling–“Next one’s goin’ right where the sun don’t shine if ya don’t shut up and GIT–”

Allies Obstruct

=INTRO A: COLLAPSING PEACE=

((Courtesy of @codedhopes & @super-tired-robot))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

Keep reading

---

=CHAPTER 7A: RUSH INTO THE MINE=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

[SANDA LABS

June 29th, 20XX

MIDDAY...]

“Tracing....”

[ACCESSING DATA LOGS. PLEASE WAIT.]

[.....]

[ERROR--TRANSPONDER SIGNAL NOT FOUND. RETRIEVING LAST DATA TRANSMISSION...]

[.....PING!]

[LOCATION DATA FOUND.]

Call: Tracing...

[READING LOCATION DATA...]

[GENERATING COORDINATES....]

[CALL] //: -Mass Ping!-

[There was a response ping from most of the Rebel Angels—all other than Siamini, that is. (And Cardinal, of course.)]

<DLN-008>: > -Hazy data- ?

[MN.2] //: -Sleeeepy data, what's going on now--

[DR.WHITE] //: --! Call? What is it?

[CALL] //: I believe I have located Mighty No. 4's last known coordinates, Doctor.

<DLN-008>: > -PROCESSING…-

[There was a weak cross-reference with DLN-004 before all of the message came through the parser, and he got the “Mighty” part out of that sentence.]

<DWN-018>: >Where did he end up?

[DR.WHITE] //: !!

[PING!]

[MN.9] //: Yeah, where?

[MN.6] //: -Whoa that was fast, Beckroni--

[CALL] //: The coordinates from his last known transponder frequency puts him in the northern region of Wyoming.

<DWN-018>: >Admittedly not where I would have expected him to end up; I was thinking Kentucky…

<DWN-012>: >Oh, don’t be dumb. What’s the point of going into a cave that’s already all open up?

<DWN-018>: >Well, Dad would have sent him there…

<DWN-024>: >Would you two be quiet, please?

[MN.3] //: ...Zzzo Earth bro is in a mine? Aszz in...

[CALL] //: Underground, yes. That is the most likely scenario.

[CALL] //: This mine has been in production since last year, and its depth would explain why MN.4's transponder has stopped transmitting data.

[DR.WHITE] //: Of course--he must be too deep...

<MC005>: >This does not surprise me. I rather expected this, from the start.

[CALL] //: However.

[CALL] //: Because No. 4's signal cannot reach to the surface, this also presents the scenario that he is in technological isolation, and that the virus may have not reached him if he was successful in escaping in time--

[MN.9] //: Wait wait wait--

[MN.9] //: Are you saying that Mic--Mic might not even be infected?

[CALL] //: There is a 23% chance that he is not, No. 9. Please proceed with all due caution.

[MN.9] //: Well-- Yes--

<DCN-000>: >I thought you said you were all there in the Arena?

[MN.9] //: But--If Mic buried himself underground fast enough, then maybe--!

<DCN-003>: >Either way, time to find, we get ready, yes good.

[MN.9] //: Right!

[CALL] //: I can only bring you as far as the entrance of the mine, No. 9. I suggest that we send Sunny as well, as are not able to transport directly underground.

<DCN-003>: > {It is time to get ready. MNN-005, please prepare for surface duty. Lady Sanda, are we cleared to enter the private property? What is the status of surveillance in the area?}

[MN.5] //: Locked and loaded.

[CALL] //: The mine has been evacuated--but it's surveillance has been rendered offline, thus we cannot determine what lies within. I have already made the arrangements as we were speaking.

<DCN-003>: > {I mean surveillance above ground.}

[CALL] //: We have visual of the mine entrance. Please wait...

[A screen appears a moment later, showing a rather large entrance--it was definitely big enough for someone like Mic to walk into...]

<DCN-003>: > {Who else has access to those feeds?}

[CALL] //: The owner of the mine and certain authorized personal that were on-site.

<DCN-003>: >Hmm.

<DCN-003>: > {Legal discussions about the video will have to wait. Can the surveillance detect signals as well?}

[CALL] //: They can. It is part of their security measures.

<DCN-003>: > {This is problematic. Father, did you ever make transponders for us?}

<MC005>: > {I’m sorry, son. I didn’t have the time for that. Are there any spare bracers around?}

<DCN-003>: > нет.

<MC005>: > -Audible sigh- {Right then.}

<MC005>: > {Just get ready. I’ll work with Tobias to see what we can do before sending you over.}

<DCN-003>: > {Affirmative. Lady Sanda, is there a working surface station on the property?}

[CALL] //: Fortunately, there is.

[MN.9] //: Sweet!

<DCN-003>: > {Good, that saves time in setting up a field station. Do we have the necessary keys to access the system?}

[CALL] //: I will request them from the owner and have them ready for you when on-site.

<DCN-003>: > {Acknowledged. Please adjust the Auditory Input setting in the Accessibility preferences in the system to allow for verbal interfacing.} -No hands, no problem-

[CALL] //: Confirmed. No. 9?

[MN.9] //: I've been ready for a while! Let's do this!

<DCN-003>: > {I will join up with you on the site. Please do not enter until I have arrived.}

<DCN-003 has left the channel.>

[DR.WHITE] //: Just please be careful, all of you--who knows what else is down there besides Mic...

[CALL] //: Preparing Xel Transfer...

[MN.1] //: Good luck, Beck. Bat...watch him for us.

[MN.5] //: Yes, sir. I got him.

[MN.9] //: Thanks, bro.

[MN.9] //: I'll bring Mic back--one way or another!

[MN.9] // (And hopefully without a fight...)

[CALL] //: Initiating Xel Transfer....

____________________________________

[MISSION DETAILS: MIGHTY NO. 4, SEISMIC, HAS LOST CONTACT VIA DATA LOSS--THIS MINE LOCATED IN WYOMING WAS HIS LAST KNOWN LOCATION.]

[MISSION OBJECTIVES: INVESTIGATE THE MINE AND RETRIEVE MN.4--PURGE ALL HARMFUL MALWARE FROM SYSTEMS IF INFECTED.]

[SUB-OBJECTIVES: RESCUE ANY TRAPPED MINE WORKERS, MINIMIZE RMDC IMPACT.]

SYSTEMS READY?

GO!

Beck: (...I'm really glad Shade gave me Night Vision for my C-Visor...gonna need it here.)

[PING!]

Will: Beck? Do you read?

Beck: Loud and clear, Professor!

Will: Digger and Bat will touch down in a moment, so please wait until they arrive before you head in there.

Beck: Roger--

Beck: --!

[It took a while for someone else to arrive at the station.

And boy, was it a bit of an unexpected entrance.]

Beck: Digger?

Bat: .....So that's his full armor...

<DCN-003>: > {That is correct, my friends.}

[…He also… had a Xel signal?]

Beck: --?????

Beck: Uuuh--?

<DCN-003>: > {Tobias and Father worked to make a small transponder that would translate our signal into a Xel signal. FMN-009 made the finishing touches. I’m glad to see from your expression that it is working, but it is just a prototype.}

Beck: Wow...that's pretty neat for a prototype, though!

Bat: And handy. Saves the trouble just in case.

<DCN-003>: > {It would be best not to discuss it out loud.}

[He glanced around the station out of the corners of his eyes.]

<DCN-003>: > {We are being watched and recorded.}

Beck: --Oh--

Bat: Indeed.

Bat: Well, you're the one with the expertise in this field, soldier. What's our battle plan?

[Digger paced back and forth. He spoke sharply, full of focus—and void of humor. (Still, he did not speak with anger or accusation.) Oddly enough, he spoke perfect English—without an accent. It sounded very odd coming from him—as if he were using a different audio program.]

Digger: Gentlemen! Today, we go underground! This is a search and rescue mission. It is imperative to remain in contact.

[He turned to face Beck.]

Digger: MNN-009 will be entering the underground on his own to clear out any infected constructs. MNN-005 and I shall serve as the surface team. We will go down after Beck if the situation calls for it. In that case, DWN-013 and DWN-018 will serve as the secondary surface team. Should they need to go underground as well, DCN-000 and DCN-008 will be the tertiary surface team.

Digger: Mighty Nine, you will place the transponder lanterns at regular intervals on the right hand side of the paths you are traversing. They will help you to keep from getting lost, and will boost the communication signal that will allow for communication with the surface team and the lab as you go deeper underground.

Digger: Should we lose contact, please continue to place the transponders anyway. If contact is not re-established within ten minutes, the surface team will come after you.

Beck: Put lamps on the right side, even if contact's lost--I got it!

Bat: Acknowledged.

Beck: --Wait, hold up...Snow's part of the third surface team...?

Bat: Keep in mind that he was built for any terrain, Private. He's an explorer.

Beck: Ah...

<DCN-003>: > {David was built to withstand extreme conditions. He’s also impervious to being crushed, but more on that some other day.}

Beck: (Crushed...ngh, don't like the sound of that...)

Beck: (At least the fact that there's back-up for the back-up is reassuring...)

Digger: And now, it is time for you to learn the top two rules! Ready?

Beck: Yes, sir!

Digger: Rule one!

Digger: Never dig straight down!

Digger: Rule two!

Digger: Never dig straight UP!

Beck: --I'm...pretty sure I don't have anything--or form--I can dig with right now but--got it!

Bat: One more thing.

Bat: Use my form carefully down there, Beck. Don't get trigger happy with that, ya hear?

Beck: Yes, sir.

Bat: Course...If you need to get physical with Mic, just don't land one where you'll end up caving in the place.

Beck: Right, got it....

Digger: Good. The lanterns are in the backpack over there. -Points- You have also been provided with basic rock climbing gear in your size.

Digger: There will be additional resources available to aid in rescue of other persons in the mine if they are encountered.

Beck: ....Huh....

Beck: The lamps look...kinda...uh.

Beck: ...Squaaaaare...?

[After a moment, Beck shrugs and inspects the contents of the backpack before slugging it over his back.]

Beck: Thanks, Digger!

Digger: … It was his idea, not mine, but… You’re welcome.

Digger: That’s it for now. Set off when you are ready to go.

[Beck nods and flicks his C-Visor down, giving a salute to both Digger and Bat as he turns towards the mine entrance.]

Bat: Good luck, Private. Get him back for us.

Beck: You got it, Bat! -thumbs up-

[Digger was quiet, keeping his own thoughts on the matter private. He seemed eager to enter the mine himself, but determined to keep order of the situation. He turned his attention to checking the station.]

[With a final quick look to the cloudless sky, Beck hopped down a steep ledge before breaking into a full sprint down into the darkness....]

[C.VISOR: LOW LIGHT LEVELS DETECTED. NIGHT VISION ACTIVATED.]

Beck: --Hm?

[There was a faint glow coming from the walls as he tread forward, the lights put by the workers flickering every now and then...]

Beck: Looks like the lights are still working...

[Pulling a transponder lamp from his backpack, Beck placed it firmly on the right wall like he was told--it gave off a much better light than the mine's fixated ones, thankfully...]

Will: Beck?

Beck: I don't see anything strange so far, Dad--but the transponder lamps look like they're working!

Beck: I'm heading down deeper now...

[Climbing down some ledges, being careful to mind his step--the general direction was definitely not straight down, like Digger had warned him not to do--but it was down nonetheless.]

"Bzzz..."

Beck: --?

Beck: Did you say something, Dyna?

[MN.3] //: What? No...

<DCN-003>: > {Is something wrong?}

Beck: I heard buzzing...

"Bzzzzzz..."

Beck: --! There it was again!

[MN.3] //: That'szz not uszz--

"BZZZZZZ...."

<DCN-003>: > {DLN-008 is currently resting.}

<DCN-003>: > {Computer, relay audio clip at 150%, please.}

"BZZZZZZZZZZ......"

<DCN-003>: > …

<DCN-003>: > {OKAY THAT IS THE SOUND OF A MINING DRILL.}

Beck: Wha--someone's still drilling?

[MN.2] //: ...Do ya think it's Mic?

[MN.1] //: Could be. Although I would expect him to be quite a bit deeper...

Beck: Maybe...someone left one on?

Will: Mmm...

Soi: Oof...I'd be careful about those--the last thing we need is unmanned drills running amok!

<DCN-007>: > {I knew you should have gone with him. Your Power Capsule—}

<DCN-003>: > -Uncharacteristically harsh- {No comments from you. Go away!} D<

Will: ...Well, whatever the case, proceed, Beck...with all due caution. Just be sure to mind yourself, and keep putting out those lamps.

Beck: Understood...

<DCN-003>: > {If you can, scan for signs of stability in your area, as active drilling may make the ground unstable.}

Beck: Good idea...

[SCANNING....]

Beck: ....Yeah, it seems this passage over here is stable. Heading that way...

[One more lamp stuck to the right wall...]

"BZZ! BZZ!"

Beck: ...?

Beck: Uh--is it just me or did those sound a LOT closer--

"BZZZZZZ!"

[SHINK!]

Beck: WHOA--!

[Landing RIGHT in front of his toes was a small drill bot that looked similar to a screw--with a drill on its head, of course. It was long and thin...]

[...and it had familiar red rimmed, white eyes.]

Beck: --Wait, that's--!

Will: It's...a CherryDyn model...

<DCN-003>: > …

<DCN-003>: > …Well they ARE an industrial manufacturing company. ¬ ¬

<DCN-003>: > Why is this a surprise?

Will: Exactly, there's never just ONE--!

Beck: ......

[Slowly...the Mighty Number looks up.]

[And he is met with a several dozen pairs of the same, identical eyes, boring down on him from the ceiling.]

Beck: . . .

Beck: O_O;;;

"BZZZZZZZZZZZ!"

[MN.6] //: BOOK IT BRO!

<DCN-003>: > -WAIT, BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FOOTING—-

Beck: AAAAAAAAH--

[SHINK SHINK SHINK!]

[He dashes forward as the enemy robots drill downwards, falling through the ceiling and onto the ground like daggers, drilling back into the earth when they missed...]

[...Only to chase after him from there.]

[BLAM!]

[Beck's default weapon manages to make quick work of a few--they didn't have a lot of durability, it looks like--but their sheer numbers made up for what they lacked.]

Beck: Too many, too many--!

<DCN-000>: >You should try freezing them in place!

Beck: --!

[REXELECTION: CRYOSPHERE]

[A flash of ice coats the area, and the drill bots that had given chase--or leaped from the ground to stab--had all but been frozen in their tracks.]

Beck: Whew...

[He didn't waste the opportunity--he absorbed their Xels, taking their Speed Absorption Boosts.]

Beck: ....

Beck: Yeah...they're infected.

Will: Are you alright?

Beck: Uh-huh....

Beck: ....

Beck: (But this doesn't spell good news for Mic...)

Beck: Looks like the virus IS in the mine...

Soi: Gnh...

Beck: Call? Can you pick up anything now?

Call: I am detecting faint signals ahead.

<DWN-018>: > …? Plural?

Call: Yes. I am unable to clarify them, but judging that there are CherryDyn Industrial models on-site, there will be more malfunctioning units ahead.

Beck: --Aw, man--I REALLY don't wanna fight another Round Digger...

Beck: No offense to Buddy, but he WAS kinda tough.

<DCN-003>: > …

<DCN-003>: > … -…Data, we’re just- -Gonna work on analyzing seismic measurements from the transponders placed down gathering data, yeah-

Beck: Um...a-alright...

[Just as Call predicted, there were more CherryDyn models--Luckily for Beck, none of them were Round Diggers, but some flying cargo bots and more drill models--they did help fill his Xel Stocks, for the most part.]

Beck: -MAN, these things are annoying, stop trying to STAB ME FOR TWO SECONDS--

<DCN-000>: > Yay~

<DCN-000>: > If you’re annoyed, you’re not scared!

Beck: -Hey Snow--sorry, trying not to get poked with a hole here--

Beck: --!

Beck: Uh oh....

<DWN-013>: >Uh…?

[...It was a dead end...or so it seemed.]

Beck: Uh...Digger? This way is blocked...and I don't see a way around it...

Beck: Should I double back and look for another passage...?

<DCN-003>: > Hmm. {Place a transponder down.}

Beck: Okay...

[He puts on right on the wall in question, lighting it up.]

Beck: Looks kinda different from the other walls...

<DCN-003>: > -PROCESSING…-

-PING!-

<DCN-003>: > {You may remove the transponder.}

Beck: ....Oookaaaay....

[He's a bit confused, but he yanks it from the wall and puts it back in the bag.]

Beck: So...?

<DCN-003>: > {The passage is merely blocked. It is stable enough for you to clear the rubble with the use of force. Please see the attached file for structural analysis on the weak points to aim for.}

Beck: Uh....and by force, you mean...

[MN.2] //: -OOO HE'S GONNA BLOW IT UP? COOL, WHERE'S THE DYNAMITE-

Beck: Hmm....

Beck: (One doesn't seem to fit this job...I need a controlled charge...)

Beck: ...!

Beck: I got it!

[MN.2] //: -DOES IT INVOLVE DYNAMITE-

Beck: Uh, close enough?

<DWN-024>: >Please tell me you do not intend to punch the wall.

<DCN-003>: > -Beg pardon, wat-

Beck: Uh...no, I don't have Mic's form, otherwise I'd charge through it...

Beck: But I do have this!

[REXELECTION: BATTALION]

<DCN-000 has left the channel.>

<DCN-003>: > -Ack, no—David, come back—- -SKULL—-

<DCN-008>: > {I’ll attend to him, carry on.}

Beck: --Whoops....sorry...

[MN.5] //: Private...

Beck: It's okay--! I'll scan for a weak point in the wall and fire one there--that way the whole thing will come down AND I'll save time and energy.

<DCN-003>: > {He’ll be fine, don’t worry. Just taken by surprise, is all. And да, that is the best course of action.}

<DCN-003>: > {The passage continues on the other side of the blockage.}

<DCN-003>: > {This appears to be the main pathway—exploration of branches is time consuming and increases the chances of getting lost, Major.}

<DCN-003>: > {Does that make sense?}

[MN.5] //: ..If it helps get our brother back sooner, then.

[MN.9] //: Hokay, then...

[Beck carefully trained his arm at one of the scanned weak points at the obstruction, pausing for a few moments before...]

[CHUNK!]

[A projectile similar to Bat's own missile embedded itself into the wall, blinking with a steady pace.]

Beck: Charge set. Gonna get some distance first...

[After backtracking to a safe distance, he vaulted over one of the steel crates that carried minerals mined by the workers--before the virus hit, that is.]

Beck: 3...2...1...

Beck: -FIRE IN THE HOLE--

[BOOM!]

[A great rumbling sound followed the explosion, dust and rubble flying everywhere--]

Beck: -ACKPFFPH, bleh--

[MN.5] //: Private?

[MN.9] //: -We're fine, we just got dirt in our mouth--

<DCN-003>: > Well done! ^^

[Clearly, he appreciated a good explosion.]

<DWN-013>: > -Ping of approval also-

<DCN-003>: > {Onward! Onwards to victory!}

[MN.9] //: Yessir!

[Climbing though the destroyed rubble and though the now open passageway, Beck pressed forward.]

Beck: I wonder if Mic felt that...

Beck: (I wonder if he knows I'm coming...)

Beck: How deep IS this place...?

Call: I cannot give an accurate reading of the entire mine.

Beck: (...Meaning it's probably REALLY deep...)

Beck: ?

[The mine suddenly took a sharp decline--so much so that there was a ladder in place.]

Beck: Huh.

[Hmmm.

Jaden seems a little antsy at that.]

<DWN-013>: > Careful with the ladders.

<DCN-003>: > Remember to place a transponder at the start and stop of each base of the ladder!

Beck: Got it.

[Putting one down as he was told, Beck began to climb down.]

Beck: I thought it was bad to dig straight dow--

[Bzzzzzzz...]

Beck: ....

Beck: WHOOOA--!

[KSSSSSSSST--]

[ERROR: SIGNAL NOT FOUND.]

[MN.5] //: Private Beck?!

[DR.WHITE] //: Beck! What happened?!

<DCN-003>: > {It sounds like he slipped off the ladder and landed on his rear.} ?__?

[DR.WHITE] //: Please, respond--Say something--!

[Static.]

[DR.WHITE] //: Beck!

_______________________________

[A FEW SECONDS EARLIER, THE MINE...]

Beck: I thought it was bad to dig straight dow--

[Bzzzzzzz...]

Beck: ... (Oh no--)

Beck: WHOOOA--!

[Beck scrambled up the ladder just in time to avoid a massive drill barrelling down the mine at unsafe speeds, crashing and crushing anything in its path. It was covered in an all too familiar purple glow.]

Beck: (The drills ARE infected--!)

[KSSSSSST--]

Beck: Ow--!

[DR.WHITE] //: Be--what happe--

[A horrid screeching feedback filled his audio receptors, and he could just barely make out his father's panicked voice.]

Beck: Dad?

[DR.WHITE] //: Please resp--say someth--

Beck: Dad? Professor? Do you read me?! Dad!

[KSSSSSSSST--....]

[Nothing. Static.]

Beck: Bat--? Digger!

[....]

Beck: Anyone! Hello?!

[.........]

Beck: . . .

Beck: (Not again...)

Beck: -Sigh-

Beck: Well...No turning back now.

Beck: I've gotta find Mic!

[MEANWHILE, AT SANDA TECHNOLOGIES...]

[ERROR: SIGNAL NOT FOUND.]

Will: I don't understand, I thought the transponders would keep us in contact...

[There’s a whir of data from Digger, which is largely in Russian.]

<DCN-008>: > -Speaking up for his brother- …It’s more complicated than that, Doctor.

[Mikhail turns to face Will. In contrast with his good friend, he seemed remarkably unbothered.]

Mikhail: Working underground is not a straightforward process. There is a lot of signal interference due to the density of the obstructions between the output and the receiver. Slight disturbances can cause temporary loss of contact. These can clear up pretty quickly if loose rubble is moved or thick dust settles, William.

Mikhail: You must remember—signals don’t have the same open space to move through as they do in the open air of the overworld. It works more like neurons firing, as they hop from transponder to transponder. One break in the pattern could cause difficulty. Now, that could be because of something light, or something serious.

Mikhail: However, having two teams down in the mine complicates things. If the interference is light, it can be cleaned up in under ten minutes—that’s why there’s that wait time in place. With the situation the way it is, you don’t want anyone else heading down there unless you have to. If ten minutes go by and there’s still nothing from him, then they will go down to see what is wrong.

Mikhail: I’ve lost contact with my son down in the mines more than once before. He’s always turned out fine. And while Beck isn’t made specifically for the mines, he is a resourceful young man—and if he needs help, DCN-003 will be more than capable (and I daresay eager) to supply it.

Will: ....

Will: Yes, yes, of course... -Breathes-

Will: (There's the first, second and third surface teams...)

Will: (He'll be alright...)

Mikhail: Call, some hot drinks, if you please.

Mikhail: -Sits down in a chair, crossing his legs and bridging his fingertips together- I understand your concern, William. But we know that he will be alright—either through his own power, or through the assistance of the surface teams. Normally, we might be able to do something through technological assistance, but—this time it is different, this is more of a physical location-restricted sort of thing. So the best thing is to remain calm—as, if he hears some panic when he resumes contact, it could cause him additional stress.

Mikhail: So have something warm and try to loosen up a bit. Perhaps you can use this time to look at the readings from the transponders and what sort of data they picked up from the drills and other obstacles Beck encountered.

Mikhail: -Things will be alright, trust me-

Will: -....Looks nervously at the clock-

[Nine minutes...]

Will: ...Alright...

Call: Your hot drinks, Doctors.

Will: -Thank you-

[His terminal is brought up via a Xel Holoscreen...]

Will: Let's take a look here...

[Mikhail does likewise, bringing up a map of the mine as extrapolated via the data from the transponders placed down so far.]

Will: .....

[White frowned.]

Will: ...Drat...

Will: Judging from the data, there were traces of the virus just where we lost contact...

Will: They seem to be more abundant the deeper the mine goes, so far...

Will: (Which means...)

Mikhail: That’s curious.

Mikhail: That would mean that everything is moving down toward a central location.

Mikhail: Normally, you should find more abundance closer to the source of an outbreak, with fewer cases as you travel to more and more isolated areas. This is the opposite, which is quite unusual…

Mikhail: There must have been a set number of cases at the mine, with everyone starting to burrow down at different paces. ?_?

Will: Strange...

Will: Why would they do that?

Will: (...If Mic WAS infected when he burrowed down, we should see what Mikhail mentioned...)

Will: (Was the mine already infected in the first place--?)

<DCN-003>: >Mmm.

<DCN-003>: > … {When I was… changed…}

<DCN-003>: > {I had to do something I didn’t like, but I wasn’t going to make it easy. I could cause plenty of disruption underground, though it wouldn’t actually affect anyone unless they came too close.}

<DCN-003>: > {There IS another reason.}

<DCN-003>: > {Mines are not completely isolated places, Doctor. News and data from the outside world does come there.}

<DCN-003>: > {If word reached them about not only Beck, but possibly Battalion as well—apologies, Major, but—if they somehow heard that either the government and/or Master Beck were coming after them…}

<DCN-003>: > {They could very well be running away because they are afraid.}

<DCN-003>: > {Possibly…}

<DCN-003>: > {Heading down toward somewhere, something, someone they felt could protect them?}

Will: !

Will: Seismic...

Will: Of course--he's the main defensive wall for the team, it's only logical that one would want to hide behind him...

Will: (But that only means Beck will engage even more opposition as he heads further down...)

<FMN-005>: > Of course they would, even Shade hinds behind Seismic… - -

<FMN-003>: > That’szzz becauszze he’szz the only one big enough to hide her~

<FMN-002>: > -YUP, SIS BE A TOL, GLITCHES-

<FMN-002>: > Yo. Noooooodle Daaaaad mirrorrrr -Flails-

<FMN-002>: >Becky will be FINE, I mean, he took all of us on, right? 88>

[MN.1] //: Two is right. He's come this far mostly on his own power.

[MN.6] //: -YEAH BECKO CAN TOTALLY TAKE ON WHATEVER'S THROWN AT HIM-

Will: ...You have a point...

[Tick. Tock.]

Mikhail: Son. Your status?

<DCN-003>: > -Cheerfully- Preparations are being made! Syncing up with Major right now to find him easily if separated.

Mikhail: Good.

[MN.5] //: Commencing decent in T-Minus 3 minutes, sir.

Will: Excellent...

[MN.5] //: Anything from Beck?

[MN.6] //: Not a peep, bro.

[MN.1] //: -What is going on down there...-

<DCN-003>: > …

<DCN-003>: > -Mildly AMUSED, somewhat condescending data-

<DCN-003>: > Have you ever worked underground, sir?

[MN.1] //: I--

[MN.2] //: EARTH BRO TOOK US TO A TOUR OF HIS MINE ONCE--before Becky and Shade were made, tho--

[MN.2] //: -IT WAS COOL AND NOISY AND I GOT A SILVER ROCK THING-

<DCN-003>: > The veins and arteries of the earth are as foreign and rugged as the heart of the ocean. I’m sure Lady Icesphere knows what I’m talking about, da?

[MN.2] //: -PING PING PING- Dude underwater caverns and junk are the COOLEST. WE KNOW MORE ABOUT SPACE THAN WHAT'S IN OUR OCEANS, BRO, IT'S TOTALLY SICK--

[MN.1] //: -Ow, our ears--

[…]

[…And then suddenly…]

[Sorrow….]

<DCN-003>: > -Sadly- {You would have liked him…}

[MN.2] //: --? -Wait, why did the mood nosedive all of a sudden--

[MN.1] //: ....

[MN.1] //: Diveman?

<DCN-003>: > -WHIRR WHIIRR- -Yes, that is how we know of the ocean, weh-

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: -Quietly- {It’s alright, son.}

Mikhail: {We just need to wait a little longer.}

Mikhail: {As soon as this situation is all over, we can finish repairs on Anubis… and then start rebuilding Jacques.}

Mikhail: ({I fear I may be doing other repairs before this is over, though…})

-PING!-

<RMDC>: > ALERT: TIMER FUNCTION HAS REACHED 00:00:00.

[MN.5] //: Alright, let's move o--Hey!

[Digger has already burrowed into the earth, “fist”-first.

WOW, does he work fast!]

BZZZZZZZZZ!

[MN.5] //: -Whatever happened to leaving no soldier--comrade--behind--WAIT--

<DWN-018>: > -sNORTS-

<DWN-018>: >Why is he making his own path? Isn’t that dangerous?

Mikhail: -Hides his smile behind a hand- Well, no, not when the mine has already been geologically mapped for stability.

Mikhail: He’s taking the most direct path through the place to bypass infected areas and make it a smooth decline for his travel companion. If Seismic IS down there, besides—it may be a bit difficult for him to travel or be carried through the path that Beck had taken.

Mikhail: Apologies, Major!

Mikhail: He gets very enthusiastic about his work!

<DCN-003>: > -SINGING THE DWARVEN DIGGING SONG FROM DISNEY- -IN RUSSIAN-

Mikhail: He’s also trying to forge ahead for you! Just follow after him, he won’t go too far…

[MN.5] //: Roger that...

[DR.WHITE] //: Do be careful down there, son...

[They descended in an even pace, and eventually drew closer and closer to the area where Beck's signal was lost.]

[MN.5] //: Battalion reporting in. So far so good.

[There was the steady sound of Digger’s drills in the background. An almost soothing white noise.]

[—…which abruptly came to a halt…]

[MN.5] //: Haven't been able to get a hold of Beck, but we're around where we last heard--

[.........]

[MN.5] //: ...Wait a tic...

<DCN-003>: > {Stand back.}

[MN.5] //: -Sound of Bat's giant footsteps backtracking-

[DIGGER used DRILL BOMB!]

[There is a faint buzzing drill noise as something burrows deep into the earth…

Followed by a muffled shaking and a screeching noise that sounded a bit like a “-SPLAT!-” and an explosion mixed together, and then some angry muffled buzzing that sounded like a swarm of bees.]

<DCN-003>: > .-.

[MN.5] //: ???

<DCN-003>: > -THAT IS THE SOUND OF A LOT OF DRILLS COMING.-

[MN.5] //: !!!

[....Wait...]

[...There was another noise, if one listened hard enough...]

[It sounded like...]

[...Screaming?]

"aaaaAAAAAH--"

[MN.5] //: -WE KNOW THAT ALMOST GIRLISH SCREAM ANYWHERE-

[Digger fires ahead a bunch of Drill Bombs, and then practically swan-dives into the ground, all of his drills going at once to clear a path.

Everything that was coming up at them was taken out, the infected Xel burnt by the incendiary components of the explosion.

It abruptly opened up into the ceiling of another path, and Digger dropped down and moved out of the way.]

Digger: BECK!

[The path opened up to a complex system of tunnels, all filled with infected drills aimlessly drilling new paths and even running into each other.]

[Bat crashed downwards without another thought, aiming his missile silos at an oncoming drill.]

Bat: FIRE!

[BOOM!]

[The drill immediately shuts down from the damage, and the glow surrounding it fades off.]

"BAT?!"

[A voice cries out and echos through the tunnels, but it was hard to make out which direction it came from.]

"DIGGER?! IS THAT YOU?!"

Bat: PRIVATE!

"GUYS, BE CAREFUL, THESE DRILLS ARE INFECTED--AND OUT OF CONTROL!"

"WHERE ARE YOU--"

Digger: TCHAH! -Agitated Russian of mild annoyance-

Digger: {We have dealt with out of control mines before, BAD, BAD DRILLS TO DISOBEY—}

[He fires off more Drill Bombs in the direction of the largest cluster of wild drillbots.]

<DCN-003>: > -Ping- {Beck, it may take some time to catch up to you!}

<DCN-003>: > {You must continue your mission carefully.}

<DCN-003>: > {Once we determine your route, we will ensure no one closes in from behind.}

[MN.5] //: Keep pushing forward, Private Beck! We'll catch up soon enough!

[PING!]

[MN.9] //: Got it!

[MN.9] //: Just look for the transponders! I kept putting them down so just follow them, okay?

<DCN-003>: > -Approval data- Da! {Good work, soul-cousin!} ^^

<DCN-003>: > {We shall find you—but first, an update—}

[He sent a burst of data that was a compressed zip file of the analysis that Will and Mikhail had been doing on the situation.

…Including the theory as to why they were encountering so many drills the further down they go…]

[MN.9] //: ....

[MN.9] //: Mic....

[MN.9] //: (I...I hoped you weren't affected by all this, but...)

[MN.9] //: (I guess that was a little too much to ask for.)

[MN.9] //: I'll be prepared for more enemies ahead.

<DCN-003>: > {Good man! Speak with you again soon.}

[At that point, there was only the data—faint as it was—traveling from transponder to transponder between them.

Oh well. At least it was like feeling someone was there at your back, which had to be more encouraging than the creepy loneliness from before.]

<DCN-003 to DR.WILL, MC005, MNN-ALL, RMDC-ALL>: > -Ping- Contact has been reestablished for now. 009 is continuing on due to the time constraints.

[DR.WHITE] //: -Oh thank God--

[MN.2] //: -SEE, WE TOLD YAAAAA-

<MC005>: > … Son… these transponder data from your location…

<DCN-003>: > да, I’m afraid it is very windy and labyrinthian. There are many stray drills on the loose.

<DCN-003>: > I shall take some time to find a way through carefully that will ensure that we and they will not cause a cave-in.

<DCN-003>: >Beck is still on his own for now.

[MEANWHILE, DEEPER WITHIN THE MINE...]

Beck: BURNING--

Beck: SPIRIT!

[Another explosion rocked the mine's walls as another drill broke down to Beck's variation of his oldest brother's signature move. He took a moment to cleanse the drill as best he could afterward.]

[One infected brother at a time was enough to deal with--he didn't need the ones coming behind him to fall into illness, or worse.]

Beck: Hooo...

Beck: (Tired...)

Beck: (Sunny would REALLY be a big help right about now--)

[RRRRRR--!]

Beck: Waaah!

[Nine couldn't stand up straight as the ground--No, the whole mine started to shake to and fro, inciting a surge of panic and fear--]

[...But just as it came, it suddenly cut short.]

Beck: What the...

<DCN-003>: > -Muffled ping of inquiry-

[It appeared that the activity had shaken off some of the transponders…

…oh dear.]

[MN.9] //: Digger! Bat!

Beck: (Nnngh...)

[RRRRRR--!]

[Oh, gosh, another earthquake--!]

Beck: !

[BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!]

Beck: O.O;;;;;;

[...That...]

[...Was a BIG drill--]

Beck: ....

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH]

Beck: AAAAAAAAAAAAH--

[SMACK.]

Beck: --Ow--

Beck: --!

[Great. He's in the mineral deposit area. The passage was FILLED with crates of packed earth, and Brandish's form was simply too quick to navigate in such a narrow space.]

Beck: Aaargh!

[REXELECTION: BATTALION]

[KERCHUNK!]

Beck: Out of my WAY--!

[BOOM!]

[As Digger and Bat closed in on Beck, they would find a trail of utter destruction left behind in the from of broken drills and rubble.]

[BOOM!]

Bat: I told him not to get trigger happy with that--

[BOOM!]

Bat: ... -Although we do appreciate his enthusiasm-

Digger: …

Digger: I don’t think that’s it.

Digger: He knows how nervous my cousins are about the use of explosives…

Digger: AND you told him not to go overboard.

Digger: So I don’t think he’d be doing that unless…

Digger: Unless he has to…!

[PING!]

[MN.9] //: -STATIC, BUT THERE IS SCREECHING-

Bat: BECK!

Digger: !!! -TIME TO SCRAM—-

BZZZZZZZZZ!!!

[Bat wastes no time blasting through the rubble in order to get to his brother, who was in a bit of a...Well.]

[A rock and a hard place, to put it simply.]

[Beck outran the giant drill as fast as he could, but he soon came up to a dead end.]

Beck: No no no--!

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!!

bzzzrrrrr…

Beck: !!!

rrrr…

BZZZZZZZZZ—

RRRRWHRRRRRRRR—

[There is a flurry of pings that sounds like someone spamming the “send” button.]

Beck: -PING PING PING--

[B O O M--!]

[A series of chain explosions following—]

WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRR—

[C R A C K!]

[One side of the passage wall breaks down, and dust and smoke burst forth!]

"READY--"

[But in the smog, a distinct barrel shape--]

"AIM--"

BZZZZZZZT--

[Beck is knocked down and brought into the ground by a sudden tackle.]

Beck: --!!?

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

[KER-BOOM!!!]

[There was the sound of metal screeching to a slow crawl, fire, chaos--]

[KER-BLAM!]

[--Followed by another explosion.]

[Beck stops being carried downward.]

Beck: !

[In the pause, some glowing eyes blink.]

[…]

-Ping-

<DCN-003>: > HELLO, BECK, you are okay yes good ^^

Beck: DIGGERRRR--!

[PING!]

[MN.5] //: HOORAH!

[MN.5] //: Take THAT, you pathetic pile of scrap! I've met toasters who were tougher than that!

<DCN-003>: >Up we go~

[Beck is hoisted up through the darkness as Digger makes a path upward with his head and right carrying Beck in the crook of his left.]

Beck: -Man, am I glad to see you guys...-

[They come back into the tunnel, a few feet from where Beck had been.]

Digger: -Is now up in the open, puts Beck down- Hi. : D

Beck: BAAAT--

Bat: Private--

Beck: BAT--

[CLANK--]

[Beck runs into his brother with outstretched arms, affectionately hugging his leg.]

Beck: -Broooooo- < 3

Bat: Heh.

Bat: Good to see ya still standin', brother.

Digger: Of course yes is YES GOOD very nice, yee. -Ping ping-

[He places his feet in a firm stance.]

Digger: Beck! Do you need some healing?

[He shakes open his arm, opening a port and drops out a few cans of some sort.]

[…They weren’t QUITE E-tanks…]

[One was some Xel stock, it appeared, and the other…?]

Beck: -AW YES-

Beck: -Grabs the Xel Cubes--

[XEL STOCKS REPLENISHED.]

Beck: ...?

Beck: What's this other one...?

Digger: That is what twin cousin found! ^^

Digger: Proven well work all organics and constructs also, yes good.

Digger: If you’re all better, spray it on your brother, да?

Beck: Ooooh...

Bat: Could use a top off. Gimmie that.

[Beck does so, spraying it in Bat's direction. He curiously started scanning it himself...]

[It seemed to be rather strange. A sort of liquid energy. Upon contact, it transformed into hardware replacement for the slightly singed soldier.]

Bat: Well, I'll be darned...

Beck: Coooool....

Digger: c:

Beck: Really gotta thank Siam for this stuff...

Bat: Private.

Beck: ?

Bat: I've cleared the way for you.

Bat: Haven't seen or heard from Mic?

Beck: No...

Beck: But we ARE pretty deep...

[Digger hums thoughtfully.]

Digger: Others, they told you to stay away, да?

Digger: If he knows, he may want to be left alone, or otherwise keep you at distance.

Beck: Yeah, but...

Beck: He'd at least say something, or, ya know, try to keep me away like you said...

Beck: I haven't even felt his signal, or... anything, really.

Beck: It's...weird... (And unnerving...)

Digger: Tsk.

Digger: When someone likes us wants to be left alone, we try to avoid being traced…

Beck: Hmm...

Beck: Do you think maybe something hap--

[RRRRRRRRRRR--]

Beck: -oH BOY HERE WE GO AGAIN--

[Amusingly enough…]

[Despite it jostling the others QUITE a bit…]

Beck: -AAAAAH, MY LEGS FEEL LIKE JELLO--

Bat: -Gnrh--

[…Digger kept a firm footing, and was not at all moved.]

Digger: {That registered pretty high.}

Beck: @~@

Digger: -Uuuup we pull the soul-cousin, by the crook of our arm-

Beck: Ugh...

Beck: That was so not a drill...

Digger: Nope! Drills make THIS noise.

Digger: -Drill twirl-

Bat: Sounded like it came from deeper in.

Beck: ....

Beck: It's gotta be him...

Beck: (I got this gut feeling it is...Don't know why...)

Digger: Hmm!

Digger: You get ever closer! -Chipper and cheerful- We have to clear a way back up and out.

Beck: Yeah.

Beck: ...

Beck: Actually, I think the thing that Bat blew up WAS the door...

Digger: Door?

Beck: Ya know, the--ya know what, never mind.

Beck: I'm heading in. You guys work on the exit tunnel for me and Mic, okay?

Digger: да. Hup hup!

Bat: Sounds like a plan.

Bat: ... Don't give up, soldier.

Bat: Bring our brother back to home soil.

Digger: Oh, he shall!

Digger: Come, we must go. Not safe for us further down, much earth and hard hitting brothers!

Digger: BUT.

Digger: The smaller, they are quick and nimble and move better, да? ;D Like David~

Beck: Eheh...

Bat: Hmm. Too right, comrade.

Bat: Go get'em, Private Beck.

Beck: Yessir!

Digger: We go~

Digger: -Already starting to drill, WHEEEEEE-

Beck: ...Wow, he works fast.

Bat: You don't know the half of it...

[After salutes were exchanged, Bat--more or less tried to keep up with the happy-go-lucky drill bot. He wasn't exactly built for speed, himself.]

Beck: Heh...

Beck: (I'm glad they're here now...)

Beck: ....

Beck: -Intake of air-

Beck: Here we go...

[The passage went on for another while, the lights a soft red and blinking every so often--they seemed to be emergency lights, in fact.]

Beck: (...It's...)

Beck: (So...quiet....)

Beck: -Ngh, don't like it all quiet...-

[Not even crickets could chirp, deep down here in the earth…]

Beck: !!

[Then...]

[The passage suddenly opened up.]

[A lot.]

Beck: !

Beck: Whooooa...

[His voice echoed into the massive cavern, reverbing into the clearly natural cave--something this massive couldn't be made by human hands--although the lights put up on the walls suggested it was found, rather than made.]

Beck: (Huge...)

[...It didn't help that the atmosphere only made him feel smaller than usual...]

Beck: (...I kinda don't WANNA talk in here...)

Beck: (...It's kinda like--I dunno, something is telling me to be quiet...)

[WRRRRRRRRRRRR...]

Beck: !!?

Beck: Aw, come on--!

Beck: Getting really tired of all the giant drills--

[Sure enough, another drill was heading towards the younger Xelbot--although he wasn't too concerned, as there was plenty of room to avoid it--]

[RRRRRRRRRRR--!]

Beck: --!!!

[Two seconds later, the whole ground shook and Beck was launched at least 6 feet into the air!]

Beck: -WAAAH, WHAT IS--

[SMACK--]

Beck: -Muffled pained groans-

Beck: Guh...

Beck: M...Mic...?

[As his vision focused back, there was a loud crashing sound--]

Beck: !

[--Just in time to see the huge mass of Xel that was his brother wreck the same drill with one swift shovel punch. ]

Mic: GRRGH!

Beck: MIC! And still operational--!

Beck: -Oh man I am so glad to see you YOU'RE OKAY--

Beck: I mean, of course you are, like Dad said--

Mic: -STOMP-

[C R A C K!]

Beck: --!!!

[Oh dear.]

Beck: M...Mic?

[This didn’t look good.]

Mic: GRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

[Mic slammed his huge shovel claws into the ground, making Beck scramble backwards in fear of being caught up in whatever attack--]

[WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM--]

Beck: AAAH--!

[--which happened to be giant pillars crashing down from the ceiling, quickly boxing them in.]

Beck: Mic--!

Mic: . . . .

[WHANG.]

[Mic didn't say a word. Merely crashed his shovel hands together.]

[...As if he were a bull hoofing the ground before charging. ]

Beck: Ohhh...You too?

Beck: (I really hoped you weren't...)

[He sighed.]

Beck: ....

Beck: Then I'm sorry, Mic...

[SCANNING...]

Beck: But I got to take you down--!

[SCAN COMPLETE]

[MODEL NUMBER: MIGHTY NO. 4. CODENAME: SEISMIC.]

[HEIGHT: 280cm WEIGHT: 690kg XEL COUNT: 138,000,000]

[Seismic, the walking earthquake. Many have seen this usual gentle giant crush many opponents in the arena, but only when it was absolutely needed. ]

[The truth is, Mic was built to be a defensive wall for his other sibling teammates while they either set up, took cover, reloaded or just couldn't take any more damage.]

[And while Mic's defense was impressive enough, it was his inborn Power and control over Earth that made him a force to be reckoned with...]

Mic: .....

[He could also be quick about it when he had to.]

[In an instant, Mic's feet transformed into tank tracks, and he charged so fast, it was almost as if there was a shell of energy around him--!]

Beck: --!!!

[Beck shot at him in order to get him to stop--]

[But they just bounced harmlessly off.]

Beck: Wha--!

[BAM!]

[Stars and static swam across Beck's vision as he was violently smashed across the room, hitting himself hard on one of the pillars that littered the place.]

Beck: -Disorientated Data--

Beck: Guuh...

[...Strangely, a second attack did not come.]

[It was only when Beck managed to regain some sense that Mic charged again.]

Beck: --?!

[THIS time, Beck jumped and dashed over to avoid it, tucking himself in to shoot at his brother overhead.]

[It seems like the shield did not reach Mic's backside--!]

Mic: -Ggrh—-

Beck: (Sorry, Mic!)

[REXELECTION: BATTALION.]

[Beck planted a missile on the ground once he landed--]

[WRRRR--]

Beck: !!

Beck: ARUGH--!

[A sharp, splitting pain sliced through his side, narrowly avoiding the drill that shot forward from Mic via a strong Xel cable.]

[WARNING: XEL LOSS IMMINENT.]

Beck: --!

[The ground was stained with a glowing blue.]

Beck: (He got through my armor--?!)

Mic: GRRRRRRGH!

Beck: -GNH--

Beck: FIRE!

[BOOM!]

[The placed missile picked up on the command, and detonated, knocking both Mighties away from each other.]

Beck: -Ngh...-

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 1...]

[It was difficult to see where Mic landed, but judging from the collapsed pillars, he at least hit back hard himself.]

[XEL ABSORBED. XEL COUNT NORMALIZED. ]

Beck: Stop it, Mic! Please! I don't want to fight you!

[.......]

Beck: Mic--?

[Why wasn't he--]

[C R A C K.]

Beck: !

[The whole floor gave away.]

Beck: WAH--

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR]

[As the floor collapsed to a lower level, Beck heard a loud buzz just below where he was hovering--]

[WHAP!]

Beck: --!

[It was another drill shot, but at a angle--in which instead the cable wrapped around Beck's leg instead of impaling anything--]

Beck: Hey--!

[YANK!]

[WHAM!]

[Beck was brought back down to the earth, slammed into the ground without mercy. He was hit so hard that he reverted back to his default form.]

Beck: -Nngh...-

Beck: -Can't...-

Beck: (If he keeps hitting me like this...)

[Mic rose from the ground glaring at Beck with darkened eyes, still not saying a word.]

Beck: (I'm not sure how long I can hold out...)

Beck: (Gotta...Gotta think of something..)

Beck: (I can't get through Mic's defense, so I gotta outsmart him somehow...)

[REXELECTION: BATTALION]

Beck: (Gotta hit back where it hurts...)

[His skewed gaze sweeps across the room, until finally settling down on the fallen pillers...]

Beck: --?

Beck: (Wait--that's it!)

Beck: (I just gotta hit him with something bigger--)

Mic: RRRRRRRRRRR--!

Beck: MIIIIC!

Beck: Just hang on a little more--

Beck: I'll get you thinking straight, and back to the Professor, and everyone else!

Beck: I PROMISE!

Mic: -CHARGE--

[Beck leaves another missile in the ground before dodging, and then detonating it, making sure Mic got caught up in the blast--he had to at least chip away at his stamina before he could get this plan to work...]

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR]

Beck: Heeeeey!

Mic: --!

Beck: Up here! You can't touch me up here!

Beck: c:

[As expected, a drill shot attempts to hook onto him to drag him downwards--]

[He nimbly avoids it, and the other that soon followed it--he had two, of course.]

Beck: Nope! Try again!

Mic: RRRRGH!

[It goes on like this for a while, with Beck just avoiding the drill shots and taunting Mic to come after him...]

Beck: Over heeeere--!

Mic: RRRRRGH--

[SHUNK!]

[For some reason, the drill does not retract--?]

Beck: (Yes!)

Beck: You still got the other one, though! C:

Mic: -R O A R—-

[SHUNK—]

Mic: —???!?

[Mic furiously kicked it in reverse once he saw that his drills were stuck into something metal, following Beck as he flew in behind him just out of his reach.]

Beck: Oops.

Beck: Are you stuck?

Beck: Sorry about that.

Beck: I kinda figured that I needed to get you to stop hitting me so hard?

Beck: It really hurt.

Mic: RRRRRRRGH!!!

Beck: By the way, uh.

Beck: You might wanna look at what you're pulling.

[He points up.]

Mic: ....!

[Creeeeeeeeeeeaaak--]

Beck: SORRY, MIC—

Beck: See ya next fall—

[Beck speeds through the air out of the looming shadow of the giant pillar Mic had lodged himself and pulled out of alignment, tipping over just enough to--]

[C R A S H!!!]

[The resulting collision was enough to rock the whole mine, and even register as seismic activity on certain monitors.]

Beck: -COUGH, ACK, DIRT IN MOUTH AGAIN-

[As he lands, he uses his propeller arm to blow away the dust clouding his vision.]

Beck: Okay I may have overdone that—

Beck: MIIIC?

Beck: Brooo?

Beck: Um...Mic?

Beck: Sorry about kinda crushing you?

Beck: Miiic—

[CRASH—]

Mic: RRRRAAAAAAARGH!

[An arm suddenly SHOOTS up from the earth, and Beck is pulled downward with a SCREAM.]

Beck: -SHRIEK—-

Beck: -ZOMBIE—-

[BLAM BLAM BLAM--]

[The arm retracts, only to reappear again to grab Beck's other leg--]

Beck: -NO, STOP IT, HORROR MOVIE FLASH BACKS-- [REXELECTION: BATTALION.]

Mic: -REACH, MUST BRING HIM DOWN--

Beck: I SAID STOP IT!

[B O O M!]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[There was a deep, deep rumble, and once Mic resurfaced, it was clear he took on quite a lot of damage.]

Mic: Rrrrgh....

[And running out of steam, to boot.]

Beck: (Almost—)

[KERCHUNK.]

Beck: One more should do the trick...

Mic: Rrrrgh...

[He was clearly in pain...]

Beck: .....

Beck: -Shuts his eyes---

Beck: Sorry, big brother...

Beck: Time to come topside.

[REXELECTION: DEFAULT.]

[BLAM!]

Mic: Rrrrgh—!

[WHUMP.]

[XEL ABSORBED]

[XEL QUOTA REACHED. XEL PURGE IS PRIMED AND READY FOR OVERDRIVE.]

Beck: So SNAP OUT OF IT--NOW!

[XEL PURGE INITIATED!]

[..........]

"Wow..."

"I-I can really have this?"

"Hmm hmm. Mic got special rock for you."

"It quartz. ^w^"

"Wow...You always bring home so many neat rocks, Mic!"

"...But um...I got a question..."

"I know you got a rock collection and all, but--Dad says that some of the stuff from your mine is, like...Really expensive?"

"Why don't you sell them?"

"Mic do. Not all, though." "More important things than money. Mic like these rocks."

"Why?"

"They special TO Mic."

"They have special memories. ^W^"

"And Mic got special rock for special brother."

Mic: ....Rgh...?

"Aw, Mic...You really think I'm special?"

Beck: !!

"Hmm hmm!"

"Beck more special than any shiny rock on Earth!"

[ALL HARMFUL MALWARE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM MN.4]

Mic: ...?

Mic: Beck...?

Beck: BIG BROTHER--

Mic: Ow...

Mic: Why... Why Beck HERE...?

Mic: ....Why Mic here--

Mic: -Why do we feel hurt all over??? Ow--

Beck: MIIIIIIC!

[CLANK--]

[Instead of answering his brother's confused questions, he simply glomped into his fallen form, looking even smaller next to his giant sibling.]

Beck: -MIIIIIIIIIC--

Mic: ?????????

Mic: -...Wait, we are underground, WAS THERE A CAVE IN--

Mic: Is--Is Beck okay?

Beck: -Sniff-

Beck: Y-Yeah.

Beck: I'm okay...

Mic: -Nnngh--

Mic: M...Mic can't move--

Mic: -What happened, why can't we remember the last week--

Mic: Beck--shouldn't be here, it dangerous--

rrrrr…

Beck: !!

Mic: ? -Drill?-

RRRRRR…

RRRRRRRR…

"........aaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAH--!"

[WHANG!]

Mic: OW--

Digger: @.@

Mic: .....??????

Mic: D--Digger?

Mic: Why Drill Brother here--

Mic: -What is going ooooooon-

Digger: …

Digger: -Perks up- HELLO YOU BETTER?! YES GOOD—

Beck: YEAH I DID IT--

Digger: -Civ form now, patpat as sprawlhug-

Mic: -Oh, okay, hugs now, apparently-

Mic: -No objections here-

Digger: MAAAAJOR YOUR BROTHER BETTER NOW YES GOOD

Bat: -From farther up the tunnel- HOORAH!

Bat: MIC! YA HEAR ME?

Mic: -PING!-

Mic: -Baaaaaaat-

Bat: NICELY DONE, PRIVATE!

Beck: ^.^

Bat: DON'T WORRY, SOLDIER, WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO RETRIEVE YOU!

Mic: -Again, confusion, but we're going to assume there was a cave in so, okay-

<DWN-018>: > Nice of you to make such a nice path to get through.

<DWN-018>: >We should be down in a few minutes. I’ll carry you out.

Mic: -PING, okaaay-

<DWN-018>: >You’ll have some proper rest. And plenty of companionship.

Beck: Yeah...

Beck: -Hooof, we're also gonna rest on top of Mic bro- -Is very sore-

Digger: HOKAY THEN, yes good—

Digger: OH! Any news of Felix? Is he better?

<DWN-018>: > …

<DWN-018>: > One thing at a time, cousin. =__=

<DWN-018>: >We’ll get you both back, and worry about the other rescues later.

Mic: --?????

<DWN-018>: >So everyone hang tight.

Beck: Got it!

Beck: Try to relax for now, okay, bro?

Mic: -Deep rumbles of thought-

{SOON, AT SANDA LABS…}

[Nico lets the magnetic field shift and he sets Mic down with a slight THUD.]

Cryo: EARTH BROOOOOOOOOOO

[There is a collective of both Xelbots and RAs that gather around Mic, including the humans present.]

Will: Oh thank the Lord you are safe–son–

Mic: -Noodle Daaad- -w-

Snow: <‘3

Snow: Mister Mic! You’re okay again~

Snow: I made you Rocky Road!

[RRRRRR.]

[…Was that another earthquake–]

Mic: OwO

[….Oh, no. That was Mic’s stomach.]

Mic: -Suddenly aware of hunger, mmmmm-

Beck: –Oh–

Beck: (Right, he’s probably been down there all this time…)

Snow: It’s okay! Pyro made lots of food.

Brand: Both of him, I would think so.

Snow: For you and Shadesis when she hears you’re better! We think it will help her get better too! : D

Mic: …..

Mic: —????

Mic: -Wait, what happened to Snipesis—-

Skull: She ran into a wall. Very hard.

Mic: !!!!

Mic: O~O

Mic: -ATTEMPTS TO MOOOOOVE-

[WHUMP]

Mic: -Awwww–

Mikhail: No, Mic. Even if you could move, your mobility rig is disabled for right now. You need rest. Proper rest.

[Odd. HE’S sure strangely grim for the celebration.]

Mikhail: One extra mobile party is more than enough for now. : | Rest. I’m sure Felix will be here soon… Piers just contacted and said he was stirring.

Mic: !!

Beck: Felix is waking up?!

Beck: -YAAAAAY-

Mikhail: Yes… and I think I know why. But more on that later…

Will: Yes. We’ll talk properly once things have settled down.

Will: Nico, please get Mic to the Repair Bay. Call, transfer the assimilation data to me, please.

Call: Right away, Professor.

Nico: Yes sir.

Will: Soi, can you please tend to those that need repairs?

Soi: Already on it, Will.

Will: Beck? You need rest too.

Beck: Yeah, I know…

Mikhail: …I’m going to make some coffee. And then I need to get back to Siam. There’s some very important work I need to be doing, apologies…. Shadow, make sure you isolate yourself.

Shadow: … Acknowledged, Doctor.

[Shadow was giving off a dark reading of dread.]

Brand: ……

<DWN-024 to MNN-007>: > …

<DWN-024 to MNN-007>: > …

<DWN-024 to MNN-007>: > … … …

[No words needed to be said to explain the trepidation of the inevitable coming storm….]

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 9B: HAZY SUSPICION=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{July 1st, 20XX

Dawn}

[Crunch.]

“…When was the last time…”

[Crunch.]

“…I had such a bountiful hunt…”

[Crunch.]

“It gets so hard to remember nowadays…”

“Sometimes I can’t even tell what’s real and what just isn’t.”

“Between all these fragmented memories…”

“…The only thing I find is rage.”

“….”

“And yet…”

“I recall a voice…”

“Breaking through the screams…”

“…The screams…That noise…”

“…There’s something about the screams…Almost…”

“Beautiful.~”

[SNAP!]

“Xels…It’s Xels–always Xels–more and more and more–”

“And it is never ENOUGH—!”

“This–this EMPTINESS…”

“If I cannot be WHOLE again…”

“If I am to fade away…”

“Then I will take hold with these broken, sharp PIECES of myself…”

[[pic?]]

“…And drag it all down to hell with me.”

“…..”

“…Ah.”

“It’s dawn now…”

“…How ironic.”

[Crack–]

“…Ngh…I must hurry.”

“…It would be a shame to fall apart before seeing the LOOK on their faces…~”

“–When I destroy everything they hold in such high reverence!~”

{Sanda Enterprises

5:40 AM}

[Due to the circumstances, the lab was unusually busy for that hour of the morning.

While not actively working on repairs for Countershade or Beck—both of whom were present (but asleep)—Sanda was there, right by his best friend’s side. Will, for his part, was working away at one of the main terminals, almost scowling in his intense concentration.

Mikhail was busy working on his own patient, but he was not alone: two Xelbots were assisting him with the tragic work. They were an unusual trio: a Doctor of robotics from another world, a semi-emotionless Combat-built secretary, and an ex-Civilian on the run.

Call had been chosen because of the somewhat gruesome nature of the work, but Mikhail had failed to consider her own force of will. He’d found himself ordered to rest that night, while she worked away on the delicate but straightforward task of cleaning up the fallen Robot Master. While he had rested, she had worked efficiently on picking out bits of debris from Cardinal’s open chest cavity. It was tedious and delicate work… and complicated by the oil and coolant that had pooled near his back, covering the interior surfaces in slick, obscuring grime.

Jack, for his part, was standing with his back to the two of them, facing another terminal. He seemed very much at home there, working away as if he’d been doing so his whole life. Mikhail was both pleased and grateful for his assistance; he had felt concerned as to whether he was asking too much of the man, given the state Cardinal was in. Jack, however, had been quite willing to help man the terminal while Mikhail and Call did the more squeamish work.

They’d all been working for the better part of twelve hours, none of them able or willing to sleep for very long (despite Call’s insistence). For Mikhail’s group, at any rate, this meant they had been able to make a good deal of progress toward their goal.]

Mikhail: -Wipes his forehead with a handkerchief from Call- Alright… what do the readings indicate, Mr. Parker?

Jack: -Tapping the screen absentmindedly- There’s some sign of radiation, but it’s nothing big. Less than you get from X-rays.

Mikhail: And the energy readings…?

Jack: Nothin’ but flatline.

Mikhail: -Closes his eyes and sighs- …I suspected that would be the case.

Call: All records indicate that DLN-000′s power core is inactive. It is safe to remove it.

Jack: -Urng, oh man that makes us feel so sick when you word it like that—-

Mikhail: Yes…. Yes, that is true. I suppose we can count our blessings; he melted the self-destruct mechanism shut, but that rather… mmm… glued it to the core. It wouldn’t have been safe to work on if there was any power left inside. I’m going to need your strongest bolt cutters, though…

[Call handed him off the bolt cutters, and Jack tried not to think on the matter too much while Mikhail labored to free the mechanics of the inert power core from the surrounding components.]

Jack: (Kinda surprised he’s still goin’ strong, what with having been up for so long…. He seems really tired.)

Jack: (But I guess anyone would be, after seeing such a thing…)

[It took a fair amount of effort, but Mikhail managed to disengage the self-destruct mechanism. Removing the core from the containment unit shell around it was a surprisingly simple matter in comparison.]

Mikhail: {There…}

[He took a moment to look at the core itself, marveling again at how modern technology allowed Robot Masters to run on a power source that was so small.]

Mikhail: ({I’m sorry that you spent your last ounce of life in such a tragic manner, Cardinal. I can only be glad that we have the chance to reverse it.})

Mikhail: Call…

[He wrapped the core in some cloth to give it a sense of dignity.]

Mikhail: See to it that this is placed in a respectable container, separate from all the other scrap that we collected. Something that can lock, preferably.

Call: Yes, Doctor Cossack.

[Mikhail removed his work gloves, placing them aside as he went over to the sink to wash his hands.]

Mikhail: Jack, could you please find a clean sheet?

Jack: Oh, uh… sure, gimme a moment…

Soi: -Looks up- Do you need another pair of work gloves, Mikhail?

Mikhail: -Shakes his head- No, my friend. We have finished all that we can do. At least… all that we can do prior to running a complete diagnostic. And we can only do that with a powered chassis. It’ll have to wait until after Felix delivers the temporary replacement core to me.

Jack: -Looks over at the other sheet currently covering the First- (Covered in splotches of oil…. Will they ever get those stains out, I wonder…?)

[Mikhail dried off his hands thoroughly before putting on one of his usual pairs of gloves. He walked over to Jack, taking the linen off his hands. The Combat ‘bot looked away while Mikhail switched the sheets out.]

Mikhail: -Quietly- {Rest well, my friend. You’ve earned it…}

[Jack glanced back over in spite of himself.]

Jack: …

Jack: (He really looks like he’s just asleep, but…)

Jack: (Talk about taking the Big Sleep, jeez…)

Jack: So… that’s it for now, then?

Mikhail: If we’re fortunate, Felix will come within the hour. It’s hard to say when he will arrive, as he is in another world right now. But you may go, if you wish—

Jack: Nah, that’s not what I meant. Just…

Jack: The… the new core will… bring him back, right?

Mikhail: Correct.

Jack: He’s not gonna…

Mikhail: …?

Jack: He’s not gonna wake up like this, is he—?

Mikhail: (Oh.) Oh, no—good heavens, no.

Mikhail: Once the power is restored to his chassis, he’ll automatically enter Maintenance mode. That’s the mode that all but the most minor of repairs are done in. His body will run an internal diagnostic on startup, and will enter Maintenance mode as the result of the analysis. No, you don’t need to worry about that.

Jack: (Whew…)

Mikhail: Honestly… even after the repairs are done, you can expect him to remain in Deep Sleep mode for quite some time.

Jack: -Mumbles- Yeah, I’d want to sleep too, if that just happened to me…

Mikhail: It’s a little more complicated than that.

[He goes over to sit down nearby, interlocking his fingers together.]

Mikhail: It has to do with the Emotions.EXE program.

Mikhail: -Looks over at Cardinal and gives a soft sigh- Robot Masters consistently enter a comatose state after experiencing a traumatic event. The Emotions program feeds into their Awareness coding; the two are very much tied together. Any experience they have must be processed, but… traumatic events are incredibly difficult to process, as they tend to cause Stop errors. Even in Deep Sleep mode, it takes a long time for them to process such things completely. This process prevents the Awareness from being fully activated… usually because an update has been initiated. And that’s another discussion altogether…

Jack: Gee, that… kinda sucks…

Mikhail: It is simply the way of things. Attempts to stifle the Emotions program ended up having a detrimental effect on Awareness as well…. The two should not be separated, or it causes extreme mental issues. That’s how the entity known as “the Blue Menace” came to be…

[As Jack thought that over, Mikhail turned his attention to the other two Doctors, even though he couldn’t see them through the curtain.]

Mikhail: How’s it going on your end?

Soi: I don’t know, Mikhail, it seems…

Sanda: It seems like we need to somehow broadcast the XelFilter on a mass scale in order to cure the nation but…that’s WAY too dangerous…

[Will–on his third or fourth cup of coffee, no doubt–sighed in apparent defeat.]

Will: I…I know that, Soi. Perhaps…Perhaps I can work from the ground up without using his XelFilter at all?

Sanda: Well–that would take even more time…Mm…

Mikhail: Mmm…. -Turns his attention to writing up a lab report-

Will: …..

Will: (…I…It’s…really catching up to me…)

Will: (The past…)

[PING!]

[MN.8 IS NOW ONLINE.]

Will: –!!

Sanda: Uh oh…I mean–uh. -Mixed feelings here-

[Mikhail looks up from his work.

There was a curtain separating them, but still…]

Mikhail: Jack, hold this for a moment, please—

[He passes off the clipboard to the short-notice lab assistant and looks out from behind the barrier.]

Jack: –! -Oh–oh okay–

Shade: –Mngh…Ngg….

[DR.WHITE] //: -Both of you are still outside, right-

[MN.4 and 5] //: -PING-

Will: Okay then…

Will: Shade?

Shade: Wh…What…

Will: Countershade–?

Mikhail: (I’m glad Secretary Desmond is asleep right now… I get the feeling this is going to be hard enough as it is.)

Shade: …D…Dad…?

Will: (Oh thank God–)

Will: Shhh, it’s alright, don’t exert yours—

Shade: C–Cards–

Shade: Ah’–Dad, where–

[Shade suddenly clutched at his own chest, a sudden pang of what felt like a needle going through his own core–]

Shade: Ngh–!

Will: –!!

Soi: Uh oh–

[Sanda immediately ran a diagnostic scan, then quietly motioned for Mikhail and Jack to stay out of sight.]

Soi: Shade–listen, it’s me, Uncle Sanda…

Shade: –…Sanda…–

Soi: Your SH program is running faster than you can keep up with, so please don’t move so much. We don’t want you to have a complete system shutdown so–

Shade: –Can’t–

Shade: Can’t stay–

[WHUMP–]

[Unfortunately for Shade, his condition didn’t allow him to get further from the foot of his bed as he simply rolled out of it.]

Will: Shade—!

[MN.5] //: -For Pete’s sake I TOLD you we had to restrain him–

[MN.1] //: Mighty No. 8, you get BACK in bed this instant–

Shade: N–No, can’t–I’ll–

Shade: I’m just gonna hurt y'all again–!

Will: —!

Mikhail: -Pinches the bridge of his nose- ({This is going a bit worse than I thought it would, that’s a new record.})

Will: Shade–

Shade: Don’t–

Will: Countershade White!

Will: You are SAFE!

Will: The fact that you can think that is proof enough–!

Shade: –….

Will: Shade…

Will: It’s okay.

Will: The virus has been purged from your systems. Beck made sure of that.

Shade: —!

Shade: –…Beck…

Will: And…

Will: And I know you would never hurt me, Shade.

Will: … Alright?

[PING!]

[MN.7] //: -Breathe, brother.-

Shade: –! Brand–

[MN.7] //: -Breathe.-

[MN.7] //: Do nothing but breathe. Let everything go.

[MN.7] //: {Breathe.}

Shade: … ….

[Shade tenses for a few seconds… as if lost in his own thoughts, still clutching at his own chest–]

[PING!]

[SH RATE: 150% OF NORMAL BASELINE.]

Soi: –!

Soi: (That’s not good—)

[PING!]

[MN.2] //: -Do you need water, bro, we can get you some–

Shade: -Hurts–

_______________________________________

Shade: Songbird...Eh...

Shade: Well, that explains the bird part.

[CLICK.]

Shade: Adios, Songbird.

______________________________________

[A flinch–]

[SH RATE: 180% OF NORMAL BASELINE.]

Shade: M'sorry—!

Shade: I tried to fight it, Ah’ swear—!

Shade: Cards—!!

[PING!]

[RMDC SERVER] //: >STATUS INQUIRY (SUBJECT: DLN-000) HAS BEEN DENIED.

>RobotMaster Database® COSSACK SERVER IS CURRENTLY LOCKED.

>AUTHORIZIED BY: ADMIN MC005

Shade: NO—!

Jack: (Eight... I really do feel for you right now...)

Jack: (You an' Miss Eight really are the one an' the same...She screamed about me and what happened earlier too, Hnn...)

Jack: (I just hope...pray it's gonna be alright. You and Cards are...ya mean a lot to us, what you guys got...)

Soi: Will—

Will: (Gah, if I don’t do something—)

[PING!]

[MN.9] IS NOW ONLINE.]

Will: —! Beck–

[—There’s no words from the small Mighty Number, not at first.

Instead—

Instead there was a file.]

[For some reason, it opened up for Shade anyway, without any prompt on his part.

…It was only audio, but…

…It was from a very memorable night.]

“But I’ll never give up on you, Shade.”

“Not for any reason.”

Shade: –!!

“Not for any reason.”

“I’ll never give up on you.”

Shade: … .

Shade: (Cards….)

[MN.9] //: -Soft ping-

[Another file. Something from Beck’s OWN memories…]

“I have to save you.”

“So the two of you can /live/— together.”

Shade: …..?

[MN.9] //: M…Mikhail found…

[MN.9] //: A new power source…

Shade: –!!!

[MN.9] //: He…he’s gonna…

[MN.9] //: Be okay…Shade…

[MN.9] //: I saved… everyone… like I promised…

[MN.9] //: S…so…

[MN.9] //: Don’t run away…

Shade: –…

[MN.9] //: …And make me a liar…

[MN.9] //: Okay? ^^

[MN.9] IS NOW IN SLEEP MODE.]

Shade: …

[PING!]

[SH RATE STABILIZING.]

Shade: Beck…Cards…

Shade: What in the world did Ah’ do to ya, brother…?

Soi: -Siiiigh…-

Soi: (At least his SH Program’s calmed down…)

Mikhail: -Also a sigh of relief-

Will: (Oh, Shade…)

Shade: Dad…

Shade: …

Shade: Why’s no one else answerin’…?

Will: The others…They are also Offline, for their own safety.

Will: …..

Will: Everything will be alright, Shade…

Will: (I pray it will be…)

Will: But please–I know your heart aches and you want to isolate yourself–

[PING!]

[MN.2] //: DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, SNIPE BRO.

Shade: –!

[MN.2] //: -Like heck I’m gonna let ya go on your own after all that, FITE ME–

Mikhail: -From behind the curtain- Ahem. Shade?

Shade: –…. Mikhail…?

Mikhail: It’s also about… 5:46 in the morning.

Mikhail: Everyone else is asleep. That’s why they aren’t answering.

Shade: –…….

[MN.3] //: You picked a heck of a time to wake up and diszzturb our BEAUTY ZZSLEEP. -Annoyed buzzing-

Shade: Dyna…

Soi: -____-;; (Jeez, you’re just as tactless as Will, aren’t you, Mikhail…)

[MN.1] //: Alright, that is enough.

[MN.1] //: ….

[MN.1] //: -Very gently- Shade.

[MN.1] //: You’ve been gone for nearly a week and a half.

[MN.1] //: Have you eaten anything?

Shade: … .

Shade: …..

Shade: -Very, VERY hungry data-

Shade: Food…

[MN.1] //: As I thought.

[Ping—]

<FMN-008>: > -Mrrmnngghhmmmfffpph… did we hear someone mention  f o o d—-

Shade: !

Shade: Kate…

<FMN-008 is now Online.>

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: (She was sleeptalking? That’s a new one.)

<FMN-008>: > -Hazy data- ???

<FMN-008>: > …Jack?

<MC005>: > He’s assisting me with something. Go back to sleep, Countershade.

<FMN-008>: > …? -Hazy data, but our Other—-

<MC005>: > He’ll be fine. Go back to sleep.

<FMN-008>: >Mmmm…

<FMN-008 is now in Sleep mode.>

Mikhail: -Another relief sigh- (I wouldn’t want to have to explain THAT to the Secretary.)

Shade: Kate…?

[MN.1] //: She’s resting, Shade.

[MN.1] //: Seven, do you think you can get Eight to the kitchen without–

[Knock Knock.]

[MN.1] //: -….You’re already outside the bay, at least let me finish my sentence– -

Mikhail: -Starts shaking in silent laughter-

Will: Eheh… (Oh, Brand…)

[Sanda lets Seven in quietly, who chose to not wear his helmet, or his mask. His scarf is wound tightly around to compensate, though.]

Brand: –….

Shade: …..

Shade: Ah’…Guess we’re on even ground nao, aren’t we…

Brand: …..

Brand: I…suppose we are.

Mikhail: …?

Mikhail: -Puts his head in his hand- Mmmnn… (Tired. And hungry. But can’t eat in the lab. Jack should get something to eat, but I do not want to run the risk of him running into Desmond…)

Mikhail: (As a general rule, military men can be early risers if they stay in habit, and it’s nearly 6:00. …Local. It’s… oh, bother, he’s DEFINITELY up by now, it’s already practically 9:00 AM where he normally lives…)

Brand: …..

Brand: You’re still quite insufferable, though.

[Shade quietly chuckles at that.]

Shade: An’ yer still an’ honored bastard, heh…

Mikhail: … -Smiles to hear the exchange- (At least he’s doing better. That’s what counts, right now.)

Mikhail: Number Seven?

Brand: –Yes, Doctor?

Mikhail: If Felix shows up, please have him let inside the building.

Brand: …Felix is… ah. Of course.

Shade: –Felix is comin’…?

Shade: ….

Shade: -Too tired and hungry to think too hard-

Mikhail: You’ll see later, Shade. Go eat something.

Shade: …Yeah…

Brand: Here. Just lean on me and stay invisible.

Shade: Alright…

[It looked strange, like Brand was supporting nothing but air, but one could almost hear a pair of footfalls walking out the door and down the hallway to the elevator.]

Will: …..

Will: -Sigh-

Will: (…It’s going to take a long time to heal… from this…)

[Mikhail sighed, pulled the sheet over his patient, and pulled back the curtain.

Since there wasn’t really the time to do a proper replacement, he would have to rely on the energy source doing so. The systems would rebuild themselves once the new core was in place.

However…]

Mikhail: -Wiping his face- ({That was far too close a call. He has got to update.})

[…He wasn’t exactly planning on using the Sun Stone core just yet.]

Mikhail: ({I need to talk to him about updating and getting new hardware to go with it. He can’t keep it up like this with the form he’s been using, not at the rate he’s been getting into ghastly disasters.})

Mikhail: Please do make sure he doesn’t run off.

[Now that the cleaning phase was over, he would have to wait until Felix arrived before he could continue the repairs on Cardinal. But his work was far from over.]

Mikhail: ({I isolated Tobias and his memories last night, but I still need to make certain Cardinal uploads to a quarantined part of the server so that the others don’t get cross-references from his memory files. Then I have to lock the files and set up proxy files to substitute for the memories so they at least know what happened. Otherwise, they’ll try to unlock the files to fill in those blanks.})

Mikhail: -Low grumble- {And then the questions… Mary help me, it’s going to be one in the afternoon before I get any rest…}

[He almost wasn’t sure whether he had the energy to feel grateful or not that he was too tired to be scared at the moment.]

Mikhail: Sanda? What’s his status?

Soi: Well…He’s stable, for now. SH rate’s normal, though a bit jumpy, but that’s okay, given the situation…

Mikhail: …?

Mikhail: “S.H.”? Does that have something to do with the E.R. -like monitor sounds from just a moment ago?

Will: Ah. In a way…I suppose you can call it a more complex version of a Robot Master’s Emotion.EXE program.

Will: The Synthetic Heart Program–it’s the very coding that allows a Xelbot to feel. To evolve, and grow as they experience new sensations and emotion as they come.

Will: Like us.

Will: …I designed this particular version myself, to all the Mighty Number Line.

Will: …Usually…

Will: …Usually, The SH Program is capable enough to keep up with the rest of the Xelbot’s thoughts and functions, but…

Will: Shade…..

Will: ….

Will: He…He lost a core once.

Will: I had to rehaul his entire power output to compensate for 6 cores instead of the usual 7…

Mikhail: …

Will: –….

Will: -Hand in his face- But in doing so, the SH Program responded accordingly.

Will: With the increased power, it… sometimes, not often, but sometimes…

Will: It processes at a speed too high for Shade himself to keep up…

Mikhail: … (Just like an Emotions.EXE overload…)

Mikhail: …Heh. -Chuckles softly for a moment, shaking his head- Soul-brothers indeed…

Will: -Sigh- Ah… I suppose…

Will: In a way, yes, it is the equivalent of having an increased chance of cardiac arrest…

Will: It isn’t life threatening, given that he’s usually a loner…and rather hard-headed…Stubborn… -Cracks a smile-

Will: …This isn’t the first time he’s come close to one, but it’s certainly been the longest in between…

Will: The last time he had his SR Rate above 180% is when Beck almost drowned that one time during training…

Mikhail: …

[Mikhail sighs and sits down rather hard.]

Mikhail: I’d be more curious if I weren’t so exhausted. I’m so sorry, Will, I don’t mean to be rude.

Will: (He must REALLY be tired…. Nnngh…)

Will: ….You… you should…

Will: ….Oh, bother, you’re not going to stop even if I tell you…

Will: -Leans back in his own chair-

Will: Call, please go get us some food, I don’t care if it’s in the lab, I’ll eat in the closet if I have to.

Soi: -Snorts-

Mikhail: Jack, you should eat something as well.

Jack: …Yeah. Okay.

[Mikhail turns his attention back to Will. He has an almost defeated expression on his face, but that’s mostly from how tired he is.]

Mikhail: No, I’m not going to stop.

Mikhail: What I’m going to do next is crucial if we are to keep the Robot Masters from going berserk.

Will: …..

Mikhail: I sent everyone Offline just as the news came in on where Cardinal had been spotted. Everyone went into Lethal—except for David, who doesn’t have that setting—remember?

Mikhail: That was out of panic. Going someplace like that is a sure death sentence, and worse, where we come from.

Mikhail: Tobias I woke up on purpose, which again, is something I’ll have to answer for.

Mikhail: He has his own memories. He was angry, but that was tempered when he got feedback from Cardinal by way of his own Thunder Beam. He went Offline to rest before the worst of it, but it’s still enough to cause great anxiety and raise the threat level tag in the database entry for Shade by at least half a star.

Mikhail: I was able to isolate those easily while waiting for Cardinal’s return; everyone else was Offline, and the database was locked. As soon as his Awareness was re-seated back in his hardware, it became a non-issue… though it’s important he remains Offline.

Mikhail: -Rubs his face- He really does start to show his father’s worst traits when he is angry.

Mikhail: It’s Cardinal’s memories that are the danger now.

Mikhail: He encrypts all his memories, but it’s still something that would contribute to generating cross-references and modifying threat levels in informational files.

Mikhail: Those are things that would affect his brothers, and furthermore…

Mikhail: Whenever a Robot Master is forcefully sent Offline in a fight, the experience… that’s something very deep and complex, more than you realize, William. It starts to go beyond just the Emotions.EXE program and into the Awareness aspect itself.

Mikhail: The Awareness affected becomes… detached from the hardware, usually, and there is that sense of Self, that Self is not “alive”, and that…

Mikhail: …with Cardinal, it’s a bit more than that, for reasons I already went through.

Mikhail: I have to wake them up soon. He’ll probably still be either Offline or in Maintenance mode. That’s… going to cause incredible panic, unless I quarantine the files in a very specific manner.

Mikhail: The Hunter as a cultural concept, for someone to fall to the Hunter, and at such a high cost, too…

Mikhail: That sets off a frenzied panic mode, and for some, that could cause rage. And rage tends to cascade for robots running Wily’s OS.

Will: ….

Will: I… see…

Will: -Sigh- I suppose that’s of higher importance…. But at least eat something for a bit…

Will: (And Mikhail still has to be questioned–Not to mention Soi…)

Mikhail: I’ll try.

[There’s a quiet pause. When he speaks up again, he does so softly.]

Mikhail: …I’ll admit I don’t feel very good about eating right now.

Soi: …Cardinal would want you to take care of yourself.

Mikhail: -Closes his eyes and sighs softly- True.

Mikhail: It’s just… hard. (I hope you never have to understand how, though I think you may make a logic-based guess as to why.)

Mikhail: …Put some protein powder in chicken broth or something, that’ll be good enough for me. =___=

Will: Call, relay that to Pyrogen, please.

Call: Yes, Doctor.

Mikhail: -Rubs his hands with his face- (Ugh.) This would be so much easier if I could have Siam, but he’s… mmmngh, cross-references, experiences everything in a dual nature, complications.

Mikhail: Did you know—when he’s feeling particularly complex emotions, they tend to break down and manifest divided between his Awarenesses?

Mikhail: Yet another reason to do this properly—with one half panicked and the other enraged, I wouldn’t be getting any help— -buries face in arms at nearby workstation- {Saints preserve us—} Will, being the ONLY reliable Doctor for your world truly does get exhausting.

Will: ……

Mikhail: I wish we’d had the time to finish our tech lessons before this happened.

Mikhail: I could have helped with decoding…

Will: (Ngh…)

Will: ….No, it’s fine…

Will: I never… quite…

Will: ….

Will: -Looks away in shame-

Will: I never quite managed to crack it… all the way…

Will: I…I did manage to understand enough how to combat it, but it would have required Beck’s XelFilter program to be broadcasted much like the Virus was…

Will: And that’s something I cannot just… release into the open airwaves.

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: -Muffled- I would have Tobias help, except undoubtedly that would be just as bad of an idea. He might have some ideas, but I believe it would be safest for everyone—Shade in particular—if he and Shadow remained not just asleep, but Offline for at least as long as Cardinal doesn’t wake….

Will: ….

Will: If that is what’s best for them… (This is all… my fault…)

Soi: ….

Soi: (Will…)

Will: ….

Will: I’m going to try to work on something from the ground up. I’ll use the XelFilter’s properties as a sort of blueprint, and go from there.

Will: (It will take a while longer, but…I can’t use his XelFilter Program, not with the government…)

Mikhail: Siam may be able to give a few ideas. After all, he is as close as it gets to a Doctor, and as a Robot Master, he did interact directly with her.

Will: –!

Will: (–H…Her…)

Will: (Dear God, he’s already even figured out gender…)

Will: …The Virus has a gender now? ?_?

Mikhail: According to Siam and Tobias, yes.

Mikhail: Something about how it targets aggression and the English phrase “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” from what I understand.

Will: (Oh, God, no, is… is…)

Will: (Is… is she coming for me–?)

Will: (Am… am I what she wants?)

[There is a quiet knock on the door, snapping Will away from his darker thoughts.]

Will: –!

[Brand pushed in a cart of food for all present–even Call, who normally doesn’t eat around other people besides Beck.]

Jack: -Hungryyyyy–

[Jack IMMEDIATELY grabs as much meat as his plate can handle, even biting and holding down on a large wing of chicken in his mouth just to have more.]

Jack: -Awwww yessss- < 3

Soi: Heh! Save some for us, Jack–

Mikhail: Good luck, Soi, you’ll have to fight him for that. While he was undergoing repairs, he could eat up to several pounds of meat a day.

Mikhail: -Smiles, adjusting glasses- It’s good to see you have a healthy appetite, though. Shows resilience and reflects overall well-being.

Jack: -It’s mine-

Jack: -Miiiiiine-

Jack: -NOM-

Jack: ^^

Mikhail: Thank you for coming over on such short notice. I know that it was fearful work, but you helped speed up the process tremendously.

Jack: Eheh…n-no problem, Doc Cossack. Anythin’ t’ get Bird Guy up and taggin’ corporate sleezeball’s HQ’s again. | D ;;

[Mikhail laughs at this.]

Mikhail: Once he’s well enough to do so, I’d almost be tempted to buy the paint for him.

[He shakes his head, looking over at his covered patient as he accepts a thermos of chicken broth from Brand.]

Mikhail: Oh, he’ll be ready and willing, alright.

Mikhail: Like with Shade, Robot Masters are prone to overclocking under extreme duress. With Cardinal, that’s always been a weak point. But now with the new power source… that’ll change, if he agrees to hardware modifications as well.

Mikhail: To minimize the impact of the memories… as they are slowly released from quarantine, there will be other cross-references actively running. I happen to know as a fact that there are at least 40 entries with Shade laughing as of the day you left to go overseas.

Mikhail: Once he knows his mission was completed… he’ll be alright.

Will: Thank goodness…

Will: (At least there is some light at the end of all this, for them…)

Mikhail: Mmm. He knew something like this might happen when he set out. He said so himself. He came to terms with that and accepted it—that’s why he left such strong messages pointing it out.

Mikhail: He knew how hard that would end up being on everyone else if it came to pass…

Mikhail: It’s his way of saying not to be too sad, that he holds no ill will and will be back soon.

Mikhail: Hopefully Felix will come by with the core soon; I want his armor closed up before Desmond makes a very firm and unavoidable demand to see him.

Mikhail: -Rolls his chair over to his yellow legal notepad- I think I might be able to input a program that will automate the quarantine process… that’ll help, as I won’t have to oversee it personally. Give me a few hours.

Mikhail: After that… -Sip- I’ll see what I can do within what there is to say.

[As he began his work, though, he couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of dread.

He was to be questioned soon, and he knew—he just knew—that things did not look good for him. Now that his work was drawing to a close, he couldn’t help but feel as if…]

Mikhail: ({…as if this may be the last thing I ever get to do…})

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=INTRO C: COLLAPSING PEACE=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{Meanwhile, in England…}

[It was a peaceful evening as Jack and Kate entered the quiet flat.

The siren sniper gave a smile, her eyes hidden by the sunglasses she typically wore in her Civilian form.]

Kate: An’ here we are! Welcome to yer new digs.

[The recovering newbie fighter awkwardly made his way into the living room, looking around in awe.]

Jack: Man, it sure is nice to be out of the hospital…

[It was much nicer than any place he had lived before he joined up with Greater Dusk, that was for sure.]

Kate: Rent’s been paid for a couple months, so it’s all yours.

Jack: What? Aw, geez, Miss Eight—you didn’t have to do that—

Kate: Aw, maybe not, heh. But yew deserve something nice after all that happened. Give ya some time to let things calm down.

[Since he wasn’t sure how to respond to that, he just followed the tall assassin as she gave him a run-down of the place.]

Kate: This here’s the sitting room, Ah’ guess… bedroom’s over that way; careful about the shower, they have it kinda like a large version of a sink sprayer, real easy t’ get water everywhere…

Kate: -Walking into the kitchen- It’s all pretty small—but that’s standard for somethin’ in Britain.

[Inside the kitchen, there was a large box on the table.]

Jack: ? Uh—what’s in there?

Kate: Oh, just a lil’ somethin’ t’ get ya started. -Grins-

[Jack put down his suitcase.

Despite being a member of a (in)famous (and now banned) battle team, he didn’t really have many belongings. Only the changes of clothes that had been foisted onto him as part of the contract of being a team member… which he hadn’t been allowed to read before signing, of course.]

Jack: -Puts such thoughts aside for now- Let’s see what we’ve got here…

[Kate looked on with a relaxed smile, biting down on a dart as the clumsy combatant fumbled with the wrapping paper. She let him figure out a way to open it on his own; she was just enjoying the downtime.

It was something she didn’t get very often, with her job. Nor had she ever really had anyone other than family to spend it with. But Jack—Jack was different than the others.

As the sponsors were wont to say, he was “a good”—and he deserved nice things.]

Jack: Geez, whatever’s in here has some weight to it—!

[He heaves a large hiking backpack out of the box, looking more than a little surprised.]

Jack: A backpack?

Kate: -Gleeful ping- Yeah, that’s part of it, fer sure.

Jack: Looks like—is that a sleeping bag tied at the top?

Kate: Yup!

Jack: -Inspecting the outside- Wow, it comes with a water bottle and a compass…

[He unzips one of the compartments.]

Jack: Man, you really stuffed this to the gills. Poncho, first aid kit…

Jack: —!

[He pulls out something in clear plastic wrapping, with “Nighthawk Industries” printed on one end.]

Jack: AW SWEET COOL GOGGLES.

Kate: -Amused smile-

[He IMMEDIATELY puts those on—they fit rather nicely once he adjusted the strap—]

Jack: Dude—

Jack: These are like, perfect fit—

Kate: David had ‘em custom made. They’ve got lotsa functionality. Good for protectin’ ‘gainst rain an’ wind, a’ course…

Kate: -Puts her hand to her hip, grinning like crazy- But beyond that…~

Kate: Go look out the window, why don’cha?

[Jack glanced out the window in the kitchen, and Kate abruptly turned off the lights.]

Jack: !!!

Jack: ...? What's this—

Jack: —! OoooooOOHOHO THIS THING HAS NIGHT VISION—

Kate: Bingo~

Jack: So THIS is what the world looks like to you at night! (I feel so damn BADASS—)

Kate: -Turns the light back on- Neat, ain’t it? Lady Ky made those for ya—I put her contact info in yer phone in case you’d like another job of hers…

Jack: …? Uh… -What phone, we don’t have a— - Wait a minute…

[He eagerly starts digging through the rest of the backpack, pulling out the stuffing inside it as he went.

The top of the backpack was a nicely pressed set of casual clothes, shrunk to be airtight to pack in as much as possible. Underneath, there was a small bed roll, some blankets, and a travel/camping pillow.]

Jack: I’m surprised you didn’t put a whole tent in here, too…

Kate: Pup’s still workin’ on something that will fit but be spacious when you pop it out. He says you should just get a Spinarak an’ teach it Secret Power, an’ it’ll be even better than a tent.

Jack: Heh…

[Going through the pockets, he pulled out some maps, a small radio, a burner phone, and a wallet.]

Jack: ? -Peeks inside the wallet, curious-

Jack: !!! (That is—! A lot of gift cards! And–and cash, too?) You… -Kind of speechless-

[The sniper strode over and put her hand to his shoulder, giving a reassuring smile.]

Kate: One of these days, you’ll get outta here, Jackie. Be ready for a new life, what with GD not around anymore. That’s fer you to use t’ get around… pick out a nice ride of some kind, maybe, have a bit t’ eat an’ enough fer somewhere to stay… just until ya get yer footing. It should be good for a couple months once ya get stateside.

Jack: All this is…? (This is for me…?)

Kate: Our gift to you. | } Or… most of it, anyway. Still one more thing from Felix—he said it was important, but he’s still asleep… though his friend Piers is there t’ look after him. Ya might think of stopping by—it’s an easy shortcut to an’ through the Wilderness between worlds.

Jack: Wow, Miss Eight, I…

Jack: Honestly don’t know what to say…

Jack: -Gestures to the gifts all over the table- This is… -Gestures around the living room- All this is… man, it’s the nicest thing anyone’s done for me, ever.

Kate: Aw, it’s the least we can do! Yer a good man, Jack, an’ well-liked. ‘m only sorry we didn’t get all this to ya sooner.

[She walked over to the freezer and pulled out a gallon of ice cream. Jack’s eyes lit up when he saw it—but even moreso when she opened the fridge and brought out some steak.]

Kate: Let’s forget talkin’ fer a while an’ eat. M’ starved.

[Jack was more than happy to oblige, and Kate leaned back against the wall as she ate an ice cream cone with her one hand.

It was so nice to see Jack in such good spirits and properly well off after all that he’d been through. Ever since she first got to know him, she’d wanted to help—she’d grown more and more concerned for him the more he talked about Greater Dusk, about the way the team had treated him. She’d grown convinced he was in a dangerous situation, but even she couldn’t have anticipated what happened next.]

Kate: (Hmmmn…. The finals…. Still don’t have a good enough answer on what those crosses were. Malware of some sort, that’s for sure, but…)

[It was a grim prospect that required further investigation. It may not be her world, but she’d grown to care for the people in it.]

Kate: (Coding like that could cause a lot of damage.)

[She squinted behind her sunglasses, narrowing her eyes in distrust.]

Kate: (Whatever mysterious “provider” Jack said Blade was talking to is -probably- stateside… just like Blade is, that damn bastard…)

[Jack had told her that Blade had turned up dead.]

-=-=-=-=-

Jack: They....They sent it back to CherryDyn for them to look over what went wrong with him.

Jack: ....They said they found nothin', so they patched him up and kept him in for observation.

Jack: ....Then...

Jack: .......

Jack: He's dead, man. Dead.

Jack: .......

Jack: I...they told me he was...

Jack: Freakin' tortured…

Jack: ......

Jack: -turns away-

-=-=-=-=-

[…Kate, however, didn’t buy it for a minute.]

Kate: (That’s too convenient… Something isn’t right, here…)

Kate: -Broods- (That worm isn’t going to escape justice THAT easily, no sir…)

[…She was almost tempted to see to it herself, when she did come across him. But no—he had too much to answer for, and she would have to keep her head high and not sink to his level by turning away from doing the right thing.

Didn’t mean she couldn’t have the satisfaction of imagining otherwise.]

Kate: …

Kate: -Frowns and sighs internally- (…Look at me.)

Kate: (Off of work for once, and saddling myself up with another “case” that needs someone who cares…. Maybe Sis is right. Maybe I am a workaholic…)

Kate: -Finishes off the ice cream- Jack— do me a favor an’ make another cone, please…

Jack: Yeah, sure thing—

[She rubbed what was left of her right arm thoughtfully as he prepared seconds for her.]

Kate: (Not even on a job an’ I’m out there thinking like a killer…. Gotta try to remember not to let myself grow that bitter at the world…)

Jack: …Miss Eight?

Kate: Hmm?

Jack: I’ve been… wondering something…

Kate: -Accepts the second ice cream cone- Yeah?

Jack: I don't know how to word this right, but...

Jack: ...Stuff like this is kinda your thing, I know, but...why go through all this for me? I mean—I'm not anyone THAT important, and on top of that, I'm a Cherry…

Kate: …Well…. Ya… ya always treated me like a person. Not very many people do. -Looks away in thought- ‘m just Fighting Mighty Eight to them— or Artemis, herald of death. Or just a pretty face with lots of money to burn.

Kate: That means something to me.

Jack:  ...Really, huh... (I guess, with what she does…)

[There was silence for a while as Kate finished off the second ice cream cone. This time, she seemed satisfied.]

Kate: Thanks for the help, Jack. I could do it myself, but it’s awfully messy, heh…

Jack: Oh, no problem.

Kate: -Turns on the faucet to wash her hand- Well, this was a nice evening. It was good to see you settled in.

Jack: Oh—are you headed off?

Kate: Yes.

[She wiped her hand on a dishcloth as best she could.]

Kate: Stateside.

Jack: Wh—You're going back to America? This soon?

Kate: I have some investigating t’ do, Jack…. Ah’ don’t think this is over yet.

Jack: -Internal groaning- (Agh, she’s probably right…)

Kate: Things may have died down, but… somethin’ is wrong over there, Ah’m sure of it.

Kate: -Turns to face him- Y’ need t’ lay low for a while, too. I hate t’ leave at a tahm like this, but the longer it waits, the colder the trail gets. You should be safe here from any prying eyes of this world—but just in case…

[She walks over and places something on the table.]

Jack: A… is that a taser?

Kate: -Momentary twitch of a smile- (…Figured you’d just hurt yourself with pepper spray, so…) Between that an’ yer Combat abilities, you should be able t’ hold yer own long enough to call for help. -Points over at the cell phone- Either ping somebody or—couple a’ contacts in there, just a call away.

Jack: I...um.

Kate: Yes?

Jack: Look, I appreciate the gesture, Miss Eight, just—do I really need this thing, I mean, it's a little much—

[The Mighty Number works her dart over to the other side of her mouth and tilts her head just so, giving the CDN a look that said otherwise.]

Kate: ....

Jack: …Right, stupid question—

Jack: Thanks, I guess...

Kate: Hmm hmm. Yer welcome. Ah' better git goin' nao.

Kate: Stay safe, Jack Parker.

Kate: I’ll be in touch when I figure things out.

Jack: M'kay. Don't go do anything too crazy, alright?

[She gave a characteristic grin, slowly fading away from sight. There was the rattle of the front door, and then she was gone.

Jack takes another fresh look around his new home, rubbing the back of his head quietly as he sinks down into the couch. He couldn't help but wish Miss Eight would've stuck around a little more, but it wasn't like he could stop her.

She's got her mind set on things for his sake, too.]

Jack: (…Guess I better start looking over this stuff…)

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