Reactivation sequence in 5....4....3....2....
Essex's systems blinked back online with a soft hum. Blinking, she attempted to glance around - ...when it suddenly hit her. Her motion was restricted. After a brief moment of disorientation her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and a woman faded into view in front of her.
"Damn..." the woman cursed. "Why does that infernal Becker get all the effective help? This one practically fell into my lap and it's utterly useless. Using a noise generator for offense. Stupid Americans."
Essex listened quietly to her captor before speaking up, hesitantly. "Excuse me..."
"Ah...You're awake, sweetheart." The woman turned, with a little smirk. Folding her arms, she regarded the small robot strapped to a metal wall panel. "Comfortable? Welcome to Moon Base Alpha. I am Senior Warrant Officer Fleischman. And you, little cape...are the Replicant Humanoid Prototype sent here by that little research lab in Los Angeles. I remember reading about it in the technology journals. A combination of synthesized DNA and incredibly advanced robotics...But it's the DNA I'm interested in."
Leaning close, Fleischman grinned down at Essex. "If I can figure out how that fool, Dr. West, managed to engineer completely artificial human DNA, I could create an army of clones...genetically perfect warriors...endless resources. Then, if I could isolate the 'super' gene in another test subject...an army of super-soldiers could be ours, and you capes would stand no chance! Paragon would fall to the Fifth Column in a matter of weeks! Ahaahahahahahaha!!" Throwing her head back with a laugh of dark excitement, Fleischman flourished a triumphant grin.
"Then, I'll be hailed as a genius...I'll advance through the ranks..."
"Excuse me..." Essex interrupted, repeating herself. Trying to remain calm, she shifted a little. "...Um...I actually...wouldn't do anything of that sort if I were in your position, madame. I-I can be...quite formidable....um...."
"I'm sure you can, I'm sure you can." Fleischman sneered with a placating tone. "That reminds me...I must make a few adjustments to your AI if we are to be friends at all." With that, the scientist walked over to Essex, pulling the helmet from the android's head. Beneath the helmet was a mid-length, shag styled shock of darkish blonde hair that hung close about her face. Forcing Essex's head forward, Fleischman felt for a moment, before finding what she was looking for. A panel clacked open, and Essex began to squirm.
"No, please!!" she pleaded, struggling as much as her bonds would allow. "You mustn't alter anything in my mental circuitry, it's very sophisticated, and --"
Essex's voice broke off suddenly as her eyes stared off into nowhere, suddenly out of focus. Fleischman held a small chip in her hand, depositing it safely in the front pocket of her lab coat.
"Now we'll get along much better without that silly little free will allowance that West installed, brat."
"Yes." Essex murmured, her eyes far away.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
"Well..." said Toy Dispenser at length after he watched Essex fly off. "That was somewhat disappointing. It would have been nice to chat for a while but orders are orders and sub-clauses count as orders."
Shrugging, Toy Dispenser turned the motion into a roll of his shoulder which brought his laser rifle to bear directly on Combat Toy's sensor strip.
"And I have had it up to here," Toy brought his free hand up to his neck, "Up to here with your insolence, Combat Toy! Do you want to live out the rest of your 'life' as a mindless AR drone? Because I can certainly arrange for that if you not stop questioning me!"
The giant assault bot shuddered once and took a few steps back.
"Sorry, boss. It won't happen again."
"It better not," spat Toy and he whipped his gun down and stalked off toward the next cavern. His bots, temporarily stunned into mobility, scattered and scrambled to form up around their leader.
*************************************
Ten endless minutes and about four dozen Moon Pumicites later, Toy heard gunfire coming from ahead that wasn't his own. Abruptly breaking into a sprint, Toy dashed in the direction of the noise, praying that he and his robots would arrive in time.
"Die you god-forsaken piles of horse dung!" shouted a voice over the heavy gunfire. It took Toy a moment to realize that the voice had spoken in German, meaning that the mercenary had finally found the remains of the 5th Column patrol.
Skidding around a corner, Toy shouldered his rifle and fired a quick blast down the long corridor in front of him at one of a trio of Pumicites that were attacking a lone soldier. Right behind Toy were his robots and they dashed past Toy and bulldozed into the Pumicites. A short, furious blaze of fire power later, Toy was stepping over the ruined carcass of a Pumicite and extending his hand toward the soldier.
"Good to see one of you are still alive," he said to the Nazi. "I feared that there would be no one left in this damned place."
The soldier wearily took his hand and shook it.
"Thank god. I had thought that my entire patrol had been written off. Your IF signature checks out but I know you aren't 5th Column. Are you one of those villains that Backer promised to get?" the soldier asked.
"That I am. Toy Dispenser is my name. Now then, what happened to the rest of the patrol. Are any left alive?"
"No, I am the last. Those damned rockmen got Hans barely five minutes ago and they nearly got me too. I'm Patrol Leader Verdant, by the way."
"Well then, Patrol Leader Verdant, let us get the hell out of Dodge," Toy said and then froze.
From behind the small group of terrestrials, there came a sound akin to the crushing of rock and the rolling of stones. Straightening up slowly, Toy turned around and looked behind him. A large group of Pumicites then rounded the corner and, upon seeing enemies, started shouting in their strange, echoing language.
"This doesn't look good," muttered Verdant as he slotted another clip into his assault rifle.
"We can take em," replied Toy nonchalantly as he activated his force field flanges and dropped protective fields around his robots and Verdant. Resting his rifle against his shoulder, Toy sighted down its body and took aim. "Time to dispense the pain!" he shouted and fired.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
After situating himself outside of moon base beta USCMC Sgt. opened up his commications channel to moon base alpha.
"Mond-niedriges Alpha dieses ist fünfte Spalte Kennzeichnung Eindringlingmaßeinheit MK1, Sie kopieren, ich sagt wieder dieses ist Eindringling, den Maßeinheit MK1 Sie kopieren, rüber?"
(Moon base Alpha this is Fifth column designation Infiltrator unit MK1, do you copy, i say again this is Infiltrator unit MK1 do you copy, over?)
"Dieses ist niedriges Alpha des Mondes, lesen wir Sie Maßeinheit 1., was Ihr gegenwärtiger Betriebszustand und Position ist, also können einen Wiederherstellung Betrieb Schalter Ihr Sprachenprogramm zu Englisch anfangen, also können unsere Verzeichnismaßeinheiten Sie einfacher finden, rüber?"
(This is moon base alpha, we read you unit 1. what is your current operational status and location so we can begin a retrieval operation. please switch your language program to english so our locator units can find you easier, over?)
"Bestätigendes, zugeschaltetes language, das jetzt einstellt.(Affirmative, switching language setting now.) My location is east north east of moon base beta and i am a half mile out, over?"
"copy that, stand by for teleport to the base. The kommandant will debrief you and give you an update on our situation here. When you are finished please report to Senior Warrant Officer Fleishmann, she will be waiting for you in processing lab 2 to download any relevent data on the situation on earth. She will also update your threat assessment files also, over and out."
When he finished his communication with the base, he activated his cloaking device and waited for the teleportation to bring him home. a minute later Unit 1 was momentarily blinded by the flash of the teleportation to alpha base, when his visual receptors cleared he was greeted by a first lieutenant named miller.
"welcome home unit 1, you must have been quite lonely in Paragon City all by yourself without any help." said miller.
"That was what I was built and programmed for lieutenant, survival in hostile territory while on solo missions for the 5th column." replied Unit 1.
"Ja in any case the kommandant is waiting for you in his office, please follow me."
As he walked through the base to the kommandant unit 1 noticed that despite the apparent state of disarray that the base appeared to be in it was actually quite secure and heavily defended. The deeper into the base he got he noticed that it became quite utilitarian looking, the way a proper 5th column base should appear. After a few minutes unit 1 finally made it to the kommandants office.
"welcome home unit 1, i do sincerely apologize for not being able to get in contact with you earlier but we were entirely unaware that you were even activated during the coup with the council. We heard through our remaining spynet that you took out Archon Burkholder and I must say i'm glad the traitor got what he deserved, especially since it was at your hands. I bet he never thought one of his creations would ever turn on him."
"I was only doing what i was programmed to do after i was reactivated during the coup. I was also programmed to record possible meta human weaknesses that I encountered which i have stored away and await downloading into the column's mainframe" replied Unit 1.
"outstanding! First though take this disc, and upload its contents into your threat assessment files. It's an update that includes anything you might run into here on the moon." he hands the disc to unit 1 who takes the disc and places it into his chest and begins uploading the files. After a few minutes of silence the disc pops out.
" transfer has been completed, this will be most useful kommandant. Am i dismissed to report to warrant officer fleishmann now?"
"Ja report to her immediately, and welcome back unit 1." replied the kommandant.
Unit 1 salutes the kommandant and walks out of his office to be again greeting by lieutenant Miller.
"this way please, we won't have far to walk this time." says miller
They walk the 50 feet to processing lab 2 and unit 1 proceeds in to see rows and rows of deactivated mek men at the back of the lab and in the middle he notices someone strapped to an upright table with a woman taking something from the back of whoever it is strapped to the table.
"Senior warrant officer fleishman?"
The woman at the table turns and says in an annoyed voice,
"I thought i said that i was not to be interrupted! who are you and what do you want!"
"My designation is Infiltrator unit mk1, the kommandant said you were expecting me." unit 1 one glances at the person on the table, "but I see you are busy so I will come back later."
"nonononono come right in, i have been expecting you. I was wondering if you were ever going to make it here, but here you are now all in one wonderful piece. Well then where shall we start hmm?" replied fleishman
"Perhaps downloading my memory files, they are slowing my proccessing speed. I was beginning to run out of memory and would have had to start wiped files."
"well let's start there then, take a seat and plug into the mainframe relay over here next to our new guest" replied fleishman.
Unit 1 goes and stands at the terminal next to what is now an andriod of some sort that he is unfamiliar with and plugs the socket into the side of his head and begins his 5 minute download and 30 second upload of the necessary files. He turns with a dead look on the visor, to look at the captive as fleishman walks back over to her and says to unit 1.
"Unit 1 I'd like you to meet replicant humanoid essex, or S6 as she likes to call herself. she will make quite a nice addition to the family won't she?" says fleishman with a mad gleam in her eyes.
Unit 1 just stares straight ahead with his deactivated visor, unable to respond to fleishman he just turns his head were his audio receptors tell him she is standing at and he just listens to her babble on about her grand schemes for the 5th column and about her inevitable promotion once her scheme comes to fruition. All the while unit 1 just thinks to himself " I just wish she'd shut up", then wonders if that will be downloaded with part of the files too.
Outside the Telepad room of his Villaingroup...
"Whaddya mean I dont get a paycheck?!" Shrieked the short man in blue.
"You have too much debt, can't help in missions, and you boss us around..." Replied the Iron soldier.
Cap'n sighs. "Alright, NOW what? I hook you up with heists! Without me, you need to go around in alleys and pickpocket bums!" he slams a petite fist onto a column.
"We found a new guy that can, also. We wont need you anymore, Cap'n Mystery." Said the tinman, smirking under the helmet.
*BEEEEEEEERGH*
"Wha?! Heroes! We're being raided!" The soldier looks around. "Well, for now, you can help. After the raid, you're outta here."
Cap'n grunts in reply, fitting his jacket on.
It all happened like that. One moment he was standing there, arm in front of him, waiting. That is, until a forklift plowed through. It knocked him unconsious, but left him flying into a telepod marked for the Moon. He got up, the pod sealed. He pounded on the window. "GAH! Lemme out!" The technition got there, but it was too late. The pod was empty, and he was going to the moon.
---
The base's main telepod opens, employees raising an eyebrow at that. The base has had some problems like that, pods opening and closing randomly. They were going to fix it, but they didnt get paid much anyway. One brave techie walked up to the opening, tapping the door with a pen. Nothing. He lets out a sigh of relief, turning around. What he didnt expect, was a short man in a blue suit to launch straight through the pod, knock him down and kick him in the face. "Wha? Hey! You aren't that Scrapper!" Cap'n says, looking down. He looks to the pod, burns on the inside from his energy blasts. "Eh, sorry about that..." A bunch of ominous stares follow him as he walks through. "What? Havent you seen a petite before? Sheesh..." He walks through a small arched doorway, unaware that on his right was a Fifth Column lackey talking on a radio. He tunrs right, hoping to find an exit. But, he keeps looking left at the numerous experiments that were being done. He then turns to face where he is walking, only to plow into a leg of the blabbering agent. "Ow!"
"*Blabbering in German*" Shrieks the agent.
Smirks under his scarf-mask. "I canoot unnerestan' hyoo!"
He was a wiz at ticking people off. But, he went a bit too far.
A kick to the face with studdeed boots occured, leaving him unconsious on the floor.
((Hm...I didn't know it was okay to take charge of other people's NPCs. I'll have to read over the rules again. No matter.
And is it just me, or are there a ton of robots on the moon? XD It makes sense, if you think about it....))
As Unit 1 glanced over to Essex, she seemed...doll-like. A blank, resolute, and opaque stare was all that greeted the other android, and it was even unsure whether she was looking at him or past him.
Soon,the information finished loading into Unit 1, and Fleischman regarded the new addition with a small frown.
"I suppose you'll do. Not nearly as durable as I'd hoped for another member of the squad, but you seem able to do a bit of significant damage. Regardless." Turning back towards Essex, she frowned. "I will assign model S6 to accompany you in time. There is still some conditioning that must be done in order to rend her effective for service - and I have studies to undertake."
Eyeing over the would-be blaster as the information flew across the base intranet, Fleischman frowned a bit. This one was a former cape also, it seemed; and his arrival seemed a bit...suspiciously timed. Still, he had the trust of the Kommandant, so far be it from her authority to act on her doubts.
"Now then..." she began once Unit 1 was ready. "Why don't you go get acquainted with the landscape? The information is all loaded in your system. However, I should warn you - despite the fact that we have competent patrols and mercenaries out there, it seems that Moon Base Beta is beginning to enlist help from Freedom Corps vigilantes and so-called 'heroes'. So stay on your guard. And be sure to depressurize before leaving the base."
With that, she turned back to her work, typing into one of her research consoles, stone-faced.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
((Was only using fleishman like a contact. wasn't trying to step on toes.))
Warning....warning....file corruption in progress.... system reboot in 5..4..3..2..1
Not long after he finished his download and left fleishman to continue her work on S6, unit 1 decided to check out lab 1 when he processors started crashing one by one. Electricity started to arc off his body and he was barely able to manually deactivate his auto destruct from initiating, when his power supply gave out and he collapsed to the ground. Suddenly the fire alarm in lab 1 activated and halon gas started pouring down from the ceiling, luckily no human was in the lab at the time as this was an automated lab run by specialized mek men. unfortunately for the mek men the lab doors sealed shut to keep the halon gas from spreading through the base. a few minutes pass and the ventilation system clears the gas out of the room and technicians come pouring in to see what caused the the alarm to go off, only to trip over unit 1's now immobile body.
Technicians immediately tried moving unit 1 onto a table only to realize that they weren't strong enough to lift them so they gathered a few mek men from the lab and had them put him on a table.
"begin a system reboot and run a diagnostic I want to know what happened in here." said the lead technician
after thirty minutes they finally get unit 1's processors rebooted and finish their diagnostics.
"first lieutenant Eichmann sir, we found what caused the mass overload to his system. It seems that after he finished his download in lab 2 a council subroutine that was buried in his harddrive activated and tried to activate his self destruct. The subroutine was placed shortly after he was constructed. The council sabotaged him sir."
"damn, i want every useful programmer in here to rewrite his codes. We need him on the infiltration team with that new android over in lab 2 that fleishman is working on. get it done yesterday men!" yelled leiutenant Eichmann.
((It's all good! 
Don't mind me, I just get fussy about plotlines. :3 Yes, I'm one of those. FEAR ME!))
Fleischman continued working on Essex, unaware that anything had happened to Unit 1, until a troop of fellows pounded down the door leading to her laboratory.
"This had better be good," she muttered, turning with a malevolent glare.
"Uh...Senior Warrant Officer Fleischman, SIR!....or....MA'AM!....or...." the suddenly nervous private in the back began unsurely.
"Get on with it!" Fleischman snarled. "What do you want?"
"You're needed up top for programming. The Unit 1 module has some Council corruption in his databases, and we need that new model you've got to go out on the infiltration squad. Orders from First Lieutenant Eichmann..."
"What!?" Fleischman bellowed, backhanding a small beaker off her lab table with a soft crash in her rage. "No! It's not ready yet! I still have research to do!! I cannot be interrupted!"
...Thirty minutes and a threatened court marshal later....
Senior Warrant Officer Fleischman grumbled as she slowly helped the other techs work out some of the kinks in Unit 1's code. Her mind wasn't really in her work, it was more in the 'swearing in German at the superior officer' mode.
Essex stood dully at her side, still with that blank stare. Her helmet had been replaced, so only a little of her blonde hair stuck out at the nape of her neck. She just waited, dutiful, for her new commanders to finish their work.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
"I really, really hate these buggers," muttered Toy as he pulled a chunk of rock out of his left shoulder joint. Rotating the arm, he found that its mobility was limited by about 10%. An acceptable number, but something to be fixed as soon as possible.
"You don't know the meaning of hate for these things," said Verdant from his perch on the torso of a Pumicite.
Toy shrugged and got his four robots, Toy Bot and Large Toy having fallen in the fighting, back into a defensive formation. Pointing forward, Toy and the group moved out, trying to escape these caverns as quickly as possible.
Several other small groups of Pumicites blocked their way, but Toy's overwhelming firepower and Verdant's experience killing the Pumicites cleared the creatures out quickly. Toy was just dusting some more Pumicite dust off of his armor when the group finally emerged out into the sunlight. Verdant shouted for joy and then knelt down and bumped his head against the ground as though trying to kiss it through his helmet. Toy Dispenser merely sighed with satisfaction at getting out of there alive and then tapped in a few commands. A minute later, a replacement Large Toy and Toy Bot had been orbitally inserted and linked up with the rest of their fellows. After that was done and Verdant had gone on ahead after expressing his belief that he could get back to base faster on his own, Toy dialed up Kommandant Backer on his radio.
"This is Alpha Base."
"Alpha Base, this is Toy Dispenser. The package is on your way but somebody ignored the 'Handle With Care' sticker."
"Roger, Toy Dispenser. Did any guests arrive?"
"Lots of em but they were all party crashers. All I can say is that you could build a lot of houses out here now."
"Very good, Toy Dispenser. The Kommandant will be pleased. Return to base ASAP, your next assignment will be waiting."
"Loud and clear, Alpha Base. Toy Dispenser, out."
Shutting off his radio, Toy stretched his arms over his head and lazily looked back at his bots.
"Alright boys," he said. "Let's get back to base. Can't dissappoint the old mercenary code of honor now could we?"
"I've always subscribed to the 'break it and take it' line of thought myself," replied Combat Toy.
"And that," Toy said as he pointed at the assault bot. "That, is why I'm the boss and you're just a minion. Now then, enough back talk, let's get going."
OOC: Soooooooooo then. Is Toy going to run into anybody out there or will I have an uneventful trip back?
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
After a long harrowing journey and several battles with those damnable plants, I arrived back at Moon Base Beta. The Admiral was busy speaking with someone so I waited patently until he was finished (Ok I wandered around the outer compound instead of waiting patently). A few doors caught my eye. The first one said Beta Hospital
I went inside to investigate. Everything was state of the art (realizing the amount of money spent up here it had better be). I overheard a few of the Hospital staff talking about how they were quite pleased with the teleporters function.
First staff worker: It works just like the one in Paragon City.
Second staff worker: Oh thats right you worked in Paragon City before. Did you see a lot of heroes? I heard that you cant go to the store without running into a hero or two.
First staff worker: Yes you see them all the time, they are everywhere, but they are pushovers, if one is in your way you just push them out of the way. After a while you dont even notice them anymore. The hospital gets kind of redundant though; all you usually see are heroes. We take bets on how many times a hero will appear. I won a bundle on this guy named Golden Ace a while back. 5 times in one day, he set a record that no one has beaten yet.
Upon over hearing my name mentioned in the conversation, I decide to take my leave of the hospital. The conversation brought back some memories of a few years back when I first discovered the Malta, and Sappers. That reminds me. I hate Sappers. I hope I see some up here. I so want to kiah... apprehend another sapper right now. 
As I exit the hospital I turn to the right and read the next signs, the first says Enhancements, while the second says Teleporter to Space Station. I decide to check out what kind of enhancements are available and see if I could get rid off a few I picked up out in the jungle. Ever since I joined the SG I never seem to have enough on hand cash anymore, so I take every opportunity to sell my hard earned enhancements whenever I find them.
My first thought was Wow all 5 types of enhancements were sold here. I walked over to the guy that sells Mutation enhancements, and sold him a few SOs. I had 4 of them. I then sold a few science and technology enhancements to the science and tech guys.
After selling all my Enhancements for the most influence I could get I couldnt help but notice the lady that sells the Magic enhancements. She was Hot she looked a lot like Serafina. I wondered if they were related. I start up a conversation, and next thing I know I get slapped and changed into a pumpkin. She then rolls me out the door. After a minute I change back. Yes definitely related to Serafina, touchy like her too. At least SHE didnt roll me in front of a passing truck. 
*makes mental note not to use that line on her again*
I should have known better it didnt work on Serafina either.
Come to think about it, it hasnt worked on that many people. There was that half demoness empathy defender, that fallen goddess, and that red headed blaster though. Ah those were the days. 
I was about to go into the Teleporter to Space Station building when I noticed that Admiral Tarkin was waiting for me. I walked over to him to see what else he had for me.
Admiral Tarkin: Golden Ace that was some nice work, you helped slow the encroachment of the hostile plant life. I appear to have a problem that I think you can handle. I need you to investigate the original Moon Base. We have been getting strange reports from the area. I need you to explore the base and see if you can get a report back to us. I heard one crazy hero say the base was inhabited by the 5th column of all things. Be careful, if you find the 5th column I want you to interrogate a few of them and get as much information as possible for me. Watch out for the Igneous they are running rampant in that area. My patrols also need more help with the hostile plant life encroachment. Both missions are important.
I tell Admiral Tarkin that I will investigate the original Moon Base. I buy a few inspirations from him and head out toward Moon Base Alpha.
[color=gold][b][size=5]♪ Sometimes you feel like a Tank, Sometimes you don't! ♪[/size][/color][/b]
[url=http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=114726][color=black][b][size=5]Moon [color=red]Hazard [color=black]Zone![/size][/color][/color][/color][/b][/url]
((I'm confused. Is this still a theoretical zone thing or did it turn into an open RP?))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
[ QUOTE ]
((I'm confused. Is this still a theoretical zone thing or did it turn into an open RP?))
[/ QUOTE ]
OOC: Open RP based on the Moon Zone. feel free to join in. I love the Ideas a lot of people are coming up with. I might go back and have cuppa edit the original moon hazard zone with a few of them. I think my first post was not all that clear.
[color=gold][b][size=5]♪ Sometimes you feel like a Tank, Sometimes you don't! ♪[/size][/color][/b]
[url=http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=114726][color=black][b][size=5]Moon [color=red]Hazard [color=black]Zone![/size][/color][/color][/color][/b][/url]
((My understanding is that it's an open RP based on the theoretical mission setting. <.< I could be wrong though. It's been known to happen. XD;
And it doesn't look like anyone's going to be bothering Toy. << ))
Essex stood silently by the side of the Warrant Officer.
"...Incorrect modification." she barely breathed.
"...What?" Fleischman turned slightly, with a dangerous glare in the reploid's direction.
"Incorrect modification..." Essex repeated. "Current insertion of code module does not compile. Running that sequence will result in multiple parse errors and a stack overflow. Please modify your code with a single semicolon in the following location."
"Are you telling me how to do my job?" Fleischman snapped back at Essex. "Keep your mouth shut. You aren't here to nitpick my programming."
"Understood." Essex intoned. "Issue command?"
"Tch." Annoyed with the android, Fleischman waved a hand behind her dismissively. "Go and wait for orders somewhere. Away from me. I'll get to you in a minute."
Essex nodded once, and wandered off, eyes blank...staring at her settings. Fifth Column soldiers were everywhere, some of them walking casually, others in quick lock-step formation. The small, pink android was rather out of place, but that didn't register as anything more than a mental note of visual nonconformity. Settling near the entrance of the base, Essex knelt quietly in a corner to observe.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
((Ok, just one more question then: are we keeping the zone static, or is it open to changes like geography, underlying sinister plots, etc.? Anyway, here I go...))
5th Clumn technicians looked up for a second as one of the teleportation pods hissed open. A tall figure clad in gray military clothing, an armored helmet and cloth face mask of the same tint, and a blood-red visor stepped out of the teleporter. He formed a gloved hand into a fist, checking to make sure everything was there it was supposed to be - he'd never trusted teleporters.
"Und wer oder was sollen Sie sein?" a 5th tropper on reception duty asked sneeringly.
(And who are what are you supposed to be?)
"Spion." the figure answered coldly.
"Wollen Sie damit sagen dass Sie ein Spion sind oder dass ihr name Spion ist?"
(Are you waying that you are a spy or that your name is Spy?)
"Beides."
(Both)
The soldier looked a bit perplexed, then he pulled up something on the PDA he carried, "Ah, ja, jetzt sehe ich Sie. Spion - Sie sollen sich bei Offizier Fleischman melden."
(Ah, yes, now I see you. Spion - you are to report to Officer Fleischman.)
Without a word, Spion went on his way, stopping a few times for directions. Finally, he found the door he was looking for. He kocked.
"WAS IST JETZT WIEDER LOS???" a voice thundered out.
(What's going no NOW???)
Seconds later, the door flew open and a fuming woman in a 5th Officer's uniform stepped out.
"Yes, and who are you supposed to be?"
"Spion. And you speak English?"
Fleischman calmed down significantly now. Finally something had gone right, "Ah? Yes, yes, of course I do. Come in. And you're late."
Spion stepped into her office, sparsely furnished with the necessities for running a military operation.
"Yes, I know. My last job took a little longer than I thought."
"Hero trouble?"
"Boss trouble. Wouldn't pay me for the goods. Tried to ice me."
"Don't you hate it when that happens? Well, don't worry, the 5th Column will be sure to reward you for your services. I take it you got the memo?"
"Yes. Portal Corp is doing something here and you'd like to find out what. I don't suppose it comes as a surprise that Crey is bidding on this as well?"
"Not at all. They've been after Portal's tech for years now. I wonder why they never succeed...but rest assured, we can top anything they have to offer."
Spion nodded.
"By the way, I usually have a policy of knowing whom I employ."
"Sorry, the mask stays on. After all, I've got a break-time identity where I don't want to be harassed."
"Understandeable. I suppose since you're already late we can make an exception there too. Now, as for the matter of your payment..."
"Not yet."
"Hm?"
"Not yet. It all depends on what I find out. I've got enough money, I do this for the knowledge. If it's juicy enough, you get a freebie. If it turns out it was a waste of my time you have to pay up."
"Oh, trust me on this one - Portal Corp is always juicy, hehehe."
"Good for you then. Well, I'll be off now."
"Good hunting. Oh, and just so you know - Longbow protects the base."
Spion left without another word. He had already known. Upon arrivng outside the Alpha base, he pulled out binoculars and spied over to base Beta, surveying the path to get there.
No travel powers here, hm? That ought to put us on even terms.
He engaged his deflector generator, becoming invisible to the naked eye as well as just about any other form of light from infrared to ultraviolet.
Still, it would be a long walk...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
((Hey Blasterbobo - Sorry for getting a touch bent out of shape earlier. I did a little reading in other threads and I think I understand how the contact system works now. <.< Slowly I'll get the CoH RP system into my thick head. :P
Sorry 'gain. D: ))
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
OOC: Hey Devious? The commander of Alpha Base is Kommandant Backer, whom I created a little ways back. Fleichsman is the science tech or something, which is why she was programming Essex.
BIC: "I love uneventful walks," remarked Toy to himself as he stepped up to the base's airlock. Stepping inside, Toy ordered his bots to remain outside and then sat back while he waited for the lock to cycle. After it finished, Toy keyed open the door and then stepped out. Idley rolling his previously injured shoulder out of boredom, Toy Dispenser mentally retraced his path back to the Kommandant's office.
Answering a couple of friendly nods from soldiers passing by the airlock, Toy assumed that Verdant had indeed gotten here before him and had spread a good word in his favor. Feeling that all was right with the world, Toy started walking down the hall and then froze as something finally registered. Slowly turning his head, Toy started straight at a forlone looking pink robot sitting in a corner.
"Essex? What the hell?" Toy said as he stepped over to the defender. He bent down close to her and waved his hand in front of her face. "Hey, kid, you alright? I thought you were over at the other place with the rest of the good guys."
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
((Yeah, I know. But for now Spion's job is just a routine tech heist, so he got hired on by Fleischman directly. Of course, it won't stay routine for long as you know me... 
))
Finally reaching base Beta, Spion was nearly out of breath. He had sprinted the entire way, which may not have been such a good idea.
Ok then, let's see what we've got here...
He pulled his binoculars again.
Some turrets, guards here and there, and...ack, heroes. Those might be trouble. Ah, there we are!
Spion had spotted a two-man Longbow patrol. Piece of cake. He stalked over to a mean-looking bush, being careful not to provoke it, and set a time bomb. That would get their attention.
It certainly did - and exactly as planned. Thirty seconds later, one of the Longbow was running into the foliage to see what was going on while the other radioed for backup. No sooner had the line of sight broken between them than Spion went to the next phase.
A sniper shot to the head took care of the Longbow. Now that he was closer, Spion could see he was a spec-op. Perfect.
He took the man's gun, copied his outfit onto himself with a holographic disguise stolen from Arachnos, then sprayed flamethrower accelerant on the body to detroy it completely. The fire instantly ticked off nearby aggressive plants, just as he had planned.
"They're moving in fast!" Spion shouted, copying the man's voice as well, "I need backup! I need backup!"
Seconds later, a large Longow troop arrived, quickly taking care of the plants with several flamethrowers.
"So what was it?" his 'partner' asked about the explosion.
"Micrometeor. Didn't burn up all the way, but it started a big fire on the ground. Made the plants REAL angry."
Spion had done his homework, so to speak. Such incidents were a common ocurrence around here.
After a few more explanations to the other Longbow, it was decided that his patrol duty was over for today, and he entered the base escorted by the very men and women who'd shoot on sight if they knew who he really was.
He quickly split off from the group and made his way to the section of the base occupied by Portal Corp. Now all he had to do was not run into a hero...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
As she was addressed by Toy, Essex got to her feet and stood, seemingly alert. Her eyes didn't dilate as the mastermind waved a hand before her eyes. Really, as she regarded him, she seemed to look straight past him.
"I am undamaged." she said in a neutral tone. "I am not returning to Moon Base Beta. I am to remain here under command of Senior Warrant Officer Fleischman." The reploid's voice held none of the feminine-seeming concern or apprehension it had had so strongly earlier. Essex's words were not tempered with any sort of happiness or disappointment, she just...said them. Continuing to regard Toy, she spoke again.
"You are Toy Dispenser. Beginning at interaction iteration n+1 subject is to be regarded as enemy. Initiating battle sequencing."
With that, Essex dropped into an offensive stance, fists clenching at the end of her busters. Her visor glimmered with targeting marks and dropdown screens that faintly glowed through to the outside. It was odd - she was far weaker than Toy, and it was easy to tell as such...but the apprehension and fear from before seemed to be gone. A harsh, metallic ringing was slowly becoming audible as the little android's lips parted, readying an attack, when --
"Stop! Stand down!!"
The quick clip of boots was heard as Officer Fleischman herself sprinted down the hallway. "Stand down!! Idiot!"
"Command processed." Essex obligingly relaxed her stance and the high pitched ringing slowly faded. Fleischman finally arrived, panting, in front of Essex and Toy, and angrily glowered down at Essex. "What were you thinking?!" she hissed, backhanding the small robot with a resounding slap. Turning back to Toy, she tried to regain some composure, resting a hand on her hip.
"I apologize for the misunderstanding, Sir. Apparently there are still a few loose ends in her code. I will not tolerate a super-powered battle in the entrance of our base. Please rest assured that it will not happen again." She finished her statement with another sharp glare down at Essex, who just stared forward mutely.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
Toy raised up both hands in a placating gesture.
"It's ok, it's ok. I was just a bit curious as to what a known hero was doing in this base," Toy explained. "She came across me during my mission and mentioned that she was working with the Longbow over at Beta Base. Now I find her here all brainwashed or something."
Toy lowered his hands and cocked his head to one side to look at Essex from a slightly different angle.
"But I guess reprogramming would be the best term, seeing as how she is an android. Very human looking though, very nice work. I might be interested in talking with her creator about the programming work he did on her personality."
Toy Dispenser paused for a moment and Flieschman opened her mouth to speak but Toy interuppted her.
"And rest assured that there would not have been a fight. Not only is my Threat Level much higher than hers, but a simple detention field would have prevented any collatoral damage. Like so."
Flicking his wrist, Toy projected a detention field around Essex for a few moments and then canceled it. He then looked down at Fleischman and his other hand started tapping against his leg.
"How did you capture her, anyway?"
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
Fleischman laughed a little at Toy's query.
"I see you have things well under control. I suppose I would expect no less from one of our chosen mercenaries." Scowling a bit, she looked down at Essex. "Her personality? Complex and humanlike though it is, it is the personality of a coward and will not be tolerated. However, I do have the module here." Reaching into the front pocket of her coat, she produced the small chip she had removed from the android earlier.
"This, Sir..." she said, regarding the chip with a gleam in her eye, "...is a certain model of Free Will Allowance Module, only made by one research laboratory in the American southwest. It seems that this model of android are fitted with one of these and allowed to form their own personality via experience. Additionally...and what I am particularly interested in...."
Fleischman's voice lowered slightly as she rested her gaze on the stone-still Essex once again.
"...The integration of artificial DNA, making a true fusion between technology and organics. See her face, for example? That is a form of synthetic skin generated from the artificial DNA, and maintained in the same fashion as actual, organic skin. Similar to that."
Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to Toy. "But your question. It's a little funny, really. One of our minor officers saw this one streaking across the sky as quickly as she could go not three hours ago...when suddenly she seemed to run out of power. Apparently, she plummetted into an outcropping and had barely begun to repair herself when the officer snuck up and clocked her. She went down, he brought her to me, and, as the Americans say...."
With a grin, she shrugged lightly.
"Now you know, the rest of the story."
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
Fully restocked with inspirations I head out toward the original Moon Base. I check my orders it says I need to find and interrogate 25 of the 5th Column. The 5th Column... I remember them. Way back when I first came to paragon I fought a few. I had thought the Counsel took them all out. I seriously doubted I would see any 5th Column members there, let alone here on the moon. I skirted what Ive discovered as the more dangerous areas for wild foliage, so I only had to fight a few of the plants. Before I made it to unknown territory.
After a while I found myself at the edge of a huge crater. I sensed danger within its confines, from the rim it looks like a huge overgrown Jungle. I shuddered to think of going down there without support. I traveled along the edge of the crater for some time until I was able to head toward Moon Base Alpha again. Soon the foliage started to thin out and give way to rubble-strewn ground. Man-sized boulders were everywhere, and they were surrounding boulders as big as houses, with a few boulders bigger still.
As I passed a boulder from out of the ground popped a dozen or so Igneous. They were upon me in no time. It had been a while since I last fought Igneous, but I had a few more tricks up my sleeves this time. I quickly laid down Ice Patch, and looked for the biggest one to take out first.
I saw 3 that were bigger than the rest, and one that was just huge! Before I could attack it, it hit me with a bolt of energy, that nearly stunned me, and took out a nice bit of my health. I quickly hit Build Up and hit it with Block of Ice, I then ran forward and hit it again with frozen touch. I love it when a plan comes together. I was a ways from my ice patch so I stomped Frozen Aura. To take care of a few of the minions. I noticed that I was being slowed by cold attacks and was taking a lot of damage from the 3 elder monsters. I decided that the big guy was the most dangerous threat so I continued to attack him. I hit him with Air Superiority and Frozen Fists I then struck him with the awesome might of my Greater Ice Sword. Ice Patch came back, and I threw it down. It might release a few of the minions around me but hopefully it would keep a few of the Elder Igneous off my back while I took care of the boss.
I ate a purple as a precaution along with a few reds. The boss came out and zapped me again with some sort of energy (radiation?) attack. He then followed through with an over hand smash that nearly brought me to my knees. This guy could put out the damage. My health was starting to turn red, so I hit Dull Pain. And waited until my attacks came back. I thought to myself two can play the slow game and jumped back a bit to get everyone into my vision. I then hit them with my one and only Area of Effect attack Frost. That slowed them down a bit but not enough, at least they were still bouncing around. On my ice patch. I backed into a House-sized boulder, so the Igneous could only attack me from the front and threw another Ice Patch down.
The next thing I see is a giant arm reaching out of the rock to hit me along side of the head. What the heck?!! I turn and see another dozen Igneous coming out of the rock like it didnt exist. I decide that enough is enough and eat a few greens and back off as quickly as possible but before I could get very far I was hit with another of those energy attacks and stunned. I hit a break free, but now Im taking huge damage from every one including the minions. I eat the last of my greens, and all four of my remaining lucks. I try and put my defenses back up but, Im fading fast. As a last act of defiance I take out the original boss creature with a Block of Ice. Im then hit by the other boss and knocked to the ground. I hit the recall button just before I fade from consciousness.
I find myself back in the hospital. A technician is telling me Congratulations you are the first Hero to use the Hospital.
Great, just what I wanted to be known for. I told him I hope you dont inscribe that on a plaque or anything.
As I was leaving the hospital I over heard a conversation that made me turn red.
First staff worker: Hey thats Golden Ace!
Second staff worker: the one you were telling me about?
First staff worker: Yeah! Ill bet you twenty bucks youll see him again within the hour.
Second staff worker: Your on, its a bet!
I stormed out of the lobby. To Admiral Tarkin eating and deleting any inspiration that I dont think Ill need. Admiral Tarkin asked me if I had any news yet. I told him not yet Im heading out now. I bought a bunch of lucks a few greens and some break frees. I was pissed and was going to make them pay. As I got to the crater again I calmed down somewhat. And thought about a plan to take them out. Rule one: No more going near the large boulders! Rule two: If two groups get aggravated then use a break free right away. Dont wait. After a long march I made it back to the area. I was looking forward to this. I skirted the boulder and saw the first group lying on the ground. I attacked. A minion with Block of Ice. The entire group ran at me as they got close I hit an Elder with Frozen touch. And threw down an Ice Patch.
This battle went much more smoothly. I was able to hold two of the elders almost permanently while I attacked a third. Once the Elders Igneous were gone I made short work of the minions. I then walked over to the boulder and threw down Ice Patch next to it and backed off. Sure enough a bunch of Igneous were coming out of the rock. I spotted the boss and hit him with Block of Ice and Frozen touch. I kept him that way until he was dead. He crumbled to bits as I hit him with my Greater Ice Sword. The rest of the group was easy, once I got rid of the elders.
My watch went off, an hour had passed since I left the hospital. I smiled to myself knowing that I had just cost that technician 20 dollars.
I cautiously made my way toward the base skirting the large boulders and any group of Igneous I found. I heard shooting in the distance, and the cry of the Igneous. Someone or several someones were fighting the Igneous. Maybe a hero needed my help?
I rounded a boulder and saw a group of soldiers fighting a group of Igneous. As I closed in on them I noticed that they were indeed 5th Column. I attacked the boss Igneous and Froze him with a combination of Build-Up, Block of Ice and Frozen Touch. I then stomped my foot and a wave of cold energy emanated from me freezing half a dozen Igneous Minions in my Frozen Aura. The column and I made short work of the remaining Igneous when they pointed their weapons at me.
Who are you? demanded the Lieutenant in charge of the patrol?
Im Golden Ace. How did the 5th Column get up here? I responded.
A hero! Kill him! Snarled the Lieutenant.
I quickly threw down an ice patch and froze the Lieutenant, with a Block of Ice. Then started taking out the minions I kept the Lieutenant held until I had finished him off, I then finished the rest of his men. I had all eight defeated in no time. I searched their unconscious forms for any information. Then continued onward toward the base. I found two more groups and took them out as I was traveling onward. Once I was near the base I saw that it was not the same base as was described to me.
It looked like a mini fortress. I wondered how close I could get to the entrance. I needed more information for Admiral Tarkin. As I got close to the gate I was surprised by another patrol. I took them out as quickly as possible but the alarm had sounded. I did a quick search of the men and found a folder written in German, it appeared to contain plans of the base along with a detailed history of 5th column operations here at Moon Base Alpha.
I quickly tucked the folder away, and prepared to depart when I was cut off by several advancing patrols. I stomped the ground and let loose a frozen aura freezing half the men surrounding me. I then worked my way past them and found myself at the gate. I threw down Frozen Aura, and hit dull pain to recover my health. I had to make it away from the gate! My way was still blocked, and I was taking damage fast. There were way too many men for me to handle. I glanced up and saw Essex next to the gate. Essex! Help! I shouted!
[color=gold][b][size=5]♪ Sometimes you feel like a Tank, Sometimes you don't! ♪[/size][/color][/b]
[url=http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=114726][color=black][b][size=5]Moon [color=red]Hazard [color=black]Zone![/size][/color][/color][/color][/b][/url]
Toy wordlessly held his hand out and Fleischman handed him the chip so he could get a closer look at it. Turning the chip round and round in his fingers, Toy glanced at Essex and then at the doctor.
"A Free Will Allowance Module and artificial DNA, eh? Somewhat a pity that she won't be allowed to have the first one anymore. It would have been very interesting to see if she outgrew her cowardly traits," Toy said and then handed the chip back to Flieschman. "After all, as an independant android myself, I take a certain curiosity in learning how the same thing occurs with other robots. But since you are mainly interested in the artificial DNA, which I am most certainly not, I won't bore you with some of the more amusing experiments I have had attempting to reproduce my own form of free will."
Shrugging, as if none of this was his concern, Toy patted Essex on the head.
"Are you planning on getting rid of her after you find out how the DNA is created? Or will you have her reassigned to this base as a loyal super? I've worked for people that have had situations like this on their hands and I've always found their decisions...unique," Toy said as he looked from Essex to the doctor.
EDIT: I think Essex is inside the base with Toy and the good doctor. The only things out there that aren't 5th Column are Toy's bots and they'd probably shoot you as soon as look at you. I suppose you could have seen her through a port hole or something. *shrug*
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
"Hmph..." Fleischman replied to Toy, "Once we are secure here, I don't plan on allowing this android's continued existance. While the heroes still threaten we could use her strong regenerative abilities, but as a long-term solution I plan to disassemble and thoughrally research her. Perhaps if there are parts I cannot use, I will recycle them in future drone models."
Suddenly, Essex's head snapped to alertness, and she turned her head to glance out the nearby see-through airlock door. Made of an impressive, concave shell of quadruple-reinforced fiberglass, it allowed for a beautiful view of the lunar landscape while keeping undesireables out and air in.
"...Hero has entered base proximity." she murmured quietly. "...In dire need of repair."
Fleischman scowled suddenly, and straightened, beginning to bark orders in German. Toy could easily understand that she was commanding soldiers out to apprehend or destroy the invading hero with the utmost haste...
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
Looking out of the door, Toy did indeed see a yellow clad hero being fired upon by sveral 5th Column troops. The rapid thudding of booted feet made it clear that soon the hero would be completely outnumbered. Frowning to himself, Toy issued orders to his bots telling them to attack and destroy the hero if they could, drive him off if they couldn't.
Then, while, Flieschman was occupied and his bots were fighting, Toy stepped closer to Essex and pulled a small chip from his right wrist compartment. It seemed as though Flieschman hadn't noticed the switch he had made, exchanging the real FWAM chip for an uncoded chip that Toy carried around for emergency repairs. He looked over at Fleischman again and saw that she was blocked from his view by a small crowd of soldiers waiting to cycle through the airlock four at a time.
"Now where do I put this?" Toy said aloud as he looked Essex over. "I suppose in your head somewhere but designers can be weird sometimes, huh."
Toy scratched his head and tried to figure out how he was going to do this before the soldiers moved.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
As Toy's expert eyes searched around for the mental circuitry panel, he could feel a small clip on the very back of the nape of Essex's neck. Since it was necessary to remove her helmet to open the panel, it came off, showing her dark blonde hair pinned neatly up and out of the way for quick access. It was strange...her hair almost seemed real, not just synthetic. The illusion of the reality of her humanity soon became apparent when the panel clacked open, however, revealing complex circuitry. Easily finding the proper place for the chip, no sooner had Toy quickly closed the panel and replaced her helmet than Essex reached up to grip her head with a small murmur of confusion.
"What?..." she gasped, her eyes suddenly coming into focus as she glanced around distractedly. Noticing Toy beside her, she initially recoiled in horror...and then untensed the slightest bit.
"...You saved me. Why?" she asked, her small voice wondering. "Regardless....thank you." She bowed a little to him, quickly, with a smile - funny how sometimes, a smile reaches all the way into a human's eyes - How in the world did her creator replicate that property? Nevertheless, sincerity shone forth in her gaze and she smiled, widely...thankful to Toy.
In the next moment she was off and running, determination in her eyes.
"Hang on, sir!" she called out. Leaping into the air and activating her thrusters, she soared above the advancing Fifth Column soldiers.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
Finally able to recieve a scrambled 5th column transmission after the long silence from the council takeover, USCMC Sgt. went through his usual routine of double checking the source of the signal to verify it sending origin. Then he double checked again unsure as to why the signal was originating from the moon, his cpu theorized that since he wasoperating in firebase zulu that it could be a bounced feed from the moon. His final decision was to ask general hammond about recieving a signal from the moon, he just wouldn't tell him who sent it. Much to his surprise he was informed that it was possible he recieved a transmission from the moon since there is a base there, the general even told him who to talk to to go there if he really wanted to. So USCMC Sgt. activated his flight boosters and proceeded to city hall in atlas park to talk with rick davies about going to the moon. "sure, Sgt. we sent some hero's there earlier. We were actually about to send some supplies through if you'd like to go along and see for yourself, not a chance you get everyday you know.", said rick davies. "very good, i've been getting these signals all week. It's been wearing my memory storage units down.", said Sgt. "Well go stand by those crates near the portal and we'll send you on your way. Oh and tell professor clark that poker night is tuesday this week." As soon as USCMC Sgt. steps over to the crates the portal is activated and teleports him immediately to moon base beta.
Upon reaching the other side he tells the technician that he thinks there is some kind of dimensional creature that tried to attack him on the way there. The technician simply looked at USCMC Sgt. like his head magically turned to cabbage. "what, is there something bad behind me that I should be running from?", said the Sgt. "no, just go down the hall and talk to professor clark. He'll brief you on the important things to do and not to do.", replied the technician. "ah yes, I see we have yet another hero in our midst. Welcome to moon base beta, now with properly adjusted hospital pads for those hero's who throw caution into the wind.", said professor clark. "uh, thank you? I think?" replied the Sgt. "Rick Davies from DATA says that poker night is tuesday this week. If you would please tell me if it is possible to recieve transmissions from here to earth, or to firebase zulu?", said the Sgt. "yes, it is possible, but only if the recieving frequency was known beforehand. That would be the only way that we know of for a signal from here to reach firebase zulu, that is until they install a direct portal from here to the firebase.", replied the professor.
"Is this the only functional base here on the moon? or are there other locations I should be aware of.", said USCMC Sgt. "Well the only other moon base here is moon base alpha, but it was overrun by the indigenous flora quite some time ago and we aren't risking an expedition to investigate it yet. I can show you on our map where the base is if you feel you can survive", replied the professor. The Sgt. nods in approval and they walk over to the map room. "This map we have is updated instantaneously by heros out in the field by using camera drones that we have follow them unless they request otherwise. There is an upload station over there in the corner that you can use to get an updated copy of the map for you to use in the field. If you'd like we will assign you a camera drone also.", said the professor. "A camera drone will only give my position away to possible threats, so I must decline your offer of the drone. I will however take a copy of the updated map", replied the Sgt. He walked over to the upload station and begins a direct upload to his map subroutine and when he finishes he abruptly walks out of the maproom without saying another word.