Medical Complex - RHQ Australia
Repair Chamber

Obvious exits:
Out <O> leads to Admiral's Way East - RHQ Australia.
South <S> leads to Research Labs - RHQ Australia.

Flare Feline lies there, being worked on. He looks considerbly better than he did before. Most of his outer armor and synth-flesh/fur that was burned has been replaced. The most damage is around his leg. The medics are still trying to repair the circuitry down there, while a new leg for him is being produced. So there is is, Flare minus a leg. And one hell of an event on his mind he really doesn't want to talk about.

Wandering into the repair bay, Skyblade looks around, "Geeze, could they have made this base any more freaking confusing? I swear, New York is nothing like this." She realizes where she is, and spots where Flare's being worked on, and wanders over towards him, "I think I'm bad luck for you, Flare. Since I've been back you've lost about three of your nine lives."

Flare Feline is silent for a moment, before he says rather emotionlessly "...still got 6 left." He sighs. One time was by his own best friend, thankfully he's gotten over it. The other two were both at the hands of the Robot Masters. So it's clearly obvious who Flare wants to be striking at now. However, he still has his duties, and once he's healed and on his feet again, it's the Maverick's he'll be focusing on. The Masters have to wait, for now. It's a good thing Flare's not one to actively seek out revenge.

However, Skyblade is. "Yeah, so. Wily has a thing for you now, eh? Shame. I've gotta get his attention back on me." She hmms, "How'd you get him so mad at you, anyway? I need to try it myself."

Flare Feline is silent for another moment, he doesn't want to think about Wily "...I beat the Reggae. But I think that stupid thing was malfunctioning or something at the time. But it didn't matter, I still fought it off without hardly a scratch myself, he apparently wanted to get back at me for that."

Skyblade Eagle nods, "Uh, what the hell's the Reggae?" She asks, "I think I missed it, or something."

Flare Feline hrms "It's Wily's latest war machine of death, or something. You might have seen it on his broadcast, it's shaped like a big duck. But... it's powerful. Like I said, I managed to beat it because it was likely malfunctioning."

Skyblade Eagle nods, "Probably had some bugs, or something." She says, "Not like I couldn't beat it while it's working just fine."

Flare Feline chuckles "I'm sure... but now I got the world's most renowned insane scientist with an eye out for me." He sighs. For now, he has to worry about Europe and the Mavericks. But you KNOW he'll have a hand in the plans for Africa when they get around to them.

Skyblade Eagle nods a bit, "Mmm hmm." She says, "Well, look, Flare. Get better, okay? You're a good soldier, and we need you."

Flare Feline blinks "Uh.. sure." Yeah, he'll physically get better. No sweat. The medics'll make sure of that. But mentally... he's not going to easily forget what they did to him. Tied up and beaten up, and it was all broadcast live across the world... the Robot Masters took more than just a leg...

Skyblade Eagle nods, "Flare, look." She says, "You're embarassed, I know." She says, "I've been there. Yeah, sure, it wasn't on International TV, but I've almost been arrested for public drunkeness before." She admits, "Try explaining that to your CO sometime."

Flare Feline shrugs slightly "I'd never have to, my systems are configured to rather violently shut down if I consume alcohol." He's not gloating of course, just stating it matter of factly. Flare's embarressed? Yes. But not only as him, they embarressed him as a Repliforcer as well. Or rather, they used him to embarress Repliforce. It's more than personal.

Skyblade Eagle nods, "Yeah, well, you don't know what you're missing." She says, "Err, anyway. I'm sounding like an idiot here, aren't I?"

Flare Feline shakes his head "No, not really. But I really don't have any desire to drink anyway." Flare looks down as the medics continue to work on hsi knee, Pirate Man's weapon did some considerable damage to the circuitry down there, and the Reggae's follow-up blast didn't help either. Pirate Man... he's met him enough times to know him by face and single him out in a battle. Pirate Man feels the same way about Flare, it seems. Suddenly, Flare speaks up about an entirely different matter "Do you know anything about how the Flemish States defense is going?"

Skyblade Eagle shakes her head, "No idea." She replies, "No one tells me anything." She says, "Even when I was the XO no one told me a damn thing."

Flare Feline nods "I'll see what I can find out. I'm not going to stop my duties just because I'm bedridden...."

Skyblade Eagle nods a little bit, "Well, good luck, Flare. I'm sure they'll have no problem feeding you info."


Flare Feline nods "Right... thanks for dropping by."

[Radio: (C) RF/Hunter-Com] Jet Stingray transmits, "I don't want to see like a nag, but if you Hunters want to see what we got here for the defensive area in Flem area, it would be cool to send someone up to get it and send it back on your secure channel. While I would love to go into detail on the radio, I would really like the details to stay hush-hush for obvious reasons. If you guys are cool about it or don't really are worried about it... Just give me the okay here so I don't feel like I'm talking to myself here."

[Radio: (C) RF/Hunter-Com] Ether Skunk transmits, "Ahhh... I'll be there in a second."

[Radio: (C) RF/Hunter-Com] Rock transmits, "Thanks, Ether."

[Radio: (C) RF/Hunter-Com] Jet Stingray transmits, "Cool... Make sure to tightbeam one of us when coming in so we can expect you... Being close to the front makes some of the men a little iffy here."

[Radio: (C) RF/Hunter-Com] Ether Skunk transmits, "Can do. Expect me in 15."

<Later that evening...>

Iris arrives from Admiral's Way East - RHQ Australia.
Iris has arrived.

Flare Feline lies there, on a medbed in one corner of the facility. Awake again, he's been all day. He seems to be reading some reports, while the medics work on his leg that was blown off a few nights before by the consecutive attacks by Pirate Man and the Reggae. The damage done to his knee was extensive, and the medics are still repairing all the delicate circuitry while a new leg is being created. So while Flare's bedridden, he's trying to keep busy keeping himself updated on all the reports and such going on. He's doing it for more reasons than to keep himself from getting bored. He doesn't want to let his mind wander back to what happened a couple of nights ago...

Iris strolls in, with a grin and a plate of fresh-baked peanut butter cookies (the kind with the criss-crosses on the top of them). "Hi, Flare! Crawling the walls, yet?"


Flare Feline looks over as Iris enters, and smiles, visitors are always a mood-brightener "You could say that. But.. even if I wasnt' confined to the bed..." he looks down at his non-existant leg "...I doubt I could get very far." He sniffs "They smell really good..."

Iris places the plate down on a little table next to you. "Well, they're all yours," she says with a smile. "So, what's the latest word on your leg? Any new news? I'm just glad to see you functional at -all-, after that whole fiasco."

Flare Feline sighs "Yeah well...." He looks back down at where a couple of medics do work on the circuitry there "...-that- fiasco is something I wish I could forget... but as for my leg, they should have it replaced sometime tomorrow, hopefully. The work on the damaged circuits should be done later tonight." He's silent for a few moments as he snags a cookie "I blame myself, I should have seen it coming. I guess I was just glad to get that much money for the auction... I still can't believe I couldn't figure out that old man was Wily... he didn't act at all like I thought he would.."

[Radio: (A) Repliforce] Lieutenant Jet Stingray transmits, "Any 'forcers in the Flemmish States defensive Zone 2, that was my shot you heard or saw... Just a minor glitch in my hand. Nothing to report. Resume continue patrols and preparations."

Iris ehs, taking a cookie for herself and sitting down next to you to munch on it. "Chalk it up to a bad experience and a lesson learned, and...go on. That's all you can do. You can't change the past."

[Radio: (A) Repliforce] Sergeant Fencer Naiad transmits, "Do we have any experts on artillery? I dunno if that tank is moving or not but you think with all this artillery we might be able to open fire on it already."

Flare Feline is silent again as he eats the cookie. If it were a mere lesson, that'd be fine. But there was more to it than that. It was more than his own pride that was hurt. Wily tortured him and broadcasted it to the entire planet. More than just Flare. Wily used him to humiliate Repliforce as well. If Flare was the only one being targeted, he could live with it. But now his lack of judgement has cost Repliforce as well, at least in his eyes. Flare hates not being able to act in a situation, being tied down, being beaten, with no way to retaliate. There was nothing he could do, and he hated that. As Flare thinks about all this, his eyes narrow considerbly.


Iris says, "Is there, um...anything I can get for you in the meantime? Or might it help if I worked on the leg for you? I'm not the greatest medic, but I could try."

Flare Feline is still silent. Maybe he didn't hear Iris, maybe he just doesn't want to respond. Though he doesn't want to think about it, his thoughts can't help but go back to what happened. Tortured, beaten, humiliated himself and humiliated Repliforce, it's not easy to get over. Finally, he speaks up again "I don't think there's anything you can get me.... if you want to look at the leg, I'd appreciate it." He sighs. Rubbing his eyes a bit, trying to take his thoughts away from that. His duties, Repliforce and the Hunters.. right. He picks up another data padd, just looking over some of the Flemish States data.

Iris remarks, "You're sounding pretty depressed, and I can't blame you, really. Tell you what...if you'd like to have a vacation, I'll authorize one for you. As long as you want to take." She's feeling pretty bad about this, but is (of course) at a loss as to how to handle it. There isn't much she -can- do.

Flare Feline smiles again "Thanks for the thought Iris. But the only way I'm going to feel better again is to get back to work, driving the Mavericks /and/ the Masters out of their taken territory." He says the Masters with a bit of contempt. It was enough that they destroyed Repliforce Island, but this was a personal attack. Regardless if Wily was only looking to humiliate Repliforce as a whole, he still used Flare. And who knows? Wily may not be done, what happens if Flare runs into him or the Reggae again at some battle in the future? Flare doesn't want to think about that, he just wants to get back to work.

Iris frowns. "Well...okay, if you think that best. But don't stress yourself, or...well, you probably heard about what happened to -me-. And it could happen to you, too."

Flare Feline nods "I'll be careful, thanks." It has been a stressful time for Flare lately. In the past month or so, he's been blasted by his best friend, lost RHQ, suddenly promoted to Captain, become the Hunter's liaison, kidnapped and tortured and beaten in front of the entire world. Flare's never had more stress before than he's had now. But, he can still manage... for now. But if anything /more/ happens to him, who knows what'll happen. He finishes off eating the cookie he'd taken, and he snags another off the try as he picks up another data padd "Thanks for the cookies."

Iris grins. "You're quite welcome. And...if you'd like to talk about anything, just say so. I hate to think of you holed up in here all day, all by yourself."

Flare Feline grins as well "Thanks Iris." He glances at the padd he picked up "But hopefully I won't be here too much longer. Once the large amount of the damage is repaired on my knee, and I get the new leg attatched, I can leave here. The auto repair systems should be able to handle the rest of it. I'll go back to Light Labs then. I'll see if I can work with Signas and Commander X about our next big strike..." Of course, the padd is information about the Enigma, all the information they have to them anyway. He idly murmers "We'll never be able to free any territory from the Mavericks as long as they have that, since they'll likey end up using it to destroy any territory they'd lose. Typical 'if I can't have it, no one can' routine..."

Iris nods, looking grim as she takes another cookie off the plate and begins munching it down. "Hate to admit it, but that does make sense in an AWFUL way. I'd hate to see anything else get destroyed like the Flemish States did."

Flare Feline sighs "And the Mavericks likely wouldn't hesitate either... That's why we have to wait before we try to retake any other place, Paris or Berlin, or anywhere, or else they could end up the same way." He pauses "But, once we get rid of the Enigma, we won't have the problem anymore. We have to do this a step at a time." oO(And once we get the Mavericks under control, it'll be the Master's turn to pay....)

Iris ponders. "It's a shame it can't be salvaged, you know? But it's too dangerous to be salvaged...err, the cannon I mean."

Flare Feline nods "We should aim to destroy it totally. While it might be worth saving, it's best we don't. Even if we manage to secure it down here, either us or the Hunters, who knows what'll happen to it after that. The Mavericks could reclaim it, or the Masters could get their hands on it. No, it's better off we try and get rid of it when we get the chance." He then puts down that padd, and pauses for a bit. He then idly comments "So, has the Colonel gone out on /his/ date yet?" Another RFer bought by an RM, hopefully he won't find himself on the wrong end of the Reggae.

Iris nods in regards to the Enigma, and she seems to be doing just fine until you mention that her brother was up for auction, too.

"WHAT?!! He's going on a DATE?!! With WHO???"

Flare Feline blinks "Err.... you didn't know? Umm..." He has a slight 'Uh-Oh' on the inside. Oh well, he can't exactly drop this now, Iris'd likely never let him "Well, I'm pretty sure I know who... won him. Er... but considering what happened to me he may not do it now, I don't know exactly what he decided to do, since the one who won him was..." He pauses, she won't take THIS well at all "...Cappella."

[Radio: (E) RF-Chatter] Iris growls.

[Radio: (E) RF-Chatter] Phoebus transmits, "hm?"

[Radio: (E) RF-Chatter] Sergeant Strike Mongoose transmits, " Whats going on, Iris?"

Iris doesn't take this particular news well at -all-. She starts by taking her immediate frustration out on a small cart -- kicking it with her oversized reploid-foot across the room. <BAM!!> The cart goes flying. "SHE CAN'T HAVE HIM!"

Flare Feline eyetwitches. He tries to calm her down "Well.. err.. I'm not too sure exactly what he plans to do. I didn't exactly hear them talking, but it didn't seem like he was too pleased to do that. But.. it was for 1.5 million Zenny, Colonel does have his sense of duty and all... and...Well he might not even do it now, if Wily did this with /me/ who knows what he could have planned with the Colonel, and... well maybe he's already gone by now and has it over with... err.." Come to think of it, that last part may not have been the best thing to say either.

Iris scowls irritably, taking out some more frustrations out on the poor cart by stomping and kicking it around some more. "He better NOT have!!"

Flare Feline blinks a few more times "Well, er, like I said. I don't know what he decided to do. I've been here in the medbay since I was retrieved. So who knows?" Picking up another padd, he idly makes a note for a replacement cart in one supply report. Seeing Iris act like this, makes him wonder how the Colonel would have reacted if she were in the auction as well. He decides to do the smart thing and not voice that thought. "I wouldn't worry about it. The Colonel knows what he's doing, I'm sure..."

Iris sighs, and eventually tires of kicking the cart. "Hm. Okay." She rights the cart, though now it's just a twisted and dented wreck. "Cappella is NOT going out on any DATE with my brother, though."

Flare Feline nods, a bit quickly "Right, well like I said, I have no idea what he decided to do. You'll have to talk to him about it..." After a second, a thought hits him "Er, but if you do, don't mention that I said it. I don't like to interfere in other people's business usually... I just thought you already knew."

Iris pouts. "No. Well...maybe. I would've REMEMBERED something like that, though." She stands there, glaring at the wrecked cart silently, then... "I won't tell him you told me."

Flare Feline nods, and whews slightly. oO(Still, even if he did go, he couldn't wind up worse than I did...) He puts all the padds down, and sighs again, looking at the medics continue to work on his leg. Thankfully they didn't pay any attention to Iris as she did her sister thing.

Iris is still in a pretty poor mood. She looks like she wants to dismember something. "Stupid Masters," she grumbles.

Flare Feline nods "Can't disagree with you there..." The lightheartness of the situation fading, Flare's again reminded of all that happened. Still, he tries to shake it off "Don't worry, we'll get at them as well. But for now it's the Mavericks we need to worry about."

Iris hmms. "Okay, true. Well, then...how in the world can we route out those pests? They're so entrenched in Europe, now..."

Flare Feline hmms "Well, like I said before, the first step is to get rid of the Enigma. Without their trump card, they won't be able to destroy the areas if it looks like they're about to lose them. Once the Enigma is gone, well it'll all mostly depend on tactical strikes and such then. We'll be able to get a better idea of what we can do once the Enigma is gone and we see how they react. They might have another trump card we don't know about, I wouldn't put it past them..."

Iris paces the med-bay floor, looking to be in serious thought. After a short while, she stops and turns toward you. "I should talk to Sigma," she murmurs. "He may listen. He has in the past."

Flare Feline blinks "Talk... to Sigma? Um... well it might just be me.. but I don't think he'll be the most reasonable guy." he thinks back to the battle on the Flemish States itself when the Enigma was fired, Sigma's attitude there... no it doesn't seem like he'd be reasonable at all "I can understand that you'd like to resolve things without violence. Believe me, if it could be done, I'd love to. But... I don't think Sigma will listen, not to anyone, even you. Violence may bring about more violence... but it's the only way we have to deal with them for now. No matter what you say to him, I don't think he'd just give up the Enigma, or his hold on Europe..."

Iris closes her eyes. "It's worth a shot, though...for peace. If there's even a -chance- that talking to him will stop the violence, Flare, then I'll do it."

Flare Feline hmms "Can't blame someone for trying.... as unlikely as it is..." He pauses "Well I /know/ I don't have to tell you to be careful if you do decide to do it. And I can imagine the Colonel wouldn't like this at all..." He sighs oO(It would be nice if problems could be as easily solved by words as we like to believe. Unfortunatly life just doesn't work that way most of the time...)

Iris nods. "You're right, he wouldn't. Nothing is as simple as that. But I may be able to negociate -something-..territory, or..something, anything. There's a part of him that -isn't- a monster, Flare, and...that part of him actually cares. If I can get through to him, there's a chance."

Flare Feline hmms again. He has a hard time believing that there's a part of Sigma that isn't a monster. Next she'll tell Flare there's part of Wily that isn't a lunatic. But... it's not impossible. "Well.... Be careful with whatever you decide to do. I won't mention this to anyone. I know your intentions are always good Iris... but I shouldn't have to remind you about how your intentions have sometimes backfired completly. Things rarely work out as smoothly when you carry them out as they did when you plan them. Maybe part of Sigma isn't a monster... but there's still that large part of him that -is-. Don't forget that."

Iris nods. "That's very true...I'll be careful when I do go in to talk to him. Anyhow...I have a few things to do, but I did want to stop by and check in, and all. Call me if you need anything, alright?"

Flare Feline nods "Thanks for the cookies." He pauses "And, let me know when you do decide to talk to him. I'd feel a lot better if someone knew what you were doing... in case something goes wrong. I know you can handle yourself, but still... he could pull anything." He looks back at the medics as they finish their work for the night, time for Flare to recharge. He looks back over to Iris "Night..." Time for Flare to sleep, which means he'd likely be faced with those memories of his torture that'll likely plague him for awhile... but people have their demons they have to deal with.

 


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